bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CircORC2 is involved in the pathogenesis of slow transit constipation via modulating the signalling of miR‐19a and neurotensin/motilin
Authors: Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Lu Rui‐Yun , Shi Ji , Zhao Shuai , Jiang Xia , Gu Xiaosong
Published: February 2021

In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of circORC2 in modulating miR‐19a and its downstream signalling during the pathogenesis of STC. In this study, three groups of patients, that is healthy control (HC) group, normal transit constipation (NTC) group (N = 42) and slow transit constipation (STC) group, were, respectively, recruited. RT‐PCR and Western blot analysis were exploited to investigate the changes in the expression levels of miR‐19a and circORC2 in these patients, so as to establish a circORC2/miR‐19a signalling pathway. The basic information of the patients showed no significant differences among different patient groups. Compared with the HC group, concentrations of neurotensin (NST) and motilin (MLN) were both significantly reduced in the NTC and STC groups, especially in the STC group. Also, miR‐19a level was highest, whereas circORC2 level was lowest in the STC group. Furthermore, circORC2 was validated to sponge the expression of miR‐19a, and the transfection of circORC2 reduced the expression of miR‐19a. Meanwhile, MLN and NST mRNAs were both targeted by miR‐19a, and the transfection of circORC2 dramatically up‐regulated the expression of MLN and NST. On the contrary, the transfection of circORC2 siRNA into SMCs and VSMCs exhibited the opposite effect of circORC2. Collectively, the results of this study established a regulatory relationship among circORC2, miR‐19a and neurotensin/motilin, which indicated that the overexpression of circORC2 could up‐regulate the levels of neurotensin and motilin, thus exerting a beneficial effect during the treatment of STC.
Down‐regulation of RCC1 sensitizes immunotherapy by up‐regulating PD‐L1 via p27kip1/CDK4 axis in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Zeng Xiaozhu , Zhong Maoxi , Yang Yumeng , Wang Zhi , Zhu Yuxi
Published: February 2021

In recent years, although Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) significantly improves survival both in local advanced stage and advanced stage of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the objective response rate of ICI monotherapy is still only about 20%. Thus, to identify the mechanisms of ICI resistance is critical to increase the efficacy of ICI treatments. By bioinformatics analysis, we found that the expression of regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1) in lung adenocarcinoma was significantly higher than that in normal lung tissue in TCGA and Oncomine databases. The survival analysis showed that high expression RCC1 was associated with the poor prognosis of NSCLC. And the expression of RCC1 was inversely related to the number of immune cell infiltration. In vitro, knockdown of RCC1 not only significantly inhibited the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma cells but also increased the expression levels of p27kip1 and PD‐L1, and decreased the expression level of CDK4 and p‐Rb. In vivo, knockdown of RCC1 significantly slowed down the growth rate of tumour, and further reduced the volume and weight of tumour model after treated by PD‐L1 monoclonal antibody. Therefore, RCC1 could up‐regulate the expression level of PD‐L1 by regulating p27kip1/CDK4 pathway and decrease the resistance to ICIs. And this study might provide a new way to increase the efficacy of PD‐L1 monoclonal antibody by inhibiting RCC1.
Therapeutic management in paediatric alopecia areata: A systematic review
Authors: Waśkiel‐Burnat A. , Kołodziejak M. , Sikora M. , Stochmal A. , Rakowska A. , Olszewska M. , Rudnicka L.
Published: February 2021

Alopecia areata is the third most common cause of dermatology consultations in children but the treatment of paediatric alopecia areata remains challenging. A systematic review of the literature about the treatment of alopecia areata in children (≤18 years old) was performed on 11 May 2020 by searching the PubMed, Scopus and EBSCO databases. The terms used for the search were: ‘alopecia areata’, ‘alopecia totalis’ or ‘alopecia universalis’ combined with ‘paediatric’, ‘children’ or ‘childhood’. A total of 89 articles were included in final evaluation. The most commonly assessed treatment options in paediatric alopecia areata were topical immunotherapy (response rate in monotherapy: 54%; 187/345) intralesional glucocorticosteroids (75%; 211/280), systemic glucocorticosteroids (73%; 102/140), and anthralin (42%; 31/74). Topical glucocorticosteroids (81%; 35/43), systemic Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (90%; 27/30), topical calcineurin inhibitors (42%; 8/19), topical JAK inhibitors (65%; 11/17), PUVA therapy (56%; 9/16) and 308‐nm excimer laser (77%; 10/13) were also evaluated. Additionally, evaluation in smaller numbers of paediatric patients included methotrexate (100%; 10/10), topical minoxidil (44%; 4/9) and cyclosporine (83%; 5/6). There were limited data considering children with alopecia areata treated with azathioprine, hydroxychloroquine, topical sildenafil, topical prostaglandin analogues, fractional carbon dioxide laser, leflunomide, mesalazine, apremilast, dupilumab, ustekinumab, efalizumab, botulinum toxin, and compound glycyrrhizin. On the basis of the limited data available glucocorticosteroids (systemic, intralesional or topical) and JAK inhibitors (systemic or topical) may be considered the best documented and most effective treatment options in alopecia areata in children. There are no sufficient paediatric data to compare treatment safety and relapse rates in these therapeutic modalities.
Significance of chronic pruritus for intrapersonal burden and interpersonal experiences of stigmatization and sexuality in patients with psoriasis
Authors: Sommer R. , Augustin M. , Hilbring C. , Ständer S. , Hubo M. , Hutt H.J. , von Stülpnagel C.C. , da Silva N.
Published: February 2021

