bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The utilization of spitz‐related nomenclature in the histological interpretation of cutaneous melanocytic lesions by practicing pathologists: results from the M‐Path study
Authors: Zhao Ge , Lee Kachiu C. , Peacock Sue , Reisch Lisa M. , Knezevich Stevan R. , Elder David E. , Piepkorn Michael W. , Elmore Joann G. , Barnhill Raymond L.
Published: September 2016

Background

Spitz nevi, atypical Spitz tumors and spitzoid melanomas (‘spitzoid lesions’) represent controversial and poorly understood cutaneous melanocytic lesions that are difficult to diagnose histologically. It is unknown how these terms are used by pathologists.

Methods

We describe use of Spitz‐related terminology using data from the Melanoma Pathology (M‐Path) study database comprising pathologists' interpretations of biopsy slides, a nation‐wide study evaluating practicing US pathologists' (N = 187) diagnoses of melanocytic lesions (8976 independent diagnostic assessments on 240 total test cases, with 1 slide per case).

Results

Most pathologists (90%) used the Spitz‐related terminology. However, significant variation exists in which specific lesions were diagnosed as spitzoid and in the corresponding treatment recommendations. Recommendations ranged from ‘no further treatment’ to ‘wide excision of 10 mm or greater’ with no category capturing more than 50% of responses. For spitzoid melanoma diagnoses, 90% of pathologists recommended excision with ≥10 mm margin. Pathologists report less confidence in diagnosing these lesions compared with other melanocytic proliferations and are more likely to request second opinions and additional clinical information (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Spitzoid lesions are often not classified in any standardized way, evoke uncertainty in diagnosis by pathologists, and elicit variability in treatment recommendations.
The Role of Efficacy, Optimism, and Political Networks in Legislative Elections: The Case of United Arab Emirates
Authors: Yaghi Abdulfattah , Antwi‐Boateng Osman
Published: September 2016

The purpose of the present study on political participation in United Arab Emirates is to examine the factors that motivated people to cast their vote in the legislative elections of 2011. To this end, a special questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1,800 citizens and univariate and multivariate methods were used to analyze their responses. Findings reveal that three factors motivated people to cast their vote, namely 1) their political efficacy about the legislative body, 2) their optimism about the prospects of a newly elected legislature to improve their daily lives and to aid the government's effort to enhance public services, and 3) having political networks. The study recommends further research to find out factors behind the dwindling level of electoral participation in spite of a high level of political optimism and efficacy.
Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis involving both the tricuspid and aortic valves
Authors: Bhardwaj Bhaskar , Bajwa Ata , Sharma Amit , Towheed Arooge , Sanghani Bakul V. , McGhie A. Iain
Published: September 2016

A 71‐year‐old male presented after sudden onset of confusion and expressive aphasia. MRI head revealed multiple ischemic lesions consistent with cardio‐embolic pathophysiology. A computed tomography angiography of lung showed peripheral pulmonary emboli. He underwent a transesophageal echocardiogram as a part of the stroke workup and was found to have vegetations on both aortic and tricuspid valves. The blood cultures did not show any growth, and the patient remained afebrile during the course of hospitalization. A diagnosis of nonbacterial thrombotic embolism was made, and he was discharged on anticoagulation therapy with subcutaneous low molecular heparin.
Primary cardiac hydatid cyst presenting as noncompaction cardiomyopathy
Authors: Kocabay Gonenc , Yilmazer Serdar , Korkmaz Yetkin , Karadeniz Asli , Duran Nilufer Eksi
Published: September 2016

We report a case of cyst was initially labeled as left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy. An accurate diagnosis is essential to establish the most effective treatment strategy. In particular, echocardiographic examination assists in identifying the correct diagnosis. In this case, two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional echocardiography and computed tomography were used for definitive diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cyst.
Endodontic repair in immature dogs' teeth with apical periodontitis: blood clot vs plasma rich in growth factors scaffold
Authors: Dianat Omid , Mashhadi Abas Fatemeh , Paymanpour Payam , Eghbal Mohammad Jafar , Haddadpour Sahar , Bahrololumi Nazanin
Published: September 2016

Background/Aim

Different types of scaffolds have been suggested for endodontic repair procedures. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of procedures using blood clot vs plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) scaffold in immature teeth with apical periodontitis in dogs.

Materials and methods

In this in vivo animal study, 20 teeth (30 canals) with open apices were divided into two groups (n = 12): (1) blood clot and (2) PRGF. Two positive and negative control groups were also selected randomly. After exposing the pulp and inducing periapical inflammation by placing a sponge soaked in a suspension of dental plaque, the root canals of both groups were flushed with sodium hypochlorite and filled with triple antibiotic paste. After 28 days, the antibiotic mixture was removed, bleeding was induced through the apical foramen, and mineral trioxide aggregate was placed over the blood clot in group one and PRGF scaffold in group two. Access cavities were then filled with composite resin. The radiographic and histological findings were compared immediately after the procedure, as well as after 3 and 6 months of follow‐up.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the two experimental groups with regard to the radiographic or histological results (P > 0.05). The incidence of healed periapical radiolucency was 60% and 53.33% in groups one and two, respectively. Apical closure was noted in 60% of samples in both experimental groups. New cementum‐like tissue formation was detected along the walls of the canals, and bone‐like islands within the canals were also observed.

