bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lunar Cargo Transportation (LuCaT): Semi-Autonomous Vehicle With Suspended Cable and Solar Power
Authors: Ellis Hershle , Casher Chase , Longwood Jamal , Taye Abel , Ruhala Laura , Ruhala Richard
Published: February 2021

NASA is planning to send astronauts to the moon and then establish sustainable lunar exploration during the 21st Century under the Artemis program. The lunar south pole target site will need ground transportation to transport materials such as lunar ice from one location to another. This paper explores an alternative transportation system that is based on earth aerial tramways, which involves a chassis, wheels, drivetrain, and elevated cables with supporting structure. The wear of regolith lunar dust and the difficulties in traversing the uneven lunar terrain are reduced. Also, the speed and size of the cargo being transported should be superior to the lunar roving vehicle. By implementing a drivetrain system powered by solar energy, long term power generation and vehicle operation is achieved in the south polar region, which remains in sunlight at near horizontal incidence during the lunar cycle. Because of the extreme high and low temperatures of the moon, strength of materials that vary with temperature must be considered. The internal components of the vehicle and the chassis are protected by a lightweight shell. On earth, heat generated by electric charging and use of batteries can be removed by convection with the surrounding air. The lunar atmosphere presents a unique problem of possessing virtually no heat transfer through convection, while solar radiation will add or remove heat more extremely than earth-based conditions. A thermal control system is designed to manage the battery waste heat, utilizing optical solar reflectors and an internal conductive cooling system.
Delay Scheduling of a LQR and PID Controlled Pendubot Using CTCR Method
Authors: Esteban Villegas Helio S. , Borrás Pinilla Carlos , Olgac Nejat
Published: February 2021

Delays are a common physic effect that is present in a huge quantity of industrial systems with feedback control. Sometimes the impact of the delay presence in a system is neglected without any difference in the performance of the controller. But in some cases, the Delay quantity reaches levels that increase the overshoot significantly or destabilizes the system. For this system the CTCR method can be used to design a “delayed scheduled” controller able to reject the delays effect. To be able to apply this method it is necessary for both the system and the controller to be Linear or linearized. In this article the study case is an articulated inverted pendulum or also called “Pendubot”. This configuration of pendulum was selected because, in spite of being a simple pendulum, it has four equilibrium points, where two equilibrium points were selected to be controlled, the most unstable which has the maximum potential energy for each link and the most stable with the lowest potential energy. The purpose of work with those equilibrium points is compare the difference between the delay rejection in each point with similar setting times and overshoots from controllers. In order to get an accurate model, the state of the current is added along with the viscous friction terms for each joint in the pendulum. To tune the linear and non-linear model an experimental validation was carry on the physical prototype from the Universidad Industrial de Santander (VIE-5373 UIS). The control laws applied were a classical PID and LQR control. Due the controller sample frequency is extremely high in comparison to the states response, all the controllers and linear models were implemented in continuous space. In the first tuning process it was observed that the PID control gets a significantly lowest performance than the LQR control in the unstable equilibrium point, for that reason the comparison between points only was carried on with the LQR equation of feedback system, this can be done in different ways, but for the PID control the Mason theorems was applied and for LQR control only with matrix operation the equation can be obtained. After applying the “Delay scheduling” it was observed that the tuned LQR get a highest delay rejection that PID. An observer fact was that although the controllers for each point have a similar performance the delay pockets have completely different values due the final poles locations for each point. Also was observed that the system only gets one stability pocket, this could because only one delay in the actuator was induced.
Morphing Capabilities and Safe Operation Zone of the Utility Truck Boom Equipment
Authors: Patel Parth Y. , Happawana Gemunu , Vantsevich Vladimir V. , Boger David , Harned Chris
Published: February 2021

Utility trucks are the first responders in extreme climate and severe weather situations, for saving people’s lives to restoring traffic on the roads. However, such trucks can create dangerous situations on the roads, and off-road conditions, while moving, and performing tasks. Trucks equipped with large booms for reaching elevated heights can become unstable due to their geometry change, which can cause a drastic variation of the truck-boom system’s moment of inertia, and the extreme weight re-distribution among the wheels. Morphing capabilities of the utility trucks need to be investigated together with the vehicle-road forces in order to hold the vehicle safe on the roads.

In this research paper, static analysis and range of the normal reaction at the wheel of the utility truck is performed to characterize a safe working zone of the boom equipment when the truck is in the flat and titled surface. The analysis is performed for 5-degree of freedom boom equipment with revolute and translational joints in a complex constrained space given by the truck design using 3D moment and force-vector analysis. The possible morphing configuration of the boom equipment is examined in order to define static normal reactions at the wheel-road interaction.

