bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MHD combined convection flow of non-Newtonian liquid with viscous dissipation and thermophoretic effects
Authors: Prabu K.M. , Elanchezhian E. , Suresh S.
Published: November 2019

The present article is concerned with combined convection MHD flow of Oldroyd-B liquid past over a stretchable sheet. Mathematical formulation of the problem is designed with the existence of viscous dissipation, radiation, thermophoresis and chemical reaction. With the help of suitable similarity transformation governing PDE’s are modified into nonlinear ODE’s. Graphs are portrayed to mention the variance on the velocity, concentration and temperature distributions. Moreover, Mass and heat transfer rates are illustrated through graphically.
Design of smart garbage landfill monitoring system using Internet of Things
Authors: Swapna B , Kamalahsan M , Sowmiya S , Konda Srilekha , SaiZignasa T
Published: November 2019

One of the primary worries with our condition has been garbage waste management which notwithstanding aggravating the parity of nature likewise effect sly affects the wellbeing of the general public. Detecting, monitoring and managing the squanders are one of the essential issues of the present time. The conventional method for physically checking the losses in waste receptacles is a mind boggling, unwieldy procedure and uses progressively human exertion, time and cost which isn’t perfect with the present day innovations in any capacity. This method is an automated garbage management system. This undertaking IoT Garbage Monitoring framework is an imaginative system which will keep the rural and urban areas clean. This framework screens the garbage bins and illuminates about the dimension of rubbish gathered in the junk canisters by means of a website page. This website page additionally sends all data to garbage collecting vehicles.
Recognition of Unhealthy Plant Leaves Using Naive Bayes Classifier
Authors: Mohanapriya K , Balasubramani M
Published: November 2019

India is a country and around 70% of our population relies on development. 33% of our national pay starts from agribusiness. So to identify the plant diseases is a difficult way in the agriculture field. Major part of the plant diseases are brought about by the assault of microorganisms, developments, contamination, etc. In case proper consideration isn’t taken around there, it will cause genuine consequences for plants and unfavorably influences the efficiency and quality. To perceive the plant diseasesa brisk customized way is needed. The main aim of this project is to spot the unhealthy plant leaves. In this task, MATLAB tool is used for measuring affected area of disease and to determine the colour of the diseases. So this task takes less measure of time and get more efficiency. Here, this project is proposed with a thoughtof identifying unhealthy region of plant leaves using classifier technique. The classifier technique can be used to classify the leaves and the classified results result can be seen in simulation.
Power Quality improvement provide Digital Economy by the Smart Grid
Authors: Hossain Bagdadee Amam , Zhang Li
Published: November 2019

The developing power supply characterises in smart grid networks of the power system with high power quality (PQ) for the digital economy as one of the attributes. Consumers need good power quality to meet the demand. Consumers consider reliable power that is not affected by interruption and clean energy without unstable influence. The focus of this paper is on good power quality for reducing economic impact. As a result of the vital role that sophisticated, intelligent devices accept in today’s economy attention to PQ is beneficial.T he level of the power quality is transmitted power can change from different “standard” to” premium” by consumer demands. Smart grids provide power grade changes and increase the value of variables in the same way. The evaluation of the power transmitted is mostly dependent on the structure of the electricity transmission that provides services for individual consumers. Unique considerations are specified to control the effects on power quality impact. Smart grids increase the power transmission framework and mitigate the effects of poor PQ starting with regenerative components. The promoted control strategy entire filter and necessary element make quick decisions and accurate solutions on every stage of PQ opportunity. Similarly, the grid structure emphasises the reduction of unstable effects of PQ. The smart grid drive section applies the latest research on superconductivity, materials, energy storage, and reliable modern technology to improve power quality.
A State of the Art Review of Electric Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology
Authors: Shariff Samir M , Iqbal Danish , Saad Alam M , Ahmad Furkan
Published: November 2019

Greenhouse gas emission, fast depletion of fossil fuels, the oil crisis and the increased cost of petroleum products are the major factors that need a shift from internal combustion engines to Electric Vehicles. The commercial deployment of EVs requires a large charging infrastructure to charge and discharge the EVs. Vehicle to Grid is a new emerging technology which came into existence because a large number of EVs can be used as load as well as an energy storage system to support the grid. However, the uncoordinated EV charging shows the crucial impact on the power system. Thus, optimum coordination of the V2G system needed. Thus, this paper presents a comprehensive state of art research of V2G system. The presented paper describes the methodology adopted for power flow under V2G scheme. Further, it explains the key barriers for adoption of V2G at a commercial level. Moreover, the state of art comparison is given for V2G, vehicle to home (V2H) and vehicle to vehicle (V2V). Later, the various optimization techniques have explained how they support the optimal energy management system under a coordinated V2G system.
Response of composite laminate with various cut-out combinations to tension load
Authors: Jhanji Kanu Priya , Amit Kumar R , Das Debajit , Sarkar Shivanshu
Published: November 2019

