bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Initial insights into the genetic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 isolates from Kerala suggest local spread from limited introductions
Authors: Radhakrishnan Chandni , Divakar Mohit Kumar , Jain Abhinav , Viswanathan Prasanth , Bhoyar Rahul C. , Jolly Bani , Imran Mohamed , Sharma Disha , Rophina Mercy , Ranjan Gyan , Jose Beena Philomina , Raman Rajendran Vadukkoot , Kesavan Thulaseedharan Nallaveettil , George Kalpana , Mathew Sheela , Poovullathil Jayesh Kumar , Govindan Sajeeth Kumar Keeriyatt , Nair Priyanka Raveendranadhan , Vadekkandiyil Shameer , Gladson Vineeth , Mohan Midhun , Parambath Fairoz Cheriyalingal , Mangla Mohit , Shamnath Afra ,   Indian CoV2 Genomics & Genetic Epidemiology (IndiCovGEN) Consortium, Sivasubbu Sridhar , Scaria Vinod
Published: September 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rapidly spread from a city in China to almost every country in the world, affecting millions of individuals. Genomic approaches have been extensively used to understand the evolution and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 across the world. Kerala is a unique state in India well connected with the rest of the world through a large number of expatriates, trade, and tourism. The first case of COVID-19 in India was reported in Kerala in January 2020, during the initial days of the pandemic. The rapid increase in the COVID-19 cases in the state of Kerala has necessitated the understanding of the genetic epidemiology of circulating virus, evolution, and mutations in SARS-CoV-2. We sequenced a total of 200 samples from patients at a tertiary hospital in Kerala using COVIDSeq protocol at a mean coverage of 7,755X. The analysis identified 166 unique high-quality variants encompassing 4 novel variants and 89 new variants identified for the first time in SARS-CoV-2 samples isolated from India. Phylogenetic and haplotype analysis revealed that the circulating population of the virus was dominated (94.6% of genomes) by three distinct introductions followed by local spread, apart from identifying polytomies suggesting recent outbreaks. The genomes formed a monophyletic distribution exclusively mapping to the A2a clade. Further analysis of the functional variants revealed two variants in the S gene of the virus reportedly associated with increased infectivity and 5 variants that mapped to five primer/probe binding sites that could potentially compromise the efficacy of RT-PCR detection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first and most comprehensive report of genetic epidemiology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 isolates from Kerala.
A new mechanism of fibronectin fibril assembly revealed by live imaging and super-resolution microscopy
Authors: Tomer Darshika , Arriagada Cecilia , Munshi Sudipto , Alexander Brianna E. , French Brenda , Vedula Pavan , Caorsi Valentina , House Andrew , Guvendiren Murat , Kashina Anna , Schwarzbauer Jean E. , Astrof Sophie
Published: September 2020

Fn1 fibrils have long been viewed as continuous fibers composed of extended, periodically aligned Fn1 molecules. However, our live imaging and single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) are inconsistent with this traditional view and show that Fn1 fibrils are composed of roughly spherical nanodomains containing 6-11 Fn1 dimers. As they move toward the cell center, Fn1 nanodomains become organized into linear arrays, wherein nanodomains are spaced at the average periodicity of 105±17 nm. Periodical Fn1 nanodomain arrays are bona fide fibrils: they are resistant to deoxycholate treatment and retain nanodomain periodicity in the absence of cells. The nanodomain periodicity in fibrils remained constant when probed with antibodies recognizing distinct Fn1 epitopes or combinations of antibodies recognizing epitopes spanning the length of Fn1. FUD, a bacterial peptide that binds Fn1 N-terminus and disrupts Fn1 fibrillogenesis does not disrupt the formation of Fn1 nanodomains, instead, it blocks the organization of Fn1 nanodomains into periodical arrays. These studies establish a new paradigm of Fn1 fibrillogenesis.
rSWeeP: A R/Bioconductor package deal with SWeeP sequences representation
Authors: Fernandes Danrley , Kulik Mariane G. , Machado Diogo J. S. , Marchaukoski Jeroniza N. , Pedrosa Fabio O. , De Pierri Camilla R. , Raittz Roberto T.
Published: September 2020

The rSWeeP package is an R implementation of the SWeeP model, designed to handle Big Data. rSweeP meets to the growing demand for efficient methods of heuristic representation in the field of Bioinformatics, on platforms accessible to the entire scientific community. We explored the implementation of rSWeeP using a dataset containing 31,386 viral proteomes, performing phylogenetic and principal component analysis. As a case study we analyze the viral strains closest to the SARS-CoV, responsible for the current pandemic of COVID-19, confirming that rSWeeP can accurately classify organisms taxonomically. rSWeeP package is freely available athttps://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/rSWeeP.html.
Point-activated ESR1Y541S has a dramatic effect on the development of sexually dimorphic organs
Authors: Simond Alexandra M. , Ling Chen , Moore Michaela J. , Condotta Stephanie A. , Richer Martin J. , Muller William J.
Published: September 2020

