bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet of Things (IoT) in smart manufacturing
Authors: Santhosh N , Srinivsan M , Ragupathy K
Published: March 2020

Rapid growth in the manufacturing sector has triggered to explore the potentials of Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) and Internet of Things (IoT) which paves the way to escalate the efficacy of manufacturing. Industries implemented IoT in various domains starting from purchase of raw materials till customer service and support. IoT is considered as a key technology of the industrial revolution 4.0 and this provides a promising prospect to build influential services and applications for manufacturing. Further, it also provides an interactive relation between smart machines to share the data and information, which is essential for the complex systems to take a decision on the real-time working environment. In this paper, we reviewed the impact of IoT for a sustainable development, especially with regard to the manufacturing dimensions. This will further put forth the current scenario of IoT in manufacturing and this leads the researchers for pioneering their research towards the cyber integrated manufacturing.
Detection of skin Cancer using PIFA antenna
Authors: Leeban Moses M. , Raju C. , Nair Ajin R
Published: March 2020

Due to the advancements in electromagnetic fields, it can be widely used in medical applications to detect various diseases. In this paper we present a novel idea to detect a biological skin cancer tissue by designing a Planar Inverted F antenna (PIFA) which is more commonly available in mobile devices. Our basic idea is to design PIFA antenna using CST software and thereby fabricating the antenna with one port and identifying its reflection parameters and VSWR ratio. The Biological skin tissue is modelled in CST software by using the dielectric properties of a normal tissue and a cancerous tissue. The antenna is excited by a source and radiated towards the normal and affected skin tissue. The permittivity, Conductivity, permeability and absorption power by the skin tissues are identified and compared with the affected tissues. Results showed that the Energy received from the normal and affected skin tissues gets varied and from this simulation results we can be able to conclude that weather a cancerous tissue is present in a human body.
Certain investigation on feature extraction in dorsal hand vein image
Authors: Vairavel K S , Nevetha R , Mekala S
Published: March 2020

Biometrics refers to people being known by their fingerprints or attributes. This research takes into account veins on the back of the hand called the dorsal vein. The primary target of this work is to build up an individual acknowledgment framework dependent available dorsal vein design with high acknowledgment rate. Attributes such as LBP ( Local Binary Pattern), HOG (Histogram of Oriented Gradients) and WLD (Weber Local Descriptor) are extracted and the technique of Chisquare, Cityblock, Euclidean and Minikowski is used for recognition speeds.The quality assessment is conducted in terms of accuracy of category. Hand vein biometrics offer higher security, simple to get the hand vein picture and extremely difficult to fashion the information contrasted with progressively settled biometric check techniques.
Comparison of geometrical accuracy and surface finish of cam profile generated by wire-EDM and CNC milling machine
Authors: Veera ajay C. , Pradeep B. A. , Boopathi C. , Sanjeev R. K. , Meganathan V.
Published: March 2020

CAM is a machining element that has a curved groove or curved outline used for converting rotary motion into the form of linear motion or vice versa. The radial cam is a type of cam which having rotating plate or disc with an outer circumference shaped for producing a linear movement to a follower which is held against it. The quality of the final machined component surface depends on the accuracy and surface finish, position, orientation and run-out. The main aim of this paper is to machine a CAM profiles with CNC milling and wire cut EDM process and comparing the surface finish and accuracy of the machined surface with surface roughness tester and coordinate measuring machine (CMM).
Experimental study on concrete by partial replacement of fine aggregate by textile effluent treatment plant sludge
Authors: Loganayagan S , Rajkumar G , Pavthra A , Poonkundran M
Published: March 2020

Chemical sludge produced by textile industries poses a high threat to the environment causing pollution in all stages of its treatment and disposal. In this study sludge from textile dying unit was collected. It has been partially replaced for fine aggregate in concrete up to 20% replacement to find out the possibility of reuse of this hazardous waste in build materials. Manufactured sand made by grinding angular aggregates was used as fine aggregate. Study shows that the samples failed to meet the desired compressive strength required for structural applications. The reason for failure in strength development is to be further experimented by individual analysis of sludge components.
Filter Design for High Frequency Applications
Authors: Perarasi T. , Gayathri R. , Hamsagayathri P.
Published: March 2020

An on chip Radio Frequency(RF) latent band sidestep channel is intended for different groups of frequencies dependent on a three post LC low pass get out and Direct Current (DC) barring capacitors that is prepared by means of Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Monolithic Microwave consolidated Circuit innovation. The utilization of this model, the RF band skip channel with a tuneable focus recurrence and a legitimate data transfer capacity might be figured it out. A planar winding inductor required on this design and the format of the channel out is limited. The addition misfortune is improved and Substrate misfortunes might be limited. The recreation bring about the schematic and configuration of the band pass channel out that is executed by means of Agilent design software gadget. This sort of LC band pass might be actualized in RF control speaker to the front line report and radar machine for achieving the recurrence determination with an incredible advantage of chosen signal.
Experimental Study on Thermal Behaviour of Double Pipe Helical Flow Heat Exchanger
Authors: Karthikeyan R , Thangavel P , Naveen R , Selvakumar P , Astra S
Published: March 2020

