bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sensitisation to fungi in atopic dermatitis patients over 14 years of age and the relation to the occurrence of food hypersensitivity reactions
Authors: Čelakovská J. , Bukač J. , Ettler K. , Vaneckova J. , Krcmova I. , Ettlerova K.
Published: September 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate if there is some relation between the sensitisation to fungi and the occurrence of food hypersensitivity reactions in atopic dermatitis patients aged 14 years and older. Complete dermatological and allergological examination was performed in all included patients; the occurrence of food hypersensitivity reactions was recorded and the sensitisation to mixture of fungi was examined (skin prick test, specific IgE). The statistical evaluation of the relation between the sensitisation to fungi and the occurrence of food hypersensitivity reactions was performed; 331 patients were included in the study, 110 men and 221 women, the average age was 26.8 years. The sensitisation to fungi was recorded in 100 patients (30%), the occurrence of food hypersensitivity reactions was recorded in 261 patients (79%). We confirmed that patients suffering from sensitisation to fungi suffer significantly more often from food hypersensitivity reactions to nuts (walnuts, peanuts) and sea fish; no significant relation was confirmed between the sensitisation to fungi and the occurrence of food hypersensitivity reactions to tomatoes, kiwi, apples, spices, oranges, capsicum, celery and carrot.
Patient participation as discursive practice—A critical discourse analysis of Danish mental healthcare
Authors: Joergensen Kim , Praestegaard Jeanette
Published: September 2017

Patient participation is one of the most prevalent focus areas in the Danish healthcare debate. Patient participation is generally presented as a fundamental democratic right, and is stated in an objective language with legal requirements for healthcare professionals to ensure that patients systematically participate in their own courses of care and treatment. In the research literature, it is not clear what is meant by ‘patient participation’, and several discourses on patient participation exist side by side. This study explores how discourses of patient participation unfold and are at play in the articulations in official legal and political documents and patient records relating to a Danish psychiatric context. The documents and patient records have been analyzed using a Fairclough‐inspired critical discourse approach which is concerned with how power is exercised through language. The research findings show that patient participation within Danish psychiatric healthcare is governed within a neoliberal discourse where underlying discourses; discourse of biomedicine, paternalism, management, evidence and ethics of care are embedded, and a discourse that seems to ascribe stigmatizing traits to mentally ill patients.
Perianal pseudoverrucous papules and nodules in Hirschsprung's disease: Rapid resolution with oral loperamide
Authors: Yap Francis H. X. , Thom Graham
Published: September 2017

We report the case of a 2‐year‐old boy with Hirschsprung's disease who developed perianal pseudoverrucous papules and nodules subsequent to persistent diarrhea and stool leakage after Giardia infection. Bleeding from the papules resulted in iron deficiency anaemia requiring blood transfusion and iron infusion. Topical therapies used over 6 months were of limited benefit and colostomy was considered, but the condition completely resolved after commencement of oral loperamide. This demonstrates that perianal pseudoverrucous papules and nodules can be severe but are entirely reversible upon removal of the source of skin irritation.
Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes: The Effects of Mismatches between Social Support and Health Outcomes in an Online Weight Loss Community
Authors: Yan Lu (Lucy)
Published: September 2017

The United States has the highest rate of obesity in the world. To help address this problem, social support is gaining credibility as a powerful tool to facilitate weight loss because it can affect people's behavior. Although social support has long been recognized for its effectiveness in promoting health, we argue, in this study, that social support may not always lead to good outcomes. Specifically, we differentiate between support providers and support seekers, and examine whether providing and receiving support affect individuals’ weight‐loss outcomes differently. By analyzing a group of individuals participating in an online weight‐loss community, we show that providing and receiving support does affect weight‐loss outcomes in different ways. First, the influences are dynamic. Second, while providing support is positively associated with weight‐loss progress, receiving support could hinder weight‐loss outcome for a person with high self‐efficacy in weight‐loss progress. Third, by categorizing social support into different types, we find evidence suggesting that the match between needed and received social support type also influences individuals’ performance in the weight‐loss process. Furthermore, mismatches of social support could negatively affect weight‐loss outcomes. These findings have implications for maximizing the usefulness of social support for participants in the online environment as well as for clinicians who refer individuals to online weight‐loss communities and for those who design them.
Parental Age and Risk of Infant Leukaemia: A Pooled Analysis
Authors: Marcotte Erin L. , Druley Todd E. , Johnson Kimberly J. , Richardson Michaela , von Behren Julie , Mueller Beth A. , Carozza Susan , McLaughlin Colleen , Chow Eric J. , Reynolds Peggy , Spector Logan G.
Published: September 2017

Background

Infant leukaemia (IL) is extremely rare with fewer than 150 cases occurring each year in the United States. Little is known about its causes. However, recent evidence supports a role of de novo mutations in IL aetiology. Parental age has been associated with several adverse outcomes in offspring, including childhood cancers. Given the role of older parental age in de novo mutations in offspring, we carried out an analysis of parental age and IL.

Methods

We evaluated the relationship between parental age and IL in a case–control study using registry data from New York, Minnesota, California, Texas, and Washington. Records from 402 cases [219 acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), 131 acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and 52 other] and 45 392 controls born during 1981–2004 were analysed. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by logistic regression. Estimates were adjusted for infant sex, birth year category, maternal race, state, and mutually adjusted for paternal or maternal age, respectively.

Results

Infants with mothers' age ≥40 years had an increased risk of developing AML (OR 4.80, 95% CI 1.80, 12.76). In contrast, paternal age <20 was associated with increased risk of ALL (OR 3.69, 95% CI 1.62, 8.41).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates increased risk of infant ALL in relation to young paternal age. Given record linkage, there is little concern with recall or selection bias, although data are lacking on MLL gene status and other potentially important variables. Parent of origin effects, de novo mutations, and/or carcinogenic exposures may be involved in IL aetiology.
Commentary: Local Farms, Local Firms, Community Development, and Quality of Life: A Systematic Analysis
Authors: Freedgood Julia
Published: September 2017

Related Content: Clark and Record (PAR November/December 2017)
Who's pulling the strings? The influence of network structure on standard dominance
Authors: van de Kaa Geerten
Published: September 2017

Innovative systems and infrastructures require generally accepted common compatibility standards to enable components of such systems to interoperate. In some cases, various standards are developed by competing standards organizations, often resulting in standards battles. This paper focuses on factors that affect the outcome of these standards battles, and, specifically, on the effect of the structure of the industry‐wide standards networks on standard dominance. The empirical context is the consumer electronics, telecommunications, and ICT arenas. We conduct a study of 103 standards organizations from 2000 to 2011. We find support for the hypothesis that standards that are supported by standards organizations that have a central position in the industry‐wide standards network have a high chance of achieving dominance.
Enhancing patient safety in the operating theatre: from the perspective of experienced operating theatre nurses
Authors: Ingvarsdottir Eydis , Halldorsdottir Sigridur
Published: September 2017

The study's rationale

Surgical care is an extensive component of modern health care, but patient safety issues and complications of surgery have been identified as a major cause of death and disability.

Objective

The aim of this study was to identify, from the perspective of experienced operating theatre nurses (OTNs), how patient safety in the operating theatre (OT) can be enhanced.

Research methodology and methods

In this phenomenological study, 14 individual interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 11 participants: ten women and one man. Work experience as an OTN spanned 10–40 years. Mean experience was 16 years.

Results

The enhancement of patient safety in the OT from the perspective of the experienced OTNs is a constant endeavour of managing risks and preventing patient harm it involves respecting the vulnerability of the patient in the OT by being attentive to the patient at each moment, making contact with the patient and recognising how the patient loses all control by being anaesthetised or sedated and is, therefore totally dependent on OT staff. It also involves the OTN navigating the patient as safely as possible through the perioperative process by careful preparation, the use of protocols and checklists and taking measures to prevent complications and harm. Moreover, it involves contributing to a culture of safety by improving work conditions in the OT. Certain competencies of the OTN are essential for the enhancement of patient safety in the OT. These involve both nontechnical and technical competencies.

Conclusions

Constantly managing risk and preventing the OT patient from harm is essential according to the experienced OTNs, who are in a key position to identify threats to patient safety and should be empowered to enhance patient safety as a constant endeavour.
Providers, Unmarried Young Women, and Post‐Abortion Care in Kenya
Authors: Izugbara Chimaraoke O. , Egesa Carolyne P. , Kabiru Caroline W. , Sidze Estelle M.
Published: September 2017

Young women and girls in Kenya face challenges in access to abortion care services. Using in‐depth and focus group interviews, we explored providers’ constructions of these challenges. In general, providers considered abortion to be commonplace in Kenya; reported being regularly approached to offer abortion‐related care and services; and articulated the structural, contextual, and personal challenges they faced in serving young post‐abortion care (PAC) patients. They also considered induced abortion among young unmarried girls to be especially objectionable; stressed premarital fertility and out‐of‐union sexual activity among unmarried young girls as transgressive of respectable femininity and proper adolescence; blamed young women and girls for the challenges they reported in obtaining PAC services; and linked these challenges to young women's efforts to conceal their failures related to gender and adolescence, exemplified by pre‐marital pregnancy and abortion. This study shows how providers’ distinctive emphasis that young abortion care‐seekers are to blame for their own difficulties in accessing PAC may add to the ongoing crisis of post‐abortion care for young women and adolescent girls in Kenya.
The Andersen aerobic fitness test: New peak oxygen consumption prediction equations in 10 and 16‐year olds
Authors: Aadland E. , Andersen L. B. , Lerum Ø. , Resaland G. K.
Published: September 2017

Measurement of aerobic fitness by determining peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is often not feasible in children and adolescents, thus field tests such as the Andersen test are required in many settings, for example in most school‐based studies. This study provides cross‐validated prediction equations for VO2peak based on the Andersen test in 10 and 16‐year‐old children. We included 235 children (n = 113 10‐year olds and 122 16‐year olds) who performed the Andersen test and a progressive treadmill test to exhaustion to determine VO2peak. Joint and sex‐specific prediction equations were derived and tested in 20 random samples. Performance in terms of systematic (bias) and random error (limits of agreement) was evaluated by means of Bland‐Altman plots. Bias varied from −4.28 to 5.25 mL/kg/min across testing datasets, sex, and the 2 age groups. Sex‐specific equations (mean bias −0.42 to 0.16 mL/kg/min) performed somewhat better than joint equations (−1.07 to 0.84 mL/kg/min). Limits of agreement were substantial across all datasets, sex, and both age groups, but were slightly lower in 16‐year olds (5.84‐13.29 mL/kg/min) compared to 10‐year olds (9.60‐15.15 mL/kg/min). We suggest the presented equations can be used to predict VO2peak from the Andersen test performance in children and adolescents on a group level. Although the Andersen test appears to be a good measure of aerobic fitness, researchers should interpret cross‐sectional individual‐level predictions of VO2peak with caution due to large random measurement errors.
Cornerstones of patient blood management in surgery
Authors: Butcher A. , Richards T.
Published: September 2017

Pre‐operative anaemia and perioperative red blood cell transfusion carry significant consequence when it comes to surgical outcomes. The establishment of patient‐centred clinical pathways has been designed to harness and endorse good transfusion practice, termed the three pillars of patient blood management (PBM). These focus on the timely and appropriate management of anaemia, prevention of blood loss and restrictive transfusion where appropriate. This article reviews the current evidence and ongoing research in the field of PBM in surgery. Strategies to implement PBM have shown significant benefits in appropriate transfusion practice, reduced costs and improved length of hospital stay. Recently published national quality standards have recognised the features of the PBM blueprint such as the consideration of alternatives to red blood cell transfusion, the active measures to reduce perioperative blood loss and the appropriate management of post‐operative anaemia. Adopting PBM in surgical patients should be paramount to reduce the risks posed by perioperative anaemia and blood transfusions. The principles of PBM help structure the interventions and decisions relating to anaemia and blood transfusion, but, more importantly, represent a paradigm shift towards a more considered approach to blood transfusion, acknowledging its risks, preventatives and alternatives.
Oral melphalan for the treatment of relapsed canine lymphoma
Authors: Mastromauro M. L. , Suter S. E. , Hauck M. L. , Hess P. R.
Published: September 2017

Oral melphalan has been included in multi‐agent rescue protocols for canine lymphoma but its activity as a single‐agent for this purpose has not been established. Inexpensive cost, ease of administration and tolerability make oral melphalan an attractive candidate for single‐agent rescue therapy of canine lymphoma. Retrospective evaluation of 19 cases of relapsed canine lymphoma treated with oral melphalan was performed. Melphalan was primarily administered (n = 16) via a high dose protocol (HDM) with a median dosage of 19.4 mg m−2. Fifteen dogs (78.9%) were treated concurrently with corticosteroids. Response evaluation was possible for all dogs with a calculated overall clinical benefit (partial response [PR] + stable disease [SD]) of 31.6% (PR 3/19; SD 3/19). Times to progression following melphalan (TTP‐M) were 14, 24 and 34 days for responders and 20, 28 and 103 days for dogs experiencing SD. Twelve of 17 dogs evaluable for toxicity experienced an adverse event (AE) with only 3 dogs experiencing a grade III or higher AE. Haematologic toxicity was common (11/17) while gastrointestinal toxicity was rare (1/17). Although treatment resulted in limited clinical benefit and non‐durable responses, oral melphalan was well‐tolerated and may be a reasonable rescue option in cases where minimal effective agents remain.
Near-infrared laser annealing of Ge layers epitaxially grown on Si for high-performance photonic devices
Authors: Nagatomo Sho , Ishikawa Yasuhiko , Hoshino Satohiko
Published: September 2017

Near-infrared laser annealing of Ge epitaxial layers on Si is studied as a postgrowth annealing process to reduce the density of threading dislocations (TDs) in Ge. Laser annealing is performed using an exposure of 1.07-μm-laser light with the power density as large as 8 kW/cm2 and the duration as short as 10 ms. The TD density is successfully reduced from 6 × 108 to 2 × 108 cm−2 in a 600-nm-thick Ge layer grown by ultrahigh-vacuum chemical vapor deposition on Si. Vertical pin photodetectors of laser-annealed Ge show a significant reduction of dark leakage current as small as 20 mA/cm2 with a high photodetection efficiency. The short annealing time is effective to prevent the dopant diffusion in Ge together with the Ge-Si intermixing at the interface, being applicable to the annealing even after the formation of pin junctions in Ge. In terms of the reduction of thermal budget, the use of longer wavelength up to ∼1.6 μm has potential applications to preferential annealing of Ge layers on a Si platform due to the strong optical absorption in Ge despite the high optical transparency in Si.
Quantum acoustics with superconducting qubits
Authors: Chu Yiwen , Kharel Prashanta , Renninger William H. , Burkhart Luke D. , Frunzio Luigi , Rakich Peter T. , Schoelkopf Robert J.
Published: September 2017

Mechanical systems at the quantum level

A number of platforms are being pursued for developing technologies that exploit the enhanced sensing and measurement capabilities of quantum mechanics. Hybrid systems offer the flexibility of combining and optimizing different platforms. Hong
et al.
combined optomechanical control of motion and single-phonon counting techniques to probabilistically generate a single-phonon Fock state within a nanomechanical resonator. Chu
et al.
used electromechanical coupling to address a bulk piezoelectric resonator with a superconducting quantum circuit. Both approaches hold promise for developing hybrid quantum technologies.

Science
, this issue p.
203
, p.
199
Complete Genome Sequence of a Genotype 2B Rubella Virus Isolated in South Korea in 2015
Authors: Kang Hae Ji , Kim You-Jin , Lee Hye Min , Nam Jeong-Gu , Kim Sung Soon
Published: September 2017

The complete genome sequence of the wild-type genotype 2B rubella virus RVi/Busan.KOR/10.15[2B], isolated from a patient in South Korea, was determined. The availability of this sequence will help in understanding the circulation of endemic rubella viruses, as well as their genetic diversity.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rubricoccus marinus SG-29
T
, a Marine Bacterium within the Family
Rhodothermaceae
, Which Contains Two Different Rhodopsin Genes
Authors: Nakajima Yu , Yoshizawa Susumu , Park Sanghwa , Kumagai Yohei , Wong Shu-Kuan , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Hayashi Tetsuya , Kogure Kazuhiro
Published: September 2017

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Rubricoccus marinus
SG-29
T
, a bacterium isolated from the western North Pacific Ocean.
R. marinus
SG-29
T
possesses two different types of rhodopsin genes and belongs to the family
Rhodothermaceae
, with which halophilic, thermophilic, and marine bacteria are associated.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Lactococcus
sp. Strain Rs-Y01, Isolated from the Gut of the Lower Termite
Reticulitermes speratus
Authors: Yuki Masahiro , Sakamoto Mitsuo , Kuwahara Hirokazu , Hongoh Yuichi , Ohkuma Moriya
Published: September 2017

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Lactococcus
sp. strain Rs-Y01, which was isolated from the gut of a wood-feeding termite. The genome information will facilitate the study of the symbiotic functions of this strain in the termite gut.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Human Sapovirus GI.2 Variant, Isolated from a Patient in Ireland in 2016
Authors: Yang Zhihui , O’Gorman Joanne , De Gascun Cillian , Bennett Charlene , Elkins Christopher A. , Kulka Michael , Coughlan Suzie
Published: September 2017

We report here the first near-complete genome sequence (7,463 nucleotides) of a human sapovirus GI.2 variant from Dublin, Ireland, detected in an adult with gastroenteritis in 2016.
Residual brain injury after early discontinuation of cooling therapy in mild neonatal encephalopathy
Authors: Lally Peter J , Montaldo Paolo , Oliveira Vânia , Swamy Ravi Shankar , Soe Aung , Shankaran Seetha , Thayyil Sudhin
Published: September 2017

We examined the brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcomes in a prospective cohort of 10 babies with mild encephalopathy who had early cessation of cooling therapy. All babies had MRI and spectroscopy within 2 weeks after birth and neurodevelopmental assessment at 2 years. Cooling was prematurely discontinued at a median age of 9 hours (IQR 5–13) due to rapid clinical improvement. Five (50%) had injury on MRI or spectroscopy, and two (20%) had an abnormal neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years. Premature cessation of cooling therapy in babies with mild neonatal encephalopathy does not exclude residual brain injury and adverse long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes. This study refers to babies recruited into the MARBLE study (NCT01309711, pre-results stage).
Paediatric advance care planning survey: a cross-sectional examination of congruence and discordance between adolescents with HIV/AIDS and their families
Authors: Lyon Maureen E , Dallas Ronald H , Garvie Patricia A , Wilkins Megan L , Garcia Ana , Cheng Yao Iris , Wang Jichuan
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To identify patient-reported paediatric advance care planning (pACP) needs of adolescents living with HIV and to examine the congruence with their family’s perception of their needs.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey among six paediatric hospital-based outpatient HIV specialty clinics. Participants included 48 adolescent/family dyads (n=96 participants) within a larger study facilitating pACP. The main outcome measure was the Lyon Advance Care Planning Survey – Adolescent and Surrogate Versions-Revised.

Results

Adolescents’ mean age was 18 years (range ≥14–<21); 54% male; 92% African-American; 27% with prior AIDS diagnosis. If dying, 92%believed in completing an advance directive; 85%preferred to die at home;88% knowing how to say good bye; 71%being off machines that extend lifeand 77%dying a natural death. Best timing for end-of-life (EOL) decisions waswhile healthy(38%),when first diagnosed(17%),when first sick from a life-threatening illness(4%),when first hospitalised(8%),if dying(4%) andall of the above(19%). Prevalence-adjusted bias-adjusted Kappa (PABAK) measured congruence in pACP needs within adolescent/family dyads. There was substantial congruence in thatbeing free from pain(PABAK=0.83), andunderstanding your treatment choices(PABAK=0.92) were very important or important. There was discordance aboutbeing off machines that extend life(PABAK=0.08) andwhen is the best time to bring up EOL decisions(PABAK=0.32).

Conclusions

Areas of discordance were associated with life-sustaining choices and when to have the EOL conversation. Targeted, adolescent/family-centred, evidence-based pACP interventions are needed to improve family understanding of youth’s EOL wishes.

Trial registration number

NCT01289444; Results.
Genetically modified human type II collagen for N- and C-terminal covalent tagging
Authors: Wieczorek Andrew , Chan Clara K. , Kovacic Suzana , Li Cindy , Dierks Thomas , Forde Nancy R.
Published: September 2017

Collagen is the predominant structural protein in vertebrates, where it contributes to connective tissues and the ECM; it is also widely used in biomaterials and tissue engineering. Dysfunction of this protein and its processing can lead to a wide variety of developmental disorders and connective tissue diseases. Recombinantly engineering the protein is challenging due to post-translational modifications generally required for its stability and secretion from cells. Introducing end labels into the protein is problematic, because the N- and C-termini of the physiologically relevant tropocollagen lie internal to the initially flanking N- and C-propeptide sequences. Here, we introduce mutations into human type II procollagen in a manner that addresses these concerns and purify the recombinant protein from a stably transfected HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cell line. Our approach introduces chemically addressable groups into the N- and C-telopeptide termini of tropocollagen. Simultaneous overexpression of formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE) allows the endogenous production of an aldehyde tag in a defined, substituted sequence in the N terminus of the mutated collagen, whereas the C-terminus of each chain presents a sulfhydryl group from an introduced cysteine. These modifications are designed to enable specific covalent end-labelling of collagen. We find that the doubly mutated protein folds and is secreted from cells. Higher order assembly into well-ordered collagen fibrils is demonstrated through transmission electron microscopy. Chemical tagging of thiols is successful; however, background from endogenous aldehydes present in wild-type collagen has thus far obscured the desired specific N-terminal labelling. Strategies to overcome this challenge are proposed.
P-arylation of aryl halides by an environmentally compatible method
Authors: Sobhani Sara , Vahidi Zahra
Published: September 2017

In this paper, palladium–DABCO complex supported on magnetic nanoparticles was successfully used as a new magnetically recoverable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of arylphosphonates via P-arylation of different types of aryl halides (aryl iodides/bromides/chlorides and benzene boronic acid/sulfonate), with phosphite esters (triethyl/triphenyl/tri-iso-propyl/diethyl/diphenyl/di-iso-propyl phosphite) in neat water without using any additive. The heterogeneous catalyst was easily isolated from the reaction mixture by an external magnet and reused five times without significant degradation in its activity.
SPH for impact force and ricochet behavior of water-entry bodies
Authors: Omidvar Pourya , Farghadani Omid , Nikeghbali Pooyan
Published: September 2017

The numerical modeling of fluid interaction with a bouncing body has many applications in scientific and engineering application. In this paper, the problem of water impact of a body on free-surface is investigated, where the fixed ghost boundary condition is added to the open source code SPHysics2D1 to rectify the oscillations in pressure distributions with the repulsive boundary condition. First, after introducing the methodology of SPH and the option of boundary conditions, the still water problem is simulated using two types of boundary conditions. It is shown that the fixed ghost boundary condition gives a better result for a hydrostatics pressure. Then, the dam-break problem, which is a bench mark test case in SPH, is simulated and compared with available data. In order to show the behavior of the hydrostatics forces on bodies, a fix/floating cylinder is placed on free surface looking carefully at the force and heaving profile. Finally, the impact of a body on free-surface is successfully simulated for different impact angles and velocities.
Microwave characterization of nickel-based nanocomposites — High EMI shielding and radar absorption capability
Authors: Gargama Heeralal , Thakur Awalendra Kumar , Chaturvedi Sanjay Kumar
Published: September 2017

This work reports, microwave characterization of nanocrystalline nickel-polyvinylidene fluoride (n-Ni/PVDF) composites with an aim to explore their electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and absorption properties. The composites were fabricated using compression hot molding process at an optimum level of temperature and pressure. The electrical properties of the samples are computed using the measured scattering parameters in the X-band. The wave absorption capability of a single layer absorbing structure is theoretically evaluated by employing the computed electrical parameters. Besides, the shielding effectiveness (SE) of free standing samples are also calculated using transmission line model and compared with the experimentally obtained results to validate the theoretical model. High SE (42.87 dB) and absorption (−14.37) obtained in this work, suggest futuristic applications of n-Ni/PVDF composites for EMI shielding and wave absorption.
On isomorphism criterion for a subclass of complex filiform Leibniz algebras
Authors: Rakhimov I. S. , Khudoyberdiyev A. Kh. , Omirov B. A. , Mohd Atan K. A.
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we present an algorithm to give the isomorphism criterion for a subclass of complex filiform Leibniz algebras arising from naturally graded filiform Lie algebras. This subclass appeared as a Leibniz central extension of a linear deformation of filiform Lie algebra. We give the table of multiplication choosing appropriate adapted basis, identify the elementary base changes and describe the behavior of structure constants under these base changes, then combining them the isomorphism criterion is given. The final result of calculations for one particular case also is provided.
Automorphic equivalence in the classical varieties of linear algebras
Authors: Tsurkov A.
Published: September 2017

This research is a continuation of [Tsurkov, Automorphic equivalence of linear algebras, J. Algebra Appl. 13(7) (2014), doi:10.1142/S0219498814500261]. In this paper, we consider some classical varieties of linear algebras over the field [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text]. We study the relation between the geometric equivalence and automorphic equivalence of the algebras of these varieties.

If we denote by [Formula: see text] one of these varieties, then [Formula: see text] is a category of the finite generated free algebras of the variety [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we calculate for the considered varieties the quotient group [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a group of all the automorphisms of the category [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a subgroup of all inner automorphisms of this category. The quotient group [Formula: see text] measures the possible difference between the geometric equivalence and automorphic equivalence of algebras from the variety [Formula: see text]. The results of this paper and [Tsurkov, Automorphic equivalence of linear algebras, J. Algebra Appl. 13(7) (2014), doi: 10.1142/S0219498814500261] are summarized in the table at the end of Sec. 5.

We can see from this table that in all considered varieties of the linear algebras the group [Formula: see text] is generated by cosets which are presented by no more than two types of the strongly stable automorphisms of the category [Formula: see text]. The first type of automorphisms is connected with the changing of the multiplication by scalar and a the second type is connected with the changing of the multiplication of the elements of the algebras.

In Sec. 6, we present some examples of the pairs of linear algebras such that the considered strongly stable automorphisms provide the automorphic equivalence of these algebras, but these algebras are not geometrically equivalent.
Face monoid actions and tropical hyperplane arrangements
Authors: Johnson Marianne , Kambites Mark
Published: September 2017

We study the combinatorics of tropical hyperplane arrangements, and their relationship to (classical) hyperplane face monoids. We show that the refinement operation on the faces of a tropical hyperplane arrangement, introduced by Ardila and Develin in their definition of a tropical oriented matroid, induces an action of the hyperplane face monoid of the classical braid arrangement on the arrangement, and hence on a number of interesting related structures. Along the way, we introduce a new characterization of the types (in the sense of Develin and Sturmfels) of points with respect to a tropical hyperplane arrangement, in terms of partial bijections which attain permanents of submatrices of a matrix which naturally encodes the arrangement.
ENTREPRENEURIAL PASSION AND ORGANIZATIONAL INNOVATION: THE MODERATING ROLE OF THE REGULATORY FOCUS OF ENTREPRENEURS
Authors: MA CUIPING , GU JIBAO , LIU HEFU , ZHANG QINGQIONG
Published: September 2017

This study examines the relationship between entrepreneurial passion and organizational innovation in new ventures. We also investigate the moderating role of entrepreneurs’ cognition, namely regulatory focus, in the relationship between entrepreneurial passion and organizational innovation. Findings from data collected from 141 Chinese new ventures indicated that entrepreneurial passion is positively related to organizational innovation. Moreover, the regulatory focus of entrepreneurs moderates the relationship between entrepreneurial passion and organizational innovation, such that the relationship is stronger under high promotion focus or low prevention focus. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
One-Step Synthesis of Nitrogen and Chlorine Co-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for Detection of Fe3+
Authors: Zhong Yin , Chen Qi , Li Junjian , Pan Xihao , Han Zhiwei , Dong Wei
Published: September 2017

An environment friendly, economic and maneuverable hydrothermal method was proposed for fabrication of nitrogen and chlorine co-doped carbon quantum dots (N,Cl-CQDs). D-Glucosamine hydrochloride as the only precursor offered source of carbon, nitrogen and chlorine. As a consequent N,Cl-CQDs can emit blue luminescence and detect Fe[Formula: see text] by fluorescence response with high selectivity and sensitivity. There is a linear semilogarithmic correlation between the quenching efficiency [Formula: see text] and the concentration of Fe[Formula: see text] with a detection limit of 0.167 [Formula: see text]M. The N,Cl-CQDs exhibit a high quantum yield of 16.8% along with the fluorescence lifetime of 2.2[Formula: see text]ns. It is worth noting that the prepared N,Cl-CQDs show excellent biocompatibility and they are promising materials for sensing and biology.
Mathematical modeling and optimal control of corruption dynamics
Authors: Athithan S. , Ghosh Mini , Li Xue-Zhi
Published: September 2017

The problem of corruption is of serious concern in all the nations, more so in the developing countries. This paper presents the formulation of a corruption control model and its analysis using the theory of differential equations. We found the equilibria of the model and stability of these equilibria are discussed in detail. The threshold quantity [Formula: see text] which has a similar implication here as in the epidemiological modeling is obtained for the present model. The corruption free equilibrium is found to be stable when [Formula: see text] is less than [Formula: see text] and unstable for [Formula: see text]. The endemic equilibrium which signifies the presence of corrupted individuals in the society exists only when [Formula: see text]. This equilibrium point is locally asymptotically stable whenever it exists. We perform extensive numerical simulations to support the analytical findings. Furthermore, we extend the model to include optimal control and the optimal control profile is obtained to get the maximum control within a stipulated period of time. Our presented results show that the level of corruption in the society can be reduced if corruption control efforts through media/punishments etc. are increased and put in place.
Pseudacteon Phorid Flies: Host Specificity and Impacts on Solenopsis Fire Ants
Authors: Chen Li , Fadamiro Henry Y.
Published: September 2017

Human commerce has resulted in the spread of the imported fire ants, Solenopsis species, worldwide. Six species of parasitic Pseudacteon phorid flies that are highly host specific to the Solenopsis saevissima complex of Solenopsis fire ants have been successfully released in the southern United States. The presence of Pseudacteon phorid flies, in addition to having direct mortality effects on their host ants, modifies foraging behavior and disrupts interspecific competition between host species and other ant species in the community. Fire ant workers have evolved effective methods to cope with parasitism pressure, which may relieve population-level impacts of introduced phorid flies. This review focuses on the mechanisms underlying host location, host preference, and host-size selection of Pseudacteon phorid flies and highlights their direct and indirect effects on fire ant populations. Knowledge gained from parasitoid–ant interactions will enhance use of natural enemies as biological control agents for invasive social insects.
Sleep in Insects
Authors: Helfrich-Förster Charlotte
Published: September 2017

Sleep is essential for proper brain function in mammals and insects. During sleep, animals are disconnected from the external world; they show high arousal thresholds and changed brain activity. Sleep deprivation results in a sleep rebound. Research using the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has helped us understand the genetic and neuronal control of sleep. Genes involved in sleep control code for ion channels, factors influencing neurotransmission and neuromodulation, and proteins involved in the circadian clock. The neurotransmitters/neuromodulators involved in sleep control are GABA, dopamine, acetylcholine, serotonin, and several neuropeptides. Sleep is controlled by the interplay between sleep homeostasis and the circadian clock. Putative sleep-wake centers are located in higher-order brain centers that are indirectly connected to the circadian clock network. The primary function of sleep appears to be the downscaling of synapses that have been built up during wakefulness. Thus, brain homeostasis is maintained and learning and memory are assured.
Comparing Climate Sensitivity, Past and Present
Authors: Rohling Eelco J. , Marino Gianluca , Foster Gavin L. , Goodwin Philip A. , von der Heydt Anna S. , Köhler Peter
Published: September 2017

Climate sensitivity represents the global mean temperature change caused by changes in the radiative balance of climate; it is studied for both present/future (actuo) and past (paleo) climate variations, with the former based on instrumental records and/or various types of model simulations. Paleo-estimates are often considered informative for assessments of actuo-climate change caused by anthropogenic greenhouse forcing, but this utility remains debated because of concerns about the impacts of uncertainties, assumptions, and incomplete knowledge about controlling mechanisms in the dynamic climate system, with its multiple interacting feedbacks and their potential dependence on the climate background state. This is exacerbated by the need to assess actuo- and paleoclimate sensitivity over different timescales, with different drivers, and with different (data and/or model) limitations. Here, we visualize these impacts with idealized representations that graphically illustrate the nature of time-dependent actuo- and paleoclimate sensitivity estimates, evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, agreements, and differences of the two approaches. We also highlight priorities for future research to improve the use of paleo-estimates in evaluations of current climate change.
Attenuation of pulmonary ACE2 activity impairs inactivation of des-Arg9bradykinin/BKB1R axis and facilitates LPS-induced neutrophil infiltration
Authors: Sodhi Chhinder P. , Wohlford-Lenane Christine , Yamaguchi Yukihiro , Prindle Thomas , Fulton William B. , Wang Sanxia , McCray Paul B. , Chappell Mark , Hackam David J. , Jia Hongpeng
Published: September 2017

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a terminal carboxypeptidase with important functions in the renin-angiotensin system and plays a critical role in inflammatory lung diseases. ACE2 cleaves single-terminal residues from several bioactive peptides such as angiotensin II. However, few of its substrates in the respiratory tract have been identified, and the mechanism underlying the role of ACE2 in inflammatory lung disease has not been fully characterized. In an effort to identify biological targets of ACE2 in the lung, we tested its effects on des-Arg9bradykinin (DABK) in airway epithelial cells on the basis of the hypothesis that DABK is a biological substrate of ACE2 in the lung and ACE2 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute lung inflammation partly through modulating DABK/bradykinin receptor B1 (BKB1R) axis signaling. We found that loss of ACE2 function in mouse lung in the setting of endotoxin inhalation led to activation of the DABK/BKB1R axis, release of proinflammatory chemokines such as C-X-C motif chemokine 5 (CXCL5), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP2), C-X-C motif chemokine 1 (KC), and TNF-α from airway epithelia, increased neutrophil infiltration, and exaggerated lung inflammation and injury. These results indicate that a reduction in pulmonary ACE2 activity contributes to the pathogenesis of lung inflammation, in part because of an impaired ability to inhibit DABK/BKB1R axis-mediated signaling, resulting in more prompt onset of neutrophil infiltration and more severe inflammation in the lung. Our study identifies a biological substrate of ACE2 within the airways, as well as a potential new therapeutic target for inflammatory diseases.
Effect of adipose tissue thickness, muscle site, and sex on near-infrared spectroscopy derived total-[hemoglobin + myoglobin]
Authors: Craig Jesse C. , Broxterman Ryan M. , Wilcox Samuel L. , Chen Chixiang , Barstow Thomas J.
Published: September 2017

Craig JC, Broxterman RM, Wilcox SL, Chen C, Barstow TJ. Effect of adipose tissue thickness, muscle site, and sex on near-infrared spectroscopy derived total-[hemoglobin + myoglobin]. J Appl Physiol 123: 1571–1578, 2017. First published September 21, 2017; doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00207.2017 .—Adipose tissue thickness (ATT) attenuates signals from near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and diminishes the absolute quantification of underlying tissues by contemporary NIRS devices. Based on the relationship between NIRS-derived total-[hemoglobin + myoglobin] (total-[Hb + Mb]) and ATT, we tested the hypotheses that the correction factor for ATT 1) is muscle site specific; 2) does not differ between men and women; and that 3) exclusion of the shortest source-detector distance from data analysis increases total-[Hb + Mb]. Fourteen healthy subjects (7 men) rested in a neutral body position (supine or prone) while measurements of total-[Hb + Mb] and ATT were taken at four muscles common to resting and exercise studies: vastus lateralis (VL), rectus femoris (RF), gastrocnemius (GS), and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS). ATT averaged 6.0 ± 0.4 mm across all muscles. Every muscle showed a negative slope ( r2: 0.6–0.94; P < 0.01) for total-[Hb + Mb] as a function of ATT: VL (−34 μM/mm), RF (−26 μM/mm), GS (−54 μM/mm), and FDS (−33 μM/mm). The projected total-[Hb + Mb] at 0 mm ATT ( y-intercept) was 452, 372, 620, and 456 μM for VL, RF, GS, and FDS, respectively. No differences were found between the sexes within VL, RF, or FDS, but men had a greater projected total-[Hb + Mb] at 0 mm for GS (688 ± 44 vs. 552 ± 40 μM; P < 0.05). Exclusion of the shortest source-detector distance increased total-[Hb + Mb] by 12 ± 1 μM ( P < 0.05). The present findings demonstrate that total-[Hb + Mb] should be corrected for ATT using muscle site-specific factors which are not sex specific, except in the case of GS.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an important tool for physiologists and clinicians. However, adipose tissue greatly attenuates the signals from these devices. Correcting for this attenuation has been suggested based on the strength of the relationship between NIRS-derived measurements and the adipose tissue thickness. We show that this relationship is unique to the muscle site of interest but may not be sex specific. Accurate quantification of underlying tissue mandates researchers correct for adipose tissue thickness.
Brachial artery vasodilatory response and wall shear rate determined by multigate Doppler in a healthy young cohort
Authors: Aizawa Kunihiko , Sbragi Sara , Ramalli Alessandro , Tortoli Piero , Casanova Francesco , Morizzo Carmela , Thorn Clare E. , Shore Angela C. , Gates Phillip E. , Palombo Carlo
Published: September 2017

Wall shear rate (WSR) is an important stimulus for the brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) response. However, WSR estimation near the arterial wall by conventional Doppler is inherently difficult. To overcome this limitation, we utilized multigate Doppler to accurately determine the WSR stimulus near the vessel wall simultaneously with the FMD response using an integrated FMD system [Ultrasound Advanced Open Platform (ULA-OP)]. Using the system, we aimed to perform a detailed analysis of WSR-FMD response and establish novel WSR parameters in a healthy young population. Data from 33 young healthy individuals (27.5 ± 4.9 yr, 19 females) were analyzed. FMD was assessed with reactive hyperemia using ULA-OP. All acquired raw data were postprocessed using custom-designed software to obtain WSR and diameter parameters. The acquired velocity data revealed that nonparabolic flow profiles within the cardiac cycle and under different flow states, with heterogeneity between participants. We also identified seven WSR magnitude and four WSR time-course parameters. Among them, WSR area under the curve until its return to baseline was the strongest predictor of the absolute ( R2 = 0.25) and percent ( R2 = 0.31) diameter changes in response to reactive hyperemia. For the first time, we identified mono- and biphasic WSR stimulus patterns within our cohort that produced different magnitudes of FMD response [absolute diameter change: 0.24 ± 0.10 mm (monophasic) vs. 0.17 ± 0.09 mm (biphasic), P < 0.05]. We concluded that accurate and detailed measurement of the WSR stimulus is important to comprehensively understand the FMD response and that this advance in current FMD technology could be important to better understand vascular physiology and pathology.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY An estimation of wall shear rate (WSR) near the arterial wall by conventional Doppler ultrasound is inherently difficult. Using a recently developed integrated flow-mediated dilation ultrasound system, we were able to accurately estimate WSR near the wall and identified a number of novel WSR variables that may prove to be useful in the measurement of endothelial function, an important biomarker of vascular physiology and disease.