Further, the morphing of the boom equipment is investigated to determine limiting configurations that can be reached without rolling over the truck. In this analysis, it is assumed that the wheels provide enough friction between the tires and road so that tire slippage does not extensively occur, and the utility truck is assumed as a rigid body. In this study, utility truck equipped with boom equipment is utilized in this study for numerical illustration.
Multiphysics Simulation on Vibration and Noise of Variable-Speed Permanent Magnet Brushless DC Motor With Eccentricity
Authors: Niu Hui , Xiao Yumin , Zhao Li , Roche David , Li Yashu , Rosu Marius , Gilmore John
Published: February 2021

Multiphysics finite element modeling process is derived to predict vibration and noise due to magnetic forces within a permanent-magnet brushless DC motor over a variable speed range under healthy and eccentric faulty conditions. Transient analysis for magnetic force in two-dimensional electromagnetic model is carried out over a variable speed range. To keep cyclic symmetry mesh and avoid numerical source of noise, the method of effective air gap layer is applied and manipulated with relative permeability derived for static and dynamic eccentric rotating condition depending on rotation angle and eccentric shift. Using discrete Fourier transformation and electromagnetic-structural one-way coupling schemes, magnetic harmonic forces for a range of rotation angular speed are imported and applied on stator’s inner surfaces. Vibration characteristics are calculated for a three-dimensional full finite element model of the motor in harmonic response analysis. Finally, surface velocities are imported and applied on acoustic domain using fluid-structure interaction (FSI) one-way coupling. Noise radiated from motor housing including front and end caps is evaluated. The waterfall diagram of equivalent radiation pressure level (ERPL) and sound pressure level (SPL) contour plotting in function of rotation angular speed and frequency is obtained in multiple RPM harmonic structural and acoustic analyses. The vibro-acoustic feature pattern could be utilized in faulty detection.
Design Innovation Incorporating Additive Manufacturing: Creation and Assessment of a Design Tool
Authors: Menefee Mark , Pokharel Mahesh , Kaplun Brian , Jensen Daniel , Yakacki Christopher , Wood Kristin
Published: February 2021

Additive Manufacturing (AM) offers design engineers new and advanced manufacturing processes to consider when developing new products or redesigning and evolving current products. AM includes 3D printing processes to quickly produce complex parts and prototypes, that were previously uneconomical or impossible to fabricate. Engineers and organizations have an increasing need to incorporate AM as part of product development; however, design heuristics, design methodologies, and design tools to support AM are nascent and only recently emerging. To enhance Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), this research seeks to develop an accessible, computer-based design assistant that will aid designers in incorporating AM into their design processes. The design assistant implements a distinctive and user-centered Design Innovation (DI) process, set of methods, and set of principles based on a 4D design framework. This 4D framework encompasses the UK Design Council’s double diamond model and includes the phases of Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver. The Discover phase entails user studies and a deep understanding and empathy for the user. The Define phase considers the reframing of design opportunities based on derived insights from the modeling users’ interactions. The Develop phase uses a variety of methods to create a large quantity of innovative ideas and concepts, and the Deliver phase implements a set of methods to prototype, test, pitch, and ultimately produce deliverables for a market or community.

We demonstrate the design assistant tool for AM through the development of high-end bracket design for space applications. The design considers the Selective Laser Melting (SLM) process for productions and incorporated topology optimization approaches. This demonstrative case study shows how the tool includes design heuristics and approaches for each of the 4-Ds that assist designers in implementing AM capabilities as part of repeatable design processes. Assessment of the tool is carried out through systematic assessments performed by practicing design engineers that have knowledge of AM. Initial results show that the design assessment tool is very helpful when designers consider using AM and also in helping them use AM in effective and efficient manners.
Development of a Low Cost High-Speed Video Motion Capture System for Planar Motion
Authors: Lai Heather L. , Ko Susan
Published: February 2021

This project focuses on the development and characterization of a high speed video motion capture system for the measurement of planar, rigid body motions. The ability to collect information related to the accelerations, velocities and positions of points on a rigid body as it moves in planar space is very important in the fields of science and engineering. Traditional techniques, including the use of accelerometers, extensors and lasers, either rely on contact between the rigid body and the sensor or only measure out of plane motion. In this project, an inexpensive monochromatic high speed camera was used in conjunction with markers adhered to the objects under investigation to measure the planar displacement of a point on a moving object. The high speed camera is able to capture video at a rate of up to 20,000 frames per second, however, at this speed the field of view is very small. For a larger field of view, the frames per second is diminished to close to 3,000 frames per second.

The goal of this project was to develop the hardware parameters and software necessary to collect and process 2D motion data at different frequencies and then evaluate the efficacy of video motion capture through comparison with simultaneously captured acceleration data. The efficacy was evaluated over a range of accelerations using variable frequency oscillations. The video footage was processed, frame by frame in order to extract x and y position for the center of the marker. Extraction of the position data was completed using the MATLAB computer vision toolbox, which provides tools for identifying the x and y locations of corners, circle centers and other defining features.

