bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pyrazinamide Resistance Assays and Two-Month Sputum Culture Status in Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
Authors: Velásquez Gustavo E. , Calderon Roger I. , Mitnick Carole D. , Becerra Mercedes C. , Huang Chuan-Chin , Zhang Zibiao , Contreras Carmen C. , Yataco Rosa M. , Galea Jerome T. , Lecca Leonid W. , Murray Megan B.
Published: September 2016

Phenotypic drug susceptibility testing is the current “gold standard” for detecting
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
susceptibility to antituberculous drugs. Pyrazinamide is one antituberculous drug for which the correlation between
in vitro
resistance and clinical outcomes remains unclear. Here we performed latent class analysis (LCA) to develop a consensus gold standard definition of pyrazinamide resistance using three paired standard pyrazinamide resistance assays. We then compared this consensus measure to the 2-month culture results for patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) who were treated for 2 months with first-line antituberculous drugs before their resistance results were known. Among 121 patients with MDR-TB, 60 (49.6%) were resistant to pyrazinamide by the Wayne method (L. G. Wayne, Am Rev Respir Dis 109:147–151, 1974), 71 (58.7%) were resistant by the Bactec MGIT 960 method, and 68 (56.2%) were resistant by
pncA
sequencing. LCA grouped isolates with positive results by at least two assays into a category which we considered the “consensus gold standard” for pyrazinamide resistance. The sensitivity and specificity for this consensus gold standard were 82.4% and 92.5%, respectively, for the Wayne method; 95.6% and 88.7%, respectively, for the Bactec MGIT 960 method; and 92.6% and 90.6%, respectively, for
pncA
sequencing. After we adjusted for other factors associated with poor outcomes, including age, sex, alcohol use, and baseline ethambutol resistance, patients whose isolates were resistant by the LCA-derived consensus gold standard were more likely to be culture positive at 2 months with an odds ratio of 1.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.74 to 5.11), but this result was not statistically significant. These findings underscore the need for improved diagnostics for routine use in programmatic settings.
Characterization of Two Multidrug-Resistant IncA/C Plasmids from the 1960s by Using the MinION Sequencer Device
Authors: Szabó Mónika , Nagy Tibor , Wilk Tímea , Farkas Tibor , Hegyi Anna , Olasz Ferenc , Kiss János
Published: September 2016

Two A/C incompatibility group (IncA/C family) plasmids from the 1960s have been sequenced and classified into the A/C
2
type 1 group. R16a and IP40a contain novel antibiotic resistance islands and a complete GIsul2 genomic island not previously found in the family. In the 173.1-kb R16a, the 29.9-kb antibiotic resistance island (ARI) is located in a unique backbone position not utilized by ARIs. ARI
R16a
consists of Tn
1
, Tn
6020
, and Tn
6333
, harboring the resistance genes
bla
TEM-1D
and
aphA1b
and a
mer
module, respectively; a truncated Tn
5393
copy; and a gene cluster with unknown function. Plasmid IP40a is 170.4 kb in size and contains a 5.6-kb ARI inserted into the
kfrA
gene. ARI
IP40a
carrying
bla
TEM-1D
and
aphA1b
genes is composed of Tn
1
with a Tn
6023
insertion. Additionally, IP40a harbors single IS
2
, IS
186
, and Tn
1000
insertions scattered in the backbone; an IS
150
copy in GIsul2; and a complete Tn
6333
carrying a
mer
module at the position of ARI
R16a
. Loss of resistance markers in R16a, IP40a, and R55 was observed during stability tests. Every phenotypic change proved to be the result of recombination events involving mobile elements. Intramolecular transposition of IS copies that generated IP40a derivatives lacking large parts of the backbone could account for the formation of other family members, too. The MinION platform proved to be a valuable tool in bacterial genome sequencing since it generates long reads that span repetitive elements and facilitates full-length plasmid or chromosome assembly. Nanopore technology enables rapid characterization of large, low-copy-number plasmids and their rearrangement products.
Antileishmanial Mechanism of Diamidines Involves Targeting Kinetoplasts
Authors: Yang Gyongseon , Choi Gahee , No Joo Hwan
Published: September 2016

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by pathogenic
Leishmania
parasites; current treatments are toxic and expensive, and drug resistance has emerged. While pentamidine, a diamidine-type compound, is one of the treatments, its antileishmanial mechanism of action has not been investigated in depth. Here we tested several diamidines, including pentamidine and its analog DB75, against
Leishmania donovani
and elucidated their antileishmanial mechanisms. We identified three promising new antileishmanial diamidine compounds with 50% effective concentrations (EC
50
s) of 3.2, 3.4, and 4.5 μM, while pentamidine and DB75 exhibited EC
50
s of 1.46 and 20 μM, respectively. The most potent antileishmanial inhibitor, compound 1, showed strong DNA binding properties, with a shift in the melting temperature (Δ

