bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B in sub‐Saharan Africa—How many patients need therapy?
Authors: Sonderup Mark W. , Dusheiko Geoffrey , Desalegn Hailemichael , Lemoine Maud , Tzeuton Christian , Taylor‐Robinson Simon D. , Spearman C. Wendy
Published: December 2019

Hepatitis B is endemic in sub‐Saharan Africa with ~60 million people chronically infected. While prevention, through vaccination, is central to elimination strategies, only 11 countries have birth dose vaccination and full vaccine coverage remains at suboptimal levels. Furthermore, to fully realize elimination, those chronically infected need to be identified, assessed for therapy and then linked to care. Given current treatment criteria, the precise quantum of people warranting therapy, according to criteria, is essentially unknown. The issue is further complicated by data to suggest differences in the numbers of people requiring treatment when applying WHO as compared to European Association for the Study of the Liver, EASL, criteria. Optimal determination of treatment eligibility is further hindered by the lack of available tools to adequately assess individual patients. It is conceivable that accurately determining the number of those requiring treatment, given the heterogeneity of hepatitis B in Africa, is difficult. Better studies and data are required. More signifcantly, improved access and availability to the diagnostic tools needed to assess patients in additon to access to drugs are as, if not more important, to achieve elimination.
Good volatility vs. bad volatility: The asymmetric impact of financial depth on macroeconomic volatility
Authors: Hussain Sana
Published: December 2019

This paper explores the possibility that financial depth may have an asymmetric impact on macroeconomic volatility by affecting its “good” and “bad” components in different ways. While “good” volatility refers to positive shocks to gross domestic product, consumption and investment growth, “bad” volatility denotes negative fluctuations in these macroeconomic indicators. Dynamic panel regressions in a sample of 97 countries over the period 1960–2010 provide evidence of asymmetry on three main grounds. First, financial depth reduces good volatility but does not have much impact on bad volatility except that it reduces some bad volatility of consumption. Second, though financial depth reduces both good and bad volatility of consumption, the reduction in the good component is much greater. Third, the impact of financial depth on macroeconomic volatility varies across sectors. Particularly in low‐income economies, financial depth enables better consumption decisions but poorer investment choices. These results have important policy implications.
Conditional gene expression reveals stage‐specific functions of the unfolded protein response in the Ustilago maydis–maize pathosystem
Authors: Schmitz Lara , Kronstad James W. , Heimel Kai
Published: December 2019

Ustilago maydis is a model organism for the study of biotrophic plant–pathogen interactions. The sexual and pathogenic development of the fungus are tightly connected since fusion of compatible haploid sporidia is prerequisite for infection of the host plant, maize (Zea mays). After plant penetration, the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated and required for biotrophic growth. The UPR is continuously active throughout all stages of pathogenic development in planta. However, since development of UPR deletion mutants stops directly after plant penetration, the role of an active UPR at later stages of development remained to be determined. Here, we established a gene expression system for U. maydis that uses endogenous, conditionally active promoters to either induce or repress expression of a gene of interest during different stages of plant infection. Integration of the expression constructs into the native genomic locus and removal of resistance cassettes were required to obtain a wild‐type‐like expression pattern. This indicates that genomic localization and chromatin structure are important for correct promoter activity and gene expression. By conditional expression of the central UPR regulator, Cib1, in U. maydis, we show that a functional UPR is required for continuous plant defence suppression after host infection and that U. maydis relies on a robust control system to prevent deleterious UPR hyperactivation.
The impact of transposable elements on the structure, evolution and function of the rice genome
Authors: Akakpo Roland , Carpentier Marie‐Christine , Ie Hsing Yue , Panaud Olivier
Published: December 2019

Transposable elements (TEs) are ubiquitous in plants and are the primary genomic component of the majority of taxa. Knowledge of their impact on the structure, function and evolution of plant genomes is therefore a priority in the field of genomics. Rice, as one of the most prevalent crops for food security worldwide, has been subjected to intense research efforts over recent decades. Consequently, a considerable amount of genomic resources has been generated and made freely available to the scientific community. These can be exploited both to improve our understanding of some basic aspects of genome biology of this species and to develop new concepts for crop improvement. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on how TEs have shaped rice chromosomes and propose a new strategy based on a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) to address the important question of their functional impact on this crop.
Left ventricular extracellular volume expansion does not predict recurrence of atrial fibrillation following catheter ablation
Authors: Gunasekaran Suvai , Lee Daniel C. , Knight Bradley P. , Collins Jeremy D. , Fan Lexiaozi , Trivedi Amar , Ragin Ann B. , Carr James C. , Passman Rod S. , Kim Daniel
Published: December 2019

Introduction

A recent study reported that diffuse left ventricular (LV) fibrosis is a predictor of atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence following catheter ablation, by measuring postcontrast cardiac T1 (an error prone metric as per the 2017 Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance consensus statement) using an inversion‐recovery pulse sequence (an error prone method in arrhythmia) in AF ablation candidates. The purpose of this study was to verify the prior study, by measuring extracellular volume (ECV) fraction (an accurate metric) using a saturation‐recovery pulse sequence (accurate method in arrhythmia).

