bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analytical design of control system mathematical models for mobile robots based on the methods of inverse problems of dynamics and modal PID controllers
Authors: Sizykh V N , Antoshkin S B , Daneev R A , Bakanov M V , Livshits A V , Aleksandrov A A
Published: February 2020

Mathematical models of a three-wheeled mobile robot based on the variable state apparatus and in the operator’s form are presented. Based on these mathematical models, the synthesis of its adaptive control system is carried out according to the method of constructing Ziegler-Nichols PID controllers, as well as modal PID controllers. The design method of proportional controllers with double differentiation (PDD) of the autonomous robot is justified. The rules of wheel pair control are synthesized on the basis of reference models using a simple gradient scheme of the inverse problems method of dynamics in the formulation of P. D. Krutko for the problem of stabilizing (blanking) the angular velocities for a three-wheeled mobile robot. Simulink-models of robot movement are developed for cases with the use of PID-controllers which are adjusted by the Ziegler-Nichols method at synchronous deviation of wheels. Simulink-models of robot motion have been developed for cases using PID controllers set up according to the Ziegler-Nichols method for synchronous wheel deflection, modal and real PID controllers for differential wheel deflection, as well as double differentiation controllers. The analysis of modeling results is considered.
The braking service of the linear induction motors with a compound-equalized magnetic flux for magnetic-levitation transport
Authors: Solomin A V
Published: February 2020

In recent years, more and more attention has been paid to the development of new promising high-speed modes of the transport, especially, magnetic and vacuum pipelines. The linear induction motors will be used as traction machines in the early stages of the development of the magnetic-levitation and vacuum transport. The linear induction motors with compound-equalized magnetic flux for lines of the force, which, in addition to traction, can create lateral stabilization forces of high-speed carriages on a magnetic suspension, will be used in a magnetic vehicle in the nearest future. The effective and safe braking issues are of particular importance for high-speed magnetic-levitation transport. To reduce the speed and stop high-speed transport carriages on a magnetic suspension, the linear traction motors can operate as eddy current principle of the brakes. The article discusses the braking modes of a linear induction motor with a compound-equalized magnetic flux for lines based on the equivalent circuit of the machine. The analytical relationships are obtained for the calculation of the braking forces.
Reduction of electrical energy losses of power transformers of 25 kV traction substations
Authors: Grigoriev N P , Klykov M S , Tikhomirov V A , Trofimovich P N
Published: February 2020

The aim of the study is to reduce the losses of electrical energy in power transformers of AC traction substations. To reduce the losses of electrical energy, interval counterregulation of performance indicators in the traction power supply system is performed. The planning of the electrical energy losses is determined by the predictive time intervals. The electrical energy losses in the time interval are determined by the power losses of instantaneous circuits. Instantaneous circuits determine the voltage of the windings of transformers, the currents of the power supply arms of the electric traction network, the transformation ratios, the temperature of the windings and the power of regional loads. The predictive values of the instantaneous circuits are determined by the results of the monitoring of the completed train schedules, statistical analysis and simulation modeling of the operation of the traction substation. The initial data for the calculation are the predictive discrete values of the performance indicators of the traction power supply system. The calculation of power losses in steel in power transformers is performed taking into account voltage unbalance. Copper losses are determined in phases, taking into account the distribution of arm currents in the windings and the actual transformation ratios. Actual transformation ratios are determined based on the voltage control stage. The effect of winding temperature on power losses is taken into account by the temperature coefficient of resistance. The number of transformers in operation at the predictive time intervals is selected by the minimum loss of electrical energy. The accuracy of the choice of the number of transformers in operation is checked by analyzing the implementation of the forecast train schedule. The error of the initial data and simulation modeling is determined by comparing the predictive values and the monitoring results. It is proposed to carry out performance management of the traction power supply system on the basis of digital technologies.
Creation of a learning microprocessor system for protection of contact network feeders using adaptive parametric identification methods
Authors: Vostrikov M V , Menaker K V , Ushakov V A
Published: February 2020

Handling of high-weight trains, double trains, packet traffic schedule, recuperation on electric locomotives often leads to false protection relays, downtime of trains and increased wear of power switching and protective equipment of traction substations. The paper proposes methods to improve the selectivity of microprocessor relay protection of feeders of AC traction substations contact network by increasing the accuracy of extraction of the first current and voltage harmonic based on phase locked circuits, integration of learning subroutines by fixing the electric parameters and creating the sets of dynamic setpoints in accordance with the current train situation and adaptive parametric identification of dynamic assessment of current electric parameters of the traction network. It also analyzes structural diagrams of hardware and software of the proposed microprocessor protection system of contact network feeders.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Subepithelial Myofibroblasts Increases the TGF-β1 Activity That Regulates Fibrosis in Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Li Chao , Grider John R , Murthy Karnam S , Bohl Jaime , Rivet Emily , Wieghard Nicole , Kuemmerle John F
Published: February 2020

Background

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is an essential response of epithelial and immune cells to inflammation in Crohn’s disease. The presence and mechanisms that might regulate the ER stress response in subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs) and its role in the development of fibrosis in patients with Crohn’s disease have not been examined.

