bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scoring Functions of Protein-Ligand Interactions
Authors: Yan Zhiqiang , Wang Jin
Published: May 2016

Scoring function of protein-ligand interactions is used to recognize the “native” binding pose of a ligand on the protein and to predict the binding affinity, so that the active small molecules can be discriminated from the non-active ones. Scoring function is widely used in computationally molecular docking and structure-based drug discovery. The development and improvement of scoring functions have broad implications in pharmaceutical industry and academic research. During the past three decades, much progress have been made in methodology and accuracy for scoring functions, and many successful cases have be witnessed in virtual database screening. In this chapter, the authors introduced the basic types of scoring functions and their derivations, the commonly-used evaluation methods and benchmarks, as well as the underlying challenges and current solutions. Finally, the authors discussed the promising directions to improve and develop scoring functions for future molecular docking-based drug discovery.
Influence of ICT in the Industrial Sector MSMEs
Authors: Cano Isaac Machorro , Ozuna Mónica Guadalupe Segura , Hernández María Dolores Esquivel , Contreras José Antonio Hernández , Láinez José Julián Aguilar
Published: May 2016

Access, use and adoption of information and communication technologies by enterprises constitute an important innovation that could improve their productivity and competitiveness, provided that other policies adopted oppose obstacles or restrictions that these enterprises deal with for their own development. The Papaloapan Basin region is characterized by a wide range of economic activity. The city San Juan Bautista Tuxtepec is found within this region; which is a convergence point for the economic activities of the states of Oaxaca, Veracruz and Puebla, since it has an important activity in the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors. In this chapter, the influence of information and communication technologies on micro, small and medium enterprises in the industrial, commercial and service sector of this important region is presented, based on a classification of the run of businesses, considering their management, financial and marketing activities.
Cloud Computing
Authors: Banerjee Sourav , Paul Raina , Biswas Utpal
Published: May 2016

The service supply chain involves transfer of products from manufacturer to customer through series of path, that includes from a supplier to manufacturer, then to wholesaler, retailer and finally to customer. With the growth of IT industry, business is getting dependent on IT. The service supply chain increases or decreases depending upon demand. So it needs scalable distributed system rather than a centralized one. The cloud computing has become a great solution for providing a flexible, on-demand and dynamically scalable computing infrastructure for many applications. It provides significant technology trends and it is reshaping and blooming the IT industry. The service supply chain information collaboration based on cloud provides effective and efficient information based on cloud computing technologies such as Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).
Using Lean-Sigma for the Integration of Two Products during a Ramp-Up Event
Authors: Alba-Baena Noe , Estrada Francisco J. , Torres Oswaldo Omar Sierra
Published: May 2016

Keeping up the quality level in in a manufacturing environment has become an issue when trying to start the production of a new product which is in a ramp-up stage into a running production line ramp-down model. If production of the old model is ended too fast will make shortages in the customer supply, and will have excessive inventory numbers of the newer product. Trying the re-design in a production line to keep building the old model while incorporating the newer tends to create an undesirable impact on quality and productivity. Nowadays, continuous improvement methodologies like Lean and Six Sigma are used to solve this challenge. While Lean Manufacturing tends to be efficient for quick fixes, Six Sigma works better when there is plenty of time to conduct deeper statistical analysis. This chapter describes a combination of Lean Manufacturing speed with the Six Sigma analysis' power. Combined to maintain the quality and productivity of a production process during such conditions.
A Trend Analysis of Mobile Learning
Authors: Karataş Serçin , Ceran Onur , Ülker Ülkü , Gün Ezgi Tosik , Köse Nimet Özgül Ünsal , Kılıç Mustafa , Akçayır Gökçe , Tok Zeynel Abidin
Published: May 2016

The aim of this study is to determine current tendencies regarding mobile learning in published research between 2010 and 2015. In this study, 221 articles collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database with SSCI index were examined by using the content analysis technique. In the analyses, eight criteria were used, namely; research technique, sampling size, sampling level, learning domain, topical domain, data collecting tool, data analysis method and mobile application development approach. The results suggest that the main tendencies under these categories were experimental method; sample sizes of 31-100 people; higher education students; humanities and social sciences domain; learner outcomes topical domain; mixed data collecting tools; mixed analysis methods; and native mobile application development approach.
Considerações sobre práticas didático-pedagógicas sob a perspectiva da educação intercultural
Authors: Sehnem Paulo Roberto , Luna José Marcelo Freitas de , Schaefer Rodrigo
Published: May 2016

Dois intensos e crescentes processos têm justificado a necessidade de pesquisas e estudos voltados à educação intercultural. Trata-se da mobilidade acadêmica internacional e do fluxo migratório de famílias com filhos em idade escolar. O presente artigo discute possibilidades de uma prática significativa de avaliação da Competência Comunicativa Intercultural de estudantes, incluindo-se recomendações de práticas didático-pedagógicas para aulas de língua espanhola na educação básica. Evidencia-se, com a discussão, que a avaliação pelas dimensões Descoberta de Conhecimento, Empatia, Respeito ao Outro, Tolerância à Ambiguidade, Flexibilidade Comportamental e Consciência Comunicativa transpõe-se didaticamente para a apresentação e a prática dos conteúdos programáticos do currículo formal dos anos escolares que compreendem o ensino fundamental.
Editorial
Authors: Passetti Maria Célia Cortêz
Published: May 2016

