bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tungsten-Copper Composites for Arcing Contact Applications
Authors: Valentina Lungu Magdalena
Published: December 2020

The study presents the research findings on electrical contact materials based on tungsten-copper (W-Cu) composites containing 72 ± 3 wt.% W, rest Cu, and up to 1.5 wt.% Ni. Cylindrical sintered parts with 57 ± 0.5 mm in diameter and 12 ± 0.5 mm in height were manufactured by pressing, sintering, and liquid infiltration route, then were mechanically polished and processed as complex shape protection rings used as arcing contacts in high voltage circuit breakers (HVCBs). The surface elemental composition of the sintered parts was determined by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The density was determined by hydrostatic weighing in ethanol. The arithmetic mean surface roughness was measured by contact profilometry. The microstructure was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The electrical conductivity was measured by eddy current method. The thermal diffusivity and specific heat were determined by laser flash analysis. Instrumented indentation testing and two computational methods (Oliver & Pharr, and Martens hardness) were employed to study the mechanical properties under quadratic loading and continuous multi cycle (CMC) indentation mode. The functional behavior of the arcing contacts was assessed in terms of static and dynamic contact resistance in operation in minimum oil HVCBs of 110 kV. The properties investigation revealed highly dense contact parts with homogeneous microstructure, Vickers hardness of 260-374, elastic modulus of 185-311 GPa, as well as good electrical and thermal conductivity. The arcing contacts proved a good functional behavior. in service, too. The results endorse the developed sintered contact materials for implementation in practical applications.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Based Frequency Optimization of Vertical Storage Column
Authors: desai Sumit , Bhalerao Ganesh , Desai Amit
Published: December 2020

The ethanol containing vertical storage column is typically a leak proof tank which is used to store the liquid and fine powder. To exploit the storing capability, these columns are generally precise high normally above 27meters with a circular cross section. The task arranged is that the agitator and the vertical pole are necessary to be on the equal podium. Due to this the pole is predisposed to vibrations from the Campaigner. This was needed to optimize the natural frequency of the column. Stiffeners /Support are fond of to the column plate to reinforce the column counter to pressure force, to minimize the vibrations of the plate and to become rigid plate against buckling. Stiffeners must be set apart at some suitable positioning so that plate stress is low than permissible stress. If column panel tallness or breadth is less than acceptable plate span then according to assumption column doesn’t requires stiffeners/support. Though if column lifted or handles in one piece then, some stiffening may be required to keep column shape. Rise the stiffness by growing stiffeners/supports leads to load increase so no actual variance in rate of recurrence. By reducing mass of column and that can be possible only by selecting proper material. The objective of entire effort is to design of the vertical column in such a way that the natural frequency of the column can be optimized. As number of supports (horizontal) are increasing the natural frequency of column is also increasing, but at same time weight is also increased. So in order to optimize design the weight of column provided by support must be reduced. After optimize the structure of support and carrying out pre stressed modal analysis the targeted natural frequencies (>16 Hz) is obtained in the structure.
Adsorption of Acid Dye by Activated Carbon from Agricultural Solid Waste Leucona Leucocephala Seed Shell Waste: Kinetics, Equilibrium and Isotherm Study
Authors: Rajendran A Babu , S Kalaiselvan , R Padmavathi
Published: December 2020

Activated carbons from Leucaena leucocephala Seed Shell left over were generated accompanied by 10% phosphoric acid solution in the N2 atmosphere by chemical activation and their characteristics were investigated. SEM, FTIR and XRD analysis were used to analyse the characteristics of the triggered preparations. Isothermal models, namely the Freundlich and Langmuir representations, were the equilibrium studies carried out.. The equilibrium adsorption result was better suited to the isotherm model of Langmuir and its maximum monolayer adsorption potential for acid blue was 70.67 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics studies have shown that the best fit is provided by the pseudo second-order dynamic model. An intraparticle dispersion model demonstrated that the dissemination of the intraparticle was not a step of rate control. Studies of thermodynamics have shown that the sorption mechanism is spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The findings suggest that the seed shells of Leucaena leucocephala may be used as a possible adsorbent for Acid blue1 adsorption.
The binary oxide NiO-CuO nanocomposite based thick film sensor for the acute detection of Hydrogen Sulphide gas vapours
Authors: Jagannath Tupe1 Umesh , Zambare M. S. , Vitthal Patil Arun , Bhimrao Koli Prashant
Published: December 2020

