bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intimate partner violence exposure predicts antisocial behavior via pro‐violence attitudes among males with elevated levels of cortisol
Authors: Peckins Melissa K. , Shaw Daniel S. , Waller Rebecca , Hyde Luke W.
Published: July 2018

The present study tested whether attitudes toward violence mediate the association between intimate partner violence exposure and antisocial behavior across adolescence, and whether cortisol level moderates these pathways in an ethnically diverse sample of 190 boys from low‐income, urban families. Results suggest that a pathway from intimate partner violence exposure at age 12 to antisocial behavior at age 17 is explained by pro‐violence attitudes at age 15. Boys with greater exposure to intimate partner violence endorsed stronger pro‐violence attitudes, which predicted increases in antisocial behavior. Further, the pro‐violence attitudes to antisocial behavior pathway were stronger among boys with heightened versus dampened cortisol levels. Results suggest that violent attitudes are important for understanding the cognitive underpinnings of antisocial behavior following intimate partner violence exposure, particularly in youth with high cortisol levels. Implications for prevention and intervention are discussed with respect to targeting malleable child behavior linked to later antisocial behavior.
Reflectance confocal microscopy for the noninvasive diagnosis of cutaneous juvenile xanthogranuloma
Authors: Pimenta R. , Leal‐Filipe P. , Oliveira A.
Published: July 2018

Juvenile xanthogranuloma is the most common type of non‐Langerhans cell histiocytosis. It appears primarily in infancy, where its differential diagnosis includes Spitz nevus, dermal nevus and molluscum contagiosum. We report the case of a 2‐year‐old boy with juvenile xanthogranuloma, as diagnosed using real‐time, in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy.
U.S. Citizens’ Current Attitudes Toward Immigrants and Immigration: A Study From the General Social Survey*
Authors: Pryce Daniel K.
Published: July 2018

Objective

This study tests U.S. citizens’ attitudes toward immigrants and immigration. Immigrants and immigration educe strong, divergent sentiments in the U.S. population. While these sentiments, which are tied to public policy, have been examined in prior studies, it is important to test them regularly in empirical studies to observe any changes in attitudes toward immigrants and immigration.

Methods

I rely on the 2014 General Social Survey and employ hierarchical multivariate regression models to test the effects of patriotism, nationalism, xenophobia, and “world citizenship” on pro‐immigration attitudes.

Results

Females, respondents with higher education, and respondents who were more patriotic were more likely to hold pro‐immigration attitudes. Conversely, older respondents and respondents who held greater xenophobic attitudes were less likely to hold pro‐immigration attitudes. Finally, respondents who viewed themselves more as citizens of the world than citizens of a particular country were more likely to hold pro‐immigration attitudes.

Conclusion

The study's results are generally consistent with findings from prior research, and point to a general invariability in Americans’ views about immigrants and immigration. The policy implications of the findings are discussed.
Clinical features and outcomes of Merkel cell carcinoma in 20 cats
Authors: Sumi A. , Chambers J. K. , Doi M. , Kudo T. , Omachi T. , Uchida K.
Published: July 2018

The biological behaviour and prognostic factors of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) in 20 cats were studied. The tumours were surgically removed and histopathologically examined. The animals were 8 to 20 years old (median age: 14 years), and the tumours were predominantly located in the neck and head. Follow‐up data were available in 17 cases, and 12 cats died within a year of surgery. The overall median survival time after resection was 243 days (range 16‐360 days). Recurrence occurred in 11 cases, although 6 of them (55%) were found to be margin‐negative. Possible metastasis occurred after the surgery in 10 cases, although 6 of them (60%) were found to be margin‐negative. The histopathological features of MCC included tumour necrosis in 16 cases (80%), vascular invasion in 6 cases (38%) and high mitotic counts (median: 28.5 per high‐power field). Irregular acanthosis was noted adjacent to the tumours in 9 cases (60%). Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were positive for cytokeratin (CK) 20 and p63 in all cases, synaptophysin in 19 (95%) cases, and CK18 in 16 cases (80%). The study shows that feline MCC is associated with a poor prognosis and exhibited a strong tendency towards local recurrence, regional lymph node metastasis and distant spread.
Corrections for the Hydrodynamic Instability-Based Critical Heat Flux Models in Pool Boiling—Effects of Viscosity and Heating Surface Size
Authors: Zhao Huayong , Garner Colin P.
Published: July 2018

This paper presents corrections for existing hydrodynamic instability-based critical heat flux (CHF) models in pool boiling by taking into account the effect of the viscosity, geometry and size of the liquid–vapor interface. Based on the existing literature, the Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) theory, used by the most commonly adopted CHF models, can lead to noticeable errors when predicting the instability conditions. The errors are mainly due to the inaccuracy of the inviscid flow assumptions and the oversimplification of the interface geometry. In addition, the literature suggests the most unstable condition predicted by the viscous correction for viscous potential flow (VCVPF) theory for the cylindrical interfaces best match the observed air column breakup conditions in water. In this paper, the most unstable instability conditions predicted by the VCVPF theory are used to correct the existing CHF models. The comparison between the existing and corrected CHF models suggests that the corrected models always predict a higher CHF value. In addition, the corrected Zuber model predicts similar CHF value to the Lienhard and Dhir model. The comparison with experimental data suggests that the correction to the Zuber model can increase its prediction accuracy in most cases, but not necessary for the Lienhard and Dhir model. When compared to experimental CHF data for boiling cryogens at different pressures, the corrected CHF models are consistently more accurate than the original CHF models.
Mechanical Behavior of Silicon Carbide Under Static and Dynamic Compression
Authors: Zhang D. , Zhao L. G. , Roy A.
Published: July 2018

