bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of a novel topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel against fleas in cats, under field conditions
Authors: Tielemans Eric , Otsuki Tomoko , Cheesman Tara , Selmes Fiona , Pfefferkorn Anthony , Prullage Joe
Published: April 2021

Esafoxolaner is a purified afoxolaner enantiomer with insecticidal and acaricidal properties. It is combined with eprinomectin and praziquantel, nematodicidal and cestodicidal compounds, in a novel topical endectoparasiticide formulation for cats. This novel formulation was tested in four field studies, in the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia. In all studies, naturally flea-infested domestic cats were treated with the novel formulation at the label dose and conditions of use. The main objective, identical in the four studies, was to assess efficacy on fleas, based on comparison of mean number of fleas found on infested cats before and one month after treatment. Tolerance to the product was also evaluated in the four studies. Otherwise, the studies had some differences in their design and secondary objectives, for example testing for a reduction in flea infestation-related cutaneous signs, testing of one treatment or of three monthly treatments, and use of a positive control group. In the four studies, a total of 307 cats were treated with the novel formulation. The reduction of fleas one month after treatment was 97.7%, 98.8%, 100% and 99.7% in the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia, respectively. There were no significant health abnormalities attributed to treatment in any of the studies.
Efficacy of a novel topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel against Ixodes ricinus and Ixodes scapularis in cats
Authors: Prullage Joe , Pfefferkorn Anthony , Knaus Martin , Frost Justin , Mitchell Elizabeth , Tielemans Eric
Published: April 2021

Esafoxolaner is a purified enantiomer of afoxolaner with insecticidal and acaricidal properties. It is combined with eprinomectin and praziquantel in a novel topical endectoparasiticide formulation for cats. The efficacy of this novel formulation was evaluated in three Ixodes ricinus and two Ixodes scapularis experimental studies, with comparable designs. In each study, cats were randomly allocated, based on a pre-treatment tick infestation and count, to a placebo control group or a group treated with the minimum recommended dose of the novel formulation. Cats were infested two days before treatment and weekly thereafter. Immediate efficacy was evaluated 48 h after treatment; persistent efficacy was evaluated 48 h after new weekly infestations for at least one month after the treatment (in one of the studies, the first two weeks of persistent efficacy against I. ricinus were not tested). Efficacy was calculated at each timepoint by comparison of arithmetic means of live ticks found in the control and the treated groups. In the three studies targeting I. ricinus, immediate and persistent efficacies ranged between 91% and 100% for five weeks. In the two studies targeting I. scapularis, immediate and persistent efficacies ranged between 95% and 100%, and 98% and 100% for one month, respectively. These studies provide robust evidence of efficacy of the novel topical formulation of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel against experimental I. ricinus and I. scapularis infestations for at least one month in cats.
Efficacy of a novel topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel against Notoedres cati mange in cats
Authors: Knaus Martin , Capári Balázs , Szabó Mirjam , Kley Katrin , Johnson Chris
Published: April 2021

The therapeutic efficacy against notoedric mange of a topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel (Nexgard® Combo, Boehringer Ingelheim) was evaluated in a masked, controlled clinical study including 14 cats with natural or induced Notoedres cati infestation. Cats were allocated randomly to two groups of seven cats each, to be administered either mineral oil (placebo control) or NexGard® Combo. Each treatment was administered once as spot-on at 0.12 mL per kg body weight (representing the minimum label dosage of NexGard® Combo, i.e. 1.44 mg esafoxolaner, 0.48 mg eprinomectin, and 10.0 mg praziquantel per kg body weight). Live mites were counted in skin scrapings collected within seven days prior to and 14, 27/28, 42 and 56 days after treatment to calculate the percentage efficacy of NexGard® Combo based on the comparison of mean live mite counts of the two groups. Concurrently, mange lesions and clinical signs were scored to establish a clinical success valuation. No live mites were recovered from any NexGard® Combo-treated cats post-treatment, indicating 100% therapeutic efficacy following a single spot-on administration of the novel antiparasitic combination. The clinical success valuations in the NexGard® Combo-treated cats were 14.3%, 42.8%, 100% and 100% at 14, 27/28, 42 and 56 days after treatment, respectively. No health problems were observed throughout the study.
Efficacy of a novel topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel in cats againstToxocara catiandDipylidium caninum
Authors: Knaus Martin , Baker Christine , Alva Roberto , Mitchell Elizabeth , Irwin Jennifer , Shukullari Enstela , Veliu Abdullah , Ibarra-Velarde Froylán , Liebenberg Julian , Reinemeyer Craig , Tielemans Eric , Wakeland Kenneth , Johnson Chris
Published: April 2021

