bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FEM Analysis of Stress Charecteristics of Cut-off Wall in Rushan River Groundwater Reservoir
Authors: Yu Hairui , Yu Songwei , Li Chen , Li Wanglin
Published: November 2019

In order to evaluate the safety of stress intensity of the plastic concrete cut-off wall in Rushan River underground reservoir, the most dangerous section of the cut-off wall was selected, the stress distribution characteristics of the cut-off wall were analyzed by ABAQUS finite element analysis method, the safety strength was rechecked, and the calculation results are compared with the stress calculation results of the elastic foundation beam method. The following conclusions are drawn. The calculation results of the two methods show that the water level difference between the two sides of the cut-off wall has a great influence on the stress of the cut-off wall. The maximum compressive stress of cut-off wall is less than 3 Mpa and the maximum tensile stress is less than 0.65 Mpa, which meets the design strength of plastic concrete cut-off wall. ABAQUS finite element analysis method is feasible in the stress analysis of cut-off wall. Compared with the results of elastic foundation beam method, the finite element method can better reflect the stress distribution and displacement deformation on both sides of cut-off wall. ABAQUS finite element analysis method has certain advantages in stress analysis of cut-off wall.
Research and Application of Peat in Agriculture
Authors: Cao Shiliu
Published: November 2019

Peat has excellent permeability, good hydrophilicity and strong activitya and wide range of applications in agriculture, which is a loose fibrous natural biomass material, in the paper, the research and application of peat as soil amendment, fertilizer and horticulture were elaborated in detail, and the application prospect of peat in agriculture was prospected.
Impacts of High Frequency Spectral Tail of the Surface Gravity Waves on the Stokes Drift
Authors: Xu Junli , Zhao Yong
Published: November 2019

The impacts of different wave spectrum formulations with high frequency tail on the Stokes drift are studied in this paper. Two wave spectrum formulations are described. One is from the Donelan and Pierson spectrum extended to the high frequency range (denoted by EDP spectrum) by Paskyabi and Jenkins, and the other is a combined spectrum (termed the Combi spectrum) provided by Tsagareli. Using the EDP spectrum and Combi spectrum, the Stokes drift velocities and Stokes transports are calculated for the different wind speeds. The results show that the high frequency spectral tail of the surface gravity waves obviously changes the Stokes drift velocity on the sea surface, but has little impact on the Stokes transport.
Research on Wear Theory of L-Shaped Elbow
Authors: Yu Jin , Du Xinjie
Published: November 2019

Starting from general wear theory, the solid particle causes erosion loss in pipeline is studied. The motion trajectory of solid particle and theoretical wear rate equation of material surface when elbow suffers erosion wear are summarized, and the effect of attack angle and impact velocity on wear rate of L-Shaped elbow is qualitatively analyzed, so as to provide theoretical basis for the design of elbow.
Analysis of quantitative expression of viscous coefficient for sediment-laden flow
Authors: Xiao Qianlu , Feng Qing , Zheng Yanshuang
Published: November 2019

The modified viscous coefficient of non-uniform sediment-laden flow based on Zhu Junda's theoretical equation is generally utilized in the calculation mode of hyper-concentrated flow at present. Nevertheless, the gradation conservation of nonuniform sediment was neglected in the theoretical derivation with the irrational loss of fine sediment. The assumed replacement conditions in the derivation resulted in the coarsening effect of suspended sediment gradation in muddy water. Meanwhile, the degree of particle coarsening would be more serious with the increasing replacement times of micro-volume of sediment groups. The computed result of Zhu Junda's equation would underestimate the viscosity of sediment-laden water. Furthermore, the magnitude and velocity of deviation increment for the equation are reckoned. Compared Einstein's viscosity formula with the Taylor Series expansion of Zhu Junda's equation, the Einstein's formula with strong limitations is not a special case. In accordance with suspended sediment gradation, this paper brings in the displacement factors varying with sediment particles, and corrects the defects in the derivation of theoretical formulas about viscous coefficient. On the basis of Einstein classical formula, the quantitative relationship between the viscosity coefficient of muddy water and the sediment concentration is obtained. Moreover, Einstein classical formula is the special case of this quantitative expression. The applicability and limitation of the deduced formula for calculating viscous coefficient are verified and discussed with the data gained from the viscosity measurement experiments.
Response of Erosion and Deposition in Ningxia-Inner Mongolia Reach to the Application of Long-Liu Reservoiron the Upper Yellow River
Authors: Zheng Yanshuang , Feng Qing , Zhang Xiaohua , Xiao Qianlu
Published: November 2019