This paper compared the mechanical behavior of 6H SiC under quasi-static and dynamic compression. Rectangle specimens with a dimension of 3 × 3 × 6 mm3 were used for quasi-static compression tests under three different loading rates (i.e., 10−5/s, 10−4/s, and 10−3/s). Stress–strain response showed purely brittle behavior of the material which was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examinations of fractured fragments. For dynamic compression, split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests were carried out for cubic specimens with a dimension of 6 × 6 × 4 mm3. Stress–strain curves confirmed the occurrence of plastic deformation under dynamic compression, and dislocations were identified from TEM studies of fractured pieces. Furthermore, JH2 model was used to simulate SHPB tests, with parameters calibrated against the experimental results. The model was subsequently used to predict strength and plasticity-related damage under various dynamic loading conditions. This study concluded that, under high loading rate, silicon carbide (SiC) can deform plastically as evidenced by the development of nonlinear stress–strain response and also the evolution of dislocations. These findings can be explored to control the brittle behavior of SiC and benefit end users in relevant industries.
Using Activities of Daily Living to Evaluate the Design and Placement of a Proximal Radius Fracture Fixation Device
Authors: Wagner David W. , Vallejo Alejandro
Published: July 2018

The return of a patient to activities of daily living following a surgical intervention (i.e. joint replacement, rigid fixation, etc.) involving an implantable device is often used as one component to measure the success of the surgery [1]. The longevity of the implant subject to the forces imposed when performing those normal daily activities is another. As people are living longer and continuing to maintain active lifestyles, the paradigm of everyday activities that are used to evaluate implant longevity must also evolve. Although physiological boundary conditions during pre-clinical implant evaluations have been used for simulating the life span of a new device, only a small number of everyday activities used for deriving those forces have been widely characterized. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how musculoskeletal simulation can be used for providing the boundary conditions of a finite element model used to evaluate the design space of an implant subject to specific activities of daily living (Figure 1).
Finite Element Simulation of the Deployment of Abdominal Aortic Stent Grafts: Validation and Application
Authors: De Bock S. , Iannaccone F. , De Beule M. , De Santis G. , Vermassen F. , Segers P. , Verhegghe B.
Published: July 2018

Stent grafts are endovascular devices, used for minimally invasive treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms. Although the outcome of the procedure is often successful, it is still associated with some longer term problems — especially for complex cases with geometrically challenging aneurysm geometries. An increasing number of devices, with widely varying design features, have entered the market, creating a need to investigate and compare the available treatment options.
Preliminary Imaging of Red Blood Cells in Turbulent Flow
Authors: Shakeri Mostafa , Khodarahmi Iman , Sharp M. Keith
Published: July 2018

Considerable uncertainty exists about how momentum and energy are transferred to cells in turbulent flow, which has been shown to cause six times more damage to red blood cells (RBC’s) than laminar flow with the same mean wall shear stress [Kameneva, et al. 2004]. Though it is a purely mathematical construct to yield closure of the time-averaged Navier-Stokes equation for a continuum fluid, which is not valid at the scale of the cell, Reynolds stress has been used as an empirical indicator for damage potential [Sallam & Hwang 1984]. Other scales, including local viscous stress [Jones 1995], flow of plasma around inertia cells [Quinlan & Dooley 2007], shear within eddies [Quinlan & Dooley 2007] and shear between rigid cells within an eddy [Antiga & Steinman 2009], have been forwarded. To provide data to validate these models, an imaging system was assembled to directly observe RBC’s in turbulent flow under a microscope.
In Vitro Study of Pulmonary Vascular Resistance in Fontan Circulation With Respiration Effects
Authors: Vukicevic Marija , Conover Timothy A. , Zhou Jian , Hsia Tain-Yen , Figliola Richard S.
Published: July 2018

The Fontan operation is the final stage of palliative surgery for children born with single ventricle heart defects. The most common configuration is called total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC), wherein the inferior vena cava and superior vena cava are anastomosed directly to the pulmonary arteries; therefore the pulmonary circulation is driven by venous pressure only. The Fontan procedure, although successful in the early postoperative period, with time can decrease in efficiency or even fail within several years after the operation. The reasons of different clinical outcomes for some of the Fontan patients are not clear enough, even though it is commonly accepted that certain factors such as low pulmonary vascular resistance and proper shape and size of the TCPC construction are crucial for the succesful long term outcomes. Accordingly, one of the major problems is the increase in pulmonary vascular resistance due to altered hemodynamics after the surgery, causing venous hypertension and respiratory-dependent pulmonary regurgitation [1]. The main pulmonary arteries may also see increased resistance due to congenital malformations, surgical scarring, or deliberate surgical banding. Thus, the consequence of the increased pulmonary vascular resistance at both proximal and distal locations with respect to the TCPC junction, and its effect on the systemic pressures and flow rates, is the main objective of this study.
A Feature-Based Mechano-Electric Finite Element Model of the Left Atrium With Pressure-to-Mitral-Flow Coupling
Authors: Satriano Alessandro , Vigmond Edward J. , Di Martino Elena S.
Published: July 2018

