bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of soil‐structural interface behavior using three‐dimensional DEM simulations
Authors: Jing Xue‐Ying , Zhou Wan‐Huan , Zhu Hua‐Xiang , Yin Zhen‐Yu , Li Yangmin
Published: September 2017

The shear behavior at the interface between the soil and a structure is investigated at the macroscale and particle‐scale levels using a 3‐dimensional discrete element method (DEM). The macroscopic mechanical properties and microscopic quantities affected by the normalized interface roughness and the loading parameters are analyzed. The macro‐response shows that the shear strength of the interface increases as the normalized roughness of the interface increases, and stress softening and dilatancy of the soil material are observed in the tests that feature rough interfaces. The particle‐scale analysis illustrates that a localized band characterized by intense shear deformation emerges from the contact plane and gradually expands as shearing progresses before stabilizing at the residual stress state. The thickness of the localized band is affected by the normalized roughness of the interface and the normal stress, which ranges between 4 and 5 times that of the median grain diameter. A thicker localized band is formed when the soil has a rough shearing interface. After the localized band appears, the granular material structuralizes into 2 regions: the interface zone and the upper zone. The mechanical behavior in the interface zone is representative of the interface according to the local average stress analysis. Certain microscopic quantities in the interface zone are analyzed, including the coordination number and the material fabric. Shear at the interface creates an anisotropic material fabric and leads to the rotation of the major principal stress.
Virtual function placement for service chaining with partial orders and anti‐affinity rules
Authors: Allybokus Zaid , Perrot Nancy , Leguay Jérémie , Maggi Lorenzo , Gourdin Eric
Published: September 2017

Software‐Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization are two paradigms that offer flexible software‐based network management. Service providers are instantiating Virtualized Network Functions, for example, firewalls, DPIs, gateways—to highly facilitate the deployment and reconfiguration of network services with reduced time‐to‐value. They use Service Function Chaining technologies to dynamically reconfigure network paths traversing physical and virtual network functions. Providing a cost‐efficient virtual function deployment over the network for a set of service chains is a key technical challenge for service providers, and this problem has recently caught much attention from both Industry and Academia. In this article, we propose a formulation of this problem as an Integer Linear Program that allows one to find the best feasible paths and virtual function placement for a set of services with respect to a total financial cost, while taking into account the (total or partial) order constraints for Service Function Chains of each service and other constraints such as end‐to‐end latency, anti‐affinity rules between network functions on the same physical node and resource limitations in terms of network and processing capacities. Furthermore, we propose a heuristic algorithm based on a linear relaxation of the problem that performs close to optimum for large scale instances. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 71(2), 97–106 2018
Methionine and vitamin B‐complex ameliorate antitubercular drugs‐induced toxicity in exposed patients
Authors: Amagon Kennedy I. , Awodele Olufunsho , Akindele Abidemi J.
Published: September 2017

Tuberculosis therapy utilizes drugs that while effective cause treatment‐related toxicity. Modulation of antitubercular drugs‐induced toxicity by methionine and vitamin B‐complex in patients was evaluated. 285 treatment‐naïve tuberculosis patients at the Chest Clinics of Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba and General Hospital, Lagos in Lagos, Nigeria was prospectively recruited and allotted into test (antitubercular medicines, methionine and vitamin B‐complex) and control groups (antitubercular medicines). Data on adverse drug reactions and blood samples were collected at initiation, 2 months and 6 months, and then analyzed. Red blood cells and packed cell volume were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the test group compared to control at 6 months of therapy. At the end of 2 months, results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, urea, creatinine and total bilirubin in the test group compared to control. Reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase were significantly increased (P < 0.001) and malondialdehyde significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in the test versus control groups at the end of 2 and 6 months. Adverse drug reactions were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in the test group (32.4%) compared to control group (56.2%), with 1 death. Hepatotoxicity was significantly higher (P = 0.026) in control (6.9%), compared to test group (0%). Alcohol and cigarette smoking were significantly (P = 0.019 andP = 0.027) associated with the occurrence of adverse drug reactions. Methionine and vitamin B‐complex modulated hepatic, renal, hematological, antioxidant indices and adverse effects in patients administered antitubercular medicines. Such interventions can enhance compliance and better treatment outcomes in tuberculosis patients.
Major process accidents: Their characteristics, assessment, and management of the associated risks
Authors: Yang Ming
Published: September 2017

Major process accidents continue to occur with the advancement of modern process systems. Major process accidents should not be viewed as Black Swan and can be predicted and prevented. This article investigates the characteristics of process accidents. Based on which, a method for the diagnosis and classification of accidents is proposed. The proposed tool is applied to the Bhopal accident and the swine flu event. The case studies verify the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed tool. To tackle major process accidents, conventional risk assessment, and management approaches are inapplicable without adaption. Enormous research work is needed to develop new generation of methods and tools that enable safer process systems and operations. Knowledge and technological gaps are identified in this perspective. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 37: 268–275, 2018
Alternating landmark navigation of multiple AUVs for wide seafloor survey: Field experiment and performance verification
Authors: Matsuda Takumi , Maki Toshihiro , Sato Yoshiki , Sakamaki Takashi , Ura Tamaki
Published: September 2017

