bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NLRP3 inflammasome mediates M1 macrophage polarization and IL‐1β production in inflammatory root resorption
Authors: Zhang Jie , Liu Xinqiang , Wan Chunyan , Liu Yang , Wang Yaqi , Meng Chenda , Zhang Yipeng , Jiang Chunmiao
Published: January 2020

Aims

To explore the involvement of NOD‐like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and M1 macrophage in root resorption (RR).

Methods

A rat RR model was established by excessive orthodontic force. After different force‐loading time, the expression levels of NLRP3, caspase‐1, and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and distribution of M1 macrophages were analysed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining in vivo. Then, the mechanism of NLRP3 activation was further verified by macrophage and human periodontal ligament cell (hPDLC) co‐culture system in vitro. The production levels of NLRP3, caspase‐1, pro‐caspase‐1, and IL‐1β in M1 macrophages in the co‐culture system were detected by Western blot, and the polarization of CD68+IL‐1β+ M1 macrophages was detected by immunofluorescence staining.

Results

In the rat RR model, NLRP3, caspase‐1, IL‐1β, and M1 macrophages were expressed in periodontal ligament, mainly concentrated around RR areas. Force‐pre‐treated hPDLCs promoted M1 macrophage polarization and the production of NLRP3, caspase‐1, and IL‐1β in M1 macrophages in co‐culture system. When MCC950, an inhibitor of NLRP3 inflammasome, was added, NLRP3 activation and M1 macrophage polarization were inhibited.

Conclusions

In periodontal tissues, hPDLCs stimulated by force promoted M1 macrophage polarization and increased IL‐1β production by activating NLRP3 inflammasome in M1 macrophages, thus initiating the occurrence of RR.
Long‐term outcomes of osteotome sinus floor elevation with or without bone grafting: The 10‐year results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Qian Shu‐jiao , Mo Jia‐ji , Si Mi-si , Qiao Shi‐chong , Shi Jun‐yu , Lai Hong‐chang
Published: January 2020

Aims

To assess the long‐term clinical and radiographic results of implants placed using osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) with or without bone grafting.

Materials and methods

Forty‐five patients were randomly assigned into two groups: Group 1 (OSFE with deproteinized bovine bone mineral) and Group 2 (OSFE without grafting). The patients were recalled at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years after surgery. The implant survival, endo‐sinus bone gain (ESBG), marginal bone loss (MBL), peri‐implant bone height (PBH, distance from the most coronal level to the most apical level of bone‐to‐implant contact), prosthesis survival and hardware complications, and peri‐implant soft tissue conditions were assessed.

Results

Forty patients attended the 10‐year examination. Mean residual bone height was 4.58 ± 1.28 mm. The 10‐year cumulative survival rate was 90.7% for Group 1 and 95.0% for Group 2. The PBH was 5.89 ± 1.24 mm for Group 1 and 5.74 ± 1.43 mm for Group 2 at 10 years. The ESBG of both groups remained stable after 3 years. Two‐thirds of the implants were free of hardware complications. No significant differences in MBL and peri‐implant tissue parameters were found.

Conclusion

OSFE with or without grafting both yielded predictable clinical outcomes with similar PBH (ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT01619956).
Financial contracts as coordination device
Authors: Le Coq Chloé , Schwenen Sebastian
Published: January 2020

We study the use of financial contracts as bid‐coordinating device in multi‐unit uniform price auctions. Coordination is required whenever firms face a volunteer's dilemma in pricing strategies: one firm (the “volunteer") is needed to increase the market clearing price. Volunteering, however, is costly, as inframarginal suppliers sell their entire capacity whereas the volunteer only sells residual demand. We identify conditions under which signing financial contracts solves this dilemma. We test our framework exploiting data on contract positions by large producers in the New York power market. Using a Monte Carlo simulation, we show that the contracting strategy is payoff dominant and provide estimates of the benefits of such strategy.
Edible insect protein for food applications: Extraction, composition, and functional properties
Authors: Mintah Benjamin K. , He Ronghai , Agyekum Akwasi A. , Dabbour Mokhtar , Golly Moses K. , Ma Haile
Published: January 2020

This study sought to establish an optimized procedure for extraction of protein from microwave‐dried larvae of an edible insect,Hermetia illucens(HIL), and to determine and compare the amino acid (AA) component, intrinsic fluorescence (IF), and physicochemical/functional properties (PFPs) of protein isolates. Box–Behnken's design with the Box–Wilson methodology was applied in the optimization process. Following single‐factor investigations, the relational analysis indicated that the polynomial model could be used to illustrate the influence of extraction parameters on protein yield. Response–surface plots showed that extraction variables influenced (p< .05) protein yield of HIL. The optimized extraction (optimized protocol [OP]) conditions with highest yield (64.44%) were time—59.43 min, alkaline solution to sample ratio—24.85:1.00, and temperature—52.23°C. The protein extract obtained using the OP, compared with a modified protocol (MP) (with conditions: 60 min, 15:1 alkaline solution to sample ratio, and 40°C) showed content of 80.42 ± 0.90% and 76.91 ± 0.91%, respectively (p< .05). The AA‐scores were above that recommended by FAO. Variations existed between OP and MP extracts regarding PFPs, consistent with IF/AA‐values. The optimized extraction process was feasible, and the functional properties of HIL protein could be enhanced/modified for different food formulations.