The warmth among the fluids is transferred by a tool named warmth exchanger. Now a days, various types of heat exchangers existed with different configurations, in each configuration different types of flow of fluids are followed. In this paper single helical tube made of copper is arranged inside the shell like structure and helical baffle. Double pipe helical flow warmth exchanger which is used to transfer warmth or otherwise known as heat is considered as main configuration. The main advantage of the pipe-in-pipe helical flow is more contact on uppermost area for transferring heat as compared with the everyday based pipe-in-pipe exchanger. The performance of this model is analyzed with water in both inlets in same directions and then opposite directions. The inlet, outlet temperatures and flow costs of the both fluids are measured. From the acquired effects, the effectiveness of double helical drift warmth exchanger is sort of 20% extra than the normal double pipe warmness exchanger and it gives warm water output temperature almost 4°C lower than the regular warmthexchanger.
Optimization of machining parameters in Electric Discharge Machining of Magnesium and Aluminium by Taguchi Technique
Authors: Tajdeen A , SakthivelMurugan E , Wasim khan M , Praveen Kumar S , PraveenKumar M , Vidhyaa Prakash S
Published: March 2020

Aluminium, Magnesium and its alloys are preferred wheneverweight reduction is needed without compromising its strength. Both alloys have been used in numerous fields like in aerospace, defence field, automobile wheeling parts and also, they have been used in Medical field because of their biodegradability. In this study, Statistical investigation on surface roughness in Electric discharge machining of aluminium and Magnesium using Taguchi optimization Technique has been reported. Electric discharge machining was carried out under the condition of Current (5, 10, 15 A), Voltage (50, 55, 60 V), Pulse On time (10, 20, 30 µs) and constant flushing pressure of 0.50 Kg/sq.cm. Twenty-seven Experiments are carried out based on L27 orthogonal array. After machining the surface roughness (Ra, Rq, Rz) of the machined surface is measured using SURFTESTSJ-210. Optimizations of the results were done by Taguchi technique and the optimal parameters for the machining operation of aluminium and magnesium are determined. It is found that for Ra, Rq and Rz the most influencing factor is Current followed by the pulse on time, pressure and voltage.
Experimental Investigation on Production of Jatropha Methyl Ester
Authors: Kumar Rajamanickam Arun , Uvaraja V C , Selvamuthukumaran D , Shanmugasundaram A
Published: March 2020

At present transportation and agricultural machinery are heavily dependent on petroleum fuels. In current scenario few nations only produce the petroleum fuel that leads to variability in the cost and demand in supply of fuels. Due to this problems it is necessary to find an alternate source for the mineral oil. Based on many research work biogas, ethanol, methanol and vegetable oils are best alternate fuel for mineral oil. The vegetable oils are consider as an alternate to mineral oils since they are environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Compare to mineral oils vegetable oils has high viscosity, low friction coefficient, low volatile, high flash and fire point. In this work it shows that Jatropha oil Methyl Ester (JME) based biofuel is an alternative to fossil fuels. JME can be used as an alternate to fossil fuel and also due to its viscosity index and lubricity properties it has the potential to use as lubricant. The Ester is formed by transesterification process and the viscosity, flash and fire point tests are conducted to analyse the properties of JME over mineral oil. Further, the maximum yield of JME is obtained by varying the proportions of KOH (catalyst), methanol (alcohol) and stirring speed by L27 Orthogonal Array based on Taguchi method.
Comparison of seismic performance of reinforced concrete frame structure and composite frame structure using response spectrum analysis
Authors: Karthiga Shenbagam N , Santhosh R , Kannan V
Published: March 2020

This research is mainly focused on the behaviour of the concrete and composite framed structures when such structural buildings are subjected to special loadings such as seismic loading. To evaluate the forces and failures in such building subjected to seismic forces linear dynamic statistical analysis method - Response spectrum analysis is carried out. This method results us with a complete response of time history at each and every particular joint by showing its displacements and member forces. In this an RC framed structure of M25 grade of concrete with G+7 storey and also a Composite structure of G+6 storey is modelled in ETABS as per Indian Standard Code 1893: 2002 Part(I). The building is situated in Himachal Pradesh with a seismic intensity of zone factor V. The concept of strong column weak beam is adopted here throughout the paper. Response spectrum analysis technique was used with the help of ETABS for both the composite and reinforced concrete structure. The results were explained in detail having the parameters in consideration with the base shear, storey deflection and storey drift are compared for each model.
Aerodynamic design and structural optimization of a wing for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Authors: Raja Sekar K , Ramesh M , Naveen R , Prasath M S , Vigneshmoorthy D
Published: March 2020

