bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single‐center experience in urgent lung transplantation program in a country with a shortage of donors: Does the end justify the means?
Authors: Schiavon Marco , Faggi Giulio , Di Gregorio Guido , Calabrese Francesca , Lunardi Francesca , Marulli Giuseppe , Feltracco Paolo , Loy Monica , Damin Marco , Cozzi Emanuele , Gregori Dario , Calabrese Fiorella , Rea Federico
Published: October 2017

In rapidly deteriorating patients awaiting lung transplantation (LT), supportive strategies are only temporary and urgent lung transplant (ULT) remains the last option. The few publications on this topic report conflicting results. According to the Italian national program, patients on mechanical ventilation and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be included in urgent list. We reviewed our experience from January 2012 to December 2014 with ULT and elective lung transplantation (ELT), focusing on outcomes. In the study period, 16 patients received ULT, while 51 received ELT. Among ULT, 1 patient (5.8%) died in waiting list (WL) while 16 patients underwent LT with a median WL time of 6 days. ELT WL mortality was 13.5%, and median WL time 368 days. In‐hospital mortality was lower in ELT group (5.8% vs 37.5%, P < .01), while the other postoperative outcomes were not significantly different. For ULT patients, the highest impact risk factors for in‐hospital mortality were pretransplant plasma transfusion, recipient Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, and high level of reactive C‐protein and lactic acid. A ULT program with an accurate recipient selection allows earlier transplantation, reducing WL mortality, with acceptable outcomes, although with a higher in‐hospital mortality. Larger studies are needed to validate our results.
A rapid and sustained improvement of calcification propensity score (serum T50) after successful kidney transplantation: Reanalysis of a randomized controlled trial of ibandronate
Authors: Smerud Knut T. , Åsberg Anders , Kile Håkon , Pasch Andreas , Dahle Dag O. , Bollerslev Jens , Godang Kristin , Hartmann Anders
Published: October 2017

A serum test called T50 assesses the overall propensity for calcification of the blood and is associated with cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to examine T50 over time in kidney transplant recipients and also address any effects of ibandronate. Serum samples taken from kidney transplant patients included in a prospective, randomized placebo controlled study of ibandronate were analyzed in retrospect. Adequate analyses were performed at baseline (approximately 3 weeks after transplantation) in 129 patients, at 10 weeks in 127 patients and at 1 year in 123 patients. There were no statistical differences between ibandronate and placebo treatment in terms of T50 at 10 weeks (P = .094) or at 1 year (P = .116). Baseline T50 was a significant covariate (P < .0001) for T50 scores at 10 weeks and 1 year. In the total cohort, there was a highly significant (P < .0001) increase in T50 of 26.6% after 10 weeks and T50 remained stable after 1 year. T50 change was inversely correlated to phosphate of −0.515 (P < .0001) and to change in serum albumin (P < .03). We found that T50 increased from baseline to 10 weeks after transplantation with no further change after 1 year. Ibandronate had no effect on T50.
Soil aggregate breakdown in a field experiment with different rainfall intensities and initial soil water contents
Authors: Shi P. , Thorlacius S. , Keller T. , Keller M. , Schulin R.
Published: October 2017

The breakdown of soil aggregates under the impact of rainfall is an important process in water erosion of agricultural soil. It determines the size characteristics of the disintegrated fragments and thus their availability for size‐selective sediment transport and deposition. However, little is known about the dynamics of aggregate breakdown and its dependence on soil and rainfall properties under field conditions. In this research, we carried out artificial rainfall experiments to quantify the dynamics of aggregate breakdown in an agricultural field at two levels each of rainfall intensity (RI) and initial soil water content (IWC). In all treatments, the temporal dynamics of aggregate breakdown followed the same two‐stage pattern: a steep exponential decrease in fragment mean weight diameter (MWD) during the first few millimetres of rainfall continued as a slow linear decrease at the second stage. The fragment mass size distribution (FSD) at the end of the rainfall events differed significantly among treatments. Slaking appeared to be the dominant breakdown mechanism in initially dry soil and was particularly strong at the higher RI, whereas mechanical breakdown was more prevalent in prewetted soil with no clear dependence on RI. We propose an empirical model that describes the effect of RI, IWC and initial aggregate stability on the decrease in MWD during the two stages of the breakdown process. The calibrated model successfully predicted the final MWDs in additional experiments, showing its potential for incorporation into erosion models to predict the size characteristics of surface soil fragments resulting from rainfall‐induced aggregate breakdown for various initial soil moisture conditions.

Highlights

Rainfall‐induced aggregate breakdown was investigated under field conditions.

A two‐stage breakdown pattern was observed in all treatments.

Slaking appeared to be the dominant mechanism at the first stage, and mechanical breakdown at the second.