The project began by identifying size, shape, color and material of markers for effective data collection using the motion capture system. Additionally, camera settings, field of view, capture rate, lighting and mounting conditions were evaluated to determine what conditions would result in the most accurate position sensing. In order to validate the measurements from the motion capture system, position data were correlated with accelerations measured from a traditional accelerometer located on the object under test. In order for the position data collected through the high speed video capture to be compared with the acceleration data collected using measurement from accelerometers, numerical differentiation of the position signals gathered from the high speed footage was performed. The efficacy of different shape and size markers, along with other camera settings, will be demonstrated for specific oscillatory test profiles.
Modeling, Analysis and Design of the Formula SAE Aerodynamics System
Authors: Van Baren Isaac , Van Milligan Andrew , Ashcraft Scott , Rosser Stephen , Wang Xiuling
Published: February 2021

This project developed a study on methods to increase downforce on the university’s Formula SAE vehicle by implementing a lightweight, efficient aerodynamic design. The team planned to improve the performance and reduce lap times of the vehicle with an undertray, which grants better wheel traction and stability while handling corners. Upon completion, the aerodynamic component would have allowed the PNW Motorsports team to more effectively compete at the FSAE design competition in the spring of 2020.

While reducing drag, an undertray provides the capability to direct the air beneath the vehicle chassis in a way which adds “artificial weight” to the system. A pressure gradient of high magnitude is established between the two sides of the undertray, with a low negative pressure region found beneath the body. This design is based upon the principles of fluid dynamics, in particular the venturi effect through the use of nozzles and diffusers. In this fashion, the vehicle can receive the benefits of a heavier car around corners while maintaining the higher straight-line acceleration of a lighter car.

This report describes the use of simulation software in the design of an undertray, as well as the approach to manufacture it. Two-dimensional benchmark cases were performed in the replication of results obtained in a literature search. Subsequently, the undertray model was optimized with CFD and FEA/FEM techniques to obtain a component that was prepared for manufacturing. An operating procedure was established to outline the complicated steps of its assembly. Finally, it provides future aerodynamics teams with a solid foundation upon which improvements can be made.
Investigation of Additive Manufactured GRCop-42 Alloy Developed by Directed Energy Deposition Methods
Authors: Landes Scott , Suresh Trupti , Prasad Anamika , Letcher Todd , Gradl Paul , Ellis David
Published: February 2021

GRCop is an alloy family constructed of copper, chromium, and niobium and was developed by NASA for high heat flux applications. GRCop-alloys were specifically formulated for the requirements in channel-cooled main combustion chambers allowing for repeat use in high heat flux environments [1]. GRCop-84 was evolved using additive manufacturing techniques under a NASA development program. To further increase thermal conductivity while maintaining material strength characteristics, the percentage of alloying elements were cut in half and GRCop-42 was developed. In recent years, NASA has successfully additively manufactured GRCop-42 with comparable material characteristics to extruded GRCop-42 using a Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) process. Benefits of this process include fabrication of intricate internal cooling channels as well as a decrease in manufacturing time. However, there are some large disadvantages in using this process. The nature of the powder bed process imposes a strict volume constraint as well as an excessive amount of material inventory required. A Directed Energy Deposition (DED) process addresses these limitations while also speeding up the manufacturing process. With little data on how DED performs with GRCop-42, an investigation into the mechanical properties was conducted. More specifically, Blown Powder Directed Energy Deposition (BPD), was used to compare material properties to that of the L-PBF manufactured GRCop-42. The DED manufactured material was found to have less than 0.1% porosity. Tensile tests concluded that the DED manufactured GRCop-42 had lower tensile strengths at room temperature. The results point towards a process capable of producing fully dense parts capable of meeting mechanical strength requirements with some possible refinement of printing parameters.
Degradation of the Strength of a Grain Boundary of Ni-Base Superalloys Under Creep-Fatigue Loading at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Takahashi Yukako , Luo Yifan , Ishihara Kenta , Suzuki Shujiro , Miura Hideo
Published: February 2021

The degradation of the strength of a grain boundary was measured by using a micro tensile test in a scanning electron microscope. The change of the crystallinity of grain boundaries during creep-fatigue tests of Ni-base alloy such as Alloy 617 and 625 at elevated temperatures was monitored by electron back-scatter diffraction analysis. The image quality (IQ) value obtained from the analysis, which indicates the total density of defects, was applied to the quantitative evaluation of the crystallinity. It was clearly observed that the accumulation of defects occurred at grain boundaries which were perpendicular to the loading direction and consisted of grains with large difference of Schmid factor. Bicrystal specimens with different crystallinity were cut from the tested samples and the strength of the bicrystal specimens were measured by using the micro tensile test system. It was confirmed that the strength of a grain boundary decreased monotonically by about 50% with the decrease of IQ value, in other words, the increase in the total density of various defects such as vacancies and dislocations. On the other hand, the effective yielding stress of grains increased monotonically with the decrease of the IQ value. This is because the increase in the total density of these defects suppresses the movement of dislocations, in other words, plastic deformation. Therefore, there were three independent strengths, the strength of two grains and that of a grain boundary which consisted of the bicrystal specimen. Since the strength of grains increased, at the same time, that of a grain boundary decreased monotonically with the decrease of the IQ value, it was confirmed that there was critical IQ value at which the fracture mode of a bicrystal specimen changed from conventional transgranular cracking to intergranular cracking under the application of uniaxial tensile load.
Light Assisted Hybrid Direct Write Additive Manufacturing of Thermosets
Authors: Alrashdan Abdulrahman , Wright William Jordan , Celik Emrah
Published: February 2021