Practical applications

Hermetia illucens(HIL), an edible insect rich in protein, is one most promising insect species for food applications with extra benefits to the environment. Consumption, however, is limited by many due to association of insects to vermin/dirt. The need to increase consumption globally is paramount, as there is high demand on the already scarce protein sources available worldwide. Extracting the constituents of edible insects for novel/food applications is a promising approach to upturn global consumption in the next 2–3 decades where humans may rely on insect protein. The success of scale‐up processing in this regard depends on process conditions for better yields. Therefore, determining an optimized technique for extraction of protein from HIL larvae was investigated as well as physicochemical/technofunctional properties, and fluorescence attribute. The extraction approach was feasible and the outcome of the study may benefit industry in extraction and/or modification of edible insect protein in novel applications.
Long‐term outcomes of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease and the risk factors for mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma in a Japanese population
Authors: Kogiso Tomomi , Sagawa Takaomi , Kodama Kazuhisa , Taniai Makiko , Hashimoto Etsuko , Tokushige Katsutoshi
Published: January 2020

Background and Aim

The incidence of mortality and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been reported, but the long‐term outcomes of Japanese patients with NAFLD are not fully evaluated.

Methods

We enrolled 365 Japanese patients with biopsy‐confirmed NAFLD (1990–2008) followed for ≥ 6 months: 185 males (50.7%); median age (54 years); advanced fibrosis 108 (29.8%); HCC, n = 26 (7.1%); diabetes, n = 191 (52.3%); dyslipidemia, n = 234 (64.1%); and hypertension, n = 193 (52.9%). We analyzed the survival and new‐onset HCC rates for hepatic fibrosis as well as complications and the treatment of lifestyle‐related diseases.

Results

During the median 7.1‐year follow‐up, 44 patients (12.1%) died: n = 28 liver‐related (10 years liver‐related death, 9.4%) and n = 16 non‐liver‐related deaths (10 years non‐liver‐related death, 4.9%). Both incidence rates were significantly higher in the advanced fibrosis group. The incidence of HCC at 10 years was 20.1% in the advanced fibrosis group, and the mortality was increased in patients with higher age, history of HCC, lower seru\m level of albumin, higher level of γ‐glutamyltransferase, and insulin treatment for diabetes. Risk factors for HCC onset were higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride and hypertension treatment. Platelet count < 11.5 × 104/μL was revealed as a risk factor for death and HCC development.

Conclusions

The rates of both liver‐related and non‐liver‐related deaths and HCC development were significantly prominent in the patients with advanced fibrosis. It is important to identify and treat NAFLD patients who have several risk factors and advanced fibrosis, which might be predicable simply by the platelet count.
Sustained virologic response by direct‐acting antivirals suppresses skeletal muscle loss in hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Endo Kei , Sato Takuro , Suzuki Akiko , Yoshida Yuichi , Kakisaka Keisuke , Miyasaka Akio , Takikawa Yasuhiro
Published: January 2020

Background and Aim

Although chronic liver disease is associated with secondary sarcopenia, the effect of primary disease treatment (hepatitis C virus elimination) on the skeletal muscle is unclear. This study aimed to determine the effect of a sustained virologic response at 24 weeks following direct‐acting antiviral therapy on the skeletal muscle in hepatitis C virus‐infected patients.

Methods

Hepatitis C virus‐infected patients treated with direct‐acting antivirals between 2014 and 2017 in our hospital were included. We evaluated the skeletal muscle index and intramuscular adipose tissue content at the third lumbar vertebra on abdominal computed tomography and compared the rate of change in the skeletal muscle index per year and intramuscular adipose tissue content per year before and after direct‐acting antiviral treatment.

Results

Ninety‐two patients participated. At sustained virologic response at 24 weeks, liver test results, including fibrosis marker levels, were significantly improved compared to those before direct‐acting antiviral treatment. Skeletal muscle index measured before direct‐acting antiviral treatment initiation was significantly lower than that at the first computed tomography scan. However, no significant change was found between the skeletal muscle index at the second computed tomography scan and final follow up. The rate of change in skeletal muscle index measured after direct‐acting antiviral treatment was significantly higher than that before direct‐acting antiviral treatment (−0.07 vs −0.99% per year). There was no significant difference between the change in intramuscular adipose tissue content before and after direct‐acting antiviral treatment.

Conclusions

Viral eradication by direct‐acting antiviral treatment improved the liver function and suppressed skeletal muscle loss in hepatitis C virus‐infected patients.
Postmenopausal Breast Cancer and Physical Function Change: A Difference‐in‐Differences Analysis
Authors: Michael Yvonne L. , Wu Chengyi , Pan Kathy , Seguin‐Fowler Rebecca A. , Garcia David O. , Zaslavsky Oleg , Chlebowski Rowan T.
Published: January 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

While breast cancer and associated therapies can influence physical function (PF), findings for breast cancer's effects on PF among postmenopausal women are not consistent. This research evaluates the effect of breast cancer on change in PF.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort study analyzed using difference‐in‐differences (DID) method to compare the changes in PF over time between women with and without breast cancer, by invasive status, stage, and age.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Women's Health Initiative participants, aged 50 to 79 years at baseline, with four completed functional status assessments were eligible for inclusion (mean age = 62.1 ± 6.9 years). Women with breast cancer diagnosed between the 3rd and 11th enrollment year (n = 1636) were compared to women without breast cancer (n = 35 660).

