bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spray‐combustion synthesis of indium tin oxide nanopowder
Authors: Chen Zhiyang , Zhu Yuan , Duan Qiyao , Chen Anqi , Tang Zikang
Published: July 2018

Nanocrystalline indium tin oxide (ITO) powders were prepared by a novel spray combustion method. Using single‐drop study equipment, we studied the thermodynamics of the combustion reaction. The reaction can be ignited at air temperature as lower as 171.3°C when using urea and glucose as composite fuel. Once the reaction is ignited, the combustion temperature can surge to above 500°C, generating nanocrystalline ITO powders with grain size about 40 nm. Footages from high‐speed camera demonstrated that the reaction is in three‐step: moderate beginning, violent middle, and decaying end. It is also noticed that the ignition is very sensitive to the air temperature, even 0.2°C minus deviation may fail the combustion. The combustion reaction is self‐sustainable, which saves the energy supply. And the low ignition temperature means the combustion reaction can be carried out in a conventional spray dryer. Our results provide a feasible way to mass production of nanocrystalline ITO powders, which as a methodology, may be extended to the production of other oxide nanopowders.
Low‐temperature synthesis of ultrafine TiB2 nanopowders by molten‐salt assisted borothermal reduction
Authors: Liu Da , Chu Yanhui , Jing Siyi , Ye Beilin , Zhou Xiya
Published: July 2018

The synthesis of TiB2 nanopowders arouses considerable interests due to its importance for implementing the extensive applications of TiB2 ceramic. Herein, the high‐purity ultrafine TiB2 nanopowders were successfully synthesized via a molten salt assisted borothermal reduction technique at a relatively low temperature of 1173 K using TiO2 and B powders as precursors within a KCl/NaCl salt. The results showed that the as‐obtained TiB2 nanopowders possessed a polycrystallinity structure, and their specific surface area and equivalent average particle size were 33.18 m2/g and 40 nm, respectively. This study provides a new low temperature synthesis technique of TiB2 nanopowders.
Novel g‐C3N4 nanosheets/CDs/BiOCl photocatalysts with exceptional activity under visible light
Authors: Asadzadeh‐Khaneghah Soheila , Habibi‐Yangjeh Aziz , Yubuta Kunio
Published: July 2018

We fabricated novel ternary nanocomposites through integration of C‐dots (carbon dots), BiOCl, and nanosheets of graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4 nanosheets) by a cost‐effective route. The fabricated photocatalysts were subsequently characterized by XRD, EDX, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, FT‐IR, UV‐vis DRS, TGA, BET, and PL methods to gain their structure, purity, morphology, optical, textural, and thermal properties. In addition, the degradation intermediates were identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS). Photocatalytic performance of the synthesized samples was studied by photodegradations of three cationic (RhB, MB, and fuchsine), one anionic (MO) dyes, one colorless (phenol) pollutant and removal of an inorganic pollutant (Cr(VI)) under visible light. It was revealed that the ternary nanocomposite with loading 20% of BiOCl illustrated superlative performances in the selected photocatalytic reactions compared with the corresponding bare and binary photocatalysts. Visible‐light photocatalytic activity of the g‐C3N4 nanosheets/CDs/BiOCl (20%) nanocomposite was 42.6, 27.8, 24.8, 20.2, and 15.9 times higher than the pure g‐C3N4 for removal of RhB, MB, MO, fuchsine, and phenol, respectively. Likewise, the ternary photocatalyst showed enhanced activity of 15.3 times relative to the g‐C3N4 in photoreduction of Cr(VI). Moreover, the ternary nanocomposite exhibited excellent chemical stability and recyclability after five cycles. Finally, the mechanism for improved photocatalytic performance was discussed based on the band potential positions.
Sample‐Controlled analysis under high pressure for accelerated process studies
Authors: Perejón Antonio , Sánchez‐Jiménez Pedro E. , Soria‐Hoyo Carlos , Valverde José Manuel , Criado José Manuel , Pérez‐Maqueda Luis A.
Published: July 2018

The potential of controlled rate thermal analysis (CRTA) for studying high‐pressure gas‐solid processes has been evaluated. CRTA is a type of smart temperature program based on a feedback system that uses any experimental signal related to the process evolution for commanding the temperature evolution. In this work, an instrument that uses the gravimetric signal for CRTA control has been designed and used for the study of two high‐pressure gas‐solid reactions: the highly exothermic thermal oxidation of TiC under high pressure of oxygen and the reduction in Fe2O3 under high pressure of hydrogen. Advantages of CRTA for discriminating overlapping processes and appraising kinetic reaction mechanisms are shown.
Patients’ needs and psoriasis treatment
Authors: Chernyshov P.V.
Published: July 2018

Linked article: This is a commentary on C.E.M. Griffiths et al., pp. 1523–1529 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14937
Executive function but not episodic memory decline associated with visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Creese Byron , Albertyn Christopher P. , Dworkin Sasha , Thomas Rebecca S. , Wan Yi Min , Ballard Clive
Published: July 2018

Introduction

Visual hallucinations (VH) have a significant impact on quality of life for people with Parkinson's disease (PD). A major reason for this is the well‐established link with cognitive impairment, but there is still a need for more longitudinal studies examining the specific cognitive domains which may be affected. The aim of this study was to profile decline in cognition associated with VH in a cohort of 69 individuals with PD over 1 year.