Conclusions

Plasma rich in growth factors scaffold showed no advantage over blood clots regarding healing of the periapical radiolucency, radiographic apical closure and type of the newly formed soft and hard tissues.
Spatial distribution pattern and physical – biological interactions in the larval notothenioid fish assemblages from the Bransfield Strait and adjacent waters
Authors: La Mesa Mario , La Mesa Gabriele , Catalano Barbara , Jones Christopher D.
Published: September 2016

The Bransfield Strait and adjacent waters represent one of the most important areas of larval retention off the Antarctic Peninsula. The species composition of larval fish assemblages has been described in detail in previous surveys carried out in the area, but the role of environmental parameters influencing the spatial distribution of early life stages was poorly known. By applying generalized additive models and multivariate analyses, we evaluated the role of environmental variables in shaping the small‐scale distribution of larval fish and investigated the spatial structure of the larval assemblage. It consisted of a few dominant notothenioid species, such asChampsocephalus gunnari,Lepidonotothen squamifrons,Lepidonotothen larseni,Pleuragramma antarcticaandTrematomus scotti, and several other rarely caught species. Sea water temperature, salinity and sampling depth were the most important factors determining the spatial distribution of fish with different relative contributions, together explaining more than 80% of total deviance observed. Species richness was mostly affected by salinity, probably due to the narrow range of salinity preference by the species. Cluster analysis of abundance and presence data identified six and five distinct groups, respectively, each of them with substantial contributions of single or rarely two species. Differences in reproductive strategies of adult populations and spatial distribution of early life stages driven by different larval behaviour in response to environmental factors contribute to maintaining a well‐structured larval fish assemblage, ensuring spatial and food niche partitioning.
The tangled link between β‐ and γ‐diversity: a Narcissus effect weakens statistical inferences in null model analyses of diversity patterns
Authors: Ulrich Werner , Baselga Andres , Kusumoto Buntarou , Shiono Takayuki , Tuomisto Hanna , Kubota Yasuhiro
Published: September 2016

Understanding the structure of and spatial variability in the species composition of ecological communities is at the heart of biogeography. In particular, there has been recent controversy about possible latitudinal trends in compositional heterogeneity across localities (β‐diversity). A gradient in the size of the regional species pool alone can be expected to impose a parallel gradient on β‐diversity, but whether β‐diversity also varies independently of the size of the species pool remains unclear. A recently suggested methodological approach to correct latitudinal β‐diversity gradients for the species pool effect is based on randomization null models that remove the effects of gradients in α‐ and γ‐diversity on β‐diversity. However, the randomization process imposes constraints on the variability of α‐diversity, which in turn force γ‐ and β‐diversity to become interdependent, such that any change in one is mirrored in the other. We argue that simple null model approaches are inadequate to discern whether correlations between α‐, β‐ and γ‐diversity reflect processes of ecological interest or merely differences in the size of the species pool among localities. We demonstrate that this kind of Narcissus effect may also apply to other metrics of spatial or phylogenetic species distribution. We highlight that Narcissus effects may lead to artificially high rejection rates for the focal pattern (Type II errors) and caution that these errors have not received sufficient attention in the ecological literature.
Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) silencing in Helicobacter pylori‐infected human gastric epithelium
Authors: Mihara Hiroshi , Suzuki Nobuhiro , Muhammad Jibran Sualeh , Nanjo Sohachi , Ando Takayuki , Fujinami Haruka , Kajiura Shinya , Hosokawa Ayumu , Sugiyama Toshiro
Published: September 2016

Background

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection induces methylation silencing of specific genes in gastric epithelium. Various stimuli activate the nonselective cation channel TRPV4, which is expressed in gastric epithelium where it detects mechanical stimuli and promotes ATP release. As CpG islands in TRPV4 are methylated in HP‐infected gastric epithelium, we evaluated HP infection‐dependent changes in TRPV4 expression in gastric epithelium.

Materials and Methods

Human gastric biopsy samples, a human gastric cancer cell line (AGS), and a normal gastric epithelial cell line (GES‐1) were used to detect TRPV4 mRNA and protein expression by RT‐PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Ca2+ imaging was used to evaluate TRPV4 ion channel activity. TRPV4 methylation status was assessed by methylation‐specific PCR (MSP). ATP release was measured by a luciferin‐luciferase assay.

Results

TRPV4 mRNA and protein were detected in human gastric biopsy samples and in GES‐1 cells. MSP and demethylation assays showed TRPV4 methylation silencing in AGS cells. HP coculture directly induced methylation silencing of TRPV4 in GES‐1 cells. In human samples, HP infection was associated with TRPV4 methylation silencing that recovered after HP eradication in a time‐dependent manner.

