bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between memory complaints, activity and perceived health status
Authors: Lee P.‐L.
Published: March 2014

Subjective memory complaints (SMC) is a possible symptom of mild cognitive impairment which may progress to dementia. The present study examines the relationship of physical activity (PA), cognitive activity (CA), social activity (SA), and perceived health status (HS) with SMC for middle age and older adults. Participants were from the MIDUS II study (Midlife in the United States) recruited in 2004–2006 (Mean age = 55.99; N = 3030). Hierarchical multiple regression was performed with SMC as the dependent variable, along with PA, CA, SA, and HS as the independent variables. The study revealed that SMC was strongly related to PA, CA, and HS, while controlling covariates. Further, HS had the strongest link with SMC among these predictors while interaction effects (PA × HS, CA × HS, and SA × HS) were insignificant. In addition, different results were achieved in younger versus older groups. Participants with more CA, PA and perception of better health had lower frequency of memory complaints.
Potential effects of racket grip size on lateral epicondilalgy risks
Authors: Rossi J. , Vigouroux L. , Barla C. , Berton E.
Published: March 2014

The effects of tennis racket grip size on the forces exerted by muscles affecting lateral epicondylalgia (LE) were assessed in this study. Grip forces and joint moments applied on the wrist were quantified under three different handle size conditions, with and without induced muscle fatigue for intermediate and advanced players. The obtained experimental results were then used as input data of a biomechanical model of the hand. This simulation aimed to quantify the impact of grip strength modulation obtained in the experiment on the wrist extensor muscle forces. Our results show that there is an optimal grip diameter size defined as the handle inducing a reduced grip force during the stroke, in both fatigued and non‐fatigued sessions. The results of the simulation suggested that extensor muscles were highly employed during forehand strokes, which confirms that the mechanical overuse of extensor tendons is a potential risk factor for tennis elbow occurrence. The handle grip size appeared to be a significant factor to reduce this extensor tendon loading. This suggests that grip size should be taken into account by players and designers in order to reduce the mechanical risk factors of overuse injury occurrence.
Evaluation of hamstring muscle strength and morphology after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: Nomura Y. , Kuramochi R. , Fukubayashi T.
Published: March 2014

This study aimed to clarify the relationship between knee flexor strength and hamstring muscle morphology after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using the semitendinosus (ST) tendon and to determine the causative factors of decreased knee flexor muscle strength. Fourteen male and ten female patients who resumed sports activities after surgery participated in the experiment. Isometric knee flexion torque was measured at 30°, 45°, 60°, 90°, and 105° of knee flexion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to calculate ST muscle length and hamstring muscle volume, and to confirm the status of ST tendon regeneration. The correlation between the MRI findings and flexor strength was analyzed. Regenerated ST tendon was confirmed in 21 of the 24 patients, but muscle volume (87.6%) and muscle length (74.5%) of the ST in the operated limb were significantly smaller than those in the normal limb. The percentage of the knee flexion torque of the operated limb compared with that of the normal was apparently lower at 105° (69.1%) and 90° (68.6%) than at 60° (84.4%). Tendon regeneration, ST muscle shortening, and ST muscle atrophy correlated with decreased knee flexion torque. These results indicated that preserving the morphology of the ST muscle‐tendon complex is important.
Why particles are not particular: Sentence‐final particles in Chinese as heads of a split CP
Authors: Paul Waltraud
Published: March 2014

Biberauer, Newton & Sheehan () claim that clause‐final particles are categorially deficient. This move is motivated by the fact that a number of VO languages ‐ among them Mandarin Chinese ‐ display sentence‐final particles (SFPs), which, when analysed as complementisers, violate the purportedly universal Final‐over‐Final Constraint (FOFC). The FOFC excludes structures where a head‐final projection dominates a head‐initial one. In contrast, the present article argues that SFPs in Chinese instantiate C in a three‐layered split CP à la Rizzi (, ) and hence are “visible” for the FOFC. Furthermore, to equate The World Atlas of Language Structures' (WALS) label adverbial subordinator with complementiser as Biberauer et al. (, ) do is shown to be problematic, given that it turns out to be a cover term for different categories. Accordingly, WALS' results for the distribution of adverbial subordinator cannot be mechanically used as testing ground for the predictions made by the FOFC for the category C.
Utility Maximization and Bounds on Human Information Processing
Authors: Howes Andrew , Lewis Richard L. , Singh Satinder
Published: March 2014

Utility maximization is a key element of a number of theoretical approaches to explaining human behavior. Among these approaches are rational analysis, ideal observer theory, and signal detection theory. While some examples of these approaches define the utility maximization problem with little reference to the bounds imposed by the organism, others start with, and emphasize approaches in which bounds imposed by the information processing architecture are considered as an explicit part of the utility maximization problem. These latter approaches are the topic of this issue of the journal.
A realistic assessment of fluvial and coastal flood risk in England and Wales
Authors: Penning‐Rowsell Edmund C
Published: March 2014