Method

Visual hallucinations assessments were carried out every 3 months. Executive function and episodic memory were assessed at baseline and 1 year. All evaluations were performed via phone interviews. The presence or absence of VH was categorized based on the entirety of the year's data (i.e., no episodes and >0 episodes). We also defined a persistent VH group who had VH present at more than one time point and compared these with a no‐VH group and a group with transient VH (i.e., only one episode).

Results

Linear mixed‐effect models showed that VH were associated with more rapid overall cognitive decline (−0.26, t = −2.39, p = .02), which was driven by executive function (−0.28, t = −2.48, p = .02). Persistent VH were associated with decline in executive function (−0.33, t = −2.4, p = .02), while no relationship was found for non‐persistent VH, suggesting that persistent VH be the major driver of this relationship.

Conclusion

This finding brings greater clarity to the relationship between cognitive decline and VH in PD. Future research should examine the robustness of this phenotype for biomarkers studies and treatment interventions.
A note on the influence of saving behaviors on economic growth
Authors: Grassetti F. , Hunanyan G. , Mammana C. , Michetti E.
Published: July 2018

The Kaldor model describes the dynamics of economic growth over time. Many works showed that a large variety of qualitative dynamics can be produced depending on the economic assumptions. This work provides conditions to mark boundaries during boom and bust cycles, investigating how saving behaviors of workers and shareholders and elasticity of substitution between capital and labor influence the growth dynamics of non‐developed, developing and developed countries considering general and specific technologies of production. The results obtained can be used by policy‐makers to increase the lower level an economy can reach during boom and bust periods and reduce fluctuations.
Maize domestication and gene interaction
Authors: Stitzer Michelle C. , Ross‐Ibarra Jeffrey
Published: July 2018

Contents

Summary
395

I.
Introduction
395

II.
The genetic basis of maize domestication
396

III.
The tempo of maize domestication
401

IV.
Genetic interactions and selection during maize domestication
401

V.
Gene networks of maize domestication alleles
404

VI.
Implications of gene interactions on evolution and selection404

VII.
Conclusions
405

Acknowledgements
405

References
405

Domestication is a tractable system for following evolutionary change. Under domestication, wild populations respond to shifting selective pressures, resulting in adaptation to the new ecological niche of cultivation. Owing to the important role of domesticated crops in human nutrition and agriculture, the ancestry and selection pressures transforming a wild plant into a domesticate have been extensively studied. In Zea mays, morphological, genetic and genomic studies have elucidated how a wild plant, the teosinte Z. mays subsp. parviglumis, was transformed into the domesticate Z. mays subsp. mays. Five major morphological differences distinguish these two subspecies, and careful genetic dissection has pinpointed the molecular changes responsible for several of these traits. But maize domestication was a consequence of more than just five genes, and regions throughout the genome contribute. The impacts of these additional regions are contingent on genetic background, both the interactions between alleles of a single gene and among alleles of the multiple genes that modulate phenotypes. Key genetic interactions include dominance relationships, epistatic interactions and pleiotropic constraint, including how these variants are connected in gene networks. Here, we review the role of gene interactions in generating the dramatic phenotypic evolution seen in the transition from teosinte to maize.
Combining Model‐Based Near‐Term GDP Forecasts and Judgmental Forecasts: A Real‐Time Exercise for the G7 Countries
Authors: Jansen W. Jos , de Winter Jasper M.
Published: July 2018

We investigate the effects of combining model‐based near‐term GDP forecasts and judgmental (quarterly) forecasts by professional analysts (Consensus forecasts) in a real‐time setting for the G7 countries over the years 1999–2013. Model‐based forecasts are produced by a dynamic factor model (DFM). We consider as combination schemes the weighted average and the linear combination. Combining with subjective information delivers sizable gains in forecasting ability of statistical models for all countries except Japan, even when subjective forecasts are somewhat dated. Accuracy gains are much more pronounced in the volatile period after 2008 due to a marked improvement in predictive power of Consensus forecasts relative to the DFM. A possible explanation is that mechanical models may be more vulnerable to extreme observations in estimation samples. Consensus forecasts are superior at the moment of publication for most countries since 2008. For some countries forecast combinations can improve upon Consensus forecasts in between the quarterly release dates of the Consensus survey.
Whisper down, up and between the lanes: Exclusionary policies and their limits of control in times of irregularized migration
Authors: Borrelli Lisa M.
Published: July 2018

