bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the environmental and economic impacts of one China’s HDR geothermal energy based heating system in a life cycle framework
Authors: LIU Hongtao
Published: September 2017

Purpose

In recent years, fast urban expansion in China has stimulated rapid energy consumption growth and increased environmental pollution. Therefore, it is important to utilize clean and renewable energy in district heating for the sustainable urban development. This study aimed to investigate the environmental and economic impacts of one hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal energy-based heating system in a life cycle framework.

Design/methodology/approach

By using the input–output-based life cycle analysis model, the energy consumption, CO2 emission and other pollutants of the HDR-based heating system were evaluated and then compared with those of other four heating systems based on burning coal or natural gas. The life cycle costs of the HDR-based heating system were also analyzed.

Findings

The results showed that using HDR geothermal energy for heating can significantly reduce fossil fuel consumption, CO2 emission as well as environmental pollution, and its life cycle costs are also competitive.

Originality/value

This study not only evaluated the environmental and economic impacts of the HDR-based heating system in a life cycle framework but also provided a methodological life cycle assessment framework that can estimate both economic and environmental benefits, which can be used in policy making for China’s urban development.
Child and adolescent mental health services: longitudinal data sheds light on current policy for psychological interventions in the community
Authors: Neufeld Sharon A.S. , Jones Peter B. , Goodyer Ian M.
Published: September 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to expand upon policy implications of a recent study assessing adolescent mental health service contact and subsequent depression.

Design/methodology/approach

Review of related evidence from academic and grey literature.

Findings

Studies assessing the role of mental health services in reducing mental disorder during adolescence are sparse, and even prevalence figures for adolescent mental disorders are out-of-date. Adolescent mental health service contact rates are shown to fall concurrent with budgetary decreases. School-based counselling is highlighted as an important source of help that may be at risk of being cut. Increased training of General Practitioners and school counsellors is needed to improve efficiency in specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Practical implications

Longitudinal studies of young people’s mental health should include mental health service usage and its relationship with subsequent mental health outcomes.

Social implications

Funding cuts to CAMHS must be avoided, school-based counselling must be protected, and service referrers should be better trained.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the need for increased CAMHS data, sustained funding, and improved training for this vital service.
Identification and characterization of a brilliant yellow pigment produced by Bordetella pertussis
Authors: Odanaka Keita , Iwatsuki Masato , Satho Tomomitsu , Watanabe Mineo
Published: September 2017

Culture supernatants of Bordetella pertussis are a brilliant yellow; however, the structure and biological role of the responsible pigment have not been investigated. In this study, a brilliant yellow‐colored fraction was extracted from culture supernatants of B. pertussis and analyzed by HPLC. UV–visible spectral analysis and mass spectrometry identified the brilliant yellow pigment as riboflavin. Riboflavin production was high in lag and early log phases and riboflavin was found to enhance growth of B. pertussis in low‐density cultures. Riboflavin production is not regulated by the BvgAS system. In addition, it was found that other Bordetella species, such as B. parapertussis, B. holmesii and B. bronchiseptica, also release riboflavin into their culture supernatants. This is the first report that B. pertussis secrets riboflavin to the extracellular space and that riboflavin may promote its growth. The mechanism may be associated with pathogenesis of B. pertussis.
Do Reduced Hospital Mortality Rates Lead to Increased Utilization of Inpatient Emergency Care? A Population‐Based Cohort Study
Authors: Laudicella Mauro , Martin Stephen , Li Donni Paolo , Smith Peter C.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To measure the impact of the improvement in hospital survival rates on patients’ subsequent utilization of unplanned (emergency) admissions.

Data Sources/Study Setting

Unplanned admissions occurring in all acute hospitals of the National Health Service in England between 2000 and 2009, including 286,027 hip fractures, 375,880 AMI, 387,761 strokes, and 9,966,246 any cause admissions.

Study Design

Population‐based retrospective cohort study. Unplanned admissions experienced by patients within 28 days, 1 year, and 2 years of discharge from the index admission are modeled as a function of hospital risk‐adjusted survival rates using patient‐level probit and negative binomial models. Identification is also supported by an instrumental variable approach and placebo test.

Principal Findings

The improvement in hospital survival rates that occurred between 2000 and 2009 explains 37.3 percent of the total increment in unplanned admissions observed over the same period. One extra patient surviving increases the expected number of subsequent admissions occurring within 1 year from discharge by 1.9 admissions for every 100 index admissions (0.019 per admission, 95% CI, 0.016–0.022). Similar results in hip fracture (0.006[0.004–0.007]), AMI (0.006[0.04–0.007]), and stroke (0.004(0.003–0.005)).

Conclusions

The success of hospitals in improving survival from unplanned admissions can be an important contributory factor to the increase in subsequent admissions.
Referrals to dietitians/nutritionists: A cross‐sectional analysis of Australian GP registrars’ clinical practice
Authors: Mulquiney Katie J. , Tapley Amanda , van Driel Mieke L. , Morgan Simon , Davey Andrew R. , Henderson Kim M. , Spike Neil A. , Kerr Rohan H. , Watson Jane F. , Catzikiris Nigel F. , Magin Parker J.
Published: September 2017

Aim

The present study aimed to describe referral patterns of general practitioner (GP) registrars to dietitians/nutritionists. There is a paucity of research regarding GP referral patterns to dietitians/nutritionists. Limited data show increasing referrals from established GPs to dietitians/nutritionists. There are no data on GP registrar (trainee) referrals.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional analysis of data from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) study. ReCEnT is an ongoing, multicentre, prospective cohort study of registrars, which documents 60 consecutive consultations of each registrar in each of the three six‐month GP training terms. The outcome factor in this analysis was a problem/diagnosis resulting in dietitian/nutritionist referral (2010–2015). Independent variables were related to registrar, patient, practice and consultation.