The present research deals with the synthesis of copper oxide and nickel oxide nanoparticles. The nano powder of both NiO-CuO was utilized to fabricate the thick films.Thick films fabricated by screen printing method on glass substrate. The ex-situ doping method was followed for mixing the concentration of nickel oxide in copper oxide lattice. Calculated stoichiometric amount of NiO was loaded during thick film synthesis of CuO.The structure morphology of prepared CuO-NiO nanocomposite thick films was confirmed from x-ray diffraction technique, whichapproves cubic and crystalline CuO-NiO binary nanocomposite. The surface characteristics of the prepared films investigated byscanning electron microscopy that shows homogeneous, porous CuO-NiO nanoparticles with varying dimensions.The prepared thick films of CuO-NiO nanoparticles were analysed for electrical parameter, that assured the prepared material has a semiconducting nature. Further, these thick films promoted for gas sensing interpretation of H2S gas at various temperature and varied gas concentration. Here exclusive reports for hydrogen sulphide gas are reported. The binary CuO-NiO was thoroughly investigated for hydrogen sulphide gas concentration from 50 ppm to 500 ppm at the different temperature. The binary oxide sensor is found to be very sensitive at room temperature and maximum sensitivity response was 75.01 % for H2S gas. Furthermore the response and recovery times are also reported for binary sensor in the present research. The sensor reproducibility cycle was performed forbinary oxide sensor at hydrogen sulphide gas (H2S).
Sanders stage 7b: Using the appearance of the ulnar physis improves decision-making for brace weaning in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Cheung Prudence Wing Hang , Cheung Jason Pui Yin
Published: December 2020

Aims

The aim of this study was to investigate whether including the stages of ulnar physeal closure in Sanders stage 7 aids in a more accurate assessment for brace weaning in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of patients who were weaned from their brace and reviewed between June 2016 and December 2018. Patients who weaned from their brace at Risser stage ≥ 4, had static standing height and arm span for at least six months, and were ≥ two years post-menarche were included. Skeletal maturity at weaning was assessed using Sanders staging with stage 7 subclassified into 7a, in which all phalangeal physes are fused and only the distal radial physis is open, with narrowing of the medial physeal plate of the distal ulna, and 7b, in which fusion of > 50% of the medial growth plate of distal ulna exists, as well as the distal radius and ulna (DRU) classification, an established skeletal maturity index which assesses skeletal maturation using finer stages of the distal radial and ulnar physes, from open to complete fusion. The grade of maturity at the time of weaning and any progression of the curve were analyzed using Fisher’s exact test, with Cramer’s V, and Goodman and Kruskal’s tau.

Results

We studied a total of 179 patients with AIS, of whom 149 (83.2%) were female. Their mean age was 14.8 years (SD 1.1) and the mean Cobb angle was 34.6° (SD 7.7°) at the time of weaning. The mean follow-up was 3.4 years (SD 1.8). At six months after weaning, the rates of progression of the curve for patients weaning at Sanders stage 7a and 7b were 11.4% and 0%, respectively for those with curves of < 40°. Similarly, the rates of progression of the curve for those being weaned at ulnar grade 7 and 8 using the DRU classification were 13.5% and 0%, respectively. The use of Sanders stages 6, 7a, 7b, and 8 for the assessment of maturity at the time of weaning were strongly and significantly associated (Cramer’s V 0.326; p = 0.016) with whether the curve progressed at six months after weaning. Weaning at Sanders stage 7 with subclassification allowed 10.6% reduction of error in predicting the progression of the curve.

Conclusion

The use of Sanders stages 7a and 7b allows the accurate assessment of skeletal maturity for guiding brace weaning in patients with AIS. Weaning at Sanders stage 7b, or at ulnar grade 8 with the DRU classification, is more appropriate as the curve did not progress in any patient with a curve of < 40° immediately post-weaning. Thus, reaching full fusion in both distal radial and ulnar physes (as at Sanders stage 8) is not necessary and this allows weaning from a brace to be initiated about nine months earlier. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2021;103-B(1):141–147.
Radiological and clinical outcomes using induced membrane technique combined with bone marrow concentrate in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis of immature patients
Authors: Shen Jie , Sun Dong , Yu Shengpeng , Fu Jingshu , Wang Xiaohua , Wang Shulin , Xie Zhao
Published: December 2020

Aims

Treatment of chronic osteomyelitis (COM) for young patients remains a challenge. Large bone deficiencies secondary to COM can be treated using induced membrane technique (IMT). However, it is unclear which type of bone graft is optimal. The goal of the study was to determine the clinical effectiveness of bone marrow concentrator modified allograft (BMCA) versus bone marrow aspirate mixed allograft (BMAA) for children with COM of long bones.

Methods

Between January 2013 and December 2017, 26 young patients with COM were enrolled. Different bone grafts were applied to repair bone defects secondary to IMT procedure for infection eradication. Group BMCA was administered BMCA while Group BMAA was given BMAA. The results of this case-control study were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Patient infection in both groups was eradicated after IMT surgery. As for reconstruction surgery, no substantial changes in the operative period (p = 0.852), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.573), or length of hospital stay (p = 0.362) were found between the two groups. All patients were monitored for 12 to 60 months. The median time to bone healing was 4.0 months (interquartile range (IQR) 3.0 to 5.0; range 3 to 7) and 5.0 months (IQR 4.0 to 7.0; range 3 to 10) in Groups BMCA and BMAA, respectively. The time to heal in Group BMCA versus Group BMAA was substantially lower (p = 0.024).

