bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primed primary metabolism in systemic leaves: a functional systems analysis
Authors: Schwachtje Jens , Fischer Axel , Erban Alexander , Kopka Joachim
Published: January 2018

Plants evolved mechanisms to counteract bacterial infection by preparing yet uninfected systemic tissues for an enhanced defense response, so-called systemic acquired resistance or priming responses. Primed leaves express a wide range of genes that enhance the defense response once an infection takes place. While hormone-driven defense signalling and defensive metabolites have been well studied, less focus has been set on the reorganization of primary metabolism in systemic leaves. Since primary metabolism plays an essential role during defense to provide energy and chemical building blocks, we investigated changes in primary metabolism at RNA and metabolite levels in systemic leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana plants that were locally infected with Pseudomonas syringae. Known defense genes were still activated 3–4 days after infection. Also primary metabolism was significantly altered. Nitrogen (N)-metabolism and content of amino acids and other N-containing metabolites were significantly reduced, whereas the organic acids fumarate and malate were strongly increased. We suggest that reduction of N-metabolites in systemic leaves primes defense against bacterial infection by reducing the nutritional value of systemic tissue. Increased organic acids serve as quickly available metabolic resources of energy and carbon-building blocks for the production of defense metabolites during subsequent secondary infections.
The Effect of Gravity on Flame Spread over PMMA Cylinders
Authors: Link Shmuel , Huang Xinyan , Fernandez-Pello Carlos , Olson Sandra , Ferkul Paul
Published: January 2018

Fire safety is a concern in space travel, particularly with the current plans of increasing the length of the manned space missions, and of using spacecraft atmospheres different than in Earth, such as microgravity, low-velocity gas flow, low pressure and elevated oxygen concentration. In this work, the spread of flame over a thermoplastic polymer, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), was conducted in the International Space Station and on Earth. The tests consisted of determining the opposed flame spread rate over PMMA cylinders under low-flow velocities ranging from 0.4 to 8 cm/s and oxygen concentrations from 15% to 21%. The data show that as the opposed flow velocity is increased, the flame spread rate first increases, and then decreases, different from that on Earth. The unique data are significant because they have only been predicted theoretically but not been observed experimentally before. Results also show that flame spread in microgravity could be faster and sustained at lower oxygen concentration (17%) than in normal gravity (18%). These findings suggest that under certain environmental conditions there could be a higher fire risk and a more difficult fire suppression in microgravity than on Earth, which would have significant implications for spacecraft fire safety.
High-Energy, Short-Duration Bursts of Coherent Terahertz Radiation from an Embedded Plasma Dipole
Authors: Kwon Kyu Been , Kang Teyoun , Song Hyung Seon , Kim Young-Kuk , Ersfeld Bernhard , Jaroszynski Dino A. , Hur Min Sup
Published: January 2018

Emission of radiation from electrons undergoing plasma oscillations (POs) at the plasma frequency has attracted interest because of the existence of intriguing and non-trivial coupling mechanism between the electrostatic PO and the emitted electromagnetic wave. While broadband emission from plasma waves in inhomogeneous plasma is well known, the underlying physics of narrowband emission at the plasma frequency observed in experiments and in solar radio-bursts is obscure. Here we show that a spatially-localized plasma dipole oscillation (PDO) can be generated when electrons are trapped in a moving train of potential wells produced by the ponderomotive force of two slightly detuned laser pulses that collide in plasma and give rise to a burst of quasi-monochromatic radiation. The energy radiated in the terahertz spectral region can reach an unprecedented several millijoules, which makes it suitable for applications requiring short pulses of high-intensity, narrowband terahertz radiation.
Non-coding RNAs predict recurrence-free survival of patients with hypoxic tumours
Authors: Martinez Victor D. , Firmino Natalie S. , Marshall Erin A. , Ng Kevin W. , Wadsworth Brennan J. , Anderson Christine , Lam Wan L. , Bennewith Kevin L.
Published: January 2018

Hypoxia promotes tumour aggressiveness and reduces patient survival. A spectrum of poor outcome among patients with hypoxic tumours suggests that additional factors modulate how tumours respond to hypoxia. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs with a pivotal role in genomic stability and epigenetic regulation of gene expression. We reported that cancer type-specific piRNA signatures vary among patients. However, remarkably homogenous piRNA profiles are detected across patients with renal cell carcinoma, a cancer characterized by constitutive upregulation of hypoxia-related signaling induced by common mutation or loss of von Hippel-Lindau factor (VHL). By investigating >3000 piRNA transcriptomes in hypoxic and non-hypoxic tumors from seven organs, we discovered 40 hypoxia-regulated piRNAs and validated this in cells cultured under hypoxia. Moreover, a subset of these hypoxia-regulated piRNAs are regulated by VHL/HIF signaling in vitro. A hypoxia-regulated piRNA-based score (PiSco) was associated with poor RFS for hypoxic tumours, particularly Stage I lung adenocarcinomas, suggesting that hypoxia-regulated piRNA expression can predict tumour recurrence even in early-stage tumours and thus may be of clinical utility.
Ferroelectric Domain Studies of Patterned (001) BiFeO3 by Angle-Resolved Piezoresponse Force Microscopy
Authors: Kim Bumsoo , Barrows Frank P. , Sharma Yogesh , Katiyar Ram S. , Phatak Charudatta , Petford-Long Amanda K. , Jeon Seokwoo , Hong Seungbum
Published: January 2018

