bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fast-moving soft electronic fish
Authors: Li Tiefeng , Li Guorui , Liang Yiming , Cheng Tingyu , Dai Jing , Yang Xuxu , Liu Bangyuan , Zeng Zedong , Huang Zhilong , Luo Yingwu , Xie Tao , Yang Wei
Published: April 2017

A soft robotic fish can quickly swim and turn with a fully integrated onboard system for power and remote control.
The memory remains: Understanding collective memory in the digital age
Authors: García-Gavilanes Ruth , Mollgaard Anders , Tsvetkova Milena , Yasseri Taha
Published: April 2017

Disastrous events trigger our collective memory of past events to a surprising extent that can be modeled mathematically.
Adding depth to cell culture
Authors: Powell Kendall
Published: April 2017

The jump from two dimensions to three gives researchers a laboratory model that is just one step removed from working with cells in vivo. Technologies and techniques have recently proliferated—such as matrices, scaffolds, and other geometries—to coax cells to grow in a wide array of 3D structures.

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Epigenetics and the evolution of instincts
Authors: Robinson Gene E. , Barron Andrew B.
Published: April 2017

Instincts may evolve from learning and share the same cellular and molecular mechanisms
How infection can incite sensitivity to food
Authors: Verdu Elena F. , Caminero Alberto
Published: April 2017

Microbes can trigger chronic immune disorders to dietary antigens, such as in celiac disease
Target-Specific Assay for Rapid and Quantitative Detection of Mycobacterium chimaera DNA
Authors: Zozaya-Valdés Enrique , Porter Jessica L. , Coventry John , Fyfe Janet A. M. , Carter Glen P. , Gonçalves da Silva Anders , Schultz Mark B. , Seemann Torsten , Johnson Paul D. R. , Stewardson Andrew J. , Bastian Ivan , Roberts Sally A. , Howden Benjamin P. , Williamson Deborah A. , Stinear Timothy P.
Published: April 2017

Mycobacterium chimaerais an opportunistic environmental mycobacterium belonging to theMycobacterium avium-M. intracellularecomplex. Although most commonly associated with pulmonary disease, there has been growing awareness of invasiveM. chimaerainfections following cardiac surgery. Investigations suggest worldwide spread of a specificM. chimaeraclone, associated with contaminated hospital heater-cooler units used during the surgery. Given the global dissemination of this clone, its potential to cause invasive disease, and the laboriousness of current culture-based diagnostic methods, there is a pressing need to develop rapid and accurate diagnostic assays specific forM. chimaera. Here, we assessed 354 mycobacterial genome sequences and confirmed thatM. chimaerais a phylogenetically coherent group.In silicocomparisons indicated six DNA regions present only inM. chimaera. We targeted one of these regions and developed a TaqMan quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay forM. chimaerawith a detection limit of 100 CFU/ml in whole blood spiked with bacteria.In vitroscreening against DNA extracted from 40 other mycobacterial species and 22 bacterial species from 21 diverse genera confirmed thein silico-predicted specificity forM. chimaera. Screening 33 water samples from heater-cooler units with this assay highlighted the increased sensitivity of PCR compared to culture, with 15 of 23 culture-negative samples positive byM. chimaeraqPCR. We have thus developed a robust molecular assay that can be readily and rapidly deployed to screen clinical and environmental specimens forM. chimaera.
Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Malassezia spp. with an Optimized Colorimetric Broth Microdilution Method
Authors: Leong Cheryl , Buttafuoco Antonino , Glatz Martin , Bosshard Philipp P.
Published: April 2017

Malassezia
is a genus of lipid-dependent yeasts. It is associated with common skin diseases such as pityriasis versicolor and atopic dermatitis and can cause systemic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Owing to the slow growth and lipid requirements of these fastidious yeasts, convenient and reliable antifungal drug susceptibility testing assays for
Malassezia
spp. are not widely available. Therefore, we optimized a broth microdilution assay for the testing of
Malassezia
that is based on the CLSI and EUCAST assays for
Candida
and other yeasts. The addition of ingredients such as lipids and esculin provided a broth medium formulation that enabled the growth of all
Malassezia
spp. and could be read, with the colorimetric indicator resazurin, by visual and fluorescence readings. We tested the susceptibility of 52 strains of 13
Malassezia
species to 11 commonly used antifungals. MIC values determined by visual readings were in good agreement with MIC values determined by fluorescence readings. The lowest MICs were found for the azoles itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole, with MIC
90
values of 0.03 to 1.0 μg/ml, 0.06 to 0.5 μg/ml, and 0.03 to 2.0 μg/ml, respectively. All
Malassezia
spp. were resistant to echinocandins and griseofulvin. Some
Malassezia
spp. also showed high MIC values for ketoconazole, which is the most widely recommended topical antifungal to treat
Malassezia
skin infections. In summary, our assay enables the fast and reliable susceptibility testing of
Malassezia
spp. with a large panel of different antifungals.
Prospective Evaluation of ResistancePlus MG, a New Multiplex Quantitative PCR Assay for Detection of Mycoplasma genitalium and Macrolide Resistance
Authors: Tabrizi S. N. , Su J. , Bradshaw C. S. , Fairley C. K. , Walker S. , Tan L. Y. , Mokany E. , Garland S. M.
Published: April 2017

