bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on doubly closed loop control strategy and simulation analyzing of pmsg wind turbine with back to back converter
Authors: Gong CY , Zou JL
Published: October 2019

The generation technology of wind turbine connected to grid is a hot research in renewable energy application field. Based on doubly closed loop control strategy for the converter, the paper designed the mathematical model and research the attributes of PMSG wind power generation system, adopted double-loop control strategy for generator and grid converter, which is the corresponding main basis to build the entire simulation modelling step by step with Simulink, to control the active and reactive power effectively. Moreover, current dynamic response is fast apparently and the system has capacity to recover from a disturbance. The feasibility and performance of this model had been verified by the Matlab/Simulink, showen the strength and robustness of PMSG system from a disturbance circumstance.
Fine Dust Removing by Using Li+ Batteries and High - performance Supercapacitor Parallel Connection
Authors: Bak Jin-Soo , Kim Hee-Je
Published: October 2019

One of the most serious problem in the world, Fine dust issue is going to happen in whole world. ‘Fine dust’ is defined under these standard, if its diameter particle is less than 10um, it is called as ‘fine dust’, 2um, it is cal led as ‘super fine dust’. Actually, ‘Fine dust’ is assigned as 1st level hazardous substances by WHO (World Health Organization). In this paper, I suggested new way to solve this kinds of problem by using Li+ batteries and high-performance supercapacitor. A lot of kinds energy source such as fossil fuel, one of the reason of environment problem can be changed to eco-friendly energy such as solar power. We can solve two factors o(cause / result) of fine dust by using eco-friendly energy source.
Study of the short-circuit currents in branches of distribution networks with trilateral power supply
Authors: Matsankov M I
Published: October 2019

The article presents the determination of the short-circuit currents in distribution networks with trilaterally power supplied branches – form a supplying substation and two decentralized energy sources. After connecting decentralized energy sources, branches with bilateral and trilateral power supply appear. This changes the network configuration and, respectively, its mode parameters, and also requires adjustments to the settings of the relay protection.
Study of a two-spring electromagnetic harvester
Authors: Georgiev N P , Raichev R P
Published: October 2019

The paper studies an electromagnetic harvester, consisting of a Π-shaped plate with 4 magnets, placed on two springs, rigidly fixed at their low end. A coil lies between the magnets. Modeling by means of ANSYS has been done and the horizontal deviation of the mechanical system has been obtained. The magnetic field of the electromagnetic harvester has been modeled by Femm and its electromotive force has been defined. Experimental studies have been conducted for validating the developed model.
Winding distribution influence of some current limiting devices certain parameters
Authors: Kostov Dinyo Ivanov
Published: October 2019

This report presents a study of connection between winding distribution and some current limiting devices parameters. Influence of separation coefficient on the variation of the mass parameters and the active resistance of an air coil is examined. The results of the simulation study are presented and a critical analysis is performed.
Methodology for assessment of material fatigue in the area of welded joints of railway bogies by calculation
Authors: Slavchev S , Maznichki V , Stoilov V , Enev S , Purgich S
Published: October 2019

The current work presents the problem of assessment of the material fatigue in the welding area of the rail bogie frame type Y25LS-K. During the assessment process of the bogie frame dynamic strength, it was found that the results from the theoretical assessment differ from the experimental ones. An analysis of the reasons for these differences was made. A few approaches for the theoretical assessment are presented in order to match the conditions for application of the prescribed loads in calculations as close as possible to the test conditions. Proposed methodology allows the commissioning of bogies into service only based on a theoretical assessment of material fatigue in the welding areas of the bogie frames. The methodology is verified in real theoretical and experimental studies of the certified design of bogie Y25LS-K, produced by Transvagon AD, Burgas. The methodology can be used by researchers, performing a stress-strain analysis of the bogie frame as well as by the notified bodies responsible for the admission of those products into service.
CFD based design of a ventilated space
Authors: Mijorski S G , Markov D G , Pichurov G T , Stankov P , Ivanov N G , Simova I S
Published: October 2019

The paper presents Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based design of a densely populated classroom with mechanical ventilation. The aim is by means of numerical simulations to define the proper locations of four four-way ceiling fancoils in order to provide controlled conditions of the thermal environment in the classroom under summer conditions. CFD simulations are completed by Fluent 6.3 software package. Cooling loads through the enclosing surfaces of the room and the material properties of the modeled elements are evaluated by established and approved methods in the field of HVAC engineering.
Study of the influence of both a modifier P and a nanomodifier ND on the structure of a hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloy AlSi18
Authors: Panov Iv , Dochev B , Manolov V , Velikov A , Diakova V , Kuzmanov P
Published: October 2019