A simple empirical model gave good predictions of aggregate fragmentation.
The inverse life‐history problem, size‐dependent mortality and two extensions of results of Holt and Beverton
Authors: Mangel Marc
Published: October 2017

In 1958, Sidney Holt developed a model to determine the optimal mass at which to harvest a cohort of fish having von Bertalanffy growth and experiencing constant natural mortality. Holt and Ray Beverton then gave a life‐history interpretation to the analysis, from which Beverton developed a theory of Growth, Maturity, and Longevity (GML) that allows one to predict quantities such as age at maturity or relative size at maturity using life‐history parameters. I extend their results in two ways. First, keeping the original formulation, in which the rate of natural mortality is constant, I show how one can invert Beverton's result to determine the rate of natural mortality from life‐history data. I illustrate this inverse method with data on three species of tuna and compare the estimates with those based on tagging. Second, I extend Beverton'sGMLtheory to include size‐dependent mortality. I explore previously published mortality models and introduce a new mortality function that has size‐independent and size‐dependent components. I show that the new size‐dependent mortality function leads to the prediction that age at maturity depends upon asymptotic size (as well as the other life‐history parameters), something that Beverton's original theory lacked. I illustrate this extension with a simple example, discuss directions for future work and conclude that nearly 60 years on these contributions of Holt and Beverton continue to lead us in new and exciting directions.
Aberrant lipid metabolism in cancer cells – the role of oncolipid‐activated signaling
Authors: Ray Upasana , Roy Sib Sankar
Published: October 2017

Metabolic activity of malignant cells is very different from that of their nontransformed equivalents, which establishes metabolic reprogramming as an important hallmark of every transformed cell. In particular, the current arena of research in this field aims to understand the regulatory effect of oncogenic signaling on metabolic rewiring in transformed cells in order to exploit this for therapeutic benefit. Alterations in lipid metabolism are one of the main aspects of metabolic rewiring of transformed cells. Up‐regulation of several lipogenic enzymes has been reported to be a characteristic of various cancer types. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a simple byproduct of the lipid biosynthesis pathway, has gained immense importance due to its elevated level in several cancers and associated growth‐promoting activity. Importantly, a current study revealed its role in increased de novo lipid synthesis through up‐regulation of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1, a master regulator of lipid metabolism. This review summarizes the recent insights in the field of oncolipid LPA‐mediated signaling in regard to lipid metabolism in cancers. Future work in this domain is required to understand the up‐regulation of the de novo synthesis pathway and the role of its end products in malignant cells. This will open a new arena of research toward the development of specific metabolic inhibitors that can add to the pre‐existing chemotherapeutics in order to increase the efficacy of clinical output in cancer patients.
Corrosion fatigue of coated AISI 4340 high strength steel with dent damage
Authors: Sabelkin V. , Mall S. , Misak H.
Published: October 2017

Tension‐compression fatigue behaviour of a high‐strength steel, coated with cadmium and zinc‐nickel, with dent damage was investigated under saltwater environment. Dent damage exposed coated high‐strength steel substrate to saltwater environment to study hydrogen reembrittlement. Three types of specimens were tested: cadmium and zinc‐nickel‐coated specimens with dent damage and uncoated specimens with similar dent damage that were shot‐peened in a similar way as the coated specimens. The environmentally friendly zinc‐nickel‐coated specimens displayed similar fatigue behaviour like hazardous cadmium‐coated specimens. Scanning electron microscopy with an apparatus Quanta 450 confirmed that damage mechanisms were similar in all 3 types of specimens.
On‐line hemodiafiltration at home
Authors: Vega Almudena , Abad Soraya , Macías Nicolás , Aragoncillo Inés
Published: October 2017

Survival with online hemodiafiltration (OL‐HDF) is higher than with hemodialysis; frequent hemodialysis has also improved survival and quality of life. Home hemodialysis facilitates frequent therapy. We report our experience with 2 patients with stage 5 CKD who started home hemodialysis with OL‐HDF in November 2016. After a training period at the hospital, they started home hemodialysis with OL‐HDF after learning how to manage dialysis monitors and how to administer water treatment. We used the “5008‐home” (FMC©) monitor, and the Acqua C© (Fresenius Medical Care) for water treatment. Water conductivity was always checked before and during dialysis sessions and was always 2.5 to 3 mS/cm. Water cultures always fulfilled the criteria for ultrapurity. As far as we know, this is the first report on patients receiving OL‐HDF at home. The technique proved to be safe and valid for renal replacement therapy and transfers the benefits of hospital convective therapy to the home setting. Future data will enable us to determine whether survival has also improved.
Attractiveness of wildflower mixtures for wild bees and hoverflies depends on some key plant species
Authors: Warzecha Daniela , Diekötter Tim , Wolters Volkmar , Jauker Frank
Published: October 2017

Agricultural intensification is considered to be a major driver of terrestrial biodiversity decline. Resulting loss, isolation and degradation of flower‐rich habitats are threatening pollinators. Agri‐environmental schemes (AES) aim to counteract these negative effects, including measures to enhance floral resources in agricultural landscapes. The impact of plant species composition on their efficiency to mitigate pollinator loss, however, is largely unexplored.

We tested four recommended seed mixtures for their attractiveness to wild bees and hoverflies in a replicated plot design over two consecutive years against the background of the seedbank. Of the 94 available plant species, 14 key plant species were crucial for the whole flower‐visiting bee and hoverfly community. Approximately one third of each originated from the seedbank. The four top plants already supported 80% of flower visitors. Although seed mixtures differed significantly in attracting flower visitors at the plot level, the presence of key plants was more important than plant species diversity per se.

