bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracking Batches Accurately in a Multi-Product Pipeline With Large Elevation Changes and Prominent Slack Flow
Authors: Milano Giancarlo , Goyal Nitesh , Basnett David
Published: November 2018

When transporting multiple products in a pipeline, it is important to always understand the location of the head and tail of each batch. The operator will know where batch interfaces are in real-time and be ready to swing the valve at the exact time a batch arrives at a station to deliver product to the right storage tank or an end-customer with minimal contamination. It is relatively easy to track multiple batches in a pipeline with no elevation changes, and a fixed internal diameter. However, it is far more complex to track multiple batches in a pipeline with drastic elevation changes and different sizes in diameter. Column separation of the liquid, also known as slack, occurs when the pipeline pressure drops below the vapor pressure calculated at the liquid temperature in a specific area of the pipeline. This effect reduces the amount of liquid volume contained within the pipeline region, changing the actual physical position of the batch head and tail interfaces, and reducing the accuracy of the volume within the region and the corresponding Estimated Times of Arrival at stations. Draining or filling a pipeline section by delivering product at a different rate from what injected causes the same effect.

A scientific approach to calculate the areas of slack and volume contained within a pipeline should provide sufficient information to track batches with a high degree of accuracy. However, it is neither simple nor straightforward to simulate this phenomenon offline, and it is much more challenging in an online, real-time environment. Online, additional complexities affect how batches and their interfaces are tracked, causing a big discrepancy between Estimated and Actual Time of Arrivals. This paper discusses an empirical approach developed to calculate the volume contained within a pipeline region by tracking the volume entering and leaving the region.

Estimated and Actual Times of Arrival are within a 15-minute time window after a batch has traveled a total distance of 1,200km with drastic elevation changes along the route. This method has proven that batch tracking can be highly accurate and reliable with less of the theoretical assumptions used in a hydraulic simulation package, with no need to model every single characteristic of the pipeline in detail. This removed the uncertainties that attend those assumptions and allowed this system to perform well on a pipeline with severe slack flow and draining/filling operations.
Development of Large Diameter Heavy Wall Seamless Tee Fitting of WPHY-80 Grade for Low Temperature Pipeline Station Application
Authors: Liu Yu , Han Tao , Li Yezheng , Yin Zhanghua , Zhu Peng , Yan Lijun , Li Qiang
Published: November 2018

This paper describes the development of large diameter heavy wall seamless tee fitting of WPHY-80 grade for low temperature pipeline station application. Steel tees with thicker wall generally tend to have low fracture toughness either in pipe body or in weld joint and low weldability. Therefore, improvement of fracture toughness and weldability are particularly important with respect to development of higher strength and thicker wall seamless tee fittings.

For the requirement of the China-Russia Eastern Gas Pipeline Project, WPHY-80 large diameter, seamless heavy wall reducing outlet tees were developed, with DN1400 × DN1200 and 57mm wall thickness. The billet steel production process was electroslag remelting (ESR), and the tee fitting production process used a forging and hot extrusion combination. Finally, quenching and tempering were carried out.

In this paper, the mechanical properties and microstructure of WPHY-80 seamless tee were studied. The results of mechanical testing showed that the tensile yield strength of the tee body was more than 590 MPa and also provided excellent low temperature toughness (CVN > 200 J at −45°C), which met the requirements of the specification for fittings applied in the China-Russia Eastern Gas Pipeline Project. In addition, the results of welding procedure qualification showed that the welding performance of the WPHY-80 seamless tee was excellent.
Tensile and Compressive Strain Capacity in the Presence of Corrosion Anomalies
Authors: Zhou Honggang , Wang Yong-Yi , Stephens Mark , Bergman Jason , Nanney Steve
Published: November 2018

Over the past 15 years, extensive studies have been conducted on the tensile strain capacity (TSC) and compressive strain capacity (CSC) of pipelines. The existing studies were mainly targeted at the design and construction of new pipelines. However, the impact of anomalies (e.g., corrosion anomalies) on the TSC and CSC has not been explicitly and adequately considered.

This paper summarizes work performed as part of a major effort funded by the US Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (DOT PHMSA) aimed at examining the impact of corrosion anomalies on the TSC and CSC of pipelines. In this work, the strain capacities were examined analytically, and the analytical work was compared to results from selected full-scale tests.

Based on the summarized work, guidelines were developed for assessing the TSC and the CSC of corroded pipes. The guidelines are applicable to different types of corrosion anomalies, including circumferential grooves, longitudinal grooves and general corrosion. The strain capacities can be calculated using the key material properties and dimensions of pipe and corrosion anomalies as inputs.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound as a biomarker of remission – results from a one-year prospective study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Sapundzhieva Tanya , Karalilova Rositsa , Batalov Anastas
Published: November 2018