Background

60–90% of patients with psoriasis suffer from pruritus and 65% report itching as one of the most burdensome symptoms, raising significant quality of life (QoL) impairments. However, pruritus is not only an intrapersonal symptom but also a psychosocial interactive phenomenon and little is known about the effects of itching on interpersonal experiences.

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the disease burden and patient needs between patients with none/mild vs. moderate/severe pruritus, and to examine the impact of disease parameters and intrapersonal burden on perceived stigmatization and sexual relationships.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included German patients aged ≥ 18 years with psoriasis vulgaris. Disease severity was assessed with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index; patients reported on intensity of pruritus, skin‐generic and pruritus‐specific QoL, patient needs and benefits, anxiety and depression symptoms, dysmorphic concerns, perceived stigmatization and sexual dysfunction.

Results

A total of 107 patients with psoriasis participated (mean age = 46.3 ± 14.6 years; 52.3% male): 64 with none/mild pruritus (NRS ≤ 3) and 43 with moderate/severe pruritus (NRS ≥ 4). Patients with moderate/severe pruritus reported more QoL impairments, depression and anxiety symptoms and dysmorphic concerns, but less treatment benefits, than those with none/mild pruritus. The patient needs most frequently rated as ‘very/quite important’ were ‘be healed of all skin defects’ (88.8%), and ‘be free of itching’ (87.0%), with no differences between the groups. Younger age, disease severity, frequency of scratching behaviours, dysmorphic concerns and treatment benefits were positively associated with stigmatization experiences; disease severity, sleeping problems and skin‐generic QoL impairments were positively associated with sexual dysfunction.

Conclusions

Pruritus induces significant burden in patients with psoriasis. Along with disease severity, intrapersonal burden has a great impact on social and dyadic relationships. Treatment choices that are effective in reducing pruritus should be prioritized in patient‐centred healthcare.
In vitro propagation of infectious myonecrosis virus in C6/36 mosquito cell line
Authors: Santhosh Kumar S. , Sivakumar S. , Abdul Majeed S. , Vimal S. , Taju G. , Sahul Hameed A. S.
Published: February 2021

Infectious myonecrosis (IMN) is an important shrimp viral disease caused by infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV). Based on previous reports, an attempt was made to propagate IMNV in apparently healthy C6/36 subclone of Aedes albopictus cell line. The confirmatory assays such as RT‐PCR, real‐time PCR and bioassay revealed that C6/36 cells were found to be susceptible to IMNV and these cells could be used easily for isolation and propagation of IMNV. The results of real‐time PCR assay showed that a lower CT value of 22.25 in IMNV‐infected cells was obtained on 10 day post‐infection (d p.i.), whereas the higher CT value of 35.21 was obtained in IMNV‐infected cells on 2 d p.i. There is no significant difference between CT values of IMNV production in vitro using C6/36 cell line and in vivo using shrimp. The IMNV propagated in C6/36 cells is capable of infecting shrimp and caused 100% mortality in shrimp. Clinical signs observed in shrimp injected with IMNV propagated in C6/36 cell line were found to be similar to naturally infected shrimp.
Development and assessment of blockchain‐IoT‐based traceability system for frozen aquatic product
Authors: Zhang Yongjun , Liu Yanfeng , Jiong Zhang , Zhang Xiaoshan , Li Baotian , Chen Enxiu
Published: February 2021

This study puts forward a novel frozen aquatic product traceability system (BIOT‐TS) that based on blockchain and Internet of things (IoT) technology, which can alleviate the drawbacks of current tracing management during cold chain logistic, such as the weak security performance, inefficient centralized data management as well as the easy‐tampered traceability information. The proposed system possesses the advantages of decentralization, safety, reliability, and tamper‐proofing when it compares with traditional tracking technology. It is particularly suitable for multi‐stages tracking management of cold chain logistics from aquaculture, production, logistics, and circulation to sales. In terms of such blockchain‐IoT‐based technology, the system is deployed and evaluated with the case of frozen turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) that is circulated and sold under the background of e‐commerce cold chain logistics. It can significantly improve the quality and safety of the frozen aquatic product by using smart contracts, consensus strategy, and data on‐chain verification technology. The overall involved participants can share more reliable tracing information after adopting this tracing system. Furthermore, the performance of this hybrid tracing technology has been evaluated by the operations of on‐chain process and tracing queries through the real experiments, and has testified to be effective. Therefore, the application of this system is beneficial for the improvement of the aquatic food logistics industry and ensures credit in its ecosystem.