We have studied the ferroelectric domains in (001) BiFeO3 (BFO) films patterned into mesas with various aspect ratios, using angle-resolved piezoresponse force microscope (AR-PFM), which can image the in-plane polarization component with an angular resolution of 30°. We observed not only stable polarization variants, but also meta-stable polarization variants, which can reduce the charge accumulated at domain boundaries. We considered the number of neighboring domains that are in contact, in order to analyze the complexity of the ferroelectric domain structure. Comparison of the ferroelectric domains from the patterned and unpatterned regions showed that the elastic relaxation induced by removal of the film surrounding the mesas led to a reduction of the average number of neighboring domains, indicative of a decrease in domain complexity. We also found that the rectangular BFO patterns with high aspect ratio had a simpler domain configuration and enhanced piezoelectric characteristics than square-shaped mesas. Manipulation of the ferroelectric domains by controlling the aspect ratio of the patterned BFO thin film mesas can be useful for nanoelectronic applications.
Preventive and promotive effects of habitual hot spa-bathing on the elderly in Japan
Authors: Maeda Toyoki , Mimori Koshi , Suzuki Sadao , Horiuchi Takahiko , Makino Naoki
Published: January 2018

Although body-warming with hot spa-bathing has been proposed to exert medical therapeutic effects on certain diseases, whether body-warming has preventive and promotive effects remains unknown. To clarify this issue, an epidemiological questionnaire study regarding personal hot spa-bathing habits and disease history was carried out in Japan, where individuals engage in daily warm water bathing. Questionnaires regarding hot spa-bathing habits and disease history were randomly sent to 20,000 residents aged ≥65 years living in Beppu, a city in Japan that has the highest concentration of hot spa sources in the world. The results showed that habitual hot spa-bathing exerts preventive or promotive effects on the occurrence of certain diseases, such as hypertension (preventive) and collagen disease (promotive) in women, and cardiovascular diseases (preventive) and colon cancer survival (promotive) in men. These findings suggest that habitual body warming is an effective and economical method with beneficial preventive and promotive effects on various diseases.
The synergistic bactericidal effect of vancomycin on UTMD treated biofilm involves damage to bacterial cells and enhancement of metabolic activities
Authors: Hu Jian , Zhang Ning , Li Lifang , Zhang Ning , Ma Yanfen , Zhao Chedong , Wu Qian , Li Ying , He Nianan , Wang Xiaoqin
Published: January 2018

In this study, the synergistic effect of vancomycin, a cell wall synthesis inhibitor, and ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD), on cell viability of Staphylococcus epidermidis, embedded in biofilm, was investigated. Biofilms are the leading causes of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections of medical implants and prosthetics worldwide. The antibiotic-resistant nature of biofilm-embedded pathogens poses a critical challenge to the medical community. Previously, studies have demonstrated the efficacy of using ultrasound waves and UTMD in circumventing this problem. However, the mechanism(s) underlying this phenomenon was not clear. Here, the present study showed that both ultrasound and UTMD damaged the cell wall structure of S. epidermidis, and floccules and fragments from damaged cells were observed on transmission electron microscope micrograph. However, the cell membrane integrity was not seriously affected by treatments, and the treatment increased the metabolic activity levels of the dormant biofilm-embedded bacteria, detected by confocal laser scanning microscope and flow cytometry, which could make them susceptible to the effect of the antibiotic. Thus, the biological mechanism underlying the efficacy of the combined treatment involving UTMD and vancomycin in the case of S. epidermidis biofilm was dissected, which may be utilized for further investigations on other biofilm pathogens before clinical use.
Biofilm Formation Protects Salmonella from the Antibiotic Ciprofloxacin In Vitro and In Vivo in the Mouse Model of chronic Carriage
Authors: González Juan F. , Alberts Halley , Lee Joel , Doolittle Lauren , Gunn John S.
Published: January 2018

Typhoid fever is caused by the human-restricted pathogen Salmonella enterica sv. Typhi. Approximately 5% of people that resolve the disease become chronic carriers, with the gallbladder as the main reservoir of the bacteria. Of these, about 90% present with gallstones, on which Salmonella form biofilms. Because S. Typhi is a human-restricted pathogen, these carriers are the main source of dissemination of the disease; unfortunately, antibiotic treatment has shown to be an ineffective therapy. This is believed to be caused by the inherent antibiotic resistance conferred by Salmonella biofilms growing on gallstones. The gallstone mouse model with S. Typhimurium has proven to be an excellent surrogate for S. Typhi chronic infection. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the biofilm state confers Salmonella with the increased resistance to antibiotics observed in cases of chronic carriage. We found that, in the biofilm state, Salmonella is significantly more resistant to ciprofloxacin, a common antibiotic used for the treatment of Salmonella, both in vitro (p < 0.001 for both S. Typhi and S. Typhimurium with respect to planktonic cells) and in vivo (p = 0.0035 with respect to control mice).
Sex differences in risk factors of uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis in a metropolitan area from Northern China
Authors: Yang Fang , Zheng Yanmin , Jiang Xihui , Su Zhengyan , Wang Ya , Lin Lin , Lv Houning , Zhang Jie , Zhao Jingwen , Wang Bangmao , Jiang Kui , Sun Chao
Published: January 2018

