Precomputed Radiative Heat Transport for Efficient Thermal Simulation.

Architectural design and urban planning are complex design tasks. Predicting the thermal impact of design choices at interactive rates enhances the ability of designers to improve energy efficiency and avoid problematic heat islands while maintaining design quality. We show how to use and adapt methods from computer graphics to efficiently simulate heat transfer via thermal radiation, thereby improving user guidance in the early design phase of large-scale construction projects and helping to increase energy efficiency and outdoor comfort. Our method combines a hardware-accelerated photon tracing approach with a carefully selected finite element discretization, inspired by precomputed radiance transfer. This combination allows us to precompute a radiative transport operator, which we then use to rapidly solve either steady-state or transient heat transport throughout the entire scene. Our formulation integrates time-dependent solar irradiation data without requiring changes in the transport operator, allowing us to quickly analyze many different scenarios such as common weather patterns, monthly or yearly averages, or transient simulations spanning multiple days or weeks. We show how our approach can be used for interactive design workflows such as city planning via fast feedback in the early design phase.

Does the asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease overlap syndrome (ACOS) exist? A narrative review from epidemiology and practice

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have traditionally been approached as separate entities that must be researched and treated separately. There is growing recognition, however, that a substantial proportion of patients with obstructive lung disease have characteristics of both asthma and COPD (termed the asthma–COPD overlap syndrome (ACOS)). Lung disease experts have difficulty defining ACOS, and many still resist accepting the possibility that asthma and COPD may be linked. It is likely that practicing clinicians may be equally confused about how to identify and treat ACOS. This narrative review aims to clarify concepts of ACOS definition, argues that the best way to understand ACOS is to view the chronic lung disease process longitudinally rather than cross-sectionally, and presents evidence that ACOS can be the end result of the natural history of severe asthma. The review also points out the serious gaps in knowledge regarding therapy for ACOS and presents emerging data supporting the intracellular respiratory pathogen Chlamydia pneumoniae as a possible common etiologic agent in severe asthma and ACOS (AU)

High-Statistics Measurement of Neutrino Quasielasticlike Scattering at 6 GeV on a Hydrocarbon Target.

We measure neutrino charged-current quasielasticlike scattering on hydrocarbon at high statistics using the wideband Neutrinos at the Main Injector beam with neutrino energy peaked at 6 GeV. The double-differential cross section is reported in terms of muon longitudinal (p_{∥}) and transverse (p_{⊥}) momentum. Cross section contours versus lepton momentum components are approximately described by a conventional generator-based simulation, however, discrepancies are observed for transverse momenta above 0.5 GeV/c for longitudinal momentum ranges 3-5 and 9-20 GeV/c. The single differential cross section versus momentum transfer squared (dσ/dQ_{QE}^{2}) is measured over a four-decade range of Q^{2} that extends to 10 GeV^{2}. The cross section turnover and falloff in the Q^{2} range 0.3-10 GeV^{2} is not fully reproduced by generator predictions that rely on dipole form factors. Our measurement probes the axial-vector content of the hadronic current and complements the electromagnetic form factor data obtained using electron-nucleon elastic scattering. These results help oscillation experiments because they probe the importance of various correlations and final-state interaction effects within the nucleus, which have different effects on the visible energy in detectors.

Tailoring the properties of (catalytically)-active inclusion bodies.