Accurate national‐scale economic assessments of flood risk should, first, allow policy and resource allocation to be determined sensibly by relating both to the scale of that risk and, second, provide a benchmark against which any possible future changes in risk can be assessed. This paper critiques the UK's National Flood Risk Assessment (NAFRA), its development for England and Wales over a decade, and its evaluation of economic fluvial and coastal flood risk. We find, when comparing the results with other data on flooding and the damage caused over 20 +  years (including insurance claims), that NAFRA appears to overestimate the economic risk by between four‐ and five‐fold (i.e. at c.£1.1bn p.a., as opposed to a central estimate here of £0.25bn p.a.). The flood problem faced is still serious, and may be increasing, but we suggest that an exaggeration has become embedded. The assessment models and their data need further enhancement if this situation is to be corrected and a realistic assessment made of the scale of the current fluvial and coastal flood risk. Only then will the results be adequately credible and hence useful.
Rapid detection of contaminant bacteria in platelet concentrate using differential impedance
Authors: Zhao Z. , Chalmers A. , Rieder R.
Published: March 2014

Background and Objectives

Current FDA‐approved culture‐based methods for the bacterial testing of platelet concentrate (PC) can yield false‐negative results attributed to Poisson‐limited sampling errors incurred near the time of collection that result in undetectable bacterial concentrations. Testing PC at the point of issue (POI) extends the incubation period for any contaminant bacteria increasing the probability of detection. Data are presented from time–course experiments designed to simulate POI testing of bacterially contaminated PCs at different stages of growth using differential impedance sensing.

Study design and methods

Whole‐blood‐derived PCs were typically spiked with low numbers of bacteria (approximately 100 CFU/ml) and incubated under standard PC storage conditions. Each infected unit was evaluated every two hours over a 12‐h period. All samples were treated with a chemical compound that induces stress in the bacterial cells only. The development of any bacterial stress was monitored by detecting changes in the dielectric properties of the PC using differential impedance.

Results

Differential impedance measurements and corresponding cell counts at the different time‐points are presented for six organisms implicated in post‐transfusion–septic reactions. All infected PCs were detected once contaminant bacteria reached concentrations ranging between 0·6 × 103 and 6 × 103 CFU/ml irrespective of the phase of growth. Results were obtained within 30 min after the start of the assay and without the need for cell lysis or centrifugation.

Conclusion

Differential impedance sensing can detect bacterial contamination in PC rapidly at concentrations below clinical thresholds known to cause adverse effects.
Xenoantibody response to porcine islet cell transplantation using GTKO, CD55, CD59, and fucosyltransferase multiple transgenic donors
Authors: Chen Yan , Stewart John M. , Gunthart Mirja , Hawthorne Wayne J. , Salvaris Evelyn J. , O'Connell Philip J. , Nottle Mark B. , d'Apice Anthony J. F. , Cowan Peter J. , Kearns‐Jonker Mary
Published: March 2014

Background

Promising developments in porcine islet xenotransplantation could resolve the donor pancreas shortage for patients with type 1 diabetes. Using α1,3‐galactosyltransferase gene knockout (GTKO) donor pigs with multiple transgenes should extend xenoislet survival via reducing complement activation, thrombus formation, and the requirement for exogenous immune suppression. Studying the xenoantibody response to GTKO/hCD55/hCD59/hHT islets in the pig‐to‐baboon model, and comparing it with previously analyzed responses, would allow the development of inhibitory reagents capable of targeting conserved idiotypic regions.

Methods

We generated IgM heavy and light chain gene libraries from 10 untreated baboons and three baboons at 28 days following transplantation of GTKO/hCD55/hCD59/hHT pig neonatal islet cell clusters with immunosuppression. Flow cytometry was used to confirm the induction of a xenoantibody response. IgM germline gene usage was compared pre‐ and post‐transplant. Homology modeling was used to compare the structure of xenoantibodies elicited after transplantation of GTKO/hCD55/hCD59/hHT pig islets with those induced by GTKO and wild‐type pig endothelial cells without further genetic modification.

Results

IgM xenoantibodies that bind to GTKO pig cells and wild‐type pig cells were induced after transplantation. These anti‐non‐Gal antibodies were encoded by the IGHV3‐66*02 (Δ28%) and IGKV1‐12*02 (Δ25%) alleles, for the immunoglobulin heavy and light chains, respectively. IGHV3‐66 is 86.7% similar to IGHV3‐21 which was elicited by rhesus monkeys in response to GTKO endothelial cells. Heavy chain genes most similar to IGHV3‐66 were found to utilize the IGHJ4 gene in 85% of V‐D regions analyzed. However, unlike the wild‐type response, a consensus complementary determining region 3 was not identified.