As the world’s most populated and rapidly aging country, there is limited information on sex-related differences in factors regarding uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis in China. We aimed to investigate sex differences in individual risk factor in a northern metropolis. Patients with colonic diverticulosis who underwent indicated colonoscopy were queried with respect to medical history and demographic features. Demographic information, life style factors and co-morbidities were retrieved from a prospective dataset. Multiple regression analyses were performed to determine precipitating factors of diverticula. Of 4,386 enrolled patients, colonic diverticulosis were detected in 218 cases (4.97%). Multiple logistic regression analysis implicated increasing age (OR = 1.05, 95%CI 1.03–1.06, P < 0.001), red meat ≥100 g/d (OR = 2.53, 95%CI 1.72–3.70, P < 0.001), smoking (OR = 2.14, 95%CI 1.05–4.33, P = 0.035), rheumatologic diseases (OR = 3.38, 95%CI 1.09–10.5, P = 0.035) and NSAIDs (OR = 2.11, 95%CI 1.12–3.97, P = 0.020) were significantly associated with diverticulosis in men, whilst advancing age (OR = 1.03, 95%CI 1.01–1.05, P = 0.013), BMI (OR = 1.12, 95%CI 1.04–1.19, P = 0.001), smoking (OR = 10.2, 95%CI 2.81–37.4, P < 0.001), rheumatologic diseases (OR = 8.04, 95%CI 3.05–21.2, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 1.76, 95%CI 1.01–3.06, P = 0.047), colonic polyps (OR = 3.12, 95%CI 1.82–5.36, P < 0.001) and antihypertensive medications (OR = 2.99, 95%CI 1.66–5.39, P < 0.001) in women. In conclusion, it is pivotal to take account of differentially sex-related factors in regard to the development of uncomplicated colonic diverticulosis.
MUC4 immunohistochemistry is useful in distinguishing epithelioid mesothelioma from adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung
Authors: Mawas Amany Sayed , Amatya Vishwa Jeet , Kushitani Kei , Kai Yuichiro , Miyata Yoshihiro , Okada Morihito , Takeshima Yukio
Published: January 2018

The differential diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma from lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma requires the positive and negative immunohistochemical markers of mesothelioma. The IMIG guideline has suggested the use of Calretinin, D2–40, WT1, and CK5/6 as mesothelial markers, TTF-1, Napsin-A, Claudin 4, CEA as lung adenocarcinoma markers p40, p63, CK5/6, MOC-31 as squamous cell markers. However, use of other immunohistochemical markers is still necessary. We evaluated 65 epithelioid mesotheliomas, 60 adenocarcinomas, and 57 squamous cell carcinomas of the lung for MUC4 expression by immunohistochemistry and compared with the previously known immunohistochemical markers. MUC4 expression was not found in any of 65 cases of epithelioid mesothelioma. In contrast, MUC4 expression was observed in 50/60(83.3%) cases of lung adenocarcinoma and 50/56(89.3%) cases of lung squamous cell carcinoma. The negative MUC4 expression showed 100% sensitivity, 86.2% specificity and accuracy rate of 91.2% to differentiate epithelioid mesothelioma from lung carcinoma. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MUC4 are comparable to that of previously known markers of lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, namely CEA, Claudin 4 and better than that of MOC-31. In conclusion, MUC4 immunohistochemistry is useful for differentiation of epithelioid mesothelioma from lung carcinoma, either adenocarcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma.
Enhanced nasal drug delivery efficiency by increasing mechanical loading using hypergravity
Authors: Kim Dongjoo , Kim Young Hyo , Kwon Soonjo
Published: January 2018

Nasal route drug administration for local and systemic delivery of many therapeutics has received attention because the nasal cavity is highly vascularized and provides a large surface area for drug absorption. However, nasal mucosa exhibits limited permeability to polar molecules. In this study, we developed a novel method for improving absorption efficiency of polar drugs by applying hypergravity. RPMI 2650 cells and primary human nasal epithelial cells were exposed three times to a 20 min hypergravitational condition (10 × g) with a 20 min rest period after each exposure. The applied hypergravity induced a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance without significant loss of cellular metabolic activity, and cellular permeability of fluorescein sodium salt (MW 376 Da; NaFI) and FITC-labeled dextran (average MW 4,000 Da; FD-4) increased by 19% and 16%, respectively. Immunostaining and RT-qPCR results demonstrated that hypergravity conditions affected cytoskeletal structures and tight junctions, leading to weakening of the cell barrier function and increasing the cellular permeability of polar molecules. Our results indicate that hypergravity could be used as a new strategy for enhancing the efficiency of drug absorption via the nasal route.
Photochemistry and the role of light during the submerged photosynthesis of zinc oxide nanorods
Authors: Zhang Lihua , Jeem Melbert , Okamoto Kazumasa , Watanabe Seiichi
Published: January 2018