Geographical limitation, ostracism and deportation are defined as state practices that try to handle the unwanted arrival and stay of irregularized migrants in Europe. However, the enforcement of ever‐more restrictive policies in order to regain control over a mobile population is limited by several factors, which at times restrict the state. These limits not only derive from the agency of individuals excluded by the state, but also because of the inherent attributes of the state itself. The inhibiting mechanisms studied, including discretionary practices, often neglect the crucial role played by communication in understanding the contestation of policy implementation. This work discusses how the phenomenon of ‘whispering down, up and between the lanes’ challenges policies and legal outcomes. It tries to explain why state practices often appear to be illegible, not only to the outsider but also to the bureaucrat, with the help of ethnographic research in European migration enforcement agencies.
Iron deficiency influences NtcA‐dependent regulation of fatty acid desaturation and heterocyte envelop formation in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120
Authors: Kaushik Manish S. , Mishra Arun K.
Published: July 2018

In Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, iron is an essential trace element and its availability determines proper functioning of several kinds of metabolisms. Iron deficiency leads to several unavoidable consequences including membrane damage. In the present study, we dealt with the impact of iron deficiency on NtcA (global nitrogen regulator)‐dependent regulation of two important processes, i.e. fatty acid desaturation and heterocyte envelop formation in cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. In Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, NtcA regulates fatty acid desaturation by regulating enzyme fatty acid desaturases. The NtcA‐based regulation of fatty acid desaturation may be direct or indirect. Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in the heterocyte envelope polysaccharide (HEP) layer formation (hepABCK) and heterocyte‐specific glycolipids (HGLs) synthesis (devH, hglEA, prpJ and devB) were also under the control of NtcA and reduced under iron deficiency background. The enhanced expression of furA and early downregulation of ntcA under iron deficiency is responsible for reduction in fatty acid desaturation as well as decrease in the expression of genes involved in HEP layer formation and HGL synthesis. Overall results confirmed that iron deficiency influences the NtcA‐based regulation of fatty acid desaturation and heterocyte envelop formation in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.
Control of AHPND by phages: a promising biotechnological approach
Authors: Angulo Carlos , Loera‐Muro Abraham , Trujillo Edgar , Luna‐González Antonio
Published: July 2018

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, V. campbellii, V. owensii and V. harveyi are causative agents of Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease (AHPND) in shrimp. AHPND is recently one of the most important diseases worldwide because of the high mortality and huge economic losses in shrimp farms. Antibiotic resistance has caused concern into finding other options to fight against pathogenic bacterial diseases. Currently, the use of lytic phages has reemerged as a promising strategy to combat bacterial pathogens. Likewise, modern molecular tools have been applied to modify phages by genetic engineering to express specific antigens and antibodies. This study reviewed recent research reports in the development of phages to control Vibrio spp. infections in shrimp and discusses different specific strategies, placing them in perspective to combat AHPND.
Household coping behavior and its contribution to resilience to global macroeconomic shocks in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands
Authors: McDonald Lachlan
Published: July 2018

This paper examines the resilience of households in Vanuatu and Solomon Islands—two small island developing states in Melanesia renowned for their vulnerabilities—to the adverse effects of global macroeconomic shocks. The focus is on the spike in international food and fuel prices in 2008 and the subsequent shock to global demand, known as the Global Economic Crisis (GEC). Using a unique retrospective cross‐section survey, the results show that experience of these shocks was widespread across urban and rural areas. Households with more education, access to income‐generating activities—particularly in the informal sector—and greater wealth were best placed to withstand a deterioration in their well‐being, measured as a fall in self‐reported disposable income. Households also employed a variety of coping strategies in response to the shocks. Local food gardens and informal insurance are seen as key safety nets in times of stress, yet neither provided full insurance from the shocks. Some households, particularly in urban areas, employed harmful coping strategies, such as reducing spending on health, education, and food. While potentially effective in withstanding a temporary fall in disposable income, these responses are likely to weaken overall resilience and leave households vulnerable to future shocks.
HLA‐A*24:386, a novel variant of HLA‐A*24, discovered in a Taiwanese blood donor
Authors: Yang K. L. , Lin P. Y.
Published: July 2018

One nucleotide replacement at residue 181 of HLA‐A*24:02:01:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐A*24:386.
A Comparative Perspective on the Role of Acoustic Cues in Detecting Language Structure
Authors: Mueller Jutta L. , Cate Carel ten , Toro Juan M.
Published: July 2018

Most human language learners acquire language primarily via the auditory modality. This is one reason why auditory artificial grammars play a prominent role in the investigation of the development and evolutionary roots of human syntax. The present position paper brings together findings from human and non‐human research on the impact of auditory cues on learning about linguistic structures with a special focus on how different types of cues and biases in auditory cognition may contribute to success and failure in artificial grammar learning (AGL). The basis of our argument is the link between auditory cues and syntactic structure across languages and development. Cross‐species comparison suggests that many aspects of auditory cognition that are relevant for language are not human specific and are present even in rather distantly related species. Furthermore, auditory cues and biases impact on learning, which we will discuss in the example of auditory perception and AGL studies. This observation, together with the significant role of auditory cues in language processing, supports the idea that auditory cues served as a bootstrap to syntax during language evolution. Yet this also means that potentially human‐specific syntactic abilities are not due to basic auditory differences between humans and non‐human animals but are based upon more advanced cognitive processes.
l‐lysine metabolism to N‐hydroxypipecolic acid: an integral immune‐activating pathway in plants
Authors: Hartmann Michael , Zeier Jürgen
Published: July 2018