Conclusions

Additional genetic modifications in transgenic GTKO pigs do not substantially modify the structure of the restricted group of anti‐non‐Gal xenoantibodies that mediate induced xenoantibody responses with or without immunosuppression. The use of this information to develop new therapeutic agents to target this restricted response will likely be beneficial for long‐term islet cell survival and for developing targeted immunosuppressive regimens with less toxicity.
Analytical Study of Cavitation Surge in a Hydraulic System
Authors: Kang Donghyuk , Yokota Kazuhiko
Published: March 2014

In order to clarify effects of an accumulator, pipe lengths and gradients of pressure and suction performances on cavitation surge, one-dimensional stability analyses of cavitation surge were performed in hydraulic systems consisting of an upstream tank, an inlet pipe, a cavitating pump, a downstream pipe, and a downstream tank. An accumulator located upstream or downstream of the cavitating pump was included in the analysis. Increasing the distance between the upstream accumulator and the cavitating pump enlarged the stable region. On the other hand, decreasing the distance between the downstream accumulator and the cavitating pump enlarged the stable region. Furthermore, the negative gradient of a suction performance curve and the positive gradient of a pressure performance curve cause cavitation surge.
Brake Energy Efficiency
Authors: Guarneri P. , Mastinu G. , Gobbi M. , Cantoni C. , Sicigliano R.
Published: March 2014

Electric braking systems for passenger vehicles have become more and more interesting with the recent developments of hybrid electric and electric vehicles (HEVs and EVs). The major issue is the generation of the actuation energy required during the braking maneuver that makes the utilization of electric actuation unfeasible due to the size of electric actuators and to the existence of layout constraints. Self-energizing mechanisms that could be used to reduce both the actuation force and the energy required for braking are presented and compared in terms of the design criteria that are relevant to braking systems, that is, energy adsorption, actuating force, actuating stroke and, last but not least, stability. The derived analytic models are used to identify the driving design quantities and the sensitivity of the presented self-energizing architectures with respect to the caliper stiffness, which is a crucial aspect for traditional hydraulic calipers as well.
Independent Suspension of Invariable Alignment Parameters by Using Flexible Links With Anisotropic Elasticity
Authors: Zhao Jing-Shan , Wang Jian-Yi , Chu Fulei , Dai Jian S.
Published: March 2014

This paper investigates an independent suspension with invariable alignment parameters by using flexible links of anisotropic elasticity. It focuses on the synthesis of elasticity of compliant flat links and establishes the mapping from the internal forces during jounce and rebound to the perturbation of the alignment parameters of the knuckle. The equivalent substitution of a flexible link to the infinite-R kinematic chain is first discussed by investigating the free motion and constraint of planar R-type kinematic chains. The rigid guidance capability of the suspension is then discussed from the viewpoint of perturbations of alignment parameters via investigating the lateral deflections of the anisotropic flexible links. At last the rib strengthened double level links on each side of the knuckle are proposed for engineering applications. Numerical simulations and model test show that this kind of suspension can provide very good alignment for the wheel.
Kinematic Analysis of Spatial Mechanical Systems Using a New Systematic Formulation Method for Lower and Higher Kinematic Pairs
Authors: Ozgoren M. Kemal
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a new systematic formulation method to describe all kinds of lower and higher kinematic pairs and to express the pertaining kinematic relationships. The method can be applied to any mechanical system, which may be a mechanism or a manipulator, but it may especially be convenient for a system with multijoint links and multiaxis joints, such as a parallel manipulator. The method is based on the kinematic elements of the joints. In the first stage of the method, a joint frame is attached to every kinematic element hosted by the links of the system. It is attached in such a way that its relative position with respect to the link frame of the hosting link is described by a minimal number of essential parameters that are necessary and sufficient to represent all the characteristic features of the kinematic element. To systematize the attachment of the joint frames, the kinematic elements are classified into six types according to their geometric complexity. The link frames may also be attached judiciously to further minimize the total number of parameters required by the whole system. In the second stage of the method, the necessary equations are written to express the relative position between the mating kinematic elements of each joint. In the paper, such equations are written for a set of typical lower and higher kinematic pairs including samples ranging from a revolute joint up to a spatial cam joint. The application of the method is demonstrated on two mechanisms. One of them is a two-loop spatial mechanism with five different joints and the other one is a single-loop spatial cam mechanism with ellipsoidal and cylindrical cams. For each mechanism, the loop closure equations are first written and then simplified to prepare for solution to determine the unspecified joint variables. Afterward, the semi-analytical solutions of the loop closure equations are described and discussed.
Analysis and Optimization of One-Degree of Freedom Robotic Legs
Authors: Birglen Lionel , Ruella Carlos
Published: March 2014

Almost all walking robots are composed of two or more multi-degrees-of-freedom (DOFs) legs which give them a good ability to traverse obstacles. Nevertheless, their speed and efficiency when traversing rough terrains is, in most cases, arguably limited. Additionally, they have the disadvantage of a generally lower reliability. The design of robust and efficient 1-DOF leg is, on the other hand, a complex process. In this paper, a method to analyze and optimize 1-DOF robotic legs is proposed. The results of a virtual simulation are used in combination with some performance indices to optimize the geometric parameters of 1-DOF legs. Finally, the results of the simulation and the actual walking performance of a prototype using four legs with the computed optimal parameters are presented and compared with the simulator results. The validation of the simulation model and the optimization method proposed in this paper represents the main contribution of this work.
A Class of 2-Degree-of-Freedom Planar Remote Center-of-Motion Mechanisms Based on Virtual Parallelograms
Authors: Li Jianmin , Zhang Guokai , Xing Yuan , Liu Hongbin , Wang Shuxin
Published: March 2014

Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has shown tremendous advances over the traditional technique. The remote center-of-motion (RCM) mechanism is one of the main components of a MIS robot. However, the widely used planar RCM mechanism, with double parallelogram structure, requires an active prismatic joint to drive the surgical tool move in–out of the patient’s body cavity, which restricts the dexterity and the back-drivability of the robot to some extent. To solve this problem, a two degree-of-freedom (DOF) planar RCM mechanism type synthesis method is proposed. The basic principle is to construct virtual double parallelogram structure at any instant during the mechanism movements. Different with the existing ones, both of the actuated joints of the obtained RCM mechanism are revolute joints. Combining the proposed mechanism with a revolute joint whose axis passes through the RCM point to drive the whole mechanism out of the plane, the spatial RCM mechanisms to manipulate surgical tool in three-dimension (3D) space can be obtained; and the 3D RCM mechanism can be used for manipulating multi-DOF instruments in a robot-assisted MIS or can be used as an external positioner in robotic single-port surgeries.
Dynamic Interaction Between Two Fluid-Filled Circular Pipelines in Saturated Poroelastic Medium Subjected to Harmonic Waves
Authors: Fang Xue-Qian , Yang Shao-Pu , Liu Jin-Xi , Feng Wen-Jie
Published: March 2014

A semi-analytical method is developed to investigate the dynamic interaction of two fluid-filled circular pipelines in a porous elastic fluid-saturated medium subjected to harmonic plane waves. The harmonic equations based on Biot's theory are reduced by Helmholtz decomposition theorem. The potentials in the fluid-saturated medium, in the linings, and inside the pipelines are expressed by wave function expansion method. The addition theorem for cylindrical wave functions is employed to obtain the closed-form solution in the form of infinite series. The hoop stress amplitudes around the pipelines are evaluated and discussed for the representative values of parameters characterizing the model. The effects of the proximity of two pipelines, the geometrical and material properties of linings, and the incident wave frequency on the dynamic stress around the pipelines are examined.
Effect of Compressive Pressure on the Contact Behavior Between Bipolar Plate and Gas Diffusion Layer in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
Authors: Li Guo , Tan Jinzhu , Gong Jianming
Published: March 2014

The clamping force during the assembly of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells has a great influence in the contact resistance between bipolar plate (BPP) and gas diffusion layer (GDL). In this paper, three different types of carbon papers are used as GDL materials. The contact resistance between BPP and GDL is measured under different applied clamping torques. Based on experimental data, a relationship of compressive pressure resulting from the applied clamping torque and contact resistivity is established by the least square method. Based on the commercial code abaqus, a program is developed to predict the contact resistivity. In addition, the changes of contact pressure, contact area, and porosity of GDL are studied. The experimental result shows that the contact resistivity nonlinearly decreases with increasing of the applied clamping torque. The thicker GDL without fillers has a higher contact resistivity. Finite element analysis (FEA) results show that both contact area and contact pressure increase with increasing of the compressive pressure in the same fillet radius of the rib, except that the fillet radius is zero. The porosity decreases with increase of the clamping force. The contact resistivity is consistent with the experimental results. So it can be predicted very well.
Bipolar Plates for PEMFCs
Authors: Sequeira C. A. C. , Amaral L.
Published: March 2014

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have many advantages among the various types of fuel cells, such as high energy density, low temperature operation, near-zero pollution, and quick starting. Thereby, PEMFCs have been considered as the most promising alternative power sources in the transportation and stationary fields. Among the components of PEMFCs, the bipolar plates are the most representative regarding cost and volume, however, they have relevant functions on the fuel cell stack. There are about 500 bipolar plates in a PEMFC for a typical passenger car and, thus, the commercialization of the fuel cell technology becomes quite challenging. Important key aspects for a successful fuel cell stack are the design and the manufacturing process of the bipolar plate. For efficient mass production, the cycle time of the process is even more important than the material costs. It is, therefore, very important that the used material is appropriate for a fast manufacturing process. Recent developments are overcoming these issues, leading to improvements on the overall fuel cell performance and durability.
A practical and theoretical definition of very small field size for radiotherapy output factor measurements
Authors: Charles P. H. , Cranmer‐Sargison G. , Thwaites D. I. , Crowe S. B. , Kairn T. , Knight R. T. , Kenny J. , Langton C. M. , Trapp J. V.
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

This work introduces the concept of very small field size. Output factor (OPF) measurements at these field sizes require extremely careful experimental methodology including the measurement of dosimetric field size at the same time as each OPF measurement. Two quantifiable scientific definitions of the threshold of very small field size are presented.