All parts like adaptor plates, swash plates, repair patches and components providing way to wires have multiple cut-outs and as composites are replacing metals and alloys in many of these components it is necessary to understand the composite material’s reaction to mechanical loads in presence of cut-outs. In this work, experiments were conducted to note the impact of combination of various cut-outs on the UTS (ultimate tensile strength) of GFRC. Result shows that specimens containing combination of square and circular cut-outs can carry highest loads before failure as compared to other combinations.
Nano scratch and Nanoindentation: An Approach to Understand the Tribological Behaviour of Max Phase Material Ti2AlC
Authors: Singh Jagtar , Wani M. F. , Banday Summera , Shekhar Chandra , Singh Gurtej
Published: November 2019

The tribological behaviour of max phase material Ti2AlC was investigated by nano scratch and nanoindentation. Ti2AlC samples were prepared by hot Isostatic pressing and Roughness of 0.002 µm of the Ti2AlC samples were measured by Optical 3D profilometer.Nano scratch tests were conducted at low loads 2000-10000 µN to investigate the tribological property of the MAX Phase Ti2AlC sample. Structural analysis and microstructure of MAX Phase Ti2AlC were measured by Raman Spectroscopy and Optical microscope.The results indicate thatthe mechanical properties decrease with increase in load as well as dwell time and tribological properties also decrease as COF increases with increase in load.
Low Power Cubic Computation Unit Using Vedic Sutras
Authors: Aatmica P , Ranjith V , Nimalsurya I , Ramesh S R
Published: November 2019

In this era of ever blooming technology, devices are developed to be more compatible and handy for the usage of people. Diminishing on-chip power has been the major concern in this nanotechnology period. Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) is the practice of developing an integrated circuit by combining several hundreds of transistors or other devices in a single chip. VLSI allows numerous functions to be added on in a single chip. Each process has inherently higher dynamic and leakage currents. Power dissipation of devices is the main concern when it applies to portable devices. Having high on-chip power degrades the devices reliability and its lifetime. There are various methods of reducing power usage by employing different algorithms, architectures, circuit logics and technology like threshold reduction. This work presents a cubic architecture designed using Vedic sutras from Vedic mathematics. It is compared with conventional architecture. Square of a binary number can be determined by using Dwanda yoga sutra of Vedic mathematics. It focuses at low power design of the architecture. This work shows that the proposed architecture has 21.53% and 46.56 % decrease in area and power respectively.
Sensor’s Data Transmission over QAM Using LDPC Over MIMO Channel to enhance the Channel capacity: Performance analysis over RMSE and BER
Authors: Panem Charanarur , Gad Vinaya R. , Gad Rajendra S.
Published: November 2019

Modern communications systems utilize effective encoding plans, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and high-order QAM-constellations for improves spectral efficiency. However, as the dimensions of the system grow, the design of efficient and low-complexity MIMO receivers possesses technical difficulties. Here in this paper, we have demonstrated data reduction method using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to fuse the data at sensor level at the transmitter and regress the same at the receiver for improvising the channel capacity of the system. We have fused 45 signals sensor data having a bandwidth from 100Hz - 3000Hz which is sampled at 6000 Hz each. The regression is measured using the RMSE of the transmitted and received signals. Also, the communication system has demonstrated the performance of the 2, 4, 8QAM modulation technique with and without LDPC decoder(log-domain) for 2x2, 3x3, 4x4 Multiple Input Multiple Output(MIMO) channel for Bit Error Rate (BER). The performance parameters for data regression and communication error is evaluated over AWGN channel ranging from -15dB to 40dB SNR. The proposed system useful for the next generation low bandwidth communication system such as wireless systems developments, i.e., WiMAX and 4G, 5G, 6G.
An intelligent control strategy for vehicle-to-grid and grid-to-vehicle energy transfer
Authors: Patil Vinayak , Sindhu M R
Published: November 2019

In this work a Fuzzy logic based control strategy for Vehicle to Grid and Grid to Vehicle energy transfer with pricing strategy for EV(Electric vehicle) and PHEV(Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) is proposed. The method proposed allows the vehicles in the public charging station or in home to intelligently charge/discharge based on the preferences of owner also taking care of grid safe operational conditions. The system discussed in this work will charge or discharge the vehicles by assigning priorities among the vehicles at the public parking infrastructure based on information of initial State of Charge of vehicle, State of Charge to be achieved at the end of charging/discharging, duration for which vehicle stays in parking infrastructure, and also proposes pricing strategy based on prediction technique to maintain uniform energy consumption of EV or PHEV on day-to-day basis. By the proposed method these charging and discharging mechanics of EV or PHEV can be leveled, scheduled, and managed intelligently.
Design of Manchester Carry Chain Adder using High speed Domino Logic
Authors: Das P , Bhalerao A L , Mane A , A Angeline A , Bhaaskaran V S K
Published: November 2019

