bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantification of thermally-driven flows in microsystems using Boltzmann equation in deterministic and stochastic contexts
Authors: Jaiswal Shashank , Pikus Aaron , Strongrich Andrew , Sebastião Israel B. , Hu Jingwei , Alexeenko Alina A.
Published: August 2019

When the flow is sufficiently rarefied, a temperature gradient, for example, between two walls separated by a few mean free paths, induces a gas flow—an observation attributed to the thermostress convection effects at the microscale. The dynamics of the overall thermostress convection process is governed by the Boltzmann equation—an integrodifferential equation describing the evolution of the molecular distribution function in six-dimensional phase space—which models dilute gas behavior at the molecular level to accurately describe a wide range of flow phenomena. Approaches for solving the full Boltzmann equation with general intermolecular interactions rely on two perspectives: one stochastic in nature often delegated to the direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method and the others deterministic by virtue. Among the deterministic approaches, the discontinuous Galerkin fast spectral (DGFS) method has been recently introduced for solving the full Boltzmann equation with general collision kernels, including the variable hard/soft sphere models—necessary for simulating flows involving diffusive transport. In this work, the deterministic DGFS method, Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK), Ellipsoidal statistical BGK (ESBGK), and Shakhov kinetic models, and the widely used stochastic DSMC method, are utilized to assess the thermostress convection process in micro in-plane Knudsen radiometric actuator—a microscale compact low-power pressure sensor utilizing the Knudsen forces. The BGK model underpredicts the heat-flux, shear-stress, and flow speed; the S-model overpredicts; whereas, ESBGK comes close to the DSMC results. On the other hand, both the statistical/DSMC and deterministic/DGFS methods, segregated in perspectives, yet, yield inextricable results, bespeaking the ingenuity of Graeme Bird who laid down the foundation of practical rarefied gas dynamics for microsystems.
Aerogel-based metasurfaces for perfect acoustic energy absorption
Authors: Fernández-Marín Antonio A. , Jiménez Noé , Groby Jean-Philippe , Sánchez-Dehesa José , Romero-García Vicente
Published: August 2019

The unusual viscoelastic properties of silica aerogel plates are efficiently used to design subwavelength perfect sound absorbers. We theoretically, numerically, and experimentally report a perfect absorbing metamaterial panel made of periodically arranged resonant building blocks consisting of a slit loaded by a clamped aerogel plate backed by a closed cavity. The impedance matching condition is analyzed using the Argand diagram of the reflection coefficient, i.e., the trajectory of the reflection coefficient as a function of frequency in the complex plane. The lack or excess of losses in the system can be identified via this Argand diagram in order to achieve the impedance matching condition. The universality of this tool can be further exploited to design more complex metasurfaces for perfect sound absorption, thus allowing the rapid design of efficient absorbing metamaterials.
Investigation of the effect of substrate morphology on MDCK cell mechanical behavior using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Mollaeian Keyvan , Liu Yi , Bi Siyu , Ren Juan
Published: August 2019

Living cells sense and respond to their extracellular environment. Their contact guidance is affected by the underlying substrate morphology. Previous studies of the effect of the substrate pattern on the mechanical behavior of living cells were only limited to the quantification of the cellular elasticity. However, how the length and time scales of the cellular mechanical properties are affected by the patterned substrates are yet to be studied. In this study, the effect of the substrate morphology on the biomechanical behavior of living cells was thoroughly investigated using indentation-based atomic force microscopy. The results showed that the cellular biomechanical behavior was affected by the substrate morphology significantly. The elasticity and viscosity of the cells on the patterned Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates were much lower compared to those of the ones cultured on flat PDMS. The poroelastic diffusion coefficient of the cells was higher on the patterned PDMS substrates, specifically on the substrate with 2D pitches. In addition, fluorescence images showed that the substrate topography directly affects the cell cytoskeleton morphology. Together, the results suggested that cell mechanical behavior and morphology can be controlled using substrates with properly designed topography.
Dynamics of free-surface mutually perpendicular twin liquid sheets and their atomization characteristics
Authors: Vegad Chetankumar S. , Kumar Amit , Chakravarthy Satyanarayanan R.
Published: August 2019

The radially expanding twin (circular and vertical) liquid sheets produced by impingement of a vertical cylindrical liquid jet onto a horizontally placed cone-disk deflector with a single slot were examined experimentally in the present work. Dynamics of these liquid sheets and the events leading to their breakup were studied by carrying out high-speed shadowgraphy simultaneously from side, front, and top views at a 5.4 kHz framing rate and for the jet Weber number (Wejet) range of 993 < Wejet < 3776. In the presence of the slot, the variation of the radial breakup distance of the circular sheet (Rb,CS) with Wejet changed from the monotonically decreasing trend (Rb,CS∼Wejet−0.44) to a nonmonotonic increasing and decreasing one. Furthermore, Rb,CS was found to be lowered by about 42% compared to the breakup distance Rb,CS,no-slot of the circular sheet for the no-slot deflector. The vertical sheet breakup distance (Rb,Vs) was found to increase monotonically with the slot Weber number Weslot0.44. Three primary sources of droplet production, namely, the lower and front edges of the vertical sheet and the rim of the circular sheet, were identified. The smallest droplets were seen to originate from the front edge (D32,FE) and the largest droplets from the lower edge (D32,LE) of the vertical sheet. The measured droplet diameters followed D32,LE∼Wejet−1/3 and D32,FE∼Wejet−1/4, whereas the droplets originating at the rim of the circular sheet followed D32,rim∼Wejet−2/3. The droplets at all three edges were found to depend more strongly on the ligament thickness than the ligament length. Following conservation of mass, a linear relation between the droplet diameter, D32, and the ligament thickness, tlig, at each edge has been obtained.
Detecting coherent core-hole wave-packet dynamics in N2 by time- and angle-resolved inner-shell photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Inhester Ludger , Greenman Loren , Rudenko Artem , Rolles Daniel , Santra Robin
Published: August 2019

