bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting Forced Convection Flow Through a Porous Medium Saturated Channel Using Singular Perturbation Analysis
Authors: Chen G. M.
Published: December 2019

Accounting for the fact that thermal conductivity of fluid is much less than the thermal conductivity of solid in most of the porous medium-related applications, this study applies perturbation approach in analyzing forced convection through a parallel plate channel under local thermal nonequilibirum (LTNE) condition by denoting the thermal conductivity ratio of fluid to solid as the small parameter, suggesting leading order solutions to solve the two-equation energy model, by incorporating Darcy model and Brinkman model for large porous medium shape factor, respectively, in the presence of heat generation in both fluid and solid. This study provides important fluid temperatures, solid temperatures, and heat transfer coefficient approximations, which enables further analysis on the fluid and solid temperature gradient at the boundary and hence delineate the roles of thermal conductivities and interfacial heat transfer in LNTE mode. The results signify competition between the heat conduction from the wall through fluid conduction and interfacial heat transfer from solid to fluid in the thermal boundary layer. The effect of thermal boundary layer is intensified with the attendant increase in porous medium shape factor and heat generation in solid. The results for Brinkman model also establish conditions for temperature bifurcations to take place whereby in such cases, an increase in viscous dissipation in fluid attributes to the detachment of thermal boundary layer as the porous medium shape factor, S decreases. The phenomenon caused by insufficient convection rate to overcome viscous dissipation bears much resemblance to the separation point in the momentum boundary layer.
Generation of acoustic vortex beams with designed Fermat's spiral diffraction grating
Authors: Zhou Hongping , Li Jingjing , Guo Kai , Guo Zhongyi
Published: December 2019

Compared with conventional methods that require electric manipulation of the transducer, passive diffraction gratings provide a simpler and more compact solution to generate an acoustic vortex. This work theoretically and numerically investigates a novel method for generation and detection of an acoustic vortex in water by using a passive Fermat's spiral diffraction grating (FSDG). When the proposed structure is illuminated by a plane acoustic wave, the constructive and destructive interferences of the diffracted waves by the FSDG could produce acoustic vortex beams. By changing the structure of the FSDG properly, the output can be high-order acoustic vortex or multiplexing acoustic vortex beams, whose topological charge is determined by the number and spiral direction of the FSDG arms. Then, the acoustic vortex beams can be detected by the same equipment but a different rotation direction. Both the intensity and phase distributions after detection demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed FSDG for generating and detecting the acoustic vortex beams. Obtained results may have potential applications for particle trapping, imaging, underwater acoustic communication, and so on.
Exploring Self-Compassion and Versions of Masculinity in Men Athletes
Authors: Reis Nathan A. , Kowalski Kent C. , Mosewich Amber D. , Ferguson Leah J.
Published: December 2019

Despite a growing emphasis on self-compassion in sport, little research has focused exclusively on men athletes. The purpose of this research was to explore the interaction of self-compassion and diverse versions of masculinity on the psychosocial well-being of men athletes. The authors sampled 172 men athletes (Mage = 22.8 yr) from a variety of sports, using descriptive methodology with self-report questionnaires. Self-compassion was related to most variables (e.g., psychological well-being, fear of negative evaluation, state self-criticism, internalized shame, reactions to a hypothetical sport-specific scenario) in hypothesized directions and predicted unique variance beyond self-esteem across most of those variables, as well as moderated relationships between masculinity and both autonomy and attitudes toward gay men. In addition, self-compassion was differentially related to inclusive and hegemonic masculinity. Our findings support self-compassion as a promising resource for men athletes to buffer emotionally difficult sport experiences.
Diagnostic Validity of an Isokinetic Testing to Identify Partial Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
Authors: Scoz Robson Dias , Amorim Cesar F. , Mazziotti Bruno O.A. , Da Silva Rubens A. , Vieira Edgar R. , Lopes Alexandre D. , Gabriel Ronaldo E.C.D.
Published: December 2019

Objective:To assess the diagnostic validity of an isokinetic testing to detect partial injuries on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).Design:Prospective diagnostic study.Settings:Orthopedic clinic, physiotherapy clinic, orthopedic hospital, and diagnostic/image clinic.Participants:Consecutive patients (n = 29) with unilateral knee complaint submitted to physical examination, magnetic resonance images (MRIs), and isokinetic testing prior to surgery of ACL reconstruction.Interventions:Not applicable.Main Outcome Measures:The isokinetic torque curves data from extensor and flexor muscles were converted to frequency domain by fast Fourier transformation and compared with healthy contralateral limb. Differences were categorized as unstable knees and these conclusions were compared with patient’s physical examinations (doctor’s conclusion on ACL integrity) and MRIs (as the radiologist conclusions on ACL integrity). After surgery, all intraoperatively confirmed partial injured patient’s data were collected. The diagnostic accuracy measures to compare the conclusions of all 3 professionals included sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, disease prevalence, positive likelihood ratio, and accuracy—all using a confidence interval of 95%.Results:Compared with MRI, the sensitivity of isokinetic test for an ACL partial injury was 90.00%, specificity 83.33%, positive predictive value 52.94%, negative predictive value 97.56%, and accuracy 84.48%. Compared with physical examination, the sensitivity of isokinetic test for an ACL partial injury was 85.71%, specificity 78.43%, positive predictive value 35.29%, negative predictive value 97.56%, and accuracy 79.31%.Conclusions:This method of isokinetic data analysis through fast Fourier transformation can be used to improve diagnostic accuracy of a difficult detection injury. Even present, a partial ACL injury can produce a stable knee during isokinetic testing and could be used to detect candidates for conservative treatment based on strengthening exercises, reducing surgery risks, and financial and social impact on patient’s life.
Fatigue-Related Changes in Running Gait Patterns Persist in the Days Following a Marathon Race
Authors: Clermont Christian A. , Pohl Andrew J. , Ferber Reed
Published: December 2019