This paper reports the results of the sea experiments and the performance verification of a navigation method for wide area surveys of the seafloor using multiple autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). In the method, AUVs alternately land on the seafloor to act as landmarks for each other, and all AUVs can observe a wide area with accurate positioning relative to the landmark AUV. For self‐localization, AUVs are typically supported by long base line (LBL) or super short base line (SSBL) of the support system. Thanks to the proposed method, AUVs can perform near‐seafloor surveys requiring real‐time and accurate positioning, such as seafloor imaging and sampling, without these support systems. The method was implemented on two AUVs: “Tri‐Dog 1” and “Tri‐TON.” The performance of the method was verified using these AUVs through sea experiments and postprocessing simulation using experimental data. In addition, it was also verified that the performance of the method is comparable to high‐grade conventional navigation methods, such as LBL or SSBL, through simulations of long distance navigation.
R‐ADVANCE: Rapid Adaptive Prediction for Vision‐based Autonomous Navigation, Control, and Evasion
Authors: Escobar‐Alvarez Hector D. , Johnson Neil , Hebble Tom , Klingebiel Karl , Quintero Steven A. P. , Regenstein Jacob , Browning N. Andrew
Published: September 2017

In this article, we present a monocular visual reactive navigation system capable of navigating at high speeds, without GPS, in unknown complex cluttered environments. The system, called R‐ADVANCE (Rapid Adaptive Prediction for Vision‐based Autonomous Navigation, Control, and Evasion), consists of a set of biologically inspired visual perception and reactive control algorithms that provide low‐computation reactive obstacle avoidance while navigating at high speeds in search of a goal object. These algorithms, along with basic planning, and augmented with low‐precision visual odometry, were implemented on a micro unmanned aerial vehicle and tested in a number of challenging environments. While each of the individual algorithmic and hardware elements has been previously studied in limited environments, this work is the first time that these novel components have been integrated and flight‐tested. To achieve fast flight, an NVIDIA Tegra TK1 was used as the main processor, allowing us to parallelize the system to process 1280 × 720 video streams at 40 fps, reaching flight speeds up to 19 m/s (≈68 km/h) or 42 mph.
Palladium Nanoparticles Decorated Graphene Oxide: Active and Reusable Nanocatalyst for the Catalytic Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium(VI)
Authors: Celebi Metin , Karakas Kadir , Ertas Ilknur Efecan , Kaya Murat , Zahmakiran Mehmet
Published: September 2017

Today, the catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) stands one of the most important challenges in the environmental chemistry and catalysis due to highly stable, contaminant and toxic nature of Cr(VI). In this study, we show that a new nanocatalyst system comprised of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) stabilized palladium(0) nanoparticles grafted onto the surface of graphene oxide (Pd/GO) efficiently works in the catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) under mild reaction conditions. Pd/GO nanocatalyst was reproducibly prepared through two‐steps procedure: (i) H2 reduction of Pd(dba)2 (dba=dibenzylideneacetone) in the presence of APTS in THF to synthesize colloidal APTS stabilized palladium(0) nanoparticles and then (ii) the deposition of 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane stabilized palladium(0) nanoparticles onto the surface of graphene oxide (GO) by impregnation. The characterization of Pd/GO was carried out by advanced analytical techniques. The summation of the results acquired from these analyses reveals that the formation of well‐dispersed and highly crystalline palladium(0) nanoparticles on the surface of GO. The catalytic performance of the resulting Pd/GO in terms of activity and stability was assessed in the catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in aqueous solution in the presence of formic acid (HCOOH) as a reducing agent. We found that Pd/GO nanocatalyst exhibits high activity (TOF=3.6 mol Cr2O72−/mol Pd×min) and reusability (> 90% at 5th reuse) in this catalytic transformation at room temperature.
Bioinspired Copper Coordination Polymer Catalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Mishra Rupali , Patil Bhushan , Karadaş Ferdi , Yılmaz Eda
Published: September 2017

Non–noble metal catalysts have recently emerged as promising alternatives to the expensive platinum catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). In this study, a new domain of materials, copper based coordination polymers, has been investigated as promising catalysts for ORR. The study was inspired by copper incorporating biomolecules, which efficiently catalyse the oxygen reduction reaction in nature. Two coordination polymers, [Cu2(μ−AcO)4Po)]n (shortened as[Cu–A]) and [Cu2(μ−BzO)4Po)]n (shortened as[Cu–B]), incorporating one–dimensional chains of Cu(II) paddle wheel units bridged with phosphineoxide ligands were combined with multi−walled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs) to prepare hybrid electrocatalysts for ORR. The electrochemical analysis demonstrates that [Cu–A] catalyses ORR with 3.24 numbers of electrons with Tafel slopes of 122/83 mV dec−1 while it is 2.37 numbers of electrons with Tafel slopes of 131/84 mV dec−1 for [Cu–B]. Rotating disk electrode measurements and evaluation of Tafel slopes reveal that acetate moieties attached to Cu site shift the onset potential of ORR anodically (ca. 40 mV) compared to the one with benzoate bridging groups. The effect of bridging ligands to the stability and activity of catalysts in alkaline media was also evaluated. This study opens a new perspective for the development of non–platinum ORR catalysts.
Cobalt Complexes Catalyze Reduction of Nitro Compounds: Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Kumar Sushil , Gupta Rajeev
Published: September 2017