Acta Scientiarum. Language and Culture, volume 38(2) de 2016.
Cutting Edge: IFN-β Expression in the Spleen Is Restricted to a Subpopulation of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Exhibiting a Specific Immune Modulatory Transcriptome Signature
Authors: Bauer Jens , Dress Regine J. , Schulze Anja , Dresing Philipp , Ali Shafaqat , Deenen René , Alferink Judith , Scheu Stefanie
Published: May 2016

Type I IFNs are critical in initiating protective antiviral immune responses, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) represent a major source of these cytokines. We show that only few pDCs are capable of producing IFN-β after virus infection or CpG stimulation. Using IFNβ/YFP reporter mice, we identify these IFN-β–producing cells in the spleen as a CCR9+CD9− pDC subset that is localized exclusively within the T/B cell zones. IFN-β–producing pDCs exhibit a distinct transcriptome profile, with higher expression of genes encoding cytokines and chemokines, facilitating T cell recruitment and activation. These distinctive characteristics of IFN-β–producing pDCs are independent of the type I IFNR-mediated feedback loop. Furthermore, IFN-β–producing pDCs exhibit enhanced CCR7-dependent migratory properties in vitro. Additionally, they effectively recruit T cells in vivo in a peritoneal inflammation model. We define “professional type I IFN-producing cells” as a distinct subset of pDCs specialized in coordinating cellular immune responses.
The CD4 and CD3δε Cytosolic Juxtamembrane Regions Are Proximal within a Compact TCR–CD3–pMHC–CD4 Macrocomplex
Authors: Glassman Caleb R. , Parrish Heather L. , Deshpande Neha R. , Kuhns Michael S.
Published: May 2016

TCRs relay information about peptides embedded within MHC molecules (pMHC) to the ITAMs of the associated CD3γε, CD3δε, and CD3ζζ signaling modules. CD4 then recruits the Src kinase p56Lck (Lck) to the TCR–CD3 complex to phosphorylate the ITAMs, initiate intracellular signaling, and drive CD4+ T cell fate decisions. Whereas the six ITAMs of CD3ζζ are key determinants of T cell development, activation, and the execution of effector functions, multiple models predict that CD4 recruits Lck proximal to the four ITAMs of the CD3 heterodimers. We tested these models by placing FRET probes at the cytosolic juxtamembrane regions of CD4 and the CD3 subunits to evaluate their relationship upon pMHC engagement in mouse cell lines. The data are consistent with a compact assembly in which CD4 is proximal to CD3δε, CD3ζζ resides behind the TCR, and CD3γε is offset from CD3δε. These results advance our understanding of the architecture of the TCR–CD3–pMHC–CD4 macrocomplex and point to regions of high CD4–Lck + ITAM concentrations therein. The findings thus have implications for TCR signaling, as phosphorylation of the CD3 ITAMs by CD4-associated Lck is important for CD4+ T cell fate decisions.
Stereolithographic Additive Manufacturing of Bulky Ceramic Components with Functionally Geometric Micropattern
Authors: Kirihara Soshu
Published: May 2016

In a stereolithographic additive manufacturing (AM), two dimensional (2D) cross sectional patterns were created through photo polymerization by ultraviolet laser drawing on spread resin paste including ceramic nanoparticles, and three dimensional (3D) composite models were sterically printed by layer lamination through chemical bonding. An automatic collimeter was equipped with the laser scanner to adjust beam diameter. Fine or coarse beams could realize high resolution or wide area drawings, respectively. Metal and ceramic bulky components including dendritic networks were geometrically built by using stereolithographic AM. Geometric patterns with periodic, self-similar, graded and fluctuated arrangements were created by computer aided design, manufacture and evaluation (CAD/CAM/CAE) for effective modulations of energy and material flows through dielectric lattices in photonic crystals, porous electrodes in fuel cells and biological scaffolds in artificial bones.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) Inorganic Thin Films on Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC)
Authors: Putman Carol , Horn Rachel Cramm , Wolf Ambrose , Krueger Daniel
Published: May 2016

Low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) has been established as an excellent packaging technology for high reliability, high density microelectronics. The functionality and robustness of rework has been increased through the incorporation of a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) thin film Ti/Cu/Pt/Au metallization. PVD metallization is suitable for RF (Radio Frequency) applications as well as digital systems. Adhesion of the Ti “adhesion layer” to the LTCC as-fired surface is not well understood. While past work has established extrinsic parameters for delamination mechanisms of thin films on LTCC substrates, there is incomplete information regarding the intrinsic (i.e. thermodynamic) parameters in literature. This paper analyzes the thermodynamic favorability of adhesion between Ti, Cr, and their oxides coatings on LTCC (assumed as amorphous silica glass and Al2O3). Computational molecular calculations are used to determine interface energy as an indication of molecular stability over a range of temperatures. The end result will expand the understanding of thin film adhesion to LTCC surfaces and assist in increasing the long-term reliability of the interface bonding on RF microelectronic layers.
Microwave Filter Design Optimized for Ceramic Multilayer Technique
Authors: Uhlig Peter , Kassner Juergen , Guenner Carsten , Noack Elke
Published: May 2016

Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) is a proven packaging technology for microwave and millimetre-wave applications. Advanced low-loss material systems and improved manufacturing technology facilitate economic and highly reliable packaging solutions for automotive, telecom, medical and security applications. One of the virtues of LTCC is the option to integrate all kinds of components into the multilayer. Embedded passives include resistors, capacitors and inductors. Moving matching networks and filters into inner layers is further increasing density of integration.

