bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mutability in Pseudomonas viridiflava as a programmed balance between antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity
Authors: Bartoli Claudia , Lamichhane Jay Ram , Berge Odile , Varvaro Leonardo , Morris Cindy E.
Published: February 2015

Mutable bacterial cells are defective in their DNA repair system and often have a phenotype different from that of their wild‐type counterparts. In human bacterial pathogens, the mutable and hypermutable phenotypes are often associated with general antibiotic resistance. Here, we quantified the occurrence of mutable cells in Pseudomonas viridiflava, a phytopathogenic bacterium in the P. syringae complex with a broad host range and capacity to live as a saprophyte. Two phenotypic variants (transparent and mucoid) were produced by this bacterium. The transparent variant had a mutator phenotype, showed general antibiotic resistance and could not induce disease on the plant species tested (bean). In contrast, the mucoid variant did not display mutability or resistance to antibiotics and was capable of inducing disease on bean. Both the transparent and mucoid variants were less fit when grown in vitro, whereas, in planta, both of the variants and wild‐types attained similar population densities. Given the importance of the methyl‐directed mismatch repair system (MMR) in the occurrence of mutable and hypermutable cells in human bacterial pathogens, we investigated whether mutations in mut genes were associated with mutator transparent cells in P. viridiflava. Our results showed no mutations in MMR genes in any of the P. viridiflava cells tested. Here, we report that a high mutation rate and antibiotic resistance are inversely correlated with pathogenicity in P. viridiflava, but are not associated with mutations in MMR. In addition, P. viridiflava variants differ from variants produced by other phytopathogenic bacteria in the absence of reversion to the wild‐type phenotype.
Magnolia tiepii sp. nov. from Vietnam
Authors: Van Duy Nong , Toan Phan Nguyen Huu , Tran Van Tien , Luong Van Dung , Xia Nianhe
Published: February 2015

A new species of Magnolia sect. Gwillimia DC., Magnoliaceae from Vietnam is described and illustrated. Magnolia tiepii is recognized from southern Vietnam, where it occurs in Khanh Vinh slope, Khanh Vinh District, Khanh Hoa Province. It is distinguished from the closely related M. henryi by having narrowly cuneate leaf blade, short petiole, stipular scar at the base of the leaf blade, short peduncle and ellipsoid fruit.
Comparing immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice as animal models for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Zhang Y , Li X , Chihara T , Mizoguchi T , Hori A , Udagawa N , Nakamura H , Hasegawa H , Taguchi A , Shinohara A , Kagami H
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To understand the differences and similarities between immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice as ectopic transplantation animal models for bone tissue engineering.

Materials and Methods

Osteogenic cells from mouse leg bones were cultured, seeded on β‐TCP granules, and transplanted onto the backs of either immunocompetent or immunodeficient nude mice. At 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks postoperatively, samples were harvested and evaluated by hematoxylin–eosin staining, tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, and immunohistochemical staining and quantitative PCR.

Results

In immunocompetent mice, inflammatory cell infiltration was evident at 1 week postoperatively and relatively higher expression of TNF‐α and IL‐4 was observed. In immunodeficient mice, new bone area and the number of TRAP‐positive cells were larger at 4 weeks than in immunocompetent mice. The volume of new bone area in immunodeficient mice was reduced by 8 weeks.

Conclusions

Bone regeneration was feasible in immunocompetent mice. However, some differences were observed between immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice in the bone regeneration process possibly due to different cytokine expression, which should be considered when utilizing in vivo animal models.
Real‐time visualization of melanin granules in normal human skin using combined multiphoton and reflectance confocal microscopy
Authors: Majdzadeh Ali , Lee Anthony M. D. , Wang Hequn , Lui Harvey , McLean David I. , Crawford Richard I. , Zloty David , Zeng Haishan
Published: February 2015

Background

Recent advances in biomedical optics have enabled dermal and epidermal components to be visualized at subcellular resolution and assessed noninvasively. Multiphoton microscopy (MPM) and reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) are noninvasive imaging modalities that have demonstrated promising results in imaging skin micromorphology, and which provide complementary information regarding skin components. This study assesses whether combined MPM/RCM can visualize intracellular and extracellular melanin granules in the epidermis and dermis of normal human skin.

Methods

We perform MPM and RCM imaging of in vivo and ex vivo skin in the infrared domain. The inherent three‐dimensional optical sectioning capability of MPM/RCM is used to image high‐contrast granular features across skin depths ranging from 50 to 90 μm. The optical images thus obtained were correlated with conventional histologic examination including melanin‐specific staining of ex vivo specimens.

Results

MPM revealed highly fluorescent granular structures below the dermal–epidermal junction (DEJ) region. Histochemical staining also demonstrated melanin‐containing granules that correlate well in size and location with the granular fluorescent structures observed in MPM. Furthermore, the MPM fluorescence excitation wavelength and RCM reflectance of cell culture‐derived melanin were equivalent to those of the granules.

