bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High prevalence of fragmented QRS on electrocardiography in Japanese patients with diabetes irrespective of metabolic syndrome
Authors: Yagi Kunimasa , Nagata Yoshiki , Yamagami Takashi , Chujo Daisuke , Kamigishi Miki , Yokoyama‐Nakagawa Maki , Shikata Masataka , Enkaku Asako , Takikawa‐Nishida Akiko , Honoki Hisae , Fujisaka Shiho , Origasa Hideki , Tobe Kazuyuki
Published: February 2021

Aims/Introduction

Fragmented QRS (fQRS) on electrocardiography is a marker of myocardial fibrosis and myocardial scar formation. This study aimed to clarify the relationship of fQRS with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Japanese patients.

Materials and Methods

Approximately 702 individuals who had a routine health checkup at the Hokuriku Health Service Association (Toyama, Japan) in October 2014 were enrolled and categorized into one of the following four groups based on MetS and diabetes mellitus status: with diabetes mellitus (+) MetS+ (164 participants); diabetes mellitus+ without MetS (Mets−; 103 participants); diabetes mellitus− MetS+ (133 participants); and diabetes mellitus− MetS− (302 participants). fQRS was assessed using the results of electrocardiography.

Results

The prevalence of fQRS was statistically higher in patients with diabetes mellitus+ MetS+ (37%) and diabetes mellitus+ MetS− (35%), than those with diabetes mellitus− MetS+ (14%) or diabetes mellitus− MetS− (10%; P < 0.0001). Significant differences were observed between the fQRS(+) and fQRS(–) groups for age, sex, waist circumference, heart rate, hypertension, hemoglobin A1c, total cholesterol, MetS and diabetes mellitus. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for traditional risk factors and diabetes mellitus was 0.72 (P = 0.0007, 95% confidence interval 0.67–0.76), and for traditional risk factors and MetS it was 0.67 (P = 0.28, 95% confidence interval 0.62–0.72). Patients with diabetes mellitus had more than threefold higher likelihood of showing fQRS (odds ratio 3.41; 95% confidence interval 2.25–5.22; P < 0.0001) compared with the reference group without diabetes mellitus, after adjusting for age, sex, dyslipidemia, hypertension and waist circumference.

Conclusions

fQRS was observed more frequently in diabetes mellitus patients than in MetS and control individuals. Diabetes mellitus was the most significant determinant for fQRS among MetS and other traditional metabolic risk factors.
Comparative proteomic analysis provides insight into the key proteins as potential targets underlying the effect of malachite green against Ichthyophthirius multifiliis
Authors: Qu Shenye , Song Chenguang , Tan Xiaoping , Wang Gaoxue , Ling Fei
Published: February 2021

Target identification is important for drug discovery. Unfortunately, no drug targets have been found in Ichthyophthirius multifiliis until now and further limited development of the novel drug for Ichthyophthiriasis. In this study, an iTRAQ‐based quantitative proteomic analysis was used to find the target of malachite green (MG), exhibiting greater efficacy than the existing drugs, against I. multifiliis trophonts in situ. We also verified the proteomic results by RT‐qPCR, TEM and cell apoptosis assay. Our results showed that major variations in protein abundance were found among many of the ribosome proteins, indicating ribosome might be a candidate target. Furthermore, GO and KEGG pathway analyses of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) revealed that ribosome and PI3K‐Akt signalling pathway were remarkably enriched. Taken together, the above DEPs were also verified by RT‐qPCR and morphological observations. This study provides insights into the key proteins enriched in PI3K‐Akt signal pathway and ribosome pathway as potential targets of MG killing I. multifiliis, which could be served as targets for other less toxic drugs and be tested as potential treatments for I. multifiliis.
Development of monoclonal antibody‐based sandwich ELISA for detecting major mango allergen Man i1 in processed foods
Authors: Tsai Wen‐Che , Yin Hsin‐Yi , Chen Ssu‐Ning , Chang Hung‐Chi , Wen Hsiao‐Wei
Published: February 2021

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a popular tropical fruit but also an allergenic source. In Taiwan, the packaging of any food product that contains mango must display an allergen warning. Therefore, establishing a reliable method for detecting mango residues in food products is important. In this study, a sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (sELISA) was developed to detect the major mango allergen Man i1. First, five batches of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies against Man i1 were generated and used to identify the optimal antibody pair for sELISA. Using 2G5 mAb as the capture antibody and anti‐rMan i1 pAb as the detection antibody yielded the strongest assay signal. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the developed ELISA are estimated to be 3.9 and 21.2 ng/ml rMan i1, respectively, after optimization. The assay exhibits good specificity to mango and offers good precision and reproducibility since the calculated coefficient of variation (CV) of the intra‐ and inter‐assays were 5.5–11.7% and 7.4–12.4%, respectively. Finally, 23 commercial food products were evaluated using the developed sELISA and the results of this assay closely agreed (95.7%) with those of the Western blot. Thus, the developed sELISA provides a potential method for detecting mango allergens in foods for protecting people with mango allergy from the accidental ingestion of mango.
A comprehensive topical antioxidant inhibits oxidative stress induced by blue light exposure and cigarette smoke in human skin tissue
Authors: Wortzman Mitchell , Nelson Diane B.
Published: February 2021

Objective

Skin damage from visible light predominantly results from exposure to the blue light spectrum (400‐500 nm) which generates Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) causing a cascade of harmful effects to skin. Topical antioxidants reduce the effects of free radical damage caused by environmental exposures. This study evaluated a comprehensive topical antioxidant's ability to inhibit ROS production induced by blue light and cigarette smoke (CS) in human skin.