Methods:

A practical definition was established by quantifying the effect that a 1 mm error in field size or detector position had on OPFs and setting acceptable uncertainties on OPF at 1%. Alternatively, for a theoretical definition of very small field size, the OPFs were separated into additional factors to investigate the specific effects of lateral electronic disequilibrium, photon scatter in the phantom, and source occlusion. The dominant effect was established and formed the basis of a theoretical definition of very small fields. Each factor was obtained using Monte Carlo simulations of a Varian iX linear accelerator for various square field sizes of side length from 4 to 100 mm, using a nominal photon energy of 6 MV.

Results:

According to the practical definition established in this project, field sizes ≤15 mm were considered to be very small for 6 MV beams for maximal field size uncertainties of 1 mm. If the acceptable uncertainty in the OPF was increased from 1.0% to 2.0%, or field size uncertainties are 0.5 mm, field sizes ≤12 mm were considered to be very small. Lateral electronic disequilibrium in the phantom was the dominant cause of change in OPF at very small field sizes. Thus the theoretical definition of very small field size coincided to the field size at which lateral electronic disequilibrium clearly caused a greater change in OPF than any other effects. This was found to occur at field sizes ≤12 mm. Source occlusion also caused a large change in OPF for field sizes ≤8 mm. Based on the results of this study, field sizes ≤12 mm were considered to be theoretically very small for 6 MV beams.

Conclusions:

Extremely careful experimental methodology including the measurement of dosimetric field size at the same time as output factor measurement for each field size setting and also very precise detector alignment is required at field sizes at least ≤12 mm and more conservatively≤15 mm for 6 MV beams. These recommendations should be applied in addition to all the usual considerations for small field dosimetry, including careful detector selection.
Control Profiles of Complex Networks
Authors: Ruths Justin , Ruths Derek
Published: March 2014

Real Network Control

Understanding how complex networks are controlled has implications for a variety of real-world networks, from traffic safety to transcriptional control.
Ruths and Ruths
(p.
1373
; see the Perspective by

Onnela

) have developed a theoretical framework for analyzing individual controls within networks based on numbers of sources and sinks for information flow. By this method, the number of controls required by a network can be predicted and direct comparisons for the basis for control across networks of differing size, structure, and function can be made. Although three broad classes of real networks were observed, current, established random models of networks were insufficient to model their control structures.
Angular Fluctuations of a Multicomponent Order Describe the Pseudogap of YBa
2
Cu
3
O
6+

x
Authors: Hayward Lauren E. , Hawthorn David G. , Melko Roger G. , Sachdev Subir
Published: March 2014

The Cuprate Pseudogap

The properties of copper-oxide superconductors are changed by chemical doping, but, if doping is suboptimal, the transition temperature
T
c
drops. Conversely, the so-called pseudogap, a depression in the density of states around the Fermi level that may or may not be related to superconductivity, gains strength. The cuprate YBa
2
Cu
3
O
6+x
shows a charge density order that grows as
T
c
is approached from both low and high temperatures.

Hayward
et al.

(p.
1336
) have developed a model in which classical fluctuations of a six-component order parameter, encompassing both superconducting and charge orders, reproduce the characteristic concave temperature dependence of the x-ray scattering intensity and thus provide a framework for the understanding of the pseudogap regime.
Iron Fertilization of the Subantarctic Ocean During the Last Ice Age
Authors: Martínez-García Alfredo , Sigman Daniel M. , Ren Haojia , Anderson Robert F. , Straub Marietta , Hodell David A. , Jaccard Samuel L. , Eglinton Timothy I. , Haug Gerald H.
Published: March 2014

Productive Dustiness

The idea that biological productivity in the surface ocean is limited by a lack of available iron has been widely accepted, but it has been difficult to show that this effect might have operated in the geological past.

Martínez-García
et al.

(p.
1347
) investigated the isotopic composition of foraminifera-bound nitrogen in samples from an Ocean Drilling Project sediment core and found millennial-scale changes in nitrate consumption correlated with fluxes in the iron burial and productivity proxies over the past 160,000 years. Hence, in the Southern Ocean the biological pump was strengthened when dust fluxes were high, which explains a significant part of the difference in atmospheric CO
2
concentrations observed to occur across glacial cycles.
Unlocking Ancient Protein Palimpsests
Authors: Cappellini Enrico , Collins Matthew J. , Gilbert M. Thomas P.
Published: March 2014

High-resolution, high-throughput mass spectrometry studies of ancient protein samples provide insights into protein function in the distant past.
Flow of Control in Networks
Authors: Onnela Jukka-Pekka “JP”
Published: March 2014

A simple framework allows the classification of complex networks based on the flow of control.

