bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What accounts for racial and ethnic differences in credit use?
Authors: Goodstein Ryan M. , Lloro Alicia , Rhine Sherrie L.W. , Weinstein Jeffrey M.
Published: December 2020

Racial and ethnic differences across U.S. households in use of bank credit (e.g., credit cards) and nonbank credit (e.g., payday loans) are striking. We examine whether household characteristics and residential location can explain these differences. We use a novel dataset with information on previously unexplored factors, including income volatility, subjective attitudes about banks, geographic proximity to financial providers, and neighborhood population characteristics. We find that much of the raw disparities in credit use are attributable to observable household characteristics. Accounting for neighborhood population characteristics meaningfully reduces the disparities further. However, the residual racial and ethnic disparities remain large in magnitude. We show these disparities are not likely attributable to unobserved differences in households' family background, financial literacy, subjective attitudes, or credit scores. Instead, they are most likely attributable to unobserved supply‐side factors, such as racial and ethnic differences in households' exposure to marketing. We conclude with implications for policy.
Acoustic pharyngometry ‐ A new method to facilitate oral appliance therapy
Authors: Opsahl Ulrik Leidland , Berge Morten , Lehmann Sverre , Bjorvatn Bjørn , Opsahl Per , Johansson Anders
Published: December 2020

Background

There is lack of reliable and accurate methods to predict treatment outcomes of oral appliance (OA) treatment. Acoustic pharyngometry (AP) is a non‐invasive technique to evaluate the volume and minimal cross‐sectional area of the upper airway, which may prove useful to locate the optimal position of OAs.

Objective

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effect of applying AP to OA treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Methods

All patients (n = 244) treated with OAs following an AP protocol at two dental clinics between 2013 and 2018 were invited to participate. A total of 129 patients accepted the invitation, and 120 patients (75 men, 45 women) were included in the analyses. Mean baseline age, BMI and apnoea hypopnea index (AHI) were 59.1 ± 0.9 years, 27.8 ± 0.4 and 21.9 ± 1.1, respectively. Mean follow‐up time was 318 ± 24 days.

Results

AHI at follow‐up was 6.4 ± 0.7, resulting in a treatment success rate of 86.7% (≥50% reduction of baseline AHI). The number of failures (<50% reduction of baseline AHI) did not differ significantly among patients with mild, moderate and severe OSA. 87.6% of the patients reported OA usage every night, and 95.5% reported > 5 hours usage per night, when worn.

Conclusion

The AP protocol applied seems to contribute to the excellent effect of OA treatment in this study. Further research on the application of AP in OA treatment is necessary in order to clarify its possible beneficial contribution to improving OA therapy.
Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of furosemide in sheep
Authors: Durna Corum Duygu , Corum Orhan , Atik Orkun , Cetin Gul , Zhunushova Aidai , Uney Kamil
Published: December 2020

The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of furosemide were determined following intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM), and subcutaneous (SC) administrations at 2.5 mg/kg dose in sheep. The study was conducted on six healthy sheep in a three‐way, three‐period, crossover pharmacokinetic design with a 15‐day washout period. In first period, furosemide was randomly administered via IV to 2 sheep, IM to 2 sheep and SC to 2 sheep. In second and third periods, each sheep received furosemide via different routes of administration with the 15‐day washout period. Plasma concentrations were determined using a high‐performance liquid chromatography assay and analyzed by noncompartmental method. The mean total clearance and volume of distribution at steady state following IV administration were 0.24 L h‐1 kg‐1 and 0.17 L/kg, respectively. The elimination half‐life was similar for all administration routes. The mean peak plasma concentrations of IM and SC administration were 10.33 and 3.18 μg/ml at 0.33 and 0.42 hr, respectively. The mean bioavailability of IM and SC administration was 97.91% and 37.98%, respectively. The IM injection of furosemide may be the alternative routes in addition to IV. However, further research is required to determine the effect of dose and route of administration on the clinical efficacy of furosemide in sheep.
The Institutional Hearing Program: A Study of Prison-Based Immigration Courts in the United States
Authors: Eagly Ingrid , Shafer Steven
Published: December 2020

This article presents the findings of the first research study of the Institutional Hearing Program (IHP), a prison-based immigration court system run by the U.S. Department of Justice. Although the IHP has existed for four decades, little is publicly known about the program's origin, development, or significance. Based on original analysis of archival records, this study makes three central contributions. First, it traces the origin and growth of the IHP within federal, state, and municipal correctional facilities. Notably, although the IHP began in 1980 as a program to deport Cuban asylum seekers held in civil detention in an Atlanta prison, it now operates to deport noncitizens serving prison sentences in twenty-three federal prisons, nineteen state prison systems, and a few municipal jails. Second, this article uncovers the crucial role that prison-based immigration courts have played in shaping the design of carceral institutions around the priorities of an immigration system that primarily targets Latinos for deportation. Third, this article shows how immigration courts embedded in carceral spaces have served as influential, yet overlooked, incubators of changes to immigration law and practice that today apply to all immigration courts, not just the IHP. These findings have important implications for contemporary understandings of the relationship between immigration detention, racialized control of migration, and penal punishment.
Clinical characteristics and management of 1572 patients with pyogenic liver abscess: A 12‐year retrospective study
Authors: Yin Dalong , Ji Changyong , Zhang Shugeng , Wang Jiabei , Lu Zhaoyang , Song Xuan , Jiang Hongchi , Lau Wan Yee , Liu Lianxin
Published: December 2020

Background & aims

Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA) are space‐occupying lesions in the liver that produce high morbidity and mortality. The clinical characteristics and prognosis of abscesses is different depending on the bacterial culture results and require different strategies for management. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with PLA.

