bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The prevalence, immunogenicity, and evanescence of alloantibodies to MUT and Mur antigens of GP.Mur red blood cells in a Southeast Asian patient cohort
Authors: Nadarajan Veera Sekaran
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Antibodies to Mia, MUT, and Mur are among the most frequently identified alloantibodies in Southeast Asia. Understanding the characteristics of these antibodies in terms of induction and evanescence would aid in optimizing methods for their detection.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Antibody testing results between the years 2013 and 2015 with relevant patient demographic data and red blood cell (RBC) transfusion history were retrieved. Cumulative alloimmunization incidence and evanescence to MUT and Mur were estimated by Kaplan‐Meier analysis in relation to the number of RBC units transfused and time.

RESULTS

Of 70,543 selected patients, 6186 nonalloimmunized subjects with available antibody testing results posttransfusion were identified. Cumulative alloimmunization incidence for MUT increased from 0.12% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03‐0.21) to 0.63% (95% CI, 0.25‐1.01), while for Mur it increased from 0.04% (95% CI, 0‐0.09) to 0.42% (95% CI, 0.05‐0.79) when a patient was transfused 2 RBC units as compared to 12. Both antibodies had high evanescence rates and at 1 year, anti‐MUT and ‐Mur will be detected in only 45% (95% CI, 35%‐57%) and 27% (95% CI, 17%‐43%), respectively, of previously positive patients. MUT and Mur immunogenicity was estimated to be 1.7 and 1.2 times higher than E when their rate of evanescence was taken into account.

CONCLUSION

Antibodies to MUT and Mur develop following multiple RBC exposures. Immunogenicity of MUT/Mur and evanescence rates of the corresponding antibodies is higher compared to anti‐E. Appropriate selection of antibody screening cells is needed in view of the high prevalence, immunogenicity, and evanescence of the antibodies.
Transfusion‐transmitted hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection from an individual‐donation nucleic acid (ID‐NAT) non‐reactive donor
Authors: O'Flaherty N. , Ushiro‐Lumb I. , Pomeroy L. , Ijaz S. , Boland F. , De Gascun C. , Fitzgerald J. , O'Riordan J.
Published: February 2018

Lookback was initiated upon notification of an acute HBV infection in a repeat Irish donor, 108 days post‐donation. The donation screened non‐reactive by individual‐donation nucleic acid testing (ID‐NAT) using the Procleix Ultrio Elite multiplex assay and again when the archived sample was retested, but the discriminatory assay for HBV was reactive. The immunocompromised recipient of the implicated red cell component was tested 110 days post‐transfusion, revealing a HBV DNA viral load of 470 IU/ml. Genotype C2 sequences identical across two regions of the HBV genome were found in samples from the donor and recipient.
Role of CD36 in immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia in Asian populations
Authors: Xu X. , Santoso S.
Published: February 2018

It has been suggested that type I cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36)‐deficient individuals are at risk of developing anti‐CD36 isoantibodies (also known as anti‐Naka) after receiving platelet transfusions or during pregnancy. These antibodies are responsible for several immune thrombocytopenic disorders including fetal/neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT), post‐transfusion purpura and platelet‐transfusion refractoriness (PTR). In Asian populations, anti‐CD36 isoantibodies are more frequently found in PTR and FNAIT patients compared to alloantibodies against human platelet antigens. In this short review, we illustrate the relevance of CD36 by providing information on the frequency and molecular basis of CD36 deficiency, laboratory diagnostic tests of CD36 antigens/antibodies and treatment of immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia caused by anti‐CD36 antibodies.
Hepatitis E virus infection of slaughtered healthy pigs in Brazil
Authors: Amorim A. R. , Mendes G. S. , Pena G. P. A. , Santos N.
Published: February 2018

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging pathogen that can be transmitted through contaminated raw or undercooked meat derived from domestic pigs. HEV infections have been documented among pig herds, pig products and environmental samples raising concern about the spread of the virus. HEV genotypes 3 and 4 are considered zoonotic and have been linked to human cases. HEV was detected in 51 of 335 bile samples (15.2%) from healthy pigs in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Phylogenetic analysis of partial sequences from ORF1 and ORF2 regions yielded discordant results, assigning isolates to subtypes 3c and 3i, respectively, suggesting intragenotypic HEV recombination.
La alteridad en el debate ético contemporáneo
Authors: Novoa, S.J. Carlos
Published: February 2018

Nos hallamos en la continua construcción y evolución del consenso ético mínimo universal de trascendental importancia para la humanidad. Con el presente ensayo pretendo contribuir a la edificación de tal consenso, argumentando cómo la alteridad es un mínimo ético en el que convergen la filosofía y la teología. Para ello analizaré algunas escuelas ético-filosóficas actuales relevantes (todas es imposible), la ética teológica cristiana y los aportes que cada una de estas corrientes morales hace desde su diferencia a la alteridad
La noche oscura como misteriofanía. Una aproximación fenomenológica
Authors: González Suárez Lucero
Published: February 2018