Methods

Two experiments were conducted utilizing human skin (Fitzpatrick Skin Types III and V; N = 3, each). After confirmed reactivity of untreated tissues at 412 nm, 20J/cm2, untreated and pretreated (WEL‐DS, 2 mg/cm2) skin tissue was exposed to blue light and blue light plus CS and left overnight. A nonfluorescent probe (DCFH‐DA) was added to skin and exposed to blue light (412 nm, 20J/cm2) and blue light plus CS. Fluorescent 2’,7’‐DCF was generated upon enzymatic reduction and subsequent oxidation by ROS.

Results

ROS increased at least tenfold following initial exposure to blue light and blue light plus CS in untreated skin. Pretreatment with WEL‐DS decreased ROS in FST III exposed to blue light by 51% and 46% in skin exposed to blue light plus CS vs. untreated skin (both,P < .001). In FST V, pretreatment with WEL‐DS decreased ROS exposed to blue light by 54% (P < .001) and 50% in skin exposed to blue light plus CS vs. untreated skin (P < .0001).

Conclusion

WEL‐DS demonstrated significant reduction in ROS induced by blue light and blue light in combination with CS compared with untreated, exposed skin.
The illness experience for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A qualitative study
Authors: Yuan Meng‐Mei , Peng Xi , Zeng Tie‐Ying , Wu Mei‐Li‐Yang , Chen Ye , Zhang Ke , Wang Xue‐Jun
Published: February 2021

Aims and objectives

This study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the illness experience of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in China and the meaning they attach to those experiences.

Background

ALS is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder that significantly impacts individuals and families. There is a large number of patients with ALS in China. However, little is known about how they live with ALS.

Design

Phenomenological qualitative research was performed among twenty people with ALS from the neurology department of a tertiary hospital in China. Colaizzi's method was used to analyse the participants’ data. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) was used as a guideline to secure accurate and complete reporting of the study.

Results

We proposed three themes and eight subthemes on the illness experience of participants: (1) life countdown: ‘my body was frozen’ (body out of control and inward suffering); (2) family self‐help: ‘we kept an eye on each other’ (family warmth and hardship, and supporting the supporter); and (3) reconstruction of life: ‘what was the meaning of my life’ (learning to accept, rebuilding self‐worth, resetting the priority list and living in the moment).

Conclusions

In the family self‐help model, patients are prompted to turn from negative mentalities to search for meaning in life actively. Healthcare providers need to attach importance to the family self‐help model to alleviate the pressure on medical resources.

Relevance to clinical practice

Healthcare providers should encourage patients to play a supportive role in the family and provide more care support and professional care knowledge guidance to caregivers, to promote the formation of the family self‐help model which might help to improve the experience of patients and families.
Trading Costs and Informational Efficiency
Authors: DÁVILA EDUARDO , PARLATORE CECILIA
Published: February 2021

We study the effect of trading costs on information aggregation and acquisition in financial markets. For a given precision of investors' private information, an irrelevance result emerges when investors are ex ante identical: price informativeness is independent of the level of trading costs. When investors are ex ante heterogeneous, a change in trading costs can increase or decrease price informativeness, depending on the source of heterogeneity. Our results are valid under quadratic, linear, and fixed costs. Through a reduction in information acquisition, trading costs reduce price informativeness. We discuss how our results inform the policy debate on financial transaction taxes/Tobin taxes.
Mechanical bowel preparation before gynecologic laparoscopic procedures: Is it time to abandon this practice?
Authors: Kathopoulis Nikolaos , Chatzipapas Ioannis , Valsamidis Dimitrios , Samartzis Konstantinos , Kipriotis Konstantinos , Loutradis Dimitrios , Protopapas Athanasios
Published: February 2021

Aim

To examine the influence of mechanical bowel preparation on surgical field visualization and patients' quality of life during benign gynecologic laparoscopic procedures.

Methods

A single blind, randomized, controlled trial was undertaken with laparoscopic gynecologic surgical patients to one of the following three groups: liquid diet on the preoperative day; mechanical bowel preparation with oral polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution; minimal residue diet for 3 days. Primary outcomes included assessment of the condition of small and large bowel and the overall quality of the surgical field. Additional measures included assessment of patients' preoperative symptoms, tolerance of the preparation method and compliance to the protocol, postoperative symptoms and bowel function.

Results

One hundred forty‐four patients were randomized as follows: 49 to liquid diet, 47 to mechanical bowel preparation, and 48 to minimal residue diet. Most characteristics were similar across groups. The intraoperative surgical view and the condition of large and small bowel were equal or inferior at the patients who received mechanical bowel preparation compared with the other groups. The 4‐point Likert scale scoring for small bowel (2.51 vs. 2.72 vs. 2.81, p = 0.04), large bowel (2.26 vs. 2.38 vs. 2.48, p = 0.32) and overall operative field quality (2.34 vs. 2.67 vs. 2.67, p = 0.03) demonstrated no advantage from the use of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation over liquid diet and minimal residue diet, respectively. Preoperative discomfort was significantly greater in the mechanical bowel preparation group.

