bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heat Transfer Enhancement in a Radial Turbulent Sink Flow Cooling System
Authors: Sorour Medhat M. , Fayed Mohamed , Alaa El-Din Noha
Published: November 2018

The steady forced convection between two stationary parallel circular disks in a radial sink flow cooling system is investigated numerically. This investigation is devoted to study the effect of swirling flow and/or grooved surface on the heat transfer and on the thermo-hydraulic parameter. A wide range of inlet Reynolds number (Re), 100 ≤ Re ≤ 105, inlet swirl ratio (S), 0 ≤ S ≤ 20, and the gap spacing ratio (G), 0.01 ≤ G ≤ 0.1 is considered in the study. The rectangular grooves are characterized by ribs with three dimensionless lengths: height (t/δ), 0.1 ≤ t/δ ≤ 0.35, the interval spacing between ribs (i/Ro), 0.025 ≤ i/Ro ≤ 0.1, and the width of rib (w/Ro), 0.025 ≤ w/Ro ≤ 0.1. The results of the heat transfer analysis indicate that the swirling flow enhances the cooling system for plain and ribbed surfaces. However, the thermal hydraulic study indicated that the swirling flow is beneficial for plain surfaces only. And the ribs are beneficial with pure radial inflow.
Analytical and Numerical Studies of a Thick Anisotropic Multilayered Fiber-Reinforced Composite Pressure Vessel
Authors: Ramos Isaiah , Ho Park Young , Ulibarri-Sanchez Jordan
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we developed an exact analytical 3D elasticity solution to investigate mechanical behavior of a thick multilayered anisotropic fiber-reinforced pressure vessel subjected to multiple mechanical loadings. This closed-form solution was implemented in a computer program, and analytical results were compared to finite element analysis (FEA) calculations. In order to predict through-thickness stresses accurately, three-dimensional finite element meshes were used in the FEA since shell meshes can only be used to predict in-plane strength. Three-dimensional FEA results are in excellent agreement with the analytical results. Finally, using the proposed analytical approach, we evaluated structural damage and failure conditions of the composite pressure vessel using the Tsai–Wu failure criteria and predicted a maximum burst pressure.
Electro-Osmosis Modulated Viscoelastic Embryo Transport in Uterine Hydrodynamics: Mathematical Modeling
Authors: Narla V. K. , Tripathi Dharmendra , Anwar Bég O.
Published: November 2018

Embryological transport features a very interesting and complex application of peristaltic fluid dynamics. Electro-osmotic phenomena are also known to arise in embryo transfer location. The fluid dynamic environment in embryological systems is also known to be non-Newtonian and exhibits strong viscoelastic properties. Motivated by these applications, the present article develops a new mathematical model for simulating two-dimensional peristaltic transport of a viscoelastic fluid in a tapered channel under the influence of electro-osmosis induced by asymmetric zeta potentials at the channel walls. The robust Jeffrey viscoelastic model is utilized. The finite Debye layer electro-kinetic approximation is deployed. The moving boundary problem is transformed to a steady boundary problem in the wave frame. The current study carries significant physiological relevance to an ever-increasing desire to study intrauterine fluid flow motion in an artificial uterus. The consequences of this model may introduce a new mechanical factor for embryo transport to a successful implantation site. Hydrodynamic characteristics are shown to be markedly influenced by the electro-osmosis, the channel taper angle, and the phase shift between the channel walls. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that volumetric flow rates and axial flow are both enhanced when the electro-osmotic force aids the axial flow for specific values of zeta potential ratio. Strong trapping of the bolus (representative of the embryo) is identified in the vicinity of the channel central line when the electro-osmosis opposes axial flow. The magnitude of the trapped bolus is observed to be significantly reduced with increasing tapered channel length whereas embryo axial motility is assisted with aligned electro-osmotic force.
Multidirection Validation of a Finite Element 50th Percentile Male Hybrid III Anthropomorphic Test Device for Spaceflight Applications
Authors: Jones Derek A. , Gaewsky James P. , Saffarzadeh Mona , Putnam Jacob B. , Weaver Ashley A. , Somers Jeffrey T. , Stitzel Joel D.
Published: November 2018

The use of anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs) for calculating injury risk of occupants in spaceflight scenarios is crucial for ensuring the safety of crewmembers. Finite element (FE) modeling of ATDs reduces cost and time in the design process. The objective of this study was to validate a Hybrid III ATD FE model using a multidirection test matrix for future spaceflight configurations. Twenty-five Hybrid III physical tests were simulated using a 50th percentile male Hybrid III FE model. The sled acceleration pulses were approximately half-sine shaped, and can be described as a combination of peak acceleration and time to reach peak (rise time). The range of peak accelerations was 10–20 G, and the rise times were 30–110 ms. Test directions were frontal (−GX), rear (GX), vertical (GZ), and lateral (GY). Simulation responses were compared to physical tests using the correlation and analysis (CORA) method. Correlations were very good to excellent and the order of best average response by direction was −GX (0.916±0.054), GZ (0.841±0.117), GX (0.792±0.145), and finally GY (0.775±0.078). Qualitative and quantitative results demonstrated the model replicated the physical ATD well and can be used for future spaceflight configuration modeling and simulation.
Characteristics of Adults With Neurologic Disability Recruited for Exercise Trials: A Secondary Analysis
Authors: Lai Byron , Cederberg Katie , Vanderbom Kerri A. , Bickel C. Scott , Rimmer James H. , Motl Robert W.
Published: November 2018