Seed mixtures showed contrasting attractiveness for wild bees and hoverflies. Identification of plant species exclusively utilised by specific taxonomic groups opens opportunities for assorting plant mixtures for specific ecosystem functions or taxa of conservation concern. Plant species shared by common pollinators are valuable for overall pollinator diversity.

The fact that rare and specialised pollinator species were mostly absent, however, substantiates that within 2 years of establishment, flowering resources are not the sole limiting factor in modern agricultural landscapes. Considering additional resources seems indispensable to maximise the conservation of species‐rich pollinator communities.
The Effects of a Family Systems Intervention on Co‐Occurring Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors of Children with Substance Abusing Mothers: A Latent Transition Analysis
Authors: Zhang Jing , Slesnick Natasha
Published: October 2017

Children of substance abusing parents are at heightened risk to develop problem behaviors, yet little is known about the co‐occurring patterns of internalizing and externalizing behaviors among this population. With 183 children (Mage = 11.54 years,SD = 2.55, range 8–16) whose mothers were diagnosed with a substance use disorder, the current study identified subgroups/classes of children that were clinically distinct in their co‐occurring patterns of internalizing and externalizing behaviors, and examined how children in different clinical subgroups responded to a family systems intervention. Latent class analyses identified four classes of internalizing and externalizing behaviors: internalizing only, externalizing only, comorbid, and normative. Latent transition analyses showed that participation in family systems therapy resulted in an increased likelihood of transitioning from the externalizing class at baseline to the normative class at 18 months post‐baseline, and from the comorbid class at baseline to the internalizing class at 18 months post‐baseline as well. The findings support the effectiveness of family systems therapy in interrupting the stability of children's problem behaviors and improving children's behavioral outcomes.
Efficacy of a Web‐based Intervention for Concerned Spouses of Service Members and Veterans with Alcohol Misuse
Authors: Osilla Karen Chan , Trail Thomas E. , Pedersen Eric R. , Gore Kristie L. , Tolpadi Anagha , Rodriguez Lindsey M.
Published: October 2017

Concerned partners (CPs) of service members and veterans who misuse alcohol face help‐seeking barriers and mental health problems. We used multiple regression to evaluate the efficacy of Partners Connect, a four‐session web‐based intervention (WBI) to address military CPs’ mental health and communication. We randomized 312 CPs to the WBI or a control group. Five months later, WBI CPs reported significant reductions in their anxiety and increases in their social support compared to control CPs. Intervention dose was also associated with improved WBI CP outcomes. Partners Connect appears to fill a need for families who face help‐seeking barriers and provides an alternative to traditional care for those who may not otherwise seek help.
Comparison of cross‐sectional transmission electron microscope studies of thin germanium epilayers grown on differently oriented silicon wafers
Authors: NORRIS D.J. , MYRONOV M. , LEADLEY D.R. , WALTHER T.
Published: October 2017

We compare transmission electron microscopical analyses of the onset of islanding in the germanium‐on‐silicon (Ge/Si) system for three different Si substrate orientations: (001), (10) and (11)Si. The Ge was deposited by reduced pressure chemical vapour deposition and forms islands on the surface of all Si wafers; however, the morphology (aspect ratio) of the deposited islands is different for each type of wafer. Moreover, the mechanism for strain relaxation is different for each type of wafer owing to the different orientation of the (111) slip planes with the growth surface. Ge grown on (001)Si is initially pseudomorphically strained, yielding small, almost symmetrical islands of high aspect ratio (clusters or domes) on top interdiffused SiGe pedestals, without any evidence of plastic relaxation by dislocations, which would nucleate later‐on when the islands might have coalesced and then the Matthews‐Blakeslee limit is reached. For (10)Si, islands are flatter and more asymmetric, and this is correlated with plastic relaxation of some islands by dislocations. In the case of growth on (11)Si wafers, there is evidence of immediate strain relaxation taking place by numerous dislocations and also twinning. In the case of untwined film/substrate interfaces, Burgers circuits drawn around certain (amorphous‐like) regions show a nonclosure with an edge‐type a/4[12] Burgers vector component visible in projection along [110]. Microtwins of multiples of half unit cells in thickness have been observed which occur at the growth interface between the Si(11) buffer layer and the overlying Ge material. Models of the growth mechanisms to explain the interfacial configurations of each type of wafer are suggested.
The Zap1 transcriptional activator negatively regulates translation of the RTC4 mRNA through the use of alternative 5′ transcript leaders
Authors: Bird Amanda J. , Labbé Simon
Published: October 2017

