bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure, electrical characteristics, and high-temperature stability of aerosol jet printed silver nanoparticle films
Authors: Rahman Md Taibur , McCloy John , Ramana C. V. , Panat Rahul
Published: August 2016

Printed electronics has emerged as a versatile eco-friendly fabrication technique to create sintered nanoparticle (NP) films on arbitrary surfaces with an excellent control over the film microstructure. While applicability of such films for high-temperature applications is not explored previously, herein we report the high-temperature electrical stability of silver (Ag) metal NP films fabricated using an Aerosol Jet based printing technique and demonstrate that this behavior is dictated by changes in the film microstructure. In-situ high temperature (24–500 °C) impedance spectroscopy measurements show that the real part of the impedance increases with increasing temperature up to 150 °C, at which point a decreasing trend prevails until 300 °C, followed again by an increase in impedance. The electrical behavior is correlated with the in-situ grain growth of the Ag NP films, as observed afterwards by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and could be tailored by controlling the initial microstructure through sintering conditions. Using combined diffraction and spectroscopic analytical methods, it is demonstrated the Aerosol Jet printed Ag NP films exhibit enhanced thermal stability and oxidation resistance. In addition to establishing the conditions for stability of Ag NP films, the results provide a fundamental understanding of the effect of grain growth and reduction in grain boundary area on the electrical stability of sintered NP films.
Real space electrostatics for multipoles. III. Dielectric properties
Authors: Lamichhane Madan , Parsons Thomas , Newman Kathie E. , Gezelter J. Daniel
Published: August 2016

In Papers I and II, we developed new shifted potential, gradient shifted force, and Taylor shifted force real-space methods for multipole interactions in condensed phase simulations. Here, we discuss the dielectric properties of fluids that emerge from simulations using these methods. Most electrostatic methods (including the Ewald sum) require correction to the conducting boundary fluctuation formula for the static dielectric constants, and we discuss the derivation of these corrections for the new real space methods. For quadrupolar fluids, the analogous material property is the quadrupolar susceptibility. As in the dipolar case, the fluctuation formula for the quadrupolar susceptibility has corrections that depend on the electrostatic method being utilized. One of the most important effects measured by both the static dielectric and quadrupolar susceptibility is the ability to screen charges embedded in the fluid. We use potentials of mean force between solvated ions to discuss how geometric factors can lead to distance-dependent screening in both quadrupolar and dipolar fluids.
Spectrally-broadened multimode lasing based on structurally graded InGaN nanocolumn photonic crystals suitable for reduction of speckle contrast
Authors: Kishino Katsumi , Ishizawa Shunsuke
Published: August 2016

Bottom-up grown structurally graded InGaN-based nanocolumn photonic crystals, in which nanocolumns were arranged in triangular lattice and the nanocolumn diameter changed one-dimensionally from 93 to 213 nm with a fixed lattice constant of 250 nm, were fabricated. The spatial distribution of the diameter resulted in random-laser-like operation under optical excitation. A broad multi-wavelength lasing spectrum with more than 10 peaks was obtained with a full width at half maximum of 27 nm at 505 nm wavelength as well as lowering of the polarization degree, which is expected to be suitable for speckle contrast reduction in laser projection display applications.
Acoustically induced transparency by using concentric spherical shells with coaxial aperture array
Authors: Wang Guan , Jin Li , Li Peng , Xu Zhuo
Published: August 2016

An acoustically induced transparency device based on Fano resonance was designed and fabricated. The proposed design ensures excitation and interference of two associated resonance modes by locating the concentric shells with apertures. The inserted shell generates the destructive interference resonance to the original resonance. Numerical simulations and experiments demonstrate that this designed structure could generate Fano resonance and can be used to generate acoustically induced transparency with potential applications in nonlinear enhancement devices and sensing.
Index of Access: a new innovative and dynamic tool for rural health service and workforce planning
Authors: McGrail Matthew R. , Russell Deborah J. , Humphreys John S.
Published: August 2016

Objective
Improving access to primary health care (PHC) remains a key issue for rural residents and health service planners. This study aims to show that how access to PHC services is measured has important implications for rural health service and workforce planning.

Methods
A more sophisticated tool to measure access to PHC services is proposed, which can help health service planners overcome the shortcomings of existing measures and long-standing access barriers to PHC. Critically, the proposed Index of Access captures key components of access and uses a floating catchment approach to better define service areas and population accessibility levels. Moreover, as demonstrated through a case study, the Index of Access enables modelling of the effects of workforce supply variations.

Results
Hypothetical increases in supply are modelled for a range of regional centres, medium and small rural towns, with resulting changes of access scores valuable to informing health service and workforce planning decisions.

Conclusions
The availability and application of a specific ‘fit-for-purpose’ access measure enables a more accurate empirical basis for service planning and allocation of health resources. This measure has great potential for improved identification of PHC access inequities and guiding redistribution of PHC services to correct such inequities.

What is known about the topic?
Resource allocation and health service planning decisions for rural and remote health settings are currently based on either simple measures of access (e.g. provider-to-population ratios) or proxy measures of access (e.g. standard geographical classifications). Both approaches have substantial limitations for informing rural health service planning and decision making.