Conclusion

HP infection‐dependent DNA methylation suppressed TRPV4 expression in human gastric epithelia, suggesting that TRPV4 methylation may be involved in HP‐associated dyspepsia.
Fitness costs associated with Cry1F resistance in the European corn borer
Authors: Petzold‐Maxwell J. L. , Siegfried B. D. , Hellmich R. L. , Abel C. A. , Coates B. S. , Spencer T. A. , Horikoshi R. J. , Gassmann A. J.
Published: September 2016

Crops producing insecticidal toxins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) are widely planted to manage insect pests. Bt crops can provide an effective tool for pest management; however, the evolution of Bt resistance can diminish this benefit. The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis Hübner, is a significant pest of maize and is widely managed with Bt maize in the Midwest of the United States. When Bt crops are grown in conjunction with non‐Bt refuges, fitness costs of Bt resistance can delay the evolution of resistance. Importantly, fitness costs often vary with ecological factors, including host‐plant genotype and diapause. In this study, we examined fitness costs associated with Cry1F resistance in O. nubilalis when insects were reared on three maize lines. Fitness costs were tested in two experiments. One experiment assessed the fitness costs when Cry1F‐resistant and Cry1F‐susceptible insects were reared on plants as larvae and experienced diapause. The second experiment tested resistant, susceptible and F1 heterozygotes that were reared on plants but did not experience diapause. Despite some evidence of greater adult longevity for Cry1F‐resistant insects, these insects produced fewer fertile eggs than Cry1F‐susceptible insects, and this occurred independent of diapause. Reduced fecundity was not detected among heterozygous individuals, which indicated that this fitness cost was recessive. Additionally, maize lines did not affect the magnitude of this fitness cost. The lower fitness of Cry1F‐resistant O. nubilalis may contribute to the maintenance of Cry1F susceptibility in field populations more than a decade after Cry1F maize was commercialized.
High genetic diversity and population differentiation in Clarias gariepinus of Yala Swamp: evidence from mitochondrial DNA sequences
Authors: Barasa J. E. , Abila R. , Grobler J. P. , Agaba M. , Chemoiwa E. J. , Kaunda‐Arara B.
Published: September 2016

In order to improve the conservation and sustainable utilization of the African catfish Clarias gariepinus of the Yala Swamp in Kenya, genetic diversity and population structure of Lakes Kanyaboli and Namboyo populations of the species were studied using DNA sequences of the mitochondrial D‐loop control region. Genetic diversity inferred as haplotype and nucleotide diversities and number of singletons and shared haplotypes was higher in the Lake Kanyaboli population (LKG) than the Lake Namboyo population (LNG) of C. gariepinus. Thirty‐one haplotypes were inferred, of which 25 (80·6%) were private or singletons, while only six (19·4%) haplotypes were shared between LKG and LNG. Both populations were differentiated, with FST value that was significantly different from zero (P < 0·05). Two clusters were inferred both from the maximum likelihood tree and the spanning networks of phylogenetic relationships of haplotypes. Mismatch distribution for total sample was multi‐modal but individually, distributions were uni‐modal in LKG, but multimodal in LNG. The mean ± s.d. raggedness index for both populations was 0·085 ± 0·098 and not significantly different from zero (P > 0·05). Individual raggedness indices were 0·015 and 0·154 for LKG and LNG respectively. Fu's Fs was negative for both populations, with LKG recording −14·871, while LNG had −2·565, significantly different from zero for LKG (P < 0·05), but the value for LNG was not significant (P > 0·05). Tajima's D was negative for both populations, with LKG recording −1·734, while LNG had −1·136. Standardized square differences (SSD) were 0·001 for LKG and 0·048 for LNG and non‐significant between them (P > 0·05). Values between all populations were also not significantly different (P > 0·05), mean ± s.d. SSD 0·025 ± 0·033.
Waorani Warfare on the Ecuadorian Frontier, 1885–2013
Authors: Wasserstrom Robert
Published: September 2016

Este trabajo se enfoca en el boom cauchero y su impacto entre los grupos Waorani ubicados en la violenta frontera ecuatoriana. Antes de 1910, los Waorani a veces recolectaban caucho para intercambiar con los comerciantes en la cuenca baja del río Curaray. Pero el comercio pacífico terminó abruptamente. Después de 1930, con el colapso del boom, la mayor parte de los Waorani no optó por el aislamiento voluntario, sino que siguieron a los runa quienes se retiraron a los márgenes occidentales de la selva. Desde allí, los Waorani atacaron a los asentamientos kichwas para robar herramientas de acero y, en ocasiones, a los cautivos. Simultáneamente, incrementó la violencia entre las familias Waorani. Ya para 1958, cuando llegaron los misioneros norteamericanos, muchos Waorani estaban dispuestos a buscar otra salida. Tales acontecimientos sugieren que nuestra visión de la sociedad Waorani y su relación con el mundo exterior necesita una revisión fundamental.
Classification and regression tree analysis of acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure: Seeing the forest for the trees
Authors: Shi K.‐Q. , Zhou Y.‐Y. , Yan H.‐D. , Li H. , Wu F.‐L. , Xie Y.‐Y. , Braddock M. , Lin X.‐Y. , Zheng M.‐H.
Published: September 2016