Este artículo constituye una aproximación fenomenológica de la misteriofanía de noche oscura. La intención es presentar las imperfecciones de los principiantes, derivadas de la meditación, para luego mostrar la necesidad de que estos sean introducidos por Dios en la segunda fase del proceso místico, que abarca tanto la noche pasiva del sentido como la noche activa del espíritu, y los provechos que se desprenden de ello. La importancia de estas páginas radica en la exhibición de la identidad de la contemplación purgativa descrita por San Juan de la Cruz en “Subida del Monte Carmelo” y “noche oscura”.
Effects of Metal Foam Porosity, Pore Size, and Ligament Geometry on Fluid Flow
Authors: Morkos Beshoy , Dochibhatla Surya Venkata Sumanth , Summers Joshua D.
Published: February 2018

This paper explores the effects of porosity, pore size, and ligament geometry in metal foams on its fluid flow capability. The motivation to understand this phenomenon stems from exploring the use of metal foams for thermal energy dissipation applications where both thermal convection and fluid flow are desired. The goal of this research is to identify the optimum configuration of metal foam design parameters for maximum flow. To study the impacts of said parameters, an experimental study of air flow through open cell metal foams is performed. Seven foam blocks were used in this partial factorial study, representing varying materials, pore size, and porosity. Wind tunnel tests are performed to measure the velocity of air flowing through the foam as a function of the free stream air velocity. Multinomial logit regression was performed to analyze the effects of the design parameters on velocity loss through the foam. Results indicate that effect of porosity on velocity loss is significant while that of pore size is insignificant. However, one test result did not fit this trend and further investigation revealed that this was due to varying ligament geometry in outlier metal foam. The cross section shape of the ligaments varied from a convex triangular shape to a triangle shape with concave surfaces, increasing the amount of drag in the airflow through the sample.
Elevated Blood Viscosity and Microrecirculation Resulting From Coronary Stent Malapposition
Authors: Poon Eric K. W. , Thondapu Vikas , Hayat Umair , Barlis Peter , Yap Chooi Yin , Kuo Po-Hung , Wang Qisen , Ma Jiawei , Zhu Shuang J. , Moore Stephen , Ooi Andrew S. H.
Published: February 2018

One particular complexity of coronary artery is the natural tapering of the vessel with proximal segments having larger caliber and distal tapering as the vessel get smaller. The natural tapering of a coronary artery often leads to proximal incomplete stent apposition (ISA). ISA alters coronary hemodynamics and creates pathological path to develop complications such as in-stent restenosis, and more worryingly, stent thrombosis (ST). By employing state-of-the-art computer-aided design software, generic stent hoops were virtually deployed in an idealized tapered coronary artery with decreasing malapposition distance. Pulsatile blood flow simulations were carried out using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) on these computer-aided design models. CFD results reveal unprecedented details in both spatial and temporal development of microrecirculation environments throughout the cardiac cycle (CC). Arterial tapering also introduces secondary microrecirculation. These primary and secondary microrecirculations provoke significant fluctuations in arterial wall shear stress (WSS). There has been a direct correlation with changes in WSS and the development of atherosclerosis. Further, the presence of these microrecirculations influence strongly on the local levels of blood viscosity in the vicinity of the malapposed stent struts. The observation of secondary microrecirculations and changes in blood rheology is believed to complement the wall (-based) shear stress, perhaps providing additional physical explanations for tissue accumulation near ISA detected from high resolution optical coherence tomography (OCT).
Parallel Co-Simulation Method for Railway Vehicle-Track Dynamics
Authors: Wu Qing , Sun Yan , Spiryagin Maksym , Cole Colin
Published: February 2018

This paper introduces a new parallel co-simulation method to study vehicle-track dynamic interactions. The new method uses the transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) to enable co-simulation between a detailed in-house track dynamics simulation package and a commercial vehicle system dynamics simulation package. The exchanged information are wheel-rail contact forces and rail kinematics. Then, the message passing interface (MPI) technique is used to enable the model to process track dynamics simulations and vehicle dynamics simulations in parallel. The parallel co-simulation technique has multiple advantages: (1) access to the advantages of both in-house and commercial simulation packages; (2) new model parts can be easily added in as new parallel processes; and (3) saving of computing time. The original track model used in this paper was significantly improved in terms of computing speed. The improved model is now more than ten times faster than the original model. Two simulations were conducted to model a locomotive negotiating a section of track with and without unsupported sleepers. The results show that the vertical rail deflections, wheel-rail contact forces and vehicle suspension forces are evidently larger when unsupported sleepers are present. The simulations have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed parallel co-simulation method for vehicle-track dynamic interaction studies.
The Experimental Study on the Flooding Regularities of Various CO2 Flooding Modes Implemented on Ultralow Permeability Cores
Authors: Li Aifen , Ren Xiaoxia , Fu Shuaishi , Lv Jiao , Li Xuguang , Liu Yuelong , Lu Yulin
Published: February 2018

The application of water flooding is not successful for the development of low permeability reservoirs due to the fine pore sizes and the difficulty of water injection operation. CO2 can dissolve readily in crude oil and highly improve the mobility of crude oil, which makes CO2 flooding an effective way to the development of the ultralow-permeability reservoirs. The regularities of various CO2 displacement methods were studied via experiments implemented on cores from Chang 8 Formation of Honghe Oilfield. The results show that CO2 miscible displacement has the minimum displacement differential pressure and the maximum oil recovery; CO2-alternating-water miscible flooding has lower oil recovery, higher drive pressure, and relatively lower gas-oil ratio; water flooding has the minimum oil recovery and the maximum driving pressure. A large amount of oil still can be produced under a high gas-oil ratio condition through CO2 displacement method. This fact proves that the increase of gas-oil ratio is caused by the production of dissolved CO2 in oil rather than the free gas breakthrough. At the initial stage of CO2 injection, CO2 does not improve the oil recovery immediately. As the injection continues, the oil recovery can be improved rapidly. This phenomenon suggests that when CO2 displacement is performed at high water cut period, the water cut does not decrease immediately and will remain high for a period of time, then a rapid decline of water cut and increase of oil production can be observed.
What is a Prototype? What are the Roles of Prototypes in Companies?
Authors: Lauff Carlye A. , Kotys-Schwartz Daria , Rentschler Mark E.
Published: February 2018