Conclusion

Mechanical bowel preparation before gynecologic laparoscopic operations for benign pathology could be safely abandoned.

Clinical Trial Registration

ISRCTN registry, https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN59502124 (No 59502124).
The value of serum‐free androgen index in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Lilin , Li Juan
Published: February 2021

Objective

It is found that there is a significant difference in serum‐free androgen index (FAI) between patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and healthy people, and the selection of appropriate cutoff value has a certain diagnostic value for PCOS. However, the current research conclusions on the diagnostic value of FAI for PCOS are not consistent. The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic value of FAI in PCOS, in order to provide reference for clinicians to select appropriate diagnostic indicators in the future.

Methods

Cochrane Library, Medline, Excerpta Medica Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and China Wanfang database were searched until July 2020. A comprehensive collection of FAI studies on the diagnosis of PCOS was conducted. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), positive likelihood ratio (+LR), and negative likelihood ratio (−LR) were analyzed by Stata15.0 software, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the subjects were drawn.

Results

A total of seven high‐quality clinical studies were included. The results of meta‐analysis showed that the pooled sensitivity = 0.76 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.69 ~ 0.82), specificity = 0.82 (95%CI: 0.69 ~ 0.90), +LR = 4.12 (95%CI: 2.12 ~ 4.03), −LR = 0.29 (95%CI: 0.22 ~ 0.38), DOR = 14.08 (95%CI: 7.13 ~ 27.83), and the area under ROC was 0.84.

Conclusion

FAI has a moderate diagnostic value for PCOS. It may be possible to add new experimental designs to find the best cut‐off value for FAI diagnosis to improve the diagnostic efficacy.
TNFα expression by Porphyromonas gingivalis‐stimulated macrophages relies on Sirt1 cleavage
Authors: Meka Sai R.K. , Younis Tahsin , Reich Eli , Elayyan Jinan , Kumar Ashok , Merquiol Emmanuelle , Blum Galia , Kalmus Shira , Maatuf Yonathan H. , Batshon George , Nussbaum Gabriel , Houri‐Haddad Yael , Dvir‐Ginzberg Mona
Published: February 2021

Objective

Periodontitis is one the most common chronic inflammatory conditions, resulting in destruction of tooth‐supporting tissues and leading to tooth loss. Porphyromonas gingivalis activates host macrophages to secrete pro‐inflammatory cytokines and elicit tissue damage, in part by inducing NF‐kappa‐B transactivation. Since NFκB transactivation is negatively regulated by the Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)‐dependent deacetylase enzyme Sirt1, we sought to assess if RAW264.7 macrophages exposed to P. gingivalis demonstrate impaired Sirt1 activity, to ultimately induce a pro‐inflammatory response.

Methods

RAW264.7 macrophages were incubated with heat‐ killed P. gingivalis for 2, 4, 8, and 24 h. Stimulated RAW264.7 were assessed for TNFα expression via PCR, ELISA, and ChIP analysis. Following the activation of RAW264.7 macrophages, immunoblot analysis was executed to detect modifications in Sirt1 and the NFκB subunit RelA that is essential for NFκB transcriptional activity.

Results

TNFα expression was elevated 4 h after exposure to P. gingivalis. ChIP confirmed that RelA was enriched in the mouse TNFα promoter 4 h following stimulation, which correlated with the increased TNFα mRNA levels. Preceding TNFα expression, we detected Phosphoserine 536 and acetylated lysine 310 of RelA after 2 hours exposure with P. gingivalis. Moreover, reduced Sirt1 activity was associated with its cleavage in RAW264.7 protein extracts, after 2 hours of P. gingivalis exposure. Blocking TLR2/4 signaling prevented Sirt1 cleavage, loss of deacetylase activity, and TNFα secretion, while co‐administering CA074Me (a cathepsin B inhibitor) with P. gingivalis reduced RelA promoter enrichment, resulting in impaired TNFα expression.

Conclusions

Together, the results suggest that P. gingivalis induces TNFα expression, at least in part, by enhancing cleavage of Sirt1 via a TLR‐dependent signaling circuit.
Fosmidomycin transport through the phosphate‐specific porins OprO and OprP of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Piselli Claudio , Benz Roland
Published: February 2021