What does this paper add?
The adoption of a new improved tool to measure access to PHC services, the Index of Access, is proposed to assist health service and workforce planning. Its usefulness for health service planning is demonstrated using a case study to hypothetically model changes in rural PHC workforce supply.

What are the implications for practitioners?
The Index of Access has significant potential for identifying how rural and remote primary health care access inequities can be addressed. This critically important information can assist health service planners, for example those working in primary health networks, to determine where and how much redistribution of PHC services is needed to correct existing inequities.
Extremophyte adaptations to salt and water deficit stress
Authors: Barak Simon , Farrant Jill M.
Published: August 2016

Plants that can survive and even thrive in extreme environments (extremophytes) are likely treasure boxes of plant adaptations to environmental stresses. These species represent excellent models for understanding mechanisms of stress tolerance that may not be present in stress-sensitive species, as well as for identifying genetic determinants to develop stress-tolerant crops. This special issue of Functional Plant Biology focuses on physiological and molecular processes that enable extremophytes to naturally survive high levels of salt or desiccation.
Curvature–undulation coupling as a basis for curvature sensing and generation in bilayer membranes
Authors: Bradley Ryan P. , Radhakrishnan Ravi
Published: August 2016

Significance

Most intracellular trafficking and many intercellular communications are orchestrated by curvature-driven or curvature-associated cellular processes. Hence, understanding how proteins sculpt lipid bilayers is vital to our understanding of how cell membranes modulate cell signaling pathways and consequent cell fate. In this study, we present coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of the epsin N-terminal homology domain interacting with a lipid bilayer and demonstrate a cooperative and fluctuation-mediated mechanism by which these proteins can generate curvature in bilayer membranes as well as sense curvature at large distances compared with their size.
Structural conservation in the template/pseudoknot domain of vertebrate telomerase RNA from teleost fish to human
Authors: Wang Yaqiang , Yesselman Joseph D. , Zhang Qi , Kang Mijeong , Feigon Juli
Published: August 2016

Significance

Telomerase synthesizes the telomeric DNA at the 3′ ends of chromosomes and maintains genome integrity. Telomerase RNA (TR) provides the template for telomere-repeat synthesis within a template/pseudoknot (t/PK) domain that is essential for activity. We investigated the structure and dynamics of the t/PK from medaka fish, which contain the smallest vertebrate TR, using NMR and modeling. Despite differences in length, sequence, and predicted secondary structure with human TR, the remarkable similarities between subdomains, including one newly identified in medaka, reveal a conserved architecture for vertebrate t/PK. Combining our model of the full-length pseudoknot and information from the 9-Å structure of
Tetrahymena
telomerase, we propose models for the interaction of medaka and human t/PK with telomerase reverse transcriptase, providing insight into function.
Geography and major host evolutionary transitions shape the resource use of plant parasites
Authors: Calatayud Joaquín , Hórreo José Luis , Madrigal-González Jaime , Migeon Alain , Rodríguez Miguel Á. , Magalhães Sara , Hortal Joaquín
Published: August 2016

Significance

Patterns of host use by parasites are commonly thought to be limited by phylogenetic constraints, yet little is known about the role of the geographic distribution of hosts and parasites in such patterns. We show that evolutionary patterns in host use by a family of plant parasites are largely determined by the geographical distribution of hosts and parasites. Such phylogenetic lability in host use results in repeated colonizations of distantly related plant lineages, even across major plant evolutionary transitions. Still, these transitions constitute significant adaptive barriers in the evolution of host use. Our results thus show that host plant use by parasitic mites hinges more on where the plant and the mite are than on phylogenetic constraints.
Intestinal immunostimulatory activity of neutral polysaccharide isolated from traditionally fermented Korean brown rice vinegar
Authors: Kim Hoon , Lee Ho , Shin Kwang-Soon
Published: August 2016

In this study, diverse intestinal immunostimulatory activities were demonstrated for polysaccharides (KBV-CP) isolated from Korean brown rice vinegar. Monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that KBV-CP was composed mainly of neutral sugar units, primarily glucose and mannose. In vitro, KBV-CP significantly augmented the productions of immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgA-related cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, results of an in vitro co-culture system of intestinal Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells suggested that KBV-CP is not only cytotoxic to Caco-2 cells but also capable of being transported across the small intestinal barrier. Oral administration of KBV-CP every other day for 20 days induced the IgA production by Peyer’s patch cells as well as in intestinal fluid and fecal extract. In addition, the production of IgA-related cytokines such as TGF-β and IL-6, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor was triggered.
Enzymatic activity of cell-free extracts from Burkholderia oxyphila OX-01 bio-converts (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin to (+)-taxifolin
Authors: Otsuka Yuichiro , Matsuda Motoki , Sonoki Tomonori , Sato-Izawa Kanna , Goodell Barry , Jelison Jody , Navarro Ronald R , Murata Hitoshi , Nakamura Masaya
Published: August 2016

This study characterized the enzymatic ability of a cell-free extract from an acidophilic (+)-catechin degrader Burkholderia oxyphila (OX-01). The crude OX-01 extracts were able to transform (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin into (+)-taxifolin via a leucocyanidin intermediate in a two-step oxidation. Enzymatic oxidation at the C-4 position was carried out anaerobically using H2O as an oxygen donor. The C-4 oxidation occurred only in the presence of the 2R-catechin stereoisomer, with the C-3 stereoisomer not affecting the reaction. These results suggest that the OX-01 may have evolved to target both (+)-catechin and (−)-epicatechin, which are major structural units in plants.
Radial and tibial bone indices in athletes participating in different endurance sports: a pQCT study†
Authors: Oosthuyse Tanja , McVeigh Joanne A. , Micklesfield Lisa K. , Meiring Rebecca M.
Published: August 2016

Low magnitude bone‐loading sports may benefit bone structure and strength in the exercised limbs. This study compared peripheral quantitative computed tomography measures of radial and tibial diaphyseal strength (strength–strain index, SSI), structure (total area (ToA) and cortical area (CoA), density (CoD) and thickness (CT), and circumferences), muscle cross‐sectional area (MCSA) and strength (one‐repetition maximum, 1‐RM) in male endurance athletes taking part in (i) non‐weight‐bearing and non‐impact sports: swimmers (SWIM, n = 13) and road cyclists (RC, n = 10), (ii) non‐weight‐bearing, impact sport: mountain bikers (MB, n = 10), (iii) weight bearing and impact sport: runners (RUN, n = 9). All athlete groups were also compared to sedentary controls (CON, n = 10). Arm MCSA, 1‐RM and radial bone size and strength tended to be greater in SWIM than CON and/or RC (ToA, %difference ± 95%CI, SWIM‐CON: 14.6% ± 12.7%; SWIM‐RC: 12.9% ± 10.7%) but not different to MB and RUN. RUN had bigger tibial CoA than CON, SWIM and RC (CoA, RUN‐CON: 12.1% ± 10.7%; RUN‐SWIM: 10.9% ± 9.4%; RUN‐RC: 15.8% ± 9.5%) without marked changes in tibial strength indices, lower‐limb MCSA or 1‐RM. Both MB and RC failed to display any difference in tibial indices, lower‐limb MCSA and 1‐RM compared to CON. In swimmers, the bone structure and strength of the primary exercised limbs, the arms, is greater than controls and road cyclists. Conversely, although runners experience impact and weight‐bearing loading, tibial structure is greater without a substantial difference in tibial strength compared to controls and non‐impact sports. Failure to observe a difference in tibial indices in MB and RC compared to controls is unexpected.
Contractible 3-manifolds and the double 3-space property
Authors: Garity Dennis , Repovš Dušan , Wright David
Published: August 2016

Gabai showed that the Whitehead manifold is the union of two submanifolds each of which is homeomorphic to

R

3

\mathbb R^3

and whose intersection is again homeomorphic to

R

3

\mathbb R^3

. Using a family of generalizations of the Whitehead Link, we show that there are uncountably many contractible 3-manifolds with this double 3-space property. Using a separate family of generalizations of the Whitehead Link and using an extension of interlacing theory, we also show that there are uncountably many contractible 3-manifolds that fail to have this property.
Homological degrees of representations of categories with shift functors
Authors: Li Liping
Published: August 2016

Let

k

\mathbb {k}

be a commutative Noetherian ring and let

C

_

\underline {\mathscr {C}}

be a locally finite

k

\mathbb {k}

-linear category equipped with a self-embedding functor of degree 1. We show under a moderate condition that finitely generated torsion representations of

C

_

\underline {\mathscr {C}}

are super finitely presented (that is, they have projective resolutions, each term of which is finitely generated). In the situation that these self-embedding functors are genetic functors, we give upper bounds for homological degrees of finitely generated torsion modules. These results apply to quite a few categories recently appearing in representation stability theory. In particular, when

k

\mathbb {k}

is a field of characteristic 0, using the result of Church and Ellenberg [arXiv:1506.01022], we obtain another upper bound for homological degrees of finitely generated

F
I

\mathscr {FI}

-modules.
Role of BMP receptor traffic in synaptic growth defects in an ALS model
Authors: Deshpande Mugdha , Feiger Zachary , Shilton Amanda K. , Luo Christina C. , Silverman Ethan , Rodal Avital A.
Published: August 2016

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is genetically and functionally linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and regulates transcription, splicing, and transport of thousands of RNA targets that function in diverse cellular pathways. In ALS, pathologically altered TDP-43 is believed to lead to disease by toxic gain-of-function effects on RNA metabolism, as well as by sequestering endogenous TDP-43 and causing its loss of function. However, it is unclear which of the numerous cellular processes disrupted downstream of TDP-43 dysfunction lead to neurodegeneration. Here we found that both loss and gain of function of TDP-43 in Drosophila cause a reduction of synaptic growth–promoting bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Further, we observed a shift of BMP receptors from early to recycling endosomes and increased mobility of BMP receptor–containing compartments at the NMJ. Inhibition of the recycling endosome GTPase Rab11 partially rescued TDP-43–induced defects in BMP receptor dynamics and distribution and suppressed BMP signaling, synaptic growth, and larval crawling defects. Our results indicate that defects in receptor traffic lead to neuronal dysfunction downstream of TDP-43 misregulation and that rerouting receptor traffic may be a viable strategy for rescuing neurological impairment.
Present-day international primate trade in historical context
Authors: Nijman Vincent , Healy Aoife
Published: August 2016

Primates have been traded long distance and across border for millennia. The most immediately apparent use for primates is as food, but their uses go well beyond their basic value as a protein source. Here, an overview is given of the different aspects of international trade of primates, comparing historic uses with those in the present day, and highlighting the impact trade can have on the conservation of already imperilled species. One of the most important drivers for the international trade in primates is the biomedical industry, with China and Indonesia acting as the most significant exporters and the USA as the largest importer. The nature of international primate trade has changed over the years, and commercial trade in wild-caught primates, albeit differently from the past, remains a major impediment to the conservation of selected primate species.
Introduction
Authors: Haacker Markus
Published: August 2016

HIV/AIDS has been the largest adverse health shock in recent history, and has also been unique in terms of the international response it has elicited. The chapter outlines the course and state of the global HIV/AIDS response, and defines the economic focus of the book. What has been the impact of HIV/AIDS and the global response? What is the significance of HIV/AIDS and the global response from an economic development perspective? Has HIV/AIDS received too much money? How can the cost-effectiveness of specific HIV/AIDS interventions best be assessed, taking into account both the transmission dynamics of HIV, the health consequences of HIV/AIDS, and the costs caused by new HIV infections? What are the implications of the scaling up of treatment for the cost-effectiveness of HIV/AIDS-related interventions? What are the lessons for the design of HIV/AIDS programmes?
Concluding Notes
Authors: Haacker Markus
Published: August 2016

HIV/AIDS has caused a devastating shock to the lives of people affected by HIV/AIDS, but the economic impacts of the epidemic do not fundamentally add to the evaluation of the consequences of HIV/AIDS across countries. The slow disease progression and transmission dynamics, especially since treatment has become widely available globally, pose challenges for the evaluation of HIV/AIDS-related interventions and programmes. The book responds to these challenges in two ways—(1) emphasizing the dynamic and population-level effects of investment in HIV prevention, and (2) interpreting investments in the HIV/AIDS response as financial as well as health investments.
The Evolution of Vietnamese Industry
Authors: Anh Nguyen Thi Tue , Duc Luu Minh , Chieu Trinh Duc
Published: August 2016

Transition from an import-substitution to an export-orientation strategy has been in effect in Vietnam since the reform process, Doi Moi, necessitating the re-formulation of macroeconomic, trading, and sectoral policies. The industry sector has experienced gradual growth, as the country’s economy is becoming more open and gaining deeper integration with regional and the world economies. Export processing zones, industrial zones, and economic zones have been set up to attract the interest of multi-sectors, including foreign and non-state investors. The capacity and productivity of the industrial sector has improved considerably. But three main problems arose during the industrial development process: minimal contribution from current policies to improve competitiveness; policy failure to encourage firm restructuring; and lack of a well-coordinated framework for industrial policy.
The Relationship between the Contract of Employment and Statute
Authors: Davies Acl
Published: August 2016

This chapter seeks to provide an overview of the relationship between the common law of the contract of employment and statutes in the employment law field. Historically, the courts tended to regard the contract of employment as having primacy and any legislative intervention as being marginal or subsidiary. Nowadays, cases such as Autoclenz, Johnson and Edwards show that the courts regard statute as the main source of regulation of employment with the common law playing a supplementary role where the two interact. The chapter argues that, in order to fulfil the requirements of the Rule of Law, the courts should strive to develop a coherent body of employment law in which statute and common law work together effectively.
The Autonomy of the Common Law of the Contract of Employment from the General Law of Contract
Authors: Brodie Douglas
Published: August 2016

This chapter on the autonomy of the common law of the contract of employment addresses the relationship between the general principles of contract law and the more specific rules pertaining to the employment contract. The chapter considers how the employment contract applies and modifies general principles and, in turn, acts as a catalyst for reform in the law of contract as a whole. The chapter discusses the construction of an employment contract, the importance of cross-fertilization, the concept of pluralism within contract law, and the notion of good faith. The view is taken that a proper understanding of the relationship between the general principles and specific rules can only be gained through consideration of the way in which the law of the employment contract also interacts with the law of other nominate contracts.
Theory-Based Ecology
Authors: Pásztor Liz , Botta-Dukát Zoltán , Magyar Gabriella , Czárán Tamás , Meszéna Géza
Published: August 2016

Taking a fresh look at Darwin’s original theory of the origin of species and following the road paved by Gause, Hutchinson, MacArthur, and Levins a consistent system of fundamental principles is revealed, one that makes the integration of ecology possible. These principles are explained, formalized, and illustrated by mutually compatible mathematical models in this book, demonstrating how this coherent modelling approach helps to explain or predict actual population and community dynamics and patterns on the field or in the lab. At the core of the Darwinian theory of ecology lies a generalized fitness concept applicable to populations of alleles and clones as well as of conspecific individuals. It is the theory of structured populations that provides a universal methodology to calculate the fitness of any reproductive unit in the face of any complexity arising from differences in individual states. The inherent capacity of all living organisms to increase their populations exponentially is necessarily constrained by resource depletion or natural enemies, so that the ultimate growth rate of persistent populations is regulated. Competition between different reproductive units leads either to competitive exclusion or to robust coexistence, depending on how similarly they are regulated. This is shown in general and demonstrated with several types of model. A generalized and formalized niche theory consistent with the principles is explicated, discussed, and illustrated by empirical studies. Studies on global, regional, and local ecological patterns close the book, discussed in the spirit of the process-based approach of Darwinian ecology.
Italian, Tuscan, and Corsican
Authors: Ledgeway Adam
Published: August 2016

After a brief outline of the principal episodes in the external history, the chapter surveys the principal aspects of phonology, morphology and syntax of Italian, the dialects of Tuscany, and the dialects of Corsica. Topics dealt with include: tonic vowels; atonic vowels; consonants and weakening; syllable structure and phonotactics; stress; raddoppiamento fonosintattico; morphology of nominal group (nouns and adjectives; determiners and quantifiers; pronouns) and of verbal group (verb roots, inflection), syntax of nominal group (determiners, pronouns, adjectives), verbal group (tenses, aspect, mood, voice), and of clause (sentence organization; agreement).
Spanish, Astur-Leonese, Navarro-Aragonese, Judaeo-Spanish
Authors: Tuten Donald N. , Pato Enrique , Schwarzwald Ora R.
Published: August 2016

After a brief outline of the principal episodes in the external history, the chapter surveys the principal aspects of phonology, morphology and syntax of Spanish (including Latin American varieties), Astur-Leonese, Navarro-Aragonese and Judaeo-Spanish. Vowels Consonants; Stops; Affricate /ʧ/; Fricatives; Nasals; Laterals; Rhotics; /ʝ/ and initial [w-]; Prosody; Syllable structure; Stress and rhythm; Intonation; Orthography; Morphology; Nominal group; Nouns and adjectives; Determiners, possessives, quantifiers, interrogatives; Pronouns; Count/non-count referential systems; Verbal group; Conjugations; Inflection; Verb roots; Derivational morphology; word-formation processes; Nominal group; Pronominals; Tense, aspect, and mood; Copulas; Adverbs; Negation; Passive and middle voice; Clause; Prepositional accusative; Relative clauses; Dequeísmo/queísmo; Sentence organization and information structure.
Evolutionary Games in Natural, Social, and Virtual Worlds
Authors: Friedman Daniel , Sinervo Barry
Published: August 2016

This book’s goal is to introduce evolutionary game theory to applied researchers in a manner accessible to graduate students and advanced undergraduates in biology, economics, engineering, and allied disciplines. Chapters 1 through 6 present the basic ideas and techniques of this field, including fitness, replicator dynamics, memes and genes, single- and multiple-population games, Nash equilibrium and evolutionarily stable states, noisy best response and other adaptive processes, the Price equation, cellular automata, and estimating payoff and choice parameters from the data. Chapters 7 through 14 collect exemplary applications from many fields, providing templates for applied work everywhere. These include a new co-evolutionary predator-prey learning model extending the rock-paper-scissors game; using human subject laboratory data to estimate models of learning in games; new approaches to plastic strategies and life cycle strategies, including estimates for male elephant seals; a comparison of machine-learning techniques for preserving diversity to those seen in the natural world; analyses of congestion in traffic networks (either Internet or highways)
Adaptation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to Impaired Host Immunity in HIV-Infected Patients
Authors: Walter Nicholas D. , de Jong Bouke C. , Garcia Benjamin J. , Dolganov Gregory M. , Worodria William , Byanyima Patrick , Musisi Emmanuel , Huang Laurence , Chan Edward D. , Van Tran T. , Antonio Martin , Ayorinde Abigail , Kato-Maeda Midori , Nahid Payam , Leung Ann M. , Yen Andrew , Fingerlin Tasha E. , Kechris Katerina , Strong Michael , Voskuil Martin I. , Davis J. Lucian , Schoolnik Gary K.
Published: August 2016

Background.  It is unknown whether immunosuppression influences the physiologic state of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vivo. We evaluated the impact of host immunity by comparing M. tuberculosis and human gene transcription in sputum between human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–infected and uninfected patients with tuberculosis.

Methods.  We collected sputum specimens before treatment from Gambians and Ugandans with pulmonary tuberculosis, revealed by positive results of acid-fast bacillus smears. We quantified expression of 2179 M. tuberculosis genes and 234 human immune genes via quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. We summarized genes from key functional categories with significantly increased or decreased expression.

Results.  A total of 24 of 65 patients with tuberculosis were HIV infected. M. tuberculosis DosR regulon genes were less highly expressed among HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis than among HIV-uninfected patients with tuberculosis (Gambia, P < .0001; Uganda, P = .037). In profiling of human genes from the same sputa, HIV-infected patients had 3.4-fold lower expression of IFNG (P = .005), 4.9-fold higher expression of ARG1 (P = .0006), and 3.4-fold higher expression of IL10 (P = .0002) than in HIV-uninfected patients with tuberculosis.

Conclusions.  M. tuberculosis in HIV-infected patients had lower expression of the DosR regulon, a critical metabolic and immunomodulatory switch induced by NO, carbon monoxide, and hypoxia. Our human data suggest that decreased DosR expression may result from alternative pathway activation of macrophages, with consequent decreased NO expression and/or by poor granuloma formation with consequent decreased hypoxic stress.
The impact of epidermal growth factor receptor mutations on patterns of disease recurrence after chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer: a literature review and pooled analysis
Authors: Ochiai Satoru , Nomoto Yoshihito , Watanabe Yui , Yamashita Yasufumi , Toyomasu Yutaka , Kawamura Tomoko , Takada Akinori , Noriko  , Sakuma Hajime
Published: August 2016

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the impact of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status on disease recurrence in patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A literature search was conducted and a total of three studies were analyzed. There was no significant difference in the objective response rate between the EGFR mutation group and the EGFR wild-type group (odds ratios [OR] 1.46, 95% CI, 0.79–2.70, P = 0.228), and there was no significant difference in the incidence of disease recurrence (OR 1.37, 95% CI, 0.68–2.75, P = 0.379) between the two groups. There were significant difference in the incidence of local/locoregional progression (LP) (OR 0.35, 95% CI, 0.18–0.71, P = 0.003) and distant progression (DP) (OR 2.97, 95% CI, 1.59–5.54, P < 0.001). Brain metastasis (BM) was one of the main recurrence patterns of DP, and the incidence was significantly higher in the EGFR mutant group (OR 2.75, 95% CI, 1.43–5.31, P = 0.003). There were no statistically significant heterogeneities in these pooled analyses. The patterns of recurrence after CRT for locally advanced NSCLC were different according to EGFR mutation status. LP after CRT in patients with EGFR mutation was less frequent, but the high incidence of DP, especially BM, continued to be the major problem. On the other hand, LP continued to be the major problem in EGFR wild-type patients. In multimodality treatment for inoperable locally advanced NSCLC, we may need to consider different treatment strategies according to EGFR mutation status.
Characterization of histone modifications associated with DNA damage repair genes upon exposure to gamma rays in Arabidopsis seedlings
Authors: Mondal Suvendu , Go Young Sam , Lee Seung Sik , Chung Byung Yeoup , Kim Jin-Hong
Published: August 2016

Dynamic histone modifications play an important role in controlling gene expression in response to various environmental cues. This mechanism of regulation of gene expression is important for sessile organisms, like land plants. We have previously reported consistent upregulation of various marker genes in response to gamma rays at various post-irradiation times. In the present study, we performed various chromatin modification analyses at selected loci using the standard chromatin immunoprecipitation procedure, and demonstrate that upregulation of these genes is associated with histone H3 lysine 4 tri-methylation (H3K4me3) at the gene body or transcription start sites of these loci. Further, at specific AtAgo2 loci, both H3K4me3 and histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) are important in controlling gene expression in response to gamma irradiation. There was no change in DNA methylation in these selected loci. We conclude that specific histone modification such as H3K4me3 and H3K9ac may be more important in activating gene expression in these selected loci in response to gamma irradiation than a change in DNA methylation.
Slow CD4+ T-Cell Recovery in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis B Virus-Coinfected Patients Initiating Truvada-Based Combination Antiretroviral Therapy in Botswana
Authors: Anderson Motswedi , Gaseitsiwe Simani , Moyo Sikhulile , Thami Kerapetse P. , Mohammed Terence , Setlhare Ditiro , Sebunya Theresa K. , Powell Eleanor A. , Makhema Joseph , Blackard Jason T. , Marlink Richard , Essex Max , Musonda Rosemary M.
Published: August 2016

Background.  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection has emerged as an important cause of morbidity and mortality. We determined the response to Truvada-based first-line combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV/HBV-coinfected verus HIV-monoinfected patients in Botswana.

Methods.  Hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg), HBV e antigen (HBeAg), and HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) load were determined from baseline and follow-up visits in a longitudinal cART cohort of Truvada-based regimen. We assessed predictors of HBV serostatus and viral suppression (undetectable HBV DNA) using logistic regression techniques.

Results.  Of 300 participants, 28 were HBsAg positive, giving an HIV/HBV prevalence of 9.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.3–13.2), and 5 of these, 17.9% (95% CI, 6.1–36.9), were HBeAg positive. There was a reduced CD4+ T-cell gain in HIV/HBV-coinfected compared with HIV-monoinfected patients. Hepatitis B virus surface antigen and HBeAg loss was 38% and 60%, respectively, at 24 months post-cART initiation. The HBV DNA suppression rates increased with time on cART from 54% to 75% in 6 and 24 months, respectively.

Conclusions.  Human immunodeficiency virus/HBV coinfection negatively affected immunologic recovery compared with HIV-1C monoinfection. Hepatitis B virus screening before cART initiation could help improve HBV/HIV treatment outcomes and help determine treatment options when there is a need to switch regimens.
Natural Variation and Genome‐Wide Association Study of Antioxidants in a Diverse Sorghum Collection
Authors: Rhodes Davina , Gadgil Priyadarshini , Perumal Ramasamy , Tesso Tesfaye , Herald Thomas J.
Published: August 2016

Consumption of polyphenol‐rich food is associated with decreased risk of oxidative stress‐related chronic diseases. Sorghum, a major food and feed cereal crop, has many polyphenol‐containing accessions with high antioxidant activity in the grain. However, many of these polyphenol‐containing accessions are not high‐yielding or food‐grade varieties. The natural variation in sorghum grain polyphenols can be used to develop high‐yielding, health‐promoting specialty food types through marker‐assisted breeding. To identify new antioxidant‐rich germplasm, we quantified antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, and condensed tannins in whole kernel flour in 266 accessions from the genetically and phenotypically diverse Sorghum Association Panel. Antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, and condensed tannins were in the ranges of 9.6–325.1 μmol of trolox equivalents (TE)/g, 0.8–18.8 g of gallic acid equivalents/kg, and 0–65.5 g of catechin equivalents/kg, respectively. Twenty‐three accessions were rich sources of antioxidant activity, with PI534144 (SC84; 325.1 μmol of TE/g) and PI534117 (SC991; 237.0 μmol of TE/g) possessing the highest values. To identify quantitative trait loci associated with sorghum grain antioxidant traits, we conducted a genome‐wide association study with 404,628 single nucleotide polymorphism markers. Many significant associations were identified, including two homologs of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) transparent testa (TT) genes TT10 and TT4. This study provides information that can help breeders incorporate health‐promoting traits into elite breeding lines.
Infrared Drying Characteristics of Long‐Grain Hybrid, Long‐Grain Pureline, and Medium‐Grain Rice Cultivars
Authors: Okeyo Anne A. , Olatunde Gbenga , Atungulu Griffiths G. , Sadaka Sammy , McKay Tanja
Published: August 2016

The objective for this study was to investigate the effectiveness of scaled‐up infrared (IR) heating followed by tempering steps to dry freshly harvested rough rice. An industrial‐type, pilot‐scale, IR heating system designed to dry rough rice was used in this study. The heating zone of the equipment had catalytic IR emitters that provided heat energy to the sample as it was conveyed on a vibrating belt. The sample comprised freshly harvested rough rice of long‐grain pureline (Cheniere), long‐grain hybrid (6XP 756), and medium‐grain (CL 271) cultivars at initial moisture contents of 23, 23.5, and 24% wb, respectively. Samples at a loading rate of 1.61 kg/m2 were heated with IR of radiation intensity 5.55 kW/m2 for 30, 50, 90, and 180 s followed by tempering at 60°C for 4 h, at a product‐to‐emitter‐gap size of 450 mm, in one‐ and two‐pass drying operations. Control samples were gently natural air dried in an equilibrium moisture content chamber set at relative humidity of 65% and temperature of 26°C to moisture content of 12.5% wb. The effects of IR treatments followed by tempering on percentage points of moisture removed, head rice yield, energy use, rice color, and pasting characteristics were evaluated. For all cultivars, percentage point moisture removed increased with increase in IR drying duration. For all rice cultivars, one‐pass IR treatments for 180 s resulted in head rice yield significantly lower than that of rice dried with natural air in the controlled‐environment conditions (P < 0.05). Energy required to dry rice increased with increase in drying duration. Viscosity values of all the experimental samples were significantly greater (P value < 0.05) than that of the control samples for all the cultivars, except those treated with IR for 180 s. There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the color index (ΔE) of treated milled samples and the controls. In conclusion, the study provided information crucial to understanding the effects of scaled‐up radiant heating and tempering of rough rice on drying rates and rice quality for long‐grain pureline, long‐grain hybrid, and medium‐grain rice cultivars.
Incorporating Cutaneous and Wound Bacterial Bioburden Biomarkers into Clinical Research: A Review of Best Practices
Authors: Honaker Jeremy , Ammons Christie , Kelechi Teresa
Published: August 2016

PURPOSE:

To provide information about initiating interdisciplinary research related to microbiomes and their role in human immunity, disease, and metabolic processes.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in skin and wound care.

OBJECTIVES:

After participating in this educational activity, the participant should be better able to:

1. Describe techniques to identify and characterize bacterial bioburden.

2. Identify optimal collection, transport, and storage of samples.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to provide a roadmap for clinical scientists interested in integrating bacterial bioburden (BB) biomarkers into the next generation of cutaneous or wound disease research studies.

DISCUSSION: Complex relationships exist between humans and their microbiome. Until now, clinical scientists have been limited in fully characterizing relationships between humans and their microbiome. Recent technological innovations, such as next-generation DNA sequencing, also known as deep sequencing or pyrosequencing, have enhanced clinicians’ capacity to identify, characterize, and elucidate the role of BB (ie, bacterial load, diversity, pathogenicity) in human immunity, disease, and metabolic processes. The understanding of common terminology, intervening variables that influence BB, limitations of next-generation DNA sequencing, and specimen selection, collection, transport, and storage practices are needed to support interdisciplinary communication, research design, and integrity of the specimen.

