Transformation of a shoaling undular bore

We consider the propagation of a shallow-water undular bore over a gentle monotonic bottom slope connecting two regions of constant depth, in the framework of the variable-coefficient Korteweg-de Vries equation. We show that, when the undular bore advances in the direction of decreasing depth, its interaction with the slowly varying topography results, apart from an adiabatic deformation of the bore itself, in the generation of a sequence of isolated solitons - an expanding large-amplitude modulated solitary wavetrain propagating ahead of the bore. Using nonlinear modulation theory we construct an asymptotic solution describing the formation and evolution of this solitary wavetrain. Our analytical solution is supported by direct numerical simulations. The presented analysis can be extended to other systems describing the propagation of undular bores (dispersive shock waves) in weakly non-uniform environments

Stiffness and Damping Properties of a Low Aspect Ratio Shear Wall Building Based on Recorded Earthquake Responses

An investigation into the structural properties and seismic responses of a low aspect ratio shear wall building, which has construction similarity to typical nuclear plant structures, has been performed using actual recorded earthquake motions. This effort used a combination of modal identification to obtain structure modal parameters directly from the recorded motions, and elastic structural analysis using methods and criteria frequently employed by the nuclear industry. Modal parameters determined by modal identification provide excellent fits to the building motions recorded during the 1984 Morgan Hill earthquake. Modal parameters identified for the 1989 Lorna Prieta earthquake are more uncertain. Investigation of building stiffnesses generally confirms the adequacy of bounding estimates currently recommended for nuclear plant structure seismic analysis. Damping values identified for this building supplement the database being compiled to investigate current nuclear plant structure damping criteria

A Guyon's canal ganglion presenting as occupational overuse syndrome: A case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Occupational overuse syndrome (OOS) can present as Guyon's canal syndrome in computer keyboard users. We report a case of Guyon's canal syndrome caused by a ganglion in a computer user that was misdiagnosed as OOS.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 54-year-old female secretary was referred with a six-month history of right little finger weakness and difficulty with adduction. Prior to her referral, she was diagnosed by her general practitioner and physiotherapist with a right ulnar nerve neuropraxia at the level of the Guyon's canal. This was thought to be secondary to computer keyboard use and direct pressure exerted on a wrist support. There was obvious atrophy of the hypothenar eminence and the first dorsal interosseous muscle. Both Froment's and Wartenberg's signs were positive. A nerve conduction study revealed that both the abductor digiti minimi and the first dorsal interosseus muscles showed prolonged motor latency. Ulnar conduction across the right elbow was normal. Ulnar sensory amplitude across the right wrist to the fifth digit was reduced while the dorsal cutaneous nerve response was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the right wrist showed a ganglion in Guyon's canal. Decompression of the Guyon's canal was performed and histological examination confirmed a ganglion. The patient's symptoms and signs resolved completely at four-month follow-up.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Clinical history, occupational history and examination alone could potentially lead to misdiagnosis of OOS when a computer user presents with these symptoms and we recommend that nerve conduction or imaging studies be performed.</p

The Th1:Th2 Dichotomy of Pregnancy and Preterm Labour

Pregnancy is a unique immunological state in which a balance of immune tolerance and suppression is needed to protect the fetus without compromising the mother. It has long been established that a bias from the T helper 1 cytokine profile towards the T helper 2 profile contributes towards successful pregnancy maintenance. The majority of publications that report on aberrant Th1:Th2 balance focus on early pregnancy loss and preeclampsia. Over the last few decades, there has been an increased awareness of the role of infection and inflammation in preterm labour, and the search for new biomarkers to predict preterm labour continues. In this paper, we explore the evidence for an aberrant Th1:Th2 profile associated with preterm labour. We also consider the potential for its use in screening women at high risk of preterm labour and for prophylactic therapeutic measures for the prevention of preterm labour and associated neonatal adverse outcomes

Changes in the Th1 : Th2 Cytokine Bias in Pregnancy and the Effects of the Anti-Inflammatory Cyclopentenone Prostaglandin 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2