[Also see Report by
Ruths and Ruths
]
Comparison of Three Immunoassays for Detection of Antibodies to Strongyloides stercoralis
Authors: Anderson Neil W. , Klein Diane M. , Dornink Sarina M. , Jespersen Deborah J. , Kubofcik Joseph , Nutman Thomas B. , Merrigan Stephen D. , Couturier Marc Roger , Theel Elitza S.
Published: March 2014

Due to the limited sensitivities of stool-based microscopy and/or culture techniques forStrongyloides stercoralis, the detection of antibodies to this intestinal nematode is relied upon as a surrogate for determining exposure status or making a diagnosis ofS. stercoralisinfection. Here, we evaluated three immunoassays, including the recently released InBios Strongy Detect IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (InBios International, Inc., Seattle, WA), the SciMedxStrongyloidesserology microwell ELISA (SciMedx Corporation, Denville, NJ), and the luciferase immunoprecipitation system (LIPS) assay performed at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for their detection of IgG antibodies toS. stercoralis. A total of 101 retrospective serum samples, previously submitted for routineS. stercoralisantibody detection using the SciMedx assay, were also evaluated by the InBios and LIPS assays. The qualitative results from each assay were compared using a Venn diagram analysis, to the consensus result among the three assays, and each ELISA was also evaluated using the LIPS assay as the reference standard. By Venn diagram analysis, 65% (66/101) of the samples demonstrated perfect agreement by all three assays. Also, the numbers of samples considered positive or negative by a single method were similar. Compared to the consensus result, the overall percent agreement of the InBios, SciMedx, and LIPS assays were comparable at 87.1%, 84.2%, and 89.1%, respectively. Finally, the two ELISAs performed analogously but demonstrated only moderate agreement (kappa coefficient for the two assays, 0.53) with the LIPS assay. Collectively, while the two commercially available ELISAs perform equivalently, neither should be used independently of clinical evaluation to diagnose strongyloidiasis.
Bioterrorism: a Laboratory
Who Does It?
Authors: Craft David W. , Lee Philip A. , Rowlinson Marie-Claire
Published: March 2014

In October 2001, the first disseminated biological warfare attack was perpetrated on American soil. Initially, a few clinical microbiology laboratories were testing specimens from acutely ill patients and also being asked to test nasal swabs from the potentially exposed. Soon after, a significant number of clinical microbiology and public health laboratories received similar requests to test the worried well or evaluate potentially contaminated mail or environmental materials, sometimes from their own break rooms. The role of the clinical and public health microbiology laboratory in response to a select agent event or act of bioterrorism is reviewed.
Are Quantitative Bacterial Wound Cultures Useful?
Authors: Kallstrom George
Published: March 2014

Determining if a nonhealing wound is infected can be difficult. The surface of a wound is not sterile and can be colonized with numerous commensal, environmental, and potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Different types of wounds have various clinical presentations, with some signs and symptoms more likely to be present than others depending on the type and location of the wound. Clinicians often order microbiology wound cultures to assist in determining if a nonhealing wound is infected. This minireview briefly summarizes the clinical microbiology of wound cultures, with an emphasis on the history and utility (or lack thereof) of the quantitative wound culture.
Point-Counterpoint: The Automated Clinical Microbiology Laboratory: Fact or Fantasy?
Authors: Ledeboer Nathan A. , Dallas Steven D.
Published: March 2014

Automated chemistry laboratories dependent on robotic processes are the standard in both academic and large community hospital settings. Diagnostic microbiology manufacturers are betting that robotics will be used for specimen processing, plate reading, and organism identification in the near future. These systems are highly complex and have large footprints and hefty price tags. However, they are touted as being more efficient, rapid, and accurate than standard processes. Certain features, such as image collection, are highly innovative. Hospital administrators may be swayed to institute these new systems because of the promise of the need for fewer skilled workers, higher throughput, and greater efficiency. They also may be swayed by the fact that workers with the requisite clinical microbiology skills are becoming more difficult to find, and this technology should allow fewer skilled workers to handle larger numbers of cultures. In this Point-Counterpoint, Nate Ledeboer, Medical Director, Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics, Dynacare Laboratories, and Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee, WI, will explain why he believes that this approach will become widespread, while Steve Dallas of the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio explains why he thinks that this automation may not become widely used.
Improved Detection Limit in Rapid Detection of Human Enterovirus 71 and Coxsackievirus A16 by a Novel Reverse Transcription–Isothermal Multiple-Self-Matching-Initiated Amplification Assay
Authors: Ding Xiong , Nie Kai , Shi Lei , Zhang Yong , Guan Li , Zhang Dan , Qi Shunxiang , Ma Xuejun
Published: March 2014

