bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inner ear fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery MRI signal intensity in dogs with vestibular disease
Authors: Castillo Gibrann , Parmentier Thomas , Monteith Gabrielle , Gaitero Luis
Published: June 2020

The inner ear contains endolymph and perilymph. The second is comparable and in continuity with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) so it is expected to suppress in fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) if normal. Even though inner ear FLAIR abnormalities have been extensively described in humans with inner ear disease, its diagnostic value in dogs is yet to be proven. The goal of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the diagnostic utility of FLAIR MRI in dogs with vestibular disease. A review of medical records identified 101 dogs that had brain MRI performed because of vestibular signs. Based on the final diagnosis, patients were allocated to three groups: otitis media/interna, idiopathic vestibular disease, and central vestibular disease. Additionally, a control group (n = 73) included dogs with normal MRI and without vestibular signs. Inner ears were delineated using a region of interest, and signal intensity was measured in FLAIR and T2‐weighted images. The percentages of suppression in FLAIR were calculated and compared between affected and unaffected sides of each individual and between groups using a general linear mixed model. Correlation between suppression and CSF cell count and protein concentration was assessed. Affected inner ears in dogs with otitis media/interna had decreased suppression in FLAIR compared to the unaffected side (P < .001), and all other groups (P < .01). No significant correlation was detected between CSF results and suppression. These results show the diagnostic value of FLAIR in otitis media/interna due to lack of suppression in the affected inner ear.
An outbreak of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 linked to a mud‐based obstacle course, England, August 2018
Authors: Sharp Alexander , Smout Elizabeth , Byrne Lisa , Greenwood Rebecca , Abdoollah Richard , Hutchinson Charlotte , Jenkins Claire , Arunachalam Nachi , Padfield Simon , Hughes Gareth , Gent Mike
Published: June 2020

In August 2018, Public Health England (PHE) was made aware of five probable cases of Shiga toxin‐producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 among individuals reporting participation in a mud‐based obstacle race. An additional four cases, identified via routine whole‐genome sequencing, were subsequently linked to the same event. Two of the nine cases were due to secondary household transmission. Despite an agreement between the event organizers and the local authority, to ensure that all livestock were removed from the site 28 days before the event, sheep were observed grazing on some of the routes taken by the runners 2 days prior to the race taking place. A retrospective review of incidents reported to PHE between 2015 and 2018 identified 41 cases of gastroenteritis associated with muddy assault course events. Of these, 25 cases were due to infection with STEC O157:H7, of which all but one were associated with outbreaks. Due to the environment in which such events take place, it is impossible to entirely remove the risk of exposure to potentially pathogenic zoonoses. However, race organizers should ensure that livestock are removed from the course 28 days before the event. They should also ensure that participants are made aware of the risk of contracting gastrointestinal disease from the environment, and to stress the importance of hand hygiene post‐event and the risk of secondary transmission, particularly to children who are at risk of developing haemolytic uraemic syndrome.
The influence of habitual endurance exercise on carotid artery strain and strain rate in young and middle‐aged men
Authors: Talbot Jack S. , Lord Rachel N. , Wakeham Denis J. , Dawkins Tony G. , Curry Bryony A. , Brown Megan , Lodge Freya M. , Pugh Christopher J. A.
Published: June 2020

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Carotid artery peak circumferential strain (PCS) and strain rate attenuate with age, but appear to be modulated by cardiorespiratory fitness status in young males. However, the relationship between habitual endurance exercise (running) and these parameters has not been studied in young and middle‐aged men.

What is the main finding and its importance?

Young and middle‐aged runners exhibited elevated PCS and systolic strain rate (S‐SR) compared with non‐runners, but habitual running did not influence diastolic strain rate (D‐SR). Habitual exercise is associated with comparable improvements in carotid strain parameters in young and middle‐aged men, but the age‐related decline in PCS and S‐SR might be more amenable to habitual endurance exercise than D‐SR.

Central arterial stiffness is an independent predictor of cardiovascular risk that can be modified by exercise training. However, conventional local measures of carotid artery stiffness display conflicting responses to habitual endurance exercise in young and older adults. Two‐dimensional (2D)‐Strain imaging of the common carotid artery (CCA) quantifies circumferential deformation (strain) of the arterial wall across the cardiac cycle, which is more sensitive at detecting age‐related alterations in CCA stiffness than conventional methods. Therefore, the study was designed to examine the relationship between habitual endurance exercise (running) and CCA 2D‐Strain parameters in young and middle‐aged men. Short‐axis ultrasound images of the CCA were obtained from 13 young non‐runners [23 years of age (95% confidence interval: 21, 26 years of age)], 19 young runners [24 (22, 26) years of age], 13 middle‐aged non‐runners [54 (52, 56) years of age] and 19 middle‐aged runners [56 (54, 58) years of age]. Images were analysed for peak circumferential strain (PCS; magnitude of deformation) and systolic and diastolic strain rates (S‐SR and D‐SR; deformation velocity), and group differences were examined via two‐way ANOVA. PCS, S‐SR and D‐SR were attenuated in middle‐aged men compared with young men (all P ≤ 0.001). PCS and S‐SR were elevated in young and middle‐aged runners when compared with non‐runners (P = 0.002 and P = 0.009, respectively), but no age × training status interaction was observed. In contrast, there was no influence of habitual running on D‐SR. Habitual exercise is associated with comparable improvements in CCA 2D‐Strain parameters in young and middle‐aged men, but the age‐related decline in PCS and S‐SR might be more amenable to habitual endurance exercise than D‐SR.
Inflammatory and Noninflammatory Synovial Fluids Exhibit New and Distinct Tribological Endotypes
Authors: Feeney Elizabeth , Galesso Devis , Secchieri Cynthia , Oliviero Francesca , Ramonda Roberta , Bonassar Lawrence J.
Published: June 2020

