bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive velocity‐dependent proportional‐integral controller for high‐speed atomic force microscopy
Authors: LIU L. , WU S. , WANG Y.Y. , HU X.D. , HU X.T.
Published: May 2019

High‐speed atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been rapidly developed in recent years. To reduce the oscillation of the scanner, a single‐tone sinusoidal wave is widely used as a scanning wave rather than a triangular wave in high‐speed AFM. However, the sinusoidal wave is nonlinear, resulting in a nonconstant relative linear velocity between the sample and the tip while scanning in the x‐direction. If a traditional proportional‐integral controller is still used as a feedback controller in the z‐direction, the control errors will be enormous. Therefore, the paper proposes a new adaptive velocity‐dependent proportional‐integral controller. The relationship between the proportional‐integral parameters and the linear velocity is achieved by fitting the experimental results. The adaptive and traditional controllers are compared against each other in some examples. The experiments demonstrate that the adaptive controller decreases the control errors in the z‐direction to a half, which provides more precise AFM images.

Lay Description

Typically, the scanner follows a triangular waveform in fast axis (x‐axis), and follows a very slow ramp signal in the slow axis (y‐axis) of conventional AFM. This scanning mode can be called raster scan. However, the triangular waveform contains high‐order Fourier harmonics, vibrating the scanner and distorting the image easily. In high‐speed AFM, the effect of the high‐order Fourier harmonics will be more severe. The above problems can be solved by replacing triangular waves with single‐tone sinusoidal waveform. Therefore, the sinusoidal‐raster scan and nonraster scan based on the sinusoidal waveform are widely used in high‐speed atomic force microscopy.

However, the nonlinearly scan path will cause a variable relative linear velocity between the sample and the tip. If a standard proportional‐integral controller is still used as a feedback controller in Z direction, the control errors will be large, and this difference will be evident at high‐speed scanning. Thus, the paper proposes a new adaptive velocity‐dependent proportional‐integral controller to solve this problem. Experiments show that the control errors obtained by using the adaptive controller is about a half of that without using it. These illustrate that the proposed method can improve the image quality of the AFM at both low and high scan speeds.
Taurolidine–citrate lock solution for the prevention of central line‐associated bloodstream infection in paediatric haematology–oncology and gastrointestinal failure patients with high baseline central‐line associated bloodstream infection rates
Authors: Chong Chia‐Yin , Ong Rina Y‐L , Seah Valerie X‐F , Tan Natalie W‐H , Chan Mei‐Yoke , Soh Shui‐Yen , Ong Christina , Lim Ashley S , Thoon Koh‐Cheng
Published: May 2019

Aim

Central line‐associated bloodstream infection associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a serious complication of patients on central venous catheters (CVC). Taurolidine–citrate solution (TCS) is a catheter‐lock solution with broad‐spectrum antimicrobial action. This study's aim was to evaluate the efficacy of TCS in reducing CLABSI rates in paediatric haematology–oncology (H/O) and gastrointestinal (GI) patients with long‐term CVC.

Methods

This was an open‐label trial of H/O and GI inpatients with the following inclusion criteria: <17 years old, more than or equal to one previous CLABSI and a minimum TCS dwell time of ≥8 h. CLABSI per 1000 catheter‐days was calculated from each patient's first CVC insertion till 14 December 2017 or until TCS discontinuation.

Results

Thirty‐three patients were recruited with a median age of 3.5 years; H/O and GI constituted 60.6 and 39.4% respectively. CVC types were Hickman line (45.5%), implantable port (24.2%) and peripherally inserted central catheter (30.3%). Mean pre‐ and post‐TCS CLABSI rates per 1000 catheter‐days were 14.44 and 2.45 (P < 0.001) for all patients; 16.55 and 2.81 for H/O patients; and 11.21 and 1.90 for GI patients, respectively. Pre‐ and post‐TCS rate ratio was 0.20, 0.10 and 0.30 for all, H/O and GI patients, respectively (P < 0.001). TCS also led to a reduction in CVC removal from 66.7 to 9.09% (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

TCS usage was highly successful in CLABSI reduction by 80% in all patients, 90% in H/O and 70% in GI patients. In patients with high baseline CLABSI rates, TCS is an effective catheter‐lock therapy to reduce CLABSI rates in paediatric patients.
Use of the consolidated framework for implementation research to assess determinants of silver diamine fluoride implementation in safety net dental clinics
Authors: Weintraub Jane A. , Birken Sarah A. , Burgette Jacqueline M. , Lewis Teresa A. , White B. Alexander
Published: May 2019

Objectives

In the United States, silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a relatively new, quick, and low‐cost method for arresting dental caries. This study's purpose was to identify determinants of the implementation of an SDF protocol for pediatric patients in three safety net clinics to inform future efforts to implement the protocol.

Methods

We familiarized dental personnel with the SDF protocol through on‐site education and feedback sessions. Two months after the educational sessions, we conducted focus groups with a total of eight dentists and 21 staff across three North Carolina safety net dental clinics: a private nonprofit healthcare network, a community health center, and a county health department. We used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to understand determinants of implementation of the protocol.

