Reduction of tilt rotor download using circulation control

The effect of boundary layer control blowing on the download of a wing in the wake of a hovering rotor was measured in a small scale experiment. The objective was to evaluate the potential of boundary layer control blowing for reducing tilt rotor download. Variations were made in rotor thrust coefficient, blowing pressure ratio, and blowing slot height. The effect of these parameter variations on the wing download and wing surface pressures is presented. The boundary layer control blowing caused reductions in the wing download of 25 to 55 percent

The Whole Counsel of God: A Tribute to E. Herbert Nygren

Herb Nygren has served Taylor University faithfully for over twenty years. As chair of the Department of Biblical Studies, Christian Education, and Philosophy, he has modelled sound teaching and solid scholarship. Upon retirement, he leaves us a legacy of dedication, service, and love for Christ. The members of his department offer these essays as a small token of our esteem.https://pillars.taylor.edu/ayres-collection-books/1019/thumbnail.jp

High-quality genome sequence and description of Paenibacillus dakarensis sp. nov.

AbstractStrain FF9T was isolated in Dakar (Senegal) from a blood-culture taken from a 16-month-old child. MALDI-TOF analysis did not allow for identification. After sequencing, strain FF9T exhibited 98.18% similarity with the 16SrRNA sequence of Paenibacillus uliginis. A polyphasic study of phenotypic and genomic analyses showed that strain FF9T is Gram variable, catalase-positive, and presents a genome of 4,569,428 bp (one chromosome but no plasmid) with 4,427genes (4,352 protein-coding and 75 RNA genes (including 3 rRNA operons). The G+C content is 45.7%. On the basis of these genomic and phenotypic data analyses, we propose the creation of Paenibacillus dakarensis strain FF9T

Rarefaction and extrapolation with beta diversity under a framework of Hill numbers : the iNEXT.beta3D standardization

This work isjointly supported by the Natural Environment Research Council, UK and the Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology under Contracts NERC-MOST 108-2923-M-007-003 and NE/T004487/1. AEM also acknowledges the Leverhulme Trust (RPG-2019-402). Support for the establishment and monitoring of permanent plots in Costa Rican forests was provided by grants from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the US National Science Foundation (NSF DEB-0424767, NSF DEB-0639393 and NSF DEB-1147429), US NASA Terrestrial Ecology Program, and the University of Connecticut Research Foundation. MD is supported by a Leverhulme Trust Research Centre - the Leverhulme Centre for Anthropocene Biodiversity (RC-2018-021). L.F.S.M. was supported by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) grant 307984/2022-2.Based on sampling data, we propose a rigorous standardization method to measure and compare beta diversity across datasets. Here beta diversity, which quantifies the extent of among-assemblage differentiation, relies on Whittaker's original multiplicative decomposition scheme, but we use Hill numbers for any diversity order q ≥ 0. Richness-based beta diversity (q = 0) quantifies the extent of species identity shift, whereas abundance-based (q > 0) beta diversity also quantifies the extent of difference among assemblages in species abundance. We adopt and define the assumptions of a statistical sampling model as the foundation for our approach, treating sampling data as a representative sample taken from an assemblage. The approach makes a clear distinction between the theoretical assemblage level (unknown properties/parameters of the assemblage) and the sampling data level (empirical/observed statistics computed from data). At the assemblage level, beta diversity for N assemblages reflects the interacting effect of the species abundance distribution and spatial/temporal aggregation of individuals in the assemblage. Under independent sampling, observed beta (= gamma/alpha) diversity depends not only on among-assemblage differentiation but also on sampling effort/completeness, which in turn induces dependence of beta on alpha and gamma diversity. How to remove the dependence of richness-based beta diversity on its gamma component (species pool) has been intensely debated. Our approach is to standardize gamma and alpha based on sample coverage (an objective measure of sample completeness). For a single assemblage, the iNEXT method was developed, through interpolation (rarefaction) and extrapolation with Hill numbers, to standardize samples by sampling effort/completeness. Here we adapt the iNEXT standardization to alpha and gamma diversity, that is, alpha and gamma diversity are both assessed at the same level of sample coverage, to formulate standardized, coverage-based beta diversity. This extension of iNEXT to beta diversity required the development of novel concepts and theories, including a formal proof and simulation-based demonstration that the resulting standardized beta diversity removes the dependence of beta diversity on both gamma and alpha values, and thus reflects the pure among-assemblage differentiation. The proposed standardization is illustrated with spatial, temporal, and spatiotemporal datasets, while the freeware iNEXT.beta3D facilitates all computations and graphics.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Cost analysis and outcomes of endoscopic, minimal access and open pancreatic necrosectomy.