BACKGROUND: Immobilization is an appropriate tool to ease the handling and recycling of enzymes in biocatalytic processes and to increase their stability. Most of the established immobilization methods require case-to-case optimization, which is laborious and time-consuming. Often, (chromatographic) enzyme purification is required and stable immobilization usually includes additional cross-linking or adsorption steps. We have previously shown in a few case studies that the molecular biological fusion of an aggregation-inducing tag to a target protein induces the intracellular formation of protein aggregates, so called inclusion bodies (IBs), which to a certain degree retain their (catalytic) function. This enables the combination of protein production and immobilization in one step. Hence, those biologically-produced immobilizates were named catalytically-active inclusion bodies (CatIBs) or, in case of proteins without catalytic activity, functional IBs (FIBs). While this strategy has been proven successful, the efficiency, the potential for optimization and important CatIB/FIB properties like yield, activity and morphology have not been investigated systematically. RESULTS: We here evaluated a CatIB/FIB toolbox of different enzymes and proteins. Different optimization strategies, like linker deletion, C- versus N-terminal fusion and the fusion of alternative aggregation-inducing tags were evaluated. The obtained CatIBs/FIBs varied with respect to formation efficiency, yield, composition and residual activity, which could be correlated to differences in their morphology; as revealed by (electron) microscopy. Last but not least, we demonstrate that the CatIB/FIB formation efficiency appears to be correlated to the solvent-accessible hydrophobic surface area of the target protein, providing a structure-based rationale for our strategy and opening up the possibility to predict its efficiency for any given target protein. CONCLUSION: We here provide evidence for the general applicability, predictability and flexibility of the CatIB/FIB immobilization strategy, highlighting the application potential of CatIB-based enzyme immobilizates for synthetic chemistry, biocatalysis and industry.

A new tool for studying waterfowl immune and metabolic responses: Molecular level analysis using kinome profiling.

Here, we describe the design of an Anas-specific kinome peptide array that can be used to study the immunometabolic responses of mallard and American black duck to pathogens, contaminants, and environmental stress. The peptide arrays contain 2,642 unique phosphorylate-able peptide sequences representing 1,900 proteins. These proteins cover a wide array of metabolic and immunological processes, and 758 Gene Ontology Biological processes are statistically significantly represented on the duck peptide array of those 164 contain the term "metabolic" and 25 "immune." In addition, we conducted a comparison of mallard to American black duck at a genetic and proteomic level. Our results show a significant genomic and proteomic overlap between these two duck species, so that we have designed a cross-reactive peptide array capable of studying both species. This is the first reported development of a wildlife species-specific kinome peptide array.

Genetic variation in the shape of cold-survival curves in a single fly population suggests potential for selection from climate variability.

Temperature variation is one of the primary challenges facing ectotherms, and the ability to tolerate a range of thermal environments is critical for setting current and future species distributions. Low temperature is particularly challenging for ectotherms because winter conditions have strong latitudinal and temporal variation. Lower lethal temperature (LLT) is a common metric of cold tolerance used in studies of local adaptation and plasticity. Comparisons of LLT across groups typically assume parallel S-shaped survival curves, but genetic variation in the shape of survival vs. temperature curves has not been assessed. Here, we measured the ability of 36 lines of the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel (DGRP) to survive a 1-h cold shock at seven ecologically relevant low temperatures (-1 to -7 °C) to create a high-resolution response curve for each genotype. We observed surprising variation both in the magnitude of survival and in the shapes of the response curves, with the curves clustering into four distinct shapes. To encompass variation in the shapes of these survival curves, we developed a new cold tolerance metric, cumulative cold tolerance (CCT). By comparing our survival data with climatological data, we propose that variation in the shapes of cold-survival curves arose from weak selection pressure to survive intermediate subzero temperatures in this mid-latitude population of flies. Using publicly available genome sequence and transcript expression data for these lines, we identified several candidate genes associated with CCT, and using transgenic RNAi, we confirmed a functional role for many of these genes.

Oxygen consumption of gastrocnemius medialis muscle during submaximal voluntary isometric contractions with and without preceding stretch.