At present, there is no ideal model for predicting the short‐term outcome of patients with acute‐on‐chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF). This study aimed to establish and validate a prognostic model by using the classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. A total of 1047 patients from two separate medical centres with suspected ACHBLF were screened in the study, which were recognized as derivation cohort and validation cohort, respectively. CART analysis was applied to predict the 3‐month mortality of patients with ACHBLF. The accuracy of the CART model was tested using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, which was compared with the model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) score and a new logistic regression model. CART analysis identified four variables as prognostic factors of ACHBLF: total bilirubin, age, serum sodium and INR, and three distinct risk groups: low risk (4.2%), intermediate risk (30.2%‐53.2%) and high risk (81.4%‐96.9%). The new logistic regression model was constructed with four independent factors, including age, total bilirubin, serum sodium and prothrombin activity by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The performances of the CART model (0.896), similar to the logistic regression model (0.914, P=.382), exceeded that of MELD score (0.667, P<.001). The results were confirmed in the validation cohort. We have developed and validated a novel CART model superior to MELD for predicting three‐month mortality of patients with ACHBLF. Thus, the CART model could facilitate medical decision‐making and provide clinicians with a validated practical bedside tool for ACHBLF risk stratification.
Evaluation of a Clinical Cancer Trial Research Training Workshop: Helping Nurses Build Capacity in Southwest Virginia
Authors: Burnett Camille , Bullock Linda , Collins Cathleen A. , Hauser Lindsay
Published: September 2016

Residents of Southwest Virginia (SWVA) face significant barriers in accessing the most advanced forms of cancer care, cancer risk reduction, and clinical trials involvement. A collaboration between the University of Virginia (UVA) Cancer Center and UVA School of Nursing was forged with oncology caregivers in this region to build community capacity to support Cancer Clinical trials (CCT) by strengthening the workforce, and thus improving health outcomes for this underserved region of Appalachia. The UVA School of Nursing designed an educational workshop focusing on the basics of CCT to facilitate the development of a skilled nursing workforce in the SWVA region that could provide care to patients on protocol and/or to encourage residents to participate in trials. The goal of the workshop was to offer a CCT training session for oncology nurses that fostered the knowledge and skills necessary to facilitate and support CCT infrastructure across this high‐risk region. This evaluation reports the learning outcomes of the CCT training on 32 nurse participants from SWVA. Evaluations of the training program showed high rates of satisfaction, increased comfort level with CCTs, and increased knowledge and attitude toward CCTs. These findings provide information about a curriculum that could be useful in educating other oncology nurses and student nurses how to care for patients who may be enrolled in a clinical trial. Nurses can also be advocates for participation in clinical trials once they have the knowledge and are comfortable in their own understanding of a trial's usefulness. Educating the nursing workforce is an essential component of building capacity and infrastructure to support clinical trials research.
Between Remembering and Forgetting the Years of Political Violence: Psychosocial Impact of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Peru
Authors: Espinosa Agustín , Páez Darío , Velázquez Tesania , Cueto Rosa María , Seminario Evelyn , Sandoval Salvador , Reátegui Félix , Jave Iris
Published: September 2016