Prototyping is an essential part of product development in companies, and yet it is one of the least explored areas of design practice. There are limited ethnographic studies conducted within companies, specifically around the topic of prototyping. This is an empirical and industrial-based study using inductive ethnographic observations to further our understanding of the various roles prototypes play in organizations. This research observed the entire product development cycle within three companies in the fields of consumer electronics (CE), footwear (FW), and medical devices (MD). Our guiding research questions are: What is a prototype? What are the roles of prototypes across these three companies? Through our analysis, we uncovered that prototypes are tools for enhanced communication, increased learning, and informed decision-making. Specifically, we further refine these categories to display the types of communication, learning, and decision-making that occur. These insights are significant because they validate many prior prototyping theories and claims, while also adding new perspectives through further exploiting each role. Finally, we provide newly modified definitions of a prototype and prototyping based on this empirical work, which we hope expands designers' mental models for the terms.
Analysis of Wind Turbine Wakes Through Time-Resolved and SCADA Data of an Onshore Wind Farm
Authors: Castellani Francesco , Sdringola Paolo , Astolfi Davide
Published: February 2018

An experimental study is conducted on wind turbine wakes and their effects on wind turbine performances and operation. The test case is a wind farm located on a moderately complex terrain, featuring four turbines with 2 MW of rated power each. Two interturbine distances characterize the layout: 4 and 7.5 rotor diameters. Therefore, it is possible to study different levels of wake recovery. The processed data are twofold: time-resolved series, whose frequency is in the order of the hertz, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data with 10 min of sampling time. The wake fluctuations are investigated adopting a “slow” point of view (SCADA), on a catalog of wake events spanned over a long period, and a “fast” point of view of selected time-resolved series of wake events. The power ratios between downstream and upstream wind turbines show that the time-resolved data are characterized by a wider range of fluctuations with respect to the SCADA. Moreover, spectral properties are assessed on the basis of time-resolved data. The combination of meandering wind and yaw control is observed to be associated with different spectral properties depending on the level of wake recovery.
First record of the genus Thaumatopelvis Mahunka, 1973 (Acari: Prostigmata: Scutacaridae) from Asia with description of a new species associated with ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Navabi Amin , Hajiqanbar Hamidreza , Mortazavi Abdolazim
Published: February 2018

The mite species Thaumatopelvis lorasiacus Navabi & Hajiqanbar sp. nov. (Acari: Heterostigmata: Scutacaridae) associated with ants of the genera Formica Linnaeus, 1758 and Pheidole Westwood, 1839 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) is described form Borujerd, Lorestan Province, western Iran. This finding presents the first evidence of the genus Thaumatopelvis Mahunka, 1973 from Asia and a new association between ants of the genera Formica and Pheidole with mites of this genus. A key to world species of the Thaumatopelvis is also provided.
Oribatid mites (Acari, Oribatida) from Tam Dao National Park (Northern Vietnam), with description of two new species
Authors: Ermilov Sergey G. , Stary Josef
Published: February 2018

The present study is based on oribatid mite material (Acari, Oribatida) collected from Tam Dao National Park (Northern Vietnam) in 1988. A list of identified taxa, including 119 species from 80 genera and 47 families, is presented; of these, 13 species (Epilohmannoides rabori, Camisia spinifer, Sadocepheus undulatus, Eremobelba flexuosa, Hammerella excisa, Suctobelbella inenodabilis, Dolicheremaeus auritus, Eupelops acromios, Protoribates genitalis, Allogalumna machadoi, Carinogalumna philippinensis, Pergalumna magnipora capillaris, Galumnella nipponica) and five genera (Epilohmannoides, Camisia, Sadocepheus, Brassiella, Carinogalumna) are recorded in the Vietnamese fauna for the first time, and two species (Tokunocepheus mizusawai, Flagellozetes (Cosmogalumna) ornatus), one genus (Tokunocepheus) and one family (Tokunocepheidae) are recorded in the Oriental region for the first time. Two new species are described: Ramusella paraarcuata sp. nov. differs from Ramusella arcuata Mahunka & Mahunka-Papp, 2012 by the larger body size, lamellar setae similar in length and thickness to interlamellar setae, the presence of two or three branches on bothridial setae, and the absence of notogastral setae c. Neoribates paragracilis sp. nov. differs from Neoribates gracilis Travé, 1972 by the larger body size, and the presence of long apex (not shorter than head) on bothridial setae.
Morphological ontogeny of Chamobates pusillus (Acari, Oribatida, Chamobatidae), with comments on some species of Chamobates Hull
Authors: Seniczak Anna , Seniczak Stanisław , Kaczmarek Sławomir , Bolger Thomas
Published: February 2018