Dynamic logic circuits are preferred over static logic circuits for their increased speed performance and lower power consumption. However, they are found prone to false evaluation while cascading multiple stages of dynamic logic circuits. To overcome this problem, the domino logic circuits were proposed by researchers. However, they offer reduced noise margins due to increased leakage current and charge sharing problems. In this paper, Manchester Carry Chain Adder design is explored for use with domino logic and comparison of various domino logic topologies intended for improved noise immunity and reduced leakage current against the proposed structure have been carried out. Wide fan-in gates and 8-bit Manchester Carry Chain Adder (MCC) based on various high speed domino logic circuit topologies have been designed using Cadence® using 180nm technology library from TSMC. Design of 8-bit OR gate, using High Speed Domino (HSD) topology consumes 10.8% lower power in comparison with Controlled-Current Comparison-based domino logic (C3D) topology. Furthermore, it is observed that an 8-bit Manchester Carry Chain adder using HSD topology is 5.027 times faster than C3D topology and the leakage power consumption is also reduced.
The development of a high throughput drug-responsive model of white adipose tissue comprising adipogenic 3T3-L1 cells in a 3D matrix
Authors: Graham Alexander D , Pandey Rajesh , Tsancheva Viktoriya S , Candeo Alessia , Botchway Stanley W , Allan Alasdair J , Teboul Lydia , Madi Kamel , Babra Tahkur S , Zolkiewski Louisa A K , Xue Xuan , Bentley Liz , Gannon Joan , Olof Sam N , Cox Roger D
Published: November 2019

Adipose models have been applied to mechanistic studies of metabolic diseases (such as diabetes) and the subsequent discovery of new therapeutics. However, typical models are either insufficiently complex (2D cell cultures) or expensive and labor intensive (mice/in vivo). To bridge the gap between these models and in order to better inform pre-clinical studies we have developed a drug-responsive 3D model of white adipose tissue (WAT). Here, spheroids (680 ± 60 μm) comprising adipogenic 3T3-L1 cells encapsulated in 3D matrix were fabricated manually on a 96 well scale. Spheroids were highly characterised for lipid morphology, selected metabolite and adipokine secretion, and gene expression; displaying significant upregulation of certain adipogenic-specific genes compared with a 2D model. Furthermore, induction of lipolysis and promotion of lipogenesis in spheroids could be triggered by exposure to 8-br-cAMP and oleic-acid respectively. Metabolic and high content imaging data of spheroids exposed to an adipose-targeting drug, rosiglitazone, resulted in dose-responsive behavior. Thus, our 3D WAT model has potential as a powerful scalable tool for compound screening and for investigating adipose biology.
Risk Prediction Models for Head and Neck Cancer in the US Population From the INHANCE Consortium
Authors: Lee Yuan-Chin Amy , Al-Temimi Mohammed , Ying Jian , Muscat Joshua , Olshan Andrew F , Zevallos Jose P , Winn Deborah M , Li Guojun , Sturgis Erich M , Morgenstern Hal , Zhang Zuo-Feng , Smith Elaine , Kelsey Karl , McClean Michael , Vaughan Thomas L , Lazarus Philip , Chen Chu , Schwartz Stephen M , Gillison Maura , Schantz Stimson , Yu Guo-Pei , D’Souza Gypsyamber , Gross Neil , Monroe Marcus , Kim Jaewhan , Boffetta Paolo , Hashibe Mia
Published: November 2019

Head and neck cancer (HNC) risk prediction models based on risk factor profiles have not yet been developed. We took advantage of the large database of the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) Consortium, including 14 US studies from 1981–2010, to develop HNC risk prediction models. Seventy percent of the data were used to develop the risk prediction models; the remaining 30% were used to validate the models. We used competing-risk models to calculate absolute risks. The predictors included age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, alcohol drinking intensity, cigarette smoking duration and intensity, and/or family history of HNC. The 20-year absolute risk of HNC was 7.61% for a 60-year-old woman who smoked more than 20 cigarettes per day for over 20 years, consumed 3 or more alcoholic drinks per day, was a high school graduate, had a family history of HNC, and was non-Hispanic white. The 20-year risk for men with a similar profile was 6.85%. The absolute risks of oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers were generally lower than those of oral cavity and laryngeal cancers. Statistics for the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were 0.70 or higher, except for oropharyngeal cancer in men. This HNC risk prediction model may be useful in promoting healthier behaviors such as smoking cessation or in aiding persons with a family history of HNC to evaluate their risks.
Evaluation of the Normality Assumption in Meta-Analyses
Authors: Wang Chia-Chun , Lee Wen-Chung
Published: November 2019

Random-effects meta-analysis is one of the mainstream methods for research synthesis. The heterogeneity in meta-analyses is usually assumed to follow a normal distribution. This is actually a strong assumption, but one that often receives little attention and is used without justification. Although methods for assessing the normality assumption are readily available, they cannot be used directly because the included studies have different within-study standard errors. Here we present a standardization framework for evaluation of the normality assumption and examine its performance in random-effects meta-analyses with simulation studies and real examples. We use both a formal statistical test and a quantile-quantile plot for visualization. Simulation studies show that our normality test has well-controlled type I error rates and reasonable power. We also illustrate the real-world significance of examining the normality assumption with examples. Investigating the normality assumption can provide valuable information for further analysis or clinical application. We recommend routine examination of the normality assumption with the proposed framework in future meta-analyses.
Learning complex subcellular distribution patterns of proteins via analysis of immunohistochemistry images
Authors: Xu Ying-Ying , Shen Hong-Bin , Murphy Robert F
Published: November 2019

Motivation

Systematic and comprehensive analysis of protein subcellular location as a critical part of proteomics (‘location proteomics’) has been studied for many years, but annotating protein subcellular locations and understanding variation of the location patterns across various cell types and states is still challenging.