Aims: To assess the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) as a biomarker of remission and to compare the rates of clinical and imaging remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on different types of treatment.Material and methods: One hundred and forty-one patients underwent physical and ultrasound examination at 5 visits (at baseline and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months). Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of treatment, which involved synthetic (sDMARDs) and biologic (bDMARDs) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Ultrasound assessment of the wrist, second and third metacarpophalangeal, second and third proximal interphalangeal joints, and the second and fifth metatarsophalangeal joints was performed on gray scale ultrasound (GSUS) and on power Doppler ultrasound (PDUS) (German US7-score). The rate of imaging and clinical remission (DAS28, SDAI, CDAI, and Boolean) was established. The percentage of patients in clinical remission with persistent PD signal was assessed.Results: In the sDMARDs group at month twelve, 43.6% of the patients achieved DAS28 remission, 5.1% – SDAI, 3.8% – CDAI, and 3.8% – Boolean remission. In the bDMARDs group 49.2% achieved DAS28 remission, 6.3% – SDAI, 4.8% – CDAI, and 4.8% – Boolean remission. Irrespective of which clinical index was applied, all patients in clinical remission had persistent synovial hypertrophy on GSUS. Synovial PD signal (PDUS score≥1) was detected in 77% and 71% of patients in DAS28 remission in the sDMARDs and bDMARDs group, respectively. Patients in SDAI, CDAI and Boolean remission in both treatment groups did not have а positive PD signal.Conclusions: There is persistence of synovitis both in patients on sDMARDs and bDMARDs in DAS28 clinical remission. This fact points to a discordance between DAS28 clinical remission and the imaging remission assessed by MSUS irrespective of the type of treatment. MSUS may be a feasible imaging method for the assessment of residual inflammation in daily rheumatology practice.
Comparison between cystourethrography and sonourethrography in preoperative diagnostic management of patients with anterior urethral strictures
Authors: Krukowski Jakub , Kałużny Adam , Kłącz Jakub , Matuszewski Marcin
Published: November 2018

Aim: To evaluate the urethral lesions and the degree of spongiofibrosis using cystourethrography (CUG) and sonourethrography (SUG) in order to propose the best imaging method for further surgical treatment.Material and methods: The study involved 66 patients with anterior urethral strictures with indication for urethroplasty. Results of CUG and SUG were compared with each other and data from surgical protocol.Results: Totally 72 strictures were detected; 47 in the bulbar part of urethra and 25 in the penile urethra. The mean length of the stenosis was 16.43 mm for CUG and 27.41 mm for SUG and 31.05 mm during surgery. The correlation levels between imaging techniques and intraoperative measurements were 0.55 (p<0.001) for CUG and 0.73 (p<0.001) for SUG. After dividing the strictures according to their location, better correlation for stenoses was obtained in penile urethra: 0.66 (p<0.001) for CUG and 0.86 (p<0.001) for SUG.Conclusions: SUG seems to be a simple and fast examination to evaluate urethral strictures. It is more accurate in comparison to CUG and gives a possibility to assess the spongiofibrosis. This information suggests that SUG can be a good complement to CUG in diagnosis of anterior urethtral strictures.
Application of contrast enhanced ultrasound in gallbladder lesion: is it helpful to improve the diagnostic capabilities?
Authors: Kong Wen-Tao , Shen Hi-Yun , Qiu Yu-Dong , Han Hao , Wen Bao-Jie , Wu Min
Published: November 2018

The aim of this study is to evaluate if contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can improve the differential diagnostic performance of gallbladder (GB) lesions.Materials and methods: Forty-nine patients (18 men, 31 women; mean age, 54.8±14.4 years, range age, 22-78 years) with GB lesions (mass-forming and wall-thickened types) were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent conventional ultrasonography (US) and CEUS examination. The imaging characteristics of GB lesions were analyzed to compare the diagnostic performance of US and CEUS. The final diagnosis was obtained by histopathology.Results: There were significant differences between benign and malignant GB lesions with regards to size, shape, vascularity, the integrity and margin of GB wall and time to iso-enhancement on CEUS (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found concerning the enhancement patterns between the two groups (p>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the boundary between liver and GB wall (p=0.017) and vascularity on color Doppler flow imaging (p=0.013) were two independent predictors of malignancy. The diagnostic accuracy of US could be improved in combination with CEUS (65.3% vs 83.7%). The diagnostic accuracy of the GB wall thickening type was higher than the mass forming type.Conclusion: CEUS could improve the diagnostic performance of GB lesions, especially for wall-thickened type lesions
Reasons for inadequate or incomplete imaging techniques
Authors: Caraiani Cosmin , Dong Yi , Rudd Anthony G. , Dietrich Christoph F.
Published: November 2018

Even if imaging has developed considerably during the last decades there still exist several factors which limit its capacities. These factors can either limit the usage of a technique or degrade images making them difficult to interpret. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has, as an absolute contraindication, the presence of metallic devices marked as “MRI unsafe” and metallic foreign bodies close to the eye or vital structures. Claustrophobia and artefacts reduce the application and performance of MRI in a significant proportion of patients. The major disadvantages of computed tomography(CT) are the exposure to ionizing radiation inducing malignancies especially in pediatric patients and the risk of contrast induced allergies and nephropathy. Ultrasound is a safe, easily available and low-cost imaging technique without significant side effects for the patient. Obesity or bloating can severely limit ultrasound capacities.This paper written by radiologists and clinicians, highlights the main reasons leading to inadequate imaging and points out solutions to avoid inaccurate diagnosis due to incomplete imaging or presence of artifacts.
Importance of glottis landmarks for the assessment of cleft lip and palate speech intelligibility
Authors: Kalita Sishir , Mahadeva Prasanna S. R. , Dandapat S.
Published: November 2018