The modeling of complex biological systems requires many degrees of sophistication. Among them, we can enumerate heterogeneous tissue properties, a complex geometry that can be obtained only through proper imaging techniques and the interaction of the organ of interest with the surrounding structures. In the case of the left atrium, three physical domains govern its behavior: mechanical, electrical and fluidic. Different mechanical conditions, in terms of stresses and consequent strains, affect the electrical activity occurring across the tissue, and jointly, the mechanical and electrical activities regulate the correct and timely contraction of the chamber. A strongly coupled mechano-electrical model of the atrial chamber cannot be accomplished without accounting for the directional heterogeneity of the tissue, because both the electrical and the mechanical properties of the tissue are not isotropic. The fluid entering from the pulmonary veins during the filling phase of the atrium causes the pressure in the atrium to rise until the difference between the pressure in the ventricular and atrial chamber is negative (higher atrial pressure) and the mitral valve opens. After the opening of the valve, two distinct emptying phases ensue, a passive and an active one. During the passive emptying phase the pressure in the ventricle slowly rises, affecting the flow through the valve itself. During the active phase, the contraction of the atrium walls causes the pressure in the atrium to rise. Our laboratory has developed a finite element dynamic mechano-electric model of the left atrium behavior starting from multi-detector computed tomography images. We accounted for the directional heterogeneity of the tissue because both the electrical and the mechanical properties of the tissue are not isotropic. As a first step, we modeled the effect of the blood flow in the atrium (fluidic domain) by assuming a temporally varying pressure across the cardiac cycle. In spite of this assumption, i.e. of a “dry” pressure-driven model, we cannot ignore the contribution to the presence of the left ventricle downstream of the mitral valve. In fact, the ventricular pressure counteracts the volume decrease due to the passive and active emptying on the atrial chamber. Moreover, during the active phase of the atrium cycle, the atrial pressure rises in response to the resistance of the mitral flow to time changes (c wave).
Models, Uncertainty, and the Sandia V&V Challenge Problem
Authors: Hazelrigg George A. , Klutke Georgia-Ann
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we argue that the Sandia V&V Challenge Problem is ill-posed in that the answers sought do not, mathematically, exist. This effectively discredits both the methodologies applied to the problem and the results, regardless of the approach taken. We apply our arguments to show the types of mistakes present in the papers presented in J. of VVUQ along with the Challenge Problem. Further, we show that, when the problem is properly posed, both the applicable methodology and the solution techniques are easily drawn from the well-developed mathematics of probability and decision theory. The unfortunate aspect of the Challenge Problem as currently stated is that it leads to incorrect and inappropriate mathematical approaches that should be avoided and corrected in the current literature.
Introducing V&V&C in Nuclear Thermal-Hydraulics
Authors: D’Auria Francesco , Lanfredini Marco
Published: July 2018

V&V constitutes a powerful framework to demonstrate the capability of computational tools in several technological areas. Passing V&V requirements is a needed step before applications. Let’s focus hereafter to the area of (transient) Nuclear Thermal-hydraulic (NTH) and let’s identify V1 and V2 as acronyms for Verification and Validation, respectively.

Now, V1 is performed within NTH according to the best available techniques and may not suffer of important deficiencies if compared with other technological areas. This is not the case of V2. Three inherent limitations shall be mentioned in the case of Validation in NTH:

1. Validation implies comparison with experimental data: available experimental data cover a (very) small fraction of the parameter range space expected in applications of the codes; this can be easily seen if one considers data in large diameter pipe, high velocity and high pressure or high power and power density. Noticeably, the scaling issue must be addressed in the framework of V2 which may result in controversial findings.

2. Water is at the center of the attention: the physical properties of water are known to a reasonable extent as well as large variations in values of quantities like density or various derivatives are expected within the range of variation of pressure inside application fields. Although not needed for current validation purposes (e.g. validation ranges may not include a situation of critical pressure and large heat flux) physically inconsistent values predicted by empirical correlations outside validation ranges, shall not be tolerated.

3. Occurrence of complex situations like transition from two-phase critical flow to ‘Bernoulli-flow’ (e.g. towards the end of blow-down) and from film boiling to nucleate boiling, possibly crossing the minimum film boiling temperature (e.g. during reflood).

Therefore, whatever can be mentioned as classical V2 is not or cannot be performed in NTH. So, the idea of the present paper is to add a component to the V&V. This component, or step in the process, is called ‘Consistency with Reality’, or with the expected phenomenological evidence. The new component may need to be characterized in some cases and is indicated by the letter ‘C’. Then, the V&V becomes V&V&C.