Context: The risk of experiencing an overuse running-related injury can increase with atypical running biomechanics associated with neuromuscular fatigue and/or training errors. While it is important to understand the changes in running biomechanics within a fatigue-inducing run, it may be more clinically relevant to assess gait patterns in the days following a marathon to better evaluate the effects of inadequate recovery on injury. Objective: To use center of mass (CoM) acceleration patterns to investigate changes in running patterns prior to (PRE) and at 2 (POST2) and 7 (POST7) days following a marathon race. Design: Pre–post intervention study. Setting: A 200-m oval track surface. Participants: Seventeen recreational marathon runners (10 females, age = 34.2 [5.67] y; 7 males, age = 47.41 [15.32] y). Intervention: Marathon race. Main Outcome Measures: An inertial measurement unit was placed near the CoM to collect triaxial acceleration data during overground running for PRE, POST2, and POST7 sessions. Twenty-two features were extracted from the acceleration waveforms to characterize different aspects of running gait. Lower-limb musculoskeletal pain was also recorded at each session with a visual analog scale. Results: At POST2, runners reported higher self-reported pain and exhibited elevated peak mediolateral acceleration with an increased mediolateral ratio of acceleration root mean square compared with PRE. At POST7, pain was reduced and more similar to PRE, with runners demonstrating increased stride regularity in the vertical direction and decreased peak resultant acceleration. Conclusions: The observed changes in CoM motion at POST2 may be associated with atypical running biomechanics that can translate to greater mediolateral impulses, potentially increasing the risk of injury. This study demonstrates the use of an accelerometer as an effective tool to detect atypical CoM motion for runners due to fatigue, recovery, and musculoskeletal pain in real-world environments.
Improvements in Lower-Extremity Function Following a Rehabilitation Program With Patterned Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation in Females With Patellofemoral Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Glaviano Neal R. , Marshall Ashley N. , Mangum L. Colby , Hart Joseph M. , Hertel Jay , Russell Shawn , Saliba Susan
Published: December 2019

Context: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a challenging condition, with altered kinematics and muscle activity as 2 common impairments. Single applications of patterned electrical neuromuscular stimulation (PENS) have improved both kinematics and muscle activity in females with PFP; however, the use of PENS in conjunction with a rehabilitation program has not been evaluated. Objective: To determine the effects of a 4-week rehabilitation program with PENS on lower-extremity biomechanics and electromyography (EMG) during a single-leg squat (SLS) and a step-down task (SDT) in individuals with PFP. Study Design: Double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Setting: Laboratory. Patients of Other Participants: Sixteen females with PFP (age 23.3 [4.9] y, mass 66.3 [13.5] kg, height 166.1 [5.9] cm). Intervention: Patients completed a 4-week supervised rehabilitation program with or without PENS. Main Outcome Measures: Curve analyses for lower-extremity kinematics and EMG activity (gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, vastus medialis oblique, vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and adductor longus) were constructed by plotting group means and 90% confidence intervals throughout 100% of each task, before and after the rehabilitation program. Mean differences (MDs) and SDs were calculated where statistical differences were identified. Results: No differences at baseline in lower-extremity kinematics or EMG were found between groups. Following rehabilitation, the PENS group had significant reduction in hip adduction between 29% and 47% of the SLS (MD = 4.62° [3.85°]) and between 43% and 69% of the SDT (MD = 6.55° [0.77°]). Throughout the entire SDT, there was a decrease in trunk flexion in the PENS group (MD = 10.91° [1.73°]). A significant decrease in gluteus medius activity was seen during both the SLS (MD = 2.77 [3.58]) and SDT (MD = 4.36 [5.38]), and gluteus maximus during the SLS (MD = 1.49 [1.46]). No differences were seen in the Sham group lower-extremity kinematics for either task. Conclusion: Rehabilitation with PENS improved kinematics in both tasks and decreased EMG activity. This suggests that rehabilitation with PENS may improve muscle function during functional tasks.
Stepwise Earth oxygenation is an inherent property of global biogeochemical cycling
Authors: Alcott Lewis J. , Mills Benjamin J. W. , Poulton Simon W.
Published: December 2019

Stepping to an internal beat

What caused the stepwise nature of the rise of molecular oxygen in Earth's atmosphere since it appeared in large quantities more than 2 billion years ago? Alcott
et al.
argue that a set of internal feedbacks involving the global phosphorus, carbon, and oxygen cycles, not individual external forces, could be responsible. Their model, which depends only on a gradual shift from reducing to oxidizing surface conditions over time, produces the same three-step pattern observed in the geological record.

