bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The concept of integrated services in different welfare states from a life course perspective
Authors: Minas Renate
Published: December 2016

The concept of integrated services is a common feature of current social policy discussions. It is often argued that social support systems have not evolved to cope with the complexity of individuals’ needs. This is deemed true for a variety of interrelated difficulties that cut across traditional welfare programmes and life course lines. This article examines the efforts of integrated services to bridge policy areas such as social policy, labour market policy and health care services for four different vulnerable groups at major stages of the life course: childhood, youth, adulthood and old age. Analytically, the article adopts a framework developed by Valentijn et al. () that allows systematic comparisons. Using mainly high‐income economy examples, the article connects key features of a certain policy area with key elements of integrated services. Key features of a policy area direct attention to the function of the policy area, and these are expressed through the framework of “person‐focused” and “population‐focused” services. Key elements of integrated services in turn emphasize levels of integration (macro, meso, micro level). Central questions addressed are the character of integration efforts for vulnerable groups at different stages of the life cycle and how variations therein can be understood. As a complement, sociological explanations of individual vulnerability, which are separated by causes of vulnerability into basic, conditional and triggering factors, are also used. A main finding is that the life course perspective as such does not explain variation in integration efforts; rather, it is the institutional features of the specific policy areas. These constrain or promote the potential for greater integration.
oxLDL antibody inhibits MCP‐1 release in monocytes/macrophages by regulating Ca2+/K+ channel flow
Authors: Su Jinyu , Zhou Hui , Liu Xianyan , Nilsson Jan , Fredrikson Gunilla Nordin , Zhao Ming
Published: December 2016

oxLDL peptide vaccine and its antibody adoptive transferring have shown a significantly preventive or therapeutic effect in atherosclerotic animal model. The molecular mechanism behind this is obscure. Here, we report that oxLDL induces MCP‐1 release in monocytes/macrophages through their TLR‐4 (Toll‐like receptor 4) and ERK MAPK pathway and is calcium/potassium channel‐dependent. Using blocking antibodies against CD36, TLR‐4, SR‐AI and LOX‐1, only TLR‐4 antibody was found to have an inhibitory effect and ERK MAPK‐specific inhibitor (PD98059) was found to have a dramatic inhibitory effect compared to inhibitors of other MAPK group members (p38 and JNK MAPKs) on oxLDL‐induced MCP‐1 release. The release of cytokines and chemokines needs influx of extracellular calcium and imbalance of efflux of potassium. Nifedipine, a voltage‐dependent calcium channel (VDCC) inhibitor, and glyburide, an ATP‐regulated potassium channel (K+ATP) inhibitor, inhibit oxLDL‐induced MCP‐1 release. Potassium efflux and influx counterbalance maintains the negative potential of macrophages to open calcium channels, and our results suggest that oxLDL actually induces the closing of potassium influx channel – inward rectifier channel (Kir) and ensuing the opening of calcium channel. ERK MAPK inhibitor PD98059 inhibits oxLDL‐induced Ca2+/Kir channel alterations. The interfering of oxLDL‐induced MCP‐1 release by its monoclonal antibody is through its FcγRIIB (CD32). Using blocking antibodies against FcγRI (CD64), FcγRIIB (CD32) and FcγRIII (CD16), only CD32 blocking antibody was found to reverse the inhibitory effect of oxLDL antibody on oxLDL‐induced MCP‐1 release. Interestingly, oxLDL antibody specifically inhibits oxLDL‐induced ERK MAPK activation and ensuing Ca2+/Kir channel alterations, and MCP‐1 release. Thus, we found a molecular mechanism of oxLDL antibody on inhibition of oxLDL‐induced ERK MAPK pathway and consequent MCP‐1 release.
Acquired TET2 mutation in one patient with familial platelet disorder with predisposition to AML led to the development of pre‐leukaemic clone resulting in T2‐ALL and AML‐M0
Authors: Manchev Vladimir T. , Bouzid Hind , Antony‐Debré Iléana , Leite Betty , Meurice Guillaume , Droin Nathalie , Prebet Thomas , Costello Régis T. , Vainchenker William , Plo Isabelle , Diop M'boyba , Macintyre Elizabeth , Asnafi Vahid , Favier Rémi , Baccini Véronique , Raslova Hana
Published: December 2016

Familial platelet disorder with predisposition to acute myeloid leukaemia (FPD/AML) is characterized by germline RUNX1 mutations, thrombocytopaenia, platelet dysfunction and a risk of developing acute myeloid and in rare cases lymphoid T leukaemia. Here, we focus on a case of a man with a familial history of RUNX1R174Q mutation who developed at the age of 42 years a T2‐ALL and, 2 years after remission, an AML‐M0. Both AML‐M0 and T2‐ALL blast populations demonstrated a loss of 1p36.32‐23 and 17q11.2 regions as well as other small deletions, clonal rearrangements of both TCRγ and TCRδ and a presence of 18 variants at a frequency of more than 40%. Additional variants were identified only in T2‐ALL or in AML‐M0 evoking the existence of a common original clone, which gave rise to subclonal populations. Next generation sequencing (NGS) performed on peripheral blood‐derived CD34+ cells 5 years prior to T2‐ALL development revealed only the missense TET2P1962T mutation at a frequency of 1%, which increases to more than 40% in fully transformed leukaemic T2‐ALL and AML‐M0 clones. This result suggests that TET2P1962T mutation in association with germline RUNX1R174Q mutation leads to amplification of a haematopoietic clone susceptible to acquire other transforming alterations.
Autophagy: an adaptive physiological countermeasure to cellular senescence and ischaemia/reperfusion‐associated cardiac arrhythmias
Authors: Lekli Istvan , Haines David Donald , Balla Gyorgy , Tosaki Arpad
Published: December 2016

Oxidative stress placed on tissues that involved in pathogenesis of a disease activates compensatory metabolic changes, such as DNA damage repair that in turn causes intracellular accumulation of detritus and ‘proteotoxic stress’, leading to emergence of ‘senescent’ cellular phenotypes, which express high levels of inflammatory mediators, resulting in degradation of tissue function. Proteotoxic stress resulting from hyperactive inflammation following reperfusion of ischaemic tissue causes accumulation of proteinaceous debris in cells of the heart in ways that cause potentially fatal arrhythmias, in particular ventricular fibrillation (VF). An adaptive response to VF is occurrence of autophagy, an intracellular bulk degradation of damaged macromolecules and organelles that may restore cellular and tissue homoeostasis, improving chances for recovery. Nevertheless, depending on the type and intensity of stressors and inflammatory responses, autophagy may become pathological, resulting in excessive cell death. The present review examines the multilayered defences that cells have evolved to reduce proteotoxic stress by degradation of potentially toxic material beginning with endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation, and the unfolded protein response, which are mechanisms for removal from the endoplasmic reticulum of misfolded proteins, and then progressing through the stages of autophagy, including descriptions of autophagosomes and related vesicular structures which process material for degradation and autophagy‐associated proteins including Beclin‐1 and regulatory complexes. The physiological roles of each mode of proteotoxic defence will be examined along with consideration of how emerging understanding of autophagy, along with a newly discovered regulatory cell type called telocytes, may be used to augment existing strategies for the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease.
Inhibition of platelet aggregation and thrombosis by indole alkaloids isolated from the edible insect Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe)
Authors: Lee JungIn , Lee Wonhwa , Kim Mi‐Ae , Hwang Jae Sam , Na MinKyun , Bae Jong‐Sup
Published: December 2016

Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis (Kolbe) has been temporarily registered as a food material by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety of Korea (MFDS). The current study aimed to discover small antithrombotic molecules from this edible insect. Five indole alkaloids, 5‐hydroxyindolin‐2‐one (1), (1R,3S)‐1‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid (2), (1S,3S)‐1‐methyl‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid (3), (3S)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐β‐carboline‐3‐carboxylic acid (4) and L‐tryptophan (5), were isolated from the insect. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 prolonged aPTT and PT and impaired thrombin and FXa generation on HUVEC surface. Moreover, these compounds inhibited platelet aggregation. Antithrombotic effects of compounds 1 and 2 were further confirmed in pre‐clinical models of pulmonary embolism and arterial thrombosis. Collectively, these results demonstrated that compounds 1 and 2 could be effective antithrombotic agents and serve as new scaffolds for the development of antithrombotic drug.
Self‐administered medications in the postpartum wards: A study on satisfaction and perceptions
Authors: Schérer Hugo , Bernier Emmy , Rivard Julie , Yu Lavina , Duchesne‐Côté Guillaume , Lebel Denis , Bussières Jean‐François , Ferreira Ema
Published: December 2016

Objective

The objective of this study was to describe women's satisfaction and perceptions on the postpartum self‐administered medication (SAM) program at our institution and on pain relief. Also, we aimed at describing maternal and breastfed infants' adverse events with the use of the postpartum SAM program.

Method

This prospective 1‐group mixed methods survey conducted in a mother‐and‐child tertiary center included women enrolled in the postpartum SAM program who had a live newborn, understood French or English, and were at least 18 years old. Newborns included cohabited with their mother during their hospitalization and had received breast milk at least once. Data were collected through direct interviews using a questionnaire and through medical charts.

Results

We included 314 mothers and 263 breastfed newborns in the study. Ninety‐seven percent of all users appreciated the SAM. The self‐reported median overall improvement of pain was 80% (interquartile range, 70%‐90%). However, 18% of users who delivered vaginally and 32% who delivered through caesarean would have preferred traditional drug dispensing by the nurse (P = .009). Drugs used in the SAM program were generally well tolerated. There were no worrisome adverse drug events reported in newborns' medical charts.

Conclusion

Results show a 97% rate of satisfaction of the SAM program and a high self‐reported pain improvement in a cohort of 314 women using our SAM program. The results suggest that the SAM program should remain a standard practice in our institution. Some recommendations will be drawn to better tailor the SAM program to the needs expressed by the users.
Biofilms for Monitoring Presence of Microsporidia in Environmental Water
Authors: Moss Joseph A. , Snyder Richard A.
Published: December 2016

The development of molecular methodologies for targeting pathogens such as the Microsporidia has greatly improved our monitoring capabilities and initiatives. This study analyzed samples collected from five locations in Pensacola, Florida, USA for the presence of Microsporidian pathogens. To circumvent various impediments associated with water collection and filtration, we utilized biofilms as sentinels for detection of Microsporidia. We implemented membrane‐dissolution and sample purification in a single confined step followed by real‐time PCR to confirm pathogen presence. The results of this study demonstrate that microsporidia are present in environmental water sites in the Florida panhandle and that biofilms may serve as another alternative mode to circumvent filtration methods for their detection.
Drug Therapy for Gender Transitions and Health Screenings in Transgender Older Adults
Authors: Mahan Rebecca J. , Bailey Trista Askins , Bibb Teryn J. , Fenney Megan , Williams Tara
Published: December 2016

Transgender medicine is a relatively new field in health care, with only a small amount of evidence‐based literature available for reference. This is especially true for the older adult population, for whom most information must be extrapolated from younger adults. Be it a newly transitioned older adult or a transgendered individual who has been undergoing hormonal therapy for many years, it is important that healthcare professionals be aware of the significant effects that transgender pharmacotherapy can have on older adults. Healthcare providers must also recommend appropriate preventative screenings to transgendered persons.
WRKY transcription factors in plant responses to stresses
Authors: Jiang Jingjing , Ma Shenghui , Ye Nenghui , Jiang Ming , Cao Jiashu , Zhang Jianhua
Published: December 2016

The WRKY gene family is among the largest families of transcription factors (TFs) in higher plants. By regulating the plant hormone signal transduction pathway, these TFs play critical roles in some plant processes in response to biotic and abiotic stress. Various bodies of research have demonstrated the important biological functions of WRKY TFs in plant response to different kinds of biotic and abiotic stresses and working mechanisms. However, very little summarization has been done to review their research progress. Not just important TFs function in plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses, WRKY also participates in carbohydrate synthesis, senescence, development, and secondary metabolites synthesis. WRKY proteins can bind to W‐box (TGACC (A/T)) in the promoter of its target genes and activate or repress the expression of downstream genes to regulate their stress response. Moreover, WRKY proteins can interact with other TFs to regulate plant defensive responses. In the present review, we focus on the structural characteristics of WRKY TFs and the research progress on their functions in plant responses to a variety of stresses.
Two‐Year Follow‐up Outcomes in Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy: An Investigation of Relationship Satisfaction and Attachment Trajectories
Authors: Wiebe Stephanie A. , Johnson Susan M. , Lafontaine Marie‐France , Burgess Moser Melissa , Dalgleish Tracy L. , Tasca Giorgio A.
Published: December 2016

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFT; The practice of emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating connection. New York, NY: Brunner‐Routledge) is an evidence‐based couple therapy that aims to create lasting change for couples (Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 6(1), 67–79). Although studies have demonstrated strong results in follow‐up (Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(4), 391–398), less is known about relationship functioning across time after therapy has ended. We modelled change in relationship satisfaction and attachment from pre‐therapy through 24 months follow‐up in 32 couples. HLM results confirmed a significant growth pattern demonstrating increases in relationship satisfaction and secure base behaviour and decreases in relationship specific attachment anxiety over the course of therapy and across follow‐up at a decelerated rate. These findings support the theoretical assumption that EFT helps couples engaged in therapy create lasting relationship satisfaction and attachment change.
C‐peptide and the pathophysiology of microvascular complications of diabetes
Authors: Wahren J.
Published: December 2016

Content List – Read more articles from the symposium: C‐peptide and the pathogenesis of microvascular complications of diabetes.
Ain't Dere No More: New Orleans Language and Local Nostalgia in Vic & Nat'ly Comics
Authors: Carmichael Katie , Dajko Nathalie
Published: December 2016

As “local,” “authentic,” “working class,” “white,” “urban,” and “salt of the earth” characters, Vic and Nat'ly, the protagonists of Bunny Matthews's classic comic strip, embody all of the stereotypes of a New Orleans–based “Yat” identity. In this paper, we examine written representations of Yat English in Vic & Nat'ly strips, analyzing these results in comparison with current linguistic data from actual New Orleans English speakers and contextualizing our interpretation in terms of social and historical changes within post‐Katrina New Orleans. We find that many of the linguistic features exaggerated in the comic (e.g., oil as “erl”) have been stigmatized almost to the point of nonexistence in the speech of working‐class whites today, such that the characters Vic and Nat'ly do not accurately represent any current group of native New Orleanians, despite being held up as quintessential New Orleanians imbued with local authenticity. While Vic & Nat'ly comics celebrate a New Orleans identity that is increasingly dear to Yat and non‐Yat residents alike, we argue that the representation is based more in nostalgia than faithful rendering of the current sociolinguistic landscape, and that commodification based on this nostalgia in some ways erases the realities of modern New Orleans, in particular the role that black New Orleanians play in representations of authenticity.
Loaded Speech: Between Voices in Indigenous Public Speaking Events
Authors: Peters Stephen K. H.
Published: December 2016

This paper explores public podium addresses involving identified Indigenous speakers within the context of eco‐Indigenous alliances. In Montreal, the field site, Indigenous podium talk takes place with impressive frequency. These kinds of reflexive, discursive productions are part of a larger trend in staging ethnically reflexive voices in public discourse. Indigenous podium talks serve as important sites for Indigenous communities to engage and seek beneficial relationships from various Canadian publics. Yet, insofar as speakers speak from an identified cultural identity, perennial quandaries around the presentation of the “other” persist. In this article, I examine Indigenous podium talk as a discourse genre through which Indigenous identities and social issues are made recognizable and brought to the attention of non‐Indigenous publics. Through an in‐depth analysis of a single speaking event, focusing on reported speech and pronomial deixis, the interactional demands and possibilities of podium presentations are investigated and related to both the genre and the tar sands dispute that has brought the participants together. Analysis shows the fraught footings available and the sheer delicacy through which speaker and collective voices are presented and aligned to audience and issue, as speakers speak both as and for Indigenous people within the terms of podium talk.
Bi‐objective Modeling Approach for Repairing Multiple Feature Infrastructure Systems
Authors: Sousa Nuno , Alçada‐Almeida Luís , Coutinho‐Rodrigues João
Published: December 2016

A bi‐objective decision aid model for planning long‐term maintenance of infrastructure systems is presented, oriented to interventions on their constituent elements, with two upgrade levels possible for each element (partial/full repairs). The model aims at maximizing benefits and minimizing costs, and its novelty is taking into consideration, and combining, the system/element structure, volume discounts, and socioeconomic factors. The model is tested with field data from 229 sidewalks (systems) and compared to two simpler repair policies, of allowing only partial or full repairs. Results show that the efficiency gains are greater in the lower mid‐range budget region. The proposed modeling approach is an innovative tool to optimize cost/benefits for the various repair options and analyze the respective trade‐offs.
Insulation and wiring specificity of BceR‐like response regulators and their target promoters in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Fang Chong , Nagy‐Staroń Anna , Grafe Martin , Heermann Ralf , Jung Kirsten , Gebhard Susanne , Mascher Thorsten
Published: December 2016

BceRS and PsdRS are paralogous two‐component systems in Bacillus subtilis controlling the response to antimicrobial peptides. In the presence of extracellular bacitracin and nisin, respectively, the two response regulators (RRs) bind their target promoters, PbceA or PpsdA, resulting in a strong up‐regulation of target gene expression and ultimately antibiotic resistance. Despite high sequence similarity between the RRs BceR and PsdR and their known binding sites, no cross‐regulation has been observed between them. We therefore investigated the specificity determinants of PbceA and PpsdA that ensure the insulation of these two paralogous pathways at the RR–promoter interface. In vivo and in vitro analyses demonstrate that the regulatory regions within these two promoters contain three important elements: in addition to the known (main) binding site, we identified a linker region and a secondary binding site that are crucial for functionality. Initial binding to the high‐affinity, low‐specificity main binding site is a prerequisite for the subsequent highly specific binding of a second RR dimer to the low‐affinity secondary binding site. In addition to this hierarchical cooperative binding, discrimination requires a competition of the two RRs for their respective binding site mediated by only slight differences in binding affinities.
Euglossine bees mediate only limited long‐distance gene flow in a tropical vine
Authors: Opedal Øystein H. , Falahati‐Anbaran Mohsen , Albertsen Elena , Armbruster W. Scott , Pérez‐Barrales Rocío , Stenøien Hans K. , Pélabon Christophe
Published: December 2016

Euglossine bees (Apidae: Euglossini) have long been hypothesized to act as long‐distance pollinators of many low‐density tropical plants. We tested this hypothesis by the analysis of gene flow and genetic structure within and among populations of the euglossine bee‐pollinated vineDalechampia scandens.

Using microsatellite markers, we assessed historical gene flow by the quantification of regional‐scale genetic structure and isolation by distance among 18 populations, and contemporary gene flow by the estimation of recent migration rates among populations. To assess bee‐mediated pollen dispersal on a smaller scale, we conducted paternity analyses within a focal population, and quantified within‐population spatial genetic structure in four populations.

Gene flow was limited to certain nearby populations within continuous forest blocks, whereas drift appeared to dominate on larger scales. Limited long‐distance gene flow was supported by within‐population patterns; gene flow was biased towards nearby plants, and significant small‐scale spatial genetic structure was detected within populations.

These findings suggest that, although female euglossine bees might be effective at moving pollen within populations, and perhaps within forest blocks, their contribution to gene flow on the regional scale seems too limited to counteract genetic drift in patchily distributed tropical plants. Among‐population gene flow might have been reduced following habitat fragmentation.
Application of genomic technologies to measure and monitor antibiotic resistance in animals
Authors: Su Jian‐Qiang , Cui Li , Chen Qing‐Lin , An Xin‐Li , Zhu Yong‐Guan
Published: December 2016

One of the richest reservoirs of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria and genes, animal intestinal microbiota contributes to the spread of antibiotic resistance in the environment and, potentially, to human pathogens. Both culture‐based genomic technology and culture‐independent metagenomics have been developed to investigate the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes. The characteristics, strengths, limitations, and challenges of these genomic approaches are discussed in this review in the context of antibiotic resistance in animals. We also discuss the advances in single‐cell genomics and its potential for surveillance of antibiotic resistance in animals.
Regulation of gene expression by manipulating transcriptional repressor activity using a novel CoSRI technology
Authors: Xu Yue , Li Song Feng , Parish Roger W.
Published: December 2016

Targeted gene manipulation is a central strategy for studying gene function and identifying related biological processes. However, a methodology for manipulating the regulatory motifs of transcription factors is lacking as these factors commonly possess multiple motifs (e.g. repression and activation motifs) which collaborate with each other to regulate multiple biological processes. We describe a novel approach designated conserved sequence‐guided repressor inhibition (CoSRI) that can specifically reduce or abolish the repressive activities of transcription factors in vivo. The technology was evaluated using the chimeric MYB80‐EAR transcription factor and subsequently the endogenous WUS transcription factor. The technology was employed to develop a reversible male sterility system applicable to hybrid seed production. In order to determine the capacity of the technology to regulate the activity of endogenous transcription factors, the WUS repressor was chosen. The WUS repression motif could be inhibited in vivo and the transformed plants exhibited the wus‐1 phenotype. Consequently, the technology can be used to manipulate the activities of transcriptional repressor motifs regulating beneficial traits in crop plants and other eukaryotic organisms.
GLUT1: A novel tool reflecting proliferative activity of lung neuroendocrine tumors?
Authors: Benzerdjeb Nazim , Berna Pascal , Sevestre Henri
Published: December 2016

Lung neuroendocrine tumors (LNT) represents approximately 20% of all lung cancers. The classification of LNT relies upon morphology. Recently, in the World Health Organization (WHO) classification, Ki‐67 rate has been proposed for classification. It is, however, known that Ki‐67 count has a poor interlaboratory reproducibly. For that reason, our team has looked for a new biomarker. GLUT1 protein a facilitative glucose transporter protein which has ubiquitous expression in mammalian. GLUT1 is overexpressed in many human cancers. But, no study has evaluated the GLUT1 staining as an aid diagnosis in LNT. Our team have assessed the GLUT1 immunohistochemical staining in 36 LNT and to assess its diagnostic value. GLUT1 staining was higher in neuroendocrine carcinoma than in carcinoid tumor. A positive predictive value in a priori and posteriori testing for diagnosis of LNT is demonstrated. GLUT1 staining could aid in the diagnosis and should be validated in a large prospective cohort.
Nintedanib in Japanese patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A subgroup analysis of the INPULSIS® randomized trials
Authors: Azuma Arata , Taniguchi Hiroyuki , Inoue Yoshikazu , Kondoh Yasuhiro , Ogura Takashi , Homma Sakae , Fujimoto Tsuyoshi , Sakamoto Wataru , Sugiyama Yukihiko , Nukiwa Toshihiro
Published: December 2016

Background and objective

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a specific form of chronic, progressive fibrosing interstitial pneumonia. Nintedanib significantly reduced the annual rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) compared with placebo in patients with IPF in two replicate trials (INPULSIS®). We examined the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in Japanese patients.

Methods

We conducted pre‐specified subgroup analyses of the annual rate of decline in FVC, time to first acute exacerbation (AE), change from baseline in St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) total score and safety using pooled data from the INPULSIS® trials for Japanese patients.

Results

In the overall population, 76 of 638 and 50 of 423 patients in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively, were Japanese. Results in Japanese patients were consistent with those in the overall population. In Japanese patients, the adjusted annual rate of decline in FVC was −135.9 mL/year in the nintedanib group and −267.7 mL/year in the placebo group (difference (95% CI): 131.9 (50.7, 213.1) mL/year); the hazard ratio for the time to first AE was 0.25 (0.06, 1.02); and the adjusted mean change from baseline in SGRQ total score at week 52 was 5.81 in the nintedanib group and 9.68 in the placebo group (difference: −3.87 (−8.51, 0.76)). Diarrhoea and liver‐related adverse events were the most common events in the nintedanib group, but were reversible following dose reduction, drug interruption or symptomatic therapy.

Conclusion

The present results indicate that the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in Japanese patients are comparable with those in the overall population.
Differential Fractionation of Rare Earth Elements in Oxidized and Reduced Granitic Rocks: Implication for Heavy Rare Earth Enriched Ion Adsorption Mineralization
Authors: Watanabe Yasushi , Kon Yoshiaki , Echigo Takuya , Kamei Atsushi
Published: December 2016

Ion adsorption rare earth element (REE) deposits in southern China are the exclusive source of heavy REEs (HREEs) in the world, and this HREE‐enriched character of the deposits is inherited from the REE compositions of the underlying granitic rocks. Such HREE‐enriched rocks form from heavy fractionation of reduced granitic magmas. We explore why reduced granitic magmas are enriched in HREEs during the fractionation, based on the REE geochemistry of granitic rocks and abundance of REEs in their constituent minerals in the southwestern Japan arc of Cretaceous to Paleogene age.

The compilation of the whole rock geochemistry and REE compositions of the granitic rocks of the Sanin (oxidized), Sanyo (reduced) and Ryoke (reduced) belts in the southwestern Japan arc indicates that: (i) light REEs (LREEs) decease with fractionation of the granitoids in the Sanin belt but this trend is not clear in the granitoids in the Sanyo belt and LREEs rather increase in the Ryoke granitoids; (ii) Eu decreases with fractionation in all the belts; and (iii) HREEs slightly, but steadily decrease in the Sanin belt but enrich significantly in the Sanyo and Ryoke belts with fractionation.

Analytical results of REE concentrations by scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscope and laser ablation‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer in the constituent minerals in a granodiorite sample from the Sanin belt show a moderate concentration of REEs in hornblende (577 ppm) in addition to high concentrations in allanite (~20 %), britholite (~30 %), primary titanite (8922 ppm), apatite (4062 ppm), and zircon (1693 ppm). Because primary titanite and allanite are commonly present in the oxidized granitoids but not in the reduced ones, the REE depletion in the fractionated, oxidized granites is attributed to the crystallization of these minerals. In contrast, scarcity of these minerals in the reduced granitoids enriches REEs, in particular HREEs in the fractionated magmas, which finally precipitate REEs in the granites and pegmatites. Both positive, but different correlation ratios between the Nb and Dy concentrations in the granitoids of the Sanin and Sanyo‐Ryoke belts suggest that columbite–pyrochlore‐group and fergusonite‐group minerals are the major HREE host in the oxidized and reduced granites, respectively.
The Origin and Role of Trust in Local Policy Elites’ Perceptions of High‐Voltage Power Line Installations in the State of Arkansas
Authors: Tumlison Creed , Moyer Rachael M. , Song Geoboo
Published: December 2016

The debate over an installation of high‐voltage power lines (HVPLs) has been intense, particularly in northwest Arkansas. Detractors claim that the installation will negatively affect both the natural environment and the local economy, which contains a large tourism component. By contrast, those in favor of installing HVPLs claim that the installation is necessary in order to reliably support the increasing demand for electric power. Using original data collected from a recent statewide Internet survey of 420 local policy elites in Arkansas, this article focuses on two key aspects. First, we examine how local policy elites’ perceptions of risks versus benefits of HVPL installation in their communities are influenced by their levels of trust toward information provided by various sources (e.g., energy industry, environmental groups, and government). Second, we utilize cultural theory to explain how the cultural worldviews of policy elites––specifically, egalitarianism, individualism, hierarchism, and fatalism––shape these levels of trust and HVPL benefit‐risk perceptions, while controlling for other factors claimed by previous literature, including levels of knowledge on energy‐related issues and demographic characteristics. In general, our analysis indicates that policy elites’ value‐oriented formation of HVPL benefit‐risk perceptions is partially due to the influence cultural values have on trust in information sources. We conclude this article by discussing broader implications for the origin and role of trust in policy elites’ decisions throughout the policy‐making process.
A Stochastic Model to Assess the Effect of Meat Inspection Practices on the Contamination of the Pig Carcasses
Authors: de Freitas Costa Eduardo , Corbellini Luis Gustavo , da Silva Ana Paula Serafini Poeta , Nauta Maarten
Published: December 2016

The objective of meat inspection is to promote animal and public health by preventing, detecting, and controlling hazards originating from animals. With the improvements of sanitary level in pig herds, the hazards profile has shifted and the inspection procedures no longer target major foodborne pathogens (i.e., not risk based). Additionally, carcass manipulations performed when searching for macroscopic lesions can lead to cross‐contamination. We therefore developed a stochastic model to quantitatively describe cross‐contamination when consecutive carcasses are submitted to classic inspection procedures. The microbial hazard used to illustrate the model was Salmonella, the data set was obtained from Brazilian slaughterhouses, and some simplifying assumptions were made. The model predicted that due to cross‐contamination during inspection, the prevalence of contaminated carcass surfaces increased from 1.2% to 95.7%, whereas the mean contamination on contaminated surfaces decreased from 1 logCFU/cm² to −0.87 logCFU/cm², and the standard deviations decreased from 0.65 to 0.19. These results are explained by the fact that, due to carcass manipulations with hands, knives, and hooks, including the cutting of contaminated lymph nodes, Salmonella is transferred to previously uncontaminated carcasses, but in small quantities. These small quantities can easily go undetected during sampling. Sensitivity analyses gave insight into the model performance and showed that the touching and cutting of lymph nodes during inspection can be an important source of carcass contamination. The model can serve as a tool to support discussions on the modernization of pig carcass inspection.
How Does the Minimum Wage Affect Firm Investments in Fixed and Human Capital? Evidence from China
Authors: Haepp Tobias , Lin Carl
Published: December 2016

This paper empirically analyzes the impact of Chinese minimum wage regulations on the firm decision to invest in physical and human capital. We exploit the geographical and inter‐temporal variations of county‐level minimum wages in a panel data set of all state‐owned and all above‐scale non‐state‐owned Chinese firms covering the introduction of the new Chinese minimum wage regulations in 2004. In our basic regressions including all Chinese firms, we find significant negative effects of the minimum wage on human capital investment rates and no overall effects on fixed capital investment rates. When grouping firms by their ownership structure, we find that these results hold for most firms. Foreign‐owned firms are an exception to some extent, because the likelihood that they invest in human capital has not decreased in response to the policy.
The control of flowering time by environmental factors
Authors: Cho Lae‐Hyeon , Yoon Jinmi , An Gynheung
Published: December 2016

The timing of flowering is determined by endogenous genetic components as well as various environmental factors, such as day length, temperature, and stress. The genetic elements and molecular mechanisms that rule this process have been examined in the long‐day‐flowering plantArabidopsis thalianaand short‐day‐flowering rice (Oryza sativa). However, reviews of research on the role of those factors are limited. Here, we focused on how flowering time is influenced by nutrients, ambient temperature, drought, salinity, exogenously applied hormones and chemicals, and pathogenic microbes. In response to such stresses or stimuli, plants either begin flowering to produce seeds for the next generation or else delay flowering by slowing their metabolism. These responses vary depending upon the dose of the stimulus, the plant developmental stage, or even the cultivar that is used. Our review provides insight into how crops might be managed to increase productivity under various environmental challenges.
Fractional Heat Conduction in a Thin Circular Plate With Constant Temperature Distribution and Associated Thermal Stresses
Authors: Warbhe S. D. , Tripathi J. J. , Deshmukh K. C. , Verma J.
Published: December 2016

In this work, a fractional-order theory of thermoelasticity by quasi-static approach is applied to the two-dimensional problem of a thin circular plate whose lower surface is maintained at zero temperature, whereas the upper surface is insulated and subjected to a constant temperature distribution. Integral transform technique is used to derive the solution in the physical domain. The corresponding thermal stresses are found using the displacement potential function.
The Effect of Grid Resolution and Reaction Models in Simulation of a Fluidized Bed Gasifier Through Nonintrusive Uncertainty Quantification Techniques
Authors: Shahnam Mehrdad , Gel Aytekin , Dietiker Jean-François , Subramaniyan Arun K. , Musser Jordan
Published: December 2016

To improve quality of numerical models used in simulations of a fluidized bed gasifier at any scale, the sources of uncertainty in the simulation have to be identified and quantified. There are several sources of uncertainty that can affect any simulation result and scale up process such as uncertainty in the model input values, uncertainty in the reaction models and kinetic rates, uncertainty in selection of the appropriate numerical models affecting the hydrodynamics, uncertainty in selection of adequate computational grid resolution (uncertainty due to discretization error), uncertainty in the selection of proper numerical techniques required for solution of the discretized conservation equations, and many more. The current study aims to investigate the effect that reaction models for gasification, char oxidation, carbon monoxide oxidation, and water gas shift will have on the syngas composition at different grid resolution, along with bed temperature, which affects the reactions. The global sensitivity analysis conducted showed that among various reaction models employed for water gas shift, gasification, char oxidation, the choice of reaction model for water gas shift has the greatest influence on syngas composition, with gasification reaction model being second. Syngas composition also shows a small sensitivity to temperature of the bed. The hydrodynamic behavior of the bed did not change beyond grid spacing of 18 times the particle diameter. However, the syngas concentration continued to be affected by the grid resolution as low as 9 times the particle diameter. This is due to a better resolution of the phasic interface between the gas and solid that leads to stronger heterogeneous reactions.
An Improved Tibial Force Sensor to Compute Contact Forces and Contact Locations In Vitro After Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Roth Joshua D. , Howell Stephen M. , Hull Maury L.
Published: December 2016

Contact force imbalance and contact kinematics (i.e., motion of the contact location in each compartment during flexion) of the tibiofemoral joint are both important predictors of a patient's outcome following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Previous tibial force sensors have limitations in that they either did not determine contact forces and contact locations independently in the medial and lateral compartments or only did so within restricted areas of the tibial insert, which prevented them from thoroughly evaluating contact force imbalance and contact kinematics in vitro. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study was to present the design and verification of an improved tibial force sensor which overcomes these limitations. The improved tibial force sensor consists of a modified tibial baseplate which houses independent medial and lateral arrays of three custom tension–compression transducers each. This sensor is interchangeable with a standard tibial component because it accommodates tibial articular surface inserts with a range of sizes and thicknesses. This sensor was verified by applying known loads at known locations over the entire surface of the tibial insert to determine the errors in the computed contact force and contact location in each compartment. The root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) in contact force are ≤ 6.1 N which is 1.4% of the 450 N full-scale output. The RMSEs in contact location are ≤ 1.6 mm. This improved tibial force sensor overcomes the limitations of the previous sensors and therefore should be useful for in vitro evaluation of new alignment goals, new surgical techniques, and new component designs in TKA.
Study on the Sloshing of Nickel Ore Slurries With Three Different Moisture Contents
Authors: Zhang Jianwei , Wu Wanqing , Hu Junquan
Published: December 2016

A combination of the moisture content, dynamic energy produced by the waves and the vessel engines along with the characteristics of the bulk cargo itself may lead the mixture to liquefy. When the liquefaction of the granular bulk cargo occurs, it may behave like a fluid and can cause the vessel to list or even capsize. In this study, based on a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver, a numerical model was developed to simulate the sloshing problem for nickel ore slurries with three different moisture contents. The volume of fluid (VOF) method is adopted to capture the movement of the fluid interface. To validate the present model, the simulation results were compared with experimental data. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental results. Finally, the present model was used to investigate the dynamic behavior of nickel ore slurries with different moisture contents combined with non-Newtonian Herschel–Bulkley and Bingham constitutive equations. After taking the grid and time step independence study, the dynamic moment impacted on the cargo hold model boundaries was calculated. The effects of different moisture contents, the excitation amplitude, and the frequency on the sloshing-induced moment and the free surface deformation were discussed extensively. The results confirm that the proposed model can be used to predict the movement of the nickel ore slurry and analyze its impact moment on the cargo hold model when it takes a roll motion.
Fiber-Surface Quality Enhancement to Improve the Performance Properties of Friction Materials
Authors: Aranganathan N. , Jayashree Bijwe
Published: December 2016

Very smooth surface topography of CFs (CFs) and its chemical inertness have been a concern while selecting them for reinforcement in polymer composites. Such fibers do not show adequate fiber–matrix adhesion and hence do not contribute to enhance the property to the extent possible. Chemical treatment or sizing of fibers using proper coupling agents appears to be the only choice to deal with this problem. In the case of friction materials (FMs), hardly anything is reported on exploring the potential of few surface treatments of CFs, though CF is used as very efficient ingredient of FM. In this paper, two methods (one most primitive, i.e., nitric acid and second, most recent, i.e., nano-YbF3 particles) were selected to treat short CF and to develop FMs based on treated and untreated fibers for comparison. The studies revealed that the nanoparticles treatment proved most effective and enhanced almost all the performance properties of FMs.
Initial Ensemble Design Scheme for Effective Characterization of Three-Dimensional Channel Gas Reservoirs With an Aquifer
Authors: Kim Sungil , Jung Hyungsik , Lee Kyungbook , Choe Jonggeun
Published: December 2016

Reservoir characterization is a process of making models, which reliably predict reservoir behaviors. Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) is one of the fine methods for reservoir characterization with many advantages. However, it is hard to get trustworthy results in discrete grid system ensuring preservation of channel properties. There have been many schemes such as discrete cosine transform (DCT) and preservation of facies ratio (PFR) for improvement of channel reservoirs characterization. These schemes are mostly applied to 2D cases, but cannot present satisfactory results in 3D channel gas reservoirs with an aquifer because of complex production behaviors and high uncertainty of them. For a complicated 3D channel reservoir, we need reliable initial ensemble members to reduce uncertainty and stably characterize reservoir models due to the assumption of EnKF, which regards the mean of ensemble as true. In this study, initial ensemble design scheme is suggested for EnKF. The reference 3D channel gas reservoir system has 200 × 200 × 5 grid system (250 × 250 × 100 ft for x, y, and z, respectively), 15% porosity, and two facies of 100 md sand and 1 md shale. As the first step, it samples initial ensemble members, which show similar water production behaviors with the reference. Then, grid points are randomly selected for high and low 5% from the mean of sampled members. As a final step, initial ensemble members are remade using the selected data, which are assumed as additional known data. This proposed method reliably characterizes 3D channel reservoirs with an aquifer.
Adiabatic Film Cooling Effectiveness Measurements Throughout Multirow Film Cooling Arrays
Authors: Natsui Greg , Little Zachary , Kapat Jayanta S. , Dees Jason E.
Published: December 2016

Adiabatic film cooling effectiveness measurements are obtained using pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) on a flat film cooled surface. The effects of blowing ratio and hole spacing are investigated for four multirow arrays comprised of eight rows containing 52 holes of 3.8 mm diameter with 20 deg inclination angles and hole length-to-diameter ratio of 11.2. The four arrays investigated have two different hole-to-hole spacings composed of cylindrical and diffuser holes. For the first case, lateral and streamwise pitches are 7.5 times the diameter. For the second case, pitch-to-diameter ratio is 14 in lateral direction and 10 in the streamwise direction. The holes are in a staggered arrangement. Adiabatic effectiveness measurements are taken for a blowing ratio range of 0.3–1.2 and a density ratio of 1.5, with CO2 injected as the coolant. A thorough boundary layer analysis is presented, and data were taken using hotwire anemometry with air injection, with boundary layer, and turbulence measurements taken at multiple locations in order to characterize the boundary layer. Local effectiveness, laterally averaged effectiveness, boundary layer thickness, momentum thickness, turbulence intensity, and turbulence length scale are presented. For the cylindrical holes, at the first row of injection, the film jets are still attached at a blowing ratio of 0.3. By a blowing ratio of 0.5, the jet is observed to lift off, and then impinge back onto the test surface. At a blowing ratio of 1.2, the jets lift off, but reattach much further downstream, spreading the coolant further along the test surface. A thorough uncertainty analysis has been conducted in order to fully understand the presented measurements and any shortcomings of the measurement technique. The maximum uncertainty of effectiveness and blowing ratio is 0.02 counts of effectiveness and 3%, respectively.
A bibliometric survey of Systematic & Applied Acarology (2006–2015)
Authors: Jianfeng Liu , Zhang Zhi-Qiang
Published: December 2016

A bibliometric survey of Systematic & Applied Acarology (2006–2015)