The morphological ontogeny of Chamobates pusillus (Berlese, 1895) is described and illustrated. The larva of this species is unpigmented and without a gastronotal shield, whereas the shield is present in the nymphs and has 10 pairs of setae (d-, l-, h-series and p1), while setae p2, p3 and of c-series are inserted on unsclerotized cuticle. In the juveniles, the length of most prodorsal setae and gastronotal seta c3 increases during the ontogeny, whereas the length of most other gastronotal setae varies with stage. In the larva, these setae are of medium size, whereas in the protonymph and deutonymph the length of setae gradually decreases and remains short in the tritonymph. In the adult, most prodorsal setae remain long, but the notogastral setae are either lost (c1, c3 and d-series) or remain as alveoli (l- and h-series) or minute (c2 and p-series) setae.
Irreversible inhibition of cytosolic thioredoxin reductase 1 as a mechanistic basis for anticancer therapy
Authors: Stafford William C. , Peng Xiaoxiao , Olofsson Maria Hägg , Zhang Xiaonan , Luci Diane K. , Lu Li , Cheng Qing , Trésaugues Lionel , Dexheimer Thomas S. , Coussens Nathan P. , Augsten Martin , Ahlzén Hanna-Stina Martinsson , Orwar Owe , Östman Arne , Stone-Elander Sharon , Maloney David J. , Jadhav Ajit , Simeonov Anton , Linder Stig , Arnér Elias S. J.
Published: February 2018

Selective irreversible inhibitors of selenoprotein TXNRD1 yield anticancer efficacy without overt systemic toxicity in mouse models.
FoxO transcription factors modulate autophagy and proteoglycan 4 in cartilage homeostasis and osteoarthritis
Authors: Matsuzaki Tokio , Alvarez-Garcia Oscar , Mokuda Sho , Nagira Keita , Olmer Merissa , Gamini Ramya , Miyata Kohei , Akasaki Yukio , Su Andrew I. , Asahara Hiroshi , Lotz Martin K.
Published: February 2018

FoxO play a key role in postnatal cartilage development, maturation, homeostasis, and osteoarthritis pathogenesis.
Circulating T
FH
cells, serological memory, and tissue compartmentalization shape human influenza-specific B cell immunity
Authors: Koutsakos Marios , Wheatley Adam K. , Loh Liyen , Clemens E. Bridie , Sant Sneha , Nüssing Simone , Fox Annette , Chung Amy W. , Laurie Karen L. , Hurt Aeron C. , Rockman Steve , Lappas Martha , Loudovaris Thomas , Mannering Stuart I. , Westall Glen P. , Elliot Michael , Tangye Stuart G. , Wakim Linda M. , Kent Stephen J. , Nguyen Thi H. O. , Kedzierska Katherine
Published: February 2018

Analysis of influenza-specific B cells during antigen exposure and tissue compartmentalization provides insights into human B cell memory.
Kelch Mutations in Plasmodium falciparum Protein K13 Do Not Modulate Dormancy after Artemisinin Exposure and Sorbitol Selection
In Vitro
Authors: Breglio Kimberly F. , Rahman Rifat S. , Sá Juliana M. , Hott Amanda , Roberts David J. , Wellems Thomas E.
Published: February 2018

Some Kelch mutations of the
Plasmodium falciparum
K13 protein confer increased survival to dihydroartemisinin (DHA)-treated ring-stage parasites. Here, we asked if K13 mutations affect a dormancy phenotype allowing parasites to survive DHA exposure and then sorbitol selection. Although recrudescence from dormancy differed between two distinct parasite lines, it was similar for isogenic lines carrying single-site substitutions in K13. Therefore, K13 mutations do not alter the DHA-sorbitol combined dormancy phenotype; rather, traits from other loci likely determine this phenotype.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Pseudomonas
sp. Strain NC02, Isolated from Soil
Authors: Cerra Joseph , Donohue Hailey , Kral Alexander , Oser Molly , Rostkowski Laura , Zappia Luke , Williams Laura E.
Published: February 2018

We report here the complete genome sequence of
Pseudomonas
sp. strain NC02, isolated from soil in eastern Massachusetts. We assembled PacBio reads into a single closed contig with 132× mean coverage and then polished this contig using Illumina MiSeq reads, yielding a 6,890,566-bp sequence with 61.1% GC content.
Complete Genome Sequence of
Escherichia coli
ML35
Authors: Casale Angeline , Clark Stephanie , Grasso Melissa , Kryschuk Marta , Ritzer Lukas , Trudeau Madyson , Williams Laura E.
Published: February 2018

We report here the complete genome sequence of
Escherichia coli
strain ML35. We assembled PacBio reads into a single closed contig with 169× mean coverage and then polished this contig using Illumina MiSeq reads, yielding a 4,918,774-bp sequence with 50.8% GC content.
Complete Genome Sequences of Five Foot-and-Mouth Disease Viruses of Serotype A Isolated from Cattle in Nigeria between 2013 and 2015
Authors: Vandenbussche Frank , Mathijs Elisabeth , Ularamu Hussaini G. , Ehizibolo David O. , Haegeman Andy , Lefebvre David , De Vleeschauwer Annebel R. , Van Borm Steven , De Clercq Kris
Published: February 2018

