bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in psoriatic patients treated with biologics: Real‐world data from 18 Japanese facilities
Authors: Kaneko Sakae , Tsuruta Noriko , Yamaguchi Kazuki , Miyagi Takuya , Takahashi Kenzo , Higashi Yuko , Morizane Shin , Nomura Hayato , Yamaguchi Michiya , Hino Ryosuke , Sawada Yu , Nakamura Motonobu , Ohyama Bungo , Ohata Chika , Yonekura Kentaro , Hayashi Hiroaki , Yanase Tetsuji , Matsuzaka Yuki , Sugita Kazunari , Kikuchi Satoko , Mitoma Chikage , Nakahara Takeshi , Furue Masutaka , Okazaki Fusako , Koike Yuta , Imafuku Shinichi ,   The Western Japan Inflammatory Disease Research Group
Published: November 2019

Although rare, tuberculosis has been reported with biologic treatment against psoriasis in Japan, a tuberculosis medium‐burden country. Mycobacterial infection often develops after a long incubation period and might not have been adequately identified in clinical trials or post‐marketing surveillance. To determine the real‐world incidence of tuberculosis in psoriatic patients treated with biologics, we conducted a retrospective, multicenter, observational study in 18 facilities in Western Japan. Psoriatic patients who visited a participating facility between 2010 and March 2017 and received biologic reagents were enrolled. Information on sex, age at first biologic treatment, results of interferon‐γ release assay (IGRA) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, treatment history with isoniazid, and onset of active and/or latent tuberculosis was collected. A total of 1117 patients (830 men and 287 women) were enrolled. The mean duration of biologic treatment was 3.54 years. Sixty‐five patients (5.8%) showed positive IGRA results at screening. Active tuberculosis developed in two patients after the administration of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (both involved miliary tuberculosis). Latent tuberculosis was observed in two patients treated with anti‐interleukin‐12/23p40 antibody. The incidence rate of tuberculosis, including latent tuberculosis, in this survey was 0.36%. Although the incidence rate of tuberculosis was low considering the observation period of biologic treatment, active tuberculosis was found in both the screening‐negative group and a screening‐positive subject after isoniazid prophylaxis (both miliary tuberculosis), concluding that negative screening or isoniazid treatment does not always assure that an individual has no tuberculosis. Hence, dermatologists still need to pay careful attention to tuberculosis at every patient visit.
Functional diversity of ligninolytic fungi associated with leaf litter decomposition
Authors: Osono Takashi
Published: November 2019

Fungi play central roles in leaf litter decomposition as they are capable of actively decomposing lignin and other recalcitrant components in leaf litter that impact the decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. Quantitative evaluation is lacking, however, regarding the ability of diverse fungi to decompose leaf litter and the variability of ligninolytic activity among fungal taxa. In this comprehensive synthesis, I summarize the data of 1,232 individual pure culture tests conducted under standardized protocols to examine the functional diversity of fungi associated with leaf litter decomposition, with special emphasis on the ligninolytic activity. Fungal strains tested included 218 species in 69 families of Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Mucoromycotina that were derived from tropical and temperate forests to polar tundra. Fungal strains were inoculated adjacent to sterilized leaves and other substrata and incubated in the laboratory in order (a) to examine their functional potentialities in terms of the ability to cause mass loss of leaves and decompose recalcitrant components and (b) to explore the effect of litter quality and various environmental factors. The results of these tests revealed that ligninolytic abilities were specifically detected in fungal strains in such families as Mycenaceae and Marasmiaceae in Basidiomycota, and Rhytismataceae and Xylariaceae in Ascomycota. The ligninolytic activity varied among fungal taxa and with the quality and type of substrata, incubation temperature, and external supply of nutrients. This review provides integrative accounts of the functional diversity of ligninolytic fungi associated with leaf litter decomposition and enhances our understanding of the roles of fungal diversity in decomposition processes.
Comparing different methods of indexing commercial health care prices
Authors: Johnson William C. , Kennedy Kevin
Published: November 2019

Objective

To compare different methods of indexing health care service prices for the commercially insured population across geographic markets.

Data Sources

Health Care Cost Institute commercial claims data from 2012 to 2016.

Study Design

We compare price indices computed using methods with differing levels of computational intensity: weighted‐average versus regression‐based methods. We separately compute indices of the prices paid for set of common inpatient and set of common outpatient services in different markets across the United States using each type of method. We subsequently examined the variation of and correlations between the resulting index values.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We computed health care service price indices separately using samples of inpatient and outpatient facility claims from 2012 to 2016 across 112 Core‐Based Statistical Areas. Within each category of services, claims were limited to members under the age of 65 with employer‐sponsored insurance. Both samples were limited to a common set of services that made up nearly 80 percent of the service use in the full sample every year.

