bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of mouse models for analysis of human virus infections
Authors: Takaki Hiromi , Oshiumi Hiroyuki , Shingai Masashi , Matsumoto Misako , Seya Tsukasa
Published: March 2017

Viruses usually exhibit strict species‐specificity as a result of co‐evolution with the host. Thus, in mouse models, a great barrier exists for analysis of infections with human‐tropic viruses. Mouse models are unlikely to faithfully reproduce the human immune response to viruses or viral compounds and it is difficult to evaluate human therapeutic efficacy with antiviral reagents in mouse models. Humans and mice essentially have different immune systems, which makes it difficult to extrapolate mouse results to humans. In addition, apart from immunological reasons, viruses causing human diseases do not always infect mice because of species tropism. One way to determine tropism would be a virus receptor that is expressed on affected cells. The development of gene‐disrupted mice and Tg mice, which express human receptor genes, enables us to analyze several viral infections in mice. Mice are, indeed, susceptible to human viruses when artificially infected in receptor‐supplemented mice. Although the mouse cells less efficiently permit viral replication than do human cells, the models for analysis of human viruses have been established in vivo as well as in vitro, and explain viral pathogenesis in the mouse systems. In most systems, however, nucleic acid sensors and type I interferon suppress viral propagation to block the appearance of infectious manifestation. We herein review recent insight into in vivo antiviral responses induced in mouse infection models for typical human viruses.
Do Chief Executives’ Traits Affect the Financial Performance of Risk‐trading Firms? Evidence from the UK Insurance Industry
Authors: Adams Mike , Jiang Wei
Published: March 2017

We examine the effects of four key dimensions of Chief Executive Officers’ (CEOs’) traits on six financial performance metrics using panel data for 1999−2012 drawn from the UK's property−casualty insurance industry. We find that CEO insurance experience and CEO financial expertise enhance financial performance, while two other CEO traits − power and age − are generally not significant. Our results thus reinforce the importance of CEO insurance industry expertise and CEO financial expertise in the management and trading of risks. Our results have potential commercial and policy implications.
Sensitivity Analysis for Matched Pair Analysis of Binary Data: From Worst Case to Average Case Analysis
Authors: Hasegawa Raiden , Small Dylan
Published: March 2017

In matched observational studies where treatment assignment is not randomized, sensitivity analysis helps investigators determine how sensitive their estimated treatment effect is to some unmeasured confounder. The standard approach calibrates the sensitivity analysis according to the worst case bias in a pair. This approach will result in a conservative sensitivity analysis if the worst case bias does not hold in every pair. In this paper, we show that for binary data, the standard approach can be calibrated in terms of the average bias in a pair rather than worst case bias. When the worst case bias and average bias differ, the average bias interpretation results in a less conservative sensitivity analysis and more power. In many studies, the average case calibration may also carry a more natural interpretation than the worst case calibration and may also allow researchers to incorporate additional data to establish an empirical basis with which to calibrate a sensitivity analysis. We illustrate this with a study of the effects of cellphone use on the incidence of automobile accidents. Finally, we extend the average case calibration to the sensitivity analysis of confidence intervals for attributable effects.
Parametric Overdispersed Frailty Models for Current Status Data
Authors: Abrams Steven , Aerts Marc , Molenberghs Geert , Hens Niel
Published: March 2017

Frailty models have a prominent place in survival analysis to model univariate and multivariate time-to-event data, often complicated by the presence of different types of censoring. In recent years, frailty modeling gained popularity in infectious disease epidemiology to quantify unobserved heterogeneity using Type I interval-censored serological data or current status data. In a multivariate setting, frailty models prove useful to assess the association between infection times related to multiple distinct infections acquired by the same individual. In addition to dependence among individual infection times, overdispersion can arise when the observed variability in the data exceeds the one implied by the model. In this article, we discuss parametric overdispersed frailty models for time-to-event data under Type I interval-censoring, building upon the work by Molenberghs et al. (2010) and Hens et al. (2009). The proposed methodology is illustrated using bivariate serological data on hepatitis A and B from Flanders, Belgium anno 1993–1994. Furthermore, the relationship between individual heterogeneity and overdispersion at a stratum-specific level is studied through simulations. Although it is important to account for overdispersion, one should be cautious when modeling both individual heterogeneity and overdispersion based on current status data as model selection is hampered by the loss of information due to censoring.
Thresholds for PSA doubling time in men with non‐metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Howard Lauren E. , Moreira Daniel M. , De Hoedt Amanda , Aronson William J. , Kane Christopher J. , Amling Christopher L. , Cooperberg Matthew R. , Terris Martha K. , Freedland Stephen J.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To examine whether prostate‐specific antigen doubling time (PSADT) correlates with metastases, all‐cause mortality (ACM), and prostate cancer‐specific mortality (PCSM) and to identify PSADT thresholds that can be used clinically for risk stratification in men with M0 castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).