Methods

Subepithelial myofibroblasts were isolated from the affected ileum and normal ileum of patients with each Montreal phenotype of Crohn’s disease and from normal ileum in non-Crohn’s subjects. Binding of GRP78 to latent TGF-β1 and its subcellular trafficking was examined using proximity ligation-hybridization assay (PLA). The effects of XBP1 and ATF6 on TGF-β1 expression were measured using DNA-ChIP and luciferase reporter assay. Endoplasmic reticulum stress components, TGF-β1, and collagen levels were analyzed in SEMF transfected with siRNA-mediated knockdown of DNMT1 and GRP78 or with DNMT1 inhibitor 5-Azacytidine or with overexpression of miR-199a-5p.

Results

In SEMF of strictured ileum from patients with B2 Crohn’s disease, expression of ER stress sensors increased significantly. Tunicamycin elicited time-dependent increase in GRP78 protein levels, direct interaction with latent TGF-β1, and activated TGF-β1 signaling. The TGFB1 DNA-binding activity of ATF-6α and XBP1 were significantly increased and elicited increased TGFB1 transcription in SEMF-isolated from affected ileum. The levels of ER stress components, TGF-β1, and collagen expression in SEMF were significantly decreased following knockdown of DNMT1 or GRP78 by 5-Azacytidine treatment or overexpression of miR-199a-5p.

Conclusions

Endoplasmic reticulum stress is present in SEMF of patients susceptible to fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease and can contribute to development of fibrosis. Targeting ER stress may represent a novel therapeutic target to prevent fibrosis in patients with fibrostenotic Crohn’s disease.
Design, operation and performance of the PAON4 prototype transit interferometer
Authors: Ansari R , Campagne J E , Charlet D , Moniez M , Pailler C , Perdereau O , Taurigna M , Martin J M , Rigaud F , Colom P , Abbon Ph , Magneville Ch , Pezzani J , Viou C , Torchinsky S A , Huang Q , Zhang J
Published: February 2020

PAON4 is an L-band (1250–1500 MHz) small interferometer operating in transit mode deployed at the Nançay observatory in France, designed as a prototype instrument for intensity mapping. It features four 5 m diameter dishes in a compact triangular configuration, with a total geometric collecting area of ${\sim} 75\, \mathrm{m^2}$, and is equipped with dual polarization receivers. A total of 36 visibilities are computed from the eight independent RF signals by the software correlator over the full 250 MHz RF band. The array operates in transit mode, with the dishes pointed toward a fixed declination, while the sky drifts across the instrument. Sky maps for each frequency channel are then reconstructed by combining the time-dependent visibilities from the different baselines observed at different declinations. This paper presents an overview of the PAON4 instrument design and goals, as a prototype for dish arrays to map the large-scale structure in radio, using intensity mapping of the atomic hydrogen 21 cm line. We operated PAON4 over several years and use data from observations at different periods to assess the array performance. We present a preliminary analysis of a large fraction of these data and discuss crucial issues for this type of instrument, such as the calibration strategy, instrument response stability and noise behaviour.
Magnetized filament models for diverging plasma lenses
Authors: Rogers Adam , Mohamed Abdul , Preston Bailey , Fiege Jason D , Er Xinzhong
Published: February 2020

Spherical plasma lens models are known to suffer from a severe overpressure problem, with some observations requiring lenses with central pressures up to millions of times in excess of the ambient interstellar medium. There are two ways that lens models can solve the overpressure problem: a confinement mechanism exists to counter the internal pressure of the lens, or the lens has a unique geometry, such that the projected column-density appears large to an observer. This occurs with highly asymmetric models, such as edge-on sheets or filaments, with potentially low volume–density. In the first part of this work we investigate the ability of non-magnetized plasma filaments to mimic the magnification of sources seen behind spherical lenses and we extend a theorem from gravitational lens studies regarding this model degeneracy. We find that for plasma lenses, the theorem produces unphysical charge density distributions. In the second part of the work, we consider the plasma lens overpressure problem. Using magnetohydrodynamics, we develop a non self-gravitating model filament confined by a helical magnetic field. We use toy models in the force-free limit to illustrate novel lensing properties. Generally, magnetized filaments may act as lenses in any orientation with respect to the observer, with the most high-density events produced from filaments with axes near the line of sight. We focus on filaments that are perpendicular to the line of sight that show the toroidal magnetic field component may be observed via the lens rotation measure.
How surfaces shape the climate of habitable exoplanets
Authors: Madden Jack , Kaltenegger Lisa
Published: February 2020