This article analyzes the association between knowledge of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), evaluation of TRC's achievements, experience of victimization, attitudes toward remembering and forgetting past political violence, perceptions of socioemotional climate (SEC), belief in forgiveness and attitudes toward violence in Peru based on a study conducted in three Peruvian cities with different rates of victimization due to political violence during 1980–2000 (n = 1200). Results showed that a positive attitude toward remembering the past of political violence was predominant and related to a positive evaluation of TRC's achievements. Attitude toward remembering also has an ambivalent collective effect increasing both positive and negative SECs, and it is less accepted by victims of political violence. On the other hand, attitude toward forgetting is less accepted by participants, and it also has an ambivalent effect by increasing positive and negative SECs. Attitude toward forgetting has more societal costs, since it is related to attitudes toward violence and decreased knowledge and a positive evaluation of TRC. In general, findings suggest that remembering traumatic events has an emotional cost, but also it is shown that remembering seems to be more beneficial for society in the long‐term than forgetting.
Mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of chronic lung disease
Authors: Wecht Sophie , Rojas Mauricio
Published: September 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a populace of non‐haematopoietic multipotent stromal cells, which have the ability to differentiate into tissue derived from a single germ layer. MSCs have been isolated from various sites, including adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, synovium, spleen, thymus, lung and amniotic fluid, but are most often isolated from bone marrow. MSCs have several valuable functions that make them a promising therapeutic option in the field of regenerative medicine, including the secretion of anti‐inflammatory cytokines and growth factors, the migration of cells to the site of injury when administered and the ability to ‘rescue’ cells through the transfer of functional mitochondria. They also offer the possibility of autologous cell transplantation, circumventing immune rejection. These properties, among others, make MSCs a promising potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of chronic lung diseases with high rates of morbidity and mortality, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), COPD and obstructive bronchiolitis (OB). Numerous animal models have shown the protective and reparative effects of MSCs in models of experimental lung injury. There are currently several clinical trials underway to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MSCs in the treatment of IPF, COPD and OB. While early results are encouraging, a considerable amount of research must be done concerning the safety MSCs, as well as their optimal dosage, time and route of administration. In addition, much is still unknown about the pathogenesis of these chronic lung diseases, as well as the mechanisms MSCs utilize to assist in their repair.
Dissecting Exchange Rates and Fundamentals in the Modern Floating Era: The Role of Permanent and Transitory Shocks
Authors: Chou Yu‐Hsi
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we apply a permanent–transitory decomposition method to analyze the link between nominal exchange rates and fundamentals in the modern floating era. The results suggest that transitory shocks dominate nominal exchange rate fluctuations, while permanent shocks dominate the variations in fundamentals. Therefore, the findings suggest that the nominal exchange rate should not be approximated by a pure random walk. Moreover, we find that unobserved fundamentals in the Taylor rule model can explain the transitory components in exchange rates.
Neuromuscular and inflammatory responses to handball small‐sided games: the effects of physical contact
Authors: Dello Iacono A. , Eliakim A. , Padulo J. , Laver L. , Ben‐Zaken S. , Meckel Y.
Published: September 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of physical contact on neuromuscular impairments and inflammatory response during handball small‐sided games. Using a counterbalanced design, 12 elite male junior handball players were divided into two groups: contact (C‐SSG) and no‐contact (NC‐SSG), performing both contact and no‐contact small‐sided games, in reverse order on two training sessions separated by 5 days. The methodology and rules were identical for the two SSG regimens, with the only difference being the inclusion or prohibition of upper body use for physical contacts. Upper and lower body neuromuscular performances and blood concentrations of inflammatory cytokine IL‐6 were assessed before and immediately after the games. During small‐sided games, video analysis was used to establish the physical contact counts. Significant differences were found in most upper and lower limbs muscles kinetic variables and in the physical contact events (all P < 0.001) following the two training regimens. There was an increase in IL‐6 after C‐SSG and no changes following NC‐SSG (P < 0.05 and P = 0.12, respectively). Moreover, a strong correlation was found between the number of physical contacts and IL‐6 responses (r = 0.971, P < 0.001) in C‐SSG. This study indicates that an inflammatory response and large upper and lower body neuromuscular impairments result from physical contact in elite handball players. These outcomes outline the specific physiological profile of C‐SSG that, in turn, might be used by practitioners and coaches as a practical approach to strategically select exercises in athlete's overall training program.
Physical activity and motivational predictors of changes in health behavior and health among DM2 and CAD patients
Authors: Halvari H. , Healey J. , Olafsen A. H. , Byrkjeland R. , Deci E. L. , Williams G. C.
Published: September 2016

This study tested a physical activity intervention and the self‐determination theory (SDT) process model of health‐behavior change and health among 108 adult patients with both diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and coronary artery disease (CAD). Patients were randomly assigned to an organized physical activity intervention group (led by instructors) or a non‐physical activity control group. At baseline and after 12 months, we measured the following: needs satisfaction, autonomous and controlled motivation for physical activity, perceived competence for physical activity and blood sugar testing, physical activity and blood sugar testing, body weight, glucose control (HbA1c), and self‐perceptions of general health and vitality. The intervention produced, as hypothesized, significant changes in all study variables in favor of the experimental group (Cohen's d effect sizes: 0.23–0.72), except the non‐significant result for controlled motivation and body weight. The data supported the SDT process model, in which the effect of the intervention significantly predicted indirect changes in behavior and health through motivation variables. Considering the moderate to large effects on increases in motivation, behavior, and health, promoting organized physical activity programs that are perceived as need‐supportive may have important health implications for patients with DM2 and CAD.
Multi-Objective Optimization Design of Nonlinear Magnetic Bearing Rotordynamic System
Authors: Zhong Wan , Palazzolo Alan , Kang Xiao
Published: September 2016

Nonlinear vibrations and their control are critical in improving the magnetic bearings system performance and in the more widely spread use of magnetic bearings system. Multiple objective genetic algorithms (MOGAs) simultaneously optimize a vibration control law and geometrical features of a set of nonlinear magnetic bearings supporting a generic flexible, spinning shaft. The objectives include minimization of the actuator mass, minimization of the power loss, and maximization of the external static load capacity of the rotor. Levitation of the spinning rotor and the nonlinear vibration amplitude by rotor unbalance are constraint conditions according to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) specified standards for the control law search. The finite element method (FEM) was applied to determine the temperature distribution and identify the hot spot of the actuator during steady-state operation. Nonlinearities include magnetic flux saturation, and current and voltage limits of power amplifiers. Pareto frontiers were applied to identify and visualize the best-compromised solutions, which give a most compact design with minimum power loss whose vibration amplitudes satisfy ISO standards.
Optimal Workpiece Setup for Time-Efficient and Energy-Saving Five-Axis Machining of Freeform Surfaces
Authors: Xu Ke , Tang Kai
Published: September 2016