Mutations in the estrogen receptor α (ERα) occur in endocrine-resistant metastatic breast cancer. However, a major gap persists with the lack of genetically tractable immune competent mouse models to study disease. Hence, we developed a Cre-inducible murine model expressing a point-activated ESR1Y541S (ESR1Y537S in humans) driven by its endogenous promoter. Germline expression of mutant ESR1Y541S reveals dramatic developmental defects in the reproductive organs, mammary glands, and bones of the mice. These observations provide critical insights into the tissue-specific roles of ERα during development and highlights the potential use of our model in further developmental and cancer studies.
SMARCB1 loss interacts with neuronal differentiation state to block maturation and impact cell stability
Authors: Parisian Alison D. , Koga Tomoyuki , Miki Shunichiro , Johann Pascal D. , Kool Marcel , Crawford John R. , Furnari Frank B.
Published: September 2020

Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors (ATRTs) are challenging pediatric brain cancers that are predominantly associated with inactivation of the gene SMARCB1, a conserved subunit of the chromatin remodeling BAF complex, which has known contributions to developmental processes. To identify potential interactions between SMARCB1 loss and the process of neural development, we introduced an inducible SMARCB1 loss-of-function system into human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) that were subjected to either directed neuronal differentiation or differentiation into cerebral organoids. Using this system, we identified substantial differences in the downstream effects of SMARCB1 loss depending on differentiation state and identified an interaction between SMARCB1 loss and neural differentiation pressure that causes a resistance to terminal differentiation and a defect in maintenance of a normal cell state. Our results provide insight into how SMARCB1 loss might interact with neural development in the process of ATRT tumorigenesis.
Corporate communication in open innovation: a case-study of three multinationals
Authors: Gutiérrez-García Elena , Recalde Mónica , Alfaro José A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This article proposes a theoretical framework that synthesizes the main factors explaining the strategic contribution of communication department to open innovation (OI) processes. Because there is little or no research literature on communication and OI, the purpose is to fill this gap. A literature review and empirical qualitative research were conducted to weigh the significance of the framework in practice.

Design/methodology/approach

An interdisciplinary literature review was necessary to identify the main factors that explain the communication contribution to OI. The analysis of three multinational case studies has helped to enrich the proposed framework. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted with in-company communication managers and innovation managers in order to capture their perceptions.

Findings

Communication emerges as a strategic function with the potential to be embedded in the whole OI process. The main conclusion is that it may play an increasingly central role in enhancing relationships with external partners. Moreover, it enacts its strategic role while facilitating the enhancement of the organization's overall communication capability – that is, trust, transparency and a coherently articulated narrative.

Research limitations/implications

This article has not been designed as a comprehensive overview of the topic, nor it is designed to be statistically representative or generalizable. The study was conducted with the intention of exploring the theoretical and practical contributions of communication department to OI, as well as to raise awareness among scholars and practitioners on this new but neglected topic for research. Its qualitative approach serves to assess the value of the framework proposed, and the key issues highlighted here require further research.

Practical implications

The theoretical framework proposed may enable innovation managers to identify the factors in which the communication function and its practitioners may play a role for facilitating OI processes. Likewise, communication practitioners may find it useful to foster their organizational role and capabilities within these processes.

Originality/value

This article underlines the significant contribution that the communication function may play in OI processes. Research on this topic has been neglected thus far, despite its significance for the competitiveness of companies and the economy as a whole.
Subnational institutions and EMNE acquisitions in advanced economies: institutional escapism or fostering?
Authors: Nayyar Rishika , Prashantham Shameen
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether subnational market-supporting institutions in Indian states affect the likelihood of Indian multinational enterprises (MNEs) to undertake acquisitions in advanced economies (AEs) rather than emerging economies (EEs) and, if so, which mechanism – institutional fostering or escapism – underlies the phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a logistic regression model on a dataset of 647 firm-level cross-border acquisitions (CBAs) undertaken by Indian MNEs during the period 2010–2016.

Findings

The paper finds support for the institutional escapism mechanism, as opposed to the institutional fostering mechanism, underlying Indian MNEs’ acquisitions in AEs (rather than EEs). That is, firms headquartered in Indian states where market-supporting institutions (such as economic liberalization and efficiency of legal systems) are weak are more likely to undertake CBAs in AEs than in EEs as an escapist response to weak subnational institutions at home.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the relevance of the mainstream international business (IB) concept of emerging market multinational enterprises (EMNEs) internationalization to critical IB scholarship by examining subnational institutional influences on EMNEs’ foreign market choice between AEs and EEs. In particular, by providing evidence for the institutional escapism mechanism which has potential negative socioeconomic consequences in the region of the investing firm, the paper adds to critical IB research which places great emphasis on the examination of inequalities and draws attention to the EMNE context as a suitable setting for further research on internationalization from a critical perspective.
Elaborating on modular interfaces in multi-provider contexts
Authors: Peters Vincent , Vähätalo Mervi , Meijboom Bert , Barendregt Alice , Bok Levinus , de Vries Esther
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This study examines how modular interfaces manifest in multi-provider contexts and how they can improve coordination and customization of services. The aim of the study is to describe interfaces in multi-provider contexts and elaborate on how they support the delivery of integrated patient care.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, multiple case study was conducted in two multi-provider contexts in healthcare services: one representing paediatric Down syndrome care in the Netherlands and one representing home care for the elderly in Finland. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews in both contexts.