The zinc‐responsive transcription activator Zap1 plays a central role in zinc homeostasis in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In zinc‐deficient cells, Zap1 binds to zinc responsive elements in target gene promoters and activates gene expression. In most cases, Zap1‐dependent gene activation results in increased levels of mRNAs and proteins. However, Zap1‐dependent activation of RTC4 results in increased levels of the RTC4 mRNA and decreased levels of the Rtc4 protein. This atypical regulation results from Zap1‐mediated changes in the transcriptional start site for RTC4 and the production of a RTC4 transcript with a longer 5′ leader. This long RTC4 transcript contains small upstream open reading frames that prevent translation of the downstream RTC4 ORF. The new studies with Zap1 highlight how a transcriptional activator can facilitate decreased protein expression.
Wenxin Keli diminishes Ca2+ overload induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in cardiomyocytes through inhibiting INaL and ICaL
Authors: Luo Antao , Liu Zhipei , Cao Zhenzhen , Hao Jie , Wu Lin , Fu Chen , Zeng Mengliu , Jiang Wanzhen , Zhang Peihua , Zhao Buchang , Zhao Tao , Zhao Jing , Ma Jihua
Published: October 2017

Background

An increase in the late sodium current (INaL) causes intracellular Na+ overload and subsequently intracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) overload via the stimulated reverse Na+‐Ca2+ exchange (NCX). Wenxin Keli (WXKL) is an effective antiarrhythmic Chinese herb extract, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.

Methods and results

The INaL, NCX current (INCX), L‐type Ca2+ current (ICaL), and action potentials were recorded using the whole‐cell patch‐clamp technique in rabbit ventricular myocytes. Myocyte [Ca2+]i transients were measured using a dual excitation fluorescence photomultiplier system. WXKL decreased the enhanced INaL, reverse INCX, diastolic [Ca2+]i, and the amplitude of Ca2+ transients induced by sea anemone toxin II (ATX II, a specific INaL channel opener) in a concentration‐dependent manner. Hypoxia increased INaL, INCX, and diastolic [Ca2+]i, and decreased amplitude of [Ca2+]i transients. Hypoxia‐reoxygenation aggravated these changes and induced spontaneous [Ca2+]i transients and hypercontraction in 86% cells (6/7). The application of WXKL during hypoxia or reoxygenation periods decreased the increased INaL, INCX, and diastolic [Ca2+]i, and prevented those events in 82% cells (9/11) under hypoxia‐reoxygenation conditions. WXKL also inhibited the ICaL in a dose‐dependent manner. Furthermore, WXKL shortened the action potential duration and completely abolished ATX II‐induced early afterdepolarizations from 9/9 to /9. In isolated heart electrocardiogram recordings, WXKL inhibited ischemia‐reperfusion induced ventricular premature beats and tachycardia.

Conclusions

WXKL attenuated [Ca2+]i overload induced by hypoxia‐reoxygenation in ventricular myocytes through inhibiting INaL and ICaL and prevents arrhythmias. This could, at least partly, contribute to the antiarrhythmic effects of WXKL.
Kinome‐wide transcriptional profiling of uveal melanoma reveals new vulnerabilities to targeted therapeutics
Authors: Bailey Fiona P. , Clarke Kim , Kalirai Helen , Kenyani Jenna , Shahidipour Haleh , Falciani Francesco , Coulson Judy M. , Sacco Joseph J. , Coupland Sarah E. , Eyers Patrick A.
Published: October 2017

Metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) is invariably fatal, usually within a year of diagnosis. There are currently no effective therapies, and clinical studies employing kinase inhibitors have so far demonstrated limited success. This is despite common activating mutations in GNAQ/11 genes, which trigger signalling pathways that might predispose tumours to a variety of targeted drugs. In this study, we have profiled kinome expression network dynamics in various human ocular melanomas. We uncovered a shared transcriptional profile in human primary UM samples and across a variety of experimental cell‐based models. The poor overall response of UM cells to FDA‐approved kinase inhibitors contrasted with much higher sensitivity to the bromodomain inhibitor JQ1, a broad transcriptional repressor. Mechanistically, we identified a repressed FOXM1‐dependent kinase subnetwork in JQ1‐exposed cells that contained multiple cell cycle‐regulated protein kinases. Consistently, we demonstrated vulnerability of UM cells to inhibitors of mitotic protein kinases within this network, including the investigational PLK1 inhibitor BI6727. We conclude that analysis of kinome‐wide signalling network dynamics has the potential to reveal actionable drug targets and inhibitors of potential therapeutic benefit for UM patients.
Coordinated Scheduling for a Multi‐server Network in Outpatient Pre‐operative Care
Authors: Wang Dongyang , Morrice Douglas J. , Muthuraman Kumar , Bard Jonathan F. , Leykum Luci K. , Noorily Susan H.
Published: October 2017