Inferior synovial lubrication is a hallmark of osteoarthritis (OA), and synovial fluid (SF) lubrication and composition are variable among OA patients. Hyaluronic acid (HA) viscosupplementation is a widely used therapy for improving SF viscoelasticity and lubrication, but it is unclear how the effectiveness of HA viscosupplements varies with arthritic endotype. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the HA viscosupplement, Hymovis®, on the lubricating properties of diseased SF from patients with noninflammatory OA and inflammatory arthritis (IA). The composition (cytokine, HA, and lubricin concentrations) of the SF was measured as well as the mechanical properties (rheology, tribology) of the SF alone and in a 1:1 mixture with the HA viscosupplement. Using rotational rheometry, no difference in SF viscosity was detected between disease types, and the addition of HA significantly increased all fluids' viscosities. In noninflammatory OA SF, friction coefficients followed a typical Stribeck pattern, and their magnitude was decreased by the addition of HA. While some of the IA SF also showed typical Stribeck behavior, a subset showed more erratic behavior with highly variable and larger friction coefficients. Interestingly, this aberrant behavior was not eliminated by the addition of HA, and it was associated with low concentrations of lubricin. Aberrant SF exhibited significantly lower effective viscosities compared to noninflammatory OA and IA SF with typical tribological behavior. Collectively, these results suggest that different endotypes of arthritis exist with respect to lubrication, which may impact the effectiveness of HA viscosupplements in reducing friction.
REducing SEDENTary Behavior Among Mild to Moderate Cognitively Impaired Assisted Living Residents: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (RESEDENT Study)
Authors: Dillon K. , Prapavessis Harry
Published: June 2020

Older adults in assisted living spend most of their day in sedentary behaviors, which may be detrimental to cognitive function. The primary purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of using a prompting device to reduce sitting time with light walking among older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment residing in an assisted living setting. A secondary purpose was to examine the effectiveness of the intervention on the residents’ cognitive function, physical function, and quality of life. The participants (n = 25, mean age = 86.7 [5.3] years) were assigned in clusters into a two-arm 10-week single-site pilot randomized controlled trial. The intervention group was prompted with a watch to interrupt sedentary behaviors and partake in 10 min of light physical activity (i.e., walking) three times a day after a meal. The assessments included hip-worn accelerometers (Actical) and diaries, the Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale—cognitive, Timed Up and Go, and the short-form 36 health survey. Adherence was high, as there were no dropouts, and over 70% of the participants completed over 80% of the prescribed physical activity bouts. Significant effects favoring the intervention were shown for all outcomes.
Eating to stop diabetes
Authors: Vellanki Priyathama
Published: June 2020

Very low-calorie diets can induce and sustain significant weight loss and diabetes remission.
Municipal Wastewater Surveillance Revealed a High Community Disease Burden of a Rarely Reported and Possibly Subclinical
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Derby Strain
Authors: Diemert Sabrina , Yan Tao
Published: June 2020

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has been conventionally used to analyze community health via the detection of chemicals, such as legal and illicit drugs; however, municipal wastewater contains microbiological determinants of health and disease as well, including enteric pathogens. Here, we demonstrate that WBE can be used to examine subclinical community salmonellosis patterns. Derby was the most abundant
Salmonella
serovar detected in Hawaii wastewater over a year-long sampling study, with few corresponding clinical cases. Comparative genomics analyses indicate that the normally rare strain of
S
. Derby found in wastewater has a unique combination of genes which allow it to persist as a subclinical infection without producing symptoms of severe gastroenteritis. This study shows that WBE can be used to explore trends in community infectious disease patterns which may not be reflected in clinical monitoring, shedding light on overall enteric disease burden and rates of asymptomatic cases.
Differential Modulation of Listeria monocytogenes Fitness,
In Vitro
Virulence, and Transcription of Virulence-Associated Genes in Response to the Presence of Different Microorganisms
Authors: Zilelidou Evangelia A. , Milina Varvara , Paramithiotis Spiros , Zoumpopoulou Georgia , Poimenidou Sofia V. , Mavrogonatou Eleni , Kletsas Dimitris , Papadimitriou Konstantinos , Tsakalidou Effie , Skandamis Panagiotis N.
Published: June 2020