MEASUREMENTS

PF was measured using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 at baseline and years 3, 11, and 12.

RESULTS

Compared with women without breast cancer, women with breast cancer experienced greater PF decline (P < .0001), after adjustment for age, race, education, income, study/trial arm, and body mass index. Overall, functional declines were greatest among women with invasive breast cancer (DID = −4.87; 95% confidence interval = −7.12 to −2.62). In stratified analyses, the breast cancer effect on PF was greater among women in older age groups.

CONCLUSION

Women diagnosed with breast cancer experienced a significant decline in PF beyond what is observed in typical aging in this cohort. To optimally address survivorship issues, disease sequelae need to be distinguished from normal aging in studies incorporating a cancer‐free comparison group. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:1029–1036, 2020
Mutational analysis of BFSP1, CRYBB1, GALK1, and GJA8 in captive‐bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops)
Authors: Ngqaneka Thobile , Khoza Sanele , Magwebu Zandisiwe E. , Chauke Chesa G.
Published: January 2020

Background

Congenital cataract has been reported in a colony of captive‐bred vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops).

Methods

Molecular tools such as genotyping and gene expression were used to identify mutations associated with congenital cataract in this vervet colony. Beaded filament structural protein 1 (BFSP1), beta‐crystallin B1 (CRYBB1), galactokinase1 (GALK1), and gap junction alpha‐8 protein (GJA8) were screened, sequenced, and analyzed for mutations in 24 vervet monkeys (control and cataract).

Results

Five missense sequence variants were identified (V147E, A167P, L212F, N55K, and T247A), three of which were found to be potentially disease‐causing. Furthermore, downregulation was observed in BFSP1, CRYBB1, and GALK1 genes.

Conclusion

This study reports two cases of incomplete penetrance and/or uniparental disomy (L212F and T247A) in BSFP1. Mutations in BSFP1 together with three mutations in GALK1 and GJA8 were predicted to be disease‐causing.
Regulation of bile acid metabolism in biliary atresia: reduction of FGF19 by Kasai portoenterostomy and possible relation to early outcome
Authors: Johansson H. , Svensson J. F. , Almström M. , Van Hul N. , Rudling M. , Angelin B. , Nowak G. , Fischler B. , Ellis E.
Published: January 2020

Background

Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is produced in the small intestine and is involved in suppression of hepatic bile acid (BA) synthesis. FGF19 is also expressed in the liver and serum levels are elevated in adults with cholestatic liver disease. This may reflect a rescue mechanism to dampen liver injury caused by increased intrahepatic BAs.

Objectives

To examine circulating FGF19 at early stages of biliary atresia and at short‐term follow‐up post‐Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) in relation to noncholestatic infants. The relationship between FGF19, BAs and markers for BA synthesis and hepatic gene expression of factors involved in BA metabolism were also evaluated.

Methods

Liver tissue, portal and peripheral blood samples were obtained from fifteen patients at KPE; additional blood was collected 4–6 months after surgery. Two control groups were included; to examine possible changes related to surgery and to compare FGF19 in biliary atresia to noncholestatic infants.

Results

Circulating FGF19 levels correlated to its hepatic gene expression at time of KPE in biliary atresia and levels were elevated compared to noncholestatic infants. At follow‐up, FGF19 levels were markedly reduced, and the decline coincided with reductions in bilirubin and conjugated chenodeoxycholic acid and with increased levels of the BA synthesis marker C4.

Conclusion

Elevated circulating FGF19 in biliary atresia is of hepatic origin and reduced following KPE. Changes in serum FGF19 may reflect the level of restoration of the enterohepatic circulation, and this warrants further long‐term studies on the role of FGF19 in the cholestatic liver.
Dietary thymol supplementation promotes skeletal muscle fibre type switch in longissimus dorsi of finishing pigs
Authors: Luo Pei , Luo Lv , Zhao Weijie , Wang Leshan , Sun Lijuan , Wu Hanyu , Li Yongxiang , Zhang Ruixue , Shu Gang , Wang Songbo , Gao Ping , Zhu Xiaotong , Xi Qianyun , Zhang Yongliang , Wang Lina , Jiang Qingyan
Published: January 2020