Results

Determinants of SDF protocol implementation included SDF protocol characteristics (e.g., source of protocol and its ease of use and adaptability, relative advantage compared to alternatives, low cost), characteristics of the outer setting or the dental clinic's environment (e.g., patient needs), inner setting or dental clinics’ characteristics (e.g., culture of safety net clinic, leadership engagement), characteristics of dental personnel (e.g., concerns were alleviated by the training and having the protocol), and process characteristics (e.g., training and technical assistance from a reliable source). Overall, implementation was less successful in clinics with less leadership engagement and turnover of dental personnel who did not receive the training.

Conclusions

The determinants of SDF protocol implementation identified in this study will be useful to guide future efforts to implement the SDF protocol.
Effect of chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins on serum biochemical profiles and intestinal bacterial populations in early‐weaned piglets
Authors: Tan Xian , Li Jia , Li Yali , Li Jianzhong , Wang Qingping , Fang Lin , Ding Xueqin , Huang Pengfei , Yang Huansheng , Yin Yulong
Published: May 2019

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with anti‐E. coli, chicken egg yolk immunoglobulins (IgY), may affect early weaned piglet (EWP) intestinal functions and enteric micro‐organisms. One hundred and forty‐eight ([Landrace × Yorkshire] × Duroc) piglets, weaned at age day 21, were randomly assigned to receive one of three diets for 14 days. Treatment group one (control group) was fed the base diet. Treatment group two (antibiotics group) was fed the base diet which was supplemented with 100 ppm colistin sulphate and 15 ppm enramycin; treatment group three (IgY group) was fed the base diet which was supplemented with 500 mg/kg anti‐E. coli IgY. The study evaluated the effects on EWPs of IgY on growth, serum biochemical, inflammatory profiles and also digestion content intestinal bacterial populations. Results showed no significant difference in diarrhoea rates between IgY‐fed EWPs and antibiotic‐treated EWPs. Serum biochemical analysis showed that EWPs fed an IgY‐containing diet had both lower (p < 0.05) cholesterol and low‐density lipoprotein compared to antibiotic‐treated EWPs. Escherichia coli populations measured in IgY‐fed EWP ileal contents, compared to the control group, were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Clostridium and Bifidobacterium populations were unaffected by the IgY treatment. Larger (p < 0.05) Enterococcus populations and lower (p < 0.05) expression levels of heat‐stable enterotoxin b (STb) were observed in IgY‐fed EWP caecal digesta compared to the control group. Enteric Lactobacillus significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in EWPs fed antibiotics while it was unaffected by IgY treatment. Dietary supplementation with anti‐E. coli IgY has the potential to suppress enteric E. coli growth, but not Lactobacillus, Clostridium and Bifidobacterium. This promotes and maintains a healthy EWP intestinal environment. These findings suggest that IgY may be used as an alternative to antibiotics in EWP diets.
Meteorites from the Lut Desert (Iran)
Authors: Pourkhorsandi Hamed , Gattacceca Jérôme , Rochette Pierre , D'Orazio Massimo , Kamali Hojat , de Avillez Roberto , Letichevsky Sonia , Djamali Morteza , Mirnejad Hassan , Debaille Vinciane , Jull A. J. Timothy
Published: May 2019

We present for the first time a detailed report on the discovery of a new meteorite collection region in the Lut Desert, eastern–southeastern Iran, describing its geological, morphological, and climatic setting. Our search campaigns, alongside with the activity of meteorite hunters, yielded >200 meteorite finds. Here, we report on their classification, spatial distribution, and terrestrial weathering. All the collected meteorites are ordinary chondrites (OCs). The most abundant by far are the highly weathered paired H5 distributed in the northwest of Kalut area (central Lut, Kerman dense collection area). The second are well‐preserved paired L5 also found in Kalut region. A detailed study of the geochemistry and mineralogy of selected meteorites reveals significant effects of terrestrial weathering. Fe,Ni metal (hereafter simply metal) and troilite are transformed into Fe oxyhydroxides. A rather unusual type of troilite weathering to pyrite/marcasite is observed in most of the Lut Desert meteorites. Magnetic measurements and X‐ray diffractometry confirm the occurrence of terrestrial weathering products, with the dominance of maghemite, goethite, and hematite. Mobile elements, such as Li, Sr, Mo, Ba, Tl, Th, and U, are enriched with respect to fresh falls. Meanwhile, a decrease in the V, Cr, Co, Rb (and possibly Fe) due to terrestrial weathering is detectable. The total carbon and CaCO3 is higher than in samples from other hot deserts. The weathering effects observed in the Lut Desert OCs can be used as distinctive indicators to distinguish them from meteorites from other regions of the Earth. Measurements of terrestrial age (14C) show a range of 10–30 ka, which is in the range of ages reported for meteorites from other hot deserts except the Atacama Desert (Chile). Considering the high potential of the Lut Desert in meteorite preservation, systematic works should lead to the discovery of more samples giving access to interesting material for future studies.
Sexual assault and harassment of doctors, by doctors: a qualitative study
Authors: Stone Louise , Phillips Christine , Douglas Kirsty A
Published: May 2019

Context

Although sexual harassment frequently occurs in medical education and medical workplaces, doctors who have been sexually harassed or assaulted by other doctors remain a largely invisible population. This study aimed to identify, using personal accounts, the impact on doctors of sexual harassment and assault by doctors in the workplace.