This paper summarizes the process of structural design, analyses and optimization for weight reduction of a UAV wing. A semi-monocoque wing structure that consists of ribs, spars and skin are efficiently optimized for Weight minimization without reducing the Strength to weight ratio. Initially a solid wing surface is designed with the air foil co-ordinates of NACA 2412. The CFD Analysis is carried out to get pressure distribution on various arrangements of wing by changing angles of attack. From the CFD results the variation of coefficient of lift for different angle of attack is determined. The pressure fields obtained from CFD analysis is imposed on structural members for structural analysis. Optimization of this wing is done considering various cases until the required performance is obtained. The results are obtained for the optimized wing and this helps in obtaining reduced weight of the wing and increased strength to weight ratio. Results show that substantial improvement has been achieved in comparison to the standard model.
60 GHz Low-Noise Amplifier for Detection Systems
Authors: Sanoussy Diao Pape
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a 60 GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) to improve detection systems performance. The considered system is based on impulse radar technology. The LNA is designed in GaAs metamorphic High Electron Mobility Transistor (m-HEMT) technology. Three stages common source transistors are used with inductive degeneration for a good tradeoff between gain and noise. The post-layout simulation results show a noise factor of 2.06 dB and a gain of 14.5 dB at 60.2 GHz, for a power consumption of 13.5 mW. The simulated nonlinear characteristics show an IP
1dB
(Input 1 dB compression Point) of -10 dBm and an IIP3 (Input third-order Intercept Point) of -4.4 dBm. The LNA occupies an area of 1.56 × 1.29 mm2.
Deep Fading in a Reverberation Chamber for Wireless Device Testing
Authors: Cammin Christoph , Krush Dmytro , Heynicke Ralf , Scholl Gerd
Published: March 2020

Reverberation chambers (RCs) are a feasible option as test environment for evaluation of wireless devices with integrated antenna as they inherently emulate a Rayleigh fading channel. In this paper the dependency of deep fading on the frequency and position/orientation of an equipment under test (EUT) antenna is evaluated for different numbers of RC steps and loading conditions. The measured data were applied to an exemplary standard for wireless communication. The measurement results are highly repeatable and independent of frequency or position/orientation of the EUT and loading conditions.
Monthly storminess over the Po River Basin during the past millennium (800–2018 CE)
Authors: Diodato Nazzareno , Ljungqvist Fredrik Charpentier , Bellocchi Gianni
Published: March 2020

Reconstructing the occurrence of diluvial storms over centennial to millennial time-scales allows for placing the emergence of modern damaging hydrological events in a longer perspective to facilitate a better understanding of their rate of return in the absence of significant anthropogenic climatic forcing. These extremes have implications for the risk of flooding in sub-regional river basins during both colder and warmer climate states. Here, we present the first homogeneous millennium-long (800–2018 CE) time-series of diluvial storms for the Po River Basin, northern Italy, which is also the longest such time-series of monthly data for the entire Europe. The monthly reconstruction of damaging hydrological events derives from several types of historical documentary sources and reveals 387 such events, allowing the construction of storm severity indices by transforming the information into a monthly, quantitative, record. A period of reduced diluvial storms occurred in the ninth and tenth centuries, followed by a stormier period culminating in the eleventh and thirteenth centuries. More complex patterns emerge in the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries, with generally wetter and stormier conditions than during other centuries. From the seventeenth century onwards the number of damaging hydrological events decreases, with a return in recent decades to conditions similar to those prior to the thirteenth century The flood frequency tended to increase for all seasons during periods of low solar irradiance, suggesting the presence of solar-induced circulation changes resembling the negative phases of the Atlantic Multidecadal Variability as a controlling atmospheric mechanism.
The Influence of Photo Editing Applications on Patients Seeking Facial Plastic Surgery Services
Authors: Othman Sammy , Lyons Tanner , Cohn Jason E , Shokri Tom , Bloom Jason D
Published: March 2020

Background

The utilization of the smartphone and social media have introduced paradigm shifts to cosmetic surgery. Much has been studied regarding social media and its influences in plastic surgery; however, little is known about facial editing applications and how these relate to plastic surgery practices.

Objectives

The authors sought to discover if face-editing applications influence patients’ pursuit of plastic surgery, who utilizes these applications, and why.

Methods

An anonymous survey was administered between September and December 2019, including questions about demographics, familiarity, and utilization of face-editing applications, motivations in utilization and influences towards pursuing cosmetic procedures, and attitudes towards applications.

Results

Seventy patients completed the survey and 32.9% admitted to utilizing face-editing applications. Patients utilizing applications were significantly younger (36.9 years) than those who did not (54 years [P < 0.001]). Among those familiar with applications, women were significantly more likely than men to utilize them (100% vs 78.6%, respectively [P = 0.047]). Social media was the most common influence for utilizing apps (87%). The majority confirmed that these applications played a role in pursuing cosmetic procedures (56.5%). Most patients did not regret their utilization of these applications (87%).

Conclusions

Face-editing applications serve a role regarding patient decision-making to pursue cosmetic surgery. Several motivators exist for application utilization, the largest of which is social media. Younger females are the most likely demographic to utilize applications and generally do not express regret in doing so. Plastic surgeons would benefit by understanding patient motivations and expectations created by utilizing these applications.
Association of midlife stroke risk with structural brain integrity and memory performance at older ages: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Zsoldos Enikő , Mahmood Abda , Filippini Nicola , Suri Sana , Heise Verena , Griffanti Ludovica , Mackay Clare E , Singh-Manoux Archana , Kivimäki Mika , Ebmeier Klaus P
Published: March 2020