Methods

Clinical features, laboratory tests and etiology of PLA between 2006 to 2011 and 2012 to 2017 in a single hospital were retrospectively reviewed. The incidence and mortality of PLA caused by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were compared and the risk factors for multiple organ dysfunction (MODS) and endophthalmitis were evaluated.

Results

Among the 1,572 PLA patients, the proportion with PLA increased from 333 (21.2%) in 2006‐2011 to 1,239 (78.8%) in 2012‐2017 without any investigation and treatment procedure differences. K pneumoniae was the main isolate in analysed pus cultures (85.6%). The mortality rate of patients with K pneumoniae infection was lower in the latter period (6.7% vs 0.7%, P = .035). Multivariate analyses revealed that age, fever, MODS and length of hospital stay were factors affecting poor prognosis (death + unhealed/uncured) in PLA patients after treatment and that cardiovascular disease, pleural effusion and pulmonary infection were risk factors for MODS, while diabetes mellitus was the only risk factor for endophthalmitis. Most patients (95.5%) with PLA recovered after abscess drainage/puncture and antibiotic therapy.

Conclusions

Pleural effusion, fever, MODS and length of hospital stays were factors useful in predicting PLA outcomes.
An investigation of seeming favoritism in public procurement
Authors: Pi Jiancai
Published: December 2020

The existing literature holds that favoritism in public procurement is due to discrimination or corruption. In procurement, the government agency faces a tradeoff between the expected allocative efficiency and the expected rent paid to the contracting firm. When the government agency's efficiency gain is larger (resp. smaller) than its rent loss, it is optimal for the government agency to choose the contract with the low‐cost (resp. high‐cost) firm. The general public usually deems that the latter case implies that there exists favoritism in public procurement. We point out that such seeming favoritism is not favoritism in the true sense. There may be an over‐identification of favoritism in public procurement in the existing literature.
Ontogenetic niche partitioning in southern elephant seals from Argentine Patagonia
Authors: Campagna Julieta , Lewis Mirtha N. , González Carman Victoria , Campagna Claudio , Guinet Christophe , Johnson Mark , Davis Randall W. , Rodríguez Diego H. , Hindell Mark A.
Published: December 2020

Elephant seals, Mirounga spp., are highly dimorphic, having different energetic requirements according to age and sex, and foraging in various ecological and oceanographic contexts. Resource partitioning has been shown for the sub‐Antarctic populations of southern elephant seals, M. leonina, where colonies are surrounded by narrow shelves that deepen abruptly. In contrast, seals from Península Valdés (Argentina), in the northernmost extent of the breeding range, face an extended, shallow, temperate, and productive continental shelf. We integrated tracking data from 98 animals (juveniles and adults, males and females) gathered over more than two decades, and found that although all available habitats were used, individuals segregated by age and sex. Juvenile males favored shelf habitats, whereas subadult and adult males also used the shelf break. Juvenile females preferred the shelf and the more distant Argentine Basin used by postbreeding and postmolt adult females. Males showed the highest proportion of area‐restricted search locations, suggesting more spatially concentrated feeding activity, and likely reflecting a preference for foraging habitat and prey. Our results are consistent with those from other populations, implying that elephant seals show remarkable similarities in habitat use by age and sex classes, despite broad differences in the offshore habitats between sub‐Antarctic and temperate ecosystems.
Effects of diets, foods and nutrients on immunity: Implications for COVID‐19?
Authors: Lockyer S.
Published: December 2020

The COVID‐19 pandemic has sparked an increase in claims that particular food and drink products and nutritional supplements are able to ‘boost’ immunity. The immune system is highly complex, consisting of many different cell types and processes, and nutritional adequacy is undoubtedly required to support its function. Specific roles have been established for several micronutrients including vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D, copper, folate, iron, selenium and zinc, with documented impacts on particular aspects of immune function as a result of clinical deficiencies. Increased susceptibility to infections and poorer outcomes have been commonly observed in cases of undernutrition. However, high bodyweight, diabetes and ageing are also associated with immune dysfunction. The gut microbiota is intimately linked with the immune system and there is some evidence to suggest that food components that favourably modify its composition, such as pre‐ and probiotics, may be advantageous in immune modulation. Studies also indicate some benefits of specific supplements; for example, zinc and vitamin C supplements have been shown to reduce the duration of the common cold; probiotics have been suggested to reduce the duration and severity of acute infectious diarrhoea and prevent antibiotic‐associated diarrhoea; and anti‐inflammatory effects of long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acids have also been demonstrated. However, at present there are no authorised EU health claims for any of these effects. In the light of the recent media interest in the role of diet and lifestyle on the immune system following the COVID‐19 outbreak, this article will summarise why a healthy, balanced diet is key to supporting immune function with consideration given to the latest thinking in relation to COVID‐19.
Quantitative proteomic analysis to capture the role of heat‐accumulated proteins in moss plant acquired thermotolerance
Authors: Guihur Anthony , Fauvet Bruno , Finka Andrija , Quadroni Manfredo , Goloubinoff Pierre
Published: December 2020