Results

In this work, we used immunohistochemistry images from the Human Protein Atlas as the source of subcellular location information, and built classification models for the complex protein spatial distribution in normal and cancerous tissues. The models can automatically estimate the fractions of protein in different subcellular locations, and can help to quantify the changes of protein distribution from normal to cancer tissues. In addition, we examined the extent to which different annotated protein pathways and complexes showed similarity in the locations of their member proteins, and then predicted new potential proteins for these networks.

Availability and implementation

The dataset and code are available at: www.csbio.sjtu.edu.cn/bioinf/complexsubcellularpatterns.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Pair-based likelihood approximations for stochastic epidemic models
Authors: Stockdale Jessica E , Kypraios Theodore , O’Neill Philip D
Published: November 2019

Fitting stochastic epidemic models to data is a non-standard problem because data on the infection processes defined in such models are rarely observed directly. This in turn means that the likelihood of the observed data is intractable in the sense that it is very computationally expensive to obtain. Although data-augmented Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods provide a solution to this problem, employing a tractable augmented likelihood, such methods typically deteriorate in large populations due to poor mixing and increased computation time. Here, we describe a new approach that seeks to approximate the likelihood by exploiting the underlying structure of the epidemic model. Simulation study results show that this approach can be a serious competitor to data-augmented MCMC methods. Our approach can be applied to a wide variety of disease transmission models, and we provide examples with applications to the common cold, Ebola, and foot-and-mouth disease.
Regulation, Registration and Social Work: An International Comparison
Authors: Worsley Aidan , Beddoe Liz , McLaughlin Ken , Teater Barbra
Published: November 2019

The anticipated change of social work regulator in England from the Health and Care Professions Council to Social Work England in 2019 will herald the third, national regulator in seven years for the social work profession. Social Work England will be a new, bespoke, professionally specific regulator established as a non-departmental public body with a primary objective to protect the public. Looking globally, we can observe different approaches to the regulation of the social work profession—and many different stages of the profession’s regulatory journey between countries. Using a comparative policy analysis approach and case studies, this article looks more closely at three countries’ arrangements and attempts to understand why regulation might take the shape it does in each country. The case studies examine England, the USA (as this has a state approach, we focus on New York) and New Zealand, with contributions from qualified social work authors located within each country. We consider that there are three key elements to apply to analysis: definition of role and function, the construction of the public interest and the attitude to risk.
Exploiting the passenger ACO1-deficiency arising from 9p21 deletions to kill T-cell lymphoblastic neoplasia cells
Authors: Gonzalez-Sanchez Laura , Cobos-Fernandez Maria A , Lopez-Nieva Pilar , Villa-Morales Maria , Stamatakis Konstantinos , Cuezva Jose M , Marin-Rubio Jose L , Vazquez-Dominguez Irene , Gonzalez-Vasconcellos Iria , Salido Eduardo , Llamas Pilar , Lopez-Lorenzo Jose L , Santos Javier , Fernandez-Piqueras Jose
Published: November 2019

Precursor T-cell lymphoblastic neoplasms are aggressive malignancies in need for more effective and specific therapeutic treatments. A significant fraction of these neoplasms harbor deletions on the locus 9p21, targeting the tumor suppressor CDKN2A but also deleting the aconitase 1 (ACO1) gene, a neighboring housekeeping gene involved in cytoplasm and mitochondrial metabolism. Here we show that reducing the aconitase activity with fluorocitrate decreases the viability of T-cell lymphoblastic neoplasia cells in correlation to the differential aconitase expression. The consequences of the treatment were evidenced in vitro using T-cell lymphoblastic neoplasia cell lines exhibiting 9p21 deletions and variable levels of ACO1 expression or activity. Similar results were observed in melanoma cell lines, suggesting a true potential for fluorocitrate in different cancer types. Notably, ectopic expression of ACO1 alleviated the susceptibility of cell lines to fluorocitrate and, conversely, knockdown experiments increased susceptibility of resistant cell lines. These findings were confirmed in vivo on athymic nude mice by using tumor xenografts derived from two T-cell lines with different levels of ACO1. Taken together, our results indicate that the non-targeted ACO1 deficiency induced by common deletions exerts a collateral cellular lethality that can be used as a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of several types of cancer.
Phylogenetic Analysis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus from People Who Inject Drugs in Indonesia, Ukraine, and Vietnam: HPTN 074
Authors: Sivay Mariya V , Grabowski Mary Kathryn , Zhang Yinfeng , Palumbo Philip J , Guo Xu , Piwowar-Manning Estelle , Hamilton Erica L , Viet Ha Tran , Antonyak Svitlana , Imran Darma , Go Vivian , Liulchuk Maria , Djauzi Samsuridjal , Hoffman Irving , Miller William , Eshleman Susan H
Published: November 2019

Background

HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 074 evaluated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention interventions for people who inject drugs (PWID) in Indonesia, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Study interventions included support for HIV infection and substance use treatment. The study enrolled index participants living with HIV and injection partners who were not living with HIV. Seven partners acquired HIV infection during the study (seroconverters). We analyzed the phylogenetic relatedness between HIV strains in the cohort and the multiplicity of infection in seroconverters.