Materials and Methods

We collected data on 441 men with M0 CRPC in 2000–2015 at five Veterans Affairs hospitals. Cox models were used to test the association between log‐transformed PSADT and the development of metastasis, ACM and PCSM. To identify thresholds, we categorized PSADT into 3‐month groups and then combined groups with similar hazard ratios (HRs).

Results

The median (interquartile range) follow‐up was 28.3 (14.7–49.1) months. As a continuous variable, PSADT was associated with metastases, ACM and PCSM (HR 1.40–1.68, all P < 0.001). We identified the following PSADT thresholds: <3 months; 3–8.9 months; 9–14. months; and ≥15 months. As a categorical variable, PSADT was associated with metastases, ACM and PCSM (all P < 0.001). Specifically, PSADT <3 months was associated with an approximately ninefold increased risk of metastases (HR 8.63, 95% CI 5.07–14.7) and PCSM (HR 9.29, 95% CI 5.38–16.0), and a 4.7‐fold increased risk of ACM (HR 4.71, 95% CI 2.98–7.43) on multivariable analysis compared with PSADT ≥15 months. The median times to metastasis for patients with PSADT <3, 3–8.9, 9–14.9 and ≥15 months were 9, 19, 40 and 50 months, respectively.

Conclusion

Prostate‐specific antigen doubling time was a strong predictor of metastases, ACM and PCSM in patients with M0 CRPC. As with patients at earlier disease stages, <3, 3–8.9, 9–14.9 and ≥15 months are reasonable PSADT thresholds for risk stratification in men with M0 CRPC. These thresholds can be used for selecting high‐risk men for clinical trials.
Electrophysiological and laboratory behavioral responses of a leaf beetle pest of elm, Ambrostoma quadriimpressum, to selected plant volatiles and essential oils
Authors: Wang Yan‐Chen , Li Peng , Chi De‐Fu
Published: March 2017

The leaf beetle Ambrostoma quadriimpressum Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is distributed in China, Siberia, and elsewhere in northeastern Asia. This pest feeds only on buds and leaves of elm trees (Ulmaceae) and inhibits elm trees sprouting, increasing the risk of damage and destruction by other pests. We investigated selected plant compounds that could be used for the development of semiochemical‐based push‐pull methods for the control of this elm pest. Electroantennogram (EAG), Y‐tube olfactometer, and wind tunnel bioassays were conducted to test the electrophysiological and behavioral response of A. quadriimpressum to nine individual volatiles and five essential oils. Individual volatiles and essential oils were selected based on their activity against insects in previous studies. The individual volatiles and essential oils were dissolved in dichloromethane and adsorbed by filter paper. Using a pipette, odor stimuli were delivered as 0.5‐s puffs of air into a continuously humidified air stream in the odor delivery tube at 400 ml per min. Ambrostoma quadriimpressum adults display strong EAG responses to l mol l−1 isoeugenol, (1R)‐(+)‐α‐pinene, 1% pepper oil (derived from the pericarp of Piper chinense Miq.), and peppermint oil [derived from the aerial parts of Mentha haplocalyx (Briq.)] compared to the control. In behavioral assays conducted using a Y‐tube olfactometer and a wind tunnel, adult beetles were attracted by (1R)‐(+)‐α‐pinene but repelled by 0.1% pepper oil. The results provide a basis for the development of a ‘push‐pull’ strategy to manage A. quadriimpressum.
Partitioning within‐species variance in behaviour to within‐ and between‐population components for understanding evolution
Authors: Garamszegi László Zsolt , Møller Anders Pape
Published: March 2017