l‐lysine catabolic routes in plants include the saccharopine pathway to α‐aminoadipate and decarboxylation of lysine to cadaverine. The current review will cover a third l‐lysine metabolic pathway having a major role in plant systemic acquired resistance (SAR) to pathogen infection that was recently discovered in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this pathway, the aminotransferase AGD2‐like defense response protein (ALD1) α‐transaminates l‐lysine and generates cyclic dehydropipecolic (DP) intermediates that are subsequently reduced to pipecolic acid (Pip) by the reductase SAR‐deficient 4 (SARD4). l‐pipecolic acid, which occurs ubiquitously in the plant kingdom, is further N‐hydroxylated to the systemic acquired resistance (SAR)‐activating metabolite N‐hydroxypipecolic acid (NHP) by flavin‐dependent monooxygenase1 (FMO1). N‐hydroxypipecolic acid induces the expression of a set of major plant immune genes to enhance defense readiness, amplifies resistance responses, acts synergistically with the defense hormone salicylic acid, promotes the hypersensitive cell death response and primes plants for effective immune mobilization in cases of future pathogen challenge. This pathogen‐inducible NHP biosynthetic pathway is activated at the transcriptional level and involves feedback amplification. Apart from FMO1, some cytochrome P450 monooxygenases involved in secondary metabolism catalyze N‐hydroxylation reactions in plants. In specific taxa, pipecolic acid might also serve as a precursor in the biosynthesis of specialized natural products, leading to C‐hydroxylated and otherwise modified piperidine derivatives, including indolizidine alkaloids. Finally, we show that NHP is glycosylated in Arabidopsis to form a hexose‐conjugate, and then discuss open questions in Pip/NHP‐related research.
A DEVELOPMENT OF OPTICAL NETWORK UNIT POWER CONSUMPTION MODEL CONSIDERING TRAFFIC LOAD EFFECT
Authors: Ramli Arnidza , Zulkifli Nadiatulhuda , Usman Auwalu , Idrus Sevia Mahdaliza
Published: July 2018

Accurate and precise measurement of energy consumption for the deployment of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network using Gigabit passive optical network (GPON) is vital to the research community to develop models for the synthesis of energy-efficient protocols and algorithms for the access network. However, lack of power consumption measurement of optical network devices in the past has led to unrealistic and/or oversimplified model being used in simulations. Usually the access network devices are assumed always on and their consumption is both traffic and time independent. Therefore, in this paper we propose an experimentally-driven approach to i) characterize the Optical Network Unit (ONU) from the power consumption standpoint and ii) develop more accurate power consumption model for the ONU. We focus on ONU since it represents the main contributor to the energy consumption of optical access network. The real data in terms of the power consumption and traffic load have been obtained from continuous measurements performed on a GPON network testbed. The measurement is limited to a maximum 100 Mbps data rate due to a limitation in the sampling rate and precision of the measurement device. However, validation has been done with theoretical power consumption model in order to prove the feasibility of the proposed model. Our measurements show that the power consumption of the ONU exhibits a linear dependence on the traffic in which the power consumption at idle mode is 11.51 W while in low power mode the power consumption is around 7.52 W.
CRUDE OIL PRICE FORECASTING BY CEEMDAN BASED HYBRID MODEL OF ARIMA AND KALMAN FILTER
Authors: Aamir Muhammad , Shabri Ani , Ishaq Muhammad
Published: July 2018

This paper used complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN) based hybrid model for the forecasting of world crude oil prices. For this purpose, the crude oil prices original time series are decomposed into sub small finite series called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs). Then ARIMA model was applied to each extracted IMF to estimate the parameters. Next, using these estimated parameters of each ARIMA model, the Kalman Filter was run for each IMF, so that these extracted IMFs can be predicted more accurately. Finally, all IMFs are combined to get the result. For testing and verification of the proposed method, two crude oil prices were used as a sample i.e. Brent and WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil monthly prices series. The D-statistic values of the proposed model were 93.33% for Brent and 89.29% for WTI which reveals the importance of the CEEMDAN based hybrid model.
PATTERN OF CHILD PEDESTRIAN COLLISIONS AND INJURIES IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Darus Nur Shaeza , Borhan Muhammad Nazri , Ishak Siti Zaharah , Ismail Rozmi , Mohd. Razali Siti Fatin
Published: July 2018

involving in road traffic collision. This present study is to highlights the magnitude of road safety problem amongst child pedestrians in Malaysia. In addition, the objective of this study is to determine the pattern of child pedestrian collisions and injuries during the period 2009 to 2012. Police records of reported child pedestrian collisions and injuries in Malaysia from 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2012 were collected. The selected variables on demographic factors, injuries related to the child and crash site characteristics were extracted and analyzed. A total number of 2,243 child pedestrian casualties were reported accounted for 27.9% of all pedestrian casualties in 2009 to 2012. Over 4 years period of study, the greatest number of incidence crash consistently occurred in the state of Sabah. Most of the involved children were the young children, aged 5 to 10 years and boys most commonly involved. Majority of the victims belonged to the rural populations. The collisions were more likely occurred on the roadways with two-way traffic system with a posted speed limit of 50km/h. These findings may have important contributions to the improvement and development of road safety initiatives and interventions related to child pedestrian collision in Malaysia. Road safety strategies should be improved by introducing more targeted measures for high- risk groups based on variables that have been studied.
APTES AND TEOS MODIFIED BINARY RECYCLABLE HYBRID FE3O4@GO NANOCOMPOSITE FOR PHOTOCATALYTIC DYE REMOVAL
Authors: Rehman Ghani Ur , Ismail A. F. , Goh P. S. , Rezaei-Dasht Arzhandi M. , Ismail N.
Published: July 2018