The process of hardening a hypereutectic aluminium-silicon alloy AlSi18 in unmodified, modified and nano-modified state has been studied. Two types of modifiers have been used - a standard modifier P, introduced into the melt by means of the ligature CuP 0,4wt.%, and a nanomodifier (nanodiamonds - ND) 0,1wt.%. The influence of the various types of modifiers on the process of crystallization, as well as on the size of the primary Si crystals in the structure of the alloy and their distribution in it has also been discussed.
Shock-wave structures of prospective combined ramjet engine
Authors: Chernyshov M V , Murzina K E , Matveev S A , Yakovlev V V
Published: October 2019

A concept of the air jet engine of mixed type, which combines the operating principles of detonation engine and traditional ramjet, is proposed. A part of inflow that has the smallest losses of the stagnation pressure at forming shocks in the inlet is burned in the combustion chamber of that device. Another part of the inflow, that has the smaller stagnation pressure, has the significantly higher temperature at the same time. Due to this fact, it can be effectively used as in the detonation engine.
The control model of safety management systems
Authors: Burlov V G. , Lepeshkin O M , Lepeshkin M O , Gomazov F A
Published: October 2019

This article presents a control model of security management systems from destructive software and hardware effects. Considered descriptive and analytical control model of security, presents the structural and logical scheme of a control model of security management systems from destructive software and hardware effects, carrying out the search and elimination of conflicts, associated with the logical inconsistency of the structure of the control system, and conflicts associated with ongoing processes, i.e. with the fulfillment of the tasks of the regulations, operating in the system. It is proposed to realization the model, using the language of radical schemes, based on the stand for providing integrated developments. The model integrates with mathematical means of searching, predicting and eliminating conflicting schemes in the system.
Implementation of certified intelligent building in Taiwan
Authors: Hsiao Jung Shu , Chen Julie Chia-Ping , Lucky Shin-Jyun Tsaih
Published: October 2019

Government of Taiwan since 2002 has been promoting certified and pre-certified intelligent buildings. It was introduced to meet occupant’s safety, comfort, convenience, and efficiency concerns with powerful automation and integrating systems in building. Energy saving, ease to maintained and management are the by-product of it. Based on total numbers of intelligent building permit issued and its total floor area, the certified and pre-certified intelligent building seems to be growing fast. However, the proportion between government owned and private sector projects are unbalanced. How to encourage private sector to participate and implement the certification of intelligent building is the aim of this study. To find out the possible factors that contributed the deferring of implementation on intelligent building from private sectors, experts in building construction industry include developers, architects, MEP integrators, real estate agents, and property managers have been invited to share the concerns. Delphi method was first used to develop the possible and consensus factors from the experts. Analytic hierarchy process was then used to rank the important key factors based on experts’ responses. The results could be utilized as basis for government agencies to formulate relevant policies and incentives on promoting certified and pre-certified intelligent building in private sectors.
Preferred criteria in winning budget hotel interior design projects in China
Authors: Huang H T , Chen C P , Tsaih S J
Published: October 2019

In the competitive Chinese market, to win an interior budget hotel design project, a sound proposal with attractive and preferred criteria is a must. In order to propose and win interior budget hotel design projects, it is necessary to understand client’s perspectives. Through literature reviews and interviews with practitioners and architecture professors; twenty criteria from value creation, economic advantage and tender quality aspects were derived. Three groups of a total 30 budget hotel operating and management personnel have participated the survey. Kano’s two-dimensional model along with Yang’s refined Kano model and Importance and Satisfaction model have been applied to come up with the ranking of the preferred criteria to be included in a design proposal. One-way ANOVA with Schefe’s post hoc test were used to see the insight of budget hotel CEOs’ views on the twenty criteria. The results show that construction phase scheduling & control, construction cost control, systemized corporate identification, design phase scheduling & control, customer segment identification, easy to maintain design, easy to operate design, cultural heritage connection, room storytelling, and amenity storytelling are the top ten preferred design criteria for an interior designer to win budget hotel projects in China.
Marks rating system – an approach in condition assessment and prioritization of sewer rehabilitation – a case study
Authors: Hewayde Esam
Published: October 2019

Marks rating system is a simple system that can be used to evaluate the condition of sewer pipes and to determine the prioritization for rehabilitation purposes of sewer pipes and sewer infrastructures. The system provides a consistent approach for assessing the impact of pipe failure, coding defects and assigning priorities for rehabilitation of sewer pipes. Each sewer segment is separately evaluated based on several considerations such as inspection results, impact rating factors, frequency of defects, and engineering and administrative factors. The marks of defects were assigned in such a way that the worst condition has the highest mark. The factors considered by applying marks system were identified from questionnaires that were prepared and distributed by the author to technicians, engineers, heads of departments and managers of municipalities of several cities in Iraq. The case study includes seventeen concrete sewer pipes in the municipality of Al Diwaniyah city – Iraq. CCTV inspection was carried out to determine the marks of the structural and performance defects. Results of marking rating system applied on the seventeen sewer pipes showed that MP#12 has the worst condition with highest marks of 38. Sewer pipes MP#1 and MP#7 have the best condition with lowest marks of 18. The prioritization of rehabilitation should have descending ordered from the highest to lowest mark.
Investigation of infrastructure maintenance cost of intercity railway in Thailand
Authors: Kruajun Geerati , Sangpetgnam Boonchai
Published: October 2019