T
m

) of 24.2°C, whereas pentamidine had a Δ

T
m

value of 2.1°C, and DB75 had a Δ

T
m

value of 7.7°C. Additionally, DB75 localized in
L. donovani
kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and mitochondria but not in nuclear DNA (nDNA). For 2 new diamidines, strong localization signals were observed in kDNA at 1 μM, and at higher concentrations, the signals also appeared in nuclei. All tested diamidines showed selective and dose-dependent inhibition of kDNA, but not nDNA, replication, likely by inhibiting
L. donovani
topoisomerase IB. Overall, these results suggest that diamidine antileishmanial compounds exert activity by accumulating toward and blocking replication of parasite kDNA.
Multidrug-Resistant Sequence Type 235 Pseudomonas aeruginosa Clinical Isolates Producing IMP-26 with Increased Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing Activities in Vietnam
Authors: Tada Tatsuya , Nhung Pham Hong , Miyoshi-Akiyama Tohru , Shimada Kayo , Tsuchiya Mitsuhiro , Phuong Doan Mai , Anh Nguyen Quoc , Ohmagari Norio , Kirikae Teruo
Published: September 2016

Forty clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
were obtained in a medical setting in Hanoi, Vietnam. Whole genomes of all 40 isolates were sequenced by MiSeq (Illumina), and phylogenic trees were constructed from the single nucleotide polymorphism concatemers. Of these 40 isolates, 24 (60.0%) harbored metallo-β-lactamase-encoding genes, including
bla
IMP-15
,
bla
IMP-26
,
bla
IMP-51
, and/or
bla
NDM-1
. Of these 24 isolates, 12 harbored
bla
IMP-26
and belonged to sequence type 235 (ST235).
Escherichia coli
expressing
bla
IMP-26
was significantly more resistant to doripenem and meropenem than
E. coli
expressing
bla
IMP-1
and
bla
IMP-15
. IMP-26 showed higher catalytic activity against doripenem and meropenem than IMP-1 and against all carbapenems tested, including doripenem, imipenem, meropenem, and panipenem, than did IMP-15. These data suggest that clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant ST235
P. aeruginosa
producing IMP-26 with increased carbapenem-hydrolyzing activities are spreading in medical settings in Vietnam.
Transport of Azithromycin into Extravascular Space in Rats
Authors: Kobuchi Shinji , Aoki Miki , Inoue Chiaki , Murakami Hiroyuki , Kuwahara Akiko , Nakamura Tsutomu , Yasui Hiroyuki , Ito Yukako , Takada Kanji , Sakaeda Toshiyuki
Published: September 2016

Recent clinical trials showed a prolonged retention of subinhibitory concentrations of unbound azithromycin in the interstitial fluid of soft tissues despite the fact that azithromycin is extensively distributed in tissues. In these clinical trials, interstitial fluid samples were obtained by using the microdialysis method, and it was established that drug concentrations represent protein-unbound drug concentrations. The present study was designed to measure total azithromycin concentrations in the interstitial fluid of the skin of rats by directly collecting interstitial fluid samples from a pore formed on the skin by a dissolving microneedle array. The total azithromycin concentrations in interstitial fluid of the skin were about 4 to 5 times higher than those in plasma throughout the experimental period, and stasis of the azithromycin concentration in interstitial fluid was observed when the concentration of azithromycin in plasma was at the lower limit of quantification. In addition, the skin/plasma concentration ratio transiently increased after dosing (from 4.3 to 83.1). Our results suggest that azithromycin was trapped inside white blood cells and/or phagocytic cells in not only blood but also interstitial fluid, resulting in a high total azithromycin concentration and the retention of its antimicrobial activity at the primary infection site. The stasis of azithromycin in interstitial fluid and skin would lead to long-lasting pharmacological effects (including those against skin infection) at concentrations exceeding the MIC.
Salmonella Extracellular Matrix Components Influence Biofilm Formation and Gallbladder Colonization
Authors: Adcox Haley E. , Vasicek Erin M. , Dwivedi Varun , Hoang Ky V. , Turner Joanne , Gunn John S.
Published: September 2016

Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi, the causative agent of typhoid fever in humans, forms biofilms encapsulated by an extracellular matrix (ECM). Biofilms facilitate colonization and persistent infection in gallbladders of humans and mouse models of chronic carriage. Individual roles of matrix components have not been completely elucidated
in vitro
or
in vivo
. To examine individual functions, strains of
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium, the murine model of
S
. Typhi, in which various ECM genes were deleted or added, were created to examine biofilm formation, colonization, and persistence in the gallbladder. Studies show that curli contributes most significantly to biofilm formation. Expression of Vi antigen decreased biofilm formation
in vitro
and virulence and bacterial survival
in vivo
without altering the examined gallbladder pro- or anti-inflammatory cytokines. Oppositely, loss of all ECM components (Δ
wcaM
Δ
csgA
Δ
yihO
Δ
bcsE
) increased virulence and bacterial survival
in vivo
and reduced gallbladder interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels. Colanic acid and curli mutants had the largest defects in biofilm-forming ability and contributed most significantly to the virulence increase of the Δ
wcaM
Δ
csgA
Δ
yihO
Δ
bcsE
mutant strain. While the Δ
wcaM
Δ
csgA
Δ
yihO
Δ
bcsE
mutant was not altered in resistance to complement or growth in macrophages, it attached and invaded macrophages better than the wild-type (WT) strain. These data suggest that ECM components have various levels of importance in biofilm formation and gallbladder colonization and that the ECM diminishes disseminated disease in our model, perhaps by reducing cell attachment/invasion and dampening inflammation by maintaining/inducing IL-10 production. Understanding how ECM components aid acute disease and persistence could lead to improvements in therapeutic treatment of typhoid fever patients.
Sinking flap syndrome with abdominal pain: an atypical presentation
Authors: Beuchat Isabelle , Michel Patrik , Maeder Philippe , Diserens Karin
Published: September 2016