Mycoplasma genitalium
is a significant pathogen for which first-line treatment is becoming less effective due to increased resistance to macrolides. As conventional culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing is not feasible for routine detection of this pathogen, molecular markers such as detection of mutations in the 23S rRNA gene have been described to predict resistance. Recently, a novel multiplex quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay, ResistancePlus MG, has been described for the simultaneous detection of
Mycoplasma genitalium
and macrolide resistance. In the current study, the clinical performance of the assay was evaluated on 1,089 consecutive urine and anogenital swab samples in symptomatic and asymptomatic male and female patients. Overall, 6.0% were positive for
M. genitalium
, with 63.1% having macrolide resistance-associated mutations. Compared to the laboratory-validated qPCR method targeting the 16S rRNA gene and Sanger sequencing to determine 23S rRNA mutations, the sensitivity and specificity of
M. genitalium
detection were 98.5% and 100% and for detection of macrolide resistance mutations were 100.0% and 96.2%, respectively. This assay offers a considerable advantage in clinical settings for
M. genitalium
testing by making the results of macrolide resistance and mutation analyses simultaneously available, which is increasingly important with escalating macrolide resistance.
Novel Multiplex PCR Assay for Detection of Chlorhexidine-Quaternary Ammonium, Mupirocin, and Methicillin Resistance Genes, with Simultaneous Discrimination of Staphylococcus aureus from Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci
Authors: McClure Jo-Ann , Zaal DeLongchamp Johanna , Conly John M. , Zhang Kunyan
Published: April 2017

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is a clinically significant pathogen that is resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics and responsible for a large number of nosocomial infections worldwide. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommended the adoption of universal mupirocin-chlorhexidine decolonization of all admitted intensive care unit patients rather than MRSA screening with targeted treatments, which raises a serious concern about the selection of resistance to mupirocin and chlorhexidine in strains of staphylococci. Thus, a simple, rapid, and reliable approach is paramount in monitoring the prevalence of resistance to these agents. We developed a simple multiplex PCR assay capable of screening
Staphylococcus
isolates for the presence of antiseptic resistance genes for chlorhexidine and quaternary ammonium compounds, as well as mupirocin and methicillin resistance genes, while simultaneously discriminating
S. aureus
from coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The assay incorporates 7 PCR targets, including the
Staphylococcus
16S rRNA gene (specifically detecting
Staphylococcus
spp.),
nuc
(distinguishing
S. aureus
from CoNS),
mecA
(distinguishing MRSA from methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
),
mupA
and
mupB
(identifying high-level mupirocin resistance), and
qac
and
smr
(identifying chlorhexidine and quaternary ammonium resistance). Our assay demonstrated 100% sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in a total of 23 variant antiseptic- and/or antibiotic-resistant control strains. Further validation of our assay using 378 randomly selected and previously well-characterized local clinical isolates confirmed its feasibility and practicality. This may prove to be a useful tool for multidrug-resistant
Staphylococcus
monitoring in clinical laboratories, particularly in the wake of increased chlorhexidine and mupirocin treatments.
Development of an Alternative Modified Live Influenza B Virus Vaccine
Authors: Santos Jefferson J. S. , Finch Courtney , Sutton Troy , Obadan Adebimpe , Aguirre Isabel , Wan Zhimin , Lopez Diego , Geiger Ginger , Gonzalez-Reiche Ana Silvia , Ferreri Lucas , Perez Daniel R.
Published: April 2017

Influenza B virus (IBV) is considered a major human pathogen, responsible for seasonal epidemics of acute respiratory illness. Two antigenically distinct IBV hemagglutinin (HA) lineages cocirculate worldwide with little cross-reactivity. Live attenuated influenza virus (LAIV) vaccines have been shown to provide better cross-protective immune responses than inactivated vaccines by eliciting local mucosal immunity and systemic B cell- and T cell-mediated memory responses. We have shown previously that incorporation of temperature-sensitive (ts) mutations into the PB1 and PB2 subunits along with a modified HA epitope tag in the C terminus of PB1 resulted in influenza A viruses (IAV) that are safe and effective as modified live attenuated (att) virus vaccines (IAVatt). We explored whether analogous mutations in the IBV polymerase subunits would result in a stable virus with anattphenotype. The PB1 subunit of the influenza B/Brisbane/60/2008 strain was used to incorporatetsmutations and a C-terminal HA tag. Such modifications resulted in a B/Brisattstrain withtscharacteristicsin vitroand anattphenotypein vivo. Vaccination studies in mice showed that a single dose of the B/Brisattcandidate stimulated sterilizing immunity against lethal homologous challenge and complete protection against heterologous challenge. These studies show the potential of an alternative LAIV platform for the development of IBV vaccines.

IMPORTANCEA number of issues with regard to the effectiveness of the LAIV vaccine licensed in the United States (FluMist) have arisen over the past three seasons (2013–2014, 2014–2015, and 2015–2016). While the reasons for the limited robustness of the vaccine-elicited immune response remain controversial, this problem highlights the critical importance of continued investment in LAIV development and creates an opportunity to improve current strategies so as to develop more efficacious vaccines. Our laboratory has developed an alternative strategy, the incorporation of 2 amino acid mutations and a modified HA tag at the C terminus of PB1, which is sufficient to attenuate the IBV. As a LAIV, this novel vaccine provides complete protection against IBV strains. The availability of attenuated IAV and IBV backbones based on contemporary strains offers alternative platforms for the development of LAIVs that may overcome current limitations.
Discovery of Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitors of LIM Domain Kinase for Inhibiting HIV-1
Authors: Yi Fei , Guo Jia , Dabbagh Deemah , Spear Mark , He Sijia , Kehn-Hall Kylene , Fontenot Jacque , Yin Yan , Bibian Mathieu , Park Chul Min , Zheng Ke , Park Ha Jeung , Soloveva Veronica , Gharaibeh Dima , Retterer Cary , Zamani Rouzbeh , Pitt Margaret L. , Naughton John , Jiang Yongjun , Shang Hong , Hakami Ramin M. , Ling Binhua , Young John A. T. , Bavari Sina , Xu Xuehua , Feng Yangbo , Wu Yuntao
Published: April 2017