Recently, metal oxide nanocrystallites have been synthesized through a new pathway, i.e., the submerged photosynthesis of crystallites (SPSC), and flower-like ZnO nanostructures have been successfully fabricated via this method. However, the photochemical reactions involved in the SPSC process and especially the role of light are still unclear. In the present work, we discuss the reaction mechanism for SPSC-fabricated ZnO nanostructures in detail and clarify the role of light in SPSC. The results show that both photoinduced reactions and hydrothermal reactions are involved in the SPSC process. The former produces OH radicals, which is the main source of OH
−
at the ZnO crystal tips, whereas the latter generates ZnO. Although ZnO nanocrystals can be obtained under both UV irradiation and dark conditions with the addition of thermal energy, light promotes ZnO growth and lowers the water pH to neutral, whereas thermal energy promotes ZnO corrosion and increases the water pH under dark conditions. The study concludes that the role of light in the submerged photosynthesis of crystallites process is to enhance ZnO apical growth at relatively lower temperature by preventing the pH of water from increasing, revealing the environmentally benign characteristics of the present process.
Radiation characteristics of natural gamma-ray from coal and gangue for recognition in top coal caving
Authors: Zhang Ningbo , Liu Changyou
Published: January 2018

Recognition of coal and gangue (roof rock) is a key technology to realize fully mechanized top coal caving automated mining. This paper proposes to detect the instantaneous refuse content of drawn coal and gangue mixture during top coal caving by using natural gamma-ray technology. The generating environment of coal and rock seams, the distribution characteristics of natural gamma ray from coal and roof-rock and the principle of coal-gangue recognition using natural gamma-ray method were analyzed. The natural gamma ray radiation characteristics of coal and roof-rock seams from seven different typical coal mine areas who has thick coal seams in China have been researched, and a connection between radiation intensity and refuse content was set up. The experiments on the mixed condition of roof-rock drawn from caving opening in the caving process of fully-mechanized top coal caving working face was taken and the radiative signals was real-time detected by using the self-developed coal-gangue recognition experimental system. The experiments results demonstrate the feasibility of using natural gamma-ray technology to perform real-time detection of refuse content of drawn coal and gangue mixture and the availability of self-developed coal-gangue recognition detector.
Mobile and pervasive computing technologies and the future of Alzheimer’s clinical trials
Authors: Doraiswamy P. Murali , Narayan Vaibhav A. , Manji Husseini K.
Published: January 2018

The rapid growth of mobile phones, automated speech recognizing personal assistants, and internet access among the elderly provides new opportunities for incorporating such technologies into clinical research and personalized medical care. Alzheimer’s disease is a good test case given the need for early detection, the high rate of clinical trial failures, the need to more efficiently recruit patients for trials, and the need for sensitive and ecologically valid trial outcomes.
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with chemometric algorithms of multivariate classification in the discrimination between healthyvs.denguevs.chikungunyavs.zika clinical samples
Authors: Santos Marfran C. D. , Nascimento Yasmin M. , Monteiro Joelma D. , Alves Brenda E. B. , Melo Marília F. , Paiva Anne A. P. , Pereira Hannaly W. B. , Medeiros Leandro G. , Morais Ingryd C. , Fagundes Neto João Ciro , Fernandes José V. , Araújo Josélio M. G. , Lima Kássio M. G.
Published: January 2018

IR spectroscopy and multivariate classification algorithms have great potential for detecting different viruses in the blood.
Corrosion due to ageing influences the performance of tubular platinum microrobots
Authors: Maric Tijana , Nasir Muhammad Zafir Mohamad , Wang Yong , Khezri Bahareh , Pumera Martin
Published: January 2018

Storing of platinum micromotors over prolonged period decreases their efficiency due to the corrosion.
Salt-assisted synthesis of 3D open porous g-C3N4 decorated with cyano groups for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: Chen Zhangfa , Lu Shangchen , Wu Qianling , He Fang , Zhao Naiqin , He Chunnian , Shi Chunsheng
Published: January 2018

Three-dimensional open porous graphitic carbon nitride with cyano groups (3D OPG-C3N4-CN) has been fabricated by a facile two-step process that combines NaCl-assisted freeze-drying with calcination.
Hierarchical core–shell structures of P-Ni(OH)2rods@MnO2nanosheets as high-performance cathode materials for asymmetric supercapacitors
Authors: Li Kunzhen , Li Shikuo , Huang Fangzhi , Yu Xin-yao , Lu Yan , Wang Lei , Chen Hong , Zhang Hui
Published: January 2018

The unique P-Ni(OH)2@MnO2core–shell nanoarrays heterostructure grown on Ni foam were designed and synthesized as a binder-free electrode, high power and energy density asymmetrical supercapacitors were achieved.
Hybrid nanowires and nanoparticles of WO3 in a carbon aerogel for supercapacitor applications
Authors: Liu Xudong , Sheng Guangmin , Zhong Minglong , Zhou Xiuwen
Published: January 2018

WO3 was incorporated into a carbon aerogel with controllable single or hybrid structure, and the latter structure exhibited better capacitive performance.
Mediator- and co-catalyst-free direct Z-scheme composites of Bi2WO6–Cu3P for solar-water splitting
Authors: Rauf Ali , Ma Ming , Kim Sungsoon , Sher Shah Md. Selim Arif , Chung Chan-Hwa , Park Jong Hyeok , Yoo Pil J.
Published: January 2018

Exploration of novel single or Z-scheme based composite photocatalysts is pursued for solar–chemical energy conversion.
Interactions between brush-grafted nanoparticles within chemically identical homopolymers: the effect of brush polydispersity
Authors: Park So Jung , Kim Seyong , Yong Daeseong , Choe Youngson , Bang Joona , Kim Jaeup U.
Published: January 2018

The characteristics of the interaction between polymer-grafted nanoparticles immersed in chemically identical homopolymer melts are studied through experiment and theory adopting multi-coordinate-system scheme.
Endothelin type B (ETB) receptors: friend or foe in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk?
Authors: Mirabito Colafella Katrina M.
Published: January 2018