NexGard®Combo, a novel topical antiparasitic product for cats, combines the insecticide/acaricide esafoxolaner with the nematocide eprinomectin and cestodicide praziquantel. The efficacy of this combination product was evaluated against two common endoparasites of global occurrence in cats, the nematodeToxocara catiand the cestodeDipylidium caninum, in five controlled studies using naturally or experimentally infected cats with parasites of North American, South African or European origin. Cats evaluated in these studies harbored patent infection of the target parasite confirmed through a pre-treatment fecal examination. In each study, cats were allocated randomly to two groups of equal size (8 or 10 cats per group per study), one group treated with a placebo (mineral oil) and the other with NexGard®Combo. Both treatments were administered once as a spot-on at 0.12 mL per kg body weight to deliver the minimum label dosage (1.44 mg/kg esafoxolaner, 0.48 mg/kg eprinomectin, and 10.0 mg/kg praziquantel) to the NexGard®Combo-treated cats. To determine efficacy, geometric mean parasite counts seven to 12 days after treatment of placebo-treated (control) cats and NexGard®Combo-treated cats were compared. The efficacy of NexGard®Combo was 98.8% and 100% against adultT. catiin two studies; and 98.0%, 98.3% and 93.2% againstD. caninumin three studies.No adverse events related to treatment were observed throughout the studies. These studies demonstrate high efficacy against these major feline endoparasites and excellent acceptability of the novel topical antiparasitic combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel.
The impact of maturity on the ability of Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria meleagrimitis oocysts to sporulate
Authors: Répérant Jean-Michel , Thomas-Hénaff Martine , Benoit Chantal , Le Bihannic Pierre , Eterradossi Nicolas
Published: April 2021

The sporulation of oocysts of Eimeria that infect poultry is known to be under the influence of environmental conditions, including temperature, oxygen supply, and moisture. However, even when these conditions are optimal, the level of sporulation can remain low. The effect of oocyst maturity on their ability to sporulate was investigated for two species of Eimeria: E. acervulina of chickens, and E. meleagrimitis of turkeys. After oral infection of birds, oocysts were collected at their production site in the intestine at different times around the prepatent period. The percentage of sporulation was determined by observation of 100 oocysts for each sample. With E. acervulina, it was observed that sporulation depended on the time of collection of the oocysts in the intestine, and that it increased with aging oocysts (from 5% to 40% globally in 8 h). With E. meleagrimitis, sporulation remained low with oocysts collected in the duodenum (below 20%), but oocysts collected in the midgut and in the lower intestine sporulated more efficiently (around 80%) than oocysts collected in the duodenum at the same time. One explanation for these results is the assumption that oocysts may be produced before fertilization, and that microgametes have not yet fertilized the newly produced oocysts. As time goes on, more oocysts would be fertilized, locally in the duodenum for E. acervulina, and descending along the gut for E. meleagrimitis. This hypothesis needs to be investigated further, but it could lead to new approaches to control these parasites by targeting the microgametes.
Évaluer la réflexivité à travers les traces écrites d’apprentissage des étudiants en santé : traduction et adaptation interculturelle de la grille REFLECT
Authors: Onaisi Racha , Severac François , Lorenzo Mathieu
Published: April 2021

Contexte :La réflexivité est considérée par de nombreux auteurs comme une composante essentielle du professionnalisme, tout en étant au cœur du développement de ce dernier et de l’identité professionnelle. Le portfolio, outil de soutien de l’apprentissage et d’évaluation en médecine générale, comporte des traces écrites d’apprentissage à visée réflexive. Il n’existe pas d’outil validé en langue française permettant d’évaluer la réflexivité au travers des traces écrites d’apprentissage.But :L’objectif de cette étude est donc d’adapter la grille REFLECT, validée en anglais, pour un usage en langue française.Méthode :Un processus de double traduction puis double rétro-traduction a été mené afin de garantir une adaptation interculturelle respectant le sens de la version originale. Des tests pilotes ont été menés sur la version française préliminaire avec évaluation de la validité de contenu.Résultats :L’évaluation de la clarté de la version française a conduit à une version finale comportant 5 critères ayant chacun 4 niveaux d’évaluation possibles. La version française de la grille REFLECT présente une validité de contenu élevée.Conclusion :L’utilisation de la grille REFLECT en français permettra vraisemblablement d’optimiser le développement de la réflexivité chez les internes en médecine générale et de faciliter la rétroaction par les superviseurs.
Optimiser le potentiel d’une communauté de pratique auprès de professionnels en santé : des clés de succès
Authors: Savard Isabelle , Côté Luc
Published: April 2021

Contexte et problématique : La « communauté de pratique » (CoP) auprès de professionnels en exercice suscite de plus en plus d’intérêt en éducation des sciences de la santé. En tant que stratégie d’apprentissage collaboratif, elle valorise et soutient l’explicitation des savoirs d’expérience en vue du développement des meilleures pratiques dans des contextes précis. Or, ce concept a évolué et génère souvent de la confusion voire de la controverse, d’autant qu’il y a plusieurs types de CoP qui sont initiées tantôt par ses membres, tantôt par des organisations qui utilisent cette stratégie pour être plus performantes. Pour optimiser le potentiel de la CoP, il importe de comprendre sa signification, en plus de connaître les principes de base et les conditions de succès pour sa planification, son déroulement et son évaluation. Buts : Résumer le concept évolutif de la CoP, dégager ses principes de base et décrire les principales conditions de succès pour sa planification, son déroulement et son évaluation. Méthodes et résultats : En se référant à la littérature et aux expériences d’animation de CoP d’un des auteurs, ceux-ci en résument le concept évolutif et les principaux principes, puis décrivent sept clés de succès en y associant les principales actions à prévoir pour chacune d’elles. Conclusions : La CoP s’avère être une stratégie d’apprentissage collaboratif des plus pertinentes pour les enseignants en sciences de la santé et leurs organisations qui veulent améliorer les pratiques. Il est souhaitable que ce guide informatif soit utilisé pour faciliter la tenue de projets de CoP et pour en évaluer les impacts.
Remodeling of an in vitro microvessel exposed to cyclic mechanical stretch
Authors: Zeinali Soheila , Thompson Emily K. , Gerhardt Holger , Geiser Thomas , Guenat Olivier T.
Published: April 2021