A 53-year-old man developed significant mass effect secondary to an ischaemic stroke and was treated with decompressive craniectomy. During the first few days postsurgery he developed orthostatic vertigo with nausea. After a month, with increasing mobilisation and rehabilitation, he started reporting of severe abdominal pain. No aetiology could be found despite extensive local work up and the symptoms were resistant to any symptomatic treatment. Within days postcranioplasty there was a complete resolution of all the symptoms. Conclusion: the sinking flap syndrome can cause abdominal pain and orthostatic vertigo.
Haemophilus parainfluenzaeendocarditis with systemic embolisation following maxillary sinusitis
Authors: Barreto Cortes Margarida , Teixeira Vitor , Fernandes Samuel Raimundo , Rego Fernanda
Published: September 2016

The authors present a case of a man withHaemophilus parainfluenzaeendocarditis complicated with embolisation to the central nervous system. The patient had no evidence of endocarditis by transoesophageal and transthoracic echocardiograms at baseline, but shortly after developed large mitral valve vegetations with valve rupture. The case highlights how rapidly structural valve damage can ensue despite good clinical and laboratorial antibiotic response.
Modified Policy-Delphi study for exploring obesity prevention priorities
Authors: Haynes Emily , Palermo Claire , Reidlinger Dianne P
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Until now, industry and government stakeholders have dominated public discourse about policy options for obesity. While consumer involvement in health service delivery and research has been embraced, methods which engage consumers in health policy development are lacking. Conflicting priorities have generated ethical concern around obesity policy. The concept of ‘intrusiveness’ has been applied to policy decisions in the UK, whereby ethical implications are considered through level of intrusiveness to choice; however, the concept has also been used to avert government regulation to address obesity. The concept of intrusiveness has not been explored from a stakeholder's perspective. The aim is to investigate the relevance of intrusiveness and autonomy to health policy development, and to explore consensus on obesity policy priorities of under-represented stakeholders.

Methods and analysis

The Policy-Delphi technique will be modified using the James Lind Alliance approach to collaborative priority setting. A total of 60 participants will be recruited to represent three stakeholder groups in the Australian context: consumers, public health practitioners and policymakers. A three-round online Policy-Delphi survey will be undertaken. Participants will prioritise options informed by submissions to the 2009 Australian Government Inquiry into Obesity, and rate the intrusiveness of those proposed. An additional round will use qualitative methods in a face-to-face discussion group to explore stakeholder perceptions of the intrusiveness of options. The novelty of this methodology will redress the balance by bringing the consumer voice forward to identify ethically acceptable obesity policy options.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted by the Bond University Health Research Ethics Committee. The findings will inform development of a conceptual framework for analysing and prioritising obesity policy options, which will be relevant internationally and to ethical considerations of wider public health issues. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and collaborative platforms of policy and science.
Evaluating a smartphone application to improve child passenger safety and fire safety knowledge and behaviour
Authors: Omaki Elise , Shields Wendy C , McDonald Eileen , Aitken Mary E , Bishai David , Case James , Gielen Andrea
Published: September 2016

Background

Although proven measures for reducing injury due to motor vehicle collision and residential fires exist, the number of families properly and consistently using child passenger restraints and smoke alarms remains low. This paper describes the design of the Safety In Seconds (SIS) 2.0 study, which aims to evaluate the impact of a smartphone app on parents' use of child restraints and smoke alarms.

Methods

SIS is a multisite randomised controlled trial. Participants are parents of children aged 4–7 years who are visiting the Pediatric Emergency Department or Pediatric Trauma Service. Parents are randomised to receive tailored education about child passenger safety or about fire safety via the SIS smartphone app. A baseline and two follow-up surveys at 3 months and 6 months are conducted. Primary outcomes are: (1) having the correct child restraint for the child's age and size; (2) restraining the child in the back seat of the car; (3) buckling the child up for every ride; (4) having the restraint inspected by a child passenger safety technician; (5) having a working smoke alarm on every level of the home; (6) having hard-wired or lithium battery smoke alarms; (7) having and (8) practising a fire escape plan.

Discussion

Finding ways to communicate with parents about child passenger and fire safety continues to be a research priority. This study will contribute to the evidence about how to promote benefits of proper and consistent child restraint and smoke alarm use.

Trial registration number

NCT02345941; Pre-results.
Adaptations to excess choline in insulin resistant andPcyt2deficient skeletal muscle
Authors: Taylor Adrian , Schenkel Laila Cigana , Yokich Maiya , Bakovic Marica
Published: September 2016