Science
, this issue p.
1333
A direct heterotypic interaction between the DIX domains of Dishevelled and Axin mediates signaling to β-catenin
Authors: Yamanishi Kumpei , Fiedler Marc , Terawaki Shin-ichi , Higuchi Yoshiki , Bienz Mariann , Shibata Naoki
Published: December 2019

Interactions between the DIX domains of Dishevelled and Axin drive repression of the β-catenin destruction complex.
Draft Genome Sequence of Cyclobacterium marinum Strain Atlantic-IS, Isolated from the Atlantic Slope off the Coast of Virginia, USA
Authors: Sharma Indu , Lee Michael D.
Published: December 2019

Here, we report a draft genome sequence for
Cyclobacterium marinum
strain Atlantic-IS, isolated from the Atlantic slope off the coast of Virginia. The whole-genome sequence will help us understand its adaptive metabolic responses to diverse C sources in low-nutrient environments.
Draft Genome Sequence of Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis TSA37, Isolated from Wood Ash
Authors: Williams Alexander N. , MacLea Kyle S.
Published: December 2019

Dermacoccus nishinomiyaensis
is a common bacterial resident of the human skin microbiome, among other environments.
D. nishinomiyaensis
strain TSA37 was isolated from the ash pan of a residential wood pellet stove. A genome assembly of 3,130,592 bp was generated, with an
N
50
value of 197,547 bp and a calculated G+C content of 69.01%.
Tubercular involvement of the lateral malleolus and adjacent calcaneus: presentation of a rare case and review of the literature
Authors: Kumar Prasoon , Dhillon Mandeep Singh , Rajnish Rajesh Kumar , Jindal Karan
Published: December 2019

Osteoarticular tuberculosis (TB), despite being on the wane in the developed world, stays a problem of significance in the developing world. The issue is compounded by unusual presentations, inadequate diagnostic skills and limited understanding of its management. For foot infections, despite an increased awareness, many patients may be misdiagnosed, with associated treatment delays. A 19-year-old man presented with pain and swelling on lateral aspect of right ankle for 2 months. The patient had an undermined discharging sinus with surrounding induration and the skin adherent to the underlying bone. Patient was diagnosed as a case of ipsilateral TB lateral malleolus and calcaneus, managed with antitubercular drugs with complete resolution at 3 years of follow up. Foot and ankle TB can have atypical presentations causing delay in diagnosis. Contiguous spread of infection occurs through the synovium or the joint; however, extra-articular spread along the tendon sheaths or other soft tissues is possible, which is highlighted by the present case.
Intravitreal bevacizumab improves the clearance of vitreous haemorrhage and visual outcomes in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Wirkkala Joonas , Bloigu Risto , Hautala Nina Maria
Published: December 2019

Objective

To evaluate the occurrence of vitreous haemorrhage (VH) secondary to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and the efficacy of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for VH in 5-year real-life data.

Methods and analysis

850 adult patients with type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) with PDR were screened for VH. The effect of IVB was evaluated by the clearage of VH and the change in best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). The rates of VHs, reinjections, macular oedema, complications, additional treatments and outcomes of spontaneous resorption, panretinal photocoagulation or pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for VH were also investigated.

Results

VH occurred in 16% of patients with T1D and 9% of patients with T2D with PDR. 336 VHs in 140 eyes of 103 patients were documented. VH was cleared in 92% of cases in less than 3 months by the initial IVB. IVB was superior to other treatment methods in shortening the time for clearance of VH (Kaplan-Meier, p<0.0001). The average rate of IVB reinjections was 1.7±1.1 and the reinjection interval was 7.2±3.9 weeks. BCVA increased 0.73±0.04 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution units after IVB (generalised estimating equations, p=0.0004). In 5 years, the patients had 2.2±2.7 recurrence of VHs. A simultaneous 72% decrease in the rate of PPVs was documented (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

VH occurs mostly in patients with T1D. The therapeutic effect of IVB for VH was significant and led to improved clearance of VH and visual outcome. Moreover, IVB prevented persistent and recurrent VHs and decreased the need for costly PPV.
Effects of physical activity calorie equivalent food labelling to reduce food selection and consumption: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled studies
Authors: Daley Amanda J , McGee Eleanor , Bayliss Sue , Coombe April , Parretti Helen M
Published: December 2019

Background

There is limited evidence that nutritional labelling on food/drinks is changing eating behaviours. Physical activity calorie equivalent (PACE) food labelling aims to provide the public with information about the amount of physical activity required to expend the number of kilocalories in food/drinks (eg, calories in this pizza requires 45 min of running to burn), to encourage healthier food choices and reduce disease.

Objective

We aimed to systematically search for randomised controlled trials and experimental studies of the effects of PACE food labelling on the selection, purchase or consumption of food/drinks.