Conclusion

This study suggests that MPM can noninvasively visualize and quantify subepidermal melanin in situ.
Biocontrol traits of two Paenibacillus polymyxa strains SQR‐21 and WR‐2 in response to fusaric acid, a phytotoxin produced by Fusarium species
Authors: Raza W. , Yuan J. , Wu Y. C. , Rajer F. U. , Huang Q. , Qirong S.
Published: February 2015

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the phytotoxin fusaric acid (FA) on the biocontrol traits of two biocontrol strains Paenibacillus polymyxa WR‐2 and SQR‐21. The results showed that the growth of both WR‐2 and SQR‐21 decreased with increasing FA concentration, and at 70 and 80 μg mL−1 FA, respectively, the strains were unable to grow. The biocontrol traits of both strains were negatively affected by FA concentration higher than 2·5 μg mL−1. However, at 2·5 μg mL−1 FA, biofilm formation and root colonization were not affected and there was even a positive effect on the production of spores and hydrolytic enzymes (protease and β‐l,3‐glucanase). The production of fusaricidin‐type antifungal compounds was increased with an increase in FA concentration up to 50 and 60 μg mL−1 for WR‐2 and SQR‐21, respectively. The production of antifungal volatile organic compounds by WR‐2 and SQR‐21 was increased only at 2·5 μg mL−1 FA. The effect of FA on the overall metabolic activity of WR‐2 and SQR‐21 was also determined. This study will help to understand the response of P. polymyxa strains to FA and will help to improve their biocontrol efficiency.
Beyond Enforcement: Welcomeness, Local Law Enforcement, and Immigrants
Authors: Williams Linda M.
Published: February 2015

Studies of local law enforcement actions toward immigrants show that while some cities engage in enforcement, many others do not. The extent and determinants of enforcement have been assessed, but these studies have not evaluated the full range of practices, including welcoming practices, toward immigrants. This article introduces the concept of “welcomeness,” develops a framework for measuring it, and, using a nationwide survey of local police departments, examines how widely departments are welcoming (or unwelcoming) to immigrants. The data show that many police departments have consciously and deliberately developed practices intended to foster positive relationships between the police and immigrants and to encourage immigrants to call the police for assistance.

Practitioner Points

Welcomeness encompasses a range of practices toward immigrants that are often intentionally created, thoughtfully implemented, and found in a variety of communities.

The dimensions of welcomeness provide a framework for police departments to assess their practices and provide a model for police departments that want to engage positively with immigrants.

Welcoming practices may improve interactions between police officers and immigrants and may improve immigrants’ perceptions of local law enforcement.

Welcoming police departments often have a deeper commitment to community policing.
Psychometric evaluation of the Swedish language Person‐centred Climate Questionnaire – family version
Authors: Lindahl Jeanette , Elmqvist Carina , Thulesius Hans , Edvardsson David
Published: February 2015

Background

In a holistic view of care, the family is important for the patient as well as for the staff and integration of family members in health care is a growing trend. Yet, family participation in the care is sparsely investigated and valid assessment instruments are needed.

Setting

Data were collected from 200 family members participating in an intervention study at an emergency department (ED) in Sweden.

Method

The Person‐centred Climate Questionnaire – Family (PCQ‐F) is a measure for how family members perceive the psychosocial climate. PCQ‐F is a self‐report instrument that contains 17 items assessing safety, everydayness and hospitality – three subscale dimensions that mirror the Swedish patient version of the questionnaire, the PCQ‐P.

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the PCQ‐F in an ED context.

Results

The psychometric properties of the PCQ‐F were evaluated using statistical estimates of validity and reliability and showed high content validity and internal consistency. Cronbach's Alpha was >0.7 and item–total correlations were >0.3 and <0.7.

Conclusion

In terms of psychometrics, the findings in this study indicate that the PCQ‐F can be used with satisfactory validity and reliability to explore to what degree family members perceive ED settings as being person‐centred, safe, welcoming and hospitable within an everyday and decorated physical environment. As the PCQ already exists in a valid and reliable patient (PCQ‐P) and staff (PCQ‐S) version, this new family member version is a significant addition to the literature as it enables further comparative studies of how diverse care settings are perceived by different stakeholders.
Factors associated with low physical activity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Tödt Kristina , Skargren Elisabeth , Jakobsson Per , Theander Kersti , Unosson Mitra
Published: February 2015

Objectives

Low physical activity (PA) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with poor prognosis. In addition, physical activity seems to be low early in the disease. The aim of this study was to describe the level of PA in patients with stable COPD and to explore factors associated with low PA, with a focus on fatigue, symptom burden and body composition

Methods

In a cross‐sectional study, 101 patients (52 women) with COPD were classified having low, moderate or high PA according to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short. Fatigue, dyspnoea, depression and anxiety, symptom burden, body composition, physical capacity (lung function, exercise capacity, muscle strength), exacerbation rate and systemic inflammation were assessed. A multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent associations with low PA.