Along with the global and regional climate change and the intensification of human activities, the run-off of the Yellow River basin has been reduced remarkably, bringing serious problems to the local economy and river ecology. In order to point out important scientific issues of human activities, especially the operation of large- sized reservoirs to the changes of scour and fill of Ningxia-Inner Mongolia reach and the basin management, the paper mainly analyzed the influence of human activities (Longyangxia and Liujiaxia reservoirs are called Long-Liu reservoirs for short) to the scour and fill of Ningxia-Inner Mongolia reach. It used the method of hydrologic and hydrodynamic computation model of Ningxia-Inner Mongolia reach, took the observed silt-discharge data of 1968~2004 to prepare a calculation plan of with or without the joint operation of Long-Liu reservoirs and quantitatively evaluate the influence of the operation of Long-Liu reservoirs to the channel scour and fill amount of Ningxia-Inner Mongolia reach. The outcomes show that the joint operation of Long-Liu reservoirs has increased the sedimentation of the reach. During the joint operation of the period of 1987~2004, comparing with the conditions of with and without Long-Liu reservoirs, the total sedimentation of the reach has increased 170 million tons, of which, 363 million tons increased in flood season and 193 million tons decreased in non-flood season. The research results can provide technical reference to the harnessing of Ningxia-Inner Mongolia reach of the upper Yellow River and have an important role in the Yellow River basin management.
Automatic Generation Algorithm of Distribution Network Topology Map Based on GIS Drawing
Authors: Shang Longlong , Hu Ran , Ci Hai , Zhang Wei , Ouyang Guang
Published: November 2019

In view of the inaccuracy and completeness of the distribution network system diagram in the current power grid, the power network structure and the business characteristics of the power industry are investigated and analyzed. The relationship model between substations is analyzed, and the inheritance circuit layout design idea is applied to the distribution. In the grid system topology diagram. The paper proposes a method of dividing the power supply area according to the line contact relationship, and develops an equal density constrained space layout algorithm. Make full use of the distribution network geographic information (GIS) drawings, carry out the power grid topology and line information maintenance, so that the system diagram covers all electrical equipment on the GIS, and can carry out the original electrical topological relationship of the gemstones, and realize the absence of each subsystem. The seams provide image support for a variety of applications. The experimental results show that the proposed spatial topology algorithm is efficient and easy to implement.
Synthesis, characterization of Mg/Mn substituted Ni-Zn ferrites and mechanism of their visible light photo catalysis of Methylene Blue and Rhodamine B dyes under magnetic influence
Authors: George Lovely , Viji C , Maheen M , Mohammed E M
Published: November 2019

Rare earth doped spinel ferrites belonging to the series Ni0.6Zn0.2Me0.2GdxFe2-xO4 (where Me = Mg/Mn, x = 0/0.06) were synthesized by sol-gel method. The characterizations of the prepared samples were performed using X-rayDiffraction (XRD), High Resolution Transmission Electron (HRTEM) Microscopy, Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Open aperture z-scan technique. The XRD patterns confirm the crystallization of the ferrites in cubic form with spinel structure. The average crystallite size calculated using Debye–Scherrer’s equation is in 10–20 nm range. The HRTEM images reveal the formation of spherically shaped agglomerated nanoparticles. The magnetic parameters such as remanence magnetization (Mr), coercivity (Hc) and saturation magnetization (Ms) were obtained from the hysteresis curves. The samples show better optical limiting parameters than reported which make them promising materials for non-linear applications requiring low limiting thresholds. Owing to their low band gaps ferrites can be efficiently used for the photo catalysis of organic dyes with visible solar energy which constitutes a major portion of sunlight. Ferrites have an added advantage by virtue of their spinel lattice which makes available extra catalytic sites. In the present work, the photocatalytic activity under visible sunlight irradiation was explored from the degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) and Rhodamine B (RhB) dyes. Higher photocatalytic efficiency was exhibited by magnesium containing samples. Near total decolouration of dye solution subjected to magnetic separation has not been reported before. The improvement in photocatalytic degradation efficiency is due to the adsorption followed by effective separation and prevention of photo generated electron-hole pair recombination for a longer period by these ferrites. To further aid the degradation, H2O2 was added as precursor to the reactive mixture which increases the formation of hydroxyl radical (OH·).
Effect of heat treatment conditions on stamping deformation and springback of 6061 aluminum alloy sheets
Authors: Wang Guan , Zhu Guangxu , Kou Linyuan , Li Ting , Liu Zhiwen , Shang Xin , Jiang Xiaoxia , Zhu Xuejun
Published: November 2019