Principal Findings

We found that the methods studied produced highly correlated price indices (r > .94) with similar distributions across years for both inpatient and outpatient services.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that weighted‐average methods, which are much less computationally intensive, will generate results similar to regression‐based methods.
Multimycotoxin Determination in Tunisian Farm Animal Feed
Authors: Juan Cristina , Oueslati Souheib , Mañes Jordi , Berrada Houda
Published: November 2019

Mycotoxins presence was evaluated in animal feed marketed in Tunisia for the first time ever. A QuEChERS method was performed to analyze the natural copresence of 22 mycotoxins (enniatins, beauvericin, ochratoxin A, aflatoxins, alternariol monomethyl ether, alternariol, tentoxin, zearalenone, deoxynivalenol, 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, nivalenol, neosolaniol, diacetoxyscirpenol, T‐2 toxin, and HT‐2 toxin) in 122 Tunisian marketed feed samples, intended for poultry (n = 43), cattle (n = 35), rabbit (n = 12), sheep (n = 16), and horse (n = 16). Analytes detection and quantification were done using both liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. The analytical method showed good linearity (R > 0.996) and sensitivity, the limits of quantification ranged from 0.1 ng/g (enniatin A1) to 225 ng/g (3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol). Eighty‐five percent of the analyzed samples were positive. Poultry (n = 43) and rabbit (n = 12) feed samples were the most contaminated. Enniatin B was the most prevalent mycotoxin with values ranged between 0.5 ng/g for horse feed and 40 ng/g for poultry feed, followed by deoxynivalenol detected from 16 ng/g in cattle feed to 250 ng/g in poultry feed. None exceeded the limits set by EU recommendations for animal feed. Mycotoxins co‐occurrence was observed at most by five different mycotoxins (26%) and up to eight mycotoxins was recorded in 5% of samples. Furthermore, a relatively high copresence rate of different fusariotoxins was registered. Even if no toxicological concern was clearly revealed, the contamination is a real fact and will probably present influence on meat production and on food safety.
Clinical diagnosis and treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated pneumonitis
Authors: Wang Hanping , Guo Xiaoxiao , Zhou Jiaxin , Li Yue , Duan Lian , Si Xiaoyan , Zhang Li , Liu Xiaowei , Wang Mengzhao , Shi Juhong , Zhang Li
Published: November 2019

The increasing use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in tumors has brought new hope of survival to patients with advanced tumors. However, the immune system activated by immune checkpoint inhibitors, mainly activated T‐cells, can attack normal tissues and organs in the body and lead to a variety of adverse effects. In the lung, these attacks can induce checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP). CIP is different from known pulmonary interstitial pneumonitis, and has the potential to be fatal if not treated correctly. In this review, we summarize the characteristics of CIP and provide advice on how to manage this disease.
Vulnerability to ethanol sensitization predicts higher intake and motivation to self‐administer ethanol: Proof of the incentive salience sensitization theory?
Authors: González‐Marín Maria del Carmen , Coune Fabien , Naassila Mickaël
Published: November 2019

Ethanol‐induced behavioral sensitization (EIBS) is thought to play a key role in addiction. However, whether EIBS is linked to an increase in the motivation to self‐administerethanol in an operant paradigm has never been demonstrated, and thus, the motivational sensitization theory (increase in drug wanting) has not been yet confirmed. We investigated using the operant ethanol self‐administrationparadigm if the motivation to self‐administerethanol (breakpoint) is increased in female mice prone to develop EIBS. Outbred female Swiss mice were treated once a day with 2.5‐g ethanol per kilogram during 10 days and challenged with the same dose of ethanol 7 days later. EIBS‐pronegroup was characterized by a significant increase in locomotion between the challenge day and day 1. When the difference was not significant, mice were considered as the “EIBS‐resistant”group. Mice were then trained to nose poke for a 20% ethanol solution reinforcer under a FR1 and then a FR‐2schedule of reinforcement. Motivation was assessed more directly with a progressive ratio schedule. Our results show that there is a positive correlation between EIBS and both the level of intake and motivation. Interestingly, acquisition of ethanol self‐administrationwas faster in sensitized mice that also display a quick and long‐lastingincrease in ethanol intake together with a lack of effect of alcohol challenge on c‐Fosexpression restricted to the dorsolateral striatum. These results further support that EIBS vulnerability is crucial in the development of addictive behaviors and suggest a potential link with habit learning processes.
Fungal functional ecology: bringing a trait‐based approach to plant‐associated fungi
Authors: Zanne Amy E. , Abarenkov Kessy , Afkhami Michelle E. , Aguilar‐Trigueros Carlos A. , Bates Scott , Bhatnagar Jennifer M. , Busby Posy E. , Christian Natalie , Cornwell William K. , Crowther Thomas W. , Flores‐Moreno Habacuc , Floudas Dimitrios , Gazis Romina , Hibbett David , Kennedy Peter , Lindner Daniel L. , Maynard Daniel S. , Milo Amy M. , Nilsson Rolf Henrik , Powell Jeff , Schildhauer Mark , Schilling Jonathan , Treseder Kathleen K.
Published: November 2019