To assess both individual patient and institutional costs as well as outcomes in patients with pancreatic necrosis who underwent either endoscopic, minimal access or open pancreatic necrosectomy. These data can be used to evaluate clinical effectiveness with a view to informing local health care providers. Intervention for infected pancreatic necrosis is associated with a high morbidity, mortality and long hospital stays. Minimal access surgical step-up approaches have been the gold standard of care, however endoscopic approaches are now offered preferentially. All patients undergoing endoscopic (EN), minimal access retroperitoneal (MARPN) and open (OPN) necrosectomy at a single institution from April 2015-March 2017 were included. Patients were selected for intervention based on morphology and position of the necrosis and on clinical factors. Patient level costing systems were used to determine inpatient and outpatient costs. 86 patients were included: 38 underwent EN, 35 MARPN and 13 OPN. Pre-operative APACHEII was 6 vs 9 vs 9 (p=0.017) and CRP 107 vs 204 vs 278, (p=0.012), respectively. Post-operative stay was 19 days for EN vs. 41 for MARPN vs. 42 for OPN (p=0.007). Complications occurred in 68.4%, 68.6% and 46.2% (p=0.298) while mortality was 10.5%, 22.9% and 15.4% (p=0.379) respectively. Mean total cost was £31,364 for EN, £52,770 for MARPN (p=0.008) and £60,346 for OPN. Ward and critical care costs for EN were lower than for MARPN (ward: £9,430 vs. £14,033, p=0.024; critical care: £5,317 vs. £16,648, p=0.056)

BioTIME: A database of biodiversity time series for the Anthropocene.

MotivationThe BioTIME database contains raw data on species identities and abundances in ecological assemblages through time. These data enable users to calculate temporal trends in biodiversity within and amongst assemblages using a broad range of metrics. BioTIME is being developed as a community-led open-source database of biodiversity time series. Our goal is to accelerate and facilitate quantitative analysis of temporal patterns of biodiversity in the Anthropocene.Main types of variables includedThe database contains 8,777,413 species abundance records, from assemblages consistently sampled for a minimum of 2 years, which need not necessarily be consecutive. In addition, the database contains metadata relating to sampling methodology and contextual information about each record.Spatial location and grainBioTIME is a global database of 547,161 unique sampling locations spanning the marine, freshwater and terrestrial realms. Grain size varies across datasets from 0.0000000158 km2 (158 cm2) to 100 km2 (1,000,000,000,000 cm2).Time period and grainBioTIME records span from 1874 to 2016. The minimal temporal grain across all datasets in BioTIME is a year.Major taxa and level of measurementBioTIME includes data from 44,440 species across the plant and animal kingdoms, ranging from plants, plankton and terrestrial invertebrates to small and large vertebrates.Software format.csv and .SQL

SEIS: Insight's Seismic Experiment for Internal Structure of Mars.

By the end of 2018, 42 years after the landing of the two Viking seismometers on Mars, InSight will deploy onto Mars' surface the SEIS (Seismic Experiment for Internal Structure) instrument; a six-axes seismometer equipped with both a long-period three-axes Very Broad Band (VBB) instrument and a three-axes short-period (SP) instrument. These six sensors will cover a broad range of the seismic bandwidth, from 0.01 Hz to 50 Hz, with possible extension to longer periods. Data will be transmitted in the form of three continuous VBB components at 2 sample per second (sps), an estimation of the short period energy content from the SP at 1 sps and a continuous compound VBB/SP vertical axis at 10 sps. The continuous streams will be augmented by requested event data with sample rates from 20 to 100 sps. SEIS will improve upon the existing resolution of Viking's Mars seismic monitoring by a factor of ∼ 2500 at 1 Hz and ∼ 200 000 at 0.1 Hz. An additional major improvement is that, contrary to Viking, the seismometers will be deployed via a robotic arm directly onto Mars' surface and will be protected against temperature and wind by highly efficient thermal and wind shielding. Based on existing knowledge of Mars, it is reasonable to infer a moment magnitude detection threshold of M w ∼ 3 at 40 ∘ epicentral distance and a potential to detect several tens of quakes and about five impacts per year. In this paper, we first describe the science goals of the experiment and the rationale used to define its requirements. We then provide a detailed description of the hardware, from the sensors to the deployment system and associated performance, including transfer functions of the seismic sensors and temperature sensors. We conclude by describing the experiment ground segment, including data processing services, outreach and education networks and provide a description of the format to be used for future data distribution.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s11214-018-0574-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