Large ground- and space-based telescopes will be able to observe Earth-like planets in the near future. We explore how different planetary surfaces can strongly influence the climate, atmospheric composition, and remotely detectable spectra of terrestrial rocky exoplanets in the habitable zone depending on the host star’s incident irradiation spectrum for a range of Sun-like host stars from F0V to K7V. We update a well-tested 1D climate-photochemistry model to explore the changes of a planetary environment for different surfaces for different host stars. Our results show that using a wavelength-dependent surface albedo is critical for modelling potentially habitable rocky exoplanets.
Consensus recommendations for a standardized brain tumor imaging protocol for clinical trials in brain metastases
Authors: Kaufmann Timothy J , Smits Marion , Boxerman Jerrold , Huang Raymond , Barboriak Daniel P , Weller Michael , Chung Caroline , Tsien Christina , Brown Paul D , Shankar Lalitha , Galanis Evanthia , Gerstner Elizabeth , van den Bent Martin J , Burns Terry C , Parney Ian F , Dunn Gavin , Brastianos Priscilla K , Lin Nancy U , Wen Patrick Y , Ellingson Benjamin M
Published: February 2020

A recent meeting was held on March 22, 2019, among the FDA, clinical scientists, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, clinical trials cooperative groups, and patient advocacy groups to discuss challenges and potential solutions for increasing development of therapeutics for central nervous system metastases. A key issue identified at this meeting was the need for consistent tumor measurement for reliable tumor response assessment, including the first step of standardized image acquisition with an MRI protocol that could be implemented in multicenter studies aimed at testing new therapeutics. This document builds upon previous consensus recommendations for a standardized brain tumor imaging protocol (BTIP) in high-grade gliomas and defines a protocol for brain metastases (BTIP-BM) that addresses unique challenges associated with assessment of CNS metastases. The “minimum standard” recommended pulse sequences include: (i) parameter matched pre- and post-contrast inversion recovery (IR)–prepared, isotropic 3D T1-weighted gradient echo (IR-GRE); (ii) axial 2D T2-weighted turbo spin echo acquired after injection of gadolinium-based contrast agent and before post-contrast 3D T1-weighted images; (iii) axial 2D or 3D T2-weighted fluid attenuated inversion recovery; (iv) axial 2D, 3-directional diffusion-weighted images; and (v) post-contrast 2D T1-weighted spin echo images for increased lesion conspicuity. Recommended sequence parameters are provided for both 1.5T and 3T MR systems. An “ideal” protocol is also provided, which replaces IR-GRE with 3D TSE T1-weighted imaging pre- and post-gadolinium, and is best performed at 3T, for which dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion is included. Recommended perfusion parameters are given.
The Ethics of Workplace Health Promotion
Authors: Kuhn Eva , Müller Sebastian , Heidbrink Ludger , Buyx Alena
Published: February 2020

Companies increasingly offer their employees the opportunity to participate in voluntary Workplace Health Promotion programmes. Although such programmes have come into focus through national and regional regulation throughout much of the Western world, their ethical implications remain largely unexamined. This article maps the territory of the ethical issues that have arisen in relation to voluntary health promotion in the workplace against the background of asymmetric relationships between employers and employees. It addresses questions of autonomy and voluntariness, discrimination and distributive justice, as well as privacy and responsibility. Following this analysis, we highlight the inadequacy of currently established ethical frameworks to sufficiently cover all aspects of workplace health promotion. Thus, we recommend the consideration of principles from all such frameworks in combination, in a joint reflection of an Ethics of Workplace Health Promotion.
Distribution of Asclepias Asymptomatic Virus and Exploration of Possible Effects on the Wild Plant Host, Asclepias viridis
Authors: Alexander Helen M. , Steets Janette A. , Ali Akhtar
Published: February 2020

Viruses in wild plants are poorly studied yet important sources of emerging diseases. We surveyed populations of a perennial host, Asclepias viridis, for Asclepias asymptomatic virus (AsAV) in nine sites (two in Oklahoma, seven in Kansas) from 2015 to 2018. All collected leaf samples from A. viridis were tested serologically by dot-immunobinding assays. In Oklahoma, the virus was present and abundant at both sites; in Kansas, the virus was found in four sites, but only one or two plants were infected per site. We followed the fate of individual plants and found little evidence that plant persistence or reproduction differed among plants with and without virus infection. Infected plants were 20% shorter than noninfected plants in two years at one site. No symptoms were evident in virus-infected plants. We observed apparent gains and losses of infection across years in Oklahoma but not in Kansas. The apparent neutral to slightly negative effects of this virus on this wild host emphasize the importance of studying wild plant–wild virus interactions to more fully understand plant virus ecology. Further, the fact that the virus is known to cause symptoms in plants of economically important families emphasizes the applied importance of research on wild viruses.
Late Growth Stages of Johnsongrass Can Act as an Alternate Host of Colletotrichum sublineola
Authors: Ahn Ezekiel , Odvody Gary , Prom Louis K. , Magill Clint
Published: February 2020

