bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluconazole Pharmacokinetics in Galleria mellonella Larvae and Performance Evaluation of a Bioassay Compared to Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Hemolymph Specimens
Authors: Astvad Karen Marie Thyssen , Meletiadis Joseph , Whalley Sarah , Arendrup Maiken Cavling
Published: August 2017

The invertebrate model organism
Galleria mellonella
can be used to assess the efficacy of treatment of fungal infection. The fluconazole dose best mimicking human exposure during licensed dosing is unknown. We validated a bioassay for fluconazole detection in hemolymph and determined the fluconazole pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in larval hemolymph in order to estimate a humanized dose for future experiments. A bioassay using 4-mm agar wells, 20 μl hemolymph, and the hypersusceptible
Candida albicans
DSY2621 was established and compared to a validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS-MS) method.
G. mellonella
larvae were injected with fluconazole (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg of larval weight), and hemolymph was harvested for 24 h for pharmacokinetics calculations. The exposure was compared to the human exposure during standard licensed dosing. The bioassay had a linear standard curve between 1 and 20 mg/liter. Accuracy and coefficients of variation (percent) values were below 10%. The Spearman coefficient between assays was 0.94. Fluconazole larval pharmacokinetics followed one-compartment linear kinetics, with the 24-h area under the hemolymph concentration-time curve (AUC
24 h
) being 93, 173, and 406 mg · h/liter for the three doses compared to 400 mg · h/liter in humans under licensed treatment. In conclusion, a bioassay was validated for fluconazole determination in hemolymph. The pharmacokinetics was linear. An exposure comparable to the human exposure during standard licensed dosing was obtained with 20 mg/kg.
Tetrazole-Based
trans
-Translation Inhibitors Kill Bacillus anthracis Spores To Protect Host Cells
Authors: Alumasa John N. , Goralski Tyler D. P. , Keiler Kenneth C.
Published: August 2017

Bacillus anthracis
, the causative agent of anthrax, remains a significant threat to humans, including potential use in bioterrorism and biowarfare. The capacity to engineer strains with increased pathogenicity coupled with the ease of disseminating lethal doses of
B. anthracis
spores makes it necessary to identify chemical agents that target and kill spores. Here, we demonstrate that a tetrazole-based
trans
-translation inhibitor, KKL-55, is bactericidal against vegetative cells of
B. anthracis
in culture. Using a fluorescent analog, we show that this class of compounds colocalizes with developing endospores and bind purified spores
in vitro
. KKL-55 was effective against spores at concentrations close to its MIC for vegetative cells. Spore germination was inhibited at 1.2× MIC, and spores were killed at 2× MIC. In contrast, ciprofloxacin killed germinants at concentrations close to its MIC but did not prevent germination even at 32× MIC. Because toxins are released by germinants, macrophages infected by
B. anthracis
spores are killed early in the germination process. At ≥2× MIC, KKL-55 protected macrophages from death after infection with
B. anthracis
spores. Ciprofloxacin required concentrations of ≥8× MIC to exhibit a similar effect. Taken together, these data indicate that KKL-55 and related tetrazoles are good lead candidates for therapeutics targeting
B. anthracis
spores and suggest that there is an early requirement for
trans
-translation in germinating spores.
Mechanisms of Action of Vitamin D as Supplemental Therapy for Pneumocystis Pneumonia
Authors: Lei Guang-Sheng , Zhang Chen , Cheng Bi-Hua , Lee Chao-Hung
Published: August 2017

The combination of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) is the most effective regimen for therapy of
Pneumocystis
pneumonia (PCP). As many patients with PCP are allergic or do not respond to it, efforts have been devoted to develop alternative therapies for PCP. We have found that the combination of vitamin D
3
(VitD3) (300 IU/kg/day) and primaquine (PMQ) (5 mg/kg/day) was as effective as TMP-SMX for therapy of PCP. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which vitamin D enhances the efficacy of PMQ. C57BL/6 mice were immunosuppressed by CD4
+
cell depletion, infected with
Pneumocystis
murina
for 8 weeks, and then treated for 9 days with the combination of VitD3 and PMQ (VitD3-PMQ) or with TMP-SMX or PMQ to serve as controls. The results showed that vitamin D supplementation increased the number of CD11c
+
cells, suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], gamma interferon [IFN-γ], and interleukin-6 [IL-6]) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and enhanced the expression of genes related to antioxidation (glutathione reductase and glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit), antimicrobial peptides (cathelicidin), and autophagy (ATG5 and beclin-1). These results suggest that the main action of vitamin D is enhancing the ability of the host to defend against
Pneumocystis
infection.
Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cytochrome
bd
Oxidase Mutants to Compounds Targeting the Terminal Respiratory Oxidase, Cytochrome
c
Authors: Moosa Atica , Lamprecht Dirk A. , Arora Kriti , Barry Clifton E. , Boshoff Helena I. M. , Ioerger Thomas R. , Steyn Adrie J. C. , Mizrahi Valerie , Warner Digby F.
Published: August 2017

We deleted subunits I (
cydA
) and II (
cydB
) of the
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
cytochrome
bd
menaquinol oxidase. The resulting Δ
cydA
and Δ
cydAB
mutants were hypersusceptible to compounds targeting the mycobacterial
bc
1
menaquinol-cytochrome
c
oxidoreductase and exhibited bioenergetic profiles indistinguishable from strains deficient in the ABC-type transporter, CydDC, predicted to be essential for cytochrome
bd
assembly. These results confirm CydAB and CydDC as potential targets for drugs aimed at inhibiting a terminal respiratory oxidase implicated in pathogenesis.
Entry, Intracellular Survival, and Multinucleated-Giant-Cell-Forming Activity of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Human Primary Phagocytic and Nonphagocytic Cells
Authors: Whiteley Liam , Meffert Teresa , Haug Maria , Weidenmaier Christopher , Hopf Verena , Bitschar Katharina , Schittek Birgit , Kohler Christian , Steinmetz Ivo , West T. Eoin , Schwarz Sandra
Published: August 2017

The human pathogen
Burkholderia pseudomallei
and the related species
Burkholderia thailandensis
are facultative intracellular bacteria characterized by the ability to escape into the cytosol of the host cell and to stimulate the formation of multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs). MNGC formation is induced via an unknown mechanism by bacterial type VI secretion system 5 (T6SS-5), which is an essential virulence factor in both species. Despite the vital role of the intracellular life cycle in the pathogenesis of the bacteria, the range of host cell types permissive for initiation and completion of the intracellular cycle is poorly defined. In the present study, we used several different types of human primary cells to evaluate bacterial entry, intracellular survival, and MNGC formation. We report the capacity of
B. pseudomallei
to enter, efficiently replicate in, and mediate MNGC formation of vein endothelial and bronchial epithelial cells, indicating that the T6SS-5 is important in the host-pathogen interaction in these cells. Furthermore, we show that
B. pseudomallei
invades fibroblasts and keratinocytes and survives inside these cells as well as in monocyte-derived macrophages and neutrophils for at least 17 h postinfection; however, MNGC formation is not induced in these cells. In contrast, infection of mixed neutrophils and RAW264.7 macrophages with
B. thailandensis
stimulated the formation of heterotypic MNGCs in a T6SS-5-dependent manner. In summary, the ability of the bacteria to enter and survive as well as induce MNGC formation in certain host cells may contribute to the pathogenesis observed in
B. pseudomallei
infection.
TetR Family Transcriptional Regulator PccD Negatively Controls Propionyl Coenzyme A Assimilation in Saccharopolyspora erythraea
Authors: Xu Zhen , Wang Miaomiao , Ye Bang-Ce
Published: August 2017

Propanol stimulates erythromycin biosynthesis by increasing the supply of propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA), a starter unit of erythromycin production inSaccharopolyspora erythraea. Propionyl-CoA is assimilated via propionyl-CoA carboxylase to methylmalonyl-CoA, an extender unit of erythromycin. We found that the addition ofn-propanol or propionate caused a 4- to 16-fold increase in the transcriptional levels of the SACE_3398–3400 locus encoding propionyl-CoA carboxylase, a key enzyme in propionate metabolism. The regulator PccD was proved to be directly involved in the transcription regulation of the SACE_3398–3400 locus by EMSA and DNase I footprint analysis. The transcriptional levels of SACE_3398–3400 were upregulated 15- to 37-fold in thepccDgene deletion strain (ΔpccD) and downregulated 3-fold in thepccDoverexpression strain (WT/pIB-pccD), indicating that PccD was a negative transcriptional regulator of SACE_3398–3400. The ΔpccDstrain has a higher growth rate than that of the wild-type strain (WT) on Evans medium with propionate as the sole carbon source, whereas the growth of the WT/pIB-pccDstrain was repressed. As a possible metabolite of propionate metabolism, methylmalonic acid was identified as an effector molecule of PccD and repressed its regulatory activity. A higher level of erythromycin in the ΔpccDstrain was observed compared with that in the wild-type strain. Our study reveals a regulatory mechanism in propionate metabolism and suggests new possibilities for designing metabolic engineering to increase erythromycin yield.

IMPORTANCEOur work has identified the novel regulator PccD that controls the expression of the gene for propionyl-CoA carboxylase, a key enzyme in propionyl-CoA assimilation inS. erythraea. PccD represses the generation of methylmalonyl-CoA through carboxylation of propionyl-CoA and reveals an effect on biosynthesis of erythromycin. This finding provides novel insight into propionyl-CoA assimilation, and extends our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms underlying the biosynthesis of erythromycin.
Stercoral perforation of the colon in a heroin addict
Authors: Brown Cameron Douglas , Maxwell Fraser , French Paul , Nicholson Gary
Published: August 2017

A 27-year-old female heroin addict presented with a peritonitic and distended abdomen. Her medical history included depression and a 3-year history of heroin abuse with attendant constipation. CT scan showed free intraperitoneal gas, massive faecal distension of the rectum and sigmoid colon and likely bowel necrosis. She underwent an emergency Hartmann's procedure for perforation of the sigmoid colon. Pathology identified two areas of stercoral ulceration, one of them being the area of perforation. Postoperatively, the patient developed a deep vein thrombosis and is now on anticoagulant therapy. She was discharged 4 weeks after admission. The patient has been reviewed at follow-up clinic by the surgical team and specialist stoma nurses. She is coping well with good stoma function. We will perform a colonoscopy to identify any further areas of stercoral ulceration but there are no plans for further surgery at present.
Incidental finding of persistent left superior vena cava after ‘bubble study’ verification of central venous catheter
Authors: Pardinas Gutierrez Miguel Agustin , Escobar Luis A , Blumer Vanessa , Cabrera Jorge Luis
Published: August 2017

We report a case of a patient with septic shock who underwent central venous catheter placement in the left internal jugular vein, and a bedside ultrasound ‘bubble study’ revealed venous cannulation. A chest X-ray postprocedure revealed concern for arterial system catheterisation. However, the possibility of a persistent left superior vena cava was discussed and confirmed with a formal transthoracic echocardiogram and CT. This case demonstrates the importance of ultrasound-guided visualisation of anatomical structures in real time during central venous catheterisation. Other similar cases from the literature are briefly described.
A delayed presentation of ameloblastic fibrosarcoma in an African patient
Authors: Chauke Nkhensani Yvonne , Sofianos Chrysis , Liakos Dimitri , Ndobe Elias
Published: August 2017

A 24-year-old womanpresented with ameloblastic fibrosarcoma arising from ameloblastic fibroma. The delayed presentation accounted for the extensive destruction of the mandible and complete occlusion of her oral cavity. This resulted in an inability to eat and maintain oral hygiene. A multidisciplinary team management approach involved nutritional optimisation, segmental mandibulectomy, reconstruction with a reconstructive plate and a free anterolateral thigh flap to line the the floor of mouth. Functional and aesthetic outcome was acceptable, and the patient is planned for secondary free fibular flap bony reconstruction.
Carotid dissection presenting as a prolonged cluster-like headache in a patient with episodic cluster headache
Authors: Elhfnawy Ahmed Mohamed , Solymosi László , Sommer Claudia
Published: August 2017

We present a patient with known episodic cluster headache, who presented with cluster-like headache in the course of internal carotid artery dissection (ICAD) and discuss possible pathophysiological links between the two diseases. It is well known that cluster-like headache could be the presenting symptom of ICAD. However, ICAD occurring in a patient with a known episodic cluster headache was only once previously described. In the end of the manuscript, we propose red flags to help clinicians differentiate between primary cluster headache and cluster-like attacks masking underlying ICAD. Finally, we raise the question whether at least some proportion of those patients with cluster headache and Horner syndrome previously classified as a primary headache disorder might have been secondary cases to ICAD.
Medication adherence and glycemic control among newly diagnosed diabetes patients
Authors: Lin Lee-Kai , Sun Yan , Heng Bee Hoon , Chew Daniel Ek Kwang , Chong Phui-Nah
Published: August 2017

Background

Poor medication adherence can have negative consequences for the patients, the provider, the physician, and the sustainability of the healthcare system. To our knowledge, the association between medication adherence and glycemic control among newly diagnosed diabetes patients has not been studied. This study aims to bridge the gap.

Method

This is a retrospective cohort study of 2463 patients managed in the National Healthcare Group in Singapore with newly diagnosed diabetes. Patients were followed up for the first two years from their first medication dispensed for measuring medication adherence, proportion of days covered (PDC); and for another three years for investigating outcomes of glycemic control, emergency department visit, and hospitalization. Multivariable regressions were performed to study the association between medication adherence and the outcomes as well as the risk factors of poor adherence.

Results

The prevalence of medication adherence (PDC≥80%) was 65.0% (95% CI 63.1% to 66.9%) among newly diagnosed diabetes patients in Singapore. Male, Indian, or patients without hypertension or dyslipidemia were associated with poorer medication adherence. The HbA1c level of poor adherent patients (PDC <40%) increased by 0.4 (95% CI 0.2 to 0.5) over the two years, and they were also more likely to have hospitalization (OR 2.6,95% CI 1.7 to 3.8) or emergency department visit (OR 2.4,95% CI 1.7 to 3.4) compared with the fully adherent patients (PDC=100%).

Conclusions

The medication adherence in the early stage of diabetes is important for maximizing the effectiveness of pharmaceutical therapy. Health policies or interventions targeting the improvement of medication adherence among newly diagnosed diabetes patients are in need.
Tablet technology in medical education in South Africa: a mixed methods study
Authors: Lazarus L , Sookrajh R , Satyapal K S
Published: August 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to establish the use of mobile devices by learners at a selected medical school. Distribution of mobile devices was an inaugural initiative implemented by our college.

Design

A mixed methodology design using a questionnaire comprising both open-ended and close-ended questions was analysed from 179 (60 male; 119 female) second year medical students registered for the Anatomy course. Open-ended questions were analysed using a thematic approach by identifying emergent ideas and concepts. Close-ended questions were analysed using SPSS V.21.0.

Setting and participants

Second year medical students at a medical school in South Africa.

Results

Three main themes emerged, namely, (a) mobile device engagement, (b) advantages and (c) challenges affecting use of mobile devices. A majority of learners accessed their tablets for lecture notes; more females were inclined to access these devices than males. Challenges experienced included poor wifi connectivity on and off the university campus; some students were not keen on the idea of mobile devices and preferred traditional methods of teaching.

Conclusions

Mobile devices have been adopted by learners at our university. Uses of technology outlined are related to Eraut's intentions of informal learning. Integrating tablets into classes had a positive effect on student access to course material.
PIM-Check: development of an international prescription-screening checklist designed by a Delphi method for internal medicine patients
Authors: Desnoyer Aude , Blanc Anne-Laure , Pourcher Valérie , Besson Marie , Fonzo-Christe Caroline , Desmeules Jules , Perrier Arnaud , Bonnabry Pascal , Samer Caroline , Guignard Bertrand
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) occurs frequently and is a well-known risk factor for adverse drug events, but its incidence is underestimated in internal medicine. The objective of this study was to develop an electronic prescription-screening checklist to assist residents and young healthcare professionals in PIM detection.

Design

Five-step study involving selection of medical domains, literature review and 17 semistructured interviews, a two-round Delphi survey, a forward/back-translation process and an electronic tool development.

Setting

22 University and general hospitals from Canada, Belgium, France and Switzerland.

Participants

40 physicians and 25 clinical pharmacists were involved in the study.

Agreement with the checklist statements and their usefulness for healthcare professional training were evaluated using two 6-point Likert scales (ranging from 0 to 5).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Agreement and usefulness ratings were defined as: >65% of the experts giving the statement a rating of 4 or 5, during the first Delphi-round and >75% during the second.

Results

166 statements were generated during the first two steps. Mean agreement and usefulness ratings were 4.32/5 (95% CI 4.28 to 4.36) and 4.11/5 (4.07 to 4.15), respectively, during the first Delphi-round and 4.53/5 (4.51 to 4.56) and 4.36/5 (4.33 to 4.39) during the second (p<0.001). The final checklist includes 160 statements in 17 medical domains and 56 pathologies. An algorithm of approximately 31 000 lines was developed including comorbidities and medications variables to create the electronic tool.

Conclusion

PIM-Check is the first electronic prescription-screening checklist designed to detect PIM in internal medicine. It is intended to help young healthcare professionals in their clinical practice to detect PIM, to reduce medication errors and to improve patient safety.
Non-pharmacological interventions for management of fatigue among children with cancer: systematic review of existing practices and their effectiveness
Authors: Bhardwaj Tushti , Koffman Jonathan
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Fatigue is common among children living with cancer, particularly in advance stages. Little is known about the effectiveness of non-pharmacological approaches to manage this complex and distressing symptom among children. Thus, the present paper aim to critically examine the effectiveness and setting for non-pharmacological interventions to manage fatigue among children with cancer.

Methods

Six electronic databases were screened first in February 2013 and at second instance in March 2015. They include PsycINFO, Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane library. All databases were systematically searched for literature on fatigue and cancer, limited to children (as age group) and English language.

Results

1498 articles were identified, of which six were reviewed. Three types of interventions for managing fatigue were identified including (1) complementary and alternative medicine (healing touch/massage therapy), (2) exercise-based interventions and (3) nursing-based interventions. Most interventions were delivered during active treatment and in hospital settings where parents were involved to optimise participation. Despite fatigue scores being lower among intervention groups, no study findings were observed as being statistically significant.

Conclusion

Fatigue is common among children treated for and living with cancer. The most appropriate setting to deliver non-pharmacological interventions to manage fatigue appears to be in hospital. However, in absence of any strong evidence, professionals need to be cautious about existing non-pharmacological interventions. Future research must adopt more rigorous research designs that are adequately powered using validated measures to identify potential benefits. In addition, researchers may wish to test psychosocial interventions shown to be of benefit in adults.
MicroRNA-1-3p inhibits the proliferation and migration of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells by targeting DKK1
Authors: Wang Zhenshi , Wang Jiaolong , Chen Zhihua , Wang Kun , Shi Lianshui
Published: August 2017

We investigated the functional role and mechanism of miR-1-3p and DKK1 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. The level of miR-1-3p and DKK1 expression were detected in OSCC tissues and cells using reverse-transcription – quantitative PCR and Western blot. A dual luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to confirm the targeting relationship between miR-1-3p and DKK1. Functional assays, including MTT, Transwell, colony formation, and flow cytometry analysis were conducted to verify their effect on cell progressions. MTT, colony formation, and Transwell assays indicated that the proliferation, migration, and invasion of SCC-4 cells was impaired with high miR-1-3p expression but promoted with high DKK1 expression. The results from cell cycle analysis and annexin-V–PI assays for apoptosis suggested that miR-1-3p suppressed the transit of SCC-4 cells from G0/G1 to S and induced apoptosis. In summary, miR-1-3p suppressed the progression of OSCC by inhibiting DKK1 expression.
Dominant height growth and dynamic site index models for Crimean pine in the Kastamonu–Taşköprü region of Turkey
Authors: Seki Mehmet , Sakici Oytun Emre
Published: August 2017

Some dynamic site index models based on the generalized algebraic difference approach (GADA) were fitted for Crimean pine (Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe) stands in Taşköprü, Turkey. Data were obtained from 132 dominant trees representing the wide range of site quality in the region. Nonlinear regression analysis and a second-order continuous-time autoregressive error structure were applied. After autoregressive modeling, the fitted models were evaluated both statistically and graphically. The best results were obtained with the dynamic site index model derived from the Bertalanffy–Richards base equation, accounting for about the 99% of the total variance in height–age relationships in dominant trees, with an Akaike information criterion (AIC) value of 119.55 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.5446. The selected base-age invariant dynamic site index curves provided the polymorphism with multiple asymptotes and other realistic height growth patterns.
Electronic and optical properties of GaN under pressure: DFT calculations
Authors: Javaheri Sahar , Boochani Arash , Babaeipour Manuchehr , Naderi Sirvan
Published: August 2017

Optical and electronic properties of ZB, RS and WZ structures of gallium nitride (GaN) are studied in equilibrium and under pressure using the first-principles calculation in the density functional theory (DFT) framework to obtain quantities like dielectric function, loss function, reflectance and absorption spectra, refractive index and their relation parameters. The electronic properties are studied using EV-GGA and GGA approximations and the results calculated by EV-GGA approximation were found to be much closer to the experimental results. The interband electron transitions are studied using the band structure and electron transition peaks in the imaginary part of the dielectric function; these transitions occur in three structures from N-2p orbital to Ga-4s and Ga-4p orbitals in the conduction band. Different optical properties of WZ structure were calculated in two polarization directions of (100) and (001) and the results were close to each other. Plasmon energy corresponding to the main peak of the energy-loss function in RS with the value of 26 eV was the highest one, which increased under pressure. In general, RS shows more different properties than WZ and ZB.
A cascading failure model for analyzing railway accident causation
Authors: Liu Jin-Tao , Li Ke-Ping
Published: August 2017

In this paper, a new cascading failure model is proposed for quantitatively analyzing the railway accident causation. In the model, the loads of nodes are redistributed according to the strength of the causal relationships between the nodes. By analyzing the actual situation of the existing prevention measures, a critical threshold of the load parameter in the model is obtained. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed cascading model, simulation experiments of a train collision accident are performed. The results show that the cascading failure model can describe the cascading process of the railway accident more accurately than the previous models, and can quantitatively analyze the sensitivities and the influence of the causes. In conclusion, this model can assist us to reveal the latent rules of accident causation to reduce the occurrence of railway accidents.
Oscillator strength and quantum-confined Stark effect of excitons in a thin PbS quantum disk
Authors: Oukerroum A. , El-Yadri M. , El Aouami A. , Feddi E. , Dujardin F. , Duque C. A. , Sadoqi M. , Long G.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we report a study of the effect of a lateral electric field on a quantum-confined exciton in a thin PbS quantum disk. Our approach was performed in the framework of the effective mass theory and adiabatic approximation. The ground state energy and the stark shift were determined by using a variational method with an adequate trial wavefunction, by investigating a 2D oscillator strength under simultaneous consideration of the geometrical confinement and the electric field strength. Our results showed a strong dependence of the exciton binding and the Stark shift on the disk dimensions in both axial and longitudinal directions. On the other hand, our results also showed that the Stark shift’s dependence on the electric field is not purely quadratic but the linear contribution is also important and cannot be neglected, especially when the confinement gets weaker.
Hypergraphs with high projective dimension and 1-dimensional hypergraphs
Authors: Lin K.-N. , Mantero P.
Published: August 2017

(Dual) hypergraphs have been used by Kimura, Rinaldo and Terai to characterize squarefree monomial ideals [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], i.e. whose projective dimension equals the minimal number of generators of [Formula: see text] minus 1. In this paper, we prove sufficient and necessary combinatorial conditions for [Formula: see text]. The second main result is an effective explicit procedure to compute the projective dimension of a large class of 1-dimensional hypergraphs [Formula: see text] (the ones in which every connected component contains at most one cycle). An algorithm to compute the projective dimension is also provided. Applications of these results are given; they include, for instance, computing the projective dimension of monomial ideals whose associated hypergraph has a spanning Ferrers graph.
On the Gruenberg–Kegel graph of integral group rings of finite groups
Authors: Kimmerle W. , Konovalov A.
Published: August 2017

The prime graph question asks whether the Gruenberg–Kegel graph of an integral group ring [Formula: see text], i.e. the prime graph of the normalized unit group of [Formula: see text], coincides with that one of the group [Formula: see text]. In this note, we prove for finite groups [Formula: see text] a reduction of the prime graph question to almost simple groups. We apply this reduction to finite groups [Formula: see text] whose order is divisible by at most three primes and show that the Gruenberg–Kegel graph of such groups coincides with the prime graph of [Formula: see text].
EFFECT OF Mo CONTENT ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF LASER CLADDING Fe-BASED ALLOY COATINGS
Authors: XIAOLI MA , KAIMING WANG , HANGUANG FU , JIANG JU , YONGPING LEI , DAWEI YI
Published: August 2017

Mo alloying Fe-based coating was fabricated on the surface of Q235 steel by using 6 kW fiber laser. The effects of Mo additions on the microstructure, microhardness and wear resistance of the cladding layer were studied by means of optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), Vickers hardness tester and M-200 ring block wear tester. Research results showed that the microstructure of Mo-free cladding layer mainly consisted of matrix and eutectic structure. The matrix was martensite and retained austenite. The eutectic structure mainly consisted of M2(B,C) and M7(C,B)3 type of eutectic borocarbides. With the increase of Mo content, there was no significant change in the matrix. However, the eutectic structure was transformed from M2(B,C)- and M7(C,B)3-type borocarbides into M2(B,C)-, M7(C,B)3- and M[Formula: see text](C,B)6-type borocarbides. When the content of Mo is 4.0[Formula: see text]wt.%, the Mo2C-type carbide appear on the matrix, and parts of the borocarbide networks are broken. The change of microhardness of the cladding layer was not obvious with the increase of Mo content. But the increase of Mo content increases the wear resistance of the cladding layer. The wear resistance of cladding layer with 4.0[Formula: see text]wt.% Mo is 2.4 times as much as the cladding layer which is Mo-free.
Moving-window bis-correlation coefficients method for visible and near-infrared spectral discriminant analysis with applications
Authors: Yao Lijun , Xu Weiqun , Pan Tao , Chen Jiemei
Published: August 2017

The moving-window bis-correlation coefficients (MW-BiCC) was proposed and employed for the discriminant analysis of transgenic sugarcane leaves and [Formula: see text]-thalassemia with visible and near-infrared (Vis–NIR) spectroscopy. The well-performed moving-window principal component analysis linear discriminant analysis (MW-PCA–LDA) was also conducted for comparison. A total of 306 transgenic (positive) and 150 nontransgenic (negative) leave samples of sugarcane were collected and divided to calibration, prediction, and validation. The diffuse reflection spectra were corrected using Savitzky–Golay (SG) smoothing with first-order derivative ([Formula: see text]), third-degree polynomial ([Formula: see text]) and 25 smoothing points ([Formula: see text]). The selected waveband was 736–1054[Formula: see text]nm with MW-BiCC, and the positive and negative validation recognition rates ([Formula: see text]_REC[Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]_REC[Formula: see text] were 100%, 98.0%, which achieved the same effect as MW-PCA–LDA. Another example, the 93 [Formula: see text]-thalassemia (positive) and 148 nonthalassemia (negative) of human hemolytic samples were collected. The transmission spectra were corrected using SG smoothing with [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Using MW-BiCC, many best wavebands were selected (e.g., 1116–1146, 1794–1848 and 2284–2342[Formula: see text]nm). The [Formula: see text]_REC[Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]_REC[Formula: see text] were both 100%, which achieved the same effect as MW-PCA–LDA. Importantly, the BiCC only required calculating correlation coefficients between the spectrum of prediction sample and the average spectra of two types of calibration samples. Thus, BiCC was very simple in algorithm, and expected to obtain more applications. The results first confirmed the feasibility of distinguishing [Formula: see text]-thalassemia and normal control samples by NIR spectroscopy, and provided a promising simple tool for large population thalassemia screening.
Stenian–Tonian arc magmatism in west–central Madagascar: the genesis of the Dabolava Suite
Authors: Archibald Donnelly B. , Collins Alan S. , Foden John D. , Payne Justin L. , Macey Paul H. , Holden Peter , Razakamanana Théodore
Published: August 2017

Madagascar is a complex, composite geological terrane that occupies an important location in Late Proterozoic plate reconstructions. The recognition in one of the Madagascan terranes of a Stenian to Tonian-aged arc magmatic suite (the Dabolava Suite) demonstrates that its host terrane resided at a plate boundary from
c.
1080 to 980 Ma. Gabbroic and granitoid intrusions of the Dabolava Suite are recognized only in the Ikalamavony Domain in west–central Madagascar. The oxygen isotopic compositions of zircon indicate that the parental magmas involved crustal contributions that were fractionated by a hydrological cycle, whereas hafnium isotopic compositions reflect near depleted-mantle signatures with only minor deflection to more crustal values. Together, these trends suggest mantle derivation of parental magmas coupled with upper-crustal assimilation of Stenian-aged pre-existing plutonic and volcanic rocks. These magmatic rocks, together with the coeval sedimentary rocks of the Ikalamavony Group, are taken to represent a subduction-related magmatic arc that formed in an oceanic-arc tectonic setting in the Mozambique Ocean outboard of the Archaean to early Palaeoproterozoic shield of Madagascar. The arc accreted to the older craton before the initiation of the Imorona–Itsindro Suite magmatism at
c.
850 Ma that intruded both domains.

Supplementary material:
A complete description of the analytical methods and supplementary data are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3823717
An Oldest Dryas glacier expansion on Mount Pelister (Former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia) according to
10
Be cosmogenic dating
Authors: Ribolini Adriano , Bini Monica , Isola Ilaria , Spagnolo Matteo , Zanchetta Giovanni , Pellitero Ramón , Mechernich Silke , Gromig Raphael , Dunai Tibor , Wagner Bernd , Milevski Ivica
Published: August 2017

We provide a geomorphological analysis of a glacial valley on Mount Pelister, in Macedonia. Three boulders from a frontal moraine were dated with the cosmogenic nuclide isotope
10
Be. The results demonstrate that the boulders have been exposed since 15.24 ± 0.85 ka. This age constrains the formation of the frontal moraine to the Oldest Dryas cold event. This age fits with that of other glacier deposits dated to the Older Dryas in the Alps, Balkans, Carpathians and Turkish mountains. The Pelister palaeoglacier has been reconstructed and its equilibrium line altitude extracted, returning a value of 2250 m a.s.l. This is in good agreement with the equilibrium line altitudes of most other reconstructed glaciers of the same age in the circum-Mediterranean mountains, demonstrating a comparable response to the Oldest Dryas event. Other palaeoenvironmental records near the Pelister mountain indicate that the Older Dryas was here characterized by a cold and remarkably dry event. The temporal relationship between Older Dryas glacier advances in the Balkan region and recorded changes in the Atlantic thermohaline circulation during the Laurentide Ice Sheet massive ice discharge (H1 event) confirms the strong climatic link between the pan-Mediterranean regions and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Supplementary material:
Geochemical laboratory results are available at
http://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3830254
Two-Stage Layout Decomposition for Hybrid E-Beam and Triple Patterning Lithography
Authors: Li Xingquan , Zhu Wenxing
Published: August 2017

Hybrid e-beam lithography (EBL) and triple patterning lithography (TPL) are advanced technologies for the manufacture of integrated circuits. We propose a technology that combines the advantages of EBL and TPL, which is more promising for the pattern product industry. Layout decomposition is a crucial step in this technology. In this article, we propose a two-stage decomposition flow for the hybrid e-beam and triple patterning lithography of the general layout decomposition (HETLD) problem. At the first stage, we formulate two optimization problems: the e-beam and stitch-aware TPL mask assignment (ESTMA) problem and the extended minimum weight dominating set for
R
4
mask assignment (MDS
R
4
MA) problem. Binary linear program formulations of the two problems are solved by the cutting plane approach. At the second stage, solutions of the first stage problems are legalized to feasible solutions of the HETLD problem by stitch insertion and e-beam shot. To speed up decomposition, we reduce the problem size by removing some vertices and some minor conflict edges before decomposition. Experimental results show the effectiveness of our decomposition methods based on ESTMA and MDS
R
4
MA.
Detecting Inclusion Dependencies on Very Many Tables
Authors: Tschirschnitz Fabian , Papenbrock Thorsten , Naumann Felix
Published: August 2017

Detecting inclusion dependencies, the prerequisite of foreign keys, in relational data is a challenging task. Detecting them among the hundreds of thousands or even millions of tables on the web is daunting. Still, such inclusion dependencies can help connect disparate pieces of information on the Web and reveal unknown relationships among tables.

With the algorithm M
any
, we present a novel inclusion dependency detection algorithm, specialized for the very many—but typically small—tables found on the Web. We make use of Bloom filters and indexed bit-vectors to show the feasibility of our approach. Our evaluation on two corpora of Web tables shows a superior runtime over known approaches and its usefulness to reveal hidden structures on the Web.
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor and Wegener’s Granulomatosis of the Kidney: A Curious Combination of Two Rare Entities
Authors: Parakh Rugvedita , Parakh Satyajeet , Tretiakova Maria
Published: August 2017

Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) is characterized by necrotizing polyangiitis involving the respiratory tract and kidneys. It causes segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis in the kidneys. In rare cases, a renal pseudotumor may be seen because of the granulomatous process. Association of WG with renal malignancy, however, is very uncommon. We report a case of a patient who presented several years after being treated for WG with malignant hypertension and an infiltrating mass in the right kidney. The histopathology of radical nephrectomy specimen showed presence of primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Association of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with WG has been documented in a few cases, but PNET in such circumstances has not been reported. Long-term immunosuppressive treatment is a known risk factor in the development of malignancies, so it is proposed that the occurrence of RCC in WG may have been a side effect of cyclophosphamide treatment. It is not clear whether the same mechanism for PNET holds true in the present case. It is important to make a differential diagnosis between true malignancy and pseudotumors in WG as these entities cannot be distinguished based solely on imaging. We suggest a need to routinely screen the WG patients for increased risk of urologic malignancies.
Modelling and Optimization of Process Parameters for Strawberry Osmotic Dehydration Using Central Composite Rotatable Design
Authors: Liu Bei , Peng Bangzhu
Published: August 2017

Osmotic dehydration conditions for strawberry were optimized using central composite rotatable design. The optimal conditions included osmotic dehydration temperature of 59.5°C, osmotic dehydration time of 245.6 min, and sorbitol concentration of 66.8%. Water loss (WL) exhibited a response value of 52.5% and was mainly influenced by sorbitol concentration (p≤0.01), followed by osmotic dehydration temperature (p≤0.01) and time (p≤0.01). The optimal condition was validated and found to be fitted well with the experimental data. The osmotic dehydration of strawberry was significantly influenced by osmotic dehydration temperature and time and sorbitol concentration. Based on the parameters of ANOVA, the predicted model for WL rate established by response surface quadratic regression provided an adequate mathematical description of the osmotic dehydration of strawberry.
Late Onset Cobalamin Disorder and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Nephrotic Syndrome
Authors: Ardissino Gianluigi , Perrone Michela , Tel Francesca , Testa Sara , Morrone Amelia , Possenti Ilaria , Tagliaferri Francesco , Dilena Robertino , Menni Francesca
Published: August 2017

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is an unrare and severe thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) caused by several pathogenetic mechanisms among which Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli infections and complement dysregulation are the most common. However, very rarely and particularly in neonates and infants, disorders of cobalamin metabolism (CblC) can present with or be complicated by TMA. Herein we describe a case of atypical HUS (aHUS) related to CblC disease which first presented in a previously healthy boy at age of 13.6 years. The clinical picture was initially dominated by nephrotic range proteinuria and severe hypertension followed by renal failure. The specific treatment with high dose of hydroxycobalamin rapidly obtained the remission of TMA and the complete recovery of renal function. We conclude that plasma homocysteine and methionine determinations together with urine organic acid analysis should be included in the diagnostic work-up of any patient with TMA and/or nephrotic syndrome regardless of age.
Adaptive Data Placement for Improving Performance of Online Social Network Services in a Multicloud Environment
Authors: Han Seunghee , Kim Bosung , Han Jaemin , Kim Kyehee , Song JooSeok
Published: August 2017

The existing online social network (OSN) services in a multiple-cloud (Multicloud) environment use replications to store user data for improving the service performance. However, it not only generates tremendous traffic for synchronization between data but also stores considerable redundant data, thus causing large storage costs. In addition, it does not provide dynamic load balancing considering the resource status of each cloud. As a result, it cannot cope with the degradation of performance caused by the resource contention. We introduce an adaptive data placement algorithm without the replications for improving the performance of the OSN services in the Multicloud environment. Our approach is designed to avoid server overhead using data balancing technique, which locates data from a cloud to another according to the amount of traffic. To provide acceptable latency delay, it also considers the relationship between users and the distance between user and cloud when transferring data. To validate our approach, we experimented with actual users’ locations and times of use collected from OSN services. Our findings indicate that this approach can reduce the resource contention by an average of more than 59%, reduce storage volume to at least 50%, and maintain the latency delay under 50 ms.
Effects of Different Drying Conditions on Key Quality Parameters of Pink Peppercorns (Schinus terebinthifoliusRaddi)
Authors: Silva Bruno Guzzo , Fileti Ana Maria Frattini , Foglio Mary Ann , Rosa Paulo de Tarso Vieira , Taranto Osvaldir Pereira
Published: August 2017

Pink peppercorns are among the most sophisticated condiments in the international cuisine. This culinary spice is obtained from dried fruits ofSchinus terebinthifoliusRaddi, a species native to South America. In this work, a methodology for the assessment of pink peppercorn quality under various drying conditions was defined. Experiments were performed in a pilot tray dryer, which ensured integrity of the product. A central composite rotatable design with 11 experiments was devised to study the influence of drying air temperature (35–75°C) and air velocity (0.3–0.9 m/s) on product quality, assessed by moisture content, color (CIELAB system), and volatile compounds. The essential oils of fresh and dried fruits were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Air temperature had the greatest influence on the quality parameters under study, while air velocity had no statistically significant effect. Considering all quality criteria, temperatures between 40 and 55°C provided the best compromise, yielding an adequate moisture content in the dried product without dramatic degradation of color and essential oil.
Advances in Immunotherapy for Melanoma: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Rodríguez-Cerdeira Carmen , Carnero Gregorio Miguel , López-Barcenas Adriana , Sánchez-Blanco Elena , Sánchez-Blanco Beatriz , Fabbrocini Gabriella , Bardhi Brunilda , Sinani Ardiana , Guzman Roberto Arenas
Published: August 2017

Melanomas are tumors originating from melanocytes and tend to show early metastasis secondary to the loss of cellular adhesion in the primary tumor, resulting in high mortality rates. Cancer-specific active immunotherapy is an experimental form of treatment that stimulates the immune system to recognize antigens on the surface of cancer cells. Current experimental approaches in immunotherapy include vaccines, biochemotherapy, and the transfer of adoptive T cells and dendritic cells. Several types of vaccines, including peptide, viral, and dendritic cell vaccines, are currently under investigation for the treatment of melanoma. These treatments have the same goal as drugs that are already used to stimulate the proliferation of T lymphocytes in order to destroy tumor cells; however, immunotherapies aim to selectively attack the tumor cells of each patient. In this comprehensive review, we describe recent advancements in the development of immunotherapies for melanoma, with a specific focus on the identification of neoantigens for the prediction of their elicited immune responses. This review is expected to provide important insights into the future of immunotherapy for melanoma.
SppC Based Energy Frontier Lepton-Proton Colliders: Luminosity and Physics
Authors: Canbay Ali Can , Kaya Umit , Ketenoglu Bora , Oner Bilgehan Baris , Sultansoy Saleh
Published: August 2017

Main parameters of Super proton-proton Collider (SppC) based lepton-proton colliders are estimated. For electron beam parameters, highest energy International Linear Collider (ILC) and Plasma Wake Field Accelerator-Linear Collider (PWFA-LC) options are taken into account. For muon beams, 1.5 TeV and 3 TeV center of mass energy muon collider parameters are used. In addition, ultimate μp collider which assumes construction of additional 50 TeV muon ring in the SppC tunnel is considered. It is shown that luminosity values exceeding 1032 cm-2 s-1 can be achieved with moderate upgrade of the SppC proton beam parameters. Physics search potential of proposed lepton-proton colliders is illustrated by considering small Björken x region as an example of SM physics and resonant production of color octet leptons as an example of BSM physics.