Mononuclear Co2+/3+ complexes of 13‐membered amide‐based macrocycles have been synthesized, characterized and utilized in the chemo‐selective reduction of assorted nitro compounds including aromatic, heterocyclic and aliphatic ones. Catalytic results illustrate that Co3+ complexes are better catalysts than the analogous Co2+ complexes while mechanistic investigations display the generation of an [(L)Co2+(μ‐NH2NH2)Co2+(L)] intermediate during the catalysis.
Highly Luminescent 4′‐(4‐ethynylphenyl)‐2,2’:6’,2’’‐Terpyridine Derivatives as Materials for Potential Applications in Organic Light Emitting Diodes
Authors: Zych Dawid , Slodek Aneta , Matussek Marek , Filapek Michał , Szafraniec‐Gorol Grażyna , Krompiec Stanisław , Kotowicz Sonia , Siwy Mariola , Schab‐Balcerzak Ewa , Bednarczyk Katarzyna , Libera Marcin , Smolarek Karolina , Maćkowski Sebastian , Danikiewicz Witold
Published: September 2017

Four novel derivatives of 4’‐(4‐ethynylphenyl)‐2,2’:6’,2’’‐terpyridine with 7‐(N,N‐diphenylamino)‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene, 7‐(9H‐carbazo‐9‐yl)‐9,9‐dioctylfluorene, 9‐octyl‐9H‐carbazole, 6‐(9H‐carbazo‐9‐yl)‐9‐octylcarbazole substituents were obtained via Sonogashira cross‐coupling reaction and thoroughly characterized. DSC measurements demonstrated that prepared terpyridine derivatives are molecular glasses, which exhibited high thermal stability based on TGA analysis. Since they showed high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields approaching 80% in solution, the electroluminescence ability of the compounds was tested in diodes in a guest‐host configuration. Upon dispersing in a matrix consisting of poly(9‐vinylcarbazole) (PVK) (50 wt %) and (2‐tert‐butylphenyl‐5‐biphenyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole) (PBD) (50 wt %), PL radiation with quantum yields in the range of 22–58% with maximum of emission band from 369 to 459 nm was observed, and the devices showed green or red electroluminescence. The results of the underline substantial role of the functional groups and the linker in the presented terpyridines in terms of their thermal, electrochemical, optical and electroluminescence properties. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent‐density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations were performed to provide a deeper understanding of the experimental results.
A Non‐Perilous Coumarin‐Based Ratiometric Probe for ′In Vitro′ Detection of Cu through Cell Imaging Technique
Authors: Kumari Chanda , Sain Dibyendu , Kumar Ashish , Nayek Hari Pada , Debnath Sushanta , Saha Partha , Dey Swapan
Published: September 2017

A novel coumarin based fluorescent turn on probe (R1) was designed and synthesized for ‘on the spot’ detection of biologically important Cu2+. The actual three dimensional geometry of the probe was confirmed by single crystal X‐ray analysis. R1 showed high sensitivity and selectivity towards Cu2+ without any intervention of other metal ions. Rapid naked eye detection of Cu2+ through colour change increased the superiority of the probe for practical use. Absorption and emission spectra proved the ratiometric detection ability of the probe towards Cu2+. Long wavelength visual fluorescence emission of the complex was utilized for intracellular detection of Cu2+ in living cells.
Nitrogen‐Doped Defective Graphene Aerogel as Anode for all Graphene‐Based Lithium Ion Capacitor
Authors: Wang Xin , Wang Zhenkun , Zhang Xin , Peng Huifen , Xin Guoqing , Lu Chengxing , Zhong Yuxiang , Wang Gongkai , Zhang Yongguang
Published: September 2017

Nitrogen‐doped defective graphene aerogel (N‐DGA) was prepared by a hydrothermal method incorporated with mild pore‐forming and post doping processes. The microstructure and electrochemical behavior were evaluated. The N‐DGA with relatively high‐level nitrogen content maintains a three‐dimensional (3D) interconnected structure, in which wrinkled graphene presents obvious in‐plane pores. The specific capacities of 1387 and 143 mAh g−1 could be achieved at current densities of 50 and 1000 mA g−1, respectively. The greatly improved electrochemical performance as the anode in contrast to that of the graphene aerogel (GA) without any structural modifications can be ascribed to the 3D microstructure, heteroatom doping and defect sites. These features endow the entire electrode with highly accessible surface area, improved conductivity, efficient ion transport and electrochemically active surface, which are beneficial to reversible lithium ion storage, rate capability as well as stability. The LICs full cell by using the N‐DGA anode and defective graphene aerogel/activated carbon (DGA/AC) cathode was assembled and the corresponding performance was also evaluated. The maximum energy and power densities of 39 Wh kg−1 and 1.2 kW kg−1 could be delivered. The descent performance shows a promising perspective of all graphene based LICs with high energy/power densities.
Two Cobalt(III) Schiff Base Complexes of the Type [Co(ABC)(DE)X]: Facile Synthesis, Characterization, Catechol Oxidase and Phenoxazinone Synthase Mimicking Activity
Authors: Ghosh Kousik , Harms Klaus , Chattopadhyay Shouvik
Published: September 2017