In the lungs, vascular endothelial cells experience cyclic mechanical strain resulting from rhythmic breathing motions and intraluminal blood pressure. Mechanical stress creates evident physiological, morphological, biochemical, and gene expression changes in vascular endothelial cells. However, the exact mechanisms of the mechanical signal transduction into biological responses remain to be clarified. Besides, the level of mechanical stress is difficult to determine due to the complexity of the local distension patterns in the lungs and thus assumed to be the same as the one acting on the alveolar epithelium. Existing in vitro models used to investigate the effect of mechanical stretch on endothelial cells are usually limited to two-dimensional (2D) cell culture platforms, which poorly mimic the typical three-dimensional structure of the vessels. Therefore, the development of an advanced in vitro vasculature model that closely mimics the dynamic of the human lung vasculatures is highly needed. Here, we present the first study that investigates the interplay of the three-dimensional (3D) mechanical cyclic stretch and its magnitude with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation on a 3D perfusable vasculature in vitro. We studied the effects of the cyclic strain on a perfusable 3D vasculature, made of either human lung microvascular endothelial cells or human umbilical vein endothelial cells embedded in a gel layer. The in vitro 3D vessels underwent both in vivo-like longitudinal and circumferential deformations, simultaneously. Our results showed that the responses of the human lung microvascular endothelial cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells to cyclic stretch were in good agreement. Although our 3D model was in agreement with the 2D model in predicting a cytoskeletal remodeling in response to different magnitudes of cyclic stretch, however, we observed several phenomena in the 3D model that the 2D model was unable to predict. Angiogenic sprouting induced by VEGF decreased significantly in the presence of cyclic stretch. Similarly, while treatment with VEGF increased vascular permeability, the cyclic stretch restored vascular barrier tightness and significantly decreased vascular permeability. One of the major findings of this study was that a 3D microvasculature can be exposed to a much higher mechanical cyclic stress level than reported in the literature without any dysfunction of its barrier. For higher magnitudes of the cyclic stretch, the applied longitudinal strain level was 14% and the associated circumferential strain reached the equivalent of 63%. In sharp contrast to our findings, such strain typically leads to the disruption of the endothelial barrier in a 2D stretching assay and is considered pathological. This highlights the importance of 3D modeling to investigate mechanobiology effects rather than using a simple endothelial monolayer, which truly recapitulates the in vivo situation.
Synthesis, engineering, and theory of 2D van der Waals magnets
Authors: Blei M. , Lado J. L. , Song Q. , Dey D. , Erten O. , Pardo V. , Comin R. , Tongay S. , Botana A. S.
Published: April 2021

The recent discovery of magnetism in monolayers of two-dimensional van der Waals materials has opened new venues in materials science and condensed matter physics. Until recently, two-dimensional magnetism remained elusive: Spontaneous magnetic order is a routine instance in three-dimensional materials but it is not a priori guaranteed in the two-dimensional world. Since the 2016 discovery of antiferromagnetism in monolayer FePS3 by two groups and the subsequent demonstration of ferromagnetic order in monolayer CrI3 and bilayer Cr2Ge2Te6, the field changed dramatically. Within several years of scientific discoveries focused on 2D magnets, novel opportunities have opened up in the field of spintronics, namely spin pumping devices, spin transfer torque, and tunneling. In this review, we describe the state of the art of the nascent field of magnetic two-dimensional materials focusing on synthesis, engineering, and theory aspects. We also discuss challenges and some of the many different promising directions for future work, highlighting unique applications that may extend even to other realms, including sensing and data storage.
Effect of building diffusers on aerodynamic performance for building augmented vertical axis wind turbine
Authors: Li Dongxu , Li Chun , Zhang Wenli , Zhu Haitian
Published: April 2021