The Gram‐negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen, responsible for many hospital‐acquired infections. The bacterium is quite resistant toward many antibiotics, in particular because of the fine‐tuned permeability of its outer membrane (OM). General diffusion outer membrane pores are quite rare in this organism. Instead, its OM contains many substrate‐specific porins. Their expression is varying according to growth conditions and virulence. Phosphate limitations, as well as pathogenicity factors, result in the induction of the two mono‐ and polyphosphate‐specific porins, OprP and OprO, respectively, together with an inner membrane uptake mechanism and a periplasmic binding protein. These outer membrane channels could serve as outer membrane pathways for the uptake of phosphonates. Among them are not only herbicides, but also potent antibiotics, such as fosfomycin and fosmidomycin. In this study, we investigated the interaction between OprP and OprO and fosmidomycin in detail. We could demonstrate that fosmidomycin is able to bind to the phosphate‐specific binding site inside the two porins. The inhibition of chloride conductance of OprP and OprO by fosmidomycin is considerably less than that of phosphate or diphosphate, but it can be measured in titration experiments of chloride conductance and also in single‐channel experiments. The results suggest that fosmidomycin transport across the OM of P. aeruginosa occurs through OprP and OprO. Our data with the ones already known in the literature show that phosphonic acid‐containing antibiotics are in general good candidates to treat the infections of P. aeruginosa at the very beginning through a favorable OM transport system.
Characterization of DtrJ as an IncC plasmid conjugative DNA transfer component
Authors: Hancock Steven J. , Phan Minh‐Duy , Roberts Leah W. , Vu Thu Ngoc Minh , Harris Patrick N. A. , Beatson Scott A. , Schembri Mark A.
Published: February 2021

Incompatibility group C (IncC) plasmids are large (50–400 kb), broad host range plasmids that drive the spread of genes conferring resistance to all classes of antibiotics, most notably the blaNDM gene that confers resistance to last‐line carbapenems and the mcr‐3 gene that confers resistance to colistin. Several recent studies have improved our understanding of the basic biological mechanisms driving the success of IncC, in particular the identification of multiple novel IncC conjugation genes by transposon directed insertion‐site sequencing. Here, one of these genes, dtrJ, was examined in further detail. The dtrJ gene is located in the DNA transfer locus on the IncC backbone, and quantitative reverse‐transcriptase PCR analysis revealed it is transcribed in the same operon as the DNA transfer genes traI and traD (encoding the relaxase and coupling protein, respectively) and activated by the AcaDC regulatory complex. We confirmed that DtrJ is not required for pilus biogenesis or mate pair formation. Instead, DtrJ localizes to the membrane, where it interacts with the coupling protein TraD and functions as an IncC DNA transfer protein. Overall, this work has defined the role of DtrJ in DNA transfer of IncC plasmids during conjugation.
OmpR coordinates the expression of virulence factors of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in the alimentary tract of Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Wang Sin‐Tian , Kuo Cheng‐Ju , Huang Chih‐Wen , Lee Tzer‐Min , Chen Jenn‐Wei , Chen Chang‐Shi
Published: February 2021

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), an enteropathogen that colonizes in the intestine, causes severe diarrhea and hemorrhagic colitis in humans by the expression of the type III secretion system (T3SS) and Shiga‐like toxins (Stxs). However, how EHEC can sense and respond to the changes in the alimentary tract and coordinate the expression of these virulence genes remains elusive. The T3SS‐related genes are known to be regulated by the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE)‐encoded regulators, such as Ler, as well as non‐LEE‐encoded regulators in response to different environmental cues. Herein, we report that OmpR, which participates in the adaptation of E. coli to osmolarity and pH alterations, is required for EHEC infection in Caenorhabditis elegans. OmpR protein was able to directly bind to the promoters of ler and stx1 (Shiga‐like toxin 1) and regulate the expression of T3SS and Stx1, respectively, at the transcriptional level. Moreover, we demonstrated that the expression of ler in EHEC is in response to the intestinal environment and is regulated by OmpR in C. elegans. Taken together, we reveal that OmpR is an important regulator of EHEC which coordinates the expression of virulence factors during gastrointestinal infection in vivo.
Serotonin, food intake, and obesity
Authors: van Galen Katy A. , ter Horst Kasper W. , Serlie Mireille J.
Published: February 2021

The role of serotonin in food intake has been studied for decades. Food intake is mainly regulated by two brain circuitries: (i) the homeostatic circuitry, which matches energy intake to energy expenditure, and (ii) the hedonic circuitry, which is involved in rewarding and motivational aspects of energy consumption. In the homeostatic circuitry, serotonergic signaling contributes to the integration of metabolic signals that convey the body's energy status and facilitates the ability to suppress food intake when homeostatic needs have been met. In the hedonic circuitry, serotonergic signaling may reduce reward‐related, motivational food consumption. In contrast, peripherally acting serotonin promotes energy absorption and storage. Disturbed serotonergic signaling is associated with obesity, emphasizing the importance to understand the role of serotonergic signaling in food intake. However, unraveling the serotonin‐mediated regulation of food intake is complex, as the effects of serotonergic signaling in different brain regions depend on the regional expression of serotonin receptor subtypes and downstream effects via connections to other brain regions. We therefore provide an overview of the effects of serotonergic signaling in brain regions of the homeostatic and hedonic regulatory systems on food intake. Furthermore, we discuss the disturbances in serotonergic signaling in obesity and its potential therapeutic implications.
Impact of intraoral non‐pharmacological non‐surgical adjunctive interventions on orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption in humans: A systematic review
Authors: Al‐Dboush Ra’ed , Flores‐Mir Carlos , El‐Bialy Tarek
Published: February 2021

Background

The current systematic review aimed to assess the impact of intraoral non‐surgical non‐pharmacological adjunctive interventions on orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR).