The complete genome sequences of 5 foot-and-mouth disease viruses of serotype A are reported here. These viruses originate from outbreaks in northern Nigeria in 2013 to 2015 and belong to the A/AFRICA/G-IV lineage.
Complete Genome Sequences of
Enterobacter cancerogenus
CR-Eb1 and
Enterococcus
sp. Strain CR-Ec1, Isolated from the Larval Gut of the Greater Wax Moth,
Galleria mellonella
Authors: Chung Joon-hui , Jeong Haeyoung , Ryu Choong-Min
Published: February 2018

Enterobacter cancerogenus
CR-Eb1 and
Enterococcus
sp. CR-Ec1 were isolated from the larval gut of
Galleria mellonella
, the greater wax moth. Here, we report the completed and annotated genome sequences of insect gut-dwelling bacteria.
Analysis of the Complete Genome Sequence of
Cucumber mosaic virus
Strain K
Authors: Moyle Richard , Pretorius Lara-Simone , Shuey Louise S. , Nowak Ekaterina , Schenk Peer M.
Published: February 2018

The complete genome sequence of
Cucumber mosaic virus
strain K was determined by deep RNA sequencing. The tripartite genome consists of a 3,382-nucleotide (nt) RNA1, a 3,050-nt RNA2, and a 2,218-nt RNA3 segment. Phylogenetic analysis placed RNA1 and RNA2 in subgroup IB. However, RNA3 grouped with subgroup IA isolates, indicating a likely recombination event.
Closed Genome Sequence of Phytopathogen Biocontrol Agent
Bacillus velezensis
Strain AGVL-005, Isolated from Soybean
Authors: Pylro Victor Satler , Dias Armando Cavalcante Franco , Andreote Fernando Dini , Morais Daniel Kumazawa , Varani Alessandro de Mello , Andreote Cristiane Cipolla Fasanella , Bernardo Eduardo Roberto de Almeida , Zucchi Tiago
Published: February 2018

We report here the closed and near-complete genome sequence and annotation of
Bacillus velezensis
strain AGVL-005, a bacterium isolated from soybean seeds in Brazil and used for phytopathogen biocontrol.
Thioester-Containing Proteins 2 and 4 Affect the Metabolic Activity and Inflammation Response in Drosophila
Authors: Shokal Upasana , Kopydlowski Hannah , Harsh Sneh , Eleftherianos Ioannis
Published: February 2018

Drosophila melanogaster
is an outstanding model for studying host antipathogen defense. Although substantial progress has been made in understanding how metabolism and immunity are interrelated in flies, little information has been obtained on the molecular players that regulate metabolism and inflammation in
Drosophila
during pathogenic infection. Recently, we reported that the inactivation of thioester-containing protein 2 (
Tep2
) and
Tep4
promotes survival and decreases the bacterial burden in flies upon infection with the virulent pathogens
Photorhabdus luminescens
and
Photorhabdus asymbiotica
. Here, we investigated physiological and pathological defects in
tep
mutant flies in response to
Photorhabdus
challenge. We find that
tep2
and
tep4
loss-of-function mutant flies contain increased levels of carbohydrates and triglycerides in the presence or absence of
Photorhabdus
infection. We also report that
Photorhabdus
infection leads to higher levels of nitric oxide and reduced transcript levels of the apical caspase-encoding gene
Dronc
in
tep2
and
tep4
mutants. We show that
Tep2
and
Tep4
are upregulated mainly in the fat body rather than the gut in
Photorhabdus
-infected wild-type flies and that
tep
mutants contain decreased numbers of
Photorhabdus
bacteria in both tissue types. We propose that the inactivation of
Tep2
or
Tep4
in adult
Drosophila
flies results in lower levels of inflammation and increased energy reserves in response to
Photorhabdus
, which could confer a survival-protective effect during the initial hours of infection.
Multiplex Immunochromatographic Detection of OXA-48, KPC, and NDM Carbapenemases: Impact of Inoculum, Antibiotics, and Agar
Authors: Saleh Ahmad , Göttig Stephan , Hamprecht Axel G.
Published: February 2018

For the rapid detection of carbapenemase-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
(CPE), immunochromatographic lateral flow tests (ICT) have recently been developed. The aim of this study was to assess the new multiplex ICT Resist-3 O.K.N. and to investigate if it can be performed directly from susceptibility testing plates. Additionally, the impact of the inoculum and carbapenem disks on sensitivity and specificity was evaluated. The new ICT was challenged using 63 carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae
(CRE) isolates, including 51 carbapenemase producers. It was assessed under five different conditions directly from Mueller-Hinton agar (MHA): 1 μl or 10 μl of inoculum harvested in the absence of antibiotic pressure or 1 μl taken from the inhibition zone of either an ertapenem, imipenem, or meropenem disk. The sensitivity of the ICT was 100% for OXA-48-like and KPC carbapenemases and 94.4% for the NDM carbapenemase with the 1-μl inoculum. When harvested adjacent to a carbapenem disk, the sensitivity increased to 100%. Additionally, with zinc-supplemented MHA, both the sensitivity increased and the NDM band became visible faster (mean time, 8 ± 3.9 min for MHA compared to 1.9 ± 1.5 min for MHA plus zinc;
P
= 0.0016). The specificity of the ICT was 100%. The Resist-3 O.K.N. ICT is a sensitive and rapid test for the detection of three highly prevalent carbapenemases. However, false-negative results for NDM can occur. We recommend an inoculum of 1 μl that is harvested adjacent to an ertapenem or meropenem disk and the use of agars with sufficient zinc content to achieve the best performance.
Karyopherin Alpha 6 Is Required for Replication of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus and Zika Virus
Authors: Yang Liping , Wang Rong , Yang Shixing , Ma Zexu , Lin Shaoli , Nan Yuchen , Li Qisheng , Tang Qiyi , Zhang Yan-Jin
Published: February 2018