As one of the key points related to meat quality, skeletal muscle fibre type is determined by energy metabolism and genetic factors, but its transformation could be also greatly influenced by many factors. Thymol, the primary effective ingredients of thyme, is well known for its anti‐oxidation and anti‐inflammatory, while little is known about its effect on skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism and fibre type switch. Therefore, in order to investigate its effects and possibility to be applied in livestock production, 36 150‐day‐old fattening Pigs were fed with different diet for six‐week experiment. As a result, the drip loss ratio of longissimus dorsi (LD) was significantly reduced (p < .05). Oxidative metabolism‐related enzyme activity, the mRNA levels and protein expression of COX5B and PGC1α, mRNA level of myosin heavy chain I (MyHC I) and protein level of MyHC IIa were significantly upregulated (p < .05). While compared with control group, the protein expression of MyHC IIb was significantly decreased (p < .05). The result revealed that thymol could promote the oxidative metabolism in the muscle of pigs and improve the meat quality to a certain extent.
The Significance of Contingency and Detours in Hans Blumenberg’s Philosophical Anthropology
Authors: Simpson Justin
Published: January 2020

Although time was a predominate theme in Continental philosophy for the first half of the twentieth century, philosophical attention has increasingly shifted to space. This paper contributes to the phenomenology of space through Hans Blumenberg’s philosophical anthropology. Blumenberg elucidates the significance of phenomenological distance for the contingent existence of humans. Spanning from the experience of early human ancestors to history and epistemology, Blumenberg’s work reveals how contingency pervades human existence. Blumenberg understands names, myths, rhetoric, and metaphors as cultural techniques that function as means of self‐preservation by distancing an overwhelming and disorienting reality and managing the felt contingency of human existence. Developing upon Blumenberg’s insights into human contingency and distance, the paper argues that detours offer a way to address the contemporary, existential issues posed by the increasing rate of technological change and environmental problems.
MYXO‐CTERM sorting tag directs proteins to the cell surface via the type II secretion system
Authors: Sah Govind Prasad , Cao Pengbo , Wall Daniel
Published: January 2020

Cells interact with their surrounding environment through surface proteins. However, knowledge gaps remain in understanding how these important types of proteins are transported and anchored on the cell surface. In the Gram‐negative social bacterium, Myxococcus xanthus, a putative C‐terminal sorting tag (MYXO‐CTERM) is predicted to help direct 34 different proteins onto the cell surface. Here we investigate the sorting pathway for MYXO‐CTERM proteins by using the TraA cell surface receptor as a paradigm. Deleting this motif from TraA abolishes the cell surface anchoring and results in extracellular secretion. Our findings indicate that conserved cysteines within the MYXO‐CTERM are posttranslationally modified and are required for TraA cell surface localization and function. A region immediately upstream of these residues is predicted to be disordered and removing this motif caused a secretion defect and blocked cell surface anchoring. We further show that the type II secretion system is required for translocation across the outer membrane and that a cysteine‐rich region directs TraA to the T2SS. Similar results were found with another MYXO‐CTERM protein indicating our findings can be generalized. Further, we show the universal distribution of MXYO‐CTERM motif across the Myxococcales order and provide a working model for sorting of these proteins.
Intra‐strain biological and epidemiological characterization of plum pox virus
Authors: Maejima Kensaku , Hashimoto Masayoshi , Hagiwara‐Komoda Yuka , Miyazaki Akio , Nishikawa Masanobu , Tokuda Ryosuke , Kumita Kohei , Maruyama Noriko , Namba Shigetou , Yamaji Yasuyuki
Published: January 2020

Plum pox virus (PPV) is one of the most important plant viruses causing serious economic losses. Thus far, strain typing based on the definition of 10 monophyletic strains with partially differentiable biological properties has been the sole approach used for epidemiological characterization of PPV. However, elucidating the genetic determinants underlying intra‐strain biological variation among populations or isolates remains a relevant but unexamined aspect of the epidemiology of the virus. In this study, based on complete nucleotide sequence information of 210 Japanese and 47 non‐Japanese isolates of the PPV‐Dideron (D) strain, we identified five positively selected sites in the PPV‐D genome. Among them, molecular studies showed that amino acid substitutions at position 2,635 in viral replicase correlate with viral titre and competitiveness at the systemic level, suggesting that amino acid position 2,635 is involved in aphid transmission efficiency and symptom severity. Estimation of ancestral genome sequences indicated that substitutions at amino acid position 2,635 were reversible and peculiar to one of two genetically distinct PPV‐D populations in Japan. The reversible amino acid evolution probably contributes to the dissemination of the virus population. This study provides the first genomic insight into the evolutionary epidemiology of PPV based on intra‐strain biological variation ascribed to positive selection.
Risk sensitivity in Beverton–Holt fishery with multiplicative harvest
Authors: Filar Jerzy A. , Qiao Zhihao , Streipert Sabrina
Published: January 2020

We present a steady‐state threshold risk analysis framework for exploited populations following the Beverton–Holt recurrence. The Beverton–Holt model is widely applied in the assessment of species biomass and fitted to experimental data to obtain a suitable range of parameter values. To account for the uncertainty in these parameter values, such as the growth rate, we analyze the probability of the steady‐state harvested population falling below a critical threshold. More precisely, the Beverton–Holt equation with constant multiplicative survival, constant carrying capacity, and constant growth rate is considered. Under the assumption of a stochastic distributed proliferation rate, we analyze the risk of the steady‐state population falling below a specified threshold, under constant harvest. We demonstrate a characteristic sensitivity property of that risk, that we refer to as “instability wedge,” in the parameter space. We continue the study by assuming a 2‐periodic carrying capacity, representing seasonal changes in the population's environment. Again, we demonstrate the risk sensitivity phenomenon. Although the growth rate was chosen to have a uniform distribution in presented examples, the framework extends to other probability distributions.
Heterogeneity of Streptococcus anginosus ß‐hemolysis in relation to CRISPR/Cas
Authors: Bauer Richard , Neffgen Nathalie , Grempels Aline , Furitsch Martina , Mauerer Stefanie , Barbaqadze Salome , Haase Gerhard , Kestler Hans , Spellerberg Barbara
Published: January 2020