Microwave filters in LTCC can be used as an integral part of a larger package but also as single components mounted as drop-in or SMT. Ceramic multilayer technology allows for new filter concepts with three-dimensional routing and integration. Tolerances in material properties and manufacturing are challenges to be met with the design and production of microwave filters. Tape thickness, permittivity, shrinkage, registration of conductor pattern to via position, conductor width and thickness are some of the parameters that influence filter performance and reproducibility.

This paper shall compare two different concepts for a 20 GHz band pass filter regarding their sensitivity to manufacturing tolerances. An optimized filter design shows improved robustness against manufacturing tolerances. This concept particularly reduces the sensitivity to registration tolerances of conductors and ground vias. A filter synthesis and simulation which takes into account systematic and random manufacturing effects takes out some of the guesswork of filter design and fabrication. It will also reduce the trial and error loops traditionally involved with this part of microwave engineering.
Microwave Characterization of a Thick Film System for Hybrid Packaging Applications
Authors: Thrasher Bradley A. , Skurski Michael A. , Souders Ken E. , Parisi James M.
Published: May 2016

Thick film material systems for hybrid applications have existed for many years and have provided the ability to create high density interconnects in industries such as consumer, military, telecommunications and automotive electronic devices. Despite their breadth of applications, thick film hybrid circuits are rarely utilized for microwave/millimeter-wave packaging applications. In this work, the DuPont™ QM44 thick film dielectric is characterized up to 40 GHz. Test samples to characterize this thick film system consisted of the screen-printed QM44 multilayer dielectric and QG150 gold thick film conductor and vias on top of a 96% alumina substrate. Three different fabrication methods were used in the fabrication of the test samples to illustrate the effect of processing techniques on material loss properties, with the conductor lines formed through standard screen printing, chemical etching, and laser ablation. Laser ablation is a technique recently utilized to form transmission line features in low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) circuits [1] to increase dimensional precision when compared to standard screen printing. S-parameter measurements of microstrip transmission lines demonstrate a system loss at 30 GHz of approximately 0.8 dB/cm for chemical etching, 0.9 dB/cm for laser ablation, and 1.0 dB/cm for screen printing. Through careful design and good processing, acceptable microwave performance of the QM44 thick film system can be achieved up to 40 GHz.
Evaluation of screen-printable type S (Pt-PtRh) thermocouples on different ceramic substrates
Authors: Kita Jaroslaw , Wiegärtner Sven , Prince Alistair , Weigand Peter , Moos Ralf
Published: May 2016

The application of thermocouples as temperature sensors has been well known and has already been established for many years. However, for classical thick-film technology using screen-printing and firing, no standardized solutions exist. The here-presented newly developed PtRh thick-film compositions (90% Pt,10% Rh) allows to construct thick-film type S thermocouples (Pt/PtRh), following the IEC temperature characteristics. They can be fired in air, and therefore can be easily integrated into existing thick-film components and devices. In an earlier study, the new Pt-Rh composition was successfully tested on alumina substrates. Their electrical characteristics is equal with classical wire type S thermocouples. This study continues the investigations of thick-film thermocouples. We tested the newly developed pastes for high temperature applications on alumina substrates and evaluated the application of the new screen-printable type S thermocouples on LTCC ceramics. Three possible configurations were investigated: deposited on already fired LTCC substrates (post-fired), screen-printed and co-fired with LTCC tapes on the top surface as well as as buried structures. The paper presents the results of our evaluation and discusses further possible applications.
The Design and Evaluation of an Integrated Wire-Bondless Power Module (IWPM) using Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic Interposer
Authors: Seal Sayan , Glover Michael D. , Mantooth H. Alan
Published: May 2016

This paper presents the plan and initial feasibility studies for an Integrated Wire Bondless Power Module (IWPM). Contemporary power modules are moving toward unprecedented levels of power density. The ball has been set rolling by a drastic reduction in the size of bare die power devices themselves owing to the advent of wide band gap semiconductors like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN). SiC has capabilities of operating at much higher temperatures and faster switching speeds as compared with its silicon counterparts, while being a fraction of their size. However, electronic packaging technology has not kept pace with these developments. High performance packaging technologies do exist in isolation, but there has been limited success in integrating these disparate efforts into a single high performance package of sufficient reliability. This paper lays the foundation for an electronic package which is designed to completely leverage the benefits of SiC semiconductor technology, with a focus on high reliability and fast switching capability.
The Effect of Firing Temperature on Structure and Electrical Properties in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramics
Authors: Walker Jim , Maloney John , Gleason Cody , Holthus Jeff , Smith Bradford , Henry Jim , Graddy Ed , Sridharan Sid , Sakoske George
Published: May 2016