After an active muscle stretch, maintaining a certain amount of force in the following isometric phase is accompanied by less muscle activation compared to an isometric contraction without preceding active stretch at the corresponding muscle length. This reduced muscle activation might be related to reduced metabolic costs, such as the oxidative metabolism. Hence, the aim of this study was to clarify if mechanisms associated with stretch-induced activation reduction (AR) also influence oxygen consumption of voluntary activated human muscles after active stretch. Plantarflexion torque of 20 subjects was measured during 1) purely isometric and 2) active stretch contractions (26°, 60°/s), at a submaximal torque level of 30% MVC. Oxygen consumption (m[Formula: see text]O2) of gastrocnemius medialis (GM) was estimated by near-infrared spectroscopy while applying arterial occlusion. Since the overall group did not show AR at GM after active stretch (p > 0.19), a subgroup was defined (n = 10) showing AR of 13.0 ± 10.3% (p = 0.00). However, for both purely isometric and active contractions m[Formula: see text]O2 was the same (p = 0.32). Therefore, AR triggered by active stretch did not affect m[Formula: see text]O2 of active human muscle.

[Knowledge of Human Papillomavirus Infection and the Possibilities for Prevention among 13- to 21-Year-Old Students from Fulda, Hessen]. / Kenntnisstand zu Infektionen mit humanen Papillomaviren und deren Präventionsmöglichkeiten von 13- bis 21-jährigen Schülerinnen und Schülern aus Fulda, Hessen.

Study Aim: The aim of this investigation was to assess awareness and knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccination in a sample of female and male students from Fulda. Further vaccination uptake was investigated. Methods: In 2011 a regional cross-sectional survey of 13- to 21-year-old students (n=1 515) was conducted by using a standardised questionnaire. Results: Overall, the awareness and knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) was poor. 29% of the sample had heard of HPV. Multivariate analyses demonstrate that females as well as Christians knew HPV better than males and Muslims. Mean HPV knowledge score was 7.8 of 21 (SD=3.3). None of the tested sociodemographic variables was a predictor for better HPV knowledge. 77% of the sample was aware of the HPV vaccination. Females, persons without migration background as well as persons with middle or higher education knew HPV vaccination better than males, persons with migration background and lower educational level. Mean HPV vaccination knowledge score of the female students was 2.9 of 5 (SD=1.3). Older female students had a better level of knowledge than younger ones. 30% of the females had received at least one dose. Higher age, no migration background and middle or higher education status were tested as significant predictors of vaccine uptake. Conclusion: School lessons and consultations would be appropriate places to transfer knowledge in order to prevent health inequalities caused by social determinants.

Maternal androgens in avian brood parasites and their hosts: Responses to parasitism and competition?

In the coevolutionary dynamic of avian brood parasites and their hosts, maternal (or transgenerational) effects have rarely been investigated. We examined the potential role of elevated yolk testosterone in eggs of the principal brood parasite in North America, the brown-headed cowbird, and three of its frequent host species. Elevated maternal androgens in eggs are a common maternal effect observed in many avian species when breeding conditions are unfavorable. These steroids accelerate embryo development, shorten incubation period, increase nestling growth rate, and enhance begging vigor, all traits that can increase the survival of offspring. We hypothesized that elevated maternal androgens in host eggs are a defense against brood parasitism. Our second hypothesis was that elevated maternal androgens in cowbird eggs are a defense against intra-specific competition. For host species, we found that elevated yolk testosterone was correlated with parasitized nests of small species, those whose nest success is most reduced by cowbird parasitism. For cowbirds, we found that elevated yolk testosterone was correlated with eggs in multiply-parasitized nests, which indicate intra-specific competition for nests due to high cowbird density. We propose experimental work to further examine the use of maternal effects by cowbirds and their hosts.

Neuromuscular performance of maximal voluntary explosive concentric contractions is influenced by angular acceleration.