Results

Mean age was 68 (±7) years, and mean percentage of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 50 (±16.5). Forty‐two patients reported a low PA level, while 34 moderate and 25 reported high levels. Factors independently associated with low PA, presented as odds ratio (95% confidence interval), were severe fatigue 5.87 (1.23–28.12), exercise capacity 0.99 (0.99–1.0) and the number of pack‐years 1.04 (1.01–1.07). No relationship was found between depression, anxiety, body composition, exacerbation rate or systemic inflammation and PA.

Conclusions

Severe fatigue, worse exercise capacity and a higher amount of smoking were independently associated with low PA. Promoting physical activity is important in all patients with COPD. Our result suggests that patients with severe fatigue might need specific strategies to prevent physical inactivity.
Investigation of Killer Cell Immunoglobulin‐Like Receptors KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 Diversity and Identification of Ten Novel KIR2DL3 Alleles in the Chinese Han Population
Authors: He Y. , Tao S. , Ying Y. , He J. , Zhu F. , Lv H.
Published: February 2015

KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 are important inhibitory receptors that recognize a subset of HLA‐C allelic products carrying Ser77 and Asn80. In this study, we have determined KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 diversity in the Chinese Han population by a PCR sequence‐based typing. Based on sequencing, the coding regions of 166 Chinese Han individuals, seven new polymorphic sites (238G>A, 405G>A, 476A>G, 550G>A, 608G>A, 789T>C, 947T>C) were found. KIR2DL2*00301, *00101, KIR2DL3*00101,*00201,*013, *015 and ten new KIR2DL3 variants (KIR2DL3*00105, 00106, 00107, 00108, 019, 020, 021, 022, 023 and 024) were identified, of which KIR2DL3*00101 was the most frequent allele. Compared with the sequences of KIR2DL3*00101, all sequences of 2DL3*00105, 2DL3*00106, 2DL3*00107 and 2DL3*00108 had one nucleotide substitution(789T>C, 261C>T, 489G>A and 405G>A),but none resulted in amino acid change. An A>G substitution was observed in nucleotide position 476 in 2DL3*019, 608 G>A in 2DL3*020, 824T>C in 2DL3*021 and 238 G>A in 2DL3*023. In addition, 2DL3*022 probably arose from 2DL3*00201 with a nucleotide substitution G>A at 550. There were more HLA‐C1 positive individuals than HLA‐C2. In conclusion, the data of allelic polymorphism for KIR2DL2 and KIR2DL3 were obtained in the Chinese Han population and ten novel KIR2DL3 alleles were identified.
Managerial Objectives: A Retrospective on Utility Maximization in Pro Team Sports
Authors: Fort Rodney
Published: February 2015

This is an essay review of the literature on utility maximization as a managerial objective in pro team sports. It ends up that there is a heretofore‐unrecognized parallel development of the idea, in English football by Sloane [Scottish Journal of Political Economy (1971), 17, 121] and in North American pro sports by Quirk and El Hodiri, presented in that same year but not published as a conference proceeding until 1974. I review these works and place the rest of the extant literature chronologically, noting their level of generality along a couple of dimensions. I also observe a lack of a clear reference lineage in this literature and suggest one. Adopting it should aid future researchers who are trying to place their work in the context of this literature. [It would have helped me, for example.]
Revenue Sharing and Absolute League Quality; Talent Investment and Talent Allocation
Authors: Kesenne Stefan
Published: February 2015

Beside the competitive balance or the relative quality of teams in a sports league, also a league's absolute quality matters to attract spectators. If the absolute quality depends among other variables, on the total budget of the league, it can be shown that that revenue sharing enhances the absolute quality by improving the allocation of talent over the teams in both a profit‐ and a win‐maximisation league, even if it worsens the competitive balance.
Making Money Out of Football
Authors: Leach Stephanie , Szymanski Stefan
Published: February 2015

In the US, most economists argue that professional sports teams are profit‐maximising businesses, but it is a widely held view in Europe that professional football clubs are not run on a profit‐maximising basis. This belief has important implications for the impact of widely‐advocated policy measures, such as revenue sharing. This paper looks at the performance of 16 English football clubs that acquired a stock exchange listing in the mid‐1990s. If the European story is true, we should have observed a shift toward profit‐maximising behaviour at these clubs, under the assumption that investors were attracted to these football clubs to earn a positive return. This paper finds no evidence of any shift in the behaviour of these 16 clubs after flotation. This result is consistent with the view that football clubs in England have been much more oriented toward profit objectives than is normally assumed.
Systematizing Knowledge of User Influence – A Study of User Advisory Boards in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Authors: Rosenberg David , Hillborg Helene
Published: February 2015

