bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Mixing and s/c Ratio on Lower Temperature Methane Steam Reforming Reaction With Waste Thermal Energy in Stationary Fuel Cell
Authors: Song Hyemin , Yu Sangseok
Published: December 2019

In a stationary fuel cell system, secondary reformer is utilized to enhance system efficiency. Since the heat sources of stationary fuel cell has low temperature, the operation philosophy of secondary reformer has to be differed from high temperature reformer. Researches on methane steam reformers have been made in various directions, but most have been done only in high efficiency systems. In this study, the design of the steam reformer with the low temperature gas as the heat source would be improved and the temperature distribution would be improved. To do this, computational analysis was carried out. Through computational analysis, we tried to improve radial flow uniformity and temperature distribution of methane and water vapor mixture in the reformer. In order to improve the flow and temperature distribution inside the reformer, the analysis was carried out considering the presence of the spiral vortex generator, the shape of the perforated plate, and the baffle. As a result, the uniformity of the flow was increased by installing the spiral vortex generator, and it was confirmed that the average temperature was increased by installing the perforated plate and the baffles. And an endothermic chemical reaction inside the reaction part and investigated the reforming characteristics according to the temperature and s/c ratio in order to consider the chemical reaction side with the improved structure in the flow side. The s/c ratio was set to 2 and 3, and the temperature was set to 1000K and 1100K. As a result, it has been concluded that the modification of the reforming reaction depends on the temperature and s/c ratio, and additional structural improvement is required.
Experimental Analysis of Kinetics and Cyclic Performance of Cobalt Oxide Powder As Redox Reactant Agent for High-Temperature Thermochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Vahedi Nasser , Oztekin Alparslan
Published: December 2019

For continuous operation of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Plants it is necessary to integrate thermal energy storage module. High-density energy storage system at a high temperature is required for the new generation of large scale CSP plants. The Thermochemical Energy Storage (TCES) systems use the enthalpy of formation of a reversible chemical reaction for energy storage and release. Gas/solid reduction-oxidation (redox) reactions of solid metal oxides using air as heat transfer fluid (HTF) can be directly integrated with air operated CSP plants, and there is no need for HTF storage and any intermediate heat exchanger. A new generation of large scale CSP plants uses high-temperature solar collectors to increase power cycle efficiency. Such operating conditions require the development of suitable high-temperature TCES systems. The selection of suitable metal oxide reactant is very critical in the design of such high-temperature storage systems and requires a detailed study of the physics of reaction within the reactor.

Cobalt oxide (Co3O4/CoO) has been verified to have a high reaction temperature, high enthalpy of reaction together with reasonable cyclic and thermal stability. Unique features of cobalt oxide require more fundamental study of the physics behind the redox reaction and its cyclic performance. Study of the physics of materials during the storage/release cycle is necessary for the design and improvement of the reactor and can be used as a benchmark for comparison of any implemented changes.

A high precision, true differential TGA/DSC instrument is used for simultaneous measurement of weightchange (TGA) and true differential heat flow (DSC) for pure cobalt oxide (Co3O4) powder. Storage cycle (charge/discharge) was conducted for five cycles. Complete re-oxidation was achieved within reasonable times by performing the two reactions at close temperatures and controlling heating/cooling rates. Basic performance parameters were derived as a benchmark for future references. Single-cycle controlling parameters such as heating/cooling rate, dwelling time, and purge gas rate were investigated. System response for few initial cycles was studied. It was shown that pure cobalt oxide could regain weight and complete re-oxidation with reasonable stability. A transition for heat flow was detected after a few initial cycles which reduced discharge heat and decreased overall performance.
Does passive sound attenuation affect responses to pitch-shifted auditory feedback?
Authors: Franken Matthias K. , Hartsuiker Robert J. , Johansson Petter , Hall Lars , Wartenberg Tijmen , Lind Andreas
Published: December 2019

The role of auditory feedback in vocal production has mainly been investigated by altered auditory feedback (AAF) in real time. In response, speakers compensate by shifting their speech output in the opposite direction. Current theory suggests this is caused by a mismatch between expected and observed feedback. A methodological issue is the difficulty to fully isolate the speaker's hearing so that only AAF is presented to their ears. As a result, participants may be presented with two simultaneous signals. If this is true, an alternative explanation is that responses to AAF depend on the contrast between the manipulated and the non-manipulated feedback. This hypothesis was tested by varying the passive sound attenuation (PSA). Participants vocalized while auditory feedback was unexpectedly pitch shifted. The feedback was played through three pairs of headphones with varying amounts of PSA. The participants' responses were not affected by the different levels of PSA. This suggests that across all three headphones, PSA is either good enough to make the manipulated feedback dominant, or differences in PSA are too small to affect the contribution of non-manipulated feedback. Overall, the results suggest that it is important to realize that non-manipulated auditory feedback could affect responses to AAF.
Audio-visual integration in cochlear implant listeners and the effect of age difference
Authors: Zhou Xin , Innes-Brown Hamish , McKay Colette M.
Published: December 2019

