bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of innovation protection mechanisms in Malaysian high-tech sector
Authors: Naqshbandi M.Muzamil , Kaur Sharan
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate the effectiveness of innovation protection mechanisms in four high-tech industries in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

– A questionnaire survey is administered to 339 managers working in four Malaysian high-tech industries.

Findings

– The authors find that in most industries, patents are considered as the most effective innovation protection mechanism, while lead time is considered as least effective. In firms with private and foreign ownerships, patents and in firms categorized as “others” “moving quickly down the learning curve” are considered as the most effective protection mechanisms. It also emerges that “being first to market (lead time)” is considered as the least effective protection mechanism under all ownership structures. Further, young and middle-aged firms report patents, while old firms report secrecy as the most effective innovation protection mechanisms.

Research limitations/implications

– This paper restricted analysis to the high-tech sector in Malaysia, and thus, the findings are not generalizable to other industries. Second, this paper took into consideration only four innovation protection mechanisms. The authors suggest that future research should investigate the issue at hand in other industries and consider other innovation protection mechanisms to have a holistic view of how Malaysian firms view different innovation protection mechanisms.

Practical implications

– In addition to providing inputs for policy-making, the results of this paper are expected to help practitioners in deciding on the right kind of innovation protection mechanisms for their innovations based on their industry, ownership structure and firm age.

Originality/value

– This paper is the first of its kind conducted in the Malaysian high-tech sector and as such is expected to help policy-makers to design and implement effectively innovation protection policies.
Low-cost closed-loop control of a 3D printer gantry
Authors: Weiss Benjamin , Storti Duane W. , Ganter Mark A.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the improvements in speed and precision achievable using straightforward closed-loop control for the gantry motion in additive manufacturing machines. The authors designed and built an economically viable demonstration system to quantify the performance improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

– The authors develop and evaluate a low-cost closed-loop controller for the X and Y axes of an entry-level three-dimensional (3D) printer. The system developed captures and compensates for the dynamics of the motor and the belt-driven stage and detects mechanical errors, such as skipped motor steps.

Findings

– The system produces path-following precision improvements of 40 and 75 per cent for two different sample trajectories. Correcting for skipped steps increases reliability and allows for more aggressive tuning of motion parameters; time savings of up to 25 per cent are seen by doubling acceleration rate.

Research limitations/implications

– The system presented provides an appropriate platform for further investigation into more complex, application-specific controllers and inclusion of more details of the printer dynamics that could produce still greater improvements in speed and accuracy.

Practical implications

– The performance, low cost (40 USD/axis) and applicability to the majority of sub-2000USD 3D printer designs make this work of practical significance.

Originality/value

– The CNC machining industry has for many years used similar approaches, but application to 3D printers has not been explored in the literature. This paper demonstrates the value of even a simple controller applicable to almost any 3D printer, while maintaining cost-effectiveness of the solution in a competitive market.
Multi-disciplinary approach in engineering education: learning with additive manufacturing and reverse engineering
Authors: Gatto Andrea , Bassoli Elena , Denti Lucia , Iuliano Luca , Minetola Paolo
Published: August 2015

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to report an interdisciplinary, cooperative-learning project in a second-year course within the “Enzo Ferrari” Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. The work aims to raise awareness of the educational impact of additive manufacturing and reverse engineering.

Design/methodology/approach

– Students are asked to develop, concurrently, the design and the manufacturing solution for an eye-tracker head mount. A digital head model is reverse engineered from an anatomical mannequin and used as an ergonomic mock-up. The project includes prototype testing and cost analysis. The device is produced using additive manufacturing techniques for hands-on evaluation by the students.

Findings

– Results of the presented case study substantiate the authors’ belief in the tremendous potential of interdisciplinary project-based learning, relying on innovative technologies to encourage collaboration, motivation and dynamism.

Originality/value

– The paper confirms a spreading conviction that the soon-to-be engineers will need new practice-oriented capabilities to cope with new competitive scenarios. Engineering education must adapt to the social, rather than industrial, revolution that is being brought about by additive fabrication.
Geological connectivity drives microbial community structure and connectivity in polar, terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Ferrari Belinda C. , Bissett Andrew , Snape Ian , van Dorst Josie , Palmer Anne S. , Ji Mukan , Siciliano Steven D. , Stark Jonathon S. , Winsley Tristrom , Brown Mark V.
Published: August 2015

Landscape heterogeneity impacts community assembly in animals and plants, but it is not clear if this ecological concept extends to microbes. To examine this question, we chose to investigate polar soil environments from the Antarctic and Arctic, where microbes often form the major component of biomass. We examined soil environments that ranged in connectivity from relatively well‐connected slopes to patchy, fragmented landforms that comprised isolated frost boils. We found landscape connectedness to have a significant correlation with microbial community structure and connectivity, as measured by co‐occurrence networks. Soils from within fragmented landforms appeared to exhibit less local environmental heterogeneity, harboured more similar communities, but fewer biological associations than connected landforms. This effect was observed at both poles, despite the geographical distances and ecological differences between them. We suggest that microbial communities inhabiting well‐connected landscape elements respond consistently to regional‐scale gradients in biotic and edaphic factors. Conversely, the repeated freeze thaw cycles that characterize fragmented landscapes create barriers within the landscape and act to homogenize the soil environment within individual frost boils and consequently the microbial communities. We propose that lower microbial connectivity in the fragmented landforms is a function of smaller patch size and continual disturbances following soil mixing.
Closing the gaps on the viral photosystem‐I psaDCAB gene organization
Authors: Roitman Sheila , Flores‐Uribe José , Philosof Alon , Knowles Ben , Rohwer Forest , Ignacio‐Espinoza J. Cesar , Sullivan Matthew B. , Cornejo‐Castillo Francisco M. , Sánchez Pablo , Acinas Silvia G. , Dupont Chris L. , Béjà Oded
Published: August 2015