Listeria monocytogenes
is the etiological agent of the severe foodborne disease listeriosis. Important insight regarding the physiology and the infection biology of this microorganism has been acquired in the past 20 years. However, despite the fact that
L. monocytogenes
coexists with various microorganisms throughout its life cycle and during transmission from the environment to foods and then to the host, there is still limited knowledge related to the impact of surrounding microorganisms on
L. monocytogenes
' biological functions. In this study, we showed that
L. monocytogenes
modulates specific biological activities (i.e., growth and virulence potential) as a response to coexisting microorganisms and differentially alters the expression of virulence-associated genes when confronted with different bacterial genera and species. Our work suggests that the interaction with different bacteria plays a key role in the survival strategies of
L. monocytogenes
and supports the need to incorporate biotic factors into the research conducted to identify mechanisms deployed by this organism for establishment in different environments.
Genomic Surveillance Enables Suitability Assessment of
Salmonella
Gene Targets Used for Culture-Independent Diagnostic Testing
Authors: Rockett Rebecca J. , Arnott Alicia , Wang Qinning , Howard Peter , Sintchenko Vitali
Published: June 2020

Salmonella
is a highly diverse genus consisting of over 2,600 serovars responsible for high-burden food- and waterborne gastroenteritis worldwide. Sensitivity and specificity of PCR-based culture-independent diagnostic testing (CIDT) systems for
Salmonella
, which depend on a highly conserved gene target, can be affected by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), indels, and genomic rearrangements within primer and probe sequences. This report demonstrates the value of prospectively collected genomic data for verifying CIDT targets.
Zika Virus Subgenomic Flavivirus RNA Generation Requires Cooperativity between Duplicated RNA Structures That Are Essential for Productive Infection in Human Cells
Authors: Pallarés Horacio M. , Costa Navarro Guadalupe Soledad , Villordo Sergio M. , Merwaiss Fernando , de Borba Luana , Gonzalez Lopez Ledesma Maria M. , Ojeda Diego S. , Henrion-Lacritick Annabelle , Morales Maria A. , Fabri Cintia , Saleh María Carla , Gamarnik Andrea V.
Published: June 2020

Flaviviruses are important emerging and reemerging human pathogens. Understanding the molecular mechanisms for viral replication and evasion of host antiviral responses is relevant to development of control strategies. Flavivirus infections produce viral noncoding RNAs, known as sfRNAs, involved in viral replication and pathogenesis. In this study, we dissected molecular determinants for Zika virus sfRNA generation in the two natural hosts, human cells and mosquitoes. We found that two RNA structures of the viral 3′ UTR operate in a cooperative manner to produce two species of sfRNAs and that the deletion of these elements has a profoundly different impact on viral replication in the two hosts. Generation of at least one sfRNA was necessary for efficient Zika virus infection of
Aedes aegypti
mosquitoes. Moreover, recombinant viruses with different 3′ UTR arrangements revealed an essential role of sfRNAs for productive infection in human cells. In summary, we define molecular requirements for Zika virus sfRNA accumulation and provide new ideas of how flavivirus RNA structures have evolved to succeed in different hosts.
The BHLF1 Locus of Epstein-Barr Virus Contributes to Viral Latency and B-Cell Immortalization
Authors: Yetming Kristen D. , Lupey-Green Lena N. , Biryukov Sergei , Hughes David J. , Marendy Elessa M. , Miranda JJ L. , Sample Jeffery T.
Published: June 2020

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has significant oncogenic potential that is linked to its latent infection of B lymphocytes, during which virus replication is not supported. The establishment of latent infection, which is lifelong and can precede tumor development by years, requires the concerted actions of nearly a dozen EBV proteins and numerous small non-protein-coding RNAs. Elucidating how these EBV products contribute to latency is crucial for understanding EBV’s role in specific malignancies and, ultimately, for clinical intervention. Historically, EBV genes that contribute to virus replication have been excluded from consideration of a role in latency, primarily because of the general incompatibility between virus production and cell survival. However, here, we provide evidence that the genetic locus containing one such gene,
BHLF1
, indeed contributes to key aspects of EBV latency, including its ability to promote the continuous growth of B lymphocytes, thus providing significant new insight into EBV biology and oncogenic potential.
Genome Sequence of a Small RNA Virus of the Southern Corn Rootworm, Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Liu Sijun , Valencia-Jiménez Arnubio , Darlington Molly , Vélez Ana M. , Bonning Bryony C.
Published: June 2020

The genome sequence of a novel small RNA virus, tentatively named
Diabrotica undecimpunctata virus 1
(DuV1), was discovered from the transcriptome of the southern corn rootworm,
Diabrotica undecimpunctata
howardi
Barber. DuV1 has a positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genome that encodes a single polyprotein of 3,401 amino acids with limited similarity to other viruses.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Tremellomycetes
Strains Isolated from the International Space Station
Authors: Bijlani Swati , Singh Nitin K. , Mason Christopher E. , Wang Clay C. C. , Venkateswaran Kasthuri
Published: June 2020

The draft genome sequences of six eukaryotic microbial strains belonging to the class
Tremellomycetes
isolated from the International Space Station were assembled. Further characterization of these sequences will aid in the understanding of the influence of microgravity conditions on these organisms’ potential pathogenicity.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Flavobacterium
sp. Strain SLB02, Isolated from the Diseased Sponge
Lubomirskia baicalensis
Authors: Petrushin Ivan S. , Belikov Sergei I. , Chernogor Lubov I.
Published: June 2020

