bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CO2‐induced crystallization of polylactide and its self‐templating ‘stack of coins’ crystalline microstructure
Authors: Sankarpandi Sabapathy , Park Chul B. , Ghosh Anup K.
Published: August 2016

Can we learn from biomineralization process of natural materials to fabricate a three‐dimensional (3D) thick laminate microstructure by stacking of two‐dimensional (2D) crystalline structure? By adopting this self‐organization principle of biomineralization process, a polymer is crystallized two‐dimensionally into a multi‐layered architecture. Herein, we demonstrate a 2D crystallization method of polylactide and its principle of self‐organization to develop the discontinuous laminate microstructures. We find that instead of building a multilayered morphology layer‐by‐layer, the lamellar microstructures can be built in one step by using self‐organization principle of 2D crystallization. The biopolymer PLA is compression molded, and the molded samples are crystallized by using supercritical CO2 in a high pressure vessel. The CO2‐induced crystallization has a unique diffusion‐controlled crystallization mechanism, which tends to produce a disc‐shape spherultic structure. From microscopy analysis, we observe that these 2D spherulites are self‐organizing in nature and form 3D thick laminate structures with integrated amorphous phase in between. The obtained discontinuous laminate microstructure is comparable to “stack of coins” structure and we report the biomimetic approach of crystallization process. Thus, our study shows an innovative approach to engineer the crystalline microstructure of PLA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:365–373, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
An Optimized Voriconazole Dosing Strategy to Achieve Therapeutic Serum Concentrations in Children Younger than 2 Years Old
Authors: Zembles Tracy N. , Thompson Nathan E. , Havens Peter L. , Kaufman Bruce A. , Huppler Anna R.
Published: August 2016

Study Objective

To describe our experience with voriconazole in three patients younger than 2 years using an optimized dosing strategy for voriconazole that incorporates intensive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).

Design

Case series.

Setting

Large pediatric hospital.

Patients

Three patients younger than 2 years who received voriconazole therapy and had serum trough concentrations measured between January 1, 2010, and October 31, 2015.

Measurements and Main Results

A clinical practice guideline developed at our institution was used to standardize initial dosing, appropriate use and timing of TDM, and dosage modifications based on TDM. TDM was used to guide dosing to achieve a target voriconazole serum trough concentration of 2–6 μg/ml. Voriconazole samples were assayed by using a high‐performance liquid chromatography analytical method with solid‐phase extraction. Initial dosages for the three patients were 9 mg/kg intravenously every 12 hours (one patient) and 9 mg/kg enterally twice/day (two patients). Multiple dose escalations and a more frequent dosing interval were required to achieve trough concentrations within the target range. The final dosages were 12 mg/kg intravenously every 8 hours, 17.7 mg/kg enterally 3 times/day, and 8.5 mg/kg enterally 3 times/day, respectively. In addition to voriconazole trough concentrations, TDM included evaluations for drug toxicities. Visual, neurologic, or hepatic adverse effects were not encountered in the three patients.

Conclusion

Our data support higher initial doses and perhaps a 3 times/day dosing schedule to achieve voriconazole serum concentrations in the target range for children younger than 2 years. Implementation of a clinical practice guideline with the participation of pharmacists specializing in pharmacokinetics allows for effective use of voriconazole in young children.
The human sperm proteome 2.0: An integrated resource for studying sperm functions at the level of posttranslational modification
Authors: Wang Ying , Wan Jinyuan , Ling Xiufeng , Liu Mingxi , Zhou Tao
Published: August 2016

Various types of PTMs play important roles in the regulation of sperm proteins. However, most large‐scale proteomic studies only focused on a single type of modification due to the limitation of enrichment methods. To investigate the complex composition of modified sperm proteins, we constructed the human sperm proteome 2.0 that integrated lysine acetylated, phosphorylated, N‐linked glycosylated, and protein N‐terminal acetylated proteins from previously published proteomic datasets. A total of 6069 modified sites on 2132 proteins were annotated. Functional enrichment analyses showed that different types of modified sperm proteins displayed different functional distributions. We found that acetylated, phosphorylated, and glycosylated proteins are more directly involved in sperm functions. While N‐termnial acetylated proteins and nonmodified proteins appear to be more associated with the basic cellular functions. Thus, it is efficient to search for fertility‐associated biomarkers in acetylated, phosphorylated, and glycosylated proteins. We also predicted modification cross‐talks within the same proteins or between different proteins that provided potential hotspot targets for understanding the regulation of sperm functions via multiple modifications.
Prioritization of Corrective Actions from Utility Viewpoint in FMEA Application
Authors: Chen Jih Kuang
Published: August 2016

Failure mode and effects analysis has been extensively used as a powerful method in a wide range of industries, but many scholars questioned the risk priority number method and proposed some new methods to improve. However, these methods still only evaluated from risks viewpoint while ignoring the effectiveness of corrective actions from utility viewpoint. In practical, it may not reach significant corrective effectiveness because of the corrective efficiency if corrective action is ignored. In addition, corrective actions may be treated as a complex system; they may not be simple and have an independent relationship with each other; the interdependence relationship; and the sequence or structure of hierarchy; even feedback relationship may exist. This study develops a fuzzy interpretive structural model in order to evaluate the structure of hierarchy and interdependence of corrective actions, and integrating the analytic network process with decision‐making and trial evaluation laboratory to take account into the causal relationship and influence strength of corrective actions to obtain the more accuracy weights. At last, a case study implemented to demonstrate that the proposed approach effectively circumvents the drawbacks of traditional risk priority number method and adapts flexibly to real‐world situations. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Event‐triggered output synchronization of heterogeneous multi‐agent systems
Authors: Almeida J. , Silvestre C. , Pascoal A. M.
Published: August 2016