Considering the fact that the architecture environment is rich in wind resources, the building integrated wind turbine (BIWT) has been widely applied to obtain the wind energy with high quality. In order to take advantage of the height of the building and the building diffuser's wind gathering effect, the building augmented vertical axis wind turbine (BA-VAWT), which is composed of a vertical axis wind turbine placed between different building diffusers, is put forward as a type of BIWT. The aerodynamic performance of the BA-VAWT with different building diffusers and their shape parameters is investigated through numerical simulation, which is calculated by Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes equations using the transition shear-stress transport SST k–ω turbulence model in this paper. In addition, the computational model and method are validated to be reasonable by comparing the experimental data with the numerically calculated value of the clean BA-building augmented wind turbine. The results show that the building diffusers have a great influence on the aerodynamic performance of BA-VAWT. The trapezium building diffuser has the most effective wind gathering effect with the result of the BA-VAWT presenting a power coefficient as high as 1.56 at the optimal tip-speed ratio of 4.62. Furthermore, the spacing and width of the trapezium building diffuser's effect on BA-VAWT appear more obvious with the increasing tip-speed ratio; meanwhile, the average torque coefficient and the load fluctuation also change significantly in the larger tip-speed ratios due to the existence of many large-scale vortex structures in the wake area.
On interface recombination, series resistance, and absorber diffusion length in BiI3 solar cells
Authors: Meng Yuhuan , Magruder Benjamin R. , Hillhouse Hugh W.
Published: April 2021

Bismuth triiodide is a lead-free direct wide-bandgap solution-processable semiconductor that could be an alternative to lead-based perovskites in tandem or multijunction solar cells. However, the power conversion efficiency of single-junction BiI3 solar cells remains low. Here, we determine the main loss mechanisms of BiI3 solar cells in both n-i-p and p-i-n architectures. Overall, p-i-n devices have higher power conversion efficiency than that of n-i-p. It is found that n-i-p devices have higher (and significant) non-radiative recombination at the interface of the BiI3/transport layer, resulting in a lower open-circuit voltage than p-i-n devices. Moreover, the high series resistance (>70 Ω cm2) and a low average electron–hole diffusion length (∼60 nm) contributes to the low short-circuit current density (<5 mA/cm2) and fill factor (<40%) in all devices. In addition, interface recombination also reduces short-circuit current density. Finally, we demonstrate that lithium doping of BiI3 can increase the diffusion length of BiI3 to improve the performance of BiI3 solar cells. Solar cells with the configuration ITO/NiOx/Li:BiI3/PC61BM/bis-C60/LiF/Ag obtain a power conversion efficiency of 1.3% under AM 1.5 G illumination. The deep understanding of the main loss mechanisms of this work paves the way for future optimization of BiI3 solar cells.
Resistive contributions to the stability of DIII-D ITER baseline demonstration discharges
Authors: Hanson J. M. , Turco F. , Luce T. C. , Navratil G. A. , Strait E. J.
Published: April 2021

Measurements of the plasma response to applied n = 1 perturbations from DIII-D ITER baseline scenario (IBS) demonstration discharges exhibit increasing amplitude prior to disruption inducing mode locking events. Simulations reveal that changes in ideal and resistive stability impact the response in the DIII-D IBS regime, well below the pressure limit of the external kink mode. The dependencies of the response measurements on the plasma normalized internal inductance ℓi and beta βN are qualitatively consistent with ideal MHD, although in most cases the amplitude of the measurements exceeds predictions, indicating that the experimental discharges are less stable than expected. Resistive MHD simulations of the response show improved compatibility with the measurements, and the closest agreement is obtained by including the experimental plasma rotation in the simulations. Although the input neutral beam torque is near zero, the simulations show that the corresponding level of rotation can lead to nearly complete screening of the pitch-resonant field component at the q = 2 surface. However, the simulation results exhibit a significant weakening of this screening effect at the lowest rotation levels in the dataset, concurrent with predictions of elevated response amplitudes that are consistent with measurements. These comparisons with DIII-D data provide a qualitative validation of a linear, resistive MHD response model.
Efficient processing power harmonic noise with fluctuation frequency in urban transient electromagnetic surveys
Authors: Huang Sihe , Wang Shengjie , Sun Yishu , Zhang Yang
Published: April 2021

Power harmonic noise is the main noise interference source in transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys in the urban environment. State of the art techniques, such as the traditional bipolar waves and superposition average without distorting the TEM signal, are mainly used in the TEM method to process power harmonic noise, but the effect of this method becomes very poor when the fundamental frequency of power harmonic noise fluctuates. To solve the problem, we propose the same phase and adjacent power harmonic noise subtraction method with bipolar waves of specific working frequency. Taking the fluctuation of harmonic frequency into account, the accurate fundamental frequency of power harmonic noise is obtained by the wavelet-Nyman, Gaiser, and Saucier estimator. In addition, we adjust the TEM working frequency and duty cycle according to the fundamental frequency to ensure that the power harmonic noises in the adjacent bipolar data have the same phase, and the adjacent bipolar signals are subtracted to suppress the power harmonic noise in one emitting cycle. In order to verify the effectiveness of the new method, we use a synthetic TEM signal embedded in simulation data and actual collected data for testing. The experimental results show that power harmonic noise with the fundamental frequency fluctuation can be removed efficiently without distorting the TEM signal, and the new method performs better than traditional standard methods.
Numerical investigation of perfusion rates in the circle of Willis in different anatomical variations and ischemic stroke
Authors: Darvish Hossein , Fatouraee Nasser , Nabaei Malikeh
Published: April 2021

