bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arenaviruses and West Nile Virus in solid organ transplant recipients: Guidelines from the American Society of Transplantation Infectious Diseases Community of Practice
Authors: Anesi Judith A. , Silveira Fernanda P. ,   the AST Infectious Diseases Community of Practice
Published: April 2019

These updated guidelines from the Infectious Diseases Community of Practice of the American Society of Transplantation review the epidemiology, diagnosis, prevention, and management of infection due to Arenaviruses and West Nile Virus (WNV) in the pre‐ and post‐transplant period. Arenaviruses and WNV have been identified as causes of both donor‐derived and post‐transplant infection. Most data related to these infections have been published in case reports and case series. Transplant recipients may become infected with Arenaviruses if they, or their donors, are exposed to wild rodents or infected pet rodents. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is the most commonly recognized Arenavirus among transplant recipients and should be considered when transplant recipients present with fever, hepatitis, meningitis/encephalitis, and/or multisystem organ failure. WNV is a mosquito‐borne virus, and as such, its incidence varies yearly depending on environmental conditions. WNV in transplant recipients typically presents with fever, myalgias, and rash; approximately one in 40 develop neuroinvasive disease. Due to its morbidity, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network recently mandated that transplant centers screen living donors for WNV infection in endemic areas. Little is known about the optimal treatment of Arenaviruses or WNV; reduction in immunosuppression and supportive care are the mainstays of management at present.
Mediterranean coastal conditions and litter type drive litter microbial responses to drought stress
Authors: Kheir Maya , Roche Philip , Ziarelli Fabio , Farnet da Silva Anne Marie
Published: April 2019

Warming and disturbance of precipitation dynamics are expected in the Mediterranean basin, resulting in longer, more intense drought and heat waves. Here we investigated how litter microbial functioning and responses to stress may be shaped by coastal environmental conditions, and whether this depends on litter type (Pinus halepensis, Pistacia lentiscus and their admixture). Mesocosms of monospecific and mixed litters collected from both inland and coastal areas were subjected to either control (25°C, 60% water holding capacity [WHC]) or stress conditions (five drying‐rewetting [D/rW] cycles: 1 week of drying at 35°C, 1 week at 25°C, 60% WHC). Litters were characterised using chemical analyses (C/N ratio and solid‐state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR] spectroscopy) and indicators of microbial activity (lignocellulolytic activities, basal respiration [BR], active microbial biomass [MB], fungal and bacterial catabolic profiles). Litter type controlled cellulases and basal respiration in litters from the inland area (e.g. positive correlations between these microbial indicators and di‐O‐alkyl C + O‐alkyl C and %N), whereas the litter‐type effect was smoothed for the coastal area. Fungal and bacterial catabolic profiles were mainly shaped by the coastal conditions and litter type, respectively, indicating that fungi were more sensitive to coast‐specific conditions and bacteria more sensitive to their immediate surrounding (i.e. litter type). After D/rW cycles, microbial catabolic profiles showed: (a) a stronger stress impact on microbial communities from the inland area and (b) pre‐exposure to coastal constraints limited the drought effect on decomposers from the coastal area. Our findings reveal that coastal environmental conditions and litter type are major drivers of microbial functioning and responses to drought stress.

Highlights

Poorly documented litter functioning in Mediterranean coastal environments is here investigated

Coastal conditions smoothed litter type effect on certain microbial markers

Pre‐exposure to stress (coastal conditions) limited drought effect on microbial catabolic profiles

Coastal areas should be considered when evaluating microbial functioning and responses to drought
Orthostatic blood pressure rise is associated with frailty in older patients
Authors: Toba Ayumi , Ishikawa Joji , Suzuki Ayumi , Tamura Yoshiaki , Araki Atsushi , Harada Kazumasa
Published: April 2019

Aim

Orthostatic blood pressure (BP) can fall with reduced stroke volume and arterial elasticity. However, as the reason for orthostatic BP rise is unclear, we investigated the relationship of orthostatic BP rise with frailty in older patients.

Methods

In 169 consecutive outpatients who visited the frailty clinic, we evaluated orthostatic BP and heart rate changes (i.e. in the sitting position, just after standing up, 1 min after standing and after sitting down). Frailty was evaluated using the Kihon Checklist (KCL) established by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.

Results

The mean age was 77.4 ± 6.9 years, and 29% of patients had frailty with a KCL score ≥8. The systolic BP declined in both groups, but patients with frailty experienced a smaller decrease just after standing (−0.2 ± 10.3 vs −6.2 ± 11.5, P = 0.001). During standing for 1 min, elevation of systolic BP was greater in patients with frailty than in those without (8.4 ± 11.6 mmHg vs 3.2 ± 11.2 mmHg, P = 0.009). The difference in elevation of systolic BP remained significant, even after adjusting for confounding factors including systolic BP before standing (P = 0.013). In particular, the KCL score for motor function was significantly correlated with an elevation of orthostatic systolic BP after standing for 1 min, even after controlling for systolic BP before standing and confounding factors (P = 0.020).

Conclusions

The elevation of systolic BP after standing for 1 min was greater in patients with frailty as diagnosed by the KCL score, especially in relation to reduced motor function. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 525–529.
Significance of serum ferritin level in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnosis
Authors: Zhao Xiao‐Xi , Lian Hong‐Yun , Zhang Li , Ma Hong‐Hao , Wang Dong , Zhao Yun‐Ze , Liu Zeng‐Wu , Wang Tian‐You , Zhang Rui , Li Zhi‐Gang
Published: April 2019

Introduction

The threshold of serum ferritin (SF) level listed in diagnostic guidelines for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) of HLH‐2004 has a low specificity. The goal of this research was to evaluate the role of admission SF in HLH diagnostic procedure and to find an appropriate threshold for a HLH suspected cohort with fever.