The purpose of the paper is to clarify the motivations at the bases of the V&V&C.
In situ XPS study on atomic layer etching of Fe thin film using Cl2 and acetylacetone
Authors: Lin Xi , Chen Meixi , Janotti Anderson , Opila Robert
Published: July 2018

Etching of transition metals is one of the major challenges in magnetic random-access memory fabrication. In this work, atomic layer etching of iron surfaces with halogen and an organic molecule was studied. The authors successfully etched Fe thin films by forming volatile metal complexes at low temperature with cyclic reactions of Cl2 and acetylacetone (acac). The mechanism of acac reacting on Cl-modified Fe surface was investigated: the surface was first activated with Cl2 gas, and then the top layer of metal was removed by acac reaction. The extent of Cl2 reaction determined the etching rate. At substrate temperatures lower than 135 °C, acac could not remove chlorine. In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory simulation show that the reaction of acac on Cl-dosed Fe surface is likely following a complex pathway instead of simple acac substitution for Cl2. Acac decomposition may play an important role in the process.
Versatility of electrochemically grown dendrites in the undergraduate laboratory
Authors: Tuppan S. , Dams D. , Olson Z. , Kim W. J.
Published: July 2018

We describe an experiment to fabricate atomic-scale contacts using electrochemically grown silver wires. The formation of a single-wire junction is directly observed and captured by an optical microscope, while electrical conductance of the wire, simultaneously recorded, is shown to be quantized. Further, a diffusion-limited aggregate (DLA) simulation is performed to compare the observed fractal formed by the silver dendrites. Our experiment directly exposes undergraduate students to exciting contemporary physics ranging from atomic-scale switches to fractal formation, all on a single experimental platform.
A classical analogy for quantum band formation
Authors: Roberts Parker , Skinner Alexandria , Cobb Tadan , Carr Scott , Hilbert Shawn A.
Published: July 2018

Electrons in an atom are confined to distinct, quantized energy levels. When atoms form solids, the interaction of the electrons causes their energy levels to split into multiple closely spaced levels, or bands, separated by forbidden regions called band gaps. Each band contains a number of energy levels equal to the number of atoms in the solid. This model of the origin of band structure can be reproduced by using a classical array of harmonic oscillators (masses connected by springs). In this system, each oscillator plays the role of an atom and its resonant frequencies play the roles of electronic energy levels. When coupled, a system of oscillators yields a spectrum of resonant frequencies and when the number of oscillators becomes sufficiently large, the system exhibits the formation of “resonant frequency bands,” similar in structure to the energy bands of an atomic solid. We experimentally demonstrate band formation using coupled harmonic oscillators and highlight the effects of both number of oscillators and coupling strength on the band structure. Additionally, we show that experimental results of this band formation follow a theoretical analysis of the system.
Sphere sedimentation in wormlike micelles: Effect of micellar relaxation spectrum and gradients in micellar extensions
Authors: Wu Shijian , Mohammadigoushki Hadi
Published: July 2018

We report experiments on the flow of wormlike micellar solutions based on cetylpyridinium chloride/sodium salicylate past a falling sphere via a combination of particle tracking velocimetry, particle image velocimetry, rheology, and flow induced birefringence (FIB). Recent studies have shown that beyond a critical extensional Deborah number, a falling sphere in wormlike micelles never reaches a constant terminal velocity; instead, it settles with an unsteady velocity. This behavior is linked to the wormlike micellar chain scission in the wake of the sphere. Similar instabilities in viscoelastic polymer solutions, where polymer chain scission is highly unlikely, are thought to be the results of a single-mode relaxation spectrum of the polymer chains or the asymmetry in the polymer chain extensions on the flanks of the falling sphere. In this paper, we examine the effect of micellar relaxation spectrum and gradients in micellar extensions on sphere instability in wormlike micelles over a wide range of flow parameters (10−2 < DeE < 40.7 and 10−6 < Re < 10). In wormlike micelles with a single-mode relaxation spectrum, the sphere instability occurs for DeE ≥ 2.6. However, for similar conditions (2.5 ≤ DeE ≤ 40.7 and 10−2 < Re < 10), spheres never exhibit unsteady motion in the wormlike micelles with a broad spectrum of relaxation times. This indicates the importance of the micellar relaxation spectrum on dynamics of sphere sedimentation in wormlike micelles. We show that a criterion based on the ratio of dissipated energy to the stored elastic energy of micelles can successfully describe the effect of micellar relaxation spectrum on sphere sedimentation dynamics. In addition, for conditions that give rise to sphere instability, FIB indicates that micellar extensions on sphere sideways are perfectly symmetric.
A new portal for patient data
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: July 2018

Vivli aims to ease sharing of anonymized clinical studies.
Transcriptional control of kidney cancer
Authors: Sanchez Danielle J. , Simon M. Celeste
Published: July 2018