Findings

This study provides insight into several types of interfaces and their role in multi-provider contexts. Several inter- and intra-organizational situations were identified in which the delivery of integrated patient care was jeopardized. This study describes how interfaces can help to alleviate these situations.

Originality/value

This study deepens the understanding of interfaces in service modularity by describing interfaces in multi-provider contexts. The multi-provider contexts studied inspired to incorporate the inter-organizational aspect into the literature on interfaces in service modularity. This study further develops the typology for interfaces in modular services by adding a third dimension to the typology, that is, the orientation of interfaces.
Theoretical and experimental dynamics analysis of rotor-bearing system supported by elliptical bearings
Authors: Zhao Zhiming , Zhang Rui , Ji Feng , Yuan Xiaoyang
Published: September 2020

Purpose

High power and speed are new demands for rotating machinery which needs the journal bearings with high dynamic characteristics. The critical speed of the rotor-bearing system is one of the most significant parameters to evaluate the dynamic characteristics. This paper aims to investigate the theoretical and experimental analysis of a rotor system supported by large diameter elliptical bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain the theoretical and experimental support for rotor-bearing system design, dynamic characteristics theoretical analysis based on the finite difference method is given and an experiment focuses on critical speed identification is carried out.

Findings

The theoretical calculation results indicate that the critical speed is near to 800 rpm and there is no large vibration amplitude round working speed (1,500 rpm). Using the test bench in the factory unit, vibration data including three experimental processes are obtained. According to the vibration data, the critical speed is identified which also indicates that it is stable when working at 1,500 rpm.

Originality/value

The design method for the rotor system supported by large diameter elliptical bearing can be obtained by the theoretical and experimental results shown in this paper.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2020-0122/
How do international advertisers use consumer culture positioning strategies? A cross-national, cross-category approach
Authors: Michaelidou Nina , Micevski Milena , Halkias Georgios
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The present paper explores how advertisers use consumer culture positioning (CCP) strategies in advertising across countries and product categories.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a content analysis approach to investigate usage of CCP strategies and symbols across different CCP strategies, countries and product categories. The authors focussed on country of origin (COO) cues as symbols of CCP. The authors collected printed advertisements from countries at different levels of economic development and communication orientation for the content analysis, namely, Austria (n = 182), Hungary (n = 199) and Turkey (n = 120) and products with high- vs low-involvement levels.

Findings

Findings of this study indicated that global consumer culture positioning (GCCP) and local consumer culture positioning (LCCP) advertisements relied more on implicit symbols, while foreign consumer culture positioning (FCCP) advertisements predominantly employed explicit ones. Types of symbols and their utilisation varied across countries and product categories, with language, tag lines/logos and brand names being key components across different advertisements.

Practical implications

The results document the practices of CCP-based advertising, offering important insights on whether and how symbolism can be effectively used for communicating different CCPs across markets.

Originality/value

Little is known in terms of how specific symbols are used to communicate consumers’ culture. In this study, the authors analysed the content of 501 real-print advertisements across multiple countries and product categories. This study contributes to the theory and practice by revealing how consumers’ culture manifests through diverse COO symbols in advertising imagery and by facilitating the application of such manifestations across market contexts.
Dialogical turn of accounting and accountability integrated reporting in non-profit and public-sector organisations
Authors: Pärl Ülle , Paemurru Elina , Paemurru Kristjan , Kivisoo Helen
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper analyses the extent to which public sector (PS) and non-profit (NP) organisations' reports and reporting processes adopt an IR framework as model of dialogical accountings and accountability (DAA) for dialogue with stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides an overview of accountings and accountability in PS and NP organisations. The concept of dialogical communication with stakeholders is studied. The theoretical framework of DAA is supported by empirical investigation through the case studies of two organisations, one PS and one NP organisation. To contextualize findings from the case study, Estonian private schools' published management reports were analysed to explore integrated reporting (IR) elements. The paper ends with discussion and conclusions.

Findings

NP and PS aimed to improve their reporting practices. Reporting in the PS organisation were based on traditional accounting and accountability models which work in stable and non-competitive environment. IR, as a format for DAA, could bring added value to the PSO, but the mechanisms to make it work are missing. The NP organisations were already spontaneously practising some IR elements. After learning about IR, the NP organisation committed to IR principles and benefited from its guidelines. Implementing IR together with the concepts of dialogical communication, the organisations could create and benefit from better cooperation with their stakeholders both internally and externally.