Streptococcus anginosus is a commensal of the oral mucosa that can cause severe invasive infections. A considerable proportion of Streptococcus anginosus strains are ß‐hemolytic due to the presence of an SLS‐like gene cluster. However, the majority of strains do not display ß‐hemolysis. To investigate ß‐hemolysin heterogeneity in S. anginosus, we determined the presence of sag genes and correlated it with the presence of CRISPR/Cas genes in a collection of ß‐hemolytic and non‐ß‐hemolytic strains. All of the ß‐hemolytic strains carried the sag gene cluster. In contrast to other streptococci, clinical S. anginosus strains that do not display ß‐hemolysis do not harbor sag genes. Phylogenetic analysis of the ß‐hemolytic strains revealed that they belong to two previously defined clusters within S. anginosus. Correlation with CRISPR/Cas genes showed a significant difference for the presence of CRISPR/Cas in ß‐hemolytic versus non‐ß‐hemolytic isolates. The presence of the CRISPR/Cas type IIA or type IIC locus is associated with the absence of sag genes; in 65% of the non‐ß‐hemolytic strains a CRISPR/Cas locus was found, while only 24% of ß‐hemolytic strains carry CRISPR/Cas genes. Further analysis of the spacer content of the CRISPR systems revealed the presence of multiple self‐targeting sequences directed against S. anginosus genes. These results support the hypothesis that horizontal gene transfer is involved in the acquisition of ß‐hemolysin genes and that CRISPR/Cas may limit DNA uptake in S. anginosus.
Low‐dose‐oral immunotherapy for children with wheat‐induced anaphylaxis
Authors: Nagakura Ken‐ichi , Yanagida Noriyuki , Sato Sakura , Nishino Makoto , Takahashi Kyohei , Asaumi Tomoyuki , Ogura Kiyotake , Ebisawa Motohiro
Published: January 2020

Background

Oral immunotherapy (OIT) use in patients with wheat anaphylaxis is not well studied. We assessed the efficacy of low‐dose OIT for patients with wheat‐induced anaphylaxis.

Methods

Eligible subjects were aged 5‐18 years with a history of wheat anaphylaxis and confirmed symptoms during oral food challenge (OFC) to 53 mg of wheat protein. After admission to the hospital for a 5‐day buildup phase, patients in the OIT group gradually increased wheat ingestion to 53 mg/day and then ingested 53 mg daily at home. One year later, they underwent 53‐ and 400‐mg OFCs after OIT cessation for 2 weeks. The historical control group was defined as patients who avoided wheat during the same period.

Results

Median wheat‐ and ω‐5 gliadin‐specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels were 293 and 7.5 kUA/L, respectively, in the OIT group (16 children). No patients dropped out. Within 1 year, 88% of patients in the OIT group reached 53 mg. After 1 year, 69% and 9% patients passed the 53‐mg OFC and 25% and 0% passed the 400‐mg OFC in the OIT and control groups (11 children), respectively (P = .002 and 0.07, respectively). In the OIT group, wheat‐ and ω‐5 gliadin‐sIgE levels significantly decreased to 154 and 4.1 kUA/L, respectively, at 1 year, and wheat‐ and ω‐5 gliadin‐specific IgG and IgG4 levels significantly increased at 1 month. Anaphylaxis developed 7 times and promptly improved without adrenaline.

Conclusion

For patients with wheat anaphylaxis, low‐dose OIT safely induces immunologic changes, achieves low‐dose desensitization, and may allow for a 400 mg dose.
Enforcing immigration law
Authors: Lister Matthew
Published: January 2020

Over the last few years, an increasingly sophisticated literature devoted to normative questions arising out of the enforcement of immigration law had developed. In this essay, I consider what sorts of constraints considerations of justice and legitimacy may place on the enforcement of immigration law, even if we assume that states have significant discretion in setting their own immigration policies, and that open borders are not required by justice. I consider constraints placed on state or national governments, constraints on enforcement by substate governments, and constraints on the actions of individuals. I show that there are significant limits on what states may do and what they may require substate governments and individuals to do, in enforcing their immigration laws, but that these constraints are not clearly incompatible with significant state discretion in setting immigration policy. Nonetheless, consideration of justice in enforcement is necessary for any complete normative account of immigration.
Photosensitivity and cancer immune‐targeted therapies
Authors: Lembo Serena , Raimondo Annunziata , Conti Valeria , Venturini Marina
Published: January 2020