The stamping deformation and springback of the 6061 aluminum alloy sheets under different heat treatment conditions were investigated by three-point bending tests. A validated reliable finite element (FE) model was used to further reveal the springback mechanism. It was found that the heat treatment conditions have great influence on the stamping deformation and springback of 6061 aluminum alloy sheets. The most severe local deformation occurred at the punch position of the T6–8 h alloy sheet, showing minimum bending radius and thickness. However, the bending radius and thickness of the homogenization treated (HT) alloy sheet were maximum, resulting from more materials participate in bending deformation. The HT and solution treated (ST) alloys exhibited higher stamping performance than that of the natural aged (NA) and T6 alloys. The material strength of the T6 alloys can be improved by aging time, motivating greater springback and neutral layer offset. The springback and neutral layer offset of the T6–8 h alloy sheet were the highest, while the HT alloy sheet was the lowest. Furthermore, the effect of material parameters on stamping deformation and springback of sheet was studied by combining with theoretical analysis and experimental results. The research showed that the bending radius and thickness of the sheet in the fillet region increase with the increase of strain-hardening exponent and elongation and with the decrease of yield ratio. After unloading, springback angle and radius increase with the increase of yield strength and strength factor and with the decrease of strain-hardening exponent. These achievements may serve as a guideline for enhancing stamping performance and reducing springback of the aluminum alloy sheet in bending process.
Investigation of the effect of multi wall carbon nano tubes on the dynamic characteristics of woven kevlar/carbon fibers-polyester composites
Authors: Aubad Mohammed Jawad , Abass Basim Ajeel , Shareef Saif Nidhal
Published: November 2019

This research offers an experimental and numerical study on the influence of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) addition with different weight fractions on the dynamic characteristics of the unsaturated polyester (UP) reinforced by hybrid laminate composites. The laminate composites were prepared for only three layers as a total number of layers in such composites using Kevlar fibers and/or carbon fibers with different volume fractions. Both types of fibers were in the form of plain woven at (0°/90°) angle direction. Hand lay-up method was used to prepare the test samples. It was found that The best mechanical and dynamic properties based on the experimental study have been obtained for unsaturated polyester reinforced with (MWCNTs) particles at weight fraction (0.4% wt). Composite material made of unsaturated polyester reinforced with (MWCNTs) particles was also prepared with the same weight fraction of MWCNTs. Finite element method was used to model the free vibration of a cantilever beam made of composite material. ANSYS software composite Prep-Post (ACP) integrated within ANSYS Workbench software (18.2) was used to solve the FE problem. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are applied to check the morphological properties of the composite material and the dispersion of MWCNT nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. Experimental and numerical Results obtained in the present work showed that the natural frequency and damping ratio of nano composite specimens increase with increasing weight fraction of MWCNTs. The results also showed that composite and hybrid composite materials with (0.4% wt) MWCNTs have higher values of natural frequency and damping ratio. It was found that the natural frequency for the hybrid nano composite with stacking sequence (UP + K/K/K + MWCNT) increased by about 10.4% when adding MWCNTs compared with (UP + K/K/K) laminated composite while it becomes 13.82% and 5.8% for (UP + K/C/K + MWCNT) and (UP + C/K/C + MWCNT) hybrid nano composite material in comparison with that without MWCNTs. The increase percentages of the damping ratio of the such materials have been calculated and it was found to be, 12.23%, 15.9% and 8.6%, respectively. An agreement between the experimental and numerical results has been obtained from flexural and vibration tests with maximum errors not exceeded 3.4% and 9.34%, respectively.
Structural and electronic properties of chemically functionalized SnC monolayer: a first principles study
Authors: Hoat D M , Naseri Mosayeb , Ponce-Péreze R , Hieu Nguyen N , Rivas-Silva J F , Vu Tuan V , Tong Hien D , Cocoletzi Gregorio H
Published: November 2019

We investigate the chemical functionalization effect on the structural and electronic properties of SnC monolayer using first-principles calculations. Specifically, the chlorinated-, fluorinated- and Janus-functionalized monolayers are considered. Based on our calculations, the pristine SnC monolayer is dynamically stable with a planar structure. Its electronic band gap calculated with the HSE06 hybrid functional is 2.371 eV. The inclusion of halogen atoms (F and Cl) destroys the planarity and transforms the hybridization from sp
2 to sp
3. The half-halogenation induces the metallization of the SnC monolayer, while the indirect-to-direct band gap transition can be reached by means of the full-halogenation and Janus-functionalization. Results show that the pristine SnC monolayer electronic structure can be effectively modulated by the chemical functionalization. Therefore, we hope that results presented herein can be of good reference for the SnC monolayer practical applications as well as other 2D materials.
Effect of processing conditions on the microstructure of microcellular PP/WF composites prepared by the continuous extrusion molding technology
Authors: Wang Suwei , Chen Ke , Jia Mingyin , Xue Ping
Published: November 2019

The polypropylene (PP) and wood flour (WF) were mixed first and then extruded by a single-screw extruder foaming system to prepare the microcellular wood-polymer composites (WPCs) in this article. In addition to PP and WF, polyolefin elastomer (POE), talc powders and other fillers were also added to improve the cell structures of the samples. And two types of PP resins were introduced to the formulation of the composites to study the effect of the molecular chain structure on the rheological properties of the samples. Besides, the effects of processing conditions, such as die temperature and screw speed, on the properties of the samples were also investigated. The experimental results indicate that compared with PP1, the complex viscosity of PP2 decreased faster with the shear rate because of the linear molecular chain structure. Besides, the maximum impact strength of PP2/WF composites was 138.5 % higher than that of PP1/WF composites, while the tensile and flexural strength of PP2/WF composites were much lower. In addition, the best microcellular structure and the maximum impact strength were also obtained with the die temperature of 190 °C and the screw speed of 2 rpm.
Biochar-iron composites as electromagnetic interference shielding material
Authors: Akgül Gökçen , Demir Burak , Gündoğdu Ayşenur , Türk Ahmet Serdar , Sözer Sözer
Published: November 2019