In a recent issue of Clinical Science, Stanhewicz et al. investigated persistent microvascular dysfunction in women up to 16 months postpartum. The authors found sensitivity to the pressor effects of endothelin-1 (ET-1) was enhanced when compared with women who had a normotensive pregnancy. Importantly, the authors demonstrated that this effect was mediated via the endothelin type B (ETB) receptors. Therefore, the present study highlights the possibility that alterations in the localization of the ETB receptor contributes to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia and future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Currently, there is great interest in the role of the endothelin system in pre-eclampsia. Targetting the endothelin system, potentially by modulating upstream pathways to prevent ETB receptor dysfunction, may improve health outcomes for women and their offspring during pre-eclampsia and later life.
Coordinated beamforming for heterogeneous small‐cell networks with a non‐ideal backhaul
Authors: Zhou Fasheng , Luo Gaoyong , Liu Yun , Wang Yige , Fan Lisheng
Published: January 2018

In this article, intra‐ and inter‐cell interference caused by the non‐ideal backhaul in coordinated multipoint (CoMP) are studied. A recursive estimation‐based zero‐forcing beamforming (RE‐ZFBF) scheme is proposed to mitigate the interference. Based on an initial value, the RE‐ZFBF scheme recursively approximates the beamformer variation between two consecutive time points by exploiting the temporal channel correlation. In contrast to a previous work, the authors convert the original non‐convex constraint quality‐of‐service problem to an unconstrained convex one, by optimising the estimation of the beamformer error, rather than the beamforming power. It is shown that the proposed scheme can mitigate at most half the intra‐ and inter‐cell interference, enhance the ZFBF performance, and outperform the existing works for CoMP with a non‐ideal backhaul in heterogeneous small‐cell networks.
Analysis and selection of harmonics sensitive to demagnetisation faults intended for condition monitoring of double rotor axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machines
Authors: De Bisschop Jan , Abdallh Ahmed Abou‐Elyazied , Sergeant Peter , Dupré Luc
Published: January 2018

Yokeless and segmented armature (YASA) axial flux permanent magnet synchronous machines may have asymmetrical demagnetisation defects in their two rotors. Condition monitoring, therefore, becomes more complicated than in conventional single rotor machines. To develop a real‐time condition monitoring algorithm for demagnetisation faults in YASA machines – which requires solving an inverse problem – a fast forward model is necessary. A frequency‐based analytical model is used to calculate the three‐phase terminal voltages based on the three‐phase current waveforms and the demagnetisation defects including asymmetrical defects in the two rotors. To reduce the computational time of the forward model, this study focuses on the sensitivity of different voltage harmonics on several demagnetisation faults. To this end, the Cramér–Rao lower bound technique is used to analyse the harmonics sensitivity to the demagnetisation faults. The goal of the sensitivity analysis is to select an appropriate set of harmonics that gives maximal information about the defects. It becomes much faster and useful for real‐time condition monitoring. The results of the analysis show that the subharmonics around and including the fundamental are the most sensitive harmonics to the demagnetisation defects. The analytical model is validated with experimental data and finite element simulations.
Inductively coupled on‐line impedance measurement for condition monitoring of electrical equipment
Authors: Rathnayaka Sooriya Bandara , See Kye Yak , Li Kangrong
Published: January 2018

Off‐line periodic maintenance has been used to keep critical electrical equipment in good condition. However, there is an increasing demand for on‐line condition monitoring of the electrical equipment for preventive maintenance purposes. An on‐line impedance extraction technique based on an inductive coupling approach is explored for the detection of early signs of defects of electrical equipment. The proposed method is demonstrated experimentally using a custom‐made transformer with emulated defects as equipment‐under‐test. To enhance the defect detection capability for impedance deviation, various statistical diagnostic indicators are also investigated. By combining the proposed on‐line impedance extraction method and a suitable diagnostic indicator, early detection of the defect in electrical equipment becomes feasible.
Binary orbits from combined astrometric and spectroscopic data
Authors: Lucy L. B.
Published: January 2018

An efficient Bayesian technique for estimation problems in fundamental stellar astronomy is tested on simulated data for a binary observed both astrometrically and spectroscopically. Posterior distributions are computed for the components’ masses and for the binary’s parallax. One thousand independent repetitions of the simulation demonstrate that the 1- and 2-σcredibility intervals for these fundamental quantities have close to the correct coverage fractions. In addition, the simulations allow the investigation of the statistical properties of a Bayesian goodness-of-fit criterion and of the correspondingp-value. The criterion has closely similar properties to the traditionalχ2test for minimum-χ2solutions.
Bericht über die neue ESPEN-Leitlinie zur Ernährung von polymorbiden, internistischen Patienten
Authors: Schuetz Philipp , Zurfluh Seline , Gomes Filomena , Bounoure Lisa , Fehr Rebecca , Norman Kristina , Stanga Zeno , Bischoff Stephan ,   Guideline-Arbeitsgruppe
Published: January 2018

Hintergrund Die Mangelernährung ist ein zentrales Problem im Spitalalltag und korreliert mit Komplikationen, längeren Spitalaufenthalten und schlechteren Outcomes. Viele der hospitalisierten, internistischen Patienten sind polymorbide. Bisherige klinische Leitlinien für Ernährungstherapie befassen sich meist nur mit Einzelerkrankungen ohne Berücksichtigung der Polymorbidität. Ziel der ESPEN-Arbeitsgruppe war das Erstellen von Leitlinien zur Ernährungstherapie bei polymorbiden, hospitalisierten Patienten.

