bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase behaviour and separation kinetics of polymer blends
Authors: DAS N.C.
Published: January 2014

The liquid–liquid phase separation kinetics and phase behaviour of hydrogenated polyethylene and deuterated polypropylene blends have been systematically studied by optical microscope. Phase diagram was constructed from the phase transition temperature. The hydrogenated polyethylene/deuterated polypropylene blend exhibits upper critical solution temperature in the melt. The time evolution of the characteristics morphology for liquid–liquid phase separation is determined for the hydrogenated polyethylene/deuterated polypropylene blend at various compositions and following a quench from initial homogenous melts at higher temperature to various lower temperatures. Liquid–liquid phase separation kinetics follows nucleation and growth mechanism. The experimental results from optical microscope measurement at various conditions are all consistent with the nucleation and growth mechanism.
Drug‐Eluting Stents May Not Reduce Target Lesion Revascularization in Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy
Authors: PARK KI E. , HUO TIANYAO , MULLER KEITH E. , ARANDA JUAN M. , HILL JAMES A. , ANDERSON R. DAVID
Published: January 2014

Objective

Although drug‐eluting stent (DES) compared with bare metal stent (BMS) use reduces in‐stent restenosis (ISR) in traditional coronary artery disease, its efficacy in cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) has not been clearly established.

Background

CAV is a leading cause of mortality after the first year following cardiac transplantation. CAV treatment options are limited, and DES use has increased significantly in this population.

Methods

In a retrospective study of heart transplant patients at our institution who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention with a BMS or DES for CAV, we compared baseline characteristics, clinical outcomes, ISR, and target lesion revascularization (TLR). The primary end‐point was angiographic ISR assessed by quantitative coronary angiography analyzed as both a binary (≤50% vs. >50%) and continuous variable (follow‐up minimal luminal area [MLA]/baseline MLA). Secondary outcomes included TLR and a composite of death, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and retransplantation.

Results

In 45 patients with DES, BMS, or both, ISR assessed as a continuous variable was statistically different between the 2 stent groups (follow‐up MLA/baseline MLA = 0.796 DES vs. 0.481 BMS; P = 0.0037). There was also a significant difference in ISR (10.8% for DES versus 30.7% for BMS) when assessed as a binary variable. There was no statistically significant difference in TLR or composite cardiovascular outcomes between groups when adjusted for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Conclusions

ISR assessed as a continuous variable was significantly different between stent groups. However, this did not lead to a difference in TLR or cardiovascular outcomes. This hypothesis‐generating finding suggests that patients with CAV may not necessarily need treatment with DES, which can be more costly and carries more potential risk than BMS. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:80–85)
The Influence of Rehabilitation Characteristics in the Incidence of Peri‐Implant Pathology: A Case‐Control Study
Authors: de Araújo Nobre Miguel Alexandre , Maló Paulo
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To investigate the influence of rehabilitation characteristics in the incidence of peri‐implant pathology (P‐iP).

Materials and Methods

A total of 1350 patients (270 with P‐iP matched for age, gender, and time of follow‐up with 1080 controls without P‐iP) rehabilitated with dental implants were included. The effect of the independent variables [Implant length in millimeters (IL); implant diameter in millimeters; implant surface (IS); presence of cantilevers; implant:crown ratio (ICR), type of abutment (TA); abutment height; fracture of prosthetic components (FPCs); type of prosthetic reconstruction (TPR); type of material used in the prosthesis (TMUP); loosening of prosthetic components (LPCs); and passive misfit (PM) diagnosed within the previous year] was evaluated through bivariate analysis (chi‐square), with level of significance of 5%. Crude odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals and the attributable fraction (AF) were calculated for the independent variables individually identified as factors associated with the incidence of peri‐implant pathology.

Results

The following variables were identified as risk factors: machined IS (p = 0.015; OR = 1.46), 17° TA (p = 0.000; OR = 3.06), completely edentulous TPR (p = 0.000; OR = 2.49), TMUP (p = 0.000; metal‐acrylic OR = 2.29; acrylic OR = 4.90; metal‐ceramic OR = 8.43), 1:1 ICR (p = 0.002; OR = 1.54), FPC (p = 0.000; OR = 3.01), LPC (p = 0.000; OR = 4.15), and PM (p = 0.002; OR = 20.36). The attributable fraction rendered the following theoretical potential reductions in the cases if the exposure to the variables was removed: IS (31.5%), TA (67.3%), TMUP (5.4% to 73.3%), ICR (35%), FPC (66.8%), LPC (73.8%), and PM (95.1%).