Methods

Pol region consensus sequences were used for phylogenetic analysis. Data from next-generation sequencing (NGS, env region) were used to evaluate genetic linkage of HIV from the 7 seroconverters and the corresponding index participants (index-partner pairs), to analyze HIV from index participants in pol sequence clusters, and to analyze multiplicity of HIV infection.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis of pol sequences from 445 index participants and 7 seroconverters identified 18 sequence clusters (2 index-partner pairs, 1 partner-partner pair, and 15 index-only groups with 2–7 indexes/cluster). Analysis of NGS data confirmed linkage for the 2 index-partner pairs, the partner-partner pair, and 11 of the 15 index-index clusters. The remaining 5 seroconverters had infections that were not linked to the corresponding enrolled index participant. Three (42.9%) of the 7 seroconverters were infected with more than 1 HIV strain (3–8 strains per person).

Conclusions

We identified complex patterns of HIV clustering and linkage among PWID in 3 communities. This should be considered when designing strategies for HIV prevention for PWID.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT02935296.
Diverse Human Immunodeficiency Virus–1 Drug Resistance Profiles at Screening for ACTG A5288: A Study of People Experiencing Virologic Failure on Second-line Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource-limited Settings
Authors: Wallis Carole L , Hughes Michael D , Ritz Justin , Viana Raquel , de Jesus Carlos Silva , Saravanan Shanmugam , van Schalkwyk Marije , Mngqibisa Rosie , Salata Robert , Mugyenyi Peter , Hogg Evelyn , Hovind Laura , Wieclaw Linda , Gross Robert , Godfrey Catherine , Collier Ann C , Grinsztejn Beatriz , Mellors John W
Published: November 2019

Background

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) drug resistance profiles are needed to optimize individual patient management and to develop treatment guidelines. Resistance profiles are not well defined among individuals on failing second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).

Methods

Resistance genotypes were performed during screening for enrollment into a trial of third-line ART (AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol 5288). Prior exposure to both nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-NRTIs and confirmed virologic failure on a protease inhibitor–containing regimen were required. Associations of drug resistance with sex, age, treatment history, plasma HIV RNA, nadir CD4+T-cell count, HIV subtype, and country were investigated.

Results

Plasma HIV genotypes were analyzed for 653 screened candidates; most had resistance (508 of 653; 78%) to 1 or more drugs. Genotypes from 133 (20%) showed resistance to at least 1 drug in a drug class, from 206 (32%) showed resistance to at least 1 drug in 2 drug classes, and from 169 (26%) showed resistance to at least 1 drug in all 3 commonly available drug classes. Susceptibility to at least 1 second-line regimen was preserved in 59%, as were susceptibility to etravirine (78%) and darunavir/ritonavir (97%). Susceptibility to a second-line regimen was significantly higher among women, younger individuals, those with higher nadir CD4+ T-cell counts, and those who had received lopinavir/ritonavir, but was lower among prior nevirapine recipients.

Conclusions

Highly divergent HIV drug resistance profiles were observed among candidates screened for third-line ART in LMIC, ranging from no resistance to resistance to 3 drug classes. These findings underscore the need for access to resistance testing and newer antiretrovirals for the optimal management of third-line ART in LMIC.
Isolation ofMycobacterium lepromatosisand Development of Molecular Diagnostic Assays to DistinguishMycobacterium lepraeandM. lepromatosis
Authors: Sharma Rahul , Singh Pushpendra , McCoy Rajiv C , Lenz Shannon M , Donovan Kelly , Ochoa Maria T , Estrada-Garcia Iris , Silva-Miranda Mayra , Jurado-Santa Cruz Fermin , Balagon Marivic F , Stryjewska Barbara , Scollard David M , Pena Maria T , Lahiri Ramanuj , Williams Diana L , Truman Richard W , Adams Linda B
Published: November 2019

Background

Mycobacterium leprae was thought to be the exclusive causative agent of leprosy until Mycobacterium lepromatosis was identified in a rare form of leprosy known as diffuse lepromatous leprosy (DLL).

Methods

We isolated M. lepromatosis from a patient with DLL and propagated it in athymic nude mouse footpads. Genomic analysis of this strain (NHDP-385) identified a unique repetitive element, RLPM, on which a specific real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay was developed. The RLPM assay, and a previously developed RLEP quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay for M. leprae, were validated as clinical diagnostic assays according to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments guidelines. We tested DNA from archived histological sections, patient specimens from the United States, Philippines, and Mexico, and US wild armadillos.

Results

The limit of detection for the RLEP and RLPM assays is 30 M. leprae per specimen (0.76 bacilli per reaction; coefficient of variation, 0.65%–2.44%) and 122 M. lepromatosis per specimen (3.05 bacilli per reaction; 0.84%–2.9%), respectively. In histological sections (n = 10), 1 lepromatous leprosy (LL), 1 DLL, and 3 Lucio reactions contained M. lepromatosis; 2 LL and 2 Lucio reactions contained M. leprae; and 1 LL reaction contained both species. M. lepromatosis was detected in 3 of 218 US biopsy specimens (1.38%). All Philippines specimens (n = 180) were M. lepromatosis negative and M. leprae positive. Conversely, 15 of 47 Mexican specimens (31.91%) were positive for M. lepromatosis, 19 of 47 (40.43%) were positive for M. leprae, and 2 of 47 (4.26%) contained both organisms. All armadillos were M. lepromatosis negative.