Methods and Results

This study examined 100 AF patients (mean age = 62 ± 11 years, 69 males and 31 females, 67 paroxysmal [pAF] and 33 persistent [peAF]) who underwent a preablation cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) exam. LV ECV and left atrial (LA) and LV functional parameters were quantified using standard analysis methods. During an average follow‐up period of 457 ± 261 days with 4 ± 3 rhythm checks per patient, 72 patients maintained sinus rhythm. Between those who maintained sinus rhythm (n = 72) and those who reverted to AF (n = 28), the only clinical characteristic that was significantly different was age (60 ± 12 years vs 66 ± 9 years); for CMR metrics, neither mean LV ECV (25.1 ± 3.3% vs 24.7 ± 3.7%), native LV T1 (1093.8 ± 73.5 ms vs 1070.2 ± 115.9 ms), left ventricular ejection fraction (54.1 ± 11.2% vs 55.7 ± 7.1%), nor LA end diastolic volume/body surface area (42.4 ± 14.8 mL/m2 vs 43.4 ± 19.6 mL/m2) were significantly different (P ≥ .23). According to Cox regression tests, none of the clinical and imaging variables predict AF recurrence.

Conclusion

Neither LV ECV nor other CMR metrics predict recurrence of AF following catheter ablation.
Surgical excision combined with fully ablative carbon dioxide laser therapy and triamcinolone injections as a potential treatment for keloids in children
Authors: Bonnardeaux Evelyne , McCuaig Catherine
Published: December 2019

Background/objective

Keloids represent a functional and esthetic burden and can be particularly challenging to treat. Various topical, injectable, and ablative therapies exist but are associated with significant recurrence if used alone. We wanted to evaluate the long‐term efficacy of multimodal therapy in pediatric patients treated for keloids at the Sainte‐Justine University Hospital Center.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective case study of 21 children with 21 keloids treated between April 2006 and April 2016. The following combination of treatments was studied: surgical excision, carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy on the surgical site, and triamcinolone acetonide (TAC) intralesional injections during surgery and follow‐up. Depending on the site treated, pressure garments and/or topical silicone were also used.

Results

Of the 21 patients initially treated, four were lost to follow‐up. Of the 17 patients who had adequate follow‐up (mean duration 18 months, with periodic reassessments and additional TAC injections if needed), 6 (35%) had some recurrence, with remission in three of them following subsequent treatment and three lost to follow‐up. In summary, 14 (82.4%) of the patients with adequate follow‐up had complete clearance of the keloid. However, this must be interpreted in light of the fact there was a significant loss of follow‐up (33.3%) from the initial cohort.

Conclusion

Our results are in agreement with other recent studies that demonstrate the need for multimodal therapy with combined methods in order to achieve long‐term remission. A randomized controlled trial would be necessary to assess the real benefit of this treatment combination in children.
Fuzzy System Dynamics Risk Analysis (FuSDRA) of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Operations in the Antarctic
Authors: Loh Tzu Yang , Brito Mario P. , Bose Neil , Xu Jingjing , Tenekedjiev Kiril
Published: December 2019

With the maturing of autonomous technology and better accessibility, there has been a growing interest in the use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The deployment of AUVs for under‐ice marine science research in the Antarctic is one such example. However, a higher risk of AUV loss is present during such endeavors due to the extreme operating environment. To control the risk of loss, existing risk analyses approaches tend to focus more on the AUV's technical aspects and neglect the role of soft factors, such as organizational and human influences. In addition, the dynamic and complex interrelationships of risk variables are also often overlooked due to uncertainties and challenges in quantification. To overcome these shortfalls, a hybrid fuzzy system dynamics risk analysis (FuSDRA) is proposed. In the FuSDRA framework, system dynamics models the interrelationships between risk variables from different dimensions and considers the time‐dependent nature of risk while fuzzy logic accounts for uncertainties. To demonstrate its application, an example based on an actual Antarctic AUV program is presented. Focusing on funding and experience of the AUV team, simulation of the FuSDRA risk model shows a declining risk of loss from 0.293 in the early years of the Antarctic AUV program, reaching a minimum of 0.206 before increasing again in later years. Risk control policy recommendations were then derived from the analysis. The example demonstrated how FuSDRA can be applied to inform funding and risk management strategies, or broader application both within the AUV domain and on other complex technological systems.
The effects of remittances, foreign direct investment, and foreign aid on economic growth: An empirical analysis
Authors: Bird Graham , Choi Yongseok
Published: December 2019

