bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive mapping of human body skin hydration: A pilot study
Authors: Cortés Hernán , Mendoza‐Muñoz Néstor , Galván‐Gil Francisco A. , Magaña Jonathan J. , Lima Enrique , González‐Torres Maykel , Leyva‐Gómez Gerardo
Published: October 2018

Background

Previous studies analyzed a series of representative anatomical regions in the human body; however, there is a wide structural and cellular variability in the constitution of the skin. Our objective was to perform a comprehensive assessment of human skin hydration throughout the largest possible area.

Materials and Methods

Hydration was registered by Corneometer® CM825 probe in 23 anatomical regions of five healthy men. Each zone was analyzed by 2‐cm segments in the supine, prone, and lateral positions. A total of 7863 measurements were registered.

Results

Differences in the degree of hydration among the prone, supine, and lateral regions were observed. The chest and back showed a pattern of increased hydration toward the neck area. Higher levels of hydration were evidenced in the proximal areas and in the regions near the elbow and knee. The regions of greater mechanical wear and with greater exposure to the sun exhibited a lower degree of hydration.

Conclusion

The human skin exhibited hydration patterns influenced by anatomical function and the degree of sun exposure. Detailed information of the hydration patterns could serve as reference for the design of topical products, as an indicator of their effectiveness, and for the monitoring of skin pathologies.
Teaching statistics through the Real Estate Data Analyzer software
Authors: Casas‐Rosal José Carlos , Caridad y Ocerín José María , Núñez‐Tabales Julia M. , León‐Mantero Carmen
Published: October 2018

This paper presents the operation of the educational software, Real Estate Data Analyzer, to teachers and future teachers. It is a specific software that allows students carry out complete statistical analysis projects on the characteristics of the buildings that surround them.
Retrospective evaluation of the effect of intravenous fluid administration on development of postoperative reflux in horses with colic (2004–2012): 194 horses
Authors: Hoaglund Elizabeth L. , Hess Ann M. , Hassel Diana M.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To evaluate the role of intravenous fluid volume and electrolyte supplementation on the development of postoperative reflux (POR) in horses undergoing celiotomy for colic.

Design

Case‐control study spanning 2004–2012 for horses undergoing celiotomy for colic.

Setting

University teaching hospital.

Animals

Sixty‐seven client‐owned horses >1 year of age with POR were each matched to 2 controls with similar surgical lesions that did not demonstrate POR.

Measurements and Main Results

Survival was significantly lower in cases (65.7%) than controls (96.1%). Factors found to be associated with POR included decreased net fluid volume administered on day 1 postoperatively, increased age, and performing a resection and anastomosis. Mean time until onset of POR was 20.4 hours postoperatively. PCV was significantly higher immediately following surgery and at 24 hours postoperatively in horses that developed POR compared with matched controls. There was no association between electrolyte values at presentation or administration of potassium, calcium, or magnesium in the postoperative period and the subsequent development of reflux.

Conclusions

In the perioperative period, IV fluid volume overload and electrolyte abnormalities were not contributing factors in the development of POR in this population of surgical colic patients. Close postoperative monitoring with consideration and correction of pre‐ and postoperative fluid deficits is recommended.
Tibial plateau morphology in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency
Authors: Townsend Sarah , Kim Stanley E. , Tinga Selena
Published: October 2018

Objective

To identify possible biomechanical causes for the predominantly unilateral presentation of cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) insufficiency by comparing the computed tomographic (CT) features of the tibial plateau of CCL affected and contralateral sound stifles in dogs with unilateral CCL insufficiency.

Study design

Cross‐sectional study.

Animals

Eighteen dogs, 36 stifles.

Methods

Eighteen dogs with naturally occurring unilateral CCL insufficiency were included. Stifle CT and radiographs were performed at the time of diagnosis. Follow‐up was performed at a minimum of 1 year from the original diagnosis to ensure that there was no evidence of contralateral CCL insufficiency. The medial tibial plateau angle (m‐TPA), lateral TPA (and l‐TPA), medial tibial plateau midsagittal radius of curvature (m‐TPr), and lateral TPr (l‐TPr) were measured from the CT images. Variables were compared with pairedttests. A Bonferroni correction was performed, andP < .006 was considered significant.

Results

Mean m‐TPr was steeper (P = .002) and m‐TPr:l‐TPr ratio was greater (P < .001) in affected stifles compared with contralateral sound stifles. No other variables differed between groups. Mean l‐TPA was steeper than mean m‐TPA (P < .001).

Conclusion

Tibial plateau convexity differed between the CCL affected and contralateral sound stifle in dogs with unilateral CCL insufficiency.