Fungi play many essential roles in ecosystems. They facilitate plant access to nutrients and water, serve as decay agents that cycle carbon and nutrients through the soil, water and atmosphere, and are major regulators of macro‐organismal populations. Although technological advances are improving the detection and identification of fungi, there still exist key gaps in our ecological knowledge of this kingdom, especially related to function.Trait‐based approaches have been instrumental in strengthening our understanding of plant functional ecology and, as such, provide excellent models for deepening our understanding of fungal functional ecology in ways that complement insights gained from traditional and ‐omics‐based techniques. In this review, we synthesize current knowledge of fungal functional ecology, taxonomy and systematics and introduce a novel database of fungal functional traits (FunFun). FunFunis built to interface with other databases to explore and predict how fungal functional diversity varies by taxonomy, guild, and other evolutionary or ecological grouping variables. To highlight how a quantitative trait‐based approach can provide new insights, we describe multiple targeted examples and end by suggesting next steps in the rapidly growing field of fungal functional ecology.
Sex differences in the influence of obesity on a murine model of allergic lung inflammation
Authors: e‐Lacerda Rodrigo Rodrigues , Anhê Gabriel Forato , Page Clive Peter , Riffo‐Vasquez Yanira
Published: November 2019

Background

Despite the overwhelming evidence showing the influence of sex or obesity in the development of respiratory diseases in humans and animals, the mechanisms by which these combined two factors influence allergic asthma are not well understood.

Objective

We have investigated the interaction between sex and weight gain in an experimental model of lung allergic inflammation induced by chicken egg ovalbumin (OVA) in mice.

Methods

Animals were fed a high‐fat diet for 8 weeks and then sensitized and challenged with OVA.

Results

Our results demonstrate that in comparison with males, high‐fat diet (HFD) allergic female mice exhibit a reduction in the number of leucocytes in the lung lumen when challenged with OVA and, in contrast, an accumulation of these cells in the lung tissue. In addition, we also observed that allergic HFD female mice presented a robust lung remodelling in comparison with HFD males, evidenced by higher deposition of collagen in the airways and TGF‐β in lung fluid. Measuring epithelial adhesion molecule expression, we observed that female mice presented a significantly lower expression of CD103 than males in BAL cells, regardless of the diet. Similarly, HFD female mice express lower levels of EpCAM in lung tissue in comparison with males and lean females. Levels of A20/TNFAIP3 expression in lung tissue demonstrated that HFD female mice express lower levels of these regulatory factors than all the other groups. However, this reduction was not accompanied by an increase in activated NF‐κB.

Conclusions

Our results present evidence that the interaction between sex and weight gain alters the progression of allergic asthma in mice with females developing airway remodelling at a much earlier stage than males.

Clinical Relevance

These data may contribute to a better understanding of the clinical differences in the development and severity of allergic asthma observed between men and women of reproductive age.
Space Making as Artistic Practice: The Relationship between Grassroots Art Organizations and the Political Economy of Urban Development
Authors: Zilberstein Shira
Published: November 2019

Standard narratives on the relationship between art and urban development detail art networks as connected to sources of dominant economic, social, and cultural capital and complicit in gentrification trends. This research challenges the conventional model by investigating the relationship between grassroots art spaces, tied to marginal and local groups, and the political economy of development in the Chicago neighborhood of Pilsen. Using mixed methods, I investigate Do–It–Yourself and Latinx artists to understand the construction and goals of grassroots art organizations. Through their engagements with cultural representations, space and time, grassroots artists represent and amplify the interests of marginal actors. By allying with residents, community organizations and other art spaces, grassroots artists form a social movement to redefine the goals and usages of urban space. My findings indicate that heterogeneous art networks exist and grassroots art networks can influence urban space in opposition to top–down development.
Substantial losses in ecoregion intactness highlight urgency of globally coordinated action
Authors: Beyer Hawthorne L. , Venter Oscar , Grantham Hedley S. , Watson James E.M.
Published: November 2019

Human activities are altering natural areas worldwide. While our ability to map these activities at fine scales is improving, a simplistic binary characterization of habitat and non‐habitat with a focus on change in habitat extent has dominated conservation assessments across different spatial scales. Here, we provide a metric that captures both habitat loss, quality and fragmentation effects which, when combined, we call intactness. We identify nine categories of intactness of the world's terrestrial ecoregions based on changes in intactness across a 16‐year period. We found that highly impacted and degraded categories are predominant (74%) and just 6% of ecoregions are on improving trajectories. It is essential that management of degrading processes be targeted in international agendas in order to ensure that Earth's remaining intact ecosystems are effectively conserved and restored in order to achieve effective conservation outcomes.
Determining defensible cut‐off scores for dental courses
Authors: Yousef Mohammed Khalil , Alshawwa Lana Adey , Farsi Jamila Mohammed , Tekian Ara , Yoon Soo Park
Published: November 2019

Purpose

Many countries and institutions have a fixed passing score of 60%. For example, this is a national policy in all Saudi universities where students at all levels must score 60% or higher to pass courses. The purpose of this study is to broaden the scope of standard‐setting applications, using data from five major dental courses (Endodontics, Operative, Removable and Fixed Prosthodontics, and Pedodontics) in the 5th dental academic year for two consecutive years to determine the cut‐off scores.

Methodology

Four expert raters conducted Angoff's method on final examinations of five dental courses to determine the cut‐off scores for the two academic years (2015, and 2016). Cohort size of 2015 was 120 students, whilst that of 2016 was 142 students. The study was conducted at the faculty of Dentistry, at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) from December 2017 to June 2018.