Conclusion

IMT with BMCA or BMAA may attain healing in large bone defects secondary to COM in children. The bone healing time was significantly shorter for BMCA, indicating that this could be considered as a new strategy for bone defect after COM treatment. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(1):31–40.
Rejuvenated ageing mesenchymal stem cells by stepwise preconditioning ameliorates surgery-induced osteoarthritis in rabbits
Authors: Zong Zhixian , Zhang Xiaoting , Yang Zhengmeng , Yuan Weihao , Huang Jianping , Lin Weiping , Chen Ting , Yu Jiahao , Chen Jiming , Cui Liao , Li Gang , Wei Bo , Lin Sien
Published: December 2020

Aims

Ageing-related incompetence becomes a major hurdle for the clinical translation of adult stem cells in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to investigate the effect of stepwise preconditioning on cellular behaviours in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) from ageing patients, and to verify their therapeutic effect in an OA animal model.

Methods

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from ageing patients and preconditioned with chondrogenic differentiation medium, followed by normal growth medium. Cellular assays including Bromodeoxyuridine / 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), β-Gal, Rosette forming, and histological staining were compared in the manipulated human mesenchymal stem cells (hM-MSCs) and their controls. The anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) rabbit models were locally injected with two millions, four millions, or eight millions of hM-MSCs or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scoring was performed to measure the pathological changes in the affected joints after staining. Micro-CT analysis was conducted to determine the microstructural changes in subchondral bone.

Results

Stepwise preconditioning approach significantly enhanced the proliferation and chondrogenic potential of ageing hMSCs at early passage. Interestingly, remarkably lower immunogenicity and senescence was also found in hM-MSCs. Data from animal studies showed cartilage damage was retarded and subchondral bone remodelling was prevented by the treatment of preconditioned MSCs. The therapeutic effect depended on the number of cells applied to animals, with the best effect observed when treated with eight millions of hM-MSCs.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated a reliable and feasible stepwise preconditioning strategy to improve the safety and efficacy of ageing MSCs for the prevention of OA development. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(1):10–21.
DEVELOPMENT OF A LASER PROFILOMETER FOR THE GENERATION OF 3D- MODELS TO MEASURE THE VOLUME OF FERTILIZER APPLIED BY FERTILIZER SOWERS
Authors: Lino Antonio Carlos Loureiro , D'Avila Edson , Silva Marcos Valério Gebra da , Dal Fabbro Inácio Maria , Silva Denival da Costa
Published: December 2020

Laser profilometry based on triangulation is a method for measuring depth of points in space that uses a laser beam to scan the object. The image of a laser-line projected onto a surface of an object is captured and treated in image-analysis software, which calculates its profile. The union of a sequence of profiles allows the construction of the 3D-digital models of objects. The objective of this work was to develop a methodology and to build a prototype of a threedimensional scanner based on laser triangulation. A prototype was built, with a gantry structure containing a car on which are a laser diode and a camera. This car is driven by an endless shaft driven by an electric motor with variable speed. When moving the car, the laser module produces a line on the surface of the object that is filmed by a camera fixed at a known angle, obtaining the necessary information to generate the 3D model of the object. Tests were made on regular objects: hubcaps, pyramids and cobblestones and the results showed that the 3D-models produced had the same dimensions. Tests were also made on irregular objects such as soil surface and fruit. The prototype proved to be solid for generating 3D models of objects.
Antischistosomal, antionchocercal and antitrypanosomal potentials of some Ghanaian traditional medicines and their constituents
Authors: Twumasi Emmanuella Bema , Akazue Pearl Ihuoma , Kyeremeh Kwaku , Gwira Theresa Manful , Keiser Jennifer , Cho-Ngwa Fidelis , Flint Adrian , Anibea Barbara , Bonsu Emmanuel Yeboah , Amewu Richard K. , Amoah Linda Eva , Appiah-Opong Regina , Osei-Safo Dorcas
Published: December 2020

Background

Ghana is endemic for some neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) including schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis. The major intervention for these diseases is mass drug administration of a few repeatedly recycled drugs which is a cause for major concern due to reduced efficacy of the drugs and the emergence of drug resistance. Evidently, new treatments are needed urgently. Medicinal plants, on the other hand, have a reputable history as important sources of potent therapeutic agents in the treatment of various diseases among African populations, Ghana inclusively, and provide very useful starting points for the discovery of much-needed new or alternative drugs.

