bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colloids exposed to random potential energy landscapes: From particle number density to particle-potential and particle-particle interactions
Authors: Bewerunge Jörg , Sengupta Ankush , Capellmann Ronja F. , Platten Florian , Sengupta Surajit , Egelhaaf Stefan U.
Published: July 2016

Colloidal particles were exposed to a random potential energy landscape that has been created optically via a speckle pattern. The mean particle density as well as the potential roughness, i.e., the disorder strength, were varied. The local probability density of the particles as well as its main characteristics were determined. For the first time, the disorder-averaged pair density correlation function g(1)(r) and an analogue of the Edwards-Anderson order parameter g(2)(r), which quantifies the correlation of the mean local density among disorder realisations, were measured experimentally and shown to be consistent with replica liquid state theory results.
An analysis of spatiotemporal localized solutions in the variable coefficients (3 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation with six different forms of dispersion parameters
Authors: Manikandan K. , Senthilvelan M.
Published: July 2016

We construct spatiotemporal localized envelope solutions of a (3 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation with varying coefficients such as dispersion, nonlinearity and gain parameters through similarity transformation technique. The obtained localized rational solutions can serve as prototypes of rogue waves in different branches of science. We investigate the characteristics of constructed localized solutions in detail when it propagates through six different dispersion profiles, namely, constant, linear, Gaussian, hyperbolic, logarithm, and exponential. We also obtain expressions for the hump and valleys of rogue wave intensity profiles for these six dispersion profiles and study the trajectory of it in each case. Further, we analyze how the intensity of another localized solution, namely, breather, changes when it propagates through the aforementioned six dispersion profiles. Our studies reveal that these localized solutions co-exist with the collapsing solutions which are already found in the (3 + 1)-dimensional nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The obtained results will help to understand the corresponding localized wave phenomena in related fields.
Invited Review Article: “Hands-on” laser-driven ion acceleration: A primer for laser-driven source development and potential applications
Authors: Schreiber J. , Bolton P. R. , Parodi K.
Published: July 2016

An overview of progress and typical yields from intense laser-plasma acceleration of ions is presented. The evolution of laser-driven ion acceleration at relativistic intensities ushers prospects for improved functionality and diverse applications which can represent a varied assortment of ion beam requirements. This mandates the development of the integrated laser-driven ion accelerator system, the multiple components of which are described. Relevant high field laser-plasma science and design of controlled optimum pulsed laser irradiation on target are dominant single shot (pulse) considerations with aspects that are appropriate to the emerging petawatt era. The pulse energy scaling of maximum ion energies and typical differential spectra obtained over the past two decades provide guidance for continued advancement of laser-driven energetic ion sources and their meaningful applications.
Simulated performance of the optical Thomson scattering diagnostic designed for the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Ross J. S. , Datte P. , Divol L. , Galbraith J. , Froula D. H. , Glenzer S. H. , Hatch B. , Katz J. , Kilkenny J. , Landen O. , Manuel A. M. , Molander W. , Montgomery D. S. , Moody J. D. , Swadling G. , Weaver J.
Published: July 2016

An optical Thomson scattering diagnostic has been designed for the National Ignition Facility to characterize under-dense plasmas. We report on the design of the system and the expected performance for different target configurations. The diagnostic is designed to spatially and temporally resolve the Thomson scattered light from laser driven targets. The diagnostic will collect scattered light from a 50 × 50 × 200 μm volume. The optical design allows operation with different probe laser wavelengths. A deep-UV probe beam (λ0 = 210 nm) will be used to Thomson scatter from electron plasma densities of ∼5 × 1020 cm−3 while a 3ω probe will be used for plasma densities of ∼1 × 1019 cm−3. The diagnostic package contains two spectrometers: the first to resolve Thomson scattering from ion acoustic wave fluctuations and the second to resolve scattering from electron plasma wave fluctuations. Expected signal levels relative to background will be presented for typical target configurations (hohlraums and a planar foil).
Impact of annealing on electrical properties of Cu2ZnSnSe4 absorber layers
Authors: Weiss Thomas Paul , Redinger Alex , Rey Germain , Schwarz Torsten , Spies Maria , Cojocura-Mirédin Oana , Choi P.-P. , Siebentritt Susanne
Published: July 2016

Reported growth processes for kesterite absorber layers generally rely on a sequential process including a final high temperature annealing step. However, the impact and details for this annealing process vary among literature reports and little is known on its impact on electrical properties of the absorber. We used kesterite absorber layers prepared by a high temperature co-evaporation process to explicitly study the impact of two different annealing processes. From electrical characterization it is found that the annealing process incorporates a detrimental deep defect distribution. On the other hand, the doping density could be reduced leading to a better collection and a higher short circuit current density. The activation energy of the doping acceptor was studied with admittance spectroscopy and showed Meyer–Neldel behaviour. This indicates that the entropy significantly contributes to the activation energy.
The impacts of surface polarity on the solubility of nanoparticle
Authors: Zhu Jianzhuo , Ou Xinwen , Su Jiguo , Li Jingyuan
Published: July 2016