This paper proposes a control architecture that employs event‐triggered control techniques to achieve output synchronization of a group of heterogeneous linear time‐invariant agents. We associate with each agent an event‐triggered output regulation controller and an event‐triggered reference generator. The event‐triggered output regulation controller is designed such that the regulated output of the agent approximately tracks a reference signal provided by the reference generator in the presence of unknown disturbances. The event‐triggered reference generator is responsible for synchronizing its internal state across all agents by exchanging information through a communication network linking the agents. We first address the output regulation problem for a single agent where we analyze two event‐triggered scenarios. In the first one, the output and input event detectors operate synchronously, meaning that resets are made at the same time instants, while in the second one, they operate asynchronously and independently of each other. It is shown that the tracking error is globally bounded for all bounded reference trajectories and all bounded disturbances. We then merge the results on event‐triggered output regulation with previous results on event‐triggered communication protocols for synchronization of the reference generators to demonstrate that the regulated output of each agent converges to and remains in a neighborhood of the desired reference trajectory and that the closed‐loop system does not exhibit Zeno solutions. Several examples are provided to illustrate the advantages and issues of every component of the proposed control architecture. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gain insight into managing a dysfunctional manager
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: August 2016

If you work in a dysfunctional environment, you're not alone. In fact, research shows that about a third of employees work for a dysfunctional leader and 35 percent of workers have been bullied, while more than half of U.S. employers lack policies addressing workplace bullying.
Did student find judicial relief from alleged university bias?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: August 2016

Ethan Peloe — a student at the University of Cincinnati — was accused of raping two female classmates in March 2014. He denied raping the women, and campus police took no action after its investigation. However, the university proceeded with disciplinary charges against him for a violation of its student conduct code, and set a hearing.
fac‐[Re(H2O)3(CO)3]+ Complexed with Histidine and Imidazole in Aqueous Solution: Speciation, Affinity and Binding Features
Authors: De Tommaso Gaetano , Celentano Veronica , Malgieri Gaetano , Fattorusso Roberto , Romanelli Alessandra , D'Andrea Luca Domenico , Iuliano Mauro , Isernia Carla
Published: August 2016

The use of isotopes of transition metal has opened many perspectives in the development of novel compounds utilizable for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. In order to be exploited, though, they must be stabilized by chelating systems in coordination complexes. The tricarbonyl complexes of Technetium(I) and Rhenium(I) have assumed important roles in these fields as they are readily conjugated to biomolecules to form stable probe useful in the targeting approach.  In this context the amino acid histidine represents a valuable ligand for bioconjugation. Since little is reported on the chemistry and speciation of Re(I) and Tc(I) in aqueous solution, here, we analyze the interaction of fac‐[Re(H2O)3(CO)3]+ with histidine or with the simple imidazole ring by means of potentiometric and spectroscopic techniques. We describe in details the equilibria that arise in solution, calculate the constants of each equilibrium reaction and report coordination properties and atomic details of the formed complexes. Our data represent a valuable contribute towards the exploitation in nuclear medicine of histidine containing biomolecules complexing Tc (I) and Re(I).
The effect of fluoride on the structure, function, and proteome of a renal epithelial cell monolayer
Authors: Antonio Ligia S. , Jeggle Pia , MacVinish Lesley J. , Bartram James C. , Miller Henry , Jarvis Gavin E. , Levy Flávia M. , Santesso Mariana R. , Leite Aline L. , Oliveira Rodrigo C. , Buzalaf Marília A. R. , Edwardson J. Michael
Published: August 2016

High concentrations of fluoride in the body may cause toxic effects. Here, we investigated the effects of fluoride on the structure, function, and proteome of a cortical collecting duct epithelium in vitro. Kidney tubule cells (M‐1) were chosen because the concentration of fluoride in the kidney is 4–5‐fold higher than that in plasma. Mouse M‐1 cell monolayers were incubated in fluoride‐containing media, and the amiloride‐sensitive short‐circuit current and transepithelial resistance were measured. The Young's modulus of the epithelium was determined using atomic force microscopy, and the effect of fluoride on epithelial structure was assessed using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence. Differences in the expression of membrane proteins were evaluated using proteomics and bioinformatics. Fluoride exposure reduced both transepithelial Na+ transport and resistance. The IC50 for fluoride was ∼300 µM for both effects, and the half‐times for the decays of ion transport and resistance were 8.4 h and 3.6 days, respectively. Fluoride treatment did not affect the sensitivity of Na+ transport to amiloride. The Young's modulus of the epithelium was also unaffected by fluoride; however, the functional effects of fluoride were accompanied by marked structural effects. Proteomic analysis revealed changes in expression of a number of proteins, and particularly mitochondrial proteins. Treatment with fluoride had profound effects on the structure, function and proteome of a model cortical collecting duct epithelium. Significantly, however, these effects were produced only at concentrations considerably higher than those likely to be encountered in vivo. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1455–1467, 2017.
Defining the Chance of Statistical Cure Among Patients with Extrahepatic Biliary Tract Cancer
Authors: Spolverato Gaya , Bagante Fabio , Ethun Cecilia G. , Poultsides George , Tran Thuy , Idrees Kamran , Isom Chelsea A. , Fields Ryan C. , Krasnick Bradley , Winslow Emily , Cho Clifford , Martin Robert C. G. , Scoggins Charles R. , Shen Perry , Mogal Harveshp D. , Schmidt Carl , Beal Eliza , Hatzaras Ioannis , Shenoy Rivfka , Maithel Shishir K. , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: August 2016