Pregnancy is a complex immunological state in which a bias towards T helper 2 (Th2) protects the fetus. Evidence suggests that proinflammatory cytokines increase the risk of poor neonatal outcome, independently of the direct effect of preterm labour. The anti-inflammatory prostaglandin 15-deoxy-Δ12,14-Prostaglandin J2 (15dPGJ2) inhibits nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB) in amniocytes and myocytes in vitro and is a ligand for the chemoattractant receptor-homologous molecule expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) receptor. Here we examine the Th1:Th2 cytokine bias in pregnancy and whether 15dPGJ2 could be used to inhibit the production of the proinflammatory cytokines through inhibition of NF-κB while simultaneously promoting Th2 interleukin 4 (IL-4) synthesis via CRTH2 in T helper cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from women at 28 weeks, term pre-labour, term labour as well as non-pregnant female controls were cultured with 15dPGJ2 or vehicle control and stimulated with phorbol myristyl acetate (PMA)/ionomycin. The percentage of CD4+ cells producing interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in response to PMA/ionomycin was significantly reduced in pregnancy. 15dPGJ2 reduced IFN-γ and TNF-α production in stimulated T helper cells, but did not alter IL-4 production in CRTH2+ve cells. 15dPGJ2 also reduced phospho-p65 in stimulated PBMCs. In summary, 15dPGJ2 suppresses the Th1 response of PBMCs during pregnancy and active labour whilst maintaining the Th2 response suggesting a therapeutic benefit in reducing neonatal morbidity in inflammation-induced PTL

The covid-19 learning crisis as a challenge and an opportunity for schools: An evidence review and conceptual synthesis of research-based tools for sustainable change

This paper advances our understanding of how schools can become change agents capable of transforming local practice to address the challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. It presents a novel application of cultural-historical activity theory to reinterpret evidence on widespread learning loss and increasing educational inequities resulting from the pandemic, and to identify scalable transformative learning opportunities through reframing the crisis as a double stimulation. By reviewing evidence of the emerging educational landscape, we first develop a picture of the new ‘problem space’ upon which schools must act. We develop a problem space map to serve as the first stimulus to articulate local challenges. Integrating this problem space with research on professional change, we identify conceptual tools to capture learning gaps and implement pedagogic interventions at scale, in order to enhance schools’ agency in directly addressing the crisis. These tools can act as the second stimulus, enabling educators to address local challenges. We conclude by discussing the Covid-19 educational crisis as a unique stimulus for professional learning and outline the potential for durable shifts in educational thinking and practice beyond the pandemic. We argue that this unprecedented historic disruption can be harnessed as a transformative professional learning opportunity. In particular, we consider how research on professional change offers local, scalable interventions and tools that can support educators in preventing the new insights from ‘slipping away’ post-pandemic. Utilising the notions of boundaries and tool-mediated professional change, we examine the ways in which this disruption generates opportunities to envision alternative futures for equitable learning in school.Author 1: The epiSTEMe project [grant number RES-179-25-0003, PI Prof. K. Ruthven] The TEACh project [ES/M005445/1, PI Prof. P. Rose] ESRC Impact Acceleration Grant, University of Cambridge [PI Dr. R. Hofmann] Cambridge University Health Partners Commonwealth Education Trust (PI. Prof. S. Hennessy) Authors 2-8: (2) Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, PhD scholarship (3) Economic and Social Research Council PhD scholarship [ES/P000738/1] (4) Agencia Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo (ANID), Cambridge Trust, PhD scholarship (5) Economic and Social Research Council [ES/P000738/1] and MRC Epidemiology Unit PhD scholarship (6) Yayasan Khazanah, Cambridge Trust, PhD scholarship (7) Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, UK [TCF180902] PhD scholarship (8) The LEGO Foundatio

Nucleotide diversity and association genetics of Xyloglucan Endotransglycosylase/hydrolase (XTH) and cellulose synthase (CesA) genes in Neolamarckia cadamba.

A detailed study was carried out to discover single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from Neolamarckia cadamba partial XTH (~1283bp) and CesA (778bp) DNA sequences and further associates those SNPs with basic wood density. Primers were designed in flanking the partial XTH and CesA genes from 15 N. cadamba trees. The amplified DNA fragments were sequenced and the basic wood density measurements were determined for each tree. The sequence variation analyses revealed that 34 SNPs (2.65% occurrence) and 3 SNPs (0.39% occurrence) were found in 15 partial genomic DNA sequences of NcXTH1 and NcCesA1, respectively. All the SNPs were discovered in both exon and intron regions. NcXTH1 examined sites showed higher nucleotide diversities of π = 0.00402 and θw = 8.919 when compared to NcCesA1 (π = 0.00127; θw = 0.9226). The LD decayed slowly with distance of polymorphic sites in a linear pattern with the mean R2 value of 0.000687. Association genetics study showed that 2 SNPs from NcXTH1 genes were significantly associated with basic wood density (p<0.05) of N. cadamba. Once the gene-associated SNP markers in NcXTH1 genes are validated, it could be potentially used as a tool in Gene-Assisted Selection (GAS) of N. cadamba trees. This study has also demonstrated that the candidate-gene based association genetics is a powerful approach to dissect complex adaptive traits for organism lacking a genome sequence or reference genomic resources