At dawn of a scorching summer day, land plants must anticipate upcoming extreme midday temperatures by timely establishing molecular defences that can keep heat‐labile membranes and proteins functional. A gradual morning pre‐exposure to increasing sub‐damaging temperatures induces heat‐shock proteins (HSPs) that are central to the onset of plant acquired thermotolerance (AT). To gain knowledge on the mechanisms of AT in the model land plant Physcomitrium patens, we used label‐free LC–MS/MS proteomics to quantify the accumulated and depleted proteins before and following a mild heat‐priming treatment. High protein crowding is thought to promote protein aggregation, whereas molecular chaperones prevent and actively revert aggregation. Yet, we found that heat priming (HP) did not accumulate HSP chaperones in chloroplasts, although protein crowding was six times higher than in the cytosol. In contrast, several HSP20s strongly accumulated in the cytosol, yet contributing merely 4% of the net mass increase of heat‐accumulated proteins. This is in poor concordance with their presumed role at preventing the aggregation of heat‐labile proteins. The data suggests that under mild HP unlikely to affect protein stability. Accumulating HSP20s leading to AT, regulate the activity of rare and specific signalling proteins, thereby preventing cell death under noxious heat stress.
Primary pediatric deceased‐donor kidney transplant recipients outcomes by immunosuppression induction received in the United States
Authors: Riad Samy , Jackson Scott , Chinnakotla Srinath , Verghese Priya
Published: December 2020

Background

We studied the association of induction immunosuppression and pediatric deceased‐donor kidney recipient and graft survival.

Methods

We utilized the SRTR to evaluate all primary pediatric deceased‐donor kidney transplants from January 1st, 2000, through December 2018. We included only recipients who were maintained on tacrolimus and mycophenolate. Recipients were grouped by induction type: alemtuzumab n = 320, r‐ATG n = 2091 and IL‐2RA n = 2165. Recipient and allograft survival, and their predictors, were examined. Models were adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, HLA‐antigen mismatches, transplant year, steroid maintenance, pre‐emptive transplantation and payor type, with the transplant center included as a random effect.

Results

Rejection rates at 6 months (alemtuzumab 8.6% vs r‐ATG 7.8% vs IL2‐RA 9.2%; P = .30) and 12 months (alemtuzumab 17.2% vs r‐ATG 15.7% vs IL2‐RA 16.5%; P = .70) were not significantly different between induction groups. In the multivariable models, compared to IL‐2RA neither alemtuzumab nor r‐ATG was associated with improved recipient [alemtuzumab (HR 1.06, P = .88); r‐ATG (HR 1.03, P = .84)] or graft survival [alemtuzumab (HR 1.18, P = .32); r‐ATG (HR 1.10, P = .21)].

Conclusion

In this large cohort of standard immunological risk primary pediatric deceased‐donor kidney recipients on tacrolimus and mycophenolate maintenance, depletional induction regimens were not associated with better rejection rates, recipient, or graft survival compared to IL‐2RA induction. Racial, payor type, and sex‐related outcome disparities were significant in this group independent of the induction choice.
Safety of LAVs administered after pediatric LT
Authors: Funaki Takanori , Shoji Kensuke , Fukuda Akinari , Sakamoto Seisuke , Kasahara Mureo , Miyairi Isao
Published: December 2020

Recent guidelines suggest that LAVs may be given to LT recipients meeting certain criteria. However, information is still limited. We sought to evaluate the safety of LAVs, including measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella to LT recipients following our clinically based immunization protocol for LT recipients. We conducted a case‐series analysis on safety of LAVs for measles, rubella, varicella, and mumps given to LT recipients at our institution from July 2010 to July 2019. Patients who underwent LT at age <20 years who visited our immunization clinic were included. LT recipients were vaccinated if 2 years had lapsed from LT, had no signs of rejection within 6 months, and were on minimal immunosuppressants. Patient demographics, underlying diseases, type and number of vaccines administered, date of vaccination, and adverse events occurring within 4 weeks after vaccination were extracted from their medical records. During the study period, LAVs were administered 422 times to 209 patients who met criteria and included 225 doses of MR combination vaccine, 224 doses of varicella vaccine, and 215 doses of mumps vaccine. Underlying diseases included cholestatic liver diseases (n = 125), followed by metabolic diseases (n = 33) and acute liver failure (n = 19). Nine non‐critical adverse events (2.1%) possibly associated with LAVs were reported, but there were no serious adverse events, including hospitalizations or deaths. In conclusion, LAVs administered to LT recipients were safe without any serious adverse events following our relatively simple institutional protocol.
Repeated CD45RA‐depleted DLI successfully increases donor chimerism in a patient with beta‐thalassemia major after haploidentical stem cell transplant
Authors: Chan Wilson Y. K. , Kwok Janette S. Y. , Chiang Alan K. S. , Chan Godfrey C. F. , Lee Pamela P. W. , Ha Shau‐Yin , Cheuk Daniel K. L.
Published: December 2020