Conclusions

The RLPM and RLEP assays will aid healthcare providers in the clinical diagnosis and surveillance of leprosy.
Predictive value of left ventricular diastolic chamber stiffness in patients with severe aortic stenosis undergoing aortic valve replacement
Authors: Anand Vidhu , Adigun Rosalyn O , Thaden Jeremy T , Pislaru Sorin V , Pellikka Patricia A , Nkomo Vuyisile T , Greason Kevin L , Pislaru Cristina
Published: November 2019

Aims

Despite improvements in cardiac haemodynamics and symptoms, long-term mortality remains increased in some patients after aortic valve replacement (AVR). Limited data exist on the prognostic role of left ventricular (LV) chamber stiffening in these patients.

Methods and results

We performed a retrospective analysis in 1893 patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) referred for AVR. LV end-diastolic pressure–volume relations (EDPVR, P = αV^β) were reconstructed from echocardiographic measurements of end-diastolic volumes and estimates of end-diastolic pressure (EDP). The impact of EDPVR-derived LV chamber stiffness (CS30, at 30 mmHg EDP) on all-cause mortality after AVR was evaluated. Mean age was 76 ± 10 years, 39% were females, and ejection fraction (EF) was 61 ± 12%. The mean LV chamber stiffness (CS30) was 2.2 ± 1.3 mmHg/mL. A total of 877 (46%) patients had high LV stiffness (CS30 >2 mmHg/mL). In these patients, the EDPVR curves were steeper and shifted leftwards, indicating higher stiffness at all pressure levels. These patients were slightly older, more often female, and had more prevalent comorbidities compared to patients with low stiffness. At follow-up [median 4.2 (interquartile range 2.8–6.3) years; 675 deaths], a higher CS30 was associated with lower survival (hazard ratio: 2.7 for severe vs. mild LV stiffening; P < 0.0001), both in patients with normal or reduced EF. At multivariate analysis, CS30 remained an independent predictor, even after adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, EF, LV remodelling, and diastolic dysfunction.

Conclusion

Higher preoperative LV chamber stiffening in patients with severe AS is associated with poorer outcome despite successful AVR.
The cardiac sympathetic co-transmitter neuropeptide Y is pro-arrhythmic following ST-elevation myocardial infarction despite beta-blockade
Authors: Kalla Manish , Hao Guoliang , Tapoulal Nidi , Tomek Jakub , Liu Kun , Woodward Lavinia ,   ‘Oxford Acute Myocardial Infarction (OxAMI) Study’, Dall’Armellina Erica , Banning Adrian P , Choudhury Robin P , Neubauer Stefan , Kharbanda Rajesh K , Channon Keith M , Ajijola Olujimi A , Shivkumar Kalyanam , Paterson David J , Herring Neil
Published: November 2019

Aims

ST-elevation myocardial infarction is associated with high levels of cardiac sympathetic drive and release of the co-transmitter neuropeptide Y (NPY). We hypothesized that despite beta-blockade, NPY promotes arrhythmogenesis via ventricular myocyte receptors.

Methods and results

In 78 patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention, sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or fibrillation (VF) occurred in 6 (7.7%) within 48 h. These patients had significantly (P < 0.05) higher venous NPY levels despite the absence of classical risk factors including late presentation, larger infarct size, and beta-blocker usage. Receiver operating curve identified an NPY threshold of 27.3 pg/mL with a sensitivity of 0.83 and a specificity of 0.71. RT-qPCR demonstrated the presence of NPY mRNA in both human and rat stellate ganglia. In the isolated Langendorff perfused rat heart, prolonged (10 Hz, 2 min) stimulation of the stellate ganglia caused significant NPY release. Despite maximal beta-blockade with metoprolol (10 μmol/L), optical mapping of ventricular voltage and calcium (using RH237 and Rhod2) demonstrated an increase in magnitude and shortening in duration of the calcium transient and a significant lowering of ventricular fibrillation threshold. These effects were prevented by the Y1 receptor antagonist BIBO3304 (1 μmol/L). Neuropeptide Y (250 nmol/L) significantly increased the incidence of VT/VF (60% vs. 10%) during experimental ST-elevation ischaemia and reperfusion compared to control, and this could also be prevented by BIBO3304.

Conclusions

The co-transmitter NPY is released during sympathetic stimulation and acts as a novel arrhythmic trigger. Drugs inhibiting the Y1 receptor work synergistically with beta-blockade as a new anti-arrhythmic therapy.
Clinical management of Type II Diabetes among the unstably housed: a qualitative study of primary care physicians
Authors: Henry Mariana L , Lichtman Judith H , Hanlon Kendra , Keene Danya E
Published: November 2019

Background

Housing is a growing challenge for US adults in an increasingly unaffordable housing market. These housing challenges can create barriers to effective management and control of Type II Diabetes. However, little is known about how housing challenges are perceived and navigated by clinicians who care for patients with Type II Diabetes.