In the past recent years, numerous studies have been conducted on additive manufacturing of thermosets and thermoset composites. Thermosets are an important class of polymers used in engineering applications. Monomer units in these material systems irreversibly cross-link when external stimuli or a chemical crosslinking agent is applied in terms of the curing or photopolymerization process. Thermally curing thermosets mark unique mechanical properties including, high temperature resistance, strong chemical bond, and structural integrity and therefore these materials find wide range of applications currently. However, direct write additive manufacturing of these material systems at high resolution and at complex geometries is challenging. This is due to the slow curing rate of thermally curing thermoset polymers which can adversely affect the printing process, and the final shape of the printed object. On the other hand, VAT Polymerization additive manufacturing, which is based on curing the photopolymer resin by Ultraviolet (UV) light, can allow the fabrication of complex geometries and excellent surface finish of the printed parts due to the fast curing rate of photopolymers used in this technique. Mechanical properties of photopolymers, however, are usually weaker and more unstable compared to the thermally curing polymers used in the direct write additive manufacturing method. Therefore, this study focuses on taking the advantages of these two thermoset additive manufacturing methods by utilizing both the thermally cured epoxy and photopolymer resins together. Using the direct writing, the resin mixture is extruded though a nozzle and the final 3D object is created on the print bed. Simultaneously, the deposited ink is exposed to the UV light enhancing the yield strength of the printed material and partially curing it. Therefore, thermally cured epoxy is used to obtain the desirable mechanical properties, while the addition of the photopolymer resin allows the thermoset mixture to partially solidify the printed ink when exposed to the UV light. The results achieved in this study showed that, the hybrid additive manufacturing technology is capable of fabricating complex and tall structure which cannot be printable via additive manufacturing method. In addition, mechanical properties of the hybrid thermoset ink are comparable to the thermally cured thermoset polymer indicating the great potential of the light-assisted, hybrid manufacturing to fabricate mechanically strong parts at high geometrical resolution.
A Comparison of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) and Coupled SPH-FEM Methods for Modeling Machining
Authors: Ojal Nishant , Cherukuri Harish P. , Schmitz Tony L. , Jaycox Adam W.
Published: February 2021

Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), a particle-based, meshless method originally developed for modeling astrophysical problems, is being increasingly used for modeling fluid mechanics and solid mechanics problems. Due to its advantages over grid-based methods in the handling of large deformations and crack formation, the method is increasingly being applied to model material removal processes. However, SPH method is computationally expensive. One way to reduce the computational time is to partition the domain into two parts where, the SPH method is used in one segment undergoing large deformations and material separation and in the second segment, the conventional finite element (FE) mesh is used.

In this work, the accuracy of this SPH-FEM approach is investigated in the context of orthogonal cutting. The high deformation zone (where chips form and curl) is meshed with the SPH method, while the rest of the workpiece is modeled using the FE method. At the interface, SPH particles are coupled with FE mesh for smooth transfer of stress and displacement. The boundary conditions are applied to tool and FE zone of the workpiece. For comparison purposes, a fully-SPH model (workpiece fully discretized by SPH) is also developed. This is followed by a comparison of the results from the coupled SPH-FE model with the SPH model. A comparison of the chip profile, the cutting force, the von Mises stress and the damage parameter show that the coupled SPH-FE model reproduces the SPH model results accurately. However, the SPH-FE model takes almost 40% less time to run, a significant gain over the SPH model. Similar reduction in computation time is observed for in a micro-cutting application (depth of cut of 300 nm). Based on these results, it is concluded that coupling SPH with FEM in machining models decreases simulation time significantly while still producing accurate results. This observation suggests that three-dimensional machining problems can be modeled using the combined SPH-FEM approach without sacrificing accuracies.
Braking Safety Design and Analysis for Railway Vehicles
Authors: Fang Ziwen , Zhang Yanping , Zheng Caihui , Wang Xintian , Cheng Ming , Zhang Haifeng , Hong Haifeng
Published: February 2021

Brake is a safety critical system for railway vehicles and brake failures have caused many catastrophic accidents in the history. Detailed accident investigation reports are available and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also makes safety recommendations to Federal Railroad Administration and the industry. However, there is limited research on how to improve the brake safety from the perspective of design, system integration and safety analysis. In this paper, a framework for braking safety design and analysis is introduced, which includes four parts: failure alarming system, safety design, safety analysis and preventative maintenance. For failure alarming, according to the severity level, the failures will be notified to the operator, to Operation Control Center (OCC) or saved for the maintainer. For safety design, redundant design for fail-safe feature, automatic braking, brake release, weight control, ergonomics design for easy operation and maintenance are discussed and several application examples are illustrated. In the safety analysis section, Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) as a semi-quantitative analysis, Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis (FMECA) as a bottom-up method and Fault Tree Analysis as a top-down method are used. The hazards details, system assurance actions and closure references are recorded in the Hazard Tracking Log (HTL) to ensure all the safety related items are well tracked and documented. Preventative Maintenance (PM) which is regularly performed on the brake components to lessen the likelihood of failing is also discussed in combination with the reliability prediction and safety analysis for a balance of safety and economy. The safety design framework and principles introduced in this paper can also be applied into other railway systems, such as Propulsion, Signaling, Doors, etc. and may provide insights to similar industries such as automotive, energy and so on.
Speech compensation responses and sensorimotor adaptation to formant feedback perturbations
Authors: Raharjo Inez , Kothare Hardik , Nagarajan Srikantan S. , Houde John F.
Published: February 2021