Movement of macromolecules between the cytoplasm and the nucleus occurs through the nuclear pore complex (NPC). Karyopherins comprise a family of soluble transport factors facilitating the nucleocytoplasmic translocation of proteins through the NPC. In this study, we found that karyopherin α6 (KPNA6; also known as importin α7) was required for the optimal replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), which are positive-sense, single-stranded RNA viruses replicating in the cytoplasm. The KPNA6 protein level in virus-infected cells was much higher than that in mock-infected controls, whereas the KPNA6 transcript remains stable. Viral infection blocked the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of KPNA6, which led to an extension of the KPNA6 half-life and the elevation of the KPNA6 level in comparison to mock-infected cells. PRRSV nsp12 protein induced KPNA6 stabilization. KPNA6 silencing was detrimental to the replication of PRRSV, and KPNA6 knockout impaired ZIKV replication. Moreover, KPNA6 knockout blocked the nuclear translocation of PRRSV nsp1β but had a minimal effect on two other PRRSV proteins with nuclear localization. Exogenous restitution of KPNA6 expression in the KPNA6-knockout cells results in restoration of the nuclear translocation of PRRSV nsp1β and the replication of ZIKV. These results indicate that KPNA6 is an important cellular factor for the replication of PRRSV and ZIKV.

IMPORTANCE
Positive-sense, single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses replicate in the cytoplasm of infected cells. The roles of transport factors in the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking system for the replication of +ssRNA viruses are not known. In this study, we discovered that PRRSV and ZIKV viruses needed karyopherin α6 (KPNA6), one of the transport factors, to enhance the virus replication. Our data showed that viral infection induced an elevation of the KPNA6 protein level due to an extension of the KPNA6 half-life via viral interference of the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation of KPNA6. Notably, KPNA6 silencing or knockout dramatically reduced the replication of PRRSV and ZIKV. PRRSV nsp1β depended on KPNA6 to translocate into the nucleus. In addition, exogenous restitution of KPNA6 expression in KPNA6-knockout cells led to the restoration of nsp1β nuclear translocation and ZIKV replication. These results reveal a new aspect in the virus-cell interaction and may facilitate the development of novel antiviral therapeutics.
Fentanyl lozenge story part 2: from military procurement to package
Authors: Rogers Edward , Wright C , King P
Published: February 2018

This paper describes the selection of fentanyl as a replacement for morphine as the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence’s first-line battlefield analgesic agent. It is a detailed review of the 6 year journey from selection to eventual roll-out in October 2017. It concentrates on the procurement and governance process of the deployment of fentanyl for individual issue and self-use. It highlights the significant differences in military and civilian legislation, the specialist environment we work in and the safety concerns surrounding controlled drugs in the austere environment. The lessons learnt can be applied to other organisations working in specialist environments that are looking to improve patient care through novel or off-license techniques that meet legislative resistance.
No individual or combined effects of caffeine and beetroot-juice supplementation during submaximal or maximal running
Authors: Oskarsson Johanna , McGawley Kerry
Published: February 2018

Dietary supplements such as caffeine and beetroot juice are used by athletes in an attempt to optimize performance and therefore gain an advantage in competition. The aim of this study was to investigate the individual and combined effects of caffeine and beetroot-juice supplementation during submaximal and maximal treadmill running. Seven males (maximal oxygen uptake: 59.0 ± 2.9 mL·kg–1·min–1) and 2 females (maximal oxygen uptake: 53.1 ± 11.4 mL·kg–1·min–1) performed a preliminary trial followed by 4 experimental test sessions. Each test session consisted of two 5-min submaximal running bouts (at ∼70% and 80% of maximal oxygen uptake) and a maximal 1-km time trial (TT) in a laboratory. Participants ingested 70 mL of concentrated beetroot juice containing either 7.3 mmol of nitrate (BR) or no nitrate (PBR) 2.5 h prior to each test session, then either caffeine (C) at 4.8 ± 0.4 (4.3–5.6) mg/kg of body mass or a caffeine placebo (PC) 45 min before each test session. The 4 test sessions (BR-C, BR-PC, PBR-C, and PBR-PC) were presented in a counterbalanced and double-blind manner. No significant differences were identified between the 4 interventions regarding relative oxygen uptake, running economy, respiratory exchange ratio, heart rate (HR), or rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at the 2 submaximal intensities (P > 0.05). Moreover, there were no significant differences in performance, maximum HR, peak blood lactate concentration, or RPE during the maximal TT when comparing the interventions (P > 0.05). In conclusion, no beneficial effects of supplementing with typical doses of caffeine, beetroot juice, or a combination of the two were observed for physiological, perceptual, or performance responses during submaximal or maximal treadmill running exercise.
Heart rate variability responses to acute and repeated postexercise sauna in trained cyclists
Authors: Leicht Anthony S. , Halliday Aaron , Sinclair Wade H. , D’Auria Shaun , Buchheit Martin , Kenny Glen P. , Stanley Jamie
Published: February 2018

