bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On the calculation of reflectance in non-uniform ear canals
Authors: Nørgaard Kren Rahbek , Charaziak Karolina K. , Shera Christopher A.
Published: August 2019

Ear-canal reflectance is useful for quantifying the conductive status of the middle ear because it can be measured non-invasively at a distance from the tympanic membrane. Deriving the ear-canal reflectance requires decomposing the total acoustic pressure into its forward- and reverse-propagating components. This decomposition is conveniently achieved using formulas that involve the input and characteristic impedances of the ear canal. The characteristic impedance is defined as the ratio of sound pressure to volume flow of a propagating wave and, for uniform waveguides, the plane-wave characteristic impedance is a real-valued constant. However, in non-uniform waveguides, the characteristic impedances are complex-valued quantities, depend on the direction of propagation, and more accurately characterize a propagating wave in a non-uniform ear canal. In this paper, relevant properties of the plane-wave and spherical-wave characteristic impedances are reviewed. In addition, the utility of the plane-wave and spherical-wave reflectances in representing the reflection occurring due to the middle ear, calibrating stimulus levels, and characterizing the emitted pressure in simulated non-uniform ear canals is investigated and compared.
JLP-centrosome is essential for the microtubule-mediated nucleocytoplasmic transport induced by extracellular stimuli
Authors: Lee Clement M. , Aizawa Ken , Jiang Joshua , Kung Sam K. P. , Jain Rinku
Published: August 2019

JLP and centrosomes are essential for the protein transport between the cytoplasm and nucleus induced by external stimuli.
Increased soluble TREM2 in cerebrospinal fluid is associated with reduced cognitive and clinical decline in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Ewers Michael , Franzmeier Nicolai , Suárez-Calvet Marc , Morenas-Rodriguez Estrella , Caballero Miguel Angel Araque , Kleinberger Gernot , Piccio Laura , Cruchaga Carlos , Deming Yuetiva , Dichgans Martin , Trojanowski John Q. , Shaw Leslie M. , Weiner Michael W. , Haass Christian ,   Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: August 2019

Higher CSF sTREM2 concentrations are associated with slower rates of cognitive decline in subjects with Alzheimer’s disease.
Modeling endometrial disease using organoids
Authors: Montero Joan
Published: August 2019

Organoids generated from patient-derived endometrial tissue model the pathophysiology of endometrial disease and can be used for drug screening.
More than a gut feeling
Authors: Ozcan Lale
Published: August 2019

Intestinal IgA contributes to high-fat diet feeding–induced glucose intolerance.
Comparative Antibiofilm Efficacy of Meropenem Alone and in Combination with Colistin in an
In Vitro
Pharmacodynamic Model by Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Ribera Alba , Benavent Eva , El-Haj Cristina , Gomez-Junyent Joan , Tubau Fe , Rigo-Bonnin Raul , Ariza Javier , Murillo Oscar
Published: August 2019

We compared the efficacies of meropenem alone and in combination with colistin against two strains of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
, using an
in vitro
pharmacodynamic model that mimicked two different biofilm conditions. Meropenem monotherapy achieved remarkable efficacy (even a bactericidal effect) under all conditions, whereas colistin was almost inactive and resistance emerged.
Determination of Pharmacodynamic Target Exposures for Rezafungin against Candida tropicalis and Candida dubliniensis in the Neutropenic Mouse Disseminated Candidiasis Model
Authors: Lepak Alexander J. , Zhao Miao , Andes David R.
Published: August 2019

Rezafungin (CD101) is a novel echinocandin under development for once-weekly intravenous (i.v.) dosing. We evaluated the pharmacodynamics (PD) of rezafungin against 4
Candida tropicalis
and 4
Candida dubliniensis
strains, using the neutropenic mouse invasive candidiasis model. The area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)/MIC was a robust predictor of efficacy (
R
2
= 0.93 and 0.72, respectively).
Emergence of Plasmodium vivax Resistance to Chloroquine in French Guiana
Authors: Musset Lise , Heugas Christophe , Naldjinan Richard , Blanchet Denis , Houze Pascal , Abboud Philippe , Volney Béatrice , Walter Gaëlle , Lazrek Yassamine , Epelboin Loïc , Pelleau Stephane , Ringwald Pascal , Legrand Eric , Demar Magalie , Djossou Félix
Published: August 2019

In South America,
Plasmodium vivax
resistance to chloroquine was recently reported in Brazil and Bolivia. The objective of this study was to collect data on chloroquine resistance in French Guiana by associating a retrospective evaluation of therapeutic efficacy with an analysis of recurrent parasitemia from any patients. Patients with
P. vivax
infection, confirmed by microscopy and a body temperature of ≥37.5°C, were retrospectively identified at Cayenne Hospital between 2009 and 2015.
Public Microbial Resource Centers: Key Hubs for Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) Microorganisms and Genetic Materials
Authors: Becker P. , Bosschaerts M. , Chaerle P. , Daniel H.-M. , Hellemans A. , Olbrechts A. , Rigouts L. , Wilmotte A. , Hendrickx M.
Published: August 2019