There are significant changes in the consortium of microorganisms of freshwater Baikal sponges during their mass death, which began in 2011. The alleged cause of disease is a significant increase in the number of opportunistic microorganisms. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Flavobacterium
sp. strain SLB02.
A Hybrid Newton Method for Stochastic Variational Inequality Problems and Application to Traffic Equilibrium
Authors: Liang Yan-Chao , Fan Qiao-Na , Shen Pei-Ping
Published: June 2020

In this paper, we consider a class of stochastic variational inequality problems (SVIPs). Different from the classical variational inequality problems, the SVIP contains a mathematical expectation, which may not be evaluated in an explicit form in general. We combine a hybrid Newton method for deterministic cases with an unconstrained optimization reformulation based on the well-known D-gap function and sample average approximation (SAA) techniques to present an SAA-based hybrid Newton method for solving the SVIP. We show that the level sets of the approximation D-gap function are bounded. Furthermore, we prove that the sequence generated by the hybrid Newton method converges to a solution of the SVIP under appropriate conditions, and some numerical experiments are presented to prove the effectiveness and competitiveness of the hybrid Newton method. Finally, we apply this method to solve two specific traffic equilibrium problems.
Dodecanol and KH-592 Co-Modify Silica to Prepare Low Heat Build-Up and High Performance Natural Rubber Composites
Authors: Yang Bo , An Dong , Liu Yaqing , Cheng Shuaishuai , Zhang Zhiyi
Published: June 2020

Friction between filler/filler and filler/matrix in rubber composites is the main factor affecting the heat build-up. In this study, we used dodecanol and silane coupling agent KH-592 to co-modify silica to prepare silica/natural rubber (NR) composites. When dodecanol and KH-592 are grafted onto the surface of silica at the same time, dodecanol can also shield part of the hydroxyl groups by its molecular chain length, which further improves the dispersibility of silica particles. The silane coupling agent KH-592 can form a bridge structure between the silica and the NR matrix under the action of a mercapto group, and improve the interaction between the filler and the matrix. By controlling the use ratio of dodecanol and KH-592, the dispersion of the filler and the interaction between the filler and the matrix can be adjusted. Thereby, the friction between the filler/filler and the filler/matrix is reduced, and a low heat build-up rubber composite material is prepared. Through co-modification, we prepared a series of low-heat build-up silica/NR composites, where the minimum heat generation reached 13∘C. The co-modified silica/NR composite material not only meets the requirements of green tires, but also has low heat build-up characteristics, providing a new strategy for preparing green and energy-saving tires.
Sm-induced multifunctionality and poling effect on luminescence of Sm-doped (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 piezoceramics
Authors: Wang Quanlin , Lin Jinfeng , Zhou Yang , Lin Cong , Lin Tengfei , Wu Xiao
Published: June 2020

The lead-free multifunctional ceramics Sm3+-doped (Ba0.85Ca0.15)(Ti0.9Zr0.1)O3 were synthesized via conventional sintering. The influences of Sm3+ concentration on phase structure, grain size, Curie temperature, ferro-/piezoelectric properties, as well as photoluminescence (PL) performances of the ceramics have been investigated. The results show that with the Sm3+ concentration of 0.4[Formula: see text]mol%, the integrated optoelectronic performances are best. In order to further study the relationship between ferroelectric and PL features, the poling effect on PL intensities of the ceramics has been focused on, giving the highest enhancement factors of 52.6% induced by both lattice distortion and phase transformation. The electric poling is an effective route to enhance the PL performance of luminescent ferroelectrics.
Body Mass Index (BMI) and Its Influence on the Cardiovascular and Operative Risk Profile in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Patients: Impact of Inflammation and Leptin
Authors: Buschmann Katja , Wrobel Julius , Chaban Ryan , Rösch Romina , Ghazy Ahmed , Hanf Alina , Schäfer Katrin , Daiber Andreas , Beiras-Fernandez Andres , Vahl Christian Friedrich
Published: June 2020

Background. Obesity is related to coronary artery disease (CAD) and worse outcomes in coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients. Adipose tissue itself is an endocrine organ that secretes many humoral mediators, such as adipokines, which can induce or reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Objectives. We investigate the relationship between the body mass index (BMI), inflammation, and oxidative stress by measuring serum levels of leptin, interleukin-6, and 3-nitrotyrosine in CABG patients and correlate their levels to the cardiovascular and operative risk profiles. Methods and Results. 45 men (<75 years) with a median BMI of 29 (21-51) kg/m2, who were diagnosed with CAD and scheduled for elective CABG, were included after applying the following exclusion criteria: prior myocardial infarction, reoperation, female gender, and smoking. Patients’ blood samples were taken preoperatively. Several markers were measured. We found significant correlations between leptin and BMI p<0.0001 as well as between leptin and 3-nitrotyrosine p=0.006. Interleukin-6 was correlated with C-reactive protein p<0.0001 and with the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus p=0.036, arterial hypertension p=0.044, reduced left ventricular function p=0.003, and severe coronary calcification p=0.015. It was also associated with significantly longer extracorporeal bypass time p=0.009. Postoperative deep sternal wound infections could be predicted by a higher BMI p=0.003 and leptin level p=0.001. Conclusions. There seems to be a correlation between inflammatory processes and cardiovascular morbidity in our cohort. Further, the incidence of deep sternal wound infections is related to a higher BMI and leptin serum level.
ЦУКРОВИЙ ДІАБЕТ 2 ТИПУ ТА ЗАХВОРЮВАННЯ ЩИТОПОДІБНОЇ ЗАЛОЗИ: ПОШУК СПІЛЬНИХ МЕХАНІЗМІВ
Authors: Musiienko V. A. , Marushchak M. I.
Published: June 2020