Methods

All patients admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital during the period of September 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016 with fever and SF tested at admission were included in this study. The significance of SF in HLH diagnosis and its relationships with HLH‐relevant clinical characteristics were studied.

Results

Among 357 patients, 39 HLH cases were diagnosed (24 EBV‐related HLH, 13 unknown etiologies triggered HLH, and two familial HLH).

The best cutoff value of admission SF was 934 ng/mL, with sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV), and negative predictive values (NPV) being 87.2%, 88.4%, 47.9%, and 98.3%, respectively. Compared to 500 ng/mL, specificity and PPV of the new SF standard in HLH diagnose increased by 11.7% and 14.0%, which indicated improvements in diagnostic ability of “non‐HLH” and in veracity of “HLH” identification. Among four HLH patients whose admission SF was between 500 ng/mL and 934 ng/mL, HLH diagnosis was guaranteed by other laboratory results in two patients; however, possible misdiagnosis was made in the rest two patients.

Conclusion

Elevated cutoff value of admission SF level seems to be more appropriate for distinguishing HLH in patients with fever. The exact cutoff value of SF level at diagnosis needs to be determined.
Novel multiuse liquid phase promoter for PM components
Authors: Galán‐Salazar Andrea , Campos Mónica , Torralba José Manuel
Published: April 2019

The aim of this work was to characterize the behavior of a novel multiuse B‐free alloy that was designed as a liquid phase promoter and as a filler material for sintering and brazing steels in N2‐H2. Through thermodynamic calculations, a new Cu‐Fe‐Ni‐Si alloy (named LP) has been designed showing a proper melting point suitable for being used at temperatures below 1100°C, with good wetting behavior that allows it use as brazing material and liquid phase former. This new boron‐free alloy has shown good dimensional behavior, good brazeability, and competitive mechanical properties. These demonstrated features allow the developed alloy it use as braze material for PM parts in industrial furnaces as well as master alloy to promote transient liquid phase in PM structural steels.
The effects of mechanical stretch on the biological characteristics of human adipose‐derived stem cells
Authors: Fang Bin , Liu Yanjun , Zheng Danning , Shan Shengzhou , Wang Chuandong , Gao Ya , Wang Jing , Xie Yun , Zhang Yifan , Li Qingfeng
Published: April 2019

Adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) are a subset of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which have promised a vast therapeutic potential in tissue regeneration. Recent studies have demonstrated that combining stem cells with mechanical stretch may strengthen the efficacy of regenerative therapies. However, the exact influences of mechanical stretch on MSCs still remain inconclusive. In this study, human ADSCs (hADSCs) were applied cyclic stretch stimulation under an in vitro stretching model for designated duration. We found that mechanical stretch significantly promoted the proliferation, adhesion and migration of hADSCs, suppressing cellular apoptosis and increasing the production of pro‐healing cytokines. For differentiation of hADSCs, mechanical stretch inhibited adipogenesis, but enhanced osteogenesis. Long‐term stretch could promote ageing of hADSCs, but did not alter the cell size and typical immunophenotypic characteristics. Furthermore, we revealed that PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathways might participate in the effects of mechanical stretch on the biological characteristics of hADSCs. Taken together, mechanical stretch is an effective strategy for enhancing stem cell behaviour and regulating stem cell fate. The synergy between hADSCs and mechanical stretch would most likely facilitate tissue regeneration and promote the development of stem cell therapy.
Locating the Wild Man: Rain Forest Enchantments and Settler Colonial Fantasies Amid the Ruins of the Anthropocene
Authors: Murray Cailín E.
Published: April 2019

The figure of the Wild Man resides at the hinge where nature meets culture. In the Pacific Northwest, the Wild Man is known locally by different names and is interpreted through a variety of cultural and historical lenses. Settler colonialism in the region, for example, situated the Wild Man within wilderness and anachronistic spaces, aligning him with a bygone and romanticized indigeneity. Conversely, Coast Salish people invigorate new stories of the Wild Man as critique of the ruins of late capitalism. The Wild Man provides them with strength to assert their autonomy and authority in leading the restoration of the natural environment. This article explores monstrous entanglements between settler colonialism, indigeneity and the Wild Man on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.
Factorial models to estimate isoleucine requirements for broilers
Authors: Melaré Mirella Cunha , Sakomura Nilva Kazue , Reis Matheus de Paula , Peruzzi Nelson José , Gonçalves Camila Angélica
Published: April 2019