Clinical significance

Medial tibial plateau convexity may play a role in the development of CCL insufficiency.
APPLICATION OF MATLAB-BASED INTERFACE FOR THE CONTROL OF MICROBIOREACTOR OPERATION
Authors: Zainal Alam Muhd Nazrul Hisham , Jia Hou Tan , Kouzani Abbas , Husain Abdul Rashid
Published: October 2018

This work presents the use of Arduino-based embedded system interfaced to MATLAB software packages as an alternative cost-effective solution for the control of the microbioreactor operation. In the presented work, a microbioreactor platform with a working volume of approximately 1.5 mL have been fabricated using a low-cost poly (methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) polymers. The reactor have been integrated with stirring control, fuzzy logic temperature control, and aeration feature via a miniature air compressor. Control program of the microbioreactor system was established using Simulink, MATLAB software were executed by interfacing the program with Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller for input and output of signals. Numbers of experimentation were performed to validate and demonstrate the potential of the proposed method. Satisfactorily degree of control and supervision was achieved (+ 1-3% of the set-point values).  The entire microbioreactor system can be operated stably for a least 48 hours. The work demonstrated the usefulness of MATLAB software in establishing a microbioreactor operating interface that consisted merely few Simulink program block sets and executed on a low-cost Arduino board.
SECOND LAW ANALYSIS OF AUTO CASCADE REFRIGERATION CYCLE USING MIXED HYDROCARBON REFRIGERANT R-600A /R-290/ R170
Authors: Hamad Ahmed J. , N. Khalifa Abdul Hadi , Salah Hussein
Published: October 2018

Experimental and theoretical analysis investigations are achieved on the performance of the three-stage auto cascade refrigeration system. Energy and exergy analysis of auto cascade system is considered using zeotropic mixed hydrocarbon refrigerant R-600a/R-290/R-170 at different mass fractions of (25.5/42.5/32), (24.25/42.75/33), (23/43/34) and (20.5/43.5/36) %. The experimental work was performed on test rig for three stages auto cascade refrigeration system of one ton capacity which is designed and constructed for the present study. The theoretical analysis was carried out using a simulation software PROII based on EES and REFPROP software. The investigated results of the mixed refrigerant R600a/R-290/R170 have showed an enhancement in COP and cycle capacity by about 12.39% and 15% respectively, and the evaporator temperature of the system has approached a relatively lower value of -60.3°Cat mass fraction (23/43/34) compared to the average value of the other mass ratios. The higher values of the exergy efficiency observed for the condenser, evaporator and compressor were 0.92, 0.87 and 0.7 respectively. Comparison of the auto-cascade performance with R-600a/R-290/R-170 at mass fraction (23/43/34) has displayed an enhancement around 45.3 % in the cycle capacity and 39% reduction in the evaporator temperature compared to the mixed refrigerant R-134a/R-410A at mass fraction (70/30). The theoretical results have displayed a reasonable agreement compared to the experimental results with deviations 33%, 22%, and 18% in COP, cycle capacity and overall exergy efficiency respectively.
The dynamics of cortical GABA in human motor learning
Authors: Kolasinski James , Hinson Emily L. , Divanbeighi Zand Amir P. , Rizov Assen , Emir Uzay E. , Stagg Charlotte J.
Published: October 2018

Key points

The ability to learn new motor skills is supported by plasticity in the structural and functional organisation of the primary motor cortex in the human brain.

Changes inhibitory to signalling by GABA are thought to be crucial in inducing motor cortex plasticity.

This study used magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to quantify the concentration of GABA in human motor cortex during a period of motor learning, as well as during a period of movement and a period at rest.

We report evidence for a reduction in the MRS‐measured concentration of GABA specific to learning. Further, the GABA concentration early in the learning task was strongly correlated with the magnitude of subsequent learning: higher GABA concentrations were associated with poorer learning.

The results provide initial insight into the neurochemical correlates of cortical plasticity associated with motor learning, specifically relevant in therapeutic efforts to induce cortical plasticity during recovery from stroke.

The ability to learn novel motor skills is a central part of our daily lives and can provide a model for rehabilitation after a stroke. However, there are still fundamental gaps in our understanding of the physiological mechanisms that underpin human motor plasticity. The acquisition of new motor skills is dependent on changes in local circuitry within the primary motor cortex (M1). This reorganisation has been hypothesised to be facilitated by a decrease in local inhibition via modulation of the neurotransmitter GABA, but this link has not been conclusively demonstrated in humans. Here, we used 7 T magnetic resonance spectroscopy to investigate the dynamics of GABA concentrations in human M1 during the learning of an explicit, serial reaction time task. We observed a significant reduction in GABA concentration during motor learning that was not seen in an equivalent motor task lacking a learnable sequence, nor during a passive resting task of the same duration. No change in glutamate was observed in any group. Furthermore, M1 GABA measured early in task performance was strongly correlated with the degree of subsequent learning, such that greater inhibition was associated with poorer subsequent learning. This result suggests that higher levels of cortical inhibition may present a barrier that must be surmounted in order to achieve an increase in M1 excitability, and hence encoding of a new motor skill. These results provide strong support for the mechanistic role of GABAergic inhibition in motor plasticity, raising questions regarding the link between population variability in motor learning and GABA metabolism in the brain.
Thermo-Ecological Cost of Electricity Generated in Wind Turbine Systems
Authors: Simla Tomasz , Stanek Wojciech , Czarnowska Lucyna
Published: October 2018