Methode Die Arbeitsgruppe formulierte Schlüsselfragen zu folgenden Aspekten der Ernährungstherapie: Indikation, Weg der Nahrungszufuhr, Energie- und Proteinbedarf, Mikronährstoffe, krankheitsspezifische Nährstoffe, Überwachung, zeitliche sowie prozedurale Aspekte. Es erfolgte eine systematische Literatursuche in 3 Datenbanken (Medline, Embase und Cochrane Library) sowie in sekundären Quellen (z. B. publizierte Guidelines). Darauf basierend wurden Empfehlungen formuliert. Die hier vorgestellte Arbeit ist eine deutsche Übersetzung der kürzlich publizierten ESPEN-Leitlinien.

Ergebnisse Bei polymorbiden, hospitalisierten Patienten sollte ein einfaches, standardisiertes Mangelernährungs-Screening innerhalb 48 Stunden nach Spitaleintritt durchgeführt werden. Der totale tägliche Energiebedarf kann bei polymorbiden Patienten > 65 Jahren mittels gewichtsbasierter Formel „27 – 30 kcal/kg Körpergewicht (KG)“ geschätzt werden. Der tägliche Proteinbedarf kann mit „≥ 1,0 g/kg KG“ geschätzt werden. Primär sollte eine orale Ernährung angestrebt werden, welche bei Bedarfsabdeckung < 75 % auf eine enterale oder parenterale eskaliert werden kann. Orale Nahrungssupplemente sollte als eine kosteneffektive Intervention zur Verbesserung des Ernährungszustands in Betracht gezogen werden.

Schlussfolgerungen Trotz methodischen Herausforderungen aufgrund der heterogenen Patientenpopulation und dem Fehlen großer Interventionsstudien ist es der Arbeitsgruppe gelungen, evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen zur nicht-krankheitsspezifischen Ernährungstherapie bei polymorbiden Patienten zu erarbeiten. Als Resultat sind 22 praktische Empfehlungen und 4 Stellungnahmen entstanden, welche im klinischen Alltag im Umgang mit mangelernährten, hospitalisierten, polymorbiden Patienten genutzt werden können. Einige Fragen bleiben bei mangelnder oder fehlender Evidenz offen und benötigen noch weiterer Untersuchungen.
A variational approach to moment-closure approximations for the kinetics of biomolecular reaction networks
Authors: Bronstein Leo , Koeppl Heinz
Published: January 2018

Approximate solutions of the chemical master equation and the chemical Fokker-Planck equation are an important tool in the analysis of biomolecular reaction networks. Previous studies have highlighted a number of problems with the moment-closure approach used to obtain such approximations, calling it an ad hoc method. In this article, we give a new variational derivation of moment-closure equations which provides us with an intuitive understanding of their properties and failure modes and allows us to correct some of these problems. We use mixtures of product-Poisson distributions to obtain a flexible parametric family which solves the commonly observed problem of divergences at low system sizes. We also extend the recently introduced entropic matching approach to arbitrary ansatz distributions and Markov processes, demonstrating that it is a special case of variational moment closure. This provides us with a particularly principled approximation method. Finally, we extend the above approaches to cover the approximation of multi-time joint distributions, resulting in a viable alternative to process-level approximations which are often intractable.
Microstructure, soft magnetic properties and applications of amorphous Fe-Co-Si-B-Mo-P alloy
Authors: Hasiak Mariusz , Miglierini Marcel , Łukiewski Mirosław , Łaszcz Amadeusz , Bujdoš Marek
Published: January 2018

DC thermomagnetic properties of Fe51Co12Si16B8Mo5P8 amorphous alloy in the as-quenched and after annealing below crystallization temperature are investigated. They are related to deviations in the microstructure as revealed by Mössbauer spectrometry. Study of AC magnetic properties, i.e. hysteresis loops, relative permeability and core losses versus maximum induction was aimed at obtaining optimal initial parameters for simulation process of a resonant transformer for a rail power supply converter. The results obtained from numerical analyses including core losses, winding losses, core mass, and dimensions were compared with the same parameters calculated for Fe-Si alloy and ferrite. Moreover, Steinmetz coefficients were also calculated for the as-quenched Fe51Co12Si16B8Mo5P8 amorphous alloy.
The effect of adsorbates on the electrical stability of graphene studied by transient photocurrent spectroscopy
Authors: Kalkan S. B. , Aydın H. , Özkendir D. , Çelebi C.
Published: January 2018

Adsorbate induced variations in the electrical conductivity of graphene layers with two different types of charge carriers are investigated by using the Transient Photocurrent Spectroscopy (TPS) measurement technique. In-vacuum TPS measurements taken for a duration of 5 ks revealed that the adsorption/desorption of atmospheric adsorbates leads to more than a 110% increment and a 45% decrement in the conductivity of epitaxial graphene (n-type) and chemical vapor deposition graphene (p-type) layers on semi-insulating silicon carbide (SiC) substrates, respectively. The graphene layers on SiC are encapsulated and passivated with a thin SiO2 film grown by the Pulsed Electron Deposition method. The measurements conducted for short periods and a few cycles showed that the encapsulation process completely suppresses the time dependent conductivity instability of graphene independent of its charge carrier type. The obtained results are used to construct an experimental model for identifying adsorbate related conductivity variations in graphene and also in other 2D materials with an inherently high surface-to-volume ratio.
Multilingual Place Names in Southern Africa
Authors: Möller Lucie A.
Published: January 2018