The present work explores the acoustic characteristics of articulatory deviations near g(lottis) landmarks to derive the correlates of cleft lip and palate speech intelligibility. The speech region around the g landmark is used to compute two different acoustic features, namely, two-dimensional discrete cosine transform based joint spectro-temporal features, and Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients. Sentence-specific acoustic models are built using these features extracted from the normal speakers' group. The mean log-likelihood score for each test utterance is computed and tested as the acoustic correlates of intelligibility. Derived intelligibility measure shows significant correlation (ρ = 0.78, p < 0.001) with the perceptual ratings.
Hierarchical multiscale hyperporous block copolymer membranes via tunable dual-phase separation
Authors: Yoo Seungmin , Kim Jung-Hwan , Shin Myoungsoo , Park Hyungmin , Kim Jeong-Hoon , Lee Sang-Young , Park Soojin
Published: November 2018

A new class of amphiphilic block copolymer–based porous membranes is fabricated via tunable dual-phase separation.
Biased agonists of the chemokine receptor CXCR3 differentially control chemotaxis and inflammation
Authors: Smith Jeffrey S. , Nicholson Lowell T. , Suwanpradid Jutamas , Glenn Rachel A. , Knape Nicole M. , Alagesan Priya , Gundry Jaimee N. , Wehrman Thomas S. , Atwater Amber Reck , Gunn Michael D. , MacLeod Amanda S. , Rajagopal Sudarshan
Published: November 2018

Small-molecule biased agonists of a chemokine receptor elicit distinct physiological outcomes.
Mammalian pigmentation is regulated by a distinct cAMP-dependent mechanism that controls melanosome pH
Authors: Zhou Dalee , Ota Koji , Nardin Charlee , Feldman Michelle , Widman Adam , Wind Olivia , Simon Amanda , Reilly Michael , Levin Lonny R. , Buck Jochen , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Ito Shosuke , Zippin Jonathan H.
Published: November 2018

Inhibitors of soluble adenylyl cyclase increase pigmentation and may reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Genetic Diversity of Multi- and Extensively Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in the Capital of Iran, Revealed by Whole-Genome Sequencing
Authors: Vaziri Farzam , Kohl Thomas A. , Ghajavand Hasan , Kargarpour Kamakoli Mansour , Merker Matthias , Hadifar Shima , Khanipour Sharareh , Fateh Abolfazl , Masoumi Morteza , Siadat Seyed Davar , Niemann Stefan
Published: November 2018

The emergence and spread of multidrug resistant (MDR)
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
complex (MTBC) strains is a critical global health problem. Between 2014 and 2018, 606 MTBC strains were isolated from 13,892 suspected pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients in Tehran, Iran, including 16 (2.6%) MDR-TB cases.
A Genome-Wide Screen Identifies Genes in Rhizosphere-Associated
Pseudomonas
Required to Evade Plant Defenses
Authors: Liu Zhexian , Beskrovnaya Polina , Melnyk Ryan A. , Hossain Sarzana S. , Khorasani Sophie , O’Sullivan Lucy R. , Wiesmann Christina L. , Bush Jen , Richard Joël D. , Haney Cara H.
Published: November 2018

While rhizosphere bacteria hold the potential to improve plant health and fitness, little is known about the bacterial genes required to evade host immunity. Using a model system consisting of
Arabidopsis
and a beneficial
Pseudomonas
sp. isolate, we identified bacterial genes required for both rhizosphere fitness and for evading host immune responses. This work advances our understanding of how evasion of host defenses contributes to survival in the rhizosphere.
Members of the Genus
Methylobacter
Are Inferred To Account for the Majority of Aerobic Methane Oxidation in Oxic Soils from a Freshwater Wetland
Authors: Smith Garrett J. , Angle Jordan C. , Solden Lindsey M. , Borton Mikayla A. , Morin Timothy H. , Daly Rebecca A. , Johnston Michael D. , Stefanik Kay C. , Wolfe Richard , Gil Bohrer , Wrighton Kelly C.
Published: November 2018

Here we used soil metagenomics and metatranscriptomics to uncover novel members within the genus
Methylobacter
. We denote these closely related genomes as members of the lineage OWC
Methylobacter
. Despite the incredibly high microbial diversity in soils, here we present findings that unexpectedly showed that methane cycling was primarily mediated by a single genus for both methane production (“
Candidatus
Methanothrix paradoxum”) and methane consumption (OWC
Methylobacter
). Metatranscriptomic analyses revealed that decreased methanotrophic activity rather than increased methanogenic activity possibly contributed to the greater methane emissions that we had previously observed in summer months, findings important for biogeochemical methane models. Although members of this
Methylococcales
order have been cultivated for decades, multi-omic approaches continue to illuminate the methanotroph phylogenetic and metabolic diversity harbored in terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Coordinated Assembly of the Bacillus anthracis Coat and Exosporium during Bacterial Spore Outer Layer Formation
Authors: Boone Tyler J. , Mallozzi Michael , Nelson Alex , Thompson Brian , Khemmani Mark , Lehmann Dörte , Dunkle Alexis , Hoeprich Paul , Rasley Amy , Stewart George , Driks Adam
Published: November 2018