Research limitations/implications

The case study research does not allow for generalisation of the results, which are limited to the case organisations' context and based on their management's subjective opinions. The limitation of qualitative content analysis as a research method in current study, is its possible subjectivity. The limitation is represented by the fact that only one year's data was for analysis.

Practical implications

This paper can be useful to any PS or NP institution willing to enhance its public accountability and developing dialogue with stakeholders for creation and innovation. This study serves to inform organisations that are searching for ways to improve awareness of IR for communication and co-creation purposes.

Social implications

This study could help in defining the framework for a larger scale IR-related study in finding trends in PS and NP organisations. The study is a platform for exploring the aspects of developing dialogue with different stakeholders of IR implementation and application process.

Originality/value

The conceptual novelty of the research lies in connecting IRF and dialogical communication concept. The focus is to understand how IR expedites dialogical communication in light of IR framework. In current paper, we observe the presence of IR elements in public sector and non-profit sector organisations' reports.
Developmental outcome of extremely preterm infants is improved after less invasive surfactant application: Developmental outcome after LISA
Authors: Mehler Katrin , Broer Alexander , Roll Claudia , Göpel Wolfgang , Wieg Christian , Jahn Peter , Teig Norbert , Höhn Thomas , Welzing Lars , Vochem Matthias , Hoppenz Marc , Bührer Christoph , Franklin Jeremy , Roth Bernhard , Herting Egbert , Kribs Angela
Published: September 2020

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate neurocognitive outcome at 24 months of corrected age after less invasive surfactant application (LISA) in preterm infants born at 23‐26 weeks of gestational age.

Methods

Surviving participants of a LISA trial conducted in 13 German level III neonatal intensive care units were reviewed for assessment of developmental outcome, hearing and vision problems, growth and rehospitalisation days. Maternal depression, breastfeeding rates and socio‐economic factors were evaluated as potentially confounding factors.

Results

In total, 156/182 infants took part in the study, 78 had received surfactant via LISA and 78 via endotracheal intubation. 22% of LISA infants compared to 42% of intubated infants had a psychomotor development index (PDI) <70 (0.012). A significant difference in mental development index (MDI) was observed in the stratum of more mature infants (25 and 26 weeks of GA). For this group, MDI < 70 was observed in 4% of LISA infants vs 21% of intubated infants (P = 0.008).

Conclusion

At 24 months of age, the LISA‐treated infants scored less often PDI < 70 and had similar results in MDI. Infants born at 25 and 26 weeks treated with LISA had lower rates of severe disability. LISA is safe and may be superior.
Lower cardiorenal risk with sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors versus dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes without cardiovascular and renal diseases: A large multinational observational study
Authors: Birkeland Kåre I. , Bodegard Johan , Banerjee Amitava , Kim Dae Jung , Norhammar Anna , Eriksson Jan W. , Thuresson Marcus , Okami Suguru , Ha Kyoung Hwa , Kossack Nils , Mamza Jil Billy , Zhang Ruiqi , Yajima Toshitaka , Komuro Issei , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: September 2020

Aims

We compared the new use of sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) versus dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitor (DPP4i) and the risk of cardiorenal disease, heart failure (HF) or chronic kidney disease (CKD), in patients with type 2 diabetes without a history of prevalent cardiovascular and renal disease, defined as cardiovascular and renal disease (CVRD) free, managed in routine clinical practice.

Materials and methods

In this observational cohort study, patients were identified from electronic health records from England, Germany, Japan, Norway, South Korea and Sweden, during 2012‐2018. In total, 1 006 577 CVRD‐free new users of SGLT2i or DPP4i were propensity score matched 1:1. Unadjusted Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for outcomes: cardiorenal disease, HF, CKD, stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), cardiovascular and all‐cause mortality.

Results

Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the treatment groups (n = 105 130 in each group) with total follow‐up of 187 955 patient years. Patients had a mean age of 56 years, 43% were women and they were indexed between 2013 and 2018. The most commonly used agents were dapagliflozin (91.7% of exposure time) and sitagliptin/linagliptin (55.0%), in the SGLT2i and DPP4i, groups, respectively. SGLT2i was associated with lower risk of cardiorenal disease, HF, CKD, all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality; HR (95% confidence interval), 0.56 (0.42‐0.74), 0.71 (0.59‐0.86), 0.44 (0.28‐0.69), 0.67 (0.59‐0.77), and 0.61 (0.44‐0.85), respectively. No differences were observed for stroke [0.87 (0.69‐1.09)] and MI [0.94 (0.80‐1.11)].

Conclusion

In this multinational observational study, SGLT2i was associated with a lower risk of HF and CKD versus DPP4i in patients with type 2 diabetes otherwise free from both cardiovascular and renal disease.
Enteropeptidase inhibition improves kidney function in a rat model of diabetic kidney disease
Authors: Sugama Jun , Katayama Yuko , Moritoh Yusuke , Watanabe Masanori
Published: September 2020

Aim

To examine the effects of an enteropeptidase inhibitor, SCO‐792, on kidney function in rats.