This review examined demographic and clinical characteristics of participants from exercise trials in 3 neurologic disability conditions (multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury) and compared these data with population-based statistics. The authors included 75 published studies from 2006 to 2016: 53 studies for multiple sclerosis (n = 2,034), 14 for spinal cord injury (n = 302), and 8 for traumatic brain injury (n = 272). Pooled data resembled some heterogeneous aspects of population data sets. However, many characteristics were not reported; samples were small and predominantly White, and 48.1% of the people screened were excluded. Thus, findings from these studies may not be translatable across the range of people with these three conditions, which warrant efforts to target the inclusion of underrepresented subgroups in future exercise trials.
Experimental evolution of a fungal pathogen into a gut symbiont
Authors: Tso Gloria Hoi Wan , Reales-Calderon Jose Antonio , Tan Alrina Shin Min , Sem XiaoHui , Le Giang Thi Thu , Tan Tze Guan , Lai Ghee Chuan , Srinivasan K. G. , Yurieva Marina , Liao Webber , Poidinger Michael , Zolezzi Francesca , Rancati Giulia , Pavelka Norman
Published: November 2018

Gut microbiota selects fungi

Fungi, such as
Candida albicans
, are found in the mammalian gut, but we know little about what they are doing there. Tso
et al.
put
C. albicans
under evolutionary pressure by serial passage in mice that were treated with antibiotics and were thus lacking gut bacteria (see the Perspective by d'Enfert). Passage accelerated fungal mutation, especially around the
FLO8
gene, resulting in low-virulence phenotypes unable to form hyphae. Nevertheless, these phenotypes stimulated proinflammatory cytokines and conferred transient cross-protection against several other gut inhabitants. However, if an intact microbiota was present, only the virulent hyphal forms persisted.

Science
, this issue p.
589
; see also p.
523
Biological composites—complex structures for functional diversity
Authors: Eder Michaela , Amini Shahrouz , Fratzl Peter
Published: November 2018

The bulk of Earth’s biological materials consist of few base substances—essentially proteins, polysaccharides, and minerals—that assemble into large varieties of structures. Multifunctionality arises naturally from this structural complexity: An example is the combination of rigidity and flexibility in protein-based teeth of the squid sucker ring. Other examples are time-delayed actuation in plant seed pods triggered by environmental signals, such as fire and water, and surface nanostructures that combine light manipulation with mechanical protection or water repellency. Bioinspired engineering transfers some of these structural principles into technically more relevant base materials to obtain new, often unexpected combinations of material properties. Less appreciated is the huge potential of using bioinspired structural complexity to avoid unnecessary chemical diversity, enabling easier recycling and, thus, a more sustainable materials economy.
East Asian hydroclimate modulated by the position of the westerlies during Termination I
Authors: Zhang Hongbin , Griffiths Michael L. , Chiang John C. H. , Kong Wenwen , Wu Shitou , Atwood Alyssa , Huang Junhua , Cheng Hai , Ning Youfeng , Xie Shucheng
Published: November 2018

East Asian monsoon mysteries

What exactly does the oxygen isotopic composition of speleothems tell us about the East Asian monsoon? They provide magnificent, detailed records of hydroclimate, but precisely what aspects of hydroclimate they record is unclear. Zhang
et al.
present data from two speleothems from central eastern China for the period from 21,000 to 10,000 years ago and suggest that the cause of the oxygen isotopic variability that they observe is more complex than simple changes in monsoon strength or intensity (see the Perspective by McGee). Alternatively, this variation may reflect the lengths of various phases of the monsoon and the regional heterogeneity of the East Asian hydroclimate.

Science
, this issue p.
580
; see also p.
518
Ultrafast disordering of vanadium dimers in photoexcited VO
2
Authors: Wall Simon , Yang Shan , Vidas Luciana , Chollet Matthieu , Glownia James M. , Kozina Michael , Katayama Tetsuo , Henighan Thomas , Jiang Mason , Miller Timothy A. , Reis David A. , Boatner Lynn A. , Delaire Olivier , Trigo Mariano
Published: November 2018

Snapshots of a phase transition

Time-resolved x-ray scattering can be used to investigate the dynamics of materials during the switch from one structural phase to another. So far, methods provide an ensemble average and may miss crucial aspects of the detailed mechanisms at play. Wall
et al.
used a total-scattering technique to probe the dynamics of the ultrafast insulator-to-metal transition of vanadium dioxide (VO
2
) (see the Perspective by Cavalleri). Femtosecond x-ray pulses provide access to the time- and momentum-resolved dynamics of the structural transition. Their results show that the photoinduced transition is of the order-disorder type, driven by an ultrafast change in the lattice potential that suddenly unlocks the vanadium atoms and yields large-amplitude uncorrelated motions, rather than occurring through a coherent displacive mechanism.