An LTCC tape dielectric (A6M) was fired stepwise from 775°C – 925°C using standard industry profiles. The fired tapes were investigated for shrinkage, density, crystallization (XRD), composition distribution (SEM/EDS), and high frequency (10 GHz) electrical properties. The tape consists of a glassy material that undergoes crystallization upon firing. Two crystalline phases were observed along with residual glass. Both crystallized phases appear to alter their unit cell dimensions with firing temperature. Fired tape density and XY-shrinkages were stable over the temperature range studied. Electrical properties (εr, tan δ) were stable above 825°C including and up to the maximum temperature studied.
Arrive, survive and thrive: essential stages in the re-colonization and recovery of zooplankton in urban lakes in Sudbury, Canada
Authors: Yan Norman D. , Bailey John , McGeer James C. , Manca Marina M. , Keller Wendel (Bill) , Celis-Salgado Martha P. , Gunn John M.
Published: May 2016

The recovery of lakes from severe, historical acid and metal pollution requires that colonists of extirpated species arrive, survive and subsequently thrive.  We employed 40 year records from weekly to monthly crustacean zooplankton samples from Middle and Clearwater lakes near Sudbury, Canada, to identify the main mechanistic bottlenecks in this recovery process. While both lakes now have circum-neutral pH, acidity decreased more rapidly in Middle Lake because of past liming interventions, while Clearwater Lake, being larger and supporting more housing, likely receives more zooplankton colonists than Middle Lake. Community richness increased much faster in Middle Lake than in Clearwater Lake, at 1.6 vs 0.9 species decade-1, respectively. Richness has recovered in Middle Lake, when assessed against a target of 9-16 species collection-1 determined from regional reference lakes, but it has not yet recovered in Clearwater Lake. Species accumulation curves and a metric of annual persistence show that this difference is a product not of greater rates of species introduction into Middle Lake, but rather to their greater annual persistence once introduced.  Greater annual persistence was associated with better habitat quality (i.e., lower acid and metal toxicity) in Middle Lake, particularly early in the record, and lower planktivore abundance, more recently. These results support a growing consensus that ecological recovery of zooplankton from acidification and metal pollution does not depend strongly on propagule introduction rates which are adequate, but rather on propagule persistence, in lake-rich, suburban landscapes such as those near Sudbury. 
Fluctuations of Lake Orta water levels: preliminary analyses
Authors: Saidi Helmi , Dresti Claudia , Ciampittiello Marzia
Published: May 2016

While the effects of past industrial pollution on the chemistry and biology of Lake Orta have been well documented, annual and seasonal fluctuations of lake levels have not yet been studied. Considering their potential impacts on both the ecosystem and on human safety, fluctuations in lake levels are an important aspect of limnological research. In the enormous catchment of Lake Maggiore, there are many rivers and lakes, and the amount of annual precipitation is both high and concentrated in spring and autumn. This has produced major flood events, most recently in November 2014. Flood events are also frequent on Lake Orta, occurring roughly triennially since 1917. The 1926, 1951, 1976 and 2014 floods were severe, with lake levels raised from 2.30 m to 3.46 m above the hydrometric zero. The most important event occurred in 1976, with a maximum level equal to 292.31 m asl and a return period of 147 years. In 2014 the lake level reached 291.89 m asl and its return period was 54 years. In this study, we defined trends and temporal fluctuations in Lake Orta water levels from 1917 to 2014, focusing on extremes. We report both annual maximum and seasonal variations of the lake water levels over this period. Both Mann-Kendall trend tests and simple linear regression were utilized to detect monotonic trends in annual and seasonal extremes, and logistic regression was used to detect trends in the number of flood events. Lake level decreased during winter and summer seasons, and a small but statistically non-significant positive trend was found in the number of flood events over the period. We provide estimations of return period for lake levels, a metric which could be used in planning lake flood protection measures.
Past, present and future of the fish community of Lake Orta (Italy), one of the world’s largest acidified lakes
Authors: Volta Pietro , Yan Norman D. , Gunn John M.
Published: May 2016

Since 1926, the fishes in Lake Orta, one of Italy’s deepest natural lakes, were heavily damaged by profundal hypoxia and acidification linked to oxidation of ammonia from industrial effluents and by industrial metal pollution. Of the original 28 fish species, only perch survived the lake’s contamination. Recently, the water quality of the lake has been largely restored by reductions in pollutant inputs, and a massive liming intervention. These interventions restored fish habitat, but it is unclear whether the recent fish reintroductions were successful, and the present status of the fish community is unknown.  Here we reviewed the history of the Lake Orta fish assemblage. Using an extensive 2014 sampling campaign, we compared the present fish community to both its pre-pollution composition and to the assemblages of nearby un-polluted, but otherwise similar lakes, Lake Mergozzo and Lake Maggiore. While nearshore fish density now appears normal in lake Orta, the open water community remains impoverished both in numbers and in species. Epilimnetic and hypolimnetic benthic nets were dominated by perch and roach in all the three lakes, but the catch of pelagic nets differed among lakes. Perch (Perca fluviatilis), rudd (Scardinius erythrophthalmus) and brown trout (Salmo trutta) dominated in Lake Orta while shad (Alosa fallax lacustris) and coregonids (Coregonus spp.) were dominant in the open waters of the other two lakes, but missing from Lake Orta.  Many fully or partially migratory species, including marble trout (Salmo trutta marmoratus), eel (Anguilla Anguilla) and barbel (Barbus plebejus) were also missing from Lake Orta, a consequence of their initial extirpation and blocked re-colonization routes along the River Strona. In comparison with both pre-pollution and contemporary reference data, the fish community of Lake Orta has not been rehabilitated. The recovery of the littoral community is complete, but cold water species such as burbot (Lota lota), Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and bullhead (Cottus gobio) are still lacking, as are the pelagic zooplanktivores European whitefish (Coregonus lavaretus) and shad, which dominate offshore communities in the reference lakes, as they did a century ago in Lake Orta.  To propose priorities for fish community rehabilitation in Lake Orta, we categorized the conservation, ecological and fishing values of each missing fish species in the lake, and evaluated the cost and probability of success of the needed intervention for each species. This analysis indicated that rehabilitation of shad and European whitefish should receive highest priority.
Mechanisms underlying recovery of zooplankton in Lake Orta after liming
Authors: Piscia Roberta , Yan Norman D. , Manca Marina M.
Published: May 2016

The goal of this study was to improve the understanding of the large-scale mechanisms underlying the recovery of the zooplankton of Lake Orta from historical contamination, following reduced input of ammonia and metals and the subsequent 1989/90 liming intervention. The industrial pollution had been severe and long-lasting (1929-1990). Zooplankton biodiversity has improved, but most of the new taxa appearing in our counts are rotifers, while many calanoids and the large cladoceran predators (Bythotrephes and Leptodora) that are common in the nearby Lake Maggiore, were still absent from Lake Orta 17 years after liming. To aid understanding of the large-scale mechanisms controlling changes in annual richness, we assessed the annual persistence (P) of Crustacea and Rotifera taxa as an estimator of whether propagules that survived introduction, as result of the natural recolonization process, also thrived. We found that the rate of introduction of zooplankton colonists and their persistence in the water column of Lake Orta changed from 1971 to 2007. New rotifer taxa appeared in the lake after the mid-1980s, when discharge of toxic substances decreased, but their annual persistence was low (P<0.5) until the turn of the century. The numerical values of rotifer and crustacean persistence in Lake Orta were unexpectedly high in 2001 and 2007 (0.55 and 0.72 for rotifers, 0.85 and 0.86 for crustacean, respectively), much higher than in limed lakes in Sudbury, Canada, and in adjacent Lake Maggiore. We hypothesize this could be related to the lack of Cladoceran predators and zooplanktivorous fish in the pelagic waters of Lake Orta.
Equatorial mountain lakes show extended periods of thermal stratification with climate warming
Authors: Michelutti Neal , Labaj Andrew , Grooms Christopher , Smol John
Published: May 2016

Warming in the Andes has already affected phenology, glaciology, and other ecosystem changes, and now threatens to alter long-standing fundamental limnological properties. In the equatorial Andes, most lakes have traditionally been characterized by waters that circulate continuously, with only rare episodes of stratification. This categorization, albeit based on relatively few studies, has scarcely been challenged in light of accelerated regional warming that has occurred over the past 30 years.Here, we show that protracted periods of thermal stratification are presently the norm, not the exception, in equatorial mountain lakes. Annual circulation and stratification patterns recorded in four lakes from Ecuador’s southern Sierra show extended periods of stratification, which are stable and do not break down with nocturnal cooling. These data contrast earlier research from this region, which reported full water column mixing and only infrequent stratification, but are consistent with recent trends of rising temperatures and declining wind velocities. Paleolimnological studies show that changes to the thermal regimes of these lakes likely began several decades ago and have resulted in ecosystem-scale changes including regime shifts in phytoplankton and declines in aquatic production.
Moment magnitude (MW) conversion relations for use in hazard assessment in offshore eastern Canada
Authors: Bent A L
Published: May 2016

Seismic hazard assessments based heavily on earthquake recurrence rates require that the same magnitude scale be used for all earthquakes evaluated to ensure that the assessment is unbiased and uniform across the area of interest no matter how large. Moment
magnitude, MW, is generally seen as the magnitude of preference in current practice. However, it was not routinely calculated in the past for earthquakes in Canada, necessitating the conversion from other magnitude types in common use. This paper focuses on the offshore regions of eastern Canada,
including the eastern Arctic, where ML is the day-to-day magnitude scale. Conversions to MW are established and evaluated. Until very recently there were few MW values determined for offshore earthquakes. In recent years, however, regional centroid moment tensor inversions have been run on a routine
basis for earthquakes in this region allowing us to build up a database of moment magnitudes for the offshore. While the dataset is still smaller than for the adjacent onshore regions and somewhat restricted in magnitude range, it has enabled the development of an ML-MW conversion relation for
offshore eastern Canada, which shows that, on average, ML is 0.21 magnitude units greater than MW. Statistical tests show no advantage to using a linear relation over a straight constant conversion.
Outcome of operable oral cavity cancer and impact of maintenance metronomic chemotherapy: A retrospective study from rural India
Authors: Pandey Avinash , Desai A. , Ostwal V. , Patil V. , Kulkarni A. , Kulkarni R. , Patil N. , Chaukar D. , Prabhash K. , Banavali Shripad D.
Published: May 2016

Background: Oral cavity cancer is the most common cancer among rural India. There is a paucity of data for outcomes of operable oral cavity cancer from rural India. Use of maintenance metronomic may delay or avoid relapse. Aim: To evaluate outcomes of operable oral cavity carcinoma and evaluate impact of maintenance metronomic chemotherapy. Objectives: To evaluate disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), and factors affecting the outcome in operable oral cavity cancer. Materials and Methods: Data of patients diagnosed with oral cavity cancer registered between May 2008 and May 2014 were retrieved. Only those patients with operable oral cavity cancer and upfront definitive surgery were included in the study. Demographic profile, stage, tobacco consumption, adjuvant therapy, and pattern of failure were collected. Kaplan-Meir survival analysis was used to determine DFS and OS. Log-rank test was used to evaluate factors affecting outcome. Results: Median follow-up is 24 months. Out of 335 patients, 225 (67%) had advanced operable cancer with 42/225 (18%) and 183/225 (82%) as Stages III and IVA, respectively. Buccal mucosa was the most common subsite (178/335, 53%) followed by tongue (63/335, 19%). Ninety-two percent patients were addicted to smokeless tobacco, whereas 27% were smokers. Median DFS is 13 months with 2 years relative DFS 32%. Median OS is 30 months, with 2 years OS of 54%. Metronomic adjuvant oral chemotherapy was given in 130/225 (58%); Stage III and IVA patients with median of 14 months (3-18 months). Use of metronomic chemotherapy improved DFS (8 vs. 14 months, P = 0.22) and OS (14 vs. 26 months, P = 0.04). Conclusion: Oral cavity cancer is a major health care problem in rural India. Presentation at advanced stage leads to suboptimal outcomes. Benefit of metronomic maintenance chemotherapy in locally advanced oral cavity needs to be further evaluated prospectively.
Weekly paclitaxel as metronomic palliative chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer
Authors: Noronha Vanita , Sahu Arvind , Patil Vijay M. , Joshi Amit , Ramaswamy Anant , Chandrasekharan Arun , Kadam Nandkumar , Prabhash Kumar
Published: May 2016

Background: Topotecan is the standard second line agent used in relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, the erratic availability and the cost of the drug has been a prohibitive factor for its use in second-line setting in India. Paclitaxel has shown antitumor activity in heavily pretreated patients with SCLC. Hence, this audit was performed to study the efficacy of weekly paclitaxel as a form of metronomic therapy in the second-line setting in SCLC. Materials and Methods: Fifty-seven patients of relapsed SCLC who presented to the thoracic medical oncology unit of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai between January 2011 and December 2015 were selected for this analysis. Weekly paclitaxel at a dose of 80 mg/m 2 was administered until progression or development of intolerable side effects or patient refusal. Data regarding baseline demographics, previous treatment history, response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival (OS), and toxicity to weekly paclitaxel was extracted from a prospectively maintained database in the thoracic medical oncology unit and was analyzed using SPSS version 16 (IBM, New York, USA). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed. Results: Median age of the cohort was 58 years (40-77 years). Etoposide with carboplatin was the regimen used in 40 patients (70.2%) whereas the remaining 17 patients received etoposide with cisplatin (29.8%). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status at relapse was 1 in 3 (5.3%), 2 in 49 (86.0%), and 3 in 5 (8.7%) patients. The response rate and clinical benefit rate were 9.1% (5 patients) and 52.7% (29 patients), respectively. Grade 3-4 toxicities were seen in 10.5% (6 patients). The median PFS was 145 days (95% confidence interval [CI]: 116.6-173.5 days) whereas the median OS was 168 days (95% CI: 112.5-223.5 days). Conclusion: Weekly paclitaxel as a second line agent in relapsed small cell cancer of the lung is a feasible and well-tolerated agent.
Long term results of comparison of concurrent low‑dose daily cisplatin versus the standard weekly cisplatin with six fractions per week radiotherapy in locally advanced head neck cancer
Authors: Gupta Pramod Kumar , Lal Punita , Bajpai Ranjeet , Goel Anshu , Yadav Rajan , Verma Mranalini , Kumar Shaleen
Published: May 2016

Aim and Objective: Weekly administration of cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloroplatinum [CDDP]) appears more feasible and substantially more popular than the 3 weekly schedules due to better compliance. Different concurrent cisplatin schedules have been attempted including a daily schedule. We did a comparison of two consecutive single arm studies, i.e., use of weekly cisplatin versus daily cisplatin when used with concurrently with a moderately accelerated radiotherapy (RT) schedule. Patients and Methods: Two prospective feasibility, safety and efficacy studies were carried out consecutively within the department. The weekly CDDP study was done from August 2003 to August 2005 and daily CDDP study was conducted from November 2005 to June 2007. Both studies included locally advanced stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region with RT dose of 70 Gy. Concurrent single-agent cisplatin was administered weekly (35 mg/m 2) in the first and daily (6 mg/m 2) in the second study. Results: Weekly cisplatin study had 68 and daily CDDP study had 52 patients. The median follow-up in the two studies was 93 and 63 months, respectively. Compliance in the two studies was comparable. Acute Grade III/IV mucositis and dysphagia were significantly higher in weekly cisplatin study. Late Grade II/III toxicities such as xerostomia, dysphagia, ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity were similar. The 5 years locoregional control was 18% and 25% and 5 years overall survival rate was 32% and 31% in weekly and daily cisplatin studies, respectively. Conclusions: Modest acceleration along with either "weekly" or "daily" cisplatin, whichever is possible in one′s setup, is do-able, provided due attention is paid to patient selection and supportive care.
Hip Fracture Types in Canadian Men and Women Change Differently with Age: A Population-Level Analysis
Authors: Crilly Richard G. , Kloseck Marita , Mequanint Selam
Published: May 2016

Background

We have previously reported a gender difference in the occurrence of hip fracture type with age in our local population. In the current report, we have explored this phenomenon in a Canadian population using five years of data from a national administrative database. We have compared community-dwelling and institutionalized individuals to determine if frailty is important and has a differential effect on the type of hip fracture experienced.

Methods

Hospitalization records from 2005 to 2009, in which the most responsible diagnosis, that is the diagnosis causing the admission to hospital, was a hip fracture, were obtained from the Discharge Abstract Database of the Canadian Institute for Health Information. Hip fracture type was identified using the Canadian Classification of Health Interventions and the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision, Canada (ICD-10-CA). Hip fracture proportions were calculated for the study period and stratified by age group and sex.

Results

The relative proportion of intertrochanteric fractures in women rose from 35% in the youngest group (55–59 years) to 51% in the oldest group (84+ years; P < 0.0001). In men, the proportions remain relatively stable (47% and 44%, respectively). Community and institutionalized patients showed the same pattern.

Conclusions

The change in the proportion of the two hip fracture types that occur in women but not men may point to differences in the etiology and consequently the approaches to prevention for the two fracture types. Level of frailty did not seem to be important.
Plasmodium falciparum Genetic Diversity in Bangladesh Does Not Suggest a Hypoendemic Population Structure
Authors: Alam Mohammad Shafiul , Elahi Rubayet , Mohon Abu Naser , Al-Amin Hasan Mohammad , Kibria Mohammad Golam , Khan Wasif A. , Khanum Hamida , Haque Rashidul
Published: May 2016

Despite the recommendation for the use of merozoite surface protein 1 (msp1), merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2), and glutamate-rich protein (glurp) genes as markers in drug efficacy studies by World Health Organization and their limited use in Bangladesh, the circulating Plasmodium falciparum population genetic structure has not yet been assessed in Bangladesh. This study presents a comprehensive report on the circulating P. falciparum population structure based on msp1, msp2, and glurp polymorphic gene markers in Bangladesh. Among the 130 pretreatment (day 0) P. falciparum samples from seven malaria-endemic districts, 14 distinct genotypes were observed for msp1, 20 for msp2, and 13 for glurp. Polyclonal infection was reported in 94.6% (N = 123) of the samples. Multiplicity of infection (MOI) for msp1 was the highest (1.5) among the MOIs of the markers. The heterozygosity for msp1, msp2, and glurp was 0.89, 0.93, and 0.83, respectively. Data according to different malaria-endemic areas are also presented and discussed. Bangladesh is considered as a malaria-hypoendemic country. However, the prevalence of polyclonal infection and the genetic diversity of P. falciparum do not represent hypoendemicity.
Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in the San Francisco Bay Area, California
Authors: Nieto Nathan C. , Salkeld Daniel J.
Published: May 2016

In California, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, is transmitted by western black-legged ticks (Ixodes pacificus). Cases of HGA are infrequent in California but do occur annually. We investigated nymphal and adult western black-legged tick populations in 20 recreational areas in California's San Francisco Bay Area (Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, and Sonoma counties). Overall, prevalence of A. phagocytophilum in adult ticks was 0.8% (11/1,465), and in nymphal ticks was 4.2% (24/568), though presence was patchy and prevalence varied locally. We detected significant sequence variation in our quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)–positive samples. This included four sequences that grouped within a clade that contains clinical human and veterinary isolates as well as four others that grouped with sequences from PCR-positive lizards from northern California. Tick populations in our study sites harbor genetically diverse strains of A. phagocytophilum, which may influence potential risk in the region.
Molecular Characterization of Two Major Dengue Outbreaks in Costa Rica
Authors: Soto-Garita Claudio , Somogyi Teresita , Vicente-Santos Amanda , Corrales-Aguilar Eugenia
Published: May 2016

Dengue virus (DENV) (Flavivirus, Flaviviridae) is a reemerging arthropod-borne virus with a worldwide circulation, transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Since the first detection of its main transmitting vector in 1992 and the invasion of DENV-1 in 1993, Costa Rica has faced dengue outbreaks yearly. In 2007 and 2013, Costa Rica experienced two of the largest outbreaks in terms of total and severe cases. To provide genetic information about the etiologic agents producing these outbreaks, we conducted phylogenetic analysis of viruses isolated from human samples. A total of 23 DENV-1 and DENV-2 sequences were characterized. These analyses signaled that DENV-1 genotype V and DENV-2 American/Asian genotype were circulating in those outbreaks. Our results suggest that the 2007 and 2013 outbreak viral strains of DENV-1 and DENV-2 originated from nearby countries and underwent in situ microevolution.
Artemether–Lumefantrine Concentrations in Tablets and Powders from Ghana Measured by a New High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method
Authors: Debrah Philip , Nettey Henry , Miltersen Katja Kjeldgaard , Ayeh-Kumi Patrick , Brock Birgitte , Sarkodie Joseph Adusei , Akwo-Kretchy Irene , Owusu-Danso Patrick , Adjei Samuel , Petersen Eskild , Hardlei Tore Forsingdal
Published: May 2016

We developed and validated a new analytical method for the simultaneous quantification of artemether and lumefantrine in fixed-dose tablets and powders for reconstitution into pediatric suspensions (PSs). The method showed linearity (r2 > 0.9947), precision (coefficient of variation < 2%), accuracy (deviation of mean from actual concentrations < 4%), and specificity (peak purities > 99%). The validated method was used to analyze 24 batches of fixed-dose tablets and PSs of artemether and lumefantrine. Of the samples, 23 were obtained using convenience sampling of commonly available brands within Accra in Ghana and one was obtained from Aarhus University Hospital. In all, 83.3% (confidence interval: 80–120%) passed for both artemether and lumefantrine contents, 16.7% failed by the U.S. Pharmacopoeia standards, 8.3% failed for one content, and 8.3% failed for both contents. All four products (16.7%) that failed were PSs, and two (8.3%) showed higher levels of artemether than prescribed (222% and 756%).
Skills for Interviewing Adolescent Patients: Sustainability of Structured Feedback in Undergraduate Education on Performance in Residency
Authors: Joukhadar Nadim , Bourget Genna , Manos Sarah , Mann Karen , Hatchette Jill , Blake Kim
Published: May 2016

Effective adolescent (10 to 19 years) interviewing by physicians is an essential skill that many trainees can find challenging.Background

 We assessed whether structured adolescent interviewing using standardized patients (SPs) and feedback in undergraduate medical education (UME) has a sustained effect on residents' skills.Objective

 Postgraduate year (PGY) 1 residents conducted interviews with a SP adolescent–mother pair. The SPs independently scored each PGY-1 interview using the structured communication adolescent guide (SCAG). Unpaired t tests were conducted comparing “Total-Item” and “Global” scores of PGY-1s who received structured SP adolescent interviewing with feedback in UME (“structured training” group) to those who had not (“no structured training” group).Methods

 PGY-1s in the structured training group (n = 23) received significantly higher mean Total-Item scores from both the SP adolescent (40.78 ± 7.04 and 32.41 ± 10.12, respectively; P = .001) and the SP mother (40.48 ± 7.90 and 33.34 ± 10.90, respectively; P = .01) than those without structured training (n = 29). Statistically significant results favoring PGY-1s with prior training were also seen with the SP adolescent and mother total Global SCAG scores.Results

 Structured training in adolescent interviewing with SPs and feedback in UME appears to have a sustained effect on residents' adolescent interviewing skills. PGY-1s will interview adolescents and may benefit from structured adolescent SP interviewing with feedback, especially individuals who did not have this experience during their medical school training.Conclusions
Developing a Tool to Assess Placement of Central Venous Catheters in Pediatrics Patients
Authors: Fleming Geoffrey M. , Mink Richard B. , Hornik Christoph , Emke Amanda R. , Green Michael L. , Mason Katherine , Petrillo Toni , Schuette Jennifer , Tcharmtchi M. Hossein , Winkler Margaret , Turner David A.
Published: May 2016

Pediatric critical care medicine requires the acquisition of procedural skills, but to date no criteria exist for assessing trainee competence in central venous catheter (CVC) insertion.Background

 The goal of this study was to create and demonstrate validity evidence for a direct observation tool for assessing CVC insertion.Objective

 Ten experts used the modified Delphi technique to create a 15-item direct observation tool to assess 5 scripted and filmed simulated scenarios of CVC placement. The scenarios were hosted on a dedicated website from March to May 2013, and respondents recruited by e-mail completed the observation tool in real time while watching the scenarios. The goal was to obtain 50 respondents and a total of 250 scenario ratings.Methods

 A total of 49 pediatrics intensive care faculty physicians (6.3% of 780 potential subjects) responded and generated 188 scenario observations. Of these, 150 (79.8%) were recorded from participants who scored 4 or more on the 5 scenarios. The tool correctly identified the expected reference standard in 96.8% of assessments with an interrater agreement kappa (standard error) = 0.94 (0.07) and receiver operating characteristic = 0.97 (95% CI 0.94–0.99).Results

 This direct observation assessment tool for central venous catheterization demonstrates excellent performance in identifying the reference standard with a high degree of interrater reliability. These assessments support a validity construct for a pediatric critical care medicine faculty member to assess a provider placing a CVC in a pediatrics patient.Conclusions