Marine photosynthesis is largely driven by cyanobacteria, namely Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus. Genes encoding for photosystem (PS) I and II reaction centre proteins are found in cyanophages and are believed to increase their fitness. Two viral PSI gene arrangements are known, psaJF→C→A→B→K→E→D and psaD→C→A→B. The shared genes between these gene cassettes and their encoded proteins are distinguished by %G + C and protein sequence respectively. The data on the psaD→C→A→B gene organization were reported from only two partial gene cassettes coming from Global Ocean Sampling stations in the Pacific and Indian oceans. Now we have extended our search to 370 marine stations from six metagenomic projects. Genes corresponding to both PSI gene arrangements were detected in the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, confined to a strip along the equator (30°N and 30°S). In addition, we found that the predicted structure of the viral PsaA protein from the psaD→C→A→B organization contains a lumenal loop conserved in PsaA proteins from Synechococcus, but is completely absent in viral PsaA proteins from the psaJF→C→A→B→K→E→D gene organization and most Prochlorococcus strains. This may indicate a co‐evolutionary scenario where cyanophages containing either of these gene organizations infect cyanobacterial ecotypes biogeographically restricted to the 30°N and 30°S equatorial strip.
Changes in the texture, physicochemical properties and volatile compound profiles of fresh Kashar cheese (<90 days) during ripening
Authors: Eroglu Ali , Toker Omer Said , Dogan Mahmut
Published: August 2015

In this study, four different fresh Kashar cheese samples were ripened for 90 days. The physicochemical properties, texture attributes, fatty acid composition and volatile compound profiles of the samples were measured every 30 days of ripening. The texture properties of the cheese samples were significantly affected by the duration of the ripening period. The results of this study highlighted that texture parameters as a function of ripening period should be considered for both fresh and aged Kashar cheeses to determine the ripening period as they are very important for consumer acceptability and consumption of the end product.
Effects of Different End‐Point Cooking Temperatures on the Efficiency of Encapsulated Phosphates on Lipid Oxidation Inhibition in Ground Meat
Authors: Kılıç B. , Şimşek A. , Claus J.R. , Atılgan E. , Aktaş N.
Published: August 2015

Effects of 0.5% encapsulated (e) phosphates (sodium tripolyphosphate, STP; sodium hexametaphosphate, HMP; sodium pyrophosphate, SPP) on lipid oxidation during storage (0, 1, and 7 d) of ground meat (chicken, beef) after being cooked to 3 end‐point cooking temperatures (EPCT; 71, 74, and 77 °C) were evaluated. The use of STP or eSTP resulted in lower (P < 0.05) cooking loss (CL) compared to encapsulated or unencapsulated forms of HMP and SPP. Increasing EPCT led to a significant increase in CL (P < 0.05). Both STP and eSTP increased pH, whereas SPP and eSPP decreased pH (P < 0.05). The higher orthophosphate (OP) was obtained with STP or SPP compared to their encapsulated counterparts (P < 0.05). The lowest OP was determined in samples with HMP or eHMP (P < 0.05). A 77 °C EPCT resulted in lower OP in chicken compared to 74 and 71 °C (P < 0.05), dissimilar to beef, where EPCT did not affect OP. In encapsulated or unencapsulated form, using STP and SPP enhanced reduction in TBARS and lipid hydroperoxides (LPO) compared with HMP (P < 0.05). Regardless of the phosphate type, more effective lipid oxidation inhibition was achieved by the use of encapsulated forms (P < 0.05). Increasing EPCT resulted in lower TBARS in beef and higher LPO values in both beef and chicken samples (P < 0.05). Findings suggest that encapsulated phosphates can be a strategy to inhibit lipid oxidation for meat industry and the efficiency of encapsulated phosphates on lipid oxidation inhibition can be enhanced by lowering EPCT.
Variations in inflammatory genes as molecular markers for prediction of inflammatory bowel disease occurrence
Authors: Stankovic Biljana , Dragasevic Sanja , Popovic Dragan , Zukic Branka , Kotur Nikola , Sokic‐Milutinovic Aleksandra , Alempijevic Tamara , Lukic Snezana , Milosavljevic Tomica , Nikcevic Gordana , Pavlovic Sonja
Published: August 2015

Objective

Research on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has highlighted genes involved in the regulation of inflammatory responses as contributors to disease pathogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between IBD and variations in NOD2, TLR4, TNF‐α, IL‐6, IL‐1β and IL‐1RN genes, and to use the genetic data obtained in predictive modeling.

Methods

A total of 167 IBD patients and 101 healthy controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. Using the genotype data attained as the input to various classification algorithms, IBD prediction models were designed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to measure their performance.