Phenotypes vary at multiple hierarchical levels, of which the interspecific variance is the primary focus of phylogenetic comparative studies. However, the evolutionary role of particular within‐species variance components (between‐population, between‐ or within‐individual variances) remains neglected. Here, we partition the variance in an anti‐predator behaviour, flight initiation distance (FID), and assess how its within‐ and between‐population variance are related to life history, distribution, dispersal and habitat ecology. Although the composition of within‐species variance in FID depended on the phylogeny, most variance occurred within populations. When accounting for allometry, density‐dependence, uncertainty in the phylogenetic hypothesis and heterogeneity in data quality, within‐population variance was significantly associated with habitat diversity and population size. Between‐population variance was a significant predictor of natal dispersal, senescence and habitat diversity. Accordingly, not only species‐specific mean values of a behavioural trait, but also its variance within and among populations can shape the evolutionary ecology of species.
Ecological intensification to mitigate impacts of conventional intensive land use on pollinators and pollination
Authors: Kovács‐Hostyánszki Anikó , Espíndola Anahí , Vanbergen Adam J. , Settele Josef , Kremen Claire , Dicks Lynn V.
Published: March 2017

Worldwide, human appropriation of ecosystems is disrupting plant–pollinator communities and pollination function through habitat conversion and landscape homogenisation. Conversion to agriculture is destroying and degrading semi‐natural ecosystems while conventional land‐use intensification (e.g. industrial management of large‐scale monocultures with high chemical inputs) homogenises landscape structure and quality. Together, these anthropogenic processes reduce the connectivity of populations and erode floral and nesting resources to undermine pollinator abundance and diversity, and ultimately pollination services. Ecological intensification of agriculture represents a strategic alternative to ameliorate these drivers of pollinator decline while supporting sustainable food production, by promoting biodiversity beneficial to agricultural production through management practices such as intercropping, crop rotations, farm‐level diversification and reduced agrochemical use. We critically evaluate its potential to address and reverse the land use and management trends currently degrading pollinator communities and potentially causing widespread pollination deficits. We find that many of the practices that constitute ecological intensification can contribute to mitigating the drivers of pollinator decline. Our findings support ecological intensification as a solution to pollinator declines, and we discuss ways to promote it in agricultural policy and practice.
Influence of phosphorylated rice flour on the quality of gluten‐free bread
Authors: Kringel Dianini Hüttner , Filipini Gabriel da Silva , Salas‐Mellado Myriam de las Mercedes
Published: March 2017

The chemical modification of rice flour by phosphorylation is an alternative to improve the technological quality of bakery products. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of phosphorylation process of rice flour on technological properties (specific volume, crumb and crust colour) of gluten‐free breads and the hardening of these breads during two storage temperatures (21 °C and −24 °C). Breads were made with native rice flour, with phosphorylated rice flour and with wheat flour, used as control. The phosphorylation causes significant reduction in the synaeresis of pastes and in retrogradation tendency of rice flours, varying from 258.7 cP (native rice flour) to 122 cP (phosphorylated rice flour). The breads prepared with phosphorylated rice flour showed reduction in the hardness in both storage temperatures studied and effect on rice bread volume, crumb appearance and colour, demonstrating the possibility of use of the phosphorylated rice flour in gluten‐free breads.
Polymorphism in emergence of deciduous dentition: A cross‐sectional study of Indian children
Authors: Kariya Pratik , Tandon Shobha , Singh Sweta , Tewari Nitesh
Published: March 2017

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the timing and sequence of the eruption of deciduous teeth in Indian children.

Method

This cross‐sectional study focused on children aged 5‐36 months. One hospital was randomly selected from four geographic zones of the city. A total of 400 children from each hospital, fulfilling the inclusion criteria, constituted the sample. The examination was carried out by a single, trained examiner. The tooth was recorded as “present” or “absent” on the day of examination. The mean age of emergence was calculated using a probit model. Independent sample t‐test was used to assess the statistical significance of differences in the mean age of tooth emergence.

Results

The deciduous mandibular central incisor was the first tooth to erupt in the oral cavity (8.15±1.69 months). Girls showed delayed eruption compared to boys; however, no interarch variation was observed in the mean age of tooth eruption. There was also no difference in the sequence of eruption of deciduous teeth, as reported in other studies.