Two new mononuclear cobalt(III) Schiff base complexes with azide or thiocyanate [Co(L1)(L′)(N3)] (1) and [Co(L2)(L“)(NCS)] (2) {where HL1=2((2(piperidin‐1‐yl)ethylimino)methyl)‐6‐ethoxyphenol, HL2=2‐((3(dimethylamino)propylimino)methyl)‐6‐methoxyphenol, HL′=1‐acetyl‐2‐naphthol and HL”=2,4‐pentanedione} have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Both complexes may be represented by a general formula: [Co(ABC)(DE)X], where ABC, DE and X represent tridentate, bidentate and monodentate ligands respectively. Both complexes are reactive towards the aerial oxidation of 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol (3,5‐DTBC) and o‐aminophenol (OAPH), and kinetics of the reactions are monitored spectrophotometrically. Analyses of the kinetic data reveal that complex 2 is better catalyst than complex 1 for both oxidation reactions. Tentative mechanistic implications of the catalytic oxidation reactions are also discussed. Mechanistic investigations of the catalytic behaviors indicate that the oxidation reactions proceed through catalyst‐substrate intermediates.
Bacterial Detection and Differentiation via Direct Volatile Organic Compound Sensing with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: DeJong Caitlin S. , Wang David I. , Polyakov Aleksandr , Rogacs Anita , Simske Steven J. , Shkolnikov Viktor
Published: September 2017

Current methods for detecting bacterial infections, such as culture and morphological analysis of bacterial colonies, are time and labor intensive. Through the direct detection of bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs), via surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), we report here a reconfigurable assay for the identification and monitoring of bacteria. We demonstrate differentiation between highly clinically relevant organisms: Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, and Serratia marcescens. This is the first differentiation of bacteria via SERS of bacterial VOC signatures. The assay also detected as few as 10 CFU/ml of E. coli in under 12 hrs, and detected E. coli from whole human blood and human urine in 16 hrs at clinically relevant concentrations of 103 CFU/ml and 104 CFU/ml, respectively. In addition, the recent emergence of portable Raman spectrometers uniquely allows SERS to bring VOC detection to point‐of‐care settings for diagnosing bacterial infections.
A New Series of Heteroleptic Cd(II) Diimine‐Ferrocenyl Dithiocarbamate Complexes which Successfully Co‐Sensitizes TiO2 Photoanode with Ru N719 Dye in DSSC
Authors: Manar Krishna K. , Neetu  , Anamika  , Srivastava Pankaj , Drew Michael G. B. , Singh Nanhai
Published: September 2017

New heteroleptic complexes of the form [Cd(diimine)(Fcdtc)2] (diimine= 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), Fcdtc=N‐ferrocenyl‐N‐pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl dithiocarbamate (KL1) Cd1; 2,2’‐bipyridyl (bpy), N‐ferrocenyl‐N‐pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl dithiocarbamate (KL2) Cd2; bpy, (KL1) Cd3 and phen, (KL2) Cd4) have been synthesised and characterized by elemental analyses, spectroscopy (IR, UV‐Vis., 1H and 13C {1H} NMR) and their structures have been revealed by X‐ray crystallography. These complexes have been explored as co‐sensitizers with N719 over TiO2 for application as dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC) photoanodes. The use of these complexes as co‐sensitizers resulted in extended UV‐Visible spectral response, greater dye loading, enhanced electron life time, reduced charge recombination and thermodynamically more facile charge transfer in the DSSC. Among all the co‐sensitized cells (Cd1/N719, Cd2/N719, Cd3/N719 and Cd4/N719), the Cd1‐based cell demonstrated not only the highest incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) 47% but the obtained current conversion efficiency 3.84%, was much higher than that of the N719 based cell (2.70%) under the same illumination condition.
Induced Piezoelectricity in Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Hybrid as Efficient Energy Harvester
Authors: Gaur Anupama , Kumar Chandan , Shukla Rahul , Maiti Pralay
Published: September 2017

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanohybrid with organically modified two‐dimensional nanoclay, prepared through solution route, has been fabricated as the energy harvester. The nanoclay induces piezoelectric phase in PVDF arising from epitaxial crystallization over the nanoclay layers. Further enhancement of piezoelectricity has been made by stretching the film at high temperature showing ∼80% β‐phase along with some γ‐phase in nanohybrid. Orientation of the nanofiller along the force field creates the nanohybrid tougher and suitable for device fabrication. Mapping of piezo‐domain has been constructed through piezo force microscopy indicating 100 nm dimension of the electroactive phase in stretched nanohybrid as opposed to almost zero size in pure PVDF. Structural alteration has also been confirmed through spectroscopic and thermal measurements. Morphology also supports the formation of β‐phase in presence of nanoparticle (spherulite to needle like morphology). The piezoelectric coefficient shows a significant increase after processing due to greater piezoelectric phase and the fabrication of unimorph has been made using high piezoelectric coefficient material showing higher peak to peak voltage generation of 2.5 V with much longer response time (6 ms) in stretched nanohybrid under an impulse load. Finally, the voltage and current output from the devices are measured under varying load and highest power density value of 25 μW/cm3 is obtained for stretched nanohybrid, more than sufficient to operate a miniature self‐powering device.
Early Versus Delayed Source Control in Open Abdomen Management for Severe Intra‐abdominal Infections: A Retrospective Analysis on 111 Cases
Authors: Rausei Stefano , Pappalardo Vincenzo , Ruspi Laura , Colella Antonio , Giudici Simone , Ardita Vincenzo , Frattini Francesco , Rovera Francesca , Boni Luigi , Dionigi Gianlorenzo
Published: September 2017

Background

Time to source control plays a determinant prognostic role in patients having severe intra‐abdominal infections (IAIs). Open abdomen (OA) management became an effective treatment option for peritonitis. Aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between time to source control and outcome in patients presenting with abdominal sepsis and treated by OA.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 111 patients affected by abdominal sepsis and treated with OA from May 2007 to May 2015. Patients were classified according to time interval from first patient evaluation to source control. The end points were intra‐hospital mortality and primary fascial closure rate.