Results

A total of 1124 registrars contributed data from 145 708 consultations. Of 227 190 problems/diagnoses, 587 (0.26% (confidence interval: 0.23–0.29)) resulted in dietitian/nutritionist referral. The most common problems/diagnoses referred related to overweight/obesity (27.1%) and type 2 diabetes (21.1%). Of referrals to a dietitian/nutritionist, 60.8% were for a chronic disease, and 38.8% were related to a Chronic Disease Management plan. Dietitian/nutritionist referral was significantly associated with a number of independent variables reflecting continuity of care, patient complexity, chronic disease, health equity and registrar engagement.

Conclusions

Established patients with chronic disease and complex care needs are more likely than other patients to be referred by registrars to dietitians/nutritionists. Nutrition behaviours are a major risk factor in chronic disease, and we have found evidence for dietitian/nutritionist referrals representing one facet of engagement by registrars with patients’ complex care needs.
Hypoglycemic Effect of Chinese Yam (Dioscorea opposita rhizoma) Polysaccharide in Different Structure and Molecular Weight
Authors: Li Qian , Li Wenzhi , Gao Qunyu , Zou Yuxiao
Published: September 2017

Three new Chinese yam polysaccharides (namely HSY, huaishanyao in Chinese) were isolated using the methods of boiled water extraction and stepwise ethanolic precipitation, combined with the tangential flow ultrafiltration membrane system. Their molecular weights were determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography. Three type yam polysaccharides in different molecular weight were isolated: HSY‐I (>50 kDa), HSY‐II (10 to 50 kDa), HSY‐III (<10 kDa). The monosaccharide and glycosidic bond links composition were analyzed with GC and Smith degradation. The structure characteristics were further discussed combined with infrared spectrophotometry. Dexamethasone‐induced insulin resistance glucose/lipid metabolism diabetic mice model was established to evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of different concentration of HSY and different molecular weights polysaccharide HSY‐I, HSY‐II, and HSY‐III. The results indicated that the HSY polysaccharide mixture, HSY‐I and HSY‐II had hypoglycemic effect.

Practical Application

Three polysaccharides from Chinese yam tuber were isolated in this study. Their structures were characterized and hypoglycemic effects were evaluated. The result clearly identified the benefits of this plant as a healthy functional food.
Neoadjuvant therapy of bevacizumab in combination with oxaliplatin and capecitabine (XELOX) for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases: a phase II, open‐label, single‐arm, noncomparative trial
Authors: Chen Hong‐Hwa , Lin Jen‐Kou , Chen Joe‐Bin , Chuang Chieh‐Han , Liu Mei‐Ching , Wang Jen‐Yi , Changchien Chung‐Rong
Published: September 2017

Aim

This phase II, open‐label study evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant therapy with bevacizumab plus XELOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) for untreated metastatic colorectal cancer with unresectable liver metastases and assessed conversion of unresectable to resectable metastases after neoadjuvant treatment.

Methods

Patients received bevacizumab 5 mg/kg and oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 on day 1, and capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–5 followed by 2 days of rest in a 14‐day cycle for 12 cycles; bevacizumab was excluded in cycles 6 and 7. Patients were later divided into resected and unresected groups, depending upon whether they underwent curative resection after chemotherapy. Efficacy and safety were evaluated.

Results

Of 45 patients enrolled, 17.8% completed the study. The resection rate of liver metastases after neoadjuvant therapy was 42.2%. The median time to disease progression was 10.1 and 8.7 months in the resected and unresected groups, respectively (P = 0.1341). Response rate was significantly higher in the resected (47.4%) versus the unresected group (34.6%; P = 0.0010), and seven patients achieved complete response (resected group). Overall, 94.3% of adverse events were of mild or moderate severity, and grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 4.3% and 7.3% of patients in the resected and unresected groups, respectively. The most common adverse events in both groups were palmar‐plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, decreased appetite, thrombocytopenia, peripheral neuropathy, fatigue, diarrhea, vomiting, proteinuria and nausea.

Conclusion

Neoadjuvant therapy with bevacizumab plus XELOX was well tolerated and effective in previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer patients with initially unresectable liver metastases.
Intrapartum transperineal ultrasound used to predict cases of complicated operative (vacuum and forceps) deliveries in nulliparous women
Authors: Sainz José A. , García‐Mejido José A. , Aquise Adriana , Bonomi María J. , Borrero Carlota , De La Fuente Paloma , Fernández‐Palacín Ana
Published: September 2017

Introduction

The objective of this study was to investigate the predictive value of intrapartum transperineal ultrasound in the identification of complicated operative (vacuum or forceps) deliveries in nulliparous women.