Conclusions

The present study establishes a chronological table for the eruption of deciduous teeth in Indian children. There was delayed eruption of deciduous teeth when compared to the reference ranges of Western populations.
Heparin‐binding protein: a key player in the pathophysiology of organ dysfunction in sepsis
Authors: Fisher J. , Linder A.
Published: March 2017

Infectious diseases remain a major health problem, and sepsis and other severe infectious diseases are common causes of morbidity and mortality. There is a need for clinical and laboratory tools to identify patients with severe infections early and to distinguish between bacterial and nonbacterial conditions. Heparin‐binding protein (HBP), also known as azurocidin or cationic antimicrobial protein of 37 KDa, is a promising biomarker to distinguish between patients with these conditions. It is biologically plausible that HBP is an early and predictive biomarker because it is prefabricated and rapidly mobilized from migrating neutrophils in response to bacterial infections. HBP induces vascular leakage and oedema formation and has a pro‐inflammatory effect on a variety of white blood cells and epithelial cells. The dysregulation of vascular barrier function and cellular inflammatory responses can then lead to organ dysfunction. Indeed, it has been shown that patients with sepsis express elevated levels of HBP in plasma several hours before they develop hypotension or organ dysfunction. HBP has a major role in the pathophysiology of severe bacterial infections and thus represents a potential diagnostic marker and a target for the treatment of sepsis.
The cost of growing large: costs of post‐weaning growth on body mass senescence in a wild mammal
Authors: Douhard Frédéric , Gaillard Jean‐Michel , Pellerin Maryline , Jacob Laurent , Lemaître Jean‐François
Published: March 2017

Individual body mass often positively correlates with survival and reproductive success, whereas fitness costs of growing large are rarely detected in vertebrates in the wild. Evidence that adult body mass progressively declines with increasing age is accumulating across mammalian populations. Growing fast to a large body can increase the cellular damage accumulated throughout life, leading body growth in early life to be negatively associated with the rate of body mass senescence. Moreover, the onset of mass senescence may strongly depend on both sex‐specific reproductive tactics and environmental conditions. Assessing the timing and the rate of body mass decline with increasing age thus offers an opportunity to look for costs of having grown fast, especially after a poor start during early life, in both sexes and in different environments. Using a unique dataset including 30 years of longitudinal data on age‐specific body mass collected in two roe deer Capreolus capreolus populations subjected to contrasted environmental conditions, we looked for potential costs of high post‐weaning growth rate in terms of steeper rate of body mass senescence. Our analyses of body mass senescence accounted for the potential variation in the onset of senescence and allowed explicit comparisons of this variable between sexes and populations. Higher growth rates late in the growing period (after weaning) were associated with a steeper rate of body mass senescence, regardless of early mass (gained before weaning), but at different extents depending on sex and environmental conditions. Body mass senescence occurred earlier in males than in females, especially in the population facing limiting resources. In the wild, although heavy individuals generally survive better than small ones, the costs of growing large late in the growing period only became apparent late in life through mass senescence.
Transfemoral access when superior venous approach is not feasible equals overall success of permanent pacemaker implantation. Ten‐year series
Authors: García Guerrero Juan J. , Fernández de la Concha Castañeda Joaquín , Doblado Calatrava Manuel , Redondo Méndez Ángel , Lázaro Medrano Manuel , Merchán Herrera Antonio
Published: March 2017

Background

When permanent pacemaker implantation is not possible or advisable via superior venous access (i.e., axillary or subclavian veins), safe and feasible surgical alternatives are required. The femoral approach is relatively unknown and seldom studied. This single‐center study analyzed 10‐year outcomes of a femoral implantation approach.

Methods

Data about the implantation procedure (indication, approach, lead and pacemaker models, complications), patient characteristics (age, sex, medications, comorbidities), and follow‐up were analyzed for all permanent pacemaker implantations using the femoral approach between June 2001 and June 2011.

Results

A permanent pacemaker was implanted with the femoral approach in 50 patients (mean age, 76 years [range: 45–96], 31 [61%] men). The most frequent indication was atrioventricular block, associated with sinus rhythm in 30 patients and with atrial fibrillation in eight patients. Overall, 20 patients (40%) were treated with oral anticoagulants postimplantation. Mean implantation time was 64 minutes (range: 20–210) and mean fluoroscopy time was 6.7 minutes (range: 0.2–50). Minimum follow‐up window was 1 year (June 2012), with a mean of 50 months [range: 1–113]). No deaths, septic episodes, or severe complications were associated with the procedure, acute or long‐term. Follow‐up data were available for 46 patients, of who 21 (46%) died during follow‐up (mean age, 87 years [range: 73–101]). No cause of death was associated with the femoral technique.

Conclusion

Permanent pacemaker implantation through femoral access is not difficult for an experienced implant surgeon. Outcomes were comparable to systems implanted by superior venous approach, and no severe complications were observed at 10‐year follow‐up.
The Polarization of American Environmental Policy: A Regression Discontinuity Analysis of Senate and House Votes, 1971–2013
Authors: Kim Sung Eun , Urpelainen Johannes
Published: March 2017

The partisan polarization of environmental policy is an important development in American politics, but it remains unclear how much such polarization reflects voter preferences, as opposed to disagreements between partisan elites. We conduct a regression discontinuity analysis of all major environmental and energy votes in the Senate and the House, 1971–2013. In total, we have 368,974 individual roll call votes by senators and House Representatives. The causal effect of electing a Democrat instead of a Republican in close elections on pro‐environmental voting is large: when a Democrat wins, pro‐environmental voting increases by over 40 percentage points. Because of the quasi‐experimental research design, this difference cannot be attributed to the median voter's preferences. Next, we test hypotheses concerning possible explanations for the elite partisan conflict. The Democrat–Republican gap is the widest when fossil fuel interests make contributions exclusively to Republicans and when state‐level public opinion is polarized.
Dynamic Forces Induced by a Single Pedestrian: A Literature Review
Authors: Younis Adel , Avci Onur , Hussein Mohammed , Davis Brad , Reynolds Paul
Published: March 2017

With the use of lighter construction materials, more slender architectural designs, and open floor plans resulting in low damping, vibration serviceability has become a dominant design criterion for structural engineers worldwide. In principle, assessment of floor vibration serviceability requires a proper consideration of three key issues: excitation source, system, and receiver. Walking is usually the dominant human excitation for building floors. This paper provides a comprehensive review of a considerable number of references dealing with experimental measurement and mathematical modeling of dynamic forces induced by a single pedestrian. The historical development of walking force modeling—from single harmonic loads to extremely complex stochastic processes—is discussed. As a conclusion to this effort, it is suggested that less reliance should be made by the industry on the deterministic force models, since they have been shown to be overly conservative. Alternatively, due to the random nature of human walking, probabilistic force models seem to be more realistic, while more research is needed to achieve enough confidence to implement in design practice.
A Comparison of Methyl Decanoate and Tripropylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether for Soot-Free Combustion in an Optical Direct-Injection Diesel Engine
Authors: Dumitrescu Cosmin E. , Cheng A. S. , Kurtz Eric , Mueller Charles J.
Published: March 2017

Oxygenated fuels have beneficial effects for leaner lifted-flame combustion (LLFC), a nonsooting mode of mixing-controlled combustion associated with lift-off length equivalence ratios below approximately 2. A single-cylinder heavy-duty optical compression-ignition engine was used to compare neat methyl decanoate (MD) and T50, a 50/50 blend by volume of tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether (TPGME) and #2 ultralow sulfur emissions-certification diesel fuel (CF). High-speed, simultaneous imaging of natural luminosity (NL) and chemiluminescence (CL) were employed to investigate the ignition, combustion, and soot formation/oxidation processes at two injection pressures and three dilution levels. Additional Mie scattering measurements observed fuel-property effects on the liquid length of the injected spray. Results indicate that both MD and T50 effectively eliminated engine-out smoke emissions by decreasing soot formation and increasing soot oxidation during and after the end of fuel injection. MD further reduced soot emissions by 50–90% compared with T50, because TPGME could not completely compensate for the aromatics in the CF. Despite the low engine-out soot emissions, both fuels produced in-cylinder soot because the equivalence ratio at the lift-off length never reached the nonsooting limit. With respect to the other engine-out emissions, T50 had up to 16% higher nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions compared with MD, but neither fuel showed the traditional soot-NOx trade-off associated with conventional mixing-controlled combustion. In addition, T50 had up to 15% and 26% lower unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and CO emissions, respectively, compared with MD.
The Dynamic Behavior of Once-Through Direct Steam Generation Parabolic Trough Solar Collector Row Under Moving Shadow Conditions
Authors: Guo Su , Chu Yinghao , Liu Deyou , Chen Xingying , Xu Chang , Coimbra Carlos F. M. , Zhou Ling , Liu Qunming
Published: March 2017