Results

Significant associations were found between Crohn's disease (CD) and minor NOD2 variants, as well as TLR4 299Gly, TNF‐α G‐308A, IL‐6 G‐174C and IL‐1RN VNTR A2 variants, while ulcerative colitis (UC) was associated only with IL‐1RN VNTR A2 variants. CD and UC showed highly significant difference in the allelic distribution of TNF‐α G‐308A, where the A allele was found to be related to CD, and the G allele to UC. A combined effect of patients' gender and TLR4 variants was observed among CD patients. When all analyzed genotype and gender data were used, prediction performance achieved a maximum AUROC of 0.690 for CD and 0.601 for UC dataset.

Conclusion

Variations in the genes involved in immune regulation are genetic factors of importance in IBD susceptibility that could potentially be used as predictors of disease development.
Biomolecular Preservation of Miocene Fossil Liquidambar from Tiantai, China and Clarkia, USA: Implications for Palaeoenvironmental Study
Authors: Liang XIAO , Hong YANG , Yuli HE , Wenlong HE , Xiangchuan LI , Junfeng GUO , Kaixuan HUI
Published: August 2015

Biomolecular characteristics of fossil Liquidambar from the Miocene Shengxian Formation, Tiantai, Zhejiang province in eastern China and Miocene Clarkia sediment, Idaho, U.S.A., are obtained by means of Pyrolysis‐Gas chromatography‐Mass spectrometry analysis (Py‐GC‐MS). Their modern equivalent (Liquidambar formosana) collected from Nanjing, eastern China, is also analyzed for comparison. The total ion chromatograms (TIC) of modern L. formosana leaves shows abundant pyrolysates of lignin, polysaccharide, aliphatic acid, and amino acid. However, only one polysaccharide molecule, i.e., levoglucosan, is retained in fossil Liquidambar leaves from the two Miocene sites with the Tiantai specimen possessing higher intensity. As expected, some lignin pyrolysates including benzene, phenol, guaiacol, vinylphenol and their derivatives, are detected in Miocene Tiantai L. miosinica. However, the lignin components with large molecular weight other than benzene and phenol compounds, are absent in Miocene Clarkia L. pachyphyllum. Abundant pristene and homologous series of n‐alk‐1‐ene/n‐alkane pairs with a long retention time are shown in pyrograms of both Tiantai and Clarkia fossils. Based upon our Py‐GC‐MS data, the molecular preservation in these Liquidambar leaf samples can be ranked as the following (from high to low quality respectively): modern sample >Tiantai sample >Clarkia sample. Vinyl phenol, an important compound, is present in modern and Tiantai Liquidambar leaves, while absent in Clarkia sample, implying that vinyl phenol may be sourced from lignin for Liquidambar leaves. Our data support the hypothesis of in situ polymerization for the origin of long‐chain homologous series of n‐alk‐1‐ene/n‐alkane pairs as leaf alteration products. Our data have implications of the impact of leaf degradation toward biases for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction using stable carbon isotope of fossil plants, and suggest the importance of evaluating molecular preservation of fossil leaf tissues prior to the application of carbon isotope compositions of fossil leaves.
Neogene Paleoseismic Events and the Shanwang Biota's Burial in the Linqu Area, Shandong Province, China
Authors: Hongshui TIAN , VAN LOON A. J. (Tom) , Zengqi ZHANG , Shenhe ZHANG , Banghua ZHANG , Mingying LÜ , Fuchang LI , Xuemin MA
Published: August 2015

Several paleoseismic events are recorded in the Neogene Linqu Group, exposed in the Linqu area, Shandong Province, China. The events were interpreted on the basis of fieldwork and laboratory analysis, which showed the presence of seismites with plastically deformed soft‐sediment deformation structures in the Shanwang Formation, and of seismic volcanic rocks in the Yaoshan Formation which show brittle deformation. The earthquake‐triggered soft‐sediment deformations in the seismites include load structures, ball‐and‐pillow structures, flame structures, pillow‐like beds, boudinage structures, slump folds, syn‐depositional faults, veins of liquefied sand, and dikes of liquefied sandy lime‐mud. The seismic activity is also reflected in what might be called ‘brittle seismites’; these originated when, under the influence of seismic vibrations, semi‐consolidated conglomerate was shattered. Moreover, volcanic activity is related to intense earthquakes that affected basalts intercalated with sand layers; these successions are known as ‘seismic volcanic rocks’, which are characterized by veins of liquefied sand intruding the basalts. All above traces of paleoseismic activity were left from one single time span of 4 Ma with active seismicity that took place 14–10 Ma. This time span is known as ‘the Linqu Neogene Paleoseismic Active Period’, which is divided into four paleoseismic episodes, which were responses to tectonic extension and basin rifting in this area. It even includes the activity of the Yishu Fault Zone during the Miocene and the Neogene. The ratios of trace elements in the seismites, w(La)/w(Sc) and w (La)/w(Th) are higher than the average value of the upper crust, but w(Th)/w(Sc) is lower; this is geochemical evidence for the basin rifting that resulted in a high sedimentation rate. The intense and frequent paleo‐earthquakes are held responsible for the rapid burial of the Shanwang Biota. Secondary earthquake‐induced processes (e.g. slumping of a lake shore and the strongly increased lacustrine sedimentation rate) contributed to the rapid burial of the biota.
Paleozoic Tectono‐Metallogeny in the Tianshan‐Altay Region, Central Asia
Authors: Tianfeng WAN , Qingle ZHAO , Qianqian WANG
Published: August 2015