Electromagnetic waves emitted by electrical and electronic devices constitute interference with each other, which becomes a problem for security devices, space vehicles, ships, electronics or even human beings. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) protective materials are being developed to eliminate such negative effects of electromagnetic waves. Especially carbon-based ones are becoming increasingly important. The carbonized material biochar, derived from biomass, emerges as a sustainable, renewable, environmentally friendly and inexpensive EMI material. In this study EMI protective effect of biochar derived from industrial tea waste biomass and its iron composite was investigated. The effect values of the samples were found to be greater than 10 dB.
Periodic energy decomposition analysis for electronic transport studies as a tool for atomic scale device manufacturing
Authors: Mathew Paven Thomas , Fang Fengzhou
Published: November 2019

Atomic scale manufacturing is a necessity of the future to develop atomic scale devices with high precision. A different perspective of the quantum realm, which includes the tunnelling effect, leakage current at the atomic-scale, Coulomb blockade and Kondo effect, is inevitable for the fabrication and hence, the mass production of these devices. For these atomic-scale device development, molecular level devices must be fabricated. Proper theoretical studies could be an aid towards the experimental realities. Electronic transport studies are the basis to realise and interpret the problems happening at this minute scale. Keeping these in mind, we present a periodic energy decomposition analysis (pEDA) of two potential candidates for moletronics: phthalocyanines and porphyrins, by placing them over gold substrate cleaved at the (111) plane to study the adsorption and interaction at the interface and then, to study their application as a channel between two electrodes, thereby, providing a link between pEDA and electronic transport studies. pEDA provides information regarding the bond strength and the contribution of electrostatic energy, Pauli’s energy, orbital energy and the orbital interactions. Combining this analysis with electronic transport studies can provide novel directions for atomic/close-to-atomic-scale manufacturing (ACSM). Literature survey shows that this is the first work which establishes a link between pEDA and electronic transport studies and a detailed pEDA study on the above stated molecules. The results show that among the molecules studied, porphyrins are more adsorbable over gold substrate and conducting across a molecular junction than phthalocyanines, even though both molecules show a similarity in adsorption and conduction when a terminal thiol linker is attached. A further observation establishes the importance of attractive terms, which includes interaction, orbital and electrostatic energies, in correlating the pEDA study with the transport properties. By progressing this research, further developments could be possible in atomic-scale manufacturing in the future.
schex avoids overplotting for large single-cell RNA-sequencing datasets
Authors: Freytag Saskia , Lister Ryan
Published: November 2019

Due to the scale and sparsity of single-cell RNA-sequencing data, traditional plots can obscure vital information. Our R package schex overcomes this by implementing hexagonal binning, which has the additional advantages of improving speed and reducing storage for resulting plots.

Availability and implementation

schex is freely available from Bioconductor via http://bioconductor.org/packages/release/bioc/html/schex.html and its development version can be accessed on GitHub via https://github.com/SaskiaFreytag/schex.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Heritability and Cognitive Relevance of Structural Brain Controllability
Authors: Lee Won Hee , Rodrigue Amanda , Glahn David C , Bassett Danielle S , Frangou Sophia
Published: November 2019

Cognition and behavior are thought to emerge from the connections and interactions among brain regions. The precise nature of these relationships remains elusive. Here we use tools provided by network control theory to determine how the structural connectivity profile of brain regions may shape individual variation in cognition. In a cohort of healthy young adults (n = 1066), we computed two fundamental brain regional control patterns, average and modal controllability, which index the degree of influence of a region over others. We first established that regional brain controllability measures were both reproducible and heritable. Regions with controllability profiles theoretically conducive to facilitating multiple cognitive operations were over-represented in higher-order resting-state networks. Finally, variation in regional controllability accounted for about 50% of interindividual variability in multiple cognitive domains. We conclude that controllability is a biologically plausible property of the structural connectome and provides a mechanistic explanation for how brain structural architecture may influence cognitive functions.
Serum amyloid A-type amyloidosis of the kidney and immune complex-mediated glomerulopathy in the setting of hyperimmunoglobulin E (Job’s) syndrome
Authors: Sekulic Miroslav , Rennke Helmut G , Rashidi Arash
Published: November 2019

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency syndrome with characteristic features of pulmonary infections, eczema, recurrent skin abscesses and elevated serum IgE. We present a case of an HIES patient referred for nephrology consultation with elevated serum creatinine and nephrotic-range proteinuria. The subsequent kidney biopsy revealed AA-type amyloidosis and a separate and distinct inactive immune complex-mediated glomerulopathy with frequent glomerular capillary wall and mesangial polyclonal deposits. Potential kidney pathology in the setting of HIES has not been well described previously, and this case provides insight into associated renal comorbidities faced by patients with this rare syndrome.
Leakage-free ID-Based Signature, Revisited
Authors: Lin Xi-Jun , Sun Lin , Qu Haipeng
Published: November 2019