Control of speech formants is important for the production of distinguishable speech sounds and is achieved with both feedback and learned feedforward control. However, it is unclear whether the learning of feedforward control involves the mechanisms of feedback control. Speakers have been shown to compensate for unpredictable transient mid-utterance perturbations of pitch and loudness feedback, demonstrating online feedback control of these speech features. To determine whether similar feedback control mechanisms exist in the production of formants, responses to unpredictable vowel formant feedback perturbations were examined. Results showed similar within-trial compensatory responses to formant perturbations that were presented at utterance onset and mid-utterance. The relationship between online feedback compensation to unpredictable formant perturbations and sensorimotor adaptation to consistent formant perturbations was further examined. Within-trial online compensation responses were not correlated with across-trial sensorimotor adaptation. A detailed analysis of within-trial time course dynamics across trials during sensorimotor adaptation revealed that across-trial sensorimotor adaptation responses did not result from an incorporation of within-trial compensation response. These findings suggest that online feedback compensation and sensorimotor adaptation are governed by distinct neural mechanisms. These findings have important implications for models of speech motor control in terms of how feedback and feedforward control mechanisms are implemented.
A comment on the correct boundary conditions for the Cremer impedance
Authors: Åbom Mats , Jacob Stefan
Published: February 2021

Mode merging and the creation of exceptional points can be used to create optimum damping in a lined duct, as pointed out by Cremer [Acustica 3, 249–263 (1953)]. The effect of a mean flow has traditionally been analyzed by assuming the Ingard–Myer boundary condition at the wall. For low frequencies, however, the classical boundary condition is a better alternative. This paper shows that this choice removes two problems with the low-frequency solution: the negative real part of the optimum wall impedance and the non-valid solution for the upstream case. Theoretical derivations are complemented by numerical results to support these conclusions.
“Keep Moving”: Experiences of People With Parkinson’s and Their Care Partners in a Dance Class
Authors: Prieto Laura , Norris Michael L. , Columna Luis
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of people with Parkinson’s (PwP) and their care partners (CPs) who participated in a Parkinson’s-focused community dance class in a northeastern state of the United States. In this qualitative inquiry, participants included five PwP and their respective CPs (n = 5). Three major, recurrent, and interrelated themes emerged from the data. These themes were (a) keep moving, (b) compassion in action, and (c) acceptance and freedom in dance. These themes captured personal and environmental factors that influenced the participation of PwP and their CPs in a dance class and how they perceived that dance influenced their quality of life. The themes described the obstacles, motives, and perceived outcomes of participating in dance. The findings emphasize the need for future dance interventions and programs that consider the CPs’ role in promoting participation for PwP in dance classes.
Neurodevelopmental defects and neurodegenerative phenotypes in human brain organoids carrying Parkinson’s disease-linked
DNAJC6
mutations
Authors: Wulansari Noviana , Darsono Wahyu Handoko Wibowo , Woo Hye-Ji , Chang Mi-Yoon , Kim Jinil , Bae Eun-Jin , Sun Woong , Lee Ju-Hyun , Cho Il-Joo , Shin Hyogeun , Lee Seung-Jae , Lee Sang-Hun
Published: February 2021

Human DNAJC6 Parkinson’s disease model reveals disruption of WNT-LMX1A regulatory loop during mDA neuron development.
Relaxin gene delivery modulates macrophages to resolve cancer fibrosis and synergizes with immune checkpoint blockade therapy
Authors: Zhou Xuefei , Liu Yun , Hu Mengying , Wang Menglin , Liu Xiangrui , Huang Leaf
Published: February 2021

Macrophages can be modulated with relaxin gene delivery to promote cancer fibrosis regression and T cell infiltration.
Do photosynthetic complexes use quantum coherence to increase their efficiency? Probably not
Authors: Zerah Harush Elinor , Dubi Yonatan
Published: February 2021

Quantum coherence probably does not enhance the efficiency of photosynthetic systems, but it may still play an important role.
Pneumatic soft robots take a step toward autonomy
Authors: Rajappan Anoop , Jumet Barclay , Preston Daniel J.
Published: February 2021

A four-legged soft robot walks, rotates, and reacts to environmental obstacles by incorporating a soft pneumatic control circuit.
Analysis of recurrently protected genomic regions in cell-free DNA found in urine
Authors: Markus Havell , Zhao Jun , Contente-Cuomo Tania , Stephens Michelle D. , Raupach Elizabeth , Odenheimer-Bergman Ahuva , Connor Sydney , McDonald Bradon R. , Moore Bethine , Hutchins Elizabeth , McGilvrey Marissa , de la Maza Michelina C. , Van Keuren-Jensen Kendall , Pirrotte Patrick , Goel Ajay , Becerra Carlos , Von Hoff Daniel D. , Celinski Scott A. , Hingorani Pooja , Murtaza Muhammed
Published: February 2021