Methylene blue (MB) is one of the industrial used organic dye and recalcitrant pollutant which creates a serious water pollution. Among the available techniques, photo degradation using light irradiation is one of the desirable choice to treat waste water. In this regard, we synthesized a binary nanocomposite of magnetite decorated with graphene oxide sheet (Fe3O4@GO) with modification of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and 3-Aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) by mechanical stirring method. The prepared nanocomposite was tested as a potential heterogeneous catalyst for degradation of methylene blue (MB) under UV irradiation. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) techniques. The characterizations confirm the successful synthesis of the nanocomposite. The photocatalytic activity of the catalysts was gradually enhanced with time intervals. The maximum MB removal efficiency of 70.06 % was achieved over Fe3O4@GO composite catalyst, remarkably higher than using pure Fe3O4 (57.56 %). The newly developed materials was successfully recovered using an external magnet.
THE PLANFORM STABILITY OF EMBAYED BEACHES ON THE WEST COAST OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA
Authors: Ab Razak Mohd Shahrizal , Jamaludin Nurhamizah , Mohd Nor Nur Ariffah Zaimah
Published: July 2018

Embayed beaches can be found along the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia and they are subject to beach’s dynamic changes.  Some part of the coast along the West coasts have experienced severe erosion for several decades, in spite of the construction of various coastal defence structures. Therefore, it is crucial to predict the stability of embayed beaches along the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The planform stability of embayed beaches was established by applying the MEPBAY model. It was found that the total number of embayed beaches along the West coast of Peninsular Malaysia is 139 with 73 % were natural embayed beaches and 27 % were artificial embayed beaches. From the analyses, out of the 139 embayed beaches; 82 % were in static equilibrium and 18 % were in dynamic state. The causes of the instability of embayed beaches are the topography of the embayed beach, discrepancies in the design of previous coastal structures, influenced by wave climate as well as human intervenes without prior investigation of the biological and physical effects towards the beach. Furthermore, the applicability of engineering solutions applied on embayed beaches that are in either dynamic equilibrium can be predicted using MEPBAY programme.
Inspiring Future Generations in STEM Field through Robotics Competition: A College Student Mentoring Approach
Authors: Florence Steve , Bajaj Nikhil , Chiu George
Published: July 2018

This article describes features of FIRST, an approach to introduce science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts to students. One unique aspect of the FIRST experience is that the reward and recognition for achievements are not necessarily gained on the field of play—excellence in design, demonstrated team spirit, Gracious Professionalism, community outreach, and more are recognized with awards. The focus of organized FIRST programs is on pre-college students {LE Comment: Please check whether the introduction of a preposition is required.}. At the college level, there are no formal FIRST programs, except for FIRST-related scholarships. However, as shown in the longitudinal study, the impact of FIRST carries into postsecondary education. There are diverse types of FIRST-related organizations and models at the college level. The article also highlights that during the semester, a sequence of team building, mentoring, project management, fundraising, and FIRST robot design topics are given by faculty, senior FIRST mentors, and professional engineers.
Digitization and MRO at ASME Turbo Expo 2018
Authors: Gregg Shawn J.
Published: July 2018

This article highlights the introduction of digital and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) at ASME Turbo Expo 2018. The Digital impact begins at the OEM where analytical experiments assess the impact of geometry and boundary conditions on part life/performance. Performance characteristics taken from operational data are integrated with physical characteristics taken from the MRO environment to model and predict new part performance in existing turbomachinery and applied to the design and development of new turbomachinery. Most OEMs today offer an asset monitoring solution based on predictive analytics for their products. Operators and MROs looking for a more universal solution are reaching out to third parties or developing their own asset monitoring systems. Maintenance actions and shop findings are fed back to the asset monitoring solution to provide real time troubleshooting and repair work-scoping, saving valuable time in the operational and MRO environments.
A Useful Equation for Gas Turbine Design
Authors: Langston Lee S.
Published: July 2018

This article presents three different gas turbine phenomena and design cases. The sketch in the article shows a schematic of a combined cycle powerplant consisting of a Brayton cycle (gas turbine) whose exhaust provides energy to a Rankine cycle (steam turbine). Frequently, one can use simple but exact one-dimensional (1D) heat conduction solutions to estimate the heat loss or gain of gas turbine components under transient conditions. These easy-to-use solutions are found in most undergraduate heat transfer texts. The article suggests that those three widely different gas turbine phenomena and design cases all have the simple, nonlinear superposition form.
Obtaining low resistivity (∼100 μΩ cm) TiN films by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition using a metalorganic precursor
Authors: Krylov Igor , Zoubenko Ekaterina , Weinfeld Kamira , Kauffmann Yaron , Xu Xianbin , Ritter Dan , Eizenberg Moshe
Published: July 2018

