bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fully Coupled Simulation of Oxygen and Heat Diffusion for (U, Pu)O2 Fuel in Both FBR and LWR
Authors: Zhou Wenzhong , Liu Rong
Published: March 2016

Oxygen redistribution with the high temperature gradient is one of the important fuel performance concerns in fast reactor (FBR) and light water reactor (LWR) oxide (U, Pu)O2 fuel during irradiation, and will affect nuclear fuel materials properties, power distribution and overall performance of the fuel. This paper focuses on the oxygen and heat diffusion within (U, Pu)O2 fast reactor and light water reactor fuel. In this study, the correlations from the literature are used for density, thermal conductivity, specific heat, and oxygen to metal ratio redistribution. Three dimensional burnup dependent oxygen diffusion and heat diffusion models are fully-coupled in steady states and transients to account for the effects on each other. The models are implemented into COMSOL Multiphysics to perform this analysis.

The simulation results show that the temperature profile change has relatively larger impact on oxygen/metal ratio distribution compared to oxygen/metal ratio distribution change’s impact on temperature distribution. With regard to the oxygen/metal ratio’s effect on temperature distribution, fast reactor and light water reactor show different trends. For fast reactor application, with the oxygen/metal ratio’s increase on the outer surface, the fuel temperature decreases. However, for light water reactor application, with the oxygen/metal ratio increase on the outer surface, the fuel temperature increases, which is opposite to fast reactor application. For different oxygen/metal ratio boundary conditions, with the oxygen/metal ratio increase on the outer surface, the oxygen/metal ratio increases over the whole fuel. For the fast reactor application, the inner surface has the lowest oxygen/metal ratio, and the outer surface has the highest oxygen/metal ratio. However, this trend in light water reactor application is exactly opposite to fast reactor application. For the start-up transient scenario, the rapid changes in time-dependent temperature and oxygen/metal ratio distributions are observed, which are due to a rapid change in heat generation. Comparing fast reactor and light water reactor simulation results, we can observe that the temperature change is relatively more obvious in light water reactor than fast reactor.
Using Infrared Thermography and Biosensors to Detect Thermal Discomfort in a Building’s Inhabitants
Authors: Burzo Mihai , Abouelenien Mohamed , Pérez-Rosas Verónica , Wicaksono Cakra , Tao Yong , Mihalcea Rada
Published: March 2016

This paper lays the grounds for a new methodology for detecting thermal discomfort, which can potentially reduce the building energy usage while improving the comfort of its inhabitants. The paper describes our explorations in automatic human discomfort prediction using physiological signals directly collected from a buildings inhabitants. Using infrared thermography, as well as several other bio-sensors (galvanic skin response, heart rate tracker, respiration rate tracker), we record a building’s inhabitants under various thermal conditions (hot, cold, neutral), and consequently build a multimodal model that can automatically detect thermal discomfort.

The paper makes two important contributions. First, we introduce a novel dataset, consisting of sensorial measurements of human behavior under varied comfort/discomfort conditions. The change in physiological signals of the human body are monitored for several subjects, for different comfort levels in an indoor environment. Second, using the dataset obtained in the first step, we build a model that identifies the relationship between human factors, as tracked through infrared thermography and other bio-sensors, and environmental conditions related to discomfort. Third, we measure the correlation between sensorial measurements collected from the user and self-reported levels of discomfort, and hence identify the sensorial measurements that are predictive of human discomfort. The final goal is to automatically predict the level of discomfort of a building inhabitant without any explicit input from the user.

This human-centered discomfort prediction model is expected to enable innovative adaptive control scenarios for a built environment conditions in real time, as well as a significant reduction in building energy usage directly related to human occupancy and their desired comfort levels.
Changes in Strength, Power, and Speed Across a Season in English County Cricketers
Authors: Carr Christina , McMahon John J. , Comfort Paul
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

Previous research has investigated changes in athletes’ strength, power, and speed performances across the competitive season of many sports, although this has not been explored in cricketers. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in lower-body strength and jump and sprint performances across an English county cricket season.

Methods:

Male cricketers (N = 12; age 24.4 ± 2.3 y, body mass 84.3 ± 9.9 kg, height 184.1 ± 8.1 cm) performed countermovement jumps (CMJs) and 20-m sprints on 4 separate occasions and back-squat strength testing on 3 separate occasions across a competitive season.

Results:

Both absolute (12.9%, P = .005, effect size [ES] = 0.53) and relative lower-body strength (15.8%, P = .004, ES = 0.69) and CMJ height (5.3%, P = .037, ES = 0.42) improved significantly over the preseason training period, although no significant change (1.7%, P > .05) in sprint performance was observed. In contrast, absolute (14.3%, P = .001, ES = 0.72) and relative strength (15.0%, P = .001, ES = 0.77), CMJ height (4.2%, P = .023, ES = 0.40), and sprint performance (3.8%, P = .012, ES = 0.94) declined significantly across the season.

Conclusions:

The results of this study show that neither the demands of the competitive cricket season nor current in-season training practices provide a sufficient stimulus to maintain strength, jump, and sprint performances in these cricketers. Therefore, coaches should implement a more-frequent, higher-load strength-training program across the competitive cricket season.
Concurrent Validity of GPS for Deriving Mechanical Properties of Sprint Acceleration
Authors: Nagahara Ryu , Botter Alberto , Rejc Enrico , Koido Masaaki , Shimizu Takeshi , Samozino Pierre , Morin Jean-Benoit
Published: March 2016

Purpose:

To test the concurrent validity of data from 2 different global positioning system (GPS) units for obtaining mechanical properties during sprint acceleration using a field method recently validated by Samozino et al.