Fragmentation patterns of cell-free DNA from urine differ between healthy individuals and those with cancer.
Elastin-like recombinamers-based hydrogel modulates post-ischemic remodeling in a non-transmural myocardial infarction in sheep
Authors: Contessotto Paolo , Orbanić Doriana , Da Costa Mark , Jin Chunsheng , Owens Peter , Chantepie Sandrine , Chinello Clizia , Newell John , Magni Fulvio , Papy-Garcia Dulce , Karlsson Niclas G. , Kilcoyne Michelle , Dockery Peter , Rodríguez-Cabello José C. , Pandit Abhay
Published: February 2021

An injectable functionalized elastin-inspired hydrogel improves cardiac functional response in sheep and preserves cardiomyocytes in the border zone.
Using deep learning for dermatologist-level detection of suspicious pigmented skin lesions from wide-field images
Authors: Soenksen Luis R. , Kassis Timothy , Conover Susan T. , Marti-Fuster Berta , Birkenfeld Judith S. , Tucker-Schwartz Jason , Naseem Asif , Stavert Robert R. , Kim Caroline C. , Senna Maryanne M. , Avilés-Izquierdo José , Collins James J. , Barzilay Regina , Gray Martha L.
Published: February 2021

Deep neural networks facilitate detection of suspicious pigmented lesions in wide-field images and could allow for efficient primary care screening.
Epitope spreading toward wild-type melanocyte-lineage antigens rescues suboptimal immune checkpoint blockade responses
Authors: Lo Jennifer A. , Kawakubo Masayoshi , Juneja Vikram R. , Su Mack Y. , Erlich Tal H. , LaFleur Martin W. , Kemeny Lajos V. , Rashid Mamunur , Malehmir Mohsen , Rabi S. Alireza , Raghavan Rumya , Allouche Jennifer , Kasumova Gyulnara , Frederick Dennie T. , Pauken Kristen E. , Weng Qing Yu , Pereira da Silva Marcelo , Xu Yu , van der Sande Anita A. J. , Silkworth Whitney , Roider Elisabeth , Browne Edward P. , Lieb David J. , Wang Belinda , Garraway Levi A. , Wu Catherine J. , Flaherty Keith T. , Brinckerhoff Constance E. , Mullins David W. , Adams David J. , Hacohen Nir , Hoang Mai P. , Boland Genevieve M. , Freeman Gordon J. , Sharpe Arlene H. , Manstein Dieter , Fisher David E.
Published: February 2021

Neoantigens sensitize melanomas to checkpoint blockade and trigger epitope spreading to self-antigens, a process mimicked by combination immunotherapy.
Exercise triggers CAPN1-mediated AIF truncation, inducing myocyte cell death in arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Chelko Stephen P. , Keceli Gizem , Carpi Andrea , Doti Nunzianna , Agrimi Jacopo , Asimaki Angeliki , Beti Carlos Bueno , Miyamoto Matthew , Amat-Codina Nuria , Bedja Djahida , Wei An-Chi , Murray Brittney , Tichnell Crystal , Kwon Chulan , Calkins Hugh , James Cynthia A. , O’Rourke Brian , Halushka Marc K. , Melloni Edon , Saffitz Jeffrey E. , Judge Daniel P. , Ruvo Menotti , Kitsis Richard N. , Andersen Peter , Di Lisa Fabio , Paolocci Nazareno
Published: February 2021

Exercise-induced activation of calpain and nuclear translocation of calpain-cleaved apoptotic factor AIF triggers cardiomyocyte death in ACM.
Identification and Characterization of Two Novel IS
CR1
-Associated Genes,
dfrA42
and
dfrA43
, Encoding Trimethoprim-Resistant Dihydrofolate Reductases
Authors: Li Ling , Zhang Mengge , Wang Wenjia , Xia Ruirui , Ma Yanan , Wei Xin , Wang Xinhua , Sun Xiaomin , Xie Xiaohong , Xie Shiling , Wang Mingyu , Xu Hai
Published: February 2021

Two novel IS
CR1
-associated
dfr
genes,
dfrA42
and
dfrA43
, were identified from trimethoprim (TMP)-resistant
Proteus
strains and were shown to confer high levels of TMP resistance (MIC, ≥1,024 mg/liter) when cloned into
Escherichia coli
isolates. These genes were hosted by complex class 1 integrons, suggesting their potential for dissemination.
Targeting Superoxide Dismutase Confers Enhanced Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Eradication of Polymyxin B-Induced Acinetobacter baumannii Persisters
Authors: Dubey Vineet , Gupta Rinki , Pathania Ranjana
Published: February 2021

Bacterial persisters represent noninheritable drug-tolerant populations that are linked to recalcitrance of infections in health care settings. The rise of antibiotic resistance and the depletion of new antibiotics in the drug discovery pipeline have made the task of persister eradication more daunting.
Typing of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Isolates in Shenzhen, China, from 2014 to 2018 Reveals the Shift of Genotypes Significantly Associated with Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Li Yizhun , Li Yamei , Xiu Leshan , Zeng Yaling , Zhang Chi , Sun Liying , Zhang LuLu , Wang Feng , Peng Junping
Published: February 2021