This study aimed to investigate differences in audio-visual (AV) integration between cochlear implant (CI) listeners and normal-hearing (NH) adults. A secondary aim was to investigate the effect of age differences by examining AV integration in groups of older and younger NH adults. Seventeen CI listeners, 13 similarly aged NH adults, and 16 younger NH adults were recruited. Two speech identification experiments were conducted to evaluate AV integration of speech cues. In the first experiment, reaction times in audio-alone (A-alone), visual-alone (V-alone), and AV conditions were measured during a speeded task in which participants were asked to identify a target sound /aSa/ among 11 alternatives. A race model was applied to evaluate AV integration. In the second experiment, identification accuracies were measured using a closed set of consonants and an open set of consonant-nucleus-consonant words. The authors quantified AV integration using a combination of a probability model and a cue integration model (which model participants' AV accuracy by assuming no or optimal integration, respectively). The results found that experienced CI listeners showed no better AV integration than their similarly aged NH adults. Further, there was no significant difference in AV integration between the younger and older NH adults.
Effect of Drinking Rate on the Retention of Water or Milk Following Exercise-Induced Dehydration
Authors: Sayer Liam , Rodriguez-Sanchez Nidia , Rodriguez-Giustiniani Paola , Irwin Christopher , McCartney Danielle , Cox Gregory R. , Galloway Stuart D.R. , Desbrow Ben
Published: December 2019

This study investigated the effect of drinking rate on fluid retention of milk and water following exercise-induced dehydration. In Part A, 12 male participants lost 1.9% ± 0.3% body mass through cycle exercise on four occasions. Following exercise, plain water or low-fat milk equal to the volume of sweat lost during exercise was provided. Beverages were ingested over 30 or 90 min, resulting in four beverage treatments: water 30 min, water 90 min, milk 30 min, and milk 90 min. In Part B, 12 participants (nine males and three females) lost 2.0% ± 0.3% body mass through cycle exercise on four occasions. Following exercise, plain water equal to the volume of sweat lost during exercise was provided. Water was ingested over 15 min (DR15), 45 min (DR45), or 90 min (DR90), with either DR15 or DR45 repeated. In both trials, nude body mass, urine volume, urine specific gravity and osmolality, plasma osmolality, and subjective ratings of gastrointestinal symptoms were obtained preexercise and every hour for 3 hr after the onset of drinking. In Part A, no effect of drinking rate was observed on the proportion of fluid retained, but milk retention was greater (p < .01) than water (water 30 min: 57% ± 16%, water 90 min: 60% ± 20%, milk 30 min: 83% ± 6%, and milk 90 min: 85% ± 7%). In Part B, fluid retention was greater in DR90 (57% ± 13%) than DR15 (50% ± 11%, p < .05), but this was within test–retest variation determined from the repeated trials (coefficient of variation: 17%). Within the range of drinking rates investigated the nutrient composition of a beverage has a more pronounced impact on fluid retention than the ingestion rate.
Physical Education Teachers’ Embracement of Alternative Environment Activities
Authors: Hall Nathan , Bradford Brent , da Costa José , Robinson Daniel B.
Published: December 2019

Background and Purpose: Despite widespread evidence suggesting the numerous benefits from being active in outdoor environments, children in many Western nations have recently been spending less time outdoors. This cross-sectional exploratory study provides a descriptive examination of physical education teachers’ embracement of alternative environment activities (AEAs) in physical education programs.Method: Data were collected from 225 current physical education teachers in Alberta and Manitoba, Canada, through an online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, factor analysis, Levene’s tests, and independentttests.Results: Significant differences were found in relation to teachers’ experiences, or lack thereof, with professional development in relation to the extent to which teachers embraced AEAs. Furthermore, cost was discovered to be the greatest perceived barrier to teaching AEAs.Discussion and Conclusions: This study reveals an established need for teachers’ professional development in teaching AEAs and for discovering ways to decrease cost barriers for teaching AEAs.
Towards Diffractive Ways of Knowing Women’s Moving Bodies: A Baradian Experiment With the Fitbit–Motherhood Entanglement
Authors: Clark Marianne I. , Thorpe Holly
Published: December 2019

This article presents a diffractive experiment in thinking about mothers’ engagements with self-tracking technologies as materially and discursively produced phenomena. Inspired by St. Pierre’s claim that any empirical adventure with new materialisms must begin by living with theory, we share our feminist, collaborative journey with Fitbits and Karen Barad’s agential realism to consider what might emerge when we begin thinking and living with concepts such as diffraction, entanglement, and intra-action. Unfolding within the uncertain intersections of theory, method, and data, our diffractive methodology prompted understandings of maternal, moving bodies as entangled agencies in continuous states of becoming and fostered generative feminist relationships that allowed us to embrace new ways of thinking, knowing, and being.
Casimicrobium huifangae
gen. nov., sp. nov., a Ubiquitous “Most-Wanted” Core Bacterial Taxon from Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Song Yang , Jiang Cheng-Ying , Liang Zong-Lin , Wang Bao-Jun , Jiang Yong , Yin Ye , Zhu Hai-Zhen , Qin Ya-Ling , Cheng Rui-Xue , Liu Zhi-Pei , Liu Yao , Jin Tao , Corvini Philippe F.-X. , Rabaey Korneel , Wang Ai-Jie , Liu Shuang-Jiang
Published: December 2019