The Sustainable Development Goals have refocused attention on ways of providing external finance to support development. Because they have different motivations and work through different modalities, remittances, foreign direct investment (FDI), and official development assistance may be expected to have different consequences for economic growth. Existing empirical evidence suggests that both positive and negative effects are associated with each source of finance. We use both a dynamic panel model and a fixed effects model to calculate the overall effects of each source of finance in isolation and taken together over the period 1976–2015. We include a range of control variables to allow for other potential influences on economic growth. We disaggregate the effects across geographical regions and income levels to test for heterogeneity. We also undertake a series of robustness checks. Our results suggest that FDI has a significant positive effect on economic growth, whereas remittances have a significant and negative effect. The effect of foreign aid is more ambiguous but is usually insignificant. The article offers an interpretation of the results drawing on ideas from the relevant theory.
Risk tolerance, gender, and entrepreneurship: The Palestinian case
Authors: Daoud Yousef S. , Sarsour Shaker , Shanti Ruba , Kamal Sanaa
Published: December 2019

This paper analyzes the inter‐relationships between entrepreneurial propensity, fear of failure (FoF), and gender in Palestine, using the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) adult population survey (APS) data for 2009, 2010, and 2012, and it is the first that addresses Gender, fear of failure, and entrepreneurship for Palestine. The paper extends the analysis of the endogeneity issue of FoF by using the conditional mixed process (CMP), which improves the efficiency of the estimates. The results show that the fear of failure negatively affects entrepreneurial status, while skill perception does the opposite. It is also found that fear of failure is higher among women, although this result is not stable over time. Using the CMP specification, we find that gender and fear of failure both reduce the predicted probability of entrepreneurship consistently over time. The only variable that consistently predicts fear of failure and is significant is skill perception, which has a negative impact. Policy implications of this research point to the importance of reducing the gender gap in entrepreneurship. In particular, there is a need to improve their skill perception in order to encourage more females to be entrepreneurs. Networking, vocational education and media coverage of success stories are among the tools that could potentially achieve this result.
Bone changes in the temporomandibular joints of older adults: A cone‐beam computed tomography study
Authors: Dumbuya Aminata , Gomes Amanda Farias , Marchini Leonardo , Zeng Erliang , Comnick Carissa L. , Melo Saulo L. Sousa
Published: December 2019

Aims

To assess the prevalence of degenerative bone changes in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of older adults using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to verify possible associations between these findings and patient health history.

Methods

CBCT scans comprising both TMJs were acquired for 137 patients aged 65+, regardless of TMD status. Images were assessed by two oral radiologists and evaluated for the presence of flattening, erosion, sclerosis, subchondral cysts, and osteophytes in the TMJ bony components, and self‐reported patient systemic health histories were retrieved from records.

Results

There were 59 males, and the mean age was 73.35 ± 6.28. A total of 31.4% had bone changes in both TMJs, and 65.7% had bone changes in at least one side. Bone changes were more prevalent in females, with subchondral cysts (63.3%) and osteophytes (60%) the most common findings. There was a higher prevalence of osteoporosis/osteopenia (38.5%) and connective tissue disorders (39.8%) in patients with TMJ bone changes than in those with normal TMJs.

Conclusion

Degenerative bone changes of TMJ were prevalent among older adults, and females were more affected. There was a greater prevalence of osteoporosis/osteopenia and connective tissue disorders in patients with TMJ bone changes than in subjects with normal TMJs.
Conditional covariance penalties for mixed models
Authors: Säfken Benjamin , Kneib Thomas
Published: December 2019

The prediction error for mixed models can have a conditional or a marginal perspective depending on the research focus. We introduce a novel conditional version of the optimism theorem for mixed models linking the conditional prediction error to covariance penalties for mixed models. Different possibilities for estimating these conditional covariance penalties are introduced. These are bootstrap methods, cross‐validation, and a direct approach called Steinian. The behavior of the different estimation techniques is assessed in a simulation study for the binomial‐, the t‐, and the gamma distribution and for different kinds of prediction error. Furthermore, the impact of the estimation techniques on the prediction error is discussed based on an application to undernutrition in Zambia.
Candidate Extremism and Electoral Design in U.S. State Legislative Elections
Authors: Hale Isaac
Published: December 2019

Objective

This study examines the association between the electoral systems used in U.S. state legislative elections and candidate ideological dispersion. Previous work suggests that, under certain conditions, greater district magnitude has a centrifugal polarizing effect on candidate ideology. Cross‐national investigations of this theory have produced conflicting results.

Methods

Building on this body of research, this paper leverages electoral system variation in U.S. state legislative elections to evaluate whether district‐level electoral system variation influences candidate ideology.

Results

We find strong evidence for a polarizing relationship between district magnitude on candidate ideology, even under plurality voting.