Цукровий діабет та захворювання щитоподібної залози (ЩЗ) – два найпоширеніші ендокринні порушення у клінічній практиці, оскільки порушення обміну речовин та тиреоїдних гормонів можуть впливати один на одного.

Мета дослідження – проаналізувати літературні джерела щодо поширеності цукрового діабету 2 типу, його коморбідності з захворюваннями щитоподібної залози та основні ланки патогенезу за умови їх поєднаного перебігу.

Матеріали і методи. У дослідженні опрацьовано наукові публікації за останнє десятиліття, які доступні у мережі «Інтернет», ключовими словами були «цукровий діабет 2 типу», «захворювання щитоподібної залози», «коморбідність», «патогенез».

Результати. Зв'язок між цукровим діабетом і порушенням роботи щитоподібної залози характеризується складною взаємодією. У ряді робіт повідомляється про поширеність дисфункції щитоподібної залози серед хворих на діабет у межах від 2,2 до 17 %. Однак у кількох дослідженнях спостерігається дуже висока поширеність дисфункції щитоподібної залози при діабеті 2 типу, тобто 31 та 46,5 % відповідно. Високий чи низький рівень гормонів щитоподібної залози пов'язаний з периферичною резистентністю до інсуліну. Показано, що T3 відіграє роль у захисті β-клітин підшлункової залози від апоптозу. Цукровий діабет порушує функцію щитоподібної залози, впливаючи як на гіпоталамічний контроль вироблення ТТГ, так і на трансформацію Т4 до Т3 в периферичній тканині. Тому пацієнтів із діабетом потрібно обстежувати на предмет дисфункції щитоподібної залози. Результати перехресного дослідження показали, що жіноча стать, сімейний анамнез захворювання щитоподібної залози та куріння можуть збільшити ризик виникнення гіпотиреозу у хворих на діабет. Інсулінорезистентність та компенсаторна гіперінсулінемія можуть брати участь у проліферації клітин ЩЗ та утворенні вузлів ЩЗ.

Висновоки. Зв'язок між функцією ЩЗ та ЦД 2 є двонаправленим та підлягає складним взаємодіям. Найпоширенішими розладами ЩЗ, що зустрічається серед хворих на ЦД 2, є субклінічний та клінічний гіпотиреоз, а також вузловий зоб.
A Design Space for Legal and Systems Capability: Interfaces for Self-Help in Complex Systems
Authors: Hagan Margaret , özenç F. Kürşat
Published: June 2020

This article proposes a design space for designers and researchers working on the challenge of building people's capability to navigate complex systems, like the legal one. This capability is necessary for people whose rights, quality of life, and wellbeing necessitate them navigating bureaucratic systems. This design space aims to empower people to understand the system they are operating in, diagnose what paths are open to them, choose among the available paths, and then navigate the chosen path to resolution. We developed this design spaceincluding patterns, strategies, and framesthrough a series of exploratory design workshops, a cross-disciplinary literature review, and refinement with designers working in the domains of legal, health care, finance, insurance, and government services.
Roman Colonies in Republic and Empire
Authors: Coles Amanda Jo
Published: June 2020

The Romans founded colonies throughout Italy and the provinces from the early Republic through the high Empire. Far from being mere ‘bulwarks of empire,’ these colonies were established by diverse groups or magistrates for a range of reasons that responded to the cultural and political problems faced by the contemporary Roman state and populace. This project traces the diachronic changes in colonial foundation practices by contextualizing the literary, epigraphic, archaeological, and numismatic evidence with the overall perspective that evidence from one period of colonization should not be used analogistically to explain gaps in the evidence for a different period. The Roman colonies were not necessarily ‘little Romes,’ either structurally, juridically, or religiously, and therefore their role in the spread of Roman culture was more complex than is sometimes acknowledged.
A new species of the extinct mid-Cretaceous genus Scydmobisetia Jałoszyński & Yamamoto (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ , BAI MING , WANG BO
Published: June 2020

The extinct genus Scydmobisetia Jałoszyński & Yamamoto comprises three species known from inclusions in the mid-Cretaceous Myanmar amber. Another species, Scydmobisetia dentipes Jałoszyński & Bai sp. n. is described from the same source. The holotype is a male showing a unique sub-basal tooth-like projection on the profemur.
Numerical simulation of mold filling water blown polyurethane foams: Effects of sequential pour
Authors: Hershey Christopher J , Jayaraman K
Published: June 2020