Material and methods

Prospective observational study of nulliparous women with an indication for operative delivery who underwent intrapartum transperineal ultrasound before fetal extraction. Managing obstetricians were blinded to the ultrasound data. Intrapartum transperineal ultrasound was performed immediately before blade application, both at rest and concurrently with contractions and active pushing. Operative delivery was classified as complicated when one or more of the following situations occurred: three or more tractions; a third‐/fourth‐degree perineal tear; significant bleeding during the episiotomy repair; major tear or significant traumatic neonatal lesion.

Results

A total of 143 nulliparous women were included in the study (82 vacuum‐assisted deliveries and 61 forceps‐assisted deliveries), with 20 fetuses in occiput posterior position. Forty‐seven operative deliveries were classified as complicated deliveries (28 vacuum‐assisted deliveries, 19 forceps‐assisted deliveries). No differences in obstetric, intrapartum or neonatal characteristics were observed between the study groups, with the following exceptions: birthweight (3229 ± 482 uncomplicated deliveries vs. 3623 ± 406 complicated deliveries; p < 0.003) and number of vacuum tractions (1.4 uncomplicated deliveries, 4.5 complicated deliveries; p < 0.0005). The strongest predictors of a complicated delivery, using the area under the receiver‐operating characteristics curve (AUC), were the angle of progression with active pushing (AoP2) (AUC 86.9%) and the progression distance with active pushing (PD2) (AUC 74.5%). The optimal cut‐off value for predicting a difficult operative delivery was an AoP2 of 153.5° (sensitivity 95.2%; false‐positive rate 5.9%) or PD2 of 58.5 mm (sensitivity 95.2%; false‐positive rate 7.1%).

Conclusions

The sonographic parameters AoP2 and PD2 can be used to predict cases of complicated operative deliveries in nulliparous women.
Risk and resilience factors for substance use among street adolescents: Assessment and development of an integrative model
Authors: Pandian Ramaswamy Dhanasekara , Lakshmana Govindappa
Published: September 2017

In this study, risk and protective factors for substance use were explored to develop an intervention program and test its efficacy among male street‐based adolescents. Twenty expert interviews and key informant interviews were conducted. In addition, 30 street adolescents (15 substance‐users and 15 non‐users) participated in four focus group discussions for needs assessment, wherein risk and protective factors were discussed. Based on the identified needs, an intervention package was developed and validated by experts. The package was implemented in a natural environment of 50 street adolescents. After the intervention, about 60% of the respondents quit or cut down on their substance use substantially, and approximately 40% of the respondents agreed to reunite with their respective families, while 20% did not change their substance use habits. The results showed that if several protective factors were present, there was a lower risk of substance use. Many factors contribute to substance use and protective factors need to be strengthened in order to make interventions effective.
Correlation of Recommendations of Treatment Guidelines and Frequently Prescribed Antibiotics: Evaluation of Their Pharmaceutical Pack Size
Authors: Mukherjee Shoma , Saha Nilanjan
Published: September 2017

There are various factors that contribute to development of antimicrobial resistance. Overuse, inappropriate prescribing and extensive agricultural use of antibiotics are some of the factors which have been identified. Antibiotics are almost always universally packaged by manufacturers in packs that are heavily driven by cost of economies and convenience rather than by any scientific basis or duration of therapy. So, in this study, the correlation of the treatment guidelines with the choice of antibiotics and whether packing size contributes to leftover dosing units when used according to guideline recommendations were assessed.
Review of the biologic and clinical significance of genetic mutations in angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Fukumoto Kota , Nguyen Tran B. , Chiba Shigeru , Sakata‐Yanagimoto Mamiko
Published: September 2017

Angioimmunoblastic T‐cell lymphoma (AITL) is an age‐related malignant lymphoma, characterized by immune system‐dysregulated symptoms. Recent sequencing studies have clarified the recurrent mutations in ras homology family member A (RHOA) and in genes encoding epigenetic regulators, tet methyl cytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2), DNA methyl transferase 3 alpha (DNMT3A) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 2, mitochondrial (IDH2), as well as those related to the T‐cell receptor signaling pathway in AITL. In this review, we focus on how this genetic information has changed the understanding of the developmental process of AITL and will in future lead to individualized therapies for AITL patients.
Phosphorylation of ETS‐1 is a critical event in DNA polymerase iota‐induced invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: He Chao , Wu Shuhua , Gao Aidi , Su Ye , Min Han , Shang Zeng‐Fu , Wu Jinchang , Yang Li , Ding Wei‐Qun , Zhou Jundong
Published: September 2017

An aberrantly elevated expression of DNA polymerase ι (Pol ι) is significantly associated with poor prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), yet the mechanisms behind this phenomenon remain obscure. Based on the RNA‐Seq transcriptome and real‐time PCR analysis, we identified ETS‐1 as a candidate gene involved in Pol ι‐mediated progression of ESCC. Wound‐healing and transwell assay indicated that downregulation of ETS‐1 attenuates Pol ι‐mediated invasiveness of ESCC. Signaling pathway analysis showed that Pol ι enhances ETS‐1 phosphorylation at threonine‐38 through the Erk signaling pathway in ESCC cells. Kaplan–Meier analysis, based on 93 clinical tissue samples, revealed that ETS‐1 phosphorylation at threonine‐38 is associated with poor prognosis of ESCC patients. The present study thus demonstrates that phosphorylation of ETS‐1 is a critical event in the Pol ι‐induced invasion and metastasis of ESCC.
New insights into the mechanism of action of pyrazolo[1,2‐a]benzo[1,2,3,4]tetrazin‐3‐one derivatives endowed with anticancer potential
Authors: Lauria Antonino , Mingoia Francesco , García‐Argáez Aída Nelly , Delisi Riccardo , Martorana Annamaria , Dalla Via Lisa
Published: September 2017