Conclusion

This paper has significant implications for our understanding of candidate ideological positioning in sub‐national contexts as well of how electoral systems affect the quality of representation voters receive from legislators.
Molecular phylogeny illuminates Amblyopinini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) rove beetles as a target for systematic and evolutionary research
Authors: Shaw Josh Jenkins , Żyła Dagmara , Solodovnikov Alexey
Published: December 2019

The rove beetle tribe Amblyopinini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylininae) is a recently discovered monophyletic lineage comprising an estimated 1000 or more species of mainly leaf‐ and log litter‐dwelling predatory insects found throughout the southern hemisphere. Of these, a single genus Heterothops Stephens somehow conquered all continents in the northern hemisphere as well. A few lineages of amblyopinines independently evolved into highly derived predators of mammal ectoparasites from free‐living ancestors. In return, they are tolerated in the mammal fur and nests, which is a unique example of cleaning symbiosis between insects and vertebrates. For over a century the great majority of free‐living southern amblyopinines were incorrectly placed in the northern hemisphere‐restricted, and superficially similar, rove beetle genera from the subtribe Quediina. Only their mammal‐associated derived forms were understood as amblyopinines, a nonmonophyletic taxon of volatile status and enigmatic sister‐group relationships of its various members. Here we present the first comprehensive phylogeny of Amblyopinini inferred with Bayesian analysis of a six‐gene molecular dataset (4672 bp) across a broad sample of taxa (90 species). This phylogeny provides a framework for the badly needed taxonomic inventory of this group and, in particular, reveals at least two independent origins of mammal association within the tribe. It frames the upcoming in‐depth interdisciplinary exploration of a variety of phenomena such as evolution of the austral biota in response to continental drift and climate change, biotic exchange between southern and northern continents, origin and evolution of beetle–mammal symbiosis, and pathways and constraints of the evolutionary parallelisms.
Translational regulation contributes to the elevated CO2 response in two Solanum species
Authors: Gray Sharon B. , Rodriguez‐Medina Joel , Rusoff Samuel , Toal Ted W. , Kajala Kaisa , Runcie Daniel E. , Brady Siobhan M.
Published: December 2019

Understanding the impact of elevated CO2 (eCO2) in global agriculture is important given climate change projections. Breeding climate‐resilient crops depends on genetic variation within naturally varying populations. The effect of genetic variation in response to eCO2 is poorly understood, especially in crop species. We describe the different ways in which Solanum lycopersicum and its wild relative S. pennellii respond to eCO2, from cell anatomy, to the transcriptome, and metabolome. We further validate the importance of translational regulation as a potential mechanism for plants to adaptively respond to rising levels of atmospheric CO2.
A small scale study to evaluate the efficacy of microneedling in the presence or absence of platelet‐rich plasma in the treatment of post‐clipping alopecia in dogs
Authors: Diamond Jacquelyn C. , Schick Robert O. , Savage Mason Y. , Fadok Valerie A.
Published: December 2019

Background

Post‐clipping alopecia often has a clinically poor response to therapy and prolonged alopecia is a source of anxiety for some owners. In humans and dogs, superficial microtrauma via a microneedling (MN) device induces mechanical stimulation of the hair follicle with resultant hair regrowth. Human studies suggest that concurrent application of platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) with MN induces more rapid regrowth of better‐quality hair than microneedling alone.

Hypothesis

Microneedling with PRP will induce more rapid regrowth of better quality hair.

Animals

Four unrelated client‐owned dogs diagnosed with post‐clipping alopecia.

Methods and Materials

This was a prospective study. The affected site was divided in half, with the first half treated with MN alone and the second half treated with MN + PRP. Hair regrowth was assessed by clinician and owner using a hair growth assessment scale (HGAS) at one, three, six and 12 months.

Results

At three months, all dogs had improved and three exhibited greater hair regrowth on the MN + PRP side. A similar response was noted bilaterally in three dogs, which had improved by 76–100% at six months and remained unchanged at 12 months. One dog improved by < 26% at six months, but had> 50% re‐growth by 12 months. The small sample size precluded statistical analysis.

Conclusions and clinical importance

In dogs with post‐clipping alopecia, MN + PRP appeared to induce more rapid hair regrowth than MN; however, overall results were visibly equivalent by six months regardless of method. Both MN and MN + PRP proved successful for treating post‐clipping alopecia.
Wound leakage rates of ex vivo uniplanar versus biplanar phacoemulsification clear corneal incisions in dogs
Authors: Snyder Kevin , Terhaar Hannah , Bentley Ellison , Miller Paul E.
Published: December 2019

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the leakage rates of perilimbal uniplanar and biplanar clear corneal incisions in dogs when subjected to increased intraocular pressure (IOP) both from within the eye and via external pressure.

Procedure

Uniplanar clear corneal incisions were created in eight freshly enucleated canine eyes using a 3.2 mm straight slit knife while 8 fellow eyes received a biplanar clear corneal incision consisting of an approximately 300 μm deep groove followed by a 3.2 mm straight slit knife entry into the anterior chamber. Both wounds were reapposed using three simple interrupted 8‐0 polyglactin 910 sutures. Eyes were cannulated with two 25 g needles: One connected to a pressure transducer, and the other connected to a reservoir of isotonic saline. The IOP at which the wound leaked was recorded when the intraocular pressure was increased internally by raising the height of the fluid bag, and again when the cornea was externally compressed. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves compared incision types for each method of increasing IOP and were evaluated using Mantel‐Cox log‐rank analysis.

Results

Both wound types resisted leakage at IOP in the physiologically achievable range and no significant differences were observed between clear corneal incisions when pressure was applied externally (P = .353) or was increased from within the globe (P = .615).