The objective of this work was to determine the efficiency of utilization (EU) and produce factorial models for optimal isoleucine (Ile) intake. Six dose–response trials were carried out, three for males and three for females, with 640 Ross 308 in each studied phase. The initial (1–14 days), grower (15–28 days) and finisher (29–42 days) phases were evaluated to cover the growing phase of the broiler chicken. In total, eight treatments were randomly distributed to four replicates of 20 birds each. The treatments consisted of seven crescent levels of Ile and one counter proof to ensure that Ile was the first limiting amino acid in the diet. Dilution technique was applied to produce the levels of Ile and keep the amino acid ratio with lysine. The EU was determined to account for whole body or partitioned for feather‐free body (Bff) and feather. Two distinct factorial models were adjusted, M1 and M2. The M2 model was evaluated for one or two EU, being denominated as M2 and M3. When the efficiency was partitioned, the values of 53% and 69% for feather and Bff were determined. The optimal Ile intake estimated for each model were of 275, 908, 1,412 mg of Ile/bird/day (M1); 258, 829, 1,321 mg of Ile/bird/day (M2); and 284, 835, 1,288 mg of Ile/bird/day (M3) for initial, grower and finisher phases respectively. The EU partitioned for feather‐free body and feather reduced the biased of the model M3. Overall, higher values of Ile intake are estimated when model M1 is used, which may be the difference in account for body weight gain (M1) or only protein gain (M2 and M3) to estimate the amount of amino acid required for broiler.
Long Memory, Realized Volatility and Heterogeneous Autoregressive Models
Authors: Baillie Richard T. , Calonaci Fabio , Cho Dooyeon , Rho Seunghwa
Published: April 2019

The presence of long memory in realized volatility (RV) is a widespread stylized fact. The origins of long memory in RV have been attributed to jumps, structural breaks, contemporaneous aggregation, nonlinearities, or pure long memory. An important development has been the heterogeneous autoregressive (HAR) model and its extensions. This article assesses the separate roles of fractionally integrated long memory models, extended HAR models and time varying parameter HAR models. We find that the presence of the long memory parameter is often important in addition to the HAR models.
A rare cause of a cholestatic jaundice in a North African teenager
Authors: Schreiner Philipp , Stieger Bruno , McLin Valérie , Rougemont Anne‐Laure , Keitel Verena , Dröge Carola , Müllhaupt Beat
Published: April 2019

We report an unusual case of intermittent episodes of cholestasis in a young patient. The cholestatic attacks were preceded in each case by an infection and subsequent antibiotic therapies. After ruling out many possible causes of cholestatic hepatitis, the differential diagnoses were a benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis or a drug‐induced liver injury. We discuss here the diagnostic approach and interpretation of the genetic analysis.
Reconsidering the ‘self’ in self‐management of chronic illness: Lessons from relational autonomy
Authors: Ould Brahim Lydia
Published: April 2019

Self‐management is often presented as a panacea for chronic disease care. It plays an important role at the policy level and increasingly guides the delivery of health care services. Self‐management approaches to care are founded on traditional individualistic views of autonomy in which the patient is understood as being independent, rational, self‐interested, and self‐governing. This conceptualization of autonomy has been challenged, particularly by feminist scholars. In this paper I review predominant critiques of self‐management and the traditional individualistic view of autonomy. I propose that a relational approach to autonomy, which is premised on social embeddedness and attends to social, political, and material conditions, is a more sound conception of autonomy capable of taking into consideration the complexities of illness experiences. I suggest that integrating a relational perspective of autonomy into self‐management will be valuable in guiding its progression and elaborate ways in which self‐management research and practice could benefit from incorporating a relational approach to autonomy.
Lower resting cardiac autonomic balance in young adults with current major depression
Authors: Brush Christopher J. , Olson Ryan L. , Ehmann Peter J. , Bocchine Anthony J. , Bates Marsha E. , Buckman Jennifer F. , Leyro Teresa M. , Alderman Brandon L.
Published: April 2019

Research on cardiac autonomic function in major depressive disorder (MDD) has predominantly examined cardiac vagal control and adopted a model of reciprocal autonomic balance. A proposed bivariate autonomic continuum uses cardiac autonomic balance (CAB) and cardiac autonomic regulation (CAR) models, derived from normalized values of respiratory sinus arrhythmia and pre‐ejection period, to more adequately index patterns of autonomic control. The purpose of this study was to assess resting levels of CAB and CAR among young adults with and without a current diagnosis of major depression. One hundred forty‐two young adults (n = 65 MDD, n = 77 healthy controls; 20.8 ± 2.6 years) completed a structured diagnostic interview, cardiovascular assessment, and a maximal aerobic fitness test. The findings revealed that CAB, but not CAR, significantly predicted current MDD status (OR = 0.70, 95% CI [0.53, 0.93]), an effect that remained after controlling for aerobic fitness and body mass index. Although CAB was found to be a significant predictor of current MDD status among a sample of young adults, there remained substantial variation in autonomic control that was not captured by the traditional model of reciprocal autonomic balance.
The highly divergent Jekyll genes, required for sexual reproduction, are lineage specific for the related grass tribes Triticeae and Bromeae
Authors: Radchuk Volodymyr , Sharma Rajiv , Potokina Elena , Radchuk Ruslana , Weier Diana , Munz Eberhard , Schreiber Miriam , Mascher Martin , Stein Nils , Wicker Thomas , Kilian Benjamin , Borisjuk Ljudmilla
Published: April 2019