Due to the scarce biological profile, the pyrazolo[1,2‐a]benzo[1,2,3,4]tetrazine‐3‐one scaffold (PBT) has been recently explored as promising core for potential anticancer candidates. Several suitably decorated derivatives (PBTs) exhibited antiproliferative activity in the low‐micromolar range associated with apoptosis induction and cell cycle arrest on S phase. Herein, we selected the most active derivatives and submitted them to further biological explorations to deepen the mechanism of action. At first, a DNA targeting is approached by means of flow Linear Dichroism experiments so as to evaluate how small planar molecules might interact with DNA, including the interference with the catalytic cycle of topoisomerase II and the influence on the cleavable complex stabilization (poisoning effect). In support of the experimental data, in silico studies have been achieved to better understand the chemical space of the interactions. Interestingly some meaningful structural features, useful for further developments, were found. The 8,9‐di‐Cl substituted derivative revealed as the most effective in the intercalative process, as well as on the inhibition of catalytic activity of topoisomerase II. Predicted ADME studies confirm that PBTs are promising as potential drug candidates.
Design paper: Japan Endoscopy Database (JED): A prospective, large database project related to gastroenterological endoscopy in Japan
Authors: Matsuda Koji , Tanaka Kiyohito , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Saito Yutaka , Ohtsuka Kazuo , Oda Ichiro , Katada Chikatoshi , Kato Masayuki , Kida Mitsuhiro , Kobayashi Kiyonori , Hoteya Shu , Horimatsu Takahiro , Kodashima Shinya , Matsuda Takahisa , Muto Manabu , Yamamoto Hironori , Ryozawa Shomei , Iwakiri Ryuichi , Kutsumi Hiromu , Miyata Hiroaki , Kato Mototsugu , Haruma Ken , Fujimoto Kazuma , Uemura Naomi , Kaminishi Michio , Tajiri Hisao
Published: September 2017

The advent of electronic medical records brought image filing systems to many hospitals, as well as electronic endoscopic medical records. However, data integration among multiple different vendors has not yet been accomplished. We start the Japan Endoscopic Database (JED) Project endorsed by Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society (JGES) from January 2015. The purposes of this project are as follows: (i) developing the world's largest endoscopic database generated from daily use of the reporting system; (ii) capturing the actual performance of endoscopic practice in Japan; and (iii) standardizing the terminology and fundamental items for registry of clinical studies. Moreover, the JED project has the potential to automatically collect data about adverse events, competency and evaluation of residents, and actual numbers of procedures on a nationwide scale, certification for the specialty board system, and so on. We believe that this design paper will be helpful not only for future nationwide research but also for international research (UMIN000016093).
Children with neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities: a population‐based study of healthcare service utilization using administrative data
Authors: Arim Rubab G , Miller Anton R , Guèvremont Anne , Lach Lucyna M , Brehaut Jamie C , Kohen Dafna E
Published: September 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to identify children with neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities (NDD/D) and compare their healthcare service utilization to children without NDD/D using provincial linked administrative data.

Method

The sample included children aged 6 to 10 years (n=183 041), who were registered with the British Columbia Medical Services Plan. Diagnostic information was used for the identification and classification of NDD/D in six functional domains. Healthcare service utilization included outcomes based on physician claims, prescription medication use, and hospitalization.

Results

Overall, 8.3% of children were identified with NDD/D. Children with NDD/D had higher healthcare service utilization rates than those without NDD/D. Effect sizes were: very large for the number of days a prescription medication was dispensed; large for the number of prescriptions; medium for the number of physician visits, different specialists visited, number of different prescription medications, and ever hospitalized; and small for the number of laboratory visits, X‐ray visits, and number of days hospitalized.

Interpretation

The findings have policy implications for service and resource planning. Given the high use of psychostimulants, specialized services for both NDD/D and psychiatric conditions may be the most needed services for children with NDD/D. Future studies may examine patterns of physician behaviours and costs attributable to healthcare service utilization for children with NDD/D.

What this paper adds

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders and disabilities (NDD/D) have higher healthcare service utilization than those without.

Based on provincial population‐based linked administrative health data, a sizeable number of children are living with NDD/D.

Given the high use of psychostimulants, specialized services for children with both NDD/D and psychiatric conditions may be the most needed services for children with NDD/D.
Efficacy and safety of alirocumab in insulin‐treated individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and high cardiovascular risk: The ODYSSEY DM‐INSULIN randomized trial
Authors: Leiter Lawrence A. , Cariou Bertrand , Müller‐Wieland Dirk , Colhoun Helen M. , Del Prato Stefano , Tinahones Francisco J. , Ray Kausik K. , Bujas‐Bobanovic Maja , Domenger Catherine , Mandel Jonas , Samuel Rita , Henry Robert R.
Published: September 2017

Video abstract: View a video abstract for this article.