Methods

This narrative study used in‐depth interviews, legal reports and victim impact statements, tracing trajectories from the event's pre‐history to its aftermath and impact on professional practice. Participants were six Australian women doctors who had been subjected to one or more non‐consensual sexual acts through coercion or intimidation by another doctor in their working environments, within hospital training programmes.

Results

All women identified long‐term personal and professional impacts of their experience. Three women had never reported the abuse. The meaning and impact of sexual abuse for the doctors followed a trajectory with discrete phases: prelude, assault, limbo, exposure and aftermath. Discounting the event and its impacts, and returning to the workplace were characterised as ‘being professional’. Those who sought legal restitution said it damaged their personal well‐being and their standing among fellow doctors.

Discussion

Understanding the phases of experience of abuse enables the development of effective interventions for different phases. Interventions to minimise the risk of occurrence of sexual abuse must be distinguished from interventions to increase reporting rates, and interventions to mitigate harm and impact on victims’ futures. Idealised notions of professionalism can act as obstacles to doctors responding to sexual abuse.
The role of nitrite and nitric oxide under low oxygen conditions in plants
Authors: Gupta Kapuganti Jagadis , Mur Luis A. J. , Wany Aakanksha , Kumari Aprajita , Fernie Alisdair R. , Ratcliffe R. George
Published: May 2019

Plant tissues, particularly roots, can be subjected to periods of hypoxia due to environmental circumstances. Plants have developed various adaptations in response to hypoxic stress and these have been described extensively. Less well‐appreciated is the body of evidence demonstrating that scavenging of nitric oxide (NO) and the reduction of nitrate/nitrite regulate important mechanisms that contribute to tolerance to hypoxia. Although ethylene controls hyponasty and aerenchyma formation, NO production apparently regulates hypoxic ethylene biosynthesis. In the hypoxic mitochondrion, cytochrome c oxidase, which is a major source of NO, also is inhibited by NO, thereby reducing the respiratory rate and enhancing local oxygen concentrations. Nitrite can maintain ATP generation under hypoxia by coupling its reduction to the translocation of protons from the inner side of mitochondria and generating an electrochemical gradient. This reaction can be further coupled to a reaction whereby nonsymbiotic haemoglobin oxidizes NO to nitrate. In addition to these functions, nitrite has been reported to influence mitochondrial structure and supercomplex formation, as well as playing a role in oxygen sensing via the N‐end rule pathway. These studies establish that nitrite and NO perform multiple functions during plant hypoxia and suggest that further research into the underlying mechanisms is warranted.
The long and short of the S‐locus in Turnera (Passifloraceae)
Authors: Shore Joel S. , Hamam Hasan J. , Chafe Paul D. J. , Labonne Jonathan D. J. , Henning Paige M. , McCubbin Andrew G.
Published: May 2019

Distyly is an intriguing floral adaptation that increases pollen transfer precision and restricts inbreeding. It has been a model system in evolutionary biology since Darwin. Although the S‐locus determines the long‐ and short‐styled morphs, the genes were unknown in Turnera. We have now identified these genes.

We used deletion mapping to identify, and then sequence, BAC clones and genome scaffolds to construct S/s haplotypes. We investigated candidate gene expression, hemizygosity, and used mutants, to explore gene function.

The s‐haplotype possessed 21 genes collinear with a region of chromosome 7 of grape. The S‐haplotype possessed three additional genes and two inversions. TsSPH1 was expressed in filaments and anthers, TsYUC6 in anthers and TsBAHD in pistils. Long‐homostyle mutants did not possess TsBAHD and a short‐homostyle mutant did not express TsSPH1.

Three hemizygous genes appear to determine S‐morph characteristics in T. subulata. Hemizygosity is common to all distylous species investigated, yet the genes differ. The pistil candidate gene, TsBAHD, differs from that of Primula, but both may inactivate brassinosteroids causing short styles. TsYUC6 is involved in auxin synthesis and likely determines pollen characteristics. TsSPH1 is likely involved in filament elongation. We propose an incompatibility mechanism involving TsYUC6 and TsBAHD.
Leaf position‐dependent effect of Alternaria brassicicola development on host cell death, photosynthesis and secondary metabolites in Brassica juncea
Authors: Macioszek Violetta K. , Wielanek Marzena , Morkunas Iwona , Ciereszko Iwona , Kononowicz Andrzej K.
Published: May 2019

During the first 24 hours of infection, Alternaria brassicicola developmental parameters such as conidial germination, germ tubes and appressoria formation on each of the five mature Brassica juncea leaves, correlated with a leaf position showing stronger development of the pathogen on older leaves than on young ones. As a consequence of fungal development, the black spot disease was observed during 96 hours of infection on a macroscopic scale, as well as via confocal microscopy. Degradation of the chloroplast thylakoids and plastoglobule appearance during infection, followed by the decrease in chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters i.e. maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm), non‐photochemical quenching (NPQ) and chlorophyll a:b ratio, have been observed. Also, after an initial increase of carbohydrates (glucose, fructose and sucrose), content far below the respective control values was found. The content of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids and glucosinolates increased in a leaf position‐dependent manner in infected leaves, with a lower level in older leaves than in younger ones. Although, the total phenolic compounds (TPCs) content did not differ significantly in infected leaves compared to control leaves, TPCs level in both control and infected leaves was leaf position‐dependent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on leaf position‐dependent effect on the B. juncea biochemical response to A. brassicicola infection.
Internet use and export upgrading: Firm‐level evidence from China
Authors: Huang Xianhai , Song Xueyin
Published: May 2019