Science
, this issue p.
572
; see also p.
525
Human tumor genomics and zebrafish modeling identify
SPRED1
loss as a driver of mucosal melanoma
Authors: Ablain Julien , Xu Mengshu , Rothschild Harriet , Jordan Richard C. , Mito Jeffrey K. , Daniels Brianne H. , Bell Caitlin F. , Joseph Nancy M. , Wu Hong , Bastian Boris C. , Zon Leonard I. , Yeh Iwei
Published: November 2018

Hunting and fishing for cancer genes

Mucosal melanoma is a rare, but deadly, form of melanoma that occurs in sun-protected tissues. Little is known about the genetic alterations that drive the growth of these tumors. Ablain
et al.
sequenced mucosal melanomas from 43 patients and found that a substantial fraction showed inactivation or loss of
SPRED1
, a gene that encodes a negative regulator of RAS–MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) signaling. Using a platform called MAZERATI (Modeling Approach in Zebrafish for Rapid Tumor Initiation), they discovered that
SPRED1
loss may help explain the poor response of melanoma patients to drugs that inhibit the KIT tyrosine kinase. The results suggest that a combination of KIT inhibitors and drugs that inhibit MAPK signaling may be more effective.

Science
, this issue p.
1055
Identifying posture cells in the brain
Authors: Chen Guifen
Published: November 2018

The parietal cortex represents body posture and other factors in spatial awareness
Rapid Detection of
ERG11
-Associated Azole Resistance and
FKS
-Associated Echinocandin Resistance in Candida auris
Authors: Hou Xin , Lee Annie , Jiménez-Ortigosa Cristina , Kordalewska Milena , Perlin David S. , Zhao Yanan
Published: November 2018

Candida auris
is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that can cause serious invasive infections. The accurate and rapid assessment of antifungal resistance is important for effective patient management.
Development of a Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial Combination for the Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Corneal Infections
Authors: Chojnacki Michaelle , Philbrick Alesa , Wucher Benjamin , Reed Jordan N. , Tomaras Andrew , Dunman Paul M. , Wozniak Rachel A. F.
Published: November 2018

Staphylococcus aureus
and
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
are two of the most common causes of bacterial keratitis and corresponding corneal blindness. Accordingly, such infections are predominantly treated with broad-spectrum fluoroquinolones, such as moxifloxacin.
Metabolic Basis for Mutualism between Gut Bacteria and Its Impact on the
Drosophila melanogaster
Host
Authors: Sommer Andrew J. , Newell Peter D.
Published: November 2018

The digestive tracts of animals are home to a community of microorganisms, the gut microbiota, which affects the growth, development, and health of the host. Interactions among microbes in this inner ecosystem can influence which species colonize the gut and can lead to changes in host physiology. We investigated a mutually beneficial interaction between two bacterial species from the gut microbiota of fruit flies. By coculturing the bacteria
in vitro
, we were able to identify a metabolic gene required for the bacteria to grow better together than they do separately. Our data suggest that one species consumes the waste products of the other, leading to greater productivity of the microbial community and modifying the nutrients available to the host. This study provides a starting point for investigating how these and other bacteria mutually benefit by sharing metabolites and for determining the impact of mutualism on host health.
Characterization of a Signaling System in Streptococcus mitis That Mediates Interspecies Communication with Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Junges R. , Sturød K. , Salvadori G. , Åmdal H. A. , Chen T. , Petersen F. C.
Published: November 2018

Bacteria secrete signal molecules into the environment which are sensed by other cells when the density reaches a certain threshold. In this study, we describe a communication system in
Streptococcus mitis
, a commensal species from the oral cavity, which we also found in several species and strains of streptococci from the mitis group. Further, we show that this system can promote cross-communication with
S. pneumoniae
, a closely related major human pathogen. Importantly, we show that this cross-communication can take place during coculture. While the genes regulated in
S. mitis
are likely part of a futile cycle of activation, the target genes in
S. pneumoniae
are potentially involved in virulence. The understanding of such complex communication networks can provide important insights into the dynamics of bacterial communities.
Biosynthesis of Raffinose and Stachyose from Sucrose via an
In Vitro
Multienzyme System
Authors: Tian Chaoyu , Yang Jiangang , Zeng Yan , Zhang Tong , Zhou Yingbiao , Men Yan , You Chun , Zhu Yueming , Sun Yuanxia
Published: November 2018

Soybean oligosaccharides (SBOS) have elicited considerable attention because of their potential applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food industries. This study demonstrates an alternative method to produce raffinose and stachyose, which are the major bioactive components of SBOS, from sucrose via an
in vitro
enzyme system. High concentrations of galactinol, raffinose, and stachyose were synthesized with the aid of a stepwise cascade reaction process, which can successfully address the issue of mismatched enzyme characteristics of an
in vitro
metabolic engineering platform. The biocatalytic approach presented in this work may enable the synthesis of other valuable galactosyl oligosaccharides, such as verbascose and higher homologs, which are difficult to obtain through plant extraction.
Antibodies to Protein but Not Glycolipid Structures Are Important for Host Defense against Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Authors: Meyer Sauteur Patrick M. , de Bruijn Adrianus C. J. M. , Graça Catarina , Tio-Gillen Anne P. , Estevão Silvia C. , Hoogenboezem Theo , Hendriks Rudi W. , Berger Christoph , Jacobs Bart C. , van Rossum Annemarie M. C. , Huizinga Ruth , Unger Wendy W. J.
Published: November 2018

Antibody responses toMycoplasma pneumoniaecorrelate with pulmonaryM. pneumoniaeclearance. However,M. pneumoniae-specific IgG antibodies can cross-react with the myelin glycolipid galactocerebroside (GalC) and cause neurological disorders.
Genomic, Phenotypic, and Virulence Analysis of
Streptococcus sanguinis
Oral and Infective-Endocarditis Isolates
Authors: Baker Shannon P. , Nulton Tara J. , Kitten Todd
Published: November 2018