Twenty-six johnsongrass cultivars, collected from seven U.S. states, were spray inoculated with spores of an isolate of Colletotrichum sublineola derived from sorghum. Inoculations were made when plants reached growth stages of 2 (four to five leaves), 3 (seven to eight leaves), and 6 (post panicle emergence). At the earlier stages the johnsongrass cultivars showed hypersensitive responses and small lesions; however, acervulus formation was not observed. When late growth stage johnsongrass plants were spray inoculated, acervulus formation was confirmed in 19 cultivars as early as 5 days postinoculation. Results obtained confirm that johnsongrass can act as an alternate host of C. sublineola under favorable conditions, and growth stages of johnsongrass may be an important factor for cross infection of C. sublineola between johnsongrass and sorghum.
Sensitivity of Colletotrichum Isolates Collected from Strawberries in Georgia to Pyraclostrobin, a Quinone Outside Inhibitor (QoI) Fungicide
Authors: Ali Md Emran , Hudson Owen , Waliullah Sumyya , Cook Jeff , Brannen Phillip M.
Published: February 2020

Anthracnose fruit rot disease, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is the most significant disease problem of commercial strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) production in the southeastern United States. The hot, humid weather and continuous rainfall in Georgia make Colletotrichum-induced fruit rot a widespread problem in strawberry production. In order to control this disease, growers mainly rely on preventive fungicide applications from flower bud emergence to harvest. The most commonly used single-site fungicides are quinone outside inhibitors (QoIs); the QoI active ingredients azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin are utilized to manage anthracnose fruit rot. In 2019, we collected 108 strawberry fruits with visible rot symptoms from seven different strawberry farms in Georgia. These farms had received multiple applications of QoI fungicides during the 2019 growing season, as well as in previous seasons. Sensitivities to pyraclostrobin were assessed on 1% malt extract agar using a mycelial growth inhibition assay. Our results demonstrated that a majority of Colletotrichum isolates collected in 2019 were not inhibited by pyraclostrobin, suggesting a growing resistance issue with the QoI fungicides. A PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay showed the presence of the G143A mutation in all QoI “resistant” C. acutatum isolates and none for isolates labeled “reduced sensitivity” or “sensitive”. These results further prove that C. acutatum isolates with the G143A mutation are highly resistant to the QoI fungicide. These findings suggest that there is a high risk of resistance development associated with using pyraclostrobin (likely all QoIs) for controlling anthracnose fruit rot of strawberry in Georgia.
Audiovisual Enhancement of Speech Perception in Noise by School-Age Children Who Are Hard of Hearing
Authors: Lalonde Kaylah , McCreery Ryan W.
Published: February 2020

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to examine age- and hearing-related differences in school-age children’s benefit from visual speech cues. The study addressed three questions: (1) Do age and hearing loss affect degree of audiovisual (AV) speech enhancement in school-age children? (2) Are there age- and hearing-related differences in the mechanisms underlying AV speech enhancement in school-age children? (3) What cognitive and linguistic variables predict individual differences in AV benefit among school-age children?

Design:

Forty-eight children between 6 and 13 years of age (19 with mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss; 29 with normal hearing) and 14 adults with normal hearing completed measures of auditory and AV syllable detection and/or sentence recognition in a two-talker masker type and a spectrally matched noise. Children also completed standardized behavioral measures of receptive vocabulary, visuospatial working memory, and executive attention. Mixed linear modeling was used to examine effects of modality, listener group, and masker on sentence recognition accuracy and syllable detection thresholds. Pearson correlations were used to examine the relationship between individual differences in children’s AV enhancement (AV−auditory-only) and age, vocabulary, working memory, executive attention, and degree of hearing loss.

Results:

Significant AV enhancement was observed across all tasks, masker types, and listener groups. AV enhancement of sentence recognition was similar across maskers, but children with normal hearing exhibited less AV enhancement of sentence recognition than adults with normal hearing and children with hearing loss. AV enhancement of syllable detection was greater in the two-talker masker than the noise masker, but did not vary significantly across listener groups. Degree of hearing loss positively correlated with individual differences in AV benefit on the sentence recognition task in noise, but not on the detection task. None of the cognitive and linguistic variables correlated with individual differences in AV enhancement of syllable detection or sentence recognition.

Conclusions:

Although AV benefit to syllable detection results from the use of visual speech to increase temporal expectancy, AV benefit to sentence recognition requires that an observer extracts phonetic information from the visual speech signal. The findings from this study suggest that all listener groups were equally good at using temporal cues in visual speech to detect auditory speech, but that adults with normal hearing and children with hearing loss were better than children with normal hearing at extracting phonetic information from the visual signal and/or using visual speech information to access phonetic/lexical representations in long-term memory. These results suggest that standard, auditory-only clinical speech recognition measures likely underestimate real-world speech recognition skills of children with mild to severe hearing loss.
Thrombocytopenia During Prostacyclin Analogue Therapies of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension—Possible Pathomechanisms and Implications
Authors: Grześk Grzegorz , Karasek Danuta , Kusiak Mateusz
Published: February 2020

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a quite rare, but problematic disease in everyday cardiologists' practice. Prostanoids are the most important group of drugs used in this disease. One of the biggest problems encountered during treatment with analogs of prostacyclin is thrombocytopenia. Based on hematological guidelines we suggest common therapeutic schemes depending on the number of platelets or the severity of bleeding conducting the therapy.
Middle School Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Have a Greater Concussion History
Authors: Iverson Grant L. , Kelshaw Patricia M. , Cook Nathan E. , Caswell Shane V.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

Examine lifetime history of concussions in middle school student athletes who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Nine middle schools in Virginia, USA.