Phylogenetically related groups of species contain lineage‐specific genes that exhibit no sequence similarity to any genes outside the lineage. We describe here that the Jekyll gene, required for sexual reproduction, exists in two much diverged allelic variants, Jek1 and Jek3. Despite low similarity, the Jek1 and Jek3 proteins share identical signal peptides, conserved cysteine positions and direct repeats. The Jek1/Jek3 sequences are located at the same chromosomal locus and inherited in a monogenic Mendelian fashion. Jek3 has a similar expression as Jek1 and complements the Jek1 function in Jek1‐deficient plants. Jek1 and Jek3 allelic variants were almost equally distributed in a collection of 485 wild and domesticated barley accessions. All domesticated barleys harboring the Jek1 allele belong to single haplotype J1‐H1 indicating a genetic bottleneck during domestication. Domesticated barleys harboring the Jek3 allele consisted of three haplotypes. Jekyll‐like sequences were found only in species of the closely related tribes Bromeae and Triticeae but not in other Poaceae. Non‐invasive magnetic resonance imaging revealed intrinsic grain structure in Triticeae and Bromeae, associated with the Jekyll function. The emergence of Jekyll suggests its role in the separation of the Bromeae and Triticeae lineages within the Poaceae and identifies the Jekyll genes as lineage‐specific.
R2R3‐MYB transcription factor MYB6 promotes anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis but inhibits secondary cell wall formation in Populus tomentosa
Authors: Wang Lijun , Lu Wanxiang , Ran Lingyu , Dou Liwen , Yao Shu , Hu Jian , Fan Di , Li Chaofeng , Luo Keming
Published: April 2019

The secondary cell wall is an important carbon sink in higher plants and its biosynthesis requires coordination of metabolic fluxes in the phenylpropanoid pathway. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), MYB75 and the KNOX transcription factor KNAT7 form functional complexes to regulate secondary cell wall formation in the inflorescence stem. However, the molecular mechanism by which these transcription factors control different branches of the phenylpropanoid pathway remains poorly understood in woody species. We isolated an R2R3‐MYB transcription factor MYB6 from Populus tomentosa and determined that it was expressed predominately in young leaves. Overexpression of MYB6 in transgenic poplar upregulated flavonoid biosynthetic gene expression, resulting in significantly increased accumulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidins. MYB6‐overexpression plants showed reduced secondary cell wall deposition, accompanied by repressed expression of secondary cell wall biosynthetic genes. We further showed that MYB6 interacted physically with KNAT7 and formed functional complexes that acted to repress secondary cell wall development in poplar and Arabidopsis. The results provide an insight into the transcriptional mechanisms involved in the regulation of the metabolic fluxes between the flavonoid and lignin biosynthetic pathways in poplar.
Effects of Multiple Sprint Test on Average Speed and Exercise Heart Rate in Amateur Soccer Players
Authors: Ece Cuma , Şen Murat , Çetin Semra , Aydoğan Alaeddin , Çetin H. Nedim
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of multiple sprints on average speed and exercise heart rate of U18 female and U18 male amateur soccer players. In this study, totally 42 amateur soccer players including U18 (n= 21) and U18 (n=21) players performed 7 repetitive sprints of 34.2 meters with a 25 seconds jog of 50 meters distance. During exercise and recovery period, heart rate per minute was recorded by Polar Heart Rate Telemetry. In statistical analyzes, t-tests were used in two groups comparisons, while the effects of other variables on average speed and cardiovascular parameters were determined by two way analyzes of variance.Results of this study, U18 male players’ average speed of 5.14 m/ sec is higher than the U18 female players’ average speed of 4.62 m/sec. The physical characteristics of U18 male and U18 female amateur soccer players were different in favors of the U18 male players, and that gender was significantly effective on the average speed rather than the number of sprints.  Heart rate per minute has continually increased in different characteristics at the start, finish and recovery periods of the sprints until the finish of the seventh sprint in both amateur U18 male and U18 female. It found increase in the Sprint time were as follows; U18 female 0.40 sec and U18 male 0.20 second. Decrease in the average speed was U18 female 0.28 sec., and U18 male 0.15 second.Conclusion, in multiple speed tests, maximum and average speed of the U18 amateur female and male soccer players, the decrease rate in their speed and their cardiovascular responses show differences. In U18 Amateur, males seem to be faster and have the ability of keeping speed at a high level, and the ability of intensity and recovery in maximal level in a short time than the females.  In the Bangsbo test, the recovery time in men should be less than 25 seconds.
The impact of patient navigation: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Reid Amy E. , Doucet Shelley , Luke Alison , Azar Rima , Horsman Amanda Rose
Published: April 2019

Review objective/question:

The objective of this review is to synthesize the evidence on the impact of patient navigation for all populations across all settings. The question of this review is: What is the existing evidence on the impact of patient navigation?
Reduced insulin sensitivity in young, normoglycaemic subjects alters microvascular tissue oxygenation during postocclusive reactive hyperaemia
Authors: Townsend Dana K. , Deysher Daniel M. , Wu Esther E. , Barstow Thomas J.
Published: April 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of the study?

Are measures of reduced insulin sensitivity in young, normoglycaemic subjects correlated with near‐infrared spectroscopy‐derived microvascular responsiveness [tissue oxygen saturation reperfusion rate (STO2 upslope)] during postocclusive reactive hyperaemia?

What is the main finding and its importance?

A sevenfold range of hepatic insulin sensitivity is significantly correlated (r = 0.44, P = 0.02) with STO2 upslope after transient tissue ischaemia. Near‐infrared spectroscopy may be an important tool for determining altered microvascular function before onset of hyperglycaemia. Identification of pre‐type 2 diabetes much earlier than with the present clinical criteria is important for pre‐emptive measures against microvascular deterioration.