Low resistivity (∼100 μΩ cm) titanium nitride (TiN) films were obtained by plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition using tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium and a nitrogen/argon plasma mixture. The impact of process parameters on film crystallinity, oxygen contamination, and electrical resistivity was studied systematically. A low background pressure during the plasma half-cycle was critical for obtaining low resistivity. The low resistivity films were highly crystalline, having (001) oriented columnar grains. Oxygen and carbon content was about 3% and 2%, respectively. The role of argon plasma in film properties is discussed. Plasma damage to thin dielectric films beneath the TiN layer was minimized by the low-pressure process. The authors suggest that electron scattering at grain boundaries is the dominant mechanism which determines the resistivity of the TiN films, thus obtaining large columnar grains is the key to obtaining low film resistivity.
Functional Genetic Elements for Controlling Gene Expression in Cupriavidus necator H16
Authors: Alagesan Swathi , Hanko Erik K. R. , Malys Naglis , Ehsaan Muhammad , Winzer Klaus , Minton Nigel P.
Published: July 2018

This report provides tools for robust and predictable control of gene expression in the model lithoautotroph
C. necator
H16. To address a current need, we designed, built, and tested promoters and RBSs for controlling gene expression in
C. necator
H16. To answer a question on how existing and newly developed inducible systems compare, two positively (AraC/P

araBAD

-
l
-arabinose and RhaRS/P

rhaBAD

-
l
-rhamnose) and two negatively (AcuR/P

acuRI

-acrylate and CymR/P

cmt

-cumate) regulated inducible systems were quantitatively evaluated and their induction kinetics analyzed. To establish if gene expression can be further improved, the effect of genetic elements, such as mRNA stem-loop structure and A/U-rich sequence, on gene expression was evaluated. Using isoprene production as an example, the study investigated if and to what extent chemical compound yield correlates to the level of gene expression of product-synthesizing enzyme.
In Vivo
Titration of Folate Pathway Enzymes
Authors: Nambiar Deepika , Berhane Timkhite-Kulu , Shew Robert , Schwarz Bryan , Duff Michael R. , Howell Elizabeth E.
Published: July 2018

E. coli
can survive in drought and flooding conditions and can tolerate large changes in osmolality. However, the cell processes that limit bacterial growth under high osmotic stress conditions are not known. In this study, the dose of four different enzymes in
E. coli
was decreased by using deletion strains complemented by the gene carried in a tunable plasmid. Under conditions of limiting enzyme concentration (lower than that achieved by chromosomal gene expression), cell growth can be blocked by osmotic stress conditions that are normally tolerated. These observations indicate that
E. coli
has evolved to deal with variations in its osmotic environment and that normal protein levels are sufficient to buffer the cell from environmental changes. Additional factors involved in the osmotic pressure response may include altered protein concentration/activity levels, weak solute interactions with ligands which can make it more difficult for proteins to bind their substrates/inhibitors/cofactors
in vivo
, and/or viscosity effects.
Lipid A Remodeling Is a Pathoadaptive Mechanism That Impacts Lipopolysaccharide Recognition and Intracellular Survival of Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Norris Michael H. , Somprasong Nawarat , Schweizer Herbert P. , Tuanyok Apichai
Published: July 2018

Burkholderia pseudomallei
causes the severe disease melioidosis. The bacterium subverts the host immune system and replicates inside cells, and host mortality results primarily from sepsis-related complications.
Virus Control of Trafficking from Sorting Endosomes
Authors: Zeltzer Sebastian , Zeltzer Carol A. , Igarashi Suzu , Wilson Jean , Donaldson Julie G. , Goodrum Felicia
Published: July 2018

The maintenance of cell surface proteins is critical to the ability of a cell to sense and respond to information in its environment. As such, modulation of cell surface composition and receptor trafficking is a potentially important target of control in virus infection. Sorting endosomes (SEs) are control stations regulating the recycling or degradation of internalized plasma membrane proteins. Here we report that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), a ubiquitous betaherpesvirus, alters the fate of internalized clathrin-independent endocytosis (CIE) cargo proteins, retaining them in virally reprogrammed SEs. We show that the small G protein ARF6 (ADP ribosylation factor 6), a regulator of CIE trafficking, is highly associated with SE membranes relative to uninfected cells. Combined with the observation of accumulated CIE cargo at the SE, these results suggest that infection diminishes the egress of ARF6 and its cargo from the SE. Expression of ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6), also known as TRE17, was sufficient to restore ARF6 and some ARF6 cargo trafficking to the cell surface in infected cells. The USP activity of TRE17 was required to rescue both ARF6 and associated cargo from SE retention in infection. The finding that TRE17 expression does not rescue the trafficking of all CIE cargos retained at SEs in infection suggests that HCMV hijacks the normal sorting machinery and selectively sorts specific cargos into endocytic microdomains that are subject to alternative sorting fates.