Many parts of the healthcare system remain fragmented and outpatient surgical care is no exception. In this study, we develop a coordinated pre‐operative scheduling approach between Anesthesiology and Internal Medicine to optimize patients’ medical conditions prior to surgery. Coordinating these two services has conceptual appeal because any health issues discovered by the anesthesiologist can often be addressed by a general internist. We design a patient‐centered approach that allows the patient to see both providers, if necessary, on a single visit. This problem is modeled as a two‐station stochastic network, where each station (or clinic) may be staffed by multiple parallel providers and patients see the first available provider. To solve the scheduling problem, we formulate an optimization model to maximize the net benefit of scheduling patients. The objective balances benefits against patient waiting time and clinic overtime costs. We develop a scheduling method with a booking limit to create a balanced network schedule. Due to the complexity of this problem, the solution approach is myopic. In addition, we develop a hybrid method that combines analytical calculation and simulation‐based optimization. We demonstrate our approach on a healthcare network at The University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio. We compare our method against other policies and show that it yields high quality and robust results. Based on the level of generality of our model and results, the insights gained are not limited to the particular application, but can be applied to other patient‐centered models where scheduling coordination can be used.
Agreement Between Maternal Report and Medical Records During Pregnancy: Medications for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Asthma
Authors: Palmsten Kristin , Hulugalle Avanthi , Bandoli Gretchen , Kuo Grace M. , Ansari Shayda , Xu Ronghui , Chambers Christina D.
Published: October 2017

Background

There are limited data regarding the comparability of medication exposure information during pregnancy from maternal report and medical records, including for rheumatoid arthritis and asthma‐related medications.

Methods

This study included pregnant women with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 216) and asthma (n = 172) enrolled in the MothertoBaby Pregnancy Studies (2009–2014). Women reported types and dates of medications used through semi‐structured telephone interviews up to three times during pregnancy and once after delivery, and medical records were obtained. We calculated Cohen's kappa coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and per cent agreement for agreement between report and records.

Results

For rheumatoid arthritis, prednisone was reported most frequently (53%). During pregnancy, kappa coefficients for rheumatoid arthritis medications ranged from 0.32 (95% CI 0.15, 0.50) for ibuprofen, with 84.3% agreement, to 0.90 (95% CI 0.84, 0.96) for etanercept with 95.4% agreement, and was 0.44 (95% CI 0.33, 0.55) for prednisone, with 71.3% agreement. For asthma, albuterol was reported most frequently (77.9%). During pregnancy, kappa coefficients for asthma medications ranged from 0.21 (95% CI 0.08, 0.35), with 64.5% agreement for albuterol to 0.84 (95% CI 0.71, 0.96) for budesonide/formoterol, with 96.5% agreement. Where kappas for any use during pregnancy were less than excellent (i.e. ≤0.80), medication use was more frequently captured by report than record.

Conclusions

Agreement was higher for medications typically used continuously than sporadically. Information on medication use from medical records alone may not be adequate when studying the impact of intermittently used medications during pregnancy on perinatal outcomes.
First‐impression bias effects on mismatch negativity to auditory spatial deviants
Authors: Fitzgerald Kaitlin , Provost Alexander , Todd Juanita
Published: October 2017

Internal models of regularities in the world serve to facilitate perception as redundant input can be predicted and neural resources conserved for that which is new or unexpected. In the auditory system, this is reflected in an evoked potential component known as mismatch negativity (MMN). MMN is elicited by the violation of an established regularity to signal the inaccuracy of the current model and direct resources to the unexpected event. Prevailing accounts suggest that MMN amplitude will increase with stability in regularity; however, observations of first‐impression bias contradict stability effects. If tones rotate probabilities as a rare deviant (p = .125) and common standard (p = .875), MMN elicited to the initial deviant tone reaches maximal amplitude faster than MMN to the first standard when later encountered as deviant—a differential pattern that persists throughout rotations. Sensory inference is therefore biased by longer‐term contextual information beyond local probability statistics. Using the same multicontext sequence structure, we examined whether this bias generalizes to MMN elicited by spatial sound cues using monaural sounds (n = 19, right first deviant and n = 22, left first deviant) and binaural sounds (n = 19, right first deviant). The characteristic differential modulation of MMN to the two tones was observed in two of three groups, providing partial support for the generalization of first‐impression bias to spatially deviant sounds. We discuss possible explanations for its absence when the initial deviant was delivered monaurally to the right ear.
Designing Graphs that Promote Both Risk Understanding and Behavior Change
Authors: Okan Yasmina , Stone Eric R. , Bruine de Bruin Wändi
Published: October 2017

Graphs show promise for improving communications about different types of risks, including health risks, financial risks, and climate risks. However, graph designs that are effective at meeting one important risk communication goal (promoting risk‐avoidant behaviors) can at the same time compromise another key goal (improving risk understanding). We developed and tested simple bar graphs aimed at accomplishing these two goals simultaneously. We manipulated two design features in graphs, namely, whether graphs depicted the number of people affected by a risk and those at risk of harm (“foreground+background”) versus only those affected (“foreground‐only”), and the presence versus absence of simple numerical labels above bars. Foreground‐only displays were associated with larger risk perceptions and risk‐avoidant behavior (i.e., willingness to take a drug for heart attack prevention) than foreground+background displays, regardless of the presence of labels. Foreground‐only graphs also hindered risk understanding when labels were not present. However, the presence of labels significantly improved understanding, eliminating the detrimental effect of foreground‐only displays. Labels also led to more positive user evaluations of the graphs, but did not affect risk‐avoidant behavior. Using process modeling we identified mediators (risk perceptions, understanding, user evaluations) that explained the effect of display type on risk‐avoidant behavior. Our findings contribute new evidence to the graph design literature: unlike what was previously feared, we demonstrate that it is possible to design foreground‐only graphs that promote intentions for behavior change without a detrimental effect on risk understanding. Implications for the design of graphical risk communications and decision support are discussed.
Risk Ranking of Antimicrobial‐Resistant Hazards Found in Meat in Switzerland
Authors: Collineau Lucie , Carmo Luís Pedro , Endimiani Andrea , Magouras Ioannis , Müntener Cedric , Schüpbach‐Regula Gertraud , Stärk Katharina D. C.
Published: October 2017