While there is a great deal of interest in, and literature describing user influence in mental health and substance abuse services at the individual level, there are fewer studies of collective user influence at the organizational level. This article presents the findings of a study of the development of user advisory councils in regional organizations providing substance abuse services, which were part of a national implementation project in Sweden. A survey of both users and professionals involved in the local projects, in addition to interviews with key actors at the national level, were completed and analyzed with reference to the results of a literature review. The overall aim of the study was to identify obstacles and success factors related to the development of collective user influence at the programme and system levels. The results indicated that there was an overwhelmingly positive attitude towards experience‐based knowledge and the potential for developing formal, collective user influence in these organizations. Users and professionals had common viewpoints regarding the obstacles and success factors, which included: addressing power relations, establishing legitimacy, assigning resources, investing in sustainability and planning for real participation. They were also substantially in agreement as to the strategies that would be needed in the future in order to move from ideology to action. These factors form the basis for a model that might be used to support the systematic implementation of this type of organized user influence.
Risk factors for hemorrhagic cystitis in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Hayden R.T. , Gu Z. , Liu W. , Lovins R. , Kasow K. , Woodard P. , Srivastava K. , Leung W.
Published: February 2015

Background

Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) results in significant morbidity among hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients. Several potential causes for HC have been postulated, including viral infection, but definitive evidence is lacking, particularly in pediatric HSCT patients.

Methods

Ninety pediatric HSCT recipients were prospectively tested on a weekly basis for adenovirus (ADV) and BK virus (BKV) by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction in blood and urine samples. Results were correlated with the occurrence of grade II–IV HC. The odds ratio (OR) of HC (95% confidence interval) for BKV ≥1 × 109 copies/mL of urine was 7.39 (1.52, 35.99), with a P‐value of 0.013. Those with acute graft‐versus‐host disease (aGVHD) also had higher odds of developing HC, with an OR of 5.34. Given a 20% prevalence rate of HC, positive and negative predictive values of 29% and 95% were seen with a cutoff of 109 copies/mL.

Results

BK viremia did not reach significance as a risk factor for development of HC (P = 0.06). Only 8 patients showed ADV viruria and 7 showed ADV viremia; all had low viral loads and 4 had no evidence of HC.

Conclusion

HC in pediatric HSCT is correlated most strongly to elevated urinary viral load of BKV and to aGVHD, but less strongly to BK viremia.
Chlamydomonas as a model for biofuels and bio‐products production
Authors: Scranton Melissa A. , Ostrand Joseph T. , Fields Francis J. , Mayfield Stephen P.
Published: February 2015

Developing renewable energy sources is critical to maintaining the economic growth of the planet while protecting the environment. First generation biofuels focused on food crops like corn and sugarcane for ethanol production, and soybean and palm for biodiesel production. Second generation biofuels based on cellulosic ethanol produced from terrestrial plants, has received extensive funding and recently pilot facilities have been commissioned, but to date output of fuels from these sources has fallen well short of what is needed. Recent research and pilot demonstrations have highlighted the potential of algae as one of the most promising sources of sustainable liquid transportation fuels. Algae have also been established as unique biofactories for industrial, therapeutic, and nutraceutical co‐products. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii's long established role in the field of basic research in green algae has paved the way for understanding algal metabolism and developing genetic engineering protocols. These tools are now being utilized in C. reinhardtii and in other algal species for the development of strains to maximize biofuels and bio‐products yields from the lab to the field.
Establishing Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as an industrial biotechnology host
Authors: Scaife Mark A. , Nguyen Ginnie T.D.T. , Rico Juan , Lambert Devinn , Helliwell Katherine E. , Smith Alison G.
Published: February 2015

Microalgae constitute a diverse group of eukaryotic unicellular organisms that are of interest for pure and applied research. Owing to their natural synthesis of value‐added natural products microalgae are emerging as a source of sustainable chemical compounds, proteins and metabolites, including but not limited to those that could replace compounds currently made from fossil fuels. For the model microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, this has prompted a period of rapid development so that this organism is poised for exploitation as an industrial biotechnology platform. The question now is how best to achieve this? Highly advanced industrial biotechnology systems using bacteria and yeasts were established in a classical metabolic engineering manner over several decades. However, the advent of advanced molecular tools and the rise of synthetic biology provide an opportunity to expedite the development of C. reinhardtii as an industrial biotechnology platform, avoiding the process of incremental improvement. In this review we describe the current status of genetic manipulation of C. reinhardtii for metabolic engineering. We then introduce several concepts that underpin synthetic biology, and show how generic parts are identified and used in a standard manner to achieve predictable outputs. Based on this we suggest that the development of C. reinhardtii as an industrial biotechnology platform can be achieved more efficiently through adoption of a synthetic biology approach.
Transfusion practice and knowledge in Mozambique
Authors: Hartford Emily , Muanantatha Olegario , Valigy Valigy Ismael , Salimo Sara , Ziman Alyssa , DeUgarte Daniel A.
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

In Mozambique, there is a limited supply of blood and elevated risks for transmission of infections. Prior studies have documented that many transfusions in Mozambique are potentially avoidable. Transfusion training workshops with a survey and exam were held for providers to understand their perceptions and to improve knowledge and clinical practice.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Health care providers completed a survey and a knowledge assessment. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was utilized to compare the relative importance of each factor in the survey, and pre‐ and posttraining exam scores were compared using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

A total of 216 health care providers participated; the majority worked in a referral hospital (74%) and reported transfusing blood at least once per week (56%). Most acknowledged the limited blood supply and transfusion risks. Providers rated low hemoglobin (Hb) levels and pallor as significantly important indications for transfusion (p < 0.001). They were more likely to transfuse with age under 5 years when compared to other ages (p < 0.01). The three most potentially influential factors for transfusion practice were increased reliability of the blood supply, education about transfusion indications, and assessment of perfusion. Before training, the majority of participants identified an incorrect Hb threshold for preoperative or critically ill patients. Overall exam scores improved from a mean of 58% to 74% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Mozambican providers were knowledgeable about the risks of blood transfusions. Preoperative patients, the critically ill, and children appear to be at highest risk for receiving an avoidable blood transfusion. These results will help guide planning for future provider training.
Numerical Investigation of Aerothermal Characteristics of the Blade Tip and Near-Tip Regions of a Transonic Turbine Blade
Authors: Arisi A. , Xue S. , Ng W. F. , Moon H. K. , Zhang L.
Published: February 2015

In modern gas turbine engines, the blade tips and near-tip regions are exposed to high thermal loads caused by the tip leakage flow. The rotor blades are therefore carefully designed to achieve optimum work extraction at engine design conditions without failure. However, very often gas turbine engines operate outside these design conditions which might result in sudden rotor blade failure. Therefore, it is critical that the effect of such off-design turbine blade operation be understood to minimize the risk of failure and optimize rotor blade tip performance. In this study, the effect of varying the exit Mach number on the tip and near-tip heat transfer characteristics was numerically studied by solving the steady Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equation. The study was carried out on a highly loaded flat tip rotor blade with 1% tip gap and at exit Mach numbers of Mexit = 0.85 (Reexit = 9.75 × 105) and Mexit = 1.0 (Reexit = 1.15 × 106) with high freestream turbulence (Tu = 12%). The exit Reynolds number was based on the rotor axial chord. The numerical results provided detailed insight into the flow structure and heat transfer distribution on the tip and near-tip surfaces. On the tip surface, the heat transfer was found to generally increase with exit Mach number due to high turbulence generation in the tip gap and flow reattachment. While increase in exit Mach number generally raises he heat transfer over the whole blade surface, the increase is significantly higher on the near-tip surfaces affected by leakage vortex. Increase in exit Mach number was found to also induce strong flow relaminarization on the pressure side near-tip. On the other hand, the size of the suction surface near-tip region affected by leakage vortex was insensitive to changes in exit Mach number but significant increase in local heat transfer was noted in this region.
Computing Schemes for Longitudinal Train Dynamics: Sequential, Parallel and Hybrid
Authors: Wu Qing , Cole Colin
Published: February 2015

Conventionally, force elements in longitudinal train dynamics (LTD) are determined sequentially. Actually, all these force elements are independent from each other, i.e., determination of each one does not require inputs from others. This independent feature makes LTD feasible for parallel computing. A parallel scheme has been proposed and compared with the conventional sequential scheme in regard to computational efficiency. The parallel scheme is tested as not suitable for LTD; computing time of the parallel scheme is about 165% of the sequential scheme on a four-CPU personal computer (PC). A modified parallel scheme named the hybrid scheme was then proposed. The computing time of the hybrid scheme is only 70% of the sequential scheme. The other advantage of the hybrid scheme is that only two processors are required, which means the hybrid scheme can be implemented on PCs.
In vivo tracking of T cells in humans unveils decade-long survival and activity of genetically modified T memory stem cells
Authors: Biasco Luca , Scala Serena , Basso Ricci Luca , Dionisio Francesca , Baricordi Cristina , Calabria Andrea , Giannelli Stefania , Cieri Nicoletta , Barzaghi Federica , Pajno Roberta , Al-Mousa Hamoud , Scarselli Alessia , Cancrini Caterina , Bordignon Claudio , Roncarolo Maria Grazia , Montini Eugenio , Bonini Chiara , Aiuti Alessandro
Published: February 2015

Genetically engineered T memory stem cells preserve differentiation activity for decades after patient infusion.
Cellular stress drives pancreatic plasticity
Authors: Valdez Ivan A. , K. Teo Adrian K. , Kulkarni Rohit N.
Published: February 2015

Physiological and nonphysiological stress induces intrapancreatic cell-to-cell conversion.
T cells in a (polymer) matrix
Authors: Maus Marcela V.
Published: February 2015

Placing tumor-specific T cells in a polymer scaffold enhances their efficacy in solid tumors.
Risk of developing multimorbidity across all ages in an historical cohort study: differences by sex and ethnicity
Authors: St Sauver Jennifer L , Boyd Cynthia M , Grossardt Brandon R , Bobo William V , Finney Rutten Lila J , Roger Véronique L , Ebbert Jon O , Therneau Terry M , Yawn Barbara P , Rocca Walter A
Published: February 2015

Objective

To study the incidence of de novo multimorbidity across all ages in a geographically defined population with an emphasis on sex and ethnic differences.

Design

Historical cohort study.

Setting

All persons residing in Olmsted County, Minnesota, USA on 1 January 2000 who had granted permission for their records to be used for research (n=123 716).

Participants

We used the Rochester Epidemiology Project medical records-linkage system to identify all of the county residents. We identified and removed from the cohort all persons who had developed multimorbidity before 1 January 2000 (baseline date), and we followed the cohort over 14 years (1 January 2000 through 31 December 2013).

Main outcome measures

Incident multimorbidity was defined as the development of the second of 2 conditions (dyads) from among the 20 chronic conditions selected by the US Department of Health and Human Services. We also studied the incidence of the third of 3 conditions (triads) from among the 20 chronic conditions.

Results

The incidence of multimorbidity increased steeply with older age; however, the number of people with incident multimorbidity was substantially greater in people younger than 65 years compared to people age 65 years or older (28 378 vs 6214). The overall risk was similar in men and women; however, the combinations of conditions (dyads and triads) differed extensively by age and by sex. Compared to Whites, the incidence of multimorbidity was higher in Blacks and lower in Asians.

Conclusions

The risk of developing de novo multimorbidity increases steeply with older age, varies by ethnicity and is similar in men and women overall. However, as expected, the combinations of conditions vary extensively by age and sex. These data represent an important first step toward identifying the causes and the consequences of multimorbidity.
Tonsillectomy among children with low baseline acute throat infection consultation rates in UK general practices: a cohort study
Authors: Koshy Elizabeth , Watt Hilary , Curcin Vasa , Bottle Alex , Sharland Mike , Saxena Sonia
Published: February 2015

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of tonsillectomy in reducing acute throat infection (ATI) consultation rates over 6 years’ follow-up among children with low baseline ATI consultation rates.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

UK general practices from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Participants

Children aged 4–15 years with ≤3 ATI consultations during the 3 years prior to 2001 (baseline). 450 children who underwent tonsillectomy (tonsillectomy group) and 13 442 other children with an ATI consultation (comparison group) in 2001.

Main outcome measures

Mean differences in ATI consultation rates over the first 3 years’ and subsequent 3 years’ follow-up compared with 3 years prior to 2001 (baseline); odds of ≥3 ATI consultations at the same time points.

Results

Among children in the tonsillectomy group, the 3-year mean ATI consultation rate decreased from 1.31 to 0.66 over the first 3 years’ follow-up and further declined to 0.60 over the subsequent 3 years’ follow-up period. Compared with children who had no operation, those who underwent tonsillectomy experienced a reduction in 3-year mean ATI consultations per child of 2.5 (95% CI 2.3 to 2.6, p<0.001) over the first 3 years’ follow-up, but only 1.2 (95% CI 1.0 to 1.4, p<0.001) over the subsequent 3 years’ follow-up compared with baseline, respectively. This equates to a mean reduction of 3.7 ATI consultations over a 6-year period and approximates to a mean annual reduction of 0.6 ATI consultations per child, per year, over 6 years’ follow-up. Children who underwent tonsillectomy were also much less likely to experience ≥3 ATI consultations during the first 3 years’ follow-up (adjusted OR=0.12, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.17) and the subsequent 3 years’ follow-up (adjusted OR=0.24, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.41).

Conclusions

Among children with low baseline ATI rates, there was a statistically significant reduction in ATI consultation rates over 6 years’ follow-up. However, the relatively modest clinical benefit needs to be weighed against the potential risks and complications associated with surgery.
Effectiveness of knowledge translation tools addressing multiple high-burden chronic diseases affecting older adults: protocol for a systematic review alongside a realist review
Authors: Kastner Monika , Perrier Laure , Hamid Jemila , Tricco Andrea C , Cardoso Roberta , Ivers Noah M , Liu Barbara , Marr Sharon , Holroyd-Leduc Jayna , Wong Geoff , Graves Lisa , Straus Sharon E
Published: February 2015

Introduction

The burden of chronic disease is a global phenomenon, particularly among people aged 65 years and older. More than half of older adults have more than one chronic disease and their care is not optimal. Chronic disease management (CDM) tools have the potential to meet this challenge but they are primarily focused on a single disease, which fails to address the growing number of seniors with multiple chronic conditions.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a systematic review alongside a realist review to identify effective CDM tools that integrate one or more high-burden chronic diseases affecting older adults and to better understand for whom, under what circumstances, how and why they produce their outcomes. We will search MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, AgeLine and the Cochrane Library for experimental, quasi-experimental, observational and qualitative studies in any language investigating CDM tools that facilitate optimal disease management in one or more high-burden chronic diseases affecting adults aged ≥65 years. Study selection will involve calibration of reviewers to ensure reliability of screening and duplicate assessment of articles. Data abstraction and risk of bias assessment will also be performed independently. Analysis will include descriptive summaries of study and appraisal characteristics, effectiveness of each CDM tool (meta-analysis if appropriate); and a realist programme theory will be developed and refined to explain the outcome patterns within the included studies.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required for this study. We anticipate that our findings, pertaining to gaps in care across high-burden chronic diseases affecting seniors and highlighting specific areas that may require more research, will be of interest to a wide range of knowledge users and stakeholders. We will publish and present our findings widely, and also plan more active dissemination strategies such as workshops with our key stakeholders.

Trial registration number

Our protocol is registered with PROSPERO (registration number CRD42014014489).
Microhabitat associations of lichens, feathermosses, and vascular plants in a caribou winter range, and their implications for understory development
Authors: Haughian Sean R. , Burton Philip J.
Published: February 2015

Vegetation–environment relationships are well understood for boreal lichen woodlands, but the mechanistic basis for small-scale understory patchiness (patches dominated by lichen, mosses, and vascular plants), and its implications for the prevalence of niche vs. neutral processes driving understory development, have not been explored. We asked whether predictable vegetation–environment associations exist at the microsite scale, with the goal of informing caribou range management. We sampled canopy and edaphic variables in patches of lichen, feathermoss, and vascular plants in subalpine lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm. ex S.Wats.) forests, in north-central British Columbia, Canada. Lichens positively associate with microsites that have high light and heat, and low moisture and nutrient availability; vascular plants positively associate with base-cation availability, sulphur and phosphorus availability, fine-textured soils, thick organic layers, and high light; feathermosses positively associate with low light and heat, and nitrogen availability. Understory composition is most strongly associated with canopy characteristics, but is also related to edaphic properties in predictable ways; soil and canopy attributes may further interact to define distinct intra-stand niches. The viability of caribou winter ranges can likely be extended by partially thinning or burning the canopy and organic layers, but the longevity of a lichen-dominant stage may ultimately depend on the soil texture, due to its influence on vascular plant growth.
The specific and nonspecific solvatochromic behavior of Sudan dyes in different solvents
Authors: Zakerhamidi M.S. , Ahmadian S.M. Seyed , Kian R.
Published: February 2015

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of some Sudan dyes (Sudan III, Sudan IV, and Sudan Black B) were recorded in various solvents in the range of 300–800 nm at room temperature. The solvatochromic behavior of these substances and their solvent–solute interactions were analyzed by means of the linear solvation energy relationship concept suggested by Kamlet and Taft. The obtained results express the effect of solvation on the tautomerism and molecular configuration (geometry) of Sudan dyes in solvent media. Furthermore, analysis of solvent–solute interactions suggests different forms of resonance structures of Sudan dyes in polar and low-polar solvents.
Methane hydrate formation in a test sediment of sand and clay at various levels of water saturation
Authors: Kumar Asheesh , Sakpal Tushar , Roy Sudip , Kumar Rajnish
Published: February 2015

Kinetics of methane hydrate formation with different ratios of silica sand and clay and different water saturations were studied. At suitable temperature and methane gas pressure, water in the void spaces of silica sand packing and intercalated area of clay were converted into hydrate. It was observed that the rate of hydrate formation increases with higher void space in the packing, and addition of clay in test sediment decreases water to hydrate conversion as well as rate of hydrate formation. Maximum water to hydrate conversion of 60.0% was achieved in pure silica sand bed at 75% water saturation. Presence of fine clay particles is expected to reduce the void spaces and thus may hinder effective mass transfer of hydrate forming gases in the bed. However, it is also possible that the bentonite clay used in this work may actually inhibit hydrate growth. Additional experiments in stirred tank reactor were carried out to understand the inhibiting effect of bentonite clay for hydrate formation.
Productivity and life history of sockeye salmon in relation to competition with pink and sockeye salmon in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Ruggerone Gregory T. , Connors Brendan M.
Published: February 2015

Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) populations from Southeast Alaska through British Columbia to Washington State have experienced similar declines in productivity over the past two decades, leading to economic and ecosystem concerns. Because the declines have spanned a wide geographic area, the primary mechanisms driving them likely operate at a large, multiregional scale at sea. However, identification of such mechanisms has remained elusive. Using hierarchical models of stock–recruitment dynamics, we tested the hypothesis that competition between pink (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and sockeye salmon for prey has led to reduced growth and productivity and delayed maturation of up to 36 sockeye populations spanning the region during the past 55 years. Our findings indicate the abundance of North Pacific pink salmon in the second year of sockeye life at sea is a key factor contributing to the decline of sockeye salmon productivity, including sockeye in the Fraser River where an increase from 200 to 400 million pink salmon is predicted to reduce sockeye recruitment by 39%. Additionally, length-at-age of Fraser River sockeye salmon declined with greater sockeye and pink salmon abundance, and age at maturity increased with greater pink salmon abundance. Our analyses provide evidence that interspecific competition for prey can affect growth, age, and survival of sockeye salmon at sea.
Multi-index algorithm of identifying important nodes in complex networks based on linear discriminant analysis
Authors: Hu Fang , Liu Yuhua
Published: February 2015

The evaluation of node importance has great significance to complex network, so it is important to seek and protect important nodes to ensure the security and stability of the entire network. At present, most evaluation algorithms of node importance adopt the single-index methods, which are incomplete and limited, and cannot fully reflect the complex situation of network. In this paper, after synthesizing multi-index factors of node importance, including eigenvector centrality, betweenness centrality, closeness centrality, degree centrality, mutual-information, etc., the authors are proposing a new multi-index evaluation algorithm of identifying important nodes in complex networks based on linear discriminant analysis (LDA). In order to verify the validity of this algorithm, a series of simulation experiments have been done. Through comprehensive analysis, the simulation results show that the new algorithm is more rational, effective, integral and accurate.
Properties of sodium-driven bacterial flagellar motor: A two-state model approach
Authors: Zhang Yunxin
Published: February 2015

Bacterial flagellar motor (BFM) is one of the ion-driven molecular machines, which drives the rotation of flagellar filaments and enable bacteria to swim in viscous solutions. Understanding its mechanism is one challenge in biophysics. Based on previous models and inspired by the idea used in description of motor proteins, in this study one two-state model is provided. Meanwhile, according to corresponding experimental data, mathematical relationship between BFM membrane voltage and pH value of the environment, and relationship between internal and external sodium concentrations are given. Therefore, with model parameter values obtained by fitting theoretical results of torque-speed relation to recent experimental data, many biophysical properties of bacterial flagellar motor can be obtained for any pH values and any external sodium concentrations, including the rotation speed, stall torque (i.e. the torque generated by BFM), rotation dispersion, and rotation randomness. In this study, the single-stator BFM will be firstly analyzed, and then properties of multiple-stator BFM are addressed briefly.
Compact picosecond nondegenerate four-wave mixing mirrorless optical parametric oscillator in silicon waveguide
Authors: Wen Jin
Published: February 2015

The compact picosecond nondegenerate four-wave mixing mirrorless optical parametric oscillator based on multimode silicon waveguide is proposed and investigated numerically. Two counterpropagating picosecond pulses of fundamental mode can generate new pulses of second-order mode at different wavelengths due to the large modal dispersion between the fundamental mode and the second-order mode. The frequency of the newly generated waves can be tuned to 0.6 THz by adjusting the pump frequency difference of 5 THz. The output signal wave exhibits pulse width of 50 ps when the pump pulse is 100 ps. The proposed mirrorless optical parametric oscillator exhibits compact configuration and low threshold, which can find important applications in integrated optical source and ultrafast all-optical signal processing.
The renormalization of geometric quantum discord in the transverse Ising model
Authors: Zhang Xiu-Xing , Li Hong-Rong
Published: February 2015

Using the quantum renormalization group (QRG) method, we investigate the ground state geometric measure of quantum discord (GQD) of the transverse Ising model. The analytical expression of GQD together with the RG recurrence relations are obtained. The critical and scaling behaviors of GQD are investigated. Our results show that with the increasing of RG steps, GQD (first derivative of GQD) exhibits sudden change (dip) in behavior at the critical point, which indicates that the system undergoes phase transitions between the Ising and the paramagnetic phases. The critical exponent that governs the divergences of the first derivative of GQD is calculated. How the critical point of the model is approached as the increasing of the system size is revealed.
Stress Influence Line Identification of Long Suspension Bridges Installed with Structural Health Monitoring Systems
Authors: Chen Zhi Wei , Cai Qin Lin , Li Jun
Published: February 2015

Numerous long-span suspension bridges have been built worldwide over the past few decades. To ensure the safety of such bridges and their users during the bridge service life, several bridges have been equipped with Structural Health Monitoring Systems (SHMSs), which measure dynamic bridge responses and various loading types on-site. Integrating SHMS and damage detection technology for condition assessment of these bridges has become a new development trend. Recent studies have proven that stress influence line (SIL)-based damage indices achieve excellent damage detection performance for a long suspension bridge. However, an accurate and prompt manner of identifying the SIL of a long suspension bridge is important to facilitate the development of the SIL for an effective damage index. Identifying the SIL from field measurement data under in-service conditions has several advantages over the traditional static loading test. This study proposes and develops a new SIL identification method by integrating the least squares solution and Weighted Moving Average (WMA) based on the measured train information and the corresponding train-induced stress time history. The efficacy of the proposed method is validated through its application to Tsing Ma Bridge (TMB). The good agreement between the identified and baseline SILs for a typical diagonal truss member verifies the effectiveness of the proposed method. Furthermore, robustness testing is performed by identifying SIL on the basis of information on different trains and train-induced stress responses and by identifying the SIL of different types of bridge components. Results indicate the feasibility of the application of the proposed approach to SIL identification for long-span bridges.