Near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) measurement of postocclusive reactive hyperaemia (PORH) tissue oxygen saturation reperfusion rate [STO2 upslope (as a percentage per minute)] has recently been correlated with the percentage of flow‐mediated dilatation (%FMD). Cardiovascular disease is associated with impairments in %FMD. Reduced insulin sensitivity may negatively affect the vascular system for many years before prediabetes/type 2 diabetes states. The aim of this study was to determine whether static and dynamic STO2 parameters during PORH are correlated with reduced insulin sensitivity in young, normoglycaemic subjects. Glucose and insulin were measured during an oral glucose tolerance test in 18‐ to 26‐year‐old, healthy subjects (11 men and 11 women), and STO2 was measured during PORH of antebrachial muscle. Hepatic (ISIHOMA) and whole‐body (ISICOMP) insulin sensitivities were calculated. The STO2 upslope was negatively correlated with minimal STO2 (r = −0.5, P = 0.01). The change of STO2 from minimum to baseline (ΔSTO2) was significantly negatively correlated with fasting insulin (r = −0.5, P = 0.01) and a positively correlated with ISIHOMA (r = 0.65, P = 0.001). The minimum STO2 was significantly negatively correlated with ISIHOMA, and STO2 upslope was significantly positively correlated with ISIHOMA (r = 0.44, P = 0.02). The minimum STO2 (a measure of O2 extraction while the cuff was inflated), ΔSTO2 (a measure of the amount of reperfusion) and STO2 upslope (a measure of responsiveness of the microcirculation to ischaemia) were all positively correlated with ISIHOMA, one of the longest‐used measures of insulin sensitivity. The NIRS‐derived STO2 might be a useful tool for assessing how levels of reduced insulin sensitivity in young, normoglycaemic adults affect the microvasculature.
Numerical Investigation on a New Concept of Shock Vector Control Nozzle
Authors: Jingwei Shi , Zhanxue Wang , Li Zhou , Xiaobo Zhang
Published: April 2019

Shock vector control (SVC) based on transverse jet injection is one of the fluidic thrust vectoring (FTV) technologies, and is considered as a promising candidate for the future exhaust system working at high nozzle pressure ratio (NPR). However, the low vector efficiency (η) of the SVC nozzle remains an important problem. In the paper, a new method, named as the improved SVC, was proposed to improve the vector efficiency (η) of a SVC nozzle, which enhances the vector control of primary supersonic flow by adopting a bypass injection. It needs less secondary flow from high pressure component of an aero-engine and has smaller influence on the working character of an aero-engine. The flow mechanism of the improved SVC nozzle was investigated by solving three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier--Stokes with shear stress transport (SST) κ–ω turbulence model. The shock waves, jets-primary flow interactions, flow separation, and vector performance were analyzed. The influences of aerodynamic and geometric parameters, namely, NPR, secondary pressure ratio (SPR), and bypass injection position (Xj.ad.) on flow characteristics and vector performance were investigated. Based on the design of experiment (DOE), the response surface methodology (RSM) and the simulation model of an aero-engine, a method to estimate the coupling performance of the improved SVC nozzle and an aero-engine was studied, and a new balance relationship between the improved SVC nozzle and an aero-engine was established. Results shows that (1) with the assistance of bypass injection, the jet penetration and the capability of vector control are largely improved, resulting in a vector efficiency (η) of 1.98 deg/%-ω at the designed NPRD = 13.88; (2) in a wide range of operating conditions, larger vector angle (δp), higher thrust coefficient (Cfg), and higher vector efficiency (η) of the improved SVC nozzle were obtained, (3) in the coupling process of the improved SVC nozzle and an aero-engine, a δp of 18.1 deg was achieved at corrected secondary flow ratio of 10% and corrected bypass ratio of 6.98%, and the change of the thrust and the specific fuel consumption (SFC) were within 12%, which is better than the coupling performance of a SVC nozzle and an aero-engine.
Improvement of the Thermal Performance of Solar Drying Systems Using Different Techniques: A Review
Authors: Sandali Messaoud , Boubekri Abdelghani , Mennouche Djamel
Published: April 2019

Solar drying is one of the most important processes of preserving agricultural products. This review paper focused mainly on the enhancement of efficiency a solar drying system. The establishment of different techniques and factors, which may affect the performance of solar dryers, helps to improve solar dryers’ effectiveness. Different types of solar dryers were described here; moreover, various performance analyses of solar drying systems (SDSs) were presented. Factors and techniques for improving efficiency of solar dryers were discussed as well. The effect of operating conditions, geometrical conditions, adding of reflectors, heat exchanger, heat pump, photovoltaic source, air circulation mode, and phase change material (PCM) on the efficiency of a solar drying system were studied and discussed. Results showed that climatic conditions such as ambient temperature and solar radiation have an important influence on the solar dryer performance. The chimney integrated in solar dryer increases the buoyant force applied on the air stream to maintain a greater air flow velocity, which removes one side of moisture. The concentrators found to be effective in reducing the drying time by increasing the air temperature inside the dryer. Photovoltaic panels provides electricity source to run electrical components such as the fan to provide a forced air circulation that removes more moisture from the product compared with the natural convection or the heat pump to ensure the drying process at night. PCMs store the thermal energy during sunshine hours and release it after sunset, which can reduce the heat losses and improve the thermal efficiency of the drying system.
The heart of Varroa destructor: description, function and inhibition following acaricide application
Authors: Koutouvela Evgenia , Papachristoforou Alexandros
Published: April 2019

This study examines the heart and its activity in the mite Varroa destructor. Through light microscopy, the duration and frequency of the beat of the mite’s heart, which is located over the synganglion, was recorded and analysed. The heart measured 165 μm by 60 μm, and consisted of two lateral trunks, inducing pulses with an average duration of 10 sec and an average frequency of 0.13 Hz. The use of cardiac activity as a new bioassay for accurate assessment of the effect of varroacide compounds was also examined.
China builds world-class observatories in Tibet
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: April 2019

