bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optical Properties and Color Stability of Denture Teeth—A Systematic Review
Authors: Tieh Mei Ting , Waddell John Neil , Choi Joanne Jung Eun
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To systematically review past studies to determine the effect of various solutions on the color of denture teeth, thus answering the question in regards to which type of denture teeth has the best optical properties after exposure to various solutions. The method of measuring the color of artificial teeth was also evaluated as a secondary outcome.

Materials and Methods

A search of studies that quantitatively investigated the influence of immersion solutions on the color change of denture teeth was conducted. Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus databases were searched from 1997 to April 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used during article selection. Data regarding the effect of immersion solutions, accelerated aging and surface treatments on color change were gathered. Methodologies used to assess optical properties were also summarized and compared. The modified CONSORT checklist was used to determine the risk of bias of past studied included in this review.

Results

One hundred thirty‐three studies were identified after removing duplicates. Forty‐one studies were selected for full‐text analysis, and 35 remaining papers met the inclusion criteria and were therefore included in this systematic review. Thirty‐two in vitro studies and 3 in vivo studies were included in the review. All studies reported that immersion in various solutions has a significant influence on the change in color and optical properties of denture teeth. However, the discoloration of denture teeth is still clinically acceptable in most studies. Exposure to various solutions also affected the translucency parameter of denture teeth. Most studies also investigated the surface roughness and hardness along with the optical properties, and reported that immersion cycles did not cause changes in surface roughness of denture teeth, while hardness was affected. The optical properties of PMMA denture teeth have been studied extensively, whereas that of CAD/CAM and 3D printed denture teeth is limited.

Conclusions

Color stability of CAD/CAM milled denture teeth is comparable to conventional PMMA denture teeth. There are contradictory findings in terms of color stability of 3D printed denture teeth as compared to conventional PMMA denture teeth. Staining by coffee is worst among the common beverages and solutions investigated. Denture teeth can show color changes after immersion in staining beverages as early as one week. The degree of discoloration of denture teeth after immersion is time dependent, with the larger extent in the initial phase.
Effects of on‐treatment ALT flares on serum HBsAg and HBV RNA in patients with chronic HBV infection
Authors: Choi Hannah S. J. , Sonneveld Milan J. , Farag Mina S. , Brouwer Willem P. , Brakenhoff Sylvia M. , Hirode Grishma , Gehring Adam J. , de Man Rob A. , Hansen Bettina E. , Janssen Harry L. A.
Published: September 2021

As pegylated interferon alpha (PEG‐IFN‐α) is increasingly used in combination regimens of novel drugs, we aimed to characterize ALT flares and their relationship with serum HBsAg and HBV RNA kinetics in a large combined cohort of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients on PEG‐IFN‐α‐based therapy. In this post hoc analysis of four international randomized trials, 269/130/124/128 patients on PEG‐IFN‐α monotherapy, PEG‐IFN‐α plus nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) de novo combination, PEG‐IFN‐α add‐on to NA or NA monotherapy were included, respectively. A flare was defined as an episode of ALT ≥5 × ULN. The association between flares and HBsAg and HBV RNA changes were examined. On‐treatment flares occurred in 83/651 (13%) patients (median timing/magnitude: week 8 [IQR 4–12], 7.6 × ULN [IQR 6.2–10.5]). Flare patients were more often Caucasians with genotype A/D and had higher baseline ALT, HBV DNA, HBV RNA and HBsAg levels than the no‐flare group. More flares were observed on PEG‐IFN‐α monotherapy (18%) and PEG‐IFN+NA de novo combination (24%) vs. PEG‐IFN‐α add‐on (2%) or NA monotherapy (1%) (p < .001). On‐treatment flares were significantly and independently associated with HBsAg and HBV RNA decline ≥1 log10 at the final visit declines started shortly before the flare, progressing towards 24 weeks thereafter. On‐treatment flares were seen in 16/22 (73%) patients who achieved HBsAg loss. In conclusion, ALT flares during PEG‐IFN‐α treatment are associated with subsequent HBsAg and HBV RNA decline and predict subsequent HBsAg loss. Flares rarely occurred during PEG‐IFN‐α add‐on therapy and associated with low HBsAg loss rates. Combination regimens targeting the window of heightened response could be promising.
Giant Tree Frog diversification in West and Central Africa: Isolation by physical barriers, climate, and reproductive traits
Authors: Jaynes Kyle E. , Myers Edward A. , Gvoždík Václav , Blackburn David C. , Portik Daniel M. , Greenbaum Eli , Jongsma Gregory F. M. , Rödel Mark‐Oliver , Badjedjea Gabriel , Bamba‐Kaya Abraham , Baptista Ninda L. , Akuboy Jeannot B. , Ernst Raffael , Kouete Marcel T. , Kusamba Chifundera , Masudi Franck M. , McLaughlin Patrick J. , Nneji Lotanna M. , Onadeko Abiodun B. , Penner Johannes , Vaz Pinto Pedro , Stuart Bryan L. , Tobi Elie , Zassi‐Boulou Ange‐Ghislain , Leaché Adam D. , Fujita Matthew K. , Bell Rayna C.
Published: September 2021