We propose an imaging technique to follow core-hole wave-packet oscillations in the nitrogen molecule. In this scheme, an attosecond x-ray pulse core-ionizes the nitrogen molecule and a subsequent attosecond x-ray pulse probes the evolution of the electron dynamics. We can image the oscillation of the core-hole between the two atomic sites by measuring the angular correlation between photoelectrons. Analytical relations for the angular correlation are derived based on the plane-wave approximation for the photoelectron wave function. We validate these results with a scattering calculation for the photoelectron wave function. The feasibility of the experimental realization of this scheme is discussed in light of current and future capabilities of x-ray free-electron lasers.
Half-wave rectification of ac-magnetic-field effects by mixing thermal spin and charge currents in a NiO/Pt nanostructure
Authors: Machado F. L. A. , Ribeiro P. R. T. , Gamino M. , Rezende S. M. , Azevedo A.
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we present the proof-of-concept of a device for rectifying ac-magnetic-field effects by mixing thermal spin and charge currents. The device consists of a NiO/Pt bilayer in which a pure spin current is generated perpendicularly to the sample plane by means of the spin Seebeck effect. The pure spin current, created in the NiO layer, is injected into the Pt layer and is converted into a charge current by means of the inverse spin Hall effect, which is measured by electrical contacts. Due to the combination of two effects, the spin Seebeck and the planar Nernst effect, the overall response of the device as a function of a magnetic field is similar to the one of a rectifying diode. The resulting charge current mainly flows in one direction, approaching zero for negative values of the magnetic field when the spin Seebeck voltage has an opposite sign and magnitude close to the planar Nernst effect contribution. This remarkable effect is well explained by analyzing the response function as well as taking into account the magnon diffusion theory for the spin Seebeck effect. We believe that this proof of concept is of interest to the development of spintronic devices.
Recent advances in polysulfide mediation of lithium-sulfur batteries via facile cathode and electrolyte modification
Authors: Fang Chen , Zhang Guangzhao , Lau Jonathan , Liu Gao
Published: August 2019

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have garnered immense interest due to their potential to surpass the energy densities of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries. However, severe technical problems of polysulfide dissolution and shuttle effect still prohibit the commercialization of Li–S batteries. This review focuses on the recent advances of polysulfide mediation in conventional Li–S batteries with liquid electrolytes. Simple yet effective solutions to control polysulfide dissolution and shuttling via facile modification of the cathode and the electrolyte are highlighted. The rational design of cathode composition, the use of polysulfide barrier layers, and the selection of electrolyte components are discussed. These strategies offer significant promise to address the challenges and increase the viability of the large-scale application of Li–S batteries.
Acoustophoretic volumetric displays using a fast-moving levitated particle
Authors: Fushimi Tatsuki , Marzo Asier , Drinkwater Bruce W. , Hill Thomas L.
Published: August 2019

Displays have revolutionized the way we work and learn, and thus, the development of display technologies is of paramount importance. The possibility of a free-space display in which 3D graphics can be viewed from 360° without obstructions is an active area of research—holograms or lightfield displays can realize such a display, but they suffer from clipping and a limited field of view. Here, we use a phased array of ultrasonic emitters to realize a volumetric acoustophoretic display in which a millimetric particle is held in midair using acoustic radiation forces and moved rapidly along a 3D path. Synchronously, a light source illuminates the particle with the target color at each 3D position. We show that it is possible to render simple figures in real time (10 frames per second) as well as raster images at a lower frame rate. Additionally, we explore the dynamics of a fast-moving particle inside a phased-array levitator and identify potential sources of degradation in image quality. The dynamics are nonlinear and lead to distortion in the displayed images, and this distortion increases with drawing speed. The created acoustophoretic display shows promise as a future form of display technology.
Nitrogen- and Sulfur-Containing Energetic Compounds. 64 Years of Fascinating Chemistry
Authors: Wentrup Curt
Published: August 2019

This essay details the author’s work with high-energy molecules based on sulfur or nitrogen, or both, which started with amateur rocket propellants like zinc dust and sulfur followed by experiments with the highly sensitive compounds nitrogen trichloride and fulminating gold. Research on the inorganic and organic fulminates and the isomeric cyanates led to detailed investigations of reactive intermediates generated by flash vacuum pyrolysis or photolysis, in particular nitrenes and carbenes derived from azides, diazo compounds, triazoles, and tetrazoles and characterized in low temperature matrices.
Satellite soil moisture observations predict burned area in Southeast Asian peatlands
Authors: Dadap Nathan C , Cobb Alexander R , Hoyt Alison M , Harvey Charles F , Konings Alexandra G
Published: August 2019