Streptococcus sanguinis
, an abundant and benign inhabitant of the oral cavity, is an important etiologic agent of infective endocarditis (IE), particularly in people with predisposing cardiac valvular damage. Although commonly isolated from patients with IE, little is known about the factors that make any particular
S. sanguinis
isolate more virulent than another or, indeed, whether significant differences in virulence exist among isolates.
Probiotic Exopolysaccharide Protects against SystemicStaphylococcus aureusInfection, Inducing Dual-Functioning Macrophages That Restrict Bacterial Growth and Limit Inflammation
Authors: Paik Wonbeom , Alonzo Francis , Knight Katherine L.
Published: November 2018

Staphylococcus aureuscauses severe systemic infection with high mortality rates. We previously identified exopolysaccharide (EPS) from a probiotic,Bacillus subtilis, that induces anti-inflammatory macrophages with an M2 phenotype and protects mice fromCitrobacter rodentium-induced colitis.
Regulation of Biofilm Aging and Dispersal in
Bacillus subtilis
by the Alternative Sigma Factor SigB
Authors: Bartolini M. , Cogliati S. , Vileta D. , Bauman C. , Rateni L. , Leñini C. , Argañaraz F. , Francisco M. , Villalba J. M. , Steil L. , Völker U. , Grau R.
Published: November 2018

Biofilms are crucial for bacterial survival, adaptation, and dissemination in natural, industrial, and medical systems. Sessile cells embedded in the self-produced extracellular matrix of the biofilm benefit from a division of labor and are protected from environmental insults. However, as the biofilm ages, cells become stressed because of overcrowding, starvation, and accumulation of waste products. How does the sessile biofilm community sense and respond to stressful conditions? Here, we show that in
Bacillus subtilis
, the transcription factors SigB and SinR control whether cells remain in or leave a biofilm when metabolic conditions become unfavorable. This novel SigB-SinR regulatory circuit might be important for controlling the fitness of biofilms (either beneficial or harmful) in diverse environments.
A Comprehensive Statistical Framework for Determination of Commutability, Accuracy, and Agreement in Clinical DNAemia Assays
Authors: Tang L. , Su Y. , Gu Z. , Caliendo A. M. , Pounds S. , Hayden R. T.
Published: November 2018

Despite advances in the standardization of quantitative DNAemia tests and efforts to better understand and characterize the performance of reference materials in different assays, it remains unclear how the commutability performance of reference materials is related to intra- and interassay agreement. Building upon previous work, we describe a comprehensive framework to determine the relationship of commutability with assay accuracy and agreement.
Circulation of Distinct
Treponema pallidum
Strains in Individuals with Heterosexual Orientation and Men Who Have Sex with Men
Authors: Kojima Yoko , Furubayashi Keiichi , Kawahata Takuya , Mori Haruyo , Komano Jun
Published: November 2018

Human treponematosis is caused by various pathogenic
Treponema pallidum
subspecies, including
T. pallidum
subsp.
pallidum
,
T. pallidum
subsp.
Genome-Based Prediction of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance
Authors: Su Michelle , Satola Sarah W. , Read Timothy D.
Published: November 2018

Clinical microbiology has long relied on growing bacteria in culture to determine antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, but the use of whole-genome sequencing for antibiotic susceptibility testing (WGS-AST) is now a powerful alternative. This review discusses the technologies that made this possible and presents results from recent studies to predict resistance based on genome sequences.
Metagenomic Sequencing of HIV-1 in the Blood and Female Genital Tract Reveals Little Quasispecies Diversity during Acute Infection
Authors: Piantadosi Anne , Freije Catherine A. , Gosmann Christina , Ye Simon , Park Daniel , Schaffner Stephen F. , Tully Damien C. , Allen Todd M. , Dong Krista L. , Sabeti Pardis C. , Kwon Douglas S.
Published: November 2018

Due to error-prone replication, HIV-1 generates a diverse population of viruses within a chronically infected individual. When HIV-1 is transmitted to a new individual, one or a few viruses establish the new infection, leading to a genetic bottleneck in the virus population. Understanding the timing and nature of this bottleneck may provide insight into HIV-1 vaccine design and other preventative strategies. We examined the HIV-1 population in three women enrolled in a unique prospective cohort in South Africa who were followed closely during the earliest stages of HIV-1 infection. We found very little HIV-1 diversity in the blood and female genital tract during the first 2 weeks after virus was detected in the bloodstream. These results are compatible with a very early HIV-1 population bottleneck, suggesting the need to study the HIV-1 population in the female genital tract before virus is detectable in the bloodstream.
Inhibition of Epstein-Barr Virus Replication in Human Papillomavirus-Immortalized Keratinocytes
Authors: Guidry J. T. , Myers J. E. , Bienkowska-Haba M. , Songock W. K. , Ma X. , Shi M. , Nathan C. O. , Bodily J. M. , Sapp M. J. , Scott R. S.
Published: November 2018