In the context of open science, the availability of research materials is essential for knowledge accumulation and to maximize the impact of scientific research. In microbiology, microbial domain biological resource centers (mBRCs) have long-standing experience in preserving and distributing authenticated microbial strains and genetic materials (e.g., recombinant plasmids and DNA libraries) to support new discoveries and follow-on studies.
Long-Term Culture of Giardia lamblia in Cell Culture Medium Requires Intimate Association with Viable Mammalian Cells
Authors: Nash Theodore E.
Published: August 2019

Giardia lambliais usually cultured axenically in TYI-S-33, a complex medium which does not permit survival and growth of mammalian cells. Likewise, medium commonly used to maintain and grow mammalian cells does not support healthy trophozoite survival for more than a few hours. The inability to coculture trophozoites and epithelial cells under optimal conditions limits studies of their interactions as well as interpretation of results.
A Recombinant Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1a E1/E2 Envelope Glycoprotein Vaccine Elicits Antibodies That Differentially Neutralize Closely Related 2a Strains through Interactions of the N-Terminal Hypervariable Region 1 of E2 with Scavenger Receptor B1
Authors: Johnson Janelle , Freedman Holly , Logan Michael , Wong Jason Alexander Ji-Xhin , Hockman Darren , Chen Chao , He Jianqi , Beard Michael R. , Eyre Nicholas S. , Baumert Thomas F. , Tyrrell D. Lorne , Law John L. M. , Houghton Michael
Published: August 2019

A vaccine is still urgently needed to overcome the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic. It is estimated that 1.75 million new HCV infections occur each year, many of which will go undiagnosed and untreated. Untreated HCV can lead to continued spread of the disease, progressive liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually, end-stage liver disease and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previously, our 1a E1/E2 glycoprotein vaccine was shown to elicit broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies; however, there remains variation in the effectiveness of these antibodies against different HCV genotypes. In this study, we investigated determinants of differential neutralization sensitivity between two highly related genotype 2a isolates, J6 and JFH-1. Our data indicate that the HVR1 region determines neutralization sensitivity to vaccine antisera through modulation of sensitivity to antibodies and interactions with SR-B1. Our results provide additional insight into optimizing a broadly neutralizing HCV vaccine.
RNase L Antiviral Activity Is Not a Critical Component of the Oas1b-Mediated Flavivirus Resistance Phenotype
Authors: Madden J. C. , Cui Dan , Brinton M. A.
Published: August 2019

The mouse genome encodes a family of Oas proteins that synthesize 2′-5′A in response to dsRNA. 2′-5′A activates the endonuclease RNase L to cleave single-stranded viral and cellular RNAs. The inactive, full-length Oas1b protein confers flavivirus-specific disease resistance. Although similar numbers of neurons were infected in resistant and susceptible brains after an intracranial virus infection, viral components amplified only in susceptible brains at later times. A line of resistant RNase L
−/−
mice was used to evaluate the contribution of RNase L to the resistance phenotype
in vivo
. Activation of RNase L antiviral activity by flavivirus infection was indicated by increased viral RNA levels in the brains of RNase L
−/−
mice.
Oas1a
and
Oas1b
mRNA levels were higher in infected RNase L
−/−
mice, indicating that activated RNase L also have a proflaviviral affect. However, the resistance phenotype was equally robust in RNase L
−/−
and RNase L
+/+
mice.
Genome Sequence of a Novel Enterococcus faecalis Sequence Type 922 Strain Isolated from a Door Handle in the Intensive Care Unit of a District Hospital in Durban, South Africa
Authors: Shobo Christiana O. , Amoako Daniel G. , Allam Mushal , Ismail Arshad , Essack Sabiha Y. , Bester Linda A.
Published: August 2019

Herein, we highlight the genome sequence of a novel
Enterococcus faecalis
sequence type 922 (ST922) strain isolated in South Africa. The 3,564,442-bp genome harbored defense systems, a resistome, a virulome, and genetic support, which is of importance to the control of hospital-acquired infections. The genomics of
Enterococcus faecalis
yields greater understanding into its pathogenesis.
Near-Full-Length Genome Sequence of a Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus of Serotype Southern African Territories 2 Isolated from Nigeria in 2014
Authors: Fish Ian H. , Vierra David , Ehizibolo David O. , Palinski Rachel , Bertram Miranda R. , Pauszek Steven J. , Hartwig Ethan J. , Smoliga George R. , Arzt Jonathan
Published: August 2019

We report a near-full-length genome sequence of a foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) of serotype Southern African Territories 2 (SAT 2), topotype VII, isolated from cattle during an FMDV outbreak in Bauchi State, Nigeria, in October 2014. This provides the first SAT 2 near-full-length genome sequence from West Africa and contributes to our understanding of viral spread and evolution.
Draft Genome Sequences of 11 Lactobacillus jensenii Strains Isolated from the Female Bladder
Authors: Putonti Catherine , Ahmad Ayesha , Baddoo Genevieve , Diaz Jessica , Do Michele , Gallian Noreen , Lorentzen Collin , Mohammed Heena , Murphy Jodi , Olu-Ajeigbe Adetokunbo , Yang Taylor , Miller-Ensminger Taylor , Stark Nicole , Maskeri Laura , Van Dusen John , Wolfe Alan J.
Published: August 2019