Results

The in‐hospital mortality rate was 21.6% (24/111), and the primary fascial closure rate was 90.9% (101/111). A time to source control ≥6 h resulted significantly associated with a poor prognosis and a lower fascial closure rate (mortality 27.0 vs 9.0%, p = 0.04; primary fascial closure 86 vs 100%, p = 0.02). We observed a direct increase in mortality (and a reduction in closure rate) for each 6‐h delay in surgery to source control.

Conclusion

Early source control using OA management significantly improves outcome of patients with severe IAIs. This damage control approach well fits to the treatment of time‐related conditions, particularly in case of critically ill patients.
Multicenter phase II study of trastuzumab plus S-1 alone in elderly patients with HER2-positive advanced gastric cancer (JACCRO GC-06)
Authors: Kimura Yutaka , Fujii Masashi , Masuishi Toshiki , Nishikawa Kazuhiro , Kunisaki Chikara , Matsusaka Satoshi , Segawa Yoshihiko , Nakamura Masato , Sasaki Kinro , Nagao Narutoshi , Hatachi Yukimasa , Yuasa Yasuhiro , Asami Shinya , Takeuchi Masahiro , Furukawa Hiroshi , Nakajima Toshifusa ,   on behalf of the JACCRO GC-06 Study Group, Kawase Tomono , Kawabata Ryohei , Kimura Yutaka , Etou Tetsuya , Masuishi Toshiki , Makino Hirochika , Ono Hidetaka , Izumisawa Yusuke , Kunisaki Chikara , Nishikawa Kazuhiro , Kawada Junji , Matsusaka Satoshi , Shimada Ken , Sunakawa Yu , Segawa Yoshihiko , Nakamura Masato , Satomura Hitoshi , Sasaki Kinro , Nagao Narutoshi , Kunieda Katsuyuki , Tsuji Akihito , Satake Hironaga , Hatachi Yukimasa , Ishikura Hisashi , Yuasa Yasuhiro , Okitsu Hiroshi , Asami Shinya , Ito Takahiro , Moriichi Kentaro , Takahashi Masazumi , Takinishi Yasutaka , Sekikawa Takashi , Okumura Naoki , Ueyama Shigemitsu , Yamamura Noriyuki , Manaka Dai , Oouchi Sachiko , Ohashi Ryuichiro , Mannami Tomohiko , Tanabe Kazuaki , Shiraishi Takeshi
Published: September 2017

Background

S-1 plus cisplatin is a standard regimen for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) in Asia. The ToGA trial established a fluoropyrimidine plus cisplatin and trastuzumab as a standard treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive AGC. In the HERBIS-1 trial, trastuzumab combined with S-1 plus cisplatin showed promising antitumor activity in patients with HER2-positive AGC. However, cisplatin has several important drawbacks, including vomiting and renal toxicity. These disadvantages of cisplatin are prominent in elderly patients. Therefore, we conducted a prospective phase II study of trastuzumab plus S-1 without cisplatin in elderly patients with HER2-positive AGC.

Methods

Patients 65 years or older who had HER2-positive AGC received S-1 orally on days 1–28 of a 42-day cycle and trastuzumab intravenously on day 1 of a 21-day cycle.

Results

A total of 51 patients were enrolled. Two patients were ineligible. The full analysis set thus comprised 49 patients. The median age was 71 years (range 65–85). The confirmed response rate was 40.8% (95% CI 27.1–54.6%), and the null hypothesis was rejected. The median follow-up period was 10.6 months. Median overall survival was 15.8 months. Median progression-free survival was 5.1 months, and time to treatment failure was 4.0 months. Major grade 3 or 4 adverse events included neutropenia (12.0%), anemia (24.0%), diarrhea (10.0%), and anorexia (12.0%). There was one treatment-related death.

Conclusions

Trastuzumab in combination with S-1 alone demonstrated promising antitumor activity and manageable toxic effects as well as promising survival results in elderly patients with HER2-positive AGC.

Clinical trials registration

UMIN000007368.
A phase I study to assess the mass balance, excretion, and pharmacokinetics of [14C]-ixazomib, an oral proteasome inhibitor, in patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Gupta Neeraj , Zhang Steven , Pusalkar Sandeepraj , Plesescu Mihaela , Chowdhury Swapan , Hanley Michael J. , Wang Bingxia , Xia Cindy , Zhang Xiaoquan , Venkatakrishnan Karthik , Shepard Dale R.
Published: September 2017

This two-part, phase I study evaluated the mass balance, excretion, pharmacokinetics (PK), and safety of ixazomib in patients with advanced solid tumors. In Part A of the study, patients received a single 4.1 mg oral solution dose of [14C]-ixazomib containing ~500 nCi total radioactivity (TRA), followed by non-radiolabeled ixazomib (4 mg capsule) on days 14 and 21 of the 35-day PK cycle. Patients were confined to the clinic for the first 168 h post dose and returned for 24 h overnight clinic visits on days 14, 21, 28, and 35. Blood, urine, and fecal samples were collected during Part A to assess the mass balance (by accelerator mass spectrometry), excretion, and PK of ixazomib. During Part B of the study, patients received non-radiolabeled ixazomib (4 mg capsules) on days 1, 8, and 15 of 28-day cycles. After oral administration, ixazomib was rapidly absorbed with a median plasma Tmax of 0.5 h and represented 70% of total drug-related material in plasma. The mean total recovery of administered TRA was 83.9%; 62.1% in urine and 21.8% in feces. Only 3.23% of the administered dose was recovered in urine as unchanged drug up to 168 h post dose, suggesting that most of the TRA in urine was attributable to metabolites. All patients experienced a treatment-emergent adverse event, which most commonly involved the gastrointestinal system. These findings suggest that ixazomib is extensively metabolized, with urine representing the predominant route of excretion of drug-related material.

