bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of novel α2-adrenoreceptor agonist dexmedetomidine on shivering in patients underwent caesarean section
Authors: Yu Gaofeng , Jin Shangyi , Chen Jinghui , Yao Weifeng , Song Xingrong
Published: January 2019

Objective: Meperidine used to control shivering during perioperative period has associated side effects. The present study compared the safety of selective α2-adrenoreceptor agonist dexmedetomidine and meperidine for anti-shivering in primiparas after caesarean delivery under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA).

Methods: 100 primiparas scheduled for caesarean delivery were randomly allocated to dexmedetomidine group (Group D, n=50) and meperidine positive control group (Group M, n=50). Primiparas experienced shivering that continued to cord clamping were treated with dexmedetomidine (0.5 μg/kg) or meperidine (0.5 mg/kg) after cord clamping. The primary outcome measures were incidence of nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression. Secondary outcome measures were shivering score, vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate and O2 saturation, tympanic temperature, and sedation score.

Results: Dexmedetomidine provided similar anti-shivering effects as meperidine in patients after caesarean delivery under CSEA, evidenced as all shivering primiparas responded to either dexmedetomidine or meperidine treatment within 15 min. However, incidence of nausea and vomiting were significantly lower after dexmedetomidine treatment, accompanied with more stable blood pressure. Dexmedetomidine also provided well regulation of tympanic temperature and good sedation.

Conclusion: Selective α2-adrenoreceptor agonist dexmedetomidine has a better safety profile compared with meperidine for anti-shivering in primiparas undergoing caesarean delivery. Dexmedetomidine could be a better choice for anti-shivering in patients requiring caesarean section. The mechanism of anti-shivering for dexmedetomidine may relate to well regulation of temperature and good sedation.
Tumor necrosis factor gene polymorphisms are associated with silicosis: a systemic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Min , Peng Ling-Long , Ji Xue-Lei , Yang Hai-Bing , Zha Ri-Sheng , Gui Guo-Ping
Published: January 2019

Studies investigating association between tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphisms and silicosis susceptibility report conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess association between TNF gene polymorphisms and silicosis susceptibility. A systematic literature search was conducted to find relevant studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to estimate the strength of association. Finally, a total of 12 articles, involving 1990 silicosis patients and 1898 healthy controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, meta-analysis revealed a significant association between the TNF −308A allele and silicosis (OR = 1.348, 95%CI = 1.156–1.570, P<0.001). A significant association of AA+AG genotype of the TNF −308 A/G polymorphism with susceptibility to silicosis was also found (OR = 1.466, 95%CI = 1.226–1.753, P<0.001). After stratification by ethnicity, significant associations were detected under the genetic models (A allele and AA+AG genotype) for TNF −308A/G polymorphisms in the Asian population (P<0.05). Similarly, meta-analysis of the TNF −238A/G polymorphism revealed the same pattern as that shown by meta-analysis of TNF −308A/G. The meta-analysis suggests that the TNF −308A/G and −238A/G polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to silicosis, especially in Asians.
Experimental study of weak shock waves influence on the supersonic boundary layer of the flat plate model
Authors: Kocharin Vasiliy , Kosinov Aleksandr , Yermolayev Yuriy , Semionov Nikolay
Published: January 2019

The experimental study of the effect of weak shock waves on the supersonic boundary layer of the flat plate with a blunt leading edge (the radius of bluntness was r = 2.5 mm) with Mach number M = 2.5 and zero angle of attack was carried out. The measurements were carried out using the constant temperature anemometer. The paper presents a complex flow structure on the surface of the model. High-intensity peaks were found in the regions of the disturbed flow. Also the spectral analysis of perturbations was performed. It is found that the supersonic boundary layer on a flat plate is very sensitive to the effect of weak shock waves.
Experimental study of liquid evaporation from a surface of gel mixture
Authors: Vyazmin Andrey , Khramtsov Dmitry , Pokusaev Boris , Nekrasov Dmitry , Zakharov Nikolay
Published: January 2019

Experimental study of liquid evaporation from gel mixture surface was performed. Gels based on agarose and starch were studied. Dependencies of liquid evaporation from time were obtained for mixtures of agarose and starch. A non-linear dependency of evaporation speed was observed for all sets of mixtures. It was shown that presence of starch
inhibits the process of liquid evaporation.
Effect of Nozzle Confinement in the Axial Swirler
Authors: Yusupov Roman , Litvinov Ivan , Shtork Sergey
Published: January 2019