Lactobacillus jensenii
, a protective bacterium in the vaginal microbiota, is also a member of the female urinary tract community. Here, we report 11 genome sequences of
L. jensenii
strains isolated from catheterized urine from women. This effort greatly increases our knowledge of the genetic diversity of this species within the bladder.
Initiating resuscitation before umbilical cord clamping in infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia: a pilot feasibility trial
Authors: Foglia Elizabeth E , Ades Anne , Hedrick Holly L , Rintoul Natalie , Munson David A , Moldenhauer Julie , Gebb Juliana , Serletti Bonnie , Chaudhary Aasma , Weinberg Danielle D , Napolitano Natalie , Fraga María Victoria , Ratcliffe Sarah J
Published: August 2019

Background

Infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) often experience hypoxaemia with acidosis immediately after birth. The traditional approach in the delivery room is immediate cord clamping followed by intubation. Initiating resuscitation prior to umbilical cord clamping (UCC) may support this transition.

Objectives

To establish the safety and feasibility of intubation and ventilation prior to UCC for infants with CDH. To compare short-term outcomes between trial participants and matched controls treated with immediate cord clamping before intubation and ventilation.

Design

Single-arm, single-site trial of infants with CDH and gestational age ≥36 weeks. Infants were placed on a trolley immediately after birth and underwent intubation and ventilation, with UCC performed after qualitative CO2 detection. The primary feasibility endpoint was successful intubation prior to UCC. Prespecified safety and physiological outcomes were compared with historical controls matched for prognostic variables using standard bivariate tests.

Results

Of 20 enrolled infants, all were placed on the trolley, and 17 (85%) infants were intubated before UCC. The first haemoglobin and mean blood pressure at 1 hour of life were significantly higher in trial participants than controls. There were no significant differences between groups for subsequent blood pressure values, vasoactive medications, inhaled nitric oxide or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Blood gas and oxygenation index values did not differ between groups at any point.

Conclusions

Intubation and ventilation prior to UCC is safe and feasible among infants with CDH. The impact of this approach on clinically relevant outcomes deserves investigation in a randomised trial.
Prevalence and risk factors for outer retinal layer damage after macula-off retinal detachment
Authors: Malosse Laure , Rousseau Hélène , Baumann Cédric , Angioi Karine , Leroy Bertrand , Sennlaub Florian , Berrod Jean-Paul , Conart Jean-Baptiste
Published: August 2019

Purpose

To report the prevalence of outer retinal layer (ORL) damage after macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgery and to determine its associated preoperative risk factors.

Methods

253 eyes successfully operated for macula-off RRD were included in the study. The integrity of the external limiting membrane (ELM), ellipsoid zone (EZ) and cone interdigitation zone (CIZ) of the photoreceptors was assessed at 1 month and 6 months using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Risk factors were analysed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. The correlation between ORL integrity and visual outcomes was also evaluated.

Results

CIZ, EZ and ELM defects were found in, respectively, 198 (93.4%) eyes, 100 (47.2%) eyes, 64 (30.2%) eyes at 1 month and in 160 (63.2%) eyes, 44 (17.4%) eyes and 18 (7.1%) eyes at 6 months. In multivariate analysis, duration of macular detachment was the only factor associated with ORL damage at 6 months (p=0.007). Best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved from 0.5±0.3 at 1 month to 0.3±0.3 logarithm of minimal angle of resolution at 6 months (p<0.001) and was strongly correlated with the number of affected bands (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Prevalence of outer retinal band defects substantially decreased through the study period, confirming the ability of photoreceptors to recover over time. However, shorter interval to surgery and better visual outcomes were significantly associated with fewer defects within the ORL at 6 months. These findings suggest that earlier surgery may limit RRD-associated photoreceptor degeneration and improve the patient’s visual prognosis.
S-Vest: a novel hybrid method to allow standardised patients to put on the objective physical examination findings of a disease
Authors: Berg Dale , Berg Katherine
Published: August 2019

Background

Simulation hybrids combine single modality simulation such as simulated patients (SP) with low-fidelity simulation to create a potentially more powerful set of educational tools. To make a hybrid that is credible, standardised and inexpensive remains a challenge. We describe the development of the simulation vest (S-Vest), an inexpensive, standardised teaching tool that is ‘worn’ by an SP to form a hybrid.

Methods

We have created a vest which contains a set of speakers placed in an anatomical manner and produce sounds. The sounds played from a multitrack audio player are recorded in vivo from a patient with the real disease findings. The SP provides history while the vest provides the objective palpable and auscultatory findings. The speakers are placed in the routine standardised locations taught in physical examination.