It was hypothesized that choline supplementation in insulin resistant (IR) CTP:phosphoethanolamine cytidylyltransferase deficient (Pcyt2+/−) mice would ameliorate muscle function by remodeling glucose and fatty acid (FA) metabolism. Pcyt2+/−mice either received no treatment or were allowed access to 2 mg/mL choline in drinking water for 4 weeks. Skeletal muscle was harvested from choline treated and untreated mice. Lipid analysis and metabolic gene expression and signaling pathways were compared between untreated Pcyt2+/−mice, treated Pcyt2+/−mice, and Pcyt2+/+mice. The major positive effect of choline supplementation on IR muscle was the reduction of glucose utilization for FA and triglyceride (TAG) synthesis and increased muscle glucose storage as glycogen. Choline reduced the expression of genes for FA and TAG formation (Scd1, Fas, Srebp1c, Dgat1/2), upregulated the genes for FA oxidation (Cpt1, Pparα, Pgc1α), and had minor effects on phospholipid and lipolysis genes. Pcyt2+/−muscle had reduced insulin signaling (IRS1), autophagy (LC3), and choline transport (CTL1) proteins that were restored by choline treatment. Additionally, choline activated AMPK and Akt while inhibiting mTORC1 phosphorylation. These data established that choline supplementation could restore muscle glucose metabolism by reducing lipogenesis and improving mitochondrial and intracellular signaling for protein and energy metabolism in insulin resistant Pcyt2 deficient mice.
Synthesis, structure, and first reactions of a new class of thiacyclophanes
Authors: Kannan Arunachalam , Hopf Henning , Dix Ina , Jones Peter G. , Ernst Ludger
Published: September 2016

In our effort to prepare [m.n]cyclophanes carrying functional groups in their molecular bridges, the thiacyclophanes 14, 19, 20, and 21 have been prepared by simple routes from the pseudo-gem dibromide 10a and the corresponding bis-thiol 10b. The triply-bridged bis-thia-cyclophanes 14, and 19-21 were characterized by their spectroscopic data as well as by X-ray structural analyses. The meta-isomer 20 was oxidized to the bis-sulfone 23, which on flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) yielded a product mixture presumably containing the hydrocarbon 26 with a cleaved molecular bridge. Subjecting 23 to Ramberg-Bäcklund conditions (CCl4, NaOH, phase transfer catalysis) provided the chloride 24 in poor yield (9%), a [2.2]paracyclophane in which the new molecular bridge is fully conjugated.
Improvements to the simplified analysis method for the design of seismically isolated bridges in CSA-S6-14
Authors: Koval Viacheslav , Christopoulos Constantin , Tremblay Robert
Published: September 2016

The design provisions for seismically isolated bridges in the CAN/CSA-S6 Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code and the AASHTO Guide Specifications for Seismic Isolation Design ( AASHTO 2010 , 2014 ) have been developed primarily based on ground motions recorded along the west coast of North America. Both codes include a simplified analysis procedure that relies on an equivalent effective linearization of the nonlinear isolated structure together with damping coefficients to account for the effect of energy dissipation on the response of the isolated system. The appropriateness and range of application of code-specified simplified methods were investigated through nonlinear time-history analyses to propose improvements to this procedure for the new edition of the CSA-S6-2014 code. Based on these analyses, new damping coefficients are proposed for Eastern North America (ENA) and new limits for the application of the simplified method are defined. For ENA, the method with newly proposed damping coefficients can give good bridge displacement estimates for equivalent damping ratios of up to 40%, which broadens the possible designs that can be achieved using the simplified method. This study also showed that applicability limits could be defined more accurately as a function of the system properties.
Recruitment signals in juvenile cod surveys depend on thermal growth conditions
Authors: Laurel Benjamin J. , Cote David , Gregory Robert S. , Rogers Lauren , Knutsen Halvor , Olsen Esben Moland
Published: September 2016

Coastal seine surveys contain some of the only direct measures of age-0 abundance for Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) and Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), yet their utility in forecasting future year-class strength has not been evaluated among regions. We analyzed coastal time series from the Gulf of Alaska, Newfoundland, and Norway to test the hypothesis that recruitment signals are stronger when assessed under thermal conditions that provide high juvenile growth potential. Weaker recruitment signals were associated with low growth potential from cold winters (Newfoundland) and recent warmer summers (Norway). We conclude that temperature-dependent growth strongly influences the utility of coastal surveys in recruitment forecasting among regions. Temporal changes in growth potential (e.g., via climate change) will likely affect recruitment signals by way of changes in juvenile mortality or spatial shifts to more favorable thermal habitats.
Atypical thermal transport in Cu nanorods in the diffusive–ballistic crossover
Authors: Karmakar P.K. , Mohanta D.
Published: September 2016

We propose a simple theoretical calculation scheme based on the phenomenological Fourier heat-flow formalism to study thermal transport behaviors in nanoscale copper rods. The axial heat transport is characterized by a new super-oscillatory feature along with small-amplitude heat spikes. It is anticipated that these atypical spikes are generated by accumulation of localized “hotspots” that have low heat dissipation characteristics. In the case of radial transport, we witness the existence of three distinct heat regimes owing to buildup of hot electrons after experiencing ballistic scattering events. It is important to note that, even though the nanorod diameter is comparable to or smaller than the electron mean free path length, λmfp ∼ 30 nm; multiple ballistic electronic scattering from the outer surface of the nanorods and subsequent accrual into several layers through secondary collisional events has led to concentric heat zones. The hotspots disappear when the nanorod diameter exceeds λmfp.
Energy distribution of electrons under axial motion in a quadrupole Penning trap
Authors: Datar Durgesh , Dyavappa B.M. , Mahesh B.L. , Satyajith K.T. , Ananthamurthy Sharath
Published: September 2016