Stabilization of the transcription factor ZHX2 promotes kidney tumor growth
Single-Homology-Arm Linear DNA Recombination by the Nonhomologous End Joining Pathway as a Novel and Simple Gene Inactivation Method: a Proof-of-Concept Study in
Dietzia
sp. Strain DQ12-45-1b
Authors: Lu Shelian , Nie Yong , Wang Meng , Xu Hong-Xiu , Ma Dong-Ling , Liang Jie-Liang , Wu Xiao-Lei
Published: July 2018

Many nonmodel Gram-positive bacteria lack efficient genetic manipulation systems, but they express genes encoding Ku and LigD. The NHEJ pathway in
Dietzia
sp. DQ12-45-1b was evaluated and was used to successfully knock out 11 genes in the genome. Since bioinformatic studies revealed that the putative genes encoding Ku and LigD ubiquitously exist in phylogenetically diverse bacteria and archaea, the single-homology-arm linear DNA recombination by the NHEJ pathway could be a potentially applicable genetic manipulation method for diverse nonmodel prokaryotic organisms.
Spread and Persistence of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance Genes: A Ride on the F Plasmid Conjugation Module
Authors: Koraimann Günther
Published: July 2018

The F plasmid or F-factor is a large, 100-kbp, circular conjugative plasmid of
Escherichia coli
and was originally described as a vector for horizontal gene transfer and gene recombination in the late 1940s. Since then, F and related F-like plasmids have served as role models for bacterial conjugation. At present, more than 200 different F-like plasmids with highly related DNA transfer genes, including those for the assembly of a type IV secretion apparatus, are completely sequenced. They belong to the phylogenetically related MOB
F12
A group. F-like plasmids are present in enterobacterial hosts isolated from clinical as well as environmental samples all over the world. As conjugative plasmids, F-like plasmids carry genetic modules enabling plasmid replication, stable maintenance, and DNA transfer. In this plasmid backbone of approximately 60 kbp, the DNA transfer genes occupy the largest and mostly conserved part. Subgroups of MOB
F12
A plasmids can be defined based on the similarity of TraJ, a protein required for DNA transfer gene expression. In addition, F-like plasmids harbor accessory cargo genes, frequently embedded within transposons and/or integrons, which harness their host bacteria with antibiotic resistance and virulence genes, causing increasingly severe problems for the treatment of infectious diseases. Here, I focus on key genetic elements and their encoded proteins present on the F-factor and other typical F-like plasmids belonging to the MOB
F12
A group of conjugative plasmids.
Predictive tool for intravenous immunoglobulin resistance of Kawasaki disease in Beijing
Authors: Yang Shuai , Song Ruixia , Zhang Junmei , Li Xiaohui , Li Caifeng
Published: July 2018

Objective

To construct a predictive tool for the efficacy of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) in Beijing, China.

Design

This was a cohort study. Data set (including clinical profiles and laboratory findings) of children with KD diagnosed between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2015 was used to analyse the risk factors and construct a scoring system. Data set of children with KD diagnosed between 1 January 2016 and 1 December 2016 was used to validate this model.

Setting

Children’s Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics and Beijing Children’s Hospital.

Patients

2102 children diagnosed with KD.

Interventions

No.

Main outcome measures

Responsiveness to IVIG.

Results

The predictive tool included C reactive protein ≥90 mg/L (3 points), neutrophil percentage ≥70% (2.5 points), sodium ion concentration <135 mmol/L (3 points), albumin <35 g/L (2.5 points) and total bilirubin >20 μmol/L (5 points), which generated an area under the the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.82) for the internal validation data set, and 0.69 (95% CI 0.58 to 0.81) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.72) for two external validation data sets, respectively. If a total of ≥6 points were considered high-risk for IVIG resistance, sensitivity and specificity were 56% and 79% in the internal verification, and the predictive ability was similar in the external validation.

Conclusions

The predictive tool is helpful in early screening of high-risk IVIG resistance of KD in the Beijing area. Consequently, it will guide the clinician in selecting appropriate individualised regimens for the initial treatment of this disease, which is important for the prevention of coronary complications.
Drug monitoring in long-term treatment with adalimumab for juvenile idiopathic arthritis-associated uveitis
Authors: Skrabl-Baumgartner Andrea , Seidel Gerald , Langner-Wegscheider Beate , Schlagenhauf Axel , Jahnel Jörg
Published: July 2018

Objectives

Assessing influence of anti-adalimumab (ADA) antibodies (AAA) on serum trough ADA levels and uveitis activity in long-term ADA treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA)-associated uveitis.

Patients and interventions

This prospective observational study included 20 patients from a single centre treated with ADA for active uveitis refractory to conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. AAA, serum ADA trough levels and uveitis activity were evaluated at regular intervals up to 6 years.

Results

AAA were detected in nine patients (45%). Permanent AAA in seven were associated with undetectable ADA trough levels and loss of response (LOR). Transient AAA were detected in four with measurable ADA trough levels and response of uveitis to treatment, followed in two by permanent AAA associated with LOR. Use of concomitant immunosuppression was significantly higher in patients without AAA (p<0.05).