Wind power is one of the most popular renewable energy sources (RES), characterized by rapid growth of installed power in the energy mix of many countries. Usually, the influence of wind technologies on the depletion of nonrenewable resources is evaluated taking into account the consumption of energy and materials in the construction phase. However, it should be noted that the major drawback of wind energy is its random availability which also influences the consumption of resources. This consumption results from the necessity of compensation for random operation of wind power plants by conventional ones operating in off-design point. In the present work, thermo-ecological cost (TEC) is proposed for the evaluation of the performance of wind generation systems operating with random accessibility of wind energy. The presented analysis focuses on the estimation of additional non-renewable energy consumption due to the part-load operation of the conventional power units. Different strategies are assumed for the compensation for the hourly wind power variations. The presented results of TEC analysis show that the part of TEC resulting from induced losses can be significant. The authors prove that, within the assessment of wind turbines, the induced losses cannot be omitted.
Automated Design of Energy Efficient Control Strategies for Building Clusters Using Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Odonkor Philip , Lewis Kemper
Published: October 2018

The control of shared energy assets within building clusters has traditionally been confined to a discrete action space, owing in part to a computationally intractable decision space. In this work, we leverage the current state of the art in reinforcement learning (RL) for continuous control tasks, the deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) algorithm, toward addressing this limitation. The goals of this paper are twofold: (i) to design an efficient charged/discharged dispatch policy for a shared battery system within a building cluster and (ii) to address the continuous domain task of determining how much energy should be charged/discharged at each decision cycle. Experimentally, our results demonstrate an ability to exploit factors such as energy arbitrage, along with the continuous action space toward demand peak minimization. This approach is shown to be computationally tractable, achieving efficient results after only 5 h of simulation. Additionally, the agent showed an ability to adapt to different building clusters, designing unique control strategies to address the energy demands of the clusters studied.
Special Unitary Matrices in the Analysis and Synthesis of Spherical Linkages
Authors: Almestiri Saleh M. , Murray Andrew P. , Myszka David H.
Published: October 2018

This work seeks to systematically model and solve the equations associated with the kinematics of spherical mechanisms. The group of special unitary matrices, SU(2), is utilized throughout. Elements of SU(2) are employed here to analyze the three-roll wrist and the spherical Watt I linkage. Additionally, the five orientation synthesis of a spherical four-bar mechanism is solved, and solutions are found for the eight orientation synthesis of the Watt I linkage. Using SU(2) readily allows for the use of a homotopy-continuation-based solver, in this case Bertini. The use of Bertini is motivated by its capacity to calculate every solution to a design problem.
Effect of Wake Alignment on Turbine Blade Loading Distribution and Power Coefficient
Authors: Menéndez Arán David H. , Tian Ye , Kinnas Spyros A.
Published: October 2018

This paper describes the use of a lifting line model in order to determine the optimum loading on a marine turbine's blades. The influence of the wake and its geometry is represented though the use of a full wake alignment model. The effects of viscous drag are included through a drag-to-lift ratio. Results for different number of blades and tip speed ratios are presented. Various types of constraints are imposed in the optimization method in order to avoid abrupt changes in the designed blade shape. The effect of the constraints on the power coefficients of the turbines is studied. Once the optimum loading has been determined, the blade geometry is generated for a given chord and camber distributions. Finally, a vortex-lattice method is used to verify the power coefficient of the designed turbines.
Consequences of Borescope Blending Repairs on Modern High Pressure Compressor Blisk Aeroelasticity
Authors: Hanschke Benjamin , Kühhorn Arnold , Schrape Sven , Giersch Thomas
Published: October 2018

Objective of this paper is to analyze the consequences of borescope blending repairs on the aeroelastic behavior of a modern high pressure compressor (HPC) blisk. To investigate the blending consequences in terms of aerodynamic damping and forcing changes, a generic blending of a rotor blade is modeled. Steady-state flow parameters like total pressure ratio, polytropic efficiency, and the loss coefficient are compared. Furthermore, aerodynamic damping is computed utilizing the aerodynamic influence coefficient (AIC) approach for both geometries. Results are confirmed by single passage flutter (SPF) simulations for specific interblade phase angles (IBPA) of interest. Finally, a unidirectional forced response analysis for the nominal and the blended rotor is conducted to determine the aerodynamic force exciting the blade motion. The frequency content as well as the forcing amplitudes is obtained from Fourier transformation of the forcing signal. As a result of the present analysis, the change of the blade vibration amplitude is computed.
An Experimental Study on Stretchy and Tough PDMS/Fabric Composites
Authors: Chang Ruofei , Chen Zhou , Yu Cunjiang , Song Jizhou
Published: October 2018

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) has a good elasticity but with a pretty low fracture toughness, which limits its use in practical applications. This paper presents a simple and low-cost approach to manufacture a PDMS/fabric composite through incorporating the commercially available stretchy plain weft-knitted nylon fabric into the PDMS matrix. The fracture toughness of the composite is much higher than that of pure PDMS with an increase up to 700%. The toughening mechanism, which can be attributed to the deformation localization induced fiber stretch and damage propagation in the PDMS matrix, is fully investigated. During cyclic loadings, the composite may exhibit a linear elastic response or a significant hysteresis depending on the stretch level. These results provide physical insights into the deformation mechanism of a soft fabric-reinforced composite and may offer practical routes to realize robust crack-insensitive PDMS.
Analysis of Venting of a Resin Slurry
Authors: Laurinat James E. , Hensel Steve J.
Published: October 2018