Conclusion

Ex vivo uniplanar and biplanar clear corneal incisions in dogs are equally strong, with no significant differences in leakage rates when IOP is increased internally or externally.
Modeling and Analysis of a High Temperature, High Pressure Two-Phase NH3/FAME-MLL PFHX
Authors: Gross Thomas , Anderson Kevin R. , McNamara Christopher , Gatti Ariel
Published: December 2019

This paper presents a discretized enthalpy analysis of a FAME-MLL, NH3 plate-fin heat exchanger (PFHX) with single and two-phase flow. The paper outlines the methodology used to model the PFHX and presents a MATLAB simulation model, which uses the NIST REFPROP database for thermo-physical property evaluation. The paper presents analysis for a staged single-phase, two-phase PFHX architecture. Plots of the heat transfer coefficients, overall heat transfer coefficient, specific enthalpy and heat flux variation over the length of the PFHX are provided. The mass, volume, area, effectiveness-number of transfer units rating for each PFHX are given.
A Near Real-Time Solution Approach for Surface Heat Flux Estimation in One Dimensional Inverse Heat Conduction Problems With Moving Boundary
Authors: Uyanna Obinna , Najafi Hamidreza
Published: December 2019

Developing accurate and efficient solutions for inverse heat conduction problems allows advancements in the heat flux measurement techniques for many applications. In the present paper, a one-dimensional medium with a moving boundary is considered. It is assumed that two thermocouples are used to measure temperature at two locations within the medium while the front boundary is moving towards the back surface. Determining surface heat flux using measured temperature data is an inverse heat conduction problem. A filter based Tikhonov regularization method is used to develop a solution for this problem. Filter coefficients are calculated for various thicknesses of the medium. It is demonstrated that the filter coefficients can be interpolated to calculate the appropriate values for each thickness while it is continuously moving at a known rate. The use of filter method allows near real-time heat flux estimation. The developed solution is validated through several numerical test cases including a test case for a moving boundary in a medium modeled in COMSOL. It is shown that the proposed solution can effectively estimate the surface heat flux on the moving boundary in a near real-time fashion.
Performance Evaluations of Extracting Water From Dry Air Using Multi-Stage Desiccant Wheels and Vapor Compression Cycle
Authors: Tu Rang , Liu Lanbin
Published: December 2019

A water extraction device that takes water from air in dry area is proposed. This device is designed to meet domestic water demand in remote rural areas, where the climate is dry and fresh water is scarce. The device can be driven effectively by low-temperature waste heat and has the characteristics of large daily water production, low energy consumption per unit of water and high water quality. Because the moisture content of air in dry area is very low, the effect of direct condensation is limited. Solid adsorbent is able to adsorb water vapor from air at a low temperature and release water vapor at under high temperature, which can be used for water extracting from air. To improve its performance under dry circumstances, the key technical point of this device is to use solid adsorbent to collect water vapor from other air to raise its dew point temperature, and then use high temperature cold source to condense water vapor from it. In this paper, configurations of the solid adsorption are proposed, which can be driven with low regeneration temperature under the same humidity increasing amount. This device uses multi-stage desiccant wheels to realize humid increasing. Desiccant wheel can be driven with high temperature to take water vapor from dehumidification air and release water vapor to regeneration air. The multi-stage configuration is good for the reduction of regeneration temperature, making applications of low temperature waste heat form heat pumps possible. Then, influencing factors of water extracting rate are analyzed. The influencing of regeneration temperature, humid reduction amount of the humidified air and cooling and heating systems, etc., are analyzed. Last, air handling processes considering cold and heat sources are recommended to reduce energy consumption. The heat pump driven scenarios are discussed in particular. Through optimization, the water extracting rate can be increased and energy consumption per unit of water can be reduced. At present, this paper only studies air water extracting processes and thermal processes, and does not involve structure of the device, water purification and power consumption of fans, etc.
Heat Transfer Characteristics and Bubble Behaviors During Nucleate Flow Boiling for Sodium Chloride Solution
Authors: Gu Junping , Tang Guoli , Wu Yuxin , Lyu Junfu , Yang Hairui , Zhang Man , Wang Qinggong
Published: December 2019

Deep understanding of nucleate boiling heat transfer mechanism of saline solution is of great importance for the design and safe operation of steam generation equipment. In this paper, the nucleate flow boiling process of saline solution in a vertical heated pipe was experimentally studied within the concentration range of 0 % ∼ 6 %. In order to realize the visualization, the vertical heated pipe was made of transparent silica glass and a transparent ITO heater was used to provide energy for boiling. The high-speed high-resolution camera was used to capture the vapor-liquid two-phase flow structure. The bubble behaviors such as bubble departure diameter, bubble departure frequency, bubble growth time and waiting time were investigated under different operating conditions. The experimental results showed that the heat transfer deterioration did not occur within the solution concentration of 6% in this work. Under some low heat flux conditions, the heat transfer coefficients of solution can be higher than those of pure water. The reason for this phenomenon can be explained by the different bubble behaviors. Comparing to pure water, the bubble departure diameter of saline solution is bigger and bubble departure frequency is lower. The influences of operating parameters, including concentration, mass flux (200 kg/m2s ∼ 600 kg/m2s), heat flux (30 kW/m2 ∼ 180 kW/m2) and subcooling of fluid (5 K ∼ 35 K), on the nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficients and bubble parameters were comprehensively studied.
The Effects of Nucleating Agents on Phase Transition of a Salt Hydrate Phase-Change Material for Thermal Energy Storage Heat Exchangers
Authors: Kannan Sarath , Jog M. A. , Manglik Raj M.
Published: December 2019