The circle of Willis (CoW) is a set of arteries located in the basis of the brain. Prediction of perfusion rates and hemodynamics in the CoW is necessary to understand the relevant vascular diseases and to prescribe effective treatments. In this paper, the effect of ischemic stroke in the CoW is studied, taking into consideration the anatomical variations of the CoW. Moreover, an analysis on the effect of applied boundary conditions is carried out. To do so, a patient-specific model of the CoW is reconstructed from CT (computed tomography) images. Six different cases of boundary conditions are applied to complete and healthy CoW, and the flow rates are investigated. The proper pressure boundary conditions are then imposed to three other variations of the CoW, and the flow rates are compared. The results reveal that the overall inlet flow rate varies from 1.75% to 7.5% in three variations of healthy CoW. Moreover, the changes in flow rates of outlet and inlet branches are indicated in ischemic stroke by considering a spherical clot in the right middle cerebral artery (RMCA). In this case, the RMCA flow reduced by 88.4%, and the internal carotid artery flow decreased by 53.6%. These changes lead to increased flow rates of other inlets to support the brain; however, the overall inlet flow rate falls by 21.5%.
Advances in dynamic AFM: From nanoscale energy dissipation to material properties in the nanoscale
Authors: Santos Sergio , Gadelrab Karim , Lai Chia-Yun , Olukan Tuza , Font Josep , Barcons Victor , Verdaguer Albert , Chiesa Matteo
Published: April 2021

Since the inception of the atomic force microscope (AFM), dynamic methods (dynamic atomic force microscopy) have been very fruitful by establishing methods to quantify dissipative and conservative forces in the nanoscale and by providing a means to apply gentle forces to the samples with high resolution. Here, we discuss developments that cover over a decade of our work on energy dissipation, phase contrast, and the extraction of relevant material properties from observables. We describe the attempts to recover material properties via one-dimensional amplitude and phase curves from force models and explore the evolution of these methods in terms of force reconstruction, fits of experimental measurements, and the more recent advances in multifrequency AFM. We further discuss open questions and key possible paths to advance the field.
Picosecond two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (ps-TALIF) in krypton: The role of photoionization on the density depletion of the fluorescing state Kr 5p′[3/2]2
Authors: Gazeli K. , Aubert X. , Prasanna S. , Duluard C. Y. , Lombardi G. , Hassouni K.
Published: April 2021

The present study focuses on the application of a picosecond (ps) two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence (TALIF) technique in krypton (Kr) at variable pressure (0.1–10 mbar). The laser intensity (I, units W cm−2) is tuned between 1 and 480 MW cm−2, and the depletion of the density of the Kr 5p′[3/2]2 fluorescing state through photoionization (PIN) and amplified stimulated emission (ASE) is investigated. This is done by combining TALIF experiments with a simple 0D numerical model. We demonstrate that for a gas pressure of 3 mbar and 15 <I≤ 480 MW cm−2, a saturated fluorescence signal is obtained, which is largely attributed to PIN, ASE being negligible. Also, a broadening of the two-photon absorption line (i.e., 4p6 1S0 →→ 5p′[3/2]2) is recorded due to the production of charged species through PIN, inducing a Stark effect. For I ≤ 15 MW cm−2, though, PIN is significantly limited, the absorption line is noticeably narrowed, and the quadratic dependence of the TALIF signal intensity vs the laser energy is obtained. Thus, in this case, the investigated Kr TALIF scheme, using the 5p′[3/2]2 → 5s[3/2]1 fluorescence channel, can be used for calibration purposes in ps-TALIF experiments. These results are of interest for fundamental research since most ps-TALIF studies performed in Kr do not investigate in detail the role of PIN and ASE on the depletion of the Kr 5p′[3/2]2 state density. Moreover, this work contributes to the development of ps-TALIF for determining absolute densities and quenching coefficients of H and N atoms in plasmas. The use of ps-TALIF can allow sub-ns measurements of quenching rates that are necessary for absolute atomic densities determination in atmospheric pressure plasmas. Thus, the present study is linked to many experimental works focused on plasma physics and applications. In fact, the investigation of the application of ps-TALIF in Kr and the definition of regimes where the TALIF signal intensity scales quadratically with the laser energy is essential to calibrate H and N atom densities in reactive plasmas.
Real spin angular momentum and acoustic spin torque in a topological phononic crystal
Authors: Yang Chenwen , Tan Yu-Tao , Chen Hong , Ren Jie
Published: April 2021

The topological one-way waveguide mode of the acoustic wave has recently been demonstrated in various meta-structure systems. Here, we show that in a topological phononic crystal with a symmetry-broken acoustic unit cell, the topological state possesses not just a “spin-like” pseudospin mode but also real spin angular momentum. By rotating the double-square units, the band of the phononic crystal will become inverse and induce both topological phase transition and spin angular momentum reversal. As such, by putting two topologically different systems together, the spin angular momentum dependent one-way interface modes can be selectively excited by acoustic spin sources, exhibiting robust transport protected by tight spin-momentum locking. The spin angular momentum density distribution in the unit cell and edge states shows that in addition to the pseudospin, there is a strong correlation between the real spin angular momentum and topological properties in this acoustic system, producing the topologically selective acoustic torque. Revealing the real spin angular momentum and associated acoustic spin torque properties of these topological phononic and acoustic systems will give people a more general understanding about symmetric breaking wave systems and help people to explore more potential applications of acoustic spins in various topological systems.
Turbulent flow characteristics around a non-submerged rectangular obstacle on the side of an open channel
Authors: Kang SeokKoo , Khosronejad Ali , Yang Xiaolei
Published: April 2021