Torque production during maximal voluntary explosive contractions is considered to be a functionally more relevant neuromuscular measure than steady-state torque, but little is known about accelerated concentric contractions. This study investigated torque, muscle activity, and fascicle behavior during isometric and fast concentric contractions of quadriceps femoris. Ten participants performed maximal voluntary explosive isometric, isovelocity, and additional concentric knee extensions at angular accelerations ranging from 700 to 4000° s-2 that resulted in an angular velocity of 300° s-1 at 40° knee flexion. Concentric torque at 40° knee flexion was corrected for inertia, and the corresponding isometric torque was matched to the time when the target knee angle of 40° was reached during concentric contractions. Electromyography of quadriceps femoris and hamstrings and ultrasound of vastus lateralis were measured to determine muscle activity, fascicle length, and fascicle velocity (FV). The faster the acceleration, the more torque was produced during concentric contractions at 40° knee flexion, which was accompanied by a reduction in FV. In comparison with isometric conditions, concentric quadriceps muscle activity was increased and torque during accelerations ≥3000° s-2 equaled the time-matched isometric torque. Our results provide novel evidence that acceleration influences torque production during maximal voluntary explosive concentric contractions. This is suggested to be due to series elasticity and reduced force depression.

Reduced activation in isometric muscle action after lengthening contractions is not accompanied by reduced performance fatigability.

After active lengthening contractions, a given amount of force can be maintained with less muscle activation compared to pure isometric contractions at the same muscle length and intensity. This increase in neuromuscular efficiency is associated with mechanisms of stretch-induced residual force enhancement. We hypothesized that stretch-related increase in neuromuscular efficiency reduces fatigability of a muscle during submaximal contractions. 13 subjects performed 60 s isometric knee extensions at 60% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) with and without prior stretch (60°/s, 20°). Each 60 s trial was preceded and followed by neuromuscular tests consisting of MVCs, voluntary activation (VA) and resting twitches (RT), and there was 4 h rest between sets. We found a significant (p = 0.036) 10% reduction of quadriceps net-EMG after lengthening compared to pure isometric trials. However, increase in neuromuscular efficiency did not influence the development of fatigue. Albeit we found severe reduction of MVC (30%), RT (30%) and VA (5%) after fatiguing trials, there were no differences between conditions with and without lengthening. As the number of subjects showing no activation reduction increased with increasing contraction time, intensity may have been too strenuous in both types of contractions, such that a distinction between different states of fatigue was not possible anymore.

Single-pulse x-ray diffraction using polycapillary optics for in situ dynamic diffraction.

Diagnostic use of single-pulse x-ray diffraction (XRD) at pulsed power facilities can be challenging due to factors such as the high flux and brightness requirements for diffraction and the geometric constraints of experimental platforms. By necessity, the x-ray source is usually positioned very close, within a few inches of the sample. On dynamic compression platforms, this puts the x-ray source in the debris field. We coupled x-ray polycapillary optics to a single-shot needle-and-washer x-ray diode source using a laser-based alignment scheme to obtain high-quality x-ray diffraction using a single 16 ns x-ray pulse with the source >1 m from the sample. The system was tested on a Mo sample in reflection geometry using 17 keV x-rays from a Mo anode. We also identified an anode conditioning effect that increased the x-ray intensity by 180%. Quantitative measurements of the x-ray focal spot produced by the polycapillary yielded a total x-ray flux on the sample of 3.3 ± 0.5 × 10(7) molybdenum Kα photons.

A unified theory of bone healing and nonunion: BHN theory.

This article presents a unified clinical theory that links established facts about the physiology of bone and homeostasis, with those involved in the healing of fractures and the development of nonunion. The key to this theory is the concept that the tissue that forms in and around a fracture should be considered a specific functional entity. This 'bone-healing unit' produces a physiological response to its biological and mechanical environment, which leads to the normal healing of bone. This tissue responds to mechanical forces and functions according to Wolff's law, Perren's strain theory and Frost's concept of the "mechanostat". In response to the local mechanical environment, the bone-healing unit normally changes with time, producing different tissues that can tolerate various levels of strain. The normal result is the formation of bone that bridges the fracture - healing by callus. Nonunion occurs when the bone-healing unit fails either due to mechanical or biological problems or a combination of both. In clinical practice, the majority of nonunions are due to mechanical problems with instability, resulting in too much strain at the fracture site. In most nonunions, there is an intact bone-healing unit. We suggest that this maintains its biological potential to heal, but fails to function due to the mechanical conditions. The theory predicts the healing pattern of multifragmentary fractures and the observed morphological characteristics of different nonunions. It suggests that the majority of nonunions will heal if the correct mechanical environment is produced by surgery, without the need for biological adjuncts such as autologous bone graft. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:884-91.