This paper explores the impact of widespread Internet use on the product choices of exporters. Based on a highly disaggregated firm–product‐level data matched from the Annual Survey of Industrial Firms and China Customs Transaction Database, our baseline empirical analysis suggests that (1) Internet use (i.e., having an official website or corporate email) affects both extensive margin and quality margin of exported products; (2) exporters using Internet propone to expand their product line of export by introducing new products (cost‐reduction effect on extensive margin); (3) the average quality of exported products becomes lower after the Internet is adopted by exporters (competition effect on quality margin). Our heterogeneous analysis further shows that (1) exporters with high productivity are immune to the negative impact of Internet use on quality margin and maintain quality growth; (2) having an official website exerts larger impacts on both extensive margin and quality margin compared with only having a corporate email system. Our research sheds light on the existing literature on Internet use and firm export behaviors.
Globalization and firm‐level cost structure
Authors: Ding Hui , Lu Xiaoyan , Zheng Ying
Published: May 2019

In this study, we draw on economic theories of cost structure and the effects of international trade on firms' productivity to assess firm‐level cost behavior in the context of globalization. We investigate why and how trade openness affects firms' cost structure by examining the changes of fixed inputs along with those in capacity levels. Using a sample consisting of 25 countries from 2000 to 2014, we find that trade openness does significantly affect firms fixed and variable cost inputs, which indicate that production uncertainty along with international trade is essential to the cost structure decision in terms of cost rigidity. Furthermore, larger firms are more likely to adopt a rigid cost structure with higher fixed costs and lower variable costs because they are more involved in the international economy and more exposed to associated uncertainties.
Adjunctive treatment of clinically severe babesiosis with red blood cell exchange: a case series of nineteen patients
Authors: Nixon Christian P. , Park Sangshin , Nixon Christina E. , Reece Rebecca M. , Sweeney Joseph D.
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Infection with the protozoan parasite Babesia, the causative agent of babesiosis, can result in asymptomatic to life‐threatening illness. Severe cases of babesiosis are characterized by high levels of parasitemia (>4%‐10%) and commonly treated with adjunctive red blood cell exchange (RCE) in addition to antimicrobial therapy. The efficacy of RCE in this context is unknown.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Blood bank records were examined for requests for RCE during a 10‐year period from 2007 to 2017. Relevant clinical and laboratory variables were extracted from medical records from presentation to 35 days after RCE and analyzed in univariate and multivariate models.

RESULTS

Nineteen cases of babesiosis were identified in which RCE was performed. The median age of patients was 77 years, 74% of whom were male. A total of 37% of patients were asplenic. RCE was performed on average 1.3 days after presentation, with procedural urgency driven mainly by the level of parasitemia. Mean pre‐ and post‐RCE levels of parasitemia were 12.9 and 3.4%, respectively, resulting in a mean percent reduction in parasitemia of 75%. Preprocedural parasitemia (p = 0.047) and age (p = 0.028) were both significant predictors of postprocedural hospital length of stay (post‐RCE LOS). Neither postprocedural parasitemia (p = 0.12) nor percent reduction in parasitemia (p = 0.72) correlated with post‐RCE LOS. Four patients died, none of whom were asplenic. Mortality was not correlated with hematologic, parasitologic, or clinical variables analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction in the level of parasitemia is the only known benefit of RCE in severe babesiosis.
How do I perform cell salvage in obstetrics?
Authors: Waters Jonathan H. , Beck Stacy , Yazer Mark H.
Published: May 2019

Maternal mortality in the United States is increasing. The leading cause of death is hemorrhage. Maternal hemorrhage can be profound, with entire blood volumes being lost. In most major blood loss surgery, autotranfusion (also known as cell salvage, cell saving, and intraoperative blood collection and readministration) is a technique that has been used to minimize allogeneic transfusion. Historically, autotransfusion has been considered contraindicated in the face of maternal hemorrhage because of a fear of incorporating amniotic fluid in the salvaged blood. Recent data suggests that this fear is unfounded, with several medical societies now recommending that autotransfusion be used during maternal hemorrhage. In this review, autotransfusion during maternal hemorrhage is discussed, and suggestions are made for how to make it most successful.
Ten years of TRALI mitigation: measuring our progress
Authors: Vossoughi Sarah , Gorlin Jed , Kessler Debra A. , Hillyer Christopher D. , Van Buren Nancy L. , Jimenez Alexandra , Shaz Beth H.
Published: May 2019

BACKGROUND

Transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI) is a leading cause of transfusion‐associated mortality for which multiple mitigation strategies have been implemented over the past decade. However, product‐specific TRALI rates have not been reported longitudinally and may help refine additional mitigation strategies.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This retrospective multicenter study included analysis of TRALI rates from 2007 through 2017. Numerators included definite or probable TRALI reports from five blood centers serving nine states in the United States. Denominators were components distributed from participating centers. Rates were calculated as per 100,000 components distributed (p < 0.05 significant).