Fires that emit massive amounts of CO2 and particulate matter now burn with regularity in Southeast Asian tropical peatlands. Natural peatlands in Southeast Asia are waterlogged for most of the year and experience little or no fire, but networks of canals constructed for agriculture have drained vast areas of these peatlands, making the soil vulnerable to fire during periods of low rainfall. While soil moisture is the most direct measure of peat flammability, it has not been incorporated into fire studies due to an absence of regional observations. Here, we create the first remotely sensed soil moisture dataset for tropical peatlands in Sumatra, Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia by applying a new retrieval algorithm to satellite data from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission with data spanning the 2015 El Niño burning event. Drier soil up to 30 days prior to fire correlates with larger burned area. The predictive information provided by soil moisture complements that of precipitation. Our remote sensing-derived results mirror those from a laboratory-based peat ignition study, suggesting that the dependence of fire on soil moisture exhibits scale independence within peatlands. Soil moisture measured from SMAP, a dataset spanning 2015-present, is a valuable resource for peat fire studies and warning systems.
The Potential of Nature Tourism at Muar and Tangkak Districts, Johor, Malaysia
Authors: Hamdi A E , Maryati M , Shafiq Hamdin M
Published: August 2019

This research is to integrate the focused economy into a more non-consumptive alternative; considering that a sustainable nature tourism could contribute to conservation of biodiversity. The objective of the study is to identify status and nature of existing tourism sites and products within Muar and Tangkak districts, in Johor. At the same time researchers pinpoint potential nature tourism products and suggest their development adding values to existing tourism activities. The final touch to this venture is creation of souvenir prototypes that portrays local image. Data were collected by site visits, scan observation and field sampling. Among chosen destinations were Gunung Ledang Johor National Park, C&C Mushroom Cultivation Farm Sdn. Bhd., Tangkak; Nasuha Herbs & Spice Farm and Tanjung Ketapang and Tanjung Emas Parks, Muar. Existing tourism products were oyster mushroom and herbal tea. From this research potential products proposed are stingless bee (Trigona group) and sandalwood (Aquilaria malaccensis), bunga tanjung (Mimusops elengi) and bird watching respectively. These new products were tested against eight criteria currently used for development of nature tourism product and they met six: morphological attractiveness, behavioural enticement, linkage to local culture, ecologically important to people, reliability of sightings and safety. Based on aspects such as time, cost and risk, data acquired were analyzed and used in formulating a tentative tourism package. Formulated tourism packages would need testing in the near future before released to be promoted into the market. From this research several other attractions and potential products were identified and discussed in this paper.
A study of a termite chemical defense fluid compound of Macrotermes carbonarius
Authors: Alia Diyana M H , Appalasamy S , Arumugam N , Boon J G
Published: August 2019

Termite caste consists of reproductive individuals, worker, and soldier. Soldiers defend their colony by physical and chemical means. For Macrotermes carbonarius, they use mandibles as their physical defense and defense fluid for chemical defense. Their defense fluid plays a vital role to defend their caste from any harm from another insect such as ants. This can be related to the fact that M. carbonarius is an urban pest that has many threats to their colony. However, less study had been focused on their defense fluid composition and how the compounds function. This study was carried out to determine the compound present in the defense fluid of M. carbonarius. The methods used in this study were thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). TLC detection indicated presence of three unknown compounds and one important compound. GCMS analysis had confirmed the compound as lauric acid methyl esther that was obtained from the TLC. This information would contribute to fill up the research gap and assist in better understanding the compound composition found in M. carbonarius defense fluid to protect their colony, an update on the defense fluid research since 1979 by Prestwich.
Extraction and partial characterization of durian rind pectin
Authors: Hasem N H , Mohamad Fuzi S F Z , Kormin F , Abu Bakar M F , Sabran S F
Published: August 2019

Durian which is famous for its plentiful nutrition, is a delicious fruit from Southeast Asia with rising popularity worldwide. Since durian rinds are often thrown away as waste, it would be beneficial to transform it into value-added product like pectin. In general, pectin is a complex carbohydrate molecule which broadly applied in food industries such as stabilizer, texturizer, emulsifier, thickeners, gelling agent and many others. The purpose of this research is to determine pectin content in durian rinds using conventional acid extraction and to characterize the properties of pectin in terms of yield, water activity, moisture content and ash content. Pectin was extracted using hydrochloric acid at pH 2.5, 85°C for 60 minutes. The statistical analyses were conducted by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and data obtained were reported in mean and standard deviation. The results indicated that durian rinds pectin yield is 73.67%, 11.53% moisture content, 4.67% ash content, and 0.452 water activity. The overall study highlighted that durian rinds are rich source of pectin and it is likely to become a significant raw material for food industries. The results of this research show successful pectin extraction, acquiring potential advantages for industrial pectin extraction economically and environmentally.
Review on Avian Diversity in Johor State, Malaysia
Authors: Normaisharah M , Norazlimi N
Published: August 2019