The activated sludge process is the most widely applied biotechnology and is one of the best ecosystems to address microbial ecological principles. Yet, the cultivation of core bacteria and the exploration of their physiology and ecology are limited. In this study, the core and novel bacterial taxon
C. huifangae
was cultivated and characterized. This study revealed that
C. huifangae
functioned as an important module hub in the activated sludge microbiome, and it potentially plays an important role in municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Phenotypic Detection of Plasmid-Mediated Colistin Resistance in
Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: Gonzales Escalante Edgar , Yauri Condor Katherine , Di Conza Jose A. , Gutkind Gabriel O.
Published: December 2019

The aim of this work was to evaluate an easy-to-perform assay based upon inhibition of mobile colistin resistance (MCR) activity by EDTA. We included 92 nonrelated isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
(74
Escherichia coli
, 17
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, and 1
Serratia marcescens
). Our proposed method is based on a modification of the colistin agar-spot screening test (CAST), a plate containing 3 μg/ml colistin, by adding an extra plate of colistin agar-spot supplemented with EDTA (eCAST).
PACSIN2 Interacts with Nonstructural Protein 5A and Regulates Hepatitis C Virus Assembly
Authors: Nguyen Lap P. , Tran Si C. , Suetsugu Shiro , Lim Yun-Sook , Hwang Soon B.
Published: December 2019

PACSIN2 is a lipid-binding protein that triggers the tubulation of the phosphatidic acid-containing membranes. The functional involvement of PACSIN2 in the virus life cycle has not yet been demonstrated. We showed that phosphorylation of PACSIN2 displayed a negative effect on NS5A and core interaction. The most significant finding is that NS5A prevents PKCα from binding to PACSIN2. Therefore, the phosphorylation level of PACSIN2 is decreased in HCV-infected cells. We showed that HCV NS5A interrupted PKCα-mediated PACSIN2 phosphorylation at serine 313, thereby promoting NS5A-PACSIN2 interaction. We further demonstrated that PACSIN2 modulated lipid droplet formation through ERK1/2 phosphorylation. These data provide evidence that PACSIN2 is a proviral cellular factor required for viral propagation.
Induction of Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus-Encoded Thymidine Kinase (ORF21) by X-Box Binding Protein 1
Authors: Wang Victoria , Davis David A. , Deleage Claire , Brands Catherine , Choi Hong S. , Haque Muzammel , Yarchoan Robert
Published: December 2019

Spliced X-box binding protein 1 (XBP-1s), part of the unfolded protein response and expressed in developing germinal center B cells, can induce Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) lytic replication and directly activate viral interleukin-6 (vIL-6). We show here that XBP-1s can also directly activate KSHV ORF21, a lytic gene. ORF21 encodes KSHV thymidine kinase (TK), which increases the pool of dTTP for viral replication and enhances lytic replication. Direct activation of ORF21 by XBP-1s can enhance viral replication in germinal center B cells and contribute to the pathogenesis of KSHV multicentric Castleman disease (MCD). KSHV-MCD is characterized by systemic inflammation caused, in part, by lytic replication and overproduction of KSHV vIL-6 in XBP-1s-expressing lymph node plasmablasts. KSHV thymidine kinase can phosphorylate zidovudine and ganciclovir to toxic moieties, and direct activation of ORF21 by XBP-1s may also help explain the effectiveness of zidovudine and valganciclovir in the treatment of KSHV-MCD.
The Ubiquitin-Specific Protease Usp7, a Novel Merkel Cell Polyomavirus Large T-Antigen Interaction Partner, Modulates Viral DNA Replication
Authors: Czech-Sioli Manja , Siebels Svenja , Radau Sonja , Zahedi René P. , Schmidt Claudia , Dobner Thomas , Grundhoff Adam , Fischer Nicole
Published: December 2019

MCPyV is the only human polyomavirus that is associated with cancer; the majority of Merkel cell cancers have a viral etiology. While much emphasis was placed on investigations to understand the transformation process by MCPyV oncoproteins and cellular factors, we have only limited knowledge of cellular factors participating in the MCPyV life cycle. Here, we describe Usp7, a cellular deubiquitination enzyme, as a new factor involved in MCPyV replication. Usp7 is known in the context of large DNA tumor viruses, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus, to restrict viral replication. Similar to EBV, where Usp7 binding to EBNA1 increases EBNA1 binding affinity to viral DNA, we find MCPyV LT binding to the origin of replication to be increased in the presence of Usp7, resulting in restriction of viral DNA replication. However, Usp7-induced restriction of MCPyV replication is independent of its enzymatic activity, thereby constituting a novel mechanism of Usp7-induced restriction of viral replication.
Draft Genome Sequence of Heavy Metal-Resistant Aeromonas veronii CTe-01, Isolated from a Peruvian Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Tataje-Lavanda Luis , Ormeño-Vásquez Phillip , Altamirano-Díaz Rosa , Espinoza-Salazar Lucy , Zimic Mirko , Fernández-Sánchez Manolo , Fernández-Díaz Manolo , Vásquez Claudio C. , Tantaleán Juan C.
Published: December 2019

Here, we report a draft genome sequence of
Aeromonas veronii
strain CTe-01 (4.5 Mb), a hemolytic, heavy metal-resistant bacterium isolated from a wastewater treatment plant located at Cachiche, Ica, Peru. These characteristics could be used for bioremediation of contaminated environments.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Vaccine Strains and One Field Isolate of Mycoplasma gallisepticum
Authors: Leigh Spencer A. , Evans Jeff D. , Branton Scott L.
Published: December 2019

