bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design of a Compliant Double-Helical Spatial Platform for Use as an Endoscopic Device
Authors: Ramirez Issa A. , Lusk Craig , Anderson Adam , Gitlin Richard
Published: July 2013

Compliant mechanisms are flexible devices that transform an input force to a displacement through elastic deformation. Advantages of using compliant mechanisms are that they are monolithic devices that contain flexible members that can undergo large deflection, have fewer joints, have increased reliability, increased precision and have fewer components compared to rigid-body mechanisms.
Anatomical Posterolateral Corner Reconstruction of the Knee Using a New Fibula Cross Tunnel Method: A Cadaveric Study
Authors: Quigley Ryan J. , Ishigooka Hideya , McGarry Michelle H. , Chen Yu J. , Gupta Akash , Bui Chris , Lee Thay Q.
Published: July 2013

Posterolateral corner (PLC) injury of the knee causes varus and posterolateral rotatory instability. The anatomy of the PLC has been reported in the literature but the importance of PLC reconstruction has only recently been established and ideal reconstruction techniques are still in development. The native function of the PLC is to restrain varus and external rotation. Reconstruction methods should properly restore these functions without overconstraining the joint. Several reconstructions for PLC injury have been reported but with concerns of iatrogenic neurovascular injury, fibular head cutout, and restoration of the knee kinematics. To address these concerns, a new cross fibula tunnel method was developed that may have lower risk of iatrogenic nerve injury and fibula head cutout. The purpose of this study was to verify the stability of this technique using a PLC deficient knee.
Software Engineering Practices to Improve Code Quality and Prepare for Validation
Authors: Kerry Elijah
Published: July 2013

Programmers creating mission-critical applications — embedded control applications, industrial monitoring applications, and high-performance test systems — cannot afford to introduce errors or uncertainty into the system. The stakes are especially high in medical applications, where failure can often lead to patient injury and costly product recalls.
Geometry-Driven Glenohumeral Joint Biomechanical Analysis: Simultaneous Evaluation of the Capsule and Muscles
Authors: Jun Bong Jae , McGarry Michelle H. , Oh Joo Han , Lee Thay Q.
Published: July 2013

Glenohumeral joint stability is provided by complex interaction between the passive (bony geometry, capsule, and ligaments) and active (muscles) stabilizers [1]. The functional roles of geometry, capsule, ligaments, and muscles have been evaluated by sequential cutting studies [2–4] or direct measurements [5–7]. However these isolated function of individual stabilizer does not replicate in vivo glenohumeral joint biomechanics where the joint stability is controlled by interaction between passive and active stabilizers. Direct measurement device instrumentation on the soft tissue do not allow entire capsular strain measurement during rotational range of motion. Sequential cutting of the soft tissue can result in alteration in the synergy of passive and active stabilizers. To replicate in vivo interaction between passive and active stabilizers it is required to minimize the measurement device instrumentation on the glenohumeral joint capsule while the joint stability is provided by both passive and active stabilizers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to quantify the simultaneous contribution of the capsule and muscles using a geometry-driven biomechanical analysis.
Evaluation of Scaffold Fixation for Treatment of Osteochondral Defects of the Knee
Authors: Gupta Akash , Chung Kyung Chil , Quigley Ryan J. , Jun Bong Jae , Lee Thay Q.
Published: July 2013

Articular cartilage damage is a common source of knee pain that can be treated with autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI). Fixation of the scaffolds can be accomplished by various means with bone sutures being the most effective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fixation of a new scaffold with three bone sutures after cycling with continuous passive motion (CPM). Two defects, each of 20mm diameter and 5mm depth, were created per knee and the scaffold was fixed with three bone sutures at the 12 o’clock, 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock positions. Knees were then cycled from 0 degrees to 74 degrees to 0 degrees on a CPM machine for a total of 210 cycles and the scaffolds were then evaluated for fixation, fraying and delaminations. All scaffolds were noted to have remained fixed inside the defect. Fraying occurred in 16 out of the 20 scaffolds and delaminations occurred in 12 out of the 20. Only two scaffolds were completely free of both fraying and delaminations. Fraying occurred in 32.5% of the circumference of medial scaffolds while only 15.0% in lateral scaffolds. Fraying occurred mostly over flush areas and the least over recessed areas. Overall, three bone sutures provided excellent fixation of this scaffold. If at all possible, the scaffold should be recessed into the defect to minimize the amount of fraying that occurs.
Biomechanical Analysis of Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit in a Cadaveric Model
Authors: Gupta Akash , Gates Jeffrey , McGarry Michelle H. , Tibone James E. , Lee Thay Q.
Published: July 2013

Overhead throwing athletes have been shown to develop adaptive changes in humeral rotation to allow for higher throwing velocities. This manifests as an increase in humeral external rotation and a decrease in internal rotation, which is called glenohumeral internal rotation deficit (GIRD). The percentage of GIRD that significantly affects glenohumeral joint kinematics is not known. The objective of the study was to create a throwers shoulder model with fixed percentages of GIRD to determine at which point kinematic changes start occurring.

The results showed that there was a significant decrease in posterior translation starting at 10% GIRD. With inferior translational loads, significantly less inferior translation starts occurring at 20% GIRD. The humeral head apex position at maximum external rotation moves superiorly, posteriorly and laterally, with significant changes in the superior direction occurring with 10% GIRD onwards. Overall, significant kinematic changes begin at 10% GIRD and this should be taken into account for clinical decision-making as to when intervention is necessary.
Hydrophilic Nanotube Coating of Ti Implant Materials for Potential Rapid Bone Regeneration
Authors: Shokuhfar Tolou , Choi C. K. , Friedrich Craig
Published: July 2013

The properties of implant materials used in humans may have important influences on the outcomes of clinical treatments. Recently, titanium and titanium alloys have been extensively employed as in-vivo implant materials, due to their generally favorable biocompatibility, high resistance to corrosion, and relatively low cost. On the other hand, even when using chemically identical materials, the biocompatibility of an implant or its stability depends heavily on its surface structure, as well as the thickness and properties of the surface oxide film. As the characteristics of the implant surface have been reported to play an important role in the in-vivo reactions of implants, a great deal of interest has recently been focused on different surface treatment methods. Currently, there are a variety of methods with which titanium implant surfaces are treated. The anodizing method is an electrochemical technique, which forms a rough, thick oxidized capsule with nanotubular structures on the implant surface. To increase the biocompatibility and bone regeneration and to improve the current shortcomings of Ti and Ti alloy (Ti6Al4V)implants, we applied a uniquely fabricated nanotubular coating over the surface of such implants.
Tracking the 3D Configuration of Human Joint Using an MR Image Registration Technique
Authors: Yazdi Seyed Kamaleddin Mostafavi , Farahmand Farzam , Jafari Ali
Published: July 2013

Surface registration is a necessary step and widely used in medical image-aided surgery. It’s relevance to medical imaging is that there is much useful anatomical information in the form of collected surface points which originate from complimentary modalities. In this study, the kinematic relations between two point clouds with different coordinate definitions have been generated. Using Influence Method of surface modeling for extracting point clouds functions, the transformation matrix would be resulted. The proposed method was applied for an experimental femur data points (651 points) using the MRI images. These data points were transformed in a 30 degrees flexion of knee. This transformation contains [0,−9.5, 1] degrees for yaw, pitch and roll rotation and [−3, 14,−13] translation. The related results shows [0, 9.3, 0.95] degrees for rotation and [−2.85, 14.11,−13.07] translation.
Characterization and Modification of Surface Topography by Sequential Laser Peening Biodegradable Magnesium-Calcium Alloy
Authors: Sealy M. P. , Guo Andrew , Guo Y. B.
Published: July 2013

The development of biodegradable implants has had a beneficial effect on in-vivo treatment of patients with various bone ailments. Currently, biodegradable implants are mainly made of polymers, such as PLA or PMMA. However, these polymer based implants usually have unsatisfactory mechanical strength and are prone to considerable amounts of wear [1]. An alternative to polymers is a biodegradable magnesium-calcium (Mg-Ca) alloy which has the ability to gradually dissolve and absorb into the human body after implantation. The similar properties of Mg to bone indicate it is an ideal implant material to minimize the damaging effects of stress shielding. The critical issue that hinders the application of Mg implants is poor corrosion resistance to human body fluids. Sequential laser shock peening (LSP) of a biodegradable Mg-Ca alloy was initiated to create a superior surface integrity for improving implant performance. LSP is an innovative surface treatment method to impart deep compressive residual stresses across a broad area of an implant. The high compressive residual stress has great potential to slow corrosion rates and improve wear and fatigue performance. Also, LSP produces a unique surface topography. Structural surface modifications are an effective way to alter the implant/tissue interface in order to improve biocompatibility.
Surface Integrity of Magnesum-Calcium Orthopedic Biomaterial Procesed by Dry High-Speed Face Milling
Authors: Salahshoor M. , Guo Y. B.
Published: July 2013

Biodegradable magnesium-calcium (Mg-Ca) implants have the ability to gradually dissolve and absorb into the human body after implantation. The critical issue that hinders the application of Mg-Ca implants is its poor corrosion resistance to human body fluids. A promising approach to tackle this issue is tailoring the surface integrity characteristics of the orthopedic implants to get an appropriate corrosion kinetic. High speed face milling of biodegradable Mg-Ca alloy is used in this study as a possible way to achieve that goal. Polycrystalline diamond inserts are used to avoid material adhesion and likely fire hazards. All the cutting tests are performed without using coolant to keep the manufacturing process ecological. High cutting speed of 40 m/s and 200 μm depth of cut are applied in a broad range of feed values to cover finish and rough cutting regimes. The effect of feed as a key machining parameter which defines the amount and duration of thermo-mechanical load and ultimately provides higher chances for surface integrity changes are investigated.
CFD Analysis of a Human Lung
Authors: Taherian S. , Rahai H. R. , Waddington Tom
Published: July 2013

Understanding the characteristic of airflow, and the amount of particle deposition in different sections of respiratory system provides information for treatment procedures and processes. Results of preliminary numerical investigations for development of a system of image transfer and simulation to identify patient specific respiratory problem are presented. The system is a non-intrusive approach for evaluation of central airway diseases which could also be used for development of methods for reviving and recovery of damaged lung, especially at the onset of respiratory problems.
Development of a Compliant Electrospun Polyurethane Vascular Graft
Authors: Whitton Andrew , Flint David J. , Black Richard A.
Published: July 2013

Synthetic vascular grafts are an integral tool in vascular surgery. However, the consistent failure of small diameter grafts is one of the main limitations of these devices. For this reason electrospun polyurethane has been investigated for its suitability as a vascular substitute material in this present study. Aligned and random mesh electrospun polyurethane materials were produced and analysed in vitro by investigating the effect of using both materials as a substrate for the culture of human aortic smooth muscle cells. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that cells cultured on electrospun polyurethane maintained a contractile phenotype to a much greater extent than those cultured on cast polyurethane membranes. This contractile phenotype is associated with the state in which a cell would normally reside in a healthy vessel, suggesting that electrospun polyurethane may provide a suitable vascular substitute material.
EmboLess Mechanical Clot Removal Device: Possibility for Improving the Outcomes of Ischemic Stroke Patients
Authors: Perosky Joseph , Biddle Adam , DeGraaf Kim , Hovan Whitney , Li Choi M. , Nagesh Shishira
Published: July 2013

Ischemic stroke affects nearly 690,000 patients a year in the United States and is the leading cause of long-term disability and the third leading cause of death [1, 2]. Acute ischemic stroke occurs when a clot becomes lodged in a cerebral vessel, cutting off blood supply to areas of the brain. There are two treatment options for acute ischemic stroke: tissue plasminogen activator (beneficial within the first 4 hours of stroke onset), and mechanical removal (beneficial from 4 to 8 hours after stroke onset). The two FDA approved clot removal devices (MERCI and Penumbra) for ischemic stroke are capable of achieving revascularization rates between 48% and 80% [3, 4].
Print-and-Peel Microfabrication for Space-Domain Time-Resolved Emission Measurements on a Chip
Authors: Nuñez Vicente , Millare Brent , Shin Sanghoon , Upadhyayula Srigokul , Gupta Sharad , Vasquez Jacob M. , Vullev Valentine
Published: July 2013

We describe the development of devices that utilize the dynamics of laminar microflows for time-resolved emission measurements with steady-state excitation and detection used solely in DC modes of operation. Our current setup allows for measurements of emission lifetimes as short as tens of microseconds. We demonstrated the function of the devices on determining the lifetimes of chelates of lanthanide (III) ions.
Thermally Responsive Structures for Gastric Pacing and Other Applications
Authors: Korivi Naga S. , Halliburton Charles , Ajmera Pratul K.
Published: July 2013

We report on the development of a polymeric layer consisting of an embedded channel network. The channels are filled with a thermally responsive polymer. The embedded thermally responsive polymer is in solid phase in room ambient, but changes to liquid at physiological body temperature (∼37 °C). This phase change results in the polymer structure changing to a more flexible state. An important application of this polymer layer is its use as a thermally regulated support structure for a gastric pacing electrode, to give some rigidity to the electrode body preferable during implantation surgery, while changing to a more flexible state inside the body as the embedded polymer subsequently melts at physiological temperature. The latter is expected to reduce complications caused by a rigid device.
A Low-Cost Cricothyroidotomy Trauma Simulator With a Real Time Vital Signs Feedback System
Authors: Perosky Joseph , Aref Abdul , Westcott Daniel , Przybylski Robert , Woodrum Derek , Dooley-Hash Suzanne , Andreatta Pamela
Published: July 2013

Many trauma related surgical procedures cannot ethically be practiced by medical students or inexperienced doctors. Therefore, medical simulators that provide high anatomical and procedural fidelity are used. One of the most important things to monitor during such a procedure is the vital signs of the patient. One procedure for which this is important is a cricothyroidotomy, in which an incision through the skin and cricothyroid membrane is made to secure a patient’s airway during certain emergency situations in which an airway obstruction is present. The amount of cases per doctor is further amplified in many developing countries, with many of these clinicians not being able to practice before being in the real-life situation, partially due to the high cost of current simulators. Therefore, a low-cost cricothyroidotomy simulator with a live feedback system that tells the clinician the vital signs of the patient that they would be monitoring in such a situation that includes heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, oxygen content, and ECG was developed.
Patents Through the Economics Lens: Valuing, Protecting, and Defending
Authors: Waters Steven
Published: July 2013

Patents are granted as a way to spur innovation yet profiting from that innovation can be a challenge. Many patents never make it to market and, of those that do, there are those that are infringed and others that face product liability issues. Standing at the head of all these issues is the value of the patent. The more valuable the patent is the more likely it will be that capital can be raised and the idea/product will be brought to market. However, the flip side of the valuable patent coin is the increased probability that someone will infringe the patent; and, in the event of product liability allegations, a valuable patent sends a signal that there are deep pockets for a law suit. In this presentation, economic factors will be considered that affect valuing, protecting, and defending a patent.
Reducing hole-size variation and defect ratio after pattern transfer by using self-assembled polymer with spherical structure
Authors: Iwase Taku , Kurihara Masaru , Hirayama Yoshiyuki , Negishi Nobuyuki , Hayakawa Teruaki , Tada Yasuhiko , Yoshida Hiroshi
Published: July 2013

This study presents a method to reduce hole-diameter variation and defect ratio in patterning of a self-assembled block copolymer (BCP) for imprint-mold fabrication. The BCP material used is PMMA-b-poly(methyl acrylate) polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PMAPOSS) in which PMMA spheres with 18.3-nm-pitch are aligned in the hexagonal close-packed positions in the PMAPOSS matrix. When the self-assembled BCP film was etched in the conventional dry-development process, the hole-diameter variation and the amount of hole defects (defect ratio), defined as “no-opening defects” or “connecting holes,” increased. Variation of PMMA sphere diameter and/or position in the perpendicular direction to the substrate plane was assumed to be the main cause of the increase in hole-diameter variation and defect ratio after BCP development. To optimize the etching conditions for BCP development, a new model representing the relationship between defect ratio and relative standard deviation of PMMA sphere diameter and/or position under various etching conditions (selectivity and anisotropy) was developed. The model indicates that to reduce defect ratio, higher etching selectivity of PMMA to PMAPOSS and etching anisotropy are required. It also indicates that optimizing etching anisotropy is more effective than optimizing etching selectivity. On the basis of these modeling results, the dry-development conditions were optimized; namely, selectivity (etching ratio of PMMA to PMAPOSS) was increased from 4 to 6 and anisotropy (etching ratio of anisotropy to isotropy) was increased from 1.6 to 2.1. As a result, the defect ratio decreased from 31% to 5%. A 1.7 tera-dot/in.2 imprint-mold was fabricated by applying the directed self-assembly process.
Perspectives on future directions in III-N semiconductor research
Authors: Eddy Charles R. , Nepal Neeraj , Hite Jennifer K. , Mastro Michael A.
Published: July 2013

The family of III-V nitride semiconductors has garnered significant research attention over the last 20–25 years, and these efforts have led to many highly successful technologies, especially in the area of light emitting devices such as light emitting diodes for solid state white lighting and lasers for high density optical read/write memories. These applications have taken advantage of a key material property of the III-N materials, namely a direct, tunable (0.7–6.2 eV, λ ∼ 200 nm to 1.7 μm) bandgap and have been accomplished despite a relatively poor level of material quality. But a direct, tunable bandgap is only one of many interesting properties of III-N materials of interest to potential future technologies. A considerable list of first and second order properties make this family of semiconductors even more attractive—namely, electric polarization, piezoelectricity, high breakdown field, pyroelectricity, electro-optic and photo-elastic effects, etc. The first few of these have found much utility in the development of high power transistors that promise significant commercial success in both communications and power switching applications. As these areas begin to flourish, it is reasonable to begin to explore what might be next for this versatile family of semiconductors. Here are highlighted three areas of significant potential for future III-N research—atomic layer epitaxy of complex heterostructures, variable polarity homo- and hetero-structures of arbitrary geometries, and nanowire heterostructures. Early results, key technical challenges, and the ultimate potential for future technologies are highlighted for each research path.
Influence of shield roughness on Mo/Si defect density for extreme ultraviolet lithography mask blanks
Authors: Kageyama Junichi , Yoshimoto Mamoru , Matsuda Akifumi , Jindal Vibhu , Kearney Patrick , Goodwin Frank
Published: July 2013

The authors investigated the influence of surface roughness of stainless-steel shields in an ion beam sputtering chamber on the particle defect density of deposited 50 pairs of Mo/Si bilayer films ([Mo/Si]50) used in extreme ultraviolet mask blanks. Shields with varying arithmetic average surface roughness (Ra range approximately 3 to 20 μm) were mounted close to the sputtering targets and the substrate, and along the vacuum chamber interior wall. Silicon-rich particles (Si and Si/Mo) with diameters in the range of several tens of nanometers or more were quantified within a 142 mm× 142 mm area of the prepared blank film using a mask blank inspection tool. Si-rich particle defect density was found to be proportional to the inverse square of the shield surface roughness, suggesting that Si-rich particles arise from the shield surface. The shields with roughness exceeding 8 μm effectively suppressed the accumulation of Si-rich particle defects on the mask blank film.
Method of predicting resist sensitivity for 6.x nm extreme ultraviolet lithography
Authors: Oyama Tomoko Gowa , Oshima Akihiro , Washio Masakazu , Tagawa Seiichi
Published: July 2013

Potential extension of 13.5 nm extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUVL) to the soft x-ray region in the 6.x nm range (6.6–6.8 nm) has been discussed recently in academia and the semiconductor industry in terms of the light source, optics, and resist performance. In this study, the authors investigated the precise sensitivities of several resists (both nonchemically amplified and chemically amplified resists) using highly monochromatized soft x rays from synchrotron radiation with accurate dosimetry. The selected wavelengths included 6.7 nm, which is one of the candidates for 6.x nm EUVL. Each obtained “dose/sensitivity, E (mJ cm−2)” was converted into the “absorbed dose, D (absorbed energy per unit mass, Gray; Gy = J kg−1)” in terms of radiation and nuclear science. Although the absorbed dose in a resist film depends on the distance from the top surface of the resist, the required absorbed doses (D0 or D50) corresponding to the dose/sensitivities (E0 or E50) were almost constant for each resist, regardless of the exposure wavelength from 3.1 to 6.7 nm. This would be applicable in the EUV/soft x-ray region, where nearly the same chemical reactions are induced. According to the obtained results, the resist sensitivities for any exposure wavelength in the EUV/soft x-ray region can be predicted easily by using the sensitivity that is measured at a certain wavelength, the resist's thickness, and the linear absorption coefficients that can be calculated using the chemical composition and density of a resist. The resist sensitivity at 6.x nm can be predicted by evaluating the sensitivity using a conventional 13.5 nm EUV exposure tool. Moreover, this prediction method can be used for dose calibration of a simplified EUV exposure tool by utilizing a resist sensitivity that is obtained for a calibrated exposure source.
Release of Nonmuscle Myosin II from the Cytosolic Domain of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Is Required for Target Gene Expression
Authors: Chandrasekharan Unni M. , Dechert Lisa , Davidson Uchechukwu I. , Waitkus Matthew , Mavrakis Lori , Lyons Katherine , Beach Jordan R. , Li Xiaoxia , Egelhoff Thomas T. , Fox Paul L. , DiCorleto Paul E.
Published: July 2013

By binding to tumor necrosis factor receptor 2, myosin limits signaling by TNF-α.
Magnesium to the Rescue
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: July 2013

Magnesium supplementation in patients with a primary immunodeficiency restores immune responses to Epstein-Barr virus.
Stromal-Induced Survival
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: July 2013

Stromal-secreted growth factors induce prosurvival signals mediated by an isoform of p63 in skin cancer.
Arginine Methylation Derepresses BMP Signaling
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: July 2013

BMP-dependent arginine methylation of the inhibitor Smad6 leads to activation of the effector proteins Smad1 and Smad5.
Improved Efficacy of Fosmidomycin against Plasmodium and Mycobacterium Species by Combination with the Cell-Penetrating Peptide Octaarginine
Authors: Sparr Christof , Purkayastha Nirupam , Kolesinska Beata , Gengenbacher Martin , Amulic Borko , Matuschewski Kai , Seebach Dieter , Kamena Faustin
Published: July 2013

Cellular drug delivery can improve efficacy and render intracellular pathogens susceptible to compounds that cannot permeate cells. The transport of physiologically active compounds across membranes into target cells can be facilitated by cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), such as oligoarginines. Here, we investigated whether intracellular delivery of the drug fosmidomycin can be improved by combination with the CPP octaarginine. Fosmidomycin is an antibiotic that inhibits the second reaction in the nonmevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis, an essential pathway for many obligate intracellular pathogens, including mycobacteria and apicomplexan parasites. We observed a strict correlation between octaarginine host cell permeability and its ability to improve the efficacy of fosmidomycin.
Plasmodium berghei
liver-stage parasites were only partially susceptible to an octaarginine-fosmidomycin complex. Similarly,
Toxoplasma gondii
was only susceptible during the brief extracellular stages. In marked contrast, a salt complex of octaarginine and fosmidomycin greatly enhanced efficacy against blood-stage
Plasmodium falciparum
. This complex and a covalently linked conjugate of octaarginine and fosmidomycin also reverted resistance of
Mycobacteria
to fosmidomycin. These findings provide chemical genetic evidence for vital roles of the nonmevalonate pathway of isoprenoid biosynthesis in a number of medically relevant pathogens. Our results warrant further investigation of octaarginine as a delivery vehicle and alternative fosmidomycin formulations for malaria and tuberculosis drug development.
Characterization of Binding of Raltegravir to Plasma Proteins
Authors: Barau Caroline , Furlan Valérie , Yazdanpanah Yazdan , Fagard Catherine , Molina Jean-Michel , Taburet Anne-Marie , Barrail-Tran Aurélie
Published: July 2013

The objective of this study was to characterize raltegravir (RAL) binding to albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG). Unbound and bound RAL were separated by ultrafiltration. The association constant (

K
a

) was estimated by a graphical method. In HIV-infected patients, the average plasma protein binding is 76%. RAL did not bind to AAG but bound to nonsaturable, low-affinity albumin sites with an
n
(number of sites) ·

K
a

product of 9.8 × 10
2
liters/mol. A pH increase of 0.2 U led to a 2% increase in the bound fraction.
Association of Fluoroquinolone Resistance, Virulence Genes, and IncF Plasmids with Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 (ST131) and ST405 Clonal Groups
Authors: Matsumura Yasufumi , Yamamoto Masaki , Nagao Miki , Ito Yutaka , Takakura Shunji , Ichiyama Satoshi
Published: July 2013

The global increase of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
is associated with the specific clonal group sequence type 131 (ST131). In order to understand the successful spread of ESBL-producing
E. coli
clonal groups, we characterized fluoroquinolone resistance determinants, virulence genotypes, and plasmid replicons of ST131 and another global clonal group, ST405. We investigated 41 ST131-O25b, 26 ST131-O16, 41 ST405, and 41 other ST (OST) ESBL-producing isolates, which were collected at seven acute care hospitals in Japan. The detection of ESBL types, fluoroquinolone resistance-associated mutations (including quinolone resistance-determining regions [QRDRs]), virulence genotypes, plasmid replicon types, and IncF replicon sequence types was performed using PCR and sequencing.
bla
CTX-M
, specifically
bla
CTX-M-14
, was the most common ESBL gene type among the four groups. Ciprofloxacin resistance was found in 90% of ST131-O25b, 19% of ST131-O16, 100% of ST405, and 54% of OST isolates. Multidrug resistance was more common in the ST405 group than in the ST131-O25 group (56% versus 32%;
P
= 0.045). All ST131-O25b isolates except one had four characteristic mutations in QRDRs, but most of the isolates from the other three groups had three mutations in common. The ST131-O25b and ST405 groups had larger numbers of virulence genes than the OST group. All of the ST131-O25b and ST405 isolates and most of the ST131-O16 and OST isolates carried IncF replicons. The most prevalent IncF replicon sequence types differed between the four clonal groups. Both the ST131-O25b and ST405 clonal groups had a fluoroquinolone resistance mechanism in QRDRs, multidrug resistance, high virulence, and IncF plasmids, suggesting the potential for further global expansion and a need for measures against these clonal groups.
Echocardiogram Study To Evaluate the Effect of the Novel Hepatitis C Virus NS5A Inhibitor GSK2336805 on Cardiac Contractility in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Wilfret D. A. , Adkison K. K. , Jones L. A. , Lou Y. , Gan J. , Spreen W.
Published: July 2013

GSK2336805 is a hepatitis C virus NS5A inhibitor in clinical development for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. This was a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover study in healthy adults to evaluate the effects of a single 150-mg dose of GSK2336805 on echocardiographic measures of contractility. GSK2336805 had no effect on ejection fraction, and there was no significant correlation between GSK2336805 plasma concentration and ejection fraction. (This study has been registered at Clinicaltrials.gov under registration no. NCT01424540.)
Characterization of Ribosomal Binding and Antibacterial Activities Using Two Orthogonal High-Throughput Screens
Authors: King Ada , Watkins Derrick , Kumar Sunil , Ranjan Nihar , Gong Changjun , Whitlock Jarred , Arya Dev P.
Published: July 2013

We report here the affinity and antibacterial activity of a structurally similar class of neomycin dimers. The affinity of the dimer library for rRNA was established by using a screen that measures the displacement of fluorescein-neomycin (F-neo) probe from RNA. A rapid growth inhibition assay using a single drug concentration was used to examine the antibacterial activity. The structure-activity relationship data were then rapidly analyzed using a two-dimensional ribosomal binding-bacterial inhibition plot analysis.
Antiviral Efficacy of Favipiravir against Two Prominent Etiological Agents of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Authors: Safronetz David , Falzarano Darryl , Scott Dana P. , Furuta Yousuke , Feldmann Heinz , Gowen Brian B.
Published: July 2013

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is caused by infection with severalSigmodontinae- andNeotominae-borne hantaviruses and has a case fatality rate of 30 to 50%. Humans often become infected by inhalation of materials contaminated with virus-laden rodent urine or saliva, although human-to-human transmission has also been documented for Andes virus (ANDV). The ability to transmit via aerosolization, coupled with the high mortality rates and lack of therapeutic options, makes the development of medical countermeasures against HPS imperative. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of the broad-spectrum antiviral agent favipiravir (T-705) against Sin Nombre virus (SNV) and ANDV, the predominant causes of HPS in North and South America, respectively.In vitro, T-705 potently inhibited SNV and ANDV, as evidenced by decreased detection of viral RNA and reduced infectious titers. For both viruses, the 90% effective concentration was estimated at ≤5 μg/ml (≤31.8 μM). In the lethal ANDV hamster model, daily administration of oral T-705 at 50 or 100 mg/kg of body weight diminished the detection of viral RNA and antigen in tissue specimens and significantly improved survival rates. Oral T-705 therapy remained protective against HPS when treatment was initiated prior to the onset of viremia. No disease model for SNV exists; however, using a hamster-adapted SNV, we found that daily administration of oral T-705 significantly reduced the detection of SNV RNA and antigen in tissue specimens, suggesting that the compound would also be effective against HPS in North America. Combined, these results suggest that T-705 treatment is beneficial for postexposure prophylaxis against HPS-causing viruses and should be considered for probable exposures.
Pharmacokinetic and
In Vivo
Efficacy Studies of the Mycobactin Biosynthesis Inhibitor Salicyl-AMS in Mice
Authors: Lun Shichun , Guo Haidan , Adamson John , Cisar Justin S. , Davis Tony D. , Chavadi Sivagami Sundaram , Warren J. David , Quadri Luis E. N. , Tan Derek S. , Bishai William R.
Published: July 2013

Mycobactin biosynthesis in
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
facilitates iron acquisition, which is required for growth and virulence. The mycobactin biosynthesis inhibitor salicyl-AMS [5′-
O
-(
N
-salicylsulfamoyl)adenosine] inhibits
M. tuberculosis
growth
in vitro
under iron-limited conditions. Here, we conducted a single-dose pharmacokinetic study and a monotherapy study of salicyl-AMS with mice. Intraperitoneal injection yielded much better pharmacokinetic parameter values than oral administration did. Monotherapy of salicyl-AMS at 5.6 or 16.7 mg/kg significantly inhibited
M. tuberculosis
growth in the mouse lung, providing the first
in vivo
proof of concept for this novel antibacterial strategy.
Speech aid prosthesis
Authors: Uphadhyay Manoj , Jain Deshraj , Kumar Sulabh , Uppal Saurabh
Published: July 2013

Velopharyngeal defects are common problem encountered in dentistry, different prosthetic designs can be used; however, the prosthesis should be comfortable and function properly. Surgical treatment is the treatment of choice, but there are few patients who are not able to receive the surgical intervention; in such cases prosthetic management is considered using speech bulb prosthesis to overcome nasal twang and nasal regurgitation.
Spine and scapular pain: an unusual presentation of colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Padhi Parikshit , Mackey Christine
Published: July 2013

We are presenting an elderly Caucasian woman who was admitted to our hospital for severe lower back pain and scapular pain for 8 days. She had a history of spinal stenosis and we believed this was the aetiology of her pain. However, her pain was not subsiding and hence an MRI spine was performed. It revealed spinal stenosis and abnormal signal in the lower thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. Hence a bone biopsy was performed that came back as metastatic adenocarcinoma. She underwent a bone scan and revealed diffuse disease in thoracic, lumbar, sacral spine as well as third and 10th ribs. Her CT chest/abdomen/pelvis revealed no primary tumour. A mass was detected on her colonscopy, and pathology revealed adenocarcinoma. She underwent palliative radiation and one cycle of chemotherapy. She was discharged to home hospice care. It is very rare to have osseous metastases as the only manifestation of colon cancer.
Aspiration of a speaking valve
Authors: Schembri John , Cortis Kelvin , Mallia Azzopardi Charles , Montefort Stephen
Published: July 2013

Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a relatively common and serious condition that can result in a spectrum of presentations ranging from incidental to acutely life-threatening. Described here is a case of aspiration of a tracheo-oesophageal speaking valve through a permanent tracheostomy that went unnoticed for a number of years, and an overview of the technique used for its removal. A 70-year-old ex-heavy smoker with a permanent tracheo-oesophageal fistula presented with a relatively recent history of increasing shortness of breath, sputum purulence and haemoptysis. Further investigation with a CT scan and bronchoscopy revealed the presence of a foreign body within his right lower lobe bronchus which was later removed by advancing a flexible bronchoscope over a rigid one.
Gelatinous bone marrow transformation secondary to unusual eating habits and drastic weight loss
Authors: Rafiullah  , Islam Rezwan , Mahmood Ruth , Sitwala Kajal V
Published: July 2013

Gelatinous bone marrow transformation (GMT), also known as starvation bone marrow, has been reported in a number of chronic illnesses, eating disorders (anorexia nervosa) and malignancies. We report the case of a 37-year-old man with a history of bipolar disorder and obesity (weighing >300 pounds) who presented due to recently developing a deep yellow colour to his skin. Over the past 2 years, through diet and exercise, he lost over 150 pounds. He reported running 6–8 miles per day and eating ‘lots of squash’. We made the diagnosis of starvation hepatitis and bone marrow degeneration, and referred the patient to a dietician and haematologist/oncologist, where improvements were observed at 4 weeks follow-up.
Modeling of crowd load in vertical direction using biodynamic model for pedestrians crossing footbridges
Authors: da Silva Felipe Tavares , Brito Halane Maria Braga Fernandes , Pimentel Roberto Leal
Published: July 2013

In the analysis of vibration of footbridges in vertical direction, for crowd situations, there is evidence in the literature that the whole effect of pedestrian action is not well modeled when applying current force-only models to represent such an action. In these models, the action of each pedestrian is represented by a pulsating force applied on the structure. In this paper, a crowd load model is proposed for sparse and dense crowds (with densities up to around 1.0 pedestrian/m2) in which biodynamic models are added to represent the whole action of pedestrians. The focus of the investigation is on vibration effects in vertical direction. Comparisons with measurements on a prototype footbridge were carried out and made it possible to identify differences in the structural response when applying force-only and force-biodynamic models to represent the pedestrian action. The latter (proposed) model resulted in a better agreement with the measurements.
CHARGED SHELLS AND ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
Authors: CASADIO ROBERTO
Published: July 2013

We review the General Relativistic model of a (quasi-)pointlike particle represented by a massive shell of electrically charged matter, which displays an ADM mass M equal to the electric charge |Q| in the small-volume limit. We employ the Israel–Darboux's junction equations to explicitly derive this result, and then study the modifications introduced by the existence of a minimum length scale λ. For λ of the order of the Planck length (or larger), we find that the ADM mass becomes equal to the bare mass m0 of the shell, like it occurs for the neutral case.
DARK ENERGY FROM FIFTH-DIMENSIONAL BRANS–DICKE THEORY
Authors: BAHREHBAKHSH AMIR F. , FARHOUDI MEHRDAD , VAKILI HAJAR
Published: July 2013

Following the approach of the induced-matter theory, we investigate the cosmological implications of a five-dimensional Brans–Dicke (BD) theory, and propose to explain the acceleration of the universe. After inducing in a four-dimensional hypersurface, we classify the energy–momentum tensor into two parts in a way that, one part represents all kind of the matter (the baryonic and dark) and the other one contains every extra terms emerging from the scale factor of the fifth dimension and the scalar field, which we consider as the energy–momentum tensor of dark energy. We also separate the energy–momentum conservation equation into two conservation equations, one for matter and the other for dark energy. We perform this procedure for different cases, without interacting term and with two particular (suitable) interacting terms between the two parts. By assuming the parameter of the state equation for dark energy to be constant, the equations of the model admit the power-law solutions. Though, the noninteracting case does not give any accelerated universe, but the interacting cases give both decelerated and accelerated universes. For the interacting cases, we figure out analytically the acceptable ranges of some parameters of the model, and also investigate the data analysis to test the model parameter values consistency with the observational data of the distance modulus of 580 SNe Ia compiled in Union2.1. For one of these interacting cases, the best fitted values suggest that BD coupling constant (ω) is ≃ -7.75, however, it also gives the state parameter of dark energy (wX) equal to ≃ -0.67. In addition, the model gives the Hubble and deceleration parameters at the present time to be H◦ ≃ 69.4 (km/s)/Mpc and q◦ ≃ -0.38 (within their confidence intervals), where the scale factor of the fifth dimension shrinks with the time.
ENGINEERING TRANSPORT BY CONCATENATED MAPS
Authors: SCHELL TORBEN , SADGROVE MARK , NAKAGAWA KEN'ICHI , WIMBERGER SANDRO
Published: July 2013

We present a generalized kick rotor model in which the phase of the kick can vary from kick to kick. This additional freedom allows one to control the transport in phase space. For a specific choice of kick-to-kick phases, we predict novel forms of accelerator modes which are potentially of high relevance for future experimental studies.
QUANTUM TRANSPORT IN BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONAL UNITS: NOISE, DISORDER, STRUCTURE
Authors: ZECH T. , WALSCHAERS M. , SCHOLAK T. , MULET R. , WELLENS T. , BUCHLEITNER A.
Published: July 2013

Through simulations of quantum coherent transport on disordered molecular networks, we show that three dimensional structures characterized by centro-symmetric Hamiltonians exhibit on average higher transport efficiencies than random configurations. Furthermore, configurations that optimize constructive quantum interference from input to output site yield systematically shorter transfer times than classical transport induced by ambient dephasing noise.
STRUCTURAL, ELECTRONIC, MAGNETIC, AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF 3d TRANSITION METAL ENDOHEDRAL M@Ge12H12(M=Sc–Ni) CLUSTERS
Authors: TANG CHUNMEI , ZHU WEIHUA , ZHANG AIMEI , LIU MINGYI , ZHANG KAIXIAO
Published: July 2013

The fulerine- Ni @ Ge 12 H 12 structure, which composes of four pentagons and four rhombi and is like a fullerene, has a closed-shell electronic structure, the largest HOMO–LUMO energy gap, the highest vertical ionization potential, and the lowest vertical electron affinity. All of these properties are characteristic of a magic cluster, therefore, we strongly suggest fulerine- Ni @ Ge 12 H 12 should be a magic cluster and promising as building blocks in developing cluster-assembled nanomaterials. This can be interpreted by the weak interaction between Ni and the cage together with the transference of two electrons from the 4s orbital to the 3d orbital of Ni . The magnetic moment of fulerine- M @ Ge 12 H 12( M = Sc – Ni ) varies from 0 to 3 μB, implying they have potential applications in developing new nanomaterials with tunable magnetic properties. The calculated TDDFT optical properties of fulerine- M @ Ge 12 H 12( M = Sc – Ni ) can be tuned broadly in the ultraviolet–visible region. This is very important for optoelectronic applications.
DYNAMIC RESPONSE OF COMPOSITE PLATES IN HYGROTHERMAL ENVIRONMENT
Authors: RATH M. K. , SAHU S. K.
Published: July 2013

The present study deals with both experimental and numerical investigation on vibration behavior of laminated composite plates subjected to varying temperature and moisture. Extensive experiments are carried out for free vibration analysis of woven fiber Glass/Epoxy composite plates under hygrothermal conditions. The specimens were hygrothermally conditioned in a humidity cabinet where the conditions were maintained at high temperatures and moisture concentrations.
A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CHARACTERISTICS OF STOCK HOLDINGS OF FOREIGN AND LOCAL INVESTORS IN THE INDONESIAN STOCK EXCHANGE (IDX)
Authors: SUDIMAN JOSEPHINE , ALLEN DAVID , POWELL ROBERT
Published: July 2013

This study provides an overview of the characteristics of stockholdings of foreign and local investors in terms of firm sizes, price levels and liquidity. There are four key findings. First, the IDX is a highly concentrated market and foreign investors dominate the ownership of high market capitalization stocks. Second, foreign investors trade less frequently than domestic counterparts. Third, small, illiquid lower priced stocks dominate this market with domestic individual investors holding most of the stocks with these characteristics. Finally, the paper profits of foreign institutional and domestic individual investors are found to be higher than those of domestic institutional investors.
The Ellismuir fossil arachnid – the only known Scottish Carboniferous trigonotarbid
Authors: Dunlop Jason A. , Ross Andrew J. , Stewart Sarah E.
Published: July 2013

Synopsis

Elaverimartus pococki
Petrunkevitch 1953 from above the Kiltongue Coal Seam (Langsettian) of Ellismuir, Baillieston (Glasgow) is the only example of the extinct arachnid order Trigonotarbida recorded from the Carboniferous Coal Measures of Scotland. The fossil is from the Robert Dunlop collection and, although not so well preserved, historical documentation in the National Museums Scotland includes a preliminary drawing of the specimen prepared by Ben Peach, together with an unpublished manuscript name, ‘
Palaeophalangium Scoticum
’, implying an ancient Scottish harvestman (Arachnida, Opiliones). A mention in a published meetings report of the
Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow
unfortunately made this manuscript name available. Its status as a widely overlooked
nomen nudum
is clarified here for completeness. A proposal to treat
Elaverimartus
Petrunkevitch 1953 as a junior synonym of
Aphantomartus
Pocock 1911 would render
E. pococki
a junior homonym of an already synonymized species. Given the inadequate preservation of the holotype, we prefer to treat
E. pococki
as a
nomen dubium
and thus circumvent the need to replace the name.