Compared with recirculation and injection modes, once-through direct steam generation (DSG) parabolic troughs are simpler to construct and require the lowest investment. However, the heat transfer fluid (HTF) in once-through DSG parabolic trough systems has the most complicated dynamic behavior, particularly during periods of moving shadows caused by small clouds and jet contrails. In this paper, a nonlinear distributed parameter dynamic model (NDPDM) is proposed to model the dynamic behavior of once-through DSG parabolic trough solar collector row under moving shadow conditions. Compared with state-of-the-art models, the proposed NDPDM possesses three characteristics: (a) adopting real-time local values of the heat transfer and friction resistance coefficients, (b) simulating the whole collector row, including the boiler and the superheated sections, and (c) modeling the disturbance of direct normal irradiance (DNI) level on DSG parabolic trough solar collector row under moving shadow conditions. Validated using experimental data, the NDPDM accurately predicts the dynamic characteristics of HTF during periods of partial and moving DNI disturbance. The fundamental and specific dynamic process of fluid parameters for a DSG parabolic trough solar collector row is provided in this paper. The results show the following: (a) Moving shadows have a significant impact on the outlet temperature and mass flow rate, and the impact lasts up to 1000 s even after the shadows completely leave the collector row. (b) The time for outlet steam temperature to reach a steady-state value for the first time is independent of the shadow width, speed, and moving direction. (c) High-frequency chattering of the outlet mass flow rate can be observed under moving DNI disturbance and will have a longer duration if the shadow width is larger or the shadow speed is slower. Compared with cases in which the whole system is shaded, partially shading cases have shown a longer duration of high-frequency chattering. (d) Both wider widths and slower speeds of shadow will cause a larger amplitude of responses in the outlet temperature and mass flow rate. When the shadow speed is low, there is a longer delay time of response in the mass flow rate of the outlet fluid. (e) The amplitude of response in the outlet temperature does not depend on the direction of clouds movement. However, if the DNI disturbance starts at the inlet of the collector row, there will be significant delay times in both outlet temperature and mass flow rate, and a larger amplitude of response in outlet mass flow rate.
Clocking in Low-Pressure Turbines
Authors: Evans Kathryn R. , Longley John P.
Published: March 2017

The effect of stator clocking has been experimentally and computationally investigated using a low-speed, two-stage, low-pressure turbine (LPT) which was specifically designed to maximize the clocking potential by aligning the stator 1 wake segments with the stator 2 leading edge along the span. It was verified that the wake segments are aligned to within 10% of stator pitch across the span. The measured clocking effect on the work extraction is 0.12% and on efficiency is 0.08%. Although the effect of clocking is small, it is repeatable, periodic across four stator pitches and consistent between independent measurements. Furthermore, factors to consider for a reliable clocking investigation are discussed. The measurements revealed that the majority of the clocking effect on the work extraction occurs in stage 2 and it originates at stator 2 exit. This indicates that the flow is being processed differently within stator 2. There is also an effect on the stage 1 work. In each blade row, the measured clocking effect on the lost work is similar across the span. The computations with meshed cavities do not capture any clocking effects in stage 1. This indicates that an unsteady viscid phenomenon within rotor 1 is not captured by the fully turbulent calculation, e.g., unsteady transition. However, the computations do capture the measured clocking effect on the stage 2 work extraction. It is hypothesized that the clocking effect on stator 2 flow turning is dominated by a steady, inviscid process.
Melt Electrospinning Writing Process Guided by a “Printability Number”
Authors: Tourlomousis Filippos , Ding Houzhu , Kalyon Dilhan M. , Chang Robert C.
Published: March 2017

The direct electrostatic printing of highly viscous thermoplastic polymers onto movable collectors, a process known as melt electrospinning writing (MEW), has significant potential as an additive biomanufacturing (ABM) technology. MEW has the hitherto unrealized potential of fabricating three-dimensional (3D) porous interconnected fibrous mesh-patterned scaffolds in conjunction with cellular-relevant fiber diameters and interfiber distances without the use of cytotoxic organic solvents. However, this potential cannot be readily fulfilled owing to the large number and complex interplay of the multivariate independent parameters of the melt electrospinning process. To overcome this manufacturing challenge, dimensional analysis is employed to formulate a “Printability Number” (NPR), which correlates with the dimensionless numbers arising from the nondimensionalization of the governing conservation equations of the electrospinning process and the viscoelasticity of the polymer melt. This analysis suggests that the applied voltage potential (Vp), the volumetric flow rate (Q), and the translational stage speed (UT) are the most critical parameters toward efficient printability. Experimental investigations using a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) melt reveal that any perturbations arising from an imbalance between the downstream pulling forces and the upstream resistive forces can be eliminated by systematically tuning Vp and Q for prescribed thermal conditions. This, in concert with appropriate tuning of the translational stage speed, enables steady-state equilibrium conditions to be achieved for the printing of microfibrous woven meshes with precise and reproducible geometries.
Bioluminescence Method for
In Vitro
Screening of Plasmodium Transmission-Blocking Compounds
Authors: Azevedo Raquel , Markovic Marija , Machado Marta , Franke-Fayard Blandine , Mendes António M. , Prudêncio Miguel
Published: March 2017

The sporogonic stage of the life cycle of
Plasmodium
spp., the causative agents of malaria, occurs inside the parasite's mosquito vector, where a process of fertilization, meiosis, and mitotic divisions culminates in the generation of large numbers of mammalian-infective sporozoites. Efforts to cultivate
Plasmodium
mosquito stages
in vitro
have proved challenging and yielded only moderate success. Here, we describe a methodology that simplifies the
in vitro
screening of much-needed transmission-blocking (TB) compounds employing a bioluminescence-based method to monitor the
in vitro
development of sporogonic stages of the rodent malaria parasite
Plasmodium berghei
. Our proof-of-principle assessment of the
in vitro
TB activity of several commonly used antimalarial compounds identified cycloheximide, thiostrepton, and atovaquone as the most active compounds against the parasite's sporogonic stages. The TB activity of these compounds was further confirmed by
in vivo
studies that validated our newly developed
in vitro
approach to TB compound screening.
Disease prevalence among nursery school children after the Great East Japan earthquake
Authors: Ishikuro Mami , Matsubara Hiroko , Kikuya Masahiro , Obara Taku , Sato Yuki , Metoki Hirohito , Isojima Tsuyoshi , Yokoya Susumu , Kato Noriko , Tanaka Toshiaki , Chida Shoichi , Ono Atsushi , Hosoya Mitsuaki , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Yamagata Zentaro , Tanaka Soichiro , Kure Shigeo , Kuriyama Shinichi
Published: March 2017

Objective

To investigate the relationship between personal experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake and various disease types among nursery school children.

Design

We conducted a nationwide survey of nursery school children born between 2 April 2006 and 1 April 2007. Nursery school teachers completed questionnaires if they agreed to join the study. Questionnaire items for children consisted of their birth year and month, sex, any history of moving into or out of the current nursery school, presence of diseases diagnosed by a physician at the age of 66–78 months and type of disaster experience. The survey was conducted from September 2012 to December 2012.

Setting

Japan, nationwide.

Participants

A total of 60 270 nursery school children were included in the analysis, 840 of whom experienced the disaster on 11 March 2011.

Main outcome measures

The health status of children 1.5 years after the disaster based on nursery school records.

Results

Experiencing the disaster significantly affected the prevalence of overall and individual diseases. Furthermore, there was a difference in disease prevalence between boys and girls. In boys, experiencing the tsunami (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.22 to 5.24) and living in an evacuation centre (OR 2.92, 95% CI 1.46 to 5.83) were remarkably associated with a higher prevalence of atopic dermatitis, but these trends were not observed among girls. Instead, the home being destroyed (OR 3.50, 95% CI 2.02 to 6.07) and moving house