Participants:

A sample of 1037 middle school students (ages 11-14 years, M = 12.6, SD = 0.93; 45.8% girls) underwent baseline/preseason assessments during the 2017 to 2018 academic year and self-reported their health history, including whether or not they had been diagnosed with ADHD. Athletes were divided into 2 groups, those with ADHD (n = 71; 6.8%) and control subjects (n = 966).

Independent Variables:

Self-reported diagnosis of ADHD and self-identified sex.

Main Outcome Measures:

Self-reported concussion history.

Results:

In the total sample, boys were more likely to report a previous history of concussion than girls [χ2(1) = 10.81, P = 0.001; odds ratio (OR) = 1.92; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.30-2.85]. The rate of previous concussion in children with ADHD (23.9%) was twice the rate of previous concussion among children without ADHD (11.4%) [χ2(1) = 9.70, P = 0.002; OR = 2.45; 95% CI, 1.37-4.38]. Approximately 1 in 4 boys with ADHD (24.5%) and 1 in 5 girls with ADHD (22.2%) reported having sustained one or more previous concussions.

Conclusions:

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is associated with a greater prevalence of previous concussion in middle school children. Further research is needed to understand the risk of sustaining concussion for young athletes with ADHD, as well as short- and long-term outcomes of concussion among young athletes with ADHD.
Correlations of Single-Leg Performance Tests to Patient-Reported Outcomes After Primary Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Roe Chelsey , Jacobs Cale , Kline Paul , Lucas Kathryn , Johnson Darren , Ireland Mary L. , Lattermann Christian , Noehren Brian
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To determine the relationship between patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to the single-leg step-down test (SLSD) and the Y-balance anterior reach (YB-A) 6 months after primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Design:

Cross-sectional.

Setting:

Laboratory.

Participants:

Sixty-six patients 6 months after ACLR participated.

Interventions:

Patients performed the SLSD, YB-A, and completed PROs after ACLR.

Main Outcome Measures:

Patients completed the International Knee Documentation Committee Score (IKDC), the Lysholm Activity Scale, the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK-11), and the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)–Symptom, –Sport, and –Quality of Life (QOL) subscales. The SLSD requires subjects to complete as many single-leg step-downs as possible in 60 seconds, and the YB-A involves reaching anteriorly on a single limb. Pearson product moment correlations were used to assess relationships between the YB-A and SLSD performance to each PRO.

Results:

Single-leg step-down test symmetry was significantly correlated with the TSK-11 (r = −0.70), KOOS-Sport (r = 0.40), -Symptom (r = 0.46), and -QOL (r = 0.42). The YB-A symmetry was significantly correlated with the KOOS-Symptom (r = 0.30) and KOOS-Sport (r = 0.30).

Conclusions:

Single-leg step-down test performance demonstrated stronger relationships to patient-reported knee function than the YB-A. Furthermore, the SLSD symmetry was strongly correlated with fear of movement. The SLSD provides a robust method for clinicians to assess dynamic knee function and may aid in identifying patients who could benefit from intervention to reduce fear of movement or reinjury.
Safety and Impact on Training of the Influenza Vaccines in Elite Athletes Participating in the Rio 2016 Olympics
Authors: Krzywański Jarosław , Kuchar Ernest , Pokrywka Andrzej , Mikulski Tomasz , Pilchowska Iwona , Młyńczak Marcel , Krysztofiak Hubert , Jurczyk Janusz , Ziemba Andrzej , Nitsch-Osuch Aneta
Published: February 2020

Objective:

The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and tolerance of influenza vaccines for the northern and southern hemispheres in Polish elite athletes participating in the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Design:

Prospective, observational, cohort study.

Setting:

Institutional level.

Participants:

Ninety-seven athletes vaccinated only with the northern hemisphere vaccine; 98 athletes received the southern hemisphere vaccine alone, whereas 39 athletes were vaccinated with both vaccines.

Interventions:

The athletes were vaccinated with a trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine recommended for the northern hemisphere 2015/2016 and then with the vaccine recommended for the southern hemisphere 2016. Athletes kept a diary of adverse events and effects (if any) on training for 6 days after vaccination.

Main Outcome Measures:

The percentage of general and local adverse events, number of lost or modified training sessions.

Results:

Significantly more local adverse events (pain and redness) were found in the group immunized with the vaccine for the northern hemisphere. There were no differences in the frequency of general adverse events and influence on training between groups. Of total 273 athletes who had 1911 training days during 6 days after vaccination, 6 athletes (2.2%) lost 13 training days (0.7%) and 16 athletes (5.9%) had to modify 34 (1.7%) training days within first 2 days after vaccination.