RESULTS

One hundred four TRALI cases were reported from 10,012,707 components distributed (TRALI rate of 1.04 per 100,000 components). The TRALI rate was 2.25 for female versus 1.08 for male donated components (p < .001). The TRALI rate declined from 2.88 in 2007 to 0.60 in 2017. From 2007 to 2013, there was a significantly higher TRALI rate associated with female versus male plasma (33.85 vs. 1.59; p < 0.001) and RBCs (1.97 vs. 1.15; p = 0.03). From 2014 through 2017, after implementation of mitigation strategies, a significantly higher TRALI rate only from female‐donated plateletpheresis continued to be observed (2.98 vs. 0.75; p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Although the TRALI rates have substantially decreased secondary to multiple strategies over the past decade, a residual risk remains, particularly with female‐donated plateletpheresis products. Additional tools that may further mitigate TRALI incidence include the use of buffy coat pooled platelets suspended in male donor plasma or platelet additive solution due to the lower amounts of residual plasma.
A systematic review of Calendula officinalis extract for wound healing
Authors: Givol Or , Kornhaber Rachel , Visentin Denis , Cleary Michelle , Haik Josef , Harats Moti
Published: May 2019

Use of complementary and alternative medicine for wound healing is influencing mainstream medical practice. This systematic review evaluates the role of Calendula officinalis flower extract as monotherapy compared to control for wound healing in vivo. Searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, and Scopus (up to April 2018) with 14 studies meeting the inclusion criteria, comprising 7 animal experiments and 7 clinical trials. Findings from the review on acute wound healing showed faster resolution of the inflammation phase with increased production of granulation tissue in the test groups treated with extract. These findings were consistent in five animal studies and one randomized clinical trial. Chronic wound healing studies were varied. Two clinical control studies on venous ulcers demonstrated decreased ulcer surface area compared to controls. Another randomized clinical trial demonstrated no improvement for the calendula group in diabetic leg ulcer healing. Burn healing similarly showed mixed results. Two animal studies demonstrated a prophylactic effect for the administration of calendula extract prior to burn injury. A randomized clinical trial of patients suffering from partial to full thickness burns demonstrated no benefit for topical application of calendula extract compared to controls. Two randomized clinical trials assessed the potential for extract to prevent acute post radiation dermatitis, with one study showing improvements compared to trolamine, while the other found no improvement compared to aqua gel cream. Animal studies provide moderate evidence for improved recovery from the inflammation phase and increased production of granulation tissue in calendula extract treatment groups. This review identified some evidence for the beneficial effects of C. officinalis extract for wound healing, consistent with its role in traditional medicine. There is a need for larger, well‐designed randomized control trials to assess the effect of calendula on wound healing including complications.
Effectiveness of biofilm‐based wound care system on wound healing in chronic wounds
Authors: Mori Yukie , Nakagami Gojiro , Kitamura Aya , Minematsu Takeo , Kinoshita Mikio , Suga Hiraku , Kurita Masakazu , Hayashi Chieko , Kawasaki Akiko , Sanada Hiromi
Published: May 2019

A biofilm plays a crucial role in delaying wound healing. Sharp debridement, a possible effective method for eliminating biofilms, can only be applied to the wound with visible necrotic tissue; thus, no option has been available for eliminating biofilms that are not accompanied by necrotic tissue. Wound blotting was recently developed to visualize biofilm noninvasively and quickly, and ultrasonic debridement is available for biofilm removal. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of “biofilm‐based wound care system (BWCS),” a combination of wound blotting as a point‐of‐care testing and ultrasonic debridement, for promoting wound healing. Firstly, the cross‐sectional study was conducted to examine the proportion of biofilm removal by ultrasonic debridement in pressure ulcers [Study 1]. Subsequently, the retrospective cohort study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of BWCS for healing of chronic wounds [Study 2]. The proportions of wound healing between wounds treated with BWCS and those with standard care in the home‐visiting clinic were compared by Kaplan–Meier curve, and the Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to assess the effect of BWCS on wound healing. In Study 1, the median of biofilm removal proportion was 38.9% (interquartile range, 12.9–68.0%) for pressure ulcers treated with standard care and 65.2% (41.1–78.8%) for those treated with ultrasonic debridement (p = 0.009). In Study 2, the proportion of wound healing within 90 days was significantly higher in wounds treated with BWCS than in those treated with standard care (p = 0.001). The adjusted hazard ratio of BWCS for wound healing was 4.5 (95% confidence interval, 1.3–15.0; p = 0.015). In conclusion, we demonstrated that our novel approach, BWCS, can be a promising therapeutic strategy for visualizing biofilms that are not accompanied by necrotic tissue and promoting healing in chronic wounds.
Molecular phylogeny of the Cyathocotylidae (Digenea, Diplostomoidea) necessitates systematic changes and reveals a history of host and environment switches
Authors: Achatz Tyler J. , Pulis Eric E. , Junker Kerstin , Binh Tran Thi , Snyder Scott D. , Tkach Vasyl V.
Published: May 2019