Johor, the 3rd largest state in peninsular Malaysia after Pahang and Perak, has various forest vegetations accommodating a diverse array of avian species. With this endowment, Johor attracts birders all around the globe to come see them closed up. This paper provides review on avian diversity in Johor state with highlighting areas that accommodate importance species and high species richness. Data on bird diversity were extracted from published journals and online resources (Avibase and Birdlife Internaional). To date, a total of 292 species of birds documented in Johor which are representing 41% of birds recorded in Peninsular Malaysia. The highest species richness recorded at Panti Forest Reserve with a total of 248 species recorded dating as early as 2002. Remarkably, 23% of bird recorded classified as Near Threatened and another 7% listed as Threatened under IUCN Redlist. It is hoped that this review would facilitate future planning and management of conservation areas in Johor.
Copepods status in seagrass area of Pulau Tinggi Marine Park, Johor, Malaysia
Authors: Shuaib Nasir , Mohammad Maryati , Monica Matias-Peralta Hazel , Saifullah Rusiman Mohd , Babaji Sanusi Shuaibu
Published: August 2019

Zooplanktons were extensively studied to investigate species composition and density of copepods. Samples were collected from sea grass area in Pulau Tinggi for three months (April, June and October, 2015). Zooplankton samples were collected using Conically shaped plankton net (with mouth opening size of 0.30 m and 1.00 m length) with 100μm mesh size with an acrylic plastic cod end. Ten sampling stations were established for the collection of water samples. In the present study, a total of 54 species of copepods from 29 genera and 22 families were identified. Calanoids were the dominant group among the copepods. The most observed species were Paracalanus indicus, Paracalanus elegans, Oithona falax and Corycaeus agilis. The density of copepods was determined in the month of April, 2015. The highest density was 1245 individuals/m3 during the study period. The findings of the present study provide valuable information for fisheries authorities and marine controlling departments.
Estimated Abundance and Distribution of Common Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Pallas 1777) in the Rural Landscape of Sukaresmi, West Bandung Regency
Authors: Parikesit  , Withaningsih S , Prastiwi W Dwi
Published: August 2019

Common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus, Pallas 1777) is one species of mammal that has high ecological and economical functions. The ecological function of common palm civet is as an agent of forest rejuvenation by dispersing seeds of forest plants. A study to estimate the abundance and distribution of common palm civet was carried out in Sukaresmi village, West Bandung Regency. The study proposed to collect the data of common palm civet abundance and distribution that can be used as a reference for common palm civet protection and conservation measures. Three methods were used: direct survey on common palm civet encounter, direct survey on common palm civet signs, and semi-structured interviews with local informants. The result showed that common palm civet abundance in the study site was estimated between 12 and 66 individuals. The dominant habitat type was kebun campuran (annual-perennial rotation garden) and shrubs. The potential threats to the population of common palm civet was the presence of coucang, bats, squirrels, and frugivorous birds as rivals, dholes as predators, and human as illegal poachers. The effort to protect common palm civet is not yet carried out by the local people as the population is still regarded as abundant and it is not yet of protection concern. Nevertheless, local knowledge about the important roles of common palm civet in the environment can lead to an awareness aimed to reduce illegal poaching.
MultiGuideScan: a multi-processing tool for designing CRISPR guide RNA libraries
Authors: Li Tao , Wang Shaokai , Luo Feng , Wu Fang-Xiang , Wang Jianxin
Published: August 2019

The recent advance in genome engineering technologies based on CRISPR/Cas9 system is enabling people to systematically understand genomic functions. A short RNA string (the CRISPR guide RNA) can guide the Cas9 endonuclease to specific locations in complex genomes to cut DNA double-strands. The CRISPR guide RNA is essential for gene editing systems. Recently, the GuideScan software is developed to design CRISPR guide RNA libraries, which can be used for genome editing of coding and non-coding genomic regions effectively. However, GuideScan is a serial program and computationally expensive for designing CRISPR guide RNA libraries from large genomes. Here, we present an efficient guide RNA library designing tool (MultiGuideScan) by implementing multiple processes of GuideScan. MultiGuideScan speeds up the guide RNA library designing about 9–12 times on a 32-process mode comparing to GuideScan. MultiGuideScan makes it possible to design guide RNA libraries from large genomes.