We present results of the energy distribution function of trapped electrons through a measurement of their axial oscillation in a quadrupole Penning trap. Electrons emitted from a thoriated tungsten filament with a range of energies (3–5 eV) are trapped in a low magnetic field quadrupole Penning trap. Subsequent to storage the trapped electrons are detected through monitoring their axial oscillations by an electronic tank circuit that is weakly coupled to the trap, by resonant energy transfer to the electrons. The technique, developed using LabVIEW, enables a direct measurement of the energy distribution function of the electrons in the trap. We obtain a normal distribution of energy, with a maximum that coincides with the potential applied on the electron filament, indicating that the energy distribution of electrons in the trap reflects the energy distribution of the thermionically emitted electrons from the filament.
Study of improved confinement by a stepwise increase of the input heating power for tokamak plasmas
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Mohamed Mabruka , Kim Eun-Jin
Published: September 2016

This paper is an extension of the brief study by Sarah Douglas et al. [Phys. Plasmas 20 (2013) 114504] where in the study a sinusoidal perturbation of the heating power has been studied. In this paper a stepwise increase of the heating power and its influence on the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] transition are studied. Using a function, [Formula: see text] for the transition of input heating power for tokamak plasmas, i.e. the addition of the perturbation, [Formula: see text], to constant power [Formula: see text] is shown to promote the confinement, leading to the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] transition at a lower value of [Formula: see text], as compared to the case of constant [Formula: see text] without the [Formula: see text] perturbation. It is seen that the input heating power [Formula: see text] that consists of constant part [Formula: see text] in addition to a function [Formula: see text] provides the [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] transition for relatively small [Formula: see text] and much wider range values of [Formula: see text] as compared to Sarah Douglas et al. [Phys. Plasmas 20 (2013) 114504].
Static and dynamic effects of chirality in dielectric media
Authors: Lakes R. S.
Published: September 2016

Chiral dielectrics are considered from the perspective of continuum representations of spatial heterogeneity. Static effects in isotropic chiral dielectrics are predicted, provided the electric field has nonzero third spatial derivatives. The effects are compared with static chiral phenomena in Cosserat elastic materials which obey generalized continuum constitutive equations. Dynamic monopole-like magnetic induction is predicted in chiral dielectric media.
RISK-FREE RATES AND ANIMAL SPIRITS IN FINANCIAL MARKETS
Authors: ILOMÄKI JUKKA
Published: September 2016

We show analytically that animal spirit excess profits for uninformed investors fall (increase) when the risk-free rate rises (falls). In the theoretical analysis, we examine the expected returns of risk-averse, short-lived investors. In addition, we find empirically that the local risk-free rates explain 14% of the changes in the animal spirit excess profits in the global stock markets for the last 29 years when the animal spirits is characterized as a product of the trend-chasing rule.
MARKET RISK OF INVESTMENT IN US SUBPRIME CRISIS: COMPARISON OF A PURE DIFFUSION AND A PURE JUMP MODEL
Authors: MOZUMDER SHARIF , RAHMAN ARAFATUR
Published: September 2016

We consider the oldest financial model to estimate the market risk of investment underlying the world indexes and compare its risk management features with those of a newer model. Our concern is the risk underlying the world indexes in the recent US subprime crisis period. We illustrate how the recent variance gamma (VG) pure jump model is comparable with one of the earliest pure diffusion (Bachelier (BC)) model in estimating investment risk in financial markets using the tail risk measure value-at-risk (VaR) and its coherent version expected shortfall (ES). We observe that for pure jump VG model single quantile VaR is consistently a better performer across indexes; however for tail average risk measure ES, VG is not a consistently better performer; pure diffusion Bachelier model gives ES estimates which are often — not always — better than VG. This provides one more empirical indication that the combination of diffusion and jump is likely to be more effective in turbulent times, e.g., in US subprime crisis period.
Recent Advances in Immediate Toe-to-Hand Transfer
Authors: Woo Sang-Hyun , Yoo Myung-Jae , Paeng Jung-Wook
Published: September 2016

Toe-to-hand transfer is the last option for definitive reconstruction of the hand when digits have been lost as a result of traumatic amputations, congenital anomalies, or tumor ablation. Immediate toe-to-hand transfer for the treatment of acute hand injuries is defined as an emergency operation performed when replantation is impossible or failed. The aim of this article is to propose the indications, advantages and disadvantages of immediate toe to hand transfer as well as to compare the overall results with elective cases.
Reasons for Implant Removal after Distal Radius Fractures
Authors: Tan Audrey , Chong Alphonsus
Published: September 2016

Background: With new low profile locked volar plate designs for distal radius fractures, soft tissue complications are uncommon. However, there are still patients who request to have their implants removed. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the reasons for this.

Methods: We reviewed the hospital operative records of patients who had operative fixation of wrist fractures between November 2008 and May 2009. We examined the clinical records of these patients in order to ascertain if there was a difference in patient demographics between those who eventually had their implants removed and those who had their implants retained. We also noted down the reasons for removal of implants.

Results: In the period of study, 165 patients had operative fixation of their distal radius fractures, of which 44 (26.7%) had had their implants eventually removed. These patients tended to be younger (mean age of 37.1 years compared to 45.5 years in those who retained their implants). We also found a correlation between removal of implants and the presence of ulnar implants, as well as hand dominance. Reasons for implant removal were symptomatic irritation/implant prominence (15), joint stiffness requiring arthrolysis (6), infection (2), malunion (2), and patients who did not have a clinical reason (19).