This work dramatically improves our understanding of the assembly of the outermost layer of the
B. anthracis
spore, the exosporium, a layer that encases spores from many bacterial species and likely plays important roles in the spore’s interactions with the environment, including host tissues. Nonetheless, the mechanisms directing exosporium assembly into a shell surrounding the spore are still very poorly understood. In this study, we clarify these mechanisms by the identification of a novel protein interaction network that directs assembly to initiate at a specific subcellular location in the developing cell. Our results further suggest that the presence or absence of an exosporium has a major impact on the assembly of other more interior spore layers, thereby potentially explaining long-noted differences in spore assembly between
B. anthracis
and the model organism
B. subtilis
.
Maintenance of Mitochondrial Morphology in Cryptococcus neoformans Is Critical for Stress Resistance and Virulence
Authors: Chang Andrew L. , Doering Tamara L.
Published: November 2018

C. neoformans
is a yeast that causes fatal brain infection in close to 200,000 people worldwide every year, mainly afflicting individuals with AIDS or others who are severely immunocompromised. One feature of this microbe that helps it cause disease is that it is able to withstand toxic molecules it encounters when host cells engulf it in their efforts to control the infection. Mitochondria are important organelles responsible for energy production and other key cellular processes. They typically exist in a complex network that changes morphology by fusing and dividing; these alterations also influence mitochondrial function. Using genetic approaches, we found that changes in mitochondrial morphology dramatically influence cryptococcal virulence. We showed that this occurs because the altered mitochondria are less able to eliminate the harmful molecules that host cells produce to kill invading microbes. These findings are important because they elucidate fundamental biology and virulence and may suggest avenues for therapy.
Leishmania
Genome Dynamics during Environmental Adaptation Reveal Strain-Specific Differences in Gene Copy Number Variation, Karyotype Instability, and Telomeric Amplification
Authors: Bussotti Giovanni , Gouzelou Evi , Côrtes Boité Mariana , Kherachi Ihcen , Harrat Zoubir , Eddaikra Naouel , Mottram Jeremy C. , Antoniou Maria , Christodoulou Vasiliki , Bali Aymen , Guerfali Fatma Z. , Laouini Dhafer , Mukhtar Maowia , Dumetz Franck , Dujardin Jean-Claude , Smirlis Despina , Lechat Pierre , Pescher Pascale , El Hamouchi Adil , Lemrani Meryem , Chicharro Carmen , Llanes-Acevedo Ivonne Pamela , Botana Laura , Cruz Israel , Moreno Javier , Jeddi Fakhri , Aoun Karim , Bouratbine Aïda , Cupolillo Elisa , Späth Gerald F.
Published: November 2018

Protozoan parasites of the genus
Leishmania
cause severe human and veterinary diseases worldwide, termed leishmaniases. A hallmark of
Leishmania
biology is its capacity to adapt to a variety of unpredictable fluctuations inside its human host, notably pharmacological interventions, thus, causing drug resistance. Here we investigated mechanisms of environmental adaptation using a comparative genomics approach by sequencing 10 new clinical isolates of the
L. donovani
,
L. major
, and
L. tropica
complexes that were sampled across eight distinct geographical regions. Our data provide new evidence that parasites adapt to environmental change in the field and in culture through a combination of chromosome and gene amplification that likely causes phenotypic variation and drives parasite fitness gains in response to environmental constraints. This novel form of gene expression regulation through genomic change compensates for the absence of classical transcriptional control in these early-branching eukaryotes and opens new venues for biomarker discovery.
The Fourth International Neonatal and Maternal Immunization Symposium (INMIS 2017): Toward Integrating Maternal and Infant Immunization Programs
Authors: Munoz Flor M. , Van Damme Pierre , Dinleyici Ener , Clarke Ed , Kampmann Beate , Heath Paul T. , Levy Ofer , Leuridan Elke , Cutland Clare , Sobanjo-ter Meulen Ajoke , Marchant Arnaud
Published: November 2018

This report provides an overview of the proceedings of the 4th International Maternal and Neonatal Immunization Symposium, where presentations focused on the state-of-the-art research on the development and implementation of vaccines given during pregnancy for the protection of mothers and infants.
Establishment and Application of Rapid Diagnosis for Reverse Transcription-Quantitative PCR of Newly Emerging Goose-Origin Nephrotic Astrovirus in China
Authors: Yuan Xiaoyuan , Meng Kai , Zhang Yuxia , Qi Lihong , Ai Wu , Wang Youling
Published: November 2018

Goose-origin astrovirus (GoAstV), as a newly emerging virus in 2017, is different from previously known astroviruses in the genus
Avastrovirus
. So far, few studies have focused on the novel virus. Considering the infectious development of astrovirus (AstV), we established a reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay with a strong specificity to quickly and accurately diagnose GoAstV. Confirmed by clinical application, this method can quickly and accurately detect prevalent GoAstV. The assay is thus convenient for clinical operation and is applicable to the monitoring of GoAstV disease.
Characterization of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome
mec
Elements from Methicillin-Resistant
Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
Infections in Australian Animals
Authors: Worthing Kate A. , Schwendener Sybille , Perreten Vincent , Saputra Sugiyono , Coombs Geoffrey W. , Pang Stanley , Davies Mark R. , Abraham Sam , Trott Darren J. , Norris Jacqueline M.
Published: November 2018