IMPORTANCE
Cells maintain their surface composition, take up nutrients, and respond to their environment through the internalization and recycling of cargo at the cell surface through endocytic trafficking pathways. During infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), host endocytic membranes are reorganized into a juxtanuclear structure associated with viral assembly and egress. Less appreciated is the effect of this reorganization on the trafficking of host proteins through the endocytic pathway. We show that HCMV retains internalized cargo and the effector of clathrin-independent endocytosis at sorting endosomes. The retention of some cargo, but not all, was reversed by overexpression of a ubiquitin-specific protease, TRE17. Our results demonstrate that HCMV induces profound reprogramming of endocytic trafficking and influences cargo sorting decisions. Further, our work suggests the presence of a novel ubiquitin-regulated checkpoint for the recycling of cargo from sorting endosome. These findings have important implications for host signaling and immune pathways in the context of HCMV infection.
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa PilSR Two-Component System Regulates Both Twitching and Swimming Motilities
Authors: Kilmury Sara L. N. , Burrows Lori L.
Published: July 2018

Motility is an important virulence trait for many bacterial pathogens, allowing them to position themselves in appropriate locations at appropriate times. The motility structures type IV pili and flagella are also involved in sensing surface contact, which modulates pathogenicity. In
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, the PilS-PilR two-component system (TCS) regulates expression of the type IV pilus (T4P) major subunit PilA, while biosynthesis of the single polar flagellum is regulated by a hierarchical system that includes the FleSR TCS. Previous studies of
Geobacter sulfurreducens
and
Dichelobacter nodosus
implicated PilR in regulation of non-T4P-related genes, including some involved in flagellar biosynthesis. Here we used transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis to identify genes in addition to
pilA
with changes in expression in the absence of
pilR
. Among the genes identified were 10 genes whose transcription increased in the
pilA
mutant but decreased in the
pilR
mutant, despite both mutants lacking T4P and pilus-related phenotypes. The products of these inversely dysregulated genes, many of which were hypothetical, may be important for virulence and surface-associated behaviors, as mutants had altered swarming motility, biofilm formation, type VI secretion system expression, and pathogenicity in a nematode model. Further, the PilSR TCS positively regulated transcription of
fleSR
, and thus many genes in the FleSR regulon. As a result,
pilSR
deletion mutants had defects in swimming motility that were independent of the loss of PilA. Together, these data suggest that in addition to controlling T4P expression, PilSR could have a broader role in the regulation of
P. aeruginosa
motility and surface sensing behaviors.

IMPORTANCE
Surface appendages such as type IV pili and flagella are important for establishing surface attachment and infection in a host in response to appropriate cues. The PilSR regulatory system that controls type IV pilus expression in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
has an established role in expression of the major pilin PilA. Here we provide evidence supporting a new role for PilSR in regulating flagellum-dependent swimming motility in addition to pilus-dependent twitching motility. Further, even though both
pilA
and
pilR
mutants lack PilA and pili, we identified sets of genes downregulated in the
pilR
mutant and upregulated in a
pilA
mutant as well as genes downregulated only in a
pilR
mutant, independent of pilus expression. This finding suggests that change in the inner membrane levels of PilA is only one of the cues to which PilR responds to modulate gene expression. Identification of PilR as a regulator of multiple motility pathways may make it an interesting therapeutic target for antivirulence compounds.
Low-Level Antimicrobials in the Medicinal Leech Select for Resistant Pathogens That Spread to Patients
Authors: Beka Lidia , Fullmer Matthew S. , Colston Sophie M. , Nelson Michael C. , Talagrand-Reboul Emilie , Walker Paul , Ford Bradley , Whitaker Iain S. , Lamy Brigitte , Gogarten Johann Peter , Graf Joerg
Published: July 2018

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) and ciprofloxacin (Cp) are important antimicrobials that pollute the environment in trace amounts. Although Cp has been recommended as prophylaxis for patients undergoing leech therapy to prevent infections by the leech gut symbiontAeromonas, a puzzling rise in Cp-resistant (Cpr)Aeromonasinfections has been reported. We report on the effects of subtherapeutic FQ concentrations on bacteria in an environmental reservoir, the medicinal leech, and describe the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance mutations and a gain-of-function resistance gene. We link the rise of CprAeromonasisolates to exposure of the leech microbiota to very low levels of Cp (0.01 to 0.04 µg/ml), <1/100 of the clinical resistance breakpoint forAeromonas. Using competition experiments and comparative genomics of 37 strains, we determined the mechanisms of resistance in clinical and leech-derivedAeromonasisolates, traced their origin, and determined that the presence of merely 0.01 µg/ml Cp provides a strong competitive advantage for Cprstrains. Deep-sequencing the Cpr-conferring region ofgyrAenabled tracing of the mutation-harboringAeromonaspopulation in archived gut samples, and an increase in the frequency of the Cpr-conferring mutation in 2011 coincides with the initial reports of CprAeromonasinfections in patients receiving leech therapy.