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is curative for transfusion‐dependent thalassemia, but mixed chimerism (MC) may herald graft rejection. We report a child who failed bone marrow transplant (BMT) from matched unrelated donor (MUD) successfully salvaged with haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell transplant (PBSCT), but had MC in T‐lymphocyte compartment despite near‐complete donor chimerism in myeloid compartment. MC was successfully improved by repeated CD45RA‐depleted donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). A 2‐year‐old Chinese girl with beta‐thalassemia major underwent 12/12‐MUD BMT with HU/AZA/Cy/Flu/Bu/TT conditioning resulted in graft rejection. As donor refused second donation, rescue haploidentical PBSCT was performed with alemtuzumab/fludarabine/treosulfan conditioning. Harvest product was CD3/CD45RA depleted with extra products cryopreserved. Split cell chimerism performed 1‐month after haplo‐transplant showed 97% mother, 3% MUD, and 0% host for granulocytes but 38% mother, 62% MUD, and 0% host for CD3 + T cells. In view of low haploidentical donor chimerism in T‐lymphocyte compartment, CD45RA‐depleted DLI using cryopreserved product was performed on day + 38, after thymoglobulin 3 mg/kg given as T‐cell depletion 3 days beforehand. T‐cell chimerism improved to 51% mother and 49% MUD post‐DLI. Second cryopreserved CD45RA‐depleted DLI was given 17 days after the first DLI (day + 55), and 100% full chimerism of mother's T cells was gradually established without significant graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) or viral reactivation. To conclude, split lineage chimerism determination is beneficial to guide management strategy. For MC in T‐cell compartment, CD45RA‐depleted DLI is a potential alternative to unselected T cells as it carries lower risk of GVHD and infection.
Declining mortality rates in children admitted to ICU following HCT
Authors: Jensen Marie Louise Næstholt , Nielsen Jeppe Sylvest Angaard , Nielsen Jonas , Lundstrøm Kaare Engell , Heilmann Carsten , Ifversen Marianne
Published: December 2020

We aimed to assess short‐ and long‐term mortality, including factors associated with mortality, for children referred to a pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) at Rigshospitalet, Denmark, following haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Data regarding admission to ICU and mortality following HCT for children below 16 years of age between 2000 and 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. We identified 55 ICU admissions in 39 patients following 46 HCTs. The overall in‐ICU, in‐hospital, 3‐month, and 1‐year mortality rates were 33.3%, 43.6%, 46.2%, and 51.3%, respectively. Patients admitted from 2000 to 2010 had a 3‐month mortality of 63.2% and 1‐year mortality of 68.4%, compared to 30% and 35% (P = .040 and P = .039) for patients admitted from 2011 to 2017. The main reason for ICU admission was respiratory failure (78.2%). Mechanical ventilation (MV) was associated with a higher long‐term mortality (P = .044), and use of inotropes or vasopressors was associated with increased mortality at all times (all P > .006). Extracorporeal life support, renal replacement therapy, longer ICU stay, and longer time with MV were not associated with increased mortality. Over the past two decades, mortality was significantly reduced in pediatric HCT patients admitted to the ICU. The cause is probably multifactorial and warrants further studies. Our findings support admissions of critically ill pediatric HCT patients to intensive care with encouraging outcomes of even long‐term admissions.
Text Mining Approaches for Postmarket Food Safety Surveillance Using Online Media
Authors: Goldberg David M. , Khan Samee , Zaman Nohel , Gruss Richard J. , Abrahams Alan S.
Published: December 2020

Food contamination and food poisoning pose enormous risks to consumers across the world. As discussions of consumer experiences have spread through online media, we propose the use of text mining to rapidly screen online media for mentions of food safety hazards. We compile a large data set of labeled consumer posts spanning two major websites. Utilizing text mining and supervised machine learning, we identify unique words and phrases in online posts that identify consumers’ interactions with hazardous food products. We compare our methods to traditional sentiment‐based text mining. We assess performance in a high‐volume setting, utilizing a data set of over 4 million online reviews. Our methods were 77–90% accurate in top‐ranking reviews, while sentiment analysis was just 11–26% accurate. Moreover, we aggregate review‐level results to make product‐level risk assessments. A panel of 21 food safety experts assessed our model's hazard‐flagged products to exhibit substantially higher risk than baseline products. We suggest the use of these tools to profile food items and assess risk, building a postmarket decision support system to identify hazardous food products. Our research contributes to the literature and practice by providing practical and inexpensive means for rapidly monitoring food safety in real time.
Productivity Measurement, R&D Assets, and Mark‐Ups in OECD Countries
Authors: Schreyer Paul , Zinni María Belén
Published: December 2020