In order to study the dependence of water solubility and hydration behavior of nanoparticles on their surface polarity, we designed polar nanoparticles with varying surface polarity by assigning atomic partial charge to the surface of C60. The water solubility of the nanoparticle is enhanced by several orders of magnitude after the introduction of surface polarity. Nevertheless, when the atomic partial charge grows beyond a certain value (qM), the solubility continuously decreases to the level of nonpolar nanoparticle. It should be noted that such qM is comparable with atomic partial charge of a variety of functional groups. The hydration behaviors of nanoparticles were then studied to investigate the non-monotonic dependence of solubility on the surface polarity. The interaction between the polar nanoparticle and the hydration water is stronger than the nonpolar counterpart, which should facilitate the dissolution of the nanoparticles. On the other hand, the surface polarity also reduces the interaction of hydration water with the other water molecules and enhances the interaction between the nanoparticles which may hinder their dispersion. Besides, the introduction of surface polarity disturbs and even rearranges the hydration structure of nonpolar nanoparticle. Interestingly, the polar nanoparticle with less ordered hydration structure tends to have higher water solubility.
Viscous effects on the Rayleigh-Taylor instability with background temperature gradient
Authors: Gerashchenko S. , Livescu D.
Published: July 2016

The growth rate of the compressible Rayleigh-Taylor instability is studied in the presence of a background temperature gradient, Θ, using a normal mode analysis. The effect of Θ variation is examined for three interface types corresponding to the combinations of the viscous properties of the fluids (inviscid-inviscid, viscous-viscous, and viscous-inviscid) at different Atwood numbers, At, and when at least one of the fluids' viscosity is non-zero, as a function of the Grashof number. For the general case, the resulting ordinary differential equations are solved numerically; however, dispersion relations for the growth rate are presented for several limiting cases. An analytical solution is found for the inviscid-inviscid interface and the corresponding dispersion equation for the growth rate is obtained in the limit of large Θ. For the viscous-inviscid case, a dispersion relation is derived in the incompressible limit and Θ = 0. Compared to Θ = 0 case, the role of Θ < 0 (hotter light fluid) is destabilizing and becomes stabilizing when Θ > 0 (colder light fluid). The most pronounced effect of Θ ≠ 0 is found at low At and/or at large perturbation wavelengths relative to the domain size for all interface types. On the other hand, at small perturbation wavelengths relative to the domain size, the growth rate for the Θ < 0 case exceeds the infinite domain incompressible constant density result. The results are applied to two practical examples, using sets of parameters relevant to Inertial Confinement Fusion coasting stage and solar corona plumes. The role of viscosity on the growth rate reduction is discussed together with highlighting the range of wavenumbers most affected by viscosity. The viscous effects further increase in the presence of background temperature gradient, when the viscosity is temperature dependent.
Anomalous pinch of turbulent plasmas driven by the magnetic-drift-induced Lorentz force through the Stokes-Einstein relation
Authors: Wang Shaojie
Published: July 2016

It is found that the Lorentz force generated by the magnetic drift drives a generic plasma pinch flux of particle, energy and momentum through the Stokes-Einstein relation. The proposed theoretical model applies for both electrons and ions, trapped particles, and passing particles. An anomalous parallel current pinch due to the electrostatic turbulence with long parallel wave-length is predicted.
A cavitation transition in the energy landscape of simple cohesive liquids and glasses
Authors: Altabet Y. Elia , Stillinger Frank H. , Debenedetti Pablo G.
Published: July 2016

In particle systems with cohesive interactions, the pressure-density relationship of the mechanically stable inherent structures sampled along a liquid isotherm (i.e., the equation of state of an energy landscape) will display a minimum at the Sastry density ρS. The tensile limit at ρS is due to cavitation that occurs upon energy minimization, and previous characterizations of this behavior suggested that ρS is a spinodal-like limit that separates all homogeneous and fractured inherent structures. Here, we revisit the phenomenology of Sastry behavior and find that it is subject to considerable finite-size effects, and the development of the inherent structure equation of state with system size is consistent with the finite-size rounding of an athermal phase transition. What appears to be a continuous spinodal-like point at finite system sizes becomes discontinuous in the thermodynamic limit, indicating behavior akin to a phase transition. We also study cavitation in glassy packings subjected to athermal expansion. Many individual expansion trajectories averaged together produce a smooth equation of state, which we find also exhibits features of finite-size rounding, and the examples studied in this work give rise to a larger limiting tension than for the corresponding landscape equation of state.
Boosting magnetic reconnection by viscosity and thermal conduction
Authors: Minoshima Takashi , Miyoshi Takahiro , Imada Shinsuke
Published: July 2016

Nonlinear evolution of magnetic reconnection is investigated by means of magnetohydrodynamic simulations including uniform resistivity, uniform viscosity, and anisotropic thermal conduction. When viscosity exceeds resistivity (the magnetic Prandtl number Prm>1), the viscous dissipation dominates outflow dynamics and leads to the decrease in the plasma density inside a current sheet. The low-density current sheet supports the excitation of the vortex. The thickness of the vortex is broader than that of the current for Prm>1. The broader vortex flow more efficiently carries the upstream magnetic flux toward the reconnection region, and consequently, boosts the reconnection. The reconnection rate increases with viscosity provided that thermal conduction is fast enough to take away the thermal energy increased by the viscous dissipation (the fluid Prandtl number Pr < 1). The result suggests the need to control the Prandtl numbers for the reconnection against the conventional resistive model.
Supporting continuity of care between prison and the community for women in prison: a medical record review
Authors: Abbott Penelope , Magin Parker , Lujic Sanja , Hu Wendy
Published: July 2016