Cardiovascular health in midlife is an established risk factor for cognitive function later in life. Knowing mechanisms of this association may allow preventative steps to be taken to preserve brain health and cognitive performance in older age. In this study, we investigated the association of the Framingham stroke-risk score, a validated multifactorial predictor of 10-year risk of stroke, with brain measures and cognitive performance in stroke-free individuals. We used a large (N = 800) longitudinal cohort of community-dwelling adults of the Whitehall II imaging sub-study with no obvious structural brain abnormalities, who had Framingham stroke risk measured five times between 1991 and 2013 and MRI measures of structural integrity, and cognitive function performed between 2012 and 2016 [baseline mean age 47.9 (5.2) years, range 39.7–62.7 years; MRI mean age 69.81 (5.2) years, range 60.3–84.6 years; 80.6% men]. Unadjusted linear associations were assessed between the Framingham stroke-risk score in each wave and voxelwise grey matter density, fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity at follow-up. These analyses were repeated including socio-demographic confounders as well as stroke risk in previous waves to examine the effect of residual risk acquired between waves. Finally, we used structural equation modelling to assess whether stroke risk negatively affects cognitive performance via specific brain measures. Higher unadjusted stroke risk measured at each of the five waves over 20 years prior to the MRI scan was associated with lower voxelwise grey and white matter measures. After adjusting for socio-demographic variables, higher stroke risk from 1991 to 2009 was associated with lower grey matter volume in the medial temporal lobe. Higher stroke risk from 1997 to 2013 was associated with lower fractional anisotropy along the corpus callosum. In addition, higher stroke risk from 2012 to 2013, sequentially adjusted for risk measured in 1991–94, 1997–98 and 2002–04 (i.e. ‘residual risks’ acquired from the time of these examinations onwards), was associated with widespread lower fractional anisotropy, and lower grey matter volume in sub-neocortical structures. Structural equation modelling suggested that such reductions in brain integrity were associated with cognitive impairment. These findings highlight the importance of considering cerebrovascular health in midlife as important for brain integrity and cognitive function later in life (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03335696).
Confidence in Decision-Making during Probabilistic Tactile Learning Related to Distinct Thalamo–Prefrontal Pathways
Authors: Wang Bin A , Pleger Burkhard
Published: March 2020

The flexibility in adjusting the decision strategy from trial to trial is a prerequisite for learning in a probabilistic environment. Corresponding neural underpinnings remain largely unexplored. In the present study, 28 male humans were engaged in an associative learning task, in which they had to learn the changing probabilistic strengths of tactile sample stimuli. Combining functional magnetic resonance imaging with computational modeling, we show that an unchanged decision strategy over successively presented trials related to weakened functional connectivity between ventralmedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and left secondary somatosensory cortex. The weaker the connection strength, the faster participants indicated their choice. If the decision strategy remained unchanged, participant’s decision confidence (i.e., prior belief) was related to functional connectivity between vmPFC and right pulvinar. While adjusting the decision strategy, we instead found confidence-related connections between left orbitofrontal cortex and left thalamic mediodorsal nucleus. The stronger the participant’s prior belief, the weaker the connection strengths. Together, these findings suggest that distinct thalamo–prefrontal pathways encode the confidence in keeping or changing the decision strategy during probabilistic learning. Low confidence in the decision strategy demands more thalamo–prefrontal processing resources, which is in-line with the theoretical accounts of the free-energy principle.
Habitat openness and edge avoidance predict Saltmarsh Sparrow abundance better than habitat area
Authors: Marshall Hallie , Blomberg Erik J , Watson Valerie , Conway Meaghan , Cohen Jonathan B , Correll Maureen D , Elphick Chris S , Hodgman Thomas P , Kocek Alison R , Kovach Adrienne I , Shriver W Gregory , Wiest Whitney A , Olsen Brian J
Published: March 2020

The Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammospiza caudacuta) is a tidal marsh bird facing rapid population decline throughout its range, largely caused by degradation and loss of breeding habitat. Thus, there is a need to preserve tidal marshes in the northeastern United States, but to do so requires an understanding of the habitat features that support robust populations. Previous studies have shown Saltmarsh Sparrow abundance increases with marsh size, but in similar bird species, area sensitivity is more directly linked to edge avoidance. Whether additional landscape features affect the abundance of Saltmarsh Sparrows is unknown. We explored how the height of objects on the horizon, an index of habitat openness, affected the abundance of Saltmarsh Sparrows. Our primary goal was to determine whether the angle to the highest point on the horizon (“angle to maximum horizon”) predicted abundance better than marsh area or distance to the marsh edge. We used N-mixture models to evaluate the combination of spatial factors that best predicted Saltmarsh Sparrow abundance while also accounting for survey-level variables that could influence detection probability. We found that the interaction between distance to edge and angle to maximum horizon best predicted abundance. Taller objects on the horizon were negatively correlated with bird abundance, and this effect was strongest within 50 m of the marsh edge. When we considered the predictive powers of patch area, distance to edge, and angle to maximum horizon individually, angle to maximum horizon was the best single predictor. We found the highest abundance of Saltmarsh Sparrows at point locations where the angle to maximum horizon was 0.0°, and at angles greater than 12° the predicted abundance fell below 1 bird per survey point. We propose that managers should prioritize marsh openness and experimentally test the effect of marsh edge manipulations when making conservation decisions for this rapidly declining species.
The evaluation of aortic stenosis, how the new guidelines are implemented across Europe: a survey by EACVI
Authors: Michalski Blazej , Dweck Marc R , Marsan Nina Ajmone , Cameli Matteo , D’Andrea Antonello , Carvalho Ricardo Fontes , Holte Espen , Podlesnikar Tomaz , Manka Robert , Haugaa Kristina H
Published: March 2020