Batch molding of polyurethane foams is a widely used processing technique to produce crosslinked cellular structures which form to the shape of the mold. For water-blown polyurethane foams, water is reacted to form gaseous carbon dioxide resulting in a foam which expands to fill the mold completely. Batch molding typically requires an operator to coat the surface of a mold, introducing a significant lag time during the filling stage where significant asymmetric volume change can occur. The purpose of this work is to show, through simulations, that this lag time is significant when predicting flow profiles and part quality. When the mold geometry is complex enough to force bifurcation of the flow, simulations incorporating various filling lag times predicted significantly different locations of knit or weld lines where the flow fronts meet. Current simulation techniques, which assume the filling stage occurs instantaneously, are unable to predict variations in weld line locations. The introduction of a lag time, referred to herein as sequential pour, was achieved through user-defined modules incorporated into Ansys Fluent software.
Occupational Suicide Exposure and Impact on Mental Health: Examining Differences Across Helping Professions
Authors: Aldrich Rosalie S. , Cerel Julie
Published: June 2020

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship of suicide exposure with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder across three occupational groups likely to be exposed to suicide (i.e., first responders, crisis workers, mental health professionals). An online survey was completed by 1,048 participants. Results indicated that first responders, mental health professionals, and crisis workers were all exposed to suicide in the routine course of their occupation. Exposure to suicide significantly impacted mental health, specifically on depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. The level of exposure to suicide was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and PTSD.
A Place to Live and to Die: A Qualitative Exploration of the Social Practices and Rituals of Death in Residential Aged Care
Authors: Balmer D. G. , Frey R. , Gott M. , Collier A. , Boyd M.
Published: June 2020

In many countries, an increasing proportion of deaths occur in residential aged care (RAC) (nursing homes) meaning that these have become both a place to live - a home- and a place to die. This paper reports on death practices and rituals in 49 RAC facilities in Aotearoa/New Zealand narrated in semi-structured interviews with staff. Themes coalesced around ‘good death’. Dying alone was not seen as a good death and the demands of trying to prevent this caused tension for staff. Meeting family wishes, post death decision-making, after death practices and rituals, including communicating and remembrance of the death, were explored as part of good death. Overall, death rituals in RAC were limited. Balancing the needs of the living, the dying and the dead created tension. The rituals and practices facilities are currently enacting in death/post-death require attention, since more people will die in RAC with increasingly diverse needs.
Distribution law of floor stress during mining of the upper protective coal seam
Authors: Zhang Yongjiang
Published: June 2020

Floor stress distribution is the main index for evaluating the mining effect of upper protective coal seam. However, parameters currently used in theoretical analysis of mining-induced stress lack practicality. Therefore, in this article, a model for calculating floor stress during mining of upper protective coal seams was established based on the theory of elastic mechanics. Subsequently, the stress induced by the abutment pressure at any point in the five parts of the floor was derived. Moreover, the distribution characteristics of the horizontal, vertical, and shear stresses of the floor during mining of the upper protective coal seam were elaborated. The results show that with the continuous mining of the working face of the protective coal seam, the vertical stress of the floor strata experiences three stages, that is, rapid increase, abrupt stress relaxation, and gradual recovery to the in situ stress. With regard to the morphology, the floor strata recompress or expand in the vertical direction. Vertical and horizontal stress are relieved in the shallow part of the floor in the goaf behind the working face, and there is an abrupt reduction in the increase of concentration degree of vertical and horizontal stress in the floor strata in front of the working face. High shear stress occurs underneath the goaf near the working face. The isoline of the shear stress is distributed in a bubble shape and is oblique to the goaf. These research achievements can provide some theoretical basis for understanding the gas drainage during the mining of the upper protective coal seam.
Experimental and analytical analyses of the knitted fabric off-axes tensile test
Authors: Penava Željko , Penava Diana Šimić , Miloš Lozo
Published: June 2020

Determination of mechanical properties and predicting the behavior of knitted fabrics during the manufacturing process and finally in the use is an important part of textile science. In this study the influence of knitted fabric anisotropy on the values of maximum force, corresponding extension and total work when axial tensile forces act on specimens cut at different angles with respect to the course direction of the knitted fabric were analyzed. A plain double weft knit fabric made of single cotton yarns was studied. For different angles of cutting samples, the curves of the relation between the values of the tensile forces and the extension at break were experimentally obtained. The mathematical models obtained were compared with the experimental results, and the corresponding correlation coefficients were calculated.
Degradation study of polyester fiber in swimming pool water
Authors: Cionek Caroline Apoloni , Nunes Catia , Freitas Adonilson , Homem Natalia , Muniz Edvani , Amorim Teresa
Published: June 2020