Using a model examining the establishment of EBV infection in HPV-immortalized tissues, we showed an HPV-induced interruption of the normal EBV life cycle reminiscent of a latent EBV infection. Our data support the notion that a persistent EBV epithelial infection depends upon preexisting cellular alterations and suggest the ability of HPV to promote such changes. More importantly, these findings introduce a model for how EBV coinfection may influence HPV-positive (HPV-pos) OSCC pathogenesis. Latently EBV-infected epithelial cells, as well as other EBV-associated head-and-neck carcinomas, exhibit oncogenic phenotypes commonly seen in HPV-pos OSCC. Therefore, an HPV-induced shift in the EBV life cycle toward latency would not only facilitate EBV persistence but also provide additional viral oncogene expression, which can contribute to the rapid progression of HPV-pos OSCC. These findings provide a step toward defining a role for EBV as a cofactor in HPV-positive oropharyngeal tumors.
Inequalities in healthcare access: how a man with exstrophy in rural India coped
Authors: Pandey Siddharth , Sharma Deepanshu , Singh Bhupender Pal , Goel Apul
Published: November 2018

We report a case of a 22-year-old man with adult exstrophy. The patient made a self-made urine collection device, which helped him to lead a normal life, carrying out his routine as well as occupational activities smoothly. This patient is a prime example of inequalities in healthcare distribution in low-income and middle-income countries. He was never taken to a proper medical centre to correct his condition nor was his mother ever given proper antenatal healthcare access. His background of being a poor person from rural India highlights the problems of inequalities in healthcare access.
Anticoagulant therapies for acute venous thromboembolism: a comparison between those discharged directly from the emergency department versus hospital in two Canadian cities
Authors: Bungard Tammy J , Ritchie Bruce , Bolt Jennifer , Semchuk William M
Published: November 2018

Objective

To compare the characteristics/management of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) for patients either discharged directly from the emergency department (ED) or hospitalised throughout a year within two urban cities in Canada.

Design

Retrospective medical record review.

Setting

Hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta (n=4) and Regina, Saskatchewan (n=2) from April 2014 to March 2015.

Participants

All patients discharged from the ED or hospital with acute deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (PE). Those having another indication for anticoagulant therapy, pregnant/breast feeding or anticipated lifespan <3 months were excluded.

Primary and secondary outcomes

Primarily, to compare proportion of patients receiving traditional therapy (parenteral anticoagulant±warfarin) relative to a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) between the two cohorts. Secondarily, to assess differences with therapy selected based on clot burden and follow-up plans postdischarge.

Results

387 (25.2%) and 665 (72.5%) patients from the ED and hospital cohorts, respectively, were included. Compared with the ED cohort, those hospitalised were older (57.3 and 64.5 years; p<0.0001), more likely to have PE (35.7% vs 83.8%) with a simplified Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (sPESI) ≥1 (31.2% vs 65.2%), cancer (14.7% and 22.3%; p=0.003) and pulmonary disease (10.1% and 20.6%; p<0.0001). For the ED and hospital cohorts, similar proportions of patients were prescribed traditional therapies (72.6% and 71.1%) and a DOAC (25.8% and 27.4%, respectively). For the ED cohort, DOAC use was similar between those with a sPESI score of 0 and ≥1 (35.1% and 34.9%, p=0.98) whereas for those hospitalised lower risk patients were more likely to receive a DOAC (31.4% and 23.8%, p<0.055). Follow-up was most common with family physicians for those hospitalised (51.5%), while specialists/VTE clinic was most common for those directly discharged from the ED (50.6%).

Conclusions

Traditional and DOAC therapies were proportionately similar between the ED and hospitalised cohorts, despite clear differences in patient populations and follow-up patterns in the community.
Effect of physical exercise on weight loss and physical function following bariatric surgery: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Ren Zi-Qi , Lu Guang-Dong , Zhang Tian-Zi , Xu Qin
Published: November 2018

Objectives

We performed a meta-analysis of all of the available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to investigate whether physical exercise contributes to weight loss or physical function improvement in adults receiving bariatric surgery.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, OVID and the CINAHL up through May 2018. RCTs that assigned adults with obesity to either an exercise training group or a no-exercise group after bariatric surgery were included. The primary outcomes were weight loss and physical function. Study bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool, and the quality of evidence was assessed using GRADEpro.

Results

A total of eight studies met the inclusion criteria (n=347 participants). Most of the studies carried a low risk of bias due to randomisation and blinding. Compared with those without exercise intervention after surgery, patients engaging in physical exercise were associated with greater weight loss (weighted mean difference (WMD) −1.94 kg; 95% CI −3.18 to −0.69; n=8) and longer 6 min walk distance (6MWD; WMD29.67 m; 95% CI 25.97 to 33.37; n=2) during follow-up. By subgroup analyses, the additional weight loss in exercise group was related to the starting time and type of exercise: patients engaging in exercise 1 year or more after surgery and patients received aerobic–resistance exercise experienced more weight loss. Besides, patients in exercise training group also had lower systolic blood pressure and resting heart rate after surgery. The quality of evidence for these outcomes was moderate to very low.

