bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Market‐Based Framework for Quantifying Displaced Production from Recycling or Reuse
Authors: Zink Trevor , Geyer Roland , Startz Richard
Published: July 2015

The most significant environmental benefit of recycling or reusing a wide range of products and materials is typically the potential to displace primary material production; lack of displacement significantly reduces the environmental benefits of these activities. Because no consensus method to estimate displacement rate has emerged, environmental assessments have tended to assume that displacement occurs on a one‐to‐one basis. However, displaced production is a complex phenomenon governed primarily by market mechanisms, rather than physical relationships. This article advances the understanding of displacement by presenting a market‐based framework describing the displacement relationship and a methodology for quantifying displacement rate based on partial equilibrium modeling. Using this methodology, a general symbolic equation for displacement rate after an increase in recycling is derived. The model highlights the market mechanisms that govern displaced production and identifies five price response parameters that affect displacement rate. Results suggest that one‐to‐one displacement occurs only under specific parameter restrictions that are unlikely in competitive commodity markets, but zero displacement is possible if secondary materials are poor substitutes for primary materials; displacement is likely to be reduced if secondary materials have inferior technical properties. The presented methodology can be generally applied to any system in which recycled or reused materials are substitutes or complements for primary materials. Implications for improving recycling and reuse efficacy and environmental assessment methodology are discussed, and suggestions are presented for expanding the displacement methodology in future research.
How a radial focal incision influences the internal shear distribution in articular cartilage with respect to its zonally differentiated microanatomy
Authors: Nickien Mieke , Thambyah Ashvin , Broom Neil D.
Published: July 2015

Articular surface fibrillation and the loss of both transverse interconnectivity and zonal differentiation are indicators of articular cartilage (AC) degeneration. However, exactly how these structural features affect the load‐redistributing properties of cartilage is still poorly understood. This study investigated how a single radial incision made to varying depths with respect to the primary zones of AC influenced its deformation response to compression. Three depths of incision were applied to cartilage‐on‐bone tissue blocks: one not exceeding the transition zone; one into the mid‐radial zone; and one down to the calcified cartilage. Also included were non‐incised controls. All samples were compressed to a near‐equilibrium strain using a flat‐faced indenter that incorporated a central relief channel within which the incision could be positioned lengthwise along the channel axis. Employing fixation under load followed by decalcification, the structural responses of the cartilage‐on‐bone samples were investigated. The study provides an analysis of the micro‐morphological response that is characteristic of a completely normal cartilage‐on‐bone system but which contains a defined degree of disruption induced by the focal radial incision. The resulting loss of transverse continuity of the cartilage with respect to its zonally differentiated structure is shown to lead to an altered pattern of internal matrix shear whose intensity varies with incision depth.
The Motherhood Wage Penalty and Its Determinants: A Public–Private Comparison
Authors: Duvivier Chloé , Narcy Mathieu
Published: July 2015

We investigate whether public and private sector employees bear a different wage penalty for having children. According to our estimates, the total motherhood wage penalty is much larger in the private than in the public sector. Nevertheless, in both sectors, we find no unexplained penalty once we control for potential determinants of the family pay gap, namely, a reduced labour supply of mothers, child‐related career interruptions, less access to management positions, and adjustments in working conditions. Finally, only child‐related career interruptions play a different role in explaining the motherhood wage penalty in each sector.
Perspectives and reflections on the practice of behaviour change communication for infant and young child feeding
Authors: Pelto Gretel H. , Martin Stephanie L. , van Liere Marti J. , Fabrizio Cecilia S.
Published: July 2015

Behaviour change communication (BCC) is a critical component of infant and young child feeding (IYCF) interventions. In this study we asked BCC practitioners working in low‐ and middle‐income countries to participate in an examination of BCC practice. We focus here on results of their personal reflections related to larger issues of practice. We used a combination of iterative triangulation and snowball sampling procedures to obtain a sample of 29 BCC professionals. Major themes include (1) participants using tools and guidelines to structure their work, and many consider their organisation's tools to be their most important contribution to the field; (2) they value research to facilitate programme design and implementation; (3) half felt research needed to increase; (4) they have a strong commitment to respecting cultural beliefs and culturally appropriate programming; (5) they are concerned about lack of a strong theoretical foundation for their work. Based on participants' perspectives and the authors' reflections, we identified the following needs: (1) conducting a systematic examination of the alternative theoretical structures that are available for nutrition BCC, followed by a review of the evidence base and suggestions for future programmatic research to fill the gaps in knowledge; (2) developing a checklist of common patterns to facilitate efficiency in formative research; (3) developing an analytic compendium of current IYCF BCC guidelines and tools; (4) developing tools and guidelines that cover the full programme process, including use of innovative channels to support ‘scaling up nutrition’; and (5) continued support for programmes of proven effectiveness.
Nutrient supplementation may adversely affect maternal oral health – a randomised controlled trial in rural Malawi
Authors: Harjunmaa Ulla , Järnstedt Jorma , Dewey Kathryn G. , Ashorn Ulla , Maleta Kenneth , Vosti Stephen A. , Ashorn Per
Published: July 2015

Nutritional supplementation during pregnancy is increasingly recommended especially in low‐resource settings, but its oral health impacts have not been studied. Our aim was to examine whether supplementation with multiple micronutrients (MMN) or small‐quantity lipid‐based nutrient supplements affects dental caries development or periodontal health in a rural Malawian population. The study was embedded in a controlled iLiNS‐DYAD trial that enrolled 1391 pregnant women <20 gestation weeks. Women were provided with one daily iron–folic acid capsule (IFA), one capsule with 18 micronutrients (MMN) or one sachet of lipid‐based nutrient supplements (LNS) containing protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and 21 micronutrients. Oral examination of 1024 participants was conducted and panoramic X‐ray taken within 6 weeks after delivery. The supplement groups were similar at baseline in average socio‐economic, nutritional and health status. At the end of the intervention, the prevalence of caries was 56.7%, 69.1% and 63.3% (P = 0.004), and periodontitis 34.9%, 29.8% and 31.2% (P = 0.338) in the IFA, MMN and LNS groups, respectively. Compared with the IFA group, women in the MMN group had 0.60 (0.18–1.02) and in the LNS group 0.59 (0.17–1.01) higher mean number of caries lesions. In the absence of baseline oral health data, firm conclusions on causality cannot be drawn. However, although not confirmatory, the findings are consistent with a possibility that provision of MMN or LNS may have increased the caries incidence in this target population. Because of the potential public health impacts, further research on the association between gestational nutrient interventions and oral health in low‐income settings is needed.
Ecological connectivity shapes quasispecies structure of RNA viruses in an Antarctic lake
Authors: López‐Bueno A. , Rastrojo A. , Peiró R. , Arenas M. , Alcamí A.
Published: July 2015

RNA viruses exist as complex mixtures of genotypes, known as quasispecies, where the evolution potential resides in the whole community of related genotypes. Quasispecies structure and dynamics have been studied in detail for virus infecting animals and plants but remain unexplored for those infecting micro‐organisms in environmental samples. We report the first metagenomic study of RNA viruses in an Antarctic lake (Lake Limnopolar, Livingston Island). Similar to low‐latitude aquatic environments, this lake harbours an RNA virome dominated by positive single‐strand RNA viruses from the order Picornavirales probably infecting micro‐organisms. Antarctic picorna‐like virus 1 (APLV1), one of the most abundant viruses in the lake, does not incorporate any mutation in the consensus sequence from 2006 to 2010 and shows stable quasispecies with low‐complexity indexes. By contrast, APLV2‐APLV3 are detected in the lake water exclusively in summer samples and are major constituents of surrounding cyanobacterial mats. Their quasispecies exhibit low complexity in cyanobacterial mat, but their run‐off‐mediated transfer to the lake results in a remarkable increase of complexity that may reflect the convergence of different viral quasispecies from the catchment area or replication in a more diverse host community. This is the first example of viral quasispecies from natural aquatic ecosystems and points to ecological connectivity as a modulating factor of quasispecies complexity.
Identification of a bacterial pathogen associated with Porites white patch syndrome in the Western Indian Ocean
Authors: Séré Mathieu G. , Tortosa Pablo , Chabanet Pascale , Quod Jean‐Pascal , Sweet Michael J. , Schleyer Michael H.
Published: July 2015

Porites white patch syndrome (PWPS) is a coral disease recently described in the Western Indian Ocean. This study aimed to isolate and identify potential pathogens associated with PWPS utilizing both culture and nonculture screening techniques and inoculation trials. A total of 14 bacterial strains (those dominant in disease lesions, absent or rare in healthy tissues and considered potential pathogens in a previous study) were cultured and used to experimentally inoculate otherwise healthy individuals in an attempt to fulfil Henle–Koch's postulates. However, only one (P180R), identified as closely related (99–100% sequence identity based on 1.4 kb 16S RNA sequence) to Vibrio tubiashii, elicited signs of disease in tank experiments. Following experimental infection (which resulted in a 90% infection rate), the pathogen was also successfully re‐isolated from the diseased tissues and re‐inoculated in healthy corals colonies, therefore fulfilling the final stages of Henle–Koch's postulates. Finally, we report that PWPS appears to be a temperature‐dependent disease, with significantly higher tissue loss (anova: d.f. = 2, F = 39.77, P < 0.01) occurring at 30 °C [1.45 ± 0.85 cm2 per day (mean ± SE)] compared to ambient temperatures of 28 and 26 °C (0.73 ± 0.80 cm2 per day (mean ± SE) and 0.51 ± 0.50 cm2 per day (mean ± SE), respectively).
Non‐equivalent roles of two periplasmic subunits in the function and assembly of triclosan pump TriABC from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Weeks Jon W. , Nickels Logan M. , Ntreh Abigail T. , Zgurskaya Helen I.
Published: July 2015

In Gram‐negative bacteria, multidrug efflux transporters function in complexes with periplasmic membrane fusion proteins (MFPs) that enable antibiotic efflux across the outer membrane. In this study, we analyzed the function, composition and assembly of the triclosan efflux transporter TriABC–OpmH from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We report that this transporter possesses a surprising substrate specificity that encompasses not only triclosan but the detergent SDS, which are often used together in antibacterial soaps. These two compounds interact antagonistically in a TriABC‐dependent manner and negate antibacterial properties of each other. Unlike other efflux pumps that rely on a single MFP for their activities, two different MFPs, TriA and TriB, are required for triclosan/SDS resistance mediated by TriABC–OpmH. We found that analogous mutations in the α‐helical hairpin and membrane proximal domains of TriA and TriB differentially affect triclosan efflux and assembly of the complex. Furthermore, our results show that TriA and TriB function as a dimer, in which TriA is primarily responsible for stabilizing interactions with the outer membrane channel, whereas TriB is important for the stimulation of the transporter. We conclude that MFPs are engaged into complexes as asymmetric dimers, in which each protomer plays a specific role.
Making sense of new technology during organisational change
Authors: Reynolds Noelia‐Sarah
Published: July 2015

This article examines how employees interpret the use of various social media and web 2.0 technologies by managers of an organisation during a merger process. The article explores the way in which managers use technology to give sense to the merger process, the corresponding sensemaking of employees and also how employees make sense of the use of technology itself. The findings show that new media enables the sharing of emotional sense about organisational processes between managers and employees and places employees with different levels of involvement with the process and at different points in the organisational hierarchy on equal footing. In spite of this, employees view the use of technology negatively and feel mastered by the technology itself. In discussing these unintended consequences of the use of this technology, the article further discusses the paradoxes that emerge from using new technology to give sense during organisational change.
Knowledge management through the development of knowledge repositories: towards work degradation
Authors: Taskin Laurent , Van Bunnen Gabriel
Published: July 2015

This paper questions the consequences of the use of electronic knowledge repositories for work and employment. Drawing on critical research suggesting that knowledge management associated with such tools presents similarities to scientific management principles, it proposes to examine the following key research question: how do employees experience the transformation of the employment relationship when a knowledge repository is introduced to the workplace? The inquiry is grounded in an exploratory qualitative case study of a knowledge management system designed to foster knowledge‐sharing in aBelgian public administration. The findings illustrate two complementary outcomes: this system resulted in employees experiencing deskilling and work degradation, and was met with resistance. Significantly, this paper considers work degradation as a reflexive phenomenon in the context studied, where knowledge‐sharing systems produced deskilling and resistance as part of a specific re‐regulation process.
Supplier Capacity and Intermediary Profits: Can Less Be More?
Authors: Adida Elodie , Bakshi Nitin , DeMiguel Victor
Published: July 2015

We identify market conditions under which intermediaries can thrive in retailer‐driven supply chains. Our main finding is that, as a consequence of the retailers’ leadership position, intermediaries prefer products for which the supply base (existing production capacity) is neither too narrow nor too broad; that is, less existing capacity can result in more intermediary profit. We also show that our main finding is robust to (i) the presence of horizontal competition among retailers and intermediaries, (ii) the existence of exclusive suppliers, and (iii) the ability of the retailers to source directly from the suppliers. Nevertheless, we find that horizontal competition between intermediaries encourages them to carry products with relatively smaller production capacity, whereas exclusive suppliers and direct sourcing encourage intermediaries to carry products with relatively larger installed capacity.
Exploring Framing Effects in Inventory Control Decisions: Violations of Procedure Invariance
Authors: Tokar Travis , Aloysius John , Waller Matthew , Hawkins Doyle L.
Published: July 2015

Recent research on decision framing has shown that (i) there are multiple types of framing effects and (ii) the context of the decision can influence framing effects. This research examines decision framing effects in inventory control contexts by questioning the assumption of procedure invariance, that preference should not be impacted by how options are presented to a supply chain manager making an inventory control decision. Study 1 uses three single‐shot decision experiments to establish that all three types of framing effects identified by Levin et al. ( 1998 ) apply in basic inventory control contexts. Results were consistent with theory in all three cases. Given this evidence that framing effects have potential to impact inventory control decisions, two laboratory experiments in Study 2 utilize multi‐period decision tasks to demonstrate that framing effects can impact performance in a dynamic inventory decision setting similar to practice. One of the experiments in Study 2 was conducted with student subjects, while the other with inventory managers from a large retail firm. Results from both experiments provide evidence that even when initial framing effects on order quantities fade, there can be longer term effects on inventory levels and performance. Furthermore, these effects are robust to education and professional experience. The findings suggest that although a manager might select appropriate inventory control metrics, prudence must be exercised in the presentation of these metrics, and that mere presentation can be used to alleviate known human biases in inventory control decisions.
Groupthink and Project Performance: The Influence of Personal Traits and Interpersonal Ties
Authors: Riccobono Francesca , Bruccoleri Manfredi , Größler Andreas
Published: July 2015

This study explores whether the negative impact of “groupthink concurrence‐seeking behavior” (GTB) on business process reengineering (BPR) projects is affected by group members personal traits and interpersonal ties within the group. To this purpose we conduct and present the results of a longitudinal controlled field experiment over 18 BPR projects lasting 3 months and involving 18 teams comprising 71 first‐year MBA students. The main contribution of this study is twofold. First, we explicitly consider and measure the core construct of groupthink phenomenon: that is, GTB. Existing organizational behavior literature has, contrarily, considered only its causes, symptoms, and outcomes. Second, we show evidence that GTB does have a negative impact on group performance in BPR project settings. In this regards, results also indicate that while perceived control, conscientiousness and interpersonal evaluation mitigate the negative impact of GTB on group project performance, confidence, and previous relationships amplify this negative impact, even if they have a direct positive effect on performance. Thanks to the findings of this study, we are able to provide valuable suggestions to managers in charge of BPR projects for ensuring effective performance of project teams and controlling for potential obstacles due to GTB.
The Possibility of a Fair Play Account of Legitimacy
Authors: Tosi Justin
Published: July 2015

The philosophical literature on state legitimacy has recently seen a significant conceptual revision. Several philosophers have argued that the state's right to rule is better characterized not as a claim right to obedience, but as a power right. There have been few attempts to show that traditional justifications for the claim right might also be used to justify a power right, and there have been no such attempts involving the principle of fair play, which is widely regarded as the most promising basis for a claim right to obedience. William Edmundson argues that the principle of fair play cannot generate power rights, and so any attempt at a fair play account of legitimacy must fail. I explain how fair play could generate a power right, owing to its stipulation that the rules of a cooperative scheme specify the form of participants' repayment.
Balancing struggles with desired results in everyday activities: strategies for elderly persons with physical disabilities
Authors: Bontje Peter , Asaba Eric , Josephsson Staffan
Published: July 2015

The number of elderly persons with disabilities needing support with everyday activities increasing in Japan and around the world. Yet, engagement in everyday activities can support the quality of their daily life. Despite research focusing on reported meanings of people's actions, there is still limited knowledge on how engagement in everyday activity is enacted along with the meanings of persons’ actions. The aim of the present study was to identify meanings of persons’ actions within everyday activities of elderly Japanese with physical disabilities. Five elderly persons with physical disabilities living in the community participated in this study. Data were gathered by 10 participant observations of everyday activities supplemented with 13 unstructured interviews. Narrative analysis was used to identify meanings of persons’ actions. The analysis identified an overall plot termed ‘balancing struggles with desired results’. This plot illustrated that participants’ and other involved individuals balanced problematic situations with finding situations that accommodated their needs. Meanings of these actions were further identified as three complementary strategies. Two of three strategies aimed to mitigate given problems, one by ‘acting on a plan to achieve one's goals’, the other by ‘taking a step in a preferred direction by capitalising on emerging opportunities’. The third strategy focused on avoiding undesirable experiences by ‘modifying problematic situations’. In conclusion, these findings call for care and rehabilitation providers’ sensitivity to shifting foci of what matters in daily life's situations as well as aligning with persons’ skills, resources and perspectives. Accordingly, the judicious and flexible use of these complementary strategies can enhance elderly persons’ quality of daily living through everyday activities.
Palliative Care Research – A Systematic Review of foci, designs and methods of research conducted in Sweden between 2007 and 2012
Authors: Henoch Ingela , Carlander Ida , Holm Maja , James Inger , Kenne Sarenmalm Elisabeth , Lundh Hagelin Carina , Lind Susanne , Sandgren Anna , Öhlén Joakim
Published: July 2015

Background

In 2007, a literature review was undertaken of palliative care research from Sweden during the 1970s–2006, paving the way for a follow‐up study to explore the recent developments. The aim was to systematically examine palliative care research from Sweden between 2007 and 2012, with special attention to methods, designs and research foci.

Methods

A literature review was undertaken. The databases Academic search elite, Age line, Ahmed, Cinahl, PsychInfo, PubMed, Scopus, Soc abstracts, Web of science and Libris were reviewed for Swedish palliative care research studies published from 2007 to 2012, applying the search criteria ‘palliative care OR palliative medicine OR end‐of‐life care OR terminal care OR hospice care OR dying OR death’.

Results

A total of 263 papers met the inclusion criteria, indicating an increased volume of research compared to the 133 articles identified in the previous review. Common study foci were symptom assessment and management, experiences of illness and care planning. Targeting non‐cancer‐specific populations and utilisation of population‐based register studies were identified as new features. There was continued domination of cross‐sectional, qualitative and mono‐disciplinary studies, not including ethnic minority groups, nonverbally communicable people or children <18 years of age.

Conclusions

The trend is that Swedish palliative care research has expanded in volume from 2007 to 2012 compared to during the 1970s to 2006, with increasing participation of non‐cancer‐specific populations. A domination of qualitative approaches and small, cross‐sectional studies with few interventions is still characteristic. Still more strategies are needed to expand the knowledge development of palliative care to respond to demographical, epidemiological, therapeutic and healthcare structure changes.
Decreased secretion of Paneth cell α‐defensins in graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Eriguchi Y. , Nakamura K. , Hashimoto D. , Shimoda S. , Shimono N. , Akashi K. , Ayabe T. , Teshima T.
Published: July 2015

Background

Intestinal microbial ecology is actively regulated by Paneth cell‐derived antimicrobial peptides, α‐defensins. Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT). We previously demonstrated that Paneth cells are targeted by GVHD, and their expression of antimicrobial peptide α‐defensins is impaired, leading to a loss of physiological diversity among the microflora and development of bloodstream infection. Herein, we evaluated whether fecal levels of α‐defensins could be surrogate marker of intestinal dysbiosis.

Methods

We directly measured α‐defensin cryptdin‐1 (Crp1) in fecal pellets of mice with GVHD by using a novel enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Fecal levels of Crp1 were significantly decreased in mice with GVHD but unchanged in mice without GVHD after SCT. These were correlated with intestinal flora diversity.

Conclusion

We demonstrate a link between reduced secretion of Paneth cell α‐defensins and dysbiosis of intestinal flora in GVHD. Fecal levels of α‐defensins could be surrogate markers for intestinal microbial homeostasis.
Integration of Social Information by Human Groups
Authors: Granovskiy Boris , Gold Jason M. , Sumpter David J.T. , Goldstone Robert L.
Published: July 2015

We consider a situation in which individuals search for accurate decisions without direct feedback on their accuracy, but with information about the decisions made by peers in their group. The “wisdom of crowds” hypothesis states that the average judgment of many individuals can give a good estimate of, for example, the outcomes of sporting events and the answers to trivia questions. Two conditions for the application of wisdom of crowds are that estimates should be independent and unbiased. Here, we study how individuals integrate social information when answering trivia questions with answers that range between 0% and 100% (e.g., “What percentage of Americans are left‐handed?”). We find that, consistent with the wisdom of crowds hypothesis, average performance improves with group size. However, individuals show a consistent bias to produce estimates that are insufficiently extreme. We find that social information provides significant, albeit small, improvement to group performance. Outliers with answers far from the correct answer move toward the position of the group mean. Given that these outliers also tend to be nearer to 50% than do the answers of other group members, this move creates group polarization away from 50%. By looking at individual performance over different questions we find that some people are more likely to be affected by social influence than others. There is also evidence that people differ in their competence in answering questions, but lack of competence is not significantly correlated with willingness to change guesses. We develop a mathematical model based on these results that postulates a cognitive process in which people first decide whether to take into account peer guesses, and if so, to move in the direction of these guesses. The size of the move is proportional to the distance between their own guess and the average guess of the group. This model closely approximates the distribution of guess movements and shows how outlying incorrect opinions can be systematically removed from a group resulting, in some situations, in improved group performance. However, improvement is only predicted for cases in which the initial guesses of individuals in the group are biased.
Retrospective evaluation of methionine intoxication associated with urinary acidifying products in dogs: 1,525 cases (2001–2012)
Authors: Hickey Mara C. , Son Tolina T. , Wismer Tina
Published: July 2015

Objective

To describe the signalment, clinical findings, timing of signs, outcome, and prognosis in a population of dogs exposed to methionine through the ingestion of urine acidifying products.

Design

Retrospective observational study from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2012.

Setting

Animal Poison Control Center.

Animals

A total of 1,197 case calls yielding 1,525 dogs identified with presumed methionine ingestion.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

Records of dogs with presumptive methionine ingestion were reviewed from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Animal Poison Control Center database. Ingested methionine doses ranged from 3.9 mg/kg to 23,462 mg/kg. Clinical signs developed in 47% of dogs. The most common clinical signs were gastrointestinal (GI) and neurologic. The mean onset of GI signs was 2.8 hours following ingestion. The mean onset of neurologic signs was 6.8 hours following ingestion. GI signs were identified with ingested doses ≥22.5 mg/kg. Vomiting was the most common GI sign. Neurologic signs were identified with ingested doses ≥94.6 mg/kg. Ataxia was the most common neurologic sign. Resolution of clinical signs occurred within 48 hours of ingestion, and no fatalities were reported.

Conclusions

Prognosis for dogs with methionine intoxication is excellent. Vomiting and ataxia were the most common clinical signs associated with methionine toxicosis.
Acute pulmonary embolism caused by highly aggregated intravenous immunoglobulin
Authors: Yu C. F. , Hou J. F. , Shen L. Z. , Gao K. , Rao C. M. , Yang P. Y. , Fu Z. H. , Wang Q. Z. , Li Y. H. , Wang L. , Liu F. , Zhang L. , Qu Z. , Shen Q. , Li B. , Li X. G. , Wang J. Z.
Published: July 2015

Background and Objectives

Six patients died and one patient survived following infusion of a specific lot of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) within half an hour in May 2008. This study elucidated the underlying pathogenesis.

Materials and Methods

A variety of protein fractionation and identification approaches were employed to determine the abnormal components in IVIG products obtained from the hospital where the patients were treated. Animal studies using mice and monkeys were conducted to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms. In animal experiments, the effect and distribution of immunoglobulin was investigated using HE staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) separately, while platelets and fibrinogen depletion were utilized to determine a possible link between thromboembolism formation in animals and the lethal effect of the IVIG. The size and distribution of the protein aggregates were determined with Coulter Counter Multisizer‐3 after the dilution of the IVIG with plasma, and the lethal effect of the protein aggregates was simulated with artificial microparticles.

Results

The IVIG retrieved from the hospital was found to have striking similarities to the heat‐treated IVIG in terms of protein aggregation profiles and lethal effects. Post‐mortem examination indicated that immunoglobulin aggregates were mainly found in the lung of the animals, while depletion of platelets and fibrinogen from the IVIG preparations failed to prevent the death of the animals. Similar amount of artificial microparticles caused animal death in similar fashion.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the retrieved IVIG exerted its lethal effects by blocking the pulmonary circulation without markedly altering the coagulation cascade or immunological events.
Radiographic and Computed Tomographic Configuration of Incomplete Proximal Fractures of the Proximal Phalanx in Horses Not Used for Racing
Authors: Brünisholz Hervé P. , Hagen Regine , Fürst Anton E. , Kuemmerle Jan M.
Published: July 2015

Objective

To characterize the configuration of incomplete proximal fractures of the proximal phalanx (P1) in horses not used for racing and compare radiographic with computed tomography (CT) findings.

Study Design

Historical cohort.

Animals

Twenty‐four horses with incomplete fractures of P1.

Methods

Medical records of horses not used for racing diagnosed with an incomplete proximal fracture of P1 based on clinical and radiographic examination and confirmed by CT between 2008 and 2013 were retrieved. Radiographs and CT studies of these horses were analyzed using a subjective grading system and by measuring variables that characterized fracture configuration.

Results

Twenty‐four horses were included (20 Warmbloods) with a mean age of 9.5 years and mean body weight of 574 kg. Fourteen forelimbs and 10 hind limbs were affected. Mean duration of lameness was 8.7 weeks. Computed tomography was superior to radiography in both identifying the fracture and determining fracture size and location. On CT, 92% of fractures were located in the mid‐sagittal plane. Mean proximodistal length of the fracture was 13 mm. Fractures were frequently not bicortical. Fractures in forelimbs were located significantly more dorsally than fractures in hind limbs. A distinct fracture pattern with 2 subchondral lines running parallel in close proximity to each other was identified in 54% of cases.

Conclusion

Incomplete proximal fractures of P1 have significant variation in their configurations, especially their dorsopalmar/‐plantar location. Computed tomography examination allowed clear identification of the fracture configurations and was superior to radiography.
Impact of shear rate pattern on upper and lower limb conduit artery endothelial function in both spinal cord‐injured and able‐bodied men
Authors: Totosy de Zepetnek J. O. , Ditor D. S. , Au J. S. , MacDonald M. J.
Published: July 2015

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

This study addresses the following two central questions. (i) What is the impact of vascular deconditioning after spinal cord injury (SCI) on shear rate patterns and endothelial function? (ii) What is the impact of acutely altered shear rate on endothelial function in both SCI and able‐bodied control subjects?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Two main findings in the present study were as follows: (i) reduced superficial femoral artery endothelial function in the SCI group; and (ii) acutely altered shear rate decreased endothelial function in both SCI and able‐bodied control subjects. These findings may shed some light on future interventions taking into account these regulatory mechanisms.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) induces vascular deconditioning below the level of the lesion and disrupts sympathetic innervation of blood vessels. It is unclear how these changes affect shear rate (SR) profiles and endothelial function when compared with able‐bodied (AB) persons. Recent evidence suggests that periods of increased retrograde SR are associated with acute decreases in endothelial function, but is unknown how modified SR patterns influence sublesional vasculature in SCI. The present study examined the acute and chronic effects of altered SR patterns and oscillatory shear index on endothelial function via relative flow‐mediated dilatation (FMD%) in both the brachial and superficial femoral arteries (BA and SFA, respectively) of eight individuals with SCI and eight matched AB control subjects. Baseline BA SR patterns and FMD% were similar between groups, while SFA anterograde SR was higher (P < 0.01) and FMD% lower (P = 0.04) in SCI versus AB subjects. Shear rate patterns were then acutely altered through the BA and SFA using a subsystolic cuff‐inflation model. Bilateral FMD assessments were conducted before and after 30 min of unilateral inflation of a forearm or thigh blood pressure cuff to 75 mmHg. Cuff inflation resulted in concomitant increases in both anterograde (P < 0.05) and retrograde SR (P < 0.05), as well as acute decreases in FMD% (P < 0.05) in the BA and SFA in both groups. These results highlight that brief manipulation of SR patterns can acutely impair FMD% in conditions of both normal and altered sympathetic innervation and arterial remodelling. This information is crucial when designing strategies to combat impaired vascular function in both healthy and clinical populations.
Process Limits of Extrusion of Multimaterial Components
Authors: Ben Khalifa Nooman , Foydl Annika , Pietzka Daniel , Jäger Andreas
Published: July 2015

Three innovative extrusion processes for manufacturing of multimaterial parts are discussed: co-extrusion of discontinuously steel reinforced aluminum profiles, composite extrusion of continuously steel wire reinforced profiles, and composite rod extrusion. In the first two processes, the embedded steel elements are not deformable; while in the case of composite rod extrusion, both materials are deformed. By means of experimental and numerical analyses, the process parameters that mainly influence the reinforcement ratio, the extrusion force as well as the material distribution are analyzed. On the basis of the above, the analytical approaches are deduced to describe the process limits for the proposed technologies. The paper closes with examples of applications regarding the lightweight requirements as well as functional integrations by forming multimaterials.
Modeling of Advanced Combat Helmet Under Ballistic Impact
Authors: Li Y. Q. , Li X. G. , Gao X.-L.
Published: July 2015

The use of combat helmets has greatly reduced penetrating injuries and saved lives of many soldiers. However, behind helmet blunt trauma (BHBT) has emerged as a serious injury type experienced by soldiers in battlefields. BHBT results from nonpenetrating ballistic impacts and is often associated with helmet back face deformation (BFD). In the current study, a finite element-based computational model is developed for simulating the ballistic performance of the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which is validated against the experimental data obtained at the Army Research Laboratory. Both the maximum value and time history of the BFD are considered, unlike existing studies focusing on the maximum BFD only. The simulation results show that the maximum BFD, the time history of the BFD, and the shape and size of the effective area of the helmet shell agree fairly well with the experimental findings. In addition, it is found that ballistic impacts on the helmet at different locations and in different directions result in different BFD values. The largest BFD value is obtained for a frontal impact, which is followed by that for a crown impact and then by that for a lateral impact. Also, the BFD value is seen to decrease as the oblique impact angle decreases. Furthermore, helmets of four different sizes—extra large, large, medium, and small—are simulated and compared. It is shown that at the same bullet impact velocity the small-size helmet has the largest BFD, which is followed by the medium-size helmet, then by the large-size helmet, and finally by the extra large-size helmet. Moreover, ballistic impact simulations are performed for an ACH placed on a ballistic dummy head form embedded with clay as specified in the current ACH testing standard by using the validated helmet model. It is observed that the BFD values as recorded by the clay in the head form are in good agreement with the experimental data.
Ability of a Novel Foot and Ankle Loading Device to Reproduce Loading Conditions in the Standing Position During Computed Tomography
Authors: Kimura Tadashi , Kubota Makoto , Taguchi Tetsuya , Suzuki Naoki , Hattori Asaki , Marumo Keishi
Published: July 2015

To describe a loading device, we created for use with current computed tomography (CT) scanners and to evaluate its ability to reproduce loading conditions. Ten feet of five healthy volunteers (three men and two women) with no history of foot or ankle disorders and no foot pain were studied. Subjects lay on the device in the supine position with the legs extended and ankles in a neutral position. An axial load equivalent to their body weight was applied to the soles. A foot scan measured plantar contact area, plantar pressure, and the center of pressure under standing and weight-bearing conditions. Differences between measurements were assessed using the paired t test with a two-sided significance of 5%. No subjects complained of pain or discomfort during loading. Weight-bearing measurements varied from standing measurements as follows: plantar contact area, −4.15 cm2; contact % (forefoot/midfoot/hindfoot), −0.61%/−0.17%/0.79%; plantar pressure, −1.47 N/cm2/−0.49 N/cm2/3.7 N/cm2 (6.40 N/cm2 overall); and center of pressure location (anterior–posterior/medial–lateral), 0.88%/0.36%. With the numbers available, no significant difference could be detected for any tested items. We were able to produce load distributions and intensities resembling standing conditions. Thus, the standing condition can be well produced on CT images if our device is used. Furthermore, images can be compared with those of healthy individuals to yield useful information for elucidating the pathophysiology and pathology of foot disorders.
On the Crashworthiness of Steel-Plated Structures in an Arctic Environment: An Experimental and Numerical Study
Authors: Kyeom Park Dae , Kyun Kim Do , Park Chang-Hee , Hee Park Dong , Suk Jang Bong , Ju Kim Bong , Kee Paik Jeom
Published: July 2015

Structural crashworthiness with regard to crushing and fracture is a key element in the strength performance assessment of ship collisions in the Arctic. The aim of this study is to investigate the crashworthiness characteristics of steel-plated structures subject to low temperatures that are equivalent to the Arctic environment. The effect of low temperatures on the material properties is examined on the basis of tensile tests. Crushing tests are undertaken on steel-square tubes subject to a quasi-static crushing load at both room and low temperatures. The crushing behavior of the square tubes in this test is compared with ls-dyna computations. It is found that low temperatures have a significant effect on not only the material properties but also the crashworthiness of steel-plated structures in terms of mean crushing loads and brittle fracture. It is suggested that the collision-accidental limit state design of ships intended to operate in the Arctic region should be carried out by taking the effect of low temperatures into account.
Age at exposure and attained age variations of cancer risk in the Japanese A‐bomb and radiotherapy cohorts
Authors: Schneider Uwe , Walsh Linda
Published: July 2015

Purpose:

Phenomenological risk models for radiation‐induced cancer are frequently applied to estimate the risk of radiation‐induced cancers at radiotherapy doses. Such models often include the effect modification, of the main risk to radiation dose response, by age at exposure and attained age. The aim of this paper is to compare the patterns in risk effect modification by age, between models obtained from the Japanese atomic‐bomb (A‐bomb) survivor data and models for cancer risks previously reported for radiotherapy patients. Patterns in risk effect modification by age from the epidemiological studies of radiotherapy patients were also used to refine and extend the risk effect modification by age obtained from the A‐bomb survivor data, so that more universal models can be presented here.

Methods:

Simple log‐linear and power functions of age for the risk effect modification applied in models of the A‐bomb survivor data are compared to risks from epidemiological studies of second cancers after radiotherapy. These functions of age were also refined and fitted to radiotherapy risks. The resulting age models provide a refined and extended functional dependence of risk with age at exposure and attained age especially beyond 40 and 65 yr, respectively, and provide a better representation than the currently available simple age functions.

Results:

It was found that the A‐bomb models predict risk similarly to the outcomes of testicular cancer survivors. The survivors of Hodgkin's disease show steeper variations of risk with both age at exposure and attained age. The extended models predict solid cancer risk increase as a function of age at exposure beyond 40 yr and the risk decrease as a function of attained age beyond 65 yr better than the simple models.

Conclusions:

The standard functions for risk effect modification by age, based on the A‐bomb survivor data, predict second cancer risk in radiotherapy patients for ages at exposure prior to 40 yr and attained ages before 55 yr reasonably well. However, for larger ages, the refined and extended models can be applied to predict the risk as a function of age.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 21 July 2015
Authors: Vila-Bedmar Rocio , Murga Cristina , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: July 2015

Removing the kinase GRK2 prevents some of the metabolic consequences of a high-fat diet.
Biochemical basis of a 24-hour clock
Authors: Ray L. Bryan
Published: July 2015

A slow adenosine triphosphatase reaction in a clock protein combined with a slow conformational change in another clock protein sets the pace of a circadian clock.
Robust Algorithm for Systematic Classification of Malaria Late Treatment Failures as Recrudescence or Reinfection Using Microsatellite Genotyping
Authors: Plucinski Mateusz M. , Morton Lindsay , Bushman Mary , Dimbu Pedro Rafael , Udhayakumar Venkatachalam
Published: July 2015

Routine therapeutic efficacy monitoring to measure the response to antimalarial treatment is a cornerstone of malaria control. To correctly measure drug efficacy, therapeutic efficacy studies require genotyping parasites from late treatment failures to differentiate between recrudescent infections and reinfections. However, there is a lack of statistical methods to systematically classify late treatment failures from genotyping data. A Bayesian algorithm was developed to estimate the posterior probability of late treatment failure being the result of a recrudescent infection from microsatellite genotyping data. The algorithm was implemented using a Monte Carlo Markov chain approach and was used to classify late treatment failures using published microsatellite data from therapeutic efficacy studies in Ethiopia and Angola. The algorithm classified 85% of the Ethiopian and 95% of the Angolan late treatment failures as either likely reinfection or likely recrudescence, defined as a posterior probability of recrudescence of <0.1 or >0.9, respectively. The adjusted efficacies calculated using the new algorithm differed from efficacies estimated using commonly used methods for differentiating recrudescence from reinfection. In a high-transmission setting such as Angola, as few as 15 samples needed to be genotyped in order to have enough power to correctly classify treatment failures. Analysis of microsatellite genotyping data for differentiating between recrudescence and reinfection benefits from an approach that both systematically classifies late treatment failures and estimates the uncertainty of these classifications. Researchers analyzing genotyping data from antimalarial therapeutic efficacy monitoring are urged to publish their raw genetic data and to estimate the uncertainty around their classification.
A Plasmid Bearing the
bla
CTX-M-15
Gene and Phage P1-Like Sequences from a Sequence Type 11 Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolate
Authors: Shin Juyoun , Ko Kwan Soo
Published: July 2015

Plasmid pKP12226 was extracted and analyzed from a CTX-M-15-producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
sequence type 11 (ST11) isolate collected in South Korea. The plasmid represents chimeric characteristics consisting of a pIP1206-like backbone and lysogenized phage P1-like sequences. It bears a resistance region that includes resistance genes to several antibiotics and is different from previously characterized plasmids from South Korea bearing
bla
CTX-M-15
. It may have resulted from recombination between an
Escherichia coli
plasmid backbone, a
bla
CTX-M-15
-bearing resistance region, and lysogenized phage P1-like sequences.