Aims

To investigate the efficacy and safety of alirocumab in participants with type 2 (T2D) or type 1 diabetes (T1D) treated with insulin who have elevated LDL cholesterol levels despite maximally tolerated statin therapy.

Methods

Participants at high cardiovascular risk with T2D (n = 441) or T1D (n = 76) and LDL cholesterol levels ≥1.8 mmol/L (≥70 mg/dL) were randomized 2:1 to alirocumab:placebo administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks, for 24 weeks' double‐blind treatment. Alirocumab‐treated participants received 75 mg every 2 weeks, with blinded dose increase to 150 mg every 2 weeks at week 12 if week 8 LDL cholesterol levels were ≥1.8 mmol/L. Primary endpoints were percentage change in calculated LDL cholesterol from baseline to week 24, and safety assessments.

Results

Alirocumab reduced LDL cholesterol from baseline to week 24 by a mean ± standard error of 49.0% ± 2.7% and 47.8% ± 6.5% vs placebo (both P < .0001) in participants with T2D and T1D, respectively. Significant reductions were observed in non‐HDL cholesterol (P < .0001), apolipoprotein B (P < .0001) and lipoprotein (a) (P ≤ .0039). At week 24, 76.4% and 70.2% of the alirocumab group achieved LDL cholesterol <1.8 mmol/L in the T2D and T1D populations (P < .0001), respectively. Glycated haemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose levels remained stable for the study duration. Treatment‐emergent adverse events were observed in 64.5% of alirocumab‐ vs 64.1% of placebo‐treated individuals (overall population).

Conclusions

Alirocumab produced significant LDL cholesterol reductions in participants with insulin‐treated diabetes regardless of diabetes type, and was generally well tolerated. Concomitant administration of alirocumab and insulin did not raise any safety concerns (NCT02585778).
Radiotherapy for the treatment of periocular tumours in the horse
Authors: Hollis A. R.
Published: September 2017

Periocular tumours are a relatively common problem in the horse, and present some unique challenges. Radiotherapy has long been considered the ‘gold standard’ for the treatment of periocular tumours in the horse, and there are various techniques of delivering this treatment. Although teletherapy and plesiotherapy are occasionally used, the most commonly used technique is interstitial brachytherapy. Low‐dose rate interstitial brachytherapy has reported success rates of between 74 and 100% for the treatment of periocular sarcoids, and other tumours can also be successfully treated using this technique. There are significant disadvantages to the low‐dose rate brachytherapy approach, and recently, a technique using high‐dose rate brachytherapy has been described with a reported success rate of 100% for periocular sarcoid treatment. Electronic brachytherapy is a technique which may provide an alternative to high‐dose rate brachytherapy, but its use for the treatment of periocular tumours has not been reported, and the requirement for general anaesthesia is a significant disadvantage.
Effect of 475°C embrittlement on the low cycle fatigue behaviour of lean duplex stainless steels
Authors: Strubbia Renata , Sennour Mohamed , Hereñú Silvina
Published: September 2017

Lean duplex stainless steels (LDSSs) with lower nickel and molybdenum are less susceptible to suffer spinodal decomposition than standard duplex stainless steels. It is the purpose of this work to study the effect of thermal embrittlement on the low cycle fatigue behaviour of 2 LDSSs with different Creq and Nieq. The correlation between the fatigue behaviour and the dislocation structure is attempted. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the dislocation microstructure. Additionally, STEM‐EDS technique in conjunction with Vickers microhardness measurements was used to characterize the amplitude of the spinodal decomposition. The results show that the LDSS with lower Creq and Nieq values exhibits improved fatigue properties in the as received and aged conditions. Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that with an adequate volume fraction of phases in LDSSs, the ageing treatment leads to an increase in strength without causing a great detriment in low cycle fatigue life.
Fatigue and damage accumulation in open cell aluminium foams
Authors: Pinto H. , Amini A. , Peña Á. , Moraga P. , Valenzuela M.
Published: September 2017

Open‐cell aluminium foams are a relatively new material with interesting uses in different engineering applications. This study investigates the fatigue behaviour and damage accumulation of metal foams via a fatigue analysis (Weibull E‐N model), a failure criterion (the relation among the prepeak compressive and tensile slopes, the reduction in the tensile stress, or the reduction in the compressive stress), and a mathematical approach (linear, quadratic, or exponential). As a result of combining the 3 mathematical approaches and 3 failure criteria, different approaches are obtained, analysed, and validated by using experimental data. Finally, the proposed approaches can be used to directly obtain the damage accumulation level for open‐cell metal foams under fully reversed cyclic loading as a function of the number of cycles applied, the total strain amplitude, and the initial damage accumulation condition.
A Topological Representation for Taking Cities as a Coherent Whole
Authors: Jiang Bin
Published: September 2017

