bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Arabidopsis heat‐intolerant 5 (hit5)/enhanced response to aba 1 (era1) mutant reveals the crucial role of protein farnesylation in plant responses to heat stress
Authors: Wu Jia‐Rong , Wang Lian‐Chin , Lin Yu‐Ru , Weng Chi‐Pei , Yeh Ching‐Hui , Wu Shaw‐Jye
Published: September 2016

Protein farnesylation is a post‐translational modification known to regulate abscisic acid (ABA)‐mediated drought tolerance in plants. However, it is unclear whether and to what extent protein farnesylation affects plant tolerance to high‐temperature conditions.

The Arabidopsis heat‐intolerant 5 (hit5) mutant was isolated because it was thermosensitive to prolonged heat incubation at 37°C for 4 d but thermotolerant to sudden heat shock at 44°C for 40 min. Map‐based cloning revealed that HIT5 encodes the β‐subunit of the protein farnesyltransferase. hit5 was crossed with the aba‐insensitive 3 (abi3) mutant, the aba‐deficient 3 (aba3) mutant, and the heat shock protein 101 (hsp101) mutant, to characterize the HIT5‐mediated heat stress response.

hit5/abi3 and hit5/aba3 double mutants had the same temperature‐dependent phenotypes as hit5. Additionally, exogenous supplementation of neither ABA nor the ABA synthesis inhibitor fluridone altered the temperature‐dependent phenotypes of hit5. The hit5/hsp101 double mutant was still sensitive to prolonged heat incubation, yet its ability to tolerate sudden heat shock was lost.

The results suggest that protein farnesylation either positively or negatively affects the ability of plants to survive heat stress, depending on the intensity and duration of high‐temperature exposure, in an ABA‐independent manner. HSP101 is involved in the hit5‐derived heat shock tolerance phenotype.
Against compassion: in defence of a “hybrid” concept of empathy
Authors: Morgan Alastair
Published: September 2016

In this article, I argue that the recent emphasis on compassion in healthcare practice lacks conceptual richness and clarity. In particular, I argue that it would be helpful to focus on a larger concept of empathy rather than compassion alone and that compassion should be thought of as a component of this larger concept of empathy. The first part of the article outlines a critique of the current discourse of compassion on three grounds. This discourse naturalizes, individualizes, and reifies compassion leading to a decontextualized and simplified understanding of failures in healthcare practice. The second part uses resources from phenomenology and contemporary moral philosophy to construct a “hybrid” concept of empathy that includes both pre‐reflective/intuitive and cognitive/imaginative components. This “hybrid” concept of empathy leads to a more complex understanding of the multiple responses to others' distress. I conclude that there are no straightforward normative naturalistic responses to others' distress. Rather than conceptualizing compassion as a naturalistic impulse or a character‐based trait, we need to consider the complexity of our empathic recognition of vulnerable others.
Translation and Validation of the Thai Version of a Modified Brief Pain Inventory: A Concise Instrument for Pain Assessment in Postoperative Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Keawnantawat Pakamas , Thanasilp Sureeporn , Preechawong Sunida
Published: September 2016

Background

Acute pain after cardiac surgery can be assessed using validated instruments such as the modified interference subscale of the Brief Pain Inventory (mod‐BPI). Despite the available knowledge, the Thai version of a mod‐BPI has not yet been presented.

Objectives

To translate a mod‐BPI into the Thai language (BPI‐T) and to validate it in acute pain after cardiac surgery.

Methods

This multisetting, cross‐sectional study was done from 4 cardiac centers. With a convenience sampling technique, 132 cardiac surgery patients were enrolled during the first 72 postoperative hours. A BPI‐T composed of 4 items on the intensity subscale and 6 items on the interference subscale was translated following Brislin's model. Convergent validity against the numeric rating scale (NRS), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency reliability were examined.

Results

Of the total sample, 70% experienced moderate to severe pain (cutoff points of worst pain ≥ 4/10), and 65% had moderate to severe interference with deep breathing and coughing, 53% with general activity, and 49% with walking. The CFA confirmed the 2‐factor structure of intensity and interference subscales consistent with the original version (root‐mean‐square error of approximation = 0.08, comparative fit index = 0.95, χ2 = 39.00, df = 27, χ2/df = 1.44, P = 0.06). The physical and mental subdimensions under the interference subscale were determined (standardized factor loading = 0.70 and 0.42, respectively). The BPI‐T also has good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficients 0.76 and 0.85). Pearson's correlation coefficients at 0.35 to 0.70 supported the convergent validity to the NRS.