Objectives The aim of the present study was to examine health information transfer and continuity of care arrangements between prison and community health care providers (HCPs) for women in prison. Methods Medical records of women released from New South Wales prisons in 2013–14 were reviewed. Variables included health status, health care in prison and documented continuity of care arrangements, including information transfer between prison and community. Associations were measured by adjusted odds ratios (AORs) using a logistic regression model. Text from the records was collected as qualitative data and analysed to provide explanatory detail. Results In all, 212 medical records were systematically sampled and reviewed. On prison entry, information was requested from community HCPs in 53% of cases, mainly from general practitioners (GPs, 39%), and was more likely to have occurred for those on medication (AOR 7.08; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.71, 13.50) or with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders (AOR 4.20; 95% CI 1.46, 12.11). At release, continuity of care arrangements and health information transfer to GPs were usually linked to formal pre-release healthcare linkage programs. Outside these programs, only 20% of records had evidence of such continuity of care at release, with the odds higher for those on medication (AOR 8.28; 95% CI 1.85, 37.04) and lower for women with problematic substance misuse (AOR 0.32; 95% CI 0.14, 0.72). Few requests for information were received after individuals had been released from custody (5/212; two from GPs). Conclusion Increased health information transfer to community HCPs is needed to improve continuity of care between prison and community. What is known about the topic? Many women in prison have high health needs. Health and well being are at further risk at the time of transition between prison and community. What does this paper add? This study provides evidence that outside formal programs, which are currently available only for a minority of women, continuity of care arrangements and transfer of health information do not usually occur when women leave prison. Pragmatic choices about continuity of care at the interface between prison and community may have been made, particularly focusing on medication continuity. Barriers to continuity of care and ways forward are suggested. What are the implications for practitioners? Siloing of health care delivered within prison health services through lack of continuity of care at release is wasteful, both in terms of healthcare costs and lost opportunities to achieve health outcomes in a vulnerable population with high health needs. There is need for an increased focus on continuity of care between prison and community health services, HCP support and training and expansion of pre-release planning and healthcare linkage programs to assist larger numbers of women in prison.
Assortative sexual mixing patterns in male–female and male–male partnerships in Melbourne, Australia: implications for HIV and sexually transmissible infection transmission
Authors: Chow Eric P. F. , Read Tim R. H. , Law Matthew G. , Chen Marcus Y. , Bradshaw Catriona S. , Fairley Christopher K.
Published: July 2016

Background: Assortative mixing patterns have become a new and important focus in HIV/sexually transmissible infection (STI) research in recent years. There are very limited data on sexual mixing patterns, particularly in an Australian population. Methods: Male–female and male–male partnerships attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC) between 2011 and 2014 were included. Correlation of age between two individuals within a partnership was examined by using Spearman’s rank correlation. The Newman’s assortativity coefficient was used as an aggregate quantitative measurement of sexual mixing for number of partners and condom use. Results: 1165 male–female and 610 male–male partnerships were included in the analysis. There was a strong positive correlation of age in both male–female (rho = 0.709; P < 0.001) and male–male partnerships (rho = 0.553; P < 0.001). The assortative mixing pattern for number of partners was similar in male–female (r = 0.255; 95% CI: 0.221–0.289) and male–male partnerships (r = 0.264; 95% CI: 0.218–0.309). There was a stronger assortative mixing pattern for condom use in male–male (r = 0.517, 95% CI: 0.465–0.569) compared with male–female (r = 0.382; 95% CI: 0.353–0.412) partnerships. Conclusion: Male–female and male–male partnerships have a high assortativity mixing pattern for age, number of partners and condom use. The sexual mixing pattern is not purely assortative, and hence it may lead to increased HIV and STI transmission in certain risk groups.
Characteristics of edge pedestals in LHW and NBI heated H-mode plasmas on EAST
Authors: Zang Q. , Wang T. , Liang Y. , Sun Y. , Chen H. , Xiao S. , Han X. , Hu A. , Hsieh C. , Zhou H. , Zhao J. , Zhang T. , Gong X. , Hu L. , Liu F. , Hu C. , Gao X. , Wan B.
Published: July 2016

By using the recently developed Thomson scattering diagnostic, the pedestal structure of the H-mode with neutral beam injection (NBI) or/and lower hybrid wave (LHW) heating on EAST (Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak) is analyzed in detail. We find that a higher ratio of the power of the NBI to the total power of the NBI and the lower hybrid wave (LHW) will produce a large and regular different edge-localized mode (ELM), and a lower ratio will produce a small and irregular ELM. The experiments show that the mean pedestal width has good correlation with

β

p
,
ped

0.5

, The pedestal width appears to be wider than that on other similar machines, which could be due to lithium coating. However, it is difficult to draw any conclusion of correlation between ρ
* and the pedestal width for limited ρ
* variation and scattered distribution. It is also found that T
e/