Energy consumption in five-axis machining of freeform surfaces can be considerably large for large-size parts. This paper presents a study on how to setup the workpiece in order to minimize the energy consumption without modifying the toolpath itself. For an arbitrary freeform workpiece, the way how it is setup on the working table highly affects the machine's kinematic behavior, which dominates the overall processing time and energy consumption. Taking into account the speed and acceleration limit of each axis of the machine, we first establish the energy consumption model as a function of the workpiece setup. However, this original model involves certain critical physically pertinent coefficients (such as the moment of inertial of a rotary table) which are usually unavailable in practice. Instead, by exploring insightful geometric characteristics of the five-axis machine, an alternative energy consumption model is established which is independent of those hard-to-obtain coefficients. A simple algorithm is then designed to optimize this model. Both computer simulations and physical cutting experiments demonstrate that, when compared with an arbitrary setup, the optimized workpiece setup is able to achieve a significant saving (as much as 50%) in both energy consumption and total machining time, both using a same tool path.
The effect of density variation on photon dose calculation and its impact on intensity modulated radiotherapy and stereotactic body radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Qiang , Liang Jian , Stanhope Carl W. , Yan Di
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Inaccurate density information may introduce dose calculation errors when inhomogeneity correction is applied. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of density variation on photon dose calculation accuracy using the convolution/superposition (CS) algorithm with the focus on newer treatment technologies including intensity modulated radiotherapy, volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy, and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).

Methods

Calculations were first performed using simple inhomogeneity phantoms in order to determine clinically relevant tolerance levels for different tissue types. The clinical validity of these tolerance levels was then demonstrated by evaluating their dosimetric impact on clinical treatment plans. The dose difference was examined by comparing the dose–volume histogram statistics and the spatial distribution of dose errors calculated on a voxel‐by‐voxel basis. In order to gain some insight into this issue for the Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm, the authors also performed additional validation using a MC dose calculation system.

Results

For soft tissue and bone, the tolerance levels determined from this study appear to be consistent with the values previously calculated using simpler inhomogeneity correction methods. However, the tolerance level for low density lung tissue has been found to be much smaller than what previous studies had reported. The results from this study also suggest that if density variation is restricted within ±0.02, ±0.03, and ±0.10 g/cm3 for lung, soft tissue, and bone, respectively, the resulting dose error in target volumes can be limited to <2% for most clinical cases and <3% for more challenging lung SBRT cases. When the same amount of density variation is introduced, MC algorithm yields ∼0.3%–0.9% and ∼0.0%–1.2% smaller dose errors for the target and organs‐at‐risk as compared to CS.

Conclusions

It is important to include lung substitute material into the periodic quality assurance of CT simulators and treatment planning systems. This study suggests that the tolerance value of CT number for lung material is ∼ ± 20 HU in order to keep the associated dose uncertainty at 2%–3% or less. Further studies with larger number of lung cases are warranted to validate this new tolerance value before it can be applied to clinical practice.
Coherent and incoherent ultrasound backscatter from cell aggregates
Authors: de Monchy Romain , Destrempes François , Saha Ratan K. , Cloutier Guy , Franceschini Emilie
Published: September 2016

The effective medium theory (EMT) was recently developed to model the ultrasound backscatter from aggregating red blood cells [Franceschini, Metzger, and Cloutier, IEEE Trans. Ultrason. Ferroelectr. Freq. Control 58, 2668–2679 (2011)]. The EMT assumes that aggregates can be treated as homogeneous effective scatterers, which have effective properties determined by the aggregate compactness and the acoustical characteristics of the cells and the surrounding medium. In this study, the EMT is further developed to decompose the differential backscattering cross section of a single cell aggregate into coherent and incoherent components. The coherent component corresponds to the squared norm of the average scattering amplitude from the effective scatterer, and the incoherent component considers the variance of the scattering amplitude (i.e., the mean squared norm of the fluctuation of the scattering amplitude around its mean) within the effective scatterer. A theoretical expression for the incoherent component based on the structure factor is proposed and compared with another formulation based on the Gaussian direct correlation function. This theoretical improvement is assessed using computer simulations of ultrasound backscatter from aggregating cells. The consideration of the incoherent component based on the structure factor allows us to approximate the simulations satisfactorily for a product of the wavenumber times the aggregate radius krag around 2.
A chemical biology route to site-specific authentic protein modifications
Authors: Yang Aerin , Ha Sura , Ahn Jihye , Kim Rira , Kim Sungyoon , Lee Younghoon , Kim Jaehoon , Söll Dieter , Lee Hee-Yoon , Park Hee-Sung
Published: September 2016

Radicals push proteins beyond genes

Chemically modifying proteins after their translation can expand their structural and functional roles (see the Perspective by Hofmann and Bode). Two related methods describe how to exploit free radical chemistry to form carbon-carbon bonds between amino acid residues and a selected functional group. Wright
et al.
added a wide range of functional groups to proteins containing dehydroalanine precursors, with borohydride mediating the radical chemistry. Yang
et al.
employed a similar approach, using zinc in combination with copper ions. Together, these results will be useful for introducing functionalities and labels to a wide range of proteins.