The Thermal Breadth of Nylanderia fulva (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Is Narrower Than That of Solenopsis invicta at Three Thermal Ramping Rates: 1.0, 0.12, and 0.06°C min-1.

Determining the upper (CTmax) and lower (CTmin) critical thermal limits of invasive ants provides insight into how temperature could shape their distribution, seasonality, and daily activity. Understanding the potential distribution of invasive ants is imperative to improving quarantine and management efforts. Nylanderia fulva (Mayr) (tawny crazy ant) and Solenopsis invicta (Buren) (red imported fire ant) are invasive ants that are established throughout the southeastern United States. Recent studies have found that body size and thermal ramping rate can affect the estimation of critical thermal limits. However, the effects of both variables and their interactions on the thermal limits of N. fulva and S. invicta have not previously been described. Thus, we evaluated the impacts of body size and ramping rate on the critical thermal limits of N. fulva and S. invicta Overall, N. fulva had a narrower thermal breadth than S. invicta (Nf CTmin = 7.3°C and Nf CTmax = 41.3°C vs. Si CTmin = 4.1°C and Si CTmax = 45.3°C). For both species, slower ramping rates resulted in lower CTmax values and ants with smaller head capsules had a narrower thermal breadth than ants with larger head capsules. These data improve our understanding of the critical thermal limits of both species and could be useful for developing predictive models that estimate the future spread of these invasive ants in nonnative ranges.

Mid-term Functional Outcome and Return to Sports after Proximal Hamstring Tendon Repair.

Proximal hamstring tendon ruptures are commonly associated with a significant loss of function, and operative treatment is recommended in active patients. The objective was to evaluate objective/subjective functional results and return to sports following proximal hamstring tendon repair in the mid-term follow-up. 16 repairs of proximal hamstring ruptures were performed in 15 patients (9 males, 6 females). The average age at the time of injury was 47 years (range, 21-66). All patients were clinically examined at a mean follow-up of 56 months (range, 24-112 months). Validated patient-oriented assessment scores focussing on sports activity including the Lysholm Score, Tegner Activity Score, UCLA Activity Score, adapted WOMAC Score, and the VAS were evaluated as well as the return to sports. Isokinetic strength of both legs was tested using a rotational dynamometer. The Lysholm, Tegner, UCLA Activity Score and the adapted WOMAC demonstrated predominantly a return to a preinjury activity level at follow-up. Functional measurements of the operated leg showed similar results to the uninjured leg in knee extension and flexion strength (p>0.094). In return to sports, no signficant (p>0.05) differences concerning types or frequency were noted. The surgical repair of proximal hamstring tendon ruptures leads to constantly good functional results in the mid-term follow-up, where patients demonstrate similar isokinetic results in the healthy leg.

A novel mutation in BCS1L associated with deafness, tubulopathy, growth retardation and microcephaly.