The Cyathocotylidae is a globally distributed family of digeneans parasitic as adults in fish, reptiles, birds and mammals in both freshwater and marine environments. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of interrelationships among cyathocotylids is lacking with only a few species included in previous studies. We used sequences of the nuclear 28S rRNA gene to examine phylogenetic affinities of 11 newly sequenced taxa of cyathocotylids and the closely related family Brauninidae collected from fish, reptiles, birds and dolphins from Australia, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America and South America. This is the first study to provide sequence data from adult cyathocotylids parasitic in fish and reptiles. Our analyses demonstrated that the members of the genus Braunina (family Brauninidae) belong to the Cyathocotylidae, placing the Brauninidae into synonymy with the Cyathocotylidae. In addition, our DNA sequences supported the presence of a second species in the currently monotypic Braunina. Our phylogeny revealed that Cyathocotyle spp. from crocodilians belong to a separate genus (Suchocyathocotyle, previously proposed as a subgenus) and subfamily (Suchocyathocotylinae subfam. n.). Morphological study of Gogatea serpentum indicum supported its elevation to species as Gogatea mehri. The phylogeny did not support Holostephanoides within the subfamily Cyathocotylinae; instead, Holostephanoides formed a strongly supported clade with members of the subfamily Szidatiinae (Gogatea and Neogogatea). Therefore, we transfer Holostephanoides into the Szidatiinae. DNA sequence data revealed the potential presence of cryptic species reported under the name Mesostephanus microbursa. Our phylogeny indicated at least two major host switching events in the evolutionary history of the subfamily Szidatiinae which likely resulted in the transition of these parasites from birds to fish and snakes. Likewise, the transition to dolphins by Braunina represents another major host switching event among the Cyathocotylidae. In addition, our phylogeny revealed more than a single transition between freshwater and marine environments demonstrated in our dataset by Braunina and some Mesostephanus.
A Floquet-Based Bar-Spring Model for the Dynamic Modulus of Bioinspired Composites With Arbitrary Staggered Architectures
Authors: Xie Wen , Yuan Yanan , Zhang Zuoqi
Published: May 2019

Staggered architectures widely seen in load-bearing biological materials provide not only excellent supporting functions resisting static loading but also brilliant protecting functions attenuating the dynamic impact. However, there are very few efforts to unveil the relationship between staggered architectures and damping properties within load-bearing biological and bioinspired materials, while its static counterpart has been intensively studied over the past decades. Here, based on the Floquet theory, we developed a new generic method to evaluate the dynamic modulus of the composites with various staggered architectures. Comparisons with the finite element method results showed that the new method can give more accurate predictions than previous methods based on the tension-shear chain model. Moreover, the new method is more generic and applicable for two- and three-dimensional arbitrarily staggered architectures. This method provides a useful tool to understand the relationship between micro-architecture and damping property in natural load-bearing biological materials and to facilitate the architectural design of high-damping bioinspired composites.
Experimental Investigation of Convective Heat Transfer of Supercritical Pressure Hydrocarbon Fuel in a Horizontal Section of a Rotating U-Duct
Authors: Lu Zelong , Zhu Yinhai , Guo Yuxuan , Jiang Peixue
Published: May 2019

The experimental and numerical investigations of the heat transfer of supercritical pressure n-decane flowing through a pipe at various rotational speeds, mass flow rates, heat fluxes, and pressures, are presented. This pipe is 2 mm in diameter, 200 mm in length, with a radius of 0.328 m, and is parallel to the rotating axis. The wall temperature was measured at four positions around the periphery of the pipe at each of the five selected cross section along the pipe's length. Maximum convective heat transfer was observed at the outer edge of the horizontal section, while its corresponding minimum was observed at the inner edge. The heat transfers at the two sides of the channel were observed to be similar. The density and pressure differences between the outer and inner edges increased at increasing rotating speeds. However, the temperature difference between the outer and inner edges decreased with increased rotational speed mainly because of the increase of secondary flows in the section. The section's average convective heat transfer coefficient increased with an increase in the rotational speed, and its value at 1000 rpm was approximately twice than that at static conditions. The phenomenon of oscillation was observed near the exit of the horizontal section, and was caused by the flow and considerable property changes near the pseudo critical temperature. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed using the real gas thermal properties and was coupled with the heat transferred owing to fuel flow. The predicted fuel and wall temperatures were in good agreement with the experimental data. A new local Nusselt number correlation of the heat transfer of n-decane in a rotating horizontal section was proposed.
Modeling the rheology of thixotropic elasto-visco-plastic materials
Authors: Varchanis S. , Makrigiorgos G. , Moschopoulos P. , Dimakopoulos Y. , Tsamopoulos J.
Published: May 2019