A resin slurry venting analysis was conducted to address safety issues associated with over-pressurization of ion exchange columns used in the plutonium uranium redox extraction (PUREX) process at the U. S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS). If flow to these columns is inadvertently interrupted, an exothermic runaway reaction could occur between the ion exchange resin and the nitric acid used in the feed stream. This reaction generates significant quantities of noncondensable gases. To prevent the column from rupturing due to pressurization by these gases, rupture disks are installed on the column vent lines. The venting analysis models accelerating rate calorimeter (ARC) tests and data from tests that were performed in a vented test vessel with a rupture disk. The tests showed that the pressure inside the test vessel continued to increase after the rupture disk opened, though at a slower rate than prior to the rupture. The increase in the vessel pressure is modeled as a transient phenomenon associated with expansion of the resin slurry/gas mixture upon rupture of the disk. It is postulated that the maximum pressure at the end of this expansion is limited by energy minimization to approximately 1.5 times the rupture disk burst pressure. The magnitude of this pressure increase is consistent with the measured pressure transients. The results of this analysis demonstrate the need to allow for a margin between the design pressure and the rupture disk burst pressure in similar applications.
Evaluation of Interfacial and Permeation Leaks in Gaskets and Compression Packing
Authors: Aweimer Ali Salah Omar , Bouzid Abdel-Hakim
Published: October 2018

The quantities of leak rate through sealing systems are subjected to strict regulations because of the global concern on radiative materials. The maximum tolerated leak is becoming a design criterion in pressure vessel design codes, and the leak rate for an application under specific conditions is required to be estimated with reasonable accuracy. In this respect, experimental and theoretical studies are conducted to characterize gasket and packing materials to predict leakage. The amount of the total leak is the summation of the permeation leak through the sealing material and the interfacial leak generated between the sealing element and its mating surfaces. Unfortunately, existing models used to predict leakage do not separate these two types of leaks. This paper deals with a study based on experimental testing that quantifies the amount of these two types of leaks in bolted gasketed joints and packed stuffing boxes. It shows the contribution of interfacial leak for low and high contact surface stresses and the influence of the surface finish of 0.8 and 6.3 μm (32 and 250 μin) resulting from phonographic grooves in the case of a bolted flange joint. The results indicate that most leakage is interfacial, reaching 99% at the low stress while interfacial leak is of the same order of magnitude of permeation leak at high stresses reaching 10−6 and 10−8 mg/s in both packing and gaskets, respectively. Finally, particular focus is put on the technique of precompression to improve material sealing tightness.
Experimental Study on Sound Insulation Performance of Partition Walls Joined to Steel Beams
Authors: Oda Tomohiro , Fujisawa Yasuhito , Watanabe Mitsutoshi
Published: October 2018

An experimental study was conducted to confirm the sound insulation performance of a partition wall that was joined to a steel beam. Fireproofing protections, such as sprayed rock wool, are used to protect steel members from heat in the case of fire. However, the influence of transmitted sound from steel members with fireproofing protections and from joints of the partition wall and steel members has not been quantitatively investigated. Therefore, the sound transmission loss was measured using specimens that consisted of a partition wall and a steel beam, which was coated with sprayed rock wool. The results showed that the sound transmission loss of the specimen was lower than that of the partition wall element. It was inferred that the mass-spring-mass resonance of the fireproofing protections on the steel web reduced the sound insulation performance of the specimen. Moreover, the influence of the transmitted sound from the steel web was greater than that from the joints of the partition wall and the steel beam. In addition, when the gypsum board was added to the specimen as a ceiling, it was confirmed that the sound insulation performance of the specimens was equal to that of the partition wall element.
The Role of Castellations on Pipe Jet Noise
Authors: Anureka R. , Srinivasan K.
Published: October 2018

This paper explores jet noise control using castellations at the exit of pipe-jets. Far-field acoustic measurements and schlieren visualizations are performed for two configurations of castellations; namely, two and four counts. The results are compared with that of pipe-jet without castellations. The nozzle pressure ratio range of the study is 1.5 to 4.5. With each configuration, the position and strength of vortices vary causing it to interact in different manners. For pipe with two castellations, the screech is amplified and the overall sound pressure level is higher than the reference jet in most of the nozzle pressure ratios under study. For pipe with four castellations, there is no noise variation in the azimuthal direction, and screech is eliminated at all nozzle pressure ratios.
Taipei MRT Cabin Soundscape: Route Between Shandao Temple and Taipei Main Station
Authors: Chen Julie C. , Tsaih Lucky S. J. , Bahuraksa Christian C. , Yen Yu-Tien , Mimosa Anastasia , Kathryn Elisabeth
Published: October 2018