Human exposure to bacteria resistant to antimicrobials and transfer of related genes is a complex issue and occurs, among other pathways, via meat consumption. In a context of limited resources, the prioritization of risk management activities is essential. Since the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) situation differs substantially between countries, prioritization should be country specific. The objective of this study was to develop a systematic and transparent framework to rank combinations of bacteria species resistant to selected antimicrobial classes found in meat, based on the risk they represent for public health in Switzerland. A risk assessment model from slaughter to consumption was developed following the Codex Alimentarius guidelines for risk analysis of foodborne AMR. Using data from the Swiss AMR monitoring program, 208 combinations of animal species/bacteria/antimicrobial classes were identified as relevant hazards. Exposure assessment and hazard characterization scores were developed and combined using multicriteria decision analysis. The effect of changing weights of scores was explored with sensitivity analysis. Attributing equal weights to each score, poultry‐associated combinations represented the highest risk. In particular, contamination with extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase/plasmidic AmpC‐producing Escherichia coli in poultry meat ranked high for both exposure and hazard characterization. Tetracycline‐ or macrolide‐resistant Enterococcus spp., as well as fluoroquinolone‐ or macrolide‐resistant Campylobacter jejuni, ranked among combinations with the highest risk. This study provides a basis for prioritizing future activities to mitigate the risk associated with foodborne AMR in Switzerland. A user‐friendly version of the model was provided to risk managers; it can easily be adjusted to the constantly evolving knowledge on AMR.
Waste not, want not: The efficiency of health expenditure in emerging and developing economies
Authors: Grigoli Francesco , Kapsoli Javier
Published: October 2017

Public health spending is low in emerging and developing economies relative to advanced economies and health outputs and outcomes need to be substantially improved. Simply increasing public expenditure in the health sector, however, may not significantly affect health outcomes if the efficiency of this spending is low. This paper quantifies the inefficiency of public health expenditure and the associated potential gains for emerging and developing economies using a stochastic frontier model that controls for the socioeconomic determinants of health, and provides country‐specific estimates. The results suggest that African economies have the lowest efficiency. At 2009 spending levels, they could boost life expectancy up to about 5 years if they followed best practices.
Eps15R and clathrin regulate EphB2‐mediated cell repulsion
Authors: Evergren Emma , Cobbe Neville , McMahon Harvey T.
Published: October 2017

Expression of Eph receptors and their ligands, the ephrins, have important functions in boundary formation and morphogenesis in both adult and embryonic tissue. The EphB receptors and ephrinB ligands are transmembrane proteins that are expressed in different cells and their interaction drives cell repulsion. For cell repulsion to occur, trans‐endocytosis of the inter‐cellular receptor‐ligand EphB‐ephrinB complex is required. The molecular mechanism underlying trans‐endocytosis is poorly defined. Here we show that the process is clathrin‐ and Eps15R‐mediated using Co115 colorectal cell lines stably expressing EphB2 and ephrinB1. Cell repulsion in co‐cultures of EphB2‐ and ephrinB1‐expressing cells is significantly reduced by knockdown of Eps15R but not Eps15. A novel interaction motif in Eps15R, DPFxxLDPF, is shown to bind directly to the clathrin terminal domain in vitro. Moreover, the interaction between Eps15R and clathrin is required for EphB2‐mediated cell repulsion as shown in a rescue experiment in the EphB2 co‐culture assay where wild type Eps15R but not the clathrin‐binding mutant rescues cell repulsion. These results provide the first evidence that Eps15R together with clathrin control EphB/ephrinB trans‐endocytosis and thereby cell repulsion.
Extended Hertz Theory of Contact Mechanics for Case-Hardened Steels With Implications for Bearing Fatigue Life
Authors: Londhe Nikhil D. , Arakere Nagaraj K. , Subhash Ghatu
Published: October 2017

The analytical expressions currently available for Hertzian contact stresses are applicable only for homogeneous materials and not for case-hardened bearing steels, which have inhomogeneous microstructure and graded elastic properties in the subsurface region. Therefore, this article attempts to determine subsurface stress fields in ball bearings for graded materials with different ball and raceway geometries in contact. Finite element models were developed to simulate ball-on-raceway elliptical contact and ball-on-plate axisymmetric contact, to study the effects of elastic modulus variation with depth due to case hardening. Ball bearings with low, moderate, and heavy load conditions are considered. The peak contact pressure for case-hardened steel is always more than that of through-hardened steel under identical geometry and loading conditions. Using equivalent contact pressure approach, effective elastic modulus is determined for case-carburized steels, which will enable the use of Hertz equations for different gradations in elastic modulus of raceway material. Nonlinear regression tools are used to predict effective elastic modulus as a weighted sum of surface and core elastic moduli of raceway material and design parameters of ball–raceway contact area. Mesh convergence study and validation of equivalent contact pressure approach are also provided. Implications of subsurface stress variation due to case hardening on bearing fatigue life are discussed.
Influence of Skirt Profile Structure of Gasoline Engine Piston on the Friction and Wear Characteristics Under Standard Conditions
Authors: Zhang Jian , Piao Zhongyu , Liu Shiying
Published: October 2017