The disinfection of swimming pool water is vital to maintain water quality. The chemicals used in this practice can damage the fabrics of bathing suits and shorten the shelf life of the textile substrate. The degradation of polyester, a polymer that is widely used in bathing suits for swimming pools, was investigated. For this, a 23 factorial design was employed for the experimental methodology. The effect of several variables was analyzed in a simulated swimming pool batch, such as textile-exposure time, concentration of the used disinfection product, and batch temperature. The response variables were enthalpy of fusion ΔHm, melting temperature and crystallinity (obtained by differential scanning calorimetry), percentage of weight loss, temperature of maximum rate of weight loss, onset temperature and endset temperature (measured through thermogravimetric analysis), and Young's modulus values (measured in strain-stress tests in the row and column directions). The factors of temperature, time, and the concentration of disinfectant were significant for melting temperature, crystallinity, onset temperature, and Young's modulus for columns. The analyses of variance were obtained using software Design-Expert DX7. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showed changes in band intensities at 695 cm−1, which were attributed to ester groups, as well as a decrease of the carbonyl band at 1712 cm−1, which was attributed to the hydrolysis of the material. Analysis through scanning electronic microscopy images showed the appearance of stretch marks in the constituent filaments of the tested textiles, which suggests a surface degradation occurred.
Search and rescue under the forest canopy using multiple UAVs
Authors: Tian Yulun , Liu Katherine , Ok Kyel , Tran Loc , Allen Danette , Roy Nicholas , How Jonathan P.
Published: June 2020

We present a multi-robot system for GPS-denied search and rescue under the forest canopy. Forests are particularly challenging environments for collaborative exploration and mapping, in large part due to the existence of severe perceptual aliasing which hinders reliable loop closure detection for mutual localization and map fusion. Our proposed system features unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that perform onboard sensing, estimation, and planning. When communication is available, each UAV transmits compressed tree-based submaps to a central ground station for collaborative simultaneous localization and mapping (CSLAM). To overcome high measurement noise and perceptual aliasing, we use the local configuration of a group of trees as a distinctive feature for robust loop closure detection. Furthermore, we propose a novel procedure based on cycle consistent multiway matching to recover from incorrect pairwise data associations. The returned global data association is guaranteed to be cycle consistent, and is shown to improve both precision and recall compared with the input pairwise associations. The proposed multi-UAV system is validated both in simulation and during real-world collaborative exploration missions at NASA Langley Research Center.
J.S.Mill and the Irish Land Question: From Irish Economic History to Coherent Socialism and Irish Historicism
Authors: Manioudis Manolis
Published: June 2020

John Stuart Mill is regarded as the last representative of the classical school of political economy. However, in a variety of issues, he developed interesting and radical economic views. The Irish land question is one of the most characteristic cases of his transition from classical economic analysis to a liberal version of socialism. This article attempts to illustrate this transition by highlighting Mill’s pluralistic and historically specific political economy. This is achieved through the delineation of his views on the Irish land question indexing his Principles of Political Economy (1848), England and Ireland (1868) and his pamphlet Land Tenure Reform (1871). The article concludes that Mill’s heretic views regarding the Irish land question are associated with his transition towards socialist views and facilitated the emergence of the Irish historical school of the late nineteenth century.
Analysis and Control of Heterogeneous Connected and Autonomous Vehicles using a Spring-Mass-Damper System
Authors: Bang Sookyuk , Ahn Soyoung
Published: June 2020

This study analyzes the behavior of heterogeneous connected and autonomous vehicles (CAVs) and proposes the best vehicle sequence for optimal platoon throughput and platoon formation. A spring-mass-damper (SMD) system is adopted for control of CAVs, and the control parameters are formulated in relation to the physical capabilities of vehicles. To gain insight, we consider three types of vehicle: passenger cars, mini-vans, and heavy-duty vehicles. For each type, we investigate the maximum platoon throughput and the clustering time, defined as the time to reach the target equilibrium state. We further investigate different sequences of vehicle types in a platoon to identify the optimal vehicle order that maximizes the throughput and minimizes clustering time. Findings suggest that the highest performance vehicle (in relation to acceleration capability) should be placed as the leader of a platoon and that the number of passenger cars behind heavy vehicles (e.g., semi-trailers) should be minimized in the platoon. In addition, we examine how the proportions of lower performance vehicles affect throughput and clustering times. The result suggests that the higher the proportions, the lower the throughput and the longer the clustering time. The lowest performance vehicle had the greatest effect.
Calibrating Design Guidelines using Mental Workload and Reliability Analysis
Authors: Habib Karim , Gouda Maged , El-Basyouny Karim
Published: June 2020

The generic nature of road design is indiscriminate to age, race, or gender, as it is implicitly assumed that there are few behavioral differences between drivers while traversing various alignment elements (e.g., horizontal curves, tangential segments, etc.). For instance, the perception reaction time required, which is based on an 85th percentile value, on a tangent section is the same as that on a horizontal curve. This suggests that current guidelines do not consider the complexity that some geometric features might induce on drivers, and consequently, there is a need to address the many considerations of diversity. In this respect, human factors should be explicitly included in design guidelines. One aspect of human factors that has received little attention in the literature is related to the mental workload. In this study, a procedure is presented to estimate the mental workload for stopping sight distance. Then, reliability analysis is conducted to compare the change in the probability of non-compliance owing to the available sight distance and based on the mental workload. By analyzing data from 12 horizontal curves in Alberta, Canada, the probability of non-compliance dropped from 9.1% to 0.7%, and a moderate correlation with collisions was found. The results of the analysis showed that incorporating mental workload into the geometric design process can improve safety performance.
Defects detection from time series of cutting force in composite milling process by recurrence analysis
Authors: Ciecieląg Krzysztof , Kecik Krzysztof , Zaleski Kazimierz
Published: June 2020