Materials and Methods

The pharmacological effects of SCO‐792 were evaluated in Wistar fatty (WF) rats, a rat model of diabetic kidney disease (DKD).

Results

Oral administration of SCO‐792 increased faecal protein content and improved glycaemic control in WF rats. SCO‐792 elicited a rapid decrease in urine albumin‐to‐creatinine ratio (UACR). SCO‐792 also normalized glomerular hyperfiltration and decreased fibrosis, inflammation and tubular injury markers in the kidneys. However, pioglitazone‐induced glycaemic improvement had no effect on kidney variables. Dietary supplementation of amino acids (AAs), which bypass the action of enteropeptidase inhibition, mitigated the effect of SCO‐792 on UACR reduction, suggesting a pivotal role for enteropeptidase. Furthermore, autophagy activity in the glomerulus, which is impaired in DKD, was elevated in SCO‐792‐treated rats. Finally, a therapeutically additive effect on UACR reduction was observed with a combination of SCO‐792 with irbesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker.

Conclusions

This study is the first to demonstrate that enteropeptidase inhibition is effective in improving disease conditions in DKD. SCO‐792‐induced therapeutic efficacy is likely to be independent of glycaemic control and mediated by the regulation of AAs and autophagy. Taken together with a combination effect of irbesartan, SCO‐792 may be a novel therapeutic option for patients with DKD.
Early combination therapy delayed treatment escalation in newly diagnosed young‐onset type 2 diabetes: A subanalysis of the VERIFY study
Authors: Chan Juliana C. N. , Paldánius Päivi M. , Mathieu Chantal , Stumvoll Michael , Matthews David R. , Del Prato Stefano
Published: September 2020

We analysed glycaemic durability (sustained glycaemic control) with early combination therapy (metformin plus vildagliptin) versus metformin monotherapy, among patients with type 2 diabetes diagnosed before (young‐onset [YOD]) and after (late‐onset [LOD]) the age of 40 years, enrolled in the VERIFY trial. The primary endpoint was time to initial treatment failure (TF), defined as HbA1c of 7.0% or higher at two consecutive scheduled visits after randomization. The time to secondary TF was assessed when both groups were receiving and failing on the combination. A total of 186 (9.3%) patients had YOD and 1815 (90.7%) had LOD with a mean age difference of 20.4 years. Compared with metformin monotherapy, early combination reduced the risk of time to initial TF for both YOD (48%, P < .0006) and LOD (46%, P < .0001). With early combination, risk for time to secondary TF was reduced by 48% (P < .0035) in YOD and 24% (P < .0009) in LOD. Both treatment approaches were well tolerated with no unexpected safety concerns. In treatment‐naïve patients with YOD (HbA1c 6.5%‐7.5%), an early combination strategy improved attainment of the glycaemic target with durability and delayed treatment escalation compared with initial metformin monotherapy.
Trends in mortality from stroke in the European Union, 1996–2015
Authors: Soto Á. , Guillén‐Grima F. , Morales G. , Muñoz S. , Aguinaga‐Ontoso I.
Published: September 2020

Background and purpose

Stroke is the second largest single cause of death in Europe, responsible for 9% and 13% of all deaths in men and women, respectively. There have been large overall declines in stroke mortality rates in the majority of European countries in recent decades. The aim of this study was to analyse trends in mortality caused by stroke in the 28 member countries of the European Union (EU) over the last two decades.

Methods

We extracted data for age‐standardized stroke mortality rates per 100 000 in the EU for the period 1996–2015 from the World Health Organization database. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to analyse the trends and compute the annual percent change (APC) in the EU as a whole and by country. Analyses were conducted by gender and by European region.

Results

Mortality from stroke has decreased in the EU over the study period by an average APC of 4.2%. All countries showed downward trends, with the sharpest decreases in Estonia, Portugal and Austria. We recorded statistically significant decreases of 4.2% and 4.3% in mortality rates in men and women, respectively, in the whole EU. Southern and western countries showed the steepest decreases, whereas mortality has increased in northern countries in recent years.

Conclusions

Stroke mortality has decreased in the EU, in both sexes, especially in southern and western European countries. Our results could be a reference for the development of primary prevention and acute management of stroke policies focused on countries with higher mortality.
Application of Mobile Robots to Linear Control Theory Education
Authors: Yamakawa Satoko
Published: September 2020

The knowledge of control engineering for mechanical engineers seems to become more important with the continuous development of automated technologies. To cultivate this knowledge, many experimental devices have been proposed and used. Devices with direct current (DC) motors are widely used because the DC motors can be controlled with sufficient accuracy based on the classical linear control theory. Mobile robots are used as educational platforms attracting the attention of students in various problem-based learning subjects. However, they have been hardly used to teach linear control theory because of the nonlinearity. This paper shows an experimental curriculum to learn control theory using a mobile robot instead of a motor. Although the model of the mobile robot is nonlinear, a strict linearization method makes it possible to adjust the control gains using the linear control theory. By applying the method, the characteristics of linear control systems are explicitly observed in the traveling paths of the mobile robot, so an experimental curriculum to learn the basic linear control theory can be realized using an inexpensive mobile robot. The proposed experimental curriculum was carried out in a class of a mechanical engineering course, and its results are discussed in this paper.
The Synthesis of Carbon Nanofiber Derived From Pineapple Leaf Fibers as a Carbon Electrode for Supercapacitor Application
Authors: Taer E. , Agustino A. , Awitdrus A. , Farma R. , Taslim R.
Published: September 2020