Different profile structures were designed for a high-power engine piston, and engine tests were carried out to analyze and compare the influences of the widest point position and contraction rate on the skirt wear property. The results show that the lower position of the widest point will cause poor guidance, and at the same time the rapid radial reduction in both the upper and lower parts will increase the swing angles and the kinetic energy; the uniformity of wear loads can be improved effectively by increasing the height of the widest point and the width of the maximum diameter region; the degree of wear of the skirt can be considered through a comparison of the outer diameter variation.
The Functional Roles of Muscles, Passive Prostheses, and Powered Prostheses During Sloped Walking in People With a Transtibial Amputation
Authors: Pickle Nathaniel T. , Grabowski Alena M. , Jeffers Jana R. , Silverman Anne K.
Published: October 2017

Sloped walking is challenging for individuals with transtibial amputation (TTA) due to the functional loss of the ankle plantarflexors. Prostheses that actively generate ankle power may help to restore this lost function. The purpose of this study was to use musculoskeletal modeling and simulation to quantify the mechanical power delivered to body segments by passive and powered prostheses and the remaining muscles in the amputated and intact legs during sloped walking. We generated walking simulations from experimental kinematic and kinetic data on slopes of 0, ±3 deg and ±6 deg in eight people with a TTA using powered and passive prostheses and eight nonamputees. Consistent with our hypothesis, the amputated leg hamstrings generated more power to both legs on uphill slopes in comparison with nonamputees, which may have implications for fatigue or overuse injuries. The amputated leg knee extensors delivered less power to the trunk on downhill slopes (effect size (ES) ≥ 1.35, p ≤ 0.02), which may be due to muscle weakness or socket instability. The power delivered to the trunk from the powered and passive prostheses was not significantly different (p > 0.05), However, using the powered prosthesis on uphill slopes reduced the contributions from the amputated leg hamstrings in all segments (ES ≥ 0.46, p ≤ 0.003), suggesting that added ankle power reduces the need for the hamstrings to compensate for lost ankle muscle function. Neither prosthesis replaced gastrocnemius function to absorb power from the trunk and deliver it to the leg on all slopes.
The Effect of the Helical Inlet Port Design and the Shrouded Inlet Valve Condition on Swirl Generation in Diesel Engine
Authors: Abo-Elfadl Saleh , Abd El-Sabor Mohamed A.
Published: October 2017

Inlet port design has a great influence on swirl generation inside the engine cylinder. In this paper, two helical inlet ports having the same helix design were suggested. The first has an upper entrance, and the second has a side entrance. With the two ports, shrouded inlet valves having different conditions of shroud and orientation angles were used. Four shroud angles were used; they are 90 deg, 120 deg, 150 deg, and 180 deg. Also, four orientation angles were used; they are 0 deg, 30 deg, 60 deg, and 90 deg. Three-dimensional simulation model using the shear stress transport k–ω model was used for predicting the air flow characteristics through the inlet port and the engine cylinder in both intake and compression strokes. The results showed that the side entrance port produces swirl ratio higher than that of the upper entrance port by about 3.5%, while the volumetric efficiency is approximately the same for both ports. For both the ports, increasing the valve shroud angle increases the swirl ratio and reduces the volumetric efficiency. The maximum increments of swirl ratio relative to the ordinary valve case occur at valve conditions of 30–150 deg, 0–180 deg, and 30–180 deg. At these valve conditions, the swirl ratio values are 6.38, 6.72, and 6.95 at intake valve close (IVC) with percentage increments of 69.2%, 78.2%, and 84.4%, respectively. The corresponding values of the volumetric efficiency are 93.6, 92.5, and 91.2, respectively, with percentage decrements of 2.84%, 4%, and 5.7%, respectively.
Separation of Entrained Air Bubbles From Oil in the Intake Socket of a Pump Using Oleophilic and Oleophobic Woven and Nonwoven Fabrics
Authors: Bach David , Harmening Jan Hauke , Höfer Matthias , Masselter Tom , Speck Thomas
Published: October 2017