Trial ID: ClinicalTrials.gov # NCT01953783.
Aerial images can detect 3D small patch reefs that are potential habitats for anemonefish Amphiprion frenatus
Authors: Hattori Akihisa
Published: September 2017

Patchy habitats often enhance species coexistence and, consequently, abundance of each species. The present study examined two indicators of potential habitats for anemonefish Amphiprion frenatus: total area of dark‐colored patch reefs that are detectable on an aerial image with image analysis software, and total area of tall patch reefs (>1.5 m in height) that are detectable on stereoscopic aerial images with a stereoscope. Relationships between patch reef area and anemonefish abundance, as estimated by number of host anemone Entacmaea quadricolor, were investigated at Shiraho Reef, Ishigaki Island, Japan. Total number of anemones was not correlated with total area of tall patch reefs but was highly correlated with total area of dark‐colored patch reefs. Underwater observations confirmed that upper surface of tall patch reefs often involved bare substratum, whereas dark‐colored patch reefs did not include this substratum. Because reef area approximately reflected reef volume within shallow back reefs, total area of dark‐colored patch reefs that are detectable by aerial photography will reflect total volume of reef fish habitat. The present study suggests that aerial photography with a drone can provide a useful predictor of reef fish abundance.
Children of Migrants: The Cumulative Impact of Parental Migration on Children’s Education and Health Outcomes in China
Authors: Meng Xin , Yamauchi Chikako
Published: September 2017

Since the end of 1990s, approximately 160 million Chinese rural workers migrated to cities for work. Because of restrictions on migrant access to local health and education systems, many rural children are left behind in home villages to grow up without parental care. This article examines how exposure to cumulative parental migration affects children’s health and education outcomes. Using the Rural-Urban Migration Survey in China (RUMiC) data, we measure the share of children’s lifetime during which parents were away from home. We instrument this measure of parental absence with weather changes in their home villages when parents were aged 16–25, when they were most likely to initiate migration. Results show a sizable adverse effect of exposure to parental migration on the health and education outcomes of children: in particular, boys. We also find that the use of the contemporaneous measure for parental migration in previous studies is likely to underestimate the effect of exposure to parental migration on children’s outcomes.
Study of healthcare-associated infections in surgical unit in a newly established tertiary care hospital of Nanded, Maharashtra, India
Authors: Chavan Aashish R. , Kelkar Vidyasagar
Published: September 2017

Abstract

Background

Health care Associated Infections (HAI) has been responsible for the increasing cost, morbidity and mortality related to surgical Patients.

Aim & objective(s)

To Study bacteriological profile and its drug Sensitivity in a newly established hospital (after 1.5years) and to establish a data for future reference.

Materials & methods

Record based descriptive Study design conducted at Dr Shankarrao Chavan Government Medical College, Nanded, Maharshtra, India in month of July 2017. Total 2840 patients included in study admitted from October 2015 to March 2017 in surgical ward, Burn ward and Intensive care unit.

Results

The prevalence of HAI is 6.01%.The most frequent HAI were wound infections n = 44 (44.44%), urinary tract infections (UTI) n = 31 (31.31%), respiratory tract infections (RTI) 9%. Bacterial load was more in burn ward n = 51 (51.51%), SICU n = 36 (36.36%), General wards n = 15 (15.15%). The most common organism isolated was Pseudomonas sp n = 41 (41.41%) followed by E. coli n = 20 (20.20%), Klebsiella sp n = 11 (11.11%), Coagulase negative staphylococcus n = 8 (8%). Most species were resistant to Ciplofloxin, Gentamycin, Cefotaxim & cefazolin. Drugs Sensitivity of Enterobacteriaceae Sp is most commonly to Amikacin 28 (87.5),Cefoperazone + Sulbactum 11 (55),Piperacillin + Tazobactum 11 (65) Psudomonas spps more sensitive to Imipenam/Meropenam 38 (92%) becoming multidrug resistant to Piperacillin + Tazobactum, Cefoperazone + Sulbactum, Cefazolin.

Conclusion

The study underlined the role of Gram-negative bacteria in HAI. It also demonstrates the widespread problem of antibiotic resistance among nosocomial infections. Continued surveillance is necessary to guide appropriate empirical therapy for these infections.