A key feature of the 2008 revision of the System of National Accounts was the treatment of research and development (R&D) expenditure as investment. The question arises whether the standard approach toward accounting for growth contribution of assets is justified, given the special nature of R&D that provides capital services by affecting the working of other inputs as a whole—akin to technical change and often requires up‐front investment with sunk costs. We model R&D inputs with a restricted cost function and compare econometric estimates with those derived under a standard index number approach but find no significant differences. However, we cannot reject the hypothesis of increasing returns to scale. The standard multi‐factor productivity (MFP) measure is then broken down into a scale effect and a residual productivity effect, each of which explains about half of overall MFP change. The scale effect points to the importance of the demand side and market size for productivity growth. We also compute mark‐up rates of prices over marginal cost and find widespread evidence of rising mark‐ups for the period 1985–2017.
The level of naturally occurring anti‐αGal antibody predicts antibody response to polysaccharide vaccination in HIV‐infected adults
Authors: Bernth Jensen Jens Magnus , Søgaard Ole Schmeltz , Thiel Steffen
Published: December 2020

In clinical practice, the capacity for producing anti‐carbohydrate antibodies is regarded as an entity, but supportive evidence is lacking. We hypothesized that the outcome of the gold standard test for clinical assessment of this capacity, antibody response to polysaccharide vaccination, correlated with the level of the abundant naturally occurring anti‐carbohydrate antibody, anti‐αGal. To perform an exploratory study, 47 HIV‐infected adults were recruited from a vaccine trial. Participants received a 23‐valent pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide vaccine. Plasma samples obtained just before and median 4 weeks after the vaccination were quantified for IgG anti‐αGal antibody and IgG antibodies to polysaccharides present in the vaccine (serotypes 1, 7F and 19A) by solid‐phase type immunoassays. The vaccination responses were assessed as a categorical variable (based on criteria defined by The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) and as three different continuous variables (antibody increment, geometrical average and standard normal deviates of the achieved antibody concentrations). The baseline anti‐αGal level predicted the vaccine response as a categorical variable (ROC‐curve analysis, AUC = 0.71; 95%CI: 0.55‐0.86) and as the three continuous variables (eg slope of linear regression of geometrical average = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.15‐0.59). The correlation between the anti‐αGal level and antibody responses to polysaccharide vaccination fits with a shared underlying capacity. Thus, the present study supports the notion of a measurable capacity for the production of anti‐carbohydrate antibodies in each individual. Firm conclusions on the generalizability and clinical utility require further studies.
Digital policy to disability employment? An ecosystem perspective on China and Australia
Authors: Li Bingqin , Fisher Karen R. , Farrant Frances Quan , Cheng Zhiming
Published: December 2020

Globally, labour markets are encountering profound changes because of the digital revolution. Middle‐income countries such as China are leapfrogging high‐income countries to take advantage of the digital economy. The growing use of digital technologies is also reshaping the labour market in high‐income countries such as Australia. Potentially, new technologies may facilitate both employers and employees to overcome some of the barriers to disability employment. However, it seems that the opportunities and hopes have not yet translated into improved employment rate for people with disability. This paper uses an ecosystem framework to examine the state's role in improving the critical elements of disability employment: developing a national strategy, creating employment opportunities, building capacity and enhancing accessibility. This paper compares the historical development of disability employment and the policies introduced to take advantage of digital technologies across China and Australia. It studies the national policies, funded activities and the governing structure in China and Australia. The findings revealed distinctive approaches that have played to the strengths of each country. However, both countries need to address the weaker links to deliver a real paradigm shift.
Estimation of the incubation time distribution for COVID‐19
Authors: Groeneboom Piet
Published: December 2020

We consider smooth nonparametric estimation of the incubation time distribution of COVID‐19, in connection with the investigation of researchers from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (Dutch: RIVM) of 88 travelers from Wuhan: Backer et al. (2020). The advantages of the smooth nonparametric approach with respect to the parametric approach, using three parametric distributions (Weibull, log‐normal and gamma) in Backer et al. (2020) is discussed. It is shown that the typical rate of convergence of the smooth estimate of the density is n2/7 in a continuous version of the model, where n is the sample size. The (nonsmoothed) nonparametric maximum likelihood estimator itself is computed by the iterative convex minorant algorithm (Groeneboom and Jongbloed (2014)). All computations are available as R scripts in Groeneboom (2020a).
Positioning of endoplasmic reticulum exit sites around the Golgi depends on BicaudalD2 and Rab6 activity
Authors: Shomron Olga , Hirschberg Koret , Burakov Anton , Kamentseva Rimma , Kornilova Elena , Nadezhdina Elena , Brodsky Ilya
Published: December 2020