Telescopes to study gamma rays, gravitational waves, stars, and the sun take shape on the roof of the world.
Scientists track Florida's vanishing barrier reef
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: April 2019

Warming is finishing off a decline that began 3000 years ago.
The structure of a membrane adenylyl cyclase bound to an activated stimulatory G protein
Authors: Qi Chao , Sorrentino Simona , Medalia Ohad , Korkhov Volodymyr M.
Published: April 2019

The architecture of a signaling hub

Adenylyl cyclases (ACs) respond to a variety of inputs to generate the signaling molecule cyclic adenosine monophosphate. ACs are regulated by G proteins, which are activated by upstream receptors. Qi
et al.
determined the structure of bovine membrane AC9 bound to an activated G protein αs subunit by cryo–electron microscopy at 3.4-angstrom resolution. The structure provides the full architecture of AC9, including a helical domain that connects the transmembrane and catalytic domains. The model reveals how the domains interact to regulate enzymatic activity, including suggesting a mechanism of self-inhibition.

Science
, this issue p.
389
Parallel programming of an ionic floating-gate memory array for scalable neuromorphic computing
Authors: Fuller Elliot J. , Keene Scott T. , Melianas Armantas , Wang Zhongrui , Agarwal Sapan , Li Yiyang , Tuchman Yaakov , James Conrad D. , Marinella Matthew J. , Yang J. Joshua , Salleo Alberto , Talin A. Alec
Published: April 2019

Ionic floating-gate memories

Digital implementations of artificial neural networks perform many tasks, such as image recognition and language processing, but are too energy intensive for many applications. Analog circuits that use large crossbar arrays of synaptic memory elements represent a low-power alternative, but most devices cannot update the synaptic weights uniformly or scale to large array sizes. Fuller
et al.
developed an integrated device, ionic floating-gate memory, that has the gate terminal of a redox transistor electrically connected to a diffusive memristor. This low-power device enabled linear and symmetric weight updates in parallel over an entire crossbar array at megahertz rates over 10
9
write-read cycles.

Science
, this issue p.
570
Sulfur isotopes in diamonds reveal differences in continent construction
Authors: Smit Karen V. , Shirey Steven B. , Hauri Erik H. , Stern Richard A.
Published: April 2019

Sulfur tells tectonic secrets

Plate tectonics dominates how the surface of Earth is shaped over geologic time; however, we do not know when this important process started on Earth. Smit
et al.
used sulfur isotopes in diamonds to show that atmospheric sulfur was entering the mantle 3 billion years ago through plate subduction. Older diamonds do not have this signature, constraining when plate tectonics started on Earth to around 3 billion years ago.

Science
, this issue p.
383
Stabilizing a C–H bond on graphene with sound
Authors: Hornekær Liv
Published: April 2019

The formation of carbon-hydrogen bonds on graphene is aided by sonic energy loss
Nonresistive heat transport by collective phonon flow
Authors: Shi Li
Published: April 2019

“Second sound” has been observed in graphite
Alan B. Krueger (1960–2019)
Authors: Katz Lawrence F.
Published: April 2019

Groundbreaking empirical and social economist
In Vivo
Pharmacodynamics of Omadacycline against Staphylococcus aureus in the Neutropenic Murine Thigh Infection Model
Authors: Lepak Alexander J. , Zhao Miao , Marchillo Karen , VanHecker Jamie , Andes David R.
Published: April 2019

Omadacycline is a novel aminomethylcycline antibiotic with potent activity against
Staphylococcus aureus
, including methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
(MSSA) and methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA). We investigated the pharmacodynamic activity of omadacycline against 10 MSSA/MRSA strains in a neutropenic murine thigh model.
Epidemiology and Antifungal Susceptibility Profile of
Aspergillus
Species: Comparison between Environmental and Clinical Isolates from Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: Cho Sung-Yeon , Lee Dong-Gun , Kim Won-Bok , Chun Hye-Sun , Park Chulmin , Myong Jun-Pyo , Park Yeon-Joon , Choi Jae-Ki , Lee Hyo-Jin , Kim Si-Hyun , Park Sun Hee , Choi Su-Mi , Choi Jung-Hyun , Yoo Jin-Hong
Published: April 2019

Global data on the epidemiology and susceptibility of
Aspergillus
are crucial in the management of invasive aspergillosis. Here, we aimed to determine the characteristics of clinical and environmental
Aspergillus
isolates, focusing mainly on hematologic malignancy patients.
Intra-articular dislocation of the patella: a rare variant to an uncommon injury
Authors: Rangdal Sushil , Bachhal Vikas , Vashisht Saurabh , Dhillon Mandeep Singh
Published: April 2019

Horizontal intra-articular dislocation of the patella is a very rare traumatic entity. We present an unusual case of horizontal intra-articular dislocation in which the patellar articular surface was facing upwards besides having an avulsion of the quadriceps tendon from the superior pole. There was associated posterolateral knee subluxation, which has not been described with intra-articular dislocation of the patella. A 20-year-old man presented with open patellar dislocation and locked knee after a roadside accident. The patient was managed successfully by open reduction and repair of the quadriceps tendon. There was buttonholing of the medial femoral condyle through the medial retinaculum leading to irreducible dislocation. A special reduction manoeuvre was employed to bring the knee to its normal alignment. Knowledge of this injury pattern is of utmost importance for proper recognition and appropriate allocation of the surgical technique.
Rare neonatal interstitial lung disease masquerading as pulmonary hemosiderosis
Authors: Ramaswamy Viraraghavan Vadakkencherry , Nangia Sushma , Thukral Anu , Singh Varinder
Published: April 2019