The growing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
is a serious global threat to gonococcal therapy. Molecular typing is an ideal tool to reveal the association between specific genotypes and resistance phenotypes that provide effective data for tracking the transmission of resistant clones of
N. gonorrhoeae
. In our study, we aimed to describe the molecular epidemiology of AMR and the distribution of resistance-associated genotypes in Shenzhen, China, during 2014 to 2018.
Antifungal Activity of Acylhydrazone Derivatives against
Sporothrix
spp.
Authors: Artunduaga Bonilla Jhon Jhamilton , Honorato Leandro , Haranahalli Krupanandan , Dib Ferreira Gremião Isabella , Pereira Sandro Antonio , Guimarães Allan , de Souza Baptista Andrea Regina , de Melo Tavares Patricia , Rodrigues Marcio L. , Miranda Kildare , Ojima Iwao , Del Poeta Maurizio , Nimrichter Leonardo
Published: February 2021

Sporotrichosis is an emerging mycosis caused by members of the genus
Sporothrix
. The disease affects humans and animals, particularly cats, which play an important role in zoonotic transmission.
A Stringent-Response-Defective Bradyrhizobium diazoefficiens Strain Does Not Activate the Type 3 Secretion System, Elicits an Early Plant Defense Response, and Circumvents NH
4
NO
3
-Induced Inhibition of Nodulation
Authors: Pérez-Giménez Julieta , Iturralde Esteban T. , Torres Tejerizo Gonzalo , Quelas Juan Ignacio , Krol Elizaveta , Borassi Cecilia , Becker Anke , Estevez José M. , Lodeiro Aníbal R.
Published: February 2021

The symbiotic N
2
fixation carried out between prokaryotic rhizobia and legume plants performs a substantial contribution to the N cycle in the biosphere. This symbiotic association is initiated when rhizobia infect and penetrate the root hairs, which is followed by the growth and development of root nodules, within which the infective rhizobia are established and protected.
Opium Poppy Mosaic Virus
Has an Xrn-Resistant, Translated Subgenomic RNA and a BTE 3′ CITE
Authors: Ilyas Muhammad , Du Zhiyou , Simon Anne E.
Published: February 2021

Opium poppy mosaic virus
(OPMV) is an umbravirus in the family
Tombusviridae
. We determined that OPMV accumulates two similarly sized subgenomic RNAs (sgRNAs), with the smaller known to code for proteins expressed from overlapping open reading frames.
Draft Genome Sequence of Herminiimonas contaminans Strain CCM 7991
T
, a Biopharmaceutical Contaminant
Authors: Kangale Luis Johnson , Zgheib Rita , Ghigo Eric , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard
Published: February 2021

Herminiimonas contaminans
was described as a new bacterial species, a contaminant isolated from a biopharmaceutical production process in Sweden. Since the genome sequence was not available, we performed draft genome sequencing. The genome of strain CCM 7991
T
(=CCUG 53591
T
= DSM 28178
T
= Marseille-Q4544
T
) was 4,038,814 bp long, with a G+C content of 53.9%; a total of 3,860 genes were identified, along with 3 rRNAs, 44 tRNAs, and 4 noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs).
Supplemental Material: Mid-Miocene volcanic migration in the westernmost Sunda arc induced by India-Eurasia collision
Authors: Lai Yu-Ming , al. et
Published: February 2021

Analytical methods, ages and geochemical data.
Paediatric cystic ovarian torsion masquerading appendicitis
Authors: Kapoor Smriti , Saeed Shoaib , Balasubramaniam Dinesh
Published: February 2021

A 7-year-old girl presented with a 2-day history of right iliac fossa pain, fever and elevated inflammatory markers. Clinical examination supported a diagnosis of appendicitis. The patient was taken to theatre for an open appendicectomy the following morning. Intraoperatively, a right-sided ovarian haemorrhagic cyst with 360 degrees torsion was discovered. The ovary was torted along with the cyst. Both were detorted and the abdomen was closed. The patient was discharged 48 hours later, with gynaecology outpatient follow-up 6–8 weeks later. Paediatric ovarian torsions caused by a haemorrhagic cyst greater than 2 cm are rare. Here, we discuss an atypical presentation of ovarian torsion and how the clinical presentation can mimic appendicitis.
Spousal concordance in pathophysiological markers and risk factors for type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional analysis of The Maastricht Study
Authors: Silverman-Retana Omar , Brinkhues Stephanie , Hulman Adam , Stehouwer Coen D A , Dukers-Muijrers Nicole H T M , Simmons Rebecca K , Bosma Hans , Eussen Simone , Koster Annemarie , Dagnelie Pieter , Savelberg Hans H C M , Schaper Nicolaas C , van Dongen Martien C J M , Witte Daniel R , Schram Miranda T
Published: February 2021

Introduction

We compared the degree of spousal concordance in a set of detailed pathophysiological markers and risk factors for type 2 diabetes to understand where in the causal cascade spousal similarities are most relevant.

