2-D Modeling of Droplet Spreading Behavior on Surface of Urea using Fluent

The inconsistency in sulfur-coated urea could be affected by several factors such as the droplet spreading behavior of sulfur droplet on urea surface. One of the main factors that affected the droplet spreading behavior is the surface roughness of the urea which has been studied experimentally. However, to comprehend this factor further, improvement of the coating process is analyzed in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using FLUENT® by modeling the droplet spreading behavior on a rough urea surface with different surface roughness. The simulation is done in two phases; first the droplet spreading behavior of liquid-sulfur on smooth surface and next is to simulate the droplet spreading behavior on a rough surface based on the surface roughness of urea. A 1.8 mm droplet was used for the smooth surface with a velocity of 0.5 m/s. To predict the short term spreading behavior of a droplet, a multiphase volume of fluid model was developed and it also signifies the maximum spreading diameter resulting from the impact. For the modeling on a rough surface, the same variables will be used to predict the droplet spreading behavior on the surface of urea. The results showed that on a smooth surface, the droplet has the highest spreading factor as compared to that of a rough surface due to the homogenous surface area and the effect of wettability. SEM images of urea has shown that certain area of the urea can be seen as smooth while certain area of the urea can be seen as rough. Depending on where the droplet will be in contact with the urea, this will then very much affect the smoothness of the urea coating. Besides the surface characteristics of the urea, factors such as contact angle and velocity impact has also been taken into account

Efficacy of pre-activity stretching

Pre-activity stretching is commonly performed by athletes as part of their warm-up routine. However, the most recent literature questions the effectiveness of pre-activity stretching. Some literature suggests that pre-activity stretching hinders athletic performance, while others suggest that stretching does not affect performance. Since a clear answer has not yet been determined on pre-activity stretching, this study was designed to investigate the acute effects of static vs. ballistic stretching on vertical jump performance, and torque and power output of the quadriceps and hamstrings, and to compare the effects of stretching between genders. The goal was to determine if pre-activity stretching is beneficial or detrimental to sports performance. The results of this study revealed that a practical duration of 90 seconds of stretching did not affect VJ or torque output of the quadriceps and hamstrings. The results of this study will allow strength coaches to properly advise their athletes on pre-activity stretching

Expanding the CRISPR toolbox in Culicine mosquitoes: in vitro validation of Pol III promoters

CRISPR–Cas9-based “gene drive” technologies have been proposed as a novel and effective means of controlling human diseases vectored by mosquitoes. However, more complex designs than those demonstrated to date—and an expanded molecular toolbox with which to build them—will be required to overcome the issues of resistance formation/evolution and drive spatial/temporal limitation. Foreseeing this need, we assessed the sgRNA transcriptional activities of 33 phylogenetically diverse insect Polymerase III promoters using three disease-relevant Culicine mosquito cell lines (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, and Culex quinquefasciatus). We show that U6 promoters work across species with a range of transcriptional activity levels and find 7SK promoters to be especially promising because of their broad phylogenetic activity. We further show that U6 promoters can be substantially truncated without affecting transcriptional levels. These results will be of great utility to researchers involved in developing the next generation of gene drives

Two Highly Conserved Cysteine Residues in HPV16 L2 Form an Intramolecular Disulfide Bond and Are Critical for Infectivity in Human Keratinocytes

Minor capsid protein L2 performs an indispensable but uncharacterized role in human papillomavirus infections. A neutralizing B cell epitope has recently been mapped to the N-terminus of HPV16 L2, residues 17-36, and exposure of this region of L2 has been implicated in translocation of incoming virions from the endo/lysosomal compartment to the cellular cytoplasm. Here we examine the redox state of Cys22 and Cys28 two highly conserved cysteines located within this epitope. We also investigate the infectivity of virions containing L2 single and double cysteine point mutants.Denaturing/non-reducing gel analysis and thiol labeling experiments of wild type and cysteine mutant HPV16 virion particles strongly support the existence of a buried intramolecular C22-C28 disulfide bond. The disulfide was confirmed by tandem mass spectrometry of L2 protein from non-reduced virions. Single C22S and C28S and the double C22/28S mutants were non-infectious but had no apparent defects in cell binding, endocytosis, or trafficking to lysosomes by 8 h post infection. During infection with L2 mutant particles, there was a marked decrease in L2 levels compared to wild type L2-containing virions, suggesting a failure of mutant L2/genome complexes to exit the endo/lysosomal compartment.L2 residues C22 and C28 are bound as an intramolecular disulfide bond in HPV16 virions and are necessary for infectivity. Previous work has suggested that the furin-dependent exposure of the 17-36 epitope and subsequent interaction of this region with an unknown receptor is necessary for egress from the endo/lysosomal compartment and infection. Identification of the C22-C28 disulfide suggests that reduction of this disufide bond may be necessary for exposure of 17-36 and HPV16 infection