The novel group of immunological agents used for solid tumors has importantly improved the quality of life and the survival rate of oncologic patients. Compared to conventional chemotherapy agents, they are more effective and less toxic. However, adverse cutaneous effects are commonly observed, and in some cases, they may induce treatment discontinuation, with heavy impact on patient prognosis. Among these, photosensitive reactions, either phototoxic or photoallergic, are increasing. Much remains to be clarified on the understanding of their prevention, diagnosis, and management. We have reviewed the literature about photosensitive reactions occurring during oncologic immunotherapies. Early dermatological diagnosis and adequate management, with oncologist's cooperation, is fundamental.
Postoperative cognitive dysfunction in elderly patients undergoing hip arthroplasty
Authors: Xiao Qiu‐Xia , Liu Qing , Deng Rui , Gao Zhi‐Wei , Zhang Ying
Published: January 2020

Even after successful hip arthroplasty, elderly patients who have undergone this procedure remain subject to cognitive decline and may collectively develop postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). However, no consensus exists as to the risk factors resulting in a higher likelihood that a patient may present with this complication, and the aetiology of POCD is not well understood. We conducted a systematic review of papers concerning the influence of POCD‐related risk factors in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty but limited the literature search to papers in English. A systematic and electronic search for manuscripts in the PubMed database was performed in order to identify all studies in which the risk factors for POCD were investigated. Articles were also obtained from the authors' files. Keywords for the search were postoperative cognitive dysfunction/change/impairment/decline/deficit, elderly/older/aged patients, and hip arthroplasty/replacement surgery. The evidence published to date suggests that POCD is a multifactorial disease, which includes an individual patient's characteristics, surgery, type of anaesthesia, and pain levels. All of these factors can increase the risk of POCD incidence. There are a number of factors that appear to influence the risk of early cognitive dysfunction after hip arthroplasty. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism and explicit risk factors associated with this cognitive dysfunction are not completely understood. Hip arthroplasty has made it possible for older patients to find relief from pain and improve their function, whereas it also increases the risk for suffering POCD that may affect these patients' quality of life and increase their mortality. Therefore, it is worthwhile investigating the mechanism of POCD in future studies in order to prevent and treat this condition.
Estimation of causal continuous‐time autoregressive moving average random fields
Authors: Klüppelberg Claudia , Pham Viet Son
Published: January 2020

We estimate model parameters of Lévy‐driven causal continuous‐time autoregressive moving average random fields by fitting the empirical variogram to the theoretical counterpart using a weighted least squares (WLS) approach. Subsequent to deriving asymptotic results for the variogram estimator, we show strong consistency and asymptotic normality of the parameter estimator. Furthermore, we conduct a simulation study to assess the quality of the WLS estimator for finite samples. For the simulation, we utilize numerical approximation schemes based on truncation and discretization of stochastic integrals and we analyze the associated simulation errors in detail. Finally, we apply our results to real data of the cosmic microwave background.
Optimal regulation under imperfect enforcement: Permits, tickets, or both?
Authors: Samuel Andrew , Farmer Amy , Mendez Fabio
Published: January 2020

Economic activity is often regulated through both permits and tickets (subsequent inspections). We study the effectiveness of such policies where corruption and an underground economy make enforcement imperfect. In the theoretical model, asymmetric information justifies regulatory action which is enforced by corruptible bureaucrats. We find that regulation through permits alone is useless when corruption exists, while tickets still offer some benefit. Surprisingly, we also find that a system with both permits and tickets achieves welfare that is higher than that which can be achieved with only tickets—that combining the two mechanisms has an effect that is greater than the “sum of the parts.”
Superior performance improvements in elite cyclists following short‐interval vs effort‐matched long‐interval training
Authors: Rønnestad Bent R. , Hansen Joar , Nygaard Håvard , Lundby Carsten
Published: January 2020

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of 3 weeks with three weekly sessions (ie, nine sessions in total) of short intervals (SI; n = 9; 3 series with 13 × 30‐second work intervals interspersed with 15‐second recovery and 3‐minutes recovery between series) against effort‐matched (rate of perceived effort based) long intervals (LI; n = 9; 4 series of 5‐minute work intervals with 2.5‐minutes recovery between series) on performance parameters in elite cyclists ( 73 ± 4 mL min−1 kg−1). There were no differences between groups in total volume and intensity distribution of training during the intervention period. SI achieved a larger (P < .05) relative improvement in peak aerobic power output than LI (3.7 ± 4.3% vs −0.3 ± 2.8%, respectively), fractional utilization of at 4 mmol L−1 [La−] (3.0 ± 5.8 percent points vs −3.5 ± 2.7 percent points, respectively), and larger relative increase in power output at 4 mmol L−1 [La−] (2.0 ± 6.7% vs −2.8 ± 3.4, respectively), while there was no group difference in change of . Improvements in performance measured as mean power output during 20‐minute cycling test were greater (P < .01) in SI compared with LI (4.7 ± 4.4% vs −1.4 ± 2.2%, respectively). Mean effect size of the improvement in the above variables revealed a small to large effect of SI training vs LI training. The data thus demonstrate that the present SI protocol induces superior training adaptations compared with the present LI protocol in elite cyclists.
The role of vascular function on exercise capacity in health and disease
Authors: Poole David C. , Behnke Brad J. , Musch Timothy I.
Published: January 2020