Methods:

Thirty-two athletes performed maximal straight-line sprints, and their running speed was simultaneously measured by GPS units (sampling rate: 20 or 5 Hz) and either a radar or laser device (devices taken as references). Lower-limb mechanical properties of sprint acceleration (theoretical maximal force, theoretical maximal speed, maximal power) were derived from a modeling of the speed–time curves using an exponential function in both measurements. Comparisons of mechanical properties from 20- and 5-Hz GPS units with those from reference devices were performed for 80 and 62 trials, respectively.

Results:

The percentage bias showed a wide range of overestimation or underestimation for both systems (-7.9% to 9.7% and -5.1% to 2.9% for 20- and 5-Hz GPS), while the ranges of its 90% confidence limits for 20-Hz GPS were markedly smaller than those for 5-Hz GPS. These results were supported by the correlation analyses.

Conclusions:

Overall, the concurrent validity for all variables derived from 20-Hz GPS measurements was better than that obtained from the 5-Hz GPS units. However, in the current state of GPS devices’ accuracy for speed–time measurements over a maximal sprint acceleration, it is recommended that radar, laser devices, and timing gates remain the reference methods for implementing the computations of Samozino et al.
Advanced Molecular Detection of Malarone Resistance
Authors: Talundzic Eldin , Plucinski Mateusz M. , Biliya Shweta , Silva-Flannery Luciana M. , Arguin Paul M. , Halsey Eric S. , Barnwell John W. , Vannberg Fredrik , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam
Published: March 2016

The rapid emergence of drug-resistant malaria parasites during the course of an infection remains a major challenge for providing accurate treatment guidelines. This is particularly important in cases of malaria treatment failure. Using a previously well-characterized case of malaria treatment failure, we show the utility of using next-generation sequencing for early detection of the rise and selection of a previously reported atovaquone-proguanil (malarone) drug resistance-associated mutation.
Successful Salvage of Central Venous Catheters in Patients with Catheter-Related or Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infections by Using a Catheter Lock Solution Consisting of Minocycline, EDTA, and 25% Ethanol
Authors: Raad Issam , Chaftari Anne-Marie , Zakhour Ramia , Jordan Mary , Al Hamal Zanaib , Jiang Ying , Yousif Ammar , Garoge Kumait , Mulanovich Victor , Viola George M. , Kanj Soha , Pravinkumar Egbert , Rosenblatt Joel , Hachem Ray
Published: March 2016

In cancer patients with long-term central venous catheters (CVC), removal and reinsertion of a new CVC at a different site might be difficult because of the unavailability of accessible vascular sites.
In vitro
and animal studies showed that a minocycline-EDTA-ethanol (M-EDTA-EtOH) lock solution may eradicate microbial organisms in biofilms, hence enabling the treatment of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) while retaining the catheter
in situ
. Between April 2013 and July 2014, we enrolled 30 patients with CLABSI in a prospective study and compared them to a historical group of 60 patients with CLABSI who had their CVC removed and a new CVC inserted. Each catheter lumen was locked with an M-EDTA-EtOH solution for 2 h administered once daily, for a total of 7 doses. Patients who received locks had clinical characteristics that were comparable to those of the control group. The times to fever resolution and microbiological eradication were similar in the two groups. Patients with the lock intervention received a shorter duration of systemic antibiotic therapy than that of the control patients (median, 11 days versus 16 days, respectively;
P
< 0.0001), and they were able to retain their CVCs for a median of 74 days after the onset of bacteremia. The M-EDTA-EtOH lock was associated with a significantly decreased rate of mechanical and infectious complications compared to that of the CVC removal/reinsertion group, who received a longer duration of systemic antimicrobial therapy. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01539343.)
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Activities of 2,3-Diarylsubstituted Quinoxaline Derivatives against Leishmania amazonensis
Authors: Kaplum Vanessa , Cogo Juliana , Sangi Diego Pereira , Ueda-Nakamura Tânia , Corrêa Arlene Gonçalves , Nakamura Celso Vataru
Published: March 2016

