Effusion cooling is the state-of-the-art cooling technology for gas turbine hot-gas path components. Typically, effusion cooling holes across the entire combustor liner are aligned with the combustor axis, rendering a nominal zero compound angle between highly directional miniature effusion cooling jets and the main flow direction. The pitch of effusion cooling holes is optimised accordingly. However, the swirling main flow results in a non-zero compound angle and an effectively different pitch from the design. The directional effect of effusion cooling as a result of swirling main flow on the adiabatic film cooling effectiveness (AFE) is a combined effect of a non-zero compound angle and a varied pitch. The current experimental study aims to investigate the isolated effects of compound angle on AFE by excluding the influences of varying pitch. With an improved understanding of the sole effects of non-zero compound angles on AFE, the roles that a varied pitch plays in modifying AFE are further discussed to guide future effusion cooling designs under swirling main flow conditions. Binary pressure sensitive paint (PSP) was used to determine AFE experimentally.

This research aimed to assess the agronomic performance of the progeny (F3 and F4 generations) of 48 newly developed Aus rice lines, using a randomized-complete-block-design under rainfed conditions. We found a wide range of variations in yield and yield-contributing traits among the studied genotypes. High board sense heritability percentages were found for sterility percentage (99.50 and 97.20), thousand-grain-weight (88.10 and 90.20 g), plant-height (84.90 and 86.90 cm) and day-to-maturity (84.50 and 97.60 d) in both F3 and F4 generations, respectively. However, the highest genetic advance as mean percentage was observed for sterility (48.00 and 50.60), effective tillers number per hill (ET) (44.70 and 47.10), total tillers number per hill (TT) (43.00 and 45.40) and filled-grains per panicle (41.00 and 43.20) respectively. Notably, the correlation study also identified the traits, TT (r = 0.31 and 0.45), ET (r = 0.30 and 0.44), straw yield (r = 0.57 and 0.39) and harvest index (r = 0.63 and 0.67) as effective for improving grain yield in both F3 and F4 generations, respectively. We identified higher grain yield per hill (g) and shorter to moderate crop growth duration (days) in several distinct accessions, including R1-49-7-1-1, R3-26-4-3-1, R1-6-2-3-1, R1-13-1-1-1, R1-50-1-1-1, R3-49-4-3-1, R1-47-7-3-1, R2-26-6-2-2, R3-30-1-2-1 and R1-44-1-2-1, among the 48 genotypes in both the F3 and F4 generations. A further location-specific agronomic study is recommended to assess the drought tolerance of these promising genotypes. This will further assess their suitability as potential breeding materials when developing rice varieties adapted to grow under fluctuating rainfalls conditions.

Background: Interest in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has been growing in neuroradiology, but there is limited knowledge on how this interest has manifested into research and the field’s trends, challenges, and future directions. Methods: The American Journal of Neuroradiology was queried for original research articles published since inception (Jan. 1, 1980) to Sept. 19, 2022 that contained any of the following key terms: “machine learning”, “artificial intelligence”, or “radiomics”. Articles were screened, categorized into Statistical Modelling (Type 1), AI/ML Development (Type 2), or End-user Application (Type 3) and then bibliometrically analyzed. Results: A total of 124 articles were identified with 85% being non-integration focused (Type 1 n = 41, Type 2 n = 65) and the remaining (n = 18) being Type 3. The total number of articles published grew two-fold in the last five years, with Type 2 articles mainly driving this growth. While most (66%) Type 2 articles were led by a radiologist with 55% possessing a postgraduate degree, a minority of Type 2 articles addressed bias (15%) and explainability (20%). Conclusions: The results of this study highlight areas for improvement but also strengths that stakeholders can consider when promoting the shift towards integrating practical AI/ML solutions in neuroradiology.

Background: The diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastatic disease has major prognostic implications. We report 13 patients with a radiologically distinct, focal, enhancing leptomeningeal lesion on brain MRI mimicking leptomeningeal metastatic disease. Methods: These patients were assessed at University Health Network between January 2001 and December 2023. Results: Median age was 68 years and 10 patients were women. All patients had brain MRI including contrast-enhanced T2-weighted FLAIR and T1-weighted spin echo sequences. MRI in all patients showed a focal enhancing lesion along the leptomeningeal surface of the brain. The MRI exams were reported as possible metastatic disease for the majority (9/13) of patients. Each lesion was curvilinear rather than sheet-like, and some consisted of multiple connected/branching curvilinear structures with the appearance of abnormal vessels. Some lesions had visible connection with a nearby cortical vein. The lesions were distinct from normal blood vessels. Follow-up contrast-enhanced brain MRI for 8/13 patients at a median of 3.9 years showed all lesions were unchanged over time. Conclusions: We describe a distinct kind of focal, enhancing leptomeningeal lesion on brain MRI that mimics metastatic disease. These lesions are likely a type of low-flow vascular anomaly. Their curvilinear/branching shape and intense enhancement particularly on T2-weighted FLAIR images distinguishes these lesions from tumor.