Background

While surgery offers the best curative‐intent treatment, many patients with biliary tract malignancies have poor long‐term outcomes. We sought to apply a non‐mixture cure model to calculate the cure fraction and the time to cure after surgery of patients with peri‐hilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) or gallbladder cancer (GBC).

Methods

Using the Extrahepatic Biliary Malignancy Consortium, 576 patients who underwent curative‐intent surgery for gallbladder carcinoma or peri‐hilar cholangiocarcinoma between 1998 and 2014 at 10 major hepatobiliary institutions were identified and included in the analysis. A non‐mixture cure model was adopted to compare mortality after surgery to the mortality expected for the general population matched by sex and age.

Results

The median and 5‐year overall survival (OS) were 1.9 years (IQR, 0.9–4.9) and 23.9 % (95 % CI, 19.6–28.6). Among all patients with PHCC or GBC, the probability of being cured after surgery was 14.5 % (95 % CI, 8.7–23.2); the time to cure was 9.7 years and the median survival of uncured patients was 1.8 years. Determinants of cure probabilities included lymph node metastasis and CA 19.9 level (p ≤ 0.05). The cure fraction for patients with a CA 19.9 < 50 U/ml and no lymph nodes metastases were 39.0 % versus only 5.1 % among patients with a CA 19.9 ≥ 50 who also had lymph node metastasis.

Conclusions

Examining an “all comer” cohort, <15 % of patients with PHCC or GBC could be considered cured after surgery. Factors such CA 19.9 level and lymph node metastasis independently predicted long‐term outcome. Estimating the odds of statistical cure following surgery for biliary tract cancer can assist in decision‐making as well as inform discussions around survivorship.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve: a Review with Recommendations for Genetic Counseling
Authors: Freeze Samantha L. , Landis Benjamin J. , Ware Stephanie M. , Helm Benjamin M.
Published: August 2016

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect and falls in the spectrum of left‐sided heart defects, also known as left ventricular outflow tract obstructive (LVOTO) defects. BAV is often identified in otherwise healthy, asymptomatic individuals, but it is associated with serious long term health risks including progressive aortic valve disease (stenosis or regurgitation) and thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection. BAV and other LVOTO defects have high heritability. Although recommendations for cardiac screening of BAV in at‐risk relatives exist, there are no standard guidelines for providing genetic counseling to patients and families with BAV. This review describes current knowledge of BAV and associated aortopathy and provides guidance to genetic counselors involved in the care of patients and families with these malformations. The heritability of BAV and recommendations for screening are highlighted. While this review focuses specifically on BAV, the principles are applicable to counseling needs for other LVOTO defects.
Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in amnestic mild cognitive impairment: Case‐control study and meta‐analysis
Authors: Knoll Brianna , Simonett Joseph , Volpe Nicholas J. , Farsiu Sina , Ward Mallory , Rademaker Alfred , Weintraub Sandra , Fawzi Amani A.
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Retinal structural changes in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) remain a subject of controversy.

Methods

We investigated the correlation between optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the retinal sublayers, including the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and cognitive function in subjects with amnestic MCI and compared the OCT findings with matched controls. We also performed a meta‐analysis of the world literature using a random‐effects model.

Results

We found no statistically significant differences in OCT between amnestic MCI (aMCI) and controls. In aMCI subjects, we found an inverse relationship between RNFL thickness and two cognitive tests (delayed story recall and a word‐list learning test and the word‐list test). The meta‐analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in RNFL thickness in MCI subjects.

Discussion

The inverse relationship between cognitive testing and RNFL thickness suggests that retinal involvement may include paradoxically increased thickness of the RNFL, which could suggest gliotic reactive changes.
Cognitive impairment among World Trade Center responders: Long‐term implications of re‐experiencing the 9/11 terrorist attacks
Authors: Clouston Sean A.P. , Kotov Roman , Pietrzak Robert H. , Luft Benjamin J. , Gonzalez Adam , Richards Marcus , Ruggero Camilo J. , Spiro Avron , Bromet Evelyn J.
Published: August 2016

Introduction

During the World Trade Center (WTC) attacks, responders who helped in search, rescue, and recovery endured multiple traumatic and toxic exposures. One‐fifth subsequently developed post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD has been linked to dementia in veterans. This study examined the association between WTC‐related PTSD and cognitive impairment (CI) in WTC responders.