Highlights
Pathological Fracture of the Proximal Tibia from an Intraosseous Gouty Tophus: A Rare Presentation of Gout
Authors: Dennis Chan Chi Chiu , Tim Chui King Him , Bong Lee Kin
Published: September 2017

Intraosseous gouty tophus as the cause of pathological fracture is a seldom encountered condition. Not only does the tophus lesion affect the bone, but recent literature has also demonstrated a correlation between bone health in relation to gout as a disease entity, and showed the importance of medical treatment to improve the bone quality in patients with gout. We present a rare case of a pathological fracture due to an intraosseous gouty tophus as the presentation of gout, which imposed a diagnostic challenge, and illustrates the importance of multidisciplinary management in such conditions.
Surgical Techniques of Using Direct Anterior Approach and Bridging Plate Fixation of Periprosthetic Fracture of an Arthrodesed Hip: A Case Report
Authors: Wong Hing-Cheong , Woo Siu-Bon
Published: September 2017

We present a case of a 65-year-old woman with traumatic periprosthetic fracture of left proximal femur with ipsilateral arthrodesed hip and cobra plate in-situ. It imposes challenges on achievement of stable fixation for fracture management and preservation of blood supply for fracture healing. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis through direct anterior approach was executed with intraoperative tem-plating. Anterior bridging plating using pre-bent reverse distal femoral locking compression plate (less invasive stabilisation system) was performed successfully. The patient had a fracture union in 10 months and returned to the previous mobility status. This technique can achieve stable fixation and preservation of blood supply for fracture healing through minimal invasive technique.
Approaches to Occupational Rehabilitation and Return to Work in Four Jurisdictions: A Cross-National Analysis From the Perspective of the ISSA Guidelines on Return to Work and Reintegration
Authors: McAnaney Donal , Wynne Richard
Published: September 2017

The guidelines published by the International Social Security Association,ISSA Guidelines: Return to Work and Reintegration, provide a policy imperative towards early intervention for people with nonoccupational health conditions at risk of exiting the workforce and moving to disability dependency. Socioeconomic and fiscal imperatives have been demonstrated by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's (OECD) review on sickness, disability and work (OECD, 2010), and by an accumulating evidence base for effectiveness. This study explored how social protection agencies are responding in terms of employment rehabilitation services for employed people with acquired disabilities. Specifically, this study reviewed job retention and return processes for workers with nonoccupational health conditions from the perspective of the ISSA guidelines in four jurisdictions with differing system frameworks. The methods used included a review of relevant literature and web resources and gathering detailed system descriptions from national respondents. Although the jurisdictions differed in the concepts used, service context, the structure of welfare systems and eligibility criteria, there was evidence of an acknowledgement of the needs of employed people with disabilities. This was not, however, consistently reflected in procedures, processes or outcome measurements. While some promising characteristics were identified, there was substantial room for improvement in the job retention and return to work strategies of the relevant agencies in all four jurisdictions. It was concluded that the deployment of theISSA Guidelines: Return to Work and Reintegration, published in 2013, had yet to make a substantial impact on services and approaches in the domain of nonoccupational health conditions in these jurisdictions.
Preschoolers’ vocabulary acquisition in Chile: the roles of socioeconomic status and quality of home environment
Authors: LOHNDORF Regina T. , VERMEER Harriet. J. , CÁRCAMO Rodrigo A. , MESMAN Judi
Published: September 2017

Preschoolers’ vocabulary acquisition sets the stage for later reading ability and school achievement. This study examined the role of socioeconomic status (SES) and the quality of the home environment of seventy-seven Chilean majority and Mapuche minority families from low and lower-middle-class backgrounds in explaining individual differences in vocabulary acquisition of their three-and-a-half-year-old children. Additionally, we investigated whether the relation between SES and receptive and expressive vocabulary was mediated by the quality of the home environment as the Family Investment Model suggests. The quality of the home environment significantly predicted receptive and expressive vocabulary above and beyond ethnicity, SES, parental caregiver status, and quantity of daycare. Furthermore, the quality of the home environment mediated the relation between SES and expressive and receptive vocabulary acquisition.
The Xinjiang Class: Multi-ethnic Encounters in an Eastern Coastal City
Authors: Yuan Zhenjie , Qian Junxi , Zhu Hong
Published: September 2017

The Xinjiang Class (Xinjiang neidi ban, orXinjiangban) has far-reaching implications for Beijing's governance of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. Existing literature has focused primarily on the Uyghur–Han dichotomy, with limited attention being paid to the actual multi-ethnic interactions that constitute the situated dynamics of policy implementation. Utilizing the notions of the space of prescription and the space of negotiation to develop an analytical framework, this paper argues that social relations in theXinjiangbanare ongoing constructions borne by everyday experiences of domination and negotiation, and that space is constitutive of this situated dynamic. Based on nearly four years of research at aXinjiangban, we make a case for the fluidity and incoherence of the implementation of theXinjiangbanpolicy. Those who implement it at the school level produce a space of prescription that deploys specific spatial–temporal arrangements to manage expressions of ethnic identity. Driven by the need to achieve upward mobility, minority students are open-minded about the Han- and patriotism-centred education. However, they use innovative and improvised tactics to create spaces of negotiation to re-assert their ethnicities. In theXinjiangban, minority students do comply with spaces of prescription, but they simultaneously keep their ethnic and religious practices alive.
THE PROPAGATION OF INDUSTRIAL BUSINESS CYCLES
Authors: Camacho Maximo , Leiva-Leon Danilo
Published: September 2017

This paper examines the evolution of the distribution of industry-specific business cycle linkages, which are modeled through a multivariate Markov-switching model and estimated by Gibbs sampling. Using nonparametric density estimation approaches, we find that the number and location of modes in the distribution of industrial dissimilarities change over the business cycle. There is a relatively stable trimodal pattern during expansionary and recessionary phases characterized by highly, moderately, and lowly synchronized industries. However, during phase changes, the density mass spreads from moderately synchronized industries to lowly synchronized industries. This agrees with a sequential transmission of the industrial business cycle dynamics.
The experience of informal caregivers of patients with motor neurone disease: A thematic synthesis
Authors: Holkham Lucy , Soundy Andy
Published: September 2017

Objective:

Research is required in order to illustrate and detail the experiences of informal caregivers of patients with motor neurone disease (pwMND) to further advance the research base and to inform the development of future support structures and services. Due to the heterogeneous nature of caregiving for pwMND, one way in which this can be achieved is through a qualitative review. A qualitative thematic analysis of existing qualitative studies has not, to the best of the authors' knowledge, been previously undertaken. Thus, the present synthesis aims to identify caregivers' experiences and to suggest factors that contribute to these experiences in order to fulfill the required research needs.