Results

We have developed several case scenarios designed for the vest. One of these cases is an elderly patient with aortic stenosis. The aortic stenosis case audio file has four unique tracks recorded over the precordium. Each track is played at the speaker appropriate to the physical exam findings. The SP plays an elderly man with chest pain. The vest provides the sounds of a loud systolic murmur with marked diminishment of S2 and a palpable thrill.

Conclusions

The S-Vest is a low-fidelity, low-cost simulator to use in hybrid and simulation. The S-Vest can be used in a formative and summative Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) station and in skills attainment for learners in healthcare. We believe these tools will be of significant import to teaching clinical skills.
Co-creation and co-production in health service delivery: what is it and what impact can it have?
Authors: Wolstenholme Daniel , Kidd Lisa , Swift Amelia
Published: August 2019

EBN engages through a range of online social media activities to debate issues important to nurses and nursing. EBN Opinion papers highlight and expand on these debates.
Is the exclusion of psychiatric patients from access to physician-assisted suicide discriminatory?
Authors: Hatherley Joshua James
Published: August 2019

Advocates of physician-assisted suicide (PAS) often argue that, although the provision of PAS is morally permissible for persons with terminal, somatic illnesses, it is impermissible for patients suffering from psychiatric conditions. This claim is justified on the basis that psychiatric illnesses have certain morally relevant characteristics and/or implications that distinguish them from their somatic counterparts. In this paper, I address three arguments of this sort. First, that psychiatric conditions compromise a person’s decision-making capacity. Second, that we cannot have sufficient certainty that a person’s psychiatric condition is untreatable. Third, that the institutionalisation of PAS for mental illnesses presents morally unacceptable risks. I argue that, if we accept that PAS is permissible for patients with somatic conditions, then none of these three arguments are strong enough to demonstrate that the exclusion of psychiatric patients from access to PAS is justifiable.
Active smoking, secondhand smoke exposure and serum cotinine levels among Cheyenne River Sioux communities in context of a Tribal Public Health Policy
Authors: O'Donald Elena R. , Miller Curtis P. , O'Leary Rae , Ong Jennifer , Pacheco Bernadette , Foos Kathryne , Enright Kendra , O'Leary Marcia , Nez Henderson Patricia , Lewis Johnnye , Erdei Esther , Henderson Jeffrey A.
Published: August 2019

Introduction

American Indians and Alaska Natives face disproportionately high rates of smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure. The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) is among the few Tribal Nations controlling commercial tobacco exposures in public and work places. We had an opportunity to explore effects of the new commercial tobacco-free policy (implemented in 2015) in an environmental health study (2014–2016) that collected information about commercial tobacco use and SHS prevalence and examined predictor variables of serum cotinine concentrations.

Methods

Self-reported survey data were used in quantile regression statistical modelling to explore changes in cotinine levels, based on smoking status, smokeless tobacco consumption and SHS exposure.

Results

From enrolled 225 adults, 51% (N=114) were current smokers. Among 88 non-tobacco users, 35 (40%) reported current SHS exposure. Significant differences in cotinine median concentrations were found among participants with and without current SHS exposure. Extremely high cotinine concentrations (~100 times larger than the median) were detected in some non-tobacco users. After implementing the new smoke-free air Tribal policy, cotinine decreased in participants with intermediate (3–15 ng/mL, non-tobacco users with SHS exposure) and high (>15 ng/mL, mainly tobacco users) cotinine levels showing association with an abatement of opportunities for SHS exposure. Significant predictors of cotinine levels were sampling year, current smoking and tobacco chewing. No gender differences were observed in cotinine.

Conclusions

Our results show decrease in cotinine concentrations in CRST participants since implementation of their ‘Smoke-Free Clean Air Act’ in 2015.
Effects of inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway on the pain of sciatic endometriosis in a rat model
Authors: Liu Yan , Qin Xuying , Lu Xiaofen , Jiang Jie
Published: August 2019