CONCLUSION: This review serves as a primer for building foundational knowledge in microbiome research, which will aid clinical scientists with initiating interdisciplinary communication necessary for scientific team building.
Assessment of the Combined Efficacy of Needling and the Use of Silicone Gel in the Treatment of C-Section and Other Surgical Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids
Authors: Fabbrocini Gabriella , Marasca Claudio , Ammad Sadia , Brazzini Benedetta , Izzo Rosanna , Donnarumma Marianna , Monfrecola Giuseppe
Published: August 2016

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the individual effectiveness of needling therapy using the Dermapen (Dermapen, Salt Lake City, Utah) and topical therapy with silicone gel (Kelo-cote, Sinclair Pharma, London, England), and their combined effectiveness for the treatment of linear surgical scars, hypertrophic scars, and keloids.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Twenty patients were randomly selected and equally divided into 2 groups (A and B), with each group of 10 including 6 patients with keloids and 4 with hypertrophic scars. Treatment assignments were random. In group A, the entire scar was treated by skin needling, with silicone gel applied to half of the scar. Patients in group B were treated with silicone gel on the whole scar, with only half of the scar also treated with skin needling. During follow-up visits, clinical photographs, evaluation of the scars’ thickness, skin ultrasound, and modified Vancouver Scar Scale were performed.

RESULTS:

Group A showed an average improvement of 68% (P < .01) on the half of the scar with the combination treatment (skin needling plus silicone gel) compared with a 52% improvement on the half of the scar that was treated with only skin needling. Group B showed an average improvement of 63% (P < .01) where the combination treatment was performed, compared with 47% improvement on the area treated with only the silicone gel.

CONCLUSIONS:

In conclusion, the combination of these 2 treatments is safe and effective for the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. These modalities achieved favorable results with each patient adhering to the study paramenters.
Epidemiology of sporadic inclusion body myositis
Authors: Molberg Øyvind , Dobloug Cecilie
Published: August 2016

Purpose of review

In this review, we describe recent progress in the clinical epidemiology of sporadic inclusion body myositis (IBM).

Recent findings

In a population-based, retrospective study from Norway, performed with a denominator population of 2.6 million; and with cases defined by the 1997 and/or 2011 European Neuro-Muscular Centre Research Diagnostic criteria, the estimated point prevalence of IBM was 3.3/100 000. Mean time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 5.6 years, longer than in earlier studies. The male to female ratio was 3 : 2, and the mean age at diagnosis 67 years, very similar to figures reported this year from a nationwide, Dutch myopathy registry. Coexisting rheumatic diseases were recorded in 25% of Norwegian IBM cases, with Sjøgren's syndrome as the most commonly encountered. Mortality was increased in IBM, with a standardized mortality rate of 1.7, but there was no indication of increased cancer risk.

Population-based data indicate that the prevalence of IBM in Europe is higher than expected from previous studies. Diagnostic delay appears to be a persisting problem in IBM; a major challenge with promising new therapies on the horizon.
European Expert Consensus Paper on the implementation of Article 14 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
Authors: Clancy Luke
Published: August 2016

On 24 November 2015, under the auspices of the European Policy Roundtable on Smoking Cessation, 15 experts on tobacco control and dependence from across the European Union, chaired by Professor Luke Clancy, met in Oslo, Norway, to discuss the implementation of the Tobacco Products Directive and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, namely Article 14. On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, this paper reports the consensus reached by all Roundtable participants on the need to further advance the availability and access to services to support cessation of tobacco use. The implementation of services to support cessation of tobacco use in line with Article 14 can and should be significantly improved to protect the health of European citizens. The meeting was initiated and funded by Pfizer.
Association between Mediterranean diet and head and neck cancer: results of a large case–control study in Italy
Authors: Giraldi Luca , Panic Nikola , Cadoni Gabriella , Boccia Stefania , Leoncini Emanuele
Published: August 2016

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is a known protective factor for head and neck cancer (HNC); however, there is still a lack of studies investigating this association by HNC subsite. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the association between adherence to MD and HNC overall and by cancer subsite, as well as the effect of the individual food components on HNC risk. A case–control study was carried out at the Gemelli Hospital of Rome (Italy). A total of 500 HNC cases and 433 controls were interviewed. Dietary intake was assessed through a validated food frequency questionnaire that collected information on over 25 food items. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of HNC were calculated using a multiple logistic regression model. We found a reduced risk of both oral cavity and pharynx cancer (OR=0.61; CI: 0.54–0.70) and larynx cancer (OR=0.64; CI: 0.56–0.73) with increasing adherence to MD. We also found a high consumption of fruit, vegetables, and legumes to be significantly associated with a lower risk of larynx as well as oral cavity and pharynx cancers. Our study showed that adherence to MD acts protectively against HNC overall and by cancer subsite.