Availability and implementation: MultiGuideScan is available at GitHub

https://github.com/bioinfomaticsCSU/MultiGuideScan.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Imidazoline 2 binding sites reflecting astroglia pathology in Parkinson’s disease: an in vivo11C-BU99008 PET study
Authors: Wilson Heather , Dervenoulas George , Pagano Gennaro , Tyacke Robin J , Polychronis Sotirios , Myers Jim , Gunn Roger N , Rabiner Eugenii A , Nutt David , Politis Marios
Published: August 2019

Do astrocytes play a role in the initiation and progression of Parkinson’s disease? Wilson et al. reveal activation of astrocytes in early Parkinson’s disease, likely in response to the presence of abnormal proteins. Loss of astrocytes occurs upon disease progression, however, and correlates with increasing cognitive impairment.
Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems Within the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance Network
Authors: Cunningham Solveig A , Shaikh Nida I , Nhacolo Ariel , Raghunathan Pratima L , Kotloff Karen , Naser Abu Mohd , Mengesha Melkamu M , Adedini Sunday A , Misore Thomas , Onuwchekwa Uma U , Worrell Mary Claire , El Arifeen Shams , Assefa Nega , Chowdhury Atique I , Kaiser Reinhard , Madhi Shabir A , Mehta Ashka , Obor David , Sacoor Charfudin , Sow Samba O , Tapia Milagritos D , Wilkinson Amanda L , Breiman Robert F ,   Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Methods Consortium, Agaya Janet , Aol George , Liech Stephen , Oyuga Leonard , Akelo Victor , Barr Beth A Tippett , Zielinski-Gutierrez Emily , Bari Sanwarul , Rahman Qazi Sadequr , Rashid Md. Mamunur , Hossain Tanvir , Bassat Quique , Bassat Quique , Filimone Paulo , Hunguana Aura , Jamisse Edgar , Matsena Teodimiro , Mandomando Inacio , Malheia Arlindo , Mandomando Inacio , Onyango Dickens , Sello Matshidiso , Thaele Dineo , Jambai Amara
Published: August 2019

Health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs) provide a foundation for characterizing and defining priorities and strategies for improving population health. The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) project aims to inform policy to prevent child deaths through generating causes of death from surveillance data combined with innovative diagnostic and laboratory methods. Six of the 7 sites that constitute the CHAMPS network have active HDSSs: Mozambique, Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh, and South Africa; the seventh, in Sierra Leone, is in the early planning stages. This article describes the network of CHAMPS HDSSs and their role in the CHAMPS project. To generate actionable health and demographic data to prevent child deaths, the network depends on reliable demographic surveillance, and the HDSSs play this crucial role.
Water and Filth: Reevaluating the First Era of Sanitary Typhoid Intervention (1840–1940)
Authors: Vanderslott Samantha , Phillips Maile T , Pitzer Virginia E , Kirchhelle Claas
Published: August 2019

While typhoid fever remains an important cause of illness in many low- and middle-income countries, important insights can be learned by exploring the historical experience with typhoid fever in industrialized countries. We used archival research to examine British and American attempts to control typhoid via sanitary interventions from the 1840s to 1940s. First, we assess how varying perceptions of typhoid and conflicts of interest led to a nonlinear evolution of control attempts in Oxford, United Kingdom. Our qualitative analysis shows how professional rivalries and tensions between Oxford’s university and citizens (“gown and town”), as well as competing theories of typhoid proliferation stalled sanitary reform until the provision of cheap external credit created cross-party alliances at the municipal level. Second, we use historical mortality data to evaluate and quantify the impact of individual sanitary measures on typhoid transmission in major US cities. Together a historiographic and epidemiological study of past interventions provides insights for the planning of future sanitary programs.
Early and Successful Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Normalizes Survival Time in Patients Coinfected With Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Human T-cell Lymphotrophic Virus Type 1
Authors: Brites Carlos , Miranda Fernanda , Luz Estela , Netto Eduardo Martins
Published: August 2019

Background

Coinfection with human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is associated with shorter survival for adults and children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), although the reasons remain a matter of debate. We evaluated the factors associated with survival time in a large cohort of HIV/HTLV-1–coinfected and HIV-monoinfected individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

Methods

In a nested, retrospective case-control study (1:1), we reviewed medical records of people with HIV infection on cART in a referral AIDS center in Salvador, Brazil. We matched 149 patients coinfected with HTLV-1 (cases) by age at HIV diagnosis and sex, to an equal number of HTLV-uninfected persons (controls). Death rates, survival time, baseline and current CD4 cell count, last HIV-1 RNA plasma viral load (pVL), and causes of death were compared between groups.

Results

The overall mortality rate was 2.1 person-years (76 deaths, 53 among coinfected patients). Survival time for cases (16.7 ± 0.7 years) was significantly shorter than for controls (18.1 ± 0.4 years; P = .001). Among patients with pVL >50 copies/mL, coinfected patients had a shorter survival time (8.4 ± 0.8 years) than monoinfected ones (12.9 ± 1.4 years; P = .02), regardless of pVL magnitude. However, survival time did not differ for HIV-monoinfected (19.0 ± 0.4 years) or coinfected patients (20.2 ± 0.6 years) presenting with pVL <50 copies/mL (P = .5). Deceased coinfected patients had higher initial CD4 count (417 ± 219 cells) than monoinfected ones with the same outcome (177 ± 160 cells; P = .004), while survivors had similar CD4 cell count at baseline, regardless of HTLV status.

Conclusions

Successful cART is able to normalize survival for coinfected patients and should be introduced for all coinfected patients, regardless of CD4 cell count.