Mycoplasma gallisepticum
infection of poultry can cause significant losses for poultry producers. Live attenuated
M. gallisepticum
vaccines mitigate the losses caused by infection, although the antigens that lead to immune protection have not been identified. Here, we report the sequencing of two vaccine strains and one field strain.
Metagenome-Assembled Genome of
Halomonas
sp. Isolate SL48-SHIP-3 from the Microbial Mat of Salt Lake Number 48 (Novosibirsk Region, Russia)
Authors: Shipova Aleksandra A. , Korzhuk Anton V. , Shlyahtun Valeria , Bryanskaya Alla V. , Rozanov Aleksey S. , Peltek Sergey E.
Published: December 2019

The
Halomonas
sp. isolate SL48-SHIP-3 genome was obtained from metagenomics sequencing of the microbial mat of Salt Lake Number 48 (54.201806N, 78.179194E; Novosibirsk region, Russia). The sequenced and annotated genome is 2,575,909 bp and encodes 2,368 genes.
Complete Genome Sequence of vB_EcoP_PR_Kaz2018, a T7-Like Bacteriophage
Authors: Alexyuk Madina S. , Bogoyavlenskiy Andrey P. , Alexyuk Pavel G. , Moldakhanov Yergali S. , Turmagambetova Aizhan S. , Anarkulova Elmira I. , Berezin Vladimir E.
Published: December 2019

Here, we describe the complete genome sequence of the
Escherichia coli
bacteriophage vB_EcoP_PR_Kaz2018, isolated from a water sample. vB_EcoP_PR_Kaz2018 is a linear double-stranded DNA T7-like podophage with a genome of 39,704 bp containing 45 predicted open reading frames (ORFs).
Anton’s syndrome: a rare and unusual form of blindness
Authors: Chaudhry Faisal Bashir , Raza Samavia , Ahmad Usman
Published: December 2019

Anton syndrome is characterised by visual anosognosia. It results from damage to both occipital lobes, while the anterior visual pathways remain intact. We describe four cases of Anton’s syndrome. First case is that of a 73-year-old woman, who presented with two separate events of intraparenchymal brain haemorrhage, 4 years apart. Her first stroke affected the left and second affected the right occipital lobe. Bilateral occipital lobe damage resulted in cortical blindness. Second case is an 88-year-old man, who suffered from two ischaemic strokes, 2 days apart. Each stroke involved one posterior cerebral artery. This resulted in bilateral occipital and temporal lobe infarcts. Third case is a 64-year-old woman with chronic renal failure, who suffered bilateral occipital lobe infarction after haemodialysis, due to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. Last case is that of an 80-year-old woman who suffered a basilar artery stroke, resulting in bilateral thalamic, temporal and occipital lobe infarction.
POEMS syndrome: a unique presentation and a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Farrugia Daniel , Camilleri David James , Azzopardi Janice , Camilleri Franco
Published: December 2019

We present the case of a previously well, 70-year-old lady who presented with gait deterioration and a clinicoradiological picture of myositis with T2-enhancement on MRI of the distal lower limb muscles. A muscle biopsy pointed towards neurogenic amyotrophy and a mixed demyelinating and axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy was confirmed on nerve conduction studies. This was initially thought to be secondary to a myeloproliferative disorder but a positron emission tomography scan showed uptake in the left hip which corresponded to what was previously reported as a subchondral cyst on CT. A biopsy showed this to be a plasmacytoma in the context of a normal serum protein electrophoresis and a polyclonal increase in light chains on serum-free light chain estimation. The patient was started on treatment 6 months after the presentation for a diagnosis of POEMS syndrome, by which time, the patient had become bed-bound and fully dependent.
Unexplained abdominal distention in a neonate: culprit femoral central venous line extravasation
Authors: Kotinatot Suresh , Shankar Shiva , Ba'Ath Muhammad Eyad , Almaazmi Munira Mahmoud
Published: December 2019

Central venous lines are an essential part of neonatal intensive care and are used for infusion of medications and parenteral nutrition (PN). PN is usually given via either peripherally inserted central lines or umbilical venous lines. Occasionally, central venous catheters (CVCs) are inserted in the femoral veins. Extravasation of femoral venous catheter leading to ascites is a rare entity. This report describes the case of a neonate with a femoral CVC, who developed ascites as a result of extravasation of PN. Ascites resolved following the removal of the catheter.
Intravascular Ultrasound in Carotid Web
Authors: Hassani Sara , Nogueira Raul G , Al-Bayati Alhamza R , Sachdeva Rajesh , McDaniel Michael , Haussen Diogo C
Published: December 2019

Background

Carotid web (CaW) is a shelf-like linear filling defect in the posterior aspect of the internal carotid bulb, representing an intimal variant of fibromuscular dysplasia. The diagnosis of CaW is traditionally restricted to digital subtraction angiography (DSA), CT/MR angiography (CTA/MRA), and Duplex ultrasonography. In this series of patients with acute ischemic stroke, we evaluated the potential utility of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in further characterizing suspected CaWs.