Secondary sympatry amongst sister lineages is strongly associated with genetic and ecological divergence. This pattern suggests that for closely related species to coexist in secondary sympatry, they must accumulate differences in traits that mediate ecological and/or reproductive isolation. Here, we characterized inter‐ and intraspecific divergence in three giant tree frog species whose distributions stretch across West and Central Africa. Using genome‐wide single‐nucleotide polymorphism data, we demonstrated that species‐level divergence coincides temporally and geographically with a period of large‐scale forest fragmentation during the late Pliocene. Our environmental niche models further supported a dynamic history of climatic suitability and stability, and indicated that all three species occupy distinct environmental niches. We found modest morphological differentiation amongst the species with significant divergence in tympanum diameter and male advertisement call. In addition, we confirmed that two species occur in secondary sympatry in Central Africa but found no evidence of hybridization. These patterns support the hypothesis that cycles of genetic exchange and isolation across West and Central Africa have contributed to globally significant biodiversity. Furthermore, divergence in both ecology and reproductive traits appear to have played important roles in maintaining distinct lineages. At the intraspecific level, we found that climatic refugia, precipitation gradients, marine incursions, and potentially riverine barriers generated phylogeographic structure throughout the Pleistocene and into the Holocene. Further studies examining phenotypic divergence and secondary contact amongst these geographically structured populations may demonstrate how smaller scale and more recent biogeographic barriers contribute to regional diversification.
Host gene expression in wildlife disease: making sense of species‐level responses
Authors: Eskew Evan A. , Fraser Devaughn , Vonhof Maarten J. , Pinsky Malin L. , Maslo Brooke
Published: September 2021

Emerging infectious diseases are significant threats to wildlife conservation, yet the impacts of pathogen exposure and infection can vary widely among host species. As such, conservation biologists and disease ecologists have increasingly aimed to understand species‐specific host susceptibility using molecular methods. In particular, comparative gene expression assays have been used to contrast the transcriptomic responses of disease‐resistant and disease‐susceptible hosts to pathogen exposure. This work usually assumes that the gene expression responses of disease‐resistant species will reveal the activation of molecular pathways contributing to host defence. However, results often show that disease‐resistant hosts undergo little gene expression change following pathogen challenge. Here, we discuss the mechanistic implications of these “null” findings and offer methodological suggestions for future molecular studies of wildlife disease. First, we highlight that muted transcriptomic responses with minimal immune system recruitment may indeed be protective for nonsusceptible hosts if they limit immunopathology and promote pathogen tolerance in systems where susceptible hosts suffer from genetic dysregulation. Second, we argue that overly narrow investigation of responses to pathogen exposure may overlook important, constitutively active molecular pathways that underlie species‐specific defences. Finally, we outline alternative study designs and approaches that complement interspecific transcriptomic comparisons, including intraspecific gene expression studies and genomic methods to detect signatures of selection. Collectively, these insights will help ecologists extract maximal information from conservation‐relevant transcriptomic data sets, leading to a deeper understanding of host defences and, ultimately, the implementation of successful conservation interventions.
KAHRP dynamically relocalizes to remodeled actin junctions and associates with knob spirals in Plasmodium falciparum‐infected erythrocytes
Authors: Sanchez Cecilia P. , Patra Pintu , Chang Shih‐Ying Scott , Karathanasis Christos , Hanebutte Lukas , Kilian Nicole , Cyrklaff Marek , Heilemann Mike , Schwarz Ulrich S. , Kudryashev Mikhail , Lanzer Michael
Published: September 2021

The knob‐associated histidine‐rich protein (KAHRP) plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of Plasmodium falciparum malaria by forming membrane protrusions in infected erythrocytes, which anchor parasite‐encoded adhesins to the membrane skeleton. The resulting sequestration of parasitized erythrocytes in the microvasculature leads to severe disease. Despite KAHRP being an important virulence factor, its physical location within the membrane skeleton is still debated, as is its function in knob formation. Here, we show by super‐resolution microscopy that KAHRP initially associates with various skeletal components, including ankyrin bridges, but eventually colocalizes with remnant actin junctions. We further present a 35 Å map of the spiral scaffold underlying knobs and show that a KAHRP‐targeting nanoprobe binds close to the spiral scaffold. Single‐molecule localization microscopy detected ~60 KAHRP molecules/knob. We propose a dynamic model of KAHRP organization and a function of KAHRP in attaching other factors to the spiral scaffold.
The α subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein regulates mesophyll CO2 conductance and drought tolerance in rice
Authors: Zait Yotam , Ferrero‐Serrano Ángel , Assmann Sarah M.
Published: September 2021

Mesophyll conductance gm determines CO2 diffusion rates from mesophyll intercellular air spaces to the chloroplasts and is an important factor limiting photosynthesis. Increasing gm in cultivated plants is a potential strategy to increase photosynthesis and intrinsic water use efficiency (WUEi). The anatomy of the leaf and metabolic factors such as aquaporins and carbonic anhydrases have been identified as important determinants of gm. However, genes involved in the regulation and modulation of gm remain largely unknown.

In this work, we investigated the role of heterotrimeric G proteins in gm and drought tolerance in rice d1 mutants, which harbor a null mutation in the Gα subunit gene, RGA1.

d1 mutants in both cv Nipponbare and cv Taichung 65 exhibited increased gm, fostering improvement in photosynthesis, WUEi, and drought tolerance compared with wild‐type. The increased surface area of mesophyll cells and chloroplasts exposed to intercellular airspaces and the reduced cell wall and chloroplast thickness in the d1 mutant are evident contributors to the increase in gm.