Aortic stenosis (AS) is the most prevalent valvular disease in developed countries, with a prevalence that is set to expand further with an ageing population. The most recent guidelines on valvular heart disease published by the European Society of Cardiology and the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, aim to standardize the diagnosis and management of valvular heart diseases. The imaging criteria of the current guidelines are mostly based on EACVI Recommendations, with an appropriate diagnostic workflow being of major importance, to ensure streamlined and efficient patient assessment and accurate diagnoses and decisions regarding the timing of surgery. The EACVI Scientific Initiatives Committee, therefore, created a survey on the imaging assessment of patient with AS to investigate the diagnostic patient pathways used in different centres across Europe. In particular, we conducted this survey to better understand the use and access of advanced imaging techniques in AS including 3D transthoracic echocardiography and 3D transoesophageal echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, and cardiovascular magnetic resonance.
Speckle tracking deformation imaging to detect regional fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a comparison between 2D and 3D echo modalities
Authors: Pagourelias Efstathios D , Mirea Oana , Duchenne Jürgen , Unlu Serkan , Van Cleemput Johan , Papadopoulos Christodoulos E , Bogaert Jan , Vassilikos Vasilios P , Voigt Jens-Uwe
Published: March 2020

Aims

We aimed at directly comparing three-dimensional (3D) and two-dimensional (2D) deformation parameters in hypertrophic hearts and depict which may best reflect underlying fibrosis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), defined by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods and results

We included 40 HCM [54.1 ± 14.3 years, 82.5% male, maximum wall thickness (MWT) 19.3 ± 4.8 mm] and 15 hypertensive (HTN) patients showing myocardial hypertrophy (58.1 ± 15.6 years, 80% male, MWT 12.8 ± 1.4 mm) who have consecutively undergone 2D-, 3D-speckle tracking echocardiography and LGE CMR. Deformation parameters (2D and 3D) presented overall poor to moderate correlations, with 3D_longitudinal strain (LS) and 3D_circumferential strain (CS) values being constantly higher compared to 2D derivatives. By regression analysis, hypertrophy substrate (HCM vs. hypertension) and hypertrophy magnitude were the parameters to influence 2D–3D LS and CS strain correlations (R2 = 0.66, P < 0.001 and R2 = 0.5, P = 0.001 accordingly). Among segmental deformation indices, 2D_LS showed the best area under the curve [AUC = 0.78, 95% confidence intervals (CI) (0.75–0.81), P < 0.0005] to detect fibrosis, with 3D deformation parameters showing similar AUC (0.65) and 3D_LS presenting the highest specificity [93.1%, 95% CI (90.6–95.1)].

Conclusions

In hypertrophic hearts, 2D and 3D deformation parameters are not interchangeable, showing modest correlations. Thickness, substrate, and tracking algorithm calculating assumptions seem to induce this variability. Nevertheless, among HCM patients 2D_peak segmental longitudinal strain remains the best strain parameter for tissue characterization and fibrosis detection.
The Ecological Impact of Transportation Infrastructure
Authors: Asher Sam , Garg Teevrat , Novosad Paul
Published: March 2020

There is a long-standing debate over whether new roads unavoidably lead to environmental damage, especially forest loss, but causal identification has been elusive. Using multiple causal identification strategies, we study the construction of new rural roads to over 100,000 villages and the upgrading of 10,000 kilometers of national highways in India. The new rural roads had precisely zero effect on local deforestation. In contrast, the highway upgrades caused substantial forest loss, which appears to be driven by increased timber demand along the transportation corridors. In terms of forests, last mile connectivity had a negligible environmental cost, while expansion of major corridors had important environmental impacts.
Evaluation of Clinically Meaningful Changes in Measures of Frailty
Authors: Jang Il-Young , Jung Hee-Won , Lee Hea Yon , Park Hyungchul , Lee Eunju , Kim Dae Hyun
Published: March 2020

Background

To determine the clinically meaningful changes and responsiveness of widely used frailty measures.

Methods

We analyzed data from a prospective cohort study of 1,135 community-dwelling older adults who underwent assessments of frailty and health-related quality of life using the EuroQol-5D at baseline and 1 year later. Frailty measures included deficit-accumulation frailty index (FI); frailty phenotype; Fatigue, Resistance, Ambulation, Illness, and Loss of Weight scale; and the Study of Osteoporotic Fracture (SOF) index. We determined the clinically meaningful changes by the distribution-based method and the anchor-based method using the EuroQol-5D score and responsiveness indices.

Results

Frailty measures were available in 925 participants at 1 year (81.5%). Based on the distribution-based method, small and large clinically meaningful changes were 0.019 and 0.057 for FI, 0.249 and 0.623 for frailty phenotype, 0.235 and 0.587 for FRAIL scale, and 0.116 and 0.289 for SOF index, respectively. The anchor-based estimates of small and large changes were 0.028 and 0.076 for FI, 0.097 and 0.607 for frailty phenotype, 0.269 and 0.368 for FRAIL scale, and 0.023 and 0.287 for SOF index, respectively. Based on the responsiveness index, per-group sample sizes to achieve 80% power in clinical trials, ranged from 51 (FI) to 7,272 (SOF index) for a small change and 9 (FI) to 133 (FRAIL scale) for a large change.