Methods

PACE food labelling was compared with any other type of food labelling or no labelling (comparator). Reports were identified by searching electronic databases, websites and social media platforms. Inverse variance meta-analysis was used to summarise evidence. Weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% CIs were used to describe between-group differences using a random effects model.

Results

15 studies were eligible for inclusion. When PACE labelling was displayed on food/drinks and menus, significantly fewer calories were selected, relative to comparator labelling (WMD=−64.9 kcal, 95% CI −103.2 to −26.6, p=0.009, n=4606). Presenting participants with PACE food labelling results in the consumption of significantly fewer calories (WMD=−80.4 kcal, 95% CI−136.7 to −24.2, p=0.005, n=486) relative to comparator food labelling.

Conclusion

Based on current evidence PACE food labelling may reduce the number of kilocalories selected from menus and decrease the number of kilocalories/grams of food consumed by the public, compared with other types of food labelling/no labelling.

Trial registration number

CRD42018088567.
Conceptualising illness and disease: reflections on Sharpe and Greco (2019)
Authors: Wilshire Carolyn , Ward Tony
Published: December 2019

In a recent paper, Sharpe and Greco suggest that chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (MECFS) can be viewed as an instance of “illness without disease”, and consequently, treatment should be directed towards altering the patient’s experience of, and response to, their symptoms. We discuss two broad issues that arise from Sharpe and Greco’s article, one relating to the assumptions they make about MECFS and its treatment specifically, and the other relating to their conceptualisation of the illness/disease dichotomy. We argue that the term “illness without disease”, in the sense that Sharpe and Greco use it, is problematic because it can lead to unwarranted causal assumptions. Following these critical comments, we present a new framework for conceptualising the relationship between explanatory disease models and the experience of illness.
Trajectories of self-rated health before and after retirement: evidence from two cohort studies
Authors: Stenholm Sari , Virtanen Marianna , Pentti Jaana , Oksanen Tuula , Kivimäki Mika , Vahtera Jussi
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Previous studies have produced conflicting findings on the health consequences of retirement. We aimed at identifying trajectories of self-rated health over retirement transition using repeated measurements and examined which preretirement factors predicted membership to each trajectory.

Methods

The study population consisted of Finnish public sector employees from two independent cohorts (Finnish Public Sector Study (FPS), n=5776 with a 4-year follow-up interval; and Finnish Retirement and Aging Study (FIREA), n=2796 with a 1-year follow-up interval). Both cohorts included assessment of self-rated health one to three times before and one to three times after retirement (average number of measurement points: 3.7 in FPS and 3.5 in FIREA). We used latent trajectory analysis to identify trajectories of self-rated health.

Results

In both cohorts four similar trajectories were identified: ‘Sustained good health’ (47% in FPS and 74% in FIREA), ‘From good to suboptimal health’ (19% and 6%), ‘From suboptimal to good health’ (14% and 8%) and ‘Sustained suboptimal health’ (20% and 12%). There were more women and persons in high occupational status in the ‘From suboptimal to good health’ trajectory group when compared with ‘Sustained suboptimal health’ trajectory group in FPS. Those in the trajectory ‘From good to suboptimal health’ had lower occupational status and higher job strain in comparison with those in the ‘Sustained good health’ trajectory in both cohorts.

Conclusions

A large majority of public sector employees maintain their perceived health status during retirement transition. Adverse trajectory in self-rated health relate to low occupational status and work-related stressors.
Anesthesia of the anterior femoral cutaneous nerves for total knee arthroplasty incision: randomized volunteer trial
Authors: Bjørn Siska , Nielsen Thomas Dahl , Moriggl Bernhard , Hoermann Romed , Bendtsen Thomas Fichtner
Published: December 2019

Background and objectives

For pain relief after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), an injection at the midthigh level may produce analgesia inferior to that of a femoral nerve block as the anterior femoral cutaneous nerves (intermediate femoral cutaneous nerve (IFCN) and medial femoral cutaneous nerve (MFCN)) are not anesthetized. The IFCN can be selectively anesthetized in the subcutaneous tissue above the sartorius muscle and the MFCN by an injection in the proximal part of the femoral triangle (FT). The primary aim was to investigate the area of cutaneous anesthesia in relation to the surgical incision for TKA and anteromedial knee area after intermediate femoral cutaneous nerve blockade (IFCNB) in combination with an injection in the proximal or distal part of the FT (proximal vs distal femoral triangle block (FTB)).

Methods

The study was carried out as two separate investigations: first, dissection of nine cadaver sides to verify a technique for IFCNB; second, a volunteer study with 40 healthy volunteers. The surgical midline incision for TKA was drawn bilaterally. All volunteers received an active distal FTB combined with a placebo proximal FTB on one side and vice versa on the other side. All volunteers were randomized to an active IFCNB on one side and placebo IFCNB on the contralateral side.

Results

Identification of IFCN was successful in all cadaver sides. Fifteen out of 20 volunteers had complete anesthesia of the incision line after IFCNB combined with proximal FTB, which was significantly higher compared with proximal FTB alone and with distal FTB+IFCNB. A gap at the anteromedial knee area was present in 2/20 volunteers with proximal FTB compared with 17/20 with distal FTB when all volunteers had active IFCNB.