This work is devoted to the study of unsteady flow with the precessing vortex core (PVC) formed at the exit of a compact vane swirler with varying vanes angle and nozzles diameters. Amplitude-frequency characteristics of the PVC were obtained using two microphones. The modified Strouhal number dependence have showed a good generalization of the data for all nozzle diameters. The averaged and phase-averaged distributions of three components of velocity have been measured via the LDA system. The increasing the recirculation zone at increasing nozzle diameter for the swirl parameter Sg=0.53 and Re=1.5·104 was detected. The degeneration of PVC was detected for all studied nozzle diameters D = 30, 40, 50 mm. In case of smallest diameter D = 30 mm the PVC ceases to be periodic due to the absence of a recirculation zone. The three-dimensional structure of the PVC is reconstructed by the phase averaging method and visualized using the Q-criterion. Formation of the shifted recirculation zone, outer secondary vortex (OSV) and inner secondary vortex (ISV) is observed.
The usage of infrared thermography to investigate spatial variations of heat transfer at spray cooling
Authors: Surtaev Anton , Nazarov Aleksandr , Serov Anatoliy , Miskiv Nikolay , Serdyukov Vladimir
Published: January 2019

In present paper new approach to study heat transfer at spray cooling, based on the using of high-speed infrared thermography with high spatial resolution is proposed. Also in the paper new data on basic spray parameters, including sizes and velocities of droplets at different pressure at the nozzle inlet were obtained with the use of shadow technique and high-speed video camera. It is found, that heat transfer coefficient is unequally spatially distributed value and essentially depends on flow rate in the stationary irrigation mode. The dependence of heat transfer coefficient on a distance between spray source and heat exchange surface is obtained and an optimal distance corresponding to the maximum heat transfer intensity at present configuration of irrigation points relatively to the heating surface is determined.
Numerical Analysis of a Fuel Pump for an Aircraft Diesel Engine
Authors: Sochaczewski Rafał , Szlachetka Marcin
Published: January 2019

The paper reports on the process of modelling a high-pressure common rail pump designed to supply a two-stroke compression-ignition engine, which includes the presentation of methodology for model construction and results of simulation tests. A one-dimensional model of the pump was developed in the AVL Hydsim environment. A single-section positive displacement pump driven by a double cam was used for modelling. The developed model enables simulation of pump operation in various conditions defined by shaft speed, pumping pressure, settings of pump executive elements as well as fuel properties. The obtained results were compared with the results of bench tests and theoretical calculations. The analysis included the flow rate fuel overflow and changes in pumping pressure depending on the fuel dispenser settings. The model will also be used to build a complete fuel supply system model consisting of an injector model, a rail model and a control system model. The research is carried out with a view to optimising individual components and the operation of the entire supply system, taking into account the regulation of pumping pressure and synchronisation of the pumping process with fuel injection cycles.
Impact of Selected Structural, Material and Exploitation Factors on Adhesive Joints Strength
Authors: Rudawska Anna , Maziarz Marek , Miturska Izabela
Published: January 2019

Adhesive bonding is currently one of the most popular techniques of joining different materials. It is worth noting that this process is more and more often used in several industries: automotive, transport, mechanical engineering, medicine, electronics, light industry, as well as many others. The present article is aimed at determining an impact of selected structural, material and exploitation factors on adhesive bonds' strength. Strength tests were carried out on adhesive connections of pine wood. An exploitation factor under analysis was resistance to different temperature values - both positive and negative. Six different variants of a bonds' seasoning temperature value were used. Another variable factor was a structure of bonds, i.e. adhesive butt joints and adhesive half lap joints. Also, two types of adhesives were used: one of them was dedicated to wooden elements bonding, whereas the second one was a two-component adhesive composition based on epoxide resin. Strength tests described in the present article showed substantial impact of selected structural, material and exploitation factors on the adhesive bonds' strength.
Architecture of on-line data acquisition system for car on-board diagnostics
Authors: Kowalik Bartosz , Szpyrka Marcin
Published: January 2019

Modern cars produced for the last two decades are full of electronic devices called Electronic Control Units (ECU). They are responsible for collecting diagnostic data from different components such as the engine, breaks etc. using probes and sensors. The collected data are validated against built-in heuristic and abnormal behaviour is reported to a driver by a gauge on an instrument cluster. ECUs use data provided by other ECUs. Information is transmitted over the dedicated network called Controlled Area Network (CAN). Every car equipped with ECUs and CAN exposes information over universal diagnostic interface called On-Board Diagnostic. Using the interface, it is possible to gather car's live data. With the data mining approach, it is possible to exploit the collected more effectively to obtain much more information about the functioning of car components than it is provided by standard vehicle equipment. The paper describes how to build a laboratory set to facilitate automated data collection. It consists of three major components: data acquisition, automated logs collection and persistent storage with presentation tools. The first component is based on Torque application for which reverse engineering was performed.
Construction and Control of the Bipedal Walking Robot
Authors: Nowak Patryk , Milecki Andrzej , Białek Marcin
Published: January 2019

This article describes the design and testing of a walking robot. In the first stage, the mechanical behaviour of human’s lower limbs during the walk was observed and described to acquire data for the development of a simplified algorithm to control the legs of a walking robot. The second phase was the designing stage of the bipedal walking. Each robotic leg was equipped with six servo-drives. A gyroscope module with an accelerometer was used to measure the current position of the robot’s structure in space. The controller of a walking robot was developed and programmed based on Arduino Mega. The control algorithm stabilises the robot in an upright position. Potentiometers placed in the axes enabled measurements of angular positions of individual servos during the movement and were used to control walking. The programming of the movement is done through a smartphone which communicates with the robot's main controller using Bluetooth. Finally, the article describes the testing of the developed bipedal walking robot, documenting satisfactory results in walking.
CFD Analysis of Charge Exchange in an Aircraft Opposed-Piston Diesel Engine
Authors: Czyż Zbigniew , Siadkowska Ksenia , Sochaczewski Rafał
Published: January 2019

The paper presents a description of geometric models, computational algorithms, and results of numerical analysis of charge exchange in an opposed-piston two-stroke engine. The research engine is a newly designed internal diesel engine. This unit is composed of three cylinders in which operate three pairs of opposed-pistons. The engine generates a power output equal to 100 kW at a crankshaft rotation speed of 3800-4000 rpm. The numerical investigations were carried out using ANSYS FLUENT solver. The geometrical model includes an intake manifold, a cylinder and an outlet manifold. The study was conducted for a series of modifications of manifolds and intake and exhaust ports to optimise the charge exchange process in the engine. In addition, we attempted to verify the effect of the combustion chamber shape on the charge exchange process in the engine. The calculations specified a swirl coefficient obtained under steady conditions for fully open intake and exhaust ports as well as the CA value of 280° for all cylinders. In addition, mass flow rates were identified separately in all of the intake and exhaust ports to achieve the best possible uniformity of flow in particular cylinders. The paper includes comparative analyses of all of the intake and exhaust manifolds of the designed engine.
Tomographic image correction with noise reduction algorithms
Authors: Kłosowski Grzegorz , Rymarczyk Tomasz , Kozłowski Edward
Published: January 2019

This article presents an original approach to improve the results of tomographic reconstructions by denoising the input data, which affects output images improving. The algorithms used in the research are based on autoencoders and Elastic Net - both related to artificial intelligence or machine-learning developed controllers. Due to the reduction of unnecessary features and removal of mutually correlated input variables generated by the tomography electrodes, good quality reconstructions of tomographic images were obtained. The simulation experiments proved that the presented methods could be effective in improving the quality of reconstructed tomographic images.
Stiffness Analysis and Experimental Verification of Segment Frame of Continuous Casting Machine
Authors: Lei Zhufeng , Su Wenbin , Hou Bingrui , Gao Qi
Published: January 2019

To verify the stiffness, the natural vibration and the reliability of the continuous casting machine in the configuration of dynamic soft reduction. Firstly, the three-dimensional model of the segment frame was established and the finite element simulation of the structure was carried out. Then, the deviation of the roll gap in the working process of the caster was measured by analog loading test. The results show that the stiffness of the segment frame of the continuous casting machine meets the requirements. Using dynamic soft reduction can improve the centerline segregation of casting slab in the process of continuous casting, which is of important practical significance in the production practice.
Decomposition and transposition model-matching technique in the absence of plane-of-array measurements and the evaluation of tilted solar collectors and their harvested solar resource
Authors: De Souza Keith
Published: January 2019

Monthly optimum tilt angles of a flat-plate solar collector capable of south or north orientations were modeled for the tropical Caribbean island of Trinidad at 10.6° N latitude, using measured monthly average daily global and diffuse horizontal irradiation data from the period 2005–2010, as input to six transposition models comprising three isotropic (Liu and Jordan, Koronakis, and Badescu) and three anisotropic (Hay and Davies, ‘Hay and Davies, Klucher and Reindl', and Ma and Iqbal) models. The anisotropic models were in good agreement with one another, and an easily implementable technique was devised to determine the best suited decomposition-transposition model matches from six decomposition models due to Liu and Jordan and Klein, Page, Collares-Perreira and Rabl, Iqbal, Erbs et al., and Ibrahim. These matches can be used by territories having a similar climate to Trinidad but lacking measured diffuse horizontal irradiation or plane-of-array measurements, and the technique can be implemented globally by other host territories. The Ma and Iqbal model was chosen to simulate in detail the aforementioned collector as well as the one that was south-oriented only. A south/north-oriented collector required twelve monthly and two seasonal [April: 12.5° (north-oriented), October: 32° (south-oriented)], and annual [11.2° (south-oriented)] adjustments with corresponding gains in the collectable annual global solar irradiation compared to that on a horizontal surface of 9.3%, 7.9%, and 1.5%, respectively. In contrast, a south-oriented collector required eight monthly (September–April) and two seasonal (March: 0° and October: 35.5°) adjustments with lower corresponding gains of 7.6% and 7.1%, respectively.
Can hyperchaotic maps with high complexity produce multistability?
Authors: Natiq Hayder , Banerjee Santo , Ariffin M. R. K. , Said M. R. M.
Published: January 2019

In this paper, we investigate the dynamical behavior in an M-dimensional nonlinear hyperchaotic model (M-NHM), where the occurrence of multistability can be observed. Four types of coexisting attractors including single limit cycle, cluster of limit cycles, single hyperchaotic attractor, and cluster of hyperchaotic attractors can be found, which are unusual behaviors in discrete chaotic systems. Furthermore, the coexistence of asymmetric and symmetric properties can be distinguished for a given set of parameters. In the endeavor of chaotification, this work introduces a simple controller on the M-NHM, which can add one more loop in each iteration, to overcome the chaos degradation in the multistability regions.
Leaching of microplastics by preferential flow in earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) burrows
Authors: Yu Miao , van der Ploeg Martine , Lwanga Esperanza Huerta , Yang Xiaomei , Zhang Shaoliang , Ma Xiaoyi , Ritsema Coen J. , Geissen Violette
Published: January 2019

Environmental contextMicroplastics found in soil pose several potential environmental risks. This study shows that microplastics on the soil surface can be ingested by earthworms and transported to the lower soil layers. In this way, microplastics may enter the food chain and find their way into groundwater systems, especially in cases where the water table is shallow.
AbstractIn the current study, we examine how the activities of earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris) affect microplastic (MP) distribution and concentration in soil, with a focus on low density polyethylene (LDPE). We also want to determine if MPs can be flushed out with water. We used a laboratory sandy soil column (polyvinyl chloride tube) experimental set-up and tested five different treatments: (1) treatment with just soil (control) to check if the saturated conductivity (Ksat) could be impacted by MP, (2) treatment with MP, (3) treatment with MP and litter, (4) treatment with earthworms and litter as a second control for treatment 5 and (5) treatment with MPs, earthworms and litter. Each treatment consisted of eight replicates. For the treatments with MP, the concentration of MP added at the start of the experiment was 7% by weight (3.97g, polyethylene, 50% 1mm–250µm, 30% 250µm–150µm and 20% <150µm) based on 52.78g of dry litter from Populus nigra. In the treatments using earthworms, two adult earthworms, with an initial average weight of (7.14±0.26) g, were placed in each column. Results showed that LDPE particles could be introduced into the soil by the earthworms. MP particles were detected in each soil sample and within different soil layers for the earthworm treatments. Earthworms showed a tendency to transport the smaller MP particles and that the amount of MPs in size class <250μm increased in soil samples with increasing soil depth in comparison to the other size classes. After leaching, MPs were only detected in the leachate from the treatments with the earthworms, and the MP had similar size distributions as the soil samples in the 40–50cm layer of the treatment with MP, earthworms and litter. The results of this study clearly show that biogenic activities can mobilise MP transport from the surface into the soil and even be leached into drainage. It is highly likely that biogenic activities constitute a potential pathway for MPs to be transported into soil and groundwater.
Geographical bias constrains global knowledge of phenological change
Authors: Butt Nathalie
Published: January 2019

Climate change is already driving shifts in phenology, the timing of life-history events such as flowering, fruiting, egg-laying, birth, and migration, and this is set to increase. Although climate change is happening, and will continue to happen, globally, most of our ecological knowledge around its potential impacts on phenology is derived from temperate areas and ecosystems in the Northern Hemisphere, and information from the Southern Hemisphere is greatly lacking. This would not be a problem if biomes, ecosystems, species assemblages and species were the same in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, but as they, in fact, differ across many factors and scales, understanding gained from one hemisphere is not necessarily applicable to the other.
An engaging pedagogy for an academic curriculum
Authors: Rata Elizabeth , McPhail Graham , Barrett Brian
Published: January 2019

The article discusses the link between a curriculum based on academic subjects derived from disciplinary knowledge and a progressive pedagogy that endeavours to engage students from all backgrounds with it. Section 1 describes the realist theory of knowledge which justifies the argument for this accommodation between curriculum and pedagogy. Section 2 explains how conceptual progression serves as an effective curriculum design strategy for supporting pedagogy. The final section discusses how concepts and studies from within the social realist tradition can be used to theorise an accommodation between curriculum and pedagogy that promotes cumulative knowledge building among students and teachers by being responsive to both the students and to the knowledge being taught in motivating ways.
The Risk of Hypertension Doubles Every 10 Years in China: Age, Period, and Birth Cohort Effects on the Prevalence of Hypertension From 2004 to 2013
Authors: Rao Jiaming , Chen Xiongfei , Zhang Jiayi , Yang Jianwei , Pang Minhui , Pan Bingying , Wu Xueji , Liu Zhengping , Dong Xiaomei
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

Hypertension is a growing problem worldwide and can often result in a variety of negative health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of age at diagnosis, calendar period, and birth cohort on the change in the prevalence rate of hypertension in Guangzhou from 2004 to 2013.

METHODS

We used data from the Guangzhou Community Health Survey, a population-based study designed by the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the PRC every 5 years. A total of 27,299, 23,467, and 18,362 participants aged 15–79 years completed the survey in 2004, 2009, and 2013, respectively.

RESULTS

Age effects increased slowly before the age of 42 years but increased rapidly after the age of 42 years, peaking at 79 years. Cohort effects grew slowly before the end of the 1960s but grew quickly after the end of the 1960s. The risk of suffering from hypertension among people born in 1962, 1972, 1982, and 1992 was 1.39, 2.68, 5.55, and 11.53 times, respectively, than that of people born in 1952. The period effects increased 25% from 2004 to 2009 and later declined 27% from 2009 to 2013 in the entire population. There was no gender difference in age effects and period effects, but strong cohort effects on hypertension were observed among males compared with females.

CONCLUSIONS

For Chinese individuals, the later one is born, the higher the risk is of suffering from hypertension. Strong cohort effects for hypertension were observed among males compared with females, indicating that males are more easily affected by hypertension based on the change in birth cohort.
Factors Associated with Māori Performance on the WAIS-IV
Authors: Dudley Margaret D , Barker-Collo Suzanne L , Wilson Denise L , Garrett Nick K
Published: January 2019

Neuropsychological tests are routinely used to assess Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand, yet very few investigations of the psychometric properties of these tests with this population have been conducted. This paper focuses on factors that may impact performance of Māori adults on neuropsychological testing. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV) was administered to a sample of 284 Māori stratified for age (between 16 years and 90 years) and gender in order to establish a Māori normative data set. The sample who primarily spoke English as their first language were recruited from a range of urban, regional and rural areas in New Zealand to obtain representation of the main Māori Iwi (tribes). Analysis of test results suggests acculturation, education, income, and, “a culturally positive experience” may have accounted for some of the variance in test performance.
Disentangling the complexity of low complexity proteins
Authors: Mier Pablo , Paladin Lisanna , Tamana Stella , Petrosian Sophia , Hajdu-Soltész Borbála , Urbanek Annika , Gruca Aleksandra , Plewczynski Dariusz , Grynberg Marcin , Bernadó Pau , Gáspári Zoltán , Ouzounis Christos A , Promponas Vasilis J , Kajava Andrey V , Hancock John M , Tosatto Silvio C E , Dosztanyi Zsuzsanna , Andrade-Navarro Miguel A
Published: January 2019

There are multiple definitions for low complexity regions (LCRs) in protein sequences, with all of them broadly considering LCRs as regions with fewer amino acid types compared to an average composition. Following this view, LCRs can also be defined as regions showing composition bias. In this critical review, we focus on the definition of sequence complexity of LCRs and their connection with structure. We present statistics and methodological approaches that measure low complexity (LC) and related sequence properties. Composition bias is often associated with LC and disorder, but repeats, while compositionally biased, might also induce ordered structures. We illustrate this dichotomy, and more generally the overlaps between different properties related to LCRs, using examples. We argue that statistical measures alone cannot capture all structural aspects of LCRs and recommend the combined usage of a variety of predictive tools and measurements. While the methodologies available to study LCRs are already very advanced, we foresee that a more comprehensive annotation of sequences in the databases will enable the improvement of predictions and a better understanding of the evolution and the connection between structure and function of LCRs. This will require the use of standards for the generation and exchange of data describing all aspects of LCRs.

Short abstract

There are multiple definitions for low complexity regions (LCRs) in protein sequences. In this critical review, we focus on the definition of sequence complexity of LCRs and their connection with structure. We present statistics and methodological approaches that measure low complexity (LC) and related sequence properties. Composition bias is often associated with LC and disorder, but repeats, while compositionally biased, might also induce ordered structures. We illustrate this dichotomy, plus overlaps between different properties related to LCRs, using examples.
Computational methods for identifying the critical nodes in biological networks
Authors: Liu Xiangrong , Hong Zengyan , Liu Juan , Lin Yuan , Rodríguez-Patón Alfonso , Zou Quan , Zeng Xiangxiang
Published: January 2019

A biological network is complex. A group of critical nodes determines the quality and state of such a network. Increasing studies have shown that diseases and biological networks are closely and mutually related and that certain diseases are often caused by errors occurring in certain nodes in biological networks. Thus, studying biological networks and identifying critical nodes can help determine the key targets in treating diseases. The problem is how to find the critical nodes in a network efficiently and with low cost. Existing experimental methods in identifying critical nodes generally require much time, manpower and money. Accordingly, many scientists are attempting to solve this problem by researching efficient and low-cost computing methods. To facilitate calculations, biological networks are often modeled as several common networks. In this review, we classify biological networks according to the network types used by several kinds of common computational methods and introduce the computational methods used by each type of network.
AllerCatPro—prediction of protein allergenicity potential from the protein sequence
Authors: Maurer-Stroh Sebastian , Krutz Nora L , Kern Petra S , Gunalan Vithiagaran , Nguyen Minh N , Limviphuvadh Vachiranee , Eisenhaber Frank , Gerberick G Frank
Published: January 2019

Motivation

Due to the risk of inducing an immediate Type I (IgE-mediated) allergic response, proteins intended for use in consumer products must be investigated for their allergenic potential before introduction into the marketplace. The FAO/WHO guidelines for computational assessment of allergenic potential of proteins based on short peptide hits and linear sequence window identity thresholds misclassify many proteins as allergens.

Results

We developed AllerCatPro which predicts the allergenic potential of proteins based on similarity of their 3D protein structure as well as their amino acid sequence compared with a data set of known protein allergens comprising of 4180 unique allergenic protein sequences derived from the union of the major databases Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, Comprehensive Protein Allergen Resource, WHO/International Union of Immunological Societies, UniProtKB and Allergome. We extended the hexamer hit rule by removing peptides with high probability of random occurrence measured by sequence entropy as well as requiring 3 or more hexamer hits consistent with natural linear epitope patterns in known allergens. This is complemented with a Gluten-like repeat pattern detection. We also switched from a linear sequence window similarity to a B-cell epitope-like 3D surface similarity window which became possible through extensive 3D structure modeling covering the majority (74%) of allergens. In case no structure similarity is found, the decision workflow reverts to the old linear sequence window rule. The overall accuracy of AllerCatPro is 84% compared with other current methods which range from 51 to 73%. Both the FAO/WHO rules and AllerCatPro achieve highest sensitivity but AllerCatPro provides a 37-fold increase in specificity.

Availability and implementation

https://allercatpro.bii.a-star.edu.sg/

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Venous access-site closure with vascular closure device vs. manual compression in patients undergoing catheter ablation or left atrial appendage occlusion under uninterrupted anticoagulation: a multicentre experience on efficacy and complications
Authors: Mohanty Sanghamitra , Trivedi Chintan , Beheiry Salwa , Al-Ahmad Amin , Horton Rodney , Della Rocca Domenico G , Gianni Carola , Gasperetti Alessio , Abdul-Moheeth Mustafa , Turakhia Mintu , Natale Andrea
Published: January 2019

Aims

Manual compression (MC), widely used to achieve venous access haemostasis, needs prolonged immobilization and extended time-to-haemostasis. Vascular closure devices (VCD) have been reported to have significantly shorter time to haemostasis and ambulation in arterial access-site management. The current study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy as well as rate of urinary tract complications in patients receiving MC vs. VCD for venous access-site closure.

Methods and results

A total of 803 consecutive patients undergoing catheter ablation or left atrial appendage closure were classified into the VCD (n = 304) and the MC (n = 499) group, based on the methods used for haemostasis at the venous access site. Foley catheter was used for bladder-emptying in all MC cases and 15 VCD patients. At one site, VCD group patients with experience of MC in prior ablations were asked to describe their overall satisfaction level after comparing the past experience with the present. Haemostasis was achieved effectively in both populations. No VCD cases required >2 h bed rest, whereas 7 (1.4%) patients in the MC group needed prolonged immobilization (P = 0.04). Significantly higher incidence of access-site haematoma (P = 0.004) and urinary complications (P < 0.05) were observed in the MC group. Majority of VCD patients (68%) with prior experience of MC for haemostasis expressed satisfaction over the early ambulation and ability to void urine without bladder catheterization.

Conclusion

Vascular closure devices provided effective haemostasis, while reducing the access-site complications, ambulation time, and urinary complications.
Of Aging Mice and Men: Gait Speed Decline Is a Translatable Trait, With Species-Specific Underlying Properties
Authors: Bair Woei-Nan , Petr Michael , Alfaras Irene , Mitchell Sarah J , Bernier Michel , Ferrucci Luigi , Studenski Stephanie A , De Cabo Rafael
Published: January 2019

In the last two decades, great strides were made in our ability to extend the life span of model organisms through dietary and other manipulations. Survival curves provide evidence of altered aging processes but are uninformative on what lead to that increase in life span. Longitudinal assessments of health and function during intervention studies could help in the identification of predictive biomarkers for health and survival. Comparable biomarkers of healthspan are necessary to effectively translate interventions into human clinical trials. Gait speed is a well-established predictive biomarker of healthspan in humans for risk of disability, health outcomes and mortality, and is relatively simple to assess noninvasively in rodents. In this study, we assessed and compared gait speed in males from two species (mice and humans), from young adulthood to advanced old age. Although gait speed decreases nonlinearly with age in both species, the underlying drivers of this change in gait speed were different, with humans exhibiting a shortened step length, and mice displaying a decrease in cadence. Future longitudinal and interventional studies in mice should examine the predictive value of longitudinal declines in gait speed for health and survival.
Omega-3 fatty acid-derived mediators that control inflammation and tissue homeostasis
Authors: Ishihara Tomoaki , Yoshida Mio , Arita Makoto
Published: January 2019

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), including eicosapentaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, display a wide range of beneficial effects in humans and animals. Many of the biological functions of PUFAs are mediated via bioactive metabolites produced by fatty acid oxygenases such as cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases and cytochrome P450 monooxygenases. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry-based mediator lipidomics revealed a series of novel bioactive lipid mediators derived from omega-3 PUFAs. Here, we describe recent advances on omega-3 PUFA-derived mediators, mainly focusing on their enzymatic oxygenation pathway, and their biological functions in controlling inflammation and tissue homeostasis.
Visions of Peace in International Relations
Authors: Möller Frank , Shim David
Published: January 2019

In this article, we engage with IR's recently rediscovered interest in peace and connect it with the visual turn in international relations. We move the field's focus on representations of war to representations of peace and develop the concept of peace photography. We suggest both understanding photography as a social agent promoting visions of peace and incorporating analysis of peace photography into IR's emerging agenda on peace. Our illustrative examples show that it is insufficient to think about and analyze visual images only in connection with representations of large scale violence and interstate war. In contrast, we provide an alternative approach which aims to broaden our understanding of (the study of) peace in IR. First, we explore a positive conception of peace at the individual and everyday level of analysis. Second, we advocate methodological pluralism by examining different analytical sites of peace photography. Third, we concentrate on the potentialities of peace photography in Colombia and Brazil—notorious spaces of everyday violence. We argue that the analytical perspectives developed in this paper have also relevance beyond our examples: If peace photography can be found here, than it can also be found elsewhere. Put differently, everyday visions of peace constitute particular instances of the international.
Genomic analysis of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from Malawi reveals acquisition of multiple ESBL determinants across diverse lineages
Authors: Musicha Patrick , Msefula Chisomo L , Mather Alison E , Chaguza Chrispin , Cain Amy K , Peno Chikondi , Kallonen Teemu , Khonga Margaret , Denis Brigitte , Gray Katherine J , Heyderman Robert S , Thomson Nicholas R , Everett Dean B , Feasey Nicholas A
Published: January 2019

Objectives

ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPN) pose a major threat to human health globally. We carried out a WGS study to understand the genetic background of ESBL-producing KPN in Malawi and place them in the context of other global isolates.

Methods

We sequenced genomes of 72 invasive and carriage KPN isolates collected from patients admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi. We performed phylogenetic and population structure analyses on these and previously published genomes from Kenya (n = 66) and from outside sub-Saharan Africa (n = 67). We screened for presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genetic determinants and carried out association analyses by genomic sequence cluster, AMR phenotype and time.

Results

Malawian isolates fit within the global population structure of KPN, clustering into the major lineages of KpI, KpII and KpIII. KpI isolates from Malawi were more related to those from Kenya, with both collections exhibiting more clonality than isolates from the rest of the world. We identified multiple ESBL genes, including blaCTX-M-15, several blaSHV, blaTEM-63 and blaOXA-10, and other AMR genes, across diverse lineages of the KPN isolates from Malawi. No carbapenem resistance genes were detected; however, we detected IncFII and IncFIB plasmids that were similar to the carbapenem resistance-associated plasmid pNDM-mar.

Conclusions

There are multiple ESBL genes across diverse KPN lineages in Malawi and plasmids in circulation that are capable of carrying carbapenem resistance. Unless appropriate interventions are rapidly put in place, these may lead to a high burden of locally untreatable infection in vulnerable populations.
Radium 223-Mediated Zonal Cytotoxicity of Prostate Cancer in Bone
Authors: Dondossola Eleonora , Casarin Stefano , Paindelli Claudia , De-Juan-Pardo Elena M , Hutmacher Dietmar W , Logothetis Christopher J , Friedl Peter
Published: January 2019

Background

Bone-targeting radiotherapy with Radium-223 (Rad-223), a radioisotope emitting genotoxic alpha-radiation with limited tissue penetrance (∼100 µm), prolongs the survival of patients with metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). Confoundingly, the clinical response to Rad-223 is often followed by detrimental relapse and progression, and whether Rad-223 causes tumor-cell directed cytotoxicity in vivo remains unclear. We hypothesized that limited radiation penetrance in situ defines outcome.

Methods

We tested Rad-223 overall response by PC3 and C4–2B human PCa cell lines in mouse bones (n = 5–18 tibiae per group). Rad-223 efficacy at subcellular resolution was determined by intravital microscopy analysis of dual-color fluorescent PC3 cells (n = 3–4 mice per group) in tissue-engineered bone constructs. In vivo data were fed into an in silico model to predict Rad-223 effectiveness in lesions of different sizes (1–27, 306 initial cells; n = 10–100 simulations) and the predictions validated in vivo by treating PCa tumors of varying sizes in bones (n = 10–14 tibiae per group). Statistical tests were performed by two-sided Student t test or by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test.

Results

Rad-223 (385 kBq/kg) delayed the growth (means [SD]; comparison with control-treated mice) of PC3 (6.7 × 105[4.2 × 105] vs 2.8 × 106 [2.2 × 106], P = .01) and C4–2B tumors in bone (7.7 × 105 [4.0 × 105] vs 3.5 × 106 [1.3 × 106], P < .001). Cancer cell lethality in response to Rad-223 (385 kBq/kg) was profound but zonally confined along the bone interface compared with the more distant tumor core, which remained unperturbed (day 4; 13.1 [2.3%] apoptotic cells, 0–100 µm distance from bone vs 3.6 [0.2%], >300 µm distance; P = .01).In silico simulations predicted greater efficacy of Rad-223 on single-cell lesions (eradication rate: 88.0%) and minimal effects on larger tumors (no eradication, 16.2% growth reduction in tumors of 27 306 cells), as further confirmed in vivo for PC3 and C4–2B tumors.

Conclusions

Micro-tumors showed severe growth delay or eradication in response to Rad-223, whereas macro-tumors persisted and expanded. The relative inefficacy in controlling large tumors points to application of Rad-223 in secondary prevention of early bone-metastatic disease and regimens co-targeting the tumor core.
Norms for the Earth: Changing the Climate on “Climate Change”
Authors: Mitchell Ronald B , Carpenter Charli
Published: January 2019

Climate change poses a grave security threat to national borders, habitats, and vulnerable people. Plagued by asymmetries in both states' vulnerability to climate impacts and their capacity to mitigate them, climate change presents states with a “wicked” problem that poses significant obstacles to interest-based solutions. Yet, most global climate change policy involves rationales and mechanisms grounded in an interest-based logic of consequences: information-sharing, reciprocity, and exchange. We argue that strategies that promote ethics-based discourse and policies offer considerable promise for hastening stronger global climate governance. We argue that successes in human security norm-building, including bans on land mines, cluster munitions, and nuclear weapons, provide climate scholars and practitioners with alternative governance models that rely on activating a logic of appropriateness and spearhead faster, more effective climate action. We identify five strategies that previous scholars have shown fostered efforts to promote a logic of appropriateness in human rights, humanitarian law, and disarmament. We examine the empirical experience of those strategies and particularly highlight the recent success of efforts to negotiate a treaty banning nuclear weapons. Given the success of these strategies in other issue areas, we argue scholars of climate change could fruitfully focus greater attention on political efforts that promote strong global ethical norms for climate action.
Cerebral oxygenation monitoring of ex-preterm infants during the infant car seat challenge test
Authors: Farooqui Mansoor , Srinivasan Ganesh , Ethawi Yahya , Alvaro Ruben , Baier John , Narvey Michael
Published: January 2019

The American Academy of Pediatrics and until recently the Canadian Paediatric Society recommend preterm infants undergo an Infant Car Seat Challenge test prior to discharge to rule out systemic oxygen desaturation when placed at a 45-degree angle in a car seat. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides objective measurements of the impact of systemic oxygen (SO2) desaturation, bradycardia, or both on cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2).

Objective

To characterize baseline cerebral rSO2 during a car seat trial in preterm infants ready for discharge.

Design/Methods

A prospective observational study was performed in 20 infants (32 ± 5 weeks [mean] at a postmenstrual age 37 ± 6 weeks [mean]). Cerebral rSO2 was continuously monitored by placing a NIRS transducer on head during Infant Car Seat Challenge (ICSC). Failure of an ICSC was defined as two SO2 desaturation events below 85% for more than 20 seconds or one event below 80% for 10 seconds.

Results

The lowest SO2 was 70% with a lowest NIRS recording of 68%. Three infants failed their ICSC, with the lowest rSO2 in these three infants being 68%, above the lowest acceptable limit of 55%. Heart rate but not SO2 appears to influence rSO2 over the range of cerebral oxygenation seen.

Conclusions

Baseline cerebral rSO2 during ICSC oscillates between 68 and 90%. There were no episodes of significant cerebral oxygen desaturation in studied infants regardless of whether they passed or failed the ICSC. We postulate that former preterm infants are capable through cerebral autoregulation, of maintaining adequate cerebral blood flow in the presence of either systemic oxygen desaturation or bradycardia when they are otherwise ready for discharge.
A Novel Tool for Quantifying and Promoting Physical Activity in Youths With Typical Development and Youths Who Are Ambulatory and Have Motor Disability
Authors: Lankhorst Kristel , van den Berg-Emons Rita J , Bussmann Johannes B J , Horemans Herwin L D , de Groot Janke F
Published: January 2019

Background

Several device-based instruments have been validated in the pediatric population, but none of these are clinically applicable and provide real-time feedback on actual physical activity in terms of postures and movements. A new device (Activ8) is promising for that purpose.

Objective

The objective was to investigate the criterion validity of the Activ8 for measuring static (sitting, standing) and dynamic (walking, bicycling, running) activities, and for separating postures and movements within basic and complex activities in children and adolescents (youths) with typical development (TD) and peers with motor disability (not typical development [NTD]).

Design

This was a criterion validation study.

Methods

Ten participants with TD (mean age [standard deviation] = 14 [2.5] years) and 10 participants with NTD (mean age = 12.9 [2.1] years) performed a standardized series of basic and daily life (complex) activities. The Activ8 measured postures and movements, while camera recording served as a reference. The outcome measures were the mean time differences between the Activ8 output and video data for the merged categories “static” and “dynamic” and for the separate postures and movements.

Results

For the merged categories static and dynamic, the criterion validity was found to be excellent both in participants with TD and participants with NTD within basic activities, and was found to be good to excellent in participants with TD and moderate to good in participants with NTD within complex activities. The detection of separate postures and movements was found to be poor to excellent in both groups within complex activities.

Limitations

The sample of youths with NTD was small and limited to youths who could be considered to be at least ambulatory within a household.

Conclusions

Activ8 is a valid tool when the merged categories static and dynamic are used to interpret physical activity in daily life in both youths with TD and youths with NTD and mild motor impairment. To optimize the quantification of separate postures and movements, adjustment of the existing algorithm is required.