Recently, Tseng et al. proposed a new notion for identity-based signature (IBS) scheme to resist ephemeral secret leakage (ESL) attacks, called leakage-free identity-based signature (leakage-free IBS), and devised the first secure leakage-free IBS scheme. However, they only considered the situation of the leakage of ephemeral secrets used for generating the signatures. Notice that the private key extraction procedure is probabilistic as well in their scheme, that is, there are ephemeral secrets used by the key generation center to generate the signers’ private keys. It is practical to consider that if the adversary comprises these ephemeral secrets, then he can reveal the master key of the system. Therefore, it is desired to introduce a new security notion for the leakage-free IBS schemes to consider the ESL attacks on both private key extraction and signing procedures. In this paper, we present such security notion. Moreover, we propose two IBS schemes that are proved to be secure under the new security notion.
Potential of Electrical Neuromodulation for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Cheng Jiafei , Shen Hong , Chowdhury Reezwana , Abdi Tsion , Selaru Florin , Chen Jiande D Z
Published: November 2019

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract that is often debilitating. It affects patients’ quality of life and imposes a financial burden. Despite advances in treatment with medications such as biologics, a large proportion of patients do not respond to medical therapy or develop adverse events. Therefore, alternative treatment options such as electrical neuromodulation are currently being investigated. Electrical neuromodulation, also called bioelectronic medicine, is emerging as a potential new treatment for IBD. Over the past decade, advancements have been made in electrical neuromodulation. A number of electrical neuromodulation methods, such as vagus nerve stimulation, sacral nerve stimulation, and tibial nerve stimulation, have been tested to treat IBD. A series of animal and clinical trials have been performed to evaluate efficacy with promising results. Although the exact underlying mechanisms of action for electrical neuromodulation remain to be explored, this modality is promising. Further randomized controlled trials and basic experiments are needed to investigate efficacy and clarify intrinsic mechanisms.
A lowest-order staggered DG method for the coupled Stokes–Darcy problem
Authors: Zhao Lina , Park Eun-Jae
Published: November 2019

In this paper we propose a locally conservative, lowest-order staggered discontinuous Galerkin method for the coupled Stokes–Darcy problem on general quadrilateral and polygonal meshes. This model is composed of Stokes flow in the fluid region and Darcy flow in the porous media region, coupling together through mass conservation, balance of normal forces and the Beavers–Joseph–Saffman condition. Stability of the proposed method is proved. A new regularization operator is constructed to show the discrete trace inequality. Optimal convergence estimates for all the approximations covering low regularity are achieved. Numerical experiments are given to illustrate the performances of the proposed method. The numerical results indicate that the proposed method can be flexibly applied to rough grids such as the trapezoidal grid and $h$-perturbation grid.
Givental’s Non-linear Maslov Index on Lens Spaces
Authors: Granja Gustavo , Karshon Yael , Pabiniak Milena , Sandon Sheila
Published: November 2019

Givental’s non-linear Maslov index, constructed in 1990, is a quasimorphism on the universal cover of the identity component of the contactomorphism group of real projective space. This invariant was used by several authors to prove contact rigidity phenomena such as orderability, unboundedness of the discriminant and oscillation metrics, and a contact geometric version of the Arnold conjecture. In this article, we give an analogue for lens spaces of Givental’s construction and its applications.
Repurposing drugs for treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus: a view to a kill
Authors: Gumbo Tawanda , Cirrincione Kayle , Srivastava Shashikant
Published: November 2019

Background

The current treatment regimens recommended for Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies abscessus (Mab) pulmonary disease are not effective. We identified 16 drugs with potential to build new regimens, translating to 560 possible three-drug combination regimens.

Objectives

To determine MICs and efficacy of drugs from different antibiotic classes for treatment against Mab, in order to winnow down the potential drugs for combination therapy to tractable numbers, for future use in hollow-fibre studies.

Methods

The MICs of levofloxacin, minocycline, meropenem, imipenem, tedizolid, bedaquiline, azithromycin, clarithromycin, amikacin, vancomycin, delafloxacin, tebipenem/avibactam and omadacycline were determined for 20 Mab isolates. In addition, concentration–response studies with tedizolid, bedaquiline, clarithromycin, amikacin, tebipenem/avibactam, cefdinir, faropenem, omadacycline and daunorubicin were performed and data were fitted to the inhibitory sigmoid Emax model. Efficacy was defined as maximal kill, expressed as cfu/mL kill below day 0 burden.