Soundscape of a specific transportation event conveys not only messages for communication purpose but also becomes a soundmark for the riders. This Taipei MRT cabin soundscape study documents the series of acoustic events during the rides between two stations: Shandao Temple and Taipei Main Station. Taxonomy of sounds, technical data analysis and soundwalks were used as the soundscape data collection methods. Social, mechanical, and indicators sounds were identified as the three main sound classifications. Spectrogram showed the distinguished frequencies and orders of the acoustic events. On train announcements used four languages due to the country’s cultural and social history. This fascinating, unique, and repetitive Taipei MRT cabin soundscape adds to the exuberant soundscape and identity of Taipei.
Dual-band ultraviolet photodetectors comprising nanostructured MgZnO on ZnO films
Authors: Lee Ching-Ting , Lin Tzu-Shun , Lee Hsin-Ying , Liu Day-Shan
Published: October 2018

To extend the wavelength sensing limitation, dual-band ultraviolet photodetectors (UV-PDs) were studied. The ZnO/MgZnO dual-band UV-PDs were constructed by stacking MgZnO nanorods on ZnO films. The wide ultraviolet wavelength from 250 to 360 nm could be detected by the proposed dual-band UV-PDs. When a reverse bias voltage of −5 V was applied on the dual-band UV-PDs, the photoresponsivity at 310 and 360 nm was 196.0 and 0.70 A/W, respectively. The noise equivalent power at 310 and 360 nm was 9.81 × 10−15 W and 2.78 × 10−12 W, respectively. Furthermore, the specific detectivity at 310 and 360 nm was 9.67 × 1013 and 3.41 × 1011 cmHz0.5W−1, respectively.
Diving behavior of Cuvier's beaked whales inferred from three-dimensional acoustic localization and tracking using a nested array of drifting hydrophone recorders
Authors: Barlow Jay , Griffiths Emily T. , Klinck Holger , Harris Danielle V.
Published: October 2018

Echolocation pulses from Cuvier's beaked whales are used to track the whales' three-dimensional diving behavior in the Catalina Basin, California. In 2016, five 2-element vertical hydrophone arrays were suspended from the surface and drifted at ∼100-m depth. Cuvier's beaked whale pulses were identified, and vertical detection angles were estimated from time-differences-of-arrival of either direct-path signals received on two hydrophones or direct-path and surface-reflected signals received on the same hydrophone. A Bayesian state-space model is developed to track the diving behavior. The model is fit to these detection angle estimates from at least four of the drifting vertical arrays. Results show that the beaked whales were producing echolocation pulses and are presumed to be foraging at a mean depth of 967 m (standard deviation = 112 m), approximately 300 m above the bottom in this basin. Some whales spent at least some time at or near the bottom. Average swim speed was 1.2 m s−1, but swim direction varied during a dive. The average net horizontal speed was 0.6 m s−1. Results are similar to those obtained from previous tagging studies of this species. These methods may allow expansion of dive studies to other whale species that are difficult to tag.
Composite honeycomb metasurface panel for broadband sound absorption
Authors: Peng Xiuyuan , Ji Jun , Jing Yun
Published: October 2018

Composite honeycomb sandwich panels have been adopted in a wide range of applications owing to their excellent mechanical properties. This paper demonstrates a design of a composite honeycomb metasurface panel that can achieve 90% sound absorption from 600 to 1000 Hz with a thickness less than 30 mm. The panel is comprised of periodically and horizontally arranged honeycomb “supercells” which consist of unit cells of different geometric parameters (pore size). Two different analytical models (Helmholtz resonator model and micro-perforated panel model) are used to calculate the sound absorption of the panel, and they are further validated by a numerical model. The relatively broadband sound absorption is found to be attributed to the coupling between unit cells, which is illustrated by both the complex frequency plane theory and the calculated sound intensity field.
Encoding speech in cochlear implants using simultaneous amplitude and rate modulation
Authors: Brochier Tim , McKay Colette , McDermott Hugh
Published: October 2018

To improve speech perception for cochlear implant (CI) users, it is essential to improve the transmission of temporal envelopes. The most common speech processors deliver temporal envelopes via the CI using fixed-rate amplitude modulated (AM) pulse trains. Psychophysical studies suggest that rate modulation (RM) and AM are perceived by a shared temporal integration mechanism, but the potential for them to constructively combine to encode temporal envelopes has yet to be explored. In this experiment, a speech processing strategy called amplitude and rate temporal modulation was developed to encode speech temporal envelopes with simultaneous AM and RM. The strategy was tested for perception of clean speech at 60 and 40 dBA, and 60 dBA speech in noise (+10 dB SNR). The amount of RM was varied and the amount of AM was held constant to determine whether the addition of RM could enhance the perception of temporal envelopes and improve speech understanding. At the lowest RM amount, speech scores were poorest for all speech conditions. For 60 dBA clean speech and speech in noise, speech scores were significantly better at the highest RM amounts, suggesting that RM combined with AM can be used to enhance perception of temporal envelopes.
Sustained underwater acoustic communications with environmental-based time-reversal
Authors: Maia Lussac P. , Silva António , Jesus Sérgio M.
Published: October 2018

The usage of time-reversal in underwater communications relies on array channel matched-filtering, coherent channel replica alignment and summation. Traditionally, replicas are channel responses to probe signals received at a previous time. These are noisy and subject to distortion due to channel variability. This paper offers an alternative where noisy and potentially distorted channel replicas are replaced by noise-free and time-updated replicas generated by a numerical model constrained on previously data-identified environmental parameters. The method is applied on real data, where a quadrature phase shift key modulated signal on a 25.6 kHz carrier at 4 kbit/s was transmitted in a shallow water area over a distance of approximately 900 m. Sustained analysis without supervision shows that the proposed method may attain a mean square error gain up to 5.4 dB when compared to traditional time-reversal.
Simulation of prepreg platelet compression molding: Method and orientation validation
Authors: Favaloro Anthony J. , Sommer Drew E. , Denos Benjamin R. , Pipes R. Byron
Published: October 2018