Rapid detection of human enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) is important in the early phase of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD). In this study, we developed and evaluated a novel reverse transcription–isothermal multiple-self-matching-initiated amplification (RT-IMSA) assay for the rapid detection of EV71 and CVA16 by use of reverse transcriptase, together with a strand displacement DNA polymerase. Real-time RT-IMSA assays using a turbidimeter and visual RT-IMSA assays to detect EV71 and CVA16 were established and completed in 1 h, and the reported corresponding real-time reverse transcription–loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assays targeting the same regions of the VP1 gene were adopted as parallel tests. Through testing VP1 RNAs transcribed
in vitro
, the real-time RT-IMSA assays exhibited better linearity of quantification, with
R
2
values of 0.952 (for EV71) and 0.967 (for CVA16), than the real-time RT-LAMP assays, which had
R
2
values of 0.803 (for EV71) and 0.904 (for CVA16). Additionally, the detection limits of the real-time RT-IMSA assays (approximately 937 for EV71 and 67 for CVA16 copies/reaction) were higher than those of real-time RT-LAMP assays (approximately 3,266 for EV71 and 430 for CVA16 copies/reaction), and similar results were observed in the visual RT-IMSA assays. The new approaches also possess high specificities for the corresponding targets, with no cross-reactivity observed. In clinical assessment, compared to commercial reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) kits, the diagnostic sensitivities of the real-time RT-IMSA assays (96.4% for EV71 and 94.6% for CVA16) were higher than those of the real-time RT-LAMP assays (91.1% for EV71 and 90.8% for CVA16). The visual RT-IMSA assays also exhibited the same results. In conclusion, this proof-of-concept study suggests that the novel RT-IMSA assay is superior to the RT-LAMP assay in terms of detection limit and has the potential to rapidly detect EV71 and CVA16 viruses.
Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans Infection in Patients with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Shah Avani V. , McColley Susanna A. , Weil Diane , Zheng Xiaotian
Published: March 2014

We describe the clinical course of four patients who had
Trichosporon mycotoxinivorans
recovered from multiple sputum cultures over time with various clinical consequences but no fatalities. We also report successful rapid identification of this organism using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry.
Systematic Evaluation of Commercial Susceptibility Testing Methods for Determining the
In Vitro
Activity of Daptomycin versus Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococci
Authors: Kirn Thomas J. , Onyeaso Elizabeth , Syed Madiha , Weinstein Melvin P.
Published: March 2014

We systematically evaluated 5 methods for testing daptomycin versus 48
Enterococcus faecalis
, 51
Enterococcus faecium
, and 50
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates using (i and ii) broth microdilution (BMD) with 50-mg/liter calcium medium supplementation (reference method) and 30-mg/liter calcium medium supplementation (BMD30 method), (iii) Etest, and (iv and v) MicroScan panel 33 using 2 methods to prepare the bacterial inoculum (MicroScan turbidity and MicroScan Prompt). Isolates were categorized as susceptible (S) or nonsusceptible (NS) based on measured MICs. Essential (±1 dilution) agreement (EA) and categorical (S/NS) agreement (CA) for each method were compared to the reference method. For
E. faecium
, categorical agreement was poor between the reference method and BMD30 as well as with the three commercial methods, with frequent false-NS results (30 for BMD30, 18 for Etest, 22 for MicroScan Prompt, and 25 for MicroScan turbidity). All
E. faecalis
isolates were judged to be S by the reference method; two of these isolates were categorized as NS using the BMD30 method, and one was categorized as NS by all three commercial methods. All
S. aureus
isolates were judged to be S using all five methods. MIC values determined by the comparator methods tended to be higher than those for the reference method, especially for
E. faecium
isolates. EAs between the reference BMD and BMD30, Etest, MicroScan Prompt, and MicroScan turbidity were 63%, 63%, 63%, and 56%, respectively, for
E. faecium
, 87%, 83%, 98%, and 80%, respectively, for
E. faecalis
, and all 100% for
S. aureus
.
Alpha/Beta Interferon Receptor Signaling Amplifies Early Proinflammatory Cytokine Production in the Lung during Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
Authors: Goritzka Michelle , Durant Lydia R. , Pereira Catherine , Salek-Ardakani Samira , Openshaw Peter J. M. , Johansson Cecilia
Published: March 2014

Type I interferons (IFNs) are produced early upon virus infection and signal through the alpha/beta interferon (IFN-α/β) receptor (IFNAR) to induce genes that encode proteins important for limiting viral replication and directing immune responses. To investigate the extent to which type I IFNs play a role in the local regulation of inflammation in the airways, we examined their importance in early lung responses to infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). IFNAR1-deficient (IFNAR1
−/−
) mice displayed increased lung viral load and weight loss during RSV infection. As expected, expression of IFN-inducible genes was markedly reduced in the lungs of IFNAR1
−/−
mice. Surprisingly, we found that the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the lungs of RSV-infected mice were also greatly reduced in the absence of IFNAR signaling. Furthermore, low levels of proinflammatory cytokines were also detected in the lungs of IFNAR1
−/−
mice challenged with noninfectious innate immune stimuli such as selected Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists. Finally, recombinant IFN-α was sufficient to potentiate the production of inflammatory mediators in the lungs of wild-type mice challenged with innate immune stimuli. Thus, in addition to its well-known role in antiviral resistance, type I IFN receptor signaling acts as a central driver of early proinflammatory responses in the lung. Inhibiting the effects of type I IFNs may therefore be useful in dampening inflammation in lung diseases characterized by enhanced inflammatory cytokine production.