A preterm 32-week neonate presented on the 14th day of life with respiratory distress and cyanosis. The respiratory distress worsened progressively, which was managed with continuous positive airway pressure support. The neonate had blood-tinged oral secretions on the 39th day of life, for which bronchoscopy was performed, whose findings were suggestive of pulmonary hemosiderosis. Lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension. The neonate was treated successfully with systemic corticosteroids and discharged home at 3 months of age.
Bartholin’s gland abscess caused byStreptococcus pneumoniaein a sexually active young woman
Authors: Soares Rui , Reis Teresa , Valido Frederico , Chaves Catarina
Published: April 2019

Gynaecological infections are frequent in women, particularly in young women during their reproductive time. Anatomophysiologically, Bartholin’s gland is greatly susceptible to infections and is characterised by an inherent polymicrobial population. In fact, gynaecological microbiota has a set of agents coming from the perianal region that colonise the vagina and, in particular, Bartholin’s gland. Taking this into account, infections caused by agents that do not belong to the genital microbiota are less frequent. Here, we describe a case of a 23-year-old young woman with an abscess in Bartholin’s gland caused byStreptococcus pneumoniae.
Altered retinoid metabolism gene expression in chronic Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Authors: Srividya Gurumurthy , Angayarkanni Narayanasamy , Iyer Geetha , Srinivasan Bhaskar , Agarwal Shweta
Published: April 2019

Background

Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a blistering disorder of the skin and mucous membrane, leads to ocular morbidity in >60% of cases. Retinoids are vital micronutrients for vision, regulating corneal and conjunctival cell proliferation, differentiation and immune function. This prospective case–control study probed for alterations in retinoid metabolism by evaluating retinoic acid receptor signalling in the conjunctival cells of patients with SJS.

Methods

Imprints were collected from the bulbar conjunctiva of patients with chronic SJS. The gene expression of retinoic acid receptors, namely, RXRA, RARA, RARG, RORA; the fibrosis marker TGFβ and its receptor TGFβRII; the transcription factors PPAR-γ, STRA6 and Stat3; the enzymes aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1a1), alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AT); and the Cyp genes Cyp26a1 and Cyp26b1 were assessed by quantitative PCR in patients with SJS pre-mucous (n = 34) and post-mucous membrane graft (MMG) intervention (n=19) in comparison with age-matched/sex-matched healthy controls (n=20). Western blot analysis of ALDH1a1, RARA and RARG were done in the conjunctival imprint cells.

Results

The transcript levels of ALDH1a1, RXRA, RORA, STRA6, Cyp26a1 and Cyp26b1 were decreased around 4, 26, 17, 129, 9 and 8 folds, respectively, and RARA, RARG, PPAR-γ, TGFβ, TGFβRII were increased by 12, 15, 51, 16 and 87 folds, respectively, in SJS conjunctiva at the pre-MMG stage. The changes in RORA, Cyp26a1, Cyp26b1, RARA and Stat3 were statistically significant (p<0.05). Changes in protein expression of ALDH1a1, RARA and RARG supported the gene expression changes.

Conclusions

The study provides the first experimental insight into the role of retinoid metabolism in the ocular sequelae of chronic SJS.
Choroidal amelanotic tumours: clinical differentiation of benign from malignant lesions in 5586 cases
Authors: Welch R Joel , Newman Jennifer H , Honig Stephanie E , Mayro Eileen L , McGarrey Mark , Graf Alexander E , Selzer Evan B , Acaba-Berrocal Luis A , Considine Sean P , Malik Kunal , Shields Jerry A , Shields Carol L
Published: April 2019

Purpose

To investigate demographics and clinical features of patients with amelanotic choroidal tumours.

Design

Retrospective analysis.

Methods

Comparison of demographic and clinical features of various amelanotic choroidal tumours based on stratification by patient age, sex and tumour diameter. Included were all patients with amelanotic choroidal tumours evaluated on the Ocular Oncology Service, Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, over a 45-year time period.

Results

A total of 5586 amelanotic choroidal tumours in 4638 eyes of 4441 patients were included with a mean age at presentation of 58 years (median 60, range 0.1–100 years). Most patients were white (95%), female (56%) and with unilateral lesion (96%). By comparison, amelanotic melanoma presented at a younger mean age (57 years) compared with metastasis (60 years, p<0.001), nevus (61 years, p<0.001), lymphoma (65 years, p<0.001), sclerochoroidal calcification (70 years, p<0.001) and peripheral exudative haemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (80 years, p<0.001). Melanoma presented at an older mean age compared with osteoma (30 years, p<0.001), granuloma (42 years, p<0.001), haemangioma (49 years, p<0.001) and inflammatory choroidal lesions (49 years, p<0.001). Differences in race and sex were also seen between the various amelanotic choroidal lesions. With few exceptions, amelanotic melanoma had significantly larger basal diameter, greater thickness, more frequent association with subretinal fluid and more often ultrasonographically hollow, compared with other amelanotic choroidal lesions.