∇

T
e is ~2 cm, which is the same as the AUG (ASDEX Upgrade), DIII-D and JET (Joint European Torus) results.
American Political Parties and Elections
Authors: Maisel L. Sandy
Published: July 2016

American Political Parties and Elections: A Very Short Introduction examines the electoral process in the United States and explains why it is widely misunderstood. Why is participation in elections so much lower in the United States than in other mature democracies? What role do the political parties play in the electoral process? And why do unregulated groups such as 527 advocacy organizations have as much, if not more, influence than candidates' campaign organizations? This VSI examines these and other issues to provide an insider's view of how the system actually works and why there remain only two main political parties, despite the fact that many citizens claim allegiance to neither and think badly of both.
Xanthan Pyruvilation Is Essential for the Virulence of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris
Authors: Bianco María Isabel , Toum Laila , Yaryura Pablo Marcelo , Mielnichuk Natalia , Gudesblat Gustavo Eduardo , Roeschlin Roxana , Marano María Rosa , Ielpi Luis , Vojnov Adrián A.
Published: July 2016

Xanthan, the main exopolysaccharide (EPS) synthesized by Xanthomonas spp., contributes to bacterial stress tolerance and enhances attachment to plant surfaces by helping in biofilm formation. Therefore, xanthan is essential for successful colonization and growth in planta and has also been proposed to be involved in the promotion of pathogenesis by calcium ion chelation and, hence, in the suppression of the plant defense responses in which this cation acts as a signal. The aim of this work was to study the relationship between xanthan structure and its role as a virulence factor. We analyzed four Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris mutants that synthesize structural variants of xanthan. We found that the lack of acetyl groups that decorate the internal mannose residues, ketal-pyruvate groups, and external mannose residues affects bacterial adhesion and biofilm architecture. In addition, the mutants that synthesized EPS without pyruvilation or without the external mannose residues did not develop disease symptoms in Arabidopsis thaliana. We also observed that the presence of the external mannose residues and, hence, pyruvilation is required for xanthan to suppress callose deposition as well as to interfere with stomatal defense. In conclusion, pyruvilation of xanthan seems to be essential for Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris virulence.
Preclinical Pharmacology of CW002
Authors: Sunaga Hiroshi , Savarese John J. , McGilvra Jeff D. , Heerdt Paul M. , Belmont Matthew R. , Van Ornum Scott G. , Murrell Matthew T. , Malhotra Jaideep K. , Savard Peter M. , Jeannotte Erin , Petty Bryce J. , Allen Erica , Carnathan Gilbert W.
Published: July 2016

Background

CW002, a novel nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agent of intermediate duration, is degraded in vitro by l-cysteine; CW002-induced neuromuscular blockade (NMB) is antagonized in vivo by exogenous l-cysteine.1 Further, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee–approved studies of safety and efficacy in eight anesthetized monkeys and six cats are described.

Methods

Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, twitch, and train-of-four were recorded; estimated dose producing 95% twitch inhibition (ED95) for NMB and twitch recovery intervals from 5 to 95% of baseline were derived. Antagonism of 99 to 100% block in monkeys by l-cysteine (50 mg/kg) was tested after bolus doses of approximately 3.75 to 20 × ED95 and after infusions. Vagal and sympathetic autonomic responses were recorded in cats. Dose ratios for [circulatory (ED20) or autonomic (ED50) changes/ED95 (NMB)] were calculated.

Results

ED95s of CW002 in monkeys and cats were 0.040 and 0.035 mg/kg; l-cysteine readily antagonized block in monkeys: 5 to 95% twitch recovery intervals were shortened to 1.8 to 3.6 min after 3.75 to 10 × ED95 or infusions versus 11.5 to 13.5 min during spontaneous recovery. ED for 20% decrease of mean arterial pressure (n = 27) was 1.06 mg/kg in monkeys; ED for 20% increase of HR (n = 27) was 2.16 mg/kg. ED50s for vagal and sympathetic inhibition in cats were 0.59 and >>0.80 mg/kg (n = 14 and 15). Dose ratios for [circulatory or autonomic changes/ED95 (NMB)] were all more than 15 × ED95.

Conclusions

The data further verify the neuromuscular blocking properties of CW002, including rapid reversal by l-cysteine of 100% NMB under several circumstances. A notable lack of autonomic or circulatory effects provided added proof of safety and efficacy.
Biologics in wound healing: repair versus regeneration
Authors: Starinski John
Published: July 2016

Biologics use in treating wounds has grown exponentially in recent years. Many of the current devices enhance natural repair mechanisms; however, the quest for tissue regeneration is becoming clearer. No single biologic can provide all the needed components for dermal regeneration. Growth factor or cytokine delivery devices appear to be too nonspecific to go beyond improving repair mechanisms and perform more like dressings because of their lack of mechanical structure and biocompatibility. Scaffolds that are biocompatible show promise and act more like grafts that can integrate with host tissue and show histological evidence of the beginnings of regeneration. Finally, stem cells have demonstrated promise but cannot reach their full regenerative potential unless they are seeded on a biocompatible scaffold. The scaffold used must have the mechanical and structural features of the original tissue or organ to aid in regeneration. Current researchers in tissue and organ regeneration have embraced the benefits of seeding stem cells on this type of scaffold. They also have demonstrated the benefit of signaling host cells to migrate into the same biocompatible scaffold through both chemotactic and mechanical signaling. This review focuses on the different approaches of biologic categories in wound healing and the progress of the individual research tracts that are attempting to change wound healing from secondary-intent healing and tissue repair to tissue regeneration.
Medial Knee Approach: An Anatomical Study of Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis in Medial Femoral Condylar Fracture
Authors: Sirisreetreerux Norachart , Shafiq Babar , Osgood Greg M. , Hasenboehler Erik A.
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

To determine the location of distal medial neurovascular structures, identifying a medial “safe zone” for minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis to treat displaced femoral condylar fractures.