Over the past decade, transdiagnostic indicators in relation to neurobiological processes have provided extensive insight into youth’s risk for psychopathology. During development, exposure to childhood trauma and dysregulation (i.e., so-called AAA symptomology: anxiety, aggression, and attention problems) puts individuals at a disproportionate risk for developing psychopathology and altered network-level neural functioning. Evidence for the latter has emerged from resting-state fMRI studies linking mental health symptoms and aberrations in functional networks (e.g., cognitive control (CCN), default mode networks (DMN)) in youth, although few of these investigations have used longitudinal designs. Herein, we leveraged a three-year longitudinal study to identify whether traumatic exposures and concomitant dysregulation trigger changes in the developmental trajectories of resting-state functional networks involved in cognitive control (N = 190; 91 females; time 1 Mage = 11.81). Findings from latent growth curve analyses revealed that greater trauma exposure predicted increasing connectivity between the CCN and DMN across time. Greater levels of dysregulation predicted reductions in within-network connectivity in the CCN. These findings presented in typically developing youth corroborate connectivity patterns reported in clinical populations, suggesting there is predictive utility in using transdiagnostic indicators to forecast alterations in resting-state networks implicated in psychopathology.

Background: Ruptured Intracranial Infected Aneurysms (IIAs) are relatively rare, but they portend high mortality. To our knowledge, there are no Canadian case-series on IIA, as well there is a relative paucity of international published experiences. Our purpose is to share the experience of a single Canadian tertiary centre in managing ruptured IIA and to conduct a systematic review. Methods: We did a retrospective case review series of adult patients with ruptured IIA treated at our institution. Secondly, we conducted a systematic review of literature on ruptured IIA between 2011-2021 inclusive. Results: At our institution, of a total 8 cases with ruptured IIA, 4 were treated endovascularly and 2 by surgical bypass. For the systematic review, we included 9 non-comparative studies with a total of 509 patients (318 males) and at least 437 ruptured IIA aneurysms. Favourable outcome was specified for 63.3% of patients (n=57). Regarding ruptured IIA, favourable clinical outcome was described in 59.3% (n=16). Conclusions: This study highlights a single Canadian tertiary centre experience in the management of IIA and compares it to the global trends of the last 10 years in a systematic review.

This analysis examines aggregate structural changes in the United States dairy industry, 1987–2017. We estimate the likelihood of operation changes in herd size, entry, or exits for each of the lower 48 states using a semiparametric Markov process model. Small- and medium-sized dairy longevity correlates with higher dairy margins and productivity improvements. An increase in consumer expenditures on dairy products is associated with smaller operation exits. Industry dynamics exhibit a persistent trend toward consolidation in most states. The exit probability for each state and all size classes has increased significantly for most states since 2002.

Historical analyses based on US data indicate that recent cohorts engage in lower binge drinking at age 18 relative to past cohorts, but by the mid- to late-20s the reverse is true: recent cohorts engage in higher binge drinking relative to past cohorts. We pinpoint when – both developmentally and historically – this reversal manifested, examine possible reasons for this reversal, and examine sex convergence in these developmental and historical patterns. As part of the US national Monitoring the Future Study, over 75,000 youths from the high school classes of 1976–2006 were surveyed biennially between ages 18 and 30. We found that the reversal primarily manifested between ages 18 and 24 for men and 18 and 22 for women. We also found that the reversal emerged gradually across the last three decades, suggesting it is the result of a broad and durable historical shift. Our findings indicated that historical variation in social roles and minimum legal drinking age collectively accounted for only a modest amount of the reversal, although marriage was the most influential among the factors examined here. Finally, we found evidence that sex convergence in binge drinking was developmentally limited and far more pronounced at the beginning of the transition to adulthood.