IMPORTANCE
The initial response to viral infection is characterized by the production of interferons (IFNs). One group of IFNs, the type I IFNs, are produced early upon virus infection and signal through the IFN-α/β receptor (IFNAR) to induce proteins important for limiting viral replication and directing immune responses. Here we examined the importance of type I IFNs in early responses to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Our data suggest that type I IFN production and IFNAR receptor signaling not only induce an antiviral state but also serve to amplify proinflammatory responses in the respiratory tract. We also confirm this conclusion in another model of acute inflammation induced by noninfectious stimuli. Our findings are of relevance to human disease, as RSV is a major cause of infant bronchiolitis and polymorphisms in the IFN system are known to impact disease severity.
A rare cause of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: primary pericardial mesothelioma masquerading as pericardial constriction
Authors: Fernandes Russell , Nosib Shravan , Thomson Dorothy , Baniak Nick
Published: March 2014

We present a case of a 30-year-old woman with a history of HIV and hepatitis C who sought medical attention because of severe oedema of the lower limbs and abdomen. CT of the chest showed a thickened pericardium, and cardiac catheterisation demonstrated constrictive physiology. She underwent pericardiectomy, but the procedure was unsuccessful because the pericardium was densely adherent to the myocardium. After consultation with several pathologists, she was diagnosed with primary pericardial mesothelioma (PPM), an exceedingly rare cardiac tumour with a fatal prognosis. She died within 3 months of presentation. The details of the case as well as pertinent literature are reviewed.
Modeling study for oscillatory reaction of chlorite – iodide – ethyl acetoacetate
Authors: Shi Laishun , Gao Jian , Chen Jingjing
Published: March 2014

Chlorine dioxide based chemical oscillating behavior was modeled by a simple scheme consisting of three component reactions. Furthermore, little is known about the influence of the pH value. In this study, four component reactions were used to model the chlorite – iodide – ethyl acetoacetate oscillating reaction by dynamic analysis software. The oscillatory phenomenon is observed for concentration changes of triiodide ion, chlorite ion, and hydrogen ion. The initial concentration of ethyl acetoacetate, chlorite ion, iodide ion, and hydrogen ion has great influence on oscillations. The amplitude and number of oscillations are associated with the initial reactant concentrations. The equation of the reaction rate of triiodide ion, chlorite ion, or hydrogen ion changing with reaction time and initial concentrations in the oscillation stage was obtained. The bifurcation surface between oscillatory and nonoscillatory behavior with different pH values was obtained. The spatial zone for the occurrence of oscillation is reduced with an increase in the pH value. The range of oscillation as concentrations of chlorine dioxide, iodine, and ethyl acetoacetate is well described by an equation. There is a lower limit on ethyl acetoacetate initial concentration for oscillation. However, there is a higher limit on chlorine dioxide and iodine concentration for oscillation. The concentrations of chlorine dioxide and iodine for oscillation decrease with an increase in the pH value. The results provide new theoretical evidence of the importance of pH value, which can affect the bifurcation surface between oscillatory and nonoscillatory behavior.
Efficient non-hydrostatic modelling of flow and bed shear stress in a pier scour hole
Authors: Pournazeri S. , Li S.S. , Haghighat F.
Published: March 2014

Predicting 3-D flow in a pier scour hole and the associated bed shear stress τb is important for the safe and economical design of bridge piers. This paper combines layered, hydrostatic hydrodynamic computations with non-hydrostatic pressure corrections, exploring a new modelling approach for efficient and reliable predictions of 3-D flow velocity. The law of the wall method is used for estimating τb. Its suitability for incorporation into layered models for bedload transport and pier scour simulations is also discussed. The predicted flow shows realistic features: strong downward flow adjacent to the upstream nose of a circular pier, vortex motions in the vertical and horizontal direction, and meandering flow wakes. The velocity results compare well with available experimental data. In the approach region, τb is uniform. It attains a local maximum immediately before flow enters the scour hole and then drops non-linearly in the scour-hole region toward the pier. In the wake region, τb has very low values. The τb predictions are consistent with the experimental data. In multi-layer models, when applying the law of wall method, one should use near-bed velocities as opposed to bottom-layer velocities to obtain more reliable τb estimates and avoid noisy results, which can cause a numerical instability problem in bedload transport simulations.
Evaluating the influence of stocking history and barriers to movement on the spatial extent of hybridization between westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout
Authors: Loxterman Janet L. , Keeley Ernest R. , Njoroge Zacharia M.
Published: March 2014

In this study we examine how the stocking of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), as well as the presence of fish movement barriers, influences the probability of introgression with westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi). We measured the level of introgression in cutthroat trout sampled from 32 locations that occurred either above or below fish movement barriers along with the frequency and number of rainbow trout stocked in the watershed over a 43-year period. The occurrence and level of hybridization in cutthroat trout were not related to whether the site was above a movement barrier or not. In contrast, the level of introgression was related to the distance to the nearest stocking location, the number of stocking events within the nearest watershed, and the total number of rainbow trout stocked in that watershed. Our data indicate that westslope cutthroat trout located further from stocking have a lower risk of introgression with rainbow trout, but those isolated above movement barriers should not be considered free from introgression until a thorough genetic assessment of the location has been made.