Methods:

Eleven uninjured lower-half torsos were dissected on the bilateral medial lower thigh. A longitudinal incision was made at the midsagittal plane of the medial thigh starting 1 cm proximal to the knee joint and extending to the proximal one-third of the femur. Superficial and deep neurovascular structures were dissected. Distances to the medial vastus and adductor compartment were measured.

Results:

Mean distances were 160 ± 31.4 mm from the adductor tubercle to Hunter canal; 94 ± 18.3 mm from adductor tubercle to adductor hiatus; 31.8 ± 9.21 mm from Hunter canal to the femoral shaft; and 31.7 ± 7.78 mm from adductor hiatus to femoral shaft. All specimens had a descending genicular artery (DGA) with a mean distance to the adductor tubercle of 98.4 ± 16.0 mm. The muscular branch of the DGA crossed the femoral shaft at approximately 50 mm from the adductor tubercle; the osteoarticular branch ran along the adductor magnus tendon. The nerve to the vastus medialis was at the posterior border of the vastus medialis, entering at a mean 143 ± 63.0 mm from the adductor tubercle.

Conclusions:

Minor neurovascular branches of the DGA may be vulnerable during medial femoral condyle plating. Careful blunt dissection, proper instrumentation, and plate length within 160 mm allow distal medial femur fixation without additional proximal dissection.
Prevalence of Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After Acute Orthopaedic Trauma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Muscatelli Stefano , Spurr Hayley , O'Hara Nathan N. , O'Hara Lyndsay M. , Sprague Sheila A. , Slobogean Gerard P.
Published: July 2016

Objectives:

This study aims to systematically assess the existing literature and to derive a pooled estimate of the prevalence of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adult patients after acute orthopaedic trauma.

Data Sources:

A comprehensive search of databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases was conducted through June 2015.

Study Selection:

We included studies that assessed the prevalence of depression or PTSD in patients who experienced acute orthopaedic trauma to the appendicular skeleton or pelvis. Studies with a sample size of ≤10 were excluded.

Data Extraction:

Two authors independently extracted data from the selected studies and the data collected were compared with verify agreement.

Data Synthesis:

Twenty-seven studies and 7109 subjects were included in the analysis. Using a random-effects model, the weighted pooled prevalence of depression was 32.6% (95% CI, 25.0%–41.2%) and the weighted pooled prevalence of PTSD was 26.6% (95% CI, 19.0%–35.9%). Six studies evaluated the prevalence of both depression and PTSD in patients with acute orthopaedic injuries. The weighted pooled prevalence of both depression and PTSD for those patients was 16.8% (95% CI, 9.0%–29.4%).

Conclusions:

Nearly one-third of patients suffer from depression and more than one-quarter of patients suffer from PTSD after an acute orthopaedic injury suggesting that strategies to address both the mental and physical rehabilitation after an orthopaedic injury should be considered to optimize patient recovery.

Level of Evidence:

Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
SUBTENON AMIKACIN INJECTION FOR THE TREATMENT OF NOCARDIA ASTEROIDES ORBITAL CELLULITIS IN A PATIENT WITH A HISTORY OF SCLERAL BUCKLING
Authors: Gursel Ozkurt Zeynep , Demirci Hakan
Published: July 2016

Purpose:

To evaluate the use of subtenon amikacin injection for the treatment of Nocardia asteroides orbital cellulitis in a patient with a history of scleral buckle surgery.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 79-year-old diabetic woman presented with an 8-month history of diplopia, discharge, and swelling around her left eye. She had a scleral buckle surgery in this eye about 15 years ago. Examination of the left eye showed a visual acuity of 20/80, swollen and ptotic upper eyelid, chemotic conjunctiva, and limited extraocular motility. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an abscess under the scleral buckle. The scleral buckle was removed, and the abscess under the scleral buckle was drained. N. asteroides grew on the culture. Despite 4 months of the systemic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and the topical fortified amikacin therapy, her infection worsened. After 5 monthly subtenon amikacin injections, the infection regressed dramatically, and her vision improved to 20/70. She used the systemic trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for 10 more months. After a 1-year follow-up, her external examination was normal, except for the left upper eyelid ptosis.