Conclusions:

Athletes tolerated influenza immunization well. If they are going to travel to the other hemisphere during the influenza season, the use of the second influenza vaccine should be advised. Athletes should anticipate modification of trainings for 2 days after vaccination.
Human Cochlear Nucleus on 7 Tesla Diffusion Tensor Imaging: Insights Into Micro-anatomy and Function for Auditory Brainstem Implant Surgery
Authors: Epprecht Lorenz , Qureshi Ahad , Kozin Elliott D. , Vachicouras Nicolas , Huber Alexander M. , Kikinis Ron , Makris Nikos , Brown M. Christian , Reinshagen Katherine L. , Lee Daniel J.
Published: February 2020

Objective:

The cochlear nucleus (CN) is the target of the auditory brainstem implant (ABI). Most ABI candidates have Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) and distorted brainstem anatomy from bilateral vestibular schwannomas. The CN is difficult to characterize as routine structural MRI does not resolve detailed anatomy. We hypothesize that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) enables both in vivo localization and quantitative measurements of CN morphology.

Study Design:

We analyzed 7 Tesla (T) DTI images of 100 subjects (200 CN) and relevant anatomic structures using an MRI brainstem atlas with submillimetric (50 μm) resolution.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center.

Patients:

Young healthy normal hearing adults.

Intervention:

Diagnostic.

Main Outcome Measures:

Diffusion scalar measures such as fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), mode of anisotropy (Mode), principal eigenvectors of the CN, and the adjacent inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP).

Results:

The CN had a lamellar structure and ventral-dorsal fiber orientation and could be localized lateral to the inferior cerebellar peduncle (ICP). This fiber orientation was orthogonal to tracts of the adjacent ICP where the fibers run mainly caudal-rostrally. The CN had lower FA compared to the medial aspect of the ICP (0.44 ± 0.09 vs. 0.64 ± 0.08, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

7T DTI enables characterization of human CN morphology and neuronal substructure. An ABI array insertion vector directed more caudally would better correspond to the main fiber axis of CN. State-of-the-art DTI has implications for ABI preoperative planning and future image guidance-assisted placement of the electrode array.
Management of Occult Contralateral Inguinal Hernia: Diagnosis and Treatment With Laparoscopic Totally Extra Peritoneal Repair
Authors: Kara Halil , Arikan Akif E. , Dülgeroğlu Onur , Moldur Derya E. , Uras Cihan
Published: February 2020

Background:

Up to 33% risk of occult contralateral inguinal hernia has been reported. This study aims to evaluate diagnostic and treatment modalities in the case of occult contralateral hernia and the role of ultrasonography (USG).

Materials and Methods:

Patients who had undergone inguinal hernia repair between 2009 and 2018 were studied retrospectively. The detection rate of occult inguinal hernia by USG and results of laparoscopic totally extra peritoneal repair (TEP) were evaluated.

Results:

Of 295 patients, USG was performed to the contralateral site in 80 with clinically unilateral hernia and occult hernia was detected in 44 (55%). Bilateral TEP was performed for these patients. There was no recurrence and no significant complication.

Conclusions:

As it is noninvasive, easily accessible and has high sensitivity, USG is recommended in diagnosis. In the case of occult contralateral inguinal hernia, bilateral TEP is considered as a safe procedure. Thus, the need for a second operation and related complications can be prevented. We recommend routine USG to detect whether contralateral occult inguinal hernia is present.
The gut microbiome distinguishes mortality in trauma patients upon admission to the emergency department
Authors: Burmeister David M. , Johnson Taylor R. , Lai Zhao , Scroggins Shannon R. , DeRosa Mark , Jonas Rachelle B. , Zhu Caroline , Scherer Elizabeth , Stewart Ronald M. , Schwacha Martin G. , Jenkins Donald H. , Eastridge Brian J. , Nicholson Susannah E.
Published: February 2020

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injury can lead to a compromised intestinal epithelial barrier, decreased gut perfusion, and inflammation. While recent studies indicate that the gut microbiome (GM) is altered early following traumatic injury, the impact of GM changes on clinical outcomes remains unknown. Our objective of this follow-up study was to determine if the GM is associated with clinical outcomes in critically injured patients.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective, observational study in adult patients (N = 67) sustaining severe injury admitted to a level I trauma center. Fecal specimens were collected on admission to the emergency department, and microbial DNA from all samples was analyzed using the Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology pipeline and compared against the Greengenes database. α-Diversity and β-diversity were estimated using the observed species metrics and analyzed with t tests and permutational analysis of variance for overall significance, with post hoc pairwise analyses.