Conclusions

Physical exercise after bariatric surgery provides 1.94 kg additional weight loss and 29.67 m longer 6MWD compared with surgery alone. Moreover, engaging in exercise 1 year or more after surgery, and a combined aerobic and resistance training programme may result in greater weight loss.
How to craft an advert that's just the job
Authors: Read Claire
Published: November 2018

‘A team player with excellent interpersonal skills’, ‘a motivated self‐starter’, ‘a natural communicator’: job adverts often feature phrases that would never gain employment in any other environment. So which techniques do you actually need to use if you want to buck the veterinary recruitment downturn and attract the best staff to your practice? As the British Veterinary Association and Vet Record launch a new online careers hub later this month, Claire Read considers the art of penning a winning job advert.
Comments on the dilemma in the October issue: An inconsequential overdose
Authors: Williams David
Published: November 2018

In the dilemma discussed in the October issue of In Practice, Robert Woodward described a scenario where you are presented with an adult male neutered West Highland white terrier. It is well in every other respect other than having a large rash on its abdomen, which is erythematous, papular and pustular in nature. Pyoderma is suspected and, due to the size and severity of the lesion, you prescribe a course of antibiotics. As the dog does not take tablets well, you inject a long‐acting antibiotic subcutaneously. Unfortunately, due to tiredness and after a particularly busy weekend of duties, you realise that you have just accidentally administered a 10‐fold overdose. The patient appears fine and the client is none the wiser. You also suspect that the overdose would unlikely have any significant adverse effect, but you are not certain (IP, October 2018, vol 40, pp 366‐367). What do you do?
Expanded teased nerve fibre pathological conditions in disease association
Authors: Xu Min , Pinto Marcus , Sun Chenjing , Engelstad Janean K , James Dyck P , Dyck Peter J , Klein Christopher J
Published: November 2018

Objective

To describe an expanded teased nerve fibre classification in disease association.

Methods

We reviewed four newly proposed teased nerve fibre types (Types J–M): Type J, rope-like fibres; K, fibril-like clumps of osmium positivity; L, cellular debris along and within nerve fibres; M, circular axonal inclusions surrounded by thin myelin. Different clinical pathological entities were studied for these fibre types including chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP: N=20); amyloid polyneuropathy (N=20); intraneural B-cell lymphoma (N=20) or adult-onset polyglucosan body disease (APBD: N=6) in comparison with 112 disease controls. Student’s t-test was used to test significance of association between the identified fibre types and the specific clinical diagnosis.

Results

Each fibre type significantly associated (p<0.001) with particular disease categories: Type J, 60% of CIDP cases; Type K, 75% of amyloid cases; Type L, 75% of intraneural lymphoma cases; Type M, 100% of APBD cases. Rarely were these fibres found in the other disease control cases ≤3% of cases. In three cases, the teased fibre findings were so striking additional paraffin nerve preparations were made to make the pathological diagnosis when initial paraffin sections were non-diagnostic.

Conclusions

Teased nerve fibre Types J–M associate with commonly seen pathological diagnosis and are helpful in the consideration of specific neuropathy diagnoses.
Long-term changes in nutrient dynamics and plankton communities following the creation of a new reservoir
Authors: Paterson Michael J. , Beaty Kenneth G. , Findlay David L. , Findlay Willie J. , Schiff Sherry L. , St.Louis Vincent L. , Venkiteswaran Jason J.
Published: November 2018

Reservoir creation often leads to a “trophic upsurge” of nutrients that may affect communities living near impoundments. We determined the duration of the nutrient upsurge and associated changes in plankton in a study of a new reservoir (Lake 979; L979) in northwestern Ontario that included 2 years pre-impoundment, 16 years of impoundment, and 2 years postimpoundment. Secondarily, we determined allochthonous versus autochthonous carbon (C) use by zooplankton with reservoir development. For the first 6–14 years of impoundment, mean concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and dissolved organic carbon increased 3.6, 2.4, and 1.7 times above pre-impoundment levels, respectively, decreasing thereafter. L979 shifted from a net sink to a source of TP and TN for the first 6 years of impoundment. Mean annual biomasses of bacteria, phytoplankton, and zooplankton increased 4.6, 17, and 32.6 times above pre-impoundment levels, respectively, with associated changes in community composition. Bacteria and phytoplankton returned to pre-impoundment levels within 4 and 10 years, respectively, but zooplankton densities remained elevated even after 18 years. Changes in δ13C suggested that postimpoundment zooplankton biomass was not supported predominantly by allochthonous C.
Entropy generation of nanofluid flow and heat transfer driven through a paralleled microchannel
Authors: Xu Hang , Raees Ammarah , Xu Xiao-Hang
Published: November 2018

In this paper, a fully-developed, immiscible nanofluid flow in a paralleled microchannel in the presence of a magnetic field is investigated. Buongiorno’s model is applied to describe the behaviors of the nanofluid flow. Different from most previous studies on microchannel flow, here the pressure term is considered as unknown, which makes the current model compatible with the commonly accepted channel flow models. The influences of various physical parameters on important physical quantities are given. The entropy generation analysis is performed. Variations of local and global entropy generations with the magnetic field parameter, the electric field, and the viscous dissipation parameter under various ratios of the thermophoresis parameter to the Brownian motion parameter are illustrated. The results indicate that the entropy generation rate strongly depends on the thermophoresis and the Brownian motion parameters. Their increase enhances the total irreversibility of entropy generation.
Bile acid malabsorption is associated with diarrhea in acute phase of colitis
Authors: Hou Rui-gang , Fan Lei , Liu Jun-jin , Cheng Yao , Chang Zhuang-peng , Wu Bei , Shao Yun-yun
Published: November 2018