Our results indicate that manipulation of heterotrimeric G protein signaling has the potential to improve crop WUEi and productivity under drought.
Hsa_circ_0009128 mediates progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma by influencing MMP9
Authors: Zhang Hong , Wang Zhenhua , Zhang Zhongti
Published: September 2021

Objectives

The objective of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of an abnormally expressed circRNA (hsa_circ_0009128) in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and Methods

We conducted quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) to assess the expression of hsa_circ_0009128 in 51 paired OSCC tissues and analyzed the correlation between clinical features and aberrant expression of hsa_circ_0009128 in OSCC. CCK‐8 assays, colony formation assays, transwell assays, and wound healing assays were used to analyze the effect of hsa_circ_0009128 on cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related proteins were evaluated by Western blotting.

Results

Hsa_circ_0009128 was upregulated in both OSCC tissues and cell lines, and high hsa_circ_0009128 correlated with advanced TNM stage (p = 0.046) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.018) in OSCC patients. Knockdown of hsa_circ_0009128 inhibited cell proliferation and migration. Mechanistically, hsa_circ_0009128 downregulation decreased EMT in OSCC cells as shown by elevated levels of E‐cadherin and decreased N‐cadherin, vimentin, and MMP9.

Conclusions

The circRNA hsa_circ_0009128 correlates with malignant progression of OSCC. Hsa_circ_0009128 stimulates proliferation and migration in OSCC cells by targeting MMP9 to activate EMT.
Prepubertal retroareolar cysts
Authors: Rusiñol Lluís , Amat‐Samaranch Victoria , Baselga Eulàlia , Puig Lluís , Roé Esther
Published: September 2021

Bluish nodular mammary lesions in prepubertal girls are a challenging diagnosis. Retroareolar cysts are rare in this population, but relatively common among adolescent women. This diagnosis can be suspected clinically and ultimately confirmed by cutaneous ultrasonography, avoiding unnecessary biopsies or complex radiologic studies.
Patient‐reported outcomes and quality of life in dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa: A global cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Fulchand Shivali , Harris Nicole , Li Shufeng , Barriga Melissa , Gorell Emily , De Souza Mark , Murrell Dedee , Marinkovich M. Peter , Krishna Yenamandra Vamsi , Tang Jean Y.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is a debilitating skin condition, without curative treatment. Previous research has focused on the recessive variant, which is known to cause severe disease. Limited work focusing on the clinical manifestations and outcomes of dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa is found (DDEB).

Methods

Analysis of an online survey of 42 DDEB patients.

Results

Self‐reported severity of disease did not correlate with size of the wound or number of dressing changes, but did correlate with severity of pain reported in the last 12 months (3.4 mild vs 6.8 severe disease, P = 0.0002). Patients with severe DDEB also reported more severe internal disease symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing (62.5%, P = 0.01) and greater analgesic use during dressing changes (4.4% mild vs 81.3% severe, P = <0.001).

Discussion

Patient perception of disease severity in DDEB appears to be most impacted by pain, presence of chronic open wounds, difficulty swallowing, difficulty walking, and anal strictures. As research on DDEB increases, future studies focused on these symptoms might be the most impactful for DDEB patients. However, distinguishing DDEB from other subtypes remains a challenge.
Hydrogen sulphide and salicylic acid regulate antioxidant pathway and nutrient balance in mustard plants under cadmium stress
Authors: Kaur H. , Hussain S.J. , Al‐Huqail A. A. , Siddiqui M. H. , Al‐Huqail A. A. , Khan M. I. R.
Published: September 2021

Cadmium (Cd), a pervasive noxious heavy metal, is a key threat to agricultural system. It is rapidly translocated and has detrimental effects on plant growth and development. Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is emerging as a potential messenger molecule for modulating plant tolerance to Cd. Salicylic acid (SA), a phenolic signalling molecule, can alleviate Cd toxicity in plants.

The present study investigated the mediatory role of H2S (100 µM) and SA (0.5 mM), individually and in combination, in modulating antioxidant defence machinery and nutrient balance to impart Cd (50 µM) resistance to mustard.

Accumulation of Cd resulted in oxidative stress (TBARS and H2O2), mineral nutrient imbalance (N, P, K, Ca), decreased leaf gas exchange and PSII efficiency, ultimately reducing plant growth. Both H2S and SA independently attenuated phytotoxic effects of Cd by triggering antioxidant systems, enhancing the nutrient pool, eventually leading to improved photosynthesis and biomass of mustard plants. The positive effects were more pronounced under combined application of H2S and SA, indicating a synergistic relationship between these two signalling molecules in mitigating the detrimental effects of Cd on nutrient homeostasis and overall health of mustard, primarily by boosting antioxidant pathway.