Search methods

Search without restrictions was performed up to November 2020 in three electronic databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE and EMBASE) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), prospective and retrospective non‐randomized studies. The ROB 2.0 tool was used to assess the quality of the included RCTs, and the ROBINS‐I tool was applied to non‐randomized clinical studies. The strength of evidence was ranked using GRADE.

Results

Three hundred and sixteen records were initially retrieved. A total of 10 studies, with 236 patients, were finally considered. These studies assessed the effects of mechanical vibration (low‐frequency and high‐frequency), low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) and photobiomodulation (light‐emitting devices (LED). While the low‐frequency vibration and LED do not seem to affect OIIRR, OIIRR has been reported to be reduced in high‐frequency vibration, and LIPUS‐treated teeth (differences may not likely be considered clinically relevant). The potential positive effect of LLLT on OIIRR is still debatable. Overall, the existing evidence suggests that the amount of OIIRR observed while using these interventions with traditional orthodontic treatment was not more than that was observed without it.

Conclusions

Based on a very low level of confidence, it seems that intraoral non‐pharmacological non‐surgical adjunctive interventions do not affect the amount of OIIRR either positively or negatively to a clinically relevant degree when compared to what is seen with conventional orthodontic treatment alone.
A conceptual guide to measuring species diversity
Authors: Roswell Michael , Dushoff Jonathan , Winfree Rachael
Published: February 2021

Three metrics of species diversity – species richness, the Shannon index and the Simpson index – are still widely used in ecology, despite decades of valid critiques leveled against them. Developing a robust diversity metric has been challenging because, unlike many variables ecologists measure, the diversity of a community often cannot be estimated in an unbiased way based on a random sample from that community. Over the past decade, ecologists have begun to incorporate two important tools for estimating diversity: coverage and Hill diversity. Coverage is a method for equalizing samples that is, on theoretical grounds, preferable to other commonly used methods such as equal‐effort sampling, or rarefying datasets to equal sample size. Hill diversity comprises a spectrum of diversity metrics and is based on three key insights. First, species richness and variants of the Shannon and Simpson indices are all special cases of one general equation. Second, richness, Shannon and Simpson can be expressed on the same scale and in units of species. Third, there is no way to eliminate the effect of relative abundance from estimates of any of these diversity metrics, including species richness. Rather, a researcher must choose the relative sensitivity of the metric towards rare and common species, a concept which we describe as ‘leverage.' In this paper we explain coverage and Hill diversity, provide guidelines for how to use them together to measure species diversity, and demonstrate their use with examples from our own data. We show why researchers will obtain more robust results when they estimate the Hill diversity of equal‐coverage samples, rather than using other methods such as equal‐effort sampling or traditional sample rarefaction.
The Great Convergence: Gender and Unpaid Work in Europe and the United States
Authors: Pailhé Ariane , Solaz Anne , Stanfors Maria
Published: February 2021

Over the past decades, men's and women's time use in industrialized nations has changed dramatically, suggesting a gender revolution. Women increased their time in paid work and reduced time in unpaid activities, while men increased their time in unpaid work, but not enough to compensate for women's retreat. We investigate developments regarding men's and women's unpaid work across Europe and the United States, using time diary data from the mid‐1980s and onward. We find evidence for gender convergence in unpaid work over time, but different trends for housework and childcare. Gender convergence in housework primarily resulted from women reducing their time, whereas childcare time increased for both sexes, resulting in convergence only where men increased more than did women. Decomposition analyses show that trends in housework and childcare are explained by changes in behavior rather than compositional changes in population characteristics. Though level differences in unpaid work persist, our findings regarding trends support gender convergence in that they are general across country contexts that vary regarding policy and social norms about gender, family, and work.
Repressed OsMESL expression triggers reactive oxygen species‐mediated broad‐spectrum disease resistance in rice
Authors: Hu Bin , Zhou Yong , Zhou Zaihui , Sun Bo , Zhou Fei , Yin Changxi , Ma Weihua , Chen Hao , Lin Yongjun
Published: February 2021

A few reports have indicated that a single gene confers resistance to bacterial blight, sheath blight and rice blast. In this study, we identified a novel disease resistance mutant gene, methyl esterase‐like (osmesl) in rice. Mutant rice with T‐DNA insertion displayed significant resistance to bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani and rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae. Additionally, CRISPR‐Cas9 knockout mutants and RNAi lines displayed resistance to these pathogens. Complementary T‐DNA mutants demonstrated a phenotype similar to the wild type (WT), thereby indicating that osmesl confers resistance to pathogens. Protein interaction experiments revealed that OsMESL affects reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation by interacting with thioredoxin OsTrxm in rice. Moreover, qRT‐PCR results showed significantly reduced mRNA levels of multiple ROS scavenging‐related genes in osmesl mutants. Nitroblue tetrazolium staining showed that the pathogens cause ROS accumulation, and quantitative detection revealed significantly increased levels of H2O2 in the leaves of osmesl mutants and RNAi lines after infection. The abundance of JA, a hormone associated with disease resistance, was significantly more in osmesl mutants than in WT plants. Overall, these results suggested that osmesl enhances disease resistance to Xoo, R. solani and M. oryzae by modulating the ROS balance.
Bone morphogenetic protein 15 supplementation enhances cumulus expansion, nuclear maturation and progesterone production of in vitro‐matured bovine cumulus‐oocyte complexes
Authors: Delgado Juliana de Carvalho , Hamilton Thais Rose dos Santos , Mendes Camilla Mota , Siqueira Adriano Felipe Perez , Goissis Marcelo Demarchi , Buratini José , Assumpção Mayra Elena Ortiz D’Ávila
Published: February 2021