HIV/human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type 1 coinfection is believed to decrease survival of coinfected patients. In this case-control study, we demonstrate that successful combination antiretroviral therapy (last HIV viral load <50 copies/mL) is able to improve survival of coinfected patients to levels observed for those monoinfected.
Perceived Benefits and Challenges of Ebola Preparation Among Hospitals in Developed Countries: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Puig-Asensio Mireia , Braun Barbara I , Seaman Aaron T , Chitavi Salome , Rasinski Kenneth A , Nair Rajeshwari , Perencevich Eli N , Lawrence Janna C , Hartley Michael , Schweizer Marin L
Published: August 2019

The 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa provided an opportunity to improve our response to highly infectious diseases. We performed a systematic literature review in PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science of research articles that evaluated benefits and challenges of hospital Ebola preparation in developed countries. We excluded studies performed in non-developed countries, and those limited to primary care settings, the public health sector, and pediatric populations. Thirty-five articles were included. Preparedness activities were beneficial for identifying gaps in hospital readiness. Training improved health-care workers’ (HCW) infection control practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) use. The biggest challenge was related to PPE, followed by problems with hospital infrastructure and resources. HCWs feared managing Ebola patients, affecting their willingness to care for them. Standardizing protocols, PPE types, and frequency of training and providing financial support will improve future preparedness. It is unclear whether preparations resulted in sustained improvements.

Prospero Registration. CRD42018090988.
A risk prediction model in asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis: CURRENT-AS risk score
Authors: Minamino-Muta Eri , Kato Takao , Morimoto Takeshi , Taniguchi Tomohiko , Ando Kenji , Kanamori Norio , Murata Koichiro , Kitai Takeshi , Kawase Yuichi , Miyake Makoto , Izumi Chisato , Mitsuoka Hirokazu , Kato Masashi , Hirano Yutaka , Matsuda Shintaro , Nagao Kazuya , Murakami Tomoyuki , Takeuchi Yasuyo , Yamane Keiichiro , Toyofuku Mamoru , Ishii Mitsuru , Inoko Moriaki , Ikeda Tomoyuki , Ishii Katsuhisa , Hotta Kozo , Jinnai Toshikazu , Kato Yoshihiro , Inuzuka Yasutaka , Maeda Chiyo , Morikami Yuko , Saito Naritatsu , Minatoya Kenji , Kimura Takeshi
Published: August 2019

Aims

Early aortic valve replacement (AVR) might be beneficial in selected high-risk asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS), considering their poor prognosis when managed conservatively. This study aimed to develop and validate a clinical scoring system to predict AS-related events within 1 year after diagnosis in asymptomatic severe AS patients.

Methods and results

We analysed 1274 asymptomatic severe AS patients derived from a retrospective multicentre registry enrolling consecutive patients with severe AS in Japan (CURRENT AS registry), who were managed conservatively and completed 1-year follow-up without AVR. From a randomly assigned derivation set (N = 849), we developed CURRENT AS risk score for the AS-related event (a composite of AS-related death and heart failure hospitalization) within 1 year using a multivariable logistic regression model. The risk score comprised independent risk predictors including left ventricular ejection fraction <60%, haemoglobin ≤11.0 g/dL, chronic lung disease (2 points), diabetes mellitus, haemodialysis, and any concomitant valve disease (1 point). The predictive accuracy of the model was good with the area under the curve of 0.79 and 0.77 in the derivation and validation sets (N = 425). In the validation set, the 1-year incidence of AS-related events was much higher in patients with score ≥2 than in patients with score ≤1 (Score 0: 2.2%, Score 1: 1.9%, Score 2: 13.4%, Score 3: 14.3%, and Score ≥4: 22.7%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The CURRENT-AS risk score integrating clinical and echocardiographic factors well-predicted the risk of AS-related events at 1 year in asymptomatic patients with severe AS and was validated internally.
The current state of animal models and genomic approaches towards identifying and validating molecular determinants ofMycobacterium tuberculosisinfection and tuberculosis disease
Authors: Bucsan Allison N , Mehra Smriti , Khader Shabaana A , Kaushal Deepak
Published: August 2019

Animal models are important in understanding both the pathogenesis of and immunity to tuberculosis (TB). Unfortunately, we are beginning to understand that no animal model perfectly recapitulates the human TB syndrome, which encompasses numerous different stages. Furthermore, Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is a very heterogeneous event at both the levels of pathogenesis and immunity. This review seeks to establish the current understanding of TB pathogenesis and immunity, as validated in the animal models of TB in active use today. We especially focus on the use of modern genomic approaches in these models to determine the mechanism and the role of specific molecular pathways. Animal models have significantly enhanced our understanding of TB. Incorporation of contemporary technologies such as single cell transcriptomics, high-parameter flow cytometric immune profiling, proteomics, proteomic flow cytometry and immunocytometry into the animal models in use will further enhance our understanding of TB and facilitate the development of treatment and vaccination strategies.
Complete Sequence of Succinamopine Ti-Plasmid pTiEU6 Reveals Its Evolutionary Relatedness with Nopaline-Type Ti-Plasmids
Authors: Shao Shuai , van Heusden G Paul H , Hooykaas Paul J J
Published: August 2019