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is involved in biogenesis, modification and transport of secreted and membrane proteins. The ER membranes are spread throughout the cell cytoplasm as well as the export domains known as ER exit sites (ERES). A subpopulation of ERES is centrally localized proximal to the Golgi apparatus. The significance of this subpopulation on ER‐to‐Golgi transport remains unclear. Transport carriers (TCs) form at the ERES via a COPII‐dependent mechanism and move to Golgi on microtubule (MT) tracks. It was shown previously that ERES are distributed along MTs and undergo chaotic short‐range movements and sporadic rapid long‐range movements. The long‐range movements of ERES are impaired by either depolymerization of MTs or inhibition of dynein, suggesting that ERES central concentration is mediated by dynein activity. We demonstrate that the processive movements of ERES are frequently coupled with the TC departure. Using the Sar1a[H79G]‐induced ERES clustering at the perinuclear region, we identified BicaudalD2 (BicD2) and Rab6 as components of the dynein adaptor complex which drives perinuclear ERES concentration at the cell center. BicD2 partially colocalized with ERES and with TC. Peri‐Golgi ERES localization was significantly affected by inhibition of BicD2 function with its N‐terminal fragment or inhibition of Rab6 function with its dominant‐negative mutant. Golgi accumulation of secretory protein was delayed by inhibition of Rab6 and BicD2. Thus, we conclude that a BicD2/Rab6 dynein adaptor is required for maintenance of Golgi‐associated ERES. We propose that Golgi‐associated ERES may enhance the efficiency of the ER‐to‐Golgi transport.
Talent development and labour market integration in European football
Authors: Norbäck Pehr‐Johan , Olsson Martin , Persson Lars
Published: December 2020

In this paper, we argue that altered incentives for clubs to develop star players after the Bosman ruling can explain why European football has seen lower competitive balance in the Champions League but more competitive balance at the national level. By having a profound impact on the transfers of players within the European Union (EU), the Bosman ruling led to stiffer bidding competition over football stars. We show that this spurred talent development primarily in EU countries without established top clubs having a positive impact on their junior and senior national teams' performance. However, the stiffer bidding competition also led to a lower competitive balance in the Champions League, as non‐established clubs prefer to sell their star players instead of challenging the top clubs. We provide empirical evidence consistent with these findings.
Lateral condylar fracture secondary to humeral intracondylar fissure in a cat
Authors: Holloway Gemma L. , Midgley Duncan
Published: December 2020

Objective

To report the progression of a humeral intracondylar fissure (HIF) into a lateral humeral condylar fracture and successful treatment in a cat.

Study design

Case report.

Animals

One 8‐year‐old, male, neutered, Maine coon crossbreed cat.

Methods

A lateral humeral condylar fracture occurred in a cat with no history of trauma. A partial HIF was identified by computed tomography of the contralateral elbow, progressing to fracture 279 days later. Both fractures were repaired surgically at the time of their diagnoses.

Results

Both lateral humeral condylar fractures were repaired with a transcondylar lag screw and caudolaterally applied locking plate. These repairs led to bone union and full return to function of surgically treated limbs. Eight hundred thirty‐six days after initial presentation, a nontraumatic transverse patella fracture was diagnosed, which combined with a clinical history of extraction of retained deciduous canines supports a diagnosis of patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome (PADS).

Conclusion

Evidence of progression of HIF to fracture in a cat with PADS has implications for management of elbow‐related lameness in this species. In this report, we seek to alert practitioners to the potential for HIF to be seen in cats and that cats presenting for humeral condylar fracture should undergo further assessment for patella and other fractures as well as dental anomalies. Key features of PADS may not be present at the time of initial assessment.
Comparison of Thermal Management Approaches for Integrated Traction Drives in Electric Vehicles
Authors: Kekelia Bidzina , Cousineau J. Emily , Bennion Kevin , Narumanchi Sreekant , Chowdhury Shajjad
Published: December 2020

The continuous push to increase power densities of electric vehicle (EV) traction drive systems necessitates combining electric motor and power electronics into one unit. A single, compact traction drive unit with fewer interconnecting components also facilitates fast, automated assembly of electric vehicles, driving production costs down and enabling wider adoption of EVs. There are a number of challenges associated with the integration of power electronics with the electric machine, including thermal management of the combined traction drive system. However, one important benefit of integration from the thermal management system perspective is the potential for using a single fluid loop instead of two separate cooling systems for the electric machine and the power electronics/inverter.