Practical Applications

The blockchain‐IoT‐based frozen aquatic product traceability management is one of the most promising technologies that possess the advantages of tamper‐proof, transparent, and irrefutable transactions combined with distributed monitoring and tracking functionalities. Through the decentralized data management, smart contract, and mechanism of consensus, the traceability information is partitioned and encrypted storage, which can be used for government supervision and consumers' retroactive queries. This novel frozen aquatic food product tracing technology can fundamentally improve the reliability of quality tracing applications and make the closely related tracing management more transparent, secure, and efficient.
Authority in therapeutic interaction: A conversation analytic study
Authors: Smoliak Olga , MacMartin Clare , Hepburn Alexa , Le Couteur Amanda , Elliott Robert , Quinn‐Nilas Christopher
Published: February 2021

A paradigmatic shift toward postmodern, collaborative practice in family therapy raises questions about how therapists can use professional authority to facilitate change and how clients can assert their knowledge and agency. We used conversation analysis to investigate how the authority to know and to determine here‐and‐now action (i.e., who does what, and how, in therapy) was negotiated and accomplished in 10 sessions of emotion‐focused therapy involving chair work. Therapists were observed to rely on a particular interactional sequence structure: stepwise entry into a directive, in which directives were preceded by a question‐answer sequence. We show how instances where clients’ views were elicited prior to the delivery of a directive resulted in different interactional consequences from instances where therapists straightforwardly directed clients to perform some action. The study offers evidence concerning how therapists can facilitate chair work collaboratively and responsively.
Nudging flow through ‘SMART’ goal setting to decrease stress, increase engagement, and increase performance at work
Authors: Weintraub Jared , Cassell David , DePatie Thomas P.
Published: February 2021

The construct of flow has been associated with a plethora of positive work outcomes such as performance, engagement, and reduced burnout. However, flow is understudied in the domain of work and there is a lack of empirical examinations of flow interventions. Additionally, until recently, the vast majority of research examining flow at work assumes that individuals are passive agents who only experience flow when their working conditions facilitate the state. Therefore, the study tested a ‘SMART’ goal‐setting nudge intervention for individuals, aimed at increasing flow at work and its positive outcomes. Results of a 5‐day experimental experience sampling study with 65 American MTurk workers (who work full‐time besides MTurk) indicate that those in the goal‐setting condition experienced more flow at work and subsequently experienced less daily stress, as well as higher engagement and subjective performance when compared to the control group. Exploratory analyses revealed that flow decreased later in the week within‐day for participants in the control group, whereas flow remained relatively stable within‐day for those in the goal‐setting condition. Moreover, certain categories of goals, such as mastery goals, resource acquisition goals, and understanding goals, were found to be significant predictors of daily flow.

Practitioner points

Flow at work predicted daily stress, daily performance, and work engagement.

Self‐determination strategies (Occupat Health Sci, 1, 2017, 47), such as goal setting, can increase the amount of flow experienced at work and its subsequent positive outcomes.

Nudges (Nudge: Improving decisions about health, wealth, and happiness, Yale University Press, 2008) can provide reminders for individuals to engage in behaviors that help them to experience flow and its positive work outcomes.

A proposed model was supported as a framework practitioners can use to better understand flow at work along with its antecedents and outcomes.
Genomic signatures of clonality in the deep water kelp Laminaria rodriguezii
Authors: Reynes Lauric , Thibaut Thierry , Mauger Stéphane , Blanfuné Aurélie , Holon Florian , Cruaud Corinne , Couloux Arnaud , Valero Myriam , Aurelle Didier
Published: February 2021

The development of population genomic approaches in non‐model species allows for renewed studies of the impact of reproductive systems and genetic drift on population diversity. Here, we investigate the genomic signatures of partial clonality in the deep water kelp Laminaria rodriguezii, known to reproduce by both sexual and asexual means. We compared these results with the species Laminaria digitata, a closely related species that differs by different traits, in particular its reproductive mode (no clonal reproduction). We analysed genome‐wide variation with dd‐RAD sequencing using 4,077 SNPs in L. rodriguezii and 7,364 SNPs in L. digitata. As predicted for partially clonal populations, we show that the distribution of FIS within populations of L. rodriguezii is shifted toward negative values, with a high number of loci showing heterozygote excess. This finding is the opposite of what we observed within sexual populations of L. digitata, characterized by a generalized deficit in heterozygotes. Furthermore, we observed distinct distributions of FIS among populations of L. rodriguezii, which is congruent with the predictions of theoretical models for different levels of clonality and genetic drift. These findings highlight that the empirical distribution of FIS is a promising feature for the genomic study of asexuality in natural populations. Our results also show that the populations of L. rodriguezii analysed here are genetically differentiated and probably isolated. Our study provides a conceptual framework to investigate partial clonality on the basis of RAD‐sequencing SNPs. These results could be obtained without any reference genome, and are therefore of interest for various non‐model species.
Genetic and structural validation of phosphomannomutase as a cell wall target in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Zhang Yuanwei , Fang Wenxia , Raimi Olawale G. , Lockhart Deborah E. A. , Ferenbach Andrew T. , Lu Ling , van Aalten Daan M. F.
Published: February 2021

Aspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic mold responsible for severe life‐threatening fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. The cell wall, an essential structure composed of glucan, chitin, and galactomannan, is considered to be a target for the development of antifungal drugs. The nucleotide sugar donor GDP‐mannose (GDP‐Man) is required for the biosynthesis of galactomannan, glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchors, glycolipid, and protein glycosylation. Starting from fructose‐6‐phosphate, GDP‐Man is produced by the sequential action of the enzymes phosphomannose isomerase, phosphomannomutase (Pmm), and GDP‐mannose pyrophosphorylase. Here, using heterokaryon rescue and gene knockdown approaches we demonstrate that the phosphomannomutase encoding gene in A. fumigatus (pmmA) is essential for survival. Reduced expression of pmmA is associated with significant morphological defects including retarded germination, growth, reduced conidiation, and abnormal polarity. Moreover, the knockdown strain exhibited an altered cell wall organization and sensitivity toward cell wall perturbing agents. By solving the first crystal structure of A. fumigatus phosphomannomutase (AfPmmA) we identified non‐conservative substitutions near the active site when compared to the human orthologues. Taken together, this work provides a genetic and structural foundation for the exploitation of AfPmmA as a potential antifungal target.
Cross species multi‐omics reveals cell wall sequestration and elevated global transcript abundance as mechanisms of boron tolerance in plants
Authors: Wang Guannan , DiTusa Sandra Feuer , Oh Dong‐Ha , Herrmann Achim D. , Mendoza‐Cozatl David G. , O'Neill Malcolm A. , Smith Aaron P. , Dassanayake Maheshi
Published: February 2021

Boron toxicity is a world‐wide problem for crops, yet we have a limited understanding of the genetic responses and adaptive mechanisms to this stress in plants.

We employed a cross‐species comparison between boron stress‐sensitive Arabidopsis thaliana and its boron stress‐tolerant extremophyte relative Schrenkiella parvula, and a multi‐omics approach integrating genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and ionomics to assess plant responses and adaptations to boron stress.

Schrenkiella parvula maintains lower concentrations of total boron and free boric acid than Arabidopsis when grown with excess boron. Schrenkiella parvula excludes excess boron more efficiently than Arabidopsis, which we propose is partly driven by SpBOR5, a boron transporter that we functionally characterize in this study. Both species use cell walls as a partial sink for excess boron. When accumulated in the cytoplasm, excess boron appears to interrupt RNA metabolism. The extremophyte S. parvula facilitates critical cellular processes while maintaining the pool of ribose‐containing compounds that can bind with boric acid.

The S. parvula transcriptome is pre‐adapted to boron toxicity. It exhibits substantial overlaps with the Arabidopsis boron‐stress responsive transcriptome. Cell wall sequestration and increases in global transcript levels under excess boron conditions emerge as key mechanisms for sustaining plant growth under boron toxicity.
Fine mapping and candidate gene analysis of the orange petal colour gene Bnpc2 in spring rapeseed (Brassica napus)
Authors: Solangi Zeeshan Ahmed , Zhang Yani , Li Kaixiang , Du Dezhi , Yao Yanmei
Published: February 2021

Petal colour is considered as an important trait and major visual signal for insect‐pollinated plants and landscaping. In previous study, we isolated and identified two genes (BnPC1 and BnPC2) that control the orange petal colour (OPC) in rapeseed. To identify the molecular markers linked to the orange petal colour, we constructed a B. napus linkage map with four newly developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and nine insertion–deletion (InDel) markers using BC5II, a near isogenic line population segregated at the BnPC2 locus. The BnPC2 gene was flanked by Indel‐3 and Indel‐20 and was found to represent a 27‐kb (3.721–3.748 Mb) region on A09 of B. napus. High‐pressure liquid chromatography analysis revealed that, compared to yellow petals, orange petals exhibit significantly increased zeaxanthin, β‐carotene and lutein contents and a relatively decreased violaxanthin content. Expression profiling confirmed that BnaA09.ZEP (zeaxanthin epoxidase) is an important candidate gene for BnPC2 and is predominantly expressed in floral tissues. Overall, our results provide a basis for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying the orange petal colour trait in B. napus.
NTRK fusion‐positive colorectal cancer in Japanese population
Authors: Yonemaru Junpei , Hashimoto Taiki , Takayanagi Daisuke , Naka Tomoaki , Yatabe Yasushi , Kanemitsu Yukihide , Shiraishi Kouya , Sekine Shigeki
Published: February 2021

