bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of increased alcohol availability during adolescence on the risk of all‐cause and cause‐specific disability pension: a natural experiment
Authors: Thern Emelie , de Munter Jeroen , Hemmingsson Tomas , Davey Smith George , Ramstedt Mats , Tynelius Per , Rasmussen Finn
Published: January 2017

Aim

To test if being exposed to increased alcohol availability during adolescence is associated with an increased risk of receiving disability pension due to all‐cause, alcohol use disorders and mental disorders.

Design

Register‐based population‐based study using a natural experiment setting, the alcohol policy change in Sweden (1967–68), with increased access to strong beer in a narrow time window and geographical area. The individuals exposed to the policy change were compared with non‐exposed individuals living in the rest of Sweden, excluding a border area.

Setting

Sweden.

Participants

A total of 518 810 individuals (70 761 in the intervention group; 448 049 in the control group) born 1948–1953, aged 14–20 years during the policy change.

Measurements

Date and diagnosis of the outcome variable of disability pension due to all‐cause, alcohol use disorders and mental disorders were obtained from the Swedish National Social Insurance Agency database from 1971 to 2013. Individual and family level socio‐demographic and health‐related covariates, as well as a regional level covariate, were included.

Findings

Compared with the control group, adolescents exposed to the alcohol policy change were at an increased risk of receiving disability pension due to all‐causes [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.07–1.11], alcohol use disorders (HR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05–1.30) and mental disorders (HR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.15–1.23).

Conclusion

In Sweden, a natural experiment with a 43‐year follow‐up suggests that exposure to increased alcohol availability during adolescence is associated with an increased risk of receiving a disability pension due to all‐cause, alcohol use disorder and mental disorder diagnoses.
Prevalence of small testicular hyperechogenic foci in subgroups of 382 non‐vasectomized, azoospermic men: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fedder J.
Published: January 2017

Testicular hyperechogenic foci (THF) are associated with Klinefelter's syndrome, cryptorchidism, infertility, and testicular germ cell neoplasia. The aims of the study were to evaluate THF in relation to etiology of azoospermia and to Sertoli cell dysfunction. The structures inside the scrotum of consecutive non‐vasectomized, azoospermic were examined by ultrasonography, and hormone (FSH, LH, testosterone, and prolactin), and genetic analyses (karyotype, Y microdeletions, and CFTR mutations) were performed. At testicular ultrasonography, patients were graduated into: pronounced THF (>7 THF per transducer field), distributed universally (uTHF) or collected in plaques (pTHF), borderline THF (bTHF; 3–7 THF per transducer field), or no THF (<3 THF per transducer field). Diagnostic testicular biopsy was taken open or with TruCut needle (14G). THF status was sufficiently described in 382 of 449 potential participants, and testicular histology was available in 300 cases. Presence of ultrasonographically detectable THF was compared to presence of testicular microlithiasis (TM) detected histologically. Sertoli cell dysfunction was investigated in a subgroup using a three‐stage immunoperoxidase technique for detection of cytokeratin‐18 (CK‐18). The prevalence of THF was 13.4%. uTHF was found in 11 men (2.9%), the pattern was bilateral in four while other four had bTHF in the other testis. pTHF was detected in eight cases (2.1%), and except for one case with Klinefelter's syndrome, pTHF was in all cases occurring unilaterally. bTHF was detected in 32 cases (8.4%), bilaterally in 17 (53%). Pronounced THF was significantly associated with testicular malignancy. CK‐18 was detected in more azoospermic men with sperm production in ≤50% seminiferous tubules than in azoospermic men with spermatogenesis in ≥90% of seminiferous tubules and normal controls (p < 0.05). Unfortunately, TM detected histologically was not detected in any patient expressing THF, and neither THF nor TM was detected in any of the patients examined for CK‐18. Sertoli cell dysfunction was not associated with testicular microlithiasis or hyperechogenic foci.
Guideline of guidelines: non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Woldu Solomon L. , Bagrodia Aditya , Lotan Yair
Published: January 2017

Non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) represents the vast majority of bladder cancer diagnoses, but this definition represents a spectrum of disease with a variable clinical course, notable for significant risk of recurrence and potential for progression. Management involves risk‐adapted strategies of cystoscopic surveillance and intravesical therapy with the goal of bladder preservation when safe to do so. Multiple organizational guidelines exist to help practitioners manage this complicated disease process, but adherence to management principles among practising urologists is reportedly low. We review four major organizational guidelines on NMIBC: the American Urological Association (AUA)/Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), European Association of Urology (EAU), National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
Mental distress in treatment seeking young adults (18–25 years) with severe obesity compared with population controls of different body mass index levels: cohort study
Authors: Dreber H. , Reynisdottir S. , Angelin B. , Tynelius P. , Rasmussen F. , Hemmingsson E.
Published: January 2017

Young adults (18–25) with severe obesity constitute a challenging patient group, and there is limited evidence about their mental health status compared to population controls. Mental distress in treatment seeking young adults with severe obesity (n = 121, mean body mass index [BMI] = 39.8 kg m−2) was compared with matched (1:3 for age, gender and socioeconomic status) population controls of normal weight (n = 363, mean BMI = 22.4 kg m−2), as well as unmatched population controls with class I obesity (n = 105, mean BMI = 32.1 kg m−2) or severe obesity (n = 41, mean BMI = 39.7 kg m−2). Mental distress was measured by the General Health Questionnaire‐12 (GHQ‐12), and we quantified physician‐diagnosed depression, present anxiety and suicide attempts. Poisson regression and linear regression analysis were used for analysing differences in mental distress between groups. Treatment seekers experienced more mental distress than normal weight controls as measured by continuous (adjusted mean: 3.9 vs. 2.2 points, P <0.001) and categorical (cut‐off for mental distress ≥3 points, RR: 1.76, P <0.001) GHQ‐12 scores, depression (RR: 2.18, P < 0.001), anxiety (RR: 1.97, P < 0.001) and suicide attempts (RR: 2.04; P = 0.034). Treatment seekers also experienced more mental distress as measured by continuous GHQ‐12 than controls with class I obesity (adjusted mean: 2.3 points) or severe obesity (adjusted mean: 2.1; both, P < 0.001). Young adult treatment seekers with severe obesity constitute a risk group for mental distress compared to population controls of different BMI levels.
Noncompaction cardiomyopathy: The role of advanced multimodality imaging techniques in diagnosis and assessment
Authors: Chebrolu Lakshmi H. , Mehta Anjlee M. , Nanda Navin C.
Published: January 2017

Noncompaction cardiomyopathy (NCCM) is a unique cardiomyopathy with a diverse array of genotypic and phenotypic manifestations. Its hallmark morphology consists of a bilayered myocardium with a compact epicardial layer and prominent trabeculations that comprise the noncompacted endocardial layer. The controversial diagnostic criteria for NCCM have been frequently discussed in the literature. This review touches on those diagnostic criteria, delves further into the evolving use of advanced imaging techniques within the major imaging modalities (echocardiography, computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging), and proposes an alternative algorithm incorporating these techniques for aiding with the diagnosis of NCCM.
The Price of Being a Systemically Important Financial Institution (SIFI)
Authors: Dacorogna Michel , Busse Marc
Published: January 2017

After reviewing the notion of Systemically Important Financial Institution, we propose a first principles way to compute the price of the implicit put option that the State gives to such an institution. Our method is based on important results from extreme value theory, one for the aggregation of heavy‐tailed distributions and the other one for the tail behavior of the value at risk versus the tail value at risk. We show that the value of the put option is proportional to the value at risk of the institution and thus would provide the wrong incentive to banks who are qualified as Systemically Important Financial Institutions. This wrong incentive exists even if the guarantee is not explicitly granted. We conclude with a proposal to make the institution pay the price of this option to a fund, whose task would be to guarantee the orderly bankruptcy of such an institution. This fund would function like an insurance selling a cover to clients.
The impact of an individualized risk‐adjusted approach on hypertension treatment in primary care
Authors: Zechmann Stefan , Senn Oliver , Valeri Fabio , Neuner‐Jehle Stefan , Rosemann Thomas , Djalali Sima ,   the FIRE Study Group
Published: January 2017

Previous studies suggest that up to 60% of all patients with hypertension receive inappropriate treatment. Current 2013 European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology (ESH/ESC) guidelines recommend taking cardiovascular risk factors into account when assessing treatment for patients with hypertension. The authors hypothesize that this approach will reduce the proportion of patients receiving inappropriate treatment. In this cross‐sectional study using electronic medical records of Swiss primary care patients, the authors estimate the proportion of patients receiving inappropriate treatment using two approaches: (1) based on a blood pressure threshold of 140/90 mm Hg; and (2) based on cardiovascular risk factors. A total of 22 434 patients with hypertension were identified. Based on these approaches, 72.7% and 44.6% of patients, respectively, qualified for drug treatment. In addition, 23.0% and 10.8% of patients, respectively, received inappropriate treatment. Application of the 2013 ESH/ESC guidelines reduced the proportion of patients receiving inappropriate treatment by 50%. This shows the major impact of risk adjustment and highlights the need for a patient‐centered approach in hypertension treatment.
Citizen and State Equality in a Supranational Political Community: Degressive Proportionality and the Pouvoir Constituant Mixte
Authors: Habermas Jürgen
Published: January 2017

In the European Parliament seats are distributed according to a principle of degressive proportionality that privileges smaller member states. While serving the principle of state equality, this arrangement seems to violate the principle of citizen equality. In this article, I consider whether a deviation from the equal representation of citizens can be justified in the context of a supranational political community. The main thesis is that the conflict between citizen and state equality can be dissolved if we understand the European Union as based on a pouvoir constituant mixte. Today, each European finds herself in a dual role as an EU citizen and a state citizen. While the member state peoples strive for supranational democracy, they have an interest in preserving their domestic structures of self‐government. Thus, the rules of representation in the EP can be reconstructed as an expression of the legitimate will of a dual constituent subject.
Do group dynamics affect colour morph clines during a range shift?
Authors: Lancaster L. T. , Dudaniec R. Y. , Hansson B. , Svensson E. I.
Published: January 2017

Species exhibiting colour polymorphism are thought to have an ecological advantage at the landscape scale, because spatial segregation of alternatively adapted ecotypes into diverse habitats can increase the species' niche breadth and thus confer greater geographic range size. However, morph frequencies are also influenced by intrapopulational processes such as frequency‐ or density‐dependent social interactions. To identify how social feedback may affect clinal variation in morph frequencies, we investigated reciprocal interactions between morph‐specific thermal tolerance, local climatic conditions and social environments, in the context of a colour‐morph frequency cline associated with a recent range expansion in blue‐tailed damselflies (Ischnura elegans) in Sweden. Cold tolerances of gynochromes (female‐like female morph) were positively correlated with local gynochrome frequencies, suggesting a positive frequency‐dependent fitness benefit. In contrast, androchrome (male‐mimic female morph) cold tolerances were improved following recent exposure to cold weather, suggesting a beneficial environmental acclimation effect. Thus, according to an environment‐matching hypothesis for clinal variation, androchrome frequencies should therefore increase towards the (cooler) range limit. In contrast to this prediction, gynochrome frequencies increased at the expanding range limit, consistent with a positive frequency‐dependent social feedback that is beneficial when invading novel climates. Our results suggest that when phenotypes or fitnesses are affected by interactions with conspecifics, beneficial social effects on environmental tolerances may (i) facilitate range shifts, and (ii) reverse or counteract typical patterns of intraspecific interactions and environment‐matching clines observed in stable populations observed over broader geographic scales.
Esophagogastric junction contractile integral and morphology: Two high‐resolution manometry metrics of the anti‐reflux barrier
Authors: Ham Hyoju , Cho Yu Kyung , Lee Han Hee , Yoon Seung Bae , Lim Chul‐Hyun , Kim Jin Su , Park Jae Myung , Choi Myung‐Gyu
Published: January 2017

Background and Aim

We evaluated associations of esophagogastric junction (EGJ) metrics as an anti‐reflux barrier with impedance–pH, endoscopic esophagitis, and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) metrics.

Methods

We reviewed high‐resolution manometry data from consecutive patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms who underwent impedance–pH and endoscopy, and asymptomatic volunteers. The EGJ contractile integral (CI) was calculated as the mean contractile integral/second during three respiratory cycles. EGJ morphology was classified according to LES–crural diaphragm (CD) separation.

Results

In total, 137 patients (65 male, age 55 years) and 23 (9 male, age 33 years) controls were enrolled. Twenty‐five patients had erosive reflux disease (ERD), 16 had non‐erosive reflux disease (NERD), 5 had reflux hypersensitivity, and 91 were not GERD. EGJ‐CI were lower in patients with GERD (22.6 [13.8–29.2] mmHg cm) than non‐GERD (50.3 [31–69.9] mmHg cm, P < 0.01) and controls (67 [26.7–78.7] mmHg cm). With an EGJ‐CI cut‐off value of 30 mmHg cm, the area under the curve was 0.814 (0.762–0.896), with 77.8% sensitivity and 81.7% specificity for the prediction of GERD. LES–CD separation was greatest in patients with ERD, followed the NERD, non‐GERD, and controls. EGJ morphology type III was associated with a higher DeMeester score (7.9 [1.6–12.6]) than were type II (3.25 [0.9–5.975]) and I (1.75 [0.8–6.2]; P < 0.01). EGJ‐CI values were lower in patients with GERD than in others in each EGJ morphology subgroup.

Conclusion

Esophagogastric junction contractile integral showed good diagnostic accuracy with high specificity in predicting GERD. LES–CD separation is associated with an increase in acid reflux, but EGJ‐CI was associated more strongly with GERD than was EGJ morphology.
“Cimarronaje Institucional:” Ethno‐racial Legal Status and the Subversive Institutionalization of Afrodescendant Organizations in Bolivarian Venezuela
Authors: Ruette‐Orihuela Krisna , Caballero‐Arias Hortensia
Published: January 2017

Este artículo analiza cómo los activistas del movimiento Afro‐venezolano participan en las instituciones del Estado Bolivariano con el fin de promover agendas en contra de la discriminación racial y en pro del reconocimiento étnico. Con la intensión de trascender los conceptos clásicos de institucionalización, examinamos los logros, ambigüedades y desafíos que experimentan estos actores en su incorporación a las diferentes esferas institucionales. Proponemos que este proceso identificado por el movimiento como “cimarronaje institucional” abre oportunidades para la creación de nuevos espacios de participación en las instituciones nacionales y locales. Sugerimos que esta práctica política se encuentra moralmente interpelada por una “ética del cimarronaje” —un marco de acción colectiva que sintetiza ideologías de resistencia histórica ante la exclusión racial y social. Argumentamos que la institucionalización no necesariamente conlleva a la paralización de la acción colectiva, sino también representa una fase más en la relación entre los movimientos sociales y el Estado.
Multidimensional impact on families of children with steroid‐sensitive nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Dhooria Gurdeep S , Singh Harmeet P , Bhat Deepak , Bains Harmesh S , Soni Ravinder K , Kumar Mohit
Published: January 2017

Aim

Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) have prolonged disease course with relapses requiring frequent visits and prolonged steroid therapy with their long‐term concerns. All these factors affect the child and their families in many domains of functioning. The objective of this study was to assess multidimensional impact on families of children with nephrotic syndrome using (PedsQL) Family Impact Module (FIM).

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted in a paediatric nephrology clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Fifty cases of steroid‐sensitive nephrotic syndrome between age group of 2–18 years were included, and equal age–sex matched healthy children were taken as controls.

Baseline demographic factors including age, gender and education status, modified Kuppuswamy's socio‐economic status were collected and clinical variables of NS cases were recorded. FIM is a parent‐reported instrument that measures the impact of paediatric chronic health conditions on care giver's HRQOL and their family function. Mean FIM scores were compared among the cases and controls, and different predictive factors affecting family impact (FI) were analysed.

Results

The FI total score showed significantly lower scores in cases (mean score: 60.76 ± 15.66) as compared to controls (mean 100). Among the individual groups, lowest scores were found in two domains, namely ‘worry’ and ‘emotional function’ with mean scores of 46.20 ± 20.66 and 46.80 ± 24.61, respectively, although other domains were also significantly affected.

Conclusion

FI score should be evaluated in all cases of NS as parenting such children may significantly affect all domains of family functioning.
Replacing corn with sorghum in the diet alters intestinal microbiota without altering chicken performance
Authors: Fagundes N. S. , Pereira R. , Bortoluzzi C. , Rafael J. M. , Napty G. S. , Barbosa J. G. M. , Sciencia M. C. M. , Menten J. F. M.
Published: January 2017

Sorghum grain can be used to replace corn in broiler diets. However, the effects related to an abrupt change between these grains are not yet clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and intestinal health of broilers fed diets containing corn and/or sorghum during different periods of rearing. To accomplish this aim, 2100 male chicks were fed the following experimental diets: C100% (corn‐based diet); S100% (sorghum‐based diet); C:S50% (diet based on corn and sorghum 1:1); PC‐S (corn‐based diet in the pre‐starter phase and sorghum‐based diet in subsequent phases); and PS‐C (sorghum‐based diet in the pre‐starter phase and corn‐based diet in subsequent phases). The study was conducted with two simultaneous trials in a randomized block design as follows: a performance trial up to 40 days occurred in floor pens (n = 8), and the metabolism trial occurred in cages (n = 10). Performance, jejunal morphometry, number of goblet cells, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen (AMEn) and the coefficient of apparent metabolizability of dry matter (CMDM) of the diets, and the intestinal microbiota of small intestine and caeca at 10 and 21 days of age (16S gene sequencing) were evaluated. The different experimental diets did not affect performance, jejunal epithelium, AME, AMEn or CMDM. However, the experimental diets altered the percentages of the genera Clostridium, Weissella, Bacillus and Alkaliphilus in the small intestine. In addition, the genera Lactobacillus and Desulfotomaculum in the caeca were altered. The age also affected the microbiota of the intestinal segments. In conclusion, feeding sorghum in place of corn as well as the grain change after the pre‐starter phase does not alter broiler performance. However, sorghum alters the intestinal microbiota, resulting in a lower percentage of Clostridium and a higher percentage of Lactobacillus in the small intestine and caeca, respectively.
Trans‐Congregational Triadic Closure: Churchgoers’ Networks Within and Beyond the Pews
Authors: Schafer Markus H. , Upenieks Laura
Published: January 2017

Triadic closure is the common tendency for connections to emerge between people's social network ties. This phenomenon has clear implications for congregational networks and may underlie many of the social benefits associated with church involvement. Less documented in the sociology of religion, however, is the occurrence of triadic closure involving congregational and noncongregational relationships within people's close personal networks. To conceptualize this boundary‐spanning network overlap, we elaborate the concept of trans‐congregational triadic closure (TCTC). Using data from the Portraits of American Life Survey—a project that examines both general and congregation‐specific networks of U.S. adults—we consider how religious tradition, macro‐level context, and individual factors predict the occurrence of TCTC in churchgoers’ networks. Findings suggest pronounced differences between evangelicals and mainline Protestants, a considerably lower likelihood of TCTC in densely populated areas, and higher likelihoods of TCTC corresponding with long durations of congregational involvement. We conclude by noting some of the implications of TCTC for the lives of individual believers and for religious organizations, and suggest ways that this concept could elucidate further aspects of contemporary religious life.
Vegetation assemblages of central Mexico through the late Quaternary: modern analogs and compositional turnover
Authors: Caballero‐Rodríguez Dayenari , Lozano‐García Socorro , Correa‐Metrio Alexander
Published: January 2017

Question

When did vegetation assemblages that occupy modern central Mexico appear within the context of the late Quaternary?

Location

Central Mexico.

Methods

We used modern and fossil pollen data sets from central Mexico to explore the evolution of regional vegetation through the late Quaternary. A total of 1397 samples (1357 fossil samples distributed in 17 records and 40 modern samples) were analysed through detrended correspondence analysis to evaluate the degree of analogy between modern and past vegetation assemblages, and regional vegetation compositional turnover through time.

Results

There was a high degree of analogy between modern and glacial vegetation, whereas the early and mid‐Holocene were characterized by a high frequency of no‐modern‐analogue pollen assemblages. Vegetation turnover during the glacial time was characterized by both pulses of abrupt change and episodes of stability. In contrast, vegetation turnover was high through most of the Holocene. Both vegetation turnover and past vegetation analogy to modern were not synchronous in altitudinal zones, except for the past 2000 yrs, when pollen assemblages suggest a high vegetation analogy to modern‐day throughout the region.

Conclusions

Human impacts on central Mexico regional vegetation were consistently evident during the last 2000 yrs, suggesting that biodiversity expressed in the modern vegetation assemblages incorporates a high anthropogenic imprint. High resemblance of glacial and modern landscapes suggests that the effect of human occupation on the landscape is similar to that exerted by glacial time environmental stress. However, loss of ecosystem connectivity under the modern pattern of landscape homogenization represents an unprecedented threat for regional biodiversity.
The use of PowerPoint in theatre as an aid to improve patient safety and avoid ‘Never Events’
Authors: Patel D. , Patel K. , Sneddon K.
Published: January 2017

Aim

To minimise the risk of ‘Never Events’ such as wrong tooth extraction(s), from occurring during dento‐alveolar surgery in theatre.

Methods

The uses of PowerPoint to create a virtual and visual collage of dento‐alveolar cases on an operating list, displaying radiographs and key patient information, as an aid to improve patient safety. Highlighting and ‘AutoShape’ tools can be used on digital radiographs to mark teeth consented for extraction. Other essential information such as medical history and allergies may also be displayed.

Conclusion

A simple and effective method for enhancing essential digital imaging using PowerPoint, and collating information in one place. This aids the surgeon and theatre staff by involving and informing all theatre team members with regard to the procedure, minimising the risk of errors occurring and therefore improving patient safety. Other important information can also be displayed, utilising the technology available. Teeth that require extraction are marked electronically on the radiograph using highlighting tools or autoshape, as well as being noted on the presentation.
Is it advisable to include negative attributes to assess the stereotype content? Yes, but only in the morality dimension
Authors: Sayans‐Jiménez Pablo , Rojas Tejada Antonio José , Cuadrado Guirado Isabel
Published: January 2017

Competence, morality and sociability dimensions have shown to be essential to measure stereotypes. Theoretically, the attributes associated with the negative pole of morality are more reliable and have shown to have higher evaluative weight. However, the current research usually employs only positive attributes to measure each dimension. Since the advantages of the inclusion of negative morality are clear it would be interesting to know about the effects of the inclusion of such type of attributes (i.e., it is good or bad for the measurement). The purpose of this study is to examine if the addition of negative items makes possible to improve the stereotype content measures. This study compares the differences between scales with various compositions of positive and negative items of stereotypes to predict three related variables: anger, fear and a semantic differential of evaluation. The study was carried out with a sample of 550 Spaniards. The data found highlights the importance of using attributes of the negative pole of morality in studying stereotypes. Their use was able to explain the intergroup emotional responses and the semantic differential more efficiently.
High Speed SPR Visualization of Frost Propagation Inside a Subcooled Water Droplet
Authors: Jeong Chan Ho , Lee Seong Hyuk , Shin Dong Hwan , Konduru Vinaykumar , Allen Jeffrey S. , Choi Chang Kyoung
Published: January 2017

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) imaging microscopy coupled to a high-speed camera is used to visualize the frost propagation inside a subcooled liquid droplet. The SPR experimental setup consists of a 50 nm thick gold-coated cover glass placed on a BK7 dove prism and optically matched using index matching liquid. Collimated monochromatic light of 600 nm wavelength is incident on the gold-glass interface at 71.8°, which corresponds to the SPR minima angle for ice (RI 1.309). Images are captured using Photron APS-RS camera at 1000 fps with a shutter speed of 1 ms. The prism and the gold film are cooled using a thermo-electric cooler (TEC). A water droplet is placed on the gold film and the temperature of the droplet is decreased from room temperature (23.0 ± 1 °C) to below 0 °C. Adjacent to the water droplet, the vapor condensates to form tiny droplets. The tiny condensate droplets would freeze first and the frost propagates through the condensate region. During this period the central droplet is in a subcooled state. The speed of frost propagation through the condensates is slow and takes tens of seconds to cover the gold film with ice. Within a single condensate droplet, however, the frost propagation velocity is expected to be considerably higher. Eventually the frost line reaches the central droplet. There is a delay of few seconds between the frost line reaching the droplet and frost propagation inside the droplet. The point at which frost touches the subcooled droplet acts as a nucleation site for the droplet and the frost propagates in the droplet at high speed. The average velocities of frost propagations in the subcooled liquid droplet were calculated to be 5.2 ± 0.3 cm/s and 7.4 ± 0.5 cm/s, when the gold film temperature was -5.0 ± 1 °C and -7.8 ± 1 °C respectively.
Experimental and Numerical Visualization of Droplet-Induced Crown Splashing Dynamics
Authors: Zhang Taolue , Muthusamy J. P. , Alvarado Jorge , Kanjirakat Anoop , Sadr Reza
Published: January 2017

The objective of this study was to visualize the droplet-induced crown splashing dynamics at high spatial and temporal resolutions. In this work, the effects of droplet train impingement on crown splashing dynamics were investigated experimentally and numerically. Experimentally, a HFE-7100 droplet train was produced using a piezo-electric droplet generator at a frequency ( f ) of 7500 Hz resulting in a droplet Weber number (We) of 489. Droplet-induced crown splashing dynamics was captured using a high-speed imaging system. It was observed that the free rim of the droplet-induced crown was smooth and axisymmetric during the early crown propagation phases (t*< 5, where t* = 2πft). However, development of cusps was observed on the free rim during the intermediate phases (5< t* <8.5). It was found that the sites of the spikes distributed almost uniformly along the periphery of the free rim. At late phases (t* > 8.5), fingering, detachment and secondary droplets (i.e. splashing) were observed on the free rim. Results show that the number of cusps (finally becoming fingers and spikes) based on experiments (ncups,exp) agrees well with the prediction (ncups,th) given by the Plateau-Rayleigh instability theory. Numerical simulations were carried out using a 3D transient coupled level set-volume of fluid (CLSVOF) solver with Courant number less than 1. A grid independence study was performed to ensure the results were independent of grid size. Reasonable agreement was reached between the numerical and experimental data in terms of crown morphology at different phases. This study should lead to a better understanding of the evolution of droplet-induced crown morphology at splashing conditions.
Thin Film Condensation Supported on Ambiphilic Microstructures
Authors: Ölçeroğlu Emre , Hsieh Chia-Yun , Lau Kenneth K. S. , McCarthy Matthew
Published: January 2017

Ambiphilic surfaces have been used to support thin liquid films during condensation and imaged using environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Ambiphilic microstructures (a) are comprised of hydrophilic deep etched silicon micropillars with hydrophobic post tops made of PTFE deposited using iCVD. By restraining the growth of the liquid film using hydrophobic post tops (b), thermal resistance is reduced and heat transfer is increased. During condensation on ambiphilic microstructures the condensate initially fills the post array (b), but then bursts outward to accommodate continued production of liquid (c). This creates a low contact angle droplet on the surface (c), and could lead to complete flooding and decreased performance. With the addition of hydrophilic nanostructures to the micropost array (d), ambiphilic hierarchical structures have been fabricated with dedicated burst sites (e). During condensation the structures maintain a thin liquid film and excess liquid emerges from the burst sites as highly mobile spherical droplets (e). This maximizes the thin film area available for vapor-to-liquid phase change while minimizing thermal resistance across the condensate layer. Scale bars: (a) 5 µm, (b,c) 50 µm, (d) 2 µm, and (e) 25 µm.
In-Cylinder Flow Correlations Between Steady Flow Bench and Motored Engine Using Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Yang Xiaofeng , Kuo Tang-Wei , Guralp Orgun , Grover Ronald O. , Najt Paul
Published: January 2017

Intake port flow performance plays a substantial role in determining the volumetric efficiency and in-cylinder charge motion of a spark-ignited engine. Steady-state flow bench and motored engine flow computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were carried out to bridge these two approaches for the evaluation of port flow and charge motion (such as discharge coefficient, swirl/tumble ratios (SR/TR)). The intake port polar velocity profile and polar physical clearance profile were generated to evaluate the port performance based on local flow velocity and physical clearance in the valve-seat region. The measured data were taken from standard steady-state flow bench tests of an intake port for validation of CFD simulations. It was reconfirmed that the predicted discharge coefficients and swirl/tumble index (SI/TI) of steady flow bench simulations have a good correlation with those of motored engine flow simulations. Polar velocity profile is strongly affected by polar physical clearance profile. The polar velocity inhomogeneity factor (IHF) correlates well with the port discharge coefficient, swirl/tumble index. Useful information can be extracted from local polar physical clearance and velocity, which can help for intake port design.
Performance Metric for Turbine Stage Under Unsteady Pulsating Flow Environment
Authors: Lee Jinwook , Tan Choon S. , Sirakov Borislav T. , Im Hong-Sik , Babak Martin , Tisserant Denis , Wilkins Chris
Published: January 2017

In a turbine stage for a vehicular turbocharger or a pulse detonation engine (PDE) system, the power extraction process is inherently unsteady due to a highly pulsating flow delivered from the upstream combustor. Characterizing the operating performance of such a turbine stage would call for defining unsteady efficiency on a physically rigorous basis. Since the instantaneous efficiency can be calculated as the fraction of the actual power to the unsteady ideal power, an expression for the unsteady ideal power from the turbine stage is first derived by applying mass conservation and the first/second law of thermodynamics for the turbine stage. The newly derived expression elucidates the distinction from the quasi-steady situation in that the storage effect of mass/energy/entropy over the turbine stage is no longer negligible compared to the flux of mass/energy/entropy at the inlet and outlet. The storage effect resolves the previously reported physical inconsistency that the instantaneous efficiency can be a value of above unity or below zero; an erroneous result associated with defining the efficiency based on a quasi-steady basis. As the reduced frequency of the inlet pulsation of the turbine stage becomes larger than unity, the mass/energy/entropy accumulation rate over the turbine stage becomes significant compared to the mass/energy/entropy influx rate. Then, the definition of the efficiency based on a quasi-steady assumption loses its applicability. In this paper, the role of mass/energy/entropy storage rate in the unsteady ideal power is assessed in order to underpin the inconsistency in the previous quasi-steady approach. The utility of the unsteady efficiency definition is elucidated for the case of a turbocharger turbine stage subjected to high inlet flow pulsation.
Interplay of composition, structure, and electron density of states in W-Os cathode materials and relationship with thermionic emission
Authors: Zhou Qunfei , Balk Thomas John , Beck Matthew J.
Published: January 2017

The presence and composition of W-Os alloys have been found to significantly affect the thermionic emission properties of Os-coated tungsten dispenser cathodes. However, the comprehensive understanding of structure–property relationships needed to design improved tungsten cathodes with larger thermionic emission is still lacking. In this study, composition–structure–property relationships governing thermionic emission from W-Os alloys were investigated using quantum mechanical calculations. Low-energy W-Os atomic configurations at various compositions were determined from first-principles calculations based on density functional theory in combination with cluster expansion calculations. Electronic properties were investigated in terms of the electron density of states. The relative position of the Fermi level with respect to peaks and pseudogaps in the density of states for different W-Os structures can be used to explain, at least in part, observed variations in thermionic emission from Os-coated tungsten dispenser cathodes.
Marrow-inspired matrix cues rapidly affect early fate decisions of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells
Authors: Choi Ji Sun , Harley Brendan A. C.
Published: January 2017

Primary murine HSCs show divergent fate decisions with biomaterial engagement and due to marrow-inspired biophysical cues.
Large-Scale Release of
Campylobacter
Draft Genomes: Resources for Food Safety and Public Health from the 100K Pathogen Genome Project
Authors: Weis Allison M. , Huang Bihua C. , Storey Dylan B. , Kong Nguyet , Chen Poyin , Arabyan Narine , Gilpin Brent , Mason Carl , Townsend Andrea K. , Smith Woutrina A. , Byrne Barbara A. , Taff Conor C. , Weimer Bart C.
Published: January 2017

Campylobacter
is a food-associated bacterium and a leading cause of foodborne illness worldwide, being associated with poultry in the food supply. This is the initial public release of 202
Campylobacter
genome sequences as part of the 100K Pathogen Genome Project. These isolates represent global genomic diversity in the
Campylobacter
genus.
Complete Genome Sequence of Akkermansia glycaniphila Strain Pyt
T
, a Mucin-Degrading Specialist of the Reticulated Python Gut
Authors: Ouwerkerk Janneke P. , Koehorst Jasper J. , Schaap Peter J. , Ritari Jarmo , Paulin Lars , Belzer Clara , de Vos Willem M.
Published: January 2017

Akkermansia glycaniphila
is a novel
Akkermansia
species that was isolated from the intestine of the reticulated python and shares the capacity to degrade mucin with the human strain
Akkermansia muciniphila
Muc
T
. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of strain Pyt
T
of 3,074,121 bp. The genomic analysis reveals genes for mucin degradation and aerobic respiration.
Draft Genome Sequence of Highly Virulent Race 4/Biovar 3 of Ralstonia solanacearum CaRs_Mep Causing Bacterial Wilt in Zingiberaceae Plants in India
Authors: Kumar Aundy , Munjal Vibhuti , Sheoran Neelam , Prameela Thekkan Puthiyaveedu , Suseelabhai Rajamma , Aggarwal Rashmi , Jain Rakesh Kumar , Eapen Santhosh J.
Published: January 2017

The genome of
Ralstonia solanacearum
CaRs_Mep, a race 4/biovar 3/phylotype I bacterium causing wilt in small cardamom and other Zingiberaceae plants, was sequenced. Analysis of the 5.7-Mb genome sequence will aid in better understanding of the genetic determinants of host range, host jump, survival, pathogenicity, and virulence of race 4 of
R. solanacearum
.
Jejunal perforation: an unusual presentation of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in an immunosuppressed patient
Authors: Hitchen N , Warnapala D , Fisher R M , Dua J , Pratsou P , Freebairn A
Published: January 2017

We report the rare occurrence of a small bowel perforation secondary to a metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). A 70-year-old woman, who had previously undergone renal transplantation, presented with severe, sudden-onset abdominal pain. She was peritonitic on initial examination, with evidence of free intra-abdominal air on radiographic imaging. During an exploratory laparotomy, she was found to have a perforated jejunum secondary to disseminated metastases seen throughout her peritoneum. Following histopathological analysis, as well as further imaging studies, the primary malignancy was eventually identified as a cSCC on her upper back. Palliative care was started and the patient died 8 weeks following her initial presentation.
Tuberculous scleral abscess with choroidal detachment
Authors: Parchand Swapnil Madhukar , Kumar Aswanthi Sadesh , Kaliaperumal Subashini , Srinivasan Renuka
Published: January 2017

We present a case of ocular tuberculosis (TB) presenting as scleral abscess with choroidal detachment. A 60-year-old woman presented with intense pain, redness, watering and decreased vision in the right eye (RE) for 1 week duration. Slit lamp examination of RE revealed diffuse scleritis with two pus-pointing areas in the supero-temporal quadrant suggesting scleral abscess. Fundus examination of the RE showed choroidal detachment in the temporal and inferior quadrant. Left eye examination was unremarkable. Ziehl-Neelsen staining of scleral biopsy showed acid-fast bacilli.PCR of the scleral tissue was also positive forMycobacterium tuberculosisgenome. The final diagnosis of tuberculous scleral abscess with choroidal detachment was made and patient showed good response to antitubercular treatment. In countries endemic for TB, it should be considered as a differential diagnosis for scleral abscess, since prompt diagnosis and treatment will ensure good visual outcome as depicted in our case.
Optical coherence tomography angiography and fundus autofluorescence in the eyes with choroideremia
Authors: Kato Maki , Maruko Ichiro , Koizumi Hideki , Iida Tomohiro
Published: January 2017

A 65-year-old man with presumed choroideremia with preserved central vision was examined by fundus autofluorescence (FAF) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). FAF showed an isolated area of hyperautofluorescence that involved the fovea. Although the choroid capillary slab of the OCTA showed the medium and large choroidal vessels inferior to the area of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) atrophy, the choriocapillaris was visible in a relatively wider area than the hyperautofluorescent area in the FAF images. FAF and OCTA images allowed us to detect damage of the RPE before the choriocapillaris atrophy in a case of presumed choroideremia with preserved central vision.
Inadvertently boarding a pirate ship: disease progression in a paediatric patient with relapsed metastatic Ewing sarcoma receiving treatment at a centre for alternative therapy in Mexico
Authors: Cheng Jessica H , Chiang Leslie Y , Kuo Dennis John
Published: January 2017

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies are commonly incorporated into the care of patients with paediatric cancer. Many modalities are safe and effective during cancer treatment and have proved beneficial for symptom relief and quality of life. However, situations where alternative therapy is provided without allopathic medical care supportive care resources can pose a safety risk to patients. This report describes the case of a 16-year-old Chinese girl with metastatic Ewing sarcoma who sought treatment with alternative treatment in Mexico. When her disease progressed with an ensuing significant loss of function, the centre personnel were unable to respond to her acute deterioration or provide necessary medical care. This resulted in her being stranded in a foreign country paralysed, isolated, and with large unanticipated financial expenditures.
Rare and unusual case of polyarteritis nodosa involving the gastrointestinal tract leading to bowel gangrene
Authors: Jagwani Arvind Vashdev , Fathi Nik Qisti , Jailani Ruhi Fadzlyana , Zakaria Andee Dzulkarnaen
Published: January 2017

Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a systemic necrotising vasculitis preferentially targeting medium-sized arteries and not related with glomerulonephritis or small vessel involvement. Clinical manifestations of PAN are multisystem. The gastrointestinal, renal, cardiac, musculoskeletal, skin and central nervous systems may be involved. The aetiology remains unknown, and the ensuing vasculitis may lead to aneurysm formation and thrombosis in any organs of the body with resultant ischaemia. PAN of the intestines is a relatively common manifestation of this disease but rarely causes bowel ischaemia resulting in necrosis. Here we report a case of a young Chinese patient who presented with an acute abdomen requiring surgery and made good recovery post operatively. He remains free of symptoms while on steroid therapy.
Disseminated histoplasmosis presenting as diabetic keto-acidosis in an immunocompetent patient
Authors: Niknam Negin , Malhotra Prashant , Kim Angela , Koenig Seth
Published: January 2017

Histoplasma capsulatumcauses a spectrum of manifestations from asymptomatic to fatal disseminated disease. Disseminated histoplasmosis is mostly seen in endemic areas among immunocompromised patients such as those with AIDS. Here, we present a patient living in a non-endemic area with previously undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, who presented with septic shock and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), and was ultimately diagnosed with disseminated histoplasmosis. The patient rapidly recovered on administration of intravenous liposomal amphotericin followed by oral itraconazole. Uncontrolled diabetes may be a risk factor for disseminated or severe histoplasmosis in otherwise immunocompetent patients.
Rivaroxaban lessens the number of thrombi in the left atrium and right lower pulmonary vein, as illustrated by transoesophageal echocardiography but not 80-MDCT
Authors: Takeuchi Hidekazu
Published: January 2017

Stroke is a clinically important problem. A left atrial thrombus is known as a cause of ischaemic stroke. A pulmonary vein thrombus (PVT) is thought to be rare; however, PVT is common in elderly patients. Additionally, images of PVT with transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) following treatment have not been well contrasted with that from either 64 or 80-slice multidetector CT (80-MDCT). The images of such changes depicted by TEE remain unknown. An 87-year-old man with hypertension was examined by 80-MDCT and TEE to check the cardiac thrombus. Although 80-MDCT did not depict the thrombus, TEE depicted the thrombus in the left atrium and right lower pulmonary vein (RLPV) clearly. After 6 months of rivaroxaban treatment, the thrombus in the RLPV decreased slightly and the thrombus in the left atrium became small and lucent, as estimated with TEE. Rivaroxaban decreased the size of the thrombus and changed the quality of the thrombus.
Flaccid paralysis in an infant associated with a dirty wound and application of honey
Authors: Joseph Charlotte Jane , Khoo Teik Beng , Lee Keng Yee
Published: January 2017

An infant, who was born preterm at 36 weeks, presented with fever and ulcer at umbilical region which progressed to necrotising fasciitis of anterior abdominal wall. He was treated with intravenous penicillin, intravenous cloxacillin and local application of medicated honey. Subsequently, he required wound debridement. Postoperatively, he required prolonged invasive ventilation due to poor respiratory effort which was associated with hypotonia and areflexia. Nerve conduction study revealed absent responses. The diagnosis of infant botulism was made based on the clinical presentation, nerve conduction study and his clinical progress. Botulinum immunoglobulin was not available. He was treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and oral pyridostigmine. He was successfully extubated after 37 days, and currently the patient is doing well.