Methods

This is a case series of three patients with suspected CaW who underwent DSA for treatment or investigation of large vessel occlusion strokes. In all cases the stroke investigation failed to identify an alternative cause, and the stroke etiology was attributed to a symptomatic CaW. The procedure consisted of positioning a guide catheter in the common carotid artery, navigating the IVUS probe distal to the carotid bulb, and then retracting the probe with a manual pullback. The acquired images were then reviewed in an independent workstation

Results

In two of the three cases, IVUS showed an isoechoic-to-hyperechoic focal eccentric area at the posterior carotid bulb, consistent with CaW. The endoluminal protrusion was inconspicuous on IVUS due to the low resolution of ultrasound not allowing a clear differentiation between fibrosis, thrombosis, and atherosclerosis. No abnormalities commonly associated with atherosclerotic disease or dissections were noted. The CaW could not be depicted in the third patient.

Conclusion

The use of IVUS in the diagnosis of CaW may have limited relevance. Continued investigation of other imaging modalities for accurate CaW diagnosis is recommended.
Impact of frequent testing on the transmission of HIV andN. gonorrhoeaeamong men who have sex with men: a mathematical modelling study
Authors: Reitsema Maarten , Heijne Janneke , Visser Maartje , van Sighem Ard , Schim van der Loeff Maarten , op de Coul Eline L M , Bezemer Daniela , Wallinga Jacco , van Benthem Birgit H B , Xiridou Maria
Published: December 2019

Objectives

To investigate the impact and efficiency of combined testing for HIV and other STIs on HIV and STI transmission among men who have sex with men (MSM) and to assess what subgroups of MSM should be targeted for frequent testing.

Methods

We developed an agent-based transmission model that simulates infection with HIV orNeisseria gonorrhoeae(NG) among MSM. We examined scenarios with increased percentages of MSM getting tested six monthly, among all MSM or only specific subgroups of MSM (defined according to recent gonorrhoea, number of partners and engagement in condomless anal intercourse (CAI)) and scenarios with reduced intervals between HIV/STI tests.

Results

The most efficient strategies were those with increased percentage of MSM getting tested every 6 months among MSM with a recent gonorrhoea diagnosis; or among MSM who had CAI and ≥10 partners; or MSM who had ≥10 partners. Over 10 years, these strategies resulted in 387–718 averted HIV infections and required 29–164 additional HIV tests per averted HIV infection or one to seven additional gonorrhoea tests per averted NG infection. The most effective strategy in reducing HIV transmission was the one where the intervals between tests were reduced by half, followed by the strategy with increased percentage of MSM getting tested every 6 months among all MSM. Over 10 years, these strategies resulted in 1362 and 1319 averted HIV infections, but required 663 and 584 additional HIV tests per averted HIV infection, respectively.

Conclusions

Targeting MSM with recent gonorrhoea diagnosis or MSM with many partners is efficient in terms of HIV/STI tests needed to prevent new HIV or NG infections. Major reductions in HIV incidence can be achieved with consistent HIV/STI testing every 6 months among larger groups, including low-risk MSM. To impede HIV transmission, frequent testing should be combined with other prevention measures.
Can proteomics elucidate mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance inNeisseria gonorrhoeaethat whole genome sequencing is unable to identify? An analysis of protein expression within the 2016 WHON. gonorrhoeaereference strains
Authors: Peng Jianhe , Russell Julie , Alexander Sarah
Published: December 2019

Objectives

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) inNeisseria gonorrhoeaeis of increasing concern. This study established a quantitative, scalable proteomics method to examine the WHO panel ofN. gonorrhoeaeisolates with completed closed genomic sequences and well-defined phenotypical and genotypical AMR patterns, to gain a greater understanding of AMR inN. gonorrhoeae.

Methods

14 WHO reference strains were propagated, pooled stable isotope labelled lysates were used as an internal standard (IS). Protein lysates were mixed with IS, digested with trypsin and fractionated before analysis by nano-LC/MS/MS, in triplicate. The susceptible strain WHO F was used as reference to which the proteomic profiles of other strains were compared. Hierarchical clustering and permutation adjusted t-tests were performed to find proteins with significant fold changes.

Results

Standardised, reproducible protein expression profiles inN. gonorrhoeaereference strains were produced. Strains that have previously been shown to be highly similar using genomics, displayed different proteomic profiles. Several proteins from efflux pumps to stress responses, such as oxidative stress, toxin/antitoxin systems, were found to be altered in AMR strains. LtgE was upregulated in strains which displayed chromosomally mediated resistance to penicillin. MacB (the ATP hydrolysis part of macrolide efflux pump MacA-B), was ~twofold upregulated in WHO V (MIC of azithromycin >256 mg/L) and maybe associated with azithromycin resistance.

Conclusions

A robust method was developed to study protein expression inN. gonorrhoeae. The proteome profiles could differentiate genetically similar stains. This study identified complex mechanisms inN. gonorrhoeaewhich may be associated with AMR.
MUC1 intracellular bioactivation mediates lung fibrosis
Authors: Milara Javier , Ballester Beatriz , Montero Paula , Escriva Juan , Artigues Enrique , Alós Manuel , Pastor-Clerigues Alfonso , Morcillo Esteban , Cortijo Julio
Published: December 2019

Background

Serum KL6/mucin 1 (MUC1) has been identified as a potential biomarker in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the role of MUC1 intracellular bioactivation in IPF is unknown.