Our findings provide new insights into H2S‐ and SA‐induced protective mechanisms in mustard plants subjected to Cd stress and suggest their combined use as a feasible strategy to confer Cd tolerance.
Light and temperature requirements for germination in the Mediterranean shrub Lavandula stoechas (Lamiaceae)
Authors: Ghaderi‐Far F. , Coşgun Z. L. , Değirmenci C. Ü. , Tüysüz İ. , Ülgen C. , Tavşanoğlu Ç.
Published: September 2021

Available studies are far from giving a complete figure for the germination requirements of many Mediterranean Basin species.

In this study, we investigated the germination properties of Lavandula stoechas L. (Lamiaceae) in response to different light and temperature regimes. We performed comprehensive experiments to test the effect of fixed and alternating temperatures, dark versus light conditions, and thermodormancy or thermoinhibition on several germination properties in three populations of L. stoechas from southwestern Turkey.

Germination patterns showed a substantial variation among populations. Germination percentage was higher in the light conditions than in the dark at most temperatures, and alternating temperatures substituted light for the germination. The requirement of L. stoechas seeds to light for germination gradually increased through lower and higher temperatures than 15 °C. High temperature (30 °C) reduced the germination percentage to zero. However, in the presence of light, seeds were able to germinate after transferring to the optimum temperature (thermoinhibition), but this was not the case in darkness (thermodormancy). Seed germination in L. stoechas was stimulated by light, suggesting that germination has a phytochrome‐mediated response.

Our study makes an inference to the fire‐environment interactions in the germination of Mediterranean seeder species by showing that both light and alternating temperatures stimulate germination in L. stoechas, a species well‐known with its fire‐related germination. Comprehensive germination studies are required for a better understanding of the early life‐stage adaptations of plants to Mediterranean conditions, and for developing more robust strategies for conservation and ecosystem restoration.
Comparing the predictive value of screening to the use of electronic health record data for detecting future suicidal thoughts and behavior in an urban pediatric emergency department: A preliminary analysis
Authors: Haroz Emily E. , Kitchen Christopher , Nestadt Paul S. , Wilcox Holly C. , DeVylder Jordan E. , Kharrazi Hadi
Published: September 2021

Aim

Brief screening and predictive modeling have garnered attention for utility at identifying individuals at risk of suicide. Although previous research has investigated these methods, little is known about how these methods compare against each other or work in combination in the pediatric population.

Methods

Patients were aged 8–18 years old who presented from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2019, to a Pediatric Emergency Department (PED). All patients were screened with the Ask Suicide Questionnaire (ASQ) as part of a universal screening approach. For all models, we used 5‐fold cross‐validation. We compared four models: Model 1 only included the ASQ; Model 2 included the ASQ and EHR data gathered at the time of ED visit (EHR data); Model 3 only included EHR data; and Model 4 included EHR data and a single item from the ASQ that asked about a lifetime history of suicide attempt. The main outcome was subsequent PED visit with suicide‐related presenting problem within a 3‐month follow‐up period.

Results

Of the N = 13,420 individuals, n = 141 had a subsequent suicide‐related PED visit. Approximately 63% identified as Black. Results showed that a model based only on EHR data (Model 3) had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.775 compared to the ASQ alone (Model 1), which had an AUC of 0.754. Combining screening and EHR data (Model 4) resulted in a 17.4% (absolute difference = 3.6%) improvement in sensitivity and 13.4% increase in AUC (absolute difference = 6.6%) compared to screening alone (Model 1).

Conclusion

Our findings show that predictive modeling based on EHR data is helpful either in the absence or as an addition to brief suicide screening. This is the first study to compare brief suicide screening to EHR‐based predictive modeling and adds to our understanding of how best to identify youth at risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in clinical care settings.
Revisiting the evolution of Ostrinia moths with phylogenomics (Pyraloidea: Crambidae: Pyraustinae)
Authors: Yang Zhaofu , Plotkin David , Landry Jean‐François , Storer Caroline , Kawahara Akito Y.
Published: September 2021

Reconstructing a robust phylogenetic framework is key to understanding the ecology and evolution of many economically important taxa. The crambid moth genus Ostrinia contains multiple agricultural pests, and its classification and phylogeny has remained controversial because of the paucity of characters and the lack of clear morphological boundaries for its species. To address these issues, we inferred a molecular phylogeny of Ostrinia using a phylogenomic dataset containing 498 loci and 115 197 nucleotide sites and examined whether traditional morphological characters corroborate our molecular results. Our results strongly support the monophyly of one of the Ostrinia species groups but surprisingly do not support the monophyly of the other two. Based on the extensive morphological examination and broadly representative taxon sampling of the phylogenomic analyses, we propose a revised classification of the genus, defined by three species groups (Ostrinia nubilalis species group, Ostrinia obumbratalis species group, and Ostrinia penitalis species group), which differs from the traditional classification of Mutuura & Munroe (1970). Morphological and molecular evidence reveal the presence of a new North American species, Ostrinia multispinosa Yang sp.n., closely related to O. obumbratalis. Our analyses indicate that the Ostrinia ancestral larval host preference was for dicots, and that O. nubilalis (European corn borer) and Ostrinia furnacalis (Asian corn borer) independently evolved a preference for feeding on monocots (i.e., maize). Males of a few Ostrinia species have enlarged, grooved midtibiae with brush organs that are known to attract females to increase mating success during courtship, which may represent a derived condition. Our study provides a strong evolutionary framework for this agriculturally important insect lineage.
An integrated phylogenetic reassessment of the parasitoid superfamily Platygastroidea (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupomorpha) results in a revised familial classification
Authors: Chen Huayan , Lahey Zachary , Talamas Elijah J. , Valerio Alejandro A. , Popovici Ovidiu A. , Musetti Luciana , Klompen Hans , Polaszek Andrew , Masner Lubomír , Austin Andrew D. , Johnson Norman F.
Published: September 2021