Conclusions: Our results suggest the involvement of other psychosocial factors, such as cultural attitudes towards the presence of implants within the body. In light of our results, we also suggest that ulnar styloid fractures be treated non-operatively.
Percutaneous Fixation for Scaphoid Nonunion with Bone Grafting Through the Distal Insertion Hole of a Fully Threaded Headless Screw
Authors: Ohta Souichi , Ikeguchi Ryosuke , Noguchi Takashi , Kaizawa Yukitoshi , Oda Hiroki , Yurie Hirofumi , Matsuda Shuichi
Published: September 2016

Background: Percutaneous scaphoid screw fixation is a popular treatment for acute scaphoid fractures with no or minimal displacement. For treating scaphoid nonunions, however, open reduction and internal fixation with bone grafting is still the most popular treatment. Percutaneous fixation with bone grafting through the screw insertion hole has received little attention, although it minimizes damage to the surrounding tissues. We report excellent results of six scaphoid nonunions treated by retrograde percutaneous fixation with curettage and bone grafting through the distal insertion hole of a fully threaded headless screw.

Methods: Six scaphoid nonunions with substantial bone loss were treated, including one revision case. All nonunions were located at the middle third of the scaphoid. The mean patient age at operation was 26 years, and the mean interval between fracture and surgery was 7 months. In the revision case, the interval between the primary and revision surgery was 6 months. In one case, curettage alone was performed before retrograde insertion of the headless screw. In the other cases including the revision, curettage and bone grafting with a bone biopsy needle was required through a distal insertion hole.

Results: The mean follow-up was 11.3 months. Radiologically, union was achieved at averaged 12 weeks postoperatively. At the final follow-up, there was significant improvement in the wrist extension range of movement (from 65.8° to 80.8°) and grip strength (from 69.5% to 93.0% of the unaffected side). Five patients were free of pain, and one experienced mild pain only during heavy manual labor. The mean VAS, DASH, and Cooney wrist scores were 0.3, 1 and 99, respectively. All patients returned to their work or athletic activities.

Conclusions: Retrograde percutaneous fixation with bone grafting through the distal insertion hole of a fully threaded headless screw is a promising option for surgical treatment of scaphoid nonunions.
Post-Reduction Stability of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint after Dorsal Fracture Dislocation—A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Cheah Andre Eu-Jin , Foo Tun-Lin , Liao Janice Chin-Yi , He Min , Chong Alphonsus Khin-Sze
Published: September 2016

Background: Proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) dorsal fracture dislocations (DFD) are challenging injuries. Treatment aims to achieve stability of the PIPJ after reduction so that early motion can be initiated. We studied how increasing articular destruction would affect post reduction stability and investigate the amount of traction and PIPJ flexion needed to maintain the reduction.

Methods: Increasing amounts (20%, 40% and 60%) of damage to the volar lip of the middle phalanx in cadaveric specimens were created to represent PIPJ DFD that were stable, of tenuous stability and frankly unstable. Traction forces and PIPJ flexion needed to maintain the reduction were then measured.

Results: The PIPJ DFD with 20% damage were stable and did not subluxe while the one with 40% articular involvement was stable after reduction. For unstable the PIPJ with 60% involvement, the more the PIPJ was flexed, the less traction force was needed to hold the joint in reduction. For PIPJ flexion of 20 degrees, a minimum 4.4N of force is needed to maintain reduction while PIPJ flexion of 10 degrees required a minimum 5.0N of force. No amount of force could maintain PIPJ reduction if traction was performed in full extension.

Conclusions: In our model, PIPJ DFD with less than 30% articular damage are stable while those with 30% to 50% of involvement have tenuous stability. For the unstable PIPJ DFD, traction obviates the need for excessive flexion of the PIPJ to maintain joint reduction. This information should be considered in treatment modalities for PIPJ DFD, as well in the design of external traction devices for the treatment of PIPJ DFD.
Recurrent Primary Synovial Sarcoma of Median Nerve: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Bhat A.K. , Jayakrishnan K.N. , Acharya A.M.
Published: September 2016

We report a case of intraneural synovial sarcoma of the median nerve in a 39 year old lady with multiple local recurrences over thirteen years with no distant metastasis. The diagnosis of biphasic type of synovial sarcoma was confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. At the time of the fourth recurrence below elbow amputation was performed. This case is being reported for its rarity and propensity for local recurrence without distant metastasis.
A Probabilistic Lifestyle-Based Trajectory Model for Social Strength Inference from Human Trajectory Data
Authors: Zhao Wayne Xin , Zhou Ningnan , Zhang Wenhui , Wen Ji-Rong , Wang Shan , Chang Edward Y.
Published: September 2016

With the pervasiveness of location-based social networks, it becomes increasingly important to consider the social characteristics of locations shared among persons. Several studies have been proposed to infer social strength by using trajectory similarity. However, these studies have two major shortcomings. First, they rely on the explicit co-occurrence of check-in locations. In this situation, a user pair of two friends who seldom share common locations or a user pair of two strangers who heavily share common visited locations will receive an unreliable estimation of the real social strength between them. Second, these studies do not consider how the overall trajectory patterns of users change with the varying of living styles.

In this article, we propose a probabilistic generative model to mine latent lifestyle-related patterns from human trajectory data for inferring social strength. It can automatically learn
functionality topics
consisting of locations with similar service functions and transition probabilities over the set of functionality topics. Furthermore, a lifestyle is modeled as a unique transition probability matrix over the set of functionality topics. A user has a preference distribution over the set of lifestyles, and he or she is able to select over multiple lifestyles to adapt to different living contexts. The learned lifestyle-related patterns are subsequently used as features in a supervised learner for both strength estimation and link prediction. We conduct extensive experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed method on two real-world datasets. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
SIGecom job market candidate profiles 2017
Authors: Gkatzelis Vasilis , Hartline Jason
Published: September 2016

This is the second annual collection of profiles of the junior faculty job market candidates of the SIGecom community. The twenty four candidates for 2017 are listed alphabetically and indexed by research areas that define the interests of the community. The candidates can be contacted individually or via the moderated mailing list ecom-candidates2017@acm.org.
Displacement of Pile-Reinforced Slopes with a Weak Layer Subjected to Seismic Loads
Authors: Zhou Haizuo , Zheng Gang , Yang Xinyu , Diao Yu , Gong Lisen , Cheng Xuesong
Published: September 2016

The presence of a weak layer in a slope requires special attention because it has a negative impact on slope stability. However, limited insight into the seismic stability of slopes with a weak layer exists. In this study, the seismic stability of a pile-reinforced slope with a weak thin layer is investigated. Based on the limit analysis theory, a translational failure mechanism for an earth slope is developed. The rotational rigid blocks in the previous rotational-translational failure mechanism are replaced by continuous deformation regions, which consist of a sequence ofnrigid triangles. The predicted static factor of safety and collapse mechanism in two typical examples of slopes with a weak layer compare well with the results obtained from the available literature and by using the Discontinuity Layout Optimization (DLO) technique. The lateral forces provided by the stabilizing piles are evaluated using the theory of plastic deformation. An analytical solution for estimating the critical yield acceleration coefficient for the pile-reinforced slopes is derived. Based on the proposed translational failure mechanism and the corresponding critical yield acceleration coefficient, Newmark’s analytical procedure is employed to evaluate the cumulative displacement. Considering different real earthquake acceleration records as input motion, the effect of stabilizing piles and varying the spacing of piles on the cumulative displacement of slopes with a weak layer is investigated.
A New Approach to Hausdorff Space Theory via the Soft Sets
Authors: Şenel Güzide
Published: September 2016

The aim of this paper is to present the concept of soft bitopological Hausdorff space (SBT Hausdorff space) as an original study. Firstly, I introduce some new concepts in soft bitopological space such as SBT point, SBT continuous function, and SBT homeomorphism. Secondly, I define SBT Hausdorff space. I analyse whether a SBT space is Hausdorff or not by SBT homeomorphism defined from a SBT Hausdorff space to researched SBT space. I end my study by defining SBT property and hereditary SBT by SBT homeomorphism and investigate the relations between SBT space and SBT subspace.
Myo-Inositol Safety in Pregnancy: From Preimplantation Development to Newborn Animals
Authors: Kuşcu Nilay , Bizzarri Mariano , Bevilacqua Arturo
Published: September 2016

Myo-inositol (myo-Ins) has a physiological role in mammalian gametogenesis and embryonic development and a positive clinical impact on human medically assisted reproduction. We have previously shown that mouse embryo exposure to myo-Ins through preimplantation developmentin vitroincreases proliferation activity and blastocyst production, representing an improvement in culture conditions. We have herein investigated biochemical mechanisms elicited by myo-Ins in preimplantation embryos and evaluated myo-Ins effects on postimplantation/postnatal development. To this end naturally fertilized embryos were culturedin vitroto blastocyst in the presence or absence of myo-Ins and analyzed for activation of the PKB/Akt pathway, known to modulate proliferation/survival cellular processes. In parallel, blastocyst-stage embryos were transferred into pseudopregnant females and allowed to develop to term and until weaning. Results obtained provide evidence that myo-Ins induces cellular pathways involving Akt and show that (a) exposure of preimplantation embryos to myo-Ins increases the number of blastocysts available for uterine transfer and of delivered animals and (b) the developmental patterns of mice obtained from embryos cultured in the presence or absence of myo-Ins, up to three weeks of age, overlap. These data further identify myo-Ins as a possibly important supplement for human preimplantation embryo culture in assisted reproduction technology.
Restoration Effects of the Riparian Forest on the Intertidal Fish Fauna in an Urban Area of the Amazon River
Authors: Sá-Oliveira Júlio C. , Ferrari Stephen F. , Vasconcelos Huann C. G. , Mendes-Junior Raimundo N. G. , Araújo Andrea S. , Costa-Campos Carlos Eduardo , Nascimento Walace S. , Isaac Victoria J.
Published: September 2016

Urbanization causes environmental impacts that threaten the health of aquatic communities and alter their recovery patterns. In this study, we evaluated the diversity of intertidal fish in six areas affected by urbanization (areas with native vegetation, deforested areas, and areas in process of restoration of vegetation) along an urban waterfront in the Amazon River. 20 species were identified, representing 17 genera, 14 families, and 8 orders. The different degrees of habitat degradation had a major effect on the composition of the fish fauna; the two least affected sectors were the only ones in that all 20 species were found. Eight species were recorded in the most degraded areas. The analysis revealed two well-defined groups, coinciding with the sectors in better ecological quality and degraded areas, respectively. The native vegetation has been identified as the crucial factor to the recovery and homeostasis of the studied ecosystem, justifying its legal protection and its use in the restoration and conservation of altered and threatened environments. These results reinforce the importance of maintaining the native vegetation as well as its restoration in order to benefit of the fish populations in intertidal zones impacted by alterations resulting from inadequate urbanization.
State-of-the-Art Developments of Acoustic Energy Transfer
Authors: Awal Md Rabiul , Jusoh Muzammil , Sabapathy Thennarasan , Kamarudin Muhammad Ramlee , Rahim Rosemizi Abd
Published: September 2016

Acoustic energy transfer (AET) technology has drawn significant industrial attention recently. This paper presents the reviews of the existing AETs sequentially, preferably, from the early stage. From the review, it is evident that, among all the classes of wireless energy transfer, AET is the safest technology to adopt. Thus, it is highly recommended for sensitive area and devices, especially implantable devices. Though, the efficiency for relatively long distances (i.e., >30 mm) is less than that of inductive or capacitive power transfer; however, the trade-off between safety considerations and performances is highly suitable and better than others. From the presented statistics, it is evident that AET is capable of transmitting 1.068 kW and 5.4 W of energy through wall and in-body medium (implants), respectively. Progressively, the AET efficiency can reach up to 88% in extension to 8.6 m separation distance which is even superior to that of inductive and capacitive power transfer.
Jin Fu Kang Oral Liquid Inhibits Lymphatic Endothelial Cells Formation and Migration
Authors: He Hai-Lang , Wang Dan , Tang Jie , Zhou Xian-Mei , Li Jian-Xin , Xu Ling
Published: September 2016

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer‐related deaths worldwide. Jin Fu Kang (JFK), an oral liquid prescription of Chinese herbal drugs, has been clinically available for the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Lymphangiogenesis is a primary event in the process of cancer development and metastasis, and the formation and migration of lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) play a key role in the lymphangiogenesis. To assess the activity of stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 (SDF‐1) and the coeffect of SDF‐1 and vascular endothelial growth factor‐C (VEGF‐C) on the formation and migration of LECs and clarify the inhibitory effects of JFK on the LECs, the LECs were differentiated from CD34+/VEGFR‐3+ endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and JFK‐containing serums were prepared from rats. SDF‐1 and VEGF‐C both induced the differentiation of CD34+/VEGFR‐3+ EPCs towards LECs and enhanced the LECs migration. Couse of SDF‐1 and VEGF‐C displayed an additive effect on the LECs formation but not on their migration. JFK inhibited the formation and migration of LECs, and the inhibitory effects were most probably via regulation of the SDF‐1/CXCR4 and VEGF‐C/VEGFR‐3 axes. The current finding suggested that JFK might inhibit NSCLC through antilymphangiogenesis and also provided a potential to discover antilymphangiogenesis agents from natural resources.
Number of Forts in Iterated Logistic Mapping
Authors: Yu Kaixuan , Yu Zhiheng
Published: September 2016

Using the theory of complete discrimination system and the computer algebra systemMAPLE V.17, we compute the number of forts for the logistic mappingfλ(x)=λx(1-x)on[0,1]parameterized byλ∈(0,4]. We prove that if0<λ≤2then the number of forts does not increase under iteration and that ifλ>2then the number of forts is not bounded under iteration. Furthermore, we focus on the case ofλ>2and give for eachk=1,…,7some critical values ofλfor the change of numbers of forts.
NovelFeIIandCoIIComplexes of Natural Product Tryptanthrin: Synthesis and Binding with G-Quadruplex DNA
Authors: Zhong Yi-ning , Zhang Yan , Gu Yun-qiong , Wu Shi-yun , Shen Wen-ying , Tan Ming-xiong
Published: September 2016

Tryptanthrin is one of the most important members of indoloquinoline alkaloids. We obtained this alkaloid fromIsatis. Two novelFeIIandCoIIcomplexes of tryptanthrin were first synthesized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses show that these complexes display distorted four-coordinated tetrahedron geometry via two heterocyclic nitrogen and oxygen atoms from tryptanthrin ligand. Binding with G-quadruplex DNA properties revealed that both complexes were found to exhibit significant interaction with G-quadruplex DNA. This study may potentially serve as the basis of future rational design of metal-based drugs from natural products that target the G-quadruplex DNA.
Toward the Approximate Solution for Fractional Order Nonlinear Mixed Derivative and Nonlocal Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Khalil Hammad , Al-Smadi Mohammed , Moaddy Khaled , Khan Rahmat Ali , Hashim Ishak
Published: September 2016

The paper is devoted to the study of operational matrix method for approximating solution for nonlinear coupled system fractional differential equations. The main aim of this paper is to approximate solution for the problem under two different types of boundary conditions,m^-point nonlocal boundary conditions and mixed derivative boundary conditions. We develop some new operational matrices. These matrices are used along with some previously derived results to convert the problem under consideration into a system of easily solvable matrix equations. The convergence of the developed scheme is studied analytically and is conformed by solving some test problems.