Results

All five dental courses yielded different cut‐off scores than the fixed 60%. The cut‐off scores for 2015 and 2016 examinations were 59.15%, 63.75% for Removable Prosthodontics, 51.86%, 53.75% for Fixed Prosthodontics, 47.42%, 50.5% for Pedodontics, 74.22%, 74.31% for Endodontics and 58%, 55.55% for Operative Dentistry.

Conclusion

Angoff method yielded different cut‐off scores than the fixed 60% passing score currently used by the dental school, yielding a difference in pass‐fail rates by as much as a staggering 41%. This finding provides support to use evidence‐based standard‐setting methods to determine the cut‐off score for the courses in Dentistry programme.
Heterogenic aquatic vegetation promotes abundance and species richness of Odonata (Insecta) in constructed agricultural wetlands
Authors: Huikkonen Ida‐Maria , Helle Ilona , Elo Merja
Published: November 2019

Natural wetlands are among the most threatened habitat types worldwide. They contain a high diversity of macroinvertebrates, including dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata). In agricultural landscapes, new wetlands have been constructed to filter nutrients and solid matter from agricultural runoff. These types of wetlands may also benefit Odonata as new breeding habitats. However, it is not yet clear what environmental characteristics of constructed wetlands are important for Odonata.

We studied 20 constructed agricultural wetlands in Central Finland and asked whether Odonata are able to use these wetlands as breeding habitats, and which environmental characteristics (aquatic vegetation, water area, shoreline length, bottom type diversity, water transparency, and pH) of the wetlands affect odonate abundance and species richness.

The constructed wetlands hosted altogether 17 odonate species. Odonate abundance was positively associated with the number of aquatic vegetation growth forms of the wetland. Odonate species richness was associated positively with abundance, floating‐leaved vegetation, and water transparency.

Constructed agricultural wetlands support local diversity of common odonate species. Although protecting the remaining natural wetlands is of primary importance, constructed wetlands can add suitable wetland habitats in the agricultural landscape. From the perspective of Odonata, heterogenic aquatic vegetation and water quality are features worth promoting when constructing and managing agricultural wetlands.
‘Sharing may not be caring’ — Prescription medication sharing among adults in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alhomoud Faten
Published: November 2019

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to describe prescription medication sharing behaviours (i.e. borrowing and lending) among adults living in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia during December 2018. The eligibility criteria were an ability to communicate in Arabic or English and aged ≥18 years. An online survey was distributed to a convenience sample, supplemented by snowballing, by email and social media via an Internet link leading to a web-based survey platform in QuestionPro to assess their medication sharing behaviours. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the associations.

Key findings

A total of 667 completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of borrowing and lending prescription medication was found to be 14% and 16% in 2018 (past year), respectively. Twenty per cent of participants revealed that they had given a medication prescribed for one child to another child in their care, and 75% reported having leftover prescription medicine at home. The majority (90%) had borrowed or lent on one to three occasions. A wide range of medications were borrowed and lent mainly between immediate family members. Different reasons have been identified for medicine borrowing or lending behaviours.

Conclusions

Borrowing and lending prescription medications are a common practice in the Saudi population. Further research is warranted into the development of successful approaches or interventions to reduce medication sharing behaviour.
Noncontrast CT versus Perfusion‐Based Core Estimation in Large Vessel Occlusion: The Blood Pressure after Endovascular Stroke Therapy Study
Authors: Siegler James E. , Messé Steven R. , Sucharew Heidi , Kasner Scott E. , Mehta Tapan , Arora Niraj , Starosciak Amy K. , De Los Rios La Rosa Felipe , Barnhill Natasha R , Mistry Akshitkumar M. , Patel Kishan , Assad Salman , Tarboosh Amjad , Dakay Katarina , Wagner Jeff , Bennett Alicia , Jagadeesan Bharathi , Streib Christopher , Weber Stewart A. , Chitale Rohan , Volpi John J. , Mayer Stephan A. , Yaghi Shadi , Jayaraman Mahesh V. , Khatri Pooja , Mistry Eva A.
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The 2018 AHA guidelines recommend perfusion imaging to select patients with acute large vessel occlusion (LVO) for thrombectomy in the extended window. However, the relationship between noncontrast CT and CT perfusion imaging has not been sufficiently characterized >6 hours after last known normal (LKN).

METHODS

From a multicenter prospective cohort of consecutive adults who underwent thrombectomy for anterior LVO 0–24 hours after LKN, we correlated baseline core volume (rCBF < 30%) and the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Scale (ASPECTS) score. We compared perfusion findings between patients with an unfavorable ASPECTS (<6) against those with a favorable ASPECTS (≥6), and assessed findings over time.

RESULTS

Of 485 enrolled patients, 177 met inclusion criteria (median age: 69 years, interquartile range [IQR: 57‐81], 49% female, median ASPECTS 8 [IQR: 6‐9], median core 10 cc [IQR: 0‐30]). ASPECTS and core volume moderately correlated (r = −.37). A 0 cc core was observed in 54 (31%) patients, 70% of whom had ASPECTS <10. Of the 28 patients with ASPECTS <6, 3 (11%) had a 0 cc core. After adjustment for age and stroke severity, there was a lower ASPECTS for every 1 hour delay from LKN (cOR: 0.95, 95% confidence of interval [CI]: 0.91‐1.00, P = .04). There was no difference in core (P = .51) or penumbra volumes (P = .87) across patients over time.