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided blockade of the IFCN and MFCN anesthetize the surgical midline incision and the anteromedial area of the knee relevant for TKA. In contrast, an injection at the midthigh level produces insufficient cutaneous anesthesia not covering the areas of interest.

Trial registration number

EudraCT: 2018-004986-15.
Reducing uncertainties and improving sand soil-water retention curve (SWRC) predictions for hazard screening analyses
Authors: Taylor Oliver-Denzil S. , Walshire Lucas A. , Berry Woodman W.
Published: December 2019

An energy-based laboratory-testing program was undertaken to investigate the effects of different testing methods, numerical model fits, and soil fabrics and densities on the soil-water retention curve (SWRC) using a poorly graded sand. Four different reconstitution energies and three saturation levels were used to generate different soil fabrics and structure within a narrow band of possible densities, as limited by the mechanical properties of the soil particles. Tests were performed using a “transient retention imbibition method” and a Fredlund device to develop a statistically representative laboratory SWRC. Testing results for the poorly graded sand indicate little aleatory variability in SWRC from the soil structure. The dominant source of data variability is a function of the epistemic uncertainty associated with the testing methods and fitting models but can be accounted for by a bounded mean SWRC. This bounding allows for the development of a laboratory “proxy” soil, representative of generalized sand SWRC behavior, for use as a hazard screening tool for modeling unsaturated sand behavior. The proxy soil SWRC is compared with other generalized SWRC models and independent SWRC field and laboratory tests, wherein the proxy soil SWRC yields significant increases in accuracy between the estimated and field SWRC behavior.
The chemistry of biguanides: from synthetic routes to applications in organic chemistry
Authors: Fortun Solène , Schmitzer Andreea R.
Published: December 2019

In this minireview, we discuss the chemistry of biguanides and their applications in catalysis. We present their super basicity as a consequence of their structure, the most efficient ways to synthesize symmetric and unsymmetric functionalized biguanides, and their applications in organic catalysis as triazine precursors and ligands in organometallic catalysis.
Upregulation of mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin ligase 1 in rat heart contributes to ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Wang Shi-Jing , Chen Heng , Tang Li-Jing , Tu Hua , Liu Bin , Li Nian-Sheng , Luo Xiu-Ju , Peng Jun
Published: December 2019

Mitochondrial dysfunctions are responsible for myocardial injury upon ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and mitochondrial E3 ubiquitin ligase 1 (Mul1) plays an important role in maintaining mitochondrial functions. This study aims to explore the function of Mul1 in myocardial I/R injury and the underlying mechanisms. The Sprague–Dawley rat hearts were subjected to 1 h of ischemia plus 3 h of reperfusion, which showed the I/R injury (increase in infarct size and creatine kinase release) and the elevated total and mitochondrial protein levels of Mul1 and p53 accompanied by the enhanced interactions between Mul1 and p53 as well as p53 and small a ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO1). Consistently, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) treated cardiac (H9c2) cells displayed cellular injury (apoptosis and necrosis), upregulation of total and mitochondrial protein levels of Mul1 and p53, and enhanced interactions between p53 and SUMO1 concomitant with mitochondrial dysfunctions (an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species production with a decrease in ATP production); these phenomena were attenuated by knockdown of Mul1 expression. Based on these observations, we conclude that a novel role of Mul1 has been identified in the myocardial mitochondria, where Mul1 stabilizes and activates p53 through its function of SUMOylation following I/R, leading to p53-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death.
Riboflavin and pyrroloquinoline quinone generate carbon monoxide in the presence of tissue microsomes or recombinant human cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase: implications for possible roles in gasotransmission
Authors: Vukomanovic Dragic , Jia Zongchao , Nakatsu Kanji , Smith Graeme N. , Ozolinš Terence R.S.
Published: December 2019

Carbon monoxide (CO), an endogenously produced gasotransmitter, regulates inflammation and vascular tone, suggesting that delivery of CO may be therapeutically useful for pathologies like preeclampsia where CO insufficiency is implicated. Our strategy is to identify chemicals that increase the activity of endogenous CO-producing enzymes, including cytochrome P-450 oxidoreductase (CPR). Realizing that both riboflavin and pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) are relatively nontoxic, even at high doses, and that they share chemical properties with toxic CO activators that we previously identified, our goal was to determine whether riboflavin or PQQ could stimulate CO production. Riboflavin and PQQ were incubated in sealed vessels with rat and human tissue extracts and CO generation was measured with headspace-gas chromatography. Riboflavin and PQQ increased CO production ∼60% in rat spleen microsomes. In rat brain microsomes, riboflavin and PQQ increased respective CO production approximately fourfold and twofold compared to baseline. CO production by human placenta microsomes increased fourfold with riboflavin and fivefold with PQQ. In the presence of recombinant human CPR, CO production was threefold greater with PQQ than with riboflavin. These observations demonstrate for the first time that riboflavin and PQQ facilitate tissue-specific CO production with significant contributions from CPR. We propose a novel biochemical role for these nutrients in gastransmission.
Thermodynamics and quantum tunneling of Reissner–Nordström black holes with deficit solid angle and quintessence
Authors: Moinuddin A. S. M. , Hossain Ali M.
Published: December 2019