The three-dimensional flow structure and turbulence characteristics around a non-submerged rectangular obstacle in an open channel are explored using numerical simulation. In particular, a low length-to-depth ratio condition, shown to be associated with three-dimensional flow features in our previous study, is considered. To sufficiently resolve all the important details of the three-dimensional turbulent flow around and in the entire wake of an obstacle, high-resolution large-eddy simulation (LES) employing is carried out on a parallel supercomputer. The LES results were compared with the measurements and analyzed to examine the horseshoe vortex structure, free-surface vortex structure, recirculation zones, vortex shedding process, turbulence characteristics, and wall shear stress distribution around an obstacle. The results provide important insights into the complete three-dimensional flow structure and wall shear stress patterns around the obstacle.
Analytical solutions for the incompressible laminar pipe flow rapidly subjected to the arbitrary change in the flow rate
Authors: Kannaiyan Ashok , Varathalingarajah Thirumaran , Natarajan Sekarapandian
Published: April 2021

A one-dimensional mathematical model is developed for an unsteady incompressible laminar flow in a circular pipe subjected to a rapid change in the flow rate from an initial flow with flow rate, Qi, to a final flow with flow rate, Qf, in a step-like fashion at an arbitrary time, tc. The change in the flow rate may either be an increment, Qf > Qi, or a decrement, Qf < Qi. The change time, tc, may either belong to the initial flow remaining in a temporally developing state or temporally developed state. The developed model is solved using the Laplace transform method to deduce generalized analytical expressions for the flow characteristics, viz., velocity, pressure gradient, wall shear stress, and skin friction factor, CfRe, where Re is Reynolds number based on the cross-sectional area-averaged velocity and pipe radius. Exact solutions for λa=Qi/Qf=0 and λd=Qf/Qi=0 with tc≥tsi are available in the literature and the present generalized analytical solutions fill the remaining range of parameters, 0<λa<1 and 0<λd<1 with 0<tc<tsi and tc≥tsi, where tsi is the time at which the initial flow reaches the temporally developed state. Exact solutions for canonical pipe flow problems reported in the literature are deduced as subsets of the derived generalized solutions. The parametric study reveals the effects of varying λa or λd and tc on the quantities of practical importance, viz., τs and CfRe, where τs is the time required for the final flow to reach the temporally developed state.
Toward photoswitchable electronic pre-resonance stimulated Raman probes
Authors: Lee Dongkwan , Qian Chenxi , Wang Haomin , Li Lei , Miao Kun , Du Jiajun , Shcherbakova Daria M. , Verkhusha Vladislav V. , Wang Lihong V. , Wei Lu
Published: April 2021

Reversibly photoswitchable probes allow for a wide variety of optical imaging applications. In particular, photoswitchable fluorescent probes have significantly facilitated the development of super-resolution microscopy. Recently, stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) imaging, a sensitive and chemical-specific optical microscopy, has proven to be a powerful live-cell imaging strategy. Driven by the advances of newly developed Raman probes, in particular the pre-resonance enhanced narrow-band vibrational probes, electronic pre-resonance SRS (epr-SRS) has achieved super-multiplex imaging with sensitivity down to 250 nM and multiplexity up to 24 colors. However, despite the high demand, photoswitchable Raman probes have yet to be developed. Here, we propose a general strategy for devising photoswitchable epr-SRS probes. Toward this goal, we exploit the molecular electronic and vibrational coupling, in which we switch the electronic states of the molecules to four different states to turn their ground-state epr-SRS signals on and off. First, we showed that inducing transitions to both the electronic excited state and triplet state can effectively diminish the SRS peaks. Second, we revealed that the epr-SRS signals can be effectively switched off in red-absorbing organic molecules through light-facilitated transitions to a reduced state. Third, we identified that photoswitchable proteins with near-infrared photoswitchable absorbance, whose states are modulable with their electronic resonances detunable toward and away from the pump photon energy, can function as the photoswitchable epr-SRS probes with desirable sensitivity (<1 µM) and low photofatigue (>40 cycles). These photophysical characterizations and proof-of-concept demonstrations should advance the development of novel photoswitchable Raman probes and open up the unexplored Raman imaging capabilities.
Modeling the

α

- and

β

-resorcinol phase boundary via combination of density functional theory and density functional tight-binding
Authors: Cook Cameron , McKinley Jessica L. , Beran Gregory J. O.
Published: April 2021