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicenter prospective cohort of patients who underwent thrombectomy, one‐third of patients had normal CTP core volumes despite nearly three quarters of patients showing ischemic changes on CT. This finding emphasizes the need to carefully assess both noncontrast and perfusion imaging when considering thrombectomy eligibility.
Co‐expression of EGFR and MET has a synergistic effect on the prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yokokawa Misaki , Morita Kei‐ichi , Oikawa Yu , Kayamori Kou , Sakamoto Kei , Ikeda Tohru , Harada Hiroyuki
Published: November 2019

Background

This study aimed to elucidate the correlation between gene amplification, protein expression of receptor tyrosine kinase, and prognosis of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and next‐generation sequencing data.

Methods

We evaluated data pertaining to 208 patients with OSCC using IHC for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mesenchymal‐epithelial transition factor (MET).

Results

High expressions of EGFR and MET were detected in 60 and 41 patients, respectively. We evaluated the association of clinicopathological variables with high expressions of EGFR and/or MET. Distant metastasis was found in 9 of 41 patients (22.0%) and 6 of 15 patients (40.0%) with high expression of MET and high co‐expressions of EGFR and MET, respectively; statistically significant differences were detected in both high expression of MET (P = .003) and high co‐expressions of EGFR and MET (P = 3.41 × 10−5). The cumulative 5‐year survival rate of patients with high and low expressions of EGFR or MET was approximately 65% and 85%, respectively. Conversely, among cases with high expressions of EGFR or MET, there was no additional decrease in the survival rate of patients harboring TP53 mutations. Moreover, the survival rate of patients with high co‐expression of both EGFR and MET was very poor (22.0%) (P < 1.0 × 10−9).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that evaluation of protein expressions of EGFR and MET may facilitate prognostic assessment of patients with OSCC; in addition, patients with OSCC should be screened for enrollment in clinical trials of combination therapy with EGFR and MET inhibitors.
Effects of enzymatic hydrolysate of locust bean gum on digestibility, intestinal morphology and microflora of broilers
Authors: Xie Jingjing , Wang Zhongcheng , Cui Hu , Nie Hao , Zhang Tietao , Gao Xiuhua , Qiao Yu
Published: November 2019

To investigate the effects of different levels of enzymatic hydrolysate of dietary locust bean gum on nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology and microflora of broilers, a total of 768 one‐day‐old Arbor Acres (AA) broiler chicks were randomly divided into 6 treatments with 8 replicates per treatment and 16 birds per replicate. The treatments were as follows: (1) CON, basal diet; (2) ANT, basal diet +62.5 mg/kg flavomycin; (3) LBG, basal diet +0.1% locust bean gum; (4) ELBG‐0.1, basal diet +0.1% enzymatic hydrolysate of LBG; (5) ELBG‐0.2, basal diet +0.2% enzymatic hydrolysate of LBG; and (6) ELBG‐0.3, basal diet +0.3% enzymatic hydrolysate of LBG. The digestibilities of ether extract, crude protein and dry matter were increased (p < .01) in broilers fed the ELBG‐0.3 diet compared with the CON and LBG diets on day 21. Duodenal villus height and the ratio of the villus height to crypt depth were greater (p < .01) in broilers fed the ELBG‐0.3 diet than the CON, ANT and LBG diets. Jejunum villus height was higher (p < .05) in broilers fed the ELBG‐0.2 and ELBG‐0.3 diets than the CON diet. The number of caecal Escherichia coli was reduced (p = .01) in broilers fed the ELBG‐0.2 and ELBG‐0.3 diets compared with the CON diet. The number of caecal Lactobacilli was greater (p < .05) in broilers fed the ELBG‐0.3 diet than the CON and ANT diets. In summary, the addition of 0.3% locust bean enzymatic hydrolysate can increase the surface area of intestinal villi and the number of beneficial bacteria, inhibit the proliferation of harmful bacteria, maintain the balance of intestinal microflora and improve the digestibility of nutrients.
Contributing to Inclusive Research Policy and Practice: A Synthesis of Four Inclusive (Health) Research Projects
Authors: Frankena Tessa K. , van Schrojenstein Lantman – de Valk Henny , Cardol Mieke , van der Cruijsen Anneke , Jansen Henk , Leusink Geraline , Naaldenberg Jenneken
Published: November 2019