Infrastructure in the rail system requires considerable investment in construction and maintenance. In many countries, railway operators have been able to share the capacity of the railroad to achieve efficient infrastructure usage. For the development of Thailand’s railway network system in the future, it is possible for separating management between infrastructure and the rolling stock operations. Therefore, it is necessary to know the costs and factors that affects the cost of infrastructure, including government budget subsidies, to be the basis for track utilization charges. In this study, the costs of infrastructure construction and maintenance on 5 route sections representing different traffic characteristics were studied by using records from 5 years. It was found that the maintenance cost of the telecommunication and signalling system ranges from 1.3 to 1.7 million baht per year per station. The average annual maintenance cost of the railway track was 280,000 to 310,000 baht per track per kilometre. The traffic density was found to be the main factor that influenced the maintenance cost.
Construction and demolition waste aggregates: analysis of the physical and mechanical properties of mortars
Authors: Calcado G , Alves L , Vazquez E , Toledo Filho R D
Published: October 2019

Civil construction is responsible for the excessive consumption of natural resources and the generation of the largest share of solid urban waste. In this context, recycling of construction and demolition waste (CDW) is presented as an alternative to minimize the impacts generated by construction. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of recycled CDW aggregates on the behavior of Portland cement mortars with three distinct mixtures. In addition to the reference mixtures, mortars with three different substitution levels of the natural aggregate for recycled aggregate, which were submitted to physical and mechanical tests in the Laboratory of Structures and Materials (LABEST) - COPPE/UFRJ. The results showed that for some substitution levels there was no loss on the properties of the mortars. Therefore, their performance is a function of the mixture adopted and the substitution content of the natural aggregate for the recycled.
Identification of limiting deep drawing ratio using the energy criterion of fracture
Authors: Soe Kyaw Zayar , Feoktistov S I
Published: October 2019

The paper describes a method which has been developed for obtaining the limiting deep drawing ratio of titanium alloys and determines the moment of failure of the blank. This method is based on not only the use of Forming Limit Diagram (FLD) in predicting the failure of the blank but also the using method of variable parameters of elasticity in determining the stress-strain state in the deep drawing process.
A straightforward moment method to estimate the load and resistance factors
Authors: Zhang X Y
Published: October 2019

The load and resistance factor design is widely applied in engineering, where the load and resistance factors are introduced to account for the uncertainties in practice. Accurate estimation of the load and resistance factors is important for an appropriate design, which is generally conducted by the First Order Reliability Method (FORM). However, since the design point must be determined and derivative-based iterations have to be used, FORM is not practical for engineers. Furthermore, distributions of the load and resistance are required in FORM, which are usually unknown in practice. To overcome these deficiencies, moment methods are proposed, which estimate the load and resistance factors based on their moments. Although, the existing moment methods significantly reduce the iteration numbers, iterations are still necessary when higher accuracy is required. Therefore, a straightforward moment method is proposed in the present paper to estimate the load and resistance factors without iteration. The procedure of the proposed method is summarized in a flowchart with explicit expressions given. The accuracy of the proposed method is examined by comparison study among existing methods. It is shown that the proposed method is both accurate and efficient in estimating the load and resistance factors with no iteration required.
A case study on the plan for soil reinforcement by TCS in south korea
Authors: Seo Seokhyun , Kang Wondong , Lee Jungsang , Jung Euiyoup
Published: October 2019

Compaction grouting was developed in the 1950s as a remedial measure for the correction of building settlement, and used almost exclusively for that purpose for many years. Over the past 25 years, however, compaction grouting technology has evolved to treat a wide range of subsurface conditions for new and remedial construction. Compaction grouting is used foundation rehabilitation, ground improvement, railroad subgrade stabilization, seismic/liquefaction mitigation, sinkhole remediation, tunneling stabilization, void filling. It also has merit that makes possible to construct structures having narrow working spaces. But the effects of ground improvement depending on the type of soil must be studied in order to adopt in various soil(granular soil and cohesive soil). In this paper, field and laboratory tests were performed to understand effects of ground improvement for soft ground and seismic mitigation. To know the characteristics of bearing capacity in adjacent ground, plate loading test for behind the improving ground. Strength characteristics of TCS were indicated by uniaxial compression test. Ground improvement effect by TCS together strength increment effect by TCS itself was proved that TCS can be used for soil improvement method using bearing capacity increment.
Earthquake Hazard Safety Assessment of Buildings via Smartphone App: A Comparative Study
Authors: Harirchian Ehsan , Lahmer Tom
Published: October 2019