Objective

To characterise MUC1 intracellular bioactivation in IPF.

Methods and results

The expression and phosphorylation of Thr41 and Tyr46 on the intracellular MUC1-cytoplasmic tail (CT) was increased in patients with IPF (n=22) compared with healthy subjects (n=21) and localised to fibroblasts and hyperplastic alveolar type II cells. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 phosphorylated SMAD3 and thereby increased the phosphorylation of MUC1-CT Thr41 and Tyr46 in lung fibroblasts and alveolar type II cells, activating β-catenin to form a phospho-Smad3/MUC1-CT and MUC1-CT/β-catenin nuclear complex. This nuclear complex promoted alveolar epithelial type II and fibroblast to myofibroblast transitions, as well as cell senescence and fibroblast proliferation. The inhibition of MUC1-CT nuclear translocation using the inhibitor, GO-201 or silencing MUC1 by siRNA, reduced myofibroblast transition, senescence and proliferation in vitro. Bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis was reduced in mice treated with GO-201 and in MUC1-knockout mice. The profibrotic lectin, galectin-3, directly activated MUC1-CT and served as a bridge between the TGF-β receptor and the MUC1-C domain, indicating TGF-β1-dependent and TGF-β1-independent intracellular bioactivation of MUC1.

Conclusions

MUC1 intracellular bioactivation is enhanced in IPF and promotes fibrotic processes that could represent potential druggable targets for IPF.
Research-based teaching at Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungary
Authors: Schramek Anikó , Oláh Mária Éva , Telek Zsigmond , Peter Kristof
Published: December 2019

Teaching modern physics in school is a hard task. This is especially true for particle physics where the typical size scale is 10−18 m. It is difficult to visualize these particles, which are invisible to the eye, or to make experiments. At the same time the number of scientists and engineers is decreasing in Hungary. It is obvious that we need to find ways to interest students in these professions. In Budapest, at the Wigner Research Centre for Physics of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, a research laboratory was established for high school students where, under the supervision of teachers and with the help of the local scientists, students can take part in particle physics research. In the program students can get involved in real work and construct particle detectors for demonstration purposes. Measurements prove the positive change in the students’ attitude, motivation, and particular knowledge of the subject.
Hydrodynamic instability of nanofluids in round jet for small Stokes number
Authors: Yang Hailing , Xia Yi
Published: December 2019

The flow instability of particle-laden jet has been widely studied for large Stokes numbers. However, there is little attention on the case with small Stoke number, which often occurs in practical applications with nanoparticle-laden fluid. In this paper, the instability of nanofluids in round jet is studied numerically for [Formula: see text]. The results show that the law of nanofluids instability is quite similar to regular particle instability for axisymmetric azimuthal mode [Formula: see text]. However, for asymmetric azimuthal mode [Formula: see text], the regular pattern of instability is quite complex and different compared to common particle instability. The variations of wave amplification with wave number for different jet parameter [Formula: see text], Reynolds number Re, particle mass loading [Formula: see text], Knudsen number Kn, Stokes number St and the azimuthal modes [Formula: see text] are given. The flow usually gets more unstable as Knudsen number Kn increases, but the varying law gets inverse at high Reynolds number and at [Formula: see text]. The flow gets more unstable as Stokes number St increases at [Formula: see text] but gets more stable at [Formula: see text]. The decreases in wave number stimulate the flow instability at [Formula: see text] which shows distinct difference for the case at [Formula: see text]. Some unusual results of the effect of B, Re, Z on the flow instability are also discussed.
Parabolic equations with natural growth approximated by nonlocal equations
Authors: Leonori Tommaso , Molino Alexis , Segura de León Sergio
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we study several aspects related with solutions of nonlocal problems whose prototype is [Formula: see text] where we take, as the most important instance, [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text] as well as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is a smooth symmetric function with compact support and [Formula: see text] is either a bounded smooth subset of [Formula: see text], with nonlocal Dirichlet boundary condition, or [Formula: see text] itself. The results deal with existence, uniqueness, comparison principle and asymptotic behavior. Moreover, we prove that if the kernel is rescaled in a suitable way, the unique solution of the above problem converges to a solution of the deterministic Kardar–Parisi–Zhang equation.
A Santaló-type inequality for the 𝒥 transform
Authors: Florentin Dan I. , Segal Alexander
Published: December 2019

This paper deals with an analog of the Mahler volume product related to the [Formula: see text] transform acting in the class of geometric convex functions [Formula: see text]. We provide asymptotically sharp bounds for the quantity [Formula: see text] and characterize all the extremal functions.
Diagonal Minkowski classes, zonoid equivalence, and stable laws
Authors: Molchanov Ilya , Nagel Felix
Published: December 2019

We consider the family of convex bodies obtained from an origin symmetric convex body [Formula: see text] by multiplication with diagonal matrices, by forming Minkowski sums of the transformed sets, and by taking limits in the Hausdorff metric. Support functions of these convex bodies arise by an integral transform of measures on the family of diagonal matrices, equivalently, on Euclidean space, which we call [Formula: see text]-transform. In the special case, if [Formula: see text] is a segment not lying on any coordinate hyperplane, one obtains the family of zonoids and the cosine transform. In this case two facts are known: the vector space generated by support functions of zonoids is dense in the family of support functions of origin symmetric convex bodies; and the cosine transform is injective. We show that these two properties are equivalent for general [Formula: see text]. For [Formula: see text] being a generalized zonoid, we determine conditions that ensure the injectivity of the [Formula: see text]-transform. Relations to mixed volumes and to a geometric description of one-sided stable laws are discussed. The later probabilistic application motivates our study of a family of convex bodies obtained as limits of sums of diagonally scaled [Formula: see text]-balls.
4-Dimensional manifolds with nonnegative scalar curvature and CMC boundary
Authors: Wang Yaohua
Published: December 2019