Salt hydrate based Phase-Change Materials (PCM) typically store and discharge large quantities of heat during their phase transition process. However, the repeated use of these PCM, especially when they are completely dehydrated and superheated in a cyclic process, is impeded by certain irreversible behavior. These include (1) phase segregation: where the PCM degrades to forms a lower hydrate during phase transition while losing its storage capacity, and (2) subcooling: when crystallization and rehydration from the liquid PCM state occurs at a temperature lower than their phase transition point. Higher degrees of subcooling (ΔTs), which is how much the PCM has to be super cooled below its phase transition temperature for crystallization to begin, adversely affects its performance and in some cases renders it ineffective. Lithium Nitrate Trihydrate [(LNT) LiNO3.3H2O] is one of the more promising candidate among these inorganic salt hydrate PCMs because of its rather stable phase change behavior and relatively very high latent heat capacity (282kJ/kg). Nevertheless, when completely in superheated liquid phase, it requires a high degree of subcooling (ΔTs > 20°C), which limits its utility. This study reports a novel nucleating agent — Zinc Nitrate Hexahydrate (ZNH) that reduces the subcooling to below 5°C (1000 Cycles). However, the latent heat capacity reduced to half the initial value after the cycling.
Parallel Triangular Channel System for Sensible Heat Thermal Energy Storages With External Heat Losses
Authors: Andreozzi Assunta , Buonomo Bernardo , Ercole Davide , Manca Oronzio
Published: December 2019

Solar energy is an important renewable energy source that is increasingly used. One of the main drawbacks in the solar energy application is its working periodic time.

Thermal Energy Storage (TES) can improve the efficient use and provision of thermal energy whenever there is a mismatch between energy generation and use. Various subsets of TES processes have been investigated and developed for heating and cooling of buildings, industrial applications, and utility and space power systems. The amount of energy input to TES by a sensible heat device is proportional to the difference between the storage final and initial temperatures, the mass of storage medium and its heat capacity.

In this paper a high temperature TES is numerically investigated, and a parametric analysis is accomplished. In the formulation of the model it is assumed that the system geometry is cylindrical, the fluid thermophysical properties are dependent on temperature, the effect of gravity is neglected. Air is employed as the heat-carrying fluid and the solid elements, which are minichannels, are made of Cordierite. The system is a honeycomb structure made of parallel triangular channels. The Fluent code is used to solve the governing equations in transient regime. Numerical simulations are carried out with storage medium at different mass flow rates of the heat-carrying fluid and different number of channels for unit of length. Results show the effects of storage medium, mass flow rate on stored thermal energy and storage time. Results in terms of temperature as function of time are presented.
Pinch Point Analysis of Air Cooler in sCO2 Brayton Cycle Operating Over Ambient Temperature Range
Authors: Deshmukh Ankur , Kapat Jayanta
Published: December 2019

Supercritical CO2 Brayton Power cycle is getting commercially attractive for power generation due to its numerous advantages like zero water discharge, compactness, low environmental emission and potential to reach high thermal efficiency. A typical recuperated sCO2 closed cycle consists of three heat exchangers (main heat exchanger, cooler and recuperator) and two turbomachinery (sCO2 turbine and sCO2 compressor). The cooler using ambient air for cooling is the focus of this study. Steady state air cooler model is set up to study the effect of air cooler size on cycle efficiency. The effect of change in ambient air temperature on air cooler pinch point for different air cooler sizes is analyzed using transient air cooler model. The simulation is setup for design of approximately 100MWe sCO2 cycle with operating temperature of 700° C and pressure of 250 barA. Transient calculations are done using LMS AMESim. LMS AMESim is Siemens PLM commercially available software. This work thus serves as a framework to develop a design basis for air cooler in sCO2 cycle as a function of transient operating conditions.
Heat Transfer Coefficient of a Graphite Mold Quenched by Water
Authors: Pan Yi , Thomas Jeffrey , Propes Chris
Published: December 2019