Methods

A one‐third sample of responders (N = 818) reporting for annual monitoring visits were screened for cognitive impairment and dementia using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment from January 2014–April 2015. Concurrent diagnoses of PTSD and major depressive disorder (MDD), as well as serial PTSD and depressive symptom inventories, collected since 2002, were examined in relation to current CI.

Results

Approximately 12.8% and 1.2% of responders in this sample respectively had scores indicative of CI and possible dementia. Current PTSD and MDD were associated with CI. Longitudinal results revealed that re‐experiencing symptoms were consistently associated with CI (aRR = 2.88, 95% confidence interval = 1.35–6.22), whereas longitudinal increases in other PTSD and depressive symptoms in the years before screening were evident only among those with CI.

Conclusions

Analyses replicated results from Veterans studies and further highlighted the importance of re‐experiencing symptoms, a major component of PTSD that was consistently predictive of CI 14 years later. Clinicians should monitor CI when treating individuals with chronic PTSD.
Determinants of Falls and Fear of Falling in Ambulatory Persons With Late Effects of Polio
Authors: Brogårdh Christina , Flansbjer Ulla‐Britt , Lexell Jan
Published: August 2016

Background

Falls and fear of falling (FOF) are common in persons with late effects of polio, but there is limited knowledge of associated factors.

Objective

To determine how knee muscle strength, dynamic balance, and gait performance (adjusted for gender, age, and body mass index) are associated with falls and FOF in persons with late effects of polio.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Setting

A university hospital outpatient clinic.

Participants

Eighty‐one ambulatory persons with verified late effects of polio (43 men; mean age 67 years).

Main Outcome Measurements

Number of falls the past year, Falls Efficacy Scale–International to assess FOF, a Biodex dynamometer to measure knee muscle strength, the Timed Up & Go test to assess dynamic balance, and the 6‐Minute Walk test to assess gait performance. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used for falls (categorical data) and linear regression analyses for FOF (continuous data) as dependent variables.

Results

Fifty‐nine percent reported at least 1 fall during the past year, and 79% experienced FOF. Reduced knee muscle strength in the more affected limb and gait performance were determinants of falls. An increase of 10 Nm in knee flexor and knee extensor strength reduced the odds ratio between 0.70 and 0.83 (P = .01), and an increase of 100 m in 6‐Minute Walk test reduced the odds ratio to 0.41 (P = .001). All factors were determinants of FOF; reduced knee muscle strength in the more and less affected limbs explained 17%‐25% of the variance in FOF, dynamic balance 30%, and gait performance 41%. Gender, age, and body mass index only marginally influenced the results.

Conclusions

Reduced gait performance, knee muscle strength, and dynamic balance are to a varying degree determinants of falls and FOF in ambulatory persons with late effects of polio. Future studies need to evaluate whether rehabilitation programs targeting these factors can reduce falls and FOF in this population.

Level of Evidence

IV
Late Triassic siliceous-volcano-terrigenous deposits of the Chukchi Peninsula: composition of igneous rocks, U–Pb age of zircons, and geodynamic interpretations
Authors: Ledneva G.V. , Pease V.L. , Bazylev B.A.
Published: August 2016

Study of Late Triassic volcanic, subvolcanic, and volcanosedimentary rocks of the Chukchi Peninsula (Vel’may terrane) has shown their different geochemical types. Basalts, dolerites, and tuffs of the lower–middle strata of the Upper Triassic section bear evidence for their formation in suprasubductional geodynamic setting. Basalts and dolerites of the upper strata of this section correspond in composition to within-plate rocks and are similar to Middle–Late Triassic oceanic-plateau basalts and dolerites. U–Pb dating of magmatic zircons from tuffs of the lower–middle strata and from dolerites of the upper strata shows the almost synchronous magmatic activity in the suprasubductional (206 ± 5 Ma) and within-plate (212 ± 4 Ma) geodynamic settings.
The Perceived Satisfaction Derived From Various Relationship Configurations
Authors: Cohen Marisa T.
Published: August 2016

Experimental research focusing on consensually non-monogamous relationships is lacking. This study examined perceptions of relationship satisfaction of participants (N = 321) randomly assigned to conditions in which they were presented with either a passage depicting a monogamous, open, or polyamorous couple. Results demonstrated that there was a significant difference between the groups exposed to the various relationship configurations in terms of the perceptions of the hypothetical couples’ relationship satisfaction, F(2,318) = 3.12, p = .045. Specifically, the monogamous couple was rated as having higher relationship satisfaction than the open couple. Such a study has implications for garnering a better understanding of the preconceived notions we hold about the lifestyles of others. As this area warrants further investigation, exploration is still ongoing.
Identification and expression patterns of Halloween genes encoding cytochrome P450s involved in ecdysteroid biosynthesis in the cotton bollwormHelicoverpa armigera
Authors: Zheng J. , Tian K. , Yuan Y. , Li M. , Qiu X.
Published: August 2016