Methodology/Principal findings

In this study, extracts of fifteen traditional medicines used for treating various NTDs in local communities were screenedin vitrofor efficacy against schistosomiasis, onchocerciasis and African trypanosomiasis. Two extracts, NTD-B4-DCM and NTD-B7-DCM, prepared from traditional medicines used to treat schistosomiasis, displayed the highest activity (IC50= 30.5 μg/mL and 30.8 μg/mL, respectively) againstSchistosoma mansoniadult worms. NTD-B2-DCM, also obtained from an antischistosomal remedy, was the most active against female and male adultOnchocera ochengiworms (IC50= 76.2 μg/mL and 76.7 μg/mL, respectively). Antitrypanosomal assay of the extracts againstTrypanosoma brucei bruceigave the most promising results (IC50= 5.63 μg/mL to 18.71 μg/mL). Incidentally, NTD-B4-DCM and NTD-B2-DCM, also exhibited the greatest antitrypanosomal activities (IC50= 5.63 μg/mL and 7.12 μg/mL, respectively). Following the favourable outcome of the antitrypanosomal screening, this assay was selected for bioactivity-guided fractionation. NTD-B4-DCM, the most active extract, was fractionated and subsequent isolation of bioactive constituents led to an eupatoriochromene-rich oil (42.6%) which was 1.3-fold (IC50<0.0977 μg/mL) more active than the standard antitrypanosomal drug, diminazene aceturate (IC50= 0.13 μg/mL).

Conclusion/Significance

These findings justify the use of traditional medicines and demonstrate their prospects towards NTDs drug discovery.
Functionally non-redundant paralogs spe-47 and spe-50 encode FB-MO associated proteins and interact with him-8
Authors: Clark Jessica N. , Prajapati Gaurav , Aldaco Fermina K. , Sokolich Thomas J. , Keung Steven S. , Austin Sarojani P. , Valdés Ángel A. , LaMunyon Craig W.
Published: December 2020

The activation ofC.elegansspermatids to crawling spermatozoa is affected by a number of genes includingspe-47. Here, we investigate a paralog tospe-47:spe-50, which has a highly conserved sequence and expression, but which is not functionally redundant tospe-47. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the duplication event that produced the paralogs occurred prior to the radiation of theCaenorhabditisspecies included in the analysis, allowing a long period for the paralogs to diverge in function. Furthermore, we observed that knockout mutations in both genes, either alone or together, have little effect on sperm function. However, hermaphrodites harboring both knockout mutations combined with a third mutation in thehim-8gene are nearly self-sterile due to a sperm defect, even though they have numerous apparently normal sperm within their spermathecae. We suggest that the sperm in these triple mutants are defective in fusing with oocytes, and that the effect of thehim-8mutation is unclear but likely due to its direct or indirect effect on local chromatin structure and function.
Cortical stiffness of keratinocytes measured by lateral indentation with optical tweezers
Authors: Zemljič Jokhadar Špela , Stojković Biljana , Vidak Marko , Sorčan Tjaša , Liovic Mirjana , Gouveia Marcos , Travasso Rui D. M. , Derganc Jure
Published: December 2020

Keratin intermediate filaments are the principal structural element of epithelial cells. Their importance in providing bulk cellular stiffness is well recognized, but their role in the mechanics of cell cortex is less understood. In this study, we therefore compared the cortical stiffness of three keratinocyte lines: primary wild type cells (NHEK2), immortalized wild type cells (NEB1) and immortalized mutant cells (KEB7). The cortical stiffness was measured by lateral indentation of cells with AOD-steered optical tweezers without employing any moving mechanical elements. The method was validated on fixed cells and Cytochalasin-D treated cells to ensure that the observed variations in stiffness within a single cell line were not a consequence of low measurement precision. The measurements of the cortical stiffness showed that primary wild type cells were significantly stiffer than immortalized wild type cells, which was also detected in previous studies of bulk elasticity. In addition, a small difference between the mutant and the wild type cells was detected, showing that mutation of keratin impacts also the cell cortex. Thus, our results indicate that the role of keratins in cortical stiffness is not negligible and call for further investigation of the mechanical interactions between keratins and elements of the cell cortex.
Active layer depth and soil properties impact specific leaf area variation and ecosystem productivity in a boreal forest
Authors: Anderson Carolyn G. , Bond-Lamberty Ben , Stegen James C.
Published: December 2020

Specific leaf area (SLA, leaf area per unit dry mass) is a key canopy structural characteristic, a measure of photosynthetic capacity, and an important input into many terrestrial process models. Although many studies have examined SLA variation, relatively few data exist from high latitude, climate-sensitive permafrost regions. We measured SLA and soil and topographic properties across a boreal forest permafrost transition, in which dominant tree species changed as permafrost deepened from 54 to >150 cm over 75 m hillslope transects in Caribou-Poker Creeks Research Watershed, Alaska. We characterized both linear and threshold relationships between topographic and edaphic variables and SLA and developed a conceptual model of these relationships. We found that the depth of the soil active layer above permafrost was significantly and positively correlated with SLA for both coniferous and deciduous boreal tree species. Intraspecific SLA variation was associated with a fivefold increase in net primary production, suggesting that changes in active layer depth due to permafrost thaw could strongly influence ecosystem productivity. While this is an exploratory study to begin understanding SLA variation in a non-contiguous permafrost system, our results indicate the need for more extensive evaluation across larger spatial domains. These empirical relationships and associated uncertainty can be incorporated into ecosystem models that use dynamic traits, improving our ability to predict ecosystem-level carbon cycling responses to ongoing climate change.
Group-affirmation and trust in international relations: Evidence from Ukraine
Authors: Chung Eunbin , Pechenkina Anna O.
Published: December 2020