The superfamily Platygastroidea (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupomorpha) is a diverse group of parasitoid wasps that are parasitoids of nine orders of insects as well as spiders. They appear to show a clear pattern of host group specificity among genera. A robust phylogeny is essential for devising a stable and informative classification and understanding the pattern of the shifts to parasitize new host groups. We conducted phylogenetic analyses of Platygastroidea based on four molecular markers (18S, 28S, COI and wingless) and 119 morphological characters, and a phylogenomic analysis of a subset of taxa based on 4371 single‐copy, protein‐coding genes. The four‐gene analyses, both with and without morphological data, robustly recovered some well‐established groups, e.g., Platygastridae (in its traditional sense), Scelionini, Teleasinae and Telenominae, as well as some novel patterns of relationship. The ground‐plan host for the superfamily are the eggs of Orthoptera, with multiple shifts to attack new host groups. The phylogenomic analysis of a subset of taxa recovered a clear pattern of relationships for the backbone of the superfamily with maximal bootstrap support. Based on the combination of these two approaches, we present a revised classification for Platygastroidea and recognize the following eight families: Geoscelionidae stat.rev., Janzenellidae fam.nov., Neuroscelionidae fam.nov., Nixoniidae stat.rev., Platygastridae stat.rev., Proterosceliopsidae†, Scelionidae stat.rev. and Sparasionidae stat.rev.

This published work has been registered on ZooBank,
http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:480936B5‐3C2C‐4B6A‐B273‐10DCBF9005E9.
Factores asociados a las úlceras en miembros inferiores del paciente con enfermedad renal crónica en un centro de diálisis
Authors: Herrera Herrera Jorge Luis , Oyola López Edinson , Llorente Pérez Yolima Judith
Published: September 2021

Introducción: las personas adultas con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) tienen mayor riesgo de presentar úlceras, especialmente en las extremidades inferiores. Sin embargo, existen datos limitados sobre la prevalencia y los factores asociados. Objetivo: determinar la prevalencia de úlceras en miembros inferiores y sus factores asociados en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica que asisten a una institución de IV nivel de complejidad. Método: estudio de tipo observacional, transversal y analítico, la muestra fue de 561 participantes. Los instrumentos fueron una cha de datos sociodemográcos y de antecedentes, y el índice tobillo brazo (ITB). Resultados: los participantes fueron en su mayoría hombres (67%), con promedio de edad de 62 años; se encontró signicancia estadística (p < 0,05) entre las variables antecedente de diabetes, ITB bajo, haber tenido úlcera previa y presencia de úlcera en miembros inferiores. Conclusiones: estudiar este tipo de fenómenos en unidades de cuidado renal se convierte en una necesidad debido a la alta prevalencia y a los factores de riesgo asociados. Esto permite la planicación de estrategias encaminadas a la prevención.
Designing, Modelling and Experimental Investigation of Direct Evaporative Cooling System Coupled With Commercial Desiccant Dehumidifier
Authors: Basit Abdul , Mahmood Mariam , Waqas Adeel , Ali Majid , Khalid Waqas
Published: September 2021

With the increasing demand of clean and energy-efficient air conditioning systems, evaporative air cooling technique is gaining significant attention owing to less energy consumption and environmentally safe technology in comparison with conventional refrigerant-based air conditioners. In this study, commercial desiccant dehumidifier is coupled with experimentally developed direct evaporative cooling (DEC) system to first dehumidify the air and then pass it through DEC to achieve human thermal comfort level defined by ASHRAE standards. Under the climatic conditions of Islamabad, Pakistan, multiple experiments were carried out at different temperatures, flowrate, and relative humidity of air during November, when air temperature and relative humidity were in the range of 25–30 °C and 40–60%, respectively. To analyze the system performance under summer ambient conditions, indoor temperature was increased by 8–10 °C and relative humidity by 15–25% in laboratory. Experimental analysis showed that the system can provide human comfort level for a range of temperature 29–39.7 °C and relative humidity of 65–80% at flowrate of 180 m3/h. To achieve thermal comfort at higher humidity level, DEC is coupled with commercial desiccant dehumidifier. However, due to desiccant regeneration by an electric heater in the dehumidifier, the overall power consumption of the whole system increases up to 1.95 kW. Two well-known indices coefficient of performance (CoP) and energy efficiency ratio (EER) are used to analyze the system performance. Experimental analysis revealed that CoP decreases with the increasing specific humidity of air, decreasing ambient temperature, and flowrate.
Statistical Error Estimation Methods for Engineering-Relevant Quantities From Scale-Resolving Simulations
Authors: Bergmann Michael , Morsbach Christian , Ashcroft Graham , Kügeler Edmund
Published: September 2021