Conclusion:

Subtenon amikacin injection can be added to the regimen for N. asteroides orbital cellulitis, of which surgical drainage, systemic and topical antibiotic therapies are not enough to control infection.
Transition From Hospital to Home in Preterm Infants and Their Families
Authors: Boykova Marina
Published: July 2016

When the day of discharge from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) comes for the parents of newborn infants, they are filled with long-awaited joy and happiness. They go home feeling as parents, away from scheduled routines of the hospital, monitor alarms, clinical rounds, numerous tests, and so on. What do we know about what happens after these little patients and their families leave the NICU? What happens from the point of leaving the hospital until when things get settled and life becomes perceived as normal? This article presents a short summary of research conducted with the vulnerable population of high-risk and preterm infants and their families postdischarge. Available evidence suggests that transition to home after hospital discharge, a phenomenon that many families experience, is challenging and requires attention from clinicians and researchers if we are to provide effective, efficient, and high-quality care.
Prevalence of Primary HPV in Djibouti: Feasibility of Screening for Early Diagnosis of Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions
Authors: Petrelli Alessio , Di Napoli Anteo , Giorgi Rossi Paolo , Rossi Alessandra , Luccini Daniele , Di Marco Ilaria , Traoré Amadou Laico , Gillio Tos Anna , Trevisan Morena , Mirisola Concetta , Costanzo Gianfranco
Published: July 2016

Objective

In many African Sub-Saharan countries, human papilloma virus (HPV) prevalence data are not available. The current study estimated the prevalence of HPV virus in the female population of Djibouti.

Methods

Approximately 1000 asymptomatic women 16 to 64 years old were enrolled from 3 of the main health structures of Djibouti in 2014 and 2015; 998 cervical samples were tested for HPV-DNA of high risk types, 499 during the first year, and 499 during the second. Positive samples were typed with an HPV genotyping kit.

Results

The women were an average age of 38.8 years (SD, 10.2); 54 women tested positive for HPV (prevalence rate, 5.4% [95% confidence interval, 4.0–6.8]). The highest prevalence was observed among the women younger than 35 years. HPV66 was the most prevalent (15.4% of the infections), followed by HPV31 and HPV52 (10.8% both) and HPV16 (9.2%). All 54 women who tested HPV-positive underwent a Pap test, which was positive in 8 cases (14.8%): 2 high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) and 6 low-grade (LSIL).

Conclusions

The HPV prevalence shows a curve by age similar to that of other African countries. The proportion of HPV16 is among the lowest ever seen in similar studies. The findings suggest to Djibouti the choice of a strategy of screening that includes forms of cytological triage, thus limiting recourse to colposcopy.
Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Perioperative Analgesia in the Surgical Management of Left Ventricular Assist Device Infections
Authors: Okitsu Kenta , Iritakenishi Takeshi , Shibata Sho Carl , Domae Keitaro , Toda Koichi , Sawa Yoshiki , Fujino Yuji
Published: July 2016

Left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is increasingly being used as a bridging therapy to heart transplantation. Infection is a major complication in patients with implanted LVADs, and it is associated with short- and long-term mortality. Surgical management for infection control is sometimes necessary; however, providing pain management during the surgical procedures is challenging. Anesthesiologists may be able to contribute to better pain management during surgical interventions to treat LVAD infections. We successfully performed a continuous thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) for perioperative pain relief during invasive surgical procedures on three patients with infections of implanted LVADs. Despite several limitations that need to be addressed in the future, TPVB was able to relieve surgical pain in these patients without obvious complications.
Profound Accidental Hypothermia: Systematic Approach to Active Recognition and Treatment
Authors: Jarosz Anna , Darocha Tomasz , Kosiński Sylweriusz , Gałązkowski Robert , Mazur Piotr , Piątek Jacek , Konstanty-Kalandyk Janusz , Hymczak Hubert , Drwiła Rafał
Published: July 2016

We sought to organize a functional system of recognition and advanced treatment of hypothermic patients with extracorporeal rewarming as a treatment option. All patients with suspected hypothermia are consulted with the hypothermia coordinator (HC), whose role is to provide expertise on hypothermia recognition and treatment to all rescue and medical services. Patients with Swiss staging system of hypothermia class III and IV are subjected to extracorporeal rewarming. Patients with class I and II are managed in local hospitals, after the HC provides instructions. From program initiation (July 29, 2013) to November 1, 2015, HC consulted 104 hypothermic patients; 21 in hypothermia class III and IV were subjected to extracorporeal rewarming in the John Paul II Hospital in Cracow, Poland. The remaining people were rewarmed in the referring hospitals. Cardiac arrest upon referral was present in 10 cases (resuscitation times from arrest to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation ranged 107–345 minutes). Seven patients died, and the remaining 14 have been rewarmed with the restoration of hemodynamic stability. Systematic approach to active recognition and treatment of profound accidental hypothermia patients, on the basis of HC cooperation with emergency medical services, enables advanced management with good outcomes, especially in patients with cardiac arrest.
Epidemiology of Adverse Events and Medical Errors in the Care of Cardiology Patients
Authors: Ohta Yoshinori , Miki Izumi , Kimura Takeshi , Abe Mitsuru , Sakuma Mio , Koike Kaoru , Morimoto Takeshi
Published: July 2016

Objectives

There have been epidemiological studies of adverse events (AEs) among general patients but those of patients cared by cardiologist are not well scrutinized. We investigated the occurrence of AEs and medical errors (MEs) among adult patients with cardiology in Japan.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of adult outpatients at a Japanese teaching hospital from February through November 2006. We measured AE and ME incidents from patient report, which were verified by medical records, laboratory data, incident reports, and prescription queries. Two independent physicians reviewed the incidents to determine whether they were AEs or MEs and to assess severity and symptoms.