The article presents possibility of defects detection from milling time series using nonlinear methods: recurrence plots and recurrence quantifications. The defects are modeled as the holes with different diameters and depths. This allows estimation of the minimal size of defect possible to detect. Based on the conducted research, it has been shown that some of the recurrence indicators enable detection of defects. These recurrence indicators have been tested on the reals damage. Additionally, we show influence of the defect depth on the recurrence indicator values.
What Happens to a Dream Deferred? Identity Formation and DACA
Authors: Rosenberg Jessica , Robles Sally , Agustín-Méndez Marlon O. , Cathell Emma , Casasola Astrid
Published: June 2020

This article reports on a qualitative research study that explored the lived experience of seven Latinx DACA recipients. Using narrative inquiry, the study tests the Undocumented Adult Identity Development Model (Robles, 2015), a five-stage identity development model of undocumented Latinx youth. The study gives voice to the hopes, dreams, and challenges these young adults face. Findings revealed that participants demonstrated a high degree of resiliency. Ultimately, participants were able to fashion their struggles into a transformative experience that gave them hope and a positive vison for their future. Success in school and in their career was a means of protesting against the limitations placed upon them. Meaning and purpose was achieved through creating community and by taking ownership of their immigration status, through fighting for their rights and for the rights of other immigrants.
In vitro evaluation of bone cements impregnated with selenium nanoparticles stabilized by phosphatidylcholine (PC) for application in bone
Authors: Karahaliloglu Zeynep , Kilicay Ebru
Published: June 2020

One of the most common prophylactic techniques to solve prosthetic joint infection (PJI) is incorporation of antibiotics into acrylic bone cement to prevent bacterial colonization and proliferation by providing local antibiotic delivery directly at the implant site. Further, there has been a significant concern over the efficacy of commonly used antibiotics within bone cement due to the rise in multi-drug resistant (MDR) microorganisms. Selenium is an essential trace element that has multiple beneficial effects for human health and its chemotherapeutic action is well known. It was reported that nanostructured selenium enhanced bone cell adhesion and has an increased osteoblast function. In this context, we used the selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) to improve antibacterial and antioxidant properties of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and tri calcium phosphate (TCP)-based bone cements, and to reduce of the infection risk caused by orthopedic implants. As another novelty of this study, we proposed phosphatidylcholine (PC) as a unique and natural stabilizer in the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles. After the structural analysis of the prepared bone cements was performed, in vitro osteointegration and antibacterial efficiency were tested using MC3T-E1 (mouse osteoblastic cell line) and SaOS-2 (human primary osteogenic sarcoma) cell lines, and S. aureus (Gram positive) and E.coli (Gram negative) strains, respectively. More importantly, PC-SeNPs-reinforced bone cements exhibited significant effect against E. coli, compared to S. aureus and a dose-dependent antibacterial activity against both bacterial strains tested. Meanwhile, these bone cements induced the apoptosis of SaOS-2 through increased reactive oxygen species without negatively influencing the viability of the healthy cell line. Furthermore, the obtained confocal images revealed that PC-SeNPs (103.7 ± 0.56 nm) altered the cytoskeletal structure of SaOS-2 owing to SeNPs-induced apoptosis, when MC3T3-E1 cells showed a typical spindle-shaped morphology. Taken together, these results highlighted the potential of PC-SeNPs-doped bone cements as an effective graft material in bone applications.
Enhanced vascularization and biocompatibility of rat pancreatic decellularized scaffolds loaded with platelet-rich plasma
Authors: Zhang Liang , Qiu Hongquan , Wang Dongzhi , Miao Haiyan , Zhu Yi , Guo Qingsong , Guo Yibing , Wang Zhiwei
Published: June 2020

The ultimate goal of pancreatic tissue engineering is to create a long-lived substitute organ to treat diabetes. However, the lack of neovascularization and the occurrence of immune response limit the efficacy of tissue-engineered pancreas after in vivo transplantation. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is an autologous platelet concentrate containing a large number of growth factors and immunoregulatory factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate rat pancreatic decellularized scaffold (PDS) loaded with PRP for vascularization, host inflammatory response and macrophage polarization in an animal model. The study results indicated that compared to PDS, PRP-loading PDS exhibited the enhanced mechanical properties and released growth factors in a slow and sustained manner to supplement the loss of growth factors during decellularization. In vitro, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were seeded in PDS and PRP-loading PDS, and cultured in the circular perfusion system. When compared with PDS, PRP-loading PDS significantly promoted the colonization, proliferation and pro-angiogenic genes expression of cells on scaffolds. In vivo, PDS loaded with PRP then re-endothelialized with HUVECs were implanted subcutaneously in rats, which enhanced the angiogenesis of scaffolds, inhibited the host inflammatory response, and induced the polarization dominated by pro-regenerative M2 macrophages that also facilitated tissue vascular regeneration. Thus, the re-endothelialized PRP-loading PDS may represent a promising bioengineered pancreas with sustained vascularization and excellent biocompatibility.