Conclusions

AAA-associated LOR frequently occurs in long-term treatment with ADA for JIA-associated uveitis. Concomitant immunosuppressive therapy significantly reduces the risk of LOR due to AAA.
How to use C-reactive protein
Authors: Dyer Emma M , Waterfield Thomas , Baynes Hannah
Published: July 2018

A 3-month-old baby is brought to the paediatric emergency department by their parents because of a fever. You decide to check their inflammatory markers. Their C-reactive protein (CRP) level comes back as 20 mg/L. Does this affect whether or not you start antibiotic therapy? Does it influence your decision to admit or discharge the patient? CRP is a commonly used biochemical test and yet its use is constantly debated and challenged. We look at the current evidence and suggest the best way to use this test in clinical practice.
Managing accidental hypothermia: a UK-wide survey of prehospital and search and rescue providers
Authors: Freeman Samuel , Deakin Charles D , Nelson Magnus J , Bootland Duncan
Published: July 2018

Aim

The management of hypothermic casualties is a challenge faced by all prehospital and search and rescue (SAR) teams. It is not known how the practice of these diverse teams compare. The aim of this study was to review prehospital hypothermia management across a wide range of SAR providers in the UK.

Methods

A survey of ground ambulances (GAs), air ambulances (AAs), mountain rescue teams (MRTs, including Ministry of Defence), lowland rescue teams (LRTs), cave rescue teams (CRTs), and lifeboats and lifeguard organisations (LLOs) across the UK was conducted between May and November 2017. In total, 189 teams were contacted. Questions investigated packaging methods, temperature measurement and protocols for managing hypothermic casualties.

Results

Response rate was 59%, comprising 112 teams from a wide range of organisations. Heavyweight (>3 kg) casualty bags were used by all CRTs, 81% of MRTs, 29% of LRTs, 18% of AAs and 8% of LLOs. Specially designed lightweight (<0.5 kg) blankets or wraps were used by 93% of LRTs, 85% of LLOs, 82% of GAs, 71% of AAs and 50% of MRTs. Bubble wrap was used mainly by AAs, with 35% of AAs reporting its use. Overall, 94% of packaging methods incorporated both insulating and vapour-tight layers. Active warming by heated pads or blankets was used by 65% of AAs, 60% of CRTs, 54% of MRTs, 29% of LRTs and 9% of GAs, with no LLO use. Temperature measurement was reported by all AAs and GAs, 93% of LRTs, 80% of CRTs, 75% of MRTs and 31% of LLOs. The favoured anatomical site for temperature measurement was tympanic. Protocols for packaging hypothermic casualties were reported by 73% of services.

Conclusions

This survey describes current practice in prehospital hypothermia management, comparing the various methods used by different teams, and provides a basis to direct further education and research.
Reciprocal relations between care-related emotional burden and sleep problems in healthcare professionals: a multicentre international cohort study
Authors: Cheval Boris , Mongin Denis , Cullati Stéphane , Winz Carole , von Arx Martina , Schmidt Ralph Erich , Agoritsas Thomas , Chopard Pierre , Courvoisier Delphine Sophie
Published: July 2018

Objective

To determine whether there are reciprocal relations between care-related regret and insomnia severity among healthcare professionals, and whether the use of different coping strategies influences these associations.

Methods

This is a multicentre international cohort study of 151 healthcare professionals working in acute care hospitals and clinics (87.4% female; mean age=30.4±8.0 years, 27.2% physicians, 48.3% nurses and 24.5% other professions) between 2014 and 2017. Weekly measures of regret intensity, number of regrets, and use of coping strategies (Regret Coping Scale) and sleep problems (Insomnia Severity Index) were assessed using a web survey.

Results

The associations between regret and insomnia severity were bidirectional. In a given week, regret intensity (bregret intensity→sleep=0.26, 95% credible interval (CI) (0.14 to 0.40)) and number of regrets (bnumber of regrets→sleep=0.43, 95% CI (0.07 to 0.53)) were significantly associated with increased insomnia severity the following week. Conversely, insomnia severity in a given week was significantly associated with higher regret intensity (bsleep→regret intensity=0.14, 95% CI (0.11 to 0.30)) and more regrets (bsleep→number of regrets=0.04, 95% CI (0.02 to 0.06)) the week after. The effects of regret on insomnia severity were much stronger than those in the opposite direction. The use of coping strategies, especially if they were maladaptive, modified the strength of these cross-lagged associations.