How can states with a history of recent armed conflict trust one another? Distrust between Ukraine and Russia aggravates security fears and limits hopes for a meaningful resolution of the bloodiest armed conflict in Europe since 1994. Hostility levels have risen dramatically between the populations of Ukraine and Russia after the events of 2013–2015. Political psychology offers two competing approaches to increase trust between the publics of different countries: appealing to an overarching, common identity above the national level vs. affirming a sense of national identity. This project asks which of these approaches increases trust towards Russia among the Ukrainian public. The study employs a survey experiment (between-subjects design) to evaluate these competing claims. The survey is to be fielded by a reputable public opinion research firm, the Kiev International Institute of Sociology, based in Ukraine.
Nitrate and nitrite exposure leads to mild anxiogenic-like behavior and alters brain metabolomic profile in zebrafish
Authors: García-Jaramillo Manuel , Beaver Laura M. , Truong Lisa , Axton Elizabeth R. , Keller Rosa M. , Prater Mary C. , Magnusson Kathy R. , Tanguay Robyn L. , Stevens Jan F. , Hord Norman G.
Published: December 2020

Dietary nitrate lowers blood pressure and improves athletic performance in humans, yet data supporting observations that it may increase cerebral blood flow and improve cognitive performance are mixed. We tested the hypothesis that nitrate and nitrite treatment would improve indicators of learning and cognitive performance in a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. We utilized targeted and untargeted liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis to examine the extent to which treatment resulted in changes in nitrate or nitrite concentrations in the brain and altered the brain metabolome. Fish were exposed to sodium nitrate (606.9 mg/L), sodium nitrite (19.5 mg/L), or control water for 2–4 weeks and free swim, startle response, and shuttle box assays were performed. Nitrate and nitrite treatment did not change fish weight, length, predator avoidance, or distance and velocity traveled in an unstressed environment. Nitrate- and nitrite-treated fish initially experienced more negative reinforcement and increased time to decision in the shuttle box assay, which is consistent with a decrease in associative learning or executive function however, over multiple trials, all treatment groups demonstrated behaviors associated with learning. Nitrate and nitrite treatment was associated with mild anxiogenic-like behavior but did not alter epinephrine, norepinephrine or dopamine levels. Targeted metabolomics analysis revealed no significant increase in brain nitrate or nitrite concentrations with treatment. Untargeted metabolomics analysis found 47 metabolites whose abundance was significantly altered in the brain with nitrate and nitrite treatment. Overall, the depletion in brain metabolites is plausibly associated with the regulation of neuronal activity including statistically significant reductions in the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA; 18–19%), and its precursor, glutamine (17–22%). Nitrate treatment caused significant depletion in the brain concentration of fatty acids including linoleic acid (LA) by 50% and arachidonic acid (ARA) by 80%; nitrite treatment caused depletion of LA by ~90% and ARA by 60%, change which could alter the function of dopaminergic neurons and affect behavior. Nitrate and nitrite treatment did not adversely affect multiple parameters of zebrafish health. It is plausible that indirect NO-mediated mechanisms may be responsible for the nitrate and nitrite-mediated effects on the brain metabolome and behavior in zebrafish.
An investigation into the potential for wind turbines to cause barotrauma in bats
Authors: Lawson Michael , Jenne Dale , Thresher Robert , Houck Daniel , Wimsatt Jeffrey , Straw Bethany
Published: December 2020

The high rates of bat mortality caused by operating wind turbines is a concern for wind energy and wildlife stakeholders. One theory that explains the mortality is that bats are not only killed by impact trauma, but also by barotrauma that results from exposure to the pressure variations caused by rotating turbine blades. To date, no published research has calculated the pressure changes that bats may be exposed to when flying near wind turbines and then used these data to estimate the likelihood that turbines cause barotrauma in bats. To address this shortcoming, we performed computational fluid dynamics simulations of a wind turbine and analytical calculations of blade-tip vortices to estimate the characteristics of the sudden pressure changes bats may experience when flying near a utility-scale wind turbine. Because there are no data available that characterize the pressure changes that cause barotrauma in bats, we compared our results to changes in pressure levels that cause barotrauma and mortality in other mammals of similar size. This comparison shows that the magnitude of the low-pressures bats experience when flying near wind turbines is approximately 8 times smaller than the pressure that causes mortality in rats, the smallest mammal for which data are available. The magnitude of the high-pressures that bats may experience are approximately 80 times smaller than the exposure level that causes 50% mortality in mice, which have a body mass similar to several bat species that are killed by wind turbines. Further, our results show that for a bat to experience the largest possible magnitude of low- and high-pressures, they must take very specific and improbable flight paths that skim the surface of the blades. Even a small change in the flight path results in the bat being hit by the blade or experiencing a much smaller pressure change. Accordingly, if bats have a physiological response to rapid low- and high-pressure exposure that is similar to other mammals, we conclude that it is unlikely that barotrauma is responsible for a significant number of turbine-related bat fatalities, and that impact trauma is the likely cause of the majority of wind-turbine-related bat fatalities.
Periodontal pathogens alter the synovial proteome. Periodontal pathogens do not exacerbate macroscopic arthritis but alter the synovial proteome in mice
Authors: Buschhart Anna-Lena , Bolten Lennart , Volzke Johann , Ekat Katharina , Kneitz Susanne , Mikkat Stefan , Kreikemeyer Bernd , Müller-Hilke Brigitte
Published: December 2020