Conclusions

The BPI‐T is a concise instrument for pain assessment in postoperative cardiac surgery.
Overexpression of PP2A‐C5 that encodes the catalytic subunit 5 of protein phosphatase 2A in Arabidopsis confers better root and shoot development under salt conditions
Authors: Hu Rongbin , Zhu Yinfeng , Wei Jia , Chen Jian , Shi Huazhong , Shen Guoxin , Zhang Hong
Published: September 2016

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is an enzyme consisting of three subunits: a scaffolding A subunit, a regulatory B subunit and a catalytic C subunit. PP2As were shown to play diverse roles in eukaryotes. In this study, the function of the Arabidopsis PP2A‐C5 gene that encodes the catalytic subunit 5 of PP2A was studied using both loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function analyses. Loss‐of‐function mutant pp2a‐c5‐1 displayed more impaired growth during root and shoot development, whereas overexpression of PP2A‐C5 conferred better root and shoot growth under different salt treatments, indicating that PP2A‐C5 plays an important role in plant growth under salt conditions. Double knockout mutants of pp2a‐c5‐1 and salt overly sensitive (sos) mutants sos1‐1, sos2‐2 or sos3‐1 showed additive sensitivity to NaCl, indicating that PP2A‐C5 functions in a pathway different from the SOS signalling pathway. Using yeast two‐hybrid analysis, four vacuolar membrane chloride channel (CLC) proteins, AtCLCa, AtCLCb, AtCLCc and AtCLCg, were found to interact with PP2A‐C5. Moreover, overexpression of AtCLCc leads to increased salt tolerance and Cl− accumulation in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. These data indicate that PP2A‐C5‐mediated better growth under salt conditions might involve up‐regulation of CLC activities on vacuolar membranes and that PP2A‐C5 could be used for improving salt tolerance in crops.
Improvement in the prognosis and development of patients with methylmalonic acidemia after living donor liver transplant
Authors: Sakamoto Rieko , Nakamura Kimitoshi , Kido Jun , Matsumoto Shiro , Mitsubuchi Hiroshi , Inomata Yukihiro , Endo Fumio
Published: September 2016

Liver transplant is a treatment option for patients with MMA‐emia. While this therapy does not bring about a complete cure, it is expected to prolong survival and improve the QOL of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of LDLT for patients with MMA‐emia in Japan. Clinical information on 13 patients with MMA‐emia who underwent LDLT was acquired using a self‐developed questionnaire sent to the doctors who provided medical care to patients with MMA‐emia after LDLT. Almost all of the patients continued on a protein‐restricted diet, and the number of acidosis attacks had significantly decreased. Physical growth had recovered to within the normal range by 2.5 years after LDLT, especially in patients who underwent LDLT before the age of 1 year. The average propionyl carnitine (C3) level had significantly decreased after LDLT, and the DQs had not worsened. Liver transplant should be performed for MMA‐emia in early life. This can be expected to maintain neurological development and improve the growth and QOL of patients. However, LDLT is not a curative treatment for MMA‐emia. A protein‐restricted diet should be continued, and renal function should be monitored closely, with consideration of a renal transplant.
Eltrombopag (thrombopoietin‐receptor agonist) and plasmapheresis as rescue therapy of acute post‐renal transplant immune thrombocytopenia in a child with Schimke immuno‐osseous dysplasia—case report
Authors: Grenda Ryszard , Jarmużek Wioletta , Latoszyńska Joanna , Prokurat Sylwester , Rubik Jacek
Published: September 2016

SIOD is rare disorder related to SMARCAL1 or SMARCAL2 gene mutation, including (among other comorbidities) T‐cell immunodeficiency, nephrotic syndrome, and renal failure. Up to 22% of primary patients may develop various autoimmune disorders. We report the case of 11‐year‐old male with SIOD, who presented ITP at 2 years after renal transplantation with decrease in platelet count (from normal) to 56 000/μL and then (gradually) to 2000/μL. There was no effect of iv. methylprednisolone/dexamethasone. As the presence of antibodies against GPIIb/IIIa, GPIb, and GPIaIIa platelet glycoproteins was confirmed, patient was given 50 g of IVIG and then was put on plasmapheresis; however, both showed poor direct effect. As we were afraid to give rituximab (due to expected overimmunosuppression), we prescribed the oral TPO‐receptor agonist (eltrombopag). Patient responded after 17 days of therapy, to the final dose of 50 mg/d (approx. 2 mg/kg). The antiplatelet antibodies disappeared after four plasmapheresis. Overall, the therapy was continued for 7 weeks and was stopped at platelet count of 433 000/μL. Platelet count remained stable in 8‐month follow‐up. Combination of plasmapheresis and TPO‐receptor agonist was effective in post‐renal transplant acute ITP in patient with SIOD.
Fulminant respiratory failure due to progressive metastatic pulmonary calcification with no predisposing factors after successful renal transplantation: A case report
Authors: Ueno Kazuyuki , Shimizu Masaki , Uchiyama Akio , Hatasaki Kiyoshi
Published: September 2016

We report the patient with MPC who developed fulminant respiratory failure that leads to death with no predisposing factors after successful renal transplantation. In addition to infectious diseases, MPC should be kept in mind when post‐transplantation patients develop pulmonary symptoms. The majority of the patients with MPC are asymptomatic; however, some patients develop fulminant respiratory failure and may progress to death. MPC can develop or progress in patients with no predisposing factors after successful renal transplantation.
Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor of the lung: A report of five cases
Authors: Kon Tetsuo , Baba Youichiro , Fukai Ichiro , Watanabe Gen , Uchiyama Tomoko , Murata Tetsuya
Published: September 2016

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor (CMPT) of the lung is a newly defined and extremely rare tumor characterized by a papillary growth pattern, consisting of ciliated columnar cells, mucous cells, and basal cells with abundant mucin production. Tumor definitions and clinicopathological features continue to be debated. Herein, we report five surgical cases of CMPT to characterize its radiographic, gross, and microscopic features. The five cases involved three male patients aged 80, 67, and 66 years, and two female patients aged 73 and 70 years. Three cases were discovered during health care screenings, and two cases were found during follow‐up for another synchronous cancer. Histopathological examination revealed that the tumor tissue was composed of ciliated columnar cells, mucous cells, and basal cells with abundant mucin production. Neither nuclear atypia nor mitotic figures were observed. All patients had good prognoses. The benign histological features and clinical courses in these five cases suggest that CMPT is an independent and benign tumor of the lung.
On the after‐use and restoration of abandoned extracted peatlands in the Baltic countries
Authors: Karofeld Edgar , Jarašius Leonas , Priede Agnese , Sendžikaitė Jūratė
Published: September 2016

In the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), mires directly affected by peat extraction cover almost 90,000 ha. Of these, over 26,200 ha have already been extracted and are abandoned. The main aim of this article is to give an overview of the extent of extracted peatlands in the Baltics, the legislative background around the land‐use options, and the directions of after‐use of peatlands since the middle of the 20th century. We also critically review results from restoration of abandoned extracted peatlands and assess whether they are on a trajectory toward reinitiation of paludification and functioning mire ecosystems. Almost all currently existing abandoned extracted peatlands in the Baltics were abandoned during and shortly after the Soviet period (1940–1991) without any restoration measures. The rest of the extracted areas were mostly afforested, converted into agricultural lands, berry plantations, or water bodies. The after‐use was mostly experimental, lacking systematic, proper assessment of outcome, cost and benefits, and side effects. The data are scarce but it could be estimated that only <10% (Estonia and Lithuania) and <20% (Latvia) of the total area of abandoned extracted peatlands were used for some purposes after peat extraction. Recently, several trials aimed at restoring the mire vegetation and ecosystem functions have been started in abandoned extracted peatlands in all three countries. In the coming years, the restoration of extracted peatlands in the Baltics will start on much bigger areas within different projects and initiatives cofinanced by the European Union.
The Effect of Income on Mortality—new Evidence for the Absence of a Causal Link
Authors: Ahammer Alexander , Thomas Horvath G. , Winter-Ebmer Rudolf
Published: September 2016

We analyse the effect of income on mortality in Austria by using administrative social security data. To tackle potential endogeneity concerns arising in this context, we estimate time invariant firm-specific wage components and use them as instruments for actual wages. Although we find quantitatively small yet statistically significant effects in our naive least squares estimations, instrumental variables regressions reveal a robust zero effect of income on 10-year death rates for workers aged 40–60 years, both in terms of coefficient magnitude and narrow width of confidence intervals. These results are robust to various sample specifications and both linear and non-linear estimation methods.
Change Point Estimation in High Dimensional Markov Random-Field Models
Authors: Roy Sandipan , Atchadé Yves , Michailidis George
Published: September 2016

The paper investigates a change point estimation problem in the context of high dimensional Markov random-field models. Change points represent a key feature in many dynamically evolving network structures. The change point estimate is obtained by maximizing a profile penalized pseudolikelihood function under a sparsity assumption. We also derive a tight bound for the estimate, up to a logarithmic factor, even in settings where the number of possible edges in the network far exceeds the sample size. The performance of the estimator proposed is evaluated on synthetic data sets and is also used to explore voting patterns in the US Senate in the 1979–2012 period.
The effect of foot overpronation on Achilles tendon blood supply in healthy male subjects
Authors: Karzis K. , Kalogeris M. , Mandalidis D. , Geladas N. , Karteroliotis K. , Athanasopoulos S.
Published: September 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate Achilles tendon blood flow in individuals with overpronated feet during non‐weight‐ and weight‐bearing positions. Achilles tendon blood flow was measured by means of the pulsatility index (PI) and the resistance index (RI) in 15 male individuals with overpronated feet and 15 counterparts with normal feet, using power Doppler ultrasonography (PDI). Achilles tendon ultrasonographic (US) assessment was performed at its musculo‐tendinous junction (MTJ), mid‐tendon (MT), and osseotendinous junction (OTJ) at a non‐weight‐bearing relaxed position (RP) and during two‐leg stance (TLS) and one‐leg upright stance (OLS). PI and RI indices were significantly greater in individuals with overpronated feet compared to individuals with normal feet at the OTJ in OLS position (P < 0.01), and at MT in both TLS (P < 0.001) and OLS positions (P < 0.001). All individuals demonstrated also greater PI and RI indices at MT followed by the OTJ and MTJ in all positions (P < 0.001), and in OLS compared to TLS and the RP at the OTJ (P < 0.01) as well as at MT and MTJ (P < 0.001). The findings of the present study suggest that foot overpronation may affect Achilles tendon blood flow, particularly at mid‐tendon, thus enhancing the possibility for injury.
A test of basic psychological needs theory in young soccer players: time‐lagged design at the individual and team levels
Authors: González L. , Tomás I. , Castillo I. , Duda J. L. , Balaguer I.
Published: September 2016

Within the framework of basic psychological needs theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), multilevel structural equation modeling (MSEM) with a time‐lagged design was used to test a mediation model examining the relationship between perceptions of coaches’ interpersonal styles (autonomy supportive and controlling), athletes’ basic psychological needs (satisfaction and thwarting), and indicators of well‐being (subjective vitality) and ill‐being (burnout), estimating separately between and within effects. The participants were 597 Spanish male soccer players aged between 11 and 14 years (M = 12.57, SD = 0.54) from 40 teams who completed a questionnaire package at two time points in a competitive season. Results revealed that at the individual level, athletes’ perceptions of autonomy support positively predicted athletes’ need satisfaction (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), whereas athletes’ perceptions of controlling style positively predicted athletes’ need thwarting (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). In turn, all three athletes’ need satisfaction dimensions predicted athletes’ subjective vitality and burnout (positively and negatively, respectively), whereas competence thwarting negatively predicted subjective vitality and competence and relatedness positively predicted burnout. At the team level, team perceptions of autonomy supportive style positively predicted team autonomy and relatedness satisfaction. Mediation effects only appeared at the individual level.
Clause Typing and Feature Inheritance of Discourse Features
Authors: Lochbihler Bethany , Mathieu Eric
Published: September 2016

The aim of this article is twofold. First, we claim that δ‐features (discourse features), as well as ϕ‐features, can be inherited from C to T (Richards 2007, Chomsky 2008), as shown bywh‐agreement on T in Ojibwe (Algonquian). Our analysis supports Miyagawa's (2010) hypothesis that discourse and agreement features are two sides of the same coin, which can be distributed differently crosslinguistically. Second, we propose that although ϕ and δ typically bundle together on a single C head, this is not the case in all languages and in fact will vary parametrically. Ojibwe clause typing is partitioned between agreement/ϕ‐features on independent order (i.e., plain matrix) C and discourse/δ‐features on conjunct order (e.g., embedded) C. This parameter, that certain features may or may not bundle on C, captures a significant cluster of properties in Ojibwe: Initial Change, lack of person prefixes in the conjunct order in contrast with the independent, as well as the availability of long‐distance agreement. Our proposal supports the idea that much crosslinguistic variation reduces to the distinct feature structures making up functional heads, such as v,D, and C, rather than to primitives.
Role of climate changes for wind gap formation in a young, actively growing mountain range
Authors: Hampel Andrea , Hetzel Ralf
Published: September 2016

Wind gaps in actively growing mountain ranges are unique geomorphological features testifying to the competition between tectonics and fluvial incision. Although it is clear that these landforms reflect the defeat of rivers during sustained rock uplift, the role of climate changes in their formation has never been explored. Here, we use a coupled tectonics–landscape evolution model to show that temporal changes in precipitation rate exert an important control on wind gap formation. In models with a constant precipitation rate, rivers flowing across a growing range are either defeated at an early stage or they abandon their valleys very late, if at all. If precipitation varies, wind gaps form mostly c. 100–200 ka after a transition to drier conditions because of sediment aggradation upstream of the range. Our results suggest that the Pliocene–Quaternary aridification of Central Asia contributed to wind gap formation in active mountain ranges in the foreland of northeastern Tibet.
Impact of the introduction of mandatory generic substitution in South Africa: private sector sales of generic and originator medicines for chronic diseases
Authors: Gray Andrew Lofts , Santa‐Ana‐Tellez Yared , J Wirtz Veronika
Published: September 2016

Objective

To assess the impact of mandatory offer of generic substitution, introduced in South Africa in May 2003, on private sector sales of generic and originator medicines for chronic diseases.

Methods

Private sector sales data (June 2001 to May 2005) were obtained from IMS Health for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs; ATC code A02BC), HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins; C10AA), dihydropyridine calcium antagonists (C08CA), angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐I; C09AA) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; N06AB). Monthly sales were expressed as defined daily doses per 1000 insured population per month (DDD/TIM). Interrupted time‐series models were used to estimate the changes in slope and level of medicines use after the policy change. ARIMA models were used to correct for autocorrelation and stationarity.

Results

Only the SSRIs saw a significant rise in level of generic utilisation (0.2 DDD/TIM; P < 0.001) and a fall in originator usage (−0.1 DDD/TIM; P < 0.001) after the policy change. Utilisation of generic PPIs fell (level 0.06 DDD/TIM, P = 0.048; slope 0.01 DDD/TIM, P = 0.043), but utilisation of originator products also grew (level 0.05 DDD/TIM, P < 0.001; slope 0.003, P = 0.001). Generic calcium antagonists and ACE‐I showed an increase in slope (0.01 DDD/TIM, P = 0.016; 0.02 DDD/TIM, P < 0.001), while the originators showed a decrease in slope (‐0.003 DDD/TIM, P = 0.046; −0.01 DDD/TIM, P < 0.001). There were insufficient data on generic statin use before the policy change to allow for analysis.

Conclusion

The mandatory offer of generic substitution appeared to have had a quantifiable effect on utilisation patterns in the 2 years after May 2003. Managed care interventions that were already in place before the intervention may have blunted the extent of the changes seen in this period. Generic policies are an important enabling provision for cost‐containment efforts. However, decisions taken outside of official policy may anticipate or differ from that policy, with important consequences.
Plasmodium falciparum infection in febrile Congolese children: prevalence of clinical malaria 10 years after introduction of artemisinin‐combination therapies
Authors: Etoka‐Beka Mandingha Kosso , Ntoumi Francine , Kombo Michael , Deibert Julia , Poulain Pierre , Vouvoungui Christevy , Kobawila Simon Charles , Koukouikila‐Koussounda Felix
Published: September 2016

Objectives

To investigate the proportion of malaria infection in febrile children consulting a paediatric hospital in Brazzaville, to determine the prevalence of submicroscopic malaria infection, to characterise Plasmodium falciparum infection and compare the prevalence of uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria according to haemoglobin profiles.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from children aged <10 years with an axillary temperature ≥37.5 °C consulting the paediatric ward of Marien Ngouabi Hospital in Brazzaville. Parasite density was determined and all samples were screened for P. falciparum by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the P. falciparum msp‐2 marker to detect submicroscopic infections and characterise P. falciparum infection. Sickle cell trait was screened by PCR.

Results

A total of 229 children with fever were recruited, of whom 10% were diagnosed with uncomplicated malaria and 21% with submicroscopic infection. The mean parasite density in children with uncomplicated malaria was 42 824 parasites/μl of blood. The multiplicity of infection (MOI) was 1.59 in children with uncomplicated malaria and 1.69 in children with submicroscopic infection. The mean haemoglobin level was 10.1 ± 1.7 for children with uncomplicated malaria and 12.0 ± 8.6 for children with submicroscopic infection. About 13% of the children harboured the sickle cell trait (HbAS); the rest had normal haemoglobin (HbAA). No difference in prevalence of uncomplicated malaria and submicroscopic infection, parasite density, haemoglobin level, MOI and P. falciparum genetic diversity was observed according to haemoglobin type.

Conclusion

The low prevalence of uncomplicated malaria in febrile Congolese children indicates the necessity to investigate carefully other causes of fever.
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM‐1) and cytokine gene variants in complicated and uncomplicated malaria
Authors: Adukpo Selorme , Gyan Ben A. , Ofori Michael F. , Dodoo Daniel , Velavan Thirumalaisamy P. , Meyer Christian G.
Published: September 2016

Background

Malaria elicits inflammatory responses, which, if not well regulated, may exert detrimental effects. When activated, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM‐1) enhances inflammatory responses by increasing secretion of IL‐8 and other Th1 cytokines. In contrast, TREM‐like transcript 1 (TREML‐1) promotes anti‐inflammatory responses by binding to TREM‐1 ligands and competing with TREM‐1, thus antagonizing TREM‐1 activation to reduce inflammation. Endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) also mediates anti‐inflammatory responses by activating endothelial protein C (PC). Upon microbial stimulation, soluble forms of TREM‐1 (sTREM‐1) and soluble EPCR (sEPCR) are released. Their plasma levels reflect the degree of inflammation and the severity of infection.

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study comparing patients with severe with uncomplicated malaria, sTREM‐1, soluble TREML‐1 (sTREML‐1) and sEPCR plasma levels as well as plasma levels of sEPCR derived from convalescent patients were quantified. Samples were collected on admittance of paediatric patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum to hospitals in Accra, Ghana. Distinct genetic regions of the genes encoding TREM‐1, EPCR, interleukin (IL)‐8 and IL‐18 encompassing known genetic polymorphisms that influence plasma levels underwent DNA sequencing.

Results

Higher sTREM‐1 levels were observed among children suffering from severe malaria compared to those with uncomplicated malaria (P = 0.049). Low TREM‐1 to TREML‐1 ratios were associated with uncomplicated malaria (P = 0.033). The TREM1 rs2234237T variant causing the amino acid exchange Thr25Ser, which has been associated with higher TREM‐1 plasma levels, was significantly more frequent among patients with severe malaria than in those with uncomplicated malaria (P = 0.036). Low levels of sEPCR were observed in severe and uncomplicated malaria, while variant genotypes of IL8, IL18 and EPCR did not show any association.

Conclusion

Higher plasma levels of sTREM‐1 alone or relative to sTREML‐1 during malaria predispose to the phenotype of severe malaria. Carriage of the TREM1 rs2234237T allele appears to be a risk factor for the development of severe malaria.
Detection of different categories of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a multi‐regional study comparing the clinical sensitivity of hepatitis B surface antigen and HBV‐DNA testing
Authors: Lelie Nico , Bruhn Roberta , Busch Michael , Vermeulen Marion , Tsoi Wai‐Chiu , Kleinman Steven ,   the International NAT Study Group
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

Twenty‐two users of individual donation nucleic acid amplification technology (ID‐NAT) in six geographical regions provided detailed hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection data in first‐time, lapsed, and repeat donations and classified confirmed HBV‐positive donors into different infection categories. These data were used to compare the clinical sensitivity of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV‐DNA testing.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In total 10,981,776 donations from South Africa, Egypt, the Mediterranean, North and Central Europe, South East Asia, and Oceania were screened for HBV‐DNA using the Ultrio assay (Grifols/Hologic) and for HBsAg using a chemiluminescence immunoassay, and 9455 HBV‐infected donations were identified. HBsAg‐negative window period (WP), HBsAg‐positive and occult HBV infection (OBI) stages were determined using supplemental serology, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and replicate multiplex and discriminatory HBV NAT test strategies. For two regions, additional data sets using the more sensitive Ultrio Plus assay were assessed.

RESULTS

Regional HBV detection rates in first‐time donors varied between 0.08% and 1.07%, with WP NAT yield rates varying between 1:7700 and 1:294,000 and OBI NAT yield rates varying from 1:3900 to 1:59,000. HBsAg CLIA detected 97.0% of infections in first‐time donors, 62.7% in lapsed donors, and 41.0% in repeat donors; whereas Ultrio detected 93.1%, 95.0%, and 98.3% of infections in these respective groups. HBV‐DNA detection rates in HBsAg‐positive donors varied from 90.2% to 96.3% between regions but increased significantly (range, 95.2‐98.2%) with the Ultrio Plus assay.

CONCLUSION

ID‐NAT and serology are complementary in detecting HBV infection in first‐time donors, but HBV‐DNA is superior to HBsAg detection in repeat donors.
The effect of adjunctive noncontact low frequency ultrasound on deep tissue pressure injury
Authors: Honaker Jeremy S. , Forston Michael R. , Davis Emily A. , Weisner Michelle M. , Morgan Jennifer A. , Sacca Emily
Published: September 2016

The optimal treatment for deep tissue pressure injuries has not been determined. Deep tissue pressure injuries represent a more ominous early stage pressure injury that may evolve into full thickness ulceration despite implementing the standard of care for pressure injury. A longitudinal prospective historical case control study design was used to determine the effectiveness of noncontact low frequency ultrasound plus standard of care (treatment group) in comparison to standard of care (control group) in reducing deep tissue pressure injury severity, total surface area, and final pressure injury stage. The Honaker Suspected Deep Tissue Injury Severity Scale (range 3‐18[more severe]) was used to determine deep tissue pressure injury severity at enrollment (Time 1) and discharge (Time 2). A total of 60 subjects (Treatment = 30; Control= 30) were enrolled in the study. In comparison to the control group mean deep tissue pressure injury total surface area change at Time 2 (0.3 cm2), the treatment group had a greater decrease (8.8 cm2) that was significant (t = 2.41, p = 0.014, r2 = 0.10). In regards to the Honaker Suspected Deep Tissue Injury Severity Scale scores, the treatment group had a significantly lower score (7.6) in comparison to the control group (11.9) at time 2, with a mean difference of 4.6 (t = 6.146, p = 0.0001, r2 = 0.39). When considering the final pressure ulcer stage at Time 2, the control group were mostly composed of unstageable pressure ulcer (57%) and deep tissue pressure injury severity (27%). In contrast, the treatment group final pressure ulcer stages were less severe and were mostly composed of stage 2 pressure injury (50%) and deep tissue pressure injury severity (23%) were the most common at time 2. The results of this study have shown that deep tissue pressure injury severity treated with noncontact low frequency ultrasound within 5 days of onset and in conjunction with standard of care may improve outcomes as compared to standard of care only.
Systematics and biodiversity research in the era of genomics
Authors: Bachmann Lutz , Ericson Per G. P. , Sundberg Per
Published: September 2016

On 5 November 2015, The Norwegian Academy of Sciences and Letters (DNVA) and the editors of the Zoologica Scripta invited to the one‐day symposium ‘Systematics and Biodiversity Research in the Era of Genomics’. Some 80 scientists gathered at the premises of the DNVA in Oslo, Norway, to explore and discuss the current trends and future developments in the field of Animal Systematics.
Numerical Simulation of Condensation for R410A in Horizontal Round and Flattened Minichannels
Authors: Li Wei , Zhang Jingzhi , Bai Guanghui , Xu Jin-liang , Simon Terrence W. , Li Junye , Wei Jin-jia
Published: September 2016

Heat transfer characteristics for condensation for R410A inside horizontal round (dh = 3.78 mm) and flattened tubes (aspect ratio (AR) = 3.07, 4.23, and 5.39) with larger horizontal than vertical dimensions at a saturation temperature of 320 K are investigated numerically. The flattened tube has flat upper and lower walls and circular end walls. The heat and mass transfer model for condensation is verified by comparing numerical heat transfer coefficients of round tubes with experimental data and empirical correlations. Liquid–vapor interfaces and local heat transfer coefficients are also presented to give a better understanding of the condensation process inside these tubes. The results indicate that local heat transfer coefficients increase with increasing mass flux, vapor quality, and aspect ratio. The enhancement of heat transfer coefficients for flattened tubes is more pronounced at higher mass flux and vapor quality values (about 1.5 times the heat transfer coefficients for round tubes when G = 1061 kg m−2 s−1, x ≥ 0.8). Unlike in the round tubes, the liquid film in the flattened tube accumulates at the sides of the bottom surface and at the middle of the top surface of the channels when vapor quality is low. Peak values of liquid film thickness in flattened tubes are obtained around angles about the centroid θ of 70 deg and 117 deg, where θ = 0 deg is upward.
Simultaneous Spreading and Solidification of an Impacting Molten Droplet With Substrate Remelting
Authors: Ramanuj Vimal , Tong Albert Y.
Published: September 2016

The nonisothermal phase-change behavior of droplet deposition on a substrate has been studied. The governing equation for the flow field is solved using a finite-volume scheme with a two-step projection method on a fixed computational grid. The volume-of-fluid (VOF) method is used to track the free surface, and the continuum surface force (CSF) method is used to model the surface tension. An enthalpy formulation with a porosity model is adopted for solving the energy equation. A comparison with published experimental findings has been done to validate the numerical model. The effects of convection terms in the energy equation are examined, and droplet spreading and solidification along with substrate remelting have been analyzed. A parametric study relating the effects of substrate preheating and impact velocity on remelting, cooling rate, spreading, and solidification has also been carried out. It has been observed that the flow field within the droplet has a significant effect on the overall deposition process.
Modeling of Spectral Properties and the Scattering Phase Function for Lightweight Heat Protection Spacecraft Materials
Authors: Cherepanov Valery V. , Alifanov Oleg M.
Published: September 2016

This work gives a brief description of the statistical model that takes into account when calculating the physical, in particular, the optical properties of some ultraporous nonmetallic high-temperature materials, the real regularities of the material structure, and the physical properties of substances constituting the material. For the spectral part of the model, some tests are presented, confirming its adequacy. The simulation of the spectra and the scattering of monochromatic radiation pattern by using the representative elements of the model and the material as a whole are carried out. It is found that despite the fact that the scattering pattern based on the use of representative elements of a material can be approximated by the classical distributions, this is not true for the material as a whole. Calculations of the angular scattering probability density of the materials are carried out, and the approximations of obtained distributions that extend the class of modeling scattering phase functions (SPF) are proposed.
Numerical Solutions of Natural Convection Flow of a Dusty Nanofluid About a Vertical Wavy Truncated Cone
Authors: Siddiqa Sadia , Begum Naheed , Hossain M. A. , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy
Published: September 2016

This paper reports the numerical results for the natural convection flow of a two-phase dusty nanofluid along a vertical wavy frustum of a cone. The general governing equations are transformed into parabolic partial differential equations, which are then solved numerically with the help of implicit finite difference method. Comprehensive flow formations of carrier and dusty phases are given with the aim to predict the behavior of heat and mass transport across the heated wavy frustum of a cone. The effectiveness of utilizing the nanofluids to control skin friction and heat and mass transport is analyzed. The results clearly show that the shape of the waviness changes when nanofluid is considered. It is shown that the modified diffusivity ratio parameter, NA, extensively promotes rate of mass transfer near the vicinity of the cone, whereas heat transfer rate reduces.
Effect of Surface Roughness and Residual Stress Induced by High Speed Milling Process on Short Crack Growth
Authors: Zheng B. , Yu H. D. , Wang X. , Lai X. M.
Published: September 2016

Surface scratches and residual stresses inevitably appear on the surface of the component as a result of the machining process. The damage evolution of surface scratch due to the combined effect of cyclic loading and residual stresses will be significantly different from the case where only the cyclic loading is considered. In the damage evolution of surface scratch, the short crack growth is of great importance owing to its apparently anomalous behaviors compared with the long-crack growth. In this paper, the effect of the surface roughness and the residual stress on the short crack growth is studied. Firstly, the surface roughness and the residual stress of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy induced by the high speed milling process with various cutting speeds and feed rates are investigated with the experimental method. The maximum height roughness parameter is measured, which is regarded as the surface defect induced by the milling process. The residual stress on the specimen surface is measured with the X-ray diffraction. Results show that the surface roughness becomes higher with the increase of the feed rate. However, the influence of the cutting speed on the surface roughness is not significant. The residual stresses on the specimen surface are all in the compressive state. The residual stress is more compressive as the feed rate increases. The effects of the process parameters on the surface roughness and the residual stress are described by the fitted formulas. Then a modified model is built to characterize short fatigue crack growth behaviors with the consideration of the residual stress. This model is proved to provide a realistic treatment of the short crack growth, as reflected by comparison with experimental fatigue crack growth data of medium carbon steel and 7075-T6 aluminum alloy published in literature. The effect of surface roughness and residual stress caused by the milling process on the short crack growth is also investigated by using the proposed model. The growth of the scratch is nonlinear when it is subjected to the cyclic load. The compressive residual stress reduces the growth rate of the crack. The crack with larger initial surface roughness grows faster than that with smaller roughness. The correlation of surface roughness, residual stress and crack growth length is obtained by the polynomial fitting. The investigations in this paper can help the damage tolerance design of structures and improve the awareness of the effect of the residual stress and surface roughness induced by the machining process on the short crack growth.
Experimental Analysis of Process Parameters in Composite Manufacturing
Authors: Ou Xinyan , Alkhader Maen , Chang Qing
Published: September 2016

With the growing world demand on composite products, composite manufacturers are increasingly moving towards adopting automated composite manufacturing. However, current automated machines are not optimized and have throughput limitations. Most of them only target specific composite processes. Because the shortage of understanding on the processing factors and knowledge on precise process control, the products get high probability to come with defect. This paper provides an experimental methodology to explore the relationship between the structural properties of composite parts and processing factors. The paper also provides composite manufacturers a guide for processing condition optimization, productivity improvement and cost reduction. The raw material involved in this paper is an aerospace grade carbon fiber prepreg and was used to fabricate composite samples in a hot press machine system in the experiment. To investigate the effects of processing factors, specimens were fabricated using a series of combinations of different factor values. Three point bending flexural test was performed to evaluate the quality of each sample. Collected data are analyzed by statistical methods and fitted to a multiple linear regression model, which provides insights for composite manufacturing.
A Graphical Approach for Freeform Surface Offsetting With GPU Acceleration for Subtractive 3D Printing
Authors: Hossain Mohammad M. , Vuduc Richard W. , Nath Chandra , Kurfess Thomas R. , Tucker Thomas M.
Published: September 2016

The lack of plug-and-play programmability in conventional toolpath planning approach in subtractive manufacturing, i.e., machining leads to significantly higher manufacturing cost for CNC based prototyping. In computer aided manufacturing (CAM) packages, typical B-rep or NURBS based representations of the CAD interfaces challenge core computations of tool trajectories generation process, such as, surface offsetting to be completely automated. In this work, the problem of efficient generation of free-form surface offsets is addressed with a novel volumetric representation. It presents an image filter based offsetting algorithm, which leverages the parallel computing engines on modern graphics processor unit (GPU). The scalable voxel data structure and the proposed hardware-accelerated volumetric offsetting together advance the computation and memory efficiencies well beyond the capability of past studies. Additionally, in order to further accelerate the offset computation the problem of offsetting with a large distance is decomposed into successive offsetting using smaller distances. The accuracy of the offset algorithms is thoroughly analyzed. The developed GPU implementation of the offsetting algorithm is robust in computation, easy to comprehend, and achieves a 50-fold speedup on single graphics card (NVIDIA GTX780Ti) relative to prior best-performing dual socket quad-core CPU implementation.
Design of the Virtual Machine System for High Precision Centerless Grinding and its Implementation Perspectives
Authors: Cui Qi , Cheng Kai , Ding Hui , Chen Shijin
Published: September 2016

In order to investigate the rounding process of high precision centerless grinding in time domain reliably and predictably, a virtual machine design approach is essential particularly towards 0.1–0.3μm roundness precision. The virtual machine system presented in this paper is developed through high-level integration of the machine characteristics, workpiece rounding mechanism and their intrinsic correlation. In this system, the primary elements affecting the workpiece roundness regeneration, including kinematics, dynamics and control of the machine, grinding dynamics and machining conditions, are integrated into the high precision virtual centerless grinding to render the rounding process, evaluate the machine performance and optimize grinding strategies accordingly. An application case study on virtual machining of the targeted workpiece roundness 0.1μm is provided to present the implementation perspectives of the virtual machine system for high precision centerless grinding.
Production of Rubber Goods Made of 100% Ground Tire Rubber
Authors: Quadrini F. , Santo L. , Oskorus T. , Wasniowski W. , Musacchi E.
Published: September 2016

This study shows some results from a recent European Project about tire recycling (SMART “Sustainable Molding of Articles from Recycled Tires”). The aim of the project was producing large rubber products in industrial scale by using ground tire rubber (GTR) without any additive or linking agent. Rubber products are made by “direct molding” of GTR, which is a compression molding process in absence of any raw material. Three different products have been selected to show the feasibility of the new recycling technology: a large-size tile (1 m2) with a thickness between 10 to 20 mm, a puzzle-shape tile with a thickness from 40 to 50 mm, and a kerb. All these products have been successfully molded and results from their testing are reported. In conclusion, an assessment about the production cost for tiles is also proposed.
Fundamental Study on Delamination in Milling Kenaf Fiber Reinforced Plastic Composite (Unidirectional)
Authors: Harun Azmi , Che Haron Che Hassan , Ghani Jaharah A. , Mokhtar Suhaily , Sanuddin Asmawi
Published: September 2016

Kenaf Fiber is one of natural fibers which becoming popular as a reinforced for plastic composite material in the industrial application such as aircraft, automotive, sporting goods, and marine engineering. In machined kenaf fiber composite, the important factor should be control is the delamination factor in order to control the quality of product. The delamination of a milled kenaf reinforced plastic is depending on the milling parameters (spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut). Therefore, a study was carried out to investigate the relationship between the milling parameters and their effects on a kenaf reinforced plastic. In this study, the composite panels were fabricated using vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) method. A full factorial design of experiments was used as an initial step to screen the significance of the parameters on the defects using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). If the curvature of the collected data shows significant, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is then applied for obtaining a quadratic modeling equation which has more reliable in expressing the optimization. Thus, the objective of this research is obtaining an optimum setting of milling parameters and modeling equations to minimize delamination factor of milled kenaf fiber reinforced plastic composite. The spindle speed and feed rate contributed the most in affecting the delamination factor of kenaf fiber composite.