A dynamic actin cytoskeleton is necessary for viral entry, intracellular migration, and virion release. For HIV-1 infection, during entry, the virus triggers early actin activity by hijacking chemokine coreceptor signaling, which activates a host dependency factor, cofilin, and its kinase, the LIM domain kinase (LIMK). Although knockdown of human LIM domain kinase 1 (LIMK1) with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) inhibits HIV infection, no specific small-molecule inhibitor of LIMK has been available. Here, we describe the design and discovery of novel classes of small-molecule inhibitors of LIMK for inhibiting HIV infection. We identified R10015 as a lead compound that blocks LIMK activity by binding to the ATP-binding pocket. R10015 specifically blocks viral DNA synthesis, nuclear migration, and virion release. In addition, R10015 inhibits multiple viruses, including Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), and herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), suggesting that LIMK inhibitors could be developed as a new class of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.

IMPORTANCE
The actin cytoskeleton is a structure that gives the cell shape and the ability to migrate. Viruses frequently rely on actin dynamics for entry and intracellular migration. In cells, actin dynamics are regulated by kinases, such as the LIM domain kinase (LIMK), which regulates actin activity through phosphorylation of cofilin, an actin-depolymerizing factor. Recent studies have found that LIMK/cofilin are targeted by viruses such as HIV-1 for propelling viral intracellular migration. Although inhibiting LIMK1 expression blocks HIV-1 infection, no highly specific LIMK inhibitor is available. This study describes the design, medicinal synthesis, and discovery of small-molecule LIMK inhibitors for blocking HIV-1 and several other viruses and emphasizes the feasibility of developing LIMK inhibitors as broad-spectrum antiviral drugs.
DNA-Binding Properties of African Swine Fever Virus pA104R, a Histone-Like Protein Involved in Viral Replication and Transcription
Authors: Frouco Gonçalo , Freitas Ferdinando B. , Coelho João , Leitão Alexandre , Martins Carlos , Ferreira Fernando
Published: April 2017

African swine fever virus (ASFV) codes for a putative histone-like protein (pA104R) with extensive sequence homology to bacterial proteins that are implicated in genome replication and packaging. Functional characterization of purified recombinant pA104R revealed that it binds to single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) over a wide range of temperatures, pH values, and salt concentrations and in an ATP-independent manner, with an estimated binding site size of about 14 to 16 nucleotides. Using site-directed mutagenesis, the arginine located in pA104R's DNA-binding domain, at position 69, was found to be relevant for efficient DNA-binding activity. Together, pA104R and ASFV topoisomerase II (pP1192R) display DNA-supercoiling activity, although none of the proteins by themselves do, indicating that the two cooperate in this process. In ASFV-infected cells, A104R transcripts were detected from 2 h postinfection (hpi) onward, reaching a maximum concentration around 16 hpi. pA104R was detected from 12 hpi onward, localizing with viral DNA replication sites and being found exclusively in the Triton-insoluble fraction. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown experiments revealed that pA104R plays a critical role in viral DNA replication and gene expression, with transfected cells showing lower viral progeny numbers (up to a reduction of 82.0%), lower copy numbers of viral genomes (−78.3%), and reduced transcription of a late viral gene (−47.6%). Taken together, our results strongly suggest that pA104R participates in the modulation of viral DNA topology, probably being involved in viral DNA replication, transcription, and packaging, emphasizing that ASFV mutants lacking the A104R gene could be used as a strategy to develop a vaccine against ASFV.

IMPORTANCE
Recently reintroduced in Europe, African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a fatal disease in domestic pigs, causing high economic losses in affected countries, as no vaccine or treatment is currently available. Remarkably, ASFV is the only known mammalian virus that putatively codes for a histone-like protein (pA104R) that shares extensive sequence homology with bacterial histone-like proteins. In this study, we characterized the DNA-binding properties of pA104R, analyzed the functional importance of two conserved residues, and showed that pA104R and ASFV topoisomerase II cooperate and display DNA-supercoiling activity. Moreover, pA104R is expressed during the late phase of infection and accumulates in viral DNA replication sites, and its downregulation revealed that pA104R is required for viral DNA replication and transcription. These results suggest that pA104R participates in the modulation of viral DNA topology and genome packaging, indicating that A104R deletion mutants may be a good strategy for vaccine development against ASFV.
Evidence of Intercontinental Spread and Uncommon Variants of Low-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Viruses in Ducks Overwintering in Guatemala
Authors: Gonzalez-Reiche Ana S. , Nelson Martha I. , Angel Mathew , Müller Maria L. , Ortiz Lucia , Dutta Jayeeta , van Bakel Harm , Cordon-Rosales Celia , Perez Daniel R.
Published: April 2017

Recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic H7N3, H5Nx, and H7N8 avian influenza viruses in North America were introduced by migratory birds, underscoring the importance of understanding how wild birds contribute to the dissemination and evolution of IAVs in nature. At least four of the main IAV duck host species in North America migrate through or overwinter within a narrow strip of Central America, providing opportunities for diverse IAV lineages to mix and exchange gene segments. By obtaining whole-genome sequences of 68 IAV isolates collected from migratory waterfowl in Guatemala (2010 to 2013), the largest data set available from Central America to date, we detected extensive viral diversity, including gene variants rarely found in North America and gene segments of Eurasian origin. Our findings highlight the need for increased IAV surveillance across the geographical span of bird migration flyways, including Neotropical regions that have been vastly undersampled to date.
Genomic Analysis of Factors Associated with Low Prevalence of Antibiotic Resistance in Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Sequence Type 95 Strains
Authors: Stephens Craig M. , Adams-Sapper Sheila , Sekhon Manraj , Johnson James R. , Riley Lee W.
Published: April 2017

Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens is a major public health concern. This work was motivated by the observation that only a small proportion of ST95 isolates, a major pandemic lineage of extraintestinal pathogenic
E. coli
, have acquired antibiotic resistance, in contrast to many other pandemic lineages. Understanding bacterial genetic factors that may prevent acquisition of resistance could contribute to the development of new biological, medical, or public health strategies to reduce antibiotic-resistant infections.
Corticosteroid use and mortality risk in patients with perforated colonic diverticular disease: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Broersen L H A , Horváth-Puhó E , Pereira A M , Erichsen R , Dekkers O M , Sørensen H T
Published: April 2017

Background

Corticosteroids are a potential risk factor for mortality in patients with perforated diverticular disease, due to blinding of disease severity, hampered wound healing or adrenal insufficiency. We examined mortality in corticosteroid users and non-users among patients with perforated diverticular disease.

Methods

A cohort study based on medical databases including all patients ≥18 years in Denmark (source population 5 289 261 inhabitants) admitted to a hospital with incident perforated diverticular disease between 2005 and 2013. 7-day, 1-month, 3-month and 1-year mortality risks in corticosteroid users and non-users were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and compared with Cox proportional hazard regression adjusted for age, sex and comorbidities.

Results

The study included 4640 patients with perforated diverticular disease. Of these, 3743 (80.7%) had not used corticosteroids in the year before admission and 725 (15.6%) had been exposed to systemic corticosteroid treatment. The remaining 172 patients had been exposed to either inhaled or intestinal acting corticosteroid therapy. Mortality risk in non-users was 4.4% after 7 days and 15.6% after 1 year. This risk was doubled for corticosteroid users who filled their last prescription during the 90 days before admission, with mortality risks ranging from 14.2% after 7 days to 47.6% after 1 year. 1-year mortality risk was even higher for corticosteroid users with a first filled prescription ≤90 days before admission: 52.5%.

Conclusions

Corticosteroid use was associated with clearly increased mortality risk after perforated diverticular disease. Thus, use of corticosteroids should be regarded as an important clinical prognostic factor for mortality in patients with this condition.
Continuum beliefs and stigmatising beliefs about mental illness: results from an Asian community survey
Authors: Subramaniam Mythily , Abdin Edimansyah , Picco Louisa , Shahwan Shazana , Jeyagurunathan Anitha , Vaingankar Janhavi Ajit , Chong Siow Ann
Published: April 2017

Objectives

To establish the prevalence and correlates of continuum beliefs for five mental illnesses in a multiethnic population and to explore its association with stigma.

Design

A community-based, cross-sectional study.

Setting

A national study in a multiethnic Asian country.

Participants

A comprehensive study of 3006 Singapore residents (Singapore citizens and permanent residents) aged 18–65 years who were living in Singapore at the time of the survey.

Outcome measures

Parameters assessed included belief in a continuum of symptom experience, stigma dimensions and causal beliefs in mental illness. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression (MLR).

Results

About half of the population indicated agreement with a continuum of symptoms for depression (57.9%) and dementia (46.8%), whereas only about one in three respondents agreed with it for alcohol abuse (35.6%), schizophrenia (32.7%) and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) (36.8%). MLR analyses revealed that students (β=0.28; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.50; p=0.018) and those who were unemployed (β=0.60; 95% CI 0.26 to 0.95; p=0.001) (vs employed) as well as those who had previous contact with people with mental illness (β = 0.31; 95% CI 0.18 to 0.45; p<0.001) and believed stress, family arguments, difficulties at work or financial difficulties to be a cause for mental illness (β=0.43; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.73; p=0.005) were associated with a higher belief in a continuum of symptom experience. Continuum beliefs were related to lower desire for social distance in alcohol abuse, OCD and schizophrenia; however, they were associated with higher scores on ‘weak-not-sick’ stigma dimension in dementia and schizophrenia.

Conclusions

Perceiving that a person with a mental illness is similar to themselves may reduce social distancing by the public. Thus, the approach may lend itself well to public education aimed at reducing stigma.
Diary of a parliamentary intern
Authors: Ridge Anthony
Published: April 2017

Pariamentary intern Anthony Ridge experiences the aftershock of a murder at the Palace of Westminster.
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE ON THE MORPHOLOGICAL EVOLUTION OF DILUTE InAsBi/GaAs NANOSTRUCTURES GROWN BY METALORGANIC VAPOR PHASE EPITAXY
Authors: BOUSSAHA R. , MZOUGHI T. , FITOURI H. , REBEY A. , EL JANI B.
Published: April 2017

In this work, we discuss the growth of dilute InAsBi nanostructures grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy on GaAs substrates. The surface morphology of InAsBi nanostructures is carefully investigated, as a function of the growth temperature, by scanning electronic microscopy and atomic force microscopy. (004) High-resolution X-ray diffraction configuration has been used to characterize the crystalline quality and Bi incorporation in the InAsBi films. Low temperature and low Bi flow favor the formation of elongated nanostructures during growth. We give a quantitative description of the elemental processes for the formation of these nanostructures. Our description is based on the Tersoff and Tromp theoretical model.
Templating effects of tetrakis(thiadiazole)porphyrazine on the structure and optical properties of copper phthalocyanine thin films
Authors: Eguchi Keitaro , Heutz Sandrine , Awaga Kunio
Published: April 2017

Molecular templating is an attractive method to improve the crystallinity and control the molecular orientations of organic thin films. Here, we report on the templating effects of an organic [Formula: see text]-type semiconductor, tetrakis(thiadiazole)porphyrazine (H2TTDPz), on the structure and optical absorption of a [Formula: see text]-type semiconductor, copper phthalocyanine (CuPc). X-ray diffraction measurements for the double layer thin films, CuPc/H2TTDPz, indicate a face-on orientation of CuPc, which is replicating the structure of the H2TTDPz thin films, even though the CuPc thin films usually form edge-on-type thin films. The optical absorption measurements show new low-energy transitions in the templated CuPc films.
Design of the Telescope Truss and Gondola for the Balloon-Borne X-ray Polarimeter X-Calibur
Authors: Kislat Fabian , Beheshtipour Banafsheh , Dowkontt Paul , Guarino Victor , Lanzi R. James , Okajima Takashi , Braun Dana , Cannon Scott , Geronimo Gialuigi De , Heatwole Scott , Hoorman Janie , Li Shaorui , Mori Hideyuki , Shreves Christopher M. , Stuchlik David , Krawczynski Henric
Published: April 2017

X-ray polarimetry has seen a growing interest in recent years. Improvements in detector technology and focusing X-ray optics now enable sensitive astrophysical X-ray polarization measurements. These measurements will provide new insights into the processes at work in accreting black holes, the emission of X-rays from neutron stars and magnetars, and the structure of AGN jets. X-Calibur is a balloon-borne hard X-ray scattering polarimeter. An X-ray mirror with a focal length of 8[Formula: see text]m focuses X-rays onto the detector, which consists of a plastic scattering element surrounded by Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride detectors, which absorb and record the scattered X-rays. Since X-rays preferentially scatter perpendicular to their polarization direction, the polarization properties of an X-ray beam can be inferred from the azimuthal distribution of scattered X-rays. A close alignment of the X-ray focal spot with the center of the detector is required in order to reduce systematic uncertainties and to maintain a high photon detection efficiency. This places stringent requirements on the mechanical and thermal stability of the telescope structure. During the flight on a stratospheric balloon, X-Calibur makes use of the Wallops Arc-Second Pointer (WASP) to point the telescope at astrophysical sources. In this paper, we describe the design, construction, and test of the telescope structure, as well as its performance during a 25-h flight from Ft. Sumner, New Mexico. The carbon fiber–aluminum composite structure met the requirements set by X-Calibur and its design can easily be adapted for other types of experiments, such as X-ray imaging or spectroscopic telescopes.
Vocational Rehabilitation of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder with Virtual Reality
Authors: Bozgeyikli Lal , Bozgeyikli Evren , Raij Andrew , Alqasemi Redwan , Katkoori Srinivas , Dubey Rajiv
Published: April 2017

In this article, a virtual reality system for vocational rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities (VR4VR) is presented. VR4VR uses immersive virtual environments to assess and train individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. This article focuses on the system modules that were designed and developed for the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) population. The system offers training on six vocational skills that were identified as transferrable to and useful in many common jobs. These six transferable skills are cleaning, loading the back of a truck, money management, shelving, environmental awareness, and social skills. This article presents the VR4VR system, the design considerations for the ASD population, and the findings with a cohort of nine neurotypical individuals (control group) and nine high-functioning individuals with ASD (experiment group) who used the system. Good design practices gathered throughout the study are also shared for future virtual reality applications targeting individuals with ASD. Research questions focused on the effectiveness of the virtual reality system on vocational training of high-functioning individuals with ASD and the effect of distracters on task performance of high-functioning individuals with ASD. Follow-up survey results indicated that for individuals with ASD, there was improvement in all of the trained skills. No negative effects of the distracters were observed on the score of individuals with ASD. The proposed VR4VR system was found by professional job trainers to provide effective vocational training for individuals with ASD. The system turned out to be promising in terms of providing an alternative practical training tool for individuals with ASD.
Consistency of a Tactile Pattern Set
Authors: Prescher Denise , Bornschein Jens , Weber Gerhard
Published: April 2017

Consistency over multiple images is a central requirement in most guidelines for creating tactile graphics. By contrast, tactile consistency over multiple production media for tactile graphics is not very common. In this article, we describe a user-centered approach of developing a tactile fill pattern set to be used for tactile graphics on microcapsule paper, tactile matrix embossers, and dynamic tactile pin-matrix devices. We show the results of our iterative user evaluations with visually impaired and blind-folded sighted participants. Finally, we present a Scalable Vector Graphics pattern set that comprises nine intuitively recognizable and distinctive patterns keeping their meaning and recognizability over the different production media.
Tight Analysis of a Collisionless Robot Gathering Algorithm
Authors: Sharma Gokarna , Busch Costas , Mukhopadhyay Supratik , Malveaux Charles
Published: April 2017

We consider the fundamental problem of gathering a set of
n
robots in the Euclidean plane that have a physical extent and hence cannot share their positions with other robots. The objective is to determine a minimum time schedule to
gather
the robots as close together as possible around a predefined gathering point avoiding collisions. This problem with minimum time objective has applications in many real-world scenarios including fast autonomous coverage formation. Cord-Landwehr et al. (in Proceedings of the International Conference on Current Trends in Theory and Practice of Computer Science, 2011) gave a local greedy algorithm in a fully synchronous setting and proved that, for the discrete version of the problem where robots’ movements are restricted to the positions on an integral grid, their algorithm solves this problem in
O
(
nR
) rounds, where
R
is the distance from the farthest initial robot position to the gathering point. In this article, we improve significantly the round complexity of their algorithm to
R
+ 2 · (
n
- 1) rounds. This round complexity is obtained in the following modified model: (1) the viewing range of the robots is increased to three hops and (2) robots can additionally move to the diagonally opposite corner to a grid cell in one step—that is, they can traverse the two corresponding grid edges in one time step. We also prove that there are initial configurations of
n
robots in this problem where at least
R
+(n-1)/2 rounds are needed by any local greedy algorithm. Furthermore, we improve the lower bound to
R
+ (
n
- 1) rounds for the algorithm of Cord-Landwehr et al. These results altogether provide a tight runtime analysis of their algorithm.
LiBrA-CAN
Authors: Groza Bogdan , Murvay Stefan , Herrewege Anthony Van , Verbauwhede Ingrid
Published: April 2017

Despite realistic concerns, security is still absent from vehicular buses such as the widely used Controller Area Network (CAN). We design an efficient protocol based on efficient symmetric primitives, taking advantage of two innovative procedures: splitting keys between nodes and mixing authentication tags. This results in a higher security level when compromised nodes are in the minority, a realistic assumption for automotive networks. Experiments are performed on state-of-the-art Infineon TriCore controllers, contrasted with low-end Freescale S12X cores, while simulations are provided for the recently released CAN-FD standard. To gain compatibility with existent networks, we also discuss a solution based on CAN+.
Free actin impairs macrophage bacterial defenses via scavenger receptor MARCO interaction with reversal by plasma gelsolin
Authors: Ordija Christine M. , Chiou Terry Ting-Yu , Yang Zhiping , Deloid Glen M. , de Oliveira Valdo Melina , Wang Zhi , Bedugnis Alice , Noah Terry L. , Jones Samuel , Koziel Henry , Kobzik Lester
Published: April 2017

Lung injury can release intracellular actin into the alveolar milieu and is also associated with increased susceptibility to secondary infections. We investigated the effect of free (extracellular) actin on lung macrophage host defense functions. Western blot analysis demonstrated free actin release into the lung lavage fluids of mouse models of ozone injury, influenza infection, and secondary pneumococcal pneumonia and in samples from patients following burn and inhalation injury. Using levels comparable with those observed in lung injury, we found that free actin markedly inhibited murine lung macrophage binding and uptake in vitro of S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and E. coli, (e.g., S. pneumoniae, mean %inhibition, actin vs. vehicle: 85 ± 0.3 (SD); n = 22, P < .001). Similar effects were observed on the ability of primary human macrophages to bind and ingest fluorescent S. aureus (~75% inhibition). Plasma gelsolin (pGSN), a protein that functions to bind and cleave actin, restored bacterial binding and uptake by both murine and human macrophages. Scavenger receptor inhibitors reduced binding of fluorescent actin by murine macrophages [fluorescence index (×10−3) after incubation with vehicle, actin, or actin + polyinosinic acid, respectively: 0.8 ± 0.7, 101.7 ± 50.7, or 52.7 ± 16.9; n = 5–6, P < 0.05]. In addition, actin binding was reduced in a MARCO/SR-AI/II-deficient cell line and by normal AMs obtained from MARCO−/− mice. After release from injured cells during lung injury, free actin likely contributes to impaired host defense by blocking scavenger receptor binding of bacteria. This mechanism for increased risk of secondary infections after lung injury or inflammation may represent another target for therapeutic intervention with pGSN.
Urinary adenosine excretion in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Rajasekeran Harindra , Lytvyn Yuliya , Bozovic Andrea , Lovshin Julie A. , Diamandis Eleftherios , Cattran Daniel , Husain Mansoor , Perkins Bruce A. , Advani Andrew , Reich Heather N. , Kulasingam Vathany , Cherney David Z. I.
Published: April 2017

In experimental models of diabetes, augmented sodium-glucose cotransport-2 (SGLT2) activity diminishes sodium (Na+) delivery at the macula densa. As a result, less vasoconstrictive adenosine is generated, leading to afferent arteriolar vasodilatation and hyperfiltration. The measurement and significance of urinary adenosine in humans has not been examined extensively in states of renal hemodynamic impairment like that of diabetes. Our aim was to validate a method for urine adenosine quantification in humans and perform an exploratory post hoc analysis to determine whether urinary adenosine levels change dynamically in response to natriuresis in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) before and after treatment with the SGLT2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) empagliflozin. We hypothesized that SGLT2i, which reduces renal hyperfiltration through increased Na+delivery to the macula densa, would increase urinary adenosine excretion. Urine adenosine corrected for creatinine was measured using our validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method in 40 healthy participants and 40 patients with T1D. In the T1D cohort, measurements were performed during clamped euglycemic and hyperglycemic conditions before and following 8 wk of SGLT2i therapy. Urinary adenosine was detectable in healthy subjects (0.32 ± 0.11 µmol/mmol Cr) and patients with T1D. In response to SGLT2i, urine adenosine increased during clamped hyperglycemia (0.40 ± 0.11 vs. 0.45 ± 0.12 µmol/mmol Cr, P = 0.005). Similar trends were observed during clamped euglycemia ( P = 0.08). In conclusion, SGLT2i increases urinary adenosine excretion under clamped hyperglycemic conditions in patients with T1D. The potentially protective role of SGLT2i against glomerular hyperfiltration and its mediation by adenosine in diabetes merits further study.
Supplementing an energy adequate, higher protein diet with protein does not enhance fat-free mass restoration after short-term severe negative energy balance
Authors: Berryman C. E. , Sepowitz J. J. , McClung H. L. , Lieberman H. R. , Farina E. K. , McClung J. P. , Ferrando A. A. , Pasiakos S. M.
Published: April 2017

Negative energy balance during military operations can be severe and result in significant reductions in fat-free mass (FFM). Consuming supplemental high-quality protein following such military operations may accelerate restoration of FFM. Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) and whole body protein turnover (single-pool [15N]alanine method) were determined before (PRE) and after 7 days (POST) of severe negative energy balance during military training in 63 male US Marines (means ± SD, 25 ± 3 yr, 84 ± 9 kg). After POST measures were collected, volunteers were randomized to receive higher protein (HIGH: 1,103 kcal/day, 133 g protein/day), moderate protein (MOD: 974 kcal/day, 84 g protein/day), or carbohydrate-based low protein control (CON: 1,042 kcal/day, 7 g protein/day) supplements, in addition to a self-selected, ad libitum diet, for the 27-day intervention (REFED). Measurements were repeated POST-REFED. POST total body mass (TBM; −5.8 ± 1.0 kg, −7.0%), FFM (−3.1 ± 1.6 kg, −4.7%), and net protein balance (−1.7 ± 1.1 g protein·kg−1·day−1) were lower and proteolysis (1.1 ± 1.9 g protein·kg−1·day−1) was higher compared with PRE ( P < 0.05). Self-selected, ad libitum dietary intake during REFED was similar between groups (3,507 ± 730 kcal/day, 2.0 ± 0.5 g protein·kg−1·day−1). However, diets differed by protein intake due to supplementation (CON: 2.0 ± 0.4, MOD: 3.2 ± 0.7, and HIGH: 3.5 ± 0.7 g·kg−1·day−1; P < 0.05) but not total energy (4,498 ± 725 kcal/day). All volunteers, independent of group assignment, achieved positive net protein balance (0.4 ± 1.0 g protein·kg−1·day−1) and gained TBM (5.9 ± 1.7 kg, 7.8%) and FFM (3.6 ± 1.8 kg, 5.7%) POST-REFED compared with POST ( P < 0.05). Supplementing ad libitum, energy-adequate, higher protein diets with additional protein may not be necessary to restore FFM after short-term severe negative energy balance.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This article demonstrates 1) the majority of physiological decrements incurred during military training (e.g., total and fat-free mass loss), with the exception of net protein balance, resolve and return to pretraining values after 27 days and 2) protein supplementation, in addition to an ad libitum, higher protein (~2.0 g·kg−1·day−1), energy adequate diet, is not necessary to restore fat-free mass following short-term severe negative energy balance.
Energy-Efficient Constant Gain Kalman Filter Based Tracking in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Hirpara Kirti , Rana Keyur
Published: April 2017

Target tracking is one of the most widely used applications of wireless sensor network (WSN). Efficient usage of energy is a key issue in WSN application such as target tracking. Another important criterion is a tracking accuracy that can be achieved by using appropriate tracking mechanism. Because of the special characteristic of WSN, there is a trade-off between tracking accuracy and power consumption. Our aim is to improve tracking accuracy as well as provide energy-efficient solution by integrating the concept of clustering and prediction techniques. This paper presents Energy-Efficient Constant Gain Kalman Filter based Tracking (EECGKFT) algorithm to optimize the energy usage and to increase the tracking accuracy. There is also a need to collect data from network having a mobile Base Station (BS). Hence, performance of proposed algorithm is analyzed for a static BS and also for mobile BS. The results depict that proposed algorithm performs better compared to the existing algorithms in energy efficiency and prediction accuracy. Analysis of results validates that EECGKFT increases energy efficiency by reducing transmission of unnecessary data in the sensor network environment and also provides good tracking results.
Nanocompositional Electron Microscopic Analysis and Role of Grain Boundary Phase of Isotropically Oriented Nd-Fe-B Magnets
Authors: Zickler Gregor A. , Fidler Josef
Published: April 2017