The ability to predict not only what organic crystal structures might occur but also the thermodynamic conditions under which they are the most stable would be extremely useful for discovering and designing new organic materials. The present study takes a step in that direction by predicting the temperature- and pressure-dependent phase boundary between the α and β polymorphs of resorcinol using density functional theory (DFT) and the quasi-harmonic approximation. To circumvent the major computational bottleneck associated with computing a well-converged phonon density of states via the supercell approach, a recently developed approximation is employed, which combines a supercell phonon density of states from dispersion-corrected third-order density functional tight binding [DFTB3-D3(BJ)] with frequency corrections derived from a smaller B86bPBE-XDM functional DFT phonon calculation on the crystallographic unit cell. This mixed DFT/DFTB quasi-harmonic approach predicts the lattice constants and unit cell volumes to within 1%–2% at lower pressures. It predicts the thermodynamic phase boundary in almost perfect agreement with the experiment, although this excellent agreement does reflect fortuitous cancellation of errors between the enthalpy and entropy of transition.
Enhancement of entanglement concentration using catalysts
Authors: Santra Siddhartha , Malinovsky Vladimir S.
Published: April 2021

Auxiliary pure quantum entangled states shared between two parties can act as catalysts in bipartite entanglement transformations. The participation of a catalyst state in the transformation can enhance its success probability. We consider transformations involving entanglement concentration of a finite number of copies of arbitrary two-qubit pure states into a single copy of a maximally entangled two-qubit pure state using bipartite local quantum operations and classical communication aided by a catalyst state. We show the enhancement of success probabilities of the catalyst-assisted procedure compared to the case where no catalysts are used. The optimal two-qubit catalyst and the maximum probability of the transformation using such catalysts can be obtained analytically. The enhancement of concentration success probability using catalysts of higher dimensions is demonstrated numerically. Finally, catalyst aided strategies for obtaining multiple maximally entangled two-qubit states are discussed.
Prediction of shock standoff distance with modified rotational relaxation time of air mixture
Authors: Jo Sung Min , Panesi Marco , Kim Jae Gang
Published: April 2021

The rotational relaxation time of an air mixture is modified as an approach to improve accuracy when predicting hypersonic shock standoff distance. A novel atomistic quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) method with a modified approach is devised to drastically reduce computational cost, and rigorously model the rotational relaxation time of N2 in N2–N and N2–N2 collisions. The calculated full sets of rotational state-to-state transition rates obtained by the QCT method are fed into the rotational state-resolved master equations to determine the rotational relaxation time of N2. Clear discrepancies are observed when the present rotational relaxation time is compared with existing empirical data for N2. The existing empirical model is utilized to determine the rotational relaxation time of other atmospheric gas species. Then the present set of rotational relaxation times for the air mixture is employed to predict the hypersonic shock standoff distance over a blunt body of the ground and flight experiments. Compared with the results from the two-temperature model, the rotational nonequilibrium enlarges the hypersonic shock standoff distance. This increase in shock standoff distance by the rotational nonequilibrium is attributed to the delay in chemical reactions inside the shock layers. The accuracy of the predicted measured shock standoff distance is improved by considering the present rotational relaxation time of the air mixture.
Active p38α causes macrovesicular fatty liver in mice
Authors: Darlyuk-Saadon Ilona , Bai Chen , Heng Chew Kiat Matthew , Gilad Nechama , Yu Wei-Ping , Lim Pei Yen , Cazenave-Gassiot Amaury , Zhang Yongliang , Wong W. S. Fred , Engelberg David
Published: April 2021

Significance

While the MAPK p38α is highly active in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), whether its constitutive activity is a driver or mere consequence of pathology remains unclear. This was not answered due to the lack of methods for specific p38α activation in vivo. A transgenic mouse model allowing inducible expression of an intrinsically active p38α variant in a tissue-specific manner meets this challenge. Upon expression of the active p38α allele in the liver, mice develop lipidosis (fatty liver) within four weeks without gaining overweight. This study shows that fatty liver could occur in response to activation of a single protein and provides the first genetic model for revealing the etiology of fatty liver diseases from the point of their trigger.
SARS-CoV-2 induces double-stranded RNA-mediated innate immune responses in respiratory epithelial-derived cells and cardiomyocytes
Authors: Li Yize , Renner David M. , Comar Courtney E. , Whelan Jillian N. , Reyes Hanako M. , Cardenas-Diaz Fabian Leonardo , Truitt Rachel , Tan Li Hui , Dong Beihua , Alysandratos Konstantinos Dionysios , Huang Jessie , Palmer James N. , Adappa Nithin D. , Kohanski Michael A. , Kotton Darrell N. , Silverman Robert H. , Yang Wenli , Morrisey Edward E. , Cohen Noam A. , Weiss Susan R.
Published: April 2021