This paper reviews several integration approaches and, employing finite element analysis (FEA), compares thermal management solutions for the combined electric machine and power electronics systems. Namely, three different scenarios are modeled: (1) independent component (motor and power electronics) cooling, which is compared to the combined cooling system approach for (2) radially and (3) axially integrated power electronics modules into the motor enclosure. Temperature distributions for selected thermal loads and thermal resistances from the key heat-generating components to the cooling fluid are compared for each scenario.
Thermal Analysis of Wavy Thermal Management System With Phase Change Composite and Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet for Cylindrical Lithium-Ion Battery Packs
Authors: Gresham-Chisolm Damon , Smith Sonya
Published: December 2020

In the present study, a wavy designed thermal management system (TMS) is introduced for cylindrical lithium-ion battery pack modules incorporating a phase change composite (PCC) surrounding the cells, a cooling tube, and a pyrolytic graphite sheet (PGS) integrated into the wavy design on both sides of the cooling tube. We systematically investigate its cooling behavior via thermal analysis in Ansys FLUENT. This thermal management system takes advantage of the PCC’s capabilities to maintain temperature uniformity and PGS’s thermal conductivity to increase the rate of heat removal. The 1S20P battery pack design was simulated at different cell volumetric heat generation rates from normal to uphill conditions to observe cooling capabilities under different thermal loads.
Local Heat Energy Transport Analyses in Gallium-Indium-Nitride/Gallium Nitride Heterostructure by Microscopic Raman Imaging Exploiting Simultaneous Irradiation of Two Laser Beams
Authors: Okamoto Shungo , Saito Naomichi , Ito Kotaro , Ma Bei , Morita Ken , Iida Daisuke , Ohkawa Kazuhiro , Ishitani Yoshihiro
Published: December 2020

Local heat transport in two GaxIn1-xN/GaN-heterostructures on sapphire substrates is investigated by microscopic Raman imaging using two lasers of 532 nm (Raman observation) and 325 nm (heat generation and Raman observation), which enables the separation of heat generation and Raman observation positions. It is found that E2(high) and A1(LO) modes of the Ga0.84In0.16N layer exhibit mutually different characteristics, which indicates the analysis of the occupation of the A1(LO) mode is available. E2(high) mode of the GaN layer observed by the 532-nm laser reveals that the transport of the heat energy generated in the Ga0.84In0.16N layer to the GaN under layer is blocked in the high-density area of misfit dislocation in the vicinity of the heterointerface.
System and Component Level Risk Assessment for SiC MOSFET Based Inverter for Traction Application
Authors: Mohammad Nafis Bakhtiyar , Mahmud Mohammad , Wang Zhongjing , Wu Yuheng , Huitink David , Zhao Yue
Published: December 2020

Monitoring and predicting temperatures at critical locations of a power electronic system is important for safety, reliability and efficiency. As the market share of vehicles with electric powertrains continue to increase, there is also an important economic cost of failing electronic components. For inverters present in such a drive system, exceeding the temperature limit for certain critical components, such as DC-link capacitors and Silicon carbide MOSFETs, can lead to failure of the system. In such an application, extracting the temperatures using sensors from locations such as dies and capacitors require expensive modifications and poses technical challenges. It is therefore necessary to create a thermal model for the inverter system to estimate the temperature at various components in order to ensure operation within temperature limits. The model approach is also suitable for predicting the effect on the component temperature and reliability of boundary conditions such as coolant, ambient temperature and mission profile. This study assesses the reliability of a 250 kW liquid cooled inverter system designed for traction application. The critical failure areas are the DC-link capacitors, and the SiC MOSFET dies which are rated at 175 degrees C. The system is modeled as a compact system by reasonably considering each component as a lumped capacitance and estimating the thermal resistance using physical dimensions. Results from the model are then compared against experimental data from constant power testing, and good agreement is observed for the cold plate and gate driver temperatures. With the model fidelity established, the model is then used to implement drive cycles from the Environmental Protection Agency for nonroad applications. The resulting temperature profile for each component are a series of temperature peaks and troughs that contribute to damage and failure. Rainflow counting algorithm is then used to quantify the damage per mini-cycles, and used to estimate the predicted life for each component based on their manufacturer provided reliability qualification and the mission profile is executed on the test bench for validation. The results are then used to generate a system risk matrix that relates the failure risk associated with a certain mission profile and the cooling scheme. It therefore demonstrates that an automotive inverter with SiC switching devices can be credibly assessed for failure risk using a compact model that is independent of boundary conditions, in combination with established reliability correlations and techniques.
Degradation of Gallium Nitride-Based Hall-Effect Sensors in High Temperature Environments
Authors: Krone Alexis , Alpert Hannah , Shetty Satish , Senesky Debbie G. , Salamo Gregory , Huitink David
Published: December 2020