The research on Paleozoic tectonics and endogenic metallogeny in the Tianshan‐Altay region of Central Asia is an important and significant project. The Altay region, as a collision zone of the Early Paleozoic (500–397 Ma), and the Tianshan region, as a collision zone of the early period in the Late Paleozoic (Late Devonian‐Early Carboniferous, 385–323 Ma), are all the result of nearly N‐S trending shortening and collision (according to recent magnetic orientation). In the Late Devonian‐Early Carboniferous period (385–323 Ma), regional NW trending faults displayed features of dextral strike‐slip motion in the Altay and Junggar regions. In the Tianshan region, nearly EW‐trending regional faults are motions of the thrusts. However, in the Late Carboniferous‐Early Permian period (323–260 Ma), influenced by the long‐distance effect induced from the Ural collision zone, those areas suffered weaker eastward compression, the existing NW trending faults converted into sinistral strike‐slip in the Altay and Junggar regions, and the existing nearly E‐W trending faults transferred into dextral strike‐slip faults in the Tianshan region. The Rocks of those regions in the Late Carboniferous‐Early Permian period (323–260 Ma) were moderately ruptured to a certain tension‐shear, and thus formed a number of world famous giant endogenic metal ore deposits in the Tianshan‐Altay region. As to the Central Asian continent, the most powerful collision period may not coincide with the most favorable endogenic metallogenic period. It should be treated to “the orogenic metallogeny hypothesis” with caution in that region.
Deformation Localization‐A Review on the Maximum‐ Effective‐Moment (MEM) Criterion
Authors: Yadong ZHENG , Qing ZHANG , Quanlin HOU
Published: August 2015

The essential difference in the formation of conjugate shear zones in brittle and ductile deformation is that the intersection angle between brittle conjugate faults in the contractional quadrants is acute (usually ∼60°) whereas the angle between conjugate ductile shear zones is obtuse (usually 110°). The Mohr‐Coulomb failure criterion, an experimentally validated empirical relationship, is commonly applied for interpreting the stress directions based on the orientation of the brittle shear fractures. However, the Mohr‐Coulomb failure criterion fails to explain the formation of the low‐angle normal fault, high‐angle reverse fault, and the conjugate strike‐slip fault with an obtuse angle in the σ1 direction. Although it is ten years since the Maximum‐Effective‐Moment (MEM) criterion was first proposed, and increasingly solid evidence in support of it has been obtained from both observed examples in nature and laboratory experiments, it is not yet a commonly accepted model to use to interpret these anti‐Mohr‐Coulomb features that are widely observed in the natural world. The deformational behavior of rock depends on its intrinsic mechanical properties and external factors such as applied stresses, strain rates, and temperature conditions related to crustal depths. The occurrence of conjugate shear features with obtuse angles of ∼110° in the contractional direction on different scales and at different crustal levels are consistent with the prediction of the MEM criterion, therefore ∼110° is a reliable indicator for deformation localization that occurred at medium‐low strain rates at any crustal levels. Since the strain‐rate is variable through time in nature, brittle, ductile, and plastic features may appear within the same rock.
Facies Analysis and Sequence Stratigraphy of Silurian Carbonate Ramps in the Turan (Kopeh‐Dagh) and Central Iran Plates with Emphasis on Gondwana Tectonic Event
Authors: NOWROUZI Zohreh , MAHBOUBI Asadollah , MOUSSAVI‐HARAMI Reza , MAHMUDY GHARAIE Mohammad Hossein , GHAEMI Farzin
Published: August 2015

Two sections from the Silurian deposits in the Central Iran Micro and Turan Plates were measured and sampled. These deposits are mostly composed of submarine volcanic rocks, skeletal and non‐skeletal limestone, shale and sandstone that were deposited in low to high energy conditions (from tidal flat to deep open marine). According to gradual deepening trend, wide lateral distribution of facies as well as absence of resedimentation deposits, a depositional model of a homoclinal ramp was proposed for these deposits. Field observations and facies distribution indicate that, two depositional sequences were recognized in both sections. These sections show similarities in facies and depositional sequence during the Early Silurian in the area. Although there are some opinions and evidences that demonstrated Paleo‐Tethys rifting phase started at the Late Ordovician‐Early Silurian, similarities suggest that the Turan and Iran Plates were not completely detached tectonic block during this time, and that their depositional conditions were affected by global sea level changes and tectonic events.
Early Cretaceous Paleoclimate Characteristics of China: Clues from Continental Climate‐indicative Sediments
Authors: Fang XIANG , Deyan ZHANG , Kang CHEN , Qin FENG
Published: August 2015

The Cretaceous was one of the most remarkable ‘greenhouse’ climate periods in geological history. Most of the reported studies of the Cretaceous paleoclimate are based upon marine sedimentary records. Large spatial scale paleoclimatic reconstruction, which has a higher time resolution based upon continental sediments in China, is rarely found. This study presents paleoclimate reconstruction for the six time periods of the Early Cretaceous in China by employing continental climate‐indicative sediments, including calcareous deposits, coal, oil shale, gypsum, halite, desert sedimentary systems, ferruginous deposits and laterite, copper‐bearing deposits, limestone and dolomite. Based on the distribution of the association of climate‐indicative sediments and the influences of paleotopography and orogenic belts (or important structural belts) on climate, seven climatic zones have been identified: 1) a warm and humid zone; 2) a warm and humid‐warm and arid zone; 3) a warm and arid zone; 4) an arid and hot zone; 5) the Tibet hot and humid zone; 6) a hot and arid‐semiarid zone; and 7) a hot and humid‐hot and arid one. It is found that the Early Cretaceous climatic zones of China were nearly latitudinally distributed from northwest to southeast. The arid‐hot climatic zone expanded in the Aptian, suggesting that a hotter and drier climate prevailed in later period of the Early Cretaceous. Conversely, the humid climatic zone expanded in the Albian, indicating that a wetter climate appeared at the end of the Early Cretaceous. The overall distribution pattern of the seven climatic zones indicates that a hot‐warm and arid climate was predominant in China; this coincides with a global ‘greenhouse climate’ background. However, palaeogeographic features and specific geologic events, such as the existence and disappearance of the eastern high plateau, and the uplift and denudation of Yinshan, Yanshan, Tianshan, Qinling and Dabie Mountains, led to distinctive regional climatic features of the Cretaceous in China.
A Preliminary Review of the Metallogenic Regularity of Nickel Deposits in China
Authors: Tao SUN , Denghong WANG , Zhuangzhi QIAN , Yong FU , Zhenghui CHEN , Debo LOU
Published: August 2015

The nickel deposits mainly distributed in 19 provinces and autonomous regions in China are 339 ore deposits/occurrences, including 4 super large‐scale deposits, 14 large‐scale deposits, 26 middle‐scale deposits, 75 small‐scale deposits, and 220 mineralized occurrences. The prediction types of mineral resources of nickel deposits are magmatic type, marine sedimentary type and regolith type. The formation age is from the Neoarchean to the Cenozoic with two peaks in the Neoproterozoic and the late Paleozoic. The nickel deposits formed in the Neoproterozoic are located on the margin of the North China Block and Yangtze Block, and those formed in the late Paleozoic are mainly distributed in the Central Asian Orogenic Belt (CAOB), Emeishan and the Tarim Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs). Magmatic nickel deposits are mainly related with broken‐up continental margin, post‐collision extension of the orogenic belt and mantle plume. According to different tectonic backgrounds and main characteristics of magmatism, the Ni‐Cu‐Co‐PGE metallogenic series types of ore deposits related with mantle‐derived mafic‐ultramafic rocks can be divided into 4 subtypes: (1) the Ni‐Cu‐Co‐PGE metallogenic series subtype of ore deposits related with mantle‐derived mafic‐ultramafic rocks in the broken‐up continental margin, (2) the Ni‐Cu‐Co‐PGE metallogenic series subtype of ore deposits related with mantle‐derived mafic‐ultramafic rocks in mantle plume magmatism, (3) the Ni‐Cu‐Co‐PGE metallogenic series subtype of ore deposits related with mantle‐derived mafic‐ultramafic rocks in the subduction of the orogenic belt, and (4) the Ni‐Cu‐Co‐PGE metallogenic series subtype of ore deposits related with mantle‐derived mafic‐ultramafic rocks in post‐collision extension of the orogenic belt. We have discussed in this paper the typical characteristics and metallogenic models for Neoproterozoic Ni‐Cu‐(PGE) deposits related with broken‐up continental margin, Cambrian marine sedimentary Ni‐Mo‐V deposits related with black shale, early Permian Ni‐Cu deposits related with post‐collision extension of the orogenic belt, late Permian Ni‐Cu‐(PGE) deposits related with Large Igneous Provinces (LIPs), and Cenozoic Ni‐Au deposits related with regolith. The broken‐up continental margin, mantle plume and post‐collision extension of the orogenic belt are important ore‐forming geological backgrounds, and the discordogenic fault, mafic‐ultramafic intrusion, high MgO primitive magma (high‐MgO basaltic magma), deep magmatism, sulfur saturation and sulfide segregation are 6 important geological conditions for the magmatic nickel deposits.
Review of Research on Early Cambrian Phosphatized Quadrapyrgites
Authors: Tiequan SHAO , Qi WANG , Yunhuan LIU , Yanan ZHANG , Hewei LI , Bo HU , Chuang LI , Zhiguo DONG , Hongtao ZHANG
Published: August 2015

The metazoan Quadrapyrgites consists, from proximal to distal ends, of an oral area, a cone, a collar, and an apex from the Early Cambrian Fortunian Stage in Xixiang Zhangjiagou section, southern Shaanxi Province, South China. Three morphological types of the apex, the most characteristic feature of the taxon, are identified from hundreds of Quadrapyrgites specimens. The Quadrapyrgites growth zone is situated at the oral end, where 12 terminal lobes are generated, uplifted, enlarged, and evaginated to form a crest; A one‐by‐one of crest number from 2 to 13 has been recognized. The unique growth pattern and ontogenetic sequence refute a cubozoan or cycloneuralian affinity for Olivooides and Quadrapyrgites, and instead defend a coronate scyphozoan hypothesis. An embryonic development and ontogenetic sequence with embryo and crest is constructed.
Pretreatment neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio is not a significant prognostic factor in epidermal growth factor receptor‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors
Authors: Sim Sung Hoon , Beom Seung‐Hoon , Ahn Yong‐Oon , Keam Bhumsuk , Kim Tae Min , Lee Se‐Hoon , Kim Dong‐Wan , Heo Dae Seog
Published: August 2015

Background

The neutrophil‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a marker of poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. However, previous data have been based on an heterogeneous population of lung cancer patients and various treatments. In this study, we evaluate the prognostic value of NLR in an homogeneous population of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods

We restrospectively evaluated the data of 250 NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations. All data are based on first‐line treatment.

Results

All tumors harbored in‐frame deletions in exon 19 or an L858R point mutation. Eighty‐five patients were treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), while 165 received cytotoxic chemotherapy as first‐line treatment. Multivariate survival analysis revealed that the NLR was a significant prognostic factor for first‐line progression‐free survival (PFS) in the chemotherapy group (hazard ratio [HR] 1.882, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.319–2.686, P = 0.001), but was not significant in the TKI group (HR 1.239, 95% CI 0.693–2.215, P = 0.469). The response rate (RR) to first‐line treatment was 76.5% in the TKI group and 29.5% in the chemotherapy group; however, the RR, according to the NLR (≤3 vs. > 3), was the same for both groups.

Conclusions

The NLR was a significant prognostic factor in the chemotherapy group, but it did not affect either RR or PFS in EGFR‐mutant NSCLC patients treated with TKIs.
A validation of the pain interference index in adults with long‐standing pain
Authors: Kemani M. K. , Zetterqvist V. , Kanstrup M. , Holmström L. , Wicksell R. K.
Published: August 2015

Background

Chronic pain is a major health problem and more knowledge is needed regarding the interference of pain on behaviors in different life domains. Clinically useful and statistically sound pain interference measures are highly important. Studies on youths have shown that the Pain Interference Index (PII) is a reliable and valid instrument that is sensitive to change following behavioral treatment. This measure may also have utility for adults, but no study has so far evaluated the statistical properties of the PII for long‐standing pain in adults.

Methods

Data were collected from 239 consecutive adults with non‐specific chronic pain referred to a tertiary pain clinic. We investigated the factor structure of items using a principal component analysis. Cronbach's alpha was calculated to assess internal consistency. The questionnaire's ability to predict levels of, e.g., disability was analyzed by means of regression analyses.

Results

Analyses illustrated the adequacy of a one‐factor solution with six items. Cronbach's alpha (0.85) suggested a satisfactory internal consistency among items. The PII explained significant amounts of variance in pain disability, physical, and mental health‐related quality of life and depression, suggesting concurrent criteria validity.

Conclusion

The PII is a brief questionnaire with reliable and valid statistical properties to assess pain interference in adults. Other studies support the reliability and validity of PII for use with youths, and now the PII can be used to analyze the influence of pain on behaviors across age groups. Potentially, the PII can also be used as an outcome measure in clinical trials.
Marked struvite crystalluria and its association with lower urinary tract signs in a cat with feline idiopathic cystitis
Authors: Bell ET , Lulich JP
Published: August 2015

Case report

We describe a case of a large amount of mineralised material, presumed to be struvite crystals, within the urinary bladder of a cat with feline idiopathic cystitis. The presence of this material coincided with episodes of lower urinary tract signs in this cat over a 2‐year period.

Clinical significance

Although struvite crystalluria is widely considered to be clinically insignificant, this generalisation may not be true for all cats with lower urinary tract disease. Imaging of the urinary tract is recommended in all cats with lower urinary tract signs.
Adrenal insufficiency secondary to lymphocytic panhypophysitis in a cat
Authors: Rudinsky AJ , Clark ES , Russell DS , Gilor C
Published: August 2015

Case report

A 13‐year‐old male castrated Domestic Shorthair cat was presented for investigation of lethargy, vomiting, polydipsia and polyuria. Glucocorticoid‐deficient hypoadrenocorticism was suspected based on hypocholesterolaemia, hypoglycaemia and lack of a stress leucogram, and confirmed with an ACTH stimulation test. Pituitary disease was suspected based on the clinical signs and the combination of hyposthenuria and hypernatraemia. Necropsy revealed bilaterally symmetric adrenocortical atrophy and the changes in the pituitary gland were suggestive of a T‐cell‐rich immune‐mediated panhypophysitis.

Clinical significance

Secondary adrenal insufficiency and panhypophysitis have not been previously reported in the cat. This report should raise awareness of this rare but potentially treatable disease process.
Awareness, knowledge and views of off‐label prescribing in children: a systematic review
Authors: Balan S. , Hassali M. A. , Mak V. S. L.
Published: August 2015

Aim

The aim of this review was to provide an updated overview of awareness, knowledge and views of off‐label prescribing in children.

Method

A literature search using electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, Scopus, Science Direct, Springer Link, Proquest, Ebsco Host and Google Scholar was conducted. Additional articles were identified by reviewing the bibliography of retrieved articles. The articles were searched with any of the following medical subject headings (MeSH) terms in the title: attitude, awareness, knowledge, experience, view, off‐label, pediatric, paediatric and children. The inclusion criteria were full text articles published in English between January 2004 and February 2015 and reported outcome related to awareness, knowledge and views regarding off‐label prescribing in children. Editorials, reviews, notes, conference proceedings, letters and studies reporting prevalence of off‐label prescribing were excluded. The articles were scrutinized using thematic analysis.

Results

Eleven studies conducted among doctors, community pharmacists, paediatric nurses, parents and children met the inclusion criteria. Nine themes were developed through document analysis which included main domains such as knowledge, awareness and views on off‐label drug use in children, choice of information sources, reasons and suggestions to reduce off‐label prescribing, concern regarding obtaining consent and participation in clinical trials.

Conclusion

The studies reviewed reported that the majority of doctors and community pharmacists were familiar with the term off‐label prescribing but knowledge among parents was low. Awareness on off‐label prescribing in children remains low among all study participants. There is a mismatch between views on off‐label prescribing in children of study participants and the finding of previous studies.
Population pharmacokinetics of naloxegol in a population of 1247 healthy subjects and patients
Authors: Al‐Huniti Nidal , Chapel Sunny , Xu Hongmei , Bui Khanh H. , Sostek Mark
Published: August 2015

Aims

Naloxegol, a polyethylene glycol conjugated derivative of the opioid antagonist naloxone, is in clinical development for treatment of opioid‐induced constipation (OIC).

The aim of the study was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model describing the concentration vs. time profile of orally administered naloxegol, and determine the impact of pre‐specified demographic and clinical factors and concomitant medication on population estimates of apparent clearance (CL/F) and apparent central compartment volume of distribution (Vc/F).

Methods

Analysis included 12 844 naloxegol plasma concentrations obtained from 1247 healthy subjects, patients with non‐OIC and patients with OIC in 14 phase 1, 2b and 3 clinical studies. Pharmacokinetic analysis used the non‐linear mixed effects modelling program. Goodness of fit plots and posterior predictive checks were conducted to confirm concordance with observed data.

Results

The final model was a two compartment disposition model with dual absorptions, comprising one first order absorption (ka1 4.56 h−1) and one more complex absorption with a transit compartment (ktr 2.78 h−1). Mean (SE) parameter estimates for CL/F and Vc/F, the parameters assessed for covariate effects, were 115 (3.41) l h–1 and 160 (27.4) l, respectively. Inter‐individual variability was 48% and 51%, respectively. Phase of study, gender, race, concomitant strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors, strong CYP3A4 inducers, P‐glycoprotein inhibitors or inducers, naloxegol formulation, baseline creatinine clearance and baseline opioid dose had a significant effect on at least one pharmacokinetic parameter. Simulations indicated concomitant strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers had relevant effects on naloxegol exposure.

Conclusions

Administration of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers had a clinically relevant influence on naloxegol pharmacokinetics.
Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals maturation as a mechanism underlying glucocorticoid resistance in B lineage ALL and re‐sensitization by JNK inhibition
Authors: Nicholson Lindsay , Evans Caroline A. , Matheson Elizabeth , Minto Lynne , Keilty Christopher , Sanichar Maryna , Case Marian , Schwab Claire , Williamson Daniel , Rainer Johannes , Harrison Christine J. , Kofler Reinhard , Hall Andrew G. , Redfern Christopher P. F. , Whetton Anthony D. , Irving Julie A. E.
Published: August 2015

Glucocorticoid (GC) resistance is a continuing clinical problem in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. A proteomic approach was used to compare profiles of the B‐lineage ALL GC‐sensitive cell line, PreB 697, and its GC‐resistant sub‐line, R3F9, pre‐ and post‐dexamethasone exposure. PAX5, a transcription factor critical to B‐cell development was differentially regulated in the PreB 697 compared to the R3F9 cell line in response to GC. PAX5 basal protein expression was less in R3F9 compared to its GC‐sensitive parent and confirmed to be lower in other GC‐resistant sub‐lines of Pre B 697 and was associated with a decreased expression of the PAX5 transcriptional target, CD19. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that increasing GC‐resistance was associated with differentiation from preB‐II to an immature B‐lymphocyte stage. GC‐resistant sub‐lines were shown to have higher levels of phosphorylated JNK compared to the parent line and JNK inhibition caused re‐sensitization to GC. Exploiting this maturation may be key to overcoming GC resistance and targeting signalling pathways linked to the maturation state, such as JNK, may be a novel approach.
Tumor‐Associated Macrophages Associate with Cerebrospinal Fluid Interleukin‐10 and Survival in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL)
Authors: Sasayama Takashi , Tanaka Kazuhiro , Mizowaki Takashi , Nagashima Hiroaki , Nakamizo Satoshi , Tanaka Hirotomo , Nishihara Masamitsu , Mizukawa Katsu , Hirose Takanori , Itoh Tomoo , Kohmura Eiji
Published: August 2015

Increased tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) have been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in various tumors; however, the importance of TAMs in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) has not been clarified. In 47 patients with PCNSL who were treated with high‐dose methotrexate (MTX) and radiotherapy, the relationships between the infiltration levels of TAMs and the clinicopathological parameters were analyzed. Univariate analysis of the Cox proportional hazards model using continuous scales revealed that increased CD68 positive (+) TAMs was significantly associated with inferior progression‐free survival (PFS) (P = 0.04), and trends were observed for the increased CD163+ TAMs and having shorter PFS (P = 0.05). However, increased TAMs were not associated with overall survival. Because TAMs are known to produce various cytokines, we examined the relationships between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytokines and TAMs. CSF interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and soluble IL‐2 receptor were not correlated with the infiltration rate of TAMs; however, CSF IL‐10 level was correlated with infiltration levels of CD68 and CD163+ TAMs. We also confirmed the expression of IL‐10 in CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs by double immunostaining analysis. Our results indicate that a high level of IL‐10 in CSF may be positively associated with the infiltration level of TAMs in PCNSLs.
Characterization of human organ donors testing positive for type 1 diabetes-associated autoantibodies
Authors: Wiberg A , Granstam A , Ingvast S , Härkönen T , Knip M , Korsgren O , Skog O
Published: August 2015

In this study we aim to describe the characteristics of non-diabetic organ donors with circulating diabetes-associated autoantibodies collected within the Nordic Network for Islet Transplantation. One thousand and thirty organ donors have been screened in Uppsala for antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA) and islet antigen-2 (IA-2A). The 32 non-diabetic donors that tested positive for GADA (3·3% of all non-diabetic donors) were studied in more detail, together with 32 matched controls. Mean age among the autoantibody-positive donors was 52·6 (range 21–74), family history of type 1 diabetes (T1D) was unknown, and no donor was genetically predisposed for T1D regarding the human leucocyte antigen (HLA) locus. Subjects were analysed for islet cell antibodies (ICA), insulin autoantibodies (IAA) and zinc transporter 8 antibodies (ZnT8A), and pancreas morphology and clinical data were examined. Eight non-diabetic donors tested positive for two antibodies and one donor tested positive for four antibodies. No insulitis or other signs of a diabetic process were found in any of the donors. While inflammatory cells were present in all donors, subjects with high GADA titres had significantly higher CD45 cell numbers in exocrine tissue than controls. The extent of fibrosis was more pronounced in autoantibody-positive donors, even in subjects with lower GADA titres. Notably, it is possible that events not related directly to T1D (e.g. subclinical pancreatitis) may induce autoantibodies in some cases.
Two‐Center Prospective, Randomized, Clinical, and Radiographic Study Comparing Osteotome Sinus Floor Elevation with or without Bone Graft and Simultaneous Implant Placement
Authors: Marković Aleksa , Mišić Tijana , Calvo‐Guirado José Luís , Delgado‐Ruíz Rafael Arcesio , Janjić Bojan , Abboud Marcus
Published: August 2015

Purpose

To evaluate stability and success rate of hydrophilic nanostructured implants placed via osteotome sinus floor elevation (OSFE) without grafting material or using β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP), deproteinized bovine bone (DBB), or their combination, and also to assess three‐dimensional volumetric stability of endo‐sinus bone gained in the aforementioned conditions.

Materials and Methods

OSFE with simultaneous implant placement (10‐mm long SLActive‐BL®, Straumann, Basel, Switzerland) was performed. Grafting materials were randomly allocated to implant sites, whereas one site was left without graft. Implant stability was measured by resonance frequency analysis over 6 months. Implant success was evaluated after 2 years of loading. Volume of new endo‐sinus bone was calculated from CBCT images using 3D Slicer® software.

Results

A total of 180 implants were inserted into posterior maxilla of 45 patients with 6.59 ± 0.45 mm of residual bone height, and all remained successful after 2 years. Implant stability steadily increased during healing, without significant difference between groups (p = .658). After 2 years, endo‐sinus bone significantly shrank (p < .001) in all groups (DBB:66.34%; β‐TCP:61.44%; new bone formed from coagulum: 53.02%; β‐TCP + DBB:33.47%).

Conclusions

Endo‐sinus bone gained after OSFE inevitably and significantly shrinks regardless of whether grafting material is applied or not. Grafting material offers no significant advantage to stability nor clinical success of hydrophilic and nanostructured implants placed simultaneously with OSFE.
High‐definition optical coherence tomography – an aid to clinical practice and research in dermatology
Authors: Cao Taige , Tey Hong Liang
Published: August 2015

At present, beyond clinical assessment, the diagnosis of skin diseases is primarily made histologically. However, skin biopsies have many disadvantages, including pain, scarring, risk of infection, and sampling error. With recent advances in skin imaging technology, the clinical use of imaging methods for the practical management of skin diseases has become an option. The in vivo high‐definition optical coherence tomography (HD‐OCT) has recently been developed and commercialized (Skintell®; Agfa, Belgium). Compared with conventional OCT, it has a higher resolution; compared with reflectance confocal microscopy, it has a shorter time for image acquisition as well as a greater penetration depth and a larger field of view. HD‐OCT is promising but much work is still required to develop it from a research tool to a valuable adjunct for the noninvasive diagnosis of skin lesions. Substantial work has been done to identify HD‐OCT features in various diseases but interpretation can be time‐consuming and tedious. Projects aimed at automating these processes and improving image quality are currently under way.
Do long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acids protect from atopic dermatitis?
Authors: Reese Imke , Werfel Thomas
Published: August 2015

Long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are essential for human nutrition. The number of double bonds determines whether a given fatty acid is termed two, three, or x times unsaturated. Depending on the distance of the first double bond from the fatty acid's methyl group, one distinguishes omega‐3 fatty acids from omega‐6 fatty acids.

While the use of gamma linolenic acid, a long‐chain fatty acid of the omega‐6 family, has proven unsuccessful in the prevention or treatment of atopic dermatitis, supplementation of long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acids may represent a promising approach in the prevention of allergic disorders, especially atopic dermatitis. Whether the concept of long‐chain omega‐3 fatty acid administration will also become established in a therapeutic setting, depends on whether the beneficial effects observed so far can be substantiated in randomized controlled intervention studies.