Coronaviruses are adept at evading host antiviral pathways induced by viral double-stranded RNA, including interferon (IFN) signaling, oligoadenylate synthetase–ribonuclease L (OAS-RNase L), and protein kinase R (PKR). While dysregulated or inadequate IFN responses have been associated with severe coronavirus infection, the extent to which the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 activates or antagonizes these pathways is relatively unknown. We found that SARS-CoV-2 infects patient-derived nasal epithelial cells, present at the initial site of infection; induced pluripotent stem cell-derived alveolar type 2 cells (iAT2), the major cell type infected in the lung; and cardiomyocytes (iCM), consistent with cardiovascular consequences of COVID-19 disease. Robust activation of IFN or OAS-RNase L is not observed in these cell types, whereas PKR activation is evident in iAT2 and iCM. In SARS-CoV-2–infected Calu-3 and A549
ACE2
lung-derived cell lines, IFN induction remains relatively weak; however, activation of OAS-RNase L and PKR is observed. This is in contrast to Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-CoV, which effectively inhibits IFN signaling and OAS-RNase L and PKR pathways, but is similar to mutant MERS-CoV lacking innate immune antagonists. Remarkably, OAS-RNase L and PKR are activated in
MAVS
knockout A549
ACE2
cells, demonstrating that SARS-CoV-2 can induce these host antiviral pathways despite minimal IFN production. Moreover, increased replication and cytopathic effect in
RNASEL
knockout A549
ACE2
cells implicates OAS-RNase L in restricting SARS-CoV-2. Finally, while SARS-CoV-2 fails to antagonize these host defense pathways, which contrasts with other coronaviruses, the IFN signaling response is generally weak. These host–virus interactions may contribute to the unique pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2.
The cospecification of the shape and material properties of light permeable materials
Authors: Marlow Phillip J. , Anderson Barton L.
Published: April 2021

Significance

One of the longest-standing problems in vision science is understanding how images carry information about the shape and material of surfaces. Previous work has treated shape and material perception as computationally ill posed: It is thought that either material needs to be known to infer shape or shape needs to be known to infer material. Here, we offer an explanation of how the human visual system simultaneously recovers 3D shape and material. We show that there are intersecting physical constraints caused by surface curvature on different “kinds” of image structure—subsurface scattering, specular reflections, and self-occluding contours. The intersecting constraints cause specific patterns of covariation that are characteristic of translucent materials and are also potent cues to 3D shape.
Reverse genetics systems for contemporary isolates of respiratory syncytial virus enable rapid evaluation of antibody escape mutants
Authors: Jo Wendy K. , Schadenhofer Alina , Habierski Andre , Kaiser Franziska K. , Saletti Giulietta , Ganzenmueller Tina , Hage Elias , Haid Sibylle , Pietschmann Thomas , Hansen Gesine , Schulz Thomas F. , Rimmelzwaan Guus F. , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Ludlow Martin
Published: April 2021

Significance

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a major cause of severe respiratory disease worldwide in children, older individuals, and immunosuppressed patients. An increasing understanding of this disease burden together with the absence of an effective vaccine and limited therapeutic options has resulted in many new preclinical and clinical studies into novel vaccines, antibodies, and antivirals. This requires complementary expansion of the RSV molecular toolkit to encompass reverse genetics systems based on contemporary strains. We show that full-length cDNA clones of recent strains are most stable when a bacterial artificial chromosome is used as the vector backbone. This enabled recombinant viruses encoding antibody escape mutations to be generated and assessed with respect to antibody escape and capacity to induce cell-to-cell fusion.
Effect of erbium on the rheocast quality index of A356 semisolid feedstock
Authors: Peeratatsuwan Chaiyawat , Pandee Phromphong , Patakham Ussadawut , Limmaneevichitr Chaowalit
Published: April 2021

The effects of erbium on the microstructure of a semisolid A356 alloy for thixoforming were investigated. Semisolid A356 alloys were prepared using the serpentine channel technique. The results demonstrated that a semisolid A356 alloy could be successfully produced. The addition of erbium refined the size of primary α-Al globules; moreover, the eutectic silicon phase was modified. The thermal analysis results showed that the addition of erbium decreased the amount of nucleation sites for eutectic phases, leading to increased undercooling of the melts. Therefore, erbium delays the nucleation of eutectic phases, resulting in reﬁnement of the eutectic silicon phases. Moreover, the addition of erbium increased the rheocast quality index value of the semisolid A356 alloy, which is beneficial for thixoforming.
Shared Injection Experiences: Interpersonal Involvement in Injection Drug Practices among Women
Authors: Barnhart Kathryn J. , Dodge Brian , Sayegh M. Aaron , Herbenick Debby , Reece Michael
Published: April 2021

Background

Many women who inject drugs are aware of the associated risks, however social influences play a part in their behavioral decisions. Incorporation of others in drug use behaviors may be common practice among women who use drugs. The aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of women's injection drug use experiences with a focus on interpersonal involvement.

Methods

Venue-based recruitment was conducted in collaboration with a harm reduction program. A group of 30 women, ages 18 and older, who reported injecting drugs within the past 30 days took part in a demographic survey and semi-structured interview to gain an understanding of their injection practices. In vivo coding and thematic analysis were conducted.

Results

Three main themes that relate to incorporating others into injection drug behaviors surfaced, including: (1) injection practices described as we and not I, (2) partnered purchase and drug preparation, and (3) assisted injection. This group of women most often incorporated sexual and/or romantic partners (same and other-gender), friends, or family members into their injection drug use behaviors. Some women described a lack of ability to inject themselves and require assistance every time they use. Women also reported helping other women during drug use behaviors.

Conclusions

Our primary themes indicate that a variety of relationship partners are important conceptual links in theoretical frameworks explaining drug use behaviors among women. Findings suggest same gender assistance during drug use behaviors, including injection, that may reduce harm. The interpersonal nature of injection drug use among women may indicate the expansion of treatment options designed for couples or other relationship partners, such as family, together.