Scale-resolving simulations, such as large eddy simulations, have become affordable tools to investigate the flow in turbomachinery components. The resulting time-resolved flow field is typically analyzed using first- and second-order statistical moments. However, two sources of uncertainty are present when statistical moments from scale-resolving simulations are computed: the influence of initial transients and statistical errors due to the finite number of samples. In this paper, both are systematically analyzed for several quantities of engineering interest using time series from a long-time large eddy simulation of the low-pressure turbine cascade T106C. A set of statistical tools to either remove or quantify these sources of uncertainty is assessed. First, the Marginal Standard Error Rule is used to detect the end of the initial transient. The method is validated for integral and local quantities and guidelines on how to handle spatially varying initial transients are formulated. With the initial transient reliably removed, the statistical error is estimated based on standard error relations considering correlations in the time series. The resulting confidence intervals are carefully verified for quantities of engineering interest utilizing cumulative and simple moving averages. Furthermore, the influence of periodic content from large scale vortex shedding on the error estimation is studied. Based on the confidence intervals, the required averaging interval to reduce the statistical uncertainty to a specific level is indicated for each considered quantity.
Novel Focal Sweep Strategy for Optical Aerothermal Measurements of Film-Cooled Gas Turbine Blades With Highly Inclined Viewing Angle
Authors: Shao Hongyi , Zhang Xu , Peng Di , Liu Yingzheng , Zhou Wenwu , Chen Wenbin , He Yihong , Zeng Fei
Published: September 2021

The viewing angle for optical aerothermal measurements on turbine surfaces is often limited by the turbine structure, requiring the optical system to have a large depth of field (DoF). Although the DoF can be increased by decreasing the lens aperture, this approach is impractical as a large aperture is essential to maintain an acceptable signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). To solve these problems in the optical aerothermal measurements of film-cooled gas turbine blades, an approach combining the focal-sweep method and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction is proposed. The focal-sweep method is used to obtain all-in-focus images at an inclined viewing angle, following which the two-dimensional image is restored through 3D reconstruction. Thus, 3D point clouds with both a large DoF and high SNR can be produced. The developed method was validated via flat-plate film cooling experiments using pressure-sensitive paint at three blowing ratios of 0.4, 0.8, and 1.2, as well as three viewing angles. The measured adiabatic effectiveness contours demonstrate that the proposed method can produce all-in-focus measurements at highly inclined viewing angles, albeit at the price of slightly higher noise. In flat-plate experiments, the maximum relative difference is measured to be 6% between results obtained by conventional method at normal view and the proposed method at highly inclined view. Furthermore, the proposed method was applied to the turbine blade cascade film cooling experiment at a highly inclined viewing angle, and successfully reconstructed the 3D point cloud of the cooling effectiveness at the curved turbine blade surface.
Generation of Synthetic Sonic Slowness Logs From Real-Time Drilling Sensors Using Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Abdulraheem Abdulazeez
Published: September 2021

The acoustic data in terms of compressional and shear wave velocity provide important petrophysical information about the rock. The sonic data are a significant input that is commonly used for deriving geomechanical parameters. Understanding the geomechanical properties of reservoir rock is essential during the drilling, development, production, and stimulation of an oil or gas reservoir. Among them, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio are the most important elastic parameters. These properties are usually estimated from bulk density, compressional, and shear wave velocity log data. Sonic data acquisition is usually achieved through dipole sonic imager log or laboratory testing on core samples which is costly and time-consuming. Acquiring sonic data from wireline logs is not a feasible approach all the time, as the wireline log, specially shear-wave log, may not be recorded for every well. However, drilling data are available in real-time for every well using real-time drilling sensors. The main objective of this paper is to predict sonic slowness logs in real-time based on the drilling data using artificial neural network (ANN). The data used in this study were recorded during the drilling of 12¼″ hole sections from two wells. Many formations of different lithology were penetrated while drilling these sections of over 3000 ft vertical interval. The drilling and sonic data sets were recorded and preprocessed before using them for the ANN model. About 2900 data points from the first well were used for building and testing the model. The input parameters included weight on bit (WOB), torque (T), standpipe pressure (SPP), pipe speed (PS), rate of penetration (ROP), and mud flowrate (Q). Another data set of 2000 data points from the second well that was drilled in the same field was used to validate the model. The predictions were compared with sonic logs that were obtained after the drilling operation, and the results appear to be highly promising for future applications. The sonic slowness ANN models showed high accuracy for the model building (training and testing). Validation of these models was carried out using an unseen data set. The results using the validation data set for the compressional slowness model yielded a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.983 and average absolute percentage error (AAPE) of less than 1.25%. For the shear slowness model, R2 was higher than 0.994 and AAPE less than 1.175%. The study offers empirical correlations that can be utilized to estimate the sonic slowness logs by engineers without the need to employ ANN software. The new shear slowness correlation was compared with other widely used correlations and the results showed high accuracy.
Pressure-Based Energy Storage in Natural Gas Transmission Networks: Proof-of-Concept Analysis
Authors: Kostowski Wojciech , Majchrzyk Michał , Kołodziej Katarzyna
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the possibility of energy storage in natural gas transmission networks using two strategies. Proof-of-concept calculations were performed under a steady-state assumption, and the more promising option was additionally modeled in a transient approach. The first strategy is based on a dedicated compressor–expander system installed at two ends of a pipeline. An electric-driven compressor increases the gas pressure in periods of peak electricity generation, while a gas expander allows energy recovery at a later stage. The compressor–expander distance determined by the inlet flow velocity of 5 m/s and a 4–5 h time shift ranges from approx. 75 to 120 km. The system provides a synergy effect, which allows to exceed 100% storage efficiency by reducing transmission losses. Storage efficiency obtained from the simplified model ranges from 70% to 128% for the performed case study. The second option uses existing compressors and pressure letdown stations expanding the gas to the distribution pressure. Here, gas pre-heating required prior to the expansion reduces the storage efficiency to about 30–40%. The dedicated machinery option was also evaluated using a transient model, which reports a lower efficiency if applied to the same assumptions. The system redesigned with the transient model is characterized by a longer storage duration (about 12 h) and a promising efficiency of 103.5%. Further research is needed to find the optimum design system parameters and to solve the detected problem of simultaneous compressor–expander operation which introduces idle work to the designed system.
1T′-MoTe2 and 2H-MoTe2 by XPS
Authors: Shallenberger Jeffrey R. , Katzbaer Rowan R. , Mao Zhiqiang
Published: September 2021