Nanoanalytical TEM characterization in combination with finite element micromagnetic modelling clarifies the impact of the grain misalignment and grain boundary nanocomposition on the coercive field and gives guidelines how to improve coercivity in Nd-Fe-B based magnets. The nanoprobe electron energy loss spectroscopy measurements obtained an asymmetric composition profile of the Fe-content across the grain boundary phase in isotropically oriented melt-spun magnets and showed an enrichment of iron up to 60 at% in the Nd-containing grain boundaries close to Nd2Fe14B grain surfaces parallel to the c-axis and a reduced iron content up to 35% close to grain surfaces perpendicular to the c-axis. The numerical micromagnetic simulations on isotropically oriented magnets using realistic model structures from the TEM results reveal a complex magnetization reversal starting at the grain boundary phase and show that the coercive field increases compared to directly coupled grains with no grain boundary phase independently of the grain boundary thickness. This behaviour is contrary to the one in aligned anisotropic magnets, where the coercive field decreases compared to directly coupled grains with an increasing grain boundary thickness, if Js value is > 0.2 T, and the magnetization reversal and expansion of reversed magnetic domains primarily start as Bloch domain wall at grain boundaries at the prismatic planes parallel to the c-axis and secondly as Néel domain wall at the basal planes perpendicular to the c-axis. In summary our study shows an increase of coercive field in isotropically oriented Nd-Fe-B magnets for GB layer thickness > 5 nm and an average Js value of the GB layer < 0.8 T compared to the magnet with perfectly aligned grains.
Activity of Fosfomycin- and Daptomycin-Containing Bone Cement on Selected Bacterial Species Being Associated with Orthopedic Infections
Authors: Eick Sigrun , Hofpeter Kevin , Sculean Anton , Ender Claudia , Klimas Susann , Vogt Sebastian , Nietzsche Sandor
Published: April 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine activity of fosfomycin/gentamicin and daptomycin/gentamicin-containing PMMA bone-cement against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, MSSA), Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecium (VRE), and E. coli (ESBL; only fosfomycin). Test specimens of the bone cement were formed and bacteria in two concentrations were added one time or repeatedly up to 96 h. All fosfomycin-containing cement killed ultimately all MSSA, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and E. coli within 24 h; growth of MRSA was suppressed up to 48 h. Activity of daptomycin-containing cement depended on the concentration; the highest concentrated bone cement used (1.5 g daptomycin/40 g of powder) was active against all one-time added bacteria. When bacteria were added repeatedly to fosfomycin-containing cement, growth was suppressed up to 96 h and that of MRSA and VRE only up to 24 h. The highest concentration of daptomycin suppressed the growth of repeated added bacteria up to 48 h (VRE) until 96 h (MSSA, MRSA). In conclusion, PMMA bone cement with 1.5 g of daptomycin and 0.5 g of gentamicin may be an alternative in treatment of periprosthetic infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria.
A Frequency-Tunable SRR-Adopted Two-Pole Waveguide Filter Operating below the Cutoff Frequency
Authors: Park Wook-Ki , Lim Hyun-Yong , Kim Dong-Woo , Oh Soon-soo
Published: April 2017

A frequency-tunable filter operating below the cutoff frequency of a metallic hollow waveguide is proposed, which has two-pole bandpass characteristics and incorporates a split-ring resonator (SRR). The tuning procedure is achieved by inserting two metal screws. The screws adjust the magnetic- field passing through the center of the SRR. The effect of SRR orientation was investigated and the optimum orientation proposed. Our results indicated an operating frequency range of 2.0 to 2.35 GHz, which is lower than the cutoff frequency of the waveguide of 4.9 GHz by more than 2.55 GHz. The proposed filter could be utilized for communication, such as software-defined radio (SDR) systems.
Anaplastic Spindle Cell Squamous Carcinoma Arising from Tall Cell Variant Papillary Carcinoma of the Thyroid Gland: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Patten Darren K. , Ahmed Alia , Greaves Owain , Dina Roberto , Flora Rashpal , Tolley Neil
Published: April 2017

Tall cell variant (TCV) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), an aggressive form of thyroid cancer, is characterised by 50% of cells with height that is three times greater than the width. Very rarely, some of these cancers can progress to spindle cell squamous carcinoma (SCSC) resulting in cancers with elements of both SCSC and TCV PTC. Here we report a case of SCSC arising from TCV PTC. In addition to this case, we have performed a literature review and compiled all published reports of SCSC arising from TCV PTC, including the nature of treatment and the prognosis for each of the 20 patients recorded. This is intended for use as a guide for clinicians in what the most appropriate treatment options may be for a newly diagnosed patient. Due to the rarity coupled with diagnosis occurring at a very advanced stage of disease progression, performing clinical trials is difficult and therefore drawing conclusions on optimal treatment methods remains a challenge.
Pulse Dispersion in Phased Arrays
Authors: Haupt Randy L. , Nayeri Payam
Published: April 2017

Phased array antennas cause pulse dispersion when receiving or transmitting wideband signals, because phase shifting the signals does not align the pulse envelopes from the elements. This paper presents two forms of pulse dispersion that occur in a phased array antenna. The first results from the separation distance between the transmit and receive antennas and impacts the definition of far field in the time domain. The second is a function of beam scanning and array size. Time delay units placed at the element and/or subarrays limit the pulse dispersion.
Robust Genetic Circuit Design: A Mixed H∞ and IQC Analysis
Authors: Chen Ruijuan , Pan Wei , Fu Dongfei , He Xin
Published: April 2017

This paper considers the problem of designing a genetic circuit which is robust to noise effect. To achieve this goal, a mixed H∞ and Integral Quadratic Constraints (IQC) approach is proposed. In order to minimize the effects of external noise on the genetic regulatory network in terms of H∞ norm, a design procedure of Hill coefficients in the promoters is presented. The IQC approach is introduced to analyze and guarantee the stability of the designed circuit.