The active involvement of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in research is expected to lead to relevant research outcomes, increased quality of life, improved healthcare, reduction of health inequities, and empowerment of people with ID. Despite the developments in inclusive health research, a lack of transparency remains with regard to how the partnership between researchers with and without ID is shaped and structural study of inclusive health research is needed. This study aims to gain insight into the experiences of inclusive research teams in practice regarding (1) reasons, (2) attributes, and (3) outcomes of inclusive health research. A structural study of four inclusive research teams was conducted in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Netherlands using case study methodology. Data were triangulated through documents and individual and group interviews. Data were analyzed and synthesized using domain and taxonomic analysis. Reasons for conducting inclusive research ranged from personal to practical. Having an inclusive ethos was found to be crucial in conducting inclusive research meaningfully in practice. Based on data analysis, attributes of inclusive research consist of three interrelated themes, one focusing on methodological aspects and two focusing on active involvement and partnerships. Outcomes of inclusive research across cases were found within three categories relating to research practice, inclusion itself, and interpersonal outcomes. Empowerment was found to be important. Although empowerment is not new to inclusive research, its positive effect on research quality appears to be new and needs further research. This study's results and the literature indicate that developing inclusive research policy and practice requires a realistic perspective, with a balance between maximum collaboration and using researchers' strengths. The results of this study are transferrable to inclusive research using similar methods with other groups. When the aim is to share learning in groups, a shared language is needed.
Inventions and patenting in Africa: Empirical trends from 1970 to 2010
Authors: Graff Gregory D. , Pardey Philip G.
Published: November 2019

Economic development is increasingly dependent upon on utilizing new knowledge to innovate and create value, even in traditional industries and in low‐income countries. This analysis uses evidence on patent families to assess innovation activity throughout sub‐Saharan Africa. We find patent activity in sub‐Saharan Africa—both by African inventors and by foreign inventors—is comparable to similar regions around the world, when conditioned on economic size. Patent filings in Africa have grown, particularly, since the mid‐1990s, but at different rates within different African jurisdictions. Types of technologies being patented in Africa have remained stable over 30 years, with most in pharmaceuticals, chemistry, biotechnology, and engineering. The majority of patent filings in Africa are from Europe, the United States, and other high income countries. Yet, in South Africa, between 15% and 20% of patent filings are by residents of South Africa, and 3% are from other developing and emerging economies. Only a small share of inventions globally are made in sub‐Saharan Africa, but for those inventions that do arise in Africa, foreign filings are made widely outside of Africa.
Cellular endo‐lysosomal dysfunction in the pathogenesis of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Du Jiang , Ji Yu , Qiao Liang , Liu Yanli , Lin Juntang
Published: November 2019

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an increasingly devastating human disorder, is characterized by intrahepatic fat accumulation. Although important progress has been made in understanding NAFLD, the fundamental mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of NAFLD have not been fully explained. The endo‐lysosomal trafficking network is central to lipid metabolism, protein degradation and signal transduction, which are involved in a variety of diseases. In recent years, many genes and pathways in the endo‐lysosomal trafficking network and involved in lysosomal biogenesis have been associated with the development and progression of NAFLD. Mutations of these genes and impaired signalling lead to dysfunction in multiple steps of the endo‐lysosomal network (endocytic trafficking, membrane fusion and lysosomal degradation), resulting in the accumulation of pathogenic proteins. In this review, we will focus on how alterations in these genes and pathways affect endo‐lysosomal trafficking as well as the pathophysiology of NAFLD.
The Prototyping Behaviors of Startups: Exploring the Relationship Between Prototyping Behaviors and Startup Strategies
Authors: Nelson Jacob , Mahan Tobias , McComb Christopher , Menold Jessica
Published: November 2019

Prototyping is a crucial part of new product development, and engineers and designers rely on prototyping to bring novel technologies to market. In recent years, tech-based startups like Tesla or Udacity have revolutionized their respective industries. However, many tech-based startups are unable to create a viable product with their available resources and fail before ever making it to market. In this work, we analyze survey responses from 34 startup representatives to investigate the relationship between prototyping practice, startup success, and perceived difficulty of startup tasks. K-means cluster analysis shows three distinct groups, differentiated by (1) their amount of available funding, (2) their use of prototyping best practices, and (3) their reported difficulty in startup tasks. High-performing startups reported having the highest funding, experiencing less difficulty in startup tasks, and using prototyping best practices more frequently than their peers.
Experimental Study of Condensation in a Thermoacoustic Cooler With Various 3D-Printed Regenerators Using Water Vapor as the Working Fluid
Authors: Bekkulov Aibek , Luthen Andrew , Xu Ben
Published: November 2019

Thermoacoustics (TA) deals with the conversion of heat into sound and vice versa. The device that transfers energy from a low-temperature reservoir to a high-temperature one by utilizing acoustic work is called TA cooler (TAC). The main components of a typical TAC are a resonator, a porous regenerator (e.g., stack of parallel plates), and two heat exchangers. The thermoacoustic phenomenon takes place in the regenerator where a nonzero temperature gradient is imposed and interacts with the sound wave. The low temperature at the cold end of TAC can be used to condense water from the humid air and also reduce the moisture. In the current study, the sound wave with high intensity was produced to drive a TAC to produce cooling power at a cold temperature around 18 °C, using saturated water vapor as the working fluid. The drainage of condensate in the regenerator is the key to the system’s performance. This work is dedicated to investigate the effect from temperature gradient created in TAC on the condensation enhancement, by adopting three different designs of regenerators. A 3D printer was used to design and fabricate different structures of regenerator, and then, the systematic cooling capacity was tested and compared with different regenerators. This work can be extended to evaluate how the TA effect can be affected by the condensation if humid air is directly used as the working fluid. The potential application of this investigation can be an autonomous TAC system for water harvesting in arid areas.
Inviscid, Axisymmetric, Annular Wall Jet Impingement As an Idealization of Cascade Thrust Reversers
Authors: Chilukuri R.
Published: November 2019