Prepreg platelet molding compounds (PPMCs) offer improved performance potential as compared to short-fiber composites and increased geometrical complexity as compared to continuous fiber composites. The increased adoption of PPMCs in automotive and aerospace applications necessitates the development of predictive tools for determining the final orientation state in complex geometries produced through molding flows. Due to the large geometric scale of platelets as compared to molded geometry scales, the orientation structure of PPMCs is spatially nonsmooth, thereby eliminating the requisite separation of scales utilized by typical molding simulation approaches. Additionally, the large fiber volume fraction and fiber length in platelets yield highly anisotropic flow behavior, as manifested in the resistance to stretching deformations along platelet fiber directions. Thus, the goal of this work is to present the development, implementation, and validation of a flow simulation approach for PPMCs accounting for fiber direction and platelet normal direction evolution with coupled anisotropic viscous behavior. The simulation approach is implemented using the smoothed particle hydrodynamics method. To validate the proposed approach, a pin bracket geometry is manufactured from a charge with the orientation state measured by computed tomography (CT). The final orientation state determined by the flow simulation predictions and by measuring the orientation state of the final bracket by CT is compared to validate the predictions.
Mitochondrial oxidation of the carbohydrate fuel is required for neural precursor/stem cell function and postnatal cerebellar development
Authors: Zheng Hong , Yu Wen-Mei , Shen Jinhua , Kang Sumin , Hambardzumyan Dolores , Li James Y. , Shen Yuxian , Kenney Anna M. , Chen Jing , Qu Cheng-Kui
Published: October 2018

Mitochondrial utilization of the carbohydrate fuel for energy production is required for postnatal cerebellar development.
Ubiquity and Diversity of Complete Ammonia Oxidizers (Comammox)
Authors: Xia Fei , Wang Jian-Gong , Zhu Ting , Zou Bin , Rhee Sung-Keun , Quan Zhe-Xue
Published: October 2018

The discovery of complete ammonia oxidizers (comammox), which oxidize ammonia to nitrate via nitrite, refutes the century-old paradigm that nitrification requires the activity of two types of microbes and redefines a key process in the biogeochemical nitrogen cycle. Understanding the functional relationships between comammox and other nitrifiers is important for ecological studies on the nitrogen cycle. Therefore, the diversity and contribution of comammox should be considered during ecological analyses of nitrifying microorganisms. In this study, a ubiquitous and highly diverse distribution of comammox was observed in various environmental samples, similar to the distribution of canonical ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. The proportion of comammox was relatively high in coastal water and sediment samples, whereas it was nearly undetectable in open-ocean samples. The ubiquitous distribution and high diversity of comammox indicate that these microorganisms might be important contributors to nitrification.
Gene Expression Differences in Host Response toSchistosoma haematobiumInfection
Authors: Dupnik Kathryn M. , Reust Mary Juliet , Vick Kaitlin M. , Yao Benjamin , Miyaye Donald , Lyimo Eric , Mukerebe Crispin , Mngara Julius , Kalluvya Samuel E. , de Dood Claudia J. , Corstjens Paul L. A. M. , van Dam Govert J. , Zhang Tuo , Xiang Jenny , Lee Myung Hee , Downs Jennifer A.
Published: October 2018

Schistosome worms infect over 200 million people worldwide. They live in the host’s bloodstream and alter host immunity.
Plasmodium falciparum
Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Interacts with a Subunit of the Parasite Proteasome
Authors: Govindasamy K. , Khan R. , Snyder M. , Lou H. J. , Du P. , Kudyba H. M. , Muralidharan V. , Turk B. E. , Bhanot P.
Published: October 2018

Malaria is caused by the protozoan parasite
Plasmodium
, which undergoes a complex life cycle in a human host and a mosquito vector. The parasite’s cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKG) is essential at multiple steps of the life cycle.
Genome Sequences of Five Brucella canis Strains Isolated from Different Countries throughout the World
Authors: Girault Guillaume , Ferreira Vicente Acácia , Corde Yannick , Souza Ribeiro Mioni Mateus , Borges Keid Lara , Jay Maryne , Megid Jane , Mick Virginie
Published: October 2018

Canine brucellosis is a major underestimated zoonosis that remains endemic in many areas of the world. A recent phylogeographic investigation including 53
Brucella
canis
field isolates revealed the existence of two major lineages worldwide.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Arcobacter halophilus Type Strain CCUG 53805
Authors: Miller William G. , Yee Emma , Bono James L.
Published: October 2018

Many
Arcobacter
spp. are free living and are routinely recovered from marine environments.
Draft Genome Sequence of Scytalidium lignicola DSM 105466, a Ubiquitous Saprotrophic Fungus
Authors: Büttner Enrico , Gebauer Anna Maria , Hofrichter Martin , Liers Christiane , Kellner Harald
Published: October 2018

Scytalidium lignicola
is a ubiquitous anamorphic ascomycete and belongs to a genus that includes several phytopathogenic fungi. The strain sequenced in this study (DSM 105466) was isolated from leaves of
Quercus robur
.
Evaluation of the diet wide contribution to serum urate levels: meta-analysis of population based cohorts
Authors: Major Tanya J , Topless Ruth K , Dalbeth Nicola , Merriman Tony R
Published: October 2018

Objective

To systematically test dietary components for association with serum urate levels and to evaluate the relative contributions of estimates of diet pattern and inherited genetic variants to population variance in serum urate levels.