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is the etiological agent of plant crown gall disease, which is induced by the delivery of a set of oncogenic genes into plant cells from its tumor-inducing (Ti) plasmid. Here we present the first complete sequence of a succinamopine-type Ti-plasmid. Plasmid pTiEU6 is comprised of 176,375 bp with an overall GC content of 56.1% and 195 putative protein-coding sequences could be identified. This Ti-plasmid is most closely related to nopaline-type Ti-plasmids. It contains a single T-region which is somewhat smaller than that of the nopaline-type Ti-plasmids and in which the gene for nopaline synthesis is replaced by a gene (sus) for succinamopine synthesis. Also in pTiEU6 the nopaline catabolic genes are replaced by genes for succinamopine catabolism. In order to trace the evolutionary origin of pTiEU6, we sequenced six nopaline Ti-plasmids to enlarge the scope for comparison to this class of plasmids. Average nucleotide identity analysis revealed that pTiEU6 was most closely related to nopaline Ti-plasmids pTiT37 and pTiSAKURA. In line with this traces of several transposable elements were present in all the nopaline Ti plasmids and in pTiEU6, but one specific transposable element insertion, that of a copy of IS1182, was present at the same site only in pTiEU6, pTiT37, and pTiSAKURA, but not in the other Ti plasmids. This suggests that pTiEU6 evolved after diversification of nopaline Ti-plasmids by DNA recombination between a pTiT37-like nopaline Ti-plasmid and another plasmid, thus introducing amongst others new catabolic genes matching a new opine synthase gene for succinamopine synthesis.
Determinants of health insurance enrolment in Ghana: evidence from three national household surveys
Authors: Salari Paola , Akweongo Patricia , Aikins Moses , Tediosi Fabrizio
Published: August 2019

In 2003, Ghana implemented a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to move towards Universal Health Coverage. NHIS enrolment is mandatory for all Ghanaians, but the most recent estimates show that coverage stands under 40%. The evidence on the relationship between socio-economic characteristics and NHIS enrolment is mixed, and comes mainly from studies conducted in a few areas. Therefore, in this study we investigate the socio-economic determinants of NHIS enrolment using three recent national household surveys. We used data from the Ghanaian Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2014, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey conducted in 2011 and the sixth wave of the Ghana Living Standard Survey conducted in 2012–13. Given the multilevel nature of the three databases, we use multilevel logistic regression models to estimate the probability of enrolment for women and men separately. We used three levels of analysis: geographical clusters, household and individual units. We found that education, wealth, marital status—and to some extent—age were positively associated with enrolment. Furthermore, we found that enrolment was correlated with the type of occupation. The analyses of three national household surveys highlight the challenges of understanding the complex dynamics of factors contributing to low NHIS enrolment rates. The results indicate that current policies aimed at identifying and subsidizing underprivileged population groups might insufficiently encourage health insurance enrolment.
Civil society action against transnational corporations: implications for health promotion
Authors: Anaf Julia , Baum Fran , Fisher Matthew , Friel Sharon
Published: August 2019

Transnational corporations (TNCs) shape population health both positively and negatively through their national and international social, political and economic power and influence; and are a vital commercial determinant of health. Individual and group advocacy and activism in response to corporate products, practices or policy influences can mediate negative health impacts. This paper discusses the unequal power relations existing between TNCs that promote their own financial interests, and activists and advocates who support population and environmental health by challenging corporate power. It draws on interview data from 19 respondents who informed 2 health impact assessments conducted on TNCs; 1 from the fast food industry, and 1 from the extractive industries sector. It reveals the types of strategies that civil society organizations (CSOs) have used to encourage TNCs to act in more health promoting ways. It discusses the extent to which these strategies have been effective, and how TNCs have used their power to respond to civil society action. The paper highlights the rewards, and the very real challenges faced by CSOs trying to change TNC practices related to health, within a neoliberal policy environment. It aims to provide evidence for socially oriented actors to inform their advocacy for changes in public policy or corporate practices that can contribute to improving population health and equity and tackling commercial determinants of health.
Transitions and anti-integrable limits for multi-hole Sturmian systems and Denjoy counterexamples
Authors: Chen Yi-Chiuan
Published: August 2019

For a Denjoy homeomorphism $f$ of the circle $S$, we call a pair of distinct points of the $\omega$-limit set $\omega (\,f)$ whose forward and backward orbits converge together a gap, and call an orbit of gaps a hole. In this paper, we generalize the Sturmian system of Morse and Hedlund and show that the dynamics of any Denjoy minimal set of finite number of holes is conjugate to a generalized Sturmian system. Moreover, for any Denjoy homeomorphism $f$ having a finite number of holes and for any transitive orientation-preserving homeomorphism $f_1$ of the circle with the same rotation number $\rho (\,f_1)$ as $\rho (\,f)$, we construct a family $f_\varepsilon$ of Denjoy homeomorphisms of rotation number $\rho (\,f)$ containing $f$ such that $(\omega (\,f_\varepsilon ), f_\varepsilon )$ is conjugate to $(\omega (\,f), f)$ for $0<\varepsilon <\tilde{\varepsilon }<1$, but the number of holes changes at $\varepsilon =\tilde{\varepsilon }$, that $(\omega (\,f_\varepsilon ), f_\varepsilon )$ is conjugate to $(\omega (\,f_{\tilde{\varepsilon }}), f_{\tilde{\varepsilon }})$ for $\tilde{\varepsilon }\leqslant \varepsilon <1$ but $\lim _{\varepsilon \nearrow 1}f_\varepsilon (t)=f_1(t)$ for any $t\in S$, and that $f_\varepsilon$ has a singular limit when $\varepsilon \searrow 0$. We show this singular limit is an anti-integrable limit (AI-limit) in the sense of Aubry. That is, the Denjoy minimal system reduces to a symbolic dynamical system. The AI-limit can be degenerate or nondegenerate. All transitions can be precisely described in terms of the generalized Sturmian systems.
Feasibility of Hepatitis B Vaccination by Microneedle Patch: Cellular and Humoral Immunity Studies in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Choi Youkyung H , Perez-Cuevas Monica B , Kodani Maja , Zhang Xiugen , Prausnitz Mark R , Kamili Saleem , O’Connor Siobhan M
Published: August 2019