Conclusions

The estimates of clinically meaningful change of frailty measures can inform the choice of frailty measures to track longitudinal changes of frailty in clinical trials and clinical care of community-dwelling older adults.
Comparison of Disease Phenotypes and Clinical Characteristics Among South Asian and White Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease at a Tertiary Referral Center
Authors: Bodiwala Vimal , Marshall Timothy , Das Kiron M , Brant Steven R , Seril Darren N
Published: March 2020

Background

The prevalence and clinical features of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) vary among different racial and ethnic groups. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and phenotypic features of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) in South Asian patients living in the United States with those of a white cohort.

Methods

The demographic, clinical, and phenotypic characteristics of 73 South Asian patients (31 CD and 42 UC) who presented initially to our tertiary referral center from 2012 to 2016 and had subsequent follow-up were retrospectively compared with those of 408 consecutive white patients (245 CD and 163 UC).

Results

South Asian IBD patients were significantly more likely to have UC (58.0% vs 40.0%; P = 0.005) than white patients. South Asians with CD were less likely to have a family history of IBD (9.7% vs 26.9%; P = 0.037) and required fewer CD-related surgeries (22.5% vs 46.1; P = 0.012). South Asians were also less likely to be active or former smokers in both the CD (P = 0.004) and UC (P = 0.020) groups. South Asians with UC had a higher incidence of Clostridium difficile infection compared with white patients (19.0% vs 8.6%; P = 0.050).

Conclusions

A cohort of South Asian patients with IBD were more likely to have UC and had differing family and tobacco risk factors, requirements for surgery, and Clostridium difficile infection rates as compared with white patients.
Sestrin3 enhances macrophage-mediated generation of T helper 1 and T helper 17 cells in a mouse colitis model
Authors: Ge Liuqing , Xu Min , Brant Steven R , Liu Shaoping , Zhu Chengliang , Shang Jian , Zhao Qiu , Zhou Feng
Published: March 2020

Intestinal macrophages participate in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) through secreting pro-inflammatory and tissue-damaging factors as well as inducing the differentiation of T helper 1 (Th1) and T helper 17 (Th17) cells. Elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of intestinal macrophage activity in IBDs is important for developing new therapeutic approaches. In the current study, the expression of Sestrins in myeloid cells and lymphocytes in colonic lamina propria (LP) was evaluated in a murine acute colitis model. We found that Sestrin3 was significantly up-regulated in LP macrophages by the colonic LP microenvironment. In the in vitro experiments, lentivirus-mediated Sestrin3 knockdown significantly reduced the production of IL-12 and IL-23 in activated macrophages, in addition to decreasing the expression of classical pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Additionally, Sestrin3 knockdown impaired macrophage-mediated generation of Th1 and Th17 cells from CD4+ T cells, probably through up-regulating the phosphorylation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) in macrophages. In the in vivo experiments, adoptive transfer of Sestrin3-deficient macrophages alleviated the generation of Th1 and Th17 cells in the colonic LP and mesenteric lymph nodes. Furthermore, the adoptive transfer mitigated the severity of colitis, as demonstrated by lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and fewer tissue lesions in the colon. Our study suggests that Sestrin3 might be crucial for macrophage-mediated generation of pathogenic Th1 and Th17 cells in IBDs.
Global clonal spread of mcr-3-carrying MDR ST34 Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and monophasic 1,4,[5],12:i:− variants from clinical isolates
Authors: Sun Ruan-Yang , Ke Bi-Xia , Fang Liang-Xing , Guo Wen-Ying , Li Xing-Ping , Yu Yang , Zheng Si-Lin , Jiang Yu-Wei , He Dong-Mei , Sun Jian , Ke Chang-Wen , Liu Ya-Hong , Liao Xiao-Ping
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To investigate the prevalence and transmission of mcr-3 among Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and 1,4,[5],12:i:−.

Methods

A total of 4724 clinical Salmonella isolates were screened for the presence of mcr-3 in China during 2014–19. The clonal relationship of the mcr-3-positive isolates and their plasmid contents and complete sequence were also characterized based on WGS data from the Illumina and MinION platforms.

Results

We identified 10 mcr-3-positive isolates, and all were MDR, mostly resistant to colistin, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline and florfenicol. mcr-3 was co-present with blaCTX-M-55-qnrS1 on hybrid ST3-IncC-FII conjugatable plasmids (n = 6) and an ST3-IncC non-conjugatable plasmid (n = 1) and embedded into a pCHL5009T-like IncFII plasmid on the Salmonella chromosome (n = 3). Four distinctive genetic contexts surrounded mcr-3 and all but one were closely related to each other and to the corresponding region of IncFII plasmid pCHL5009T. IS15DI was most likely the vehicle for integration of mcr-3-carrying IncFII plasmids into ST3-IncC plasmids and the chromosome and for shaping the MDR regions. In addition, a phylogenetic tree based on the core genome revealed a unique Salmonella lineage (≤665 SNPs) that contained these 10 mcr-3-positive isolates and another 38 (33 from patients) mcr-3-positive Salmonella from five countries. In particular, most of the 51 mcr-3-positive isolates belonged to ST34 and harboured diverse antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), including mcr-3-blaCTX-M-55-qnrS1, and possessed similar ARG profiles.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed global clonal spread of MDR ST34 Salmonella from clinical isolates co-harbouring mcr-3 with blaCTX-M-55 and qnrS1 and a flexibility of mcr-3 co-transmittance with other ARGs mediated by mobile genetic elements.
Characteristics of drug resistance in HIV-1 CRF55_01B from ART-experienced patients in Guangdong, China
Authors: Lan Yun , Xin Ruolei , Cai Weiping , Deng Xizi , Li Linghua , Li Feng , Cai Xiaoli , Tang Xiaoping , Fan Qinghong , Hu Fengyu
Published: March 2020