The failure of man-made structures is the main cause of more injuries during an earthquake and more economic losses. In addition, as urban areas continue to develop, the need for an effective disaster management system to develop resilient communities increased. To estimate the severity of a building’s damage, several seismic assessment methods have been introduced. Rapid visual screening methods (RVS) are the fastest and simplest methods developed to evaluate the initial vulnerability profile of the existing building stock, constructed before or after the adoption and enforcement of seismic codes. In this study, FEMA P-154, Indian RVS (IITK-GSDMA), Turkish RVS (EMPI), and EHSAPP method have been utilized on some buildings and their results compared to each other with regard to the real occurring damage after an earthquake on the same buildings. It was observed that the EHSAPP method has a better and more realistic seismic risk assessment than others.
Integration of the environomic energy services for mobility and household using electric vehicle with a range extender of solid oxide fuel cell
Authors: Dimitrova Zlatina
Published: October 2019

This article studies an innovative concept for vehicle propulsion, considered to deliver mobility services and integrated energy services for a household. An innovative converter – a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with gas turbines system (SOFC- GT) is powering an electric vehicle. The vehicle architecture is as a serial range extender used to charge the high voltage battery. The range extender vehicle is optimized according to techno-economic and environmental criteria. It is researched to deliver optimal mobility and is integrated to the extended energy system, including the household needs. When the vehicle is unused is considered to be connected to the household and to deliver part of the energy services. In this configuration, the services of extended energy system are optimized. The environomic optimization concerns the extended energy system – vehicle and household and optimal designs for the integrated system are researched. The vehicle integrates energy services for mobility and household and becomes part of the large-scale energy grid for integrated services. The vehicle is sized for both uses. The major advantage of the energy integrated dual system is the reduction of the total global warming potential (GWP) impact with around 30000 kg CO2 eq. (60%). – from 50590 kg CO2 eq. to 20338 kg CO2 in comparison to separate energy services for mobility and household needs.
Performance and economic analysis of an organic Rankine Cycle for hybrid electric vehicles
Authors: Dimitrova Zlatina
Published: October 2019

Car manufacturers need to develop efficient technologies to reduce emissions and save fuel in order to cater of European regulations and satisfy customers’ requirements. Internal combustion engines have a main limitation on efficiency due mainly to the heat losses. Processing an energy integration, it has been shown than an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) can improve the overall powertrain efficiency by recovering the heat into electricity. In parallel, hybrid electric vehicles attractiveness increases as it enables important energy saving. The contribution of this article is to design highly efficient vehicles, using both Organic Rankine Cycle and hybrid electric technologies. An adapted methodology based on energy integration techniques is required to choose the best points for the integrated system design. This study applies a methodology on hybrid electric vehicles, so as to define the powertrain configuration of the vehicle that is energy integrated. The energy recovery potential of a single stage Organic Rankine Cycle for a thermal engine in combination with a mild hybrid electric powertrain is studied. The assessment is done for different drive cycles. A study of economic feasibility and fuel consumption improvement is also done, in order to characterize the integrated energy system.
Machine for accelerated cyclic corrosion tests through alternate immersion in salt solution
Authors: Nikolov Nikolay , Tsonev Veselin , Penkov Kamen , Kuzmanov Nikola , Borisov Boris
Published: October 2019

Metal structures corrosion is a problem of global economic importance. Typically, the corrosion process runs slowly, which requires accelerated methods for corrosion behaviour examination. The conditions when accelerated methods are used differ from the real ones, which affects the results obtained. One of the methods that relatively successfully reproduces corrosion in a natural atmosphere is included in the standard EN ISO 11130:2018 – Alternate immersion test in salt solution. Unlike other widespread methods, uneven corrosion occurs here, including spots and pits, which greatly affect the mechanical behaviour of the material. The commercial devices for such tests are quite expensive. This justifies the development and production of one’s own equipment as the one presented in this paper. The design, construction and production of a low-cost device are hereby described. The first results of the tests performed with this machine are also given. The corrosion rate of rods, 6 mm in diameter, from widely used steel grades – S235JR and S235JRC – was determined. The duration of the test was 42 days. The results were compared with those from another corrosion test method with the same duration – immersion in a solution of 3.5% NaCl.
A multi-criteria selection of the transport plan of intercity passenger trains
Authors: Stoilova Svetla D
Published: October 2019

The study proposes a methodology based on Sequential Interactive Modelling for Urban Systems (SIMUS) method for selection the transport plan of intercity passenger trains. The methodology uses linear programming to assess different transport plans. The research includes five steps. First, the alternatives transport plans of movement of passenger trains are determined. Second, the criteria for multi-criteria optimization of transport plan are defined. The SIMUS method is applied in the third step for ranking the alternatives. New approaches of integrated SIMUS-VIKOR and SIMUS-TOPSIS procedures have been proposed and compared. The verification of the results has been conducted in the fourth step by applying the Multi-criteria Optimization and Compromise Solution method (VIKOR) and Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution method (TOPSIS). The fifth step includes the determination of the suitable transport plan according the changes in passenger flows. This step takes into account of uncertainty of process. The methodology has been applied for study the transport plan of passenger trains in Bulgaria’s railway network. The suitable organization of intercity passenger trains has been proposed. The elaborated new approach could be applied to make decision on a separate railway line or throughout the railway network, as well as for international passenger transport.
Choosing the container handling equipment in a rail-road intermodal terminal through multi-criteria methods
Authors: Stoilova Svetla D , Martinov Svetoslav V
Published: October 2019