Background: Ruptured Intracranial Infected Aneurysms (IIAs) are a relatively rare phenomenon, but they portend high mortality. To our knowledge, there are no Canadian studies on IIA with paucity of data on experiences as well. Our purpose is to share experience of a single Canadian tertiary centre in managing ruptured IIA and to conduct a systematic review. Methods: Retrospective case series review of adult patients with ruptured IIA treated at our institution. Secondly, we conducted a systematic review of literature on ruptured IIA between 2011-2021 inclusive. Results: At our institution, with a total 8 cases with ruptured IIA, 4 patients were treated endovascularly and 2 by surgical bypass. For the systematic review, we included 12 non-comparative studies with a total of 547 patients with IIA. Median percentage of ruptured IIA was at least 65.2%, cases that required intervention was 23.7% for surgical cases, and 50% for endovascular cases. The overall median percentage of complications was 5.3%. Conclusions: This study highlights a single Canadian tertiary centre experience in the management of IIA and compares it to the global trends of the last 10 years in a systematic review.

There are two major forms of long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission in the central nervous system, which require activation of either N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) or metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). In synapses in the perirhinal cortex we have directly compared the Ca2+ signalling mechanisms involved in NMDAR-LTD and mGluR-LTD. Whilst both forms of LTD involve Ca2+ release from intracellular stores the Ca2+ sensors involved are different; NMDAR-LTD involves calmodulin, whilst mGluR-LTD involves the neuronal Ca2+ sensor (NCS) protein NCS-1. In addition, there is a specific requirement for IP3 and PKC as well as protein interacting with C-kinase (PICK-1) in mGluR-LTD. NCS-1 binds directly to PICK1, via its BAR domain, in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Furthermore, the NCS-1-PICK1 association is stimulated by activation of mGluRs, but not NMDARs, and introduction of a PICK1 BAR domain fusion protein specifically blocks mGluR-LTD. Thus, NCS-1 is a component of a novel mechanism involved in mGluR-LTD.

Haemonchus contortus is a haematophagous gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) that causes severe anaemia and even death in small ruminants, negatively impacting the economic viability of farms. Traditionally, this parasite has been controlled with chemical compounds; however, inadequate use of these types of products has favoured the emergence of anthelmintic resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to search for alternatives for GIN control. Previous studies have reported the anthelmintic activity of edible mushroom extracts against H. contortus. A recent study reported that a fraction constituted of different fatty acids and β-sitosterol isolated from the basidiomata of the edible mushroom Pleurotus djamor ECS-123 has ovicidal and larvicidal activity against H. contortus. Thus, this study aimed to assess the anthelmintic activity of the pure molecules: pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, β-sitosterol, stearic acid and linoleic acid. For this purpose, an egg-hatching inhibition test was carried out in which the compounds were evaluated individually and in combination at a final concentration of 20 mg mL−1. Furthermore, larval mortality was assessed using a combination of the five commercial compounds previously mentioned at different concentrations (1.25–20 mg mL−1). Palmitic acid and stearic acid, in some combinations, inhibited H. contortus egg hatching by 100%. On the other hand, in the larval mortality test, the combination of the five compounds showed dose-dependent behaviour, and 100% mortality was obtained 24 h post-incubation. Pure molecules and their combinations have anthelmintic-like activity against the eggs and larvae of H. contortus.

In a tertiary-care hospital and affiliated long-term care facility, a stewardship intervention focused on patients with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) was associated with a significant reduction in unnecessary non-CDI antibiotic therapy. However, there was no significant reduction in total non-CDI therapy or in the frequency of CDI recurrence.

Agents that block the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) improve glucoregulation in the metabolic syndrome disorder. We evaluated the effects of egg white hydrolysate (EWH), previously shown to modulate the protein abundance of RAS component in vivo, on glucose homeostasis in diet-induced insulin-resistant rats. Sprague–Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks to induce insulin resistance. They were then randomly divided into four groups receiving HFD or HFD supplemented with different concentrations of EWH (1, 2 and 4 %) for another 6 weeks in the first trial. In the second trial, insulin-resistant rats were divided into two groups receiving only HFD or HFD+4 % EWH for 6 weeks. Glucose homeostasis was assessed by oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests. Insulin signalling and protein abundance of RAS components, gluconeogenesis enzymes and PPARγ were evaluated in muscle, fat and liver. Adipocyte morphology and inflammatory markers were evaluated. In vivo administration of EWH increased insulin sensitivity, improved oral glucose tolerance (P < 0·0001) and reduced systemic inflammation (P < 0·05). EWH potentiated insulin-induced Akt phosphorylation in muscle (P = 0·0341) and adipose tissue (P = 0·0276), but minimal differences in the protein abundance of tissue RAS components between the EWH and control groups were observed. EWH treatment also reduced adipocyte size (P = 0·0383) and increased PPARγ2 protein abundance (P = 0·0237). EWH treatment yielded positive effects on the inflammatory profile, glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and adipocyte differentiation in HFD-induced insulin resistance rats. The involvement of local RAS activity requires further investigation.