20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is a key hormone which regulates growth, development and reproduction in insects. Although cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) participating in the ecdysteroid biosynthesis of 20E have been characterized in a few model insects, no work has been published on the molecular entity of their orthologs in the cotton bollwormHelicoverpa armigera, a major pest insect in agriculture worldwide. In this study, four cytochrome P450 homologs, namelyHarmCYP302A1, HarmCYP306A1, HarmCYP314A1andHarmCYP315A1fromH. armigera, were identified and evolutional conservation of these Halloween genes were revealed among lepidopteran. Expression analyses showed thatHarmCYP302A1andHarmCYP315A1were predominantly expressed in larval prothoracic glands, whereas this predominance was not always observed forHarmCYP306A1andCYP314A1. The expression patterns of Halloween genes indicate that the fat bodies may play an important role in the conversion of ecdysone into 20E in larval–larval molt and in larval–pupal metamorphosis, and raise the possibility thatHarmCYP315A1plays a role in tissue-specific regulation in the steroid biosynthesis inH. armigera.These findings represent the first identification and expression characterization of four steriodogenic P450 genes and provide the groundwork for future functional and evolutionary study of steroid biosynthesis in this agriculturally important pest.
Assessment of beetle diversity, community composition and potential threats to forestry using kairomone-baited traps
Authors: Olivier-Espejel S. , Hurley B.P. , Garnas J.
Published: August 2016

Traps designed to capture insects during normal movement/dispersal, or via attraction to non-specific (plant) volatile lures, yield by-catch that carries valuable information about patterns of community diversity and composition. In order to identify potential native/introduced pests and detect predictors of colonization of non-native pines, we examined beetle assemblages captured in intercept panel traps baited with kairomone lures used during a national monitoring of the woodwasp,Sirex noctilio,in Southern Africa. We identified 50 families and 436 morphospecies of beetles from nine sites sampled in both 2008 and 2009 and six areas in 2007 (trap catch pooled by region) across a latitudinal and elevational gradient. The most diverse groups were mainly those strongly associated with trees, known to include damaging pests. While native species dominated the samples in terms of richness, the dominant species was the introduced bark beetleOrthotomicus erosus(Curculionidae: Scolytinae) (22 ± 34 individuals/site). Four Scolytinae species without previous records in South Africa, namelyCoccotrypes niger, Hypocryphalus robustus(formerlyHypocryphalus mangiferae),Hypothenemus birmanusandXyleborus perforans,were captured in low abundances. Communities showed temporal stability within sites and strong biogeographic patterns across the landscape. The strongest single predictors of community composition were potential evaporation, latitude and maximum relative humidity, while the strongest multifactor model contained elevation, potential evaporation and maximum relative humidity. Temperature, land use variables and distance to natural areas did not significantly correlate with community composition. Non-phytophagous beetles were also captured and were highly diverse (32 families) perhaps representing important beneficial insects.
The Ordovician genusPygodus(conodont) in the Cuyania Terrane, Argentina
Authors: HEREDIA SUSANA , MESTRE ANA , SORIA TATIANA , KAUFMANN CINTIA
Published: August 2016

This contribution deals with the record of the Ordovician genusPygodusin Cuyania, Argentina. Several classical sections have been sampled for conodonts in the Precordillera and the San Rafael Block, involving diverse sedimentary deposits: coarse clastic rocks with carbonate cement, carbonate beds intercalated in fine clastic deposits, green shale, and black carbonate deposits. The recovered species of this genus arePygodus lunnensisZhang,P. anitaeBergström,P. serra(Hadding),P. protoanserinusZhang andP. anserinusLamont & Lindström. These key conodonts indicate middle to upper Darriwilian – lower Sandbian age for the bearing strata. The speciesP. protoanserinusis recorded for the first time from the Precordillera. Detailed observations were made on specimens ofP. anitae,P. lunnensisandP. protoanserinus; the two last species are described for the first time from Cuyania.
Collision-free workspace of parallel mechanisms based on an interval analysis approach
Authors: FarzanehKaloorazi MohammadHadi , Masouleh Mehdi Tale , Caro Stéphane
Published: August 2016

This paper proposes an interval-based approach in order to obtain the obstacle-free workspace of parallel mechanisms containing one prismatic actuated joint per limb, which connects the base to the end-effector. This approach is represented through two cases studies, namely a 3-RPR planar parallel mechanism and the so-called 6-DOF Gough–Stewart platform. Three main features of the obstacle-free workspace are taken into account: mechanical stroke of actuators, collision between limbs and obstacles and limb interference. In this paper, a circle(planar case)/spherical(spatial case) shaped obstacle is considered and its mechanical interference with limbs and edges of the end-effector is analyzed. It should be noted that considering a circle/spherical shape would not degrade the generality of the problem, since any kind of obstacle could be replaced by its circumscribed circle/sphere. Two illustrative examples are given to highlight the contributions of the paper.
The Prosecution Project: Understanding the Changing Criminal Trial Through Digital Tools
Authors: Finnane Mark , Piper Alana
Published: August 2016