Three sentinel parameters of aerobic performance are the maximal oxygen uptake (), critical power (CP) and speed of the kinetics following exercise onset. Of these, the latter is, perhaps, the cardinal test of integrated function along the O2 transport pathway from lungs to skeletal muscle mitochondria. Fast kinetics demands that the cardiovascular system distributes exercise‐induced blood flow elevations among and within those vascular beds subserving the contracting muscle(s). Ideally, this process must occur at least as rapidly as mitochondrial metabolism elevates . Chronic disease and ageing create an O2 delivery (i.e. blood flow × arterial [O2], ) dependency that slows kinetics, decreasing CP and , increasing the O2 deficit and sowing the seeds of exercise intolerance. Exercise training, in contrast, does the opposite. Within the context of these three parameters (see Graphical Abstract), this brief review examines the training‐induced plasticity of key elements in the O2 transport pathway. It asks how structural and functional vascular adaptations accelerate and redistribute muscle and thus defend microvascular O2 partial pressures and capillary blood–myocyte O2 diffusion across a ∼100‐fold range of muscle values. Recent discoveries, especially in the muscle microcirculation and ‐to‐ heterogeneity, are integrated with the O2 transport pathway to appreciate how local and systemic vascular control helps defend kinetics and determine CP and in health and how vascular dysfunction in disease predicates exercise intolerance. Finally, the latest evidence that nitrate supplementation improves vascular and therefore aerobic function in health and disease is presented.

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Looking Inside Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Using Tailored Electrochemical Methods
Authors: Piela Piotr , Mitzel Jens , Rosini Sébastien , Tokarz Wojciech , Valle Francesco , Pilenga Alberto , Malkow Thomas , Tsotridis Georgios
Published: January 2020

Voltammetry, potentiometry, amperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study practical polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stacks in an attempt to validate the stack-tailored electrochemical methods and to show the range of information about a PEMFC stack obtainable with the methods. In-stack electrode voltammetry allowed to determine the type, i.e., the surface chemistry, of catalysts used to make the stack electrodes and to measure the electrodes’ true active surface areas (EASAs). Stack potentiometry gave the EASAs, too, but only after calibration of the method against voltammetry. The speed of the test is the advantage of the stack potentiometry. An amperometry-based protocol was introduced to measure the hydrogen permeability and electronic shorting of the stack membrane-electrode assemblies. Dependence of the H2 permeability on H2 pressure and the stack temperature was shown. EIS in the hydrogen-pump mode was used to study the anode and electrolyte membrane processes under load. Spectra were dominated by humidification effects, which allowed probing the external humidification distribution to the anodes in the stack. Cathode EIS spectra obtained by subtraction of H2-H2-mode spectra from H2-air-mode spectra were modeled and the ohmic, charge-transfer, and oxygen mass-transport contributions to the stack polarization under load were separated. The variability of these contributions across the stack was discussed.
Remaining Useful Life Predictions for Turbofan Engine Degradation Using Online Long Short-Term Memory Network
Authors: Kakati Pallabi , Dandotiya Devendra , Pal Bhaskar
Published: January 2020

In any industrial system, accurate prediction of Remaining Useful Life (RUL) is important for Prognostics and Health Management (PHM), so as to detect breakdown of system well in advance and take proper measures. Different methods are available in the literature that have been proposed for prediction of RUL. Among these methods, the data driven method is accepted to be the most reliable by many researchers, due to the use of real time sensor based vibrational and/or pressure data. These data are acquired in time domain. Methods such as Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) are generally applied in this area. Nevertheless, all these methods have issues while dealing with dependencies in these data. In this context, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network has been proposed to deal with these dependencies while predicting RUL of any system. The LSTM model has the advantage of retaining time domain information for a long duration of time. However, with the arrival of new data, the model needs to be updated. In this regard, a new online method based on LSTM network is proposed in this paper. The use of online technique offers us to retrain the model as new data arrives, which helps in improving the accuracy of the estimated RUL. To illustrate the application of the proposed online LSTM method, we have used the Commercial Modular Aero-Propulsion System Simulation (C-MAPSS) turbofan dataset. The results show an improved efficiency compared to the previously proposed methods for RUL estimation.
Modelling and Control of the Hydraulically Actuated Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Pitch System
Authors: Venkaiah P. , Sarkar B. K.
Published: January 2020

The advantages of renewable energy sources are available freely in nature, inexhaustible, produce either no or little pollution and low gestation period. Among all renewable energy sources, wind energy has become one of the leading resources for power production in the world as well as in the India. According to WWEA, the wind turbine installation capacity in the world has been reached over 539.291GW by the end of 2017. The entire wind power installed capacity by the end of 2017 covers more than 5% of global demand of electricity. In India, the present wind power installation capacity on October, 2017 was over 32.7GW and wind energy contribution is 55% of the total renewable energy capacity in the country. Inspite of having sharp growth rate in wind in India, only a fraction of wind energy has been tapped until now out of 302 GW wind potential which is available above 100 m height on shore. Practical horizontal axis wind turbine converts kinetic energy in the wind into useful energy by using airfoil blades. Blade element momentum (BEM) theory becomes very popular due to its simplicity in mathematical calculation as well as accuracy. Hydraulic pitch actuation system has certain advantages due to its versatility, ability to produce constant force and torque irrespective of the disturbances outside of the system, ease and accuracy of control, simplicity, safety and economy. In the present study a semi rotary actuator has been utilized for turbine pitch actuation. In order to extract maximum power from available wind, fractional order PID controller (FOPID) has been developed for pitch control of wind turbine rotor blade. The performances of PID as well as FOPID controller have been compared with available wind data. The performance of FOPID controller was satisfactory compare to PID controller.
Leakage Based Condition Monitoring and Pressure Control of the Swashplate Axial Piston Pump
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Sarkar Bikash Kumar , Maity Subhendu
Published: January 2020