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis (PD) are chronic inflammatory diseases that appear to occur in tandem. However, the mutual impact PD exerts on RA and vice versa has not yet been defined. To address this issue, we set up an animal model and analyzed how two prime inducers of periodontitis—Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg)andAggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa)–differ in their pathogenic potential. Our experimental setup included collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in the mouse, oral inoculation withPgorAato induce alveolar bone loss and the combination of both diseases in inverted orders of events. Neither pathobiont impacted on macroscopic arthritis and arthritis did not exacerbate alveolar bone loss. However, there were subtle differences betweenPgandAawith the former inducing more alveolar bone loss if PD was induced before CIA. On a molecular level,PgandAaled to differential expression patterns in the synovial membranes that were reminiscent of cellular and humoral immune responses, respectively. ThePgandAaspecific signatures in the synovial proteomes suggest a role for oral pathogens in shaping disease subtypes and setting the stage for subsequent therapy response.
Cost-effectiveness of the Da Qing diabetes prevention program: A modelling study
Authors: Hu Wanxia , Xu Wenhua , Si Lei , Wang Cuilian , Jiang Qicheng , Wang Lidan , Cutler Henry
Published: December 2020

Objective

The Da Qing Diabetes Prevention program (DQDP) was a randomized lifestyle modification intervention conducted in 1986 for the prevention and control of type 2 diabetes in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. The current study estimated long-term cost-effectiveness of the program based on the health utilities from the Chinese population.

Methods

A Markov Monte Carlo model was developed to estimate the impact of the intervention from the healthcare system perspective. The analysis was run over 30-year and lifetime periods and costs were estimated respectively as health management service costs. Baseline characteristics and intervention effects were assessed from the DQDP. Utilities and costs were generated from relevant literature. The outcome measures were program cost per quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) gained and incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the intervention. Sensitivity analyses and threshold analyses were performed.

Results

Using a 30-year horizon, the intervention strategy was cost-saving and was associated with better health outcomes (increase of 0.74 QALYs per intervention participant). Using a lifetime horizon, the intervention strategy was cost-saving and was associated with additional 1.44 QALYs. Sensitivity analyses showed that the overall ICER was most strongly influenced by the hazard ratio of cardiovascular disease event.

Conclusions

The Da Qing lifestyle intervention in a Chinese population with impaired glucose tolerance is likely to translate into substantial economic value. It is cost-saving over a 30-year time and lifetime frame.
Effects of body movement on yaw motion in bipedal running lizard by dynamic simulation
Authors: Kim Jeongryul , Kim Hongmin , Park Jaeheung , Kim Hwa Soo , Seo TaeWon
Published: December 2020

Lizards run quickly and stably in a bipedal gait, with their bodies exhibiting a lateral S-shaped undulation. We investigate the relationship between a lizard’s bipedal running and its body movement with the help of a dynamic simulation. In this study, a dynamic theoretical model of lizard is assumed as a three-link consisting of an anterior and posterior bodies, and a tail, with morphometrics based onCallisaurus draconoides. When a lizard runs straight in a stable bipedal gait, its pelvic rotation is periodically synchronized with its gait. This study shows that the S-shaped body undulation with the yaw motion is generated by minimizing the square of joint torque. Furthermore, we performed the biomechanical simulation to figure out the relationship between the lizard’s lateral body undulation and the bipedal running locomotion. In the biomechanical simulation, all joint torques significantly vary by the waist and tail’ motions at the same locomotion. Besides, when the waist and tail joint angles increase, the stride length and duration of the model also increase, and the stride frequency decreases at the same running speed. It means that the lizard’s undulatory body movements increase its stride and help it run faster. In this study, we found the benefits of the lizard’s undulatory body movement and figured out the relationship between the body movement and the locomotion by analyzing the dynamics. In the future works, we will analyze body movements under different environments with various simulators.
HeProMo: A decision support tool to estimate wood harvesting productivities
Authors: Holm Stefan , Frutig Fritz , Lemm Renato , Thees Oliver , Schweier Janine
Published: December 2020