Numerous place names in southern Africa reveal cultural and language contact between Bushmen (San), Khoikhoi, Bantu and European language speakers over many thousands of years. These toponyms reflect the diversity of languages that had an influence on words and common names used by local people speaking different languages. Many of these place names are complex and their origins and meanings can only be explained by tracing onymic (naming) formatives in components from cognate words appearing in other languages, often only by deciphering the phonological, orthographic and morphological adaptations that they underwent, or through translated names elucidating the meanings. The findings of this research provide insights into the inter-connected, multilingual context and show names as being verifiable evidence of onymic, lexemic and toponymic exchange. They indicate language elements that survived in names that are part of the toponymic heritage of the region.
Suppressive effect of ethanol extract from mango (Mangifera indicaL.) peel on IgE productionin vitroandin vivo
Authors: Ishida Momoko , Sasaki Tomoko , Nishi Kosuke , Tamamoto Takeshi , Sugahara Takuya
Published: January 2018

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is involved in the onset of allergic reaction, and the suppression of IgE production leads to alleviation of allergic symptoms. We found that mango peel ethanol extract (MPE) significantly suppresses IgE production by human myeloma cell line U266 cells, suggesting that MPE has an anti-allergic effect by inhibiting the production of IgE. Although mangiferin is contained in mango, which suppresses IgE production by U266 cells, it was not contained in MPE. We investigated the suppressive effect of MPE in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic contact dermatitis model mice. The elevation of serum IgE level was significantly suppressed by oral administration of MPE. Intake of MPE also suppressed the expression level of IL-4 in the DNFB-challenged ears, suggesting that MPE suppresses the IL-4-mediated maturation into IgE-producing cells. Our findings indicate that MPE has a potential to alleviate the increase in serum IgE level that is feature of type I allergy.
DNA binding by the MATα2 transcription factor controls its access to alternative ubiquitin-modification pathways
Authors: Hickey Christopher M. , Xie Yang , Hochstrasser Mark
Published: January 2018

Like many transcription factors, the yeast protein MATalpha2 (α2) undergoes rapid proteolysis via the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). At least two ubiquitylation pathways regulate α2 degradation: one pathway utilizes the ubiquitin ligase (E3) Doa10 and the other the heterodimeric E3 Slx5/Slx8. Doa10 is a transmembrane protein of the endoplasmic reticulum/inner nuclear membrane, whereas Slx5/Slx8 localizes to the nucleus and binds DNA nonspecifically. While a single protein can often be ubiquitylated by multiple pathways, the reasons for this “division of labor” are not well understood. Here we show that α2 mutants with impaired DNA binding become inaccessible to the Slx5/Slx8 pathway but are still rapidly degraded through efficient shunting to the Doa10 pathway. These results are consistent with the distinct localization of these E3s. We also characterized a novel class of DNA binding-defective α2 variants whose degradation is strongly impaired. Our genetic data suggest that this is due to a gain-of-function interaction that limits their access to Doa10. Together, these results suggest multiple ubiquitin-ligation mechanisms may have evolved to promote rapid destruction of a transcription factor that resides in distinct cellular subcompartments under different conditions. Moreover, gain-of-function mutations, which also occur with oncogenic forms of human transcription factors such as p53, may derail this fail-safe system.
Increasing Geminid meteor shower activity
Authors: Ryabova G O , Rendtel J
Published: January 2018

Mathematical modelling has shown that activity of the Geminid meteor shower should rise with time, and that was confirmed by analysis of visual observations 1985–2016. We do not expect any outburst activity of the Geminid shower in 2017, even though the asteroid (3200) Phaethon has a close approach to Earth in December of 2017. A small probability to observe dust ejected at perihelia 2009–2016 still exists.
Normative justification for public arts funding: what can we learn from linking arts consumption and arts policy in Israel?
Authors: Feder Tal
Published: January 2018

This article studies the socioeconomics of government public expenditure for the arts and the normative foundations of state intervention in the arts. I pose two interrelated research questions: (a) what is the relationship between the public funding of the arts and their consumption? and (b) what mode of justification and what perception of the place of art in society is reflected in this relationship? Based on the philosophical work of Alan Badiou, I develop a novel conceptual framework to delineate three types of normative justifications for the public funding of arts organizations: romantic, didactic and classical. Using data from the public funding of 92 orchestras, theaters and dance troupes in Israel between 1999 and 2011, I estimate a cross-lagged panel data model to study how arts funding both affects and is affected by the levels of consumption of the organizations’ productions. The results of the study show a complex pattern of different relationships between funding and consumption that accord with the three types of normative justifications for public arts funding.
Delay Within the 3-Hour Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guideline on Mortality for Patients With Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock*
Authors: Pruinelli Lisiane , Westra Bonnie L. , Yadav Pranjul , Hoff Alexander , Steinbach Michael , Kumar Vipin , Delaney Connie W. , Simon Gyorgy
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

To specify when delays of specific 3-hour bundle Surviving Sepsis Campaign guideline recommendations applied to severe sepsis or septic shock become harmful and impact mortality.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting:

One health system composed of six hospitals and 45 clinics in a Midwest state from January 01, 2011, to July 31, 2015.