Conclusions

Within the limitations of this study, machined implant surfaces, 17° abutments, completely edentulous reconstructions, the type of metal used in the prosthesis, 1:1 implant:crown ratio, fracture of prosthetic components, loosening of prosthetic components, and passive misfit emerged as risk factors for the incidence of P‐iP. Eliminating the exposure to these variables would, in theory, result in a significant reduction in the incidence of P‐iP.
Conjugative transfer frequencies of mef(A)-containing Tn1207.3 to macrolide-susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes belonging to different emm types
Authors: Hadjirin N.F. , Harrison E.M. , Holmes M.A. , Paterson G.K.
Published: January 2014

The aim of this study was to examine the gene transfer potential of mef(A)-containing Tn120.3 to macrolide-susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes belonging to different emm types. Using the filter mating technique, Tn1207.3 was transferred by conjugation to 23 macrolide-susceptible recipients representing 11 emm types. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of the mef(A) gene and the comEC junction regions of the Tn1207.3 insertion in resultant transconjugants. Significant variation was found in the transfer frequency of Tn1207.3 to different Strep. pyogenes strains, and this phenomenon may contribute to the differences in mef(A) frequency observed among clinical isolates.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The spread of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic bacteria is an important problem, but the mechanisms of horizontal transfer between strains and species are often poorly understood. For instance, little is known on how macrolide resistance spreads between strains of the human pathogen Strep. pyogenes and why certain strains more commonly display resistance than others. Here, we show that Strep. pyogenes strains vary greatly in their ability to acquire a transposon encoding macrolide resistance by horizontal gene transfer in vitro. These data provide a novel insight into the transfer of antibiotic resistance between bacterial strains and offer an explanation for the differences in the frequency of resistance determinates and resistance seen among clinical isolates.
Landscape effects on gene flow for a climate‐sensitive montane species, theAmerican pika
Authors: Castillo Jessica A. , Epps Clinton W. , Davis Anne R. , Cushman Samuel A.
Published: January 2014

Climate change is arguably the greatest challenge to conservation of our time. Most vulnerability assessments rely on past and current species distributions to predict future persistence but ignore species' abilities to disperse through landscapes, which may be particularly important in fragmented habitats and crucial for long‐term persistence in changing environments. Landscape genetic approaches explore the interactions between landscape features and gene flow and can clarify how organisms move among suitable habitats, but have suffered from methodological uncertainties. We used a landscape genetic approach to determine how landscape and climate‐related features influence gene flow forAmerican pikas (Ochotona princeps) inCrater Lake National Park. Pikas are heat intolerant and restricted to cool microclimates; thus, range contractions have been predicted as climate changes. We evaluated the correlation between landscape variables and genetic distance using partial Mantel tests in a causal modelling framework, and used spatially explicit simulations to evaluate methods of model optimization including a novel approach based on relative support and reciprocal causal modelling. We found that gene flow was primarily restricted by topographic relief, water and west‐facing aspects, suggesting that physical restrictions related to small body size and mode of locomotion, as well as exposure to relatively high temperatures, limit pika dispersal in this alpine habitat. Our model optimization successfully identified landscape features influencing resistance in the simulated data for this landscape, but underestimated the magnitude of resistance. This is the first landscape genetic study to address the fundamental question of what limits dispersal and gene flow in theAmerican pika.
Vimentin as an Integral Regulator of Cell Adhesion and Endothelial Sprouting
Authors: Dave Jui M. , Bayless Kayla J.
Published: January 2014

Angiogenesis is a multistep process that requires intricate changes in cell shape to generate new blood vessels. IF are a large family of proteins that play an important structural and functional role in forming and regulating the cytoskeleton. Vimentin, a major type III intermediate filament protein is expressed in endothelial and other mesenchymal cells. The structure of vimentin is conserved in mammals and shows dynamic expression profiles in various cell types and different developmental stages. Although initial studies with vimentin‐deficient mice demonstrated a virtually normal phenotype, subsequent studies have revealed several defects in cell attachment, migration, signaling, neurite extension, and vascularization. Regulation of vimentin is highly complex and is driven by posttranslational modifications such as phosphorylation and cleavage by intracellular proteases. This review discusses various novel functions which are now known to be mediated by vimentin, summarizing structure, regulation and roles of vimentin in cell adhesion, migration, angiogenesis, neurite extension, and cancer. We specifically highlight a pathway involving growth factor‐mediated calpain activation, vimentin cleavage, and MT1‐MMP membrane translocation that is required for endothelial cell invasion in 3D environments. This pathway may also regulate the analogous processes of neurite extension and tumor cell invasion.
Ethylene and jasmonic acid act as negative modulators during mutualistic symbiosis between Laccaria bicolor and Populus roots
Authors: Plett Jonathan M. , Khachane Amit , Ouassou Malika , Sundberg Björn , Kohler Annegret , Martin Francis
Published: January 2014

The plant hormones ethylene, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid have interconnecting roles during the response of plant tissues to mutualistic and pathogenic symbionts.

We used morphological studies of transgenic‐ or hormone‐treated Populus roots as well as whole‐genome oligoarrays to examine how these hormones affect root colonization by the mutualistic ectomycorrhizal fungus Laccaria bicolor S238N.

We found that genes regulated by ethylene, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid were regulated in the late stages of the interaction between L. bicolor and poplar. Both ethylene and jasmonic acid treatments were found to impede fungal colonization of roots, and this effect was correlated to an increase in the expression of certain transcription factors (e.g. ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR1) and a decrease in the expression of genes associated with microbial perception and cell wall modification. Further, we found that ethylene and jasmonic acid showed extensive transcriptional cross‐talk, cross‐talk that was opposed by salicylic acid signaling.

We conclude that ethylene and jasmonic acid pathways are induced late in the colonization of root tissues in order to limit fungal growth within roots. This induction is probably an adaptive response by the plant such that its growth and vigor are not compromised by the fungus.
Plant movements and climate warming: intraspecific variation in growth responses to nonlocal soils
Authors: De Frenne Pieter , Coomes David A. , De Schrijver An , Staelens Jeroen , Alexander Jake M. , Bernhardt‐Römermann Markus , Brunet Jörg , Chabrerie Olivier , Chiarucci Alessandro , den Ouden Jan , Eckstein R. Lutz , Graae Bente J. , Gruwez Robert , Hédl Radim , Hermy Martin , Kolb Annette , Mårell Anders , Mullender Samantha M. , Olsen Siri L. , Orczewska Anna , Peterken George , Petřík Petr , Plue Jan , Simonson William D. , Tomescu Cezar V. , Vangansbeke Pieter , Verstraeten Gorik , Vesterdal Lars , Wulf Monika , Verheyen Kris
Published: January 2014

Most range shift predictions focus on the dispersal phase of the colonization process. Because moving populations experience increasingly dissimilar nonclimatic environmental conditions as they track climate warming, it is also critical to test how individuals originating from contrasting thermal environments can establish in nonlocal sites.

We assess the intraspecific variation in growth responses to nonlocal soils by planting a widespread grass of deciduous forests (Milium effusum) into an experimental common garden using combinations of seeds and soil sampled in 22 sites across its distributional range, and reflecting movement scenarios of up to 1600 km. Furthermore, to determine temperature and forest‐structural effects, the plants and soils were experimentally warmed and shaded.

We found significantly positive effects of the difference between the temperature of the sites of seed and soil collection on growth and seedling emergence rates. Migrant plants might thus encounter increasingly favourable soil conditions while tracking the isotherms towards currently ‘colder’ soils. These effects persisted under experimental warming. Rising temperatures and light availability generally enhanced plant performance.

Our results suggest that abiotic and biotic soil characteristics can shape climate change‐driven plant movements by affecting growth of nonlocal migrants, a mechanism which should be integrated into predictions of future range shifts.
Safety of Cantharidin: A Retrospective Review of Cantharidin Treatment in 405 Children with Molluscum Contagiosum
Authors: Moye Virginia A. , Cathcart Shelley , Morrell Dean S.
Published: January 2014

Cantharidin is a widely used treatment for molluscum contagiosum (MC) that is often favored because of its speed of application and lack of pain at the time of application. Previous studies have supported its safety and reported high parental and dermatologist satisfaction with its use. Nonetheless, a lack of safety data has contributed to ambiguous U.S. Food and Drug Administration status that has made it increasingly difficult to obtain. All children treated with cantharidin for MC at a tertiary care center between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2011, who had at least one follow‐up visit or telephone call were included in the current study. Information related to treatment with cantharidin and adverse effects was abstracted from medical records. Of 512 children identified, 405 had at least one follow‐up visit or telephone call after treatment and were included in this study. Cantharidin was applied to 9,688 lesions over 1,056 visits. Fifty‐seven percent of children experienced blistering, an expected effect of therapy. Eleven percent of patients experienced adverse events. The most common adverse events were pain (7%) and significant blistering (2.5%). Other side effects were rare (<1%) and included pruritus, possible mild infection, significant irritation, id reactions, and bleeding. Eighty‐six percent of parents reported satisfaction with cantharidin or opted to use it again. Cantharidin is a safe treatment modality for MC and should be considered when symptomatic infection necessitates treatment. The cantharidin application protocol used in this study may serve as a model protocol with a known side‐effect profile.
A 7‐Week‐Old Nepali Girl with a Perianal Ulcer: Brief Report
Authors: Durkin John , Martinez‐Diaz Gabriel J. , Gehris Robin P.
Published: January 2014

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can rarely present with skin findings. Cutaneous CMV is most often found in patients who are immunocompromised because of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, lymphoma, or other conditions. We present a rare case of an immunocompetent 7‐week‐old girl with a perianal ulcer attributed to CMV.
Effect of once‐daily indacaterol in a predominantly Chinese population with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A 26‐week Asia‐Pacific study
Authors: Yao Wanzhen , Wang Changzheng , Zhong Nanshan , Han Xiaowen , Wu Changgui , Yan Xixin , Chen Ping , Yang Wei , Henley Michelle , Kramer Benjamin
Published: January 2014

Background and objective

This study, in a predominantly Chinese population, investigated the efficacy and safety of a once‐daily (o.d.) inhaled ultra‐long‐acting β2‐agonist indacaterol for the treatment of moderate‐to‐severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

This is a 26‐week, double‐blind study on randomized patients who received indacaterol 150 μg or 300 μg or placebo o.d. The primary variable was trough forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1, average of 23 h 10 min and 23 h 45 min post‐dose values) at Week 12. Health status (St George's Respiratory Questionnaire, SGRQ), dyspnoea (transition dyspnoea index, TDI) and safety were evaluated over 26 weeks.

Results

Of the 563 patients randomized, 561 (89.8% Chinese) received treatment and 482 completed. At Week 12, trough FEV1 improved significantly for indacaterol 150 and 300 μg versus placebo (1.32, 1.29 vs 1.17; P < 0.001 for both comparisons), with differences exceeding the pre‐specified minimal clinically important difference of 0.12 L. At Week 26, TDI score was superior to placebo for indacaterol 150 and 300 μg (0.82, 1.15; P < 0.01), as was the percentage of patients with a clinically relevant improvement (≥1 point) (74.1%, 78.6% vs 55.5%; P < 0.05). Both doses provided ≥4‐point improvements from baseline in SGRQ score at Week 26 that were numerically greater than placebo (unadjusted means: −9.6, −8.8 vs −7.0), with a similar pattern in percentage of patients with clinically relevant improvements in SGRQ score (65.0%, 61.5% vs 60.6%). Incidences of adverse events were comparable across treatment groups.

Conclusions

Indacaterol delivered effective bronchodilation with significant improvements in breathlessness and health status in this predominantly Chinese population.
Three cases of donor‐derived pulmonary tuberculosis in lung transplant recipients and review of 12 previously reported cases: opportunities for early diagnosis and prevention
Authors: Mortensen E. , Hellinger W. , Keller C. , Cowan L.S. , Shaw T. , Hwang S. , Pegues D. , Ahmedov S. , Salfinger M. , Bower W.A.
Published: January 2014

Introduction

Solid organ transplant recipients have a higher frequency of tuberculosis (TB) than the general population, with mortality rates of approximately 30%. Although donor‐derived TB is reported to account for <5% of TB in solid organ transplants, the source of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is infrequently determined.

Methods

We report 3 new cases of pulmonary TB in lung transplant recipients attributed to donor infection, and review the 12 previously reported cases to assess whether cases could have been prevented and whether any cases that might occur in the future could be detected and investigated more quickly. Specifically, we evaluate whether opportunities existed to determine TB risk on the basis of routine donor history, to expedite diagnosis through routine mycobacterial smears and cultures of respiratory specimens early post transplant, and to utilize molecular tools to investigate infection sources epidemiologically.

Findings

On review, donor TB risk was present among 7 cases. Routine smears and cultures diagnosed 4 asymptomatic cases. Genotyping was used to support epidemiologic findings in 6 cases.

Conclusion

Validated screening protocols, including microbiological testing and newer technologies (e.g., interferon‐gamma release assays) to identify unrecognized M. tuberculosis infection in deceased donors, are warranted.
Herpes simplex hepatitis after liver transplantation: case report and literature review
Authors: Côté‐Daigneault J. , Carrier F.M. , Toledano K. , Wartelle‐Bladu C. , Willems B.
Published: January 2014

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) hepatitis is an uncommon cause of liver failure, but may have a dramatic outcome. We herein present a case report of a liver graft infection by HSV‐1 associated with liver failure and encephalitis. A complete hospital chart review of the case and a literature search were undertaken. Literature review suggests that herpes simplex acute liver failure is rare and associated with a poor prognosis, even with early treatment. Novel diagnostic and preventive approaches need to be instituted.
Estimating window period blood donations for human immunodeficiency virus Type 1, hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B virus by nucleic acid amplification testing in Southern Pakistan
Authors: Moiz Bushra , Moatter Tariq , Shaikh Usman , Adil Salman , Ali Natasha , Mahar Farheen , Shamsuddin Naseem , Khurshid Mohammad
Published: January 2014

Background

Recently, strategic planning was initiated by the National Blood Transfusion Services Pakistan to improve its blood bank facilities. Emphasis has been placed on appropriate screening of blood products. Located in the southern region, Aga Khan University Hospital is a 700‐bed tertiary care academic institute with comprehensive blood banking. Screening of blood donors has been based on verbal screening and serologic testing to date. Additionally, the need of implementing nucleic acid testing (NAT) was considered in 2011 because of an upsurge in hepatitis epidemiology. The aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy of this additional donor screening program and to evaluate the impact of NAT on the yield and residual risk of transfusion‐transmissible viral infections.

Study Design and Methods

A total of 42,830 blood donations collected between 2011 and 2012 were screened for routine serologic assays. Only serologically negative donors (n = 41,304) were tested for NAT. The frequency of viral infections was evaluated through serologic techniques and NAT yield for viral agents was estimated for computing window period donors. Residual risk per million donors was computed for viral infections in seronegative blood donors.

Results

Serologic work‐up showed 1571 abnormal screening results in 1526 blood donors with the following results: hepatitis C virus antibodies (anti‐HCV; n = 708), hepatitis B surface antigen (n = 555), human immunodeficiency virus antibodies (anti‐HIV; n = 29), malaria (n = 30), VDRL (n = 249), and coinfection (n = 45). Thirty‐five NAT‐reactive samples were identified: HIV‐1, one; HCV, 27; and hepatitis B virus (HBV), seven. Incident rates per 105 donors were highest for HCV (453.3) followed by HBV (171.5) and HIV (72.2). Calculated residual risk per million donors was highest at 1 in 10,900 for HBV, intermediate at 1 in 13,900 for HCV, and least at 1 in 62,600 for HIV.

Conclusion

Incidence rates and estimated residual risk indicate that the current risk of transfusion‐transmitted viral infections attributable to blood donation is relatively high in this country. The study recommends the parallel use of both serology and NAT screening of donated blood in countries that have high seroprevalence of these viral infections.
Concurrent Prediction of Muscle and Tibiofemoral Contact Forces During Treadmill Gait
Authors: Guess Trent M. , Stylianou Antonis P. , Kia Mohammad
Published: January 2014

Detailed knowledge of knee kinematics and dynamic loading is essential for improving the design and outcomes of surgical procedures, tissue engineering applications, prosthetics design, and rehabilitation. This study used publicly available data provided by the “Grand Challenge Competition to Predict in-vivo Knee Loads” for the 2013 American Society of Mechanical Engineers Summer Bioengineering Conference (Fregly et al., 2012, “Grand Challenge Competition to Predict in vivo Knee Loads,” J. Orthop. Res., 30, pp. 503–513) to develop a full body, musculoskeletal model with subject specific right leg geometries that can concurrently predict muscle forces, ligament forces, and knee and ground contact forces. The model includes representation of foot/floor interactions and predicted tibiofemoral joint loads were compared to measured tibial loads for two different cycles of treadmill gait. The model used anthropometric data (height and weight) to scale the joint center locations and mass properties of a generic model and then used subject bone geometries to more accurately position the hip and ankle. The musculoskeletal model included 44 muscles on the right leg, and subject specific geometries were used to create a 12 degrees-of-freedom anatomical right knee that included both patellofemoral and tibiofemoral articulations. Tibiofemoral motion was constrained by deformable contacts defined between the tibial insert and femoral component geometries and by ligaments. Patellofemoral motion was constrained by contact between the patellar button and femoral component geometries and the patellar tendon. Shoe geometries were added to the feet, and shoe motion was constrained by contact between three shoe segments per foot and the treadmill surface. Six-axis springs constrained motion between the feet and shoe segments. Experimental motion capture data provided input to an inverse kinematics stage, and the final forward dynamics simulations tracked joint angle errors for the left leg and upper body and tracked muscle length errors for the right leg. The one cycle RMS errors between the predicted and measured tibia contact were 178 N and 168 N for the medial and lateral sides for the first gait cycle and 209 N and 228 N for the medial and lateral sides for the faster second gait cycle. One cycle RMS errors between predicted and measured ground reaction forces were 12 N, 13 N, and 65 N in the anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and vertical directions for the first gait cycle and 43 N, 15 N, and 96 N in the anterior-posterior, medial-lateral, and vertical directions for the second gait cycle.
Statististical Performance Evaluation of Soft Seat Pressure Relief Valves
Authors: Gross Robert E. , Harris Stephen P.
Published: January 2014

Risk-based inspection methods enable estimation of the probability of failure on demand (PFD) for spring-operated pressure relief valves at the United States Department of Energy's Savannah River Site in Aiken, South Carolina. This paper presents a statistical performance evaluation of soft seat elastomer spring operated pressure relief valves. These pressure relief valves are typically smaller and of lower cost than hard seat (metal to metal) pressure relief valves. They can provide substantial cost savings in certain fluid service applications providing that PFD is at least as good as that for hard seat valves. PFD is the probability that a pressure relief valve fails to perform its intended safety function during a potentially dangerous over pressurization. The research in this paper shows that the proportion of soft seat spring operated pressure relief valves failing is the same or less than that of hard seat valves, and that for failed valves, soft seat valves typically have failure ratios of proof test pressure to set pressure much less than that of hard seat valves.
A Reduced-Order Model of the Mean Properties of a Turbulent Wall Boundary Layer at a Zero Pressure Gradient
Authors: Xu Lei , Rusak Zvi , Castillo Luciano
Published: January 2014

A novel two-equations model for computing the flow properties of a spatially-developing, incompressible, zero-pressure-gradient, turbulent boundary layer over a smooth, flat wall is developed. The mean streamwise velocity component inside the boundary layer is described by the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation where the Reynolds shear stress is given by an extended mixing-length model. The nondimensional form of the mixing length is described by a polynomial function in terms of the nondimensional wall normal coordinate. Moreover, a stream function approach is applied with a leading-order term described by a similarity function. Two ordinary differential equations are derived for the solution of the similarity function along the wall normal coordinate and for its streamwise location. A numerical integration scheme of the model equations is developed and enables the solution of flow properties. The coefficients of the mixing-length polynomial function are modified at each streamwise location as part of solution iterations to satisfy the wall and far-field boundary conditions and adjust the local boundary layer thickness, δ99.4, to a location where streamwise speed is 99.4% of the far-field streamwise velocity. The elegance of the present approach is established through the successful solution of the various flow properties across the boundary layer (i.e., mean streamwise velocity, viscous stress, Reynolds shear stress, skin friction coefficient, and growth rate of boundary layer among others) from the laminar regime all the way to the fully turbulent regime. It is found that results agree with much available experimental data and direct numerical simulations for a wide range of Reθ based on the momentum thickness (Reθ) from 15 up to 106, except for the transition region from laminar to turbulent flow. Furthermore, results shed light on the von Kármán constant as a function of Reθ, the possible four-layer nature of the mean streamwise velocity profile, the universal profiles of the streamwise velocity and the Reynolds shear stress at high Reθ, and the scaling laws at the outer region.
Maximum Entropy Approach for Modeling Hardness Uncertainties in Rabinowicz's Abrasive Wear Equation
Authors: Antonio Dorini Fabio , Pintaude Giuseppe , Sampaio Rubens
Published: January 2014

A very useful model for predicting abrasive wear is the linear wear law based on the Rabinowicz's equation. This equation assumes that the removed volume of the abraded material is inversely proportional to its hardness. This paper focuses on the stochastic modeling of the abrasive wear process, taking into account the experimental uncertainties in the identification process of the worn material hardness. The description of hardness is performed by means of the maximum entropy principle (MEP) using only the information available. Propagation of the uncertainties from the data to the volume of wear produced is analyzed. Moreover, comparisons and discussions with other probabilistic models for worn material hardness usually proposed in the literature are done.
Failure Properties and Damage of Cervical Spine Ligaments, Experiments and Modeling
Authors: Trajkovski Ana , Omerović Senad , Hribernik Marija , Prebil Ivan
Published: January 2014

Cervical spine ligaments have an important role in providing spinal cord stability and restricting excessive movements. Therefore, it is of great importance to study the mechanical properties and model the response of these ligaments. The aim of this study is to characterize the aging effects on the failure properties and model the damage of three cervical spine ligaments: the anterior and the posterior longitudinal ligament and the ligamentum flavum. A total of 46 samples of human cadaveric ligaments removed within 24–48 h after death have been tested. Uniaxial tension tests along the fiber direction were performed in physiological conditions. The results showed that aging decreased the failure properties of all three ligaments (failure load, failure elongation). Furthermore, the reported nonlinear response of cervical ligaments has been modeled with a combination of the previously reported hyperelastic and damage model. The model predicted a nonlinear response and damage region. The model fittings are in agreement with the experimental data and the quality of agreement is represented with the values of the coefficient of determination close to 1.
Cytoneme-Mediated Contact-Dependent Transport of the
Drosophila
Decapentaplegic Signaling Protein
Authors: Roy Sougata , Huang Hai , Liu Songmei , Kornberg Thomas B.
Published: January 2014

Morphogen Pipeline

Developmental effects of morphogens are often thought to result from release of such signaling proteins from a cell, which then diffuse away to act by binding to receptors on distant target cells. But evidence is accumulating that another mechanism exists for such communication. Endothelial cells in the fruit fly have long, skinny extensions that reach away from cells for long distances, and these “cytonemes” can take up morphogens from adjacent cells. A key experiment to support a signaling role of such structures would be to show that disruption of cytonemes disrupts signal transduction.

Roy
et al.

(p.
10.1126/science.1244624
, published online 2 January; see the Perspective by

Rørth

) provide such evidence and conclude that the fly morphogen known as decapentaplegic (a relative of transforming growth factor.β) must be transported through cytonemes to promote proper development of the trachea.
Straining Emergency Rooms by Expanding Health Insurance
Authors: Fisman Raymond
Published: January 2014

A randomized trial shows that patients newly covered by Medicaid increased their emergency room visits by 40%.
Genome Sequence of the Boron-Tolerant and -Requiring Bacterium Bacillus boroniphilus
Authors: Çöl Bekir , Özkeserli Zeynep , Kumar Dibyendu , Özdağ Hilal , Alakoç Yeşim D.
Published: January 2014

Bacillus boroniphilus
is a highly boron-tolerant bacterium that also requires this element for its growth. The complete genome sequence of
B. boroniphilus
was determined by a combination of shotgun sequencing and paired-end sequencing using 454 pyrosequencing technology. A total of 84,872,624 reads from shotgun sequencing and a total of 194,092,510 reads from paired-end sequencing were assembled using Newbler 2.3. The estimated size of the draft genome is 5.2 Mb.
Molecular Epidemiology of Enterococcal Bacteremia in Australia
Authors: Coombs Geoffrey W. , Pearson Julie C. , Daley Denise A. , Le Tam , Robinson Owen J. , Gottlieb Thomas , Howden Benjamin P. , Johnson Paul D. R. , Bennett Catherine M. , Stinear Timothy P. , Turnidge John D.
Published: January 2014

Enterococci are a major cause of health care-associated infections and account for approximately 10% of all bacteremias globally. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of enterococcal bacteremia isolates in Australia that are antimicrobial resistant, with particular emphasis on susceptibility to ampicillin and the glycopeptides, and to characterize the molecular epidemiology of the
Enterococcus faecalis
and
Enterococcus faecium
isolates. From 1 January to 31 December 2011, 1,079 unique episodes of bacteremia were investigated, of which 95.8% were caused by either
E. faecalis
(61.0%) or
E. faecium
(34.8%). The majority of bacteremias were health care associated, and approximately one-third were polymicrobial. Ampicillin resistance was detected in 90.4% of
E. faecium
isolates but was not detected in
E. faecalis
isolates. Vancomycin nonsusceptibility was reported in 0.6% and 36.5% of
E. faecalis
and
E. faecium
isolates, respectively. Unlike Europe and the United States, where vancomycin resistance in
E. faecium
is predominately due to the acquisition of the
vanA
operon, 98.4% of
E. faecium
isolates harboring
van
genes carried the
vanB
operon, and 16.1% of the
vanB E. faecium
isolates had vancomycin MICs at or below the susceptible breakpoint of the CLSI. Although molecular typing identified 126
E. faecalis
pulsed-field gel electrophoresis pulsotypes, >50% belonged to two pulsotypes that were isolated across Australia.
E. faecium
consisted of 73 pulsotypes from which 43 multilocus sequence types were identified. Almost 90% of the
E. faecium
isolates were identified as CC17 clones, of which approximately half were characterized as ST203, which was isolated Australia-wide. In conclusion, the Australian Enterococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (AESOP) study has shown that although they are polyclonal, enterococcal bacteremias in Australia are frequently caused by ampicillin-resistant
vanB E. faecium
.
Spinal epidural extramedullary haematopoiesis in β-thalassaemia intermedia
Authors: Wong Kin Hoi , Li Allen , Lui Tun Hing , Sit Yan Kit
Published: January 2014

A 22-year-old man known to have β-thalassaemia intermedia since childhood presented with bilateral lower limb weakness after spinal anaesthesia for an elective minor operation of his left leg. MRI and CT scans were performed to rule out acute epidural haematoma; coincidental imaging features of marrow hyperplasia and spinal epidural extramedullary haematopoiesis were found. This article will present and discuss the imaging features, differential diagnosis, management and literature review of the rare occurrence of extramedullary haematopoiesis in the spinal epidural space.
Multidrug and optimal heart failure therapy prescribing in older general practice populations: a clinical data linkage study
Authors: Rushton Claire A , Strömberg Anna , Jaarsma Tiny , Kadam Umesh T
Published: January 2014

Objective

To investigate multidrug therapy in the cardiovascular disease (CVD) population and whether it was associated with suboptimal drug prescribing in heart failure (HF).

Design

A population-based cross-sectional clinical data linkage study.

Setting

The clinical database populations were registered with three general practices in North Staffordshire that are part of a research network.

Participants

3155 patients aged 50 years and over were selected on the basis of a CVD-related prescription and a CVD consultation code applied to their electronic medical record in a 2-year time period. All available diagnostic data were linked to all drugs prescribed data during this time period. Two study groups were: (1) HF and (2) non-HF CVD (reference group).

Exposure

A standard drug formulary system was used to define four multidrug count categories based on the number of different British National Formulary drug chapters prescribed at the same time.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Optimal HF therapy was defined as the prescribing of ACE inhibitor (ACEi) or a combination of ACEi and β-blocker in the 2-year time window. An additional three specific CVD drug categories that are indicated in HF were also measured.

Results

The HF group, compared with the reference group, had higher non-CVD multidrug therapy (26% with 7 or more counts compared with 14% in the non-HF CVD reference group). For the first-choice optimal drug treatment for HF with ACEi (64%) or ACEi and β-blocker combined therapy (23%), the multidrug-adjusted associations between the HF group and the reference group were OR 3.89; 95% CI 2.8 to 5.5 and 1.99; 1.4 to 2.9, respectively. These estimates were not influenced by adjustment for sociodemographic factors and multidrug counts.

Conclusions

Multidrug therapy prescribing is much higher in the HF group than in a comparable CVD group but did not influence optimal drug prescribing.
Socioeconomic variations in female fertility impairment: a study in a cohort of Portuguese mothers
Authors: Correia Sofia , Rodrigues Teresa , Barros Henrique
Published: January 2014

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the association of socioeconomic conditions with female fertility impairment among women who delivered a live birth.

Design

Cross-sectional analysis.

Setting

Population-based birth cohort (Generation XXI) assembled in 2005/2006 from five public maternity units in Porto Metropolitan Region, Northern Portugal.

Participants

7472 women aged 18 or more with spontaneous conception and no male diagnosis of infertility were recruited and interviewed immediately after birth with structured questionnaires.

Exposures of interest

Maternal education, occupation and income were recorded as proxy indicators of social conditions.

Outcome

Impaired female fertility, defined as women who had unsuccessfully tried to conceive for over a year.

Data analysis

Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the association between each socioeconomic indicator and impaired female fertility, stratified by previous pregnancy experience and adjusted for age, pregnancy planning and behavioural characteristics.

Results

Among primigravidae, 7.7% (95% CI 6.8% to 8.6%) presented impaired fertility and the prevalence was 9.6% (95% CI 8.7% to 10.6%) in multigravidae. In crude analysis, we found women with impaired fertility to be older, less educated, more likely to have planned the current pregnancy and to be overweight/obese; they had similar levels of income or occupation. In multivariate models, a significant independent association between educational level and female fertility impairment remained among primigravidae (OR (95% CI) vs ≤6 schooling years: 7–9: 0.85 (0.54 to 1.34); 10–12: 0.34 (0.21 to 0.54); >12: 0.24 (0.14 to 0.40), ptrend<0.001) but not in multigravidae.

Conclusions

This study shows that education might be important in understanding female fertility impairment, particularly among first-time pregnant women. It also points out that the association is not totally explained by other sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics that have been previously found to be important to disclose this relation.
The influence of antibiotic resistance gene carriage on biofilm formation by two Escherichia coli strains associated with urinary tract infections
Authors: Teh Amy Huei Teen , Wang Yi , Dykes Gary A.
Published: January 2014

Urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli are one of the most common forms of human disease. In this study, the effect of the presence of newly acquired antibiotic resistance genes on biofilm formation of UTI-associated E. coli strains was examined. Two clinical UTI-associated E. coli strains (SMC18 and SMC20) carrying different combinations of virulence genes were transformed with pGEM-T, pGEM-T::KmΔAmp, or pGEM-T::Km to construct ampicillin-resistant (KmSAmpR), kanamycin-resistant (KmRAmpS), or ampicillin- and kanamycin-resistant (KmRAmpR) strains. Transformed and wild-type strains were characterized for biofilm formation, bacterial surface hydrophobicity, auto-aggregation, morphology, and attachment to abiotic surfaces. Transformation with a plasmid carrying an ampicillin resistance gene alone decreased (p < 0.05) biofilm formation by SMC18 (8 virulence marker genes) but increased (p < 0.05) biofilm formation by SMC20 (5 virulence marker genes). On the other hand, transformation with a plasmid carrying a kanamycin resistance gene alone or both ampicillin and kanamycin resistance genes resulted in a decrease (p < 0.05) in biofilm formation by SMC18 but did not affect (p > 0.05) the biofilm formation by SMC20. Our results suggest that transformation of UTI-associated E. coli with plasmids carrying different antibiotic resistance gene(s) had a significant impact on biofilm formation and that these effects were both strain dependent and varied between different antibiotics.
The global regulator GacS regulates biofilm formation in Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 differently with carbon source
Authors: Kim Ji Soo , Kim Yong Hwan , Park Ju Yeon , Anderson Anne J. , Kim Young Cheol
Published: January 2014

An aggressive root colonizer, Pseudomonas chlororaphis O6 produces various secondary metabolites that impact plant health. The sensor kinase GacS is a key regulator of the expression of biocontrol-related traits. Biofilm formation is one such trait because of its role in root surface colonization. This paper focuses on the effects of carbon source on biofilm formation. In comparison with the wild type, a gacS mutant formed biofilms at a reduced level with sucrose as the major carbon source but at much higher level with mannitol in the defined medium. Biofilm formation by the gacS mutant occurred without phenazine production and in the absence of normal levels of acyl homoserine lactones, which promote biofilms with other pseudomonads. Colonization of tomato roots was similar for the wild type and gacS mutant, showing that any differences in biofilm formation in the rhizosphere were not of consequence under the tested conditions. The reduced ability of the gacS mutant to induce systemic resistance against tomato leaf mold and tomato gray mold was consistent with a lack of production of effectors, such as phenazines. These results demonstrated plasticity in biofilm formation and root colonization in the rhizosphere by a beneficial pseudomonad.
Knowledge Management Education and Training in Academic Institutions in 2012
Authors: Bedford Denise A. D.
Published: January 2014

The academic discipline of Knowledge Management is maturing. The maturity of knowledge management scholarship has been considered as well as its curricular coverage and alignment with the needs of business. This research suggests that a mature academic discipline is grounded on a mature academic programme. The research defines five dimensions of a mature academic discipline, including: (1) curriculum design; (2) nature and coverage of research programmes; (3) faculty credentials and status; (4) academic programme administration; and (5) programme goals. Maturity factors are identified for each of the five dimensions. In 2012, an open public survey was conducted to determine the level of maturity of academic programmes in knowledge management. The survey results suggest that while there is notable maturity in curriculum design, the remaining four dimensions — research, faculty credentials, programme administration and programme goals — are immature. The research suggests that additional focus be given to these maturity factors in terms of standards. The research further suggests that an annual survey is needed to track progress towards a mature academic discipline.
KNOWLEDGE DYNAMICS IN FRAGMENTED INDUSTRIES
Authors: CECI FEDERICA , D'ANDREA DAJANA
Published: January 2014

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive picture of knowledge dynamics in fragmented industries in which economic activities are performed through inter-firm projects. The organization performing the project often does not survive the project itself, though knowledge is acquired and retained over time and across the whole industry. Notwithstanding scholars' interest, a systematic understanding of this subject is still lacking. To fill this gap, an analytical model has been developed to describe the processes of knowledge acquisition and retention in fragmented industries. Drawing upon empirical evidence collected from the UK media content industry and literature on project-based learning, project-based organization and organizational learning, the model presents the variables involved in these processes, distinguishing them according to the level at which they act (individual, project, industry) and according to the role they play (process or moderator). Implications for practitioners and policymakers are then discussed.
DEVELOPING A MODEL FOR TECHNOLOGICAL CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT — CASE OF AUTOMOTIVE PARTS MANUFACTURERS IN IRAN
Authors: MOHAMMADI MEHDI , ELYASI MAHDI , KIASARI MOSTAFA MOHSENI
Published: January 2014

Technology assessment provides the requirements for decision-making with regard to development of technological capabilities. This paper presents a model for assessment of technological capability level of firms. This model was tested on 10 manufacturers of automotive parts in Iran. We choose some technology capability assessment models as the basis of our assessment model. Then, using field study by questionnaire and site visit, these firms' capability level was assessed. Results indicate that in most cases there are lack of appropriate soft aspects of technological capability like managerial, human and knowledge aspects, smooth and balanced technological capability, and appropriate tacit knowledge.