A city is a whole, as are all cities in a country. Within a whole, individual cities possess different degrees of wholeness, defined by Christopher Alexander as a life‐giving order or simply a living structure. To characterize the wholeness and in particular to advocate for wholeness as an effective design principle, this article develops a geographic representation that views cities as a whole. This geographic representation is topology‐oriented, so fundamentally differs from existing geometry‐based geographic representations. With the topological representation, all cities are abstracted as individual points and put into different hierarchical levels, according to their sizes and based on head/tail breaks—a classification and visualization tool for data with a heavy tailed distribution. These points of different hierarchical levels are respectively used to create Thiessen polygons. Based on polygon–polygon relationships, we set up a complex network. In this network, small polygons point to adjacent large polygons at the same hierarchical level and contained polygons point to containing polygons across two consecutive hierarchical levels. We computed the degrees of wholeness for individual cities, and subsequently found that the degrees of wholeness possess both properties of differentiation and adaptation. To demonstrate, we developed four case studies of all China and U.K. natural cities, as well as Beijing and London natural cities, using massive amounts of street nodes and Tweet locations. The topological representation and the kind of topological analysis in general can be applied to any design or pattern, such as carpets, Baroque architecture and artifacts, and fractals in order to assess their beauty, echoing the introductory quote from Christopher Alexander.
The geography of London's recent beer brewing revolution
Authors: Dennett Adam , Page Sam
Published: September 2017

In this paper we examine the recent rapid growth of new breweries in London and the reasons behind it. At the turn of the millennium, just a handful of breweries was operating in London, but by 2016 this number had risen to over 85. Using open data from the Companies House database augmented with other online and printed sources, we show that the rapid growth of breweries, particularly since 2011, has exhibited spatial patterning. Ripley's K analysis reveals that as soon as we see new breweries emerging, they are clustering in space. Cluster analyses reveal that Bermondsey and Hackney are particular locational hotspots for brewing. Closer investigation of the Bermondsey cluster highlights the importance of a number of interacting physical, social and economic factors in helping foster this growth. We show that the railways and the spaces they have created, the general atmosphere of cooperation and sharing surrounding the industry in the city, macro‐economic and fiscal changes, foreign influence, technology and markets have all played their part in the recent spatial and temporal evolution of brewing in the city.
Impacts of Streambed Heterogeneity and Anisotropy on Residence Time of Hyporheic Zone
Authors: Liu Suning , Chui Ting Fong May
Published: September 2017

The hyporheic zone (HZ), which is the region beneath or alongside a streambed, plays an important role in the stream's ecology. The duration that a water molecule or a solute remains within the HZ, or residence time (RT), is one of the most common metrics used to evaluate the function of the HZ. The RT is greatly influenced by the streambed's hydraulic conductivity (K), which is intrinsically difficult to characterize due to its heterogeneity and anisotropy. Many laboratory and numerical studies of the HZ have simplified the streambed K to a constant, thus producing RT values that may differ from those gathered from the field. Some studies have considered the heterogeneity of the HZ, but very few have accounted for anisotropy or the natural K distributions typically found in real streambeds. This study developed numerical models in MODFLOW to examine the influence of heterogeneity and anisotropy, and that of the natural K distribution in a streambed, on the RT of the HZ. Heterogeneity and anisotropy were both found to shorten the mean and median RTs while increasing the range of the RTs. Moreover, heterogeneous K fields arranged in a more orderly pattern had longer RTs than those with random K distributions. These results could facilitate the design of streambed K values and distributions to achieve the desired RT during river restoration. They could also assist the translation of results from the more commonly considered homogeneous and/or isotropic conditions into heterogeneous and anisotropic field situations.
Simulated gastrointestinal digestion and in vitro colonic fermentation of date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seed polyphenols
Authors: Sirisena Sameera , Ajlouni Said , Ng Ken
Published: September 2017

Date seeds are a by‐product of date fruit industry and a rich source of polyphenols. In this study, in vitro bioaccessibility and colonic fermentation of major polyphenols from date seed powder (DSP) and DSP‐fortified yoghurt (DSPY) were investigated using HPLC. Catechin, epicatechin and procyanidin A2, B1 and B2 were stable during simulated gastric and sequential intestinal digestion. Bioaccessibility was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for all compounds from DSPY compared with DSP. After in vitro colonic fermentation of insoluble digestion materials, most of the target compounds were metabolised by faecal bacteria to ferulic acid, 3‐hydroxyphenylacetic acid, 3‐phenylpropionic acid and 3‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid. DSPY contained significantly (P < 0.05) higher level of free polyphenols as indicated by higher bioaccessibility; however, the stability of the polyphenols and their fermentation products from DSPY were similar to that of DSP alone. These data would be useful in product developments incorporating DSP as a source of polyphenols in food products.
ENDOCARDIAL FIBROELASTOSIS
Authors: BEVERIDGE JOHN
Published: September 2017

Attention is directed to endocardial fibroelastosis as a not uncommon cause of fatal heart disease in infancy, and one which is exciting an increasing amount of interest. Details are submitted of six patients who died from acute and chronic forms of the disease. In the acute form the symptomatology is alarming. Upon the vague and non‐specific background of irritability, refusal of food and restlessness, there develops a shock‐like condition in conjunction with neck and limb stiffness, cyanosis and respiratory distress. Death is usual in this form. In the chronic form the clinical picture is one of congestive cardiac failure with secondary pulmonary infection. In this form cardiac murmurs are present and the electrocardiogram is grossly abnormal. The possibility of diagnosis in life and the difficulty of differentiating fibroelastosis from other forms of heart disease causing cardiac failure in infancy are discussed. The suggestion is made that, with improved diagnosis, a greater number of infants will be found to suffer from this condition and yet not die. The outlines of medical treatment and of the current palliative surgical approach are presented.
AN EPIDEMIC OF PRIMARY ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA IN NORTH QUEENSLAND
Authors: DOHERTY R. L.
Published: September 2017

An epidemic of primary atypical pneumonia occurred in the Innisfail‐Tully district in the period November, 1954, to March, 1955.