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius
is a significant veterinary pathogen and occasional cause of infections in humans. β-Lactams are an important group of antimicrobials used to treat staphylococcal infections in humans and animals. However, when staphylococci become methicillin resistant via the acquisition of a mobile genetic element called staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
(SCC
mec
), they become resistant to all β-lactams. This study detected a novel SCC
mec
element among a cluster of methicillin-resistant
S. pseudintermedius
isolates from animals in Australia. It also detected SCC
mec
elements in
S. pseudintermedius
that had high similarity to those identified in methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
, demonstrating how human and animal pathogens can share the same resistance determinants.
Hydroxypropyl-Beta-Cyclodextrin Reduces Inflammatory Signaling from Monocytes: Possible Implications for Suppression of HIV Chronic Immune Activation
Authors: Matassoli Flávio Lemos , Leão Ihid Carneiro , Bezerra Bruno Braz , Pollard Richard B. , Lütjohann Dieter , Hildreth James E. K. , Arruda Luciana Barros de
Published: November 2018

Chronic immune activation is a hallmark of HIV infection and is often not controlled even in patients under antiretroviral therapy. Indeed, chronic diseases with inflammatory pathogenesis are being reported as major causes of death for HIV-infected persons. Hydroxypropyl-beta cyclodextrin (HP-BCD) is a cholesterol-sequestering drug that inhibits HIV replication and infectivity
in vitro
and
in vivo
. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of cholesterol metabolism and content in different inflammatory conditions; therefore, we investigated the potential of HP-BCD as an immunomodulatory drug, regulating the activation of cells from HIV-infected patients. Treatment of monocytes with HP-BCD inhibited the expression and secretion of receptors and mediators that are usually enhanced in HIV patients. Furthermore, we investigated the molecular mechanisms associated with the immunomodulatory effect of HP-BCD. Our results indicate that, besides reducing viral replication, HP-BCD treatment may contribute to modulation of chronic immune activation associated with AIDS.
Identification of an Exceptionally Long Intron in the
HAC1
Gene of
Candida parapsilosis
Authors: Iracane Elise , Donovan Paul D. , Ola Mihaela , Butler Geraldine , Holland Linda M.
Published: November 2018

The unfolded protein response (UPR) responds to the build-up of misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum. The UPR has wide-ranging functions from fungal pathogenesis to applications in biotechnology. The UPR is regulated through the splicing of an unconventional intron in the
HAC1
gene. This intron has been described in many fungal species and is of variable length. Until now it was believed that some members of the CTG-Ser1 clade such as
C. parapsilosis
did not contain an intron in
HAC1
, suggesting that the UPR was regulated in a different manner. Here we demonstrate that
HAC1
plays an important role in regulating the UPR in
C. parapsilosis
. We also identified an unusually long intron (626 bp) in
C. parapsilosis
HAC1
. Further analysis showed that
HAC1
orthologs in several species in the CTG-Ser1 clade contain long introns.
The Buoyancy of
Cryptococcus neoformans
Is Affected by Capsule Size
Authors: Vij Raghav , Cordero Radames J. B. , Casadevall Arturo
Published: November 2018

The buoyancy of a microbial cell is an important physical characteristic that may affect its transportability in fluids and interactions with tissues during infection. The polysaccharide capsule surrounding
C. neoformans
is required for infection and dissemination in the host. Our results indicate that the capsule has a significant effect on reducing cryptococcal cell density, altering its sedimentation in seawater. Modulation of microbial cell density via encapsulation may facilitate dispersal for other important encapsulated pathogens.
Surface Exposure and Packing of Lipoproteins into Outer Membrane Vesicles Are Coupled Processes in
Bacteroides
Authors: Valguarnera Ezequiel , Scott Nichollas E. , Azimzadeh Philippe , Feldman Mario F.
Published: November 2018

Species from the
Bacteroides
genus are predominant members of the human gut microbiota. OMVs in
Bacteroides
have been shown to be important for the homeostasis of complex host-commensal relationships, mainly involving immune tolerance and protection from disease. OMVs carry many enzymatic activities involved in the cleavage of complex polysaccharides and have been proposed as public goods that can provide growth to other bacterial species by release of polysaccharide breakdown products into the gut lumen. This work shows that the presence of a negatively charged rich amino acid motif (LES) is required for efficient packing of the surface-exposed alpha-amylase SusG into OMVs. Our findings strongly suggest that surface exposure is coupled to packing of
Bacteroides
lipoproteins into OMVs. This is the first step in the generation of tailor-made probiotic interventions that can exploit LES-related sequences to generate
Bacteroides
strains displaying proteins of interest in OMVs.
Development and prospective external validation of a tool to predict poor recovery at 9 months after acute ankle sprain in UK emergency departments: the SPRAINED prognostic model
Authors: Schlussel Michael M , Keene David J , Collins Gary S , Bostock Jennifer , Byrne Christopher , Goodacre Steve , Gwilym Stephen , Hagan Daryl A , Haywood Kirstie , Thompson Jacqueline , Williams Mark A , Lamb Sarah E
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To develop and externally validate a prognostic model for poor recovery after ankle sprain.

Setting and participants

Model development used secondary data analysis of 584 participants from a UK multicentre randomised clinical trial. External validation used data from 682 participants recruited in 10 UK emergency departments for a prospective observational cohort.

