Shell Model for Drag Reduction with Polymer Additive in Homogeneous Turbulence

Recent direct numerical simulations of the FENE-P model of non-Newtonian hydrodynamics revealed that the phenomenon of drag reduction by polymer additives exists (albeit in reduced form) also in homogeneous turbulence. We introduce here a simple shell model for homogeneous viscoelastic flows that recaptures the essential observations of the full simulations. The simplicity of the shell model allows us to offer a transparent explanation of the main observations. It is shown that the mechanism for drag reduction operates mainly on the large scales. Understanding the mechanism allows us to predict how the amount of drag reduction depends of the various parameters in the model. The main conclusion is that drag reduction is not a universal phenomenon, it peaks in a window of parameters like Reynolds number and the relaxation rate of the polymer

FcγRIIB engagement drives agonistic activity of Fc-engineered αOX40 antibody to stimulate human tumor-infiltrating T cells

Background OX40 (CD134) is a costimulatory molecule of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily that is currently being investigated as a target for cancer immunotherapy. However, despite promising results in murine tumor models, the clinical efficacy of agonistic αOX40 antibodies in the treatment of patients with cancer has fallen short of the high expectation in earlier-stage trials. Methods Using lymphocytes from resected tumor, tumorfree (TF) tissue and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 96 patients with hepatocellular and colorectal cancers, we determined OX40 expression and the in vitro T-cell agonistic activity of OX40-targeting compounds. RNA-Seq was used to evaluate OX40-mediated transcriptional changes in CD4+ and CD8+

Multi-trait genome-wide association study identifies new loci associated with optic disc parameters

A new avenue of mining published genome-wide association studies includes the joint analysis of related traits. The power of this approach depends on the genetic correlation of traits, which reflects the number of pleiotropic loci, i.e. genetic loci influencing multiple traits. Here, we applied new meta-analyses of optic nerve head (ONH) related traits implicated in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG); intraocular pressure and central corneal thickness using Haplotype reference consortium imputations. We performed a multi-trait analysis of ONH parameters cup area, disc area and vertical cup-disc ratio. We uncover new variants; rs11158547 in PPP1R36-PLEKHG3 and rs1028727 near SERPINE3 at genome-wide significance that replicate in independent Asian cohorts imputed to 1000 Genomes. At this point, validation of these variants in POAG cohorts is hampered by the high degree of heterogeneity. Our results show that multi-trait analysis is a valid approach to identify novel pleiotropic variants for ONH

Effect of bleaching condition on thermal properties and UV transmittance of PVA/cellulose biocomposites

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treated cellulose with different bleaching conditions on the poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix. Cellulose was extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch fibre through chlorite bleaching, alkali treatment and acid hydrolysis. A casting technique was employed to prepare poly(vinyl alcohol)/fibre composites. Poly(vinyl alcohol) composites with various loadings of cellulose were prepared by using the treated cellulose with 8 hours bleaching. Composite films were characterised by thermogravimetric analysis and UV/Vis spectrometry. Higher loading of the treated cellulose into PVA composite resulted in a lower decomposition temperature, and a relatively better transmission in the range of visible light. Poly(vinyl alcohol) reinforced cellulose with a longer bleaching period allowed higher transmittance of light because of more lignin removed. Poly(vinyl alcohol) composites reinforced with treated cellulose gave better thermal stability without differing much its clarity compared to the pure PVA

The distribution and characteristics of bacteria in recreational river water of a community resort in Baram, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo

Enterobacteriaceae is a large family within the Gram-negative bacteria that primarily inhabits in the gastrointestinal tract of human and animals. The bacteria within this group are readily survived in the environment with some species found living free in the water where energy sources are scarce, making them ideal indicators for faecal contamination of the river water. Some species within the family have been used as indicator for the presence of pathogenic bacteria whilst on the other hand some species have been directly associated with various diseases in human and animals. The main aim of this research study was to determine the distribution and characteristics of the Enterobacteriaceae in water samples collected from river and waterfalls within a community resort. The health risk associated with the bacteria was analysed with regard to their susceptibility to antibiotics. Samples were collected from surface water and water falling down directly from waterfalls of river within the community resort. The samples collected were plated onto Eosine Methylene Blue agar (EMBA) for the isolation of the Enterobacteriaceae. Bacterial colonies growing on the agar were randomly picked, purified, stocked and then identified using API 20E identification kit. DNA fingerprinting using (GTG)5-PCR was utilised to determine their genetic profiles before the isolates were grouped into a dendrogram using RAPDistance software package. The level of antibiotic susceptibility of the bacteria isolates was analysed using disc diffusion technique. This study confirmed the presence of Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Pantoea and Serratia in the water samples with their single and multiple antibiotic resistance and susceptible characteristics. The dendrogram presented in this study shows genetic similarities and differences among the strains, suggesting while there is a potential for single distribution of a clone, there is also possibility of the distribution of different strains within species in the water environment. Therefore, awareness on the potential risk associated with genetically diverse intermediate and resistant enteric bacteria in the recreational water should be communicated to the public especially communities within the study area

Fuzzy Decision Analysis for Alternative Selection Using a Fuzzy Annual Worth Criterion

[[abstract]]Very often, in industry, discounted cash flow techniques are applied for analyzing and selecting investment alternatives under consideration. These techniques are usually based on the data under certainty or risk. In reality, however, the decision makers are often facing the situation of vague cash flows and discount rates, or even uncertain durations, when evaluating and selecting potential investments. Fuzzy set theory has the capability of capturing vague data and allows mathematical operations. This article proposes a fuzzy equivalent uniform annual worth (fuzzy EUAW) method to assist practitioners in evaluating investment alternatives utilizing the theory of fuzzy sets. Triangular fuzzy numbers (TFNs) are used throughout the analysis to represent the uncertain cash flows and discount rates. Further, fuzzy capital recovery factors and fuzzy sinking fund factor are derived. Using these two factors, the fuzzy equivalent annual worth of each investment alternative can be found. By ranking these fuzzy numbers with the integral value, the optimal investment alternative is selected. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the results of the alternative selection

Approaching the hard-to-reach in organized colorectal cancer screening: an overview of individual, provider and system level coping strategies

Background: Despite the proven effectiveness of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening on reduction of CRC mortality, the uptake of CRC screening remains low. Participation rate is one of determinants for the success of organized population-based screening program. This review aims to identify those who are hard-to-reach, and summarize the strategies to increase their screening rate from individual, provider and system levels. Methods: A systematic search of electronic English databases was conducted on the factors and strategies of uptake in CRC screening for the hard-to-reach population up to May 2017. Discussion: The coverage rate and participation rate are two indexes to identify the hard-to-reach population in organized CRC screening program. However, the homeless, new immigrants, people with severe mental illness, the jail intimates, and people with characteristics including lower education levels and/or low socioeconomic status, living in rural/remote areas, without insurance, and racial minorities are usually recognized as hard-to-reach populations. For them, organized screening programs offer a better coverage, while novel invitation approaches for eligible individuals and multiple strategies from primary care physicians are still needed to enhance screening rates among subjects who are hard-to-reach. Suggestions implied the effectiveness of interventions at the system level, including linkages to general practice; use of decision making tools; enlisting supports from coalition; and the continuum from screening to diagnosis and treatment. Conclusion: Organized CRC screening offers a system access to approach the hard-to-reach populations. To increase their uptake, multiple and novel strategies from individual, provider and system levels should be applied. For policymakers, public healthcare providers and community stakeholders, it is a test to tailor their potential needs and increase their participation rates through continuous efforts to eliminate disparities and inequity in CRC screening service