In vitro embryo production (IVP) efficiency is reduced when compared to in vivo. The basic knowledge of bovine in vitro oocyte maturation (IVM) mechanisms provides support to improve in vitro embryo production yields. The present study assessed the effects of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), fibroblast growth factor 16 (FGF16) and their combined action on cumulus cells (CC) expansion, oocyte and CC DNA fragmentation, oocyte nuclear maturation, energetic metabolism and progesterone production in bovine IVM. Cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COC) were matured in control or supplemented media containing BMP15 (100 ng/ml), FGF16 (10 ng/ml) or BMP15 combined with FGF16; and assessed at 0 and 22 hr of IVM. BMP15 alone or its association with FGF16 enhanced cumulus expansion. BMP15 decreased DNA fragmentation in both CC and oocytes, and improved oocyte nuclear maturation rate. In addition, BMP15 increased CC progesterone production, an effect not previously reported. The present study reinforces previous data pointing to a beneficial influence of BMP15 during IVM, while providing novel evidence that the underlying mechanisms involve increased progesterone production.
Conceptual Change and Future Paths for Pragmatism
Authors: Shields Matthew
Published: February 2021

The pragmatist faces the challenge of accounting for the possibility of rational conceptual change. Some pragmatists have tried to meet this challenge by appealing to Neurathian imagery—imagery that risks being too figurative to be helpful. I argue that we can develop a clearer view of what rationally constrained conceptual revision looks like for the pragmatist. I do so by examining the work of the pragmatist who in recent years has addressed this issue most directly, Richard Rorty. His attempts to solve the puzzle ultimately fall short, but prove instructive. Rorty characterizes inter‐language transitions in exclusively causal terms because, along with the very philosophical traditions he criticizes, he uncritically privileges the role of truth claims or assertions in our pragmatics. I show that if we instead broaden our pragmatic imaginations, we encounter various non‐assertoric speech acts involved in speakers aiming to change how we make sense of our language and concepts. With these acts in view, we are able to arrive at a demystified view of rational conceptual change from a pragmatist perspective and identify future lines of inquiry for pragmatist projects.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐DPA1*01:44 allele by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Cargou Marine , Andreani Marco , Giustiniani Paola , Blouin Laura , Visentin Jonathan
Published: February 2021

HLA‐DPA1*01:44 differs from DPA1*01:03:01:04 by one nucleotide substitution in codon 175 in exon 3.
Exercise training decreases whole‐body and tissue iron storage in adults with obesity
Authors: Ryan Benjamin J. , Foug Katherine L. , Gioscia‐Ryan Rachel A. , Varshney Pallavi , Ludzki Alison C. , Ahn Cheehoon , Schleh Michael W. , Gillen Jenna B. , Chenevert Thomas L. , Horowitz Jeffrey F.
Published: February 2021

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does exercise training modify tissue iron storage in adults with obesity?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Twelve weeks of moderate‐intensity exercise or high‐intensity interval training lowered whole‐body iron stores, decreased the abundance of the key iron storage protein in skeletal muscle (ferritin) and tended to lower hepatic iron content. These findings show that exercise training can reduce tissue iron storage in adults with obesity and might have important implications for obese individuals with dysregulated iron homeostasis.

The regulation of iron storage is crucial to human health, because both excess and deficient iron storage have adverse consequences. Recent studies suggest altered iron storage in adults with obesity, with increased iron accumulation in their liver and skeletal muscle. Exercise training increases iron use for processes such as red blood cell production and can lower whole‐body iron stores in humans. However, the effects of exercise training on liver and muscle iron stores in adults with obesity have not been assessed. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 12 weeks of exercise training on whole‐body iron stores, liver iron content and the abundance of ferritin (the key iron storage protein) in skeletal muscle in adults with obesity. Twenty‐two inactive adults (11 women and 11 men; age, 31 ± 6 years; body mass index, 33 ± 3 kg/m2) completed 12 weeks (four sessions/week) of either moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT; 45 min at 70% of maximal heart rate; n = 11) or high‐intensity interval training (HIIT; 10 × 1 min at 90% of maximal heart rate, interspersed with 1 min active recovery; n = 11). Whole‐body iron stores were lower after training, as indicated by decreased plasma concentrations of ferritin (P = 3 × 10−5) and hepcidin (P = 0.02), without any change in C‐reactive protein. Hepatic R2*, an index of liver iron content, was 6% lower after training (P = 0.06). Training reduced the skeletal muscle abundance of ferritin by 10% (P = 0.03), suggesting lower muscle iron storage. Interestingly, these adaptations were similar in MICT and HIIT groups. Our findings indicate that exercise training decreased iron storage in adults with obesity, which might have important implications for obese individuals with dysregulated iron homeostasis.
Turbine Hub Cavity Modes and Their Impact on Efficiency
Authors: Iranidokht Vahid , Purwar Naman , Kalfas Anestis I , Abhari Reza S , Senoo Shigeki
Published: February 2021