IMPORTANCEThe role of subtherapeutic antimicrobial contamination in selecting for resistant strains has received increasing attention and is an important clinical matter. This study describes the relationship of resistant bacteria from the medicinal leech,Hirudo verbana, with patient infections following leech therapy. While our results highlight the need for alternative antibiotic therapies, the rise of Cprbacteria demonstrates the importance of restricting the exposure of animals to antibiotics approved for veterinary use. The shift to a more resistant community and the dispersion of Cpr-conferring mechanisms via mobile elements occurred in a natural setting due to the presence of very low levels of fluoroquinolones, revealing the challenges of controlling the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and highlighting the importance of a holistic approach in the management of antibiotic use.
Responses of the Human Gut
Escherichia coli
Population to Pathogen and Antibiotic Disturbances
Authors: Richter Taylor K. S. , Michalski Jane M. , Zanetti Luke , Tennant Sharon M. , Chen Wilbur H. , Rasko David A.
Published: July 2018

Research on human-associated
E. coli
tends to focus on pathogens, such as enterotoxigenic
E. coli
(ETEC) strains, which are a leading cause of diarrhea in developing countries. However, the severity of disease caused by these pathogens is thought to be influenced by the microbiome. The nonpathogenic
E. coli
community that resides in the human gastrointestinal tract may play a role in pathogen colonization and disease severity and may become a reservoir for virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. Our study used whole-genome sequencing of
E. coli
before, during, and after challenge with an archetype ETEC isolate, H10407, and antibiotic treatment to explore the diversity and resiliency of the resident
E. coli
population in response to the ecological disturbances caused by pathogen invasion and antibiotic treatment.
Clinical characteristics of young adult cataract patients: a 10-year retrospective study of the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center
Authors: Lin Duoru , Liu Zhenzhen , Cao Qianzhong , Wu Xiaohang , Liu Jinchao , Chen Jingjing , Lin Zhuoling , Li Xiaoyan , Zhang Li , Long Erping , Zhang Xiayin , Wang Jinghui , Wu Dongxuan , Zhao Xutu , Yu Tongyong , Li Jing , Zhou Xiaojia , Wang Lisha , Lin Haotian , Chen Weirong , Liu Yizhi
Published: July 2018

Aim

To investigate the characteristics of young adult cataract (YAC) patients over a 10-year period.

Methods

This observational study included YAC patients aged 18–49 years who were treated surgically for the first time at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center in China. YAC patients were analysed and compared with patients with childhood cataract (CC) in January 2005 to December 2014.

Results

During the 10-year period, 515 YAC patients and 2421 inpatients with CC were enrolled. Among the YAC patients, 76.76% (109/142) of unilateral patients had a corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) better than 20/40 in the healthy eye, whereas only 20.38% (76/373) of bilateral patients had a CDVA better than 20/40 in the eye with better visual acuity. Compared with the CC group, the YAC group had a higher proportion of rural patients (40.40% vs 31.60%, p=0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of other ocular abnormalities in YAC patients was higher than that in patients with CC (29.71% vs 17.47%, p<0.001).

Conclusions

A large proportion coming from rural areas and a high prevalence of complicated ocular abnormalities may be the most salient characteristics of YAC patients. Strengthening the counselling and screening strategy for cataract and health education for young adults are required especially for those in rural areas.
Drowning mortality by intent: a population-based cross-sectional study of 32 OECD countries, 2012–2014
Authors: Hsieh Wan-Hua , Wang Chien-Hsing , Lu Tsung-Hsueh
Published: July 2018

Objective

To compare the drowning mortality rates and proportion of deaths of each intent among all drowning deaths in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries in 2012–2014.

Design

A population-based cross-sectional study.

Setting

32 OECD countries.

Participants

Individuals in OECD countries who died from drowning.

Main outcome measures

Drowning mortality rates (deaths per 100 000 population) and proportion (%) of deaths of each intent (ie, unintentional intent, intentional self-harm, assault, undetermined intent and all intents combined) among all drowning deaths.

Results

Countries with the highest drowning mortality rates (deaths per 100 000 population) were Estonia (3.53), Japan (3.49) and Greece (2.40) for unintentional intent; Ireland (0.96), Belgium (0.96) and Korea (0.89) for intentional self-harm; Austria (0.57), Korea (0.56) and Hungary (0.44) for undetermined intent and Japan (4.35), Estonia (3.70) and Korea (2.73) for all intents combined. Korea ranked 12th and 3rd for unintentional intent and all intents combined, respectively. By contrast, Belgium ranked 2nd and 15th for intentional self-harm and all intents combined, respectively. The proportion of deaths of each intent among all drowning deaths in each country varied greatly: from 26.2% in Belgium to 96.8% in Chile for unintentional intent; 0.7% in Mexico to 57.4% in Belgium for intentional self-harm; 0.0% in nine countries to 4.9% in Mexico for assault and 0.0% in Israel and Turkey to 38.3% in Austria for undetermined intent.

Conclusions

A large variation in the practice of classifying undetermined intent in drowning deaths across countries was noted and this variation hinders valid international comparisons of intent-specific (unintentional and intentional self-harm) drowning mortality rates.