A Comparison of Constrained and Unconstrained Upper Quarter Y-Balance Tests Performance in the Adult Active Population

Common screening tools for upper extremity functionality tend to focus only on power, speed, and/or stability of the shoulder. Previous research studies validated the reliability of the Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) as a clinical tool to measure unilateral upper extremity function, dynamics, as well as indirectly thoracic mobility. The distinctiveness of this test is the combination of shoulder girdle mobility and stability, core stability, thoracic rotation, and overall muscles strength to reach as far as possible without losing balance in the single arm stance position. Thus, measuring upper body strength and thoracic rotation may predict performance. PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to compare the performance of physically active individuals in two variations of the UQYBT, constrained and unconstrained, and to measure the relation of upper body strength and trunk mobility with the UQYBT reach scores. METHODS: Five male (31.2±9.0 years, 1.73±.02 m, 78.8±7.0 kg) and five female (24.4±.8 years, 1.67±.06 m, 71.4±2.7 kg) college students participated in two testing sessions. Participants completed a maximal push-up test and a maximal seated trunk rotation mobility test. During the second session, participants performed the Constrained UQYBT (participant keeps the push-up position) and the Unconstrained variation in which it was allowed to flex elbow of supporting arm and flex the hip when reaching in any direction. For each test, subjects completed three reaches in medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions. Maximal reach scores in each direction were identified and composite scores were calculated for the two UQYBTs. MANOVA was used to identify differences in reach scores between the Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs, significance level was set to .05. Pearson correlation was used to identify relations between maximal push-up score and maximal trunk rotation range of motion (ROM) with the UQYBT reach scores. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed for all reach scores between the Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. Unconstrained UQYBT had higher reach score scores than the Constrained UQYBT in the medial (119±9% vs 100±7%, p-value\u3c.001), inferolateral (110±14% vs 80±10%, p-value\u3c.001), and superolateral (82±13% vs 73±13%, p-value=.042) directions, and in the composite score (103±10% vs 84±8%, p-value\u3c.001). Moderate to strong positive correlations were observed between maximal trunk rotation ROM and most reach scores in Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. The correlation coefficients were between .331 to .605. Moderate positive coefficient (r=.365) was identified between max push-ups and Constrained Inferolateral reach. In contrast, strong negative correlation (r=-584) was identified between Unconstrained superolateral reach and max push-ups. CONCLUSION: The main finding of this study identified the big difference in reach scores between Constrained and Unconstrained UQYBTs. Practitioners need to be cautious when performing the UQYBT and when comparing reach scores from different resources. Moreover, it seems that large trunk mobility is associated with higher UQYBT reach scores

A Multi-Criteria Methodology for Measuring the Resilience of Transportation Assets and Prioritizing Security Investments

Transportation project prioritization uses performance measures that are related to the transportation asset, its operations, and its environment. However, in the state of practice, evaluation does not consider directly the likelihood of natural or man-made threats, the infrastructure resilience, or the consequences of the infrastructure damage in the event that the threat occurs. Thus, during the prioritization of investments, assets of low security do not receive the due attention they deserve. In defining security as the lack of risk of damage from threats due to inherent structure or functional resilience, this paper is based on the premise that the inclusion of security considerations in prioritization introduces a much needed element of robustness in investment prioritization However, the inclusion of investment security impacts leads to an increase in the number of performance measures for the investment evaluation. This paper presents a methodology to quantify the overall security level for an asset in terms of the environmental threats it faces, its resilience or vulnerability to damage, and the consequences of the infrastructure damage. The overall framework consists of the traditional steps in risk management, and this paper\u27s specific contribution is in the part of the framework that measures the risk. This paper applies the methodology to a given set of assets by measuring the risk (security) of each asset and prioritizing security investments across multiple assets using multiple criteria analysis

