bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigations on seismic behavior and design of bottom vertical boundary elements in multi‐story steel plate shear walls
Authors: Li Chao‐Hsien , Tsai Keh‐Chyuan , Su Lei , Lin Pao‐Chun , Lin Te‐Hung
Published: August 2018

This research investigates the seismic behavior and design method for the bottom‐level boundary columns, also called the vertical boundary elements (VBEs), in multi‐story steel plate shear walls (SPSWs). This paper firstly introduces the proposed design method for the bottom‐level VBE for the case when a frame swaying action causes the VBE to bend in single curvature, as is often seen in mid‐ and high‐rise buildings. Two 12‐story (12F) prototype SPSWs were designed using the proposed design method. Two 40%‐scale substructural test specimens representing the first 2.5 stories of the 12F SPSW prototype designs were cyclically tested with the Multi‐Axial Testing System at the Taiwan National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering in 2013. The test results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed design method in predicting the yielding of the top end of the bottom VBE. In addition, test results show that the lateral torsional buckling of the bottom VBE could occur after the VBE top end yields, indicating that premature top‐end yielding should be prohibited for the bottom VBE before the SPSW develops uniform yielding mechanism under the lateral forces.
The influence of contextual factors on implementation fidelity in a whole school approach to prevention of violence against women
Authors: Joyce Andrew , Ollis Debbie , Kearney Sarah , Leung Loksee , Foenander Emily
Published: August 2018

Issue addressed

Implementation fidelity relates to the degree of adherence to implementation protocols and content and helps to guide replication of evidence‐based programs. In settings‐based research, notions of fidelity have been applied more often to delivery of education content rather than whole of setting change. The aims of this paper were firstly, to analyse how contextual factors influenced implementation of a whole school program on respectful relationships education, and secondly given the findings, discuss whether a more flexible approach to implementation fidelity may have yielded increased school engagement.

Methods

The project was conducted in 19 secondary schools in Victoria in 2015. This paper reports on focus groups and interviews which were conducted with 81 school staff and 28 staff from the lead agency, community agency partners, and departmental staff to understand the contextual factors influencing implementation.

Results

The program followed a traditional implementation fidelity approach of considering core elements and some minor scope for adaption which engaged some regions and schools but not others.

Conclusion

An alternative notion of implementation fidelity, “fidelity to function,” may have permitted increased flexibility to tailor the intervention components to suit different school and community contexts and potentially, increasing both the reach and impact of the program.

So what?

Understanding how to apply notions of fidelity to guide whole of setting change are important considerations if programs are to be replicated to have wider reach and greater impact and effectiveness.
Accounting for employee health: The productivity cost of leading health risks
Authors: Street Tamara D. , Lacey Sarah J.
Published: August 2018

Background

“Workplace health promotion and protection” broadly refers to an integrated approach to workplace health and safety initiatives. There are substantial benefits to adopting such an approach, including the potential for: improvements to individual employees’ health and well‐being; increased productivity; and reduced safety risks and expenses. Yet many employers remain reluctant to shift from traditional safety initiatives and spending. This paper aims to demonstrate the value of investing in an integrated health promotion and protection approach by calculating the productivity costs associated with 11 modifiable health risks and 14 chronic conditions in an Australian mining company.

Method

Eight hundred and ninety‐seven employees participated in a self‐report health survey aimed at investigating employee health behaviours, health conditions and productivity.

Results

Overall, modifiable health risks and chronic health conditions were calculated to contribute to an estimated $22.15 million (AUD) and $7.95 million (AUD) in lost productivity per 1000 employees per annum, respectively. Although employee stress was identified as the third highest prevalence health risk across the employee sample (at 42%), it accounted for the highest financial burden.

Conclusion

Employee health plays a vital role in the profitability, productivity, and safety outcomes of an organisation. For modifiable health risks and chronic conditions, ailments that affected cognition resulted in the highest financial burden (ie, stress and migraine headaches).

So what?

These findings make a strong financial and business case for the integration of preventative health and safety initiatives, with particular emphasis on modifiable health risk behaviours.
Health‐personnel recruitment and retention target policy for health care providers in the rural communities: A retrospective investigation at Pudong New Area of Shanghai in China
Authors: Jing Limei , Liu Kun , Zhou Xuhong , Wang Li , Huang Yao , Shu Zhiqun , Lou Jiquan , Fan Jincheng , Sun Xiaoming
Published: August 2018

To tackle the shortage of health personnel in the rural areas of Pudong New Area of Shanghai, the local government issued an incentive policy as one of the medical reforms. The current investigation focused on the relevant incentive measures and their corresponding effects and problems with a view to providing referential and useful experiences for those who are engaged in addressing the same problem at home and abroad. The details of the incentive policy were derived from the government document, and the related data about the flow of the rural community health care providers, from the institutional investigation. As indicated by the current investigation, the incentive policy produced some positive effect in attracting health care providers to work in the rural community health centers, especially general practitioners, nurses, MS/MD degree holders, and intermediate professional title holders to be employed in the farther ones. However, it was turned out that the population of high quality health care providers was still not sufficient enough to cover the whole rural areas, which suggested that it was still hard to draw such qualified medical individuals. To conclude in the current investigation, we made three recommendations for the policymakers to take into account in terms of policy maintenance, benefits for health personnel, and guarantee of their lawful rights and interests.
Using source‐specific models to test the impact of sediment source classification on sediment fingerprinting
Authors: Vercruysse Kim , Grabowski Robert C.
Published: August 2018

Sediment fingerprinting estimates sediment source contributions directly from river sediment. Despite being fundamental to the interpretation of sediment fingerprinting results, the classification of sediment sources and its impact on the accuracy of source apportionment remain underinvestigated. This study assessed the impact of source classification on sediment fingerprinting based on diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometry (DRIFTS), using individual, source‐specific partial least‐squares regression (PLSR) models. The objectives were to (a) perform a model sensitivity analysis through systematically omitting sediment sources and (b) investigate how sediment source‐group discrimination and the importance of the groups as actual sources relate to variations in results. Within the Aire catchment (United Kingdom), five sediment sources were classified and sampled (n = 117): grassland topsoil in three lithological areas (limestone, millstone grit, and coal measures); riverbanks; and street dust. Experimental mixtures (n = 54) of the sources were used to develop PLSR models between known quantities of a single source and DRIFTS spectra of the mixtures, which were applied to estimate source contributions from DRIFTS spectra of suspended (n = 200) and bed (n = 5) sediment samples. Dominant sediment sources were limestone topsoil (45 ± 12%) and street dust (43 ± 10%). Millstone and coals topsoil contributed on average 19 ± 13% and 14 ± 10%, and riverbanks 16 ± 18%. Due to the use of individual PLSR models, the sum of all contributions can deviate from 100%; thus, a model sensitivity analysis assessed the impact and accuracy of source classification. Omitting less important sources (e.g., coals topsoil) did not change the contributions of other sources, whereas omitting important, poorly‐discriminated sources (e.g., riverbank) increased the contributions of all sources. In other words, variation in source classification substantially alters source apportionment depending on source discrimination and source importance. These results will guide development of procedures for evaluating the appropriate type and number of sediment sources in DRIFTS‐PLSR sediment fingerprinting.
A Study of Contemporary Zeolites
Authors: Collins Leo F.
Published: August 2018

SYNOPSIS

This paper is a compilation of data concerning the chemistry and use of contemporary zeolites. Chemical analyses of raw materials, and of a representative number of new and used zeolites from each of the various classes plus 35 sieve analyses of new and used products, and a résumé of theories concerning the constitution and reactions of base‐exchangers constitutes the nucleus of the treatise. It is shown that the chemical composition of natural zeolites is not materially changed by the processing methods used, that the latter are similar in character and that for zeolites of a given class there is little difference in chemical composition. It is also shown that the chemical and physical characteristics of six different zeolites were changed upon use, and it is pointed out that the susceptibility of contemporary products to yield to certain external influences limits their industrial utility, particularly their use in the treatment of waters for steam boilers.

In general the paper establishes a basis for judging the limits within which such materials may be expected to perform with reasonable satisfaction and in the general summary nine precautions are listed for ameliorating the major troubles which are believed to frequently attend the operation of large softeners.
Neighborhood collective efficacy and collective action: The role of civic engagement
Authors: Carbone Jason T. , McMillin Stephen Edward
Published: August 2018

Theory suggests that by strengthening collective efficacy among neighbors, neighborhoods can more effectively engage in collective action. The research linking the two components of collective efficacy–social cohesion and social control–with collective action is limited. This study uses structural equation modeling with a nationally representative sample from the United States Census Bureau's American Housing Survey (N = 22,106) to analyze these relationships. This analysis finds that neither component of collective efficacy is directly associated with collective action. Instead, social cohesion is negatively, directly associated with civic engagement, social control is positively directly associated with civic engagement, and civic engagement is positively associated with collective action. Social cohesion and social control are indirectly associated with collective action when including civic engagement. Understanding the associations between collective efficacy, civic engagement, and collective action is informative for understanding effective and efficient community participation to facilitate change.
Protein acetylation in skeletal muscle mitochondria is involved in impaired fatty acid oxidation and exercise intolerance in heart failure
Authors: Tsuda Masaya , Fukushima Arata , Matsumoto Junichi , Takada Shingo , Kakutani Naoya , Nambu Hideo , Yamanashi Katsuma , Furihata Takaaki , Yokota Takashi , Okita Koichi , Kinugawa Shintaro , Anzai Toshihisa
Published: August 2018

Background

Exercise intolerance is a common clinical feature and is linked to poor prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). Skeletal muscle dysfunction, including impaired energy metabolism in the skeletal muscle, is suspected to play a central role in this intolerance, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Lysine acetylation, a recently identified post‐translational modification, has emerged as a major contributor to the derangement of mitochondrial metabolism. We thus investigated whether mitochondrial protein acetylation is associated with impaired skeletal muscle metabolism and lowered exercise capacity in both basic and clinical settings of HF.

Methods

We first conducted a global metabolomic analysis to determine whether plasma acetyl‐lysine is a determinant factor for peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) in HF patients. We then created a murine model of HF (n = 11) or sham‐operated (n = 11) mice with or without limited exercise capacity by ligating a coronary artery, and we tested the gastrocnemius tissues by using mass spectrometry‐based acetylomics. A causative relationship between acetylation and the activity of a metabolic enzyme was confirmed in in vitro studies.

Results

The metabolomic analysis verified that acetyl‐lysine was the most relevant metabolite that was negatively correlated with peak VO2 (r = −0.81, P < 0.01). At 4 weeks post‐myocardial infarction HF, a treadmill test showed lowered work (distance × body weight) and peak VO2 in the HF mice compared with the sham‐operated mice (11 ± 1 vs. 23 ± 1 J, P < 0.01; 143 ± 5 vs. 159 ± 3 mL/kg/min, P = 0.01; respectively). As noted, the protein acetylation of gastrocnemius mitochondria was 48% greater in the HF mice than the sham‐operated mice (P = 0.047). Acetylproteomics identified the mitochondrial enzymes involved in fatty acid β‐oxidation (FAO), the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and the electron transport chain as targets of acetylation. In parallel, the FAO enzyme (β‐hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase) activity and fatty acid‐driven mitochondrial respiration were reduced in the HF mice. This alteration was associated with a decreased expression of mitochondrial deacetylase, Sirtuin 3, because silencing of Sirtuin 3 in cultured skeletal muscle cells resulted in increased mitochondrial acetylation and reduced β‐hydroxyacyl CoA dehydrogenase activity.

Conclusions

Enhanced mitochondrial protein acetylation is associated with impaired FAO in skeletal muscle and reduced exercise capacity in HF. Our results indicate that lysine acetylation is a crucial mechanism underlying deranged skeletal muscle metabolism, suggesting that its modulation is a potential approach for exercise intolerance in HF.
Recent Progress on Nicotinonitrile Scaffold‐based Anticancer, Antitumor, and Antimicrobial Agents: A Literature Review
Authors: Gouda Moustafa A. , Attia Ehab , Helal Mohamed H. , Salem Mohammed A.
Published: August 2018

The considerable biological activities of nicotinonitriles and its analogues are attracting attention of chemist aimed at developing synthetic routes to these nuclei. This review focuses on the synthesis and anticancer, antitumor, and antimicrobial activities of nicotinonitriles and their analogues.
Endogenous co-expression of two T cell receptors promotes lymphopenia-induced proliferation via increased affinity for self-antigen
Authors: Balakrishnan Amritha , Jama Burhan , Morris Gerald P
Published: August 2018

Approximately 10% of peripheral T cells express 2 functional TCR αβ heterodimers. Receptor co-expression changes the repertoire of TCRs produced during thymic development, enabling generation of T cells bearing TCRs not capable of mediating positive selection or that would normally be negatively selected. The effect of receptor co-expression on the composition and functionality of the peripheral TCR repertoire is not well defined, though evidence demonstrates dual TCR cells pose an increased risk for unwanted immune responses such as autoimmunity and alloreactivity. Based on our previous finding that dual TCR expression promotes positive selection, we hypothesized that dual TCR expression may enhance T cell homeostasis via increased reactivity against self-peptide:MHC (pMHC) ligands. To examine the effect of dual TCR expression on T cell homeostasis, we performed cotransfer experiments comparing T cells genetically deficient for dual TCR expression (TCRα+/−) with wild-type T cells in models of acute and chronic lymphopenia-induced proliferation (LIP). Lack of dual TCR expression resulted in reduced LIP. The effect of dual TCR expression on LIP was most pronounced in acute lymphopenia, which is driven by recognition of low-affinity self-pMHC ligands. Differences in homeostatic proliferation were not attributable to differences in total TCR expression or signaling, but were dependent on interaction with MHC and associated with increased affinity for positively selecting self-pMHC as evidenced by higher expression of CD5 by dual TCR cells from wild-type mice. These results represent an unappreciated novel mechanism driving homeostasis and shaping the T cell repertoire, potentially promoting autoreactive or heterologous immune responses.

Co-expression of 2 TCRs enhances homeostatic proliferation in settings of acute lymphopenia, driving post-transplant expansion of dual TCR cells with known auto- and alloreactivity.
Japanese Antibacterial Drug Management for Cardiac Sarcoidosis (J‐ACNES): A multicenter, open‐label, randomized, controlled study
Authors: Ishibashi Kohei , Eishi Yoshinobu , Tahara Nobuhiro , Asakura Masanori , Sakamoto Naka , Nakamura Kazufumi , Takaya Yoichi , Nakamura Tomohisa , Yazaki Yoshikazu , Yamaguchi Tetsuo , Asakura Koko , Anzai Toshihisa , Noguchi Teruo , Yasuda Satoshi , Terasaki Fumio , Hamasaki Toshimitsu , Kusano Kengo
Published: August 2018

Background

Cardiac sarcoidosis (CS) is a noncaseating granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Lifelong immunosuppressive therapy, most frequently using corticosteroids, is a standard therapy to control hypersensitivity of immune reactions and prevent inflammation. However, it sometimes causes various systemic adverse effects and requires dose escalation. Thus, additional therapy may be required for the treatment of this disease. Recently, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) was reported as one of the etiologic agents of CS, indicating that antibacterial drugs (ABD) may be effective for the treatment of CS. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ABD treatment, in addition to standard corticosteroid therapy, in patients with CS.

Methods

The Japanese Antibacterial Drug Management for Cardiac Sarcoidosis (J‐ACNES) trial was designed as a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open‐label, controlled clinical trial. The patients will be randomized to receive either standard corticosteroid therapy plus ABD therapy (ABD group) or standard corticosteroid therapy (standard group). The primary endpoint is change in the total standardized uptake value at 6 months vs baseline using fluorine‐18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography. Secondary endpoints include efficacy, prognosis, and safety.

Results

The results of this study are currently under investigation.

Conclusion

The J‐ACNES trial will be the first prospective study assessing the clinical benefit and safety of ABD therapy, in addition to corticosteroid treatment, in patients with CS. Our findings may improve treatment of patients with CS, as additional ABD therapy reduces recurrence of inflammation and elucidates the mechanism of sarcoidosis.
Multiple biomarkers and arrhythmia outcome following catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: The Guangzhou Atrial Fibrillation Project
Authors: Deng Hai , Shantsila Alena , Guo Pi , Zhan Xianzhang , Fang Xianhong , Liao Hongtao , Liu Yang , Wei Wei , Fu Lu , Wu Shulin , Xue Yumei , Lip Gregory Y.H.
Published: August 2018

Background

Biomarkers have been related to the arrhythmia recurrence following catheter ablation (CA) of atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that concurrent measurement of several biomarkers would additively improve their predictive value.

Methods

One thousand four hundred and ten consecutive AF patients (68% male; 57.2 ± 11.6 years) undergoing CA were enrolled. Baseline characteristics, serum B type brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), ablation parameters, arrhythmia data at discharge, 1, 3, 6, and then every 6 months post CA were collected. Follow‐up ended when arrhythmia recurred or until 31st December 2016.

Results

Three hundred and sixty‐five (25.9%) patients had arrhythmia recurrence post‐CA during a mean follow‐up of 20.7 ± 8.8 months. BNP, hsCRP, and eGFR levels and their cut‐off values of 237.45 pg/mL, 1.6 mg/dL, and 82.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 were good predictors for AF recurrence (all P < 0.01). On multivariate analysis, increasing BNP and hsCRP, decreasing eGFR, gender, and early recurrence (ER) were independent predictors of AF recurrence (all P < 0.01). Compared to BNP alone, BNP plus eGFR or both eGFR and CRP showed incrementally better predictive values (ROC comparisons, all P < 0.01). Similar findings were evident in the subgroups of patients with paroxysmal or nonparoxysmal AF.

Conclusion

Measurement of BNP, CRP, and eGFR were incrementally additive to clinical risk factors in a cumulative manner to improve prediction of arrhythmia recurrence post‐CA of AF. The implications of poor arrhythmia outcome in AF patients with multiple abnormal biomarkers pre‐CA procedure may help with patient selection and inform the likelihood of success or the need of more complicated CA procedure(s).
Climatological characteristics of the synoptic changes accompanying South China Sea summer monsoon withdrawal
Authors: Hu Peng , Chen Wen , Huang Ruping , Nath Debashis
Published: August 2018

This manuscript analyses the climatological characteristics (especially the synoptic phenomena and changes) of the South China Sea (SCS) summer monsoon withdrawal (SCSSMW) based on monsoon retreat dates from the National Climate Center of China Meteorological Administration. The SCSSMW is mainly defined as the westerly to easterly shift in the zonal winds due to the westwards intrusion of the western North Pacific (WNP) subtropical high in the northern SCS region. At the low level (850 hPa), the weakening and retreat of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) and rain belt in the SCS–WNP are pertinent, and the southwesterly winds over the north Indian Ocean and the SCS also weaken and retreat. The anomalous anticyclone centred over the northern SCS resembles a Rossby wave response to the reduced precipitation over the SCS and the Philippine Sea. Changes in the upper‐level (200 hPa) circulations include the deceleration of the tropical easterly stream (from the Indo‐China Peninsula to the Arabian Sea) and northerly cross‐equatorial flow (around the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean and Maritime Continent). At the mid‐level (500 hPa), the ascending centre moves equatorwards, shifting from the northern to the southern SCS. There appears an anomalous vertical circulation cell (descending/ascending in the northern/southern SCS), which links the anomalous horizontal circulation through the Sverdrup balance. In addition, the upper‐level divergent centre is shifted southeastwards, as is the generating centre of tropical cyclones. Moreover, an anomalous convergent centre over Taiwan Island is prominent in the upper level. The time series of several atmospheric variables (e.g., zonal wind, precipitation, convection) also exhibited abrupt changes during the SCSSMW. The reasons for not simultaneous retreat of monsoonal westerlies and rainy season in the SCS are also explored.
Cover Image, Volume 98, Issue 13
Authors: Deng Lei , Shi Ai‐Min , Wang Qiang
Published: August 2018

The cover image, by Lei Deng et al., is based on the Research Article Sedative–hypnotic and anxiolytic effects and the mechanism of action of aqueous extracts of peanut stems and leaves in mice, DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.9020.

image
Characterization and discrimination of steroidal saponins in Tribulus terrestris L. and its three different aerial parts by chemical profiling with chemometrics analysis
Authors: Qi Peng , Zheng Yuanyuan , Shen Yao , Wang Jianwei , Bi Qirui , Feng Ruihong , Yang Min , Hou Jinjun , Wu Wanying , Sun Shenguo
Published: August 2018

Tribulus terrestris L. is a well‐known medicinal plant from subtropical areas. In China Pharmacopoeia, only the fruit of T. terrestris is recorded to be the medicinal part. But some pharmaceutical preparations and food supplements made of total saponins of aerial part of T. terrestris including fruits, stems, and leaves are commercially available. However, steroidal saponins in different parts have not been studied extensively. So differentiating three parts and ensuring reasonable application of T. terrestris has been an important issue. Herein, we developed an integrated platform based on components profiling and chemometrics analysis to comparatively characterize and investigate steroidal saponins in three parts. As a result, a total of 84 steroidal saponins were characterized or tentatively identified, including 20 compounds reported for the first time. A clear separation of the three parts was achieved by partial least squares discriminant analysis based on the identified saponins, and 17 saponins were screened as biomarkers. Support vector machines model established based on 17 markers showed excellent predication accuracy of 100%. Finally, different distribution of steroidal saponins in three parts was shown obviously by heatmap visualization. These results provide promising perspectives for quality control of Chinese medicine, especially those with different medical parts.
Prevalent sediment source shift after revegetation in the Loess Plateau of China: Implications from sediment fingerprinting in a small catchment
Authors: Wang Wendi , Fang Nufang , Shi Zhihua , Lu Xixi
Published: August 2018

As an important soil and water conversation endeavor, the ‘Grain for Green’ project launched by the Chinese Central Government almost doubled the vegetation cover on the Loess Plateau between 1999 and 2013. The corresponding vegetation restoration considerably diminished slope erosion throughout the Loess Plateau, although erosion in gullies remains poorly understood. In this paper, a composite fingerprinting approach was employed to assess the relative importance of the erosion of gully and slope soils within a typical dam‐controlled catchment of the Loess Plateau. A total of 23 couplets were identified based on the deposited layer thicknesses and extreme rainfall event records along the sediment profile. The results suggest that gullies contributed 71% to the overall sediment proportion, and those sediments had an increased tendency to accumulate during 2010–2016 under the ‘Grain for Green’ project. The sediment inputs from slope areas were predicted to be 29%. The eroded gullies materials mainly consisted of silt‐sized particles, which dominated the eroded sediment. Silt particles with sizes of 0.02–0.05 mm constituted the main particles in both deposit sediments and gully materials, whereas the slope areas mainly contained particle sizes of <0.01 mm. The check dam proved to be effective at trapping coarse silt with 27–42% of the total sediment content. This study presents reliable information on the importance of gullies as sediment source materials and verifies the applicability of tracing procedures for collecting information on sediment effluxes from both slopes and gullies.
Microbial effects of livestock manure fertilization on freshwater aquaculture ponds rearing tilapia (Oreochromis shiranus) and North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)
Authors: Minich Jeremiah J. , Zhu Qiyun , Xu Zhenjiang Zech , Amir Amnon , Ngochera Maxon , Simwaka Moses , Allen Eric E. , Zidana Hastings , Knight Rob
Published: August 2018

The majority of seafood is farmed, with most finfish coming from freshwater ponds. Ponds are often fertilized to promote microbial productivity as a natural feed source to fish. To understand if pond fertilization with livestock manure induces a probiotic or prebiotic effect, we communally reared tilapia (Oreochromis shiranus), and North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus), for 4 weeks under seven manure treatments including layer chicken, broiler chicken, guinea fowl, quail, pig, cow, vs. commercial feed to evaluate microbial community dynamics of the manure, pond water, and fish feces using 16S and 18S rRNA marker genes along with metagenome sequencing. Catfish growth, but not tilapia, was positively associated with plankton abundance (p = 0.0006, R2 = 0.4887) and greatest in ponds fertilized with quail manure (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Manure was unique and influenced the 16S microbiome in pond water, tilapia gut, and catfish gut and 18S community in pond water and catfish guts (PERMANOVA, p = 0.001). On average, 18.5%, 18.6%, and 45.3% of manure bacteria sOTUs, (sub‐operational taxonomic units), were present in the water column, catfish feces, and tilapia feces which comprised 3.7%, 12.8%, and 10.9% of the total microbial richness of the communities, respectively. Antibiotic resistance genes were highest in the manure and water samples followed by tilapia feces and lowest in catfish feces (p < 0.0001). In this study, we demonstrate how the bacterial and eukaryotic microbial composition of fish ponds are influenced by specific livestock manure inputs and that the gut microbiome of tilapia is more sensitive and responsive than catfish to these changes. We conclude that animal manure used as fertilizer induces a primarily prebiotic effect on the pond ecosystem rather than a direct probiotic effect on fish.
Two different fractional Stefan problems that are convergent to the same classical Stefan problem
Authors: Roscani Sabrina D. , Tarzia Domingo A.
Published: August 2018

Two fractional Stefan problems are considered by using Riemann‐Liouville and Caputo derivatives of order α ∈ (0,1) such that, in the limit case (α = 1), both problems coincide with the same classical Stefan problem. For the one and the other problem, explicit solutions in terms of the Wright functions are presented. We prove that these solutions are different even though they converge, when α↗1, to the same classical solution. This result also shows that some limits are not commutative when fractional derivatives are used.
Phase‐response curves of ion channel gating kinetics
Authors: Schleimer Jan‐Hendrik , Schreiber Susanne
Published: August 2018

Reduced models of single‐neuron dynamics are widely used to characterize neuronal properties such as stimulus encoding and a cell's contribution to network function. Low‐dimensional phase oscillator models based on phase‐response curves, in particular, permit to capture the essence of a neuron's input‐output dynamics at the level of spike times from high‐dimensional conductance‐based neuron models. In principle, these phase models allow for a direct translation of perturbations in the state variables (such as changes in specific ion channel conductances and kinetics) to shifts in the timing of spikes. Previous mathematical work, however, has predominantly focused on voltage and current perturbations and less on perturbations occurring in any of the involved kinetic equations of ionic channels. Here, we provide the means to mathematically relate properties in these variables to the phase‐dependent voltage dynamics. Specifically, we derive the vector of phase‐response curves near two different onset bifurcations: the physiologically prominent saddle node on invariant cycle bifurcation as well as the saddle‐node loop bifurcation. We demonstrate that, locally around the saddle node, the tangent space of the isochrons is spanned by the strongly stable manifold of the saddle node. This finding enables us to quantitatively relate perturbations in the gating kinetics of ion channels to the resulting changes in spike timing. These results lay the methodological foundation for future quantitative analyses of the impact of specific biophysical channel properties on spike timing, including, but not limited to, channel noise.
Large‐time behavior of solutions to the 3‐D flow of a compressible viscous micropolar fluid with cylindrical symmetry
Authors: Huang Lan , Dražić Ivan
Published: August 2018

In this paper, we study the asymptotic behavior of global weak solutions in H1 to the problem that describes compressible viscous and heat‐conducting micropolar fluid flow in a three‐dimensional domain bounded by two circular, coaxial, and infinite cylinders that present the solid thermoinsulated walls. In the thermodynamical sense, the fluid is perfect and polytropic. We prove that the global weak solution exists and converges to a steady state as time goes to infinity. We have been working under the assumption that the initial data are cylindrically symmetric and the initial total energy is sufficiently small.
Prevention of Breast Cancer by Natural Phytochemicals: Focusing on Molecular Targets and Combinational Strategy
Authors: Chiou Yi‐Shiou , Li Shiming , Ho Chi‐Tang , Pan Min‐Hsiung
Published: August 2018

Starting from the 21st century, breast cancer can be classified as the most common invasive malignancy in women. Among the preventive or therapeutic strategies of breast cancer, combination therapy is the most promising approach. This mode of treatment of breast cancer concurrently maximizes efficacy, overcomes multidrug resistance, and minimizes harmful side effects caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone. The risk of cancer can be reduced by supplementing diets with naturally occurring products known as phytochemicals. These phytochemicals have well‐defined roles in the management of every stage of breast carcinogenesis. In this review, the collective data of dietary phytochemicals used to sensitize breast cancer cells to therapeutic approaches are reported and their specific molecular targets through synergistic, additive, and potentiation effects are highlighted. The concept of combining natural agents with medicines to augment therapeutic responses creates an optimal modality, which may facilitate clinical applications of combination regimens in the future.
Evaluation of 2D and 3D ultrasound tracking algorithms and impact on ultrasound‐guided liver radiotherapy margins
Authors: De Luca Valeria , Banerjee Jyotirmoy , Hallack Andre , Kondo Satoshi , Makhinya Maxim , Nouri Daniel , Royer Lucas , Cifor Amalia , Dardenne Guillaume , Goksel Orcun , Gooding Mark J. , Klink Camiel , Krupa Alexandre , Le Bras Anthony , Marchal Maud , Moelker Adriaan , Niessen Wiro J. , Papiez Bartlomiej W. , Rothberg Alex , Schnabel Julia , van Walsum Theo , Harris Emma , Lediju Bell Muyinatu A. , Tanner Christine
Published: August 2018

Purpose

Compensation for respiratory motion is important during abdominal cancer treatments. In this work we report the results of the 2015 MICCAI Challenge on Liver Ultrasound Tracking and extend the 2D results to relate them to clinical relevance in form of reducing treatment margins and hence sparing healthy tissues, while maintaining full duty cycle.

Methods

We describe methodologies for estimating and temporally predicting respiratory liver motion from continuous ultrasound imaging, used during ultrasound‐guided radiation therapy. Furthermore, we investigated the trade‐off between tracking accuracy and runtime in combination with temporal prediction strategies and their impact on treatment margins.

Results

Based on 2D ultrasound sequences from 39 volunteers, a mean tracking accuracy of 0.9 mm was achieved when combining the results from the 4 challenge submissions (1.2 to 3.3 mm). The two submissions for the 3D sequences from 14 volunteers provided mean accuracies of 1.7 and 1.8 mm. In combination with temporal prediction, using the faster (41 vs 228 ms) but less accurate (1.4 vs 0.9 mm) tracking method resulted in substantially reduced treatment margins (70% vs 39%) in contrast to mid‐ventilation margins, as it avoided non‐linear temporal prediction by keeping the treatment system latency low (150 vs 400 ms). Acceleration of the best tracking method would improve the margin reduction to 75%.

Conclusions

Liver motion estimation and prediction during free‐breathing from 2D ultrasound images can substantially reduce the in‐plane motion uncertainty and hence treatment margins. Employing an accurate tracking method while avoiding non‐linear temporal prediction would be favorable. This approach has the potential to shorten treatment time compared to breath‐hold and gated approaches, and increase treatment efficiency and safety.
The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ‐15): Validation of the Dutch version in patients with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury
Authors: Noordhoff Toscane C. , Scheepe Jeroen R. , 't Hoen Lisette A. , Sluis Tebbe A. R. , Blok Bertil F. M.
Published: August 2018

Aims

The Multiple Sclerosis Intimacy and Sexuality Questionnaire (MSISQ‐15) evaluates symptoms of sexual dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this study was to provide and validate a Dutch version of the MSISQ‐15 in patients with neurological disease such as MS and spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods

The linguistic validation process of the original English MSISQ‐15 into Dutch was performed according to standardized guidelines. Sexually active patients with MS or spinal cord disorders, including SCI and cauda equine syndrome, who visited a tertiary urology center or a rehabilitation center completed the MSISQ‐15, Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire (PISQ‐12) in women, or International Index of Erection Function (IIEF‐15) in men at baseline (test) and 2 weeks later (retest). A reference group recruited from a general medical practice completed the questionnaires once. Data were analyzed for measurement properties.

Results

Fifty‐three patients with MS, 49 patients with spinal cord disorder, and 50 references were included. Content validity was adequate. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.8) and reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.8) of the MSISQ‐15 were excellent. Patients’ MSISQ‐15 scores were correlated with severity of symptoms of sexual dysfunction measured by PISQ‐12 or IIEF‐15 and confirmed positive rating for criterion validity. MSISQ‐15 scores in patients were higher than in references (on a scale of 15‐75: 38.9 ± 11.4 vs 21.1 ± 5.4; P < 0.001), indicating good construct validity.

Conclusions

The Dutch MSISQ‐15 is a reliable and valid measure to evaluate symptoms of sexual dysfunction in patients with MS or with SCI.
Patient‐reported symptoms improve prediction of acute coronary syndrome in the emergency department
Authors: Zègre‐Hemsey Jessica K. , Burke Larisa A. , DeVon Holli A.
Published: August 2018

Early diagnosis is critical in the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), because effective therapies are time‐dependent. Aims of this secondary analysis were to determine: (i) the prognostic value of symptoms for an ACS diagnosis in conjunction with electrocardiographic (ECG) and troponin results; and (ii) if any of 13 symptoms were associated with prehospital delay in those presenting to the emergency department (ED) with potential ACS. Patients receiving a cardiac evaluation in the ED were eligible for the study. Thirteen patient‐reported symptoms were assessed in triage. Prehospital delay time was calculated as the time from symptom onset until registration in the ED. A total of 1,064 patients were enrolled in five EDs. The sample was 62% male, 70% white, and had a mean age of 60.2 years. Of 474 participants diagnosed with ACS, 118 (25%) had STEMI; 251 (53%) had non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI); and 105 (22%) had unstable angina. Sweating (OR = 1.42 CI [1.01, 2.00]) and shoulder pain (OR = 1.64 CI [1.13, 2.38]) added to the predictive value of an ACS diagnosis when combined with ECG and troponin results. Shortness of breath (OR = 0.71 CI [0.50, 1.00]) and unusual fatigue (OR = 0.60 CI [0.42, 0.84]) were predictive of a non‐ACS diagnosis. Sweating predicted shorter prehospital delay (HR = 1.35, CI [1.10, 1.67]); shortness of breath (HR = 0.73 CI [0.60, 0.89]) and unusual fatigue (HR = 0.72, CI [0.57, 0.90]) were associated with longer prehospital delay. Patient‐reported symptoms are significantly associated with ACS diagnoses and prehospital delay. Sweating and shoulder pain combined with ECG signs of ischemia may improve the timely detection of ACS in the ED.
Dietary inflammatory index and cardiovascular risk factors in Spanish children and adolescents
Authors: Correa‐Rodríguez María , González‐Jiménez Emilio , Rueda‐Medina Blanca , Tovar‐Gálvez María I. , Ramírez‐Vélez Robinson , Correa‐Bautista Jorge E. , Schmidt‐RioValle Jacqueline
Published: August 2018

Dietary inflammatory potential is an established risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events. In this study we analyzed the relation between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and cardiovascular risk factors, based on anthropometric, body composition, blood pressure, and heart rate parameters in children and adolescents. We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 428 Spanish schoolchildren (mean age 12.32 ± 1.84), whose DII was calculated, based on a 24‐hr diet recall over 3 days. Anthropometric measurements were taken, and body composition analyzed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Blood pressure and heart rate parameters were assessed with an automatic monitor. Pubertal stage was assessed based on Tanner criteria. We analyzed the DII both as a continuous variable and as a category variable based on quartiles. Linear regression analysis revealed that the DII was significantly associated with waist to height ratio (WHtR) (p = .026; B = 0.128, 95% CI [.001–.016]) after adjusting for age, sex, total energy intake, and Tanner stage. All macro‐ and micronutrient intakes were found to be higher in the DII Q1 (anti‐inflammatory diet) except for caffeine. This study provides preliminary evidence of a significant association between the DII and WHtR, an index of cardiovascular risk. The results obtained indicate that the inflammatory potential of the diet may play a role in children and adolescents becoming overweight or developing obesity. Future studies in young people should be conducted to validate and further explore these relationships.
Consider Energy‐Saving Options for Wastewater Treatment Plants
Authors: Brewer Todd F. , Shea Patrick , Cheng Robert C.
Published: August 2018

According to the US Department of Energy, as much as 10 percent of a local government's budget is typically allocated to energy use. On average, more than one‐third of that municipal energy usage—about 35 percent—is used to provide water and wastewater services. For a typical wastewater treatment facility, electrical usage accounts for 25–40 percent of the annual operating budget. Overall, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that water and wastewater utilities use about 3–4 percent of total US energy consumed.
Interface engineering of polypropylene hollow fiber membrane through ultrasonic capillary effect and nucleophilic substitution
Authors: Shao Huiju , Qi Yating , Liang Songmiao , Qin Shuhao , Yu Jie
Published: August 2018

Interface engineering has been considered to be very critical for achieving polymer membranes with high performances. The main objective of this study is to establish a guideline for controlling the microstructure of membranes through ultrasonic capillary effect and nucleophilic substitution. Our key strategy is to construct micro/nano surface structures of polypropylene hollow fiber membranes grafted by glycidyl methacrylate in the ultrasonic assisted polymerization system. Then, zwitterionic surfaces of membranes were formed through the amino acids induced epoxy ring opening reaction. The formation mechanism of different morphology structures was discussed in detail. The effect of microstructures on the property of membranes was investigated systematically. When zwitterionic copolymers were uniformly formed on the membranes layer by layer, in the presence of threonine, the excellent bovine serum albumin rejection and antifouling properties were achieved. In contrast, zwitterionic copolymers appeared on the membranes as collapsed droplets in the case of glycine, and the relevant properties of membranes were decreased evidently. This study can provide a novel and facile protocol for constructing microstructures on the membrane surface, improving the performance.
Three types of metaplasia model through Kras activation, Pten deletion, or Cdh1 deletion in the gastric epithelium
Authors: Kinoshita Hiroto , Hayakawa Yoku , Konishi Mitsuru , Hata Masahiro , Tsuboi Mayo , Hayata Yuki , Hikiba Yohko , Ihara Sozaburo , Nakagawa Hayato , Ikenoue Tsuneo , Ushiku Tetsuo , Fukayama Masashi , Hirata Yoshihiro , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: August 2018

Chronic inflammation and intestinal metaplasia are strongly associated with gastric carcinogenesis. Kras activation and Pten deletion are observed in intestinal‐type gastric cancer, and Cdh1 mutation is associated with diffuse‐type gastric cancer. Although various mouse models of gastric carcinogenesis have been reported, few mouse lines enable gene manipulation selectively in the stomach. Here we established a Tff1‐Cre bacterial artificial chromosome transgenic mouse line in an attempt to induce gene modification specifically in the gastric pit lineage. In the stomach, Tff1‐Cre‐mediated recombination was most evident in the pit lineage in the corpus and in entire antral glands; recombination was also observed in a few gastric chief and parietal cells. Outside the stomach, recombination was patchy throughout the intestines, and particularly frequently in the duodenum (Brunner glands), cecum, and proximal colon. In the stomachs of Tff1‐Cre;LSL‐KrasG12D mice, proliferating cell clusters expanded throughout the corpus glands, with foveolar cell expansion with ectopic Alcian blue‐positive mucins, oxyntic atrophy, and pseudopyloric changes with spasmolytic polypeptide‐expressing metaplasia; however, gastric cancer was not observed even at 12 months of age. Corpus‐derived organoids from Tff1‐Cre;LSL‐KrasG12D mice exhibited accelerated growth and abnormal differentiation with a loss of chief and parietal cell markers. Tff1‐Cre;Ptenflox/flox mice displayed similar changes to those seen in Tff1‐Cre;LSL‐KrasG12D mice, both with aberrant ERK activation within 3 months. In contrast, Tff1‐Cre;Cdh1flox/flox mice initially showed signet ring‐like cells that were rapidly lost with disruption of the mucosal surface, and later developed gastric epithelial shedding with hyperproliferation and loss of normal gastric lineages. Eventually, the glandular epithelium in Tff1‐Cre;Cdh1flox/flox mice was completely replaced by squamous epithelium which expanded from the forestomach. Tff1‐Cre mice offer an additional useful tool for studying gastric carcinogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A triple‐probe FISH screening strategy for risk‐stratified therapy of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in low‐resource settings
Authors: Parihar Mayur , Singh Manish K. , Islam Rubina , Saha Debparna , Mishra Deepak Kumar , Saha Vaskar , Krishnan Shekhar
Published: August 2018

Karyotyping along with a 3‐probe fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) strategy was used to risk stratify therapy in 303 children with B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. Of the 166 patients risk stratified, karyotype identified 91 (55%). FISH identified all karyotypes accurately, with the exception of hypodiploidy, and risk stratified an additional 75 patients. The frequency of ETV6‐RUNX1 is lower and high hyperdiploidy, higher than reported in the west. An adapted 3‐probe FISH strategy identified two patients with ETV6‐ABL1 fusion who received imatinib. In limited‐resource settings, a 3‐probe FISH approach provides a practical approach for risk‐stratified therapy in childhood ALL.