Results

We identified 144 AEs and 30 MEs (16.3 and 3.9 per 100 patients, respectively). Of the 144 AEs, 99 were solely adverse drug events (ADEs), 20 were solely non-ADEs, and the remaining 25 were both causes. The most frequent symptoms of ADEs were skin and allergic reactions due to medication. The most frequent symptoms of non-ADEs were bleeding due to therapeutic interventions. Among AEs, 12% was life threatening. Life-threatening AEs were 25% of non-ADEs and 5% of ADEs (P = 0.0003). Among the 30 MEs, 21MEs (70%) were associated with drugs.

Conclusions

Adverse events were common among cardiology patients. Adverse drug events were the most frequent AEs, and non-ADEs were more critical than ADEs. Such data should be recognized among practicing physicians to improve the patients' outcomes.
RSAT matrix-clustering: dynamic exploration and redundancy reduction of transcription factor binding motif collections
Authors: Castro-Mondragon Jaime Abraham , Jaeger Sébastien , Thieffry Denis , Thomas-Chollier Morgane , van Helden Jacques
Published: July 2016

Transcription Factor (TF) databases contain multitudes of motifs from various sources, from which non-redundant collections are derived by manual curation. The advent of high-throughput methods stimulated the production of novel collections with increasing numbers of motifs. Meta-databases, built by merging these collections, contain redundant versions, because available tools are not suited to automatically identify and explore biologically relevant clusters among thousands of motifs. Motif discovery from genome-scale data sets (e.g. ChIP-seq peaks) also produces redundant motifs, hampering the interpretation of results. We presentmatrix-clustering, a versatile tool that clusters similar TFBMs into multiple trees, and automatically creates non-redundant collections of motifs. A feature unique tomatrix-clusteringis its dynamic visualisation of aligned TFBMs, and its capability to simultaneously treat multiple collections from various sources. We demonstrate thatmatrix-clusteringconsiderably simplifies the interpretation of combined results from multiple motif discovery tools and highlights biologically relevant variations of similar motifs. By clustering 24 entire databases (>7,500 motifs), we show thatmatrix-clusteringcorrectly groups motifs belonging to the same TF families, and can drastically reduce motif redundancy.matrix-clusteringis integrated within the RSAT suite (http://rsat.eu/), accessible through a user-friendly web interface or command-line for its integration in pipelines.
The Progestin DMPA is associated with increased CD 3 and CD 4 T-Lymphocytes among women living with HIV
Authors: Walong Edwin , Barasa Anne , Gontier Christopher
Published: July 2016

Introduction

Establishment of peripheral blood CD 3 and CD 4 lymphocyte counts is useful for immunological monitoring and staging of HIV. This forms the basis of management. This study evaluates total T lymphocyte and CD4 lymphocyte counts among women on DMPA and compares this to matched controls that were not on hormonal contraception.

Materials and Methods

This case control study was conducted in the western Kenya city of Kisumu. Participants were WHO stage I and II ART naïve HIV-positive women. The cases were enrolled in the institutional family planning clinic and must have had an intramuscular injection of DMPA within a three month period. We used a standard provider initiated questionnaire to collect social and demographic information. Peripheral blood CD 3 and CD 4 lymphocyte counts were determined using BD–Facs-count ™. Data was entered and analysed using SPSS®Version 17.

Results

A total of 138 participants were recruited into the study, 66 controls and 54 cases. The median ages were 26 and 28 respectively. The median CD 3 lymphocyte counts among controls and cases were 1628 and (p=0.004) while median CD4 lymphocyte counts are 649 (p=0.02).

Conclusion

Use of the progestin DMPA is associated with an increase in median in CD3 and CD 4 I lymphocyte counts. Although the clinical benefits of this increase is unclear, DMPA is safe for use among women living with HIV.
Evaluating approaches to find exon chains based on long reads
Authors: Kuosmanen Anna , Mäkinen Veli
Published: July 2016

Motivation

Transcript prediction can be modelled as a graph problem where exons are modelled as nodes and reads spanning two or more exons are modelled as exon chains. PacBio third-generation sequencing technology produces significantly longer reads than earlier second-generation sequencing technologies, which gives valuable information about longer exon chains in a graph. However, with the high error rates of third-generation sequencing, aligning long reads correctly around the splice sites is a challenging task. Incorrect alignments lead to spurious nodes and arcs in the graph, which in turn lead to incorrect transcript predictions.

Results

We survey several approaches to find the exon chains corresponding to long reads in a splicing graph, and experimentally study the performance of these methods using simulated data to allow for sensitivity / precision analysis. Our experiments show that short reads from second-generation sequencing can be used to significantly improve exon chain correctness either by error-correcting the long reads before splicing graph creation, or by using them to create a splicing graph on which the long read alignments are then projected. We also study the memory and time consumption of various modules, and show that accurate exon chains lead to significantly increased transcript prediction accuracy.