Results

The lowest MICs among the 13 antibiotics were of bedaquiline, tebipenem/avibactam and omadacycline. The antibiotics that killed Mab below the day 0 burden were the anticancer agent daunorubicin (3.36 log10 cfu/mL), cefdinir (1.85 log10 cfu/mL), faropenem (2.48 log10 cfu/mL) and tebipenem/avibactam (1.71 log10 cfu/mL kill). The EC50 values of these drugs were 11.67, 9.52, 48.2 and 0.33 mg/L, respectively, below peak concentrations of these drugs.

Conclusions

The low MICs and efficacy at clinically achievable concentrations mean that tebipenem/avibactam, daunorubicin, omadacycline and bedaquiline give a view of components of a three-drug regimen likely to effectively kill Mab. We propose pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic studies to identify such a regimen and the doses to be combined.
Managing Complex Peripheral Nerve Injuries Within the Military Health System: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Treatment, Education, and Research at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Authors: Wade Sean M , Nesti Leon J , Cook Glen A , Bresner Jonathan S , Happel Joseph P , Villahermosa Alexander J , Melendez-Munoz Angelica M , Gomez Yessenia D , Reece David E , Miller Matthew E , Souza Jason M
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Peripheral nerve injuries are a leading cause of disability within the Military Health System (MHS) patient population. Many peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) are amenable to therapeutic intervention but require a timely diagnosis and prompt referral to a specialty center capable of intervention, as functional outcomes are directly related to the duration between injury and intervention. Even when appropriately identified, PNI management in the MHS is often challenged by the lack of an established pathway for care coordination and a limited awareness of available diagnostic and therapeutic resources. To address these potential shortcomings, the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Peripheral Nerve Program (WRNMMC PNP) in Bethesda, MD, has been established to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to peripheral nerve-injured patients across the MHS. Additionally, the WRNMMC PNP provides graduate medical education training in PNI management for multiple residency and fellowship programs, and it facilitates critical peripheral nerve research to advance knowledge within the field.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of all patients evaluated by the WRNMMC PNP between December 2015 and April 2019 was conducted in order to identify pertinent patient demographic information, referral patterns, and PNI etiology data.

Results

The WRNMMC PNP evaluated 356 patients consisting of active duty, dependents, retirees, and Veterans Affairs patients during the designated study period. These patients were referred by providers from more than nine different specialties from 78 commands across eight countries. The majority of these patients (222 patients) were referred for traumatic PNI. The WRNMMC PNP has also evaluated and treated patients with PNIs stemming from congenital and compressive etiologies. One hundred and one patients referred during this period were treated with surgery, while the remainder were managed through nonoperative means.

Conclusions

The WRNMMC PNP facilitates comprehensive, patient-centered care for PNI patients within the MHS. Moreover, the program helps to prepare the next generation of providers for evaluating and treating PNI patients through its involvement with graduate medical education training. It also conducts critical peripheral nerve research and lays the foundation for collaborations with other institutions involved with peripheral nerve research. In the years ahead, the WRNMMC PNP aims to expand its outreach and capabilities within the MHS through more expansive use of telemedicine consultation and the establishment of satellite peripheral nerve clinic sites.
The Victorian Guitar, Exoticism, and Extinction Discourse from Radcliffe to Wilde
Authors: Lovesey Oliver
Published: November 2019

This article examines the often-overlooked Victorian guitar and its place in the musicological history of the long nineteenth century and in various canonical and non-canonical literary representations from those of Ann Radcliffe and Charlotte Yonge to George Du Maurier and Oscar Wilde, in the light of some Victorian music historians’ and contemporary organologists’ search for a stringed cultural heritage extending to the far reaches of empire. Some Victorian music historians regarded instruments as developmental yardsticks, signifying a culture, nation, or people’s evolutionary progress, a process belonging to what Patrick Brantlinger has called ‘extinction discourse’. In the context of an interdisciplinary discussion of the guitar’s position amid the period’s obsession with uncovering origins and constructing archives, as well as fostering technical innovation—displayed at the Great Exhibition—and shifting modes of performance, this article argues that despite the changing instrument’s rise in status over the period, literary representations adhered to older, sentimental, exotic, spiritual, and, increasingly decadent and homoerotic associations. Anxiety about decadence in concert with calls for preservation but also rationalization of salvaged cultural forms, including musical instruments, led some to advocate a type of musical eugenics, ostensibly to facilitate the creation of a new music of the future.
The Cloud Factory I: Generating resolved filamentary molecular clouds from galactic-scale forces
Authors: Smith Rowan J , Treß Robin G , Sormani Mattia C , Glover Simon C O , Klessen Ralf S , Clark Paul C , Izquierdo Andrés F , Cabral Ana Duarte , Zucker Catherine
Published: November 2019