Non-synchronous pressure and temperature fluctuations at the hub cavity of a turbine stage are the main focus of this study. Cavity modes are unsteady fluctuations generated at the cavity exit due to instabilities in this region. The cavity modes carried into the main flow impose an unsteady flow field in the rotor passages, which varies the passage-wise flow parameters considerably. A two-stage axial turbine was designed and tested in the “LISA” test facility at ETH Zurich. A reference case with baseline geometry and a modified case with an axial deflector at the hub cavity exit were tested. Comprehensive unsteady pressure and temperature measurements were performed using fast response aerodynamic (FRAP) and entropy probes (FENT), respectively. In addition, 12 fast response unsteady pressure transducers were mounted on the stationary wall of the cavity exit to measure the main characteristic parameters of the cavity modes. Full annular unsteady simulations were also carried out for both cases to support the experiments. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) successfully predicted the effect of cavity modes on both frequency and amplitude of the fluctuations. The cavity modes indicated fluctuation amplitudes up to eight times of the blade passing fluctuations at the cavity exit. The analysis shows that the convected cavity modes alter the efficiency of different rotor passages by redistributing the mass flow and the losses resulting in a drop in overall efficiency. This work suggests that implementing a small axial deflector at the hub cavity exit would completely eliminate the cavity modes leading to a reduced pressure unsteadiness and enhanced efficiency.
Heat Transfer Characteristics Within the Matrix Cooling Channels
Authors: Tariq Andallib , Prajapati Anjana N.
Published: February 2021

Matrix or latticework cooling has become a new area of research due to its advantage of providing a structural rigidity to the fragile structures like gas turbine blades, electronic components or circuitries, and compact heat exchangers. In this article, the heat transfer characteristics in matrix cooling channels with different rib angles have been studied using liquid crystal thermography. A total of three matrix models with rib angles 35 deg, 45 deg, and 55 deg having a common subchannel aspect ratio 0.8 have been studied. The results are evaluated in terms of local and average augmentation Nusselt numbers for different regions of the matrix. The augmentation Nusselt number has been found to increase in each region as the angle increases from 35 deg to 45 deg and the same has been found to decrease slightly upon the further increase in angle from 45 deg to 55 deg. The highest percentage increase in augmentation Nusselt number up to 50% has been observed in entry region, whereas the same remained nearly 26–30% in middle and exit regions in streamwise directions, i.e., the effect of the matrix rib angle is more prominent in the entry region. The higher resistance offered by the greater number of ribs for angle 55 deg is believed to be responsible for the decrease in augmentation Nusselt number for Re ≤ 9000.
Effect of Radiation on Heat Transfer Inside Aeroengine Compressor Rotors
Authors: Tang Hui , Owen J. Michael
Published: February 2021

The blade clearance in aero-engine compressors is mainly controlled by the radial growth of the compressor discs, to which the blades are attached. This growth depends on the radial distribution of the disc temperature, which in turn is determined by the heat transfer inside the internal rotating cavity between adjacent discs. The buoyancy-induced convection inside the cavity is significantly weaker than that associated with the forced convection in the external mainstream flow, and consequently radiation between the cavity surfaces cannot be ignored in the calculation of the disc temperatures. In this paper, both the Monte Carlo Ray-Trace (MCRT) method and the view factor (VF) method are used to calculate the radiative flux when the temperatures of the discs, shroud, and inner shaft of the compressor vary radially and axially. The Monte Carlo Ray-Trace method is computationally expensive, but it is able to incorporate the effect of complex geometries on radiation. The view factor method is quick to compute and, although the derivation becomes complicated when geometrical details are considered, it can be used as a first check of the effect of radiation in compressor cavities. Given distributions of surface temperatures, the blackbody and gray body heat fluxes were calculated for the discs, shroud, and inner shaft in two experimental compressor rigs and in a simulated compressor stage. For the experimental rigs, although the effect of radiation was relatively small for the case of large Grashof numbers, the relative effect of radiation increases as Gr (and consequently the convective heat transfer) decreases. For the simulated compressor, with a pressure ratio of 50:1 for state-of-the-art aircraft engines, radiation could have a significant effect on the disc temperature and consequently on the blade clearance; the effect is predicted to be more prominent for the next generation of aircraft engines with pressure ratios up to 70:1.
Experimental Study of Vaneless Diffuser Rotating Stall Development and Cell-Merging Phenomena
Authors: Grapow Filip , Olasek Krzysztof , Liśkiewicz Grzegorz , Magiera Radomir , Kryłłowicz Władysław
Published: February 2021