Conclusions

The present study showed that care-related regret and sleep problems are closely intertwined among healthcare professionals. Given the high prevalence of these issues, our findings call for the implementation of interventions that are specifically designed to help healthcare professionals to reduce their use of maladaptive coping strategies.
Fourier–Mukai transform on Weierstrass cubics and commuting differential operators
Authors: Burban Igor , Zheglov Alexander
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we describe the spectral sheaves of algebras of commuting differential operators of genus one and rank two with singular spectral curve, solving a problem posed by Previato and Wilson. We also classify all indecomposable semi-stable sheaves of slope one and ranks two or three on a cuspidal Weierstraß cubic.
Impact of information feedback strategy on the car accidents in two-route scenario
Authors: Marzoug R. , Lakouari N. , Oubram O. , Ez-Zahraouy H. , Cisneros-Villalobos L. , Velásquez-Aguilar J. G.
Published: July 2018

Various feedback strategies are proposed to improve the traffic flow. However, most of these works did not take road safety into consideration. In this paper, we studied the impact of four feedback strategies on the probability of rear-end collisions ([Formula: see text]). We proposed a new feedback strategy named Accidents Coefficient Feedback Strategy (ACFS) in which dynamic information can be generated and displayed on a board at the entrance of two-route scenario with intersection to help drivers to choose the appropriate road. This new strategy can greatly improve road safety and make the flow smooth as possible at the same time. Moreover, the impact of the intersection and boundary rates ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) on [Formula: see text] is also studied.
Equivalence among orbital equations of polynomial maps
Authors: Gallas Jason A. C.
Published: July 2018

This paper shows that orbital equations generated by iteration of polynomial maps do not necessarily have a unique representation. Remarkably, they may be represented in an infinity of ways, all interconnected by certain nonlinear transformations. Five direct and five inverse transformations are established explicitly between a pair of orbits defined by cyclic quintic polynomials with real roots and minimum discriminant. In addition, infinite sequences of transformations generated recursively are introduced and shown to produce unlimited supplies of equivalent orbital equations. Such transformations are generic and valid for arbitrary dynamics governed by algebraic equations of motion.
Effects of threshold energy on reconstructions of properties of low-mass WIMPs in direct dark matter detection experiments
Authors: Bai Yu , Sun Weichao , Shan Chung-Lin
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we revisit our model-independent methods developed for reconstructing properties of Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) by using measured recoil energies from direct Dark Matter detection experiments directly and take into account more realistically non-negligible threshold energy. All expressions for reconstructing the mass and the (ratios between the) spin-independent and the spin-dependent WIMP–nucleon couplings have been modified. We focus on low-mass ([Formula: see text] GeV) WIMPs and present the numerical results obtained by Monte Carlo simulations. Constraints caused by non-negligible threshold energy and technical treatments for improving reconstruction results will also be discussed.
An infinite family of finite 3-groups with deficiency zero
Authors: Sabzchi Reza , Abdolzadeh Hossein
Published: July 2018

In this paper, for any integer [Formula: see text] we introduce a non-metacyclic finite group of order [Formula: see text] and nilpotency class [Formula: see text] with zero deficiency.
An IoT Expert System Shell in Block-Chain Technology with ELM as Inference Engine
Authors: Carreño Ricardo , Aguilar Verónica , Pacheco Daniel , Acevedo Marco Antonio , Yu Wen , Acevedo María Elena
Published: July 2018

Knowledge society blockchain is one of the most powerful and recent tools to make the internet environment safer and reliable. Manufacturing has traditionally been dominated by standard designs that are mass-produced, due to the fact, that custom production causes additional costs that make it less affordable than mass production. This paper proposes to develop a designer expert system for IoT installation layout designs, using blockchain distributed system based on a machine learning, with users entering data to the expert system by a smart bot software. This expert system will work using extreme learning machine as inference engine; therefore, this is a shell to develop any expert system with fast learning. The whole system is represented by a smart contract with a value linked to the value of the expert system, the more this expert system be quoted on the web, the more the shares of the smart contract will cost.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations and the Landauer’s Principle
Authors: Naeim Ihab H. , Batle J. , Kadry S. , Tarawneh O.
Published: July 2018

Landauer’s principle is a fundamental link between thermodynamics and information theory, which implies that the erasure of information comes at an energetic price. In the present contribution we analyze to what extend the usual molecular dynamics (MD) simulation formalism can handle the Landauer’s bound kBT ln 2 in the simplest case of one particle treated classically. The erasure of one bit of information is performed by adiabatically varying the shape of a bistable potential in a full cycle. We will highlight the inadequacy of either the microcanonical or canonical ensemble treatments currently employed in MD simulations and propose potential solutions.
Products of disjoint blocks of integers being high powers
Authors: Skałba M.
Published: July 2018

Fix [Formula: see text] and put [Formula: see text]. Improving on results of [M. Skałba, Products of disjoint blocks of consecutive integers which are powers, Colloq. Math. 98 (2003) 1–3], we prove the following. For a given [Formula: see text] and each [Formula: see text], there exists [Formula: see text] such that for any exponent [Formula: see text], there exist nonnegative integers [Formula: see text] satisfying the equation [Formula: see text] and inequalities: [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]
Investigation of Thermal Cooling Effectiveness of RRVCS for Permafrost Protection under Wide Expressway Embankment
Authors: Tang Tao , Ma Tao , Huang Xiaoming , Xiao Qiuming , Wang Hao , Xu Guangji
Published: July 2018