Outcome and analysis

Poor recovery was defined as presence of pain, functional difficulty or lack of confidence in the ankle at 9 months after injury. Twenty-three baseline candidate predictors were included together in a multivariable logistic regression model to identify the best predictors of poor recovery. Relationships between continuous variables and the outcome were modelled using fractional polynomials. Regression parameters were combined over 50 imputed data sets using Rubin’s rule. To minimise overfitting, regression coefficients were multiplied by a heuristic shrinkage factor and the intercept re-estimated. Incremental value of candidate predictors assessed at 4 weeks after injury was explored using decision curve analysis and the baseline model updated. The final models included predictors selected based on the Akaike information criterion (p<0.157). Model performance was assessed by calibration and discrimination.

Results

Outcome rate was lower in the development (6.7%) than in the external validation data set (19.9%). Mean age (29.9 and 33.6 years), body mass index (BMI; 26.3 and 27.1 kg/m2), pain when resting (37.8 and 38.5 points) or bearing weight on the ankle (75.4 and 71.3 points) were similar in both data sets. Age, BMI, pain when resting, pain bearing weight, ability to bear weight, days from injury until assessment and injury recurrence were the selected predictors. The baseline model had fair discriminatory ability (C-statistic 0.72; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.79) but poor calibration. The updated model presented better discrimination (C-statistic 0.78; 95% CI 0.72 to 0.84), but equivalent calibration.

Conclusions

The models include predictors easy to assess clinically and show benefit when compared with not using any model.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN12726986; Results.
The effect of the branched-chain amino acids on the in-vitro activity of bovine intestinal alkaline phosphatase
Authors: Boyd Gary William , Drew Marion , Ward Shannon , Baird Marianne , Connaboy Christopher , Graham Scott Murray
Published: November 2018

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are used as nutritional support for patients with a range of conditions including liver cirrhosis and in-born errors of amino acid metabolism, and they are commonly used “sports” or exercise supplements. The effects of the BCAA on the in-vitro activity of calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (EC. 3.1.3.1) were studied. All three BCAA were found to be uncompetitive inhibitors of the enzyme with L-leucine being the most potent ([Formula: see text] = 24.9 mmol/L) and L-valine, the least potent ([Formula: see text] = 37 mmol/L). Mixed BCAA are able to act in combination to inhibit the enzyme. Given the important role of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in gut homeostasis, these findings have potential implications for those taking high levels of BCAA as supplements.
Mechanical behavior of an unsaturated clayey silt: an experimental and constitutive modelling study
Authors: Romero Enrique , Sánchez Marcelo , Gai Xuerui , Barrera Mauricio , Lloret Antonio
Published: November 2018

This paper reports an experimental study and subsequent constitutive modelling focused on the stress-strain and volumetric responses during deviatoric stress application of a partially saturated clayey silt. The material was statically and isotropically compacted at constant water content towards a pre-defined pre-consolidation stress. A series of strain-controlled triaxial compression tests on a state of the art device and isotropic experiments are presented and discussed. The triaxial tests started at the same stress state (i.e., identical matric suction and mean net stress) and were conducted at the same constant suction. Several stress paths under isotropic conditions (i.e., drying–wetting, loading–unloading, and wetting–drying) were followed to induce different overconsolidated states before shearing the specimens. The test results are initially interpreted using the elastoplastic Barcelona Basic Model (BBM). Independent tests were selected to determine the model parameters associated with the volumetric behavior of the soil. The BBM was not able to capture the dilatant behavior observed during shearing. An enhancement of the BBM is proposed in this work, which includes both, a more general hardening law and sub-loading concepts. The main capabilities and limitations of the original BBM and the enhanced model are discussed and compared. The modified BBM was able to handle the dilatancy observed in the experiments and provided a more realistic description of the experimental stress-strain response.
The anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of tadalafil in thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats
Authors: Mansour Heba M. , Salama Abeer A.A. , Abdel-Salam Rania M. , Ahmed Naglaa A. , Yassen Noha N. , Zaki Hala F.
Published: November 2018

Liver fibrosis is a health concern that leads to organ failure mediated via production of inflammatory cytokines and fibrotic biomarkers. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. Fibrosis was induced by administration of TAA (200 mg/kg, i.p.) twice weekly for 6 weeks. Serum transaminases activities, liver inflammatory cytokines, fibrotic biomarkers, and liver histopathology were assessed. TAA induced marked histopathological changes in liver tissues coupled with elevations in serum transaminases activities. Furthermore, hepatic content of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1 beta were elevated, together with a reduction of interleukin-10 in the liver. In addition, TAA increased hepatic contents of transforming growth factor-beta, hydroxyproline, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and gene expression of collagen-1. Pretreatment with tadalafil protected against TAA-induced liver fibrosis, in a dose-dependent manner, as proved by the alleviation of inflammatory and fibrotic biomarkers. The effects of tadalafil were comparable with that of silymarin, a natural antioxidant, and could be assigned to its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties.
Body size, not age, predicts parasite load in Clark’s Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus clarkii)
Authors: Watkins H.V. , Blouin-Demers G.
Published: November 2018