Availability

The simulated data and in-house scripts used for this article are available athttp://cs.helsinki.fi/u/aekuosma/exon_chain_evaluation_publish.tar.gz.
Transient protein-protein interactions perturbE.colimetabolome and cause gene dosage toxicity
Authors: Bhattacharyya Sanchari , Bershtein Shimon , Yan Jin , Argun Tijda , Gilson Amy I. , Trauger Sunia , Shakhnovich Eugene I.
Published: July 2016

Several genes exhibit gene dosage toxicity yet its molecular underpinnings remain unknown. Here we demonstrate that overexpression of DHFR inE. colicauses toxic metabolic imbalance triggered by interactions with several enzymes involved in 1-carbon metabolism, in particular GlyA and PurH. DHFR overexpression partially inhibits activity of these enzymes, but at physiological concentrations, PurH-DHFR interaction enhances catalytic efficiency of DHFR, implying a functional interactionin vivo. Surprisingly, overexpression of orthologous DHFRs from other bacterial species caused minimal metabolic and fitness perturbations, despite pulling out more interacting partners than overexpressed endogenous DHFR. Orthologous DHFRs were less potent in inhibitingE. coliGlyA and PurH, or gaining a catalytic improvement upon interaction with PurH, indicating a partial loss of interaction specificity due to evolutionary divergence. This study shows how protein overexpression perturbs a dynamic network of weak yet potentially functional PPI with consequences for the metabolic state of cells and their fitness.
Codon usage is a stochastic process across genetic codes of the kingdoms of life
Authors: Khomtchouk Bohdan B. , Wahlestedt Claes , Nonner Wolfgang
Published: July 2016

DNA encodes protein primary structure using 64 different codons to specify 20 different amino acids and a stop signal. To uncover rules of codon use, ranked codon frequencies have previously been analyzed in terms of empirical or statistical relations for a small number of genomes. These descriptions fail on most genomes reported in the Codon Usage Tabulated from GenBank (CUTG) database. Here we model codon usage as a random variable. This stochastic model provides accurate, one-parameter characterizations of 2210 nuclear and mitochondrial genomes represented with > 104codons/genome in CUTG. We show that ranked codon frequencies are well characterized by a truncated normal (Gaussian) distribution. Most genomes use codons in a nearuniform manner. Lopsided usages are also widely distributed across genomes but less frequent. Our model provides a universal framework for investigating determinants of codon use.
Plasma Membrane Microdomains Are Essential for Rac1-RbohB/H-Mediated Immunity in Rice
Authors: Nagano Minoru , Ishikawa Toshiki , Fujiwara Masayuki , Fukao Yoichiro , Kawano Yoji , Kawai-Yamada Maki , Shimamoto Ko
Published: July 2016

Numerous plant defense-related proteins are thought to congregate in plasma membrane microdomains, which consist mainly of sphingolipids and sterols. However, the extent to which microdomains contribute to defense responses in plants is unclear. To elucidate the relationship between microdomains and innate immunity in rice (Oryza sativa), we established lines in which the levels of sphingolipids containing 2-hydroxy fatty acids were decreased by knocking down two genes encoding fatty acid 2-hydroxylases (FAH1 and FAH2) and demonstrated that microdomains were less abundant in these lines. By testing these lines in a pathogen infection assay, we revealed that microdomains play an important role in the resistance to rice blast fungus infection. To illuminate the mechanism by which microdomains regulate immunity, we evaluated changes in protein composition, revealing that microdomains are required for the dynamics of the Rac/ROP small GTPase Rac1 and respiratory burst oxidase homologs (Rbohs) in response to chitin elicitor. Furthermore, FAHs are essential for the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after chitin treatment. Together with the observation that RbohB, a defense-related NADPH oxidase that interacts with Rac1, is localized in microdomains, our data indicate that microdomains are required for chitin-induced immunity through ROS signaling mediated by the Rac1-RbohB pathway.
Does misfit loom larger than fit? Experimental evidence on motivational person-job fit, public service motivation, and prospect theory
Authors: Neumann Oliver
Published: July 2016

Purpose

– In light of the challenge to attract skilled employees in times of dwindling labour supply, the purpose of this paper is to investigate how motivational person-job fit influences the preference for a job. Using a model based on prospect theory, person-job fit is operationalised on three motivational dimensions: extrinsic, enjoyment-based intrinsic, and prosocial intrinsic motivation. Public service motivation (PSM) is theoretically integrated into the model’s dimensions and conceptualised as a fuzzy subset thereof. Within the model, job seekers evaluate their fit with various jobs by comparing their personal motives to the jobs’ motivational incentives, compiling a preference order.

Design/methodology/approach

– The model was tested using a completely randomised vignette experiment. In all, 102 master’s students had to indicate their preference among various randomly selected job vignettes. Certain vignettes presented to experimental group (EG) subjects were individually manipulated to provide either very good or very poor person-job fit. The manipulation’s effect on vignette preference was analysed using logistic regression.

Findings

– EG subjects significantly preferred both well-fitting and random vignettes over misfitting ones. No significant preference was found comparing well-fitting and random vignettes. Coherent with prospect theory, the deterring effect of misfit appears to be stronger than the attraction effect of good fit, supporting the model.

Originality/value

– Most previous research on motivational person-job fit focused on a single factor (e.g. PSM) when predicting job preference. This study, in contrast, incorporates multiple motivational dimensions, capturing that individuals usually pursue mixed motives.