Science
, this issue pp.
597
and
623
; see also p.
553
Genome Sequences of 12 Bacterial Isolates Obtained from the Urine of Pregnant Women
Authors: Weimer Cory M. , Deitzler Grace E. , Robinson Lloyd S. , Park SoEun , Hallsworth-Pepin Kymberlie , Wollam Aye , Mitreva Makedonka , Lewis Warren G. , Lewis Amanda L.
Published: September 2016

The presence of bacteria in urine can pose significant risks during pregnancy. However, there are few reference genome strains for many common urinary bacteria. We isolated 12 urinary strains of
Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Citrobacter, Gardnerella
, and
Lactobacillus
. These strains and their genomes are now available to the research community.
Complete Genome Sequence of Porcine Sapelovirus Strain USA/IA33375/2015 Identified in the United States
Authors: Chen Qi , Zheng Ying , Guo Baoqing , Zhang Jianqiang , Yoon Kyoung-Jin , Harmon Karen M. , Main Rodger G. , Li Ganwu
Published: September 2016

The complete genome of sapelovirus A, formerly known as porcine sapelovirus (PSV), from a diarrheic pig was sequenced for the first time in the United States (designated PSV USA/IA33375/2015). It shares 87.8% to 83.9% nucleotide identities with other reported PSV strains globally and is most closely related to Asia PSV strains.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Dengue Virus Serotype 1 Genotype V Strains from Different Lineages
Authors: Vedovello Danila , Menegaldo Tauyne , Biselli-Périco Joice M. , Ullmann Leila Sabrina , Araújo Junior João Pessoa , Nogueira Maurício Lacerda
Published: September 2016

Previous phylogenetic studies involving dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV1) have shown several lineages of genotype V circulating worldwide. After sequencing the complete genome of strains from São José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, we identified a list of 50 different amino acids that differ between the two lineages, announced here.
Complete Genome Sequence of Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius NCIMB 11955, the Progenitor of a Bioethanol Production Strain
Authors: Sheng Lili , Zhang Ying , Minton Nigel P.
Published: September 2016

The industrially important thermophile
Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius
has the potential to produce chemicals and fuels from biomass-derived sugar feedstocks. Here, we present the genome sequence of strain NCIMB 11955, the progenitor of an ethanologenic industrial strain, revealing 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and 2 indels compared to strain DSM 2542 and two novel plasmids.
Draft Genome Sequences of Four Species of
Chlamydomonas
Containing Phosphatidylcholine
Authors: Hirashima Takashi , Tajima Naoyuki , Sato Naoki
Published: September 2016

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is one of the essential phospholipids for most eukaryotes. Although the model green alga
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
lacks PC, four species containing PC were found in the genus
Chlamydomonas
. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of the four species of
Chlamydomonas
containing PC.
Outcomes of keratoplasty in the mucopolysaccharidoses: an international perspective
Authors: Ohden Kaitlyn L , Pitz Susanne , Ashworth Jane , Magalhães Augusto , Marinho Diane R , Lindahl Päivi , Teär Fahnehjelm Kristina , Summers C Gail
Published: September 2016

Objective

To describe visual outcomes after penetrating keratoplasty and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of keratoplasty in consecutive patients from Brazil, England, Finland, Germany, Portugal, Sweden and the USA. All patients had corneal clouding due to mucopolysaccharidoses. Preoperative and postoperative visual outcome and ocular comorbidities were identified. Success was arbitrarily defined as any improvement in visual acuity or best-corrected visual acuity better than logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution 0.30 (20/40). Statistical analysis included only data from first operated eyes in the 16 patients who underwent bilateral keratoplasty.

Results

Forty-eight eyes from 32 patients with mucopolysaccharidoses I, IV or VI are reported. Mean follow-up was 70 months (range: 5–186). Penetrating keratoplasty was performed in 45 eyes and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in 3 eyes. At last follow-up, a successful visual outcome for penetrating keratoplasty in first operated/only operated eyes was found in 63%. Rejection episodes occurred in 23% of grafts; however, a clear graft was recorded at last follow-up in 94%. Ocular pathway comorbidities were identified in 63% of eyes transplanted.

Conclusions

Clear corneal grafts can be obtained for patients with corneal clouding due to mucopolysaccharidosis with improvement in visual acuity in the majority.
Friedel–Crafts alkylation of 4-hydroxycoumarin over silica-bonded 1,4-diaza-bicyclo[2.2.2] octane-sulfonic acid chloride as nanostructured heterogeneous catalyst
Authors: Noroozizadeh Ehsan , Moosavi-Zare Ahmad Reza , Zolfigol Mohammad Ali , Zare Abdolkarim , Zarei Mahmoud
Published: September 2016