Method:

A thematic synthesis of qualitative literature was conducted. AMED, Medline, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, and PubMed were electronically searched from inception until September of 2015. Studies were eligible if they included qualitative literature reporting on firsthand experience of informal caregivers of patients with MND, were published in English, and contained verbatim quotations. Critical appraisal was undertaken using a 13-item consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) checklist.

Results:

A total of 10 studies met the inclusion criteria, with 148 (50 male) current or previous informal caregivers of pwMND identified. Critical appraisal demonstrated that study design and reflexivity were underreported. The synthesis derived three themes: (1) loss of control, (2) inability to choose, and (3) isolation.

Significance of results:

The synthesis highlighted the factors that contribute to both positive and negative caregiving experiences. Through these experiences, such suggestions for service provision as improving communication with healthcare professionals and having a single point of contact emerged. However, the outcome of such suggestions on the experience of caregivers is beyond the scope of our synthesis, so that further research is required.
Integrated Weed Management Strategies in Cover Crop–based, Organic Rotational No-Till Corn and Soybean in the Mid-Atlantic Region
Authors: Wallace John M. , Keene Clair L. , Curran William , Mirsky Steven , Ryan Matthew R. , VanGessel Mark J.
Published: September 2017

Cover crop–based, organic rotational no-till (CCORNT) corn and soybean systems have been developed in the mid-Atlantic region to build soil health, increase management flexibility, and reduce labor. In this system, a roller-crimped cover crop mulch provides within-season weed suppression in no-till corn and soybean. A cropping system experiment was conducted in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware to test the cumulative effects of a multitactic weed management approach in a 3-yr hairy vetch/triticale–corn–cereal rye–soybean–winter wheat CCORNT rotation. Treatments included delayed planting dates (early, intermediate, late) and supplemental weed control using high-residue (HR) cultivation in no-till corn and soybean phases. In the no-till corn phase, HR cultivation decreased weed biomass relative to the uncultivated control by 58%, 23%, and 62% in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, respectively. In the no-till soybean phase, HR cultivation decreased weed biomass relative to the uncultivated treatment planted in narrow rows (19 to 38 cm) by 20%, 41%, and 78% in Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, respectively. Common ragweed was more dominant in soybean (39% of total biomass) compared with corn (10% of total biomass), whereas giant foxtail and smooth pigweed were more dominant in corn, comprising 46% and 22% of total biomass, respectively. Common ragweed became less abundant as corn and soybean planting dates were delayed, whereas giant foxtail and smooth pigweed increased as a percentage of total biomass as planting dates were delayed. At the Pennsylvania location, inconsistent termination of cover crops with the roller-crimper resulted in volunteer cover crops in other phases of the rotation. Our results indicate that HR cultivation is necessary to achieve adequate weed control in CCORNT systems. Integration of winter grain or perennial forages into CCORNT systems will also be an important management tactic for truncating weed seedbank population increases.
Methane Leaks May Make Natural Gas Worse Than Coal for Climate
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: September 2017

Editor’s Note: The article about which this Research Spotlight was written has been retracted by the authors because of an error in wind measurements used to calculate methane emissions in the.
Treating Complicated Grief in a Teenager With Autism: Comment on
Authors: Dempsey Allison G. , Ha Carolyn
Published: September 2017

The objective of this commentary is to provide a case conceptualization framework for a challenging case involving an adolescent presenting with symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, exposure to trauma, and traumatic grief with lack of treatment response after approximately 9 months. Consideration of the multiple factors that contribute to adaptive and maladaptive responses to the loss highlights additional treatment approaches that may be helpful in challenging cases involving complex grief. Additionally, modifications to traditional cognitive–behavioral therapy-based approaches that encourage response to treatment in children with autism spectrum disorders are also discussed.
Pink1 interacts with α-synuclein and abrogates α-synuclein-induced neurotoxicity by activating autophagy
Authors: Liu Jia , Wang Xue , Lu Yongquan , Duan Chunli , Gao Ge , Lu Lingling , Yang Hui
Published: September 2017

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. α-synuclein (α-syn) and PTEN-induced putative kinase (PINK)1 are two critical proteins associated with the pathogenesis of PD. α-syn induces mitochondrial deficits and apoptosis, PINK1 was found to alleviate α-syn-induced toxicity, but the mechanistic details remain obscure. Here, we show that PINK1 interacts with α-syn mainly in the cytoplasm, where it initiates autophagy. This interaction was dependent on the kinase activity of PINK1 and was abolished by deletion of the kinase domain or a G309D point mutation, an inactivating mutation in the kinase domain. Interaction between PINK1 and α-syn stimulated the removal of excess α-syn, which prevented mitochondrial deficits and apoptosis. Our findings provide evidence for a novel mechanism underlying the protective effects of PINK1 against α-syn-induced neurodegeneration and highlight a novel therapeutic target for PD treatment.