An analytical solution to inviscid, axisymmetric, impinging wall jet flow is proposed as a limited idealization of internal flow within a cascade thrust reverser of an aircraft engine. Behavior of prior Bessel Series solution for round jets is critically examined, before extending the formulation to an annular jet with non-zero inner wall radius. Behavior and accuracy of prior spectral and finite difference algorithms are examined, leading to an efficient hybrid computational scheme. Jet inflow velocity profile has a deficit as well as non-zero vorticity-function at the inner radial boundary, as is typical in engine fan ducts. Inviscid recirculation appears at the impingement corner, the strength of which is made determinate by assuming locally constant vorticity-function. Results indicate that fan duct velocity profile deficit is a significant contributor to occurrence of a large recirculation zone that is experimentally observed within a fully deployed thrust reverser.
PIV and POD Investigations of Coherent Vortices Downstream Circular or Rectangular Obstacles Located Between Two Parallel Plates
Authors: Aloui Fethi , Elawady Amal , Hammad Khaled J.
Published: November 2019

The study is an experimental investigations using PIV. The measurements were obtained by PIV for an unsteady laminar flow across a rectangular channel with a cross-section 300 × 30mm2, in the middle of which is located a cylindrical or a square obstacle. In the case of the cylindrical configuration and due to the confinement, PIV measurements in the range of 40 < Re < 200 clearly show that the von Karman vortex shedding appears at a critical Reynolds number which is about 66. A post-processing of these PIV measurements using the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) technique is by keeping only the first most energetic six modes, can be used as a filtering process to remove noise from instantaneous velocity signals. In the case of the square obstacle, PIV measurements obtained in the range of 30 < Re < 350 show the absence of vortex detachments and the chaotic behavior of the wake behind the obstacle beyond a certain Reynolds number. By examining the POD post-possessing results, the existence of a dynamic detachments’ regime (instantaneous breaking and coalescence of vortices), can be clearly observed. Given the chaotic behavior of the wake behind the obstacle, the application of the POD filtering process to only the first most energetic modes, cannot lead to good results.
Weakly Nonlinear and High Speed Propagation of Quasi-Monochromatic High Frequency Waves in Compressible Bubbly Liquids
Authors: Yoshimoto Takanori , Kanagawa Tetsuya
Published: November 2019

This study theoretically investigates plane progressive quasi-monochromatic waves in an initially quiescent compressible liquid containing many spherical gas bubbles, on the basis of the derivation of a nonlinear wave equation that represents waves propagating at a high phase velocity induced by taking the effect of liquid compressibility in consideration. The governing equations for bubbly flows are composed of the conservation equations of mass and momentum, the equation of bubble dynamics as radial oscillations, and so on. By using the method of multiple scales with an appropriate choice of set of scaling relations of nondimensional parameters, the nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation with an attenuation term and some correction terms can be derived from the governing equations. The decrease in the group velocity in a far field is then clarified. The dependence of waveform on wavenumber is implied.
Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis of a Marine Hydrokinetic Crossflow Turbine in Low Reynolds Number Flow
Authors: Doan Minh N. , Alayeto Ivan H. , Kumazawa Kana , Obi Shinnosuke
Published: November 2019

This study focuses on surveying different turbulence models and dynamic mesh techniques to simulate a marine hydrokinetic (MHK) crossflow turbine at Rec ≈ 7,000. While several research projects have shown that studies of MHK devices in low Re flow could still yield interesting and significant results, existing computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations were conducted at the chord based Re of 105 ∼ 106. The wake and power production of a laboratory-scaled MHK crossflow turbine were numerically simulated and compared with relevant experimental data. The vertical axis turbine operated in a small flume with 20% blockage ratio and was fabricated by mounting three NACA0012 (2.54 cm chord length) straight blades at a radius of 3.41 cm and 15° pitch angle. Within OpenFOAM environment, blade-resolved models were built with Spalart-Allmaras, k-omega shear stress transport (SST), and k-kl-omega unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes simulation (URANS) in both two and three dimensions. Results from each model were compared with the experimental power measurement and flow field obtained by monoscopic particle image velocimetry (2D PIV). Additionally, four different techniques for moving the solid boundaries (turbine blades) in the unsteady simulation were presented and compared in terms of solution consistency and required computational power. Overset mesh, time-deforming mesh, and moving immersed boundary are all available in this open source environment, beside the common rotating mesh technique, and possess the potential to be applied to a more complicated configuration of turbines.
CFD DEM Analysis of a Dry Powder Inhaler
Authors: Badhan Antara , Kotteda V. M. Krushnarao , Kumar Vinod
Published: November 2019