This study investigated the relationship between the pain of sciatic endometriosis and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signaling pathway. Adult female Sprague–Dawley rats successfully received sciatic endometriosis induction. Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency were recorded to assess the mechanical hypersensitivity and thermal hyperalgesia. Quantitative real-time PCR, Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to detect PI3K, Akt, and mTOR expressions and their phosphorylation as well as the expressions of substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and nerve growth factor (NGF). Mechanical paw withdrawal threshold and paw withdrawal latency significantly decreased after sciatic endometriosis induction in rats; this decrease was ameliorated by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway using LY294002. Compared with controls, rats with sciatic endometriosis showed increased PI3K, Akt, and mTOR expressions and elevated p-PI3K, p-Akt, and p-mTOR protein expressions. Higher NGF, substance P, and CGRP expressions were also found in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord in rats with sciatic endometriosis than in control rats 21 days after surgery. Following the injection of LY294002 into rats with sciatic endometriosis, there was a significant decrease in the expressions of NGF, substance P, and CGRP. In conclusion, the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway may alleviate endometriosis-associated sciatic nerve pain in a rat model of sciatic endometriosis.
Analysis of weighted p-harmonic forms and applications
Authors: Dung Nguyen Thac , Sung Chiung-Jue Anna
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we study weighted [Formula: see text]-harmonic forms on smooth metric measure space [Formula: see text] with a weighted Sobolev or a weighted Poincaré inequality. When [Formula: see text] is constant, we derive a splitting theorem for Kähler manifolds with maximal bottom spectrum for the [Formula: see text]-Laplacian. For general [Formula: see text] we also obtain various splitting and vanishing theorems when the weighted curvature operator of [Formula: see text] is bounded below. As applications, we conclude Liouville property for weighted [Formula: see text]-harmonic functions and [Formula: see text]-harmonic maps.
EFFECTS OF CAPITAL INFLOWS ON FISCAL BALANCE IN AN EMERGING ECONOMY: EVIDENCE FROM PAKISTAN
Authors: ZAKARIA MUHAMMAD , JUN WEN , KHAN AROOJ
Published: August 2019

This paper examines the effect of capital inflows on fiscal deficit in an emerging economy of Pakistan. To obtain this objective, a fiscal deficit model is estimated using annual data for the period 1984–2017. The model is estimated using Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique. Three measures of capital inflow variables are taken, i.e., remittances, foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign debt. The findings reveal that capital inflows increase fiscal deficit in the country. The findings show that 1% increase in remittances will increase fiscal deficit by 0.312%, while 1% increase in FDI will deteriorate budget deficit by 0.250%. Similarly, 1% increase in foreign debt will worsen fiscal balance by 0.073%. Remittances and FDI have more effect on fiscal deficit compared to foreign debt. It implies that both remittances and foreign debt deteriorate fiscal balance in the country more than foreign debt. The study suggests that remittances, FDI and foreign debt should be used for productive purposes as they will help in improving fiscal balance in the country.
Homotopy of braids on surfaces: Extending Goldsmith’s answer to Artin
Authors: De Lima Juliana Roberta Theodoro
Published: August 2019

In 1947, in the paper “Theory of Braids,” Artin raised the question of whether isotopy and homotopy of braids on the disk coincide. Twenty seven years later, Goldsmith answered his question: she proved that in fact the group structures are different, exhibiting a group presentation and showing that the homotopy braid group on the disk is a proper quotient of the Artin braid group on the disk [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we extend Goldsmith’s answer to Artin for closed, connected and orientable surfaces different from the sphere. More specifically, we define the notion of homotopy generalized string links on surfaces, which form a group which is a proper quotient of the braid group on a surface [Formula: see text], denoting it by [Formula: see text]. We then give a presentation of the group [Formula: see text] and find that the Goldsmith presentation is a particular case of our main result, when we consider the surface [Formula: see text] to be the disk. We close with a brief discussion surrounding the importance of having such a fixed construction available in the literature.
Projectile fragmentation study in peripheral collision for the interaction of the 84Kr with nuclear emulsion at relativistic energy
Authors: Singh M. K. , Singh U. , Bhatnagar N. , Singh V.
Published: August 2019

This paper focuses on the emission characteristics of single-, double- and multi-charged projectile fragments in the interaction of [Formula: see text]Kr with nuclear emulsion in peripheral collision at relativistic energy. We have also studied the variation of the average multiplicity of multi-charged projectile fragments with respect to the mass of the projectile beam, which reveals that the average multiplicity of multiple charge fragments increases with an increase in the mass of projectile beam. The results are consistent with other experimental observations.
EFFECTS OF Pd2+ CONCENTRATION ON THE STRUCTURAL PROPERTY OF NICKEL-PLATED PLANT FIBER NON-WOVEN SHEET
Authors: QIN GUANGCHAO , LIU YOUHAO , ZHANG YU , CHEN HAODONG , DING CAN , LIU JUNFEI , CHENG BIN , CHEN ZHENMING , HUANG JUNJUN
Published: August 2019

In this work, a facile method combined with PdCl2 solution immersing and electroless deposition to fabricate nickel-plated plant fiber non-woven sheet is demonstrated. The effect of [Formula: see text] concentration on the structural property of plated sheet was investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that increasing activated time and PdCl2 concentration would facilitate the enhancement of Pd-adsorbed amount on the substrate surface. It would facilitate the deposition of nickel atom, the reduction of the surface electrical resistivity and the crystallization of plated coating due to the high catalytic sites. In addition, the lowest PdCl2 effective concentration was reduced with the increased of activated time.
Entropy hemodynamics particle-fluid suspension model through eccentric catheterization for time-variant stenotic arterial wall: Catheter injection
Authors: Mekheimer Kh. S. , Zaher A. Z. , Abdellateef A. I.
Published: August 2019

Catheterization has an imperative rule in heat transfer investigations, which are frequently applied to analyze and deal with the heart transfer studies. Here, the entering of a catheter adjusts the flow of the blood and it affects the hemodynamic status in the artery region. In practical clinical cases, catheters cannot be precisely concentric with the artery. The impartial of this work is to investigate the behavior of a blood streaming characteristics, in the case of injecting the catheter eccentrically all the way through a stenotic overlapping artery. In this paper, we consider the heat transfer within the presence of blood corpuscle which has been characterized by a macroscopic two-phase model (i.e. a suspension of erythrocytes in plasma). The model here considers the blood fluid as a liquid fluid with adjourned particles in the gap bounded by the eccentric cylinder. The inside cylinder is identically rigid demonstrating the movable thin catheter and kept at constant temperature, where the outer cylinder is a taper cylinder demonstrating the artery that has overlapping stenosis and it is cooled and maintained at zero temperature. The coupled differential equations for both fluid (plasma) and particle (erythrocyte) phases have been solved. The expressions for the flow characteristics, namely, the flow rate, the impedance (resistance to flow), the wall shear stress and the temperature distribution, have been derived. The model is very useful in medicine, where the hemodynamic speed is higher for eccentric case than that of concentric one. Also, the temperature distribution and the entropy generation in the state of eccentric position are higher than in the case of the concentric position. A significant increase in the magnitude of the impedance and the wall shear stress occurs for an increase in the hematocrit, C for diseased blood.
Thermodynamic and observational constraints of DGP braneworld in the light of nonlinear electrodynamics
Authors: Chetry Binod , Dutta Jibitesh , Debnath Ujjal , Khyllep Wompherdeiki
Published: August 2019

This paper deals with the study of the effect of Maxwell’s nonlinear electrodynamics (NLED) in the framework of Dvali–Gabadadze–Porrati (DGP) brane gravity for Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) Universe. Recently, the Hawking temperature and Bekenstein entropy have been modified for the validity of the thermodynamical laws at the event horizon. In this context, we test the validity of the generalized second law of thermodynamics (GSLT) at the apparent and event horizons. Here, the entropy of the horizon has been extracted for the following two cases: (i) by assuming the first law of thermodynamics (ii) by using modified entropy-area relation. In the case of apparent horizon, we consider the usual Hawking temperature. On the other hand, in the case of event horizon, we consider the modified Hawking temperature. Next, we discuss the geometrical parameters (deceleration, statefinder parameters and [Formula: see text] diagnostic) to explore the expansion of the accelerating Universe. From the general expression of GSLT, we find that for the apparent horizon, the GSLT always holds for any choice of model parameters in both the branches of the DGP model. However, the null energy condition must satisfy for the plausibility of GSLT at the event horizon. Finally, we use the recent observational data from Stern datasets, Baryon Acoustic Oscillations (BAO), Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) and Type Ia Supernovae (SNIa) observations to hold down the model parameters. Our analysis reveals that the DGP braneworld is free from classical instability issues and also cannot be ruled out by present thermodynamical and observational constraints.
Bredon cohomological dimension for virtually abelian stabilisers for CAT(0) groups
Authors: Prytuła Tomasz
Published: August 2019

Given a discrete group [Formula: see text], for any integer [Formula: see text] we consider the family of all virtually abelian subgroups of [Formula: see text] of rank at most [Formula: see text]. We give an upper bound for the Bredon cohomological dimension of [Formula: see text] for this family for a certain class of groups acting on [Formula: see text] spaces. This covers the case of Coxeter groups, Right-angled Artin groups, fundamental groups of special cube complexes and graph products of finite groups. Our construction partially answers a question of Lafont.
Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite ‘Blanco Cristal’: a widely used heritage stone from Spain
Authors: Freire-Lista David M. , Fort Rafael
Published: August 2019

Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite is extracted from the Sierra de Guadarrama (Spanish Central System) under the trade name ‘Blanco Cristal’. It is a fine- to medium-grained, hypidiomorphic and equigranular building stone that has been used in many heritage buildings, such as the Villena Palace (1534). The current annual production of Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite is approximately 8000 m
3
, of which 40% is exported around the world. It has been used in places such as the Vieux-Port in Marseille (France), Cork International Airport (Ireland) and the Puri EXIM Bank of Jakarta (Indonesia) among others. It is currently being used in the construction of the iconic tower of Jesus Christ of the Sagrada Familia Basilica, in Barcelona (Spain). Cadalso de los Vidrios leucogranite Blanco Cristal has excellent petrophysical properties, a uniform colour and good resistance to thermal shock and freezing temperatures. These qualities make Blanco Cristal an ideal material for monuments and buildings.
Relativistic Jets from Active Galactic Nuclei
Authors: Blandford Roger , Meier David , Readhead Anthony
Published: August 2019

The nuclei of most normal galaxies contain supermassive black holes, which can accrete gas through a disk and become active. These active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can form jets that are observed on scales from astronomical units to megaparsecs and from meter wavelengths to TeV energies. High-resolution radio imaging and multiwavelength/messenger campaigns are elucidating the conditions under which this happens. Evidence is presented that: ▪ Relativistic AGN jets are formed when the black hole spins and the the accretion disk is strongly magnetized, perhaps on account of gas accreting at high latitude beyond the black hole sphere of influence. ▪ AGN jets are collimated close to the black hole by magnetic stress associated with a disk wind. ▪ Higher-power jets can emerge from their galactic nuclei in a relativistic, supersonic, and proton-dominated state, and they terminate in strong, hot spot shocks; lower-power jets are degraded to buoyant plumes and bubbles. ▪ Jets may accelerate protons to EeV energies, which contribute to the cosmic ray spectrum and may initiate pair cascades that can efficiently radiate synchrotron γ-rays. ▪ Jets were far more common when the Universe was a few billion years old and black holes and massive galaxies were growing rapidly. ▪ Jets can have a major influence on their environments, stimulating and limiting the growth of galaxies. The observational prospects for securing our understanding of AGN jets are bright.
Nancy Grace Roman and the Dawn of Space Astronomy
Authors: Roman Nancy Grace
Published: August 2019

Dear readers: We are sad to report that, soon after submitting her draft manuscript for this prefatory chapter, Nancy Grace Roman passed away on December 25, 2018. This final version of her memoir has been lightly edited but remains very true to the original. However, an Abstract was missing. Rather than trying to synthesize one in Nancy Grace's inimitable style, we take this opportunity to comment briefly on her life and its significance.

Nancy Grace Roman was born in 1925 and came of age scientifically in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s. Together with the equally fascinating prefatory by Vera Rubin ( ARAA, Vol. 49), which we also recommend to you, these two memoirs give us intimate insight into the obstacles faced by women astronomers trying to rise in the field during those years. Roman's memoir is bitingly candid, recounting numerous snubs by teachers, insultingly small salaries, and attempts by her thesis advisor to simultaneously exploit her scientific findings and smother her role in them. Discouragement at every turn from doing forefront research is what drove Roman into government service, where she found a niche and blossomed as one of the visionary founders of the US civilian space program. We do not know what impact Roman might have had as a researcher with access to the world's largest telescopes, but we do know that her influence as an enabler of other people's science was vast. Her sobriquet as the “Mother of Hubble,” bestowed by admirer Ed Weiler, is well deserved.

Nancy Grace granted an audio interview to Joss Bland-Hawthorn on August 4, 2018, just a few months before her passing. It captures her persona more vividly than mere words on paper, and we recommend the online recording to you at https://www.annualreviews.org/r/nancy-grace-roman-interview .
Aeroacoustics of Silent Owl Flight
Authors: Jaworski Justin W. , Peake N.
Published: August 2019

The ability of some species of owl to fly in effective silence is unique among birds and provides a distinct hunting advantage, but it remains a mystery as to exactly what aspects of the owl and its flight are responsible for this dramatic noise reduction. Crucially, this mystery extends to how the flow physics may be leveraged to generate noise-reduction strategies for wider technological application. We review current knowledge of aerodynamic noise from owls, ranging from live owl noise measurements to mathematical modeling and experiments focused on how owls may disrupt the standard routes of noise generation. Specialized adaptations and foraging strategies are not uniform across all owl species: Some species may not have need for silent flight, or their evolutionary adaptations may not be effective for useful noise reduction for certain species. This hypothesis is examined using mathematical models and borne out where possible by noise measurements and morphological observations of owl feathers and wings.
Promoting student engagement and academic achievement in first-year anatomy and physiology courses
Authors: Reinke Nicole B.
Published: August 2019

Students from three undergraduate programs at James Cook University, Queensland, Australia, studying combined first-year anatomy and physiology courses, showed different academic achievement in physiology. Physiotherapy students were more active and social when completing learning tasks and achieved significantly higher grades in physiology compared with students enrolled in Sport and Exercise Science and Occupational Therapy programs. To promote academic engagement and achievement by all three groups, discussion questions, case studies, and study guides were included. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using these modified resources to promote active learning, enhance academic social interactions, and provide a supportive learning environment. The occupational therapy students showed increased academic achievement (from 57.9 to 66.5%) following implementation of the new resources, but there was no change in the already high-performing physiotherapy students (73.1%) and, more concerningly, the sport and exercise science students (from 54.6 to 56.7%). Fewer sport and exercise science students had prior learning in chemistry (30.4% of participants) and also spent little time outside class studying (8 h/wk), compared with the physiotherapy cohort (70.0% chemistry; 13 h/wk studying). Findings of this research demonstrate that creating a supportive and active learning environment are important factors in promoting the learning of physiology for some cohorts. Background knowledge, academic self-regulatory skills, and the experience of teaching staff are factors that must be considered when endeavoring to increase student academic achievement. Future studies should examine the effect of students’ academic self-regulation and the use of remedial chemistry classes when learning physiology.
Identification of the intermediate filament protein synemin/SYNM as a target of myocardin family coactivators
Authors: Swärd Karl , Krawczyk Katarzyna K. , Morén Björn , Zhu Baoyi , Matic Ljubica , Holmberg Johan , Hedin Ulf , Uvelius Bengt , Stenkula Karin , Rippe Catarina
Published: August 2019

Myocardin (MYOCD) is a critical regulator of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation, but its transcriptional targets remain to be exhaustively characterized, especially at the protein level. Here we leveraged human RNA and protein expression data to identify novel potential MYOCD targets. Using correlation analyses we found several targets that we could confirm at the protein level, including SORBS1, SLMAP, SYNM, and MCAM. We focused on SYNM, which encodes the intermediate filament protein synemin. SYNM rivalled smooth muscle myosin ( MYH11) for SMC specificity and was controlled at the mRNA and protein levels by all myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, and MRTF-B/MKL2). MRTF activity is regulated by the ratio of filamentous to globular actin, and SYNM was accordingly reduced by interventions that depolymerize actin, such as latrunculin treatment and overexpression of constitutively active cofilin. Many MRTF target genes depend on serum response factor (SRF), but SYNM lacked SRF-binding motifs in its proximal promoter, which was not directly regulated by MYOCD. Furthermore, SYNM resisted SRF silencing, yet the time course of induction closely paralleled that of the SRF-dependent target gene ACTA2. SYNM was repressed by the ternary complex factor (TCF) FLI1 and was increased in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking three classical TCFs (ELK1, ELK3, and ELK4). Imaging showed colocalization of SYNM with the intermediate filament proteins desmin and vimentin, and MRTF-A/MKL1 increased SYNM-containing intermediate filaments in SMCs. These studies identify SYNM as a novel SRF-independent target of myocardin that is abundantly expressed in all SMCs.
Molecular regulation of human skeletal muscle protein synthesis in response to exercise and nutrients: a compass for overcoming age-related anabolic resistance
Authors: Hodson Nathan , West Daniel W. D. , Philp Andrew , Burd Nicholas A. , Moore Daniel R.
Published: August 2019

Skeletal muscle mass, a strong predictor of longevity and health in humans, is determined by the balance of two cellular processes, muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown. MPS seems to be particularly sensitive to changes in mechanical load and/or nutritional status; therefore, much research has focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms that underpin this cellular process. Furthermore, older individuals display an attenuated MPS response to anabolic stimuli, termed anabolic resistance, which has a negative impact on muscle mass and function, as well as quality of life. Therefore, an understanding of which, if any, molecular mechanisms contribute to anabolic resistance of MPS is of vital importance in formulation of therapeutic interventions for such populations. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the mechanisms that underpin MPS, which are broadly divided into mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-dependent, mTORC1-independent, and ribosomal biogenesis-related, and describes the evidence that shows how they are regulated by anabolic stimuli (exercise and/or nutrition) in healthy human skeletal muscle. This review also summarizes evidence regarding which of these mechanisms may be implicated in age-related skeletal muscle anabolic resistance and provides recommendations for future avenues of research that can expand our knowledge of this area.
Liraglutide improves hepatic steatosis and metabolic dysfunctions in a 3-week dietary mouse model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Duparc Thibaut , Briand François , Trenteseaux Charlotte , Merian Jules , Combes Guillaume , Najib Souad , Sulpice Thierry , Martinez Laurent O.
Published: August 2019

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an emerging health problem worldwide. However, efficacious pharmacological treatment for NASH is lacking. A major issue for preclinical evaluation of potential therapeutics for NASH is the limited number of appropriate animal models, i.e., models that do not require long-term dietary intervention and adequately mimic disease progression in humans. The present study aimed to evaluate a 3-wk dietary mouse model of NASH and validate it by studying the effects of liraglutide, a compound in advanced clinical development for NASH. C57BL6/J mice were fed a diet high in fat (60%), cholesterol (1.25%), and cholic acid (0.5%), along with 2% hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in drinking water (HFCC-CDX diet). Histological and biological parameters were measured at 1 and 3 wk. After 1-wk diet induction, liraglutide was administrated daily for 2 wk and then NASH-associated phenotypic aspects were evaluated in comparison with control mice. Prior to treatment with liraglutide, mice fed the HFCC-CDX diet for 1 wk developed liver steatosis and had increased levels of oxidative-stress markers and hepatic and systemic inflammation. For mice not treated with liraglutide, these aspects were even more pronounced after 3 wk of the dietary period, with additional liver insulin resistance and fibrosis. Liraglutide treatment corrected the diet-induced alterations in glucose metabolism and significantly reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammation. This study provides a novel 3-wk dietary model of mice that rapidly develop NASH features, and this model will be suitable for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of compounds in preclinical drug development for NASH.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We propose a diet high in fat (60%), cholesterol (1.25%), and cholic acid (0.5%) along with 2% hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in drinking water (HFCC-CDX diet) as a new dietary model of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. We used the HFCC-CDX model to reproduce the main features of disease development in humans for the purpose of facilitating the rapid screening of drug candidates and prioritizing the more promising candidates for advanced preclinical assessment and subsequent clinical trials.