RESULTS

Our patient population consisted of 63% males with a mean age of 44 years. Seventy-eight percent of the patients suffered blunt trauma with 22% undergoing penetrating injuries. The mean body mass index was 26.9 kg/m2. Significant differences in admission β-diversity were noted by hospital length of stay, intensive care unit hospital length of stay, number of days on the ventilator, infections, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (p < 0.05). β-Diversity on admission differed in patients who died compared with patients who lived (mean time to death, 8 days). There were also significantly less operational taxonomic units in samples from patients who died versus those who survived. A number of species were enriched in the GM of injured patients who died, which included some traditionally probiotic species such as Akkermansia muciniphilia, Oxalobacter formigenes, and Eubacterium biforme (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Gut microbiome diversity on admission in severely injured patients is predictive of a variety of clinically important outcomes. While our study does not address causality, the GM of trauma patients may provide valuable diagnostic and therapeutic targets for the care of injured patients.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic and epidemiological, level III.
Growth phase-dependent responses of an in vitro gut microbiome to metformin
Authors: Hao Zikai , Li Leyuan , Ning Zhibin , Zhang Xu , Mayne Janice , Cheng Kai , Walker Krystal , Liu Hong , Figeys Daniel
Published: February 2020

In vitro gut microbiota models are often used to study drug-microbiome interaction. Similar to culturing individual microbial strains, the biomass accumulation of in vitro gut microbiota follows a logistic growth curve. Current studies on in vitro gut microbiome responses introduce drug stimulation during different growth stages, e.g. lag phase or stationary phase. However, in vitro gut microbiota in different growth phases may respond differently to same stimuli. Therefore, in this study, we used a 96-deep well plate-based culturing model (MiPro) to culture the human gut microbiota. Metformin, as the stimulus, was added at the lag, log and stationary phases of growth. Microbiome samples were collected at different time points for optical density and metaproteomic functional analysis. Results show that in vitro gut microbiota responded differently to metformin added during different growth phases, in terms of the growth curve, alterations of taxonomic and functional compositions. The addition of drugs at log phase leads to the greatest decline of bacterial growth. Metaproteomic analysis suggested that the strength of the metformin effect on the gut microbiome functional profile was ranked as lag phase > log phase > stationary phase. Our results showed that metformin added at lag phase resulted in a significantly reduced abundance of the Clostridiales order as well as an increased abundance of the Bacteroides genus, which was different from stimulation during the rest of the growth phase. Metformin also resulted in alterations of several pathways, including energy production and conversion, lipid transport and metabolism, translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis. Our results indicate that the timing for drug stimulation should be considered when studying drug-microbiome interactions in vitro.
Rapid and real-time identification of fungi up to the species level with long amplicon Nanopore sequencing from clinical samples
Authors: D’Andreano Sara , Cuscó Anna , Francino Olga
Published: February 2020

The availability of long-read technologies, like Oxford Nanopore Technologies, provides the opportunity to sequence longer fragments of the fungal ribosomal operon, up to 6 Kb (18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S), and to improve the taxonomy assignment of the communities up to the species level and in real-time. We assess the taxonomy skills of amplicons targeting a 3.5 Kb region (V3 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S D2) and a 6 Kb region (V1 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S D12) with the What’s in my pot (WIMP) classifier. We used the ZymoBIOMICS™ mock community and different microbiological fungal cultures as positive controls. Long amplicon sequencing correctly identifiedSaccharomyces cerevisiaeandCryptococcus neoformansfrom the mock community andMalassezia pachydermatis, Microsporum canis, andAspergillus fumigatusfrom the microbiological cultures. Besides, we identifiedRhodotorula graminisin a culture mislabeled asCandidaspp.

We applied the same approach to external otitis in dogs.Malasseziawas the dominant fungal genus in dogs’ ear skin, whereasM. pachydermatiswas the main species in the healthy sample. Conversely, we identified a higher representation ofM. globosaandM. sympodialisin otitis affected samples. We demonstrate the suitability of long ribosomal amplicons to characterize the fungal community of complex samples, either healthy or with clinical signs of infection.
Shape matters: the relationship between cell geometry and diversity in phytoplankton
Authors: Ryabov Alexey , Kerimoglu Onur , Litchman Elena , Olenina Irina , Roselli Leonilde , Basset Alberto , Stanca Elena , Blasius Bernd
Published: February 2020

Size and shape profoundly influence an organism’s ecophysiological performance and evolutionary fitness, suggesting a link between morphology and diversity. However, not much is known about how body shape is related to taxonomic richness, especially in microbes. Here we analyse global datasets of unicellular marine phytoplankton, a major group of primary producers with an exceptional diversity of cell sizes and shapes and, additionally, heterotrophic protists. Using two measures of cell shape elongation, we quantify taxonomic diversity as a function of cell size and shape. We find that cells of intermediate volume have the greatest shape variation, from oblate to extremely elongated forms, while small and large cells are mostly compact (e.g., spherical or cubic). Taxonomic diversity is strongly related to cell elongation and cell volume, together explaining up to 92% of total variance. Taxonomic diversity decays exponentially with cell elongation and displays a log-normal dependence on cell volume, peaking for intermediate-volume cells with compact shapes. These previously unreported broad patterns in phytoplankton diversity reveal selective pressures and ecophysiological constraints on the geometry of phytoplankton cells which may improve our understanding of marine ecology and the evolutionary rules of life.
Cellular heterogeneity of the LH receptor and its significance for cyclic GMP signaling in mouse preovulatory follicles
Authors: Baena Valentina , Owen Corie M. , Uliasz Tracy F. , Lowther Katie M. , Yee Siu-Pok , Terasaki Mark , Egbert Jeremy R. , Jaffe Laurinda A.
Published: February 2020