Entrained air in oil can cause malfunctions and damages within hydraulic systems. In this paper, we extend existing approaches to reduce the amount of entrained air by separating air bubbles from oil using filter elements. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of different untreated and surface modified woven and nonwoven fabrics (NWF) to separate air bubbles from oil when directly integrated into an intake socket of an oil pump. An experimental setup was constructed to generate entrained air in oil and to characterize changes in oil aeration and pressure drop induced by the filters. Measurements were conducted at volume flow rates of 2.2 and 5.4 l/min with an inflow angle normal to the filter elements. The developed setup and aeration measurement method proved to be suitable to generate entrained air in oil in a reproducible manner and to accurately characterize aerated oil up to air contents of about 5%. Significant influences on the aeration characteristics were found only for the NWF. Whereas the number of air bubbles decreased by up to 33% relative to the values in the oil reservoir for a flow rate of 2.2 l/min, a significant reduction of the volumetric air ratio could not be achieved as resulting bubble distributions comprised a higher number of large bubbles. We suggest that the lack of effective bubble separation was a result of the flow-induced pressure drop by the filters, which increased with the flow rate.
An Agent-Based Discrete Collagen Fiber Network Model of Dynamic Traction Force-Induced Remodeling
Authors: Reinhardt James W. , Gooch Keith J.
Published: October 2017

Microstructural properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) promote cell and tissue homeostasis as well as contribute to the formation and progression of disease. In order to understand how microstructural properties influence the mechanical properties and traction force-induced remodeling of ECM, we developed an agent-based model that incorporates repetitively applied traction force within a discrete fiber network. An important difference between our model and similar finite element models is that by implementing more biologically realistic dynamic traction, we can explore a greater range of matrix remodeling. Here, we validated our model by reproducing qualitative trends observed in three sets of experimental data reported by others: tensile and shear testing of cell-free collagen gels, collagen remodeling around a single isolated cell, and collagen remodeling between pairs of cells. In response to tensile and shear strain, simulated acellular networks with straight fibrils exhibited biphasic stress–strain curves indicative of strain-stiffening. When fibril curvature was introduced, stress–strain curves shifted to the right, delaying the onset of strain-stiffening. Our data support the notion that strain-stiffening might occur as individual fibrils successively align along the axis of strain and become engaged in tension. In simulations with a single, contractile cell, peak collagen displacement occurred closest to the cell and decreased with increasing distance. In simulations with two cells, compaction of collagen between cells appeared inversely related to the initial distance between cells. These results for cell-populated collagen networks match in vitro findings. A demonstrable benefit of modeling is that it allows for further analysis not feasible with experimentation. Within two-cell simulations, strain energy within the collagen network measured from the final state was relatively uniform around the outer surface of cells separated by 250 μm, but became increasingly nonuniform as the distance between cells decreased. For cells separated by 75 and 100 μm, strain energy peaked in the direction toward the other cell in the region in which fibrils become highly aligned and reached a minimum adjacent to this region, not on the opposite side of the cell as might be expected. This pattern of strain energy was partly attributable to the pattern of collagen compaction, but was still present when mapping strain energy divided by collagen density. Findings like these are of interest because fibril alignment, density, and strain energy may each contribute to contact guidance during tissue morphogenesis.
Design and Fabrication of a Three-Dimensional Multi-Electrode Array for Neuron Electrophysiology
Authors: Zuo Lei , Yu Shifeng , Briggs Clark A. , Kantor Stanislaw , Pan Jeffery Y.
Published: October 2017

Neural recording and stimulation with high spatial and temporal resolution are highly desirable in the study of neurocommunication and diseases. Planar multiple microelectrode arrays (MEA) or quasi-three-dimensional (3D) MEA with fixed height have been proposed by many researchers and become commercially available. In this paper, we present the design, fabrication, and test of a novel true 3D multiple electrode array for brain slice stimulation and recording. This MEA is composed of 105 microelectrodes with 50 μm diameter and 125 μm center-to-center spacing integrated in a 1.2 × 1.2 mm2 area. This “true” 3D MEA allows us to precisely position the individual electrodes by piezoelectric-based actuators to penetrate the inactive tissue layer and to approach the active neurons so as to optimize the recording and stimulation of electrical field potential. The capability to stimulate nerve fibers and record postsynaptic field potentials was demonstrated in an experiment using mouse brain hippocampus slice.
New Active Online Balancing Method for Grinding Wheel Using Liquid Injection and Free Dripping
Authors: Zhang Xining , Liu Xu , Zhao Huan
Published: October 2017

Grinding is a vital method in machining techniques and an effective way to process materials such as hardened steels and silicon wafers. However, as the running time increases, the unbalance of grinding wheels produce a severe vibration and noise of grinding machines because of the uneven shedding of abrasive particles and the uneven adsorption of coolant, which has a severe and direct impact on the accuracy and quality of parts. Online balancing is an important and necessary technique to reduce the unbalance causing by these factors and adjust the time-varying balance condition of the grinding wheel. A new active online balancing method using liquid injection and free dripping is proposed in this paper. The proposed online balancing method possesses a continuous balancing ability and the problem of losing balancing ability for the active online balancing method using liquid injection is solved effectively because some chambers are full of liquid. The residual liquid contained in the balancing chambers is utilized as a compensation mass for reducing rotor unbalance, where the rotor phase is proposed herein as a target for determining the machine unbalance. A new balancing device with a controllable injection and free dripping structure is successfully designed. The relationship between the mass of liquid in the balancing chamber and the centrifugal force produced by liquid is identified. The performance of the proposed method is verified by the balancing experiments and the results of these experiments show that the vibration of unbalance response is reduced by 87.3% at 2700 r/min.