Research design and methods

This is a cross-sectional analysis of couples who participated in The Maastricht Study (n=172). We used quantile regression models to assess spousal concordance in risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including four adiposity measures, two dimensions of physical activity, sedentary time and two diet indicators. We additionally assessed beta cell function and insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism status with fasting and 2-hour plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c.

Results

The strongest spousal concordance (beta estimates) was observed for the Dutch Healthy Diet Index (DHDI) in men. A one-unit increase in wives’ DHDI was associated with a 0.53 (95% CI 0.22 to 0.67) unit difference in men’s DHDI. In women, the strongest concordance was for the time spent in high-intensity physical activity (HPA); thus, a one-unit increase in husbands’ time spent in HPA was associated with a 0.36 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.64) unit difference in women’s time spent in HPA. The weakest spousal concordance was observed in beta cell function indices.

Conclusions

Spousal concordance was strongest in behavioral risk factors. Concordance weakened when moving downstream in the causal cascade leading to type 2 diabetes. Public health prevention strategies to mitigate diabetes risk may benefit from targeting spousal similarities in health-related behaviors and diabetes risk factors to design innovative and potentially more effective couple-based interventions.
Short maternal stature and gestational weight gain among refugee and migrant women birthing appropriate for gestational age term newborns: a retrospective cohort on the Myanmar-Thailand border, 2004–2016
Authors: Lee Sue J , Hashmi Ahmar H , Min Aung Myat , Gilder Mary Ellen , Tun Nay Win , Wah Lay Lay , Wah Mu , Win Elsi , Ner Ma , Charunwatthana Prakaykaew , Nosten François H , Carrara Verena I , McGready Rose
Published: February 2021

Introduction

To examine the interactions between short maternal stature, body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) among appropriate for gestational age (AGA) term newborns in a population of refugees and migrants in Southeast Asia.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study from 2004 to 2016, including women delivering term, singleton newborns, with first trimester height, weight and gestation dated by ultrasound and a last body weight measured within 4 weeks of birth. AGA newborns were those not classified as small for gestational age or large for gestational age by either INTERGROWTH-21st or Gestation Related Optimal Weight standards. The influence of maternal stature on GWG in delivering an AGA newborn was analysed, with GWG compared with existing National Academy of Medicine (NAM) recommendations.

Results

4340 women delivered AGA newborns. Mean maternal height (SD) was 151.5 cm (5.13), with 58.5% of women considered too short by INTERGROWTH-21st standards. Only one in four women (26.5%, 1150/4340) had GWG within NAM recommendations. Women of shorter stature had a significantly lower mean GWG compared with taller women in underweight and normal BMI categories (p<0.001 for both BMI categories). Mean GWG of overweight and obese women did not differ by height (p=1.0 and p=0.85, respectively) and fell within the lower range of NAM recommendations.

Conclusion

These results suggest that short maternal stature can be an important predictor of GWG and should be considered with prepregnancy BMI. Limited-resource settings and special populations need robust GWG recommendations that reflect height and BMI.
Impact of team-based community healthcare on preventable hospitalisation: a population-based cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Jan Chyi-Feng Jeff , Chang Che-Jui Jerry , Hwang Shinn-Jang , Chen Tzeng-Ji , Yang Hsiao-Yu , Chen Yu-Chun , Huang Cheng-Kuo , Chiu Tai-Yuan
Published: February 2021

Objectives

The objective of this study was to explore the impact of Taiwan’s Family Practice Integrated Care Project (FPICP) on hospitalisation.

Design

A population-based cohort study compared the hospitalisation rates for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs) among FPICP participating and non-participating patients during 2011–2015.

Setting

The study accessed the FPICP reimbursement database of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) administration containing all NHI administration-selected patients for FPICP enrolment.

Participants

The NHI administration-selected candidates from 2011 to 2015 became FPICP participants if their primary care physicians joined the project, otherwise they became non-participants.

Interventions

The intervention of interest was enrolment in the FPICP or not. The follow-up time interval for calculating the rate of hospitalisation was the year in which the patient was selected for FPICP enrolment or not.

Primary outcome measures

The study’s primary outcome measures were hospitalisation rates for ACSC, including asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes or its complications and heart failure. Logistic regression was used to calculate the ORs concerning the influence of FPICP participation on the rate of hospitalisation for ACSC.

Results

The enrolled population for data analysis was between 3.94 and 5.34 million from 2011 to 2015. Compared to non-participants, FPICP participants had lower hospitalisation for COPD/asthma (28.6‰–35.9‰ vs 37.9‰–42.3‰) and for diabetes or its complications (10.8‰–14.9‰ vs 12.7‰–18.1‰) but not for congestive heart failure. After adjusting for age, sex and level of comorbidities by logistic regression, participation in the FPICP was associated with lower hospitalisation for COPD/asthma (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.94 in 2015) and for diabetes or its complications (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.92 in 2015).

Conclusion

Participation in the FPICP is an independent protective factor for preventable ACSC hospitalisation. Team-based community healthcare programs such as the FPICP can strengthen primary healthcare capacity.