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) can be manufactured by infiltrating a melting matrix alloy into hard powders — such as silicon carbide and tungsten carbide — loaded in a graphite mold and quenched to achieve a specific quenching temperature profile for proper solidification. Water quench is a widely used quenching technique within the aluminum and steel industry. It is more common to apply numerical simulation to optimize process parameters and help improve product quality, which depends upon reliable boundary conditions (e.g., heat flux or heat transfer coefficient); however, heat transfer coefficient changes with surface temperature and water flow rate. Moreover, the heat transfer coefficient in the discussed manufacturing process was never quantified. A combined experimental and simulation method to investigate heat transfer coefficient of the external surface of the graphite mold associated with water quenching is proposed. Firstly, the heat flux from the graphite mold is measured, which varies with water flow rate, mold surface temperature, nozzle arrangement, and water flow pattern. Without modifying the hardware design, this study focuses on the effects of water flow rate and mold surface temperature on surface heat flux. Secondly, the temperature distribution within the mold is used to inversely determine the heat transfer coefficient by solving an inversed optimization problem.
Cell Culture Studies of the Efficacy and Barrier to Resistance of Sofosbuvir-Velpatasvir and Glecaprevir-Pibrentasvir against Hepatitis C Virus Genotypes 2a, 2b, and 2c
Authors: Ramirez Santseharay , Fernandez-Antunez Carlota , Mikkelsen Lotte S. , Pedersen Jannie , Li Yi-Ping , Bukh Jens
Published: December 2019

The introduction of highly efficient therapies with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection offers exceptional opportunities to globally control this deadly disease. For achieving this ambitious goal, it is essential to prevent antiviral resistance against the most optimal first-line and retreatment DAA choices.
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus LANA Modulates the Stability of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase RLIM
Authors: Tadmor Hagar , Greenway Melanie , Ahuja Anuj , Orgil Ola , Liao Gangling , Ambinder Richard F. , Hayward S. Diane , Shamay Meir
Published: December 2019

E3 ubiquitin ligases mark their substrates for degradation and therefore control the cellular abundance of their substrates. RLIM is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that leads to the ubiquitination and degradation of several transcription regulators, such as LMO2, LMO4, LHX2, LHX3, LDB1, and the telomeric protein TRF1. Here, we show that the Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-encoded LANA protein enhances the ubiquitin ligase activity of RLIM, leading to enhanced RLIM autoubiquitination and degradation. Interestingly, LANA enhanced the degradation of some RLIM substrates, such as LDB1 and LMO2, and prevented RLIM-mediated degradation of others, such as LHX3 and TRF1. In agreement with protein stability of RLIM substrates, we found that LANA modulates transcription by LHX3-LDB1 complex and suggest additional ways LANA can modulate cellular gene expression. Our study adds another way a viral protein can regulate cellular protein stability, by enhancing the autoubiquitination and degradation of an E3 ubiquitin ligase.
Influenza B Viruses Exhibit Lower Within-Host Diversity than Influenza A Viruses in Human Hosts
Authors: Valesano Andrew L. , Fitzsimmons William J. , McCrone John T. , Petrie Joshua G. , Monto Arnold S. , Martin Emily T. , Lauring Adam S.
Published: December 2019

The evolution of influenza virus is a significant public health problem and necessitates the annual evaluation of influenza vaccine formulation to keep pace with viral escape from herd immunity. Influenza B virus is a serious health concern for children, in particular, yet remains understudied compared to influenza A virus. Influenza B virus evolves more slowly than influenza A virus, but the factors underlying this are not completely understood. We studied how the within-host diversity of influenza B virus relates to its global evolution by sequencing viruses from a community-based cohort. We found that influenza B virus populations have lower within-host genetic diversity than influenza A virus and experience a tight genetic bottleneck during transmission. Our work provides insights into the varying dynamics of influenza viruses in human infection.
Complete Genome Sequence of Fish Pathogen Flavobacterium columnare Strain B185, Originating from Finland
Authors: Ravantti Janne J. , Laanto Elina , Papponen Petri , Sundberg Lotta-Riina
Published: December 2019

We report a complete genome sequence of a Finnish isolate of the fish pathogen
Flavobacterium columnare
. Using PacBio RS II sequencing technology, the complete circular genome of
F. columnare
strain B185 with 3,261,404 bp was obtained.
Rare case of trichobezoar causing pancreatitis in a young woman
Authors: AlQaseer Asma , AlHarmi Rawan A Rahman , AbuAli Nooruddin , Ahmed Mohamed
Published: December 2019

This is a case of a 14-year-old woman diagnosed with acute pancreatitis based on history and laboratory investigations. CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis along with the presence of two bezoars in the stomach and proximal jejunum. Gastroscopy showed a large trichobezoar with difficult endoscopic extraction. Accordingly, the patient underwent laparotomy, gastrostomy and enterotomy with successful removal of the large gastric and jejunal daughter bezoars. Following surgery, pancreatitis resolved and investigations returned to normal. Child psychiatry consultation was sought, and she was diagnosed with trichotillomania and trichophagia.
Complicated diverticulitis mimicking colonic carcinoma: combined approach with endoscopy and budesonide
Authors: Tursi Antonio , Marinelli Angela , Laera Francesca , Penna Antonio
Published: December 2019