The enterohepatic circulation of bile acids (BAs) critically depends on BA transporters and enzymes, which can be affected by inflammatory bowel disease. Diarrhea in colitis is believed to result in part from BA malabsorption. The work aimed to investigate whether diarrhea in colitis was associated with the expression of BA transporters, enzymes, and nuclear receptors. RT-qPCR and Western blot techniques were used to evaluate the gene and protein levels of Cyp7a1, Asbt, SHP, FXR, Ostβ in a 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic-acid-induced rat model of colitis. The total BAs (TBAs) levels were assayed using ELISA kits, and the individual BAs were measured by LC–MS/MS. Results showed that the fecal excretions of TBAs were significantly increased by 1.6-fold in acute stage of colitis. In ileum, Asbt was significantly decreased; however, there was a compensatory increase in Cyp7a1 level in liver. Moreover, FXR has a decreased tendency and the downstream target gene SHP was downregulated. Contrary to acute stage, molecular changes were completely reversible during the remission phase. Our results indicated that the expression of Asbt and Cyp7a1 were altered in acute colitis, which performed vital roles in maintaining BA homeostasis. Early medical manipulation of BA transporters and enzymes may help prevent diarrhea.
Polyethylene-glycol-coated gold nanoparticles improve cardiac function after myocardial infarction in mice
Authors: Tian Aiju , Yang Chengzhi , Zhu Baoling , Wang Wenjing , Liu Kai , Jiang Yunqi , Qiao Yuhui , Fu Haian , Li Zijian
Published: November 2018

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are widely used for drug delivery because of their unique biological properties, such as their safety and ability to prolong drug action. Some studies have demonstrated that AuNPs accumulate in the heart, especially during pathological processes. Therefore, it is very important to understand the effect of AuNPs on the heart. Myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality; however, the effect of AuNPs on MI remains unclear. In the present study, we carried out a comprehensive evaluation of AuNPs on acute MI. The results showed that AuNPs accumulated in infarcted hearts, decreased infarction size, improved systolic function, and inhibited cardiac fibrosis and TNF-α accumulation. Our work indicated that AuNPs have cardioprotective effects and can be used in drug delivery systems for the treatment of cardiac diseases.
Male and female pups of the highly sexually dimorphic northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) differ slightly in body size
Authors: Salogni E. , Galimberti F. , Sanvito S. , Miller E.H.
Published: November 2018

In mammals, males generally are larger than females, though such sexual-size differences have been documented primarily in adults and are relatively poorly known in early life. We studied sexual-size differences in pups of the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris (Gill, 1866)), which in adulthood is one of the most sexually dimorphic mammals. We studied body size at birth and weaning, at Islas San Benito, Mexico, at the southernmost limit of the species’ breeding range. Males were 10% heavier and 2% longer than females at birth. Sexes did not differ significantly in either measure of body size at weaning, although males were slightly heavier (4%) and longer (1%) than females. Neither growth rate nor suckling duration differed between the sexes. In previous studies in California, USA, pups at weaning were heavier than in our study, and males were heavier than females. These differences may reflect ecological, temporal, or life-history differences across populations. The modest difference in sexual-size dimorphism early in life in this species compared with the great difference in adulthood likely reflects multiple selective forces, including constraints on neonatal size set by body size of females, and the weakness of sexual selection at that stage of life.
ANALYSIS OF LATERAL BALANCE IN RESPONSE TO PERTURBATION BY SURFACE TILTS IN YOUNG AND ELDERLY ADULTS
Authors: KWON YU-RI , CHOI YOON-HYEOK , EOM GWANG-MOON , KO JUNGHYUK , KIM JI-WON
Published: November 2018

It is important to assess lateral balance because falls to the side frequently occur and lead to hip fracture in elderly adults. The aim of this study was to investigate lateral balance in response to lateral tilting perturbation in young and elderly adults. Fifty healthy subjects (28 young and 22 elderly) participated in this study. They were instructed to maintain postural balance against right-down and left-down perturbations. As outcome measures, the mean distance, mean velocity and peak frequency were derived from the center of pressure (COP) data in the frontal plane (medio-lateral). Independent [Formula: see text]-tests were performed to compare the elderly with the young. The elderly group exhibited a greater COP mean distance and faster mean velocity compared to the young group in right-down perturbation ([Formula: see text]). The COP peak frequency of the elderly was higher than that of the young in both right- and left-down perturbations ([Formula: see text]). These results suggest that the elderly have a dynamic lateral balance strategy with greater and faster body sway and with more frequent adjustments of the COP in response to lateral perturbation. This study will contribute to the understanding of lateral balance strategy in the elderly for the prevention and intervention of falls.
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS FOR COMPARING THE PERFORMANCE OF STRAIGHT AND UNDULATED FIBERS IN ALTERING THE FILTERING EFFICIENCY OF HEMODIALYZER MEMBRANES
Authors: SANGEETHA M. S. , KANDASWAMY A. , LAKSHMI DEEPIKA C. , REVANTH C. V.
Published: November 2018