To describe the macroscopic rheological behavior of thixotropic elasto-visco-plastic (TEVP) materials, phenomena that take place in their microstructure must be accounted for. To this end, we couple the tensorial constitutive model by Saramito for EVP materials with thixotropy, extending the ideas of isotropic hardening, and with kinematic hardening (KH), to account for back stresses. We use a scalar variable that describes the level of structure at any instance and a modified Armstrong–Frederick KH equation, thus providing rules governing the dynamics of the apparent yield stress. The material viscosity, yield stress, and back stress modulus feature a nonlinear dependence on the structural parameter, enabling the model to make accurate predictions with a single structural parameter. To avoid unphysical stress evolution in both shear and extensional flows, we propose a modified back stress constitutive equation that keeps the components of the stress tensor bounded. The predictions of the new model are compared to experimental data and predictions of previously proposed TEVP models in simple rheometric flows, including steady and step-shear tests, flow reversal, intermittent step tests, small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) and large amplitude oscillatory shear. In most cases, the proposed model reproduces more accurately these experimental data than the other models, highlighting its predictive capabilities. Moreover, SAOS illustrates that introducing viscoplasticity via the Saramito model necessarily reduces G″ to zero in the linear strain regime. This calls for model adjustments in the solid state. Finally, we examined the proposed model in uniaxial elongation and concluded that it is important to include this flow in the rheological characterization and modeling of such systems.
The End of a Professional Sport Career: Ensuring a Positive Transition
Authors: Knights Sophie , Sherry Emma , Ruddock-Hudson Mandy , O’Halloran Paul
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this research was to explore the experience of transition and life after sport in a group of retired professional athletes. A total of 45 retired athletes from three national football leagues took part in semistructured interviews. Two overarching themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) preparing for transition and planning for retirement and (b) supportive environment. For athletes in this study, four main factors were identified as critical to promoting a positive transition. The nature of the transition also directly affected athletes’ experience of retirement from sport and, thus, their experience of flourishing in life after sport. The majority of participants in this study indicated that they lacked support from their sporting club and governing bodies both during their transition and in retirement. Planning for retirement and preparing for the future positively affected their ability to flourish in retirement. Recommendations for sport managers and athlete support services are provided.
URI is required to maintain intestinal architecture during ionizing radiation
Authors: Chaves-Pérez Almudena , Yilmaz Mahmut , Perna Cristian , de la Rosa Sergio , Djouder Nabil
Published: May 2019

Illuminating intestine irradiation

High-dose radiation exposure affects multiple body systems, including the blood and the neurovascular system. Radiation can also cause severe intestinal toxicity, known as gastrointestinal syndrome (GIS). Working in mice, Chaves-Pérez
et al.
focused on the mechanisms underlying GIS. The molecular chaperone URI (unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor) labeled slow-cycling label-retaining (LR) cells, which are essential for organ regeneration following ionizing radiation. Reduced URI levels rendered LR cells highly proliferative via the activation of the β-catenin/c-MYC axis. Consequently, LR cells became radiosensitive, increasing GIS severity. Thus, URI protects LR cells to promote tissue regeneration in response to high-dose irradiation.

Science
, this issue p.
eaaq1165
Human-level performance in 3D multiplayer games with population-based reinforcement learning
Authors: Jaderberg Max , Czarnecki Wojciech M. , Dunning Iain , Marris Luke , Lever Guy , Castañeda Antonio Garcia , Beattie Charles , Rabinowitz Neil C. , Morcos Ari S. , Ruderman Avraham , Sonnerat Nicolas , Green Tim , Deason Louise , Leibo Joel Z. , Silver David , Hassabis Demis , Kavukcuoglu Koray , Graepel Thore
Published: May 2019

Artificial teamwork

Artificially intelligent agents are getting better and better at two-player games, but most real-world endeavors require teamwork. Jaderberg
et al.
designed a computer program that excels at playing the video game
Quake III Arena
in Capture the Flag mode, where two multiplayer teams compete in capturing the flags of the opposing team. The agents were trained by playing thousands of games, gradually learning successful strategies not unlike those favored by their human counterparts. Computer agents competed successfully against humans even when their reaction times were slowed to match those of humans.

Science
, this issue p.
859
Terawatt-scale photovoltaics: Transform global energy
Authors: Haegel Nancy M. , Atwater Harry , Barnes Teresa , Breyer Christian , Burrell Anthony , Chiang Yet-Ming , De Wolf Stefaan , Dimmler Bernhard , Feldman David , Glunz Stefan , Goldschmidt Jan Christoph , Hochschild David , Inzunza Ruben , Kaizuka Izumi , Kroposki Ben , Kurtz Sarah , Leu Sylvere , Margolis Robert , Matsubara Koji , Metz Axel , Metzger Wyatt K. , Morjaria Mahesh , Niki Shigeru , Nowak Stefan , Peters Ian Marius , Philipps Simon , Reindl Thomas , Richter Andre , Rose Doug , Sakurai Keiichiro , Schlatmann Rutger , Shikano Masahiro , Sinke Wim , Sinton Ron , Stanbery B.J. , Topic Marko , Tumas William , Ueda Yuzuru , van de Lagemaat Jao , Verlinden Pierre , Vetter Matthias , Warren Emily , Werner Mary , Yamaguchi Masafumi , Bett Andreas W.
Published: May 2019

Improving costs and scale reflect looming opportunities
Ancient DNA reveals a multistep spread of the first herders into sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Prendergast Mary E. , Lipson Mark , Sawchuk Elizabeth A. , Olalde Iñigo , Ogola Christine A. , Rohland Nadin , Sirak Kendra A. , Adamski Nicole , Bernardos Rebecca , Broomandkhoshbacht Nasreen , Callan Kimberly , Culleton Brendan J. , Eccles Laurie , Harper Thomas K. , Lawson Ann Marie , Mah Matthew , Oppenheimer Jonas , Stewardson Kristin , Zalzala Fatma , Ambrose Stanley H. , Ayodo George , Gates Henry Louis , Gidna Agness O. , Katongo Maggie , Kwekason Amandus , Mabulla Audax Z. P. , Mudenda George S. , Ndiema Emmanuel K. , Nelson Charles , Robertshaw Peter , Kennett Douglas J. , Manthi Fredrick K. , Reich David
Published: May 2019

East African genetics and pastoralism

The origin and spread of domestic animals across the globe also affected the underlying genetic composition of human populations. In Africa, however, it has been difficult to identify the impact of interactions among migrating food producers and local hunter-gatherers. Prendergastet al.wanted to discern the timing and movement of husbandry and pastoralism and its effects on foraging communities in Africa. They sequenced 41 ancient eastern African human genomes from individuals that lived approximately 100 to 4000 years ago. Surprisingly, relatively little genetic mixture occurred at the same time as the spread of pastoralism.