Leishmaniasis is endemic in 98 countries and territories worldwide. The therapies available for leishmaniasis have serious side effects, thus prompting the search for new therapies. The present study investigated the antileishmanial activities of 2,3-diarylsubstituted quinoxaline derivatives against
Leishmania amazonensis
. The antiproliferative activities of 6,7-dichloro-2,3-diphenylquinoxaline (LSPN329) and 2,3-di-(4-methoxyphenyl)-quinoxaline (LSPN331) against promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes were assessed, and the cytotoxicities of LSPN329 and LSPN331 were determined. Morphological and ultrastructural alterations were examined by electron microscopy, and biochemical alterations, reflected by the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), mitochondrial superoxide anion (O
2
·
−
) concentration, the intracellular ATP concentration, cell volume, the level of phosphatidylserine exposure on the cell membrane, cell membrane integrity, and lipid inclusions, were evaluated.
In vivo
antileishmanial activity was evaluated in a murine cutaneous leishmaniasis model. Compounds LSPN329 and LSPN331 showed significant selectivity for promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes and low cytotoxicity. In promastigotes, ultrastructural alterations were observed, including an increase in lipid inclusions, concentric membranes, and intense mitochondrial swelling, which were associated with hyperpolarization of ΔΨm, an increase in the O
2
·
−
concentration, decreased intracellular ATP levels, and a decrease in cell volume. Phosphatidylserine exposure and DNA fragmentation were not observed. The cellular membrane remained intact after treatment. Thus, the multifactorial response that was responsible for the cellular collapse of promastigotes was based on intense mitochondrial alterations. BALB/c mice treated with LSPN329 or LSPN331 showed a significant decrease in lesion thickness in the infected footpad. Therefore, the antileishmanial activity and mitochondrial mechanism of action of LSPN329 and LSPN331 and the decrease in lesion thickness
in vivo
brought about by LSPN329 and LSPN331 make them potential candidates for new drug development for the treatment of leishmaniasis.
Assessing Predictive Performance of Published Population Pharmacokinetic Models of Intravenous Tobramycin in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Bloomfield Celeste , Staatz Christine E. , Unwin Sean , Hennig Stefanie
Published: March 2016

Several population pharmacokinetic models describe the dose-exposure relationship of tobramycin in pediatric patients. Before the implementation of these models in clinical practice for dosage adjustment, their predictive performance should be externally evaluated. This study tested the predictive performance of all published population pharmacokinetic models of tobramycin developed for pediatric patients with an independent patient cohort. A literature search was conducted to identify suitable models for testing. Demographic and pharmacokinetic data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of pediatric patients who had received intravenous tobramycin. Tobramycin exposure was predicted from each model. Predictive performance was assessed by visual comparison of predictions to observations, by calculation of bias and imprecision, and through the use of simulation-based diagnostics. Eight population pharmacokinetic models were identified. A total of 269 concentration-time points from 41 pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis were collected for external evaluation. Three models consistently performed best in all evaluations and had mean errors ranging from −0.4 to 1.8 mg/liter, relative mean errors ranging from 4.9 to 29.4%, and root mean square errors ranging from 47.8 to 66.9%. Simulation-based diagnostics supported these findings. Models that allowed a two-compartment disposition generally had better predictive performance than those that used a one-compartment disposition model. Several published models of the pharmacokinetics of tobramycin showed reasonable low levels of bias, although all models seemed to have some problems with imprecision. This suggests that knowledge of typical pharmacokinetic behavior and patient covariate values alone without feedback concentration measurements from individual patients is not sufficient to make precise predictions.
Effects of Saline, an Ambient Acidic Environment, and Sodium Salicylate on OXA-Mediated Carbapenem Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Zander Esther , Seifert Harald , Higgins Paul G.
Published: March 2016

Different physiological conditions, such as NaCl, low pH, and sodium salicylate, have been shown to affect antibiotic resistance determinants in
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolates. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NaCl, sodium salicylate, and low pH on the susceptibility of
A. baumannii
to carbapenem. We cloned genes encoding oxacillinases (OXA) of different subclasses, with their associated promoters, from carbapenem-resistant
A. baumannii
isolates into the same vector and transferred them to the
A. baumannii
reference strains ATCC 19606 and ATCC 17978. Carbapenem MICs were determined at least in triplicate by agar dilution under standard conditions, as well as in the presence of 200 mM NaCl or 16 mM sodium salicylate, or at pH 5.8. OXA-58-like gene expression was determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Under some experimental conditions, significant MIC reductions were shown for some transformants but not for others. Only in one instance were all transformants harboring the same OXA affected by the same condition: at pH 5.8, the imipenem and meropenem MICs for strains expressing OXA-58-like enzymes decreased from a resistant level (32 to 64 mg/liter) to an intermediate-susceptible level (8 mg/liter). However,
bla
OXA-58-like
gene expression remained the same. MICs for both wild-type reference strains were not affected by the conditions tested. Our results indicate that the effects of the experimental conditions tested on OXA
in vivo
are mostly strain dependent. MICs were not reduced to wild-type levels, suggesting that the conditions tested do not lead to complete OXA inhibition in the bacterial cell.
N
-Formyl-Perosamine Surface Homopolysaccharides Hinder the Recognition of Brucella abortus by Mouse Neutrophils
Authors: Mora-Cartín Ricardo , Chacón-Díaz Carlos , Gutiérrez-Jiménez Cristina , Gurdián-Murillo Stephany , Lomonte Bruno , Chaves-Olarte Esteban , Barquero-Calvo Elías , Moreno Edgardo
Published: March 2016

Brucella abortus
is an intracellular pathogen of monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and placental trophoblasts. This bacterium causes a chronic disease in bovines and in humans. In these hosts, the bacterium also invades neutrophils; however, it fails to replicate and just resists the killing action of these leukocytes without inducing significant activation or neutrophilia. Moreover,
B. abortus
causes the premature cell death of human neutrophils. In the murine model, the bacterium is found within macrophages and dendritic cells at early times of infection but seldom in neutrophils. Based on this observation, we explored the interaction of mouse neutrophils with
B. abortus
. In contrast to human, dog, and bovine neutrophils, naive mouse neutrophils fail to recognize smooth
B. abortus
bacteria at early stages of infection. Murine normal serum components do not opsonize smooth
Brucella
strains, and neutrophil phagocytosis is achieved only after the appearance of antibodies. Alternatively, mouse normal serum is capable of opsonizing rough
Brucella
mutants. Despite this, neutrophils still fail to kill
Brucella
, and the bacterium induces cell death of murine leukocytes. In addition, mouse serum does not opsonize
Yersinia enterocolitica
O:9, a bacterium displaying the same surface polysaccharide antigen as smooth
B. abortus
. Therefore, the lack of murine serum opsonization and absence of murine neutrophil recognition are specific, and the molecules responsible for the
Brucella
camouflage are
N
-formyl-perosamine surface homopolysaccharides. Although the mouse is a valuable model for understanding the immunobiology of brucellosis, direct extrapolation from one animal system to another has to be undertaken with caution.
Teichoic Acid Polymers Affect Expression and Localization of
dl
-Endopeptidase LytE Required for Lateral Cell Wall Hydrolysis in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Kasahara Jun , Kiriyama Yuuka , Miyashita Mari , Kondo Takuma , Yamada Takeshi , Yazawa Kazuya , Yoshikawa Ritsuko , Yamamoto Hiroki
Published: March 2016

In
Bacillus subtilis
, the
dl
-endopeptidase LytE is responsible for lateral peptidoglycan hydrolysis during cell elongation. We found that σ
I
-dependent transcription of
lytE
is considerably enhanced in a strain with a mutation in
ltaS
, which encodes a major lipoteichoic acid (LTA) synthase. Similar enhancements were observed in mutants that affect the glycolipid anchor and wall teichoic acid (WTA) synthetic pathways. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that the LytE foci were considerably increased in these mutants. The localization patterns of LytE on the sidewalls appeared to be helix-like in LTA-defective or WTA-reduced cells and evenly distributed on WTA-depleted or -defective cell surfaces. These results strongly suggested that LTA and WTA affect both σ
I
-dependent expression and localization of LytE. Interestingly, increased LytE localization along the sidewall in the
ltaS
mutant largely occurred in an MreBH-independent manner. Moreover, we found that cell surface decorations with LTA and WTA are gradually reduced at increased culture temperatures and that LTA rather than WTA on the cell surface is reduced at high temperatures. In contrast, the amount of LytE on the cell surface gradually increased under heat stress conditions. Taken together, these results indicated that reductions in these anionic polymers at high temperatures might give rise to increases in SigI-dependent expression and cell surface localization of LytE at high temperatures.

IMPORTANCE
The bacterial cell wall is required for maintaining cell shape and bearing environmental stresses. The Gram-positive cell wall consists of mesh-like peptidoglycan and covalently linked wall teichoic acid and lipoteichoic acid polymers. It is important to determine if these anionic polymers are required for proliferation and environmental adaptation. Here, we demonstrated that these polymers affect the expression and localization of a peptidoglycan hydrolase LytE required for lateral cell wall elongation. Moreover, we found that cell surface decorations with teichoic acid polymers are substantially decreased at high temperatures and that the peptidoglycan hydrolase is consequently increased. These findings suggest that teichoic acid polymers control lateral peptidoglycan hydrolysis by LytE, and bacteria drastically change their cell wall content to adapt to their environment.
Effects of Lipopolysaccharide Core Sugar Deficiency on Colanic Acid Biosynthesis in Escherichia coli
Authors: Ren Ge , Wang Zhou , Li Ye , Hu Xiaoqing , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: March 2016

When 10
Escherichia coli
mutant strains with defects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core biosynthesis were grown on agar medium at 30°C, four of them, the Δ
waaF
, Δ
waaG
, Δ
waaP
, and Δ
waaB
strains, formed mucoid colonies, while the other six, the Δ
waaU
, Δ
waaR
, Δ
waaO
, Δ
waaC
, Δ
waaQ
, and Δ
waaY
strains, did not. Using light microscopy with tannin mordant staining, the presence of exopolysaccharide around the cells of the mutants that formed mucoid colonies could be discerned. The Δ
waaF
mutant produced the largest amounts of exopolysaccharide, regardless of whether it was grown on agar or in liquid medium. The exopolysaccharide was isolated from the liquid growth medium of Δ
waaF
cells, hydrolyzed, and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with an ion-exchange column, and the results indicated that the exopolysaccharide was consistent with colanic acid. When the key genes related to the biosynthesis of colanic acid, i.e.,
wza
,
wzb
,
wzc
, and
wcaA
, were deleted in the Δ
waaF
background, the exopolysaccharide could not be produced any more, further confirming that it was colanic acid. Colanic acid could not be produced in strains in which
rcsA
,
rcsB
,
rcsD
, or
rcsF
was deleted in the Δ
waaF
background, but a reduced level of colanic acid production was detected when the
rcsC
gene was deleted, suggesting that a change of lipopolysaccharide structure in Δ
waaF
cells might be sensed by the RcsCDB phosphorelay system, leading to the production of colanic acid. The results demonstrate that
E. coli
cells can activate colanic acid production through the RcsCDB phosphorelay system in response to a structural deficiency of lipopolysaccharide.

IMPORTANCE
Lipopolysaccharide and colanic acid are important forms of exopolysaccharide for
Escherichia coli
cells. Their metabolism and biological significance have been investigated, but their interrelation with the cell stress response process is not understood. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that
E. coli
cells can activate colanic acid production through the RcsCDB phosphorelay system in response to a structural change of lipopolysaccharide, suggesting that bacterial cells can monitor the outer membrane integrity, which is essential for cell survival and damage repair.
Fortification of alcoholic beverages (12% v/v) with tea (Camellia sinensis) reduces harmful effects of alcohol ingestion and metabolism in mouse model
Authors: Ochanda S O , Rashid K , Wanyoko J K , Ngotho M , Faraj A K , Onyango C A , Wachira F N , Maranga D N
Published: March 2016

Background

An animal model was used to study the health benefits inherent in tea fortified alcoholic beverages fed to laboratory mice.

Objectives

An investigation of the effects of tea fortified alcoholic beverages 12% alcohol (v/v) on antioxidant capacity and liver dysfunction indicators in white Swiss mice including packed cell volume (PCV), albumin, total protein, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutathione (GSH) was carried out.

Methods

Plain, black, green and purple tea fortified alcohols were developed with varying tea concentrations of 1, 2 and 4 g/250 mL in 12% v/v. Control alcoholic beverages without teas were also developed. A permit (number IRC/13/12) was obtained for the animal research from the National Museums of Kenya, Institute of Primate Research prior to the start of the study. Alcoholic beverages were orally administered every 2 days for 4 weeks at 1 mL per mouse, and thereafter animals were euthanised and liver and blood samples harvested for analyses. Assays on body weight (bwt), packed cell volume (PCV) albumin, total protein, ALP and GSH were performed. Results were statistically analysed using GraphPad statistical package and significant differences of means of various treatments determined.

Results

Consumption of tea fortified alcohols significantly decreased (p=0.0001)bwtat 0.32–9.58% and PCV at 5.56–22.75% for all teas. Total protein in serum and liver of mice fed on different tea fortified alcohols ranged between 6.26 and 9.24 g/dL and 2.14 and 4.02 g/dL, respectively. Albumin, ALP and GSH range was 0.92–2.88 µg/L, 314.98–473.80 µg/L and 17.88–28.62 µM, respectively. Fortification of alcoholic beverages lowered liver ALP, replenished antioxidants and increased liver albumin, improving the nutritional status of the mice.

Conclusions

The findings demonstrate tea's hepatoprotective mechanisms against alcohol-induced injury through promotion of endogenous antioxidants. The beneficial effects of tea in the fortified alcoholic beverages could be used to develop safer alcoholic beverages.
Quetiapine use in adults in the community: a population-based study in Alberta, Canada
Authors: Duncan Diane , Cooke Lara , Symonds Chris , Gardner David , Pringsheim Tamara
Published: March 2016

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate trends in prescribing of the second-generation antipsychotic medication quetiapine to adults in the province of Alberta from 2008 to 2013 through examination of dispensed prescriptions, and diagnoses associated with users of quetiapine in 2013.

Methods

We analysed administrative data from Alberta Health; the Alberta Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN) Dispenses health data set, the Practitioner Payments (Fee-For-Service claims) health data set and the Population Registry health data set. These data sets allowed us to identify discrete quetiapine recipients for each calendar year from 2008 to 2013. To evaluate diagnoses associated with users of quetiapine, we evaluated diagnostic codes used by physicians in billings claims in 2013.

Results

Quetiapine use increased over the 6-year time period studied. In 2008, there were 16 087 unique quetiapine recipients in Alberta (7.2 per 1000). By 2013, there were 35 314 unique quetiapine recipients (13.3 per 1000). Use by women was higher than men at all time points. Depression was most common diagnosis associated with quetiapine recipients, which was present in 56% of users of quetiapine. Other common diagnoses associated with quetiapine use included neurotic disorders, bipolar disorder and sleep disturbances.

Conclusions

The current study of quetiapine use in the province of Alberta provides confirmatory data of the increasing use of quetiapine for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Safe and rational prescribing practices must be encouraged in light of the modest advantages of quetiapine over no treatment as an adjunctive treatment of major depression, and the known harms of this medication.
Can't play, won't play: longitudinal changes in perceived barriers to participation in sports clubs across the child–adolescent transition
Authors: Basterfield Laura , Gardner Lauren , Reilly Jessica K , Pearce Mark S , Parkinson Kathryn N , Adamson Ashley J , Reilly John J , Vella Stewart A
Published: March 2016

Background

Participation in sports is associated with numerous physical and psychosocial health benefits, however, participation declines with age, and knowledge of perceived barriers to participation in children is lacking. This longitudinal study of children and adolescents aimed to use the ecological model of physical activity to assess changes in barriers to participation in sports clubs to identify age-specific and weight-specific targets for intervention.

Methods

Longitudinal study—Perceived barriers to sports participation were collected from a birth cohort, the Gateshead Millennium Study (n>500) at ages 9 and 12 years. The open-ended question ‘Do you find it hard to take part in sports clubs for any reason?’ was completed with free text and analysed using content analysis, and the social–ecological model of physical activity.

Results

Barriers from across the social-ecological model were reported. Barriers at 9 years were predominantly of a physical environmental nature, and required high parental involvement (for transport, money, permission), or were associated with a lack of suitable clubs. At 12 years, perceived barriers were predominantly classed as intrapersonal (‘they're boring’) or social environmental (‘my friends don't go’). Perceived barriers were not associated with weight status.

Conclusions

Perceived barriers to sports participation change rapidly in childhood and adolescence. Future interventions aiming to increase sports participation in children and adolescents should target specific age groups, should consider the rapid changes which occur in adolescence, and aim to address prominent barriers from across the socioecological model. Perceived barriers may be unrelated to current weight status, allowing for more inclusive solutions.
Infectious canine hepatitis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in wildlife rescue centres in the UK
Authors: Walker D. , Abbondati E. , Cox A. L. , Mitchell G. B. B. , Pizzi R. , Sharp C. P. , Philbey A. W.
Published: March 2016

Outbreaks of infectious canine hepatitis are described in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) at two wildlife rescue centres in the UK. Disease occurred in two‐month‐old to four‐month‐old juvenile foxes, which were held in small enclosures in groups of three to eight animals. The foxes died or were euthanased after a short clinical course, sometimes including neurological signs and jaundice, with a high case fatality rate. Four red foxes submitted for postmortem examination had enlarged, congested livers, with rounded borders and mild accentuation of the lobular pattern. On histological examination, there was random, multifocal to massive hepatic necrosis, along with multifocal vasculitis in the central nervous system (CNS) and mild, multifocal glomerulonephritis. Intranuclear inclusion bodies, typical of canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV‐1) infection, were present in hepatocytes, vascular endothelial cells in the CNS, renal glomeruli and renal tubular epithelial cells. CAV‐1 was detected in tissues from affected foxes by PCR and sequencing. Congregation of juvenile foxes in wildlife rescue centres is likely to be a risk factor for transmission of CAV‐1. Preventive measures in wildlife centres should be implemented to prevent the spread of the virus among conspecifics and to other susceptible species.
GAIT ANALYSIS: SYSTEMS, TECHNOLOGIES, AND IMPORTANCE
Authors: AKHTARUZZAMAN MD. , SHAFIE AMIR AKRAMIN , KHAN MD. RAISUDDIN
Published: March 2016

Human gait is the identity of a person's style and quality of life. Reliable cognition of gait properties over time, continuous monitoring, accuracy of evaluation, and proper analysis of human gait characteristics have demonstrated their importance not only in clinical and medical studies, but also in the field of sports, rehabilitation, training, and robotics research. Focusing on walking gait, this study presents an overview on gait mechanisms, common technologies used in gait analysis, and importance of this particular field of research. Firstly, available technologies that involved in gait analysis are briefly introduced in this paper by concentrating on the usability and limitations of the systems. Secondly, key gait parameters and motion characteristics are elucidated from four angles of views; one: gait phases and gait properties; two: center of mass and center of pressure (CoM-CoP) tracking profile; three: Ground Reaction Force (GRF) and impact, and four: muscle activation. Thirdly, the study focuses on the clinical observations of gait patterns in diagnosing gait abnormalities of impaired patients. The presentation also shows the importance of gait analysis in sports to improve performance as well as to avoid risk of injuries of sports personnel. Significance of gait analysis in robotic research is also illustrated in this part where the study focuses on robot assisted systems and its possible applicability in clinical rehabilitation and sports training.
Multivariate statistical analysis of hydrogeochemical data towards understanding groundwater flow systems in granites
Authors: Matos A. P. , Alves C.
Published: March 2016

The present study focuses on hydrogeochemical data from a Hercynian granitic mass where a new underground hydraulic circuit for a hydropower plant is being developed between two reservoirs and near another existing and operating underground hydraulic circuit. The main goal of this work is to assess the use of multivariate statistics to distinguish groundwater from different flow systems, to aid in evaluating the possible infiltration of water from the existing hydraulic circuit into the new one. Sampling points were selected inside the tunnels (eight points at the new circuit and one point at the existing circuit), near the surface (five points along the new circuit major axis) and on Venda Nova dam reservoir (one point). Based on laboratory determinations of major ions, three distinct groups of waters with different physicochemical characteristics and spatial distribution were established by cluster analyses. The relations of these groups with the characteristics of the occurrences are discussed with the support of principal component analysis. A hydrogeochemical conceptual model for groundwater flow systems related to infiltration and water–rock interaction in this granite rock mass is proposed based on multivariate statistical analyses and geological information.

Supplementary material:
Sample point coordinates, data results of physical–chemical parameters and elements, statistical data results of physical–chemical parameters and elements, and isotope data are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.2857303.v1
.
Guidelines for Reporting Medical Research: A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Johansen Mathilde , Thomsen Simon Francis
Published: March 2016

As a response to a low quality of reporting of medical research, guidelines for several different types of study design have been developed to secure accurate reporting and transparency for reviewers and readers from the scientific community. Herein, we review and discuss the six most widely accepted and used guidelines: PRISMA, CONSORT, STROBE, MOOSE, STARD, and SPIRIT. It is concluded that the implementation of these guidelines has led to only a moderate improvement in the quality of the reporting of medical research. There is still much work to be done to achieve accurate and transparent reporting of medical research findings.
Influence of APOE Genotype on Alzheimer’s Disease CSF Biomarkers in a Spanish Population
Authors: Monge-Argilés J. A. , Gasparini-Berenguer R. , Gutierrez-Agulló M. , Muñoz-Ruiz C. , Sánchez-Payá J. , Leiva-Santana C.
Published: March 2016

Objectives. To evaluate the association between apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers and to study the influence of APOE genotype on the development of AD in a Spanish population.Material and Methods. The study comprised 29 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and 27 control subjects. Using ELISA methodology, CSF biomarkers and tau/Aβratios were obtained. ANOVA and adjusted odds ratios were calculated.Results. We observed the effect of APOE genotype and age on CSF AD variables. The progression to AD was more clearly influenced by CSF AD variables than by age or APOE status.Conclusions. APOE status influences CSF AD variables. However, the presence of APOEε4 does not appear to be a deterministic factor for the development of AD, because CSF variables have a greater influence on progression to the disease. These results confirm previous observations and, to our knowledge, are the first published in a Spanish population.
Seismic Behavior of RNC-Isolated Bridges: A Comparative Study under Near-Fault, Long-Period, and Pulse-Like Ground Motions
Authors: Ismail Mohammed , Rodellar José , Casas Joan R.
Published: March 2016

This paper introduces a recent seismic isolation system, named Roll-in-Cage (RNC) isolator, for efficient protection of bridges against destructive earthquakes. The RNC isolator is a rolling-based isolation system with several integrated features in a single unit providing all the necessary functions of vertical rigid support, horizontal flexibility, full stability, hysteretic energy dissipation, and resistance to minor vibration loads. Besides, it is distinguished by a self-stopping (buffer) mechanism to limit the peak bearing displacement under abrupt severe excitations, a linear gravity-based self-recentering mechanism to prevent permanent dislocations after excitations, and a notable resistance to axial tension. A three-span box-girder prestressed concrete bridge is investigated under a set of different destructive real and synthetic earthquakes including near-fault, long-period, and pulse-like ground motions. As a performance measure, the responses of isolated and nonisolated cases are compared. In addition, the RNC isolator’s behavior is then compared with those of other isolation systems including HDB, FPS, and LRB. The results confirmed that the RNC isolator has a superior behavior in achieving a balance between the peak displacements and accelerations of the isolated deck, relative other isolation systems, besides being the most (relatively) efficient isolator in the great majority of studies performed.
Application of a Plug-and-Play Immunogenicity Assay in Cynomolgus Monkey Serum for ADCs at Early Stages of Drug Development
Authors: Carrasco-Triguero Montserrat , Davis Helen , Zhu Yuda , Coleman Daniel , Nazzal Denise , Vu Paul , Kaur Surinder
Published: March 2016

Immunogenicity assessment during early stages of nonclinical biotherapeutic development is not always warranted. It is rarely predictive for clinical studies and evidence for the presence of anti-drug antibodies (ADAs) may be inferred from the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile. However, collecting and banking samples during the course of the study are prudent for confirmation and a deeper understanding of the impact on PK and safety. Biotherapeutic-specific ADA assays commonly developed can require considerable time and resources. In addition, the ADA assay may not be ready when needed if the study of PK and safety data triggers assay development. During early stages of drug development for antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), there is the added complication of the potential inclusion of several molecular variants in a study, differing in the linker and/or drug components. To simplify analysis of ADAs at this stage, we developed plug-and-play generic approaches for both the assay format and the data analysis steps. Firstly, the assay format uses generic reagents to detect ADAs. Secondly, we propose a cut point methodology based on animal specific baseline variability instead of a population data approach. This assay showed good sensitivity, drug tolerance, and reproducibility across a variety of antibody-derived biotherapeutics without the need for optimization across molecules.
In VivoAntimalarial Activity ofAnnona muricataLeaf Extract in Mice Infected withPlasmodium berghei
Authors: Somsak Voravuth , Polwiang Natsuda , Chachiyo Sukanya
Published: March 2016

Malaria is one of the most important infectious diseases in the world. The choice for the treatment is highly limited due to drug resistance. Hence, finding the new compounds to treat malaria is urgently needed. The present study was attempted to evaluate the antimalarial activity of theAnnona muricataaqueous leaf extract inPlasmodium bergheiinfected mice. Aqueous leaf extract ofA. muricatawas prepared and tested for acute toxicity in mice. For efficacy testin vivo, standard 4-day suppressive test was carried out. ICR mice were inoculated with 107parasitized erythrocytes ofP. bergheiANKA by intraperitoneal injection. The extracts (100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg) were then given orally by gavage once a day for 4 consecutive days. Parasitemia, percentage of inhibition, and packed cell volume were subsequently calculated. Chloroquine (10 mg/kg) was given to infected mice as positive control while untreated control was given only distilled water. It was found thatA. muricataaqueous leaf extract at doses of 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg resulted in dose dependent parasitemia inhibition of 38.03%, 75.25%, and 85.61%, respectively. Survival time was prolonged in infected mice treated with the extract. Moreover, no mortality to mice was observed with this extract up to a dose of 4000 mg/kg. In conclusion, theA. muricataaqueous leaf extract exerted significant antimalarial activity with no toxicity and prolonged survival time. Therefore, this extract might contain potential lead molecule for the development of a new drug for malaria treatment.
Herpes Zoster Meningitis Complicating Combined Tocilizumab and Cyclosporine Therapy for Adult-Onset Still’s Disease
Authors: Tsurukawa Shinichiro , Iwanaga Nozomi , Izumi Yasumori , Shirakawa Atsunori , Kawahara Chieko , Shukuwa Tetsuo , Inamoto Miwako , Kawakami Atsushi , Migita Kiyoshi
Published: March 2016

A 56-year-old female with refractory adult-onset Still’s disease presented with ocular herpes zoster infection during TCZ treatment. After three days of acyclovir treatment (5 mg/kg), she developed a severe headache and high fever. Viral DNA isolation and cerebral spinal fluid abnormalities led to a herpes zoster meningitis diagnosis. Her meningitis was cured by high doses of intravenous acyclovir (10 mg/kg for 14 days). To our knowledge, this is the first report of meningeal herpes zoster infection in rheumatic diseases under TCZ treatment.
Fungal Biodeterioration, Aflatoxin Contamination, and Nutrient Value of “Suya Spices”
Authors: Jonathan Segun Gbolagade , Adeniyi Mary Adejoke , Asemoloye Michael Dare
Published: March 2016

This work aimed to analyze the nutrient values, examine the biodeteriorating fungi biota, and analyze the mycotoxin contents of “Suya spices.” Fungi with highest percentage occurrence on all the samples areAspergillus niger,Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus parasiticus,Aspergillus ochraceus,Fusariumsp.,Rhizopus stolonifer, yeast, andTrichoderma koningii. Nutrient composition of the samples is significantly different statistically (P<0.05) with high protein (9.53% to 13.17%), fiber (9.27 to 13.17%), carbohydrate (46.27% to 50.90%), and ash (8.47% to 9.70%) contents but low moisture (9.03% to 9.47%) and fat (9.77% to 13.53%) contents. Aflatoxin analysis of the samples revealed that they all contain aflatoxin in varying amount but no detectible aflatoxin content in the control. 59.54% of the detected aflatoxin is aflatoxin B1with highest recorded in Agbowo, Mokola, and Sango samples (i.e., 28.03, 22.44, and 13.8 μg/kg, resp.). 4.78% of the aflatoxin is aflatoxin B2which is only found in Sango and Mokola samples (3.59 and 2.6 μg/kg, resp.). 32.76% of aflatoxin is aflatoxin G1with the highest found in Agbowo and Mokola samples (i.e., 18.63 and 10.41 μg/kg, resp.). 2.93% of the aflatoxin is aflatoxin G2which is only detected in Sango and Agbowo samples (i.e., 1.19 and 2.65 μg/kg, resp.).
Temperature Effects on Retention and Separation of PAHs in Reversed-Phase Liquid Chromatography Using Columns Packed with Fully Porous and Core-Shell Particles
Authors: Waterlot Christophe , Goulas Anaïs
Published: March 2016

Effects of temperature on the reversed-phase chromatographic behavior of PAHs were investigated on three columns. The first was the recent C18column (250 mm × 4.6 mm) packed with 5 µm core-shell particles while the others were more conventional C18columns (250 mm × 4.6 mm) packed with fully porous particles. Among the 16 PAHs studied, special attention has been paid to two pairs of PAHs, fluorene/acenaphthene and chrysene/benzo[a]anthracene, which often present coeluting problems. Due to the low surface area of the core-shell particles, lowest retention time of each PAH was highlighted and effects of the temperature on the separation of PAHs were negligible in regard to those using columns packed with fully porous particles. For each PAH studied, it was demonstrated that peaks were symmetrical and may be considered as Gaussian peaks when the column packed with core-shell particle was employed. In the best condition, the separation of PAHs was conducted at 16°C under very low pressure values (670–950 psi = 46–65 bars). Depending on PAHs, the limit of detection ranged from 0.88 to 9.16 μg L−1. Analysis of spiked acetonitrile samples with PAHs at 10 and 50 µg L−1and tap water at 10 µg L−1gave very good recoveries (94%–109.3%) and high precision (1.1%–3.5%).
On the Hyers-Ulam Stability of First-Order Impulsive Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Zada Akbar , Faisal Shah , Li Yongjin
Published: March 2016

This paper proves the Hyers-Ulam stability and the Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of nonlinear first-order ordinary differential equation with single constant delay and finite impulses on a compact interval. Our approach uses abstract Gronwall lemma together with integral inequality of Gronwall type for piecewise continuous functions.
Comparison and Calibration of Mobile Phone Fisheye Lens and Regular Fisheye Lens via Equidistant Model
Authors: Sahin Cumhur
Published: March 2016

Nowadays, mobile phones are more than a device that can only satisfy the communication need between people. In addition to providing ease to human lives with various applications, lens kits that can be integrated to mobile phones have recently been introduced. Fisheye lenses that are compliant with mobile phones are one of these new types of equipment. Since fisheye lenses integrated with mobile phones are lightweight and easy to use, they are advantageous. In addition to this advantage, whether fisheye lens and mobile phone combination can be used in a photogrammetric way is experimented, and if so, what will be the result. The main purpose of this study is to test fisheye lens equipment used with mobile phones. In this study, standard calibration of “Olloclip 3 in one” fisheye lens used with iPhone 4S mobile phone and “Nikon FC-E9” fisheye lens used with Nikon Coolpix8700 are compared based on equidistant model. The results of these calibrations are analyzed, using photogrammetric bundle block adjustment. This study suggests a precalibration process of these kinds of hardware for the photogrammetric process in the test field.