In this paper, we will consider 4-dimensional manifolds with nonnegative scalar curvature and constant mean curvature (CMC) boundary. For compact manifolds with boundary, the influence of the nonnegativity of the region scalar curvature to the geometry of the boundary is considered. Some inequalities are established for manifolds with inner boundary and outer boundary. Even for compact manifolds without inner boundary, we can obtain some inequalities involving the geometric quantities of the boundary and give some obstruction. We also discuss the 4-dimensional asymptotically flat extension of the 3-dimensional Bartnik data with CMC boundary and provide the upper bound of the Bartnik mass.
INFORMAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A FOCUS ON SOUTH AFRICAN TOWNSHIP ENTREPRENEURS
Authors: URBAN BORIS , NDOU BRIAN
Published: December 2019

The informal sector is increasingly recognized in terms of its entrepreneurial potential. However there is a general lack of empirical research on small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) effectiveness in the informal economy in Africa. Recognizing this research gap, this article investigates entrepreneurial enabling factors in the South African township context to determine their impact on SMME’s performance. Township-based SMMEs in South Africa’s largest province, Gauteng, are surveyed and hypotheses are tested with correlation and regression analyses. Results indicate that access to finance and markets, institutional support, and skill and competency development are all significant predictors of enterprise performance. Empirical investigations in under-researched African contexts are important to highlight differences in enabling factors when compared to western contexts. In South African townships, which are plagued by high inequality, poverty, high unemployment and several other socio-economic challenges, it is an important policy which takes into account the variety of enabling environment factors that impact enterprise performance.
Innate Immune Response to Cytoplasmic DNA: Mechanisms and Diseases
Authors: Hu Ming-Ming , Shu Hong-Bing
Published: December 2019

DNA has been known to be a potent immune stimulus for more than half a century. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of DNA-triggered immune response have remained elusive until recent years. Cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a major cytoplasmic DNA sensor in various types of cells that detect either invaded foreign DNA or aberrantly located self-DNA. Upon sensing of DNA, cGAS catalyzes the formation of cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which in turn activates the ER-localized adaptor protein MITA (also named STING) to elicit the innate immune response. The cGAS-MITA axis not only plays a central role in host defense against pathogen-derived DNA but also acts as a cellular stress response pathway by sensing aberrantly located self-DNA, which is linked to the pathogenesis of various human diseases. In this review, we summarize the spatial and temporal mechanisms of host defense to cytoplasmic DNA mediated by the cGAS-MITA axis and discuss the association of malfunctions of this axis with autoimmune and other diseases.
75-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP75) is a novel molecular signature for heat stress response in avian species
Authors: Dhamad Ahmed Edan , Greene Elizabeth , Sales Marites , Nguyen Phuong , Beer Lesleigh , Liyanage Rohana , Dridi Sami
Published: December 2019

Glucose-regulated protein 75 (GRP75) was first characterized in mammals as a heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) family stress chaperone based on its sequence homology. Extensive studies in mammals showed that GRP75 is induced by various stressors such as glucose deprivation, oxidative stress, and hypoxia, although it remained unresponsive to the heat shock. Such investigations are scarce in avian (nonmammalian) species. We here identified chicken GRP75 by using immunoprecipitation assay integrated with LC-MS/MS, and found that its amino acid sequence is conserved with high homology (52.5%) to the HSP70 family. Bioinformatics and 3D-structure prediction indicate that, like most HSPs, chicken GRP75 has two principal domains (the NH2-terminal ATPase and COOH-terminal region). Immunofluorescence staining shows that GRP75 is localized predominantly in the avian myoblast and hepatocyte mitochondria. Heat stress exposure upregulates GRP75 expression in a species-, genotype-, and tissue-specific manner. Overexpression of GRP75 reduces avian cell viability, and blockade of GRP75 by its small molecular inhibitor MKT-077 rescues avian cell viability during heat stress. Taken together, this is the first evidence showing that chicken GRP75, unlike its mammalian ortholog, is responsive to heat shock and plays a key role in cell survival/death pathways. Since modern avian species have high metabolic rates and are sensitive to high environmental temperature, GRP75 could open new vistas in mechanistic understanding of heat stress responses and thermotolerance in avian species.
The “embreathment” illusion highlights the role of breathing in corporeal awareness
Authors: Monti Alessandro , Porciello Giuseppina , Tieri Gaetano , Aglioti Salvatore M.
Published: December 2019