Science, this issue p.eaaw6275
Resurfacing halide perovskite nanocrystals
Authors: Almeida Guilherme , Infante Ivan , Manna Liberato
Published: May 2019

Optoelectronic devices require tailored ligands that stabilize nanocrystals and promote charge transport
David Thouless (1934–2019)
Authors: den Nijs Marcel
Published: May 2019

Quintessential topological condensed matter physicist
Treatment Efficacy of MEDI3902 in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream Infection and Acute Pneumonia Rabbit Models
Authors: Le Hoan N. , Tran Vuvi G. , Vu Trang T. T. , Gras Emmanuelle , Le Vien T. M. , Pinheiro Marcos Gabriel , Aguiar-Alves Fábio , Schneider-Smith Erika , Carter Henry Clay , Sellman Bret R. , Stover C. Kendall , DiGiandomenico Antonio , Diep Binh An
Published: May 2019

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is a challenge for clinicians due to increasing drug resistance and dwindling treatment options. We report on the activity of MEDI3902, an antibody targeting type 3 secretion protein PcrV and Psl exopolysaccharide, in rabbit bloodstream and lung infection models. MEDI3902 prophylaxis or treatment was protective in both acute models and exhibited enhanced activity when combined with a subtherapeutic dose of meropenem.
Flexible Metabolism and Suppression of Latent Enzymes Are Important for
Escherichia coli
Adaptation to Diverse Environments within the Host
Authors: Alteri Christopher J. , Himpsl Stephanie D. , Shea Allyson E. , Mobley Harry L. T.
Published: May 2019

Urinary tract infections are the most frequently diagnosed urologic disease, with uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC) infections placing a significant financial burden on the health care system by generating more than two billion dollars in annual costs. This, in combination with steadily increasing antibiotic resistances to present day treatments, necessitates the discovery of new antimicrobial agents to combat these infections. By broadening our scope beyond the study of virulence properties and investigating bacterial physiology and metabolism, we gain a better understanding of how pathogens use nutrients and compete within host microenvironments, enabling us to cultivate new therapeutics to exploit and target pathogen growth requirements in a specific host environment.
Zika Virus Production Is Resistant to RNase L Antiviral Activity
Authors: Whelan Jillian N. , Li Yize , Silverman Robert H. , Weiss Susan R.
Published: May 2019

With the onset of the 2015 ZIKV outbreak, ZIKV pathogenesis has been of extreme global public health interest, and a better understanding of interactions with the host would provide insight into molecular mechanisms driving the severe neurological outcomes of ZIKV disease. Here is the initial report on the relationship between ZIKV and the host oligoadenylate synthetase-RNase L (OAS-RNase L) system, a potent antiviral pathway effective at restricting replication of diverse viruses. Our study elucidated a unique mechanism whereby ZIKV production is impervious to antiviral RNase L activity, through a mechanism of viral RNA protection that is not mimicked during infection with numerous other RNase L-activating viruses, thus identifying a distinct replication strategy potentially important for ZIKV pathogenesis.
Introduction and Dispersal of Sindbis Virus from Central Africa to Europe
Authors: Ling Jiaxin , Smura Teemu , Lundström Jan O. , Pettersson John H.-O. , Sironen Tarja , Vapalahti Olli , Lundkvist Åke , Hesson Jenny C.
Published: May 2019

This study shows that only a single introduction of SINV into a new geographical area is required for spread and establishment, provided that the requisite vector(s) and reservoir(s) of epizootological and epidemiological importance are present. Furthermore, we present the first report of recombination between two strains of SINV in nature. Our study increases the knowledge on new introductions and dispersal of arboviruses in general and of SINV in particular.
Generalised peritonitis from strangulated small bowel obstruction secondary to mesh erosion: a rare long-term complication of laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy
Authors: Simillis Constantinos , James Olivia , Gill Kiranpreet , Zhang Yimeng
Published: May 2019

A 77-year-old woman who underwent an uncomplicated laparoscopic mesh sacrohysteropexy (LMH) in 2009 for uterovaginal prolapse, presented with features of small bowel obstruction (SBO) 9 years later. She underwent laparotomy which revealed that the sacrohysteropexy mesh had eroded into the small bowel causing complete obstruction, complicated by ischaemia and perforation. Small bowel resection and primary anastomosis was performed, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Although rare, cases of SBO occurring secondary to the use of a synthetic mesh in LMH have been reported. This is the first reported case of SBO directly attributable to erosion of mesh into the small bowel itself. Given the increasing frequency of women undergoing surgical management of pelvic organ prolapse which involves techniques using synthetic mesh, it is important to consent patients appropriately for such life-threatening risks and to focus on the development of surgical techniques and mesh materials to minimise such complications.