Patients:

All adult patients hospitalized with billing diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock.

Interventions:

Four 3-hour Surviving Sepsis Campaign guideline recommendations: 1) obtain blood culture before antibiotics, 2) obtain lactate level, 3) administer broad-spectrum antibiotics, and 4) administer 30 mL/kg of crystalloid fluid for hypotension (defined as “mean arterial pressure” < 65) or lactate (> 4).

Measurements and Main Results:

To determine the effect of t minutes of delay in carrying out each intervention, propensity score matching of “baseline” characteristics compensated for differences in health status. The average treatment effect in the treated computed as the average difference in outcomes between those treated after shorter versus longer delay. To estimate the uncertainty associated with the average treatment effect in the treated metric and to construct 95% CIs, bootstrap estimation with 1,000 replications was performed. From 5,072 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock, 1,412 (27.8%) had in-hospital mortality. The majority of patients had the four 3-hour bundle recommendations initiated within 3 hours. The statistically significant time in minutes after which a delay increased the risk of death for each recommendation was as follows: lactate, 20.0 minutes; blood culture, 50.0 minutes; crystalloids, 100.0 minutes; and antibiotic therapy, 125.0 minutes.

Conclusions:

The guideline recommendations showed that shorter delays indicates better outcomes. There was no evidence that 3 hours is safe; even very short delays adversely impact outcomes. Findings demonstrated a new approach to incorporate time t when analyzing the impact on outcomes and provide new evidence for clinical practice and research.
Longitudinal profiles of back pain across adulthood and their relationship with childhood factors: evidence from the 1946 British birth cohort
Authors: Muthuri Stella G. , Kuh Diana , Cooper Rachel
Published: January 2018

This study aimed to (1) characterise long-term profiles of back pain across adulthood and (2) examine whether childhood risk factors were associated with these profiles, using data from 3271 participants in the Medical Research Council National Survey of Health and Development. A longitudinal latent class analysis was conducted on binary outcomes of back pain at ages 31, 36, 43, 53, 60 to 64, and 68 years. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations between selected childhood risk factors and class membership; adjusted for sex, adult body size, health status and behaviours, socioeconomic position, and family history of back pain. Four profiles of back pain were identified: no or occasional pain (57.7%), early-adulthood only (16.1%), mid-adulthood onset (16.9%), and persistent (9.4%). The “no or occasional” profile was treated as the referent category in subsequent analyses. After adjustment, taller height at age 7 years was associated with a higher likelihood of early-adulthood only (relative risk ratio per 1 SD increase in height = 1.31 [95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.65]) and persistent pain (relative risk ratio = 1.33 [95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.74]) in women (P for sex interaction = 0.01). Factors associated with an increased risk of persistent pain in both sexes were abdominal pain, poorest care in childhood, and poorer maternal health. Abdominal pain and poorest housing quality were also associated with an increased likelihood of mid-adulthood onset pain. These findings suggest that there are different long-term profiles of back pain, each of which is associated with different early life risk factors. This highlights the potential importance of early life interventions for the prevention and management of back pain.
Updates in Management of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections: A Focus on Multidrug-Resistant Organisms
Authors: Ma Adrienne H. , Hughes Gregory J.
Published: January 2018

Background:

Urinary tract infection treatment can be difficult in the geriatric population. These patients often require a more nuanced approach due to recurrent, resistant, and catheter-associated infections.

Areas of Uncertainty:

Although some attempts have been made to prevent urinary tract infections using cranberry products, probiotics, and nonpharmacologic means, current interest lies largely with the development of new antibiotics to treat increasingly resistant organisms.

Therapeutic Advances:

Efforts to reduce the development of resistance starts with judicious and appropriate empiric use of antibiotics. Fluoroquinolones are no longer recommended as first-line therapy due to adverse reactions and the development of resistance. Complicated and upper urinary tract infections require broader empiric coverage and measures should be taken to de-escalate treatment as early as possible. Antimicrobial stewardship programs are recommended to aid in these efforts in addition to antibiotic selection in the presence of multidrug-resistant organisms such as those producing extended spectrum beta-lactamase or carbapenemase. Multidrug-resistant organisms are often present in catheter-associated urinary tract infections so broad empiric coverage should be initially started. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections should generally be treated for 7–14 days depending on the rate of clinical improvement, and fungal coverage is often also necessary. Ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, and meropenem/vaborbactam were recently approved in the US for treating multidrug-resistant organisms and several more agents are in development, such as parenteral fosfomycin. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is effective for treating Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other gram-negative organisms, even those that produce extended spectrum beta-lactamases. Ceftazidime/avibactam is effective solely for gram-negative organisms, including those that produce various carbapenemases, but efficacy for P. aeruginosa is variable. Both combinations are approved for complicated urinary tract infections in addition to complicated intra-abdominal infections. Several medications are currently in the pipeline to treat multidrug-resistant organisms. Meropenem/vaborbactam was approved for complicated urinary tract infections and its coverage includes carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. Fosfomycin, currently available orally and first line for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, is being evaluated for intravenous use for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, and gram-negative bacilli that produce both extended spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase.

Conclusions:

Urinary Tract Infections are a common cause of hospitalization in older adults. Antibiotic selection and antimicrobial stewardship programs are important given the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms.