bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ideal Compliant Joints and Integration of Computer Aided Design and Analysis
Authors: Hamed Ashraf M. , Jayakumar Paramsothy , Letherwood Michael D. , Gorsich David J. , Recuero Antonio M. , Shabana Ahmed A.
Published: July 2014

This paper discusses fundamental issues related to the integration of computer aided design and analysis (I-CAD-A) by introducing a new class of ideal compliant joints that account for the distributed inertia and elasticity. The absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) degrees of freedom are used in order to capture modes of deformation that cannot be captured using existing formulations. The ideal compliant joints developed can be formulated, for the most part, using linear algebraic equations, allowing for the elimination of the dependent variables at a preprocessing stage, thereby significantly reducing the problem dimension and array storage needed. Furthermore, the constraint equations are automatically satisfied at the position, velocity, and acceleration levels. When using the proposed approach to model large scale chain systems, differences in computational efficiency between the augmented formulation and the recursive methods are eliminated, and the central processing unit (CPU) times resulting from the use of the two formulations become similar regardless of the complexity of the system. The elimination of the joint constraint equations and the associated dependent variables also contribute to the solution of a fundamental singularity problem encountered in the analysis of closed loop chains and mechanisms by eliminating the need to repeatedly change the chain or mechanism independent coordinates. It is shown that the concept of the knot multiplicity used in computational geometry methods, such as B-spline and NURBS (nonuniform rational B-spline), to control the degree of continuity at the breakpoints is not suited for the formulation of many ideal compliant joints. As explained in this paper, this issue is closely related to the inability of B-spline and NURBS to model structural discontinuities. Another contribution of this paper is demonstrating that large deformation ANCF finite elements can be effective, in some multibody systems (MBS) applications, in solving small deformation problems. This is demonstrated using a heavily constrained tracked vehicle with flexible-link chains. Without using the proposed approach, modeling such a complex system with flexible links can be very challenging. The analysis presented in this paper also demonstrates that adding significant model details does not necessarily imply increasing the complexity of the MBS algorithm.
“Fuck You, I won't Do What You Tell Me”: A Critical Analysis of Rebellion, Revolution and the Dionysian in Popular Music
Authors: Holm Nick
Published: July 2014

“Fuck You, I won't Do What You Tell Me”: A Critical Analysis of Rebellion, Revolution and the Dionysian in Popular Music
Forgetting Millie Sampson: Collective Frameworks for Historical Memory
Authors: Jutel Annemarie
Published: July 2014

Forgetting Millie Sampson: Collective Frameworks for Historical Memory
He Wero – Towards a bicultural and multicultural discipline
Authors: Stuart Ian
Published: July 2014

He Wero – Towards a bicultural and multicultural discipline
Selling Beats and Pacifications: Pacific music labels in Aotearoa/New Zealand/ Niu sila
Authors: Zemke-White Kirsten , Televave Su'eina Sharon
Published: July 2014

Selling Beats and Pacifications: Pacific music labels in Aotearoa/New Zealand/ Niu sila
Ka Whawhai Tonu Mātou: Indigenous Television in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: Smith Jo , Abel Sue
Published: July 2014

Ka Whawhai Tonu Mātou: Indigenous Television in Aotearoa/New Zealand
Dream Home (Land): Anxious Fantasies of Settlement in Home­improvement Television
Authors: West Amy
Published: July 2014

Dream Home (Land): Anxious Fantasies of Settlement in Home­improvement Television
A critical evaluation of worst case optimization methods for robust intensity‐modulated proton therapy planning
Authors: Fredriksson Albin , Bokrantz Rasmus
Published: July 2014

Purpose:

To critically evaluate and compare three worst case optimization methods that have been previously employed to generate intensity‐modulated proton therapy treatment plans that are robust against systematic errors. The goal of the evaluation is to identify circumstances when the methods behave differently and to describe the mechanism behind the differences when they occur.

Methods:

The worst case methods optimize plans to perform as well as possible under the worst case scenario that can physically occur (composite worst case), the combination of the worst case scenarios for each objective constituent considered independently (objectivewise worst case), and the combination of the worst case scenarios for each voxel considered independently (voxelwise worst case). These three methods were assessed with respect to treatment planning for prostate under systematic setup uncertainty. An equivalence with probabilistic optimization was used to identify the scenarios that determine the outcome of the optimization.

Results:

If the conflict between target coverage and normal tissue sparing is small and no dose‐volume histogram (DVH) constraints are present, then all three methods yield robust plans. Otherwise, they all have their shortcomings: Composite worst case led to unnecessarily low plan quality in boundary scenarios that were less difficult than the worst case ones. Objectivewise worst case generally led to nonrobust plans. Voxelwise worst case led to overly conservative plans with respect to DVH constraints, which resulted in excessive dose to normal tissue, and less sharp dose fall‐off than the other two methods.

Conclusions:

The three worst case methods have clearly different behaviors. These behaviors can be understood from which scenarios that are active in the optimization. No particular method is superior to the others under all circumstances: composite worst case is suitable if the conflicts are not very severe or there are DVH constraints whereas voxelwise worst case is advantageous if there are severe conflicts but no DVH constraints. The advantages of composite and voxelwise worst case outweigh those of objectivewise worst case.
Phases of the Swim-start in Paralympic Swimmers Are Influenced by Severity and Type of Disability
Authors: Dingley Andrew A. , Pyne David B. , Burkett Brendan
Published: July 2014

Disabilities in Paralympic swimming could impact a swimmer’s ability to execute an effective swim-start. We examined how swim-start performance differed between severity and type of physical disability. Swim-starts were measured in 55 elite Paralympic swimmers from eight different Paralympic classes; S14, S13, S10-S6, S3 grouped as no- (classes S13 & S14), low- (S9 & S10), mid- (S7 & S8) or high- (≤ S6) severity of physical disability and also by type of physical disability (upper, lower, and palsy) to provide meaningful comparisons. The swimmer’s competitive level was determined by the international point score (IPS). Swimmers with no physical disability were significantly faster in most swim-start phases compared with those with physical disabilities, as were swimmers with low-severity disabilities compared with the mid- and high-severity groups. Block velocity was highly negatively correlated (r = –0.57 to –0.86) with 15-m swimming time for all groups except high-severity disabilities. Free-swim velocity is a priority area for improving swim-starts for swimmers regardless of disability, given large correlations between this measure and IPS. Swimmers with lower body or high-severity disabilities spent a smaller percentage of time overall in the underwater phase. Assessment of four specific phases of the swim-start highlight distinctive priorities for coaches working with Paralympic swimmers in an applied biomechanical manner.
A Sex Comparison of Ambulatory Mechanics Relevant to Osteoarthritis in Individuals With and Without Asymptomatic Varus Knee Alignment
Authors: Barrios Joaquin A. , Strotman Danielle E.
Published: July 2014

The prevalence of medial knee osteoarthritis is greater in females and is associated with varus knee alignment. During gait, medial knee osteoarthritis has been linked to numerous alterations. Interestingly, there has been no research exploring sex differences during walking in healthy individuals with and without varus alignment. Therefore, the gait mechanics of 30 asymptomatic individuals with varus knees (15 females) and 30 normally-aligned controls (15 females) were recorded. Gait parameters associated with medial knee osteoarthritis were analyzed with two-factor analyses of variance. In result, varus males exhibited the greatest peak knee adduction moments, while normal females showed the greatest peak hip adduction angles and pelvic drop excursions. By sex, females exhibited greater peak hip adduction angles and moments and greater pelvic drop excursion, but lesser peak knee adduction angles. By alignment type, varus subjects exhibited greater peak knee adduction angles and moments, midstance knee flexion angles and excursion, and eversion angles and lateral ground reaction forces, but lesser peak hip adduction angles. In conclusion, females generally presented with proximal mechanics related to greater hip adduction, whereas males presented with more knee adduction. Varus subjects demonstrated a number of alterations associated with medial knee osteoarthritis. The differential sex effects were far less conclusive.
Multispecies diel transcriptional oscillations in open ocean heterotrophic bacterial assemblages
Authors: Ottesen Elizabeth A. , Young Curtis R. , Gifford Scott M. , Eppley John M. , Marin Roman , Schuster Stephan C. , Scholin Christopher A. , DeLong Edward F.
Published: July 2014

Up and down go the cyanobacteria

Plankton move together in strikingly coordinated daily patterns, sinking at night to avoid being eaten and rising to the surface in daylight to photosynthesize. Ottesonet al.found similar activity patterns in even the smallest of planktonic organisms, such as photosynthetic bacteria (see the Perspective by Armbrust). Because it's hard to take regular samples in the open ocean, the authors built a robotic sampler and set it adrift for several days in the mid-Pacific. The captured bacteria showed immediate responses to changes in light, temperature, and salinity in ways that could affect the ocean's carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Science, this issue p.207; see also p.134
Supershear rupture in a
M
w
6.7 aftershock of the 2013 Sea of Okhotsk earthquake
Authors: Zhan Zhongwen , Helmberger Donald V. , Kanamori Hiroo , Shearer Peter M.
Published: July 2014

Supershear rupture down below

Deep earthquakes occur in complex fault zones more than 70 kilometers below Earth's surface. Although they do not pose much of a hazard, they can still provide valuable insight into how earthquakes rupture. Zhan
et al.
found that a magnitude 6.7 aftershock of the largest deep earthquake recorded to date—the 2013 magnitude 8.3 Sea of Okhotsk earthquake—ruptured faster than the velocity of its seismic waves. This so-called “supershear” rupture shows that deep earthquakes have diverse rupture mechanisms and have several routes to dissipate energy.

Science
, this issue p.
204
Immunologic strategies for HIV-1 remission and eradication
Authors: Barouch Dan H. , Deeks Steven G.
Published: July 2014

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is able to suppress HIV-1 replication indefinitely in individuals who have access to these medications, are able to tolerate these drugs, and are motivated to take them daily for life. However, ART is not curative. HIV-1 persists indefinitely during ART as quiescent integrated DNA within memory CD4
+
T cells and perhaps other long-lived cellular reservoirs. In this Review, we discuss the role of the immune system in the establishment and maintenance of the latent HIV-1 reservoir. A detailed understanding of how the host immune system shapes the size and distribution of the viral reservoir should lead to the development of a new generation of immune-based therapeutics, which may eventually contribute to a curative intervention.
Randomized, Open-Label Study of the Impact of Age on Booster Responses to the 10-Valent Pneumococcal Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Protein D Conjugate Vaccine in Children in India
Authors: Lalwani Sanjay , Chatterjee Sukanta , Chhatwal Jugesh , Simon Anna , Ravula Sudheer , Francois Nancy , Mehta Shailesh , Strezova Ana , Borys Dorota
Published: July 2014

In this phase III, open-label, multicenter, and descriptive study in India, children primed with 3 doses (at ages 6, 10, and 14 weeks) of the 10-valent pneumococcal nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) were randomized (1:1) to receive a booster dose at 9 to 12 (early booster) or 15 to 18 months old (late booster) in order to evaluate impact of age at booster. We also evaluated a 2-dose catch-up vaccination plus an experimental booster dose in unprimed children age 12 to 18 months. The early booster, late booster, and catch-up vaccinations were administered to 74, 95, and 87 children, respectively; 66, 71, and 81 children, respectively, were included in the immunogenicity according-to-protocol cohort. One month postbooster, for each PHiD-CV serotype, ≥95.2% (early booster) and ≥93.8% (late booster) of the children had antibody concentrations of ≥0.2 μg/ml; ≥96.7% and ≥93.0%, respectively, had opsonophagocytic activity (OPA) titers of ≥8. The postbooster antibody geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were in similar ranges for early and late boosters; the OPA titers appeared to be lower for most PHiD-CV serotypes (except 6B and 19F) after the early booster. After dose 2 and postbooster, for each PHiD-CV serotype, ≥88.6% and ≥96.3%, respectively, of the catch-up immunogenicity according-to-protocol cohort had antibody concentrations of ≥0.2 μg/ml; ≥71.4% and ≥90.6%, respectively, had OPA titers of ≥8. At least 1 serious adverse event was reported by 2 children in the early booster (skin infection and gastroenteritis) and 1 child in the catch-up group (febrile convulsion and urinary tract infection); all were resolved, and none were considered by the investigators to be vaccine related. PHiD-CV induced robust immune responses regardless of age at booster. Booster vaccination following 2 catch-up doses induced robust immune responses indicative of effective priming and immunological memory. (These studies have been registered at
www.clinicaltrials.gov
under registration no. NCT01030822 and NCT00814710; a protocol summary is available at
www.gsk-clinicalstudyregister.com
[study ID 112909]).
Antepartum Screening for Group B Streptococcus by Three FDA-Cleared Molecular Tests and Effect of Shortened Enrichment Culture on Molecular Detection Rates
Authors: Couturier Brianne A. , Weight Trent , Elmer Haley , Schlaberg Robert
Published: July 2014

Neonatal
Streptococcus agalactiae
infections cause significant morbidity and mortality, and antenatal screening is recommended. We compared three U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) to culture using 314 vaginal/rectal swabs after 18 to 24 h (recommended period) and 4 to 8 h (shortened period) of broth enrichment. Agreement of the NAATs with each other was high (97.1% to 98.4%), but culture was less sensitive than all NAATs (67% to 73%). A shortened period of broth culture enrichment resulted in 1 false-negative result in 68 (1.5%). The NAATs performed comparably and were more sensitive than culture.
HIV-1 gp120 Activates the STAT3/Interleukin-6 Axis in Primary Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Authors: Del Cornò Manuela , Donninelli Gloria , Varano Barbara , Da Sacco Letizia , Masotti Andrea , Gessani Sandra
Published: July 2014

Dendritic cells (DCs) are fundamental for the initiation of immune responses and are important players in AIDS immunopathogenesis. The modulation of DC functional activities represents a strategic mechanism for HIV-1 to evade immune surveillance. Impairment of DC function may result from bystander effects of HIV-1 envelope proteins independently of direct HIV-1 infection. In this study, we report that exposure of immature monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs) to HIV-1 R5 gp120 resulted in the CCR5-dependent production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/NF-κB pathways. IL-6 in turn activated STAT3 by an autocrine loop. Concomitantly, gp120 promoted an early activation of STAT3 that further contributed to IL-6 induction. This activation paralleled a concomitant upregulation of the STAT3 inhibitor PIAS3. Notably, STAT3/IL-6 pathway activation was not affected by the CCR5-specific ligand CCL4. These results identify STAT3 as a key signaling intermediate activated by gp120 in MDDCs and highlight the existence of a virus-induced dysregulation of the IL-6/STAT3 axis. HIV-1 gp120 signaling through STAT3 may provide an explanation for the impairment of DC function observed upon HIV exposure.

IMPORTANCEThis study provides new evidence for the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways triggered by HIV-1 gp120 in human DCs in the absence of productive infection, emphasizing a role of aberrant signaling in early virus-host interaction, contributing to viral pathogenesis. We identified STAT3 as a key component in the gp120-mediated signaling cascade involving MAPK and NF-κB components and ultimately leading to IL-6 secretion. STAT3 now is recognized as a key regulator of DC functions. Thus, the identification of this transcription factor as a signaling molecule mediating some of gp120's biological effects unveils a new mechanism by which HIV-1 may deregulate DC functions and contribute to AIDS pathogenesis.
Genogroup IV and VI Canine Noroviruses Interact with Histo-Blood Group Antigens
Authors: Caddy Sarah , Breiman Adrien , le Pendu Jacques , Goodfellow Ian
Published: July 2014

Human noroviruses (HuNV) are a significant cause of viral gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. HuNV attaches to cell surface carbohydrate structures known as histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) prior to internalization, and HBGA polymorphism among human populations is closely linked to susceptibility to HuNV. Noroviruses are divided into 6 genogroups, with human strains grouped into genogroups I (GI), II, and IV. Canine norovirus (CNV) is a recently discovered pathogen in dogs, with strains classified into genogroups IV and VI. Whereas it is known that GI to GIII noroviruses bind to HBGAs and GV noroviruses recognize terminal sialic acid residues, the attachment factors for GIV and GVI noroviruses have not been reported. This study sought to determine the carbohydrate binding specificity of CNV and to compare it to the binding specificities of noroviruses from other genogroups. A panel of synthetic oligosaccharides were used to assess the binding specificity of CNV virus-like particles (VLPs) and identified α1,2-fucose as a key attachment factor. CNV VLP binding to canine saliva and tissue samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and immunohistochemistry confirmed that α1,2-fucose-containing H and A antigens of the HBGA family were recognized by CNV. Phenotyping studies demonstrated expression of these antigens in a population of dogs. The virus-ligand interaction was further characterized using blockade studies, cell lines expressing HBGAs, and enzymatic removal of candidate carbohydrates from tissue sections. Recognition of HBGAs by CNV provides new insights into the evolution of noroviruses and raises concerns regarding the potential for zoonotic transmission of CNV to humans.

IMPORTANCE
Infections with human norovirus cause acute gastroenteritis in millions of people each year worldwide. Noroviruses can also affect nonhuman species and are divided into 6 different groups based on their capsid sequences. Human noroviruses in genogroups I and II interact with histo-blood group antigen carbohydrates, bovine noroviruses (genogroup III) interact with alpha-galactosidase (α-Gal) carbohydrates, and murine norovirus (genogroup V) recognizes sialic acids. The canine-specific strains of norovirus are grouped into genogroups IV and VI, and this study is the first to characterize which carbohydrate structures they can recognize. Using canine norovirus virus-like particles, this work shows that representative genogroup IV and VI viruses can interact with histo-blood group antigens. The binding specificity of canine noroviruses is therefore very similar to that of the human norovirus strains classified into genogroups I and II. This raises interesting questions about the evolution of noroviruses and suggests it may be possible for canine norovirus to infect humans.
Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Nonstructural Protein 4 Antagonizes Beta Interferon Expression by Targeting the NF-κB Essential Modulator
Authors: Huang Chen , Zhang Qiong , Guo Xue-kun , Yu Zhi-bin , Xu Ao-Tian , Tang Jun , Feng Wen-hai
Published: July 2014

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a highly infectious pathogen that causes severe diseases in pigs and great economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. Type I interferons (IFNs) play a crucial role in antiviral immunity. In the present study, we demonstrated that infection with the highly pathogenic PRRSV strain JXwn06 antagonized type I IFN expression induced by poly(I·C) in both porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) and blood monocyte-derived macrophages (BMo). Subsequently, we showed that the inhibition of poly(I·C)-induced IFN-β production by PRRSV was dependent on the blocking of NF-κB signaling pathways. By screening PRRSV nonstructural and structural proteins, we demonstrated that nonstructural protein 4 (nsp4), a viral 3C-like serine protease, significantly suppressed IFN-β expression. Moreover, we verified that nsp4 inhibited NF-κB activation induced by signaling molecules, including RIG-I, VISA, TRIF, and IKKβ. nsp4 was shown to target the NF-κB essential modulator (NEMO) at the E349-S350 site to mediate its cleavage. Importantly, nsp4 mutants with defective protease activity abolished its ability to cleave NEMO and inhibit IFN-β production. These findings might have implications for our understanding of PRRSV pathogenesis and its mechanisms for evading the host immune response.

IMPORTANCE
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a major agent of respiratory diseases in pigs. Like many other viruses, PRRSV has evolved a variety of strategies to evade host antiviral innate immunity for survival and propagation. In this study, we show that PRRSV nsp4 is a novel antagonist of the NF-κB signaling pathway, which is responsible for regulating the expression of type I interferons and other crucial cytokines. We then investigated the underlying mechanism used by nsp4 to suppress NF-κB-mediated IFN-β production. We found that nsp4 interfered with the NF-κB signaling pathway through the cleavage of NEMO (a key regulator of NF-κB signaling) at the E349-S350 site, leading to the downregulation of IFN-β production induced by poly(I·C). The data presented here may help us to better understand PRRSV pathogenesis.
Differential Responses of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells to Influenza Virus and Distinct Viral Pathogens
Authors: Thomas Jaime M. , Pos Zoltan , Reinboth Jennifer , Wang Richard Y. , Wang Ena , Frank Gregory M. , Lusso Paolo , Trinchieri Giorgio , Alter Harvey J. , Marincola Francesco M. , Thomas Emmanuel
Published: July 2014

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are key components of the innate immune response that are capable of synthesizing and rapidly releasing vast amounts of type I interferons (IFNs), particularly IFN-α. Here we investigated whether pDCs, often regarded as a mere source of IFN, discriminate between various functionally discrete stimuli and to what extent this reflects differences in pDC responses other than IFN-α release. To examine the ability of pDCs to differentially respond to various doses of intact and infectious HIV, hepatitis C virus, and H1N1 influenza virus, whole-genome gene expression analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and flow cytometry were used to investigate pDC responses at the transcriptional, protein, and cellular levels. Our data demonstrate that pDCs respond differentially to various viral stimuli with significant changes in gene expression, including those involved in pDC activation, migration, viral endocytosis, survival, or apoptosis. In some cases, the expression of these genes was induced even at levels comparable to that of IFN-α. Interestingly, we also found that depending on the viral entity and the viral titer used for stimulation, induction of IFN-α gene expression and the actual release of IFN-α are not necessarily temporally coordinated. In addition, our data suggest that high-titer influenza A (H1N1) virus infection can stimulate rapid pDC apoptosis.

IMPORTANCE
Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are key players in the viral immune response. With the host response to viral infection being dependent on specific virus characteristics, a thorough examination and comparison of pDC responses to various viruses at various titers is beneficial for the field of virology. Our study illustrates that pDC infection with influenza virus, HIV, or hepatitis C virus results in a unique and differential response to each virus. These results have implications for future virology research, vaccine development, and virology as a whole.
Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: a rare cause of hepatosplenomegaly
Authors: Lladó Ana Cristina , Tomé Ana Luisa , Henrique Maria , Farinha Pedro
Published: July 2014

We report a case of a man presenting with an unexplained fever, pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly without lymphadenopathy. Bone marrow flow cytometry strongly suggested hepatosplenic γδ T-cell lymphoma and infiltration of bone marrow samples by pathological T-lymphocytes confirmed the diagnosis. Despite chemotherapy the patient died 1 year after diagnosis. This is a rare disease that should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatosplenomegaly especially when it presents with B-symptoms and no lymph node enlargement. There is no standard therapy and the prognosis is poor.
Use of i-gel for caesarean section with kyphoscoliosis
Authors: Gupta Suman Lata , Satya Prakash MVS , Prabu Gunasekaran
Published: July 2014

We describe the anaesthetic management using i-gel for airway maintenance in a patient with kyphoscoliosis presenting for emergency caesarean section due to fetal distress and scar tenderness. The patient had a history of previous caesarean section under general anaesthesia, and presently her cardiorespiratory status is stable. We used i-gel, the new supraglottic airway device, for maintaining the airway under intravenous anaesthesia using propofol.
Unexpected foreign body in the leg of an 8-month-old child
Authors: Duymuş Tahir Mutlu , Mutlu Serhat , Turan Enver , Mutlu Harun
Published: July 2014

Accidents and injuries associated with foreign bodies are important causes of childhood mortality. Diagnosis can be facilitated by obtaining a detailed history, performing a physical examination and utilising simple imaging methods. We report a case involving a fragmented sewing needle in the left leg of an 8-month-old male infant. He was admitted to our clinic with diffuse pain in the left leg, limitation of leg movements and an inability to stand. The patient was successfully treated with open surgery under fluoroscopy. Soft tissue foreign bodies and potential child physical abuse should be considered in children with ambiguous symptoms and unusual skin lesions. Parents should be educated on prevention of household accidents involving children. Penetration of sewing needles into the body has been rarely reported in the literature. We thus report this case to draw attention to the complications and morbidity associated with a delayed diagnosis in such cases.
Prospective cohort study of fever incidence and risk in elderly persons living at home
Authors: Yokobayashi Kenichi , Matsushima Masato , Watanabe Takamasa , Fujinuma Yasuki , Tazuma Susumu
Published: July 2014

Objective

To determine the incidence of fever among elderly persons under home medical management, diagnosis at fever onset and outcomes from a practical standpoint.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

5 clinics in residential areas of Tokyo that process an average of 50–200 outpatients/day.

Participants

Patients (n=419) aged ≥65 years who received home medical management from the five clinics between 1 October 2009 and 30 September 2010.

Main outcome measures

Fever (≥37.5°C or ≥1.5°C above usual body temperature), diagnosis at onset and outcomes (cure at home, hospitalisation and death).

Results

The incidence of fever was 2.5/1000 patient-days (95% CI 2.2 to 2.8). Fever occurred at least once (229 fever events) among one-third of the participants during the study period. Fever was more likely to arise in the wheelchair users or bedridden than in ambulatory individuals (HR 1.9 (95% CI 1.3 to 2.8; p<0.01); in patients with moderate-to-severe rather than those with none-to-mild cognitive impairment (HR, 1.7 (95% CI 1.1 to 2.6, p=0.01); and in those whose care-need levels were ≥3 rather than ≤2 (HR, 4.5 (95% CI 2.9 to 7.0; p<0.01). The causes of fever were pneumonia/bronchitis (n=103), skin and soft tissue infection (n=26), urinary tract infection (n=22) and the common cold (n=13). Fever was cured in 67% and 23% of patients at home and in hospital, respectively, and 5% of patients each died at home and in hospital. Antimicrobial agents treated 153 (67%) events in the home medical care setting.

Conclusions

Fever was more likely to occur in those requiring higher care levels and the main cause of fever was pneumonia/bronchitis. Healthcare providers should consider the conditions of elderly residents with lower objective functional status.
‘It would not be tolerated in any other profession except medicine’: survey reporting on undergraduates’ exposure to bullying and harassment in their first placement year
Authors: Timm Anja
Published: July 2014

Objectives

To determine the extent to which undergraduate medical students experience (and/or witness) bullying and harassment during their first year on full-time placements and to compare with new General Medical Council (GMC) evidence on bullying and harassment of doctors in training.

Setting

A UK university offering medical and nursing undergraduate programmes.

Participants

309 medical and nursing undergraduate students with 30–33 weeks’ placement experience (123 medical students and 186 nursing students); overall response rate: 47%.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

(A) students’ experience of bullying and harassment; (B) witnessing bullying and harassment; (C) actions taken by students; (D) comparison of medical and nursing students’ data.

Results

Within 8 months of starting clinical placements, a fifth of medical and a quarter of nursing students reported experiencing bullying and harassment. Cohorts differ in the type of exposure reported and in their responses. Whereas some nursing students follow incidences with query and challenge, most medical students acquiesce.

Conclusions

Bullying and harassment of medical (and nursing) students—as well as witnessing of such incidents—occurs as soon as students enter the clinical environment. This augments evidence published by the GMC in its first report on undermining of doctors in training (December 2013). The data suggest differences between nursing and medical students in how they respond to such incidents.
Do short birth intervals have long-term implications for parental health? Results from analyses of complete cohort Norwegian register data
Authors: Grundy Emily , Kravdal Øystein
Published: July 2014

Background

Short and very long interbirth intervals are associated with worse perinatal, infant and immediate maternal outcomes. Accumulated physiological, mental, social and economic stresses arising from raising children close in age may also mean that interbirth intervals have longer term implications for the health of mothers and fathers, but few previous studies have investigated this.

Methods

Discrete-time hazards models were estimated to analyse associations between interbirth intervals and mortality risks for the period 1980–2008 in complete cohorts of Norwegian men and women born during 1935–1968 who had had two to four children. Associations between interbirth intervals and use of medication during 2004–2008 were also analysed using ordinary least-squares regression. Covariates included age, year, education, age at first birth, parity and change in coparent since the previous birth.

Results

Mothers and fathers of two to three children with intervals between singleton births of less than 18 months, and mothers of twins, had raised mortality risks in midlife and early old age relative to parents with interbirth intervals of 30–41 months. For parents with three or four children, longer average interbirth intervals were associated with lower mortality. Short intervals between first and second births were also positively associated with medication use. Very long intervals were not associated with raised mortality or medication use when change of coparent since the previous birth was controlled.

Conclusions

Closely spaced and multiple births may have adverse long-term implications for parental health. Delayed entry to parenthood and increased use of fertility treatments mean that both are increasing, making this a public health issue which needs further investigation.
Suicide in adults released from prison in Queensland, Australia: a cohort study
Authors: Spittal Matthew J , Forsyth Simon , Pirkis Jane , Alati Rosa , Kinner Stuart A
Published: July 2014

Background

Previous research has demonstrated elevated mortality following release from prison. We contrasted the risk of opioid overdose death with the risk of suicide in a cohort of adults released from prison in Queensland, Australia over a 14-year-period. We examine risk factors for suicide in the cohort, and make comparisons with the general population.

Method

We constructed a retrospective cohort of all adults released from prison between 1994 and 2007 and linked this to the National Death Index for deaths up to 31 December 2007.

Results

We identified 41 970 individuals released from prison. Of the 2158 deaths in the community, 371 were suicides (crude mortality rate (CMR) 13.7/10 000 person-years) and 396 were due to drug-related causes (CMR 14.6/10 000 person-years). We observed a spike in drug-related deaths in the first 2 weeks after release from prison but no such pattern was observed for suicide. Being married (HR 0.40) and number of prior imprisonments (HR 3.1 for ≥5 prior incarcerations compared with none) independently predicted suicide. Age, sex, Indigenous status, length of incarceration and offence history were not associated with suicide. The standardised mortality ratios indicated that released women were 14.2 times and released men 4.8 times more likely to die from suicide than would be expected in the population.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the rate of suicide in adults released from prison is similar to the rate of drug-related deaths. Strategies that provide support to vulnerable people after release may reduce suicide in this population.
Twist of taste: gastronomic allusions in medicine
Authors: Lakhtakia Ritu
Published: July 2014

Food imageries that have inspired and embellished medical learning are, distressingly, vanishing from medical writings. A host of references to the aromas, shape, colour and texture of food have reinforced and stimulated generations of physicians to identify and understand disease. They have piqued interest in foods from lands afar and introduced an unsought dimension and enrichment to the medical lexicon. It is time to revisit this powerful tool and secure its place in medical teaching and records.
Surface microscopic examination of quartz grains from rock avalanche basal facies
Authors: Wang Yu-feng , Cheng Qian-gong , Zhu Qi
Published: July 2014

The Wenchuan earthquake, which occurred on 12 May 2008, triggered many rock avalanches that presented abundant fractured surface textures. The surface textures of the rock avalanche clasts bear abundant characteristic signatures that are significant for understanding the mechanical behavior of rock avalanche dynamic fragmentation. To study this mechanism of rock avalanche basal facies further, two large rock avalanches were investigated using microscopic surface texture examination of quartz grains sampled from their basal facies with a scanning electron microscope. After the morphological and statistical analyses of the surface textures on the quartz grains, the following features are noted: (i) surface textures on the quartz grains are all fresh, with obvious irregular shapes and very sharp edges; (ii) the display of brittle fractures, including conchoidal fractures, step fractures, concavities, and V depressions or marks, is very common; (iii) cracks or fissures are also visible on the quartz grains. The display of these features reveals that a brittle fracturing process occurred during the formation of these surface textures on the quartz grains, indicating the existence of a high-stress history suffered by the particles in the basal facies. Hence, by the mechanical analysis of the formation of these surface textures, the authors propose that both the overburden pressure and the self-excited vibration energized by the undulated slip surface may play dominant roles in the occurrence of the particle dynamic fragmentation in the basal facies.
Spectroscopic studies of oxygen speciation in potassium silicate glasses and melts
Authors: Sawyer Ryan , Nesbitt H. Wayne , Bancroft G. Michael , Thibault Yves , Secco Richard A.
Published: July 2014

To resolve discrepant results between O1s XPS and 29Si and 17O NMR techniques, O1s XPS spectra were collected and fitted for 15 potassium silicate glasses containing 10−37 mol% K2O. The effects of melting on the compositions of the glasses are documented and quantified, as are uncertainties associated with fitting the O1s spectra. These spectra are well resolved into two symmetric peaks: a narrow peak due to NBO (Si−O−K) plus “free oxide” (O2– or K−O−K) and a broader peak due to BO (Si−O−Si). Values of mol% BO (uncertainties of ±1%) are obtained from the computed peak areas and indicate 2.2 (±0.8) mol% O2– for glasses containing 32 (±1) mol% K2O. Reassignment of Q species for previously published 29Si NMR spectra leads to BO and O2– values in good agreement with these O1s XPS spectra. A recent 17O NMR study on potassium silicate glasses concluded that there is <1 mol% O2– in these glasses based mainly on the assumption that the 17O chemical shift for O2– should be similar in the glasses and the oxide in crystalline K2O. This assumption is questionable. Free oxide in these glasses should be highly reactive toward gases such as CO2 (via CO2 + O2– → CO32–) and it seems likely that the reactive species in silicate glasses is O2– rather than NBO as often assumed. The small amounts of CO2 found in reacted glasses are qualitatively consistent with the abundance of O2– obtained from these O1s XPS spectra of silicate glass.
A confining quark model and new gauge symmetry
Authors: Hsu Jong-Ping
Published: July 2014

We discuss a confining model for quark–antiquark system with a new color SU3 gauge symmetry. New gauge transformations involve non-integrable phase factors and lead to the fourth-order gauge field equations and a linear potential. The massless gauge bosons have non-definite energies, which are not observable because they are permanently confined in quark systems by the linear potential. We use the empirical potentials of charmonium to determine the coupling strength of the color charge gs and find [Formula: see text]. The rules for Feynman diagrams involve propagators with poles of order 2 associated with new gauge fields. The confining quark model may be renormalizable by power counting and compatible with perturbation theory.
Low excitations of 16O using generalized density matrix random phase approximation GDRPA
Authors: Taqi Ali H. , Radhi R. A. , Hussein Adil M.
Published: July 2014

The random phase approximation (RPA) equations based on the generalized density matrix (GDM), the so-called GDRPA are reformulated in a more compact matrix form, which renders the method especially suitable for realistic nuclear structure calculations. The GDRPA Hamiltonian is expressed in terms of the one-body particle–particle (pp) and hole–hole (hh) density matrices, and the nuclear force contributes not only in the particle–hole (ph) channel, as in normal ph-RPA, but also in the pp and hh channels. The Hamiltonian is diagonalized iteratively starting from initial guess values and the iterating process is carried out until self-consistency is achieved. The calculation in the model space 1p, 1d and 2s using Warburton and Brown interaction WBP is performed for 16 O . The GDRPA in the ph shell model calculations is tested, by comparing the energy eigenvalues and the electron scattering form factors with the results of the normal RPA and with the available experimental data.
Resistive switching of multiferroic BiCoO3 nanoflowers
Authors: Sun Bai , Li Qiling , Liu Yonghong , Chen Peng
Published: July 2014

Multiferroic BiCoO 3 nanoflowers were synthesized by a hydrothermal process. The BiCoO 3 nanoflowers show superior bipolar resistive switching characteristics. The typical current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of the Ag / BiCoO 3/ Ag structures exhibit an extreme change in resistance between high resistance state (HRS) or "OFF" state and low resistance state (LRS) or "ON" state with ON/OFF ratio ~ 105.
Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic
Authors: Spence Guy H. , Couples Gary D. , Bevan Tim G. , Aguilera Roberto , Cosgrove John W. , Daniel Jean-Marc , Redfern Jonathan
Published: July 2014

Naturally fractured reservoirs, within which porosity, permeability pathways and/or impermeable barriers formed by the fracture network interact with those of the host rock matrix to influence fluid flow and storage, can occur in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. These reservoirs constitute a substantial percentage of remaining hydrocarbon resources; they create exploration targets in otherwise impermeable rocks, including under-explored crystalline basement, and they can be used as geological stores for anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Their complex fluid flow behaviour during production has traditionally proved difficult to predict, causing a large degree of uncertainty in reservoir development. The applied study of naturally fractured reservoirs seeks to constrain this uncertainty and maximize production by developing new understanding, and is necessarily a broad, integrated, interdisciplinary topic. Some of the methods, challenges and advances in characterizing the interplay of rock matrix and fracture networks relevant to fluid flow and hydrocarbon recovery are reviewed and discussed via the contributions in this volume.
Differentiation between human ClC-2 and CFTR Cl− channels with pharmacological agents
Authors: Cuppoletti John , Chakrabarti Jayati , Tewari Kirti P. , Malinowska Danuta H.
Published: July 2014

It has been difficult to separate/identify the roles of ClC-2 and CFTR in Cl− transport studies. Using pharmacological agents, we aimed to differentiate functionally between ClC-2 and CFTR Cl− channel currents. Effects of CFTR inhibitor 172 (CFTRinh172), N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)- N′-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)urea (DASU-02), and methadone were examined by whole cell patch clamp on Cl− currents in recombinant human ClC-2/human embryonic kidney 293 (ClC-2/HEK293) cells stably transformed with Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (hClC-2/293EBNA) and human CFTR/HEK293 (hCFTR/HEK293) cells and by short-circuit current ( Isc) measurements in T84 cells. Lubiprostone and forskolin-IBMX were used as activators. CFTRinh172 inhibited forskolin-IBMX-stimulated recombinant human CFTR (hCFTR) and lubiprostone-stimulated recombinant human ClC-2 (hClC-2) Cl− currents in a concentration-dependent manner equipotently. DASU-02 inhibited forskolin-IBMX-stimulated Cl− currents in hCFTR/HEK293 cells, but not lubiprostone-stimulated Cl− currents in hClC-2/293EBNA cells. In T84 cells with basolateral nystatin or 1-ethyl-2-benzimidazolinone (1-EBIO), lubiprostone-stimulated and forskolin-IBMX-cyclosporin A (FICA)-stimulated Isc components were observed. CFTRinh172 inhibited major portions of both components. DASU-02 had no effect on lubiprostone-stimulated Isc but partially inhibited FICA-stimulated Isc. T84 cells in which ClC-2 or CFTR was knocked down using siRNAs were constructed. T84 ClC-2 knockdown cells did not respond to lubiprostone but did respond to forskolin-IBMX in a methadone-insensitive, DASU-02-sensitive manner, indicating CFTR function. T84 CFTR knockdown cells responded separately to lubiprostone and forskolin-IBMX in a methadone-sensitive and DASU-02-insensitive manner, indicating ClC-2 function. Low lubiprostone concentrations activated ClC-2, but not CFTR, and both channels were activated by forskolin-IBMX but have different inhibitor sensitivities. Methadone, but not DASU-02, inhibited ClC-2. DASU-02, but not methadone, inhibited CFTR. In T84 cells, both ClC-2 and CFTR are present and likely play roles in Cl− secretion.
Modulation of neural activity by reward in medial intraparietal cortex is sensitive to temporal sequence of reward
Authors: Rajalingham Rishi , Stacey Richard Greg , Tsoulfas Georgios , Musallam Sam
Published: July 2014

To restore movements to paralyzed patients, neural prosthetic systems must accurately decode patients' intentions from neural signals. Despite significant advancements, current systems are unable to restore complex movements. Decoding reward-related signals from the medial intraparietal area (MIP) could enhance prosthetic performance. However, the dynamics of reward sensitivity in MIP is not known. Furthermore, reward-related modulation in premotor areas has been attributed to behavioral confounds. Here we investigated the stability of reward encoding in MIP by assessing the effect of reward history on reward sensitivity. We recorded from neurons in MIP while monkeys performed a delayed-reach task under two reward schedules. In the variable schedule, an equal number of small- and large-rewards trials were randomly interleaved. In the constant schedule, one reward size was delivered for a block of trials. The memory period firing rate of most neurons in response to identical rewards varied according to schedule. Using systems identification tools, we attributed the schedule sensitivity to the dependence of neural activity on the history of reward. We did not find schedule-dependent behavioral changes, suggesting that reward modulates neural activity in MIP. Neural discrimination between rewards was less in the variable than in the constant schedule, degrading our ability to decode reach target and reward simultaneously. The effect of schedule was mitigated by adding Haar wavelet coefficients to the decoding model. This raises the possibility of multiple encoding schemes at different timescales and reinforces the potential utility of reward information for prosthetic performance.