Design

Meta-analysis of cross sectional data from the United States.

Data sources

Five cohort studies.

Review methods

16 760 individuals of European ancestry (8414 men and 8346 women) from the US were included in analyses. Eligible individuals were aged over 18, without kidney disease or gout, and not taking urate lowering or diuretic drugs. All participants had serum urate measurements, dietary survey data, information on potential confounders (sex, age, body mass index, average daily calorie intake, years of education, exercise levels, smoking status, and menopausal status), and genome wide genotypes. The main outcome measures were average serum urate levels and variance in serum urate levels. β values (95% confidence intervals) and Bonferroni corrected P values from multivariable linear regression analyses, along with regression partial R
2
values, were used to quantitate associations.

Results

Seven foods were associated with raised serum urate levels (beer, liquor, wine, potato, poultry, soft drinks, and meat (beef, pork, or lamb)) and eight foods were associated with reduced serum urate levels (eggs, peanuts, cold cereal, skim milk, cheese, brown bread, margarine, and non-citrus fruits) in the male, female, or full cohorts. Three diet scores, constructed on the basis of healthy diet guidelines, were inversely associated with serum urate levels and a fourth, data driven diet pattern positively associated with raised serum urate levels, but each explained ≤0.3% of variance in serum urate. In comparison, 23.9% of variance in serum urate levels was explained by common, genome wide single nucleotide variation.

Conclusion

In contrast with genetic contributions, diet explains very little variation in serum urate levels in the general population.
Spirometry monitoring in asthmatic children in Lombardy Region, Italy
Authors: Casartelli Pietro , Clavenna Antonio , Cartabia Massimo , Bortolotti Angela , Fortino Ida , Merlino Luca , Biondi Andrea , Bonati Maurizio
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in a cohort of asthmatic children before and after starting drug therapy.

Methods

Data were retrieved from administrative databases of the Lombardy Region. The study population was composed of 78 184 children born in the Lombardy Region in 2002 and followed until their 10th birthday.

Children with at least one antiasthmatic drug prescription per year (with the exclusion of nebulised suspension/solution formulations) in 2 consecutive years and at least one antiasthmatic drug prescription after the fifth birthday were identified as potential asthmatics (PA).

Each PA was monitored for a period starting from 12 months before and ending 24 months after the first prescription (index prescription, IP). During the monitoring period antiasthmatic drug prescriptions were analysed, as well as spirometry and/or specialist visits.

Results

A total of 59 975 children (76.7%) received ≥1 prescription of antiasthmatic drugs in their first 10 years of life, and 4475 (5.7%) were identified as PAs. In all, 24% of PAs started with short-acting β2-agonists (SABA), 23% with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and 20% with SABA+ICS.

A total of 33% of PAs had at least one prescription for specialist visit/spirometry: 11% before and 28% after the IP. The factors associated with a greater likelihood of receiving visit/spirometry prescriptions were local health unit of residence, age and high use of asthma drugs.

Conclusions

Despite international guideline recommendations, spirometry monitoring is still underused in asthmatic children, even in subjects who initiated pharmacological treatment and therefore need an airway function evaluation. Moreover, the choice of drug therapy appears not always rational, since one out of four children were commenced on ICS as monotherapy.
Parent, patient and clinician perceptions of outcomes during and following neonatal care: a systematic review of qualitative research
Authors: Webbe James , Brunton Ginny , Ali Shohaib , Longford Nicholas , Modi Neena , Gale Chris
Published: October 2018

Objective

Multiple outcomes can be measured in infants that receive neonatal care. It is unknown whether outcomes of importance to parents and patients differ from those of health professionals. Our objective was to systematically map neonatal care outcomes discussed in qualitative research by patients, parents and healthcare professionals and test whether the frequency with which outcomes are discussed differs between groups.

Design

Systematic review of qualitative literature. The following databases were searched: Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO and ASSIA from 1997 to 2017. Publications describing qualitative data relating to neonatal care outcomes, reported by former patients, parents or healthcare professionals, were included. Narrative text was analysed and outcomes grouped thematically by organ system. Permutation testing was applied to assess an association between the outcomes identified and stakeholder group.

Results

Sixty-two papers containing the views of over 4100 stakeholders were identified; 146 discrete outcomes were discussed; 58 outcomes related to organ systems and 88 to other more global domains. Permutation testing provides evidence that parents, former patients and health professionals reported outcomes with different frequencies (p=0.037).