Background

This study evaluated dissolvable microneedle patch (dMNP) delivery of hepatitis B vaccine in rhesus macaques and provides evidence that dMNP delivery elicits seroprotective anti-HBs levels comparable with human seroprotection, potentially useful for hepatitis B birth dose vaccination in resource-constrained regions.

Methods

Sixteen macaques were each vaccinated twice; they were treated in 4 groups, with dMNP delivery of AFV at 24 ± 8 µg (n = 4) or 48 ± 14 µg (n = 4), intramuscular injection of AFV (10 µg; n = 4), or intramuscular injection of AAV (10 µg; n = 4). Levels of antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (anti-HBs) and HBsAg-specific T-cell responses were analyzed.

Results

Six of 8 animals with dMNP delivery of AFV had anti-HBs levels ≥10 mIU/mL after the first vaccine dose. After dMNP delivery of AFV, interferon γ, interleukin 2, and interleukin 4 production by HBsAg-specific T cells was detected. A statistically significant positive correlation was detected between anti-HBs levels and cells producing HBsAg-specific interferon γ and interleukin 2 (T-helper 1–type cytokine) and interleukin 4 (T-helper 2–type cytokine) in all anti-HBs–positive animals.

Conclusions

dMNP delivery of AFV can elicit seroprotective anti-HBs levels in rhesus macaques that are correlated with human seroprotection, and it could be particularly promising for birth dose delivery of hepatitis B vaccine in resource-constrained regions.
Teaching Religion and International Relations: Disciplinary, Pedagogical, and Personal Reflections
Authors: Bettiza Gregorio , Abdelkader Deina , Buckley David T , Cesari Jocelyne , Haynes Jeffrey , Sandal Nukhet , Shani Giorgio
Published: August 2019

The study of religion and international religions has witnessed an exponential growth in recent decades. Courses and programs exploring the complex entanglements between faith and global politics have likewise mushroomed around the world. Despite this ferment, reflections on teaching religion and international relations have so far lagged behind. This forum seeks to remedy this general silence. It brings together a diverse range of scholars from a multiplicity of national, religious, methodological, and theoretical backgrounds who teach across a variety of different geographical settings including North America, Europe, and East Asia. Contributors reflect on three broad themes. First, how do we engage with the contested character of religion as a category of analysis and practice, and with the multidisciplinary nature of its study? Second, how does the context within which we operate—be it geographical, cultural, institutional, or historical—influence and shape who, what, and how we teach? Third, how do we address the important and, at times, contentious personal and ethical challenges that our research and teaching on religion and politics inevitably raises in the classroom?
Free Speech and Cheap Talk
Authors: Hemel Daniel , Porat Ariel
Published: August 2019

We present a new framework for analyzing defamation liability that serves both to clarify and complicate understandings of the law’s consequences for speakers, victims, and the marketplace of ideas. In addition to the familiar deterrence and chilling effects, we show how defamation liability can generate a “warming effect,” making statements more credible and potentially raising both the quality and quantity of speech. We also explain how a more plaintiff-friendly liability regime may exacerbate harms to defamation victims. We end by considering the possibility of “self-tailored” defamation law, with victims or speakers selecting the defamation liability regime that applies to them.
Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor of the lung: report of two cases and review of the literature
Authors: Shen Leilei , Lin Jixing , Ren Zhipeng , Wang Bailin , Zhao Kai , Lu Yunlong , Wang Fulin , Zhan Lianbin
Published: August 2019

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT) is a peripheral non-endobronchial lung nodule, consisting of ciliated columnar cells and goblet cells with basaloid cell proliferation. Only about 50 cases confirmed by surgery have been reported in English literature worldwide. We present two surgical cases of CMPT in this report. Two patients presented with abnormal computed tomography findings but no obvious symptoms. The first patient’s intraoperative frozen examination was unable to distinguish benignity from malignancy, and he received lobectomy. The other patient’s intraoperative frozen examination indicated adenocarcinoma, but she received wedge resection for her refusal to lobectomy. The two patients’ postoperative pathological analysis finally confirmed the diagnosis of CMPT. We believe that our cases may be essential for pathologists and surgeons to improve their understanding.