We study thermodynamics and quantum tunneling of the Reissner–Nordström black hole with deficit solid angle and quintessence. We employ black hole thermodynamical laws and Parikh–Wilczek’s semiclassical tunneling process to obtain expressions of some thermodynamics quantities, Boltzmann factor, and entropy variation of the black hole. Regarding black hole background as dynamical and using conservation laws for energy and charge, we detect the existence of unthermal radiation spectrum and dependence of Boltzmann factor on the background geometry, and on energy and charge of the radiant particle. We explicitly plot variations of temperature, heat capacity, Boltzmann factor, and entropy change for various values of deficit solid angle [Formula: see text] and quintessence density [Formula: see text]. When varying the black hole entropy, there exists a phase transition, which shifts to lower entropy for increasing [Formula: see text] and decreasing [Formula: see text]. We show that temperature, heat capacity, and quantum tunneling rate are decreased in presence of quintessence and deficit angle parameters.
Relativistic oscillators in new type of the extended uncertainty principle
Authors: Merad A. , Aouachria M. , Merad M. , Birkandan T.
Published: December 2019

We present the exact solutions of one-dimensional Klein–Gordon and Dirac oscillators subject to the uniform electric field in the context of the new type of the extended uncertainty principle using the displacement operator method. The energy eigenvalues and eigenfunctions are determined for both cases. For the Klein–Gordon oscillator case, the wave functions are expressed in terms of the associated Laguerre polynomials and for the Dirac oscillator case, the wave functions are obtained in terms of the confluent Heun functions. The limiting cases are also studied using the special values of the physical parameters.
Mean-payoff Optimization in Continuous-time Markov Chains with Parametric Alarms
Authors: Baier Christel , Dubslaff Clemens , Korenčiak L'uboš , kučera Antonín , Řehák Vojtěch
Published: December 2019

Continuous-time Markov chains with alarms (ACTMCs) allow for alarm events that can be non-exponentially distributed. Within
parametric
ACTMCs, the parameters of alarm-event distributions are not given explicitly and can be the subject of parameter synthesis. In this line, an algorithm is presented that solves the ε-optimal parameter synthesis problem for parametric ACTMCs with long-run average optimization objectives. The approach provided in this article is based on a reduction of the problem to finding long-run average optimal policies in semi-Markov decision processes (semi-MDPs) and sufficient discretization of the parameter (i.e., action) space. Since the set of actions in the discretized semi-MDP can be very large, a straightforward approach based on an explicit action-space construction fails to solve even simple instances of the problem. The presented algorithm uses an enhanced policy iteration on
symbolic
representations of the action space. Soundness of the algorithm is established for parametric ACTMCs with alarm-event distributions that satisfy four mild assumptions, fulfilled by many kinds of distributions. Exemplifying proofs for the satisfaction of these requirements are provided for Dirac, uniform, exponential, Erlang, and Weibull distributions in particular. An experimental implementation shows that the symbolic technique substantially improves the efficiency of the synthesis algorithm and allows us to solve instances of realistic size.
Analysis of Spatio-temporal Properties of Stochastic Systems Using TSTL
Authors: Vissat Ludovica Luisa , Loreti Michele , Nenzi Laura , Hillston Jane , Marion Glenn
Published: December 2019

In this article, we present Three-Valued spatio-temporal Logic (TSTL), which enriches the available spatiotemporal analysis of properties expressed in Signal spatio-temporal Logic (SSTL), to give further insight into the dynamic behavior of systems. Our novel analysis starts from the estimation of satisfaction probabilities of given SSTL properties and allows the analysis of their temporal and spatial evolution. Moreover, in our verification procedure, we use a three-valued approach to include the intrinsic and unavoidable uncertainty related to the simulation-based statistical evaluation of the estimates; this can be also used to assess the appropriate number of simulations to use depending on the analysis needs. We present the syntax and three-valued semantics of TSTL and specific extended monitoring algorithms to check the validity of TSTL formulas. We introduce a reliability requirement for TSTL monitoring and an automatic procedure to verify it. Two case studies demonstrate how TSTL broadens the application of spatio-temporal logics in realistic scenarios, enabling analysis of threat monitoring and privacy preservation based on spatial stochastic population models.
Replicated Computations Results (RCR) Report for “Statistical Abstraction for Multi-scale Spatio-temporal Systems”
Authors: Loreti Michele
Published: December 2019

“Statistical abstraction for multi-scale spatio-temporal systems” proposes a methodology that supports analysis of large-scaled spatio-temporal systems. These are represented via a set of agents whose behaviour depends on a perceived field. The proposed approach is based on a novel simulation strategy based on a statistical abstraction of the agents. The abstraction makes use of Gaussian Processes, a powerful class of non-parametric regression techniques from Bayesian Machine Learning, to estimate the agent’s behaviour given the environmental input. The authors use two biological case studies to show how the proposed technique can be used to speed up simulations and provide further insights into model behaviour. This replicated computation results report focuses on the scripts used in the paper to perform such analysis. The required software was straightforward to install and use. All the experimental results from the paper have been reproduced.
Speech Melody Matters—How Robots Profit from Using Charismatic Speech
Authors: Fischer Kerstin , Niebuhr Oliver , Jensen Lars C. , Bodenhagen Leon
Published: December 2019