This research mainly focused on the axial piston variable displacement pump, which is the most important part of the fluid power system. The variable displacement axial piston has been found as versatile and flexible for electro-hydraulic applications. Heavy industries such as automobile, aircraft, and mining use an axial piston pump due to its high power to weight ratio, continuous variable power transmission, low inertia, self-lubricating properties, and good controllability. The main challenges with the hydraulic system are highly nonlinear, leakages, unknown external disturbance, etc. The mathematical model of the variable displacement pump along with swashplate control has been developed. The model is used to identify the pump health condition with pressure and flow measurement, i.e., ripple pattern. The pressure and flow ripple will vary from the regular pattern due to wear and tear, i.e., increased leakage flow. The main source of the increase in leakage flow is due to wear in piston and cylinder bore. The piston chamber pressure, kinematical flow, and discharge area model of the pump has been validated with the existing results. The pump pressure control is very much essential for the enhancement of the performance of the electro-hydraulic system. In the present study, a conventional PID controller has been used as a backup to maintain system performance within the permissible faults. The electro-hydraulic system has been employed for swash-plate control of the pump to obtain desire pressure flow at the exit of the pump. MATLAB Simulink has been used for the simulation study of the pump.
Complex Gas Dynamic Optimization of a Three Spool Axial Compressor of an Industrial Gas Turbine Engine
Authors: Popov Grigorii M. , Egorov Igor , Dmitriev Dmitrii , Goriachkin Evgenii S. , Volkov Andrei A.
Published: January 2020

The paper provides a description of the algorithm, an example of a specific task, and the results of the optimization of a 15-stage three-spool compressor for a ground-based GTU by the efficiency criteria of the engine. It can be performed by using the proposed algorithm to find such a compressor configuration that will be not just the optimum compressor, but the best option for working as part of the engine under the specified operating conditions and with various types of required restrictions. Using the proposed algorithm, varying only the stagger angles of the profiles, the authors managed to find a way to increase the overall efficiency of the NK-36ST engine by 0.43%. Obviously, it is possible to achieve a more impressive result and at the same time to increase reliability, reduce the weight and cost of the engine by applying more complex models by changing the shape of the blade profiles.
Numerical Study of Primary Jet Breakup in a Simplex Swirl Atomizer Using Dual Grid Coupled Level Set VOF Method
Authors: Kant Krishna , Kumar Mayank , Reddy Rajesh , Banerjee Raja , Mangadoddy Narasimha , Vanka Surya
Published: January 2020

Primary breakup of a liquid jet emanating from a simplex swirl atomizer is numerically studied in this work. The liquid-gas interface is tracked using a coupled Level-Set VOF method. In order to improve the curvature calculation, a dual grid approach is used. Level set function is solved on a grid that is finer than the grid used to solve the rest of the variables. This solver is developed using OpenFOAM libraries and is validated by estimating the pressure profile and spurious velocities across the interface of a static bubble. The validation test shows significant improvement in the performance of curvature estimation without significant increase in the computational cost. Additionally, it is found that curvature calculation improves with increase in grid refinement index. A parametric study to understand the effects of grid refinement index on the flow features of the simplex swirl atomizer primary jet is reported here.
CFD Study for the Particle Transport and Deposition in Secondary Air Systems
Authors: Kandaswamy Nomesh P. , Nayak Kali Charan , Snowsill Guy D. , Irving John , Littley Ben
Published: January 2020

The recent expansion of civil aviation industry into the new market demands modern aero-engines to operate in hot, harsh and polluted environments. Moreover there is a significant increase in the flight paths across the sea leading to large amount of micro salt particle ingestion into the engines. These contaminants can cause severe damage to the turbine parts through hot corrosion fatigue. The mechanism of the very small particle transport in the secondary air system and their deposition on turbine parts is less reported and not well understood. This study explores the physics of the particle transport (< 0.5–10 micron) and their deposition characteristics in the secondary air paths. Specifically, a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed for an engine representative turbine cavity with blade shank utilizing commercial finite volume-based software incorporating the SST k-ω turbulence model. The particle transport is captured using discrete random walk model and their wall interaction (bounce and stick) is simulated using the critical velocity model. A comprehensive parametric study is conducted using 2 and 6 micron CaSO4 particles covering a wide range of operating and design variables. From the parametric study it has been observed that rotor speed, swirl and the radial location of the feed holes strongly influence the flow structure in the shank cavity and particle deposition.