Two different phases of the transition-metal dichalcogenide and molybdenum ditelluride (1T′-MoTe2 and 2H-MoTe2) were grown by chemical vapor transport. Oxygen-free surfaces were generated by exfoliation in air and then analyzed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. High-resolution core and valence and Auger spectra were acquired for both materials including Te 3d, Te 4d, Te MNN, Mo 3d, and valence band spectra. Differences in Te 3d and Mo 3d peak positions that were previously reported were confirmed, and asymmetry on the metallic 1T′-phase was documented in the Te 3d, Te 4d, and Mo 3d spectra that could prove useful in identifying mixtures of these materials.
Self and mutual radiation impedances between translated spheroids. Application to parallel disks
Authors: Bensoam Joël , Aussal Matthieu
Published: September 2021

This article derives the radiation impedance for two parallel pistons in two different configurations: baffled and unbaffled. For the former, the cylindrical system of coordinates is adapted to compute the self and mutual impedance of a piston between perfectly rigid infinite parallel planes. For the latter, spheroidal coordinates are used and declined for the case of two disks in free-space. The formulae for Green's function that respects Neumann boundary conditions are established in both configurations in order to compute the pressure field using the Huygens-Fresnel principle. Contrasting with the radiation impedance obtained for one single radiator, both systems exhibit resonant frequencies. The result of this study, validated in each case by a numerical method, can be used to predict the acoustic interaction of two vibrating systems for which their radiation surfaces are facing each other.
Long Terminal Repeat Retrotransposon
Afut4
Promotes Azole Resistance of Aspergillus fumigatus by Enhancing the Expression of
sac1
Gene
Authors: Hu Mandong , Li Zongwei , Li Dingchen , Zhao Jingya , Chen Yong , Wang Zelei , Chen Fangyan , Han Li
Published: September 2021

Aspergillus fumigatus
causes a series of invasive diseases, including the high-mortality invasive aspergillosis, and has been a serious global health threat because of its increased resistance to the first-line clinical triazoles. We analyzed the whole-genome sequence of 15
A. fumigatus
strains from China and found that long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs), including
Afut1
,
Afut2, Afut3,
and
Afut4
, are most common and have the largest total nucleotide length among all transposable elements in
A. fumigatus
.
The Antimicrobial Peptide MK58911-NH
2
Acts on Planktonic, Biofilm, and Intramacrophage Cells of Cryptococcus neoformans
Authors: Singulani Junya de Lacorte , Oliveira Lariane Teodoro , Ramos Marina Dorisse , Fregonezi Nathália Ferreira , Gomes Paulo César , Galeane Mariana Cristina , Palma Mario Sergio , Fusco Almeida Ana Marisa , Mendes Giannini Maria José Soares
Published: September 2021

Cryptococcosis is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality, especially in AIDS patients. Its treatment is carried out by combining amphotericin B and azoles or flucytosine, which causes unavoidable toxicity issues in the host.
Simultaneous Exposure to Intracellular and Extracellular Photosensitizers for the Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Infections
Authors: Drury Sydney L. , Miller Anderson R. , Laut Clare L. , Walter Alec B. , Bennett Monique R. , Su Meng , Bai Mingfeng , Jing Bingwen , Joseph Scott B. , Metzger Edward J. , Bane Charles E. , Black Chad C. , Macdonald Mary T. , Dutter Brendan F. , Romaine Ian M. , Waterson Alex G. , Sulikowski Gary A. , Jansen E. Duco , Crowe James E. , Sciotti Richard J. , Skaar Eric P.
Published: September 2021

Staphylococcus aureus
is a serious threat to public health due to the rise of antibiotic resistance in this organism, which can prolong or exacerbate skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). Methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
is a Gram-positive bacterium and a leading cause of SSTIs.
Interactions of Polymyxin B in Combination with Aztreonam, Minocycline, Meropenem, and Rifampin against Escherichia coli Producing NDM and OXA-48-Group Carbapenemases
Authors: Olsson Anna , Hong Marcus , Al-Farsi Hissa , Giske Christian G. , Lagerbäck Pernilla , Tängdén Thomas
Published: September 2021

Carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacterales
pose an increasing medical threat. Combination therapy is often used for severe infections; however, there is little evidence supporting the optimal selection of drugs. This study aimed to determine the
in vitro
effects of polymyxin B combinations against carbapenemase-producing
Escherichia coli
. The interactions of polymyxin B in combination with aztreonam, meropenem, minocycline or rifampin against 20 clinical isolates of NDM and OXA-48-group-producing
E. coli
were evaluated using time-lapse microscopy; 24-h samples were spotted on plates with and without 4× MIC polymyxin B for viable counts. Whole-genome sequencing was applied to identify resistance genes and mutations. Finally, potential associations between combination effects and bacterial genotypes were assessed using Fisher's exact test. Synergistic and bactericidal effects were observed with polymyxin B and minocycline against 11/20 strains and with polymyxin B and rifampin against 9/20 strains. The combinations of polymyxin B and aztreonam or meropenem showed synergy against 2/20 strains. Negligible resistance development against polymyxin B was detected. Synergy with polymyxin B and minocycline was associated with genes involved in efflux (presence of
tet[B]
, wild type
soxR
and the
marB
mutation H44Q) and lipopolysaccharide synthesis (
eptA
C27Y,
lpxB
mutations and
lpxK
L323S). Synergy with polymyxin B and rifampin was associated with sequence variations in
arnT
, which plays a role in lipid A modification. Polymyxin B in combination with minocycline or rifampin frequently showed positive interactions against NDM- and OXA-48-group-producing
E. coli
. Synergy was associated with genes encoding efflux and components of the bacterial outer membrane.
Graves’ disease in a patient with Down syndrome: a shift from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism
Authors: Costa Sara Todo Bom , Albino Vanessa , Peres Ana , Ferreira Patrícia
Published: September 2021

Down syndrome (DS) is associated with an increased risk of multisystemic dysfunction, namely endocrine abnormalities. Thyroid dysfunction is the most common endocrinological disorder, and it can manifest as either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. A 16-year-old patient with DS developed hyperthyroidism after a lifetime of alternating between subclinical hypothyroidism and euthyroidism. He presented new onset weight loss, agitation and diarrhoea. Laboratory studies were compatible with hyperthyroidism. Thyroid receptor antibodies (TRAbs) were positive, antithyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies were negative. Antithyroid medication (methimazole) was prescribed and, despite therapy adjustments, laboratory evaluation revealed new onset hypothyroidism with persistently positive TRAbs. He experienced weight gain and remained in a hypothyroid state even with withdrawal of methimazole and administration of levothyroxine. This case illustrates an example of Graves’ disease with coexisting stimulating and inhibiting TRAbs that led to a shift from hyperthyroidism to hypothyroidism, a rare condition in patients with DS.
Annular cervical detachment during caesarean section
Authors: Bahadur Anupama , Ravi Anoosha K , Rajput Rashmi , Mundhra Rajlaxmi
Published: September 2021

Annular cervical detachment is a rare complication mostly associated with prolonged labour and the resultant vascular impairment. Although a remote possibility, such a complication is not unheard of with caesarean section. Here is one such case of annular detachment of cervix during caesarean section due to difficult delivery of fetus which was managed by repair of cut edges.
Predicting the immediate impact of national lockdown on neovascular age-related macular degeneration and associated visual morbidity: an INSIGHT Health Data Research Hub for Eye Health report
Authors: Mollan Susan P , Fu Dun Jack , Chuo Ching-Yi , Gannon Jacqueline G , Lee Wen Hwa , Hopkins J Jill , Hughes Cian , Denniston Alastair K , Keane Pearse A , Cantrell Ronald
Published: September 2021

Objective

Predicting the impact of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) service disruption on visual outcomes following national lockdown in the UK to contain SARS-CoV-2.

Methods and analysis

This retrospective cohort study includes deidentified data from 2229 UK patients from the INSIGHT Health Data Research digital hub. We forecasted the number of treatment-naïve nAMD patients requiring anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) initiation during UK lockdown (16 March 2020 through 31 July 2020) at Moorfields Eye Hospital (MEH) and University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB). Best-measured visual acuity (VA) changes without anti-VEGF therapy were predicted using post hoc analysis of Minimally Classic/Occult Trial of the Anti-VEGF Antibody Ranibizumab in the Treatment of Neovascular AMD trial sham-control arm data (n=238).

Results

At our centres, 376 patients were predicted to require anti-VEGF initiation during lockdown (MEH: 325; UHB: 51). Without treatment, mean VA was projected to decline after 12 months. The proportion of eyes in the MEH cohort predicted to maintain the key positive visual outcome of ≥70 ETDRS letters (Snellen equivalent 6/12) fell from 25.5% at baseline to 5.8% at 12 months (UHB: 9.8%–7.8%). Similarly, eyes with VA <25 ETDRS letters (6/96) were predicted to increase from 4.3% to 14.2% at MEH (UHB: 5.9%–7.8%) after 12 months without treatment.

Conclusions

Here, we demonstrate how combining data from a recently founded national digital health data repository with historical industry-funded clinical trial data can enhance predictive modelling in nAMD. The demonstrated detrimental effects of prolonged treatment delay should incentivise healthcare providers to support nAMD patients accessing care in safe environments.

Trial registration number

NCT00056836.