In this article, we address to what extent the proverb “the sound makes the music” also applies to human-robot interaction, and whether robots could profit from using speech characteristics similar to those used by charismatic speakers like Steve Jobs. In three empirical studies, we investigate the effects of using Steve Jobs’ and Mark Zuckerberg's speech characteristics during the generation of robot speech on the robot's persuasiveness and its impressionistic evaluation. The three studies address different human-robot interaction situations, which range from online questionnaires to real-time interactions with a large service robot, yet all involve both behavioral measures and users’ assessments. The results clearly show that robots can profit from using charismatic speech.
Now We’re Talking
Authors: Wijnen Frances M. , Davison Daniel P. , Reidsma Dennis , Meij Jan Van Der , Charisi Vicky , Evers Vanessa
Published: December 2019

This article presents a study in which we explored the effect of a social robot on the explanatory behavior of children (aged 6--10) while working on an inquiry learning task. In a comparative experiment, we offered children either a baseline Computer Aided Learning (CAL) system or the same CAL system that was supplemented with a social robot to verbally explain their thoughts to. Results indicate that when children made observations in an inquiry learning context, the robot was better able to trigger elaborate explanatory behavior. First, this is shown by a longer duration of explanatory utterances by children who worked with the robot compared to the baseline CAL system. Second, a content analysis of the explanations indicated that children who worked with the robot included more relevant utterances about the task in their explanation. Third, the content analysis shows that children made more logical associations between relevant facets in their explanations when they explained to a robot compared to a baseline CAL system. These results show that social robots that are used as extensions to CAL systems may be beneficial for triggering explanatory behavior in children, which is associated with deeper learning.
Learning the Correct Robot Trajectory in Real-Time from Physical Human Interactions
Authors: Losey Dylan P. , O'Malley Marcia K.
Published: December 2019

We present a learning and control strategy that enables robots to harness physical human interventions to update their trajectory and goal during autonomous tasks. Within the state of the art, the robot typically reacts to physical interactions by modifying a local segment of its trajectory, or by searching for the global trajectory offline, using either replanning or previous demonstrations. Instead, we explore a
one-shot
approach: here, the robot updates its entire trajectory and goal in real time without relying on multiple iterations, offline demonstrations, or replanning. Our solution is grounded in optimal control and gradient descent, and extends linear-quadratic regulator controllers to generalize across methods that locally or globally modify the robot’s underlying trajectory. In the best case, this
Linear-quadratic regulator + Learning
approach matches the optimal offline response to physical interactions, and—in more challenging cases—our strategy is robust to noisy and unexpected human corrections. We compare the proposed solution against other real-time strategies in a user study and demonstrate its efficacy in terms of both objective and subjective measures.
Statistical Abstraction for Multi-scale Spatio-temporal Systems
Authors: Michaelides Michalis , Hillston Jane , Sanguinetti Guido
Published: December 2019

Modelling spatio-temporal systems exhibiting multi-scale behaviour is a powerful tool in many branches of science, yet it still presents significant challenges. Here, we consider a general two-layer (agent-environment) modelling framework, where spatially distributed agents behave according to external inputs and internal computation; this behaviour may include influencing their immediate environment, creating a medium over which agent-agent interaction signals can be transmitted. We propose a novel simulation strategy based on a statistical abstraction of the agent layer, which is typically the most detailed component of the model and can incur significant computational cost in simulation. The abstraction makes use of Gaussian Processes, a powerful class of non-parametric regression techniques from Bayesian Machine Learning, to estimate the agent’s behaviour given the environmental input. We show on two biological case studies how this technique can be used to speed up simulations and provide further insights into model behaviour.
Evolution of Marsupial Genomes
Authors: Deakin Janine E. , O'Neill Rachel J.
Published: December 2019

Marsupial genomes, which are packaged into large chromosomes, provide a powerful resource for studying the mechanisms of genome evolution. The extensive and valuable body of work on marsupial cytogenetics, combined more recently with genome sequence data, has enabled prediction of the 2 n = 14 karyotype ancestral to all marsupial families. The application of both chromosome biology and genome sequencing, or chromosomics, has been a necessary approach for various aspects of mammalian genome evolution, such as understanding sex chromosome evolution and the origin and evolution of transmissible tumors in Tasmanian devils. The next phase of marsupial genome evolution research will employ chromosomics approaches to begin addressing fundamental questions in marsupial genome evolution and chromosome evolution more generally. The answers to these complex questions will impact our understanding across a broad range of fields, including the genetics of speciation, genome adaptation to environmental stressors, and species management.
Activation of the PKA signaling pathway stimulates oxalate transport by human intestinal Caco2-BBE cells
Authors: Arvans Donna , Alshaikh Altayeb , Bashir Mohamed , Weber Christopher , Hassan Hatim
Published: December 2019