Background

HIV-1 acquired drug resistance (ADR) has become a critical clinical and public health issue. Recently, HIV-1 CRF55_01B has been found more frequently in the MSM population.

Objective

To investigate the characteristics of HIV-1 drug resistance mutations (DRMs) and the extent of changes in drug susceptibility among ART-experienced CRF55_01B-infected adults of Guangdong.

Methods

ADR was tested for immediately in CRF55_01B-infected patients with virological failure. Demographic and epidemiological information was collected. DRMs and antiretroviral susceptibility were interpreted using the Stanford University HIV Drug Resistance Database HIVdb program.

Results

Overall, 162 (4.78%) CRF55_01B isolates were identified from 2013 to 2018. Among DRMs, M184V (43.83%) was the most frequent NRTI DRM, followed by K65R (23.46%), and V179E (98.77%) was the most frequent NNRTI DRM, followed by K103N (47.53%) and Y181C (14.81%). According to the HIVdb program, 79.01% of the CRF55_01B-infected patients carried mutations conferring low-level or higher drug resistance to any of the three classes of ART drugs. Among PI DRMs, only one mutation affording low-level resistance to nelfinavir was found (0.62%). Among NRTI DRMs, a high proportion of high-level resistance to lamivudine (58.64%) and emtricitabine (58.02%) was found. As regards NNRTIs, more than 75% of patients carried efavirenz and nevirapine DRMs. The percentages of high-level resistance were 70.99%, 63.58%, 22.22%, 17.90% and 4.32% for nevirapine, efavirenz, rilpivirine, doravirine and etravirine, respectively.

Conclusions

High frequencies of DRMs and resistance were observed among CRF55_01B-infected patients failing ART in Guangdong, and interventions may be considered to minimize ecological contributions to ART.
Influence of an immune-modulatory feed supplement on performance and immune function of beef cows and calves preweaning
Authors: Crook Tyler S , Beck Paul A , Gadberry Shane , Sims Michael B , Stewart C Brandon , Shelton Cody , Koltes James , Kegley Elizabeth B , Powell Jeremy , McLean Derek J , Chapman James D
Published: March 2020

The ability to positively alter immune and stress response with nutritional compounds is of great interest and importance to the beef industry. There is a proprietary product (OmniGen-AF [OG]; Phibro Animal Health, Quincy, IL) reported to have performance-enhancing benefits by altering animal response to stress and immune challenges. The objective of this 2-yr research project was to study the effect of supplementing OG to beef cows and their calves on breeding and growth performance. One hundred and twelve multiparous beef cows and 48 primiparous cows were randomly assigned to treatment in year 1; control (CON, no OG; n = 56 multiparous and 24 primiparous) or treatment (OG fed at 8.8 g/100 kg body weight [BW]; n = 56 multiparous and 24 primiparous). Multiparous cows (mean ± SD = 6.4 ± 0.4 yr; BW = 589 ± 9.2 kg; body condition score [BCS] 6.2 ± 0.07) were used in both years of the experiment and primiparous cows (mean ± SD = 2.1 ± 0.04 yr of age, weighed 400 ± 7.5 kg, and BSC of 5.6 ± 0.06) were only used in the first year of the experiment. CON and OG supplements were offered over two production cycles beginning in December approximately 60 d prior to projected calving through pre-breeding in May of each year. Calves from treatment cows were offered treatments in a creep supplement limited to a daily rate of 1% as-fed of BW prorated for 3-d/wk feeding from mid-July through weaning with OG offered at 8.8 g/100 kg BW. Primiparous cow’s BW, BCS, and calf performance were not affected by treatment (P ≥ 0.15) in year 1. BW of multiparous OG cows tended (P = 0.10) to be heavier at weaning in year 1 and was greater (P = 0.05) at the onset of the experiment in year 2. Body condition of OG cows was greater (P ≤ 0.02) at weaning in both years 1 and 2, as well as at the onset of the experiment in year 2. Calves fed OG from the mature cows gained more (P = 0.05) BW during the creep feeding period than CON. Core body temperatures of OG heifers measured during the late summer with intravaginal temperature data loggers tended (P ≤ 0.10) to be less at 1400 and 1700 hours and were less (P = 0.05) at 1800 hours than CON heifers. Feeding OG did not result in changes (P = 0.25) in serum titer response to the BVD virus of calves during year 2. The results of the current experiment indicate feeding OG to beef cows and calves can result in improvement in BCS of cows, enhance weight gain of calves preweaning, and reduce heat loads in heifer calves during the late summer.
Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined With Simvastatin Accelerates Burn Wound Healing by Activation of the Akt/mTOR Pathway
Authors: Ramhormozi Parisa , Mohajer Ansari Javad , Simorgh Sara , Nobakht Maliheh
Published: March 2020