Differences in Reach Scores Between Three Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test Versions in Older Adults

The Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) is often used to measure shoulder mobility and stability and screen for upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders in the physically active and athletic population. Shoulder injuries are typical among older adults, often decreasing the quality of life. There are no studies investigating the functionality of the UQYBT in older adults. PURPOSE: To examine the functionality of the UQYBT and two variations on the older population, 50 years old and older. METHODS: Eight individuals (2 males and 6 females) participated in this study (56.8±3.9 years, 166.0±10.0 cm, 69.6±13.5 kg). Each participant completed a five-minute warm-up on an arm ergometer followed by an arm length measurement. Participants completed the three UQYBT variations in a randomized order; Standard push-up position (SUQYBT), Modified push-up position (MUQYBT), and Wall push-up position (WUQYBT). In each variation, participants completed three reaches in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral directions for the right and left hands. Highest score for each reach from the different UQYBT variations and supporting hand were saved to further analysis. Relative reach scores were calculated using the right arm length as reference. Composite scores were calculated by averaging the reach scores of the three directions. Repeated measured ANOVAs were used to compare reach score between the UQYBT variations in the older population. This was followed by post-hoc analysis; alpha level was set to 0.05. RESULTS: Significant main effects were identified in the medial reach (p-value CONCLUSION: Several differences were observed between the three UQYBT variations. When the reach was outside of the participant’s base of support (medial and superolateral reaches) WUQYBT had the highest score followed by MUQYBT and last SUQYBT. During the inferolateral reach, participants were able to get similar reach scores between the different UQYBT variations. Further studies should study the option to use the two UQYBT variations in the older population

Gender Performance Differences in Standard Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test and Two Modified Versions

Preparticipation screening evaluating musculoskeletal functioning is gaining popularity in young adults. The Upper Quarter Y-Balance Test (UQYBT) is often used to measure shoulder mobility and stability, and screening for upper extremities musculoskeletal injuries. The UQYBT is renowned for its unique approach to testing shoulder and core stability in the athletic and active population. Its feasibility in less active individuals is questionable due to its strength and balance requirements. Moreover, there is minimal data comparing UQYBT scores between genders of different fitness levels. PURPOSE: To examine performance differences between women and men executing the standard UQYBT and two modifications. METHODS: Eleven women (22.5±3.2 years, 1.64±0.04 m, 66.1±10.5 kg) and nine men (27.0±8.8 years, 1.74±0.03 m, 74.2±12.8 kg) college students took part in this study. Prior to testing, participants completed five minutes warm-up on an arm ergometer. Participants completed the three UQYBT variations in a randomized order; Standard (traditional push-up position), Modified (modified push-up position), and Wall (standing erect). In each variation, participants completed three reaches in the medial, inferolateral, and superolateral direction. Maximal relative scores were collected, and composite scores were calculated. MANOVA was conducted comparing the differences between women and men reach scores in each direction and for each UQYBT variation. Significance level was set to .05. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in the Modified UQYBT for the inferolateral reach, women had higher max relative scores than men, p-value\u3c.01. Women average maximal relative score was 89±10%, whereas men average score was 80±8%. Similar significance trend was identified in the Wall UQYBT during the inferolateral reach. Women reach score (82±8%) was higher than the men reach score (72±11%), p-values\u3c.01. No significant differences were observed in any of the other reaches measured during the three UQYBT variations. CONCLUSION: In this study we measured gender differences during three UQYBT variations. The most body weight the upper extremity needs to balance is during the Standard position, followed by the Modified and Wall UQYBT. We have found gender differences in the Modified and Wall UQYBTs during the inferolateral reach. The difference may be related to fact that during the Modified and Wall UQYBTs there is less body weight on the upper extremity which may increase women ability to have better shoulder mobility and stability than the men. Further research is required in this area