The study proposes a methodology based on the combination of multi-criteria methods for choosing the yard handling equipment in a rail-road container terminal. The methodology contains four steps. The alternative variants of the handling equipment have been determined in the first step. Three types of container handling equipment – electric Rail Mounted Gantry crane (RMG), diesel driven Rubber Tyred Gantry crane (RTG) and mobile Reach Stacker (RS), have been considered. The second step is based on a Technical, Economical, Technological and Ecological (TETE) analysis. The sub-criteria for each main TETE group to assess the alternatives have been defined. The alternatives have been assessed by applying of twenty sub-criteria. The weights of the main criteria and the sub-criteria have been determined in the third step by applying Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The results of weights given in this step are used in the next fourth step to ranking the alternatives by using Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment of Evaluations (PROMETHEE) method. The sub-criteria that have main impact of the choice of an alternative are procurement costs (11%), annual operation costs (9%), stacking capacity (9%), annual equipment maintenance costs (6%), flexibility (6%) and carbon dioxide emissions (6%). Three variants according the type of terminal as small, medium and large are investigated. The results have been verified by using Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. It was found that the RS is the suitable alternative for small rail-road terminals, and the RMG is the best one for the medium and large rail-road terminals. The proposed methodology could be applied also to assess other types of handling equipment.
Realisation and Approbation of Conditionally Constant Coefficients Method for Loss Counter Measuring Tools
Authors: Kostinskiy S.S. , Shaykhutdinov D.V. , Kirievskiy E.V. , Manatskov Y.M. , Narakidze N.D.
Published: October 2019

To date, electrical power in a form of higher-order current harmonics and voltage are reported to be worsening substantially in power lines of industrial and non-commercial consumers. This fact relates to the change of power consumer types to use different household and industrial power receivers. Higher-order harmonic current components cause extra losses in transformers. As a consequence, electrical power delivery is less efficient and losses increase. Therefore, it is necessary to measure harmonic components of current and voltage in distribution networks. The paper presents a measuring tool of loss counter developed on the base of constant coefficients method. Performance and relative accuracy were studied experimentally using a variable-speed drive with the results reported in the paper. The developed measuring tool meets the standards of admitted relative accuracy and is applicable to implement conditionally constant coefficients method in order to calculate excessive losses to be caused by non-sinusoidal loads in transformers of distribution networks.
UK national quantum technology programme
Authors: Knight Peter , Walmsley Ian
Published: October 2019

The UK has, through a mix of government and industry funding, committed more than £1Bn over ten years to a coordinated programme in quantum technology. Five years into this programme, the UK National Quantum Technology Programme has induced a step change in the nation’s capabilities for establishing a new sector in future quantum information technologies. We describe how the programme arose and the activities it has supported and influenced to deliver these new capabilities, building on a first phase of over £385M investment across several UK government agencies. As the programme enters its second phase, with a further substantial investment by UK government and global industries, we review the prospects for ensuring the advanced quantum science and demonstrator platforms in imaging, sensing, timing, communications and computing developed over the past five years drive the formation of the sector and embed quantum tech in a broad range of industries by means of new products and services.
Downregulation of Brain Gα12 Attenuates Angiotensin II-Dependent Hypertension
Authors: Gao Juan , Denys Ian , Shahien Amir , Sutphen Jane , Kapusta Daniel R
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Angiotensin II (Ang II) activates central Angiotensin II type 1 receptors to increase blood pressure via multiple pathways. However, whether central Gα proteins contribute to Ang II-induced hypertension remains unknown. We hypothesized that Angiotensin II type 1 receptors couple with Gα12 and/or Gαq to produce sympatho-excitation and increase blood pressure and downregulation of these Gα-subunit proteins will attenuate Ang II-dependent hypertension.

METHODS AND RESULTS

After chronic infusion of Ang II (s.c. 350 ng/kg/min) or vehicle for 2 weeks, Ang II evoked an increase in Gα12 expression, but not Gαq in the rostral ventrolateral medulla of Sprague-Dawley rats. In other studies, rats that received Ang II or vehicle infusion s.c. were simultaneously infused i.c.v. with a scrambled (SCR) or Gα12 oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN; 50 µg/day). Central Gα12 ODN infusion lowered mean blood pressure in Ang II infused rats compared with SCR ODN infusion (14-day peak; 133 ± 12 vs. 176 ± 11 mm Hg). Compared to the SCR ODN group, Ang II infused rats that received i.c.v. Gα12 ODN showed a greater increase in heart rate to atropine, an attenuated reduction in blood pressure to chlorisondamine, and an improved baroreflex sensitivity. In addition, central Gα12 and Gαq ODN pretreatment blunted the pressor response to an acute i.c.v. injection of Ang II (i.c.v., 200 ng).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that central Gα12 protein signaling pathways play an important role in the development of chronic Ang II-dependent hypertension in rats.
Institutionally Based ImPACT Test® Normative Values May Differ from Manufacturer-Provided Normative Values
Authors: Walton Samuel R , Broshek Donna K , Freeman Jason R , Hertel Jay , Meyer J Patrick , Erdman Nicholas K , Resch Jacob E
Published: October 2019

Objective

The necessity for pre-injury baseline computerized neurocognitive assessments versus comparing post-concussion outcomes to manufacturer-provided normative data is unclear. Manufacturer-provided norms may not be equivalent to institution-specific norms, which poses risks for misclassifying the presence of impairment when comparing individual post-concussion performance to manufacturer-provided norms. The objective of this cohort study was to compare institutionally derived normative data to manufacturer-provided normative values provided by ImPACT® Applications, Incorporated.

Method

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 university student athletes (n = 952; aged 19.2 ± 1.4 years, 42.5% female) from one university participated in this study by completing pre-injury baseline Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) assessments. Participants were separated into 4 groups based on ImPACT’s age and gender norms: males <18 years old (n = 186), females <18 years old (n = 165), males >19 years old (n = 361) or females >19 years old (n = 240). Comparisons were made between manufacturer-provided norms and institutionally derived normative data for each of ImPACT’s clinical composite scores: Verbal (VEM) and Visual (VIM) Memory, Visual Motor Speed (VMS), and Reaction Time (RT). Outcome scores were compared for all groups using a Chi-squared goodness of fit analysis.

Results

Institutionally derived normative data indicated above average performance for VEM, VIM, and VMS, and slightly below average performance for RT compared to the manufacturer-provided data (χ2 ≥ 20.867; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Differences between manufacturer- and institution-based normative value distributions were observed. This has implications for an increased risk of misclassifying impairment following a concussion in lieu of comparison to baseline assessment and therefore supports the need to utilize baseline testing when feasible, or otherwise compare to institutionally derived norms rather than manufacturer-provided norms.
Supplemental Foods Affect Energetic Reserves, Survival, and Spring Reproduction in Overwintering AdultHippodamia convergens(Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)
Authors: Mercer Nathan H , Teets Nicholas M , Bessin Ricardo T , Obrycki John J
Published: October 2019

For insects that overwinter as adults, winter food resources may affect subsequent spring reproduction and abundance. We tested if provision of food supplements to overwintering adult Hippodamia convergens (Guerin) increased energy reserves, winter survival, and spring reproduction. During 2015–2016, H. convergens adults were placed in field cages in December; adults in each cage received water, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) eggs, bee pollen, wheast protein, sugar, honey, or no food (control). In 2016–2017, treatments were reduced to sugar, bee pollen, A. pisum with E. kuehniella eggs, and no food (control). Adults were sampled to quantify weight, lipid, carbohydrate, and protein content. In 2015–2016, A. pisum and E. kuehniella eggs increased adult weight and protein content, but adult carbohydrate content was reduced by A. pisum and wheast protein treatments. Adults receiving honey and sugar supplementation had higher lipid and carbohydrate content relative to controls. The number of live individuals at the end of the experiment in March 2016 did not differ among treatments. In 2016–2017, winter prey supplements had the greatest effect on protein content, weight, and number of live adults recovered, whereas sugar supplementation increased lipid and carbohydrate content, and number of live adults recovered. Spring reproduction of surviving pairs was evaluated among treatments in March 2017. Prey supplementation in 2016–2017 increased the number of eggs laid and decreased preoviposition period, and food treatment did not affect fertility. Our results indicate that prey and sugar resources improve the overwintering success and spring reproduction of H. convergens.
Paine and socioeconomic rights
Authors: Philp Mark
Published: October 2019

This article focuses on Thomas Paine’s Agrarian Justice (1796–7). It argues that it represents a major development in his thinking linking social and economic rights to liberty and seeing positive and negative rights as closely connected. It locates the impetus for these changes in doctrine to his working out of the implications of the principle of generational sovereignty in relation to his developing case for universal manhood suffrage, against the background of discussions of the Directory Constitution of 1795. This account emphasizes the developing character of Paine’s thought and its increasing subtlety as he ties social and economic rights into an account of the pacific character of commercial society, thereby combining economic liberalism with a significant dimension of egalitarianism.
Evaluating Cross-resistance Between Vip and Cry Toxins of Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Tabashnik Bruce E , Carrière Yves
Published: October 2019

Crops genetically engineered to produce insecticidal proteins from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have revolutionized control of some major pests. Some recently introduced Bt crops make Vip3Aa, a vegetative insecticidal protein (Vip), which reportedly does not share binding sites or structural homology with the crystalline (Cry) proteins of Bt used widely in transgenic crops for more than two decades. Field-evolved resistance to Bt crops with practical consequences for pest control includes 21 cases that collectively reduce the efficacy of nine Cry proteins, but such practical resistance has not been reported yet for any Vip. Here, we review previously published data to evaluate cross-resistance between Vip and Cry toxins. We analyzed 31 cases based on 48 observations, with each case based on one to five observations assessing cross-resistance from pairwise comparisons between 21 resistant strains and 13 related susceptible strains of eight species of lepidopteran pests. Confirming results from previous analyses of smaller data sets, we found weak, statistically significant cross-resistance between Vip3 and Cry1 toxins, with a mean of 1.5-fold cross-resistance in 21 cases (range: 0.30–4.6-fold). Conversely, we did not detect significant positive cross-resistance between Vip3 toxins and Cry2Ab. Distinguishing between weak, significant cross-resistance, and no cross-resistance may be useful for better understanding mechanisms of resistance and effectively managing pest resistance to Bt crops.
Knockdown of Methoprene-Tolerant Arrests Ovarian Development in the Sogatella furcifera (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Hu Kui , Tian Ping , Yang Lu , Qiu Lin , He Hualiang , Ding Wenbing , Li Zhongcai , Li Youzhi
Published: October 2019

Juvenile hormone (JH) is responsible for repressing larval metamorphosis and inducing vitellogenesis and egg production in insects. Methoprene-tolerant (Met) is known to be an intracellular receptor and transducer of JH. We examined the role of Met in ovarian development in the rice pest Sogatella furcifera (Horváth). We first cloned and sequenced S. furcifera Met (SfMet). The SfMet protein belongs to the basic helix–loop–helix/Per-Arnt-Sim (bHLH-PAS) family with a bHLH domain and two PAS domains (PAS-A and PAS-B). SfMet was expressed in all developmental stages and tissues but was most highly expressed in the ovaries of adult females. Furthermore, RNA interference (RNAi) mediated silencing of SfMet substantially reduced the expression of SfVg, decreased yolk protein deposition and blocked oocyte maturation and ovarian development. These results demonstrate that SfMet plays a key role in female reproduction in S. furcifera and suggest that targeting this gene could be an effective way of controlling this pest.
Evolutionary Analyses of Base-Pairing Interactions in DNA and RNA Secondary Structures
Authors: Golden Michael , Murrell Benjamin , Martin Darren , Pybus Oliver G , Hein Jotun
Published: October 2019

Pairs of nucleotides within functional nucleic acid secondary structures often display evidence of coevolution that is consistent with the maintenance of base-pairing. Here, we introduce a sequence evolution model, MESSI (Modeling the Evolution of Secondary Structure Interactions), that infers coevolution associated with base-paired sites in DNA or RNA sequence alignments. MESSI can estimate coevolution while accounting for an unknown secondary structure. MESSI can also use graphics processing unit parallelism to increase computational speed. We used MESSI to infer coevolution associated with GC, AU (AT in DNA), GU (GT in DNA) pairs in noncoding RNA alignments, and in single-stranded RNA and DNA virus alignments. Estimates of GU pair coevolution were found to be higher at base-paired sites in single-stranded RNA viruses and noncoding RNAs than estimates of GT pair coevolution in single-stranded DNA viruses. A potential biophysical explanation is that GT pairs do not stabilize DNA secondary structures to the same extent that GU pairs do in RNA. Additionally, MESSI estimates the degrees of coevolution at individual base-paired sites in an alignment. These estimates were computed for a SHAPE-MaP-determined HIV-1 NL4-3 RNA secondary structure. We found that estimates of coevolution were more strongly correlated with experimentally determined SHAPE-MaP pairing scores than three nonevolutionary measures of base-pairing covariation. To assist researchers in prioritizing substructures with potential functionality, MESSI automatically ranks substructures by degrees of coevolution at base-paired sites within them. Such a ranking was created for an HIV-1 subtype B alignment, revealing an excess of top-ranking substructures that have been previously identified as having structure-related functional importance, among several uncharacterized top-ranking substructures.
Unmasking the interplay between mTOR and Nox4: novel insights into the mechanism connecting diabetes and cancer
Authors: Mroueh Fatima Mohsen , Noureldein Mohamed , Zeidan Youssef H. , Boutary Suzan , Irani Sara Abou Merhi , Eid Stéphanie , Haddad Mary , Barakat Rasha , Harb Frederic , Costantine Joseph , Kanj Rouwaida , Sauleau Erik‐Andre , Ouhtit Allal , Azar Sami T. , Eid Ali H. , Eid Assaad A.
Published: October 2019