TWEAK Appears as a Modulator of Endometrial IL-18 Related Cytotoxic Activity of Uterine Natural Killers

BACKGROUND: TWEAK (Tumor necrosis factor like WEAK inducer of apoptosis) is highly expressed by different immune cells and triggers multiple cellular responses, including control of angiogenesis. Our objective was to investigate its role in the human endometrium during the implantation window, using an ex-vivo endometrial microhistoculture model. Indeed, previous results suggested that basic TWEAK expression influences the IL-18 related uNK recruitment and local cytotoxicity. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Endometrial biopsies were performed 7 to 9 days after the ovulation surge of women in monitored natural cycles. Biopsies were cut in micro-pieces and cultured on collagen sponge with appropriate medium. Morphology, functionality and cell death were analysed at different time of the culture. We used this ex vivo model to study mRNA expressions of NKp46 (a uNK cytotoxic receptor) and TGF-beta1 (protein which regulates uNK cytokine production) after adjunction of excess of recombinant IL-18 and either recombinant TWEAK or its antibody. NKp46 protein expression was also detailed by immunohistochemistry in selected patients with high basic mRNA level of IL-18 and either low or high mRNA level of TWEAK. The NKp46 immunostaining was stronger in patients with an IL-18 over-expression and a low TWEAK expression, when compared with patients with both IL-18 and TWEAK high expressions. We did not observe any difference for TWEAK expression when recombinant protein IL-18 or its antibody was added, or conversely, for IL-18 expression when TWEAK or its antibody was added in the culture medium. In a pro-inflammatory environment (obtained by an excess of IL-18), inhibition of TWEAK was able to increase significantly NKp46 and TGF-beta1 mRNA expressions. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: TWEAK doesn't act on IL-18 expression but seems to control IL-18 related cytotoxicity on uNK cells when IL-18 is over-expressed. Thus, TWEAK appears as a crucial physiological modulator to prevent endometrial uNK cytotoxicity in human

Anopheles larval abundance and diversity in three rice agro-village complexes Mwea irrigation scheme, central Kenya

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The diversity and abundance of <it>Anopheles </it>larvae has significant influence on the resulting adult mosquito population and hence the dynamics of malaria transmission. Studies were conducted to examine larval habitat dynamics and ecological factors affecting survivorship of aquatic stages of malaria vectors in three agro-ecological settings in Mwea, Kenya.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three villages were selected based on rice husbandry and water management practices. Aquatic habitats in the 3 villages representing planned rice cultivation (Mbui Njeru), unplanned rice cultivation (Kiamachiri) and non-irrigated (Murinduko) agro-ecosystems were sampled every 2 weeks to generate stage-specific estimates of mosquito larval densities, relative abundance and diversity. Records of distance to the nearest homestead, vegetation coverage, surface debris, turbidity, habitat stability, habitat type, rice growth stage, number of rice tillers and percent <it>Azolla </it>cover were taken for each habitat.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Captures of early, late instars and pupae accounted for 78.2%, 10.9% and 10.8% of the total <it>Anopheles </it>immatures sampled (n = 29,252), respectively. There were significant differences in larval abundance between 3 agro-ecosystems. The village with 'planned' rice cultivation had relatively lower <it>Anopheles </it>larval densities compared to the villages where 'unplanned' or non-irrigated. Similarly, species composition and richness was higher in the two villages with either 'unplanned' or limited rice cultivation, an indication of the importance of land use patterns on diversity of larval habitat types. Rice fields and associated canals were the most productive habitat types while water pools and puddles were important for short periods during the rainy season. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that presence of other invertebrates, percentage <it>Azolla </it>cover, distance to nearest homestead, depth and water turbidity were the best predictors for <it>Anopheles </it>mosquito larval abundance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results suggest that agricultural practices have significant influence on mosquito species diversity and abundance and that certain habitat characteristics favor production of malaria vectors. These factors should be considered when implementing larval control strategies which should be targeted based on habitat productivity and water management.</p

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy