bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Derivation of dynamo current drive in a closed-current volume and stable current sustainment in the HIT-SI experiment
Authors: Hossack A. C. , Sutherland D. A. , Jarboe T. R.
Published: February 2017

A derivation is given showing that the current inside a closed-current volume can be sustained against resistive dissipation by appropriately phased magnetic perturbations. Imposed-dynamo current drive theory is used to predict the toroidal current evolution in the helicity injected torus with steady inductive helicity injection (HIT-SI) experiment as a function of magnetic fluctuations at the edge. Analysis of magnetic fields from a HIT-SI discharge shows that the injector-imposed fluctuations are sufficient to sustain the measured toroidal current without instabilities whereas the small, plasma-generated magnetic fluctuations are not sufficiently large to sustain the current.
Fast propagation regions cause self-sustained reentry in excitable media
Authors: Zykov Vladimir , Krekhov Alexei , Bodenschatz Eberhard
Published: January 2017

Significance

Rotating spiral waves have been observed in a wide variety of nonlinear spatially distributed systems in physics, chemistry, and biology, called excitable media. In medicine, they are associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Nevertheless, how exactly these waves are initiated in excitable tissue remains largely unknown. Several candidate mechanisms have been proposed over the last century, largely based on the assumption of wave breaking due to unexcitable obstacles or the medium’s refractoriness. Here, we have identified a generic mechanism for self-sustained spiral wave generation in inhomogeneous excitable media by localized regions with the fast propagation velocity. We believe our theory creates constructive options to fight these deadly phenomena.
Filopodia formation and endosome clustering induced by mutant plus-end–directed myosin VI
Authors: Masters Thomas A. , Buss Folma
Published: February 2017

Significance

How the mechanical properties of myosin motors relate to their functions in cells is poorly understood. Myosin VI (MYO6) is the only myosin that moves to the minus end of actin filaments, but the cellular requirement of this reverse movement is unknown. To investigate this question, we generated a mechanical mutant of MYO6, MYO6+, which moves to the plus end of actin filaments. This mutant causes clustering of signaling endosomes coupled to reorganization of cortical actin filaments into elongated filopodia. These two phenotypes depend on the multimerization of MYO6+ on the endosomal membrane induced by binding to lipids and adaptor proteins. Our results highlight the importance of endosomes for myosin-dependent regulation of cortical actin filaments in mammalian cells.
Flow-assisted assembly of nanostructured protein microfibers
Authors: Kamada Ayaka , Mittal Nitesh , Söderberg L. Daniel , Ingverud Tobias , Ohm Wiebke , Roth Stephan V. , Lundell Fredrik , Lendel Christofer
Published: January 2017

Significance

Protein nanofibrils formed by self-assembly have emerged as a promising foundation for the design of bio-based materials with enhanced mechanical properties or new functionality. To make use of the extraordinary properties of these structures in materials design, improved understanding of the assembly of the nanofibrils into macroscale materials is crucial. Here we demonstrate that micrometer-sized protein fibers can be created from protein nanofibrils using a simple microfluidics setup. The assembly mechanism of these fibers is elucidated using high-resolution small-angle X-ray studies in combination with rheology measurements of the corresponding hydrogels. The results reveal essential parameters associated with the fiber formation and provide insights about the assembly processes of hierarchical protein materials.
Offers by Greek FL learners
Authors: Bella Spyridoula
Published: January 2017

This study investigates developmental patterns in the ability of Greek foreign language learners to make offers. Drawing data from role-plays and retrospective verbal reports it attempts to explore the initiative offer strategies, the syntactic modification and the degree of insistence that learners of three different proficiency levels (lower intermediate, intermediate and advanced) employ when performing offers in two symmetrical (-P, -D) and two asymmetrical (+P, +D) situations. The results suggest that, although there is a great deal of grammatical and pragmalinguistic development regarding both initiative offer strategies and syntactic modification devices, this does not guarantee concomitant levels of sociopragmatic development (cf. Bardovi-Harlig 1999). Specifically, it is shown that learners of increased proficiency tend to overgeneralise complex grammatical structures like interrogative constructions and the conditional in situations in which NSs employ more direct and simple grammatical means in order to achieve a solidarity effect. Furthermore, the learners appear to lag far behind NSs in the appropriate use of insistence. The findings of the study lend support to both the developmental stages of pragmatic competence acknowledged in the relevant literature (Ellis 1992; Achiba 2003) and to Bialystok's (1993) model regarding the acquisition of pragmatic competence.
Interactive analysis of Long-read RNA isoforms with Iso-Seq Browser
Authors: Hu Jingyuan , Uapinyoying Prech , Goecks Jeremy
Published: January 2017

Background

Long-read RNA sequencing, such as Pacific Biosciences’ Iso-Seq method, enables generation of sequencing reads that are 10 kilobases or even longer. These reads are ideal for discovering splice junctions and resolving full-length gene transcripts without time-consuming and error-prone techniques such as transcript assembly and junction inference.

Results

Iso-Seq Browser is a Web-based visual analytics tool for long-read RNA sequencing data produced by Pacific Biosciences’ isoform sequencing (Iso-Seq) techniques. Key features of the Iso-Seq Browser are: 1) an exon-only web-based interface with zooming and exon highlighting for exploring reference gene transcripts and novel gene isoforms, 2) automated grouping of transcripts and isoforms by similarity, 3) many customization features for data exploration and creating publication ready figures, and 4) exporting selected isoforms into fasta files for further analysis. Iso-Seq Browser is written in Python using several scientific libraries. The application and analyses described in this paper are freely available to both academic and commercial users athttps://github.com/goeckslab/isoseq-browser

Conclusions

Iso-Seq Browser enables interactive genome-wide visual analysis of long RNA sequence reads. Through visualization, highlighting, clustering, and filtering of gene isoforms, ISB makes it simple to identify novel isoforms and novel isoform features such as exons, introns and untranslated regions.
Multple-trait Bayesian Regression Methods with Mixture Priors for Genomic Prediction
Authors: Cheng Hao , Kizilkaya Kadir , Zeng Jian , Garrick Dorian , Fernando Rohan
Published: January 2017

Bayesian multiple-regression methods incorporating different mixture priors for marker effects are widely used in genomic prediction. Improvement in prediction accuracies from using those methods, such as BayesB, BayesC and BayesCπ, have been shown in single-trait analyses with both simulated data and real data. These methods have been extended to multi-trait analyses, but only under a specific limited circumstance that assumes a locus affects all the traits or none of them. In this paper, we develop and implement the most general multi-trait BayesCΠ and BayesB methods allowing a broader range of mixture priors. Further, we compare them to single-trait methods and the “restricted” multi-trait formulation using real data. In those data analyses, significant higher prediction accuracies were sometimes observed from these new broad-based multi-trait Bayesian multiple-regression methods. The software tool JWAS offers routines to perform the analyses.
Early frameshift alleles of zebrafishtbx5athat fail to develop the heartstrings phenotype
Authors: Chiavacci Elena , Kirchgeorg Lucia , Felker Anastasia , Burger Alexa , Mosimann Christian
Published: January 2017

Tbx5 is a key transcription factor for vertebrate heart and forelimb development that causes Holt-Oram syndrome when mutated in humans. The classic zebrafish mutant fortbx5anamedheartstrings (hst)features recessive absence of pectoral fins and a spectrum of heart defects, most-prominently featuring the name-giving stretched heart tube. The mutation of thehstallele is a stop codon that is predicted to result in a truncated Tbx5a protein that might feature residual activity. Here, using CRISPR-Cas9 mutagenesis, we generated zebrafish strains for two newtbx5aframeshift alleles in the first coding exon:tbx5a c.21_25delandtbx5a c.22_31del,abbreviated astbx5aΔ5andtbx5aΔ10. Homozygous and trans-heterozygous combinations of these newtbx5aalleles cause fully penetrant loss of pectoral fins and heart defects including changes in cardiac marker expression akin tohstmutants. Nonetheless, distinct fromhstmutants, homozygous and trans-heterozygous combinations of thesetbx5aframeshift mutants do not readily manifest the stretchedhstheart phenotype. Our observation points out the importance and value of comparing phenotypes from different classes of mutant alleles per gene.
Understanding link sharing tools continuance behavior in social media
Authors: Sun Jianjun , Sheng Dongfang , Gu Dongxiao , Du Jia Tina , Min Chao
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the continued use behavior (CU) of link sharing tools based on uses and gratifications theory, the theory of planned behavior and expectation confirmation theory. It then builds a conceptual model that is empirically tested.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 343 students (undergraduates, masters, PhD students, and MBAs) from three Chinese universities via a two-phrase survey. The tools SPSS 18.0 and AMOS 18.0 were used to analyse the reliability, validity, model fits and SEM, respectively.

Findings

The results indicate that an individual’s CU of link sharing tools was determined by his or her continued use intention directly and subjective norm indirectly. Users’ satisfaction on link sharing tools was the main factor affecting the continuance intention. Individuals’ motivation needs such as cognitive needs, personal integrative needs, and social integrative needs were found to be the significant predictors of his or her satisfaction. Besides, people with high privacy concern tended to have less satisfaction with link sharing tools.

Originality/value

This study explores users’ CU of link sharing tools in social media for the first time. The theoretical model developed shows the predictors behind people’s CU.
Structure and thermal behavior of lead-free solders prepared by rapid solidification of their melt
Authors: Durisin Martin , Pietrikova Alena , Durisin Juraj , Saksl Karel
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the structure and thermal stability of newly developed lead-free Sn-based alloys which can be used as novel materials in the soldering of electronic components.

Design/methodology/approach

Rapid solidification was used to prepare the alloys.

Findings

The results showed that the microstructure of these solders exhibited uniform distribution and small-sized intermetallic compounds. Also, smaller crystalline size can be expected compared to commercially available counterparts. The analyses revealed a uniform and homogenous distribution of the small intermetallic particles of Cu6Sn5 and Ag4Sn in the microstructure of solders. The practical implications mean an improvement in mechanical properties and thermal stability of such solder joints, which is a precondition of low mechanical, thermo-mechanical stresses in their structure.

Originality/value

The originality lies in the production of these alloys by the melt spinning technique which was not previously used in the electronics industry.
Experimental Hendra virus infection of dogs: virus replication, shedding and potential for transmission
Authors: Middleton DJ , Riddell S , Klein R , Arkinstall R , Haining J , Frazer L , Mottley C , Evans R , Johnson D , Pallister J
Published: January 2017

Objective

Characterisation of experimental Hendra virus (HeV) infection in dogs and assessment of associated transmission risk.

Methods

Beagle dogs were exposed oronasally to Hendra virus/Australia/Horse/2008/Redlands or to blood collected from HeV‐infected ferrets. Ferrets were exposed to oral fluids collected from dogs after canine exposure to HeV. Observations made and samples tested post‐exposure were used to assess the clinical course and replication sites of HeV in dogs, the infectivity for ferrets of canine oral fluids and features of HeV infection in dogs following contact with infective blood.

Results

Dogs were reliably infected with HeV and were generally asymptomatic. HeV was re‐isolated from the oral cavity and virus clearance was associated with development of virus neutralising antibody. Major sites of HeV replication in dogs were the tonsils, lower respiratory tract and associated lymph nodes. Virus replication was documented in canine kidney and spleen, confirming a viraemic phase for canine HeV infection and suggesting that urine may be a source of infectious virus. Infection was transmitted to ferrets via canine oral secretions, with copy numbers for the HeV N gene in canine oral swabs comparable to those reported for nasal swabs of experimentally infected horses.

Conclusion

HeV is not highly pathogenic for dogs, but their oral secretions pose a potential transmission risk to people. The time‐window for transmission risk is circumscribed and corresponds to the period of acute infection before establishment of an adaptive immune response. The likelihood of central nervous system involvement in canine HeV infection is unclear, as is any long‐term consequence.
Evaluation of the long‐term cost‐effectiveness of liraglutide vs lixisenatide for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the UK setting
Authors: Hunt Barnaby , Vega‐Hernandez Gabriela , Valentine William J. , Kragh Nana
Published: January 2017

Aims

To compare the cost‐effectiveness of 2 glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor agonists, liraglutide 1.8 mg and lixisenatide 20 µg, in the UK setting based on the LIRA‐LIXI trial (NCT01973231).

Materials and methods

Projections of costs (in 2015 pounds sterling [£]) and clinical outcomes were made over patient lifetimes using the IMS CORE Diabetes Model (IMS Health, Basel, Switzerland). The baseline cohort and treatment effects applied after initiation of GLP‐1 receptor agonists were taken from the LIRA‐LIXI trial. Future costs and clinical benefits were discounted at 3.5% annually.

Results

Liraglutide 1.8 mg was associated with improved discounted quality‐adjusted life expectancy (8.87 vs 8.76 quality‐adjusted life years [QALYs]) vs lixisenatide 20 µg. A greater reduction in glycated haemoglobin with liraglutide 1.8 mg led to fewer diabetes‐related complications and delayed their time of onset. Liraglutide 1.8 mg was associated with increased total costs (£37 153 vs £36 174), driven by higher acquisition costs, but this was partially offset by savings from diabetes‐related complications avoided (£26 969 vs £27 912). Liraglutide 1.8 mg was associated with an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio of £8901 per QALY gained vs lixisenatide 20 µg.

Conclusions

Long‐term projections suggest that treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes with liraglutide 1.8 mg is likely to be considered highly cost‐effective compared with lixisenatide 20 µg treatment in the UK setting.
A closer look at novel climates: new methods and insights at continental to landscape scales
Authors: Mahony Colin R. , Cannon Alex J. , Wang Tongli , Aitken Sally N.
Published: February 2017

Novel climates – emerging conditions with no analog in the observational record – are an open problem in ecological modeling. Detecting extrapolation into novel conditions is a critical step in evaluating bioclimatic projections of how species and ecosystems will respond to climate change. However, biologically informed novelty detection methods remain elusive for many modeling algorithms. To assist with bioclimatic model design and evaluation, we present a first‐approximation assessment of general novelty based on a simple and consistent characterization of climate. We build on the seminal global analysis of Williams et al. (2007 PNAS, 104, 5738) by assessing of end‐of‐21st‐century novelty for North America at high spatial resolution and by refining their standardized Euclidean distance into an intuitive Mahalanobian metric called sigma dissimilarity. Like this previous study, we found extensive novelty in end‐of‐21st‐century projections for the warm southern margin of the continent as well as the western Arctic. In addition, we detected localized novelty in lower topographic positions at all latitudes: By the end of the 21st century, novel climates are projected to emerge at low elevations in 80% and 99% of ecoregions in the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emissions scenarios, respectively. Novel climates are limited to 7% of the continent's area in RCP4.5, but are much more extensive in RCP8.5 (40% of area). These three risk factors for novel climates – regional susceptibility, topographic position, and the magnitude of projected climate change – represent a priori evaluation criteria for the credibility of bioclimatic projections. Our findings indicate that novel climates can emerge in any landscape. Interpreting climatic novelty in the context of nonlinear biological responses to climate is an important challenge for future research.
Helicobacter pylori infection is an independent risk factor of early and advanced colorectal neoplasm
Authors: Kim Tae Jun , Kim Eun Ran , Chang Dong Kyung , Kim Young‐Ho , Baek Sun‐Young , Kim Kyunga , Hong Sung Noh
Published: January 2017

Background

The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the development of colorectal neoplasm remains controversial. We examined the association between H. pylori infection and colorectal neoplasm in a large sample of healthy participants who underwent screening colonoscopy.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of 8916 men, who participated in a regular health‐screening examination that included an H. pylori‐specific immunoglobulin G antibody test and colonoscopy, was conducted to evaluate the association between H. pylori and colorectal neoplasm.

Results

Multivariable analyses adjusted for age, body mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, regular exercise, regular aspirin use, and family history of colorectal cancer showed that the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for any adenoma and advanced neoplasm was 1.32 (1.07‐1.61) and 1.90 (1.05‐3.56) in participants with H. pylori infection and without H. pylori infection, respectively. The association persisted after further adjustment for inflammatory markers or metabolic variables including fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol, and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol. Regarding the location, a positive association was confined to cases with proximal adenomas and was observed similarly in all the evaluated subgroups.

Conclusions

In a large‐scale study, carefully controlled for confounding factors, involving asymptomatic participants without a history of colonoscopy, H. pylori infection was significantly associated with the risk of any colorectal adenoma and advanced colorectal neoplasm. Prospective studies are necessary to determine whether H. pylori eradication can reduce this risk.
A method to select for reproductive frost tolerance in field pea (Pisum sativum L.)
Authors: Davies P. A. , Pham T. N. T.
Published: January 2017

This study describes an investigation to test whether genotypic differences for reproductive frost tolerance in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) can be measured in the field. The method involved individually tagging flowers or young pods at particular stages of development within 48 hr after a frost event and assessing pod survival and seed damage at maturity. Four field pea varieties were grown in 2011 in an experiment which measured the loss of pods following a specific frost event. This experiment also tested the impact of trellis and pathways sown with barley on the efficacy of the frost tolerance data. In 2012, an additional genotype was also tested and, in addition to pod loss, data were collected on seed damage in surviving pods. Results from both years showed significant genotypic differences. There was also a significant positive correlation between mean variety pod loss in 2011 and 2012 indicating reliability of this method across seasons.
Patient‐centred care to improve dietetic practice: an integrative review
Authors: Sladdin I. , Ball L. , Bull C. , Chaboyer W.
Published: January 2017

Background

Patient‐centred care (PCC) is associated with significant improvements in patients’ health outcomes and healthcare systems. There is an opportunity to better understand PCC in dietetics. Thus, the present integrative review aims to critically synthesise literature relating to PCC in dietetics.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted between February and March 2016. Studies were included if they (i) involved dietitians and/or patients who had participated in an individual dietetic consultation; (ii) related to one or more components of PCC; and (iii) were empirical full‐text studies in English, involving adult participants, published between 1997 and 2016. Following title and abstract screening, full texts were retrieved and independently assessed for inclusion by two of the investigators. Two independent investigators conducted data extraction and quality assessment using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Study findings were analysed thematically using meta‐synthesis. Twenty‐seven studies met the inclusion criteria.

Results

Six themes were discovered inductively: (i) establishing a positive dietitian–patient relationship; (ii) displaying humanistic behaviours; (iii) using effective communication skills; (iv) individualising and adapting care; (v) redistributing power to the patient; and (vi) lacking time for PCC practices. The first three themes were closely related. Studies used a broad range of methodological designs. Limitations of the studies included a lack of reflexivity and a lack of representativeness of the study population.

Conclusions

It is apparent that dietitians require good communication skills and humanistic qualities to build positive relationships with patients. Patients strongly desire individualised nutrition care and greater involvement in care. Ensuring dietitians are able to incorporate patient‐centred practises during care requires further research.
Nidotherapy compared with enhanced care programme approach training for adults with aggressive challenging behaviour and intellectual disability (NIDABID): cluster‐randomised controlled trial
Authors: Tyrer P. , Tarabi S. A. , Bassett P. , Liedtka N. , Hall R. , Nagar J. , Imrie A. , Tyrer H.
Published: January 2017

Background

Aggressive challenging behaviour is very common in care homes for people with intellectual disability, and better psychological treatments are needed. Nidotherapy aims to change the environment of people with mental illness and is an appropriate treatment for this group of disorders.

Method

The design was a cluster randomised trial of 20 care homes in which the staff either received training in nidotherapy or the enhanced care programme approach (ECPA), with equivalent duration of treatment in each arm. Cluster randomisation of care homes was carried out at the beginning of the study by an independent statistician. Primary and secondary outcomes were not specified exactly in view of absence of previous study data, but changes over time in scores on two scales, the Modified Overt Aggression Scale and the Problem Behaviour Check List were the main outcome measures. Serious violent incidents were recorded using the Quantification of Violence Scale. All these measures were recorded monthly by research assistants who were carefully kept blind to the allocation of treatment.

Results

A total of 200 residents entered the trial, 115 allocated to the ECPA arm and 85 to the nidotherapy one. Seven residents left the care homes in the course of the study, and six were replaced; these were included 79 in the analysis as the trial was a pragmatic one. There were no material reductions in challenging behaviour in the first 8 months of the trial in either group, but in the last 7 months, those allocated to nidotherapy had a 33% reduction in Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) scores and a 43% reduction in Problem Behaviour Check List scores compared with 5% and 13%, respectively, for the ECPA group, differences which for the MOAS were close to statistical significance.

Discussion

Nidotherapy shows promise in the management of aggressive challenging behaviour in care homes, but a delay in its benefit might be expected if given to staff only. The treatment is worthy of further evaluation and development.
A thematic analysis of the experience of UK mental health nurses who have trained in Solution Focused Brief Therapy
Authors: Smith S. , Macduff C.
Published: January 2017

Accessible summary

What is known on the subject?

Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is an effective model of brief psychotherapy.

Evidence suggests that nurses can be trained to deliver SFBT with only a few days training.

It has been argued that SFBT reflects the core values of nursing practice, but no empirical research has been undertaken to validate this assertion.

What does this paper add to existing knowledge?

This is the first time the impact of such training on nurses’ sense of professional and personal identity has been explored.

Drawing upon data derived from twenty interviews, this paper explores the key themes reported by nurses in relation to their personal experience of training in SFBT.

This paper extends our understanding of the lived experience of mental health nurses and facilitates discussion on the preparation and practice of their role.

What are the implications for practice?

Training in SFBT can provide a framework for nurses to empower their clients/patients to take control of their own recovery in a shared and trusting relationship.

Training in SFBT can enhance nurses’ sense of trust in their clients.

Training in solution‐focused interactions may provide a framework for many nurses to provide the type of collaborative, patient‐led care they aspire to.

Introduction

SFBT is a psychotherapeutic model that aims to ‘build solutions’ rather than ‘solve problems’. It has evolved into a structured communication framework utilized across a range of disciplines, focusing on the future, as opposed to the past, and on participant's strengths and abilities, as opposed to their problems and deficits. There have been no studies exploring the experience of training in SFBT from the perspective of the nurses being trained.

Aim

This study sought to explore the experience of nurses who had completed a six‐month training course in SFBT.

Methods

Using a qualitative methodology, 20 nurses who had undertaken SFBT training were interviewed at various locations across Scotland.

Results

Five main themes emerged from analysis of the 20 interviews. Many of the participants reported increased trust in their clients and enhanced role satisfaction.

Implications for Practice

Training in SFBT provides nurses with an alternative model of practice to the dominant ‘medical’ and ‘psychological’ models of contemporary practice. The experiences of the participants in this study suggest that SFBT can be a useful intervention in nursing practice and that nurses can easily incorporate SFBT into their practice.
National treatment programme of hepatitis C in Egypt: Hepatitis C virus model of care
Authors: El‐Akel W. , El‐Sayed M. H. , El Kassas M. , El‐Serafy M. , Khairy M. , Elsaeed K. , Kabil K. , Hassany M. , Shawky A. , Yosry A. , Shaker M. K. , ElShazly Y. , Waked I. , Esmat G. , Doss W.
Published: February 2017

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem in Egypt as the nation bears the highest prevalence rate worldwide. This necessitated establishing a novel model of care (MOC) to contain the epidemic, deliver patient care and ensure global treatment access. In this review, we describe the process of development of the Egyptian model and future strategies for sustainability. Although the magnitude of the HCV problem was known for many years, the HCV MOC only came into being in 2006 with the establishment of the National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis (NCCVH) to set up and implement a national control strategy for the disease and other causes of viral hepatitis. The strategy outlines best practices for patient care delivery by applying a set of service principles through identified clinical streams and patient flow continuums. The Egyptian national viral hepatitis treatment programme is considered one of the most successful and effective public health programmes. To date, more than one million patients were evaluated and more than 850 000 received treatment under the umbrella of the programme since 2006. The NCCVH has been successful in establishing a strong infrastructure for controlling viral hepatitis in Egypt. It established a nationwide network of digitally connected viral hepatitis‐specialized treatment centres covering the country map to enhance treatment access. Practice guidelines suiting local circumstances were issued and regularly updated and are applied in all affiliated centres. This review illustrates the model and the successful Egyptian experience. It sets an exemplar for states, organizations and policy‐makers setting up programmes for care and management of people with hepatitis C.
Experimental comparison between tractional and compressive stress on temporomandibular joint
Authors: Nogami S , Yamauchi K , Shimizu Y , Hirayama B , Kumasaka A , Iikubo M , Kumamoto H , Takahashi T
Published: February 2017

Objective

We experimentally compared the effects of compressive and tractional mechanical stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of rabbits to assess the etiology of progressive condylar resorption.

Materials and Methods

We performed a cortical osteotomy using custom‐made devices that were lengthened by 0.25 mm every 12 h for 1 week after surgery. During this time, the rabbit TMJ was under compressive or tractional mechanical stress. The samples in each group were examined using micro‐computed tomography and histological staining.

Results

Scores for the area of bone resorption were higher in the compressive group than in the tractional group. Moreover, scores for the depth of bone resorption were higher in the compressive group than those in the tractional group. We observed a significantly higher prevalence of resorption in the subcondylar bone in the compressive group than in the tractional group. There were substantially more cells that were positive for tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase in the compressive group than in the control and tractional groups.

Conclusions

The outcomes here suggest that excessive mechanical stress, particularly compressive mechanical stress, may significantly affect morphological bone change findings in the TMJ.
Pelaksanaan Dan Penguatkuasaan Halal Di Malaysia
Authors: Badarulzaman Muhammad Hafiz , Abdul Wahab Harlida , Azhar Alias , Ahmad Shariff Nurretina
Published: February 2017

The enforcement agency is one of the bodies that responsible for the issue of halal. Each agency is authorized by the respective statute and enactment in enforcing the regulation and law on halal goods and products. Although the implementation and enforcement of halal in Malaysia is seen as comprehensive, the issues on weakness and lameness of the agencies are still being debated especially matters related to procedures and conflict of jurisdictions. This paper focuses on the jurisdiction of the enforcement agencies pertaining to halal matters. The paper also will discuss and elaborate the legal issues and hiccups due to halal. Firstly, the jurisdiction of enforcement agencies will be discussed throughout this paper. Then this paper will analyze the procedures and statutory provisions as to see whether all the processes and current legislations are protecting the consumers on halal food consumption. Notwithstanding of statutory provisions, the finding of this paper is based on interviews with the enforcement agencies of halal products. A few recommendations have been suggested as to improve the lacuna pursuant to the roles and jurisdictions of the enforcement agencies.
The Effectiveness of e-Quran in Improving Tajweed Learning Among Standard Three Pupils in Primary School
Authors: Sihes Ahmad Johari , Razali Khairiah , Razali Khairil Azwar
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study is to identify the effects of e-Quran, as compared to printed Quran, towards the learning of tajweed among pupils in a primary school. A total of 60 samples were selected based on their performance in tests of recitation and memorizing the Quran (the medium and high). The samples were then divided randomly into two groups, i.e. the control group and the experimental group. Independent sample t test were used and the results showed no significant difference between the control group and the experimental group in terms of recitation marks in the Diagnostic (pre-test) and Topical Test (post-test). The survey also found that 48% of respondents who used e-Quran recitation technique increased their performance in learning of tajweed. Those respondents also claimed that they had more fun using the e-Quran materials, as compared to the experimental group who used printed Quran.
ACOUSTICAL NEWS
Authors: Moran Elaine
Published: January 2017

Abstract not available.
Parvovirus Expresses a Small Noncoding RNA That Plays an Essential Role in Virus Replication
Authors: Wang Zekun , Shen Weiran , Cheng Fang , Deng Xuefeng , Engelhardt John F. , Yan Ziying , Qiu Jianming
Published: January 2017

Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) belongs to the species
Primate bocaparvovirus
of the genus
Bocaparvovirus
of the
Parvoviridae
family. HBoV1 causes acute respiratory tract infections in young children and has a selective tropism for the apical surface of well-differentiated human airway epithelia (HAE). In this study, we identified an additional HBoV1 gene, bocavirus-transcribed small noncoding RNA (BocaSR), within the 3′ noncoding region (nucleotides [nt] 5199 to 5338) of the viral genome of positive sense. BocaSR is transcribed by RNA polymerase III (Pol III) from an intragenic promoter at levels similar to that of the capsid protein-coding mRNA and is essential for replication of the viral DNA in both transfected HEK293 and infected HAE cells. Mechanistically, we showed that BocaSR regulates the expression of HBoV1-encoded nonstructural proteins NS1, NS2, NS3, and NP1 but not NS4. BocaSR is similar to the adenovirus-associated type I (VAI) RNA in terms of both nucleotide sequence and secondary structure but differs from it in that its regulation of viral protein expression is independent of RNA-activated protein kinase (PKR) regulation. Notably, BocaSR accumulates in the viral DNA replication centers within the nucleus and likely plays a direct role in replication of the viral DNA. Our findings reveal BocaSR to be a novel viral noncoding RNA that coordinates the expression of viral proteins and regulates replication of viral DNA within the nucleus. Thus, BocaSR may be a target for antiviral therapies for HBoV and may also have utility in the production of recombinant HBoV vectors.

IMPORTANCE
Human bocavirus 1 (HBoV1) is pathogenic to humans, causing acute respiratory tract infections in young children. In this study, we identified a novel HBoV1 gene that lies in the 3′ noncoding region of the viral positive-sense genome and is transcribed by RNA polymerase III into a noncoding RNA of 140 nt. This bocavirus-transcribed small RNA (BocaSR) diverges from both adenovirus-associated (VA) RNAs and Epstein-Barr virus-encoded small RNAs (EBERs) with respect to RNA sequence, representing a third species of this kind of Pol III-dependent viral noncoding RNA and the first noncoding RNA identified in autonomous parvoviruses. Unlike the VA RNAs, BocaSR localizes to the viral DNA replication centers of the nucleus and is essential for expression of viral nonstructural proteins independent of RNA-activated protein kinase R and replication of HBoV1 genomes. The identification of BocaSR and its role in virus DNA replication reveals potential avenues for developing antiviral therapies.
Transgenic Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat/Cas9-Mediated Viral Gene Targeting for Antiviral Therapy of Bombyx mori Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Chen Shuqing , Hou Chengxiang , Bi Honglun , Wang Yueqiang , Xu Jun , Li Muwang , James Anthony A. , Huang Yongping , Tan Anjiang
Published: January 2017

We developed a novel antiviral strategy by combining transposon-based transgenesis and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated 9 (Cas9) system for the direct cleavage of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV) genome DNA to promote virus clearance in silkworms. We demonstrate that transgenic silkworms constitutively expressing Cas9 and guide RNAs targeting the BmNPV
immediate early-1
(
ie-1
) and
me53
genes effectively induce target-specific cleavage and subsequent mutagenesis, especially large (∼7-kbp) segment deletions in BmNPV genomes, and thus exhibit robust suppression of BmNPV proliferation. Transgenic animals exhibited higher and inheritable resistance to BmNPV infection than wild-type animals. Our approach will not only contribute to modern sericulture but also shed light on future antiviral therapy.

IMPORTANCE
Pathogen genome targeting has shown its potential in antiviral research. However, transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 system-mediated viral genome targeting has not been reported as an antiviral strategy in a natural animal host of a virus. Our data provide an effective approach against BmNPV infection in a real-world biological system and demonstrate the potential of transgenic CRISPR/Cas9 systems in antiviral research in other species.
Longitudinal study of social participation and well-being among persons with spinal cord injury and their partners (pro-WELL)
Authors: Fekete Christine , Brinkhof Martin W G , Tough Hannah , Siegrist Johannes
Published: January 2017

Purpose

Social participation is an important determinant of well-being. Among persons with disabilities, and with spinal cord injury (SCI) in particular, opportunities for social participation are restricted and may impact well-being. The longitudinal pro-WELL study aims to investigate associations of 2 major domains of social participation with well-being: (1) availability and quality of close social relationships and (2) acting in core social roles (eg, paid work). The joint inclusion of persons with SCI and their partners is a major innovative aspect of this study enabling an in-depth analysis of interpersonal dynamics in coping with disability.

Participants

Pro-WELL is a nested project of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study (SwiSCI) and involves community-dwelling persons aged 30–65 with SCI and their partners living in Switzerland. Baseline data were collected from mid-2015 to early 2016 by telephone interviews and questionnaires. The first and second follow-up assessments are scheduled with a 6 months interval.

Findings to date

The baseline sample consists of 133 persons with SCI and their partners. We provide an overview of baseline characteristics and well-being and describe recruitment outcomes and participation rates. A comprehensive non-response analysis demonstrates adequate representation of the source population with negligible selection bias regarding sociodemographic and lesion characteristics.

Future plans

The prospective data collection and analysis of month 6 and 12 assessments are ongoing and tests of the main research hypotheses will be performed. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. A workshop and a newsletter on study findings are proposed to feed back findings to participants and other stakeholders.
A Study of Multilevel Banded Graph Cuts for Three-Dimensional Colon Tissue Segmentation
Authors: He Wei , Zhang Liyuan , Yang Huamin , Jiang Zhengang , Zhang Huimao , Shi Weili , Miao Yu , He Fei
Published: January 2017

Graph cuts is an image segmentation method by which the region and boundary information of objects can be revolved comprehensively. Because of the complex spatial characteristics of high-dimensional images, time complexity and segmentation accuracy of graph cuts methods for high-dimensional images need to be improved. This paper proposes a new three-dimensional multilevel banded graph cuts model to increase its accuracy and reduce its complexity. Firstly, three-dimensional image is viewed as a high-dimensional space to construct three-dimensional network graphs. A pyramid image sequence is created by Gaussian pyramid downsampling procedure. Then, a new energy function is built according to the spatial characteristics of the three-dimensional image, in which the adjacent points are expressed by using a 26-connected system. At last, the banded graph is constructed on a narrow band around the object/background. The graph cuts method is performed on the banded graph layer by layer to obtain the object region sequentially. In order to verify the proposed method, we have performed an experiment on a set of three-dimensional colon CT images, and compared the results with local region active contour and Chan–Vese model. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method can segment colon tissues from three-dimensional abdominal CT images accurately. The segmentation accuracy can be increased to 95.1% and the time complexity is reduced by about 30% of the other two methods.
Intelligent Control Circuit Integral with Pattern Recognition Techniques for High-Pressure Sodium Lamps
Authors: Pan Yuzhuo , Lv Chen , Su Shanhe , Chen Jincan
Published: January 2017

The paper presents the analysis, simulation, and experimental methods to eliminate acoustic resonance in high-frequency high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps and integrate intelligent control strategies in the working device. Based on the pulse-width modulation (PWM) output generated by the microcontroller, the acoustic resonance in the high-frequency lamp can be successfully eliminated by modulating the high-frequency driving current via a low-frequency signal. Particularly, by implementing the pattern recognition, the control system enables the lamp to have the abilities of accurate timing, gradient dimming, automatic protection, and intellisense. The proposed model will provide useful information for designing intelligent lighting system towards smart cities.
Low-Order Finite-Volume Based Riemann Solver for Application to Aeroacoustic Problems
Authors: van der Velden W. C. P. , Akhnoukh J. T. , van Zuijlen A. H.
Published: January 2017

The current study focuses on the development of a three-dimensional flow and aeroacoustic solver developed in a finite-volume framework which uses similar, dense meshes for both flow and acoustics while using low-order schemes from the finite volume framework to minimize the points per wavelength, overcomes interpolation errors between flow and acoustic meshes, since one-to-one mesh mapping will be applied, minimize the computational time for the acoustic loop with respect to the fluid flow loop and provides a practical, easy to use integrated numerical tool. As dispersion errors are common within this computational framework, Riemann fluxes are used to solve the linearized Euler equations with unsteady quadrupole and dipole sources. A coupling scheme is presented and common issues with boundary conditions, mesh topology and sub-cycling are discussed. Various verification and validation test cases show the expected behavior and trends with respect to analytic and reference results. An application case is presented, where airfoil self-noise is determined around a beveled flat plate.
Study of Colloidal Suspensions of Silicon Nanoparticles: Effect of Surface Oxidation on the Photoluminescence Property
Authors: Jettanasen J. , Preecha P. , Kunakonrangsiman I. , Karpkird T. , Limtrakul J.
Published: January 2017

Nanosilicon is currently under intensive research owing to its extremely promising properties, particularly in photonics domain. However, the photoluminescence (PL) mechanism of silicon nanocrystal remains unclear. We propose, in this paper, a simple method to investigate the PL properties of silicon nanoparticles by exposing the nanoparticles directly to the solvents. The interaction between the nanoparticles and different solvents allows us to assume that not only the quantum size effect but also the surface defect states play a critical role in the PL mechanism, especially at high energy region. This can be confirmed by the results of Transmission Electron Microscopy, FTIR and Raman Spectroscopy.
Symmetry properties, similarity reduction and exact solutions of fractional Boussinesq equation
Authors: Rashidi Saeede , Hejazi S. Reza
Published: January 2017

In this paper, some properties of the time fractional Boussinesq equation are presented. Group analysis of the time fractional Boussinesq equation with Riemann–Liouville derivative is performed and the corresponding optimal system of subgroups are determined. Next, we apply the obtained optimal systems for constructing reduced fractional ordinary differential equations (FODEs). Finally, we show how to derive exact solutions to time fractional Boussinesq equation via invariant subspace method.
NDC-IVM: An automatic segmentation of optic disc and cup region from medical images for glaucoma detection
Authors: Balakrishnan Umarani
Published: January 2017

Glaucoma is an eye disease that usually occurs with the increased Intra-Ocular Pressure (IOP), which damages the vision of eyes. So, detecting and classifying Glaucoma is an important and demanding task in recent days. For this purpose, some of the clustering and segmentation techniques are proposed in the existing works. But, it has some drawbacks that include inefficient, inaccurate and estimates only the affected area. In order to solve these issues, a Neighboring Differential Clustering (NDC) — Intensity Variation Masking (IVM) are proposed in this paper. The main intention of this work is to extract and diagnose the abnormal retinal image by identifying the optic disc. This work includes three stages such as, preprocessing, clustering and segmentation. At first, the given retinal image is preprocessed by using the Gaussian Mask Updated (GMU) model for eliminating the noise and improving the quality of the image. Then, the cluster is formed by extracting the threshold and patterns with the help of NDC technique. In the segmentation stage, the weight is calculated for pixel matching and ROI extraction by using the proposed IVM method. Here, the novelty is presented in the clustering and segmentation processes by developing NDC and IVM algorithms for accurate Glaucoma identification. In experiments, the results of both existing and proposed techniques are evaluated in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Hausdorff distance, Jaccard and dice metrics.