Conclusion

Understanding the demographic and clinical features of amelanotic choroidal melanoma and other amelanotic lesions could lead to an earlier and more accurate diagnosis.
Association between focal lamina cribrosa defects and optic disc haemorrhage in glaucoma
Authors: Mistry Vijay , An Dong , Barry Christopher J , House Philip H , Morgan William H
Published: April 2019

Background/aims

To explore the relationship between focal lamina defect (LD) size and optic disc haemorrhages (DH) in glaucomatous eyes.

Methods

Radial B-scan images at 15° intervals obtained using enhanced depth imaging (EDI) spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed on a group of subjects previously assessed for DH every 3 months over a period of 5 years. EDI-OCT scans were assessed for the presence of focal lamina cribrosa defects by a single observer.

Results

119 eyes from 62 subjects (44 females, 18 males) were analysed. 44 eyes (37%) were noted to have at least 1 LD, and of those, eight eyes had more than one defect. 68 eyes (57%) were observed to have at least one DH occur over the course of monitoring. 48 eyes (40%) had recurrent DH, with a mean of 5.17 haemorrhages over the 5-year period. Type 1 focal LD (p=0.0000, OR 7.17), glaucoma progression (p=0.0024, OR 0.32) and ArtDiff (p=0.0466, OR 1.04) were significantly associated as predictors of DH. No correlation between the size of the LD and DH occurrence (p=0.6449, Spearman rank correlation) was found.

Conclusion

Focal lamina cribrosa hole-type defects were significantly associated with an increase in DH occurrence over the preceding 5 years. The lack of association between defect size and DH suggests that DH and lamina defects may have separate links to the glaucomatous process.
Identifying the lifetime cognitive and socioeconomic antecedents of cognitive state: seven decades of follow-up in a British birth cohort study
Authors: Richards M , James Sarah-Naomi , Sizer Alison , Sharma Nikhil , Rawle Mark , Davis Daniel H J , Kuh Diana
Published: April 2019

Objectives

The life course determinants of midlife and later life cognitive function have been studied using longitudinal population-based cohort data, but far less is known about whether the pattern of these pathways is similar or distinct for clinically relevant cognitive state. We investigated this for Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination third edition (ACE-III), used in clinical settings to screen for cognitive impairment and dementia.

Design

Longitudinal birth cohort study.

Setting

Residential addresses in England, Wales and Scotland.

Participants

1762 community-dwelling men and women of European heritage, enrolled since birth in the Medical Research Council (MRC) National Survey of Health and Development (the British 1946 birth cohort).

Primary outcome

ACE-III.

Results

Path modelling estimated direct and indirect associations between apolipoprotein E (APOE) status, father’s social class, childhood cognition, education, midlife occupational complexity, midlife verbal ability (National Adult Reading Test; NART), and the total ACE-III score. Controlling for sex, there was a direct negative association betweenAPOEε4 and the ACE-III score (β=−0.04 [–0.08 to –0.002], p=0.04), but not betweenAPOEε4 and childhood cognition (β=0.03 [–0.006 to 0.069], p=0.10) or the NART (β=0.0005 [–0.03 to 0.03], p=0.97). The strongest influences on the ACE-III were from childhood cognition (β=0.20 [0.14 to 0.26], p<0.001) and the NART (β=0.35 [0.29 to 0.41], p<0.001); educational attainment and occupational complexity were modestly and independently associated with the ACE-III (β=0.08 [0.03 to 0.14], p=0.002 and β=0.05 [0.01 to 0.10], p=0.02, respectively).

Conclusions

The ACE-III in the general population shows a pattern of life course antecedents that is similar to neuropsychological measures of cognitive function, and may be used to represent normal cognitive ageing as well as a screen for cognitive impairment and dementia.
Health-related quality of life and prevalence of six chronic diseases in homeless and housed people: a cross-sectional study in London and Birmingham, England
Authors: Lewer Dan , Aldridge Robert W , Menezes Dee , Sawyer Clare , Zaninotto Paola , Dedicoat Martin , Ahmed Imtiaz , Luchenski Serena , Hayward Andrew , Story Alistair
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To compare health-related quality of life and prevalence of chronic diseases in housed and homeless populations.

Design

Cross-sectional survey with an age-matched and sex-matched housed comparison group.

Setting

Hostels, day centres and soup runs in London and Birmingham, England.

Participants

Homeless participants were either sleeping rough or living in hostels and had a history of sleeping rough. The comparison group was drawn from the Health Survey for England. The study included 1336 homeless and 13 360 housed participants.

Outcome measures

Chronic diseases were self-reported asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), epilepsy, heart problems, stroke and diabetes. Health-related quality of life was measured using EQ-5D-3L.

Results

Housed participants in more deprived neighbourhoods were more likely to report disease. Homeless participants were substantially more likely than housed participants in the most deprived quintile to report all diseases except diabetes (which had similar prevalence in homeless participants and the most deprived housed group). For example, the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 1.1% (95% CI 0.7% to 1.6%) in the least deprived housed quintile; 2.0% (95% CI 1.5% to 2.6%) in the most deprived housed quintile; and 14.0% (95% CI 12.2% to 16.0%) in the homeless group. Social gradients were also seen for problems in each EQ-5D-3L domain in the housed population, but homeless participants had similar likelihood of reporting problems as the most deprived housed group. The exception was problems related to anxiety, which were substantially more common in homeless people than any of the housed groups.

Conclusions

While differences in health between housed socioeconomic groups can be described as a ‘slope’, differences in health between housed and homeless people are better understood as a ‘cliff’.