In the field of forestry, one of the most economically important ecosystem service is the provision of timber. The need to calculate the economic effects of forest management in the short, medium, and long term is increasing. Forest operations or timber harvesting, which comprises felling, processing, and transport of trees or timber, are responsible for a large part of the costs and environmental impacts associated to forest management or enterprises. From a decision maker’s perspective, it is essential to estimate working productivity and production costs under given operating conditions before any operation is conducted. This work addresses the lack of a valid collection of models that allows estimating time, productivities, and costs of labor and machinery for the most important forest operations in forest stands under Central European conditions. To create such models, we used data from forest enterprises, manual time studies, and the literature. This work presents a decision support tool that estimates the wood harvesting productivities of 12 different kinds of forest operations under Central European conditions. It includes forest operations using chainsaws, harvesters, skidders, forwarders, chippers, cable and tower yarders, and helicopters. In addition, the tool covers three models for wood volume estimation. The tool is written in Java and available open-source under the Apache License. This work shows how the tool can be used by describing its graphical user interface (GUI) and its application programming interface (API) that facilitates bulk processing of scientific data. Carefully selected default values allow estimations without knowing all input variables in detail. Each model is accompanied by an in-depth documentation where the forest operation, input variables, formulas, and statistical background are given. We conclude that HeProMo is a very useful tool for applications in forest practice, research, and teaching.
Point-of-care characterization and risk-based management of oral lesions in primary dental clinics: A simulation model
Authors: Kang Stella K. , Mali Rahul D. , Braithwaite R. Scott , Kerr Alexander R. , McDevitt John
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) encompass histologically benign, dysplastic, and cancerous lesions that are often indistinguishable by appearance and inconsistently managed. We assessed the potential impact of test-and-treat pathways enabled by a point-of-care test for OPMD characterization.

Materials and methods

We constructed a decision-analytic model to compare life expectancy of test-treat strategies for 60-year-old patients with OPMDs in the primary dental setting, based on a trial for a point-of-care cytopathology tool (POCOCT). Eight strategies of OPMD detection and evaluation were compared, involving deferred evaluation (no further characterization), prompt OPMD characterization using POCOCT measurements, or the commonly recommended usual care strategy of routine referral for scalpel biopsy. POCOCT pathways differed in threshold for additional intervention, including surgery for any dysplasia or malignancy, or for only moderate or severe dysplasia or cancer. Strategies with initial referral for biopsy also reflected varied treatment thresholds in current practice between surgery and surveillance of mild dysplasia. Sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the impact of variation in parameter values on model results.

Results

Requisite referral for scalpel biopsy offered the highest life expectancy of 20.92 life-years compared with deferred evaluation (+0.30 life-years), though this outcome was driven by baseline assumptions of limited patient adherence to surveillance using POCOCT. POCOCT characterization and surveillance offered only 0.02 life-years less than the most biopsy-intensive strategy, while resulting in 27% fewer biopsies. When the probability of adherence to surveillance and confirmatory biopsy was ≥ 0.88, or when metastasis rates were lower than reported, POCOCT characterization extended life-years (+0.04 life-years) than prompt specialist referral.

Conclusion

Risk-based OPMD management through point-of-care cytology may offer a reasonable alternative to routine referral for specialist evaluation and scalpel biopsy, with far fewer biopsies. In patients who adhere to surveillance protocols, POCOCT surveillance may extend life expectancy beyond biopsy and follow up visual-tactile inspection.
A single-molecule counting approach for convenient and ultrasensitive measurement of restriction digest efficiencies
Authors: Zhang Yi , Nunoura Takuro , Nishiura Daisuke , Hirai Miho , Shimamura Shigeru , Kurosawa Kanako , Ishiwata Chieko , Deguchi Shigeru
Published: December 2020

Restriction endonucleases play a central role in the microbial immune system against viruses and are widely used in DNA specific cleavage, which is called restriction digestion, for genetic engineering. Herein, we applied digital cell-free protein synthesis as an easy-to-use orthogonal readout means to assess the restriction digest efficiency, a new application of digital bioassays. The digital counting principle enabled an unprecedentedly sensitive trace analysis of undigested DNA at the single-molecule level in a PCR-free manner. Our approach can quantify the template DNA of much lower concentrations that cannot be detected by ensemble-based methods such as gold-standard DNA electrophoresis techniques. The sensitive and quantitative measurements revealed a considerable variation in the digest efficiency among restriction endonucleases, from less than 70% to more than 99%. Intriguingly, none of them showed truly complete digestion within reasonably long periods of reaction time. The same rationale was extended to a multiplexed assay and applicable to any DNA-degrading or genome-editing enzymes. The enzyme kinetic parameters and the flanking sequence-dependent digest efficiency can also be interrogated with the proposed digital counting method. The absolute number of residual intact DNA molecules per microliter was concluded to be at least 107, drawing attention to the residual issue of genetic materials associated with the interpretation of nucleases’ behaviors and functions in daily genetic engineering experiments.
Long-term effects of severe acute malnutrition during childhood on adult cognitive, academic and behavioural development in African fragile countries: The Lwiro cohort study in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Mwene-Batu Pacifique , Bisimwa Ghislain , Baguma Marius , Chabwine Joelle , Bapolisi Achille , Chimanuka Christine , Molima Christian , Dramaix Michèle , Kashama Nicolas , Macq Jean , Donnen Philippe
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Little is known about the outcomes of subjects with a history of severe acute malnutrition (SAM). We therefore sought to explore the long-term effects of SAM during childhood on human capital in adulthood in terms of education, cognition, self-esteem and health-related disabilities in daily living.