The hemodialyzer, known as “artificial kidney”, serves as an excellent tool in filtering the impurities from blood. The structure of the hemodialyzer plays a major role in separation of solutes through diffusion. The hemodialyzer module consists of thousands of hollow fibers, which actually filter the toxins such as urea and creatinine from the blood. Many of the commercially available hemodialyzer modules consist of fibers available in different configurations, viz. straight and crimped (undulated). It has been reported that fiber crimping enhances solute clearance. In crimped fibers, the waviness is dictated by two parameters, namely the crimp count and crimp amplitude. These two parameters should be optimized when inducing fiber crimps. However, excessive crimping also leads to fiber damage. In this paper, the hemodialyzer membrane is modeled which describes the structure of Fresenius Polysulfone-Hemoflow (F6HPS) in two configurations, viz. straight and crimped and finite element analysis is carried out using finite element software COMSOL multiphysics5.2a. The solute clearance is studied in straight fibers as well as crimped fibers for the same length while varying the crimp count and crimp amplitude. It has been observed that in crimped fibers, increasing the crimp count and crimp amplitude increases the clearance significantly when compared to straight fibers. While increasing the crimp count as [Formula: see text], the clearance is nearly twice that of straight fiber. This clearly shows that when developing hemodialyzers with undulations, the crimp count and crimp amplitude has to be optimized in order to get a better filtering efficiency.
German military geology and military mining on the Eastern Front in World War I
Authors: Willig Dierk
Published: November 2018

At its peak, the Eastern Front encompassed the entire frontier between the Russian Empire and Romania on the Allied side and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Bulgaria, the (Turkish) Ottoman Empire and the German Empire on the other: a distance of
c.
1500–1700 km. Mobile warfare alternated with periods of static trench and siege warfare, when ‘mines’ (tunnels charged with explosives detonated to breach the overhead fortifications) and ‘dugouts’ (to protect troops from artillery or aerial bombardment) were constructed in at least 50 localities between 1915 and 1917, from Mitau in present-day Latvia to Rarancze in Moldova. Terrain ranged from plateaux floored by Cenozoic sediments in the north to mountains with more complex, older, stronger rocks in the south. Despite lessons learnt from the Russo-Japanese war of 1904–05, both sides began the conflict unprepared for tunnelling warfare. However, German and Austro-Hungarian forces soon developed units of military geologists whose duties included guidance of tunnelling projects. Eight teams of German military geologists and four of Austro-Hungarian, in total over 60 men who can be named, are known to have served on the Front, as did newly formed and equipped specialist engineer mining battalions from Prussia, Bavaria and Austria-Hungary.
The influence of layer-interface geometry on single-layer folding
Authors: Griera Albert , Gomez-Rivas Enrique , Llorens Maria-Gema
Published: November 2018

Geometrical heterogeneities along layer interfaces play a key role in determining the geometries of folds developed during shortening of competent layers. We present a series of numerical simulations to investigate the influence of initial sinusoidal perturbations on the folding of single layers. Models consist of a competent viscous single layer embedded in a softer matrix, with the layer orientated parallel to the shortening direction. We first generalize the wide spectrum of sinusoidal perturbations accounting for asymmetries along and across a competent single layer, using two parameters: transversal asymmetry (
A
′) and longitudinal asymmetry (
φ
). These two parameters allow the transition between classical fold shapes and pinch and swell geometries to be studied. The parameter
A
′ describes the development of fold hinges with different geometries between the upper and lower layer interfaces, and abnormal curvatures between the outer and inner arcs of fold hinges. The parameter
φ
induces a strong polarity on the folds, with a systematic preferred orientation of the pinch and swell regions of the layer, even if there is no shear component parallel to the layer. Our results demonstrate the importance of structural inheritance on the resulting fold geometries, and suggest that caution must be taken when using certain types of asymmetrical folds as strain markers and kinematic indicators.
Memristor-CMOS Analog Coprocessor for Acceleration of High-Performance Computing Applications
Authors: Athreyas Nihar , Song Wenhao , Perot Blair , Xia Qiangfei , Mathew Abbie , Gupta Jai , Gupta Dev , Yang J. Joshua
Published: November 2018

Vector matrix multiplication computation underlies major applications in machine vision, deep learning, and scientific simulation. These applications require high computational speed and are run on platforms that are size, weight, and power constrained. With the transistor scaling coming to an end, existing digital hardware architectures will not be able to meet this increasing demand. Analog computation with its rich set of primitives and inherent parallel architecture can be faster, more efficient, and compact for some of these applications. One such primitive is a memristor-CMOS crossbar array-based vector matrix multiplication. In this article, we develop a memristor-CMOS analog coprocessor architecture that can handle floating-point computation. To demonstrate the working of the analog coprocessor at a system level, we use a new electronic design automation tool called PSpice Systems Option, which performs integrated cosimulation of MATLAB/Simulink and PSpice. It is shown that the analog coprocessor has a superior performance when compared to other processors, and a speedup of up to 12 × when compared to projected GPU performance is observed. Using the new PSpice Systems Option tool, various application simulations for image processing and solutions to partial differential equations are performed on the analog coprocessor model.
Hackers, Computers, and Cooperation
Authors: Ames Morgan G.
Published: November 2018

This paper examines the history of the learning theory "constructionism" and its most well-known implementation, Logo, to examine beliefs involving both "C's" in CSCW: computers and cooperation. Tracing the tumultuous history of one of the first examples of computer-supported cooperative learning (CSCL) allows us to question some present-day assumptions regarding the universal appeal of learning to program computers that undergirds popular CSCL initiatives today, including the Scratch programming environment and the "FabLab" makerspace movement. Furthermore, teasing out the individualistic and anti-authority threads in this project and its links to present day narratives of technology development exposes the deeply atomized and even oppositional notions of collaboration in these projects and others under the auspices of CSCW today that draw on early notions of 'hacker culture.' These notions tend to favor a limited view of work, learning, and practice-an invisible constraint that continues to inform how we build and evaluate CSCW technologies.