Cancer was recently annexed to diabetic complications. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that cancer can increase the risk of diabetes. Consequently, diabetes and cancer share many risk factors, but the cellular and molecular pathways correlating diabetes and colon and rectal cancer (CRC) remain far from understood. In this study, we assess the effect of hyperglycemia on cancer cell aggressiveness in human colon epithelial adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in an experimental animal model of CRC. Our results show that Nox (NADPH oxidase enzyme) 4‐induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is deregulated in both diabetes and CRC. This is paralleled by inactivation of the AMPK and activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) C1 signaling pathways, resulting in 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydro‐2'‐deoxyguanosine (8‐oxodG) accumulation, induction of DNA damage, and exacerbation of cancer cell aggressiveness, thus contributing to the genomic instability and predisposition to increased tumorigenesis in the diabetic milieu. Pharmacologic activation of AMPK, inhibition of mTORC1, or blockade of Nox4 reduce ROS production, restore the homeostatic signaling of 8‐oxoguanine DNA glycosylase/8‐oxodG, and lessen the progression of CRC malignancy in a diabetic milieu. Taken together, our results identify the AMPK/mTORC1/Nox4 signaling axis as a molecular switch correlating diabetes and CRC. Modulating this pathway may be a strategic target of therapeutic potential aimed at reversing or slowing the progression of CRC in patients with or without diabetes.—Mroueh, F. M., Noureldein, M., Zeidan, Y. H., Boutary, S., Irani, S. A. M., Eid, S., Haddad, M., Barakat, R., Harb, F., Costantine, J., Kanj, R., Sauleau, E.‐A., Ouhtit, A., Azar, S. T., Eid, A. H., Eid, A. A. Unmasking the interplay between mTOR and Nox4: novel insights into the mechanism connecting diabetes and cancer. FASEB J. 33, 14051‐14066 (2019). www.fasebj.org
Genetic and phenotypic intrastrain variation in herpes simplex virus type 1 Glasgow strain 17 syn+-derived viruses
Authors: Jones Juliet , Depledge Daniel Pearce , Breuer Judith , Ebert-Keel Katja , Elliott Gillian
Published: October 2019

The Glasgow s17 syn+ strain of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) is arguably the best characterized strain and has provided the reference sequence for HSV1 genetic studies. Here we show that our original s17 syn+ stock was a mixed population from which we have isolated a minor variant that, unlike other strains in the laboratory, fails to be efficiently released from infected cells and spreads predominantly by direct cell-to-cell transmission. Analysis of other s17-derived viruses that had been isolated elsewhere revealed a number with the same release phenotype. Second-generation sequencing of 8 plaque-purified s17-derived viruses revealed sequences that vary by 50 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including approximately 10 coding SNPs. This compared to interstrain variations of around 800 SNPs in strain Sc16, of which a quarter were coding changes. Amongst the variations found within s17, we identified 13 variants of glycoprotein C within the original stock of virus that were predominantly a consequence of altered homopolymeric runs of C residues. Characterization of seven isolates coding for different forms of gC indicated that all were expressed, despite six of them lacking a transmembrane domain. While the release phenotype did not correlate directly with any of these identified gC variations, further demonstration that nine clinical isolates of HSV1 also fail to spread through extracellular release raises the possibility that propagation in tissue culture had altered the HSV1 s17 transmission phenotype. Hence, the s17 intrastrain variation identified here offers an excellent model for understanding both HSV1 transmission and tissue culture adaptation.
Clinical Laboratory Validation and Implementation of Quantitative, Real-Time PCR-based Monitoring of NPM1 Type A Mutation
Authors: Racchumi Joelle , Tam Wayne , Kluk Michael J
Published: October 2019

NPM1 is frequently mutated in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the mutations consist of a variety of small insertions; the most common NPM1 mutation (ie, Type A) accounts for approximately 80% of all NPM1 mutations. NPM1 mutations have been reported to have prognostic significance in AML and, more recently, monitoring mutant NPM1 levels during and after therapy has been described to predict relapse and survival. Despite the published relevance of this molecular biomarker, routine residual disease monitoring for mutant NPM1 levels has not been widely adopted in many academic clinical laboratories. In this manuscript, we present the validation and implementation of a quantitative, real-time PCR-based method for the monitoring of NPM1 Type A mutant transcripts, for use in routine practice in a clinical laboratory. We have found that this assay format is sensitive and reproducible. We describe the rigorous validation procedure and share observations that will help other clinical laboratories that may wish to implement this type of testing. We show comparison of the results from this assay to other assays and a representative case is provided which highlights the utility of the findings from this assay. Taken together, in the context of molecular testing for residual disease in AML, which is an area of practice that continues to expand, we have found that this method and protocol will serve as an appropriate option for monitoring NPM1 Type A mutation levels in clinical practice.