Magnetic field sensors based on the Hall-effect have a variety of applications such as current sensing in power electronics and position and velocity sensing in vehicles. Additionally, they have benefits such as easy integration into circuits, low manufacturing cost, and linearity over a wide range of magnetic fields. However, in order to use these devices in an industrial or automotive setting, the effect of high temperatures on the reliability of the Hall-effect sensors needs to be evaluated. This study focuses on the effect of high temperature on the electrical and material properties of novel gallium nitride (GaN)-based Hall-effect sensors and the impacts on the reliability of these devices. Changes in device properties such as resistance and electrical response, as well as on the metallic contacts, are examined, using two sets of devices made with different substrates and contact metals. A probe station is used to characterize electrical responses, while an X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer (XPS) and Electron-Diffuse X-ray (EDX) are used to characterize material interactions. The findings include saturation curves, the presence of gallium on the contacts of the octagonal device, and the activation energy of reaction responsible for resistance increase for the octagonal AlGaN/GaN devices. Additionally, the Greek cross AlGaN/GaN Hall sensors showed excellent thermal stability.
CFD Modeling of the Distribution of Airborne Particulate Contaminants Inside Data Center Hardware
Authors: Saini Satyam , Adsul Kaustubh K. , Shahi Pardeep , Niazmand Amirreza , Bansode Pratik , Agonafer Dereje
Published: December 2020

Modern-day data center administrators are finding it increasingly difficult to lower the costs incurred in mechanical cooling of their IT equipment. This is especially true for high-performance computing facilities like Artificial Intelligence, Bitcoin Mining, and Deep Learning, etc. Airside Economization or free air cooling has been out there as a technology for a long time now to reduce the mechanical cooling costs. In free air cooling, under favorable ambient conditions of temperature and humidity, outside air can be used for cooling the IT equipment. In doing so, the IT equipment is exposed to sub-micron particulate/gaseous contaminants that might enter the data center facility with the cooling airflow.

The present investigation uses a computational approach to model the airflow paths of particulate contaminants entering inside the IT equipment using a commercially available CFD code. A Discrete Phase Particle modeling approach is chosen to calculate trajectories of the dispersed contaminants. Standard RANS approach is used to model the airflow in the airflow and the particles are superimposed on the flow field by the CFD solver using Lagrangian particle tracking. The server geometry was modeled in 2-D with a combination of rectangular and cylindrical obstructions. This was done to comprehend the effect of change in the obstruction type and aspect ratio on particle distribution. Identifying such discrete areas of contaminant proliferation based on concentration fields due to changing geometries will help with the mitigation of particulate contamination related failures in data centers.
Experimental Study of a Set of Integrated Cross-Media Heat Exchangers (iCMHXs) for Liquid Cooling in Desktop Computers
Authors: Kailkhura Gargi , Mandel Raphael , Shooshtari Amir , Ohadi Michael
Published: December 2020

The present study is an experimental investigation of a set of five additively-manufactured compact, lightweight, low-cost, air-to-water cross-media heat exchangers suitable for liquid cooling applications in desktop computers, among other applications. The heat transfer between the two fluids is facilitated by solid metallic wires arranged in a staggered tube-bank configuration, in direct contact with both fluids separated by polymer walls. Since the liquid flows externally over the wires instead of flowing inside the tubes in conventional tube-bank fin heat exchangers, smaller wires can be used in iCMHXs, resulting in lighter and more efficient units. The additively-manufactured iCMHX units are post-processed using a conformal polyurethane sealant. The units are experimentally studied in two case studies based on their post-processing techniques. The experimental studies include instrumentation calibration as well as uncertainty analysis. The first case study considers three geometrically identical iCMHX units sharing the same post-processing method. The overall iCMHX performances characterized by the thermal and hydrodynamic parameters, such as thermal resistance and pressure drop for both waterside and airside, are compared. Their experimental results are also compared to 2D CFD predictions. To provide probable reasoning behind the differences in the comparisons, a second case study is then carried out by experimentally investigating two iCMHX units but with variable post-processing approaches such as by using a thinned sealant and by using a single layer of sealant.
Personal Heating/Cooling System Using Peltier
Authors: Abdelmessih Amanie , Alvarez Andre , Gonzalez Joshua , Gooch Timothy , Gutierrez Adrian , Magana Kristoffer , Nakamura Jonathan , van Haaster Joseph
Published: December 2020

Common quibbles in most homes are the temperature setting. Some family members are comfortable with cooler temperature settings, while other family members prefer warmer temperature settings. Not to mention the fragile elderly and some medical situations require different temperature settings for those individuals than the rest of the occupants of the space.

The purpose of this article is to outline a research where we created a working prototype of a portable, effective Peltier cooling/heating system. Peltier, or thermoelectric modules, are devices that use the differences in electric voltages to create a difference in temperature between two flat opposite sides of the thin module. The system can easily be switched between the heating and cooling modes. In contrast to compression refrigeration systems it produces a very low level of noise output. Also, the system is portable, small in size, and light weight. Another advantage of using the Peltier system is it does not employ hazardous substances such as hydrochlorofluorocarbons, but uses water. While a system such as this could be beneficial in the day to day comfort of any individual, it could prove vital to the survival of the elderly and medically vulnerable individuals. This heating/cooling system can enhance the performance of military, particularly in biological warfare suites, and law enforcement personnel who find themselves in less than desirable weather conditions.

This uniquely designed Peltier system is compact, and lightweight. Cooling/heating through the system would be achieved by the exchange of heat between the user and a custom designed vest. The system is powered by lithium ion battery pack. Details of this unique design are discussed in the article. Also, the testing and results are reported, and discussed.