Febrile constitutional symptoms overshadowed the symptoms of pulmonary involvement. However, of 23 patients, all of whom showed radiological evidence of pneumonia, 20 had a cough. Three showed no abnormal physical signs in their chests. The average duration of fever was nine days.

Five patients with similar clinical features showed no X‐ray changes. They are considered to form part of the epidemic.

The patients showed no response to penicillin ; the clinical impression was formed that the broad‐spectrum antibiotics, especially tetracycline, were of value.

Serological tests gave no evidence that Coxiella burneti or viruses of the psittacosis group were responsible for the outbreak. Only three patients of the 28 tested developed cold agglutinins ; two developed agglutinins against Streptococcus MG. Influenza virus could not be isolated from throat washings of seven patients.

More than half of the patients studied were children. The epidemic appeared to reach its peak at the end of December, and the incidence diminished rapidly in January.

Epidemics of primary atypical pneumonia have been described from army camps and from institutions ; outbreaks in scattered civilian communities, such as the one described, are uncommon.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE NATURE OF HORMONE‐INDUCED EOSINOPENIA
Authors: HUDSON BRYAN , DOIG ALISON
Published: September 2017

The possible causes for the disappearance of eosinophils from the peripheral blood following the administration of certain adrenal steroid hormones are reviewed.

A series of experiments was performed in which the number of circulating eosinophils was determined at regular intervals following the intravenous administration of either ACTH or hydrocortisone.

The results of these experiments show that under these circumstances the rate of disappearance of eosinophils is approximately constant. In no instance was the rate of disappearance described by an exponential function.

It is claimed that this constant rate of disappearance implies an inhibition of the production or delivery of eosinophils by the bone marrow to the peripheral blood ; and that those cells in the circulation fulfil their normal physiological life span.

The points in time at which the eosinopenic reaction is maximal have been determined. It is claimed that these represent estimates of the life span of eosinophil leucocytes. The range of such estimates is from 165 to 377 minutes.

Other methods used to estimate the survival of leucocytes, in general, and eosinophils, in particular, are discussed in the light of these present observations.
GLYCOGEN STORAGE DISEASE WITH UNUSUAL RENAL LESIONS
Authors: POSEN S.
Published: September 2017

A case is reported of Von Gierke's disease diagnosed at autopsy in a thirty‐one‐year‐old man.

Glycogen isolated from the patient's liver constituted 4·7% of the weight of the organ, and was normal in all respects including ultracentrifugation.

Glucose‐6‐phosphatase activity was much diminished in the patient's liver, as compared with a normal control. Lactic dehydrogenase activity was equal in both samples.

Renal lesions included an aneurysm of the renal artery, distension of the convoluted tubules with glycogen and nodular glomerular lesions resembling those seen in diabetes mellitus.
PRIMARY ALDOSTERONISM
Authors: HUDSON BRYAN , BARNETT A. , BORNSTEIN J.
Published: September 2017

A female patient, aged thirty‐one years, suffering from primary aldosteronism due to adrenal adenoma (Conn's syndrome) is described. She presented with hypertension of the order of 240/120 millimetres of mercury associated with weakness, polyuria up to five litres a day, and an electrocardiogram showin; ST depression and prominent U waves in various leads. The serum potassium content was lowered, and there was marked alkalosis with a failure to concentrate urine. The urine contained aldosterone in concentration of 10 to 11 microgrammes per litre, and the plasma aldosterone level was approximately • 8 microgrammes per 100 millilitres.

A left suprarenal tumour, demonstrated by presacral air insufflation, was removed at operation. The hypertension and metabolic abnormalities reverted to normal.

The alkalosis appeared to be secondary to the hypokælemia and was partly corrected by administration of potassium citrate. Observations suggested that the defect in urine concentration was due to antagonism to antidiuretic hormone.

Methods used for estimating mineralo‐corticoid activity of plasma and urine are outlined.
THE EFFECT OF TIGLOIDINE ON EXTRAPYRAMIDAL SYNDROMES (HUNTINGTON'S CHOREA)
Authors: TRAUTNER E. M. , GERSHON S.
Published: September 2017

The tiglic esters of tropine and pseudo‐tropine (tigloidine) were tried in 12 cases of Huntington's chorea. Temporary, occasionally dramatic improvement was obtained in some cases and confirmed by withdrawal of the drug, the use of placebos and renewal of the original medication.

The effective dose of the drug varied from case to case and ranged from moo to 400 milligrammes per day. The minimal effective dose was found to be very near to the optimal dose; no further improvement could be obtained by further increasing the dosage.

No unpleasant side effects were observed in the subjects treated. No habituation was observed.

