bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Disabilities, the design of urban transport systems and the city: a situational analysis
Authors: Valderrama Pineda Andrés Felipe
Published: December 2015

En este artículo se aborda el tema de la inclusión y exclusión de actores en el desarrollo y mantenimiento de tecnologías nuevas y existentes. Se realiza un análisis situacional por dos razones: En primer lugar, demostraré que es apropiado seleccionar como objeto de estudio una situación en la que dos campos convergen: el ámbito del transporte urbano y el de la accesibilidad, que en vez de ser definidos por las tecnologías y conocimientos, se definen por las preocupaciones que suscitan: el primero sobre la mejor manera de ofrecer movilidad a los ciudadanos y el otro en cuanto a la mejor manera de proporcionar accesibilidad a personas con discapacidades. Las tecnologías y los conocimientos en uso tendrán sentido en el conjunto de las relaciones que componen los campos y sus interacciones. Este análisis particular se centra en los intentos de algunos actores para hacer que el sistema Transmilenio sea accesible para personas con discapacidad.
Sobre la colonialidad del lenguaje y el decir
Authors: Veronelli Gabriela Alejandra
Published: December 2015

Este artículo presenta un nuevo marco teórico para analizar relaciones lingüísticas de poder que examina los efectos lingüisticos de lo que Aníbal Quijano ha teorizado como “la colonialidad del poder.” La “colonialidad del lenguaje” refiere a un proceso de racialización de poblaciones colonizadas como agentes comunicativos que comienza con la Conquista de América y continúa hasta hoy. La investigación está centrada en la deshumanización de las poblaciones colonizadas y esclavizadas, y el concomitante desprecio de sus lenguajes y maneras sociales de dar-sentido en tanto que expresiones de su “naturaleza” de “seres inferiores”. Los resultados son una contribución original al debate sobre la relación histórica entre colonialismo, raza, etnicidad, y lenguaje en América. El argumento plantea que existe una conección entre la reducción de las poblaciones colonizadas y racializadas a un status de seres no-humanos, y una ideología lingüística analizada como “monolenguajeo” que oculta la opresión colonial dialógica y discursivamente.
A transformação social nos discursos da cena empreendedora social brasileira: processos comunicacionais e regimes de convocação na mídia digital
Authors: Casaqui Vander
Published: December 2015

En este estudio, derivado de una investigación de postdoctorado sobre el tema del emprenderismo social, desarrollamos un análisis de discurso de proyectos brasileños y su presencia en los medios digitales. El problema planteado por esta investigación es: ¿cuáles son los significados de la transformación social, del compromiso y de la participación ciudadana, bajo la óptica de los discursos del emprendimiento social en Brasil? Discutimos el carácter de un cambio condicionado a la ‘sustentabilidad’ de los proyectos, en choque entre la visión de negocios y la vocación hacia el ‘bien común’; así como observamos los proyectos de sociedad articulados en torno a la figura del emprendedor social. El transcurso teórico reflexiona sobre el nuevo espíritu del capitalismo, la cultura emprendedora y el campo semántico del emprendimiento social. El tratamiento del corpus de la investigación está basado en el análisis crítico del discurso propuesto por Fairclough (2001).
Escritura local: la noción de “ciencia” en la obra de Ezequiel Rojas
Authors: López Jiménez Carlos Arturo
Published: December 2015

Ezequiel Rojas es reconocido como uno de los más importantes pensadores utilitaristas colombianos del siglo XIX. No obstante, sus escritos han sido ignorados o subestimados por los historiadores de la filosofía en Colombia debido a que están más interesados en leerlos a la luz de la historia de la filosofía europea, de los conflictos de clase o de los asuntos partidistas, que desde la importancia de las formas locales de escritura. Para enfrentar esta situación, el presente escrito es una reflexión sobre la noción “ciencia” en la obra de Ezequiel Rojas que enfatiza el “ejercicio de escribir” como práctica concreta con ritmos propios. Así, se busca obtener una visión panorámica de la obra de este autor y de una parte de la historia de la filosofía en Colombia. 
VACCINES, INFORMED CONSENT, EFFECTIVE REMEDY AND INTEGRAL REPARATION: AN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PERSPECTIVE
Authors: Acosta López Juana Inés
Published: December 2015

Este artículo evalúa críticamente el debate sobre la seguridad de las vacunas y la libertad de elección desde una perspectiva de derechos humanos. Propone un balance entre la salud pública como interés legítimo y la protección de los derechos individuales, y sugiere que este debate debe ser informado por los principios del derecho internacional de los derechos humanos. La sección I explica la premisa básica de que el consentimiento informado es la regla general para cualquier intervención médica y que la libertad de elección frente a la vacunación es un derecho humano. Partiendo de la base de que las intervenciones médicas violan el derecho a la privacidad y la integridad física, la limitación a estos derechos es legítima solo si la política de vacunación del Estado está provista por ley, y es estrictamente necesaria y proporcional. La sección II describe las obligaciones internacionales en relación con los recursos efectivos que un Estado que decide adoptar una política de vacunación debe ofrecer en relación con posibles daños, aun cuando estos sean atribuibles a conductas de particulares. La parte III desarrolla el concepto de reparación integral y explica por qué si una política de vacunación obligatoria es promulgada sin cumplir los criterios para la limitación de derechos humanos, se produce un hecho ilícito internacional y surge un deber de reparar. 
Development of a Manufacturing Method for Truss Core Panels Based on Origami-Forming
Authors: Thai Tat Nguyen Hoan , Thao Thai Phuong , Yu Bo , Hagiwara Ichiro
Published: December 2015

Sandwich panels, for example, honeycomb structure, are widely used in various stages because they are lightweight and have high stiffness. Recently, an origami structure called truss core panel (TCP) has become known as a lightweight structure that has the same bending stiffness and better aspects in shear strength and in-plane compressive load than honeycomb panel. However, there are some difficulties in forming the TCP in general. In this study, a new forming process for TCP based on origami-forming is developed. In particular, the TCP is partitioned into several parts that can be developed into 2D crease patterns. After that, blanks of material are cut in the shape of these crease patterns and are formed by a robot system to get the desired 3D shape. In this paper, a partition method by dividing the TCP into pyramid cells and sheet plate is presented, which allows for the manufacture of a wider range of structure than before. Tool arrangement for a robot device and a countermeasure for springback are considered. By applying an origami unfolding technique, an improvement in the partition method is proposed by dividing the TCP into cell rows, and then searching for a crease pattern in order to fold that cell row. The cutting method of every cell is modified to reduce the number of facets, thereby simplifying the process. Finally, a crease pattern based on this new cutting method is presented for producing cell rows with any given number of cells.
Analytical Determination of the Proximity of Two Right-Circular Cylinders in Space
Authors: Agarwal Saurav , Srivatsan Rangaprasad Arun , Bandyopadhyay Sandipan
Published: December 2015

This paper presents a novel analytical formulation for identifying the closest pair of points lying on two arbitrary cylinders in space, and subsequently the distance between them. Each cylinder is decomposed into four geometric primitives. It is shown that the original problem reduces to the computation of the shortest distance between five distinct combinations of these primitives. Four of these subproblems are solved in closed form, while the remaining one requires the solution of an eight-degree polynomial equation. The analytical nature of the formulation and solution allows the identification of all the special cases, e.g., positive-dimensional solutions, and the curve of intersection when the cylinders interfere. The symbolic precomputation of the results leads to a fast numerical implementation, capable of solving the problem in about 50 μs (averaged over 1 × 106 random instances of the most general case) on a standard PC. The numerical results are verified by repeating all the calculations in a general-purpose commercial cad software. The algorithm has significant potential for applications in the various aspects of robotics and mechanisms, as their links can be modeled easily and compactly as cylinders. This makes tasks such as path planning, determination of the collision-free workspace, etc., computationally easier.
Planar Linkage Synthesis for Mixed Exact and Approximated Motion Realization Via Kinematic Mapping
Authors: Zhao Ping , Ge Xin , Zi Bin , Ge Q. J.
Published: December 2015

It has been well established that kinematic mapping theory could be applied to mechanism synthesis, where discrete motion approximation problem could be converted to a surface fitting problem for a group of discrete points in hyperspace. In this paper, we applied kinematic mapping theory to planar discrete motion synthesis of an arbitrary number of approximated poses as well as up to four exact poses. A simultaneous type and dimensional synthesis approach is presented, aiming at the problem of mixed exact and approximate motion realization with three types of planar dyad chains (RR, RP, and PR). A two-step unified strategy is established: first N given approximated poses are utilized to formulate a general quadratic surface fitting problem in hyperspace, then up to four exact poses could be imposed as pose-constraint equations to this surface fitting system such that they could be strictly satisfied. The former step, the surface fitting problem, is converted to a linear system with two quadratic constraint equations, which could be solved by a null-space analysis technique. On the other hand, the given exact poses in the latter step are formulated as linear pose-constraint equations and added back to the system, where both type and dimensions of the resulting optimal dyads could be determined by the solution. These optimal dyads could then be implemented as different types of four-bar linkages or parallel manipulators. The result is a novel algorithm that is simple and efficient, which allows for N-pose motion approximation of planar dyads containing both revolute and prismatic joints, as well as handling of up to four prescribed poses to be realized precisely.
Reducing Dynamic Loads From a Backpack During Load Carriage Using an Upper Body Assistive Device
Authors: Park Joon-Hyuk , Stegall Paul , Agrawal Sunil K.
Published: December 2015

This paper presents studies of an upper body assistive device designed to aid human load carriage. The two primary functions of the device are: (i) distributing the backpack load between the shoulders and the waist and (ii) reducing the dynamic load of a backpack on the human body during walking. These functions are targeted to relieve stress applied on the shoulders and the back, and also reduce the dynamic loads transferred to the lower limbs during walking. These functions are achieved by incorporating two modules—passive and active—within a custom fitted shirt integrated with motion/force sensors, actuators, and a real-time controller. The relevant modeling and controller design are presented for dynamic load compensation. Preliminary evaluation of the device was first performed on a single subject, followed by a pilot study with ten healthy subjects walking on a treadmill with a backpack. Results show that the device can effectively transfer the load from the shoulders to the waist and also reduce the dynamic loads induced by the backpack during walking. Reduction in peak and total normal ground reaction forces, leg muscle activations, and oxygen consumptions was observed with the device. This suggests that the device can potentially reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries and fatigue on the lower limbs associated with carrying heavy loads and provide some metabolic benefits.
Method for Estimating Maximum Response for Seismic Design of Multiple Supported Elastic-Plastic Piping Systems
Authors: Sone Akira , Matsuda Tomoyuki , Masuda Arata
Published: December 2015

This study describes a simple method to estimate the maximum response in the seismic response analysis of multi-input nonlinear system. There are many studies on the response analysis of a system having nonlinear properties, such as elasto-plastic characteristic, but they are intended for the one input system because they cannot be applied to multi-input system. On the other hand, a simple method for estimating the multi-input response analysis can also be proposed, which is applied to a linear system, but they cannot be applied to a nonlinear system. However, the importance of seismic design in consideration of both nonlinear and multi-input problems has been increasing in recent years. Therefore, we propose a simple method for estimating the maximum response of multi-input system with elasto-plastic characteristic in the present study.
Seismic Isolation Devices: History and Recent Developments
Authors: Tsai C. S.
Published: December 2015

The idea of decoupling a structure from its foundation dated back to 1870 has now been worldwide accepted as a powerful tool to protect structures from earthquake damage. This paper is intended to review the developmental history of concept in seismic isolation devices rather than its applications in engineering. The literature review of more recent developments in seismic isolation is as complete as possible, but there may be considerable degree of omission in the later years because of the page limit and the rapid increase in research interest in this topic in the past years.
Approximation of Uplift of Flat-Bottom Cylindrical Tanks and Effects of Out-of-Plane Deformation of Cylindrical Shell on it
Authors: Taniguchi Tomoyo , Nakashima Teruhiro , Okui Daisuke
Published: December 2015

For the unanchored flat-bottom cylindrical tanks located in the seismic prone area, uplift of the tank bottom plate is inevitable. Besides the work of Nakashima, effects of out-of-plane deformation of the cylindrical shell on uplift of the tank bottom plate have been paid little attention. In analyzing uplift of the tank bottom plate, for design purpose in particular, its effects should be included. First, employing a cylindrical shell tanks with multistage rigid or elastic stiffeners, their uplift responses to the horizontal sinusoidal base acceleration are compared to highlight effects of out-of-plane deformation on uplift of the tank bottom plate. Next, employing the numerical results of the cylindrical shell tank with multistage rigid stiffeners, analytical accuracy of the simplified calculation for evaluating the angular acceleration accompanying the tank rock motion is examined.
Seismic Design and Characterization of a New Isolation System for High Voltage Circuit Breakers Based on Wire-Rope Devices
Authors: Giannini Renato , Alessandri Silvia , Paolacci Fabrizio , Malena Marialaura
Published: December 2015

This paper briefly describes the design and the characterization of a new base isolation system for the seismic protection of HV ceramics circuit breakers, in order to be qualified according to the standard CEI 62271-207. The solution adopted is based on the use of Wire Ropes. Accurate numerical analyses and experimental tests performed on a typical HV breaker upon a shaking table demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed solution. An on-site installation in several Italian substations of this system has permitted to verify the simplicity and rapidity of the intervention necessary for the seismic upgrading of the circuit breaker.
Performance-Based Analysis of Coupled Support Structures and Piping Systems Subject to Seismic Loading
Authors: Bursi Oreste S. , Paolacci Fabrizio , Reza Md Shahin
Published: December 2015

The prevailing lack of proper and uniform seismic design guidelines for piping systems impels designers to follow standards conceived for other structures, such as buildings. The modern performance-based design approach is yet to be widely adopted for piping systems, while the allowable stress design method is still the customary practice. This paper presents a performance-based seismic analysis of petrochemical piping systems coupled with support structures through a case study. We start with a concept of performance-based analysis, followed by establishing a link between limit states and earthquake levels, exemplifying Eurocode and Italian prescriptions. A brief critical review on seismic design criteria of piping, including interactions between piping and support, is offered thereafter. Finally, to illustrate actual applications of the performance-based analysis, non-linear analyses on a realistic petrochemical piping system is performed to assess its seismic performance.
Quantitative Seismic Risk Assessment of Process Plants: State of the Art Review and Directions for Future Research
Authors: Caputo Antonio C. , Giannini Renato , Paolacci Fabrizio
Published: December 2015

Earthquakes represent a class of Natural-Technical hazards which in the past has been responsible of major accidents and significant losses in many industrial sites. However, while codes and standards have been issued to design specific structures and equipment in the civil and industrial domain, established procedures for Quantitative Seismic Risk Assessment (QSRA) of process plants are not yet available. In this paper a critical review of seismic risk assessment methods applicable to process plants is carried out. Their limitations are highlighted and areas needing further research are identified.
Influence of Differences Between Seismic Safety Evaluation Methods for Equipment and Piping of a Nuclear Facility
Authors: Nishida Akemi , Iigaki Kazuhiko , Sawa Kazuhiro , Li Yinsheng
Published: December 2015

The objective of this research was to investigate the influence of differences between methods for evaluating the seismic safety of the equipment and piping of a nuclear facility. For the input ground motion, one wave was chosen from among 200 waves of input ground motions of maximum acceleration of 700–1100 cm/s2 created for the Oarai District of the Ibaraki Prefecture. Seismic safety evaluations were performed using the conventional method, which relies on floor response spectrum data, and using the multi-input method. The differences between the two methods were summarized. The target equipment and piping system were cooling systems in a model plant. It was found that the response predicted by the multi-input method was approximately half of the response predicted by the conventional method. The third trial evaluation method using the floor response of a three-dimensional building model as input was also reported.
Instantaneous Phase Detection for Performance Verification of Tuned Mass Dampers
Authors: Lin Ging-Long , Lin Chi-Chang
Published: December 2015

Vibration control using tuned mass damper (TMD) for civil structures has been widely accepted and used in buildings and bridges. However, the TMD provides a frequency-dependent damping for the primary structure. The control effectiveness of TMD will vary with the frequency content of the excitation. A method to verify the control performance of TMD is lack in the literatures. In this study, two simple indicators were developed to judge the TMD control performance based on the theoretical derivation, which indicates the maximum power flow is occurred when the TMD stroke lags the structural displacement by ninety degree. The proposed indicators were verified by numerical simulation. The results show the proposed indicators can judge the effective of TMD correctly. In addition, the waveform of the instantaneous phase is helpful to adjust the TMD stiffness to the right value.
Inter-individual changes in cortical bone three-dimensional microstructure and elastic coefficient have opposite effects on radial sound speed
Authors: Eneh Chibuzor T. M. , Liukkonen Jukka , Malo Markus K. H. , Jurvelin Jukka S. , Töyräs Juha
Published: December 2015

Knowledge about simultaneous contributions of tissue microstructure and elastic properties on ultrasound speed in cortical bone is limited. In a previous study, porosities and elastic coefficients of cortical bone in human femurs were shown to change with age. In the present study, influences of inter-individual and site-dependent variation in cortical bone microstructure and elastic properties on radial speed of sound (SOS; at 4, 6, and 8 MHz) were investigated using three-dimensional (3D) finite difference time domain modeling. Models with fixed (nominal model) and sample-specific (sample-specific model) values of radial elastic coefficients were compared. Elastic coefficients and microstructure for samples (n = 24) of human femoral shafts (n = 6) were derived using scanning acoustic microscopy and micro-computed tomography images, respectively. Porosity-related SOS varied more extensively in nominal models than in sample-specific models. Linear correlation between pore separation and SOS was similar (R = 0.8, p < 0.01, for 4 MHz) for both models. The determination coefficient (R2 = 0.75, p < 0.05) between porosity and radial SOS, especially at 4 MHz, was highest in the posterior quadrant. The determination coefficient was lower for models with sample-specific values of radial elastic coefficient implemented (R2 < 0.33, p < 0.05), than for nominal models (0.48 < R2< 0.63, p < 0.05). This information could be useful in in vivo pulse-echo cortical thickness measurements applying constant SOS.
Maturation of olfactory neurons
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: December 2015

Olfactory neurons progress through development from expressing several to favoring one of the many thousands of olfactory receptors available.
The Endospore-Forming Pathogen Bacillus cereus Exploits a Small Colony Variant-Based Diversification Strategy in Response to Aminoglycoside Exposure
Authors: Frenzel Elrike , Kranzler Markus , Stark Timo D. , Hofmann Thomas , Ehling-Schulz Monika
Published: December 2015

Bacillus cereus
is among the microorganisms most often isolated from cases of food spoilage and causes gastrointestinal diseases as well as nongastrointestinal infections elicited by the emetic toxin cereulide, enterotoxins, and a panel of tissue-destructive virulence factors. This opportunistic pathogen is increasingly associated with rapidly fatal clinical infections especially linked to neonates and immunocompromised individuals. Fatality results from either the misdiagnosis of
B. cereus
as a contaminant of the clinical specimen or from failure of antibiotic therapy. Here we report for the first time that exposure to aminoglycoside antibiotics induces a phenotype switching of emetic
B. cereus
subpopulations to a slow-growing small colony variant (SCV) state. Along with altered antibiotic resistance, SCVs showed distinct phenotypic and metabolic properties, bearing the risk of antibiotic treatment failure and of clinical misdiagnosis by standard identification tests used in routine diagnostic. The SCV subpopulation is characterized by enhanced production of the toxin cereulide, but it does not secrete tissue-destructive and immune system-affecting enzymes such as sphingomyelinase and phospholipase. SCVs showed significantly prolonged persistence and decreased virulence in the
Galleria mellonella
model for bacterial infections, indicating diversification concerning their ecological lifestyle. Importantly, diversification into coexisting wild-type and SCV subpopulations also emerged during amikacin pressure during
in vivo
infection experiments.

IMPORTANCE
This study shows for the first time that pathogenic spore-forming
B. cereus
strains are able to switch to a so far unreported slow-growing lifestyle, which differs substantially in terms of developmental, phenotypic, metabolic, and virulence traits from the wild-type populations. This underpins the necessity of molecular-based differential diagnostics and a well-chosen therapeutic treatment strategy in clinical environments to combat
B. cereus
in a tailored manner. The reported induction of SCV in an endospore-forming human pathogen requires further research to broaden our understanding of a yet unexplored antibiotic resistance mechanism in sporulating bacteria. Our work also raises a general question about the ecological meaning of SCV subpopulation emergence and importance of SCV in sporeformer populations as an alternative route, next to sporulation, to cope with stresses encountered in natural niches, such as soil or host interfaces.
Deep prosthetic joint infection: a qualitative study of the impact on patients and their experiences of revision surgery
Authors: Moore Andrew J , Blom Ashley W , Whitehouse Michael R , Gooberman-Hill Rachael
Published: December 2015

Objectives

Around 1% of patients who have a hip replacement have deep prosthetic joint infection (PJI) afterwards. PJI is often treated with antibiotics plus a single revision operation (1-stage revision), or antibiotics plus a 2-stage revision process involving more than 1 operation. This study aimed to characterise the impact and experience of PJI and treatment on patients, including comparison of 1-stage with 2-stage revision treatment.

Design

Qualitative semistructured interviews with patients who had undergone surgical revision treatment for PJI. Patients were interviewed between 2 weeks and 12 months postdischarge. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, anonymised and analysed using a thematic approach, with 20% of transcripts double-coded.

Setting

Patients from 5 National Health Service (NHS) orthopaedic departments treating PJI in England and Wales were interviewed in their homes (n=18) or at hospital (n=1).

Participants

19 patients participated (12 men, 7 women, age range 56–88 years, mean age 73.2 years).

Results

Participants reported receiving between 1 and 15 revision operations after their primary joint replacement. Analysis indicated that participants made sense of their experience through reference to 3 key phases: the period of symptom onset, the treatment period and protracted recovery after treatment. By conceptualising their experience in this way, and through themes that emerged in these periods, they conveyed the ordeal that PJI represented. Finally, in light of the challenges of PJI, they described the need for support in all of these phases. 2-stage revision had greater impact on participants’ mobility, and further burdens associated with additional complications.

Conclusions

Deep PJI impacted on all aspects of patients’ lives. 2-stage revision had greater impact than 1-stage revision on participants’ well-being because the time in between revision procedures meant long periods of immobility and related psychological distress. Participants expressed a need for more psychological and rehabilitative support during treatment and long-term recovery.
A national survey of the provision of ultrasound surveillance for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cross T J S , Villaneuva A , Shetty S , Wilkes E , Collins P , Adair A , Jones R L , Foxton M R , Meyer T , Stern N , Warshow U , Khan N , Prince M , Khakoo S , Alexander G J , Khan S , Reeves H , Marshall Aileen , Williams R
Published: December 2015

Objective

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the sixth most common cancer worldwide and third most common cause of cancer related death, is closely associated with the presence of cirrhosis. Survival is determined by the stage of the cancer, with asymptomatic small tumours being more amenable to treatment. Early diagnosis is dependent on regular surveillance and the primary objective of this survey was to gain a better understanding of the baseline attitudes towards and provision of ultrasound surveillance (USS) HCC surveillance in the UK. In addition, information was obtained on the stages of cancer of the patients being referred to and discussed at regional multidisciplinary team meetings.

Design

UK hepatologists, gastroenterologists and nurse specialists were sent a questionnaire survey regarding the provision of USS for detection of HCC in their respective hospitals.

Results

Provision of surveillance was poor overall, with many hospitals lacking the necessary mechanisms to make abnormal results, if detected, known to referring clinicians. There was also a lack of standard data collection and in many hospitals basic information on the number of patients with cirrhosis and how many were developing HCC was not known. For the majority of new HCC cases was currently being made only at an incurable late stage (60%).

Conclusions

In the UK, the current provision of USS based HCC surveillance is poor and needs to be upgraded urgently.
The clinical significance of fibrinogen plasma levels in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Authors: Troppan Katharina T , Melchardt Thomas , Wenzl Kerstin , Schlick Konstantin , Deutsch Alexander , Bullock Marc D , Reitz Daniel , Beham-Schmid Christine , Weiss Lukas , Neureiter Daniel , Tränkenschuh Wolfgang , Greil Richard , Neumeister Peter , Egle Alexander , Pichler Martin
Published: December 2015

Background

Fibrinogen plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of tumour cell growth, invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of pretreatment plasma fibrinogen levels in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

Methods

Data from 372 patients with DLBCL, diagnosed and treated between 2004 and 2013 at two Austrian centres, were evaluated retrospectively. The prognostic influences of plasma fibrinogen levels and other factors, including age, tumour stage and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network-International Prognostic Index, on 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) were studied using Kaplan–Meier curves as well as univariate and multivariate Cox regression models.

Results

Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that a high fibrinogen plasma level is associated with decreased 5-year OS and 5-year DFS in patients with DLBCL (p<0.001, log-rank test). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis, elevated serum fibrinogen was found to be an independent marker of poor clinical outcome: 5-year OS (HR=1.69, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.72, p=0.029) and 5-year DFS (HR=1.68, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.61, p=0.021).

Conclusions

In the current study, we demonstrate that high plasma fibrinogen levels at diagnosis predict poor outcome in patients with DLBCL.

Trial registration number

25-434 ex 12713 and 415-EP/73/127-2012.
Prototheca wickerhamii in a dog with cutaneous, ocular and systemic manifestations and treatment with terbinafine
Authors: Milley Catherine Dawn , Labelle Philippe , Tolar Erica , Griffin Joya , Reeder Christopher
Published: December 2015

A two‐year‐old intact female collie presented with a tentative diagnosis of systemic blastomycosis based on compatible clinical signs and history and a positive urine Blastomyces antigen enzyme immunoassay. The dog was subsequently correctly diagnosed with protothecosis based on ocular and paw pad histopathology and in vitro culture of Prototheca wickerhamii from paw pad tissue. Histopathology revealed organisms in deep tissue samples as well as in the epidermis and superficial keratin layers of the paw pad. Serum (1→3)‐β‐d‐glucan testing was negative. The dog was treated with terbinafine based on in vitro susceptibility results. There are no previous reports of terbinafine use for the treatment of canine protothecosis. Neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms remained stable with terbinafine. While there was an overall improvement in cutaneous lesions and attitude over the course of eight weeks on treatment, the animal did not survive despite therapy.
Predicting the plan annular pressure using the power law flow model in horizontal directional drilling
Authors: Rostami Ali , Yi Yaolin , Bayat Alireza , Osbak Manley
Published: December 2015

During horizontal directional drilling (HDD), the drilling fluid pressure must not surpass the maximum allowable pressure to minimize the risk of hydraulic fracturing; hence, a plan pressure can be used to manage the drilling fluid pressure. This paper addresses the prediction of plan annular pressure using the power law flow model. The annular pressures were predicted using the power law model with rheological parameters determined from a six-speed viscometer with varying shear rate ranges from 3 to 600 RPM for two HDD projects, and the predicted pressures were compared with the measurements. The results indicated that the annular pressure could be properly predicted, and the best prediction was achieved by the shear rate range of 6–100 RPM due to embracing the real shear rate of drilling fluid inside the annulus; this shear rate range is close to the recommendation (3–100 RPM) by American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice.
Implication of U-duality for black branes in string/M-theory
Authors: Bhowmick Samrat
Published: December 2015

U-duality symmetry of M-theory and S- and T-duality of string theory can be used to study various black brane solutions. We explore some aspect of this idea here. This symmetry can be used to get relations among various components of the metric of the black brane. These relations in turn give relations among various components of the energy–momentum tensor. We show that, using these relations, without knowing the explicit form of form fields, we can get the black brane solutions. These features were studied previously in the context of M-theory. Here, we extensively studied them in string theory (type II supergravity). We also show that this formulation works for exotic branes. We give an example of a time-dependent system where this method is essential.
Excess conductivity and the pseudogap state in Hf-doped YBa2Cu3O7−δ ceramics
Authors: Savich S. V. , Samoilov A. V. , Vovk R. V. , Dobrovolskiy O. V. , Kamchatna S. N. , Dolgopolova Ya. V. , Chernovol-Tkachenko O. A.
Published: December 2015

The electrical conductivity of hafnium (Hf)-doped YBa2Cu3O[Formula: see text] ceramics is investigated. Hf doping has been revealed to lead to an increase of the number of effective scattering centers for the normal charge carriers. In a broad temperature range, the excess conductivity of the investigated samples obeys an exponential temperature dependence, while near [Formula: see text] it is satisfactorily described by the Aslamazov–Larkin model. Meanwhile, Hf doping has been shown to lead to a notable broadening of the temperature range for the manifestation of the pseudogap anomaly in the [Formula: see text]-plane.
Dynamics of a charged particle around a weakly magnetized naked singularity
Authors: Babar Gulmina Zaman , Jamil Mubasher , Lim Yen-Kheng
Published: December 2015

We examine the motion of a charged particle in the vicinity of a weakly magnetized naked singularity. The escape velocity and energy of the particle moving around the naked singularity after being kicked by another particle or photon are investigated. Also at innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) escape velocity and energy are examined. Effective potential and angular momentum of the particle are also discussed. We discuss the center-of-mass energy after collision between two particles having same mass and opposite charges moving along the same circular orbit in the opposite direction. It is investigated that under what conditions maximum energy can be produced as a result of collision.
On Pure Quasi-Quantum Quadratic Operators of 𝕄2(ℂ) II
Authors: Mukhamedov Farrukh
Published: December 2015

In this paper we study quasi quantum quadratic operators (QQO) acting on the algebra of [Formula: see text] matrices [Formula: see text]. We consider two kinds of quasi QQO the corresponding quadratic operator maps from the unit circle into the sphere and from the sphere into the unit circle, respectively. In our early paper we have defined a q-purity of quasi QQO. This notion is equivalent to the invariance of the unit sphere in [Formula: see text]. But to check this condition, in general, is tricky. Therefore, it would be better to find weaker conditions to check the q-purity. One of the main results of this paper is to provide a criterion of q-purity of quasi QQO in terms of the unit circles. Moreover, we are able to classify all possible kinds of quadratic operators which can produce q-pure quasi QQO. We think that such result will allow one to check whether a given mapping is a pure channel or not. This finding suggests us to study such a class of nonpositive mappings. Correspondingly, the complement of this class will be of potential interest for physicist since this set contains all completely positive mappings.
The Neurobiology of Intervention and Prevention in Early Adversity
Authors: Fisher Philip A. , Beauchamp Kate G. , Roos Leslie E. , Noll Laura K. , Flannery Jessica , Delker Brianna C.
Published: December 2015

Early adverse experiences are well understood to affect development and well-being, placing individuals at risk for negative physical and mental health outcomes. A growing literature documents the effects of adversity on developing neurobiological systems. Fewer studies have examined stress neurobiology to understand how to mitigate the effects of early adversity. This review summarizes the research on three neurobiological systems relevant to interventions for populations experiencing high levels of early adversity: the hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary axis, the prefrontal cortex regions involved in executive functioning, and the system involved in threat detection and response, particularly the amygdala. Also discussed is the emerging field of epigenetics and related interventions to mitigate early adversity. Further emphasized is the need for intervention research to integrate knowledge about the neurobiological effects of prenatal stressors (e.g., drug use, alcohol exposure) and early adversity. The review concludes with a discussion of the implications of this research topic for clinical psychology practice and public policy.
Ceramide Signaling and Metabolism in Pathophysiological States of the Lung
Authors: Petrache Irina , Berdyshev Evgeny V.
Published: December 2015

Following the discovery of ceramide as the central signaling and metabolic relay among sphingolipids, studies of its involvement in lung health and pathophysiology have exponentially increased. In this review, we highlight key studies in the context of recent progress in metabolomics and translational research methodologies. Evidence points toward an important role for the ceramide/sphingosine-1-phosphate rheostat in maintaining lung cell survival, vascular barrier function, and proper host response to airway microbial infections. Sphingosine kinase 1 has emerged as an important determinant of sphingosine-1-phosphate lung levels, which, when aberrantly high, contribute to lung fibrosis, maladaptive vascular remodeling, and allergic asthma. New sphingolipid metabolites have been discovered as potential biomarkers of several lung diseases. Although multiple acute and chronic lung pathological conditions involve perturbations in sphingolipid signaling and metabolism, there are specific patterns, unique sphingolipid species, enzymes, metabolites, and receptors, which have emerged that deepen our understanding of lung pathophysiology and inform the development of new therapies for lung diseases.
Glucocorticoid Signaling: An Update from a Genomic Perspective
Authors: Sacta Maria A. , Chinenov Yurii , Rogatsky Inez
Published: December 2015

Glucocorticoid hormones (GC) regulate essential physiological functions including energy homeostasis, embryonic and postembryonic development, and the stress response. From the biomedical perspective, GC have garnered a tremendous amount of attention as highly potent anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications indispensable in the clinic. GC signal through the GC receptor (GR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor whose structure, DNA binding, and the molecular partners that it employs to regulate transcription have been under intense investigation for decades. In particular, next-generation sequencing–based approaches have revolutionized the field by introducing a unified platform for a simultaneous genome-wide analysis of cellular activities at the level of RNA production, binding of transcription factors to DNA and RNA, and chromatin landscape and topology. Here we describe fundamental concepts of GC/GR function as established through traditional molecular and in vivo approaches and focus on the novel insights of GC biology that have emerged over the last 10 years from the rapidly expanding arsenal of system-wide genomic methodologies.
Preference Change in Competitive Political Environments
Authors: Druckman James N. , Lupia Arthur
Published: December 2015

Political actions and outcomes depend on people's preferences over candidates, policies, and other politically relevant phenomena. For this reason, a great deal of political activity entails attempts to change other people's preferences. When do politically relevant preferences change? Addressing this question requires recognition of two realities: (a) Many stimuli compete for every person's attention, and (b) every person's capacity to pay attention to information is limited. With these realities in mind, we review research on preference change in competitive environments. We discuss how individuals allocate attention and how individuals' values and identities affect their use of the information to which they attend. We then discuss how this work has been applied to a new problem: improving the communication of scientific facts in increasingly politicized environments.
The “metabolic sensor” function of rat supraoptic oxytocin and vasopressin neurons is attenuated during lactation but not in diet-induced obesity
Authors: Sladek Celia D. , Stevens Wanida , Song Zhilin , Johnson Ginger C. , MacLean Paul S.
Published: December 2015

The oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) neurons of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) demonstrate characteristics of “metabolic sensors”. They express insulin receptors and glucokinase (GK). They respond to an increase in glucose and insulin with an increase in intracellular [Ca2+] and increased OT and VP release that is GK dependent. Although this is consistent with the established role of OT as an anorectic agent, how these molecules function relative to the important role of OT during lactation and whether deficits in this metabolic sensor function contribute to obesity remain to be examined. Thus, we evaluated whether insulin and glucose-induced OT and VP secretion from perifused explants of the hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal system are altered during lactation and by diet-induced obesity (DIO). In explants from female day 8 lactating rats, increasing glucose (Glu, 5 mM) did not alter OT or VP release. However, insulin (Ins; 3 ng/ml) increased OT release, and increasing the glucose concentration in the presence of insulin (Ins+Glu) resulted in a sustained elevation in both OT and VP release that was not prevented by alloxan, a GK inhibitor. Explants from male DIO rats also responded to Ins+Glu with an increase in OT and VP regardless of whether obesity had been induced by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD). The HFD-DIO rats had elevated body weight, plasma Ins, Glu, leptin, and triglycerides. These findings suggest that the role of SON neurons as metabolic sensors is diminished during lactation, but not in this animal model of obesity.
Characterizing a distal muscle enhancer in the mouseIgf2locus
Authors: Alzhanov Damir , Rotwein Peter
Published: December 2015

Insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF2) is highly expressed in skeletal muscle and was identified as a quantitative trait locus for muscle mass. Yet little is known about mechanisms of its regulation in muscle. Recently, a DNA segment found ∼100 kb from the Igf2 gene was identified as a possible muscle transcriptional control element. Here we have developed an in vivo reporter system to assess this putative enhancer by substituting nuclear (n) EGFP for Igf2 coding exons in a bacterial artificial chromosome containing the mouse Igf2 - H19 chromosomal locus. After stable transfection into a mesenchymal stem cell line, individual clones were converted to myoblasts and underwent progressive muscle-specific gene expression and myotube formation in differentiation medium. Transgenic mRNA and nuclear-targeted enhanced green fluorescent protein were produced coincident with endogenous Igf2 mRNA, but only in lines containing an intact distal conserved DNA element. Our results show that a 294 bp DNA fragment containing two E-boxes is a necessary and sufficient long-range enhancer for induction of Igf2 gene transcription during skeletal muscle differentiation and provides a robust experimental platform for its further functional dissection.
Stabilization of a Class of Continuous-Time Switched Systems with State Constraints via a Mode-Dependent Switching Method
Authors: Su Qingyu , Wang Peipei
Published: December 2015

The stability and the stabilization problems for a class of continuous-time switched systems with state constraints via a mode-dependent switching method are investigated. The paper presents an improved average dwell time method, which considers different decay rates of a Lyapunov function related to each of the active subsystems according to whether the saturations occur or not, respectively. It is shown that the improved average dwell time method is less conservative than the common average dwell time method. Based on the improved average dwell time method, the sufficient conditions and state feedback controllers for stabilization of the switched system are derived. A numerical example is given to illustrate the proposed approach.
The Simulation of the Brush Stroke Based on Force Feedback Technology
Authors: Guo Chao , Hou Zengxuan , Yang Guangqing , Zheng Shuanzhu
Published: December 2015

A novel simulation method of the brush stroke is proposed by applying force feedback technology to the virtual painting process. The relationship between force and the brush deformation is analyzed, and the spring-mass model is applied to construct the brush model, which can realistically simulate the brush morphological changes according to the force exerted on it. According to the deformation of the brush model at a sampling point, the brush footprint between the brush and the paper is calculated in real time. Then, the brush stroke is obtained by superimposing brush footprints along sampling points, and the dynamic painting of the brush stroke is implemented. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the virtual painting system based on the force feedback technology. In this system, users can implement the painting in real time with a Phantom Desktop haptic device, which can effectively enhance reality to users.
The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment
Authors: Goodman Maury
Published: December 2015

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is a worldwide effort to construct a next-generation long-baseline neutrino experiment based at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. It is a merger of previous efforts and other interested parties to build, operate, and exploit a staged 40 kt liquid argon detector at the Sanford Underground Research Facility 1300 km from Fermilab, and a high precision near detector, exposed to a 1.2 MW, tunableνbeam produced by the PIP-II upgrade by 2024, evolving to a power of 2.3 MW by 2030. The neutrino oscillation physics goals and the status of the collaboration and project are summarized in this paper.