We introduce a new suite of simulations, ‘The Cloud Factory’, which self-consistently forms molecular cloud complexes at high enough resolution to resolve internal substructure (up to 0.25 M⊙ in mass) all while including galactic-scale forces. We use a version of the arepo code modified to include a detailed treatment of the physics of the cold molecular ISM, and an analytical galactic gravitational potential for computational efficiency. The simulations have nested levels of resolution, with the lowest layer tied to tracer particles injected into individual cloud complexes. These tracer refinement regions are embedded in the larger simulation so continue to experience forces from outside the cloud. This allows the simulations to act as a laboratory for testing the effect of galactic environment on star formation. Here we introduce our method and investigate the effect of galactic environment on filamentary clouds. We find that cloud complexes formed after a clustered burst of feedback have shorter lengths and are less likely to fragment compared to quiescent clouds (e.g. the Musca filament) or those dominated by the galactic potential (e.g. Nessie). Spiral arms and differential rotation preferentially align filaments, but strong feedback randomizes them. Long filaments formed within the cloud complexes are necessarily coherent with low internal velocity gradients, which has implications for the formation of filamentary star-clusters. Cloud complexes formed in regions dominated by supernova feedback have fewer star-forming cores, and these are more widely distributed. These differences show galactic-scale forces can have a significant impact on star formation within molecular clouds.
Super Hot Cores in NGC 253: witnessing the formation and early evolution of super star clusters
Authors: Rico-Villas F , Martín-Pintado J , González-Alfonso E , Martín S , Rivilla V M
Published: November 2019

Using 0.2 arcsec (∼3 pc) ALMA images of vibrationally excited HC3N emission (HC3N*) we reveal the presence of eight unresolved Super Hot Cores (SHCs) in the inner 160 pc of NGC 253. Our LTE and non-LTE modelling of the HC3N* emission indicate that SHCs have dust temperatures of 200–375 K, relatively high H2 densities of (1−6) × 106 cm−3 and high IR luminosities of (0.1–1) × 108 L⊙. As expected from their short-lived phase (∼104 yr), all SHCs are associated with young super star clusters (SSCs). We use the ratio of luminosities from the SHCs (protostar phase) and from the free–free emission (ZAMS star phase), to establish the evolutionary stage of the SSCs. The youngest SSCs, with the larges ratios, have ages of a few 104 yr (proto-SSCs) and the more evolved SSCs are likely between 105 and 106 yr (ZAMS-SSCs). The different evolutionary stages of the SSCs are also supported by the radiative feedback from the UV radiation as traced by the HNCO/CS ratio, with this ratio being systematically higher in the young proto-SSCs than in the older ZAMS-SSCs. We also estimate the SFR and the SFE of the SSCs. The trend found in the estimated SFE ($\sim 40{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for proto-SSCs and $\gt 85{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for ZAMS-SSCs) and in the gas mass reservoir available for star formation, one order of magnitude higher for proto-SSCs, suggests that star formation is still going on in proto-SSCs. We also find that the most evolved SSCs are located, in projection, closer to the centre of the galaxy than the younger proto-SSCs, indicating an inside-out SSC formation scenario.
The clockwork is moving on – a combined analysis of TESS and Kepler measurements of Kepler-13Ab
Authors: Szabó Gy M , Pribulla T , Pál A , Bódi A , Kiss L L , Derekas A
Published: November 2019

Kepler-13Ab (KOI-13) is an exoplanet orbiting a rapidly rotating A-type star. The system shows a significant spin–orbit misalignment and a changing transit duration most probably caused by the precession of the orbit. Here, we present a self-consistent analysis of the system combining Kepler and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) observations. We model the light curves assuming a planet transits a rotating oblate star that has a strong surface temperature gradient due to rotation-induced gravity darkening. The transit chord moves slowly as an emergent feature of orbital precession excited by the oblate star with a decline rate in the impact parameter of db/dt = −0.011 yr−1, and with an actual value of b = 0.19 for the latest TESS measurements. The changing transit duration that was measured from Kepler Q2 and Q17 quarters and the TESS measurements indicates a linear drift of the impact parameter. The solutions for the stellar spin axis suggest a nearly orthogonal aspect, with inclination around 100°.
Childhood unintentional injury: The impact of family income, education level, occupation status, and other measures of socioeconomic status. A systematic review
Authors: Mahboob Afifa , Richmond Sarah A , Harkins Joshua P , Macpherson Alison K
Published: November 2019

Introduction

Unintentional injuries represent a substantial public health burden among children and adolescents, and previous evidence suggests that there are disparities in injury by socioeconomic status (SES). This paper reports on a systematic review of literature on injury rates among children and adolescents by measures of SES.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted using six electronic databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, EMBASE, and SportsDiscus. This review considered children ages 19 years and under and publications between 1997 and 2017—representing an update since the last systematic review examined this specific question. Fifty-four articles were summarized based on study and participant descriptions, outcome and exposure, statistical tests used, effect estimates, and overall significance.

Results

Most articles addressed risk factors across all injury mechanisms; however, some focused particularly on burns/scalds, road traffic injuries, falls/drowning cases, and playground/sports injuries. Other studies reported on specific injury types including traumatic dental injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and fractures. The studies were of moderate quality, with a median of 15.5 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15.34 to 15.66) out of 19. Thirty-two studies found an inverse association between SES and childhood unintentional injury, three found a positive association while twenty were not significant or failed to report effect measures.