In order to improve the thermal stability of wide embankment for the Qinghai‐Tibet Expressway (QTE) to be constructed in permafrost zones on Qinghai‐Tibet plateau, a new kind of reflective‐resistant‐ventilated coupling structure (RRVCS) was proposed and designed. A numerical model was then developed through ABAQUS to investigate the influences of RRVCS on the thermal regime of wide embankment. The temperature field and thawing depth of normal wide embankment without protective measures, wide embankment with crushed stone layer, and wide embankment with RRVCS were compared to verify the cooling effectiveness of RRVCS based on numerical analysis. Vermiculite powder has great influences on the thermal property of asphalt mixture, and it can be reduced by 22.8%, 29.5%, 37.3%, and 50.6% after the addition of 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10% vermiculite powder, respectively. Under the same condition, the temperature of RRVCS embankment is the lowest and its thermal stability is the best. Setting crushed stone layer can improve the thermal stability of embankment. However, the improvement is limited for wide embankment with width exceeding 26 m. RRVCS has the best protective effects on the thermal stability of wide embankment and is recommended as a protective measure for wide embankment of expressway in permafrost regions of Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau.
Applications of Click Chemistry in the Development of HIV Protease Inhibitors
Authors: Mudgal Mukesh M. , Birudukota Nagaraju , Doke Mayur A.
Published: July 2018

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has been devastating for millions of people around the world. Inhibition of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease is among the most important approaches for the therapeutic intervention in HIV infection. Since the discovery of the HIV-1 protease, this enzyme has been considered as a key target for the inhibition of viral replication. A large body of research has been done to develop an effective HIV-1 protease inhibitor. There are to date 10 HIV-1 protease inhibitor drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that have improved the survival and quality of life of HIV infected people. These drugs are prescribed in combination with the reverse transcriptase inhibitors, which is referred to as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The HIV-1 protease inhibitors play a vital role in HAART. The applications of click chemistry are dispersing in the field of drug discovery. Recently, click chemistry has captured a lot of attention and has become a powerful tool for the synthesis of medicinal skeletons in the discovery of anti-HIV drugs. Click reaction is a well-known method for making carbon−heteroatom−carbon bonds. Click reactions are popular because they are wide in scope, of high yielding, quick to perform, and easy to purify. In this review, we outlined current approaches towards the development of HIV-1 protease inhibitors employing click chemistry.
A Rare Case of Sunitinib-Induced Rhabdomyolysis in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Liman Andrew D. , Passero Vida A. , Liman Agnes K. , Shields Jenna
Published: July 2018

We report a rare case of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in a patient who developed rhabdomyolysis while on sunitinib. He was admitted to the hospital due to muscle weakness, fatigue, poor oral intake, and difficulty swallowing in March 2017. He was found to have pancytopenia, liver failure, kidney failure, high uric acid, and increased creatine phosphokinase of more than 5000. He quickly developed lactic acidosis and acute respiratory failure. He was transferred to the ICU, but his condition declined rapidly. He died 3 days later. In this article we discussed about sunitinib-mediated inhibition of adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK) as a possible pathophysiology of rhabdomyolysis. Our case is the third sunitinib-induced rhabdomyolysis reported in the literature.
The Mysterious Mitral Mass: A Case of Valvular Myxoma
Authors: Mando Ramy , Barbat Julian J. , Vivacqua Alessandro
Published: July 2018

Myxomas are the most common benign cardiac neoplasms in adults. The vast majority of cardiac myxomas arise from the left atrium near the fossa ovalis of the intra-atrial septum. There have been reports of myxomas arising from the ventricles accounting for about 5% of cases. In our literature review, we have found 55 reported cases of myxomas originating from the mitral valve reported in the adult population dating back to 1871. The majority of these cases presented with embolic complications or syncope. We present an incidental mitral valve myxoma which we excised in efforts to prevent debilitating complications.
Desired Compensation Adaptive Robust Control of an Active Vibration Isolation System
Authors: Zhao Bo , Shi Weijia , Zhang Ming , Li Jiaxin , Li Feng
Published: July 2018

Active vibration isolation system (AVIS) has attracted increasing attention of researchers in precision engineering. In this paper, a desired compensation adaptive robust controller (DCARC) is proposed for an AVIS developed in our laboratory. The AVIS composed of one platform and three active isolators is required to achieve high‐performance vibration isolation as well as low trajectory tracking error for positioning. The vertical three degrees of freedom (DOFs) and horizontal three DOFs are decoupled by the joint bearing of the isolators. The dynamic model of the system is built and is simplified to three single‐input‐single‐output (SISO) systems. The DCARC control scheme is then proposed, which contains a deterministic robust control (DRC) term and an adaptive control (AC) term. The high performance in vibration isolation and positioning can be subsequently achieved, even the actual load and system stiffness are unknown and there exists direct bounded disturbance on the platform. The AC term is designed to estimate the unknown parameters of the system. The DRC term can improve the robustness of the system, which is used to reject the direct disturbance and the parameter estimation error. Furthermore, the computing time and the influence of the measurement noise can be reduced effectively by reason of desired compensation. The numerical simulation and comparative experiments are carried out under the conditions of using DCARC, DRC, and AC controllers. The experimental results validate that the proposed DCARC control strategy outperforms other control method and possesses both high‐performance vibration isolation and low tracking error.