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs), used as a means for pulmonary drug delivery, typically contain a combination of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and significantly larger carrier particles. The micro-sized drug particles — which have a strong propensity to aggregate and poor aerosolization performance — mixed with significantly large carrier particles that are unable to penetrate the mouth-throat region to deagglomerate and entrain the smaller API particles in the inhaled airflow. The performance of a DPI, therefore, depends on entrainment the carrier-API combination particles and the time and thoroughness of the deagglomeration of the individual API particles from the carrier particles. Since DPI particle transport is significantly affected by particle-particle interactions, very different particles sizes and shapes, various forces including electrostatic and van der Waals forces, they present significant challenges to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelers to model regional lung deposition from a DPI. In the current work, we present a novel high fidelity CFD discrete element modeling (CFD-DEM) and sensitivity analysis framework for predicting the transport of DPI carrier and API particles. The work integrates exascale capable CFD-DEM and sensitivity analysis capabilities by leveraging the Department of Energy (DOE) laboratories libraries: Multiphase Flow Interface Flow Exchange (MFiX) for CFD-DEM, and Trilinos for leading-edge portable/scalable linear algebra. We carried out a sensitivity analysis of various formulation properties and their effects on particle size distribution with Dakota, an open source software designed to exploit High-Performance Computing (HPC) capabilities of a massively parallel supercomputer. We developed wrappers to exchange information among these state-of-the-art tools for DPI.
Experimental Characterization of a Micro-Blower for Flow Control
Authors: Wu Maria , Sullivan Pierre
Published: November 2019

A compact, lightweight, low-power piezoelectric micro-blower was characterized using particle image velocimetry to determine its flow control potential. The micro-blower has been operated in continuous mode as well as in burst mode using two different actuation frequencies. The maximum mean velocity measured with the micro-blower operating in continuous mode was approximately Ūmax = 13 m/s which occurred at the centerline at an approximate stream-wise location of x/d = 4. The velocity profiles in the developed region resemble those of turbulent jets. The momentum-flux from the micro-blower in continuous mode was significantly greater than a typical synthetic jet actuator which was successfully used for flow control, indicating that the micro-blower can impart the necessary momentum to be effective for flow control. With burst mode, the results show that the micro-blower could impart an even greater momentum.
Optimizing Pump Selection for Energy Efficiency Across Multiple Operating Conditions Using True Weighted Efficiency (TWE)
Authors: Dahl Trygve
Published: November 2019

Energy efficiency is emphasized more actively across the pump industry. Legislation in the European Union and in the United States utilize new energy efficiency ranking metrics, but neither of these methods are conveniently applied to customer specified load conditions. True Weighted Efficiency, or TWE, is introduced as a general-purpose, universal pump efficiency metric for pumps operating under multiple operating conditions.

The TWE is derived accurately from first principles, using generalized load profiles that include control curves, multiple discrete operating points based on those control curves, and the time of operation at each operating point.

A pump selection/optimization program is used to numerically demonstrate the TWE method. Various examples are presented, contrasting candidate pumps based on three different optimization strategies. The study reveals that the pump with the best design point efficiency may not be the best choice from a TWE or an evaluated cost perspective.

This method is applicable to rotodynamic or positive displacement pumps operating at fixed or variable speed, on/off operation, throttle control, or by-pass control. and other turbomachinery as well. The TWE methodology, when combined with a pump selection/optimization program, will help practitioners design systems that reduce energy consumption for new or reconfigured pump applications.
Global Stability Analysis on the Spiral-Vortex Mode in the Confined Cavity Flow Between Rotating and Stationary Disks
Authors: Okabayashi Kie , Kodera Yuki , Takeuchi Shintaro , Kajishima Takeo , An Byungjin , Nohmi Motohiko , Obuchi Masashi
Published: November 2019

Global stability analysis (GSA) is applied to a 3D confined cavity flow between rotating and stationary disks (viz., rotor and stator). The Arnoldi method extended for incompressible viscous flow is used together with the eigenvalue spectrum conversion to solve the eigenvalue problem of the GSA. As a first step, the GSA is conducted in an axisymmetric flow, and circular vortices are obtained as eigen modes. Then, the GSA is applied to a flow with circular vortex at a higher Reynolds number, and eigen vectors of spiral vortex are obtained. The result suggests that the GSA shows unstable flows after transition of the baseflow. However, it is necessary to reconsider the convergence of the eigenvalues for the parameters of Arnoldi method.
Reservoir Geomechanical Modeling and Ground Uplift During CO2 Injection Into Khuff Reservoir
Authors: Khan Sikandar , Khulief Yehia , Al-Shuhail Abdullatif
Published: November 2019

In this investigation, coupled-geomechanical modeling is performed using the COMSOL Multiphysics software, during carbon dioxide injection into the deep Khuff carbonate reservoir. Khuff reservoir is a carbonate reservoir that is capped by the low permeability Sudair shale geological layer. The main objective of the study was to evaluate safe values of the carbon dioxide injection parameters for the Khuff reservoir that will act as a benchmark for the similar reservoirs and injection scenarios around the globe. Carbon dioxide was injected for a period of 10 years into the reservoir and the corresponding variations in the reservoir pore-pressure and ground uplift was evaluated. The Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion was utilized to perform the stability analysis for the Khuff reservoir during carbon dioxide injection.