Complicated diverticulitis is an uncommon endoscopic finding. We report an unusual case of complicated diverticulitis in a 53-year-old man suffering from chronic constipation, abdominal pain and a recent episode of subocclusion. He underwent to colonoscopy that showed left-sided diverticulosis and a 3 cm irregular mass in the sigmoid. During biopsy sampling due to the suspect of colonic carcinoma, pus and bleeding came out from the lesion. After lavage, a large diverticulum with visible vessel at the bottom was found, which was clipped with stopping bleeding. After a short course of in-hospital treatment, at discharging the patient was treated with budesonide MMX9 mg/day for 8 weeks. At that time, colonoscopy did not show sign of diverticular inflammation, and inflammatory indexes were normal. This case demonstrates that the use of a topical steroid, combined with an endoscopic approach, may easily resolve an unusual endoscopic complication in patients suffering from complicated diverticular disease.
Partial deficiency of 17α-hydroxylase: a rare cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Authors: Sousa Paredes Sílvia Cristina de , Marques Olinda , Alves Marta
Published: December 2019

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 17α-hydroxylase deficiency, a rare CAH syndrome, is characterised by failure to synthetise cortisol, adrenal androgens and gonadal steroids. The partial deficiency is much rarer, presenting with subtler symptoms. Failure to reach a proper diagnosis causes inappropriate hypertension treatment and impairs the development of secondary sexual characteristics. We report a case of a 30-year-old woman transferred to an endocrinology clinic for evaluation of autoimmune thyroiditis. She was started on oral contraceptives at the age of 13 due to oligomenorrhea and presented underdeveloped pubic and axillar hair and Tanner stage 3 breast development. Biochemical tests evidenced very low androgens levels and genetic analysis confirmed a CAH due to 17α-hydroxylase deficiency. Partial 17α-hydroxylase deficiency is a rare clinical entity, nevertheless, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of menstrual disorders.
Post-traumatic thoracolumbar spinal epidural haematoma in a child: a rare clinical entity
Authors: Vashisht Saurabh , Dagar Ashish , Kumar Vishal , Dhatt Sarvdeep Singh
Published: December 2019

Post-traumatic spinal epidural haematoma (SEH) is a rare clinical entity in children. We are reporting the case of an 8-year-old child who presented with thoracolumbar SEH with neurological deficit. MRI confirmed SEH without bony disruption. Emergency evacuation of haematoma was done. There was an improvement in neurological status after removal of haematoma. Diagnosis of this rare condition is tricky in children owing to variable presenting symptoms, especially in an early stage with subtle neurological changes. There should be high clinical suspicion in children with atypical symptoms, and MRI should be done to confirm the diagnosis. Patients with acute neurological deficit should undergo urgent operative decompression. Conservative treatment has a limited role. Patients may be considered for non-operative management if they have medical contraindications, coagulation dysfunction or a small SEH without neurological deficit. These patients require serial MRI monitoring.
Sustainable development for global mental health: a typology and systematic evidence mapping of external actors in low-income and middle-income countries
Authors: Iemmi Valentina
Published: December 2019

Introduction

Mental disorders account for a substantial burden of disease and costs in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), but attract few resources. With LMIC governments often under economic pressure, an understanding of the external funding landscape is urgently needed. This study develops a new typology of external actors in global health adapted for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) era and uses it to systematically map available evidence on external actors in global mental health.

Methods

The new typology was developed in line with conceptualisation in the literature and the SDGs to include 11 types of external actors for health in LMICs. Five databases (EconLit, Embase, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycINFO) were searched for manuscripts published in peer-reviewed journals in English, French, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish between 1 January 2000 and 31 July 2018 and reporting information on external actors for mental disorders in LMICs. Records were screened by abstract, then full-text against inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and synthesised using narrative analysis.

Results

79 studies were included in the final review. Five were quantitative studies analysing the resource flow of development assistance for mental health globally over the last two decades. The remainder were qualitative studies providing a description of external actors: the majority of them were published in the last decade, focused on Africa, and on public sector (bilateral and multilateral governmental organisations) and third sector organisations (non-governmental organisations). Evidence was particularly scarce for for-profit organisations and individual households.

Conclusion

This study reveals opportunities for unlocking additional funding for global mental health in the SDG-era from an ecosystem of external actors, and highlights the need to coordinate efforts and to use sustainable, ethical approaches to disbursements. Further research is needed to understandallexternal actors and the allocation of their contributions in different settings.
An overview of GLP-1 agonists and recent cardiovascular outcomes trials
Authors: Sheahan Kelsey H , Wahlberg Elizabeth A , Gilbert Matthew P
Published: December 2019

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are emerging as an important therapy to consider for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) given this class of treatment’s ability to reduce glycated haemoglobin and their associated weight loss and low risk for hypoglycaemia. Additionally, seven cardiovascular outcomes trials (CVOTs) have been performed in the past 4 years using lixisenatide, liraglutide, semaglutide, exenatide, albiglutide, dulaglutide and oral semaglutide. All have found non-inferiority for cardiovascular outcomes, with many finding superiority of these drugs. These findings have transformed our guidelines on pharmacological treatment of T2D. This review article will discuss GLP-1 RA therapy, review the seven CVOTs reported to date and discuss the implications on current guidelines and therapies going forward.