Recent theories posit that physiological signals contribute to corporeal awareness, the basic feeling that one has a body (body ownership) that acts according to one’s will (body agency) and occupies a specific position (body location). Combining physiological recordings with immersive virtual reality, we found that an ecological mapping of real respiratory patterns onto a virtual body illusorily changes corporeal awareness. This new way of inducing a respiratory bodily illusion, called “embreathment,” revealed that breathing is almost as important as visual appearance for inducing body ownership and more important than any other cue for body agency. These effects were moderated by individual levels of interoception, as assessed through a standard heartbeat-counting task and a new “pneumoception” task. By showing that respiratory, visual, and spatial signals exert a specific and weighted influence on the fundamental feeling that one is an embodied agent, we pave the way for a comprehensive hierarchical model of corporeal awareness.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Our body is the only object we sense from the inside; however, it is unclear how much inner physiology contributes to the global sensation of having a body and controlling it. We combine respiration recordings with immersive virtual reality and find that making a virtual body breathe like the real body gives an illusory sense of ownership and agency over the avatar, elucidating the role of a key physiological process like breathing in corporeal awareness.
Morphological Coordination: A Common Ancestral Function Unifying Neural and Non-Neural Signaling
Authors: Fields Chris , Bischof Johanna , Levin Michael
Published: December 2019

Nervous systems are traditionally thought of as providing sensing and behavioral coordination functions at the level of the whole organism. What is the evolutionary origin of the mechanisms enabling the nervous systems’ information processing ability? Here, we review evidence from evolutionary, developmental, and regenerative biology suggesting a deeper, ancestral function of both pre-neural and neural cell-cell communication systems: the long-distance coordination of cell division and differentiation required to create and maintain body-axis symmetries. This conceptualization of the function of nervous system activity sheds new light on the evolutionary transition from the morphologically rudimentary, non-neural Porifera and Placazoa to the complex morphologies of Ctenophores, Cnidarians, and Bilaterians. It further allows a sharp formulation of the distinction between long-distance axis-symmetry coordination based on external coordinates, e.g., by whole-organism scale trophisms as employed by plants and sessile animals, and coordination based on body-centered coordinates as employed by motile animals. Thus we suggest that the systems that control animal behavior evolved from ancient mechanisms adapting preexisting ionic and neurotransmitter mechanisms to regulate individual cell behaviors during morphogenesis. An appreciation of the ancient, non-neural origins of bioelectrically mediated computation suggests new approaches to the study of embryological development, including embryological dysregulation, cancer, regenerative medicine, and synthetic bioengineering.
RNA-seq Reveals Dysregulation of Novel Melanocyte Genes upon Oxidative Stress: Implications in Vitiligo Pathogenesis
Authors: Sastry Konduru Seetharama , Naeem Haroon , Mokrab Younes , Chouchane Aouatef Ismail
Published: December 2019

Oxidative stress is known to induce melanocyte death, but the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood. To identify oxidative stress-induced global gene expression changes in melanocytes, we treated PIG1 melanocytes with H2O2in a dose- and time-dependent manner and performed RNA-seq. This approach allowed us to capture the events occurring early as well as late phase after treatment with H2O2. Our bioinformatics analysis identified differentially expressed genes involved in various biological processes of melanocytes which are known to contribute to the vitiligo development, such as apoptosis, autophagy, cell cycle regulation, cell adhesion, immune and inflammatory responses, melanocyte pluripotency, and developmental signaling such as WNT and NOTCH pathways. We uncovered several novel genes that are not previously described to be involved in melanocytic response to stress nor in vitiligo pathogenesis. Quantitative PCR and western blot analysis of selected proteins, performed on PIG1 and primary human epidermal melanocytes, confirmed the RNA-seq data. Interestingly, we discovered an aberrant regulation of several transcription factors that are involved in diabetes, neurological, and psychiatric diseases, all of which are comorbid conditions in patients with vitiligo. Our results may lead to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying vitiligo pathogenesis and help developing new drug targets for effective treatment.
Application of Hybrid Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for the Treatment of Subsequent Shock following Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Developing after Firearm Injury
Authors: Yildiz Yahya , Oztas Didem Melis , Ulukan Mustafa Ozer , Erkanli Korhan , Unal Orcun , Ugurlucan Murat , Turkoglu Halil
Published: December 2019

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and cardio-circulatory shock has been widely accepted. In recent years, a variety of novel and exceptional indications for ECMO have been proposed; however, experience with ECMO use in the presence of multiple penetrating injuries is limited. In this report, we present successful ECMO application in a patient with multiple firearm injuries. Veno-venous ECMO was applied for ARDS and converted to the venoarterial mode when the patient developed septic cardiomyopathy. The clinical status of the patient gradually improved, and the patient was discharged from the hospital after 24 days, successfully.
Chordoid Glioma as a Differential Diagnosis of Anterior Third Ventricle Tumours: A Rare Case Report and Five-Year Follow-Up
Authors: Suetens Kristin , Swinnen Jeroen , Stessens Linde , Van Cauter Sofie , Gelin Geert
Published: December 2019

Chordoid glioma is a rare and relatively recently defined tumour entity. Worldwide there have only been around 90 cases described until now. A chordoid glioma comprises a low-grade suprasellar neuroepithelial neoplasm originating in the anterior part of the third ventricle, with consistent radiological features on MRI. This lesion should be considered as a differential of third ventricle tumours. The patient described in this paper is quite unique in the sense that despite only partial tumour resection was obtained, the residual tumour was not progressive during several years of follow-up. Preoperative recognition of this disease entity is crucial to modify the treatment approach and improve patient outcome.