Objective

To examine how primary care clinicians perceive and navigate their patients’ housing challenges in the context of Type II Diabetes management.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 primary care clinicians practising in four clinical settings in New Haven, Connecticut. Two investigators systematically coded the interviews. Analysis of coded data was used to determine themes.

Results

Participants considered housing as significant to their patients’ health and a potential barrier to optimal diabetes management. Participants sought to improve their patients’ housing through advocacy, referrals and interdisciplinary collaborations. They also adjusted clinical decisions to adapt to patients’ housing challenges. In making clinical adjustments, participants struggled to find a balance between what they perceived to be feasible for unstably housed patients and maintaining a standard of care. Some participants navigated this balanced by employing creative strategies and individualized care.

Conclusion

In highlighting the challenges that clinicians face in maintaining a standard of care for unstably housed diabetes patients, our findings speak to the need for more guidance, resources and support to address housing in a clinical setting.
Cross-kingdom analysis of nymphal-stage Ixodes scapularis microbial communities in relation to Borrelia burgdorferi infection and load
Authors: Landesman William J , Mulder Kenneth , Fredericks L Page , Allan Brian F
Published: November 2019

The tick microbiota may influence the colonization of Ixodes scapularis by Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease bacterium. Using conserved and pathogen-specific primers we performed a cross-kingdom analysis of bacterial, fungal, protistan and archaeal communities of I. scapularis nymphs (N = 105) collected from southern Vermont, USA. The bacterial community was dominated by a Rickettsia and several environmental taxa commonly reported in I. scapularis, as well as the human pathogens B. burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. With the fungal primer set we detected primarily plant- and litter-associated taxa and >18% of sequences were Malassezia, a fungal genus associated with mammalian skin. Two 18S rRNA gene primer sets, intended to target protistan communities, returned mostly Ixodes DNA as well as the wildlife pathogen Babesia odocoilei (7% of samples), a Gregarines species (14%) and a Spirurida nematode (18%). Data from pathogen-specific and conserved primers were consistent in terms of prevalence and identification. We measured B. burgdorferi presence/absence and load and found that bacterial beta diversity varied based on B. burgdorferi presence/absence. Load was weakly associated with bacterial community composition. We identified taxa associated with B. burgdorferi infection that should be evaluated for their role in vector colonization by pathogens.
Electromagnetic wave propagation based upon spectral-element methodology in dispersive and attenuating media
Authors: Morency Christina
Published: November 2019

We build on mathematical equivalences between Maxwell’s wave equations for an electromagnetic medium and elastic seismic wave equations. This allows us to readily model Maxwell’s wave propagation in the spectral-element codes SPECFEM2D and SPECFEM3D, written for acoustic, viscoelastic and poroelastic seismic wave propagation, providing the ability to handle complex geometries, inherent to finite-element methods and retaining the strength of exponential convergence and accuracy due to the use of high-degree polynomials to interpolate field functions on the elements, characteristic to spectral-element methods (SEMs). Attenuation and dispersion processes related to the frequency dependence of dielectric permittivity and conductivity are also included using a Zener model, similar to shear attenuation in viscoelastic media or viscous diffusion in poroelastic media, and a Kelvin–Voigt model, respectively. Ability to account for anisotropic media is also discussed. Here, we limit ourselves to certain dielectric permittivity tensor geometries, in order to conserve a diagonal mass matrix after discretization of the system of equations. Doing so, simulation of Maxwell’s wave equations in the radar frequency range based on SEM can be solved using explicit time integration schemes well suited for parallel computation. We validate our formulation with analytical solutions. In 2-D, our implementation allows for the modelling of both a transverse magnetic (TM) mode, suitable for surface based reflection ground penetration radar type of applications, and a transverse electric (TE) mode more suitable for crosshole and vertical radar profiling setups. Two 2-D examples are designed to demonstrated the use of the TM and TE modes. A 3-D example is also presented, which allows for the full TEM solution, different antenna orientations, and out-of-plane variations in material properties.
On the
h
-Cobordism Category I
Authors: Raptis George , Steimle Wolfgang
Published: November 2019

We consider the topological category of $h$-cobordisms between smooth manifolds with boundary and compare its homotopy type with the standard $h$-cobordism space of a compact smooth manifold.
From Spinning Silk to Spreading Saliva: Mouthpart Remodeling inManduca sexta(Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)
Authors: Mikó István , Rahman Sarthok Rasique , Jones Anne C , Townley Mark A , Gominho Brandon , Paudel Sulav , Stupski S David , Hines Heather M , Schilder Rudolf J
Published: November 2019