In no case could all the symptoms of the illness be affected. In some cases mainly the motor disturbances were improved; in others there was mainly an improvement in mood, the patients becoming sometimes distinctly euphoric. The two effects did not seem to be connected, nor was the action of the drug predictable.

The results are discussed. The investigation is being extended with the purpose of studying the dual action of the drug. Promising results have so far been observed in cases of pure depression as well as in pure motor‐disturbances (post‐traumatic spinal spastic paraplegias). These results are being prepared for publication.
ABDOMINAL PSEUDO‐DISTENSION WITH PAIN, DYSPNŒA AND DYSPHAGIA IN RELATION TO DISTURBED DIAPHRAGMATIC MOVEMENT
Authors: TYRER J. H. , MURPHY K. J. , EMMERSON B. T.
Published: September 2017

The mechanism of abdominal pseudo‐distension was studied in two hysterical patients and in four apparently normal adult males who could simulate the hysterical condition at will.

It was concluded that the principal factor causing abdominal pseudo‐distension was substantial descent of the diaphragm caused by its own active, sustained contraction; this produced marked increase of abdominal girth and of intra‐abdominal pressure, whether exaggerated lumbar lordosis was present or absent. Exaggeration of lumbar lordosis as an isolated factor, far from producing abdominal pseudo‐distension, caused no increase of abdominal girth and no significant increase of intra‐abdominal pressure. Exaggeration of lumbar lordosis, however, increased slightly the convexity of the anterior abdominal profile. In the four apparently normal males, the increase of abdominal girth attainable by voluntarily forcing down the diaphragm was actually reduced by exaggeration of lumbar lordosis, probably because such lordosis also tended to make the anterior abdominal wall taut.

Reasons are given for preferring the term “abdominal pseudo‐distension” to other terms.

When the diaphragm shows such sustained contraction in hysteria, pain, dyspnoea and a type of dysphagia may occur; these are discussed.
BODY FAT, BLOOD PRESSURE AND SERUM CHOLESTEROL OF AUSTRALIAN MEN
Authors: WHYTE H. M. , GRAHAM I. A. D. , de WOLFE M. S.
Published: September 2017

In a survey of 129 men chosen at random from an industrial organization measurements were made of height, weight, skinfold thickness, circumference of the arm, blood pressure and serum cholesterol concentration. The interrelations between these factors are analysed.

Blood pressure increased principally with age but also with body weight (presumably with obesity, though this was not proven). The serum cholesterol concentration, averaging 244 milligrammes per 100 millilitres, was apparently not related to age, obesity, blood pressure or dietary fat.

Difficulties in assessing obesity and the possible implications of the results of the survey in regard to essential hypertension and vascular degeneration in obesity are discussed.
CATION STUDIES DURING INTRAVENOUS ANÆSTHESIA
Authors: HERCUS VICTOR , BOWMAN SHEILAH
Published: September 2017

The effect of pentobarbitone given intravenously on the hæmatocrit, on the serum sodium and potassium contents, and on the intracellular water, sodium and potassium concentrations of skeletal muscle has been investigated in sheep. S35O4 has been used to determine the extracellular space of muscle and the extracellular fluid volume of distribution.

A significant fall in serum potassium level (from 5.5 to 4.6 milliequivalents per litre) and in hæmatocrit (from 37.4% to 30.2%) occurred under this anæsthetic agent.

There was no change in intracellular water, sodium or potassium concentrations in the extracellular space of skeletal muscle, or in the volume or rate of distribution of S35O4 during anæsthesia.

These results were not altered by splenectomy. The administration of adrenaline produced no changes in the hæmatocrit or in the serum potassium level.
A STUDY OF BLOOD CLOTTING AND SERUM LIPIDS IN NATIVES OF NEW GUINEA AND AUSTRALIANS
Authors: GOLDRICK R. B. , WHYTE H. M.
Published: September 2017

Male natives of New Guinea, aged 20 to 40 years, whose dietary fat intake provided 18% of their caloric needs, were found to be shorter, more muscular and less obese than Australians of the same age, but their weight relative to height was the same.

The natives had lower serum levels of cholesterol, phospholipids and alpha and beta lipoproteins (paper electrophoresis and cholesterol elution), and a higher phospholipid‐cholesterol ratio. There was evidence that the phospholipid‐cholesterol ratios of the alpha and beta lipoproteins were quite different from those in Europeans. Any increase in the total serum cholesterol content of Australians was borne solely by the beta lipoproteins, the alpha fraction remaining constant at about 44 milligrammes per 100 millilitres ; but in natives the cholesterol at all levels was shared between the alpha (17%) and beta fractions (83%).

Whole blood clotting times in siliconed tubes and "Stypven" clotting times were significantly longer in the Australians than in the natives. Alpha lipoprotein appeared to inhibit and beta lipoprotein possibly accelerated clotting in the "Stypven" test.

Obesity in Australians was not related to changes in blood clotting, but was associated with a decreased alpha lipoprotein, an increased beta lipoprotein and a consequent fall in the serum phospholipid‐cholesterol ratio. While no relationship between obesity and serum lipids was demonstrated in natives, increasing fatness was associated with a shortening of the "Stypven" clotting time.

The results are discussed especially in regard to the thrombogenic and lipid theories of atherogenesis.