ALK, ROS1 and NTRK fusions are involved in the tumorigenesis of various organs, including colorectal cancer. This study aims to clarify the prevalence of these fusions in colorectal cancer in the Japanese population. Immunohistochemical analysis of 1012 specimens of colorectal cancer revealed two NTRK‐positive cases (0.2%) whereas no ALK‐ or ROS1‐positive cases were identified. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) detected an LMNA‐NTRK1 fusion in a case of adenosquamous carcinoma and a TPM3‐NTRK1 fusion in a case of tubular adenocarcinoma. Both NTRK1 fusion‐positive cases lacked activating mutations in KRAS and BRAF and were mismatch repair‐deficient with loss of MLH1 and PMS2 expression and MLH1 promoter methylation. Our results show that receptor tyrosine kinase fusions are rare but present in colorectal cancers in Japanese patients, with a prevalence similar to that reported in other countries.
High phospho‐histone H3 expression uniquely predicts favorable survival among four markers of cellular proliferation in colorectal cancer
Authors: Koshino Akira , Inoue Satoshi , Sugimura‐Nagata Akane , Nishiyama Takeshi , Murakami Hideki , Ito Hideaki , Riku Miho , Inoko Akihito , Ebi Masahide , Ogasawara Naotaka , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Kasugai Kunio , Kasai Kenji , Inaguma Shingo
Published: February 2021

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal cancers worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite numerous attempts to identify prognostic markers for the CRC patients, the significance of the association of cellular proliferation markers with survival is controversial. Here we used immunohistochemistry to detect four markers of cellular proliferation expressed in primary CRC tissue specimens (n = 269) to assess their potential to serve as prognostic factors. CRC cells variably expressed phospho‐histone H3 (PHH3) (range, 0–76 per high‐powered field (HPF); median, 7 per HPF), cyclin A (CCNA) (range, 11.3–73.7%; median, 32%), geminin (GMNN) (range, 7.8–82.0%; median, 37.1%), and marker of proliferation Ki‐67 (MKI67) (range, 4.9–96.6%; median, 49.6%). Among them, patients with PHH3‐high (≥7 per HPF) tumors uniquely experienced significantly longer 5‐year survival than those with PHH3‐low (≤6 per HPF) (81.8% vs. 65.5%; P = 0.0047). Multivariable Cox hazards regression analysis identified PHH3‐high (hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.31–0.92; P = 0.025) as potential favorable factors. PHH3 levels inversely associated with pT stage (P < 0.0001) and were significantly and inversely associated with tumor diameter (ρ = −0.314, P < 0.0001). These findings support the use of PHH3 immunohistochemistry for predicting the prognoses of patients with CRC.
The Expectancy‐Disconfirmation Model and Citizen Satisfaction with Public Services: A Meta‐analysis and an Agenda for Best Practice
Authors: Zhang Jiasheng , Chen Wenna , Petrovsky Nicolai , Walker Richard M.
Published: February 2021

The expectancy‐disconfirmation model has become the predominant approach in explaining citizen satisfaction with public services. It posits that citizens compare the performance of a service against their expectations of that service. Satisfaction occurs if the perceived performance meets or exceeds the expectations. We provide the first meta‐analysis of the empirical evidence on this relationship, and find that the model is supported across studies. However, our meta‐analysis also indicates that research design choices affect the results and that the scope of public services examined is not comprehensive. We make best practice recommendations for future research to improve the measurement of citizen satisfaction.
Not just parenting in the field: Accompanied research and geographies of caring and responsibility
Authors: Gibb Christine
Published: February 2021

Writinginour research companions, with attention to the importance of care in our fieldwork practices, is a political act that challenges the ways geography is believed to be practised, or should be practised. Once sidelined to footnotes and acknowledgements, research companions such as family members and research assistants have increasingly been rendered visible and their contributions considered. Yet, researchers remain reluctant to disclose their accompanied research in scholarly writing. Given this reticence, I contend that, collectively, such accounts are political acts and not warts‐and‐all disclosures of knowledge production. They challenge disciplinary norms over whose and which contributions count, and what constitutes a professional identity. Drawing upon Lynn Staeheli's (1996) insights into the potential for activism by transgressing boundaries of doing private acts in public spaces, and public acts in private spaces, I argue that doing and writing about accompanied fieldwork is fieldwork activism that re‐centres and values a caring geography.
Can respiratory muscle training change the blood pressure levels in hypertension? A systematic review with meta‐analysis
Authors: da Silva Claudio D. , de Abreu Raphael M. , Rehder‐Santos Patrícia , De Noronha Marcos , Catai Aparecida M.
Published: February 2021

The aim was to systematically review randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of respiratory training on blood pressure control in hypertensive individuals. Systematic review with meta‐analysis was coducted following the guidelines from PRISMA statement. Searches for randomized controlled trials were performed in four electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and PEDro). Studies were included if they were randomized controlled trials that examined the impact of respiratory training on blood pressure of individuals with systemic arterial hypertension and the patients had no other associated disease. Eight studies were included for final analysis (total of 270 participants; 18–85 years) and presented an average score of 6.25 in the PEDro scale, being considered of high methodological quality. The meta‐analysis showed a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure for respiratory training when the load was applied [−15.72 (−18.63; −12.81) and −7.08 (−9.03; −5.13) mmHg, respectively]. There was also a reduction in systolic, but not in diastolic blood pressure when the training was performed without load [−5.08 (−7.49; −2.66) and −1.04 (−2.55; +0.46) mmHg, respectively]. The respiratory training has a positive effect in BP in hypertensive patients, however, only when performed with load seems to be able to promote some beneficial effect on diastolic blood pressure reduction.
Leveraging Regional Differences and Cross‐Border Collective Institutions: The Case of Skill Formation and Employment in the Border Region of France, Germany, and Switzerland
Authors: Graf Lukas
Published: February 2021

European cross‐border regions often display substantial political and economic activity. A key example is the French‐German‐Swiss Upper Rhine region, where three distinct national governance models come together. In this dynamic cross‐border industry cluster, traditional political‐administrative units often do not meet the functional needs of employers and (future) employees. This comparative institutional analysis refers to Varieties of Capitalism and Local Production Systems perspectives to explore the operations of this cluster. It finds two main patterns through which education and training are embedded in the cross‐border context: on the one hand, the leveraging of distinct institutional advantages in the different parts of the region and, on the other, the creation of cross‐border collective competition goods in the form of jointly provided educational institutions. Through these two strategies, local actors within the cross‐border industry cluster can turn their peripheral location into an institutional advantage.
Two- and Three-Dimensional Cases of Stress Concentration, and Comparison With Fatigue Tests
Authors: Peterson R. E. , Wahl A. M.
Published: February 2021

This paper reports the results of a study of some two- and three-dimensional cases of stress distribution with particular reference to shafts having fillets or transverse holes, these being of considerable practical importance. To determine the stress-concentration factor kt in such cases, strain measurements were made, using a specially developed extensometer with a gage length of 0.1 in. The results of these strain measurements indicate that for shaft fillets in bending (three-dimensional case) the stress-concentration factor kt is little different from the values obtained photoelastically on flat specimens having the same r/d ratio (a two-dimensional case). A comparison of these values of kt (both for shafts with fillets and with transverse holes), with data from fatigue tests, leads to the following observations: (1) In some cases fatigue results are quite close to theoretical stress-concentration values. (2) Fatigue results for alloy steels and quenched carbon steels are usually closer to theoretical values than are the corresponding fatigue results for carbon steels not quenched. (3) With decrease in size of specimen, the reduction in fatigue strength due to a fillet or hole becomes somewhat less; and for very small fillets or holes the reduction in fatigue strength is comparatively small. (4) Sensitivity factors determined for small specimens should not be applied to the design of machine parts regardless of size.
Third Moments
Authors: Yates R. C.
Published: February 2021

The author introduces in this paper a third moment as a distinct aid in calculating second moments (moments of inertia) for solids of revolution. It is found that the graphical determination is carried out in a manner similar to that for second moments. Supplementary remarks are made on the first, second, and third associated curves in the graphical analysis.
A Method of Analyzing Creep Data
Authors: Sturm R. G. , Dumont C. , Howell F. M.
Published: February 2021

The authors present a method for studying creep data which has been in use for the past four years at the Aluminum Research Laboratories. It is shown by graphs that a linear relationship exists between the logarithm of the creep and the logarithm of the elapsed time for a given material at ordinary room temperatures and constant stress. This is established by the fact that the logarithmic curves for a given material at a constant temperature have a constant slope for a relatively wide range of stresses. It is pointed out that the relative effect of cold working upon the strength of different metals seems to explain the behavior of the metals when failure is impending, this being indicated by the tendency of the logarithmic creep-time curves to depart from straight lines. The authors conclude that when homologous stresses based on the tensile strength of the material are considered, different materials exhibit very similar characteristics in the relationship between the homologous stress and the logarithm of the time necessary for a given amount of creep to occur.
Increasing the Fatigue Strength of Press-Fitted Axle Assemblies by Surface Rolling
Authors: Horger O. J. , Maulbetsch J. L.
Published: February 2021

This paper presents test data on 2-in. axles showing how fatigue strength in reversed bending is reduced to between one half to one third its value by the mere presence of a press-fitted member and how such a press-fit assembly may be made more than twice as strong by surface rolling the axle at the press-fit seat. Further tests are given to show that increased strength obtained by surface rolling is due principally to strain hardening of the material at the surface of the axle. The weakening action of press fits is due to large stress concentration and rubbing corrosion localized near the ends of the pressed-on hub, and in this respect surface rolling produces a layer of material having a resistance which is considerably increased in the region of this local weakness.

Additional data are presented to show that plain cylindrical specimens of the usual 0.3-in. diameter give 10 to 15 per cent increased fatigue strength over that given by specimens about 1 in. in diameter; and to show that there should be no difference in fatigue strength between a cantilever- and a beam-type specimen of the same diameter and of the same steel.
Compressibility Determinations Without Volume Measurements
Authors: Burnett E. S.
Published: February 2021

The author describes a new method of determining the isothermal deviations of a real gas from compliance with ideal gas laws. This method eliminates all volume and mass measurements from the experimental observations, and permits calculation of the deviations from observations of pressures and temperatures only.
Bending of an Infinite Beam on an Elastic Foundation
Authors: Biot M. A.
Published: February 2021

The elementary theory of the bending of a beam on an elastic foundation is based on the assumption that the beam is resting on a continuously distributed set of springs the stiffness of which is defined by a “modulus of the foundation” k. Very seldom, however, does it happen that the foundation is actually constituted this way.

Generally, the foundation is an elastic continuum characterized by two elastic constants, a modulus of elasticity E, and a Poisson ratio ν. The problem of the bending of a beam resting on such a foundation has been approached already by various authors.

The author attempts to give in this paper a more exact solution of one aspect of this problem, i.e., the case of an infinite beam under a concentrated load. A notable difference exists between the results obtained from the assumptions of a two-dimensional foundation and of a three-dimensional foundation.

Bending-moment and deflection curves for the two-dimensional case are shown in Figs. 4 and 5. A value of the modulus k is given for both cases by which the elementary theory can be used and leads to results which are fairly acceptable. These values depend on the stiffness of the beam and on the elasticity of the foundation.
Cantilever Plate With Concentrated Edge Load
Authors: Holl D. L.
Published: February 2021

The author gives, by the method of finite differences, an approximate solution of the problem of a finite length of a cantilever plate which bears a concentrated load at the longitudinal free edge. All the boundary conditions are taken into account, and the plate action is determined approximately at all points of the plate. The author points out that a secondary maximum transverse stress occurs at the clamped edge nearest the loading point, and that the longitudinal stress is greatest directly under the loading point.
Design of Members Subjected to Creep at High Temperatures
Authors: Marin Joseph
Published: February 2021

The author discusses the stresses in machine and structural members subjected to high temperatures as determined by theories advanced by Bailey and St. Venant, the latter of which has been stated by Soderberg. He compares the results obtained by the application of these two theories, and shows that the results from each theory agree equally well with test results. Finally, various cases of thin tubes and the problem of the thick cylinder are considered, using each theory.
The Calculation of Maximum Deflection, Moment, and Shear for Uniformly Loaded Rectangular Plate With Clamped Edges
Authors: Wojtaszak I. A.
Published: February 2021

The problem of the uniformly loaded rectangular plate with four clamped edges has been solved by H. Hencky and independently by J. Boobnoff. Hencky made refined calculations only for the case of a square plate while Boobnoff made precise calculations for several ratios of the sides of the plate. This article gives the results of calculations for maximum deflection, moment, and shear for several ratios of the sides of the plate, using Hencky’s equations. Curves are drawn with the coefficients, used in defining these maximum quantities, as ordinates and the ratios of the sides of the plate as abscissas.
Correlation of Creep and Relaxation Properties of Copper
Authors: Davenport C. C.
Published: February 2021

Creep tests as well as relaxation tests have been carried out in torsion on copper tubes which permit a verification of the various theories proposed for a deduction of the relaxation characteristics from creep tests alone. It was found that the actually observed relaxation time lies between the two values calculated for this quantity on the basis of the strain-hardening and the time-hardening theories.
Revisiting the Lattice Boltzmann Method Through a Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics Perspective
Authors: Jonnalagadda Anirudh , Sharma Atul , Agrawal Amit
Published: February 2021

In this paper, we incorporate a nonequilibrium thermodynamics perspective that is consistent with the Onsager reciprocity principle into the lattice Boltzmann framework to propose a novel regularized lattice Boltzmann formulation for modeling the Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations. The new method is applied to one-dimensional (1D) isothermal situations wherein the advantages of incorporating such a nonequilibrium perspective can be explicitly appreciated. In such situations, the nonequilibrium contribution of the lattice populations obtained by the new method completely vanishes, and the lattice update is entirely reduced to evaluating the equilibrium distribution function. Such a counterintuitive 1D mesoscopic description is not obtained in any other existing lattice Boltzmann scheme. We therefore numerically test the proposed formulation on two complex problems, namely, shockwave and nonlinear wave propagation, and compare results with analytical results along with six existing lattice Boltzmann schemes; it is found that the new method indeed yields results that are more stable and accurate. These results highlight the potency of the nonequilibrium thermodynamics-based approach for obtaining accurate and stable lattice Boltzmann computations, and provide new insights into established lattice Boltzmann simulation methods.
Effect of Surface Roughness on Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Lattice Brick Setting in Tunnel Kilns
Authors: Almesri Issa F. , Alrahmani Mosab A. , Almutairi Jaber H. , Abou-Ziyan Hosny Z.
Published: February 2021

This paper presents the effect of brick and kiln wall roughness on the fluid flow, pressure drop, and convection and radiation heat transfer in tunnel kilns. The surface roughness of 0–4 mm is investigated for bricks and tunnel boundary. Another wall roughness of 10 mm is considered to explore the effect of significant defects in the tunnel boundary. The study is conducted using a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model based on the finite volume method with the k – ω turbulence model. The convective heat transfer coefficients enhance by 45% and 97%, and the pressure drop increases by 25.1% and 80.4% as the brick roughness is increased from 0 to 1 mm and 0 to 4 mm, respectively. The ratio of heat transfer rate to pumping power reaches its maximum at a brick roughness of 2 mm. These results provide essential knowledge about the acceptable range of brick roughness for manufacturers. As the tunnel boundary roughness is increased from 0 to 1 and 0 to 10 mm, the heat transfer rates increase by 1.34% and 3.88%, while the pressure drops increase by 7.5% and 18.2%, respectively. These results are supportive of scheduling the maintenance of tunnel kilns’ interior structure. Moreover, the enhancement of the radiation heat transfer depends on the brick emissivity and the area ratio of rough to smooth surfaces.
A Modeling and Design Method for Flexible Manufacturing System Controller Software
Authors: Xirouchakis Paul C.
Published: February 2021