Burn wound healing is one of the most important problems in the field of medical science. Promising results have recently been reported by researchers who used bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to treat burn wounds. In this study, we investigated the effects of BMSC therapy in combination with simvastatin (SMV) on angiogenesis as well as on the activity of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway during burn wound healing in rats. After creating second-degree burn wounds, 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four treatment groups: the control, SMV, BMSCs, and the combination therapy group (BMSCs+SMV). Animals were killed 14 days after treatment initiation, and the wounds were removed for histological and molecular analyses. All in all, combination therapy produced better outcomes than individual therapy in terms of the wound closure area, epidermal regeneration level, collagen deposition intensity, and reepithelialization rate. In addition, the elevations of expression levels of Akt and mTOR genes, at both mRNA and protein levels, were more pronounced in the BMSCs+SMV group (P < .05, at least, for both qRT-PCR and western blot assessments). qRT-PCR findings also demonstrated that the wounds treated with the combination of BMSCs and SMV had the highest expression levels of CD31 and VEGF genes (P < .01 for all comparisons). These data suggest that the combined administration of BMSCs transplantation and topical SMV has a great potential in burn wound healing. According to the findings, the beneficial effects of the combination therapy are caused, at least in part, through stimulating Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Insecticide Resistance, and Its Effects on Bait Performance in Field-Collected German Cockroaches (Blattodea: Ectobiidae) From Taiwan
Authors: Hu I-Hsuan , Chen Shan-Min , Lee Chow-Yang , Neoh Kok-Boon
Published: March 2020

Insecticide resistance in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), is a significant challenge to the pest management professionals worldwide. We collected 24 field populations of B. germanica from different localities in Taiwan island, reared them for one to two generations, and evaluated them for their resistance to deltamethrin, propoxur, and fipronil using the surface-contact method. Results showed that deltamethrin resistance ratio ranged from 1.5 to 817.5×. Among the strains, TC Supermarket, TC Sanshang Logistics, TC THSR, and TC 1Taichungsteak strains showed very high resistance to deltamethrin, which mortality ranged between 0 and 33% at 7-d post-treatment. On the other hand, resistance to propoxur and fipronil RR were 0.70–7.13× and 1.67–3.72×, respectively. Synergism studies using piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and S,S,S-tributylphosphorotrithioate (DEF) suggested the major involvement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase and minor involvement of esterases. However, deltamethrin resistance in two strains (i.e., TC Supermarket and TC THSR) was not affected by both PBO and DEF, indicating that other mechanisms are involved in the resistance, including kdr resistance. Evaluation of the field strains using commercial gel baits containing fipronil, imidacloprid, hydramethylnon, and indoxacarb for up to 7 d resulted in 24.4–100%, 11.3–78.5%, 15.8–75.5%, and 63.3–100% mortality, respectively. We found that high deltamethrin resistance in some strains could affect the performance of fipronil, imidacloprid, and indoxacarb baits, indicating the potential involvement of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase in reducing the effectiveness of the bait toxicants.
A new mouse of the Peromyscus maniculatus species complex (Cricetidae) from the highlands of central Mexico
Authors: Léon-Tapia M Ángel , Fernández Jesús A , Rico Yessica , Cervantes F A , Espinosa de los Monteros Alejandro
Published: March 2020

The Peromyscus maniculatus species complex is one of the most widespread group of small mammals in North America. However, the taxonomy and phylogenetic relationships among its constituent taxa remain unclear. As part of a revision of Peromyscus specimens from the highlands of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in central Mexico, we identified five individuals collected in 1968 that differed externally from other Peromyscus specimens, although morphologically similar to P. labecula and P. melanotis, both latter in the P. maniculatus species complex. Based on cranial measurements and mitochondrial DNA sequences, we aimed to more accurately determine the phylogenetic relationships and the taxonomic status of these individuals. Molecular phylogenetic analyses showed that the specimens formed a monophyletic clade sister to the P. maniculatus species complex. Pairwise genetic distances between those specimens and other species within the P. maniculatus species complex were greater than 7.91%. In addition, morphological analyses clearly distinguished the test specimens from P. melanotis and P. labecula. Based on the results of our molecular and morphological analyses, we conclude that these specimens represent an undescribed species of the P. maniculatus species complex, which we describe herein.
Merging ‘the Zephyrs of Purgatory’ and ‘Old [Chinese] K’in Music’: The Modernist as Mystic Purist in Beckett’s Dream of Fair to Middling Women
Authors: Lin Lidan
Published: March 2020

This article explores the global influences of Chinese mysticism latent in Chinese K’in music and Christian mysticism on Beckett’s composition of Dream of Fair to Middling Women. I argue that Beckett’s portrayal of Belacqua as a mystic purist is the direct result of his creative appropriation of K’in music, Taoism, and Christian mysticism on the one hand, and his equally creative appropriation of the modernist legacy of inner fiction exemplified by the fiction of Proust and Joyce on the other. By revealing the hybrid roots of Belacqua’s mystic quest, this essay presents a compelling case that unfolds not only Beckett’s interesting relation to China, but modernism’s ethical and aesthetic inclusion in a global context.