Meiotic arrest and resumption in mammalian oocytes are regulated by two opposing signaling proteins in the cells of the surrounding follicle: the guanylyl cyclase NPR2, and the luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR). NPR2 maintains a meiosis-inhibitory level of cyclic GMP (cGMP) until LHR signaling causes dephosphorylation of NPR2, reducing NPR2 activity, lowering cGMP to a level that releases meiotic arrest. However, the signaling pathway between LHR activation and NPR2 dephosphorylation remains incompletely understood, due in part to imprecise information about the cellular localization of these two proteins. To investigate their localization, we generated mouse lines in which HA epitope tags were added to the endogenous LHR and NPR2 proteins, and used immunofluorescence and immunogold microscopy to localize these proteins with high resolution. The results showed that the LHR protein is absent from the cumulus cells and inner mural granulosa cells, and is present in only 13-48% of the outer mural granulosa cells. In contrast, NPR2 is present throughout the follicle, and is more concentrated in the cumulus cells. Less than 20% of the NPR2 is in the same cells that express the LHR. These results suggest that to account for the LH-induced inactivation of NPR2, LHR-expressing cells send a signal that inactivates NPR2 in neighboring cells that do not express the LHR. An inhibitor of gap junction permeability attenuates the LH-induced cGMP decrease in the outer mural granulosa cells, consistent with this mechanism contributing to how NPR2 is inactivated in cells that do not express the LHR.
Bacteriophage SP01 Gene Product 56 (gp56) InhibitsBacillus subtilisCell Division by Interacting with DivIC/FtsL to Prevent Pbp2B/FtsW Recruitment
Authors: Bhambhani Amit , Iadicicco Isabella , Lee Jules , Ahmed Syed , Belfatto Max , Held David , Marconi Alexia , Parks Aaron , Stewart Charles R. , Margolin William , Levin Petra Anne , Haeusser Daniel P.
Published: February 2020

Previous work identified gp56, encoded by the lytic bacteriophage SP01, as responsible for inhibition ofBacillus subtiliscell division during its infection. Assembly of the essential tubulin-like protein FtsZ into a ring-shaped structure at the nascent site of cytokinesis determines the timing and position of division in most bacteria. This FtsZ ring serves as a scaffold for recruitment of other proteins into a mature division-competent structure permitting membrane constriction and septal cell wall synthesis. Here we show that expression of the predicted 9.3-kDa gene product 56 (gp56) of SP01 inhibits latter stages ofB. subtiliscell division without altering FtsZ ring assembly. GFP-tagged gp56 localizes to the membrane at the site of division. While its localization permits recruitment of early division proteins, gp56 interferes with the recruitment of late division proteins, including Pbp2b and FtsW. Imaging of cells with specific division components deleted or depleted and two-hybrid analysis suggest that gp56 localization and activity depends on its interaction with mid-recruited proteins DivIC and/or FtsL. Together these data support a model where gp56 interacts with a central part of the division machinery to disrupt late recruitment of the division proteins involved in septal cell wall synthesis.

IMPORTANCE

Research over the past decades has uncovered bacteriophage-encoded factors that interfere with host cell shape or cytokinesis during viral infection. Phage factors that cause cell filamentation that have been investigated to date all act by targeting FtsZ, the conserved prokaryotic tubulin homolog that composes the cytokinetic ring in most bacteria and some groups of archaea. However, the mechanism of several identified phage factors that inhibit cytokinesis remain unexplored, including gp56 of bacteriophage SP01 ofBacillus subtilis. Here, we show that unlike related published examples of phage inhibition of cyotkinesis, gp56 blocksB. subtiliscell division without targeting FtsZ. Rather, it utilizes the assembled FtsZ cytokinetic ring to localize to the division machinery and block recruitment of proteins needed for the septal cell wall synthesis.
Performance management of an externally imposed programme: a Malaysian case study
Authors: Siti-Nabiha A.K. , Jeyaram Sangita , Jalaludin Dayana
Published: February 2020

Purpose

This paper investigates how an externally imposed programme with the objective of improving the income of the poor is measured and managed by a public agency in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative case study approach is used in this research. The data were collected over a three-year period with interviews conducted with key officers at various levels ranging from the Ministry to the agency responsible for implementing the programme.

Findings

The introduction of the programme into the organisation's activity was loosely coupled, reflected by the way in which the programme was being implemented. There was some inter-dependency between the three hierarchical levels in terms of their performance measures and targets, responsibilities and reporting. There were no significant changes to the organisation's practices and weak linkages between the programme's objective, the formulation of indicators and the way the information was used in performance assessment. The lack of integration of the programme resulted in high importance being attached to measurement and reporting, rather than focusing on the achievement of the programme objective.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to understanding the performance management issue regarding the vertical and horizontal coupling of a system in relation to an externally derived programme.