Determining the factors that influence parasite load is a fundamental goal of parasitology. Body size often influences parasite load in reptiles, but it is unclear whether higher levels of parasitism are a result of greater surface area of individuals (a function of size) or of longer periods of exposure to parasites (a function of age). Using skeletochronology in a wild population of Clark’s Spiny Lizards (Sceloporus clarkii Baird and Girard, 1852), we tested the hypotheses that (i) larger individuals have higher parasite loads due to increased surface area available for colonization by parasites and their vectors and that (ii) older individuals have higher parasite loads because they have had longer exposure to parasites and their vectors. Males harboured more ectoparasites than females. Males and females differed in how body size influenced chigger (Acari: Trombiculidae) load; larger males harboured more chiggers than smaller males, but this was not the case in females. Age did not affect ectoparasite load in either sex. These results emphasize the importance of disentangling the effects of size and age in models of parasitism to gain a clearer understanding of intraspecific variation in parasite load.
Do diets vary over large spatial or temporal ranges? A test using interannual and interpopulation data on Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) diets
Authors: Erazmus Kayleigh Rose , Figueras Miranda P. , Luiselli Luca , Burke Russell L.
Published: November 2018

Animal diets may vary spatially or temporally as resource availability vary. Diets of species with extensive geographic ranges often span multiple habitats, thus their diets may vary accordingly. Temporal diet variation is rarely explored because most diet studies are short term; this is problematic for long-lived species where individuals may persist as prey availability changes. We analyzed diet variation in Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin (Schoepf, 1793)), which inhabits nearly 70 000 km of United States Atlantic coastline, spanning 16.5°N latitude and 27.4°W longitude and four Köppen climatic zones, and Bermuda. We explored spatially or temporally Diamondback Terrapin diet variation, including populations from Atlantic salt marshes, an Everglades mangrove swamp, the Texas Gulf Coast, and a Caribbean golf course pond. We found remarkably high levels of similarity, indicating that although diets vary according to local prey availability, they are broadly similar at lower taxonomic resolution. Even short-term studies may be sufficient to accurately characterize diets of Diamondback Terrapins. These results are surprising given the geographic range sampled in this study and indicate that Diamondback Terrapin diets are conservative, reflecting local prey availability. Such diets apparently allow Diamondback Terrapins to exploit their extensive range and may allow Diamondback terrapin populations to persist as local prey species wax and wane.
DNA barcoding reveals insect diversity in the mangrove ecosystems of Hainan Island, China
Authors: Liu Lu , Guo Zixiao , Zhong Cairong , Shi Suhua
Published: November 2018

Insect diversity is an indicator of environmental conditions. Frequent outbreaks of mangrove pests have threatened the fragile mangrove ecosystem in China and the sustainable utilization of mangrove resources. The understanding of mangrove pests, as well as a fundamental knowledge of insect diversity, in mangrove forests in China has been hindered by the difficulty of morphological species delimitation because captured insect specimens are either larvae or incompletely preserved adults. DNA barcoding technology uses only a small amount of DNA to conduct species identification. Taking advantage of this, we investigated the entomofauna of mangrove forests on Hainan Island by using a barcode combining cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome-b (Cytb). We collected 627 specimens at six localities around the island, which were identified as 219 insect species belonging to 11 orders and 72 families. Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Hymenoptera are the most species-rich and abundant taxa. We also identified 13 mangrove pests, 5 parasitoids, and 12 species of predators.
Experimental analysis of bent electric heaters using tube freeform bending
Authors: Chang Chih-Yuan
Published: November 2018

Design of a bending die for electric heaters is time-consuming work that is done largely by skilled experienced engineers. The goal of this study is to provide an easy, low-cost experimental solution for bent electric heaters with arbitrary curvatures, instead of complicated theoretical analyses. An in-plane tube freeform-bending process with pneumatic power is used to bend the electric heater without defects. Experimental results show that the proposed bending tool is workable, although different defects may be present for Cu and Al electric heaters. To avoid bending defects, the size of the bending-roll is recommended to be more than 5.8 times greater than the diameter of the electric heater. An empirical relationship between bending curvatures and process parameters is provided for manufacturers. The applicability of the bending tool is limited to very small bending angles for hollow metal tubes.
Over-spinning Kerr–Sen black holes with test fields
Authors: Düztaş Koray
Published: November 2018

In this work, we investigate validity of the weak form of the cosmic censorship conjecture in the interaction of Kerr–Sen black holes with neutral test fields. Previous studies of the Klein–Gordon equation on Kerr–Sen background imply that superradiance occurs for scalar fields. We show that scalar fields can overspin a nearly extremal black hole into a naked singularity, but the modes that could overspin an extremal black hole are not absorbed due to superradiance. From Kerr analogy one can naively expect superradiance to be absent for fermionic fields. In such a case overspinning becomes generic and also applies to extremal Kerr–Sen black holes. This robust violation of cosmic censorship cannot be fixed by backreaction effects which are ignored in this work. These results are analogous to the Kerr case.
Collapse and expansion of scalar thin-shell for a class of black holes
Authors: Sharif M. , Javed Faisal
Published: November 2018