This study aims to synthesize carbon nanofiber as supercapacitor electrodes from pineapple leaf fibers using two steps. The first step involved varying the raw materials termed (i) pineapple leaves, (ii) pineapple leaf fibers, and (iii) the combination of both. The best electrochemical properties in the first step were used as raw material for the second step with varied KOH concentrations at 0.5 M, 0.7 M, and 0.9 M. Furthermore, the optimum specific capacitance based on cyclic voltammetry method for both steps were 175 F g−1 and 191 F g−1, respectively. For the second step, the physical properties, including density, surface morphology, elemental content, N2 gas adsorption–desorption isotherm, and crystalline structure, were analyzed. The result showed the density of the pineapple leaf fiber activated carbon (PALF-AC) electrode steadily declined from 27.93 to 51.72% after carbonization-activation. The optimum specific surface area is as high as 945 m2 g−1 for the PALF-AC0.9 electrode. In addition, the nanofiber diameter on surface morphology based on scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis in the range of 35–185 nm. Therefore, a carbon nanofiber–based electrode from pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) shows promising capacitive properties and great potential for use on energy storage devices.
Surface Texturing of Prosthetic Hip Implant Bearing Surfaces: A Review
Authors: Allen Quentin , Raeymaekers Bart
Published: September 2020

More than 300,000 total hip replacement surgeries are performed in the United States each year to treat degenerative joint diseases that cause pain and disability. The statistical survivorship of these implants declines significantly after 15–25 years of use because wear debris causes inflammation, osteolysis, and mechanical instability of the implant. This limited longevity has unacceptable consequences, such as revision surgery to replace a worn implant, or surgery postponement, which leaves the patient in pain. Innovations such as highly cross-linked polyethylene and new materials and coatings for the femoral head have reduced wear significantly, but longevity remains an imminent problem. Another method to reduce wear is to add a patterned microtexture composed of micro-sized texture features to the smooth bearing surfaces. We critically review the literature on textured orthopedic biomaterial surfaces in the context of prosthetic hip implants. We discuss the different functions of texture features by highlighting experimental and simulated results documented by research groups active in this area. We also discuss and compare different manufacturing techniques to create texture features on orthopedic biomaterial surfaces and emphasize the key difficulties that must be overcome to produce textured prosthetic hip implants.
Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Nanoscale Heat Transfer Between a Flying Head Over a Rotating Disk
Authors: Sakhalkar Siddhesh V. , Cheng Qilong , Bogy David B.
Published: September 2020

With the minimum fly height less than 10 nm in contemporary hard-disk drives, understanding nanoscale heat transfer at the head-disk interface (HDI) is crucial for developing reliable head and media designs. While flying at near-contact, the fly height and spacing dependent nanoscale heat transfer are significantly affected by interfacial forces in the HDI (such as adhesion force, contact force etc.). Moreover, with the emergence of technologies such as Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording and Microwave-Assisted Magnetic Recording, head failure due to overheating has become an increasing concern. In this study, we present a numerical model to simulate the head temperature profile and the head-disk spacing for a flying head over a spinning disk and compare our results with touchdown experiments performed with a magnetic recording head flying over a rotating Al-Mg disk. In order to accurately predict the fly height and heat transfer at near-contact, we incorporate asperity based adhesion and contact models, air & phonon conduction heat transfer, friction heating and the effect of disk temperature rise in our model. Our results show that the incorporation of adhesion force between the head and the disk causes a reduction in the fly height, leading to a smaller touchdown power than the simulation without adhesion force.
A CAD-Free Random Bin Picking System for Fast Changeover on Multiple Objects
Authors: Lee Chun-Tse , Tsai Cheng-Han , Chang Jen-Yuan (James)
Published: September 2020

Random bin picking (RBP) has been a popular research topic due to the demand of industry 4.0, techniques like object detection, picking strategies and robot motion planning are more and more important. Much of the existing research uses the CAD model of the workpiece as the database. However, building CAD models is time-consuming and not all objects have CAD models. In this paper, a CAD-free random bin picking system is proposed to pick miscellaneous objects. By using Mask-RCNN instance segmentation, the object’s category and pickable area can be determined within a 2D image captured from RGB-D camera. Then, the pixels of pickable area can be converted into point clouds for picking tasks with the depth data of RGB-D camera. Compared with traditional RBP systems, a system with the Mask-RCNN doesn’t need to create CAD models, and it only requires fewer images of stacked objects (less than 50) and heuristic picking points labelling as the training data. Thus, the RBP systems which proposed in this paper can lowers the barriers to introduce the random bin picking system into factories. Through this scheme, a fast changeover for different objects could be made within 10 hours. The experiment results show that this system could pick two different objects with high success rate and acceptable cycle time. This system provides a useful and efficient solution for the industrial automation implementations that require bin picking.
A Switch Module Stacked With 4/3 IGBTs With Balanced Voltage Sharing for PEF Applications
Authors: Nguyen Ba-Sy , Chao Paul C.-P.
Published: September 2020

Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology is a promising non-thermal pasteurization method that can be utilized to inactivate microorganisms in liquid food with high-voltage PEF. The power switch which is an important component of the PEF systems. This paper presents a design and implementation of an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) module which includes connections of three series and four parallel IGBTs and its special gate driver for small liquid food treatment systems at home. In this approach, two important issues must be considered. The first is to provide a safe operating condition for each single IGBTs in transient intervals. The second is to design gate drive systems with the capability of driving a large number of discrete devices simultaneously and ensure the current and voltage of single IGBTs in the module to be approximations. To evaluate the operation of the proposed structure, a module of three series and four parallel switches with the voltage capability of 1.8 kV and 60A is tested experimentally.
Analytical Modeling of an Implantable Opto-Mechanical Pressure Sensor to Study Long Term Drift
Authors: Phan Alex , Truong Phuong , Schade Christoph , Joslin Kevin , Talke Frank
Published: September 2020

“Zero-drift” characteristics of an optical intraocular pressure sensor is investigated as a function of membrane dissolution and hygroscopic swelling of the epoxy layer. Both effects were studied using an analytical model based on the deflection of a circular membrane. Results from the analytical model were verified with experimental results from “bulge” testing. The analytical model was used to study the “zero drift” of the sensor as a function of changes in membrane thickness and geometry of the sensor. The results show that dissolution of the membrane and swelling of the spacer layer can contribute to zero-drift over time. The results are useful in guiding design and fabrication optimization to minimize drift in intraocular pressure sensors used for long term implantation.
Recognizing individual concert halls is difficult when listening to the acoustics with different musical passages
Authors: Kuusinen Antti , Lokki Tapio
Published: September 2020

This article presents a listening experiment in which the listeners' task was to recognize the acoustics of a seat in a specific concert hall. Stimuli included two short passages extracted from a Beethoven symphony and samples of a solo violin auralized to four real concert halls. In each trial, listeners were presented with a reference and four alternatives with one correct match. In the “same” condition, the reference and the alternatives contained the same source sound. In the “different” condition, the source sounds were different musical passages but always of the same sound type, that is, symphonic music or solo violin. Results show that on average listeners could recognize the halls when the task was performed with the same source sound but had difficulty when listening to different sounds. The patterns of erroneous responses exhibited confusion between particular hall pairs and corresponded well to the values and just-noticeable-differences of the traditional objective room acoustic parameters. While the type of music is previously well known to influence the perception of concert hall acoustics, the present results indicate that even minor changes in the source sound content may have a strong impact on the ability to recognize the acoustics of individual halls.
Keystone predators govern the pathway and pace of climate impacts in a subarctic marine ecosystem
Authors: Rasher Douglas B. , Steneck Robert S. , Halfar Jochen , Kroeker Kristy J. , Ries Justin B. , Tinker M. Tim , Chan Phoebe T. W. , Fietzke Jan , Kamenos Nicholas A. , Konar Brenda H. , Lefcheck Jonathan S. , Norley Christopher J. D. , Weitzman Benjamin P. , Westfield Isaac T. , Estes James A.
Published: September 2020

Trophic cascades and climate change are together reshaping an iconic kelp forest ecosystem after the loss of sea otters.
An astronomically dated record of Earth’s climate and its predictability over the last 66 million years
Authors: Westerhold Thomas , Marwan Norbert , Drury Anna Joy , Liebrand Diederik , Agnini Claudia , Anagnostou Eleni , Barnet James S. K. , Bohaty Steven M. , De Vleeschouwer David , Florindo Fabio , Frederichs Thomas , Hodell David A. , Holbourn Ann E. , Kroon Dick , Lauretano Vittoria , Littler Kate , Lourens Lucas J. , Lyle Mitchell , Pälike Heiko , Röhl Ursula , Tian Jun , Wilkens Roy H. , Wilson Paul A. , Zachos James C.
Published: September 2020

The response of Earth’s climate system to orbital forcing has been highly state dependent over the past 66 million years.
Response to Comment on “No consistent ENSO response to volcanic forcing over the last millennium”
Authors: Dee Sylvia G. , Cobb Kim M. , Emile-Geay Julien , Ault Toby R. , Edwards R. Lawrence , Cheng Hai , Charles Christopher D.
Published: September 2020