“Entity-life modeling” (ELM) is a general method for the modeling and design of concurrent software. One area where it can applied is for the control software for flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). The application of ELM allows the integration and overall control of the operation of the numerically controlled machinery, the material transportation and storage facilities into automated factories within the context of computer integrated manufacturing (CIM). The development of flexible manufacturing has been hampered by the lack of such a general approach to FMS software design.

ELM is based on the principle that processes and objects in the software are patterned after concurrent “threads of events” and objects in the problem domain. A job in an FMS represents such a thread with events such as “pick from storage”, “place on stand”, etc., which all occur sequentially and with certain time intervals. Several job threads are in progress simultaneously as different jobs are being processed. In the software, a thread of events is represented by a process, such as an Ada task. The direct coupling between the analysis and an efficient control-system software implementation is an advantage over other analysis models, such as Petri nets.

A simple FMS is used as an example. It consists of a storage facility and a number of numerically controlled workstations. A conveyor belt is used for the transportation of parts between storage and workstations and between workstations.
Extracting Grip Areas From Feature Information
Authors: van Holland Winfried , Bronsvoort Willem F.
Published: February 2021

In flexible assembly, an important problem is grip planning, in which possible grips on a component are determined. The first step in determining these grips is to find all finger domains on the component, areas where a gripper finger can be positioned.

Finger domains are commonly computed from geometric information of the component only. One way to do this, is to find so-called non-free regions, areas where the finger cannot be positioned, using the Expanded Face Solid (EFS) method. This method creates for every face in the model an envelope volume depending on the finger geometry. The areas where the model intersects the envelope volumes are the non-free regions. The EFS method must be executed for every face in the model, and is therefore time consuming.

We present a new method to retrieve the finger domains, minimizing the number of faces that have to be investigated with the EFS method, by making use of feature information stored in the product model of the component. Not only design features, but also assembly features storing assembly-specific information are used for this purpose. We distinguish two types of assembly features: connection and handling features, storing information on connections between components, respectively information for handling a component. In our method, information from these features is exploited in a number of steps to compute the finger domains.

The results presented in this paper show that the computation times of finding finger domains using our method are considerably lower compared with using the EFS method.
Automated Reuse of Solutions in Manufacturing Process Planning Through a Case-Based Approach
Authors: Marefat M. , Britanik J.
Published: February 2021

This research focuses on the development of an object-oriented case-based process planner which combines the advantages of the variant and generative approaches to process planning. The case-based process planner operates on general 3D prismatic parts, represented by a collection of features (eg: slots, pockets, holes, etc.). Each feature subplan is developed by the case-based planner. Then the feature subplans are combined into the global process plan for the part via a hierarchical plan merging mechanism. Abstracted feature subplans correspond to cases, which are used in subsequent planning operations to solve new problems. The abstracting and storing of feature subplans as cases is the primary mechanism by which the planner learns from its previous experiences to become more effective and efficient. The computer-aided process planner is designed to be extensible and flexible through the effective use of object-oriented principles.
Developing the Design Architecture of Life-Cycle Virtual Prototyping Systems Using Extended RCS
Authors: Lu Chris J. J. , Tsai K. H. , Yang Jackson C. S. , Wang Yu Michael
Published: February 2021

Virtual Prototyping has been widely applied since the breakthrough of 3-D computer graphics technology. This paper focuses on the developing methodology and design architecture of life cycle Virtual Prototyping systems. The technical rationale of this methodology, Extended Real-time Control System, is addressed first. VP systems that are established by applying this methodology will include functions of life cycle system support. Two VP systems that applied ERCS are given as examples to illustrate the powerfulness of this methodology. Finally, a comparison of this method and traditional method is provided to conclude this research.
Computations of Turbulent Flow and Heat Transfer in Staggered Tube Banks
Authors: Sharatchandra M. C. , Rhode David L.
Published: February 2021

Turbulent Flow in closely spaced staggered tube bundles is numerically investigated using a finite-volume approach in general curvilinear coordinates. Attention if focused on the hydrodynamic and thermal effects of the longitudinal displacement of alternate tube rows. The computations used both standard and 2-layer k–ϵ turbulence models in conjunction with a streamwise periodic finite volume formulation. The computations are in excellent agreement with experimental data for the limiting case of flow and heat transfer in undisplaced tube banks. Furthermore, the results indicate increases in both pressure drop and heat transfer with an increase in displacement. The results of this study may serve as an aid in the design of shell and tube cross flow heat exchangers.