Conclusions

Parents, patients and health professionals focus on different outcomes when discussing their experience of neonatal care. A wide range of neonatal care outcomes are reported in qualitative research; many are global outcomes relating to the overall status of the infant. The views of former patients and parents should be taken into consideration when designing research; the development of a core outcomes set for neonatal research will facilitate this.
Cutaneous immunohistochemical staining pattern of p53β isoforms
Authors: Ko Christine J , Myung Peggy , Leffell David J , Bourdon Jean-Christophe
Published: October 2018

p53 is considered the guardian of the genome and as such has numerous functions. TheTP53gene is the most commonly mutated gene in cancer, and yet the exact biological significance of such mutations remains unclear. There are at least 12 different isoforms of p53, and the complexity of the p53 pathway may be in part related to these isoforms. Prior research has often not teased out what isoforms of p53 are being studied, and there is evidence in the literature that p53 isoforms are expressed differently. In this paper, we document the staining pattern of p53β isoforms in the skin and correlate it with mutational status in a subgroup of squamous proliferations of the skin. p53β isoforms are present in the cytoplasm of the differentiated layer of the epidermis and hair follicles (granular layer, infundibular and isthmus–catagen). p53β isoforms are diffusely expressed within the cytoplasm of well-differentiated squamous tumours with tetramerisation (C-terminal) domain mutations inTP53. Our results lend support to p53β isoforms being a marker of differentiation in keratinocytes.
Retrotransposons in the development and progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Savage Abigail L , Schumann Gerald G , Breen Gerome , Bubb Vivien J , Al-Chalabi Ammar , Quinn John P
Published: October 2018

Endogenous retrotransposon sequences constitute approximately 42% of the human genome, and mobilisation of retrotransposons has resulted in rearrangements, duplications, deletions, novel transcripts and the introduction of new regulatory domains throughout the human genome. Both germline and somatic de novo retrotransposition events have been involved in a range of human diseases, and there is emerging evidence for the modulation of retrotransposon activity during the development of specific diseases. Particularly, there is unequivocal consensus that endogenous retrotransposition can occur in neuronal lineages. This review addresses our current knowledge of the different mechanisms through which retrotransposons might influence the development of and predisposition to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Experience with uncrossmatched blood refrigerator in emergency department
Authors: Harris Charles T , Totten Michael , Davenport Daniel , Ye Zhan , O’Brien Julie , Williams Dennis , Bernard Andrew , Boral Leonard
Published: October 2018

Background

Uncrossmatched packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion is fundamental in resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock. Ready availability of uncrossmatched blood can be achieved by storing uncrossmatched blood in a blood bank refrigerator in the emergency department (ED), but could theoretically lead to inappropriate uncrossmatched use.

Methods

This retrospective study was performed at a level I trauma center from January 2013 to March 2014. Possibly inappropriate transfusion was defined as patients who received at least one unit of blood from the ED refrigerator and no more than two units of PRBC in the first 24 hours. Deaths within the first 24 hours were excluded. Patients who received blood from the ED refrigerator who received ≤2 units total in 24 hours were compared with those who received >2 units.

Results

158 adults received blood from the ED refrigerator. 140 (88.6%) were trauma patients. 37 (23.4%) received massive transfusion (MT). 42 (26.6%) deaths were excluded. 29 patients received ≤2 units and 87 received >2 units in the first 24  hours. The ≤2 units group had a higher systolic blood pressure (116  mm Hg vs. 102  mm Hg, p=0.042), lower base deficit (6.4 mEq/L vs. 9.4 mEq/L, p=0.032), higher hematocrit (34% vs. 30%, p=0.024), lower rate of MT protocol activation (27.6% vs. 58.6%, p=0.005), and lower rates of transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (17.2% vs. 54.0%, p=0.001) and platelets (13.8% vs. 39.1%, p=0.012). Appropriately transfused patients were more likely to have evidence of shock with active, non-compressible hemorrhage. Potentially inappropriate uses were more likely in patients either without evidence of hemorrhage or without signs of shock.

Discussion

Storing uncrossmatched blood in the ED is an effective way to get PRBCs transfused quickly in hemorrhaging patients and is associated with a low rate of unnecessary uncrossmatched transfusion. Provider education and good clinical judgment are imperative to prevent unnecessary use.

Level of evidence

Level III, therapeutic.
Position of cones within cone clusters determines seed survival in black spruce during wildfire
Authors: Splawinski T.B. , Greene D.F. , Michaletz S.T. , Gauthier S. , Houle D. , Bergeron Y.
Published: October 2018

It has recently become clear that the regeneration density of serotinous species within a burned area declines with local fire intensity. It is assumed that this occurs because variation in local fire intensity leads to variation in incident heat fluxes and, ultimately, seed necrosis. We argue here that this same relationship between incident heat flux and seed necrosis is important at the scale of individual plant crowns. Using Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. (black spruce), we show that postfire seed viability increases with crown height, depth into the crown, and angle from wind direction (with the windward side enjoying greater viability). All three effects are what one would expect given the physics of buoyant plumes, interactions of moving fire lines with wake flow around cylinders, and heat transfer in porous bodies such as a tree crown. We conclude by discussing the broader consequences of cone cluster size and global change on regeneration in serotinous species.