Short- to medium-term (i.e., 4–14 days) heating protocols induce physiological adaptations including improved cardiac autonomic modulations, as assessed using heart rate variability, which may contribute to greater exercise performance. Whether similar cardiac autonomic changes occur during an intense heating protocol (sauna) reported to increase plasma volume in athletes remains to be confirmed. This study examined changes in heart rate and its variability during a single extreme heat (sauna) exposure and repeated exposures in athletes. Six well-trained male cyclists undertook sauna bathing (30 min, 87 °C, 11% relative humidity) immediately after normal training over 10 consecutive days. Heart rate recordings were obtained during each sauna bout. Heart rate and its variability (natural logarithm of root mean square of successive differences, lnRMSSD) were analysed during 10-min periods within the first bout, and changes in heart rate and lnRMSSD were analysed during each bout via magnitude-based inferences. During the first sauna bout, heart rate was almost certainly increased (∼32%, effect size 1.68) and lnRMSSD was almost certainly reduced (∼62%, effect size –5.21) from the first to the last 10-min period, indicating reduced parasympathetic and (or) enhanced sympathetic modulations. Acute exposure to extreme heat stress via sauna produced alterations in heart rate and cardiac autonomic modulations with successive postexercise heat exposures producing unclear changes over a 10-day period. The physiological benefits of intense heating via sauna on cardiac control in athletes remain to be elucidated.
Structural changes in the cell envelope of Yarrowia lipolytica yeast under stress conditions
Authors: Arinbasarova Anna Yu. , Machulin Andrey V. , Biryukova Elena N. , Sorokin Vladimir V. , Medentsev Alexander G. , Suzina Natalya E.
Published: February 2018

Ultrastructural changes in the cell envelope of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica as a stress response were examined using electron microscopy. The formation of new cellular surface structures, including membrane vesicles, pore channels, and wall surface globules, were shown for the first time under conditions of oxidative (endogenous and exogenous) or thermal stress. This demonstrates once again that under stress conditions the microorganisms reveal properties previously unknown for them. Particularly noteworthy is the accumulation of silicon in the surface globules, which was revealed by X-ray microanalysis of the elemental composition of thin sections of cells. A multilayered plasmalemma instead of a 3-layered one is also characteristic for stressed cells. The envelope modifications above were observed only as a stress response and were not detected in stationary-growth-phase yeast cells that assume different physiological states. A decrease in the intracellular level of cAMP allows us to assume that a common factor activates defensive mechanisms thus explaining the similarity of the response under different stress conditions. The data presented not only enable visualization of the yeast stress response and add to our awareness of the diversity of adaptive reactions, but they also raise questions about the interrelations of the stress phenomena and their functional necessity in the cell.
Certificateless Public Verification for the Outsourced Data Integrity in Cloud Storage
Authors: Huang Longxia , Zhou Junlong , Zhang Gongxuan , Sun Jin , Wang Tian , Vajdi Ahmadreza
Published: February 2018

By advances in cloud storage systems, users have access to the data saved in the cloud and can manipulate the data without limitation of time and place. As the data owner no longer possesses data physically, he is required to ensure the integrity of the data stored in the cloud with the public key given by public key infrastructure (PKI). Thus the security of PKI and certificates are essential. However, there are numerous security risks in the traditional PKI and it is complex to administer the certificates. Certificateless public key cryptography is used in this paper to solve these problems. We also use elliptic curve group to reduce computation overhead. In this paper, we design a certificateless public verification mechanism to check the integrity of data outsourced in the cloud and we further extend it to support a multiuser group by batch verification. Specifically, a public verifier who replaces the data owner to check the integrity in the proposed scheme does not require to manage any certificates during the verification process. Meanwhile, a verifier is not required to download the entire file for integrity checking. Theoretical analyses verify the security of our scheme and experimental results show its efficiency.
Carter's constant and superintegrability
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Payel , Nayak K. Rajesh
Published: February 2018

Carter's constant is a nontrivial conserved quantity of motion of a particle moving in stationary axisymmetric spacetime. In the version of the theorem originally given by Carter, due to the presence of two Killing vectors, the system effectively has two degrees of freedom. We propose an extension to the first version of Carter's theorem to a system having three degrees of freedom to find two functionally independent Carter-like integrals of motion. We further generalize the theorem to a dynamical system with [Formula: see text] degrees of freedom. We further study the implications of Carter's constant to superintegrability and present a different approach to probe a superintegrable system. Our formalism gives another viewpoint to a superintegrable system using the simple observation of separable Hamiltonian according to Carter's criteria. We then give some examples by constructing some two-dimensional superintegrable systems based on this idea and also show that all three-dimensional simple classical superintegrable potentials are also Carter separable.
Incomplete mass transfer processes in 28Si +93Nb reaction
Authors: Tripathi R. , Sodaye S. , Ramachandran K. , Sharma S. K. , Pujari P. K.
Published: February 2018