This paper describes the vaneless diffuser rotating stall (VDRS) development and cell-merging phenomena. A centrifugal compressor’s lifespan may be limited by flow instabilities occurring in off-design operation. One such instability is the VDRS, which generates oscillating, asymmetrical flow fields in the diffuser and, thus, undesired forces acting on the rotor. Understanding and prevention of VDRS behavior are crucial for achieving safe and undisturbed compressor operation. Experimental measurements of centrifugal compressors operating under the influence of VDRS have been presented. Two different approaches were used for the identification of VDRS: pressure measurements and two-dimensional (2D) particle image velocimetry (PIV). Frequency analysis based on spectral maps and cell development processes were investigated. The presented results showed that mass flowrate has an impact on the rotating frequency of both the entire structure and single cells. Additionally, it affects radial cell size, which grows with compressor throttling and ultimately reaches the length of the diffuser. During the experiments, the cell-merging phenomenon was observed which has not been widely described in the literature. The results presented in this paper allow a better understanding of vaneless diffuser rotating stall behavior. The phenomenon of the change of cell size and frequency could be very important for machine fatigue. Cell-merging could also have an impact on the machine’s vibrations and flow stability. Since it is believed that VDRS is one of the factors inducing surge, its understanding and prevention may have a positive influence on surge margins.
Experimental Test and Estimation of the Equivalent Thermoelectric Properties for a Thermoelectric Module
Authors: Luo Ding , Wang Ruochen
Published: February 2021

When analyzing and optimizing the performance of thermoelectric (TE) devices in theory, Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, and electrical resistivity are indispensable TE properties. However, most manufacturers do not provide or overestimate these data. Under the consideration of temperature dependence, this paper discloses an experimental measurement approach to estimate the equivalent Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivity, and electrical resistivity of a TE module. A thermal resistance network is also established to work out the hot and cold side temperatures of TE legs. Based on a designed test bench, required temperature and electrical parameters in both open circuit and closed circuit are measured and recorded, where the data of open circuit are used to calculate the equivalent Seebeck coefficient and thermal conductivity, and the data of closed circuit are used to calculate the equivalent electrical resistivity. To eliminate the error of parasitic internal resistance, a thermal-electric finite element model is adopted to modify the equivalent electrical resistivity. The modification results indicate that the equivalent internal resistance is about 1.033 times the real internal resistance, and the ratio is related to the working temperature. This work provides a new idea to obtain the TE material properties via an experimental test.
The Effect of Bionic 3D Printed Structure Morphology on Skin Friction
Authors: Zhihao Zhang , Makoto Ito , Xishu Wang , Jinsheng Liu
Published: February 2021

Dragonfly has remarkable flight efficiency, with unique wing structural properties such as the surface topological vein structures, corrugation, etc. The object of this paper is to identify how the polygonal patterns of the samples with bionic wing veins affected the skin friction. Four kinds of polygonal three-dimensional (3D) patterns were designed and fabricated by additive manufacturing technology, and the skin friction coefficients (Cf) of various models were measured by the wind channel experiments. The quantitative effects of models on Cf with different Reynolds numbers (Re) in laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow conditions were obtained. Results indicated that the law of whole change of the skin friction coefficient versus Re is the same for all patterns which can be expressed by an empirical formula Cf=kReα. The model with mixed square and pentagonal patterns always generates the highest skin friction in the different flow conditions, which was speculated to play an important role on the attenuation of the flow separation of the dragonfly wing.
Formation of High-Temperature Minerals From an Evaporite-Rich Dust in Gas Turbine Engine Ingestion Tests
Authors: Elms Jacob , Pawley Alison , Bojdo Nicholas , Jones Merren , Clarkson Rory
Published: February 2021

The ingestion of multi-mineral dusts by gas turbine engines during routine operations is a significant problem for engine manufacturers because of the damage caused to engine components and their protective thermal barrier coatings. A complete understanding of the reactions forming these deposits is limited by a lack of knowledge of compositions of ingested dusts and unknown engine conditions. Testbed engines can be dosed with dusts of known composition under controlled operating conditions, but past engine tests have used standardized test dusts that do not resemble the composition of the background dust in the operating regions. New evaporite-rich test dust was developed and used in a full engine ingestion test, designed to simulate operation in regions with evaporite-rich geology, such as Doha or Dubai. Analysis of the engine deposits showed that mineral fractionation was present in the cooler, upstream sections of the engine. In the hotter, downstream sections, deposits contained new, high-temperature phases formed by the reaction of minerals in the test dust. The mineral assemblages in these deposits are similar to those found from previous analyses of service returns. Segregation of anhydrite from other high-temperature phases in a deposited sample taken from a high-pressure turbine blade suggests a relationship between temperature and sulfur content. This study highlights the potential for manipulating deposit chemistry to mitigate the damage caused in the downstream sections of gas turbine engines. The results of this study also suggest that the concentration of ingested dust in the inlet air may not be a significant contributing factor to deposit chemistry.
Structure Synthesis of a Class of Parallel Manipulators With Fully Decoupled Projective Motion
Authors: Kuo Chin-Hsing , Dai Jian S.
Published: February 2021

This paper describes the structure synthesis of a special class of parallel manipulators with fully decoupled motion, that is, a one-to-one correspondence between the instantaneous motion space of the end-effector and the joint space of the manipulator. A notable finding of this study is that a fully decoupled design can be achieved for parallel manipulators with any number of degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) when the rotational DOF of the end-effector is expressed in the form of a projective angle representation. On the basis of the geometrical reasoning of the projective motion interpreted by screw algebra, a systematic approach is developed for synthesizing the structures of f-DOF (f ≤ 6) parallel manipulators with fully decoupled projective motion. Several 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-DOF parallel manipulators with fully decoupled projective motion were designed for illustrating the developed method.