UNLABELLED: We report a novel homozygous missense mutation in the ubiquinol-cytochrome c reductase synthesis-like (BCS1L) gene in two consanguineous Turkish families associated with deafness, Fanconi syndrome (tubulopathy), microcephaly, mental and growth retardation. All three patients presented with transitory metabolic acidosis in the neonatal period and development of persistent renal de Toni-Debré-Fanconi-type tubulopathy, with subsequent rachitis, short stature, microcephaly, sensorineural hearing impairment, mild mental retardation and liver dysfunction. The novel missense mutation c.142A>G (p.M48V) in BCS1L is located at a highly conserved region associated with sorting to the mitochondria. Biochemical analysis revealed an isolated complex III deficiency in skeletal muscle not detected in fibroblasts. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed normal super complex formation, but a shift in mobility of complex III most likely caused by the absence of the BCS1L-mediated insertion of Rieske Fe/S protein into complex III. These findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of BCS1L mutations, highlight the importance of biochemical analysis of different primary affected tissue and underline that neonatal lactic acidosis with multi-organ involvement may resolve after the newborn period with a relatively spared neurological outcome and survival into adulthood. CONCLUSION: Mutation screening for BCS1L should be considered in the differential diagnosis of severe (proximal) tubulopathy in the newborn period. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Mutations in BCS1L cause mitochondrial complex III deficiencies. • Phenotypic presentations of defective BCS1L range from Bjornstad to neonatal GRACILE syndrome. What is New: • Description of a novel homozygous mutation in BCS1L with transient neonatal acidosis and persistent de Toni-Debré-Fanconi-type tubulopathy. • The long survival of patients with phenotypic presentation of severe complex III deficiency is uncommon.

Grating-based X-ray Dark-field Computed Tomography of Living Mice.

Changes in x-ray attenuating tissue caused by lung disorders like emphysema or fibrosis are subtle and thus only resolved by high-resolution computed tomography (CT). The structural reorganization, however, is of strong influence for lung function. Dark-field CT (DFCT), based on small-angle scattering of x-rays, reveals such structural changes even at resolutions coarser than the pulmonary network and thus provides access to their anatomical distribution. In this proof-of-concept study we present x-ray in vivo DFCTs of lungs of a healthy, an emphysematous and a fibrotic mouse. The tomographies show excellent depiction of the distribution of structural - and thus indirectly functional - changes in lung parenchyma, on single-modality slices in dark field as well as on multimodal fusion images. Therefore, we anticipate numerous applications of DFCT in diagnostic lung imaging. We introduce a scatter-based Hounsfield Unit (sHU) scale to facilitate comparability of scans. In this newly defined sHU scale, the pathophysiological changes by emphysema and fibrosis cause a shift towards lower numbers, compared to healthy lung tissue.

C-Arm Cone-Beam CT Combined with a New Electromagnetic Navigation System for Guidance of Percutaneous Needle Biopsies: Initial Clinical Experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of C-arm fluoroscopic cone-beam computed tomography (CACT) in combination with a new electromagnetic tracking (EMT) system for needle guidance during percutaneous biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 53 patients were referred for biopsy of thoracic (n = 19) and abdominal (n = 34) lesions. CT-like images of the anatomical region of interest (ROI) were generated using a flat panel-based angiographic system. These images were transmitted to an EMT system. A coaxial puncture needle with a sensor in its tip was connected with the navigation system and tracked into an electromagnetic field created via a field generator. Data generated within this field were merged with the CACT images. On a monitor both the anatomical ROI and needle tip position were displayed to enable precise needle insertion into the target. Through the coaxial needle, biopsy specimens for the histologic evaluation were extracted. Number of representative biopsy samples, number of core biopsies/patient, total procedure time, dose-area product, fluoroscopic time, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: 53 CACT/EMT-guided biopsy procedures were performed, 48 of which (91 %) yielded representative tissue samples. Four core biopsies were obtained from each patient. 40 (75 %) lesions were malignant and 13 (25 %) lesions were benign. The total procedure time was 9 ±â€Š5 min (range, 3 - 23 min), fluoroscopic time was 0.8 ±â€Š0.4 min (range, 0.4 - 2 min). The mean dose-area product (cGy cm²) was 7373 (range, 895 - 26 904). The rate of complications (1 pneumothorax, 2 hemoptyses) was 6 %. CONCLUSION: CACT combined with EMT appears to be a feasible and effective technique for the guidance of percutaneous biopsies with a low rate of therapeutically relevant complications. KEY POINTS: • Guidance of percutaneous biopsies with a combination of CACT and EMT is technically feasible. • CACT/EMT-guided biopsies are associated with a good diagnostic yield. • The rate of complications appears to be low for this guidance technique.