This paper investigates the dynamics of thin-shell in the presence of perfect fluid as well as scalar field. We formulate the equations of motion using Israel thin-shell formalism by taking the interior and exterior regions of Schwarzschild, Kerr as well as Kerr–Newmann black hole. We find numerical solutions of equations of motion and effective potential to analyze the scalar shell for collapse and expansion. It is found that the rate of collapse and expansion of scalar shell through shell’s radius depend on charge and rotation parameters. We conclude that the massive scalar shell leads to collapse of thin-shell, while massless scalar shell indicates both collapse as well as expansion.
INFLUENCE OF SUBSTRATE TEMPERATURE ON THE COMPOSITION, ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY AND INFRARED EMISSIVITY OF PtOx FILMS
Authors: KANG WENBO , ZHU DONGMEI , LU XIAOKE , HUANG ZHIBIN , ZHOU WANCHENG , LUO FA
Published: November 2018

PtOx films were deposited by direct current (DC) reactive magnetron sputtering in Ar/O2 mixture atmosphere at substrate temperatures ranging from 200∘C to 400∘C. The influence of substrate temperature on the structure, morphology, composition, electrical resistivity and infrared emissivity of PtOx films was studied. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD) results revealed that the as-deposited amorphous PtOx films were mainly composed of PtO and PtO2 phases. It was found that with the increase in the substrate temperature, the proportion of PtO phase in the films increased, while the electrical resistivity and infrared emissivity of the films decreased with the increasing substrate temperature.
Vibration-Based Damage Identification Using Wavelet Transform and a Numerical Model of Shearography
Authors: Araujo dos Santos J. V. , Katunin A. , Lopes H.
Published: November 2018

This paper presents a method for the identification of damage in plates based on the post-processing with wavelets of modal rotation fields. These modal rotation fields are obtained by use of a numerical model of shearography, which includes the simulation of noise in the data generated. The discrete wavelet transform was chosen because of its high sensitivity to perturbations in the modal rotations. Distinct damage scenarios, defined by regions where the thickness of a plate is reduced, are considered in this paper. A study on the differences in the natural frequencies and the changes in modal rotation fields due to the damage is carried out. The order of the B-spline wavelets used in the post-processing of the modal rotation fields is discussed. The damage detectability in terms of its intensity, the selected mode, and the type of rotation field and wavelet coefficient is also studied. Finally, a scheme for the damage detectability enhancement, in particular for multiple damage scenarios, is proposed.
Detection Mechanisms for Unauthorized Wireless Transmissions
Authors: Chang Doohwang , Bhat Ganapati , Ogras Umit , Bakkaloglu Bertan , Ozev Sule
Published: November 2018

With increasing diversity of supply chains from design to delivery, there is an increasing risk that unauthorized changes can be made within an IC. One of the motivations for this type of change is to learn important information (such as encryption keys, spreading codes) from the hardware, and transmit this information to a malicious party. To evade detection, such unauthorized communication can be hidden within legitimate bursts of transmit signal. In this article, we present several signal processing techniques to detect unauthorized transmissions which can be hidden within the legitimate signal. We employ a scheme where the legitimate transmission is configured to emit a single sinusoidal waveform. We use time and spectral domain analysis techniques to explore the transmit spectrum. Since every transmission, no matter how low the signal power is, must have a spectral signature, we identify unauthorized transmission by eliminating the desired signal from the spectrum after capture. Experiment results show that when spread spectrum techniques are used, the presence of an unauthorized signal can be determined without the need for decoding the malicious signal. The proposed detection techniques need to be used as enhancements to the regular testing and verification procedures if hardware security is a concern.
Repression of adipose vascular endothelial growth factor reduces obesity through adipose browning
Authors: Chen Yang , Zhao Mingyue , Zheng Tingting , Adlat Salah , Jin Honghong , Wang Chenhao , Li Dan , Zaw Myint May Zun , Yao Yapeng , Xu Liu , San Mingjun , Wen Huaizhen , Zhang Yuntao , Lu Xiaodan , Yang Ling , Zhang Luqing , Feng Xuechao , Zheng Yaowu
Published: November 2018

Obesity is the result of excessive energy accumulation and is associated with many diseases. We previously reported that universal repression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) leads to brown-like adipocyte development in white adipose tissues, and that these mice are resistant to obesity (Lu X et al. Endocrinology 153: 3123–3132, 2012). Using an adipose-specific VEGF repression mouse model (aP2-rtTR-krabtg/+/VEGFtetO/tetO), we show that adipose-specific VEGF repression can repeat the previous phenotypes, including adipose browning, increased energy consumption, and reduction in body weight. Expression of brown adipose-associated genes is increased, and white adipose-associated genes are downregulated under VEGF repression. Our study demonstrates that adipose-specific VEGF repression can lead to antiobesity activity through adipose browning and has potential clinical value.
Assessment of Bearing Dynamic Characteristics by Numerical Modeling with Effects of Oil Film and Centrifugal Deformation
Authors: Yu Jie , Yuan Wei , Li Songsheng , Yao Wenbing
Published: November 2018

This paper developed a modified quasi-static model (MQSM), considering the oil film thickness between the bearing parts and the centrifugal deformation of the inner ring, and contrasting with traditional quasi-static model (TQSM), to analyze the dynamic characteristics of spindle bearing. The model was verified with the experimental results. A systematic parametric analysis was made to investigate the influence of applied load, inner ring rotation speed (ni), and the radius coefficient of groove curvature (RCR) on the contact load, contact angle, and heat generating rate. The results show that there is a smaller influence on the contact load, contact angle, and heat generation of bearing with the changes of ni and axial load (Fa) of bearing in the case of MQSM and TQSM. But the radial load (Fr) and RCR have great influence on this.