Cross sections of reaction products were measured in [Formula: see text]Si[Formula: see text]Nb reaction using recoil catcher technique involving by off-line gamma-ray spectrometry at beam energies of 105 and 155[Formula: see text]MeV. At [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV, the contribution from different incomplete mass transfer processes is investigated. Results of the present studies show the contribution from deep inelastic collision (DIC), massive transfer or incomplete fusion (ICF) and quasi-elastic transfer (QET). The contribution from massive transfer reactions was confirmed from the fractional yield of the reaction products in the forward catcher foil. The present results are different from those from the reactions with comparatively higher entrance channel mass asymmetry with lighter projectiles, for which dominant transfer processes are ICF and QET which involve mass transfer predominantly from projectile to target. The [Formula: see text] values of the products close to the target mass were observed to be in a wide range, starting from [Formula: see text] of the target ([Formula: see text]Nb) and extending slightly below the [Formula: see text] of the composite system, consistent with the contribution from DIC and QET reactions. At [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV, a small contribution from QET was observed in addition to complete fusion.
AN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT MODEL WITH DOSE-RESPONSE EFFECT OF PESTICIDES
Authors: KANG BAOLIN , LIU BING , TAO FENGMEI
Published: February 2018

Considering the delayed response to pesticide applications and the long-term residual effects of pesticides after the deployment of a pest management strategy, this paper develops a pollutant-discharge model to simulate pesticide spraying and analyze the effect of releasing natural enemies of the pest. The following two different control strategies are discussed: (1) the frequency of spraying pesticides is higher than that of releasing natural enemies, and (2) the frequency of releasing natural enemies is higher than that of spraying pesticides. For different control strategies, the sufficient conditions of locally asymptotic stability and globally asymptotic stability of the pest-eradication periodic solution are obtained. Using numerical simulations, we analyze the sensitivity of the threshold condition with respect to the parameters, identify the major factors affecting pest control and provide guidance for decision-making in pest management. Finally, we compare the control strategies and analyze which strategy is optimal as the most significant control parameters are varying.
Numerical Investigations on the Effects of T-Stress in Mode I Creep Crack
Authors: Dai Yanwei , Liu Yinghua , Chen Haofeng
Published: February 2018

The effects of [Formula: see text]-stress on the stress field, creep zone and constraint effect of the mode I crack tip in power-law creeping solids are presented based on finite element (FE) analysis in the paper. The characteristics of the crack tip field in power-law creep solids by considering low negative [Formula: see text]-stress and high positive [Formula: see text]-stress are studied in the paper. The differences of [Formula: see text]-stress effect on the crack tip field between power-law creeping solids and elastoplastic materials are also clarified. A modified parameter is proposed to characterize the influence of [Formula: see text]-stress on creep zone. The constraint parameter [Formula: see text] under both small-scale creep and large-scale creep with various [Formula: see text]-stresses for the modified boundary layer (MBL) model and various specimens with different crack depths are given. The applicability and the limitation of the MBL model for creep crack are also investigated. The inherent connection between [Formula: see text]-stress and [Formula: see text]-parameter is discussed. The investigations given in this paper can further promote the understanding of [Formula: see text]-stress effect and constraint effect on the mode I creep crack.
Accuracy and Robustness Analysis of Geometric Finite Element Model Updating Approach for Material Parameters Identification in Transient Dynamic
Authors: Touzeau Clément , Magnain Benoit , Serra Quentin , Florentin Éric
Published: February 2018

We study the accuracy and the robustness of the Geometrical Finite Element Model Updating method proposed in Touzeau et al. [Touzeau, C., Magnain, B., Emile, B., Laurent, H. and Florentin, E. (2016) “Identification in transient dynamic using a geometry-based cost function in finite element model updating method,” Finite Elements Anal. Des. 122, 49–60]. In this work, the method is applied to transient dynamic in finite transformations to identify mechanical material parameters. A stochastic approach is performed to determine accuracy and robustness. The method is illustrated on numerical test cases and compared to a classical FEMU method. Uncertainties on the loading are taken into account in the identification using an original approach.
PIV of Swirling Flow in a Conical Pipe with Vibrating Wall
Authors: Xu Yan , Zhang Yan-Yue , Nicolleau Franck C. G. A. , Wang Zun-Ce
Published: February 2018

Swirling flows in conical pipe can be found in a number of industrial processes, such as hydrocyclone, separator and rotating machinery. It has been found that wall oscillations can reduce the drag in water channel and pipe flows, but there is no study of a swirling flow combined with a vibrating wall in conical pipes, though there are many applications of such combination in engineering processes. A two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to measure the swirling flow field in a water conical pipe subjected to a periodic vibrating wall for a Reynolds number 3800. The flow velocity statistics are studied under different vibration frequencies corresponding to Strouhal numbers from 60 to 242. The instantaneous axial and vertical velocity in one vibrating period, the mean velocities, and Reynolds stresses were obtained. The results show the existence of an intermediary recirculation cell in the middle of the pipe. They also show that the vibration improves the symmetry for the swirling flow while decreasing dramatically the velocity fluctuation.
A Prototype Therapeutic Capsule Endoscope for Ultrasound-Mediated Targeted Drug Delivery
Authors: Stewart Fraser , Verbeni Antonella , Qiu Yongqiang , Cox Ben F. , Vorstius Jan , Newton Ian P. , Huang Zhihong , Menciassi Arianna , Näthke Inke , Cochran Sandy
Published: February 2018

The prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) diseases such as Crohn’s disease, which is chronic and incurable, are increasing worldwide. Treatment often involves potent drugs with unwanted side effects. The technological–pharmacological combination of capsule endoscopy with ultrasound-mediated targeted drug delivery (UmTDD) described in this paper carries new potential for treatment of these diseases throughout the GI tract. We describe a proof-of-concept UmTDD capsule and present preliminary results to demonstrate its promise as an autonomous tool to treat GI diseases.