Most kidney stones are composed of calcium oxalate, and small increases in urine oxalate enhance the stone risk. The mammalian intestine plays a crucial role in oxalate homeostasis, and we had recently reported that Oxalobacter-derived factors stimulate oxalate transport by human intestinal Caco2-BBE (C2) cells through PKA activation. We therefore evaluated whether intestinal oxalate transport is directly regulated by activation of the PKA signaling pathway. To this end, PKA was activated with forskolin and IBMX (F/I). F/I significantly stimulated (3.7-fold) [14C]oxalate transport by C2 cells [≥49% of which is mediated by the oxalate transporter SLC26A6 (A6)], an effect completely blocked by the PKA inhibitor H89, indicating that it is PKA dependent. PKA stimulation of intestinal oxalate transport is not cell line specific, since F/I similarly stimulated oxalate transport by the human intestinal T84 cells. F/I significantly increased (2.5-fold) A6 surface protein expression by use of immunocytochemistry. Assessing [14C]oxalate transport as a function of increasing [14C]oxalate concentration in the flux medium showed that the observed stimulation is due to a F/I-induced increase (1.8-fold) in Vmax and reduction (2-fold) in Km. siRNA knockdown studies showed that significant components of the observed stimulation are mediated by A6 and SLC26A2 (A2). Besides enhancing A6 surface protein expression, it is also possible that the observed stimulation is due to PKA-induced enhanced A6 and/or A2 transport activity in view of the reduced Km. We conclude that PKA activation positively regulates oxalate transport by intestinal epithelial cells and that PKA agonists might therapeutically impact hyperoxalemia, hyperoxaluria, and related kidney stones.
Augmented pressor and sympathoexcitatory responses to the onset of isometric handgrip in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Vranish Jennifer R. , Holwerda Seth W. , Kaur Jasdeep , Fadel Paul J.
Published: December 2019

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) exhibit greater daytime blood pressure (BP) variability, increasing their cardiovascular risk. Given the number of daily activities that incorporate short-duration isometric muscle contractions (e.g., carrying groceries), herein we investigated BP and muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) responses at the onset of isometric handgrip (HG). We tested the hypothesis that, relative to control subjects, patients with T2D would exhibit exaggerated pressor and MSNA responses to the immediate onset of HG. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and MSNA were quantified during the first 30 s of isometric HG at 30% and 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and during a cold pressor test (CPT), a nonexercise sympathoexcitatory stimulus. The onset of 30% MVC HG evoked similar increases in MAP between groups ( P = 0.17); however, the increase in MSNA was significantly greater in patients with T2D versus control subjects with the largest group difference at 20 s ( P < 0.001). At the onset of 40% MVC HG, patients with T2D demonstrated greater increases in MAP (e.g., 10 s, T2D: 9 ± 1 mmHg, controls: 5 ± 2 mmHg; P = 0.04). MSNA was also greater in patients with T2D at 40% MVC onset but differences were only significant at the 20–30 s timepoint (T2D: 15 ± 3 bursts/min, controls: −2 ± 4 bursts/min; P < 0.001). Similarly, MAP and MSNA responses were augmented during the onset of CPT in T2D patients. These findings demonstrate exaggerated pressor and MSNA reactivity in patients with T2D, with rapid and robust responses to both isometric contractions and cold stress. This hyper-responsiveness may contribute to daily surges in BP in patients with T2D, increasing their short-term and long-term cardiovascular risk.
Consequences of being phenotypically mismatched with the environment: rapid muscle ultrastructural changes in cold-shocked black-capped chickadees (Poecile atricapillus)
Authors: Vézina François , Cornelius Ruhs Emily , O’Connor Erin S. , Le Pogam Audrey , Régimbald Lyette , Love Oliver P. , Jimenez Ana Gabriela
Published: December 2019

Phenotypic flexibility has received considerable attention in the last decade; however, whereas many studies have reported amplitude of variation in phenotypic traits, much less attention has focused on the rate at which traits can adjust in response to sudden changes in the environment. We investigated whole animal and muscle phenotypic changes occurring in black-capped chickadees ( Poecile atricapillus) acclimated to cold (−5°C) and warm (20°C) temperatures in the first 3 h following a 15°C temperature drop (over 3 h). Before the temperature change, cold-acclimated birds were consuming 95% more food, were carrying twice as much body fat, and had 23% larger pectoralis muscle fiber diameters than individuals kept at 20°C. In the 3 h following the temperature drop, these same birds altered their pectoralis muscle ultrastructure by increasing the number of capillaries per fiber area and the number of nuclei per millimeter of fiber by 22%, consequently leading to a 22% decrease in myonuclear domain (amount of cytoplasm serviced per nucleus), whereas no such changes were observed in the warm-acclimated birds. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of such a rapid adjustment in muscle fiber ultrastructure in vertebrates. These results support the hypothesis that chickadees maintaining a cold phenotype are better prepared than warm-phenotype individuals to respond to a sudden decline in temperature, such as what may be experienced in their natural wintering environment.