Robock claims that our analysis fails to acknowledge that pan-tropical surface cooling caused by large volcanic eruptions may mask El Niño warming at our central Pacific site, potentially obscuring a volcano–El Niño connection suggested in previous studies. Although observational support for a dynamical response linking volcanic cooling to El Niño remains ambiguous, Robock raises some important questions about our study that we address here.
Laser cooling of larger quantum objects
Authors: Hudson Eric R.
Published: September 2020

A nonlinear polyatomic molecule, CaOCH
3
, has been laser-cooled to below 1 millikelvin
Reactive polymers guide nanoparticle clustering
Authors: Gang Oleg
Published: September 2020

Tailored polymer shells drive the assembly of a desired class of nanoparticle architectures
Quiet Anthropocene, quiet Earth
Authors: Denolle Marine A. , Nissen-Meyer Tarje
Published: September 2020

Seismic noise levels that correlate with human activities fell when pandemic lockdown measures were imposed
Expanded Diversity and Metabolic Versatility of Marine Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria Revealed by Cultivation- and Genomics-Based Approaches
Authors: Park Soo-Je , Andrei Adrian-Ştefan , Bulzu Paul-Adrian , Kavagutti Vinicius S. , Ghai Rohit , Mosier Annika C.
Published: September 2020

Nitrification is a key process in the biogeochemical and global nitrogen cycle. Nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) perform the second step of aerobic nitrification (converting nitrite to nitrate), which is critical for transferring nitrogen to other organisms for assimilation or energy. Despite their ecological importance, there are few cultured or genomic representatives from marine systems. Here, we obtained two NOB (designated MSP and DJ) enriched from marine sediments and estimated the physiological and genomic traits of these marine microbes. Both NOB enrichment cultures exhibit distinct responses to various nitrite and salt concentrations. Genomic analyses suggest that these NOB are metabolically flexible (similar to other previously described NOB) yet also have individual genomic differences that likely support distinct niche distribution. In conclusion, this study provides more insights into the ecological roles of NOB in marine environments.
The BB0345 Hypothetical Protein of Borrelia burgdorferi Is Essential for Mammalian Infection
Authors: Graham Danielle E. , Groshong Ashley M. , Jackson-Litteken Clay D. , Moore Brendan P. , Caimano Melissa J. , Blevins Jon S.
Published: September 2020

During the natural enzootic life cycle of
Borrelia burgdorferi
(also known as
Borreliella burgdorferi
), the bacteria must sense conditions within the vertebrate and arthropod and appropriately regulate expression of genes necessary to persist within these distinct environments.
bb0345
of
B. burgdorferi
encodes a hypothetical protein of unknown function that is predicted to contain an N-terminal helix-turn-helix (HTH) domain. Because HTH domains can mediate protein-DNA interactions, we hypothesized that BB0345 might represent a previously unidentified borrelial transcriptional regulator with the ability to regulate events critical for the
B. burgdorferi
enzootic cycle.
Spiromastigoides asexualis: Phylogenetic Analysis and Evaluation as a Cause of False-Positive
Blastomyces
DNA Probe Test Results
Authors: Nguyen Minh-Vu H. , Wiederhold Nathan P. , Cañete-Gibas Connie , Sanders Carmita , Thompson George R.
Published: September 2020

This is the first case of
Spiromastigoides asexualis
human infection, and it notably gave a false-positive
Blastomyces
DNA probe laboratory result. We further investigated other
Spiromastigoides
isolates as a cause of false-positive testing results, their phylogenetic relationship, and their susceptibility profiles to clinically available antifungal agents. Other
S. asexualis
isolates also resulted in positive
Blastomyces
DNA probe results, while
Spiromastigoides
species other than
S. asexualis
did not.
Unusual presentation of rheumatic fever in a 3-year-old child in the UK
Authors: Miller Taryn , Aung Yee , Blundell David , Kona Amal Saleh Eldin Seed Ahmed
Published: September 2020

In the developed world, acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is rare. When it does arise, symptoms commonly include fever, arthralgia and rash. We describe a presentation of a 3-year-old child with ARF in a UK District General Hospital. The patient had a 6-week history of diarrhoea, rash and intermittent right hip arthralgia. This was initially thought to be a viral illness until she re-presented with shortness of breath and fever with a pan-systolic murmur. A throat-culture was negative, but an anti-streptolysin titre was elevated, with a bedside echocardiogram demonstrating moderate to severe mitral regurgitation. The young child was transferred to the local tertiary centre for further management; however, she went on to develop acute left ventricular failure. This case illustrates the need to be vigilant for the presentation of a rare illness, such as rheumatic fever, as there can be significant impacts on the quality of life of young patients.
Paraprotein associated syndrome treated successfully with chemotherapy
Authors: Gurung Rekha , Robertson Charlotte , Vickers Mark A
Published: September 2020

We report a 50-year-old Caucasian woman who presented with recurrent erythema nodosum, leg swelling, malaise, weight loss and abdominal pain associated with an IgM lambda paraprotein. She was treated with six courses of an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and bendamustine chemotherapy over 6 months with a good clinical response.