Conclusion

Given the variability in definition of the exposure (SES) and outcome (injury), the results of this review were mixed; however, the majority of studies supported a relationship between low SES and increased injury risk. Public health practice must consider SES, and other measures of health equity, in childhood injury prevention programming, and policy.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and incidence of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis
Authors: Chokesuwattanaskul R , Chiengthong K , Thongprayoon C , Lertjitbanjong P , Bathini T , Ungprasert P , Cato L D , Mao M A , Cheungpasitporn W
Published: November 2019

Background

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for many inflammatory disorders and pain-related illnesses. Despite their widespread use, the association between NSAIDs and the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unclear. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate this association.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases from inception through August 2019 to identify studies that evaluated the risk of AF among patients using NSAIDs. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% CI were calculated using a random-effect, generic inverse variance method. The protocol for this meta-analysis is registered with PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; no. CRD42019141609).

Results

Eight observational studies (four case–control studies and four cohort studies) with a total of 14 806 420 patients were enrolled. When compared with nonNSAIDs users, the pooled RR of AF in patients with NSAIDs use was 1.29 (95% CI 1.19–1.39). Meta-analyses based on the type of study were additionally performed. Subgroup analysis by study design revealed a significant association between the use of NSAIDs and AF for both case–control studies (pooled RR 1.37; 95% CI, 1.15–1.63) and cohort studies (pooled RR 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14–1.31). Sub-analyses based on specific NSAIDs showed pooled RRs of AF in patients using ibuprofen of 1.30 (95% CI 1.22–1.39), naproxen of 1.44 (95% CI 1.18–1.76) and diclofenac of 1.37 (95% CI 1.10–1.71), respectively. Funnel plot and Egger’s regression asymmetry tests were performed and showed no publication bias.

Conclusion

NSAID use is associated with incident AF. Our study also demonstrated a consistent result among different NSAIDs.
Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with depressive symptoms in pregnancy
Authors: Redhead Karen , Walsh Jennifer , Galbally Megan , Newnham John P , Watson Stuart J , Eastwood Peter
Published: November 2019

Study Objectives

In pregnancy, the prevalence of both obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and depression increases. Research reveals an association in the general population with up to 45% of patients diagnosed with OSA having depressive symptoms. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between OSA and depression in pregnant women.

Methods

One hundred and eighty-nine women ≥26 weeks pregnant were recruited from a tertiary perinatal hospital. This cross-sectional study measured OSA (Apnea Hypopnea Index, AHI, using an ApneaLink device) and symptoms of depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS). Data were collected from medical records including participant age, ethnicity, parity, BMI, smoking status, history of depression, and use of antidepressants.

Results

Of the consenting women, data from 124 were suitable for analysis. Twenty women (16.1%) had OSA (AHI ≥ 5 events/h) and 11 (8.8%) had depressive symptoms (EPDS > 12). Women with OSA were more likely to have depressive symptoms after adjusting for covariates, odds ratio = 8.36, 95% CI [1.57, 44.46]. OSA was also related to higher EPDS scores and these were greater in women with a history of depression.

Conclusions

During late pregnancy women with OSA had eight times the odds of having depressive symptoms. Furthermore, an interaction was found between OSA and history of depression. Specifically, in women with no history of depression, OSA increases depressive symptoms. In women with a history of depression, OSA has an even stronger effect on depressive symptomology. This suggests screening for OSA in pregnancy may identify women prone to future depressive episodes and allow for targeted interventions.
Phellem versus xylem: genome-wide transcriptomic analysis reveals novel regulators of cork formation in cork oak
Authors: Lopes Susana T , Sobral Daniel , Costa Bruno , Perdiguero Pedro , Chaves Inês , Costa Augusta , Miguel Célia M
Published: November 2019

Cork cambium (or phellogen) is a secondary meristem responsible for the formation of phelloderm and phellem/cork, which together compose the periderm. In Quercus suber L., the phellogen is active throughout the entire life of the tree, producing a continuous and renewable outer bark of cork. To identify specific candidate genes associated with cork cambium activity and phellem differentiation, we performed a comparative transcriptomic study of Q. suber secondary growth tissues (xylem and phellogen/phellem) using RNA-seq. The present work provides a high-resolution map of all the transcripts identified in the phellogen/phellem tissues. A total of 6013 differentially expressed genes were identified, with 2875 of the transcripts being specifically enriched during the cork formation process versus secondary xylem formation. Furthermore, cork samples originating from the original phellogen (`virgin’ cork) and from a traumatic phellogen (`amadia’ cork) were also compared. Our results point to a shortlist of potentially relevant candidate genes regulating phellogen activity and phellem differentiation, including novel genes involved in the suberization process, as well as genes associated to ethylene and jasmonate signaling and to meristem function. The future functional characterization of some of the identified candidate genes will help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying cork cambium activity and phellem differentiation.