The Prosecution Project  is a large-scale digital project that aims to provide a new way of exploring the context and impact of changes in the criminal trial during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. It does so from an elementary platform: the digitization of the court calendars of criminal trials in the higher courts in the six main Australian jurisdictions over time periods as long as 130 years. The objective is to address questions of the criminal justice process centered on prosecution, from arrest, committal, and indictment, to verdict, sentence, and beyond. In a field of historical research that is more often characterized by the richness of discursive analysis, the Prosecution Project's comparative data sets are designed to offer a new understanding of quantitative context over long periods of time. The challenge of building the data platform is, however, considerable, requiring significant planning, collaboration and investment by a large number of researchers, working with relevant archive repositories, and, in this case, assisted by the engagement of an interested community lying outside the regular academy. This article describes the background to the project, its development as a collaborative digital initiative, and its technical and organizational requirements and possibilities, before we explore briefly some of the research outcomes that this project makes possible.
Epidemiological investigation of a tap water-mediated hepatitis E virus genotype 4 outbreak in Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: CHEN Y. J. , CAO N. X. , XIE R. H. , DING C. X. , CHEN E. F. , ZHU H. P. , SUN J. M. , SHANG X. P. , WANG X. X. , MIAO Z. P.
Published: August 2016

An outbreak of acute hepatitis recently occurred in a nursing home in Zhejiang Province, China. The objectives of this study were to confirm the outbreak and identify the aetiology, source and transmission patterns. All residents and staff in or near the nursing home during the period from 1 October 2014 to 21 May 2015 were investigated regarding hygiene and for epidemiological information including water and food (eating meat especially pork products). Serum and stool specimens were collected for detection of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibodies using ELISA and RNA using RT–PCR. Samples that were RNA positive were genotyped. Of 185 senior residents and 24 staff in the nursing home, there were 37 laboratory-confirmed cases during the outbreak. Of these cases, 12 patients (three deaths) were symptomatic with jaundice, a common clinical symptom for hepatitis E infection. HEV strains were isolated from three cases and they formed a single cluster within genotype 4d. A case-control study was conducted to investigate potential risk factors for the outbreak and the results revealed that cases more often washed their dishes and rinsed their mouths using tap water than the controls (P < 0·05). Based on hygiene investigation and meteorological information, it is likely that HEV-infected sewage and faeces contaminated the water network on rainy days. Collectively, these results suggest that the outbreak of HEV genotype 4 infection was most likely caused by contaminated tap water rather than food.
Planar wideband band-stop filter with T-inverted shaped open stubs for wideband applications
Authors: Yechou Lahcen , Tribak Abdelwahed , Mohamed Kacim , Zbitou Jamal , Bouyahyaoui Abdelmalik , Mediavilla Sanchez Angel
Published: August 2016

This paper presents a wideband band-stop filter (BSF) structure designed by using planar technology. The proposed filter consists of a modified conventional band-stop structure with open stubs, inner T-inverted shape, and two input/output feed lines. Based on series of optimization and a specific design method, two compact filters with good electrical performance are obtained. In order to characterize the frequency response of the proposed filters, the performance is carried out numerically using two different solvers (Advanced Design System -Momentum and CST-MWS). Furthermore, in order to validate the conception approach, two circuits are designed, fabricated, and tested. Additionally, an equivalent circuit of the wideband BSF is built to estimate the electromagnetic simulation results for practical realization. The features of the design have a reduced size, wideband rejection, and higher insertion losses, which can be performed by adjusting the L-shaped stubs (23.25 × 2.2 mm2) toward the 50 Ω input and output ports. Two filters are designed, fabricated, and tested; one can be operated between an fractional bandwidth (FBW) of about 50% at a center frequency of 1.8 GHz, and the other can be switched from an FBW of 43.38% at a center frequency of 1.82 GHz. In addition, good agreement between the simulation and the measured results is achieved. The overall size of each filter is 43.4 × 34.5 mm2.
Reversal of intramyocellular lipid accumulation by lipophagy and a p62-mediated pathway
Authors: Lam T , Harmancey R , Vasquez H , Gilbert B , Patel N , Hariharan V , Lee A , Covey M , Taegtmeyer H
Published: August 2016

We have previously observed the reversal of lipid droplet deposition in skeletal muscle of morbidly obese patients following bariatric surgery. We now investigated whether activation of autophagy is the mechanism underlying this observation. For this purpose, we incubated rat L6 myocytes over a period of 6 days with long-chain fatty acids (an equimolar, 1.0 mM, mixture of oleate and palmitate in the incubation medium). At day 6, the autophagic inhibitor (bafilomycin A1, 200 nM) and the autophagic activator (rapamycin, 1 μM) were added separately or in combination for 48 h. Intracellular triglyceride (TG) accumulation was visualized and quantified colorimetrically. Protein markers of autophagic flux (LC3 and p62) and cell death (caspase-3 cleavage) were measured by immunoblotting. Inhibition of autophagy by bafilomycin increased TG accumulation and also increased lipid-mediated cell death. Conversely, activation of autophagy by rapamycin reduced both intracellular lipid accumulation and cell death. Unexpectedly, treatment with both drugs added simultaneously resulted in decreased lipid accumulation. In this treatment group, immunoblotting revealed p62 degradation (autophagic flux), immunofluorescence revealed the colocalization of p62 with lipid droplets, and co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the interaction of p62 with ADRP (adipose differentiation-related protein), a lipid droplet membrane protein. Thus the association of p62 with lipid droplet turnover suggests a novel pathway for the breakdown of lipid droplets in muscle cells. In addition, treatment with rapamycin and bafilomycin together also suggested the export of TG into the extracellular space. We conclude that lipophagy promotes the clearance of lipids from myocytes and switches to an alternative, p62-mediated, lysosomal-independent pathway in the context of chronic lipid overload (*P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, ****P<0.0001).
Protein S-sulfenylation is a fleeting molecular switch that regulates non-enzymatic oxidative folding
Authors: Beedle Amy E. M. , Lynham Steven , Garcia-Manyes Sergi
Published: August 2016

The post-translational modification S-sulfenylation functions as a key sensor of oxidative stress. Yet the dynamics of sulfenic acid in proteins remains largely elusive due to its fleeting nature. Here we use single-molecule force-clamp spectroscopy and mass spectrometry to directly capture the reactivity of an individual sulfenic acid embedded within the core of a single Ig domain of the titin protein. Our results demonstrate that sulfenic acid is a crucial short-lived intermediate that dictates the protein’s fate in a conformation-dependent manner. When exposed to the solution, sulfenic acid rapidly undergoes further chemical modification, leading to irreversible protein misfolding; when cryptic in the protein’s microenvironment, it readily condenses with a neighbouring thiol to create a protective disulfide bond, which assists the functional folding of the protein. This mechanism for non-enzymatic oxidative folding provides a plausible explanation for redox-modulated stiffness of proteins that are physiologically exposed to mechanical forces, such as cardiac titin.
Draft genome sequence of subterranean clover, a reference for genus Trifolium
Authors: Hirakawa Hideki , Kaur Parwinder , Shirasawa Kenta , Nichols Phillip , Nagano Soichiro , Appels Rudi , Erskine William , Isobe Sachiko N.
Published: August 2016

Clovers (genus Trifolium) are widely cultivated across the world as forage legumes and make a large contribution to livestock feed production and soil improvement. Subterranean clover (T. subterraneum L.) is well suited for genomic and genetic studies as a reference species in the Trifolium genus, because it is an annual with a simple genome structure (autogamous and diploid), unlike the other economically important perennial forage clovers, red clover (T. pratense) and white clover (T. repens). This report represents the first draft genome sequence of subterranean clover. The 471.8 Mb assembled sequence covers 85.4% of the subterranean clover genome and contains 42,706 genes. Eight pseudomolecules of 401.1 Mb in length were constructed, based on a linkage map consisting of 35,341 SNPs. The comparative genomic analysis revealed that different clover chromosomes showed different degrees of conservation with other Papilionoideae species. These results provide a reference for genetic and genomic analyses in the genus Trifolium and new insights into evolutionary divergence in Papilionoideae species.
Repetitive Biomimetic Self-healing of Ca2+-Induced Nanocomposite Protein Hydrogels
Authors: Chen Jun , Dong Qiuchen , Ma Xiaoyu , Fan Tai-Hsi , Lei Yu
Published: August 2016

Self-healing is a capacity observed in most biological systems in which the healing processes are autonomously triggered after the damage. Inspired by this natural behavior, researchers believed that a synthetic material possessing similar self-recovery capability could also be developed. Albeit various intrinsic self-healing systems have been developed over the past few decades, restriction on the biocompatibility due to the required synthetic conditions under extreme pH and with poisonous cross-linker significantly limits their application in biomedical field. In this study, a highly biocompatible nanocomposite protein hydrogel with excellent biomimetic self-healing property is presented. The self-healing protein gel is made by inducing calcium ions into the mixture of heat-induced BSA nano-aggregates and pristine BSA molecules at room temperature and under physiological pH due to the ion-mediated protein-protein association and the bridging effect of divalent Ca2+ ions. The as-prepared protein hydrogel shows excellent repetitive self-healing properties without using any external stimuli at ambient condition. Such outstanding self-recovery performance was quantitatively evaluated/validated by both dynamic and oscillatory rheological analysis. Moreover, with the presence of calcium ions, the self-healing behavior can be significantly facilitated/enhanced. Finally, the superior biocompatibility demonstrated by in vitro cytotoxicity analysis suggests that it is a promising self-healing material well-suited for biomedical applications.
Localising the auditory N1m with event-related beamformers: localisation accuracy following bilateral and unilateral stimulation
Authors: Gascoyne Lauren , Furlong Paul L. , Hillebrand Arjan , Worthen Siân F. , Witton Caroline
Published: August 2016

The auditory evoked N1m-P2m response complex presents a challenging case for MEG source-modelling, because symmetrical, phase-locked activity occurs in the hemispheres both contralateral and ipsilateral to stimulation. Beamformer methods, in particular, can be susceptible to localisation bias and spurious sources under these conditions. This study explored the accuracy and efficiency of event-related beamformer source models for auditory MEG data under typical experimental conditions: monaural and diotic stimulation; and whole-head beamformer analysis compared to a half-head analysis using only sensors from the hemisphere contralateral to stimulation. Event-related beamformer localisations were also compared with more traditional single-dipole models. At the group level, the event-related beamformer performed equally well as the single-dipole models in terms of accuracy for both the N1m and the P2m, and in terms of efficiency (number of successful source models) for the N1m. The results yielded by the half-head analysis did not differ significantly from those produced by the traditional whole-head analysis. Any localisation bias caused by the presence of correlated sources is minimal in the context of the inter-individual variability in source localisations. In conclusion, event-related beamformers provide a useful alternative to equivalent-current dipole models in localisation of auditory evoked responses.
Rainfall-enhanced blooming in typhoon wakes
Authors: Lin Y.-C. , Oey L.-Y.
Published: August 2016

Strong phytoplankton blooming in tropical-cyclone (TC) wakes over the oligotrophic oceans potentially contributes to long-term changes in global biogeochemical cycles. Yet blooming has traditionally been discussed using anecdotal events and its biophysical mechanics remain poorly understood. Here we identify dominant blooming patterns using 16 years of ocean-color data in the wakes of 141 typhoons in western North Pacific. We observe right-side asymmetric blooming shortly after the storms, attributed previously to sub-mesoscale re-stratification, but thereafter a left-side asymmetry which coincides with the left-side preference in rainfall due to the large-scale wind shear. Biophysical model experiments and observations demonstrate that heavier rainfall freshens the near-surface water, leading to stronger stratification, decreased turbulence and enhanced blooming. Our results suggest that rainfall plays a previously unrecognized, critical role in TC-induced blooming, with potentially important implications for global biogeochemical cycles especially in view of the recent and projected increases in TC-intensity that harbingers stronger mixing and heavier rain under the storm.
Fully-Enclosed Ceramic Micro-burners Using Fugitive Phase and Powder-based Processing
Authors: Do Truong , Shin Changseop , Kwon Patrick , Yeom Junghoon
Published: August 2016

Ceramic-based microchemical systems (μCSs) are more suitable for operation under harsh environments such as high temperature and corrosive reactants compared to the more conventional μCS materials such as silicon and polymers. With the recent renewed interests in chemical manufacturing and process intensification, simple, inexpensive, and reliable ceramic manufacturing technologies are needed. The main objective of this paper is to introduce a new powder-based fabrication framework, which is a one-pot, cost-effective, and versatile process for ceramic μCS components. The proposed approach employs the compaction of metal-oxide sub-micron powders with a graphite fugitive phase that is burned out to create internal cavities and microchannels before full sintering. Pure alumina powder has been used without any binder phase, enabling more precise dimensional control and less structure shrinkage upon sintering. The key process steps such as powder compaction, graphite burnout during partial sintering, machining in a conventional machine tool, and final densification have been studied to characterize the process. This near-full density ceramic structure with the combustion chamber and various internal channels was fabricated to be used as a micro-burner for gas sensing applications.
Acral Melanoma in Chinese: A Clinicopathological and Prognostic Study of 142 cases
Authors: Lv Jiaojie , Dai Bo , Kong Yunyi , Shen Xuxia , Kong Jincheng
Published: August 2016

Acral melanoma (AM), as a peculiar subgroup of melanoma, is rare in Caucasians but has higher incidence in Asians. Large series of study on AM with clinicopathological features and prognostic factors is still limited, especially in Asian population. We retrospectively collected clinical, pathological and follow-up data of 142 AM cases. All patients were Chinese, with the age ranging from 24 to 87 years (mean 62.0; median 62.0). The Breslow thickness of primary lesions ranged from 0.6 to 16.3 mm (mean 4.9; median 3.7). 85.9% of the patients had acral lentiginous histologic subtype. Plantar was the most frequently involved site, followed by heels. Statistically, duration of the lesion before diagnosis (≤2.5 years), Breslow thickness >4.0 mm (T4), high mitotic index (>15 mm−2), presence of vascular invasion, regional lymph node metastasis at diagnosis and pathologic stage (II/III/IV) were found to be independent prognostic factors in both univariate and multivariate analyses. The prognosis of AM in Chinese is extremely poor. Our 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 53.3% and 27.4%, respectively. Therefore, AM in Asians represents a more biologically aggressive melanoma subtype and is thought to carry a worse prognosis when compared with other races or cutaneous melanomas in other anatomic sites.
Monitoring Tumor Hypoxia Using 18F-FMISO PET and Pharmacokinetics Modeling after Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Tong Xiao , Srivatsan Avinash , Jacobson Orit , Wang Yu , Wang Zhantong , Yang Xiangyu , Niu Gang , Kiesewetter Dale O. , Zheng Hairong , Chen Xiaoyuan
Published: August 2016

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an efficacious treatment for some types of cancers. However, PDT-induced tumor hypoxia as a result of oxygen consumption and vascular damage can reduce the efficacy of this therapy. Measuring and monitoring intrinsic and PDT-induced tumor hypoxia in vivo during PDT is of high interest for prognostic and treatment evaluation. In the present study, static and dynamic 18F-FMISO PET were performed with mice bearing either U87MG or MDA-MB-435 tumor xenografts immediately before and after PDT at different time points. Significant difference in tumor hypoxia in response to PDT over time was found between the U87MG and MDA-MB-435 tumors in both static and dynamic PET. Dynamic PET with pharmacokinetics modeling further monitored the kinetics of 18F-FMISO retention to hypoxic sites after treatment. The Ki and k3 parametric analysis provided information on tumor hypoxia by distinction of the specific tracer retention in hypoxic sites from its non-specific distribution in tumor. Dynamic 18F-FMISO PET with pharmacokinetics modeling, complementary to static PET analysis, provides a potential imaging tool for more detailed and more accurate quantification of tumor hypoxia during PDT.