Methodology

We traced 524 adults (median age of 22) in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, who were treated for SAM during childhood at Lwiro hospital between 1988 and 2007 (median age 41 months). We compared them with 407 community controls of comparable age and sex. Our outcomes of interest were education, cognitive function [assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) for literate participants, or its modified version created by Ertan et al. (MMSE-I) for uneducated participants], self-esteem (measured using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale) and health-related social and functional disabilities measured using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS). For comparison, we used the Chi-squared test along with the Student’s t-test for the proportions and means respectively.

Results

Compared with the community controls, malnutrition survivors had a lower probability of attaining a high level of education (p < 0.001), of reporting a high academic performance (p = 0.014) or of having high self-esteem (p = 0.003). In addition, malnutrition survivors had an overall mean score in the cognitive test that was lower compared with the community controls [25.6 compared with 27.8, p = 0.001 (MMSE) and 22.8 compared with 26.3, p < 0.001(MMSE-I)] and a lower proportion of subjects with a normal result in this test (78.0% compared with 90.1%, p < 0.001). Lastly, in terms of health-related disabilities, unlike the community controls, malnutrition survivors had less social disability (p = 0.034), but no difference was observed as regards activities of daily living (p = 0.322).

Conclusion

SAM during childhood exposes survivors to low human capital as regards education, cognition and behaviour in adulthood. Policy-deciders seeking to promote economic growth and to address various psychological and medico-social disorders must take into consideration the fact that appropriate investment in child health as regards SAM is an essential means to achieve this.
Respiratory kinematics and the regulation of subglottic pressure for phonation of pitch jumps – a dynamic MRI study
Authors: Traser Louisa , Burk Fabian , Özen Ali Caglar , Burdumy Michael , Bock Michael , Blaser Daniela , Richter Bernhard , Echternach Matthias
Published: December 2020

The respiratory system is a central part of voice production as it contributes to the generation of subglottic pressure, which has an impact on voice parameters including fundamental frequency and sound pressure level. Both parameters need to be adjusted precisely during complex phonation tasks such as singing. In particular, the underlying functions of the diaphragm and rib cage in relation to the phonation of pitch jumps are not yet understood in detail. This study aims to analyse respiratory movements during phonation of pitch jumps using dynamic MRI of the lungs. Dynamic images of the breathing apparatus of 7 professional singers were acquired in the supine position during phonation of upwards and downwards pitch jumps in a high, medium, and low range of the singer’s tessitura. Distances between characteristic anatomical landmarks in the lung were measured from the series of images obtained. During sustained phonation, the diaphragm elevates, and the rib cage is lowered in a monotonic manner. During downward pitch jumps the diaphragm suddenly changed its movement direction and presented with a short inspiratory activation which was predominant in the posterior part and was associated with a shift of the cupola in an anterior direction. The magnitude of this inspiratory movement was greater for jumps that started at higher compared to lower fundamental frequency. In contrast, expiratory movement of the rib cage and anterior diaphragm were simultaneous and continued constantly during the jump. The data underline the theory of a regulation of subglottic pressure via a sudden diaphragm contraction during phonation of pitch jumps downwards, while the rib cage is not involved in short term adaptations. This strengthens the idea of a differentiated control of rib cage and diaphragm as different functional units during singing phonation.
Carboplatin sensitivity in epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines: The impact of model systems
Authors: Patra Bishnubrata , Lateef Muhammad Abdul , Brodeur Melica Nourmoussavi , Fleury Hubert , Carmona Euridice , Péant Benjamin , Provencher Diane , Mes-Masson Anne-Marie , Gervais Thomas
Published: December 2020

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in North America, underscoring the need for the development of new therapeutic strategies for the management of this disease. Although many drugs are pre-clinically tested every year, only a few are selected to be evaluated in clinical trials, and only a small number of these are successfully incorporated into standard care. Inaccuracies with the initial in vitro drug testing may be responsible for some of these failures. Drug testing is often performed using 2D monolayer cultures or 3D spheroid models. Here, we investigate the impact that these different in vitro models have on the carboplatin response of four EOC cell lines, and in particular how different 3D models (polydimethylsiloxane-based microfluidic chips and ultra low attachment plates) influence drug sensitivity within the same cell line. Our results show that carboplatin responses were observed in both the 3D spheroid models tested using apoptosis/cell death markers by flow cytometry. Contrary to previously reported observations, these were not associated with a significant decrease in spheroid size. For the majority of the EOC cell lines (3 out of 4) a similar carboplatin response was observed when comparing both spheroid methods. Interestingly, two cell lines classified as resistant to carboplatin in 2D cultures became sensitive in the 3D models, and one sensitive cell line in 2D culture showed resistance in 3D spheroids. Our results highlight the challenges of choosing the appropriate pre-clinical models for drug testing.