As a model organism, the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (Linnaeus 1763) has contributed much to our knowledge of developmental processes in insects, and major developmental changes between different larval instars are generally well understood. Second and later instars of M. sexta do not produce silk, and their spinneret and accessory labial glands (=Lyonet’s glands), structures thought to be key players in silk production in other lepidopterans, are highly reduced. To our knowledge, mouthparts and labial gland morphology of the silk-producing first instar have never been described. In this study, we compared the mouthpart morphology and transcriptome profile of first and later instars of M. sexta to determine whether the loss of silk production correlates with changes in the structure of the spinneret and the labial glands, and with changes in expression of silk-related genes. We found that the first instar, unlike later instars, has a typical, silk-producing spinneret with a tube-like spigot and well developed Lyonet’s glands. Moreover, three known silk protein genes are highly expressed in the first instar but exhibit little to no expression in the embryo or later instars. Thus, the changes in morphology and gene expression presented here, coinciding with changes in larval behavior from silk production to saliva spreading, further our understanding of the developmental processes underlying this transition in this model organism.
Revision of the Highly Specialized Ant Genus Discothyrea (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Afrotropics with X-Ray Microtomography and 3D Cybertaxonomy
Authors: Hita-Garcia Francisco , Lieberman Ziv , Audisio Tracy L , Liu Cong , Economo Evan P
Published: November 2019

Discothyrea Roger, 1863 is a small genus of proceratiine ants with remarkable morphology and biology. However, due to cryptic lifestyle, Discothyrea are poorly represented in museum collections and their taxonomy has been severely neglected. We perform the first comprehensive revision of Discothyrea in the Afrotropical region through a combination of traditional and three-dimensional (3D) cybertaxonomy based on microtomography (micro-CT). Species diagnostics and morphological character evaluations are based on examinations of all physical specimens and virtual analyses of 3D surface models generated from micro-CT data. Additionally, we applied virtual dissections for detailed examinations of cephalic structures to establish terminology based on homology for the first time in Discothyrea. The complete datasets comprising micro-CT data, 3D surface models and videos, still images of volume renderings, and colored stacked images are available online as cybertype datasets (Hita Garcia et al. 2019, http://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.3qm4183). We define two species complexes (D. oculata and D. traegaordhi complexes) and revise the taxonomy of all species through detailed illustrated diagnostic character plates, a newly developed identification key, species descriptions, and distribution maps. In total, we recognize 20 species; of which, 15 are described as new. We also propose D. hewitti Arnold, 1916 as junior synonym of D. traegaordhi Santschi, 1914 and D. sculptior Santschi, 1913 as junior synonym of D. oculata Emery, 1901. Also, we designate a neotype for D. traegaordhi to stabilize its status and identity, and we designate a lectotype for D. oculata. The observed diversity and endemism are discussed within the context of Afrotropical biogeography and the oophagous lifestyle.
Role of the N-terminus in human 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase activity
Authors: Feng An-Ning , Huang Chih-Wei , Lin Chi-Huei , Chang Yung-Lung , Ni Meng-Yuan , Lee Hwei-Jen
Published: November 2019

4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD) is a key enzyme in tyrosine catabolism, catalysing the oxidation of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate to homogentisate. Genetic deficiency of this enzyme causes type III tyrosinaemia. The enzyme comprises two barrel-shaped domains formed by the N- and C-termini, with the active site located in the C-terminus. This study investigated the role of the N-terminus, located at the domain interface, in HPPD activity. We observed that the kcat/Km decreased ∼8-fold compared with wild type upon removal of the 12 N-terminal residues (ΔR13). Interestingly, the wild-type level of activity was retained in a mutant missing the 17 N-terminal residues, with a kcat/Km 11-fold higher than that of the ΔR13 mutant; however, the structural stability of this mutant was lower than that of wild type. A 2-fold decrease in catalytic efficiency was observed for the K10A and E12A mutants, indicating synergism between these residues in the enzyme catalytic function. A molecular dynamics simulation showed large RMS fluctuations in ΔR13 suggesting that conformational flexibility at the domain interface leads to lower activity in this mutant. These results demonstrate that the N-terminus maintains the stability of the domain interface to allow for catalysis at the active site of HPPD.
Ultrasound-Guided Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve Cryoneurolysis for Analgesia in Patients With Burns
Authors: Finneran John J , Swisher Matthew W , Gabriel Rodney A , Fiallo Alfredo , Hamilton Jeffrey R , Lee Jeanne G , Ilfeld Brian M
Published: November 2019

Autologous skin grafting from the thigh is frequently required for treatment of burns and is associated with intense pain at the donor site. Local anesthetic–based (LA) nerve blocks of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) have been demonstrated to provide analgesia when the graft is taken from the lateral thigh. However, the duration of these single injection blocks has been reported to average only 9 hours, whereas the pain from the procedure lasts days or weeks. Continuous LA nerve blocks can also be used to provide analgesia during serial debridement of burns, although this requires placement of a perineural catheter which may increase infection risk in a population with an increased susceptibility to infection. Cryoneurolysis of the LFCN can potentially provide analgesia of the lateral thigh for skin graft harvesting or serial burn debridement that lasts far longer than conventional LA nerve blocks. Here, we present a series of three patients who received a combination of a LA nerve block and cryoneurolysis nerve block of the LFCN for analgesia of the lateral thigh. Two of these patients had the blocks placed before harvesting a split thickness skin graft. The third received the blocks for outpatient wound care of a burn to the lateral thigh. In all cases, the resulting analgesia lasted more than 1 week. A single cryoneurolysis block of the LFCN successfully provided extended duration analgesia of the lateral thigh for autologous skin graft donor site or wound care of a burn in three patients.