A novel nanostructured heterogeneous catalyst, namely silica-bonded 1,4-diaza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-sulfonic acid chloride (SBDBSAC), has been synthesized and fully characterized by several techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Afterward, the nanostructured catalyst was utilized as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of bis-coumarin derivatives by the condensation reaction of arylaldehydes with 4-hydroxycoumarin at 70 °C under solvent-free conditions.
Electron impact excitation rates for transitions in Mg V
Authors: Aggarwal Kanti M. , Keenan Francis P.
Published: September 2016

Energy levels, radiative rates (A-values), and lifetimes, calculated with the GRASP code, are reported for an astrophysically important O-like ion, Mg V. Results are presented for transitions among the lowest 86 levels belonging to the 2s22p4, 2s2p5, 2p6, and 2s22p33[Formula: see text] configurations. There is satisfactory agreement with earlier data for most levels and transitions, but scope remains for improvement. Collision strengths are also calculated, with the DARC code, and the results obtained are comparable for most transitions (at energies above thresholds) with earlier work using the DW code. In the threshold region, resonances have been resolved in a fine energy mesh to determine values of effective collision strengths (Υ) as accurately as possible. Results are reported for all transitions at temperatures up to 106 K, which should be sufficient for most astrophysical applications. However, a comparison with earlier data reveals discrepancies of up to two orders of magnitude for over 60% of transitions, at all temperatures. The reasons for these discrepancies are discussed in detail.
Living apart and having similar trouble: are frog helminth parasites determined by the host or by the habitat?
Authors: Campião K.M. , Dias O.T. , Silva R.J. , Ferreira V.L. , Tavares L.E.R.
Published: September 2016

Sympatric hosts are exposed to similar ecological conditions, particularly if they are closely related phylogenetically and share some physiological and behavioral traits. We studied the sympatric frogs Leptodactylus chaquensis Cei, 1950 and Leptodactylus podicipinus (Cope, 1862) to investigate the extent to which the helminth parasite communities were influenced by host species’ characteristics or habitat location. We described and compared the helminth communities of 50 L. chaquensis and 40 L. podicipinus collected concurrently from two different study sites in Brazil’s Pantanal floodplain. Similarities in the prevalence and mean abundance of helminths were higher among allopatric populations of the same species than among sympatric populations of different species. The effects of host species, size, and habitat on helminth composition were significant. The amount of variance in the helminth community composition explained by host species and size was greater than that explained by host habitat. These results indicate that the main factors determining similarities in parasite species in this study system are the coevolutionary and biological constraints of the host species, which either limit or allow infection of the parasite species despite the host habitat.
On dually flat Kropina metrics
Authors: Chen Guangzu , Liu Lihong
Published: September 2016

Locally dually flat Finsler metrics arise from information geometry. In this paper, we study locally dually flat Kropina metrics and find some equations that characterize locally dually flat Kropina metrics and classify those with scalar flag curvature. Finally, we also classify dually flat Kropina metrics with isotropic [Formula: see text]-curvature.
Exact duality of the dissipative Hofstadter model on a triangular lattice: T-duality and noncommutative algebra
Authors: Lee Taejin
Published: September 2016

We study the dissipative Hofstadter model on a triangular lattice, making use of the [Formula: see text] T-dual transformation of string theory. The [Formula: see text] dual transformation transcribes the model in a commutative basis into the model in a noncommutative basis. In the zero-temperature limit, the model exhibits an exact duality, which identifies equivalent points on the two-dimensional parameter space of the model. The exact duality also defines magic circles on the parameter space, where the model can be mapped onto the boundary sine-Gordon on a triangular lattice. The model describes the junction of three quantum wires in a uniform magnetic field background. An explicit expression of the equivalence relation, which identifies the points on the two-dimensional parameter space of the model by the exact duality, is obtained. It may help us to understand the structure of the phase diagram of the model.
High-intensity attosecond X-ray source generation by using low-intensity spatial inhomogeneous mid-infrared pulse combined with an ultraviolet pulse
Authors: Feng Liqiang , Liu Hang
Published: September 2016

We theoretically investigate the high-order harmonic spectra and the attosecond pulse generation from He[Formula: see text] ion driven by the spatial inhomogeneous combined field, consisting of a two-color low-intensity mid-infrared pulse ([Formula: see text] W/cm2) and an ultraviolet (UV) pulse ([Formula: see text] W/cm2). The numerical results show that due to the spatial inhomogeneous effect, the harmonic cutoffs are remarkably extended, and a 986 eV super-continuum can be obtained. Further with the proper introduction of an UV pulse (from 60 nm to 20 nm) to the two-color field, the harmonic yields are enhanced, especially for adding the 30 nm pulse case, a 1113 eV super-continuum (corresponding to a 34.1 dB enhanced field) with less harmonic modulation and six orders of magnitude enhancement can be obtained. Similar calculations have been performed for He atom and an 896 eV super-continuum with four orders of magnitude enhancement can be produced. Time–frequency harmonic distribution and time-dependent electron populations show that the single short quantum path contribution is responsible for the less harmonic modulation and the laser-induced electron excitation is responsible for the harmonic enhancement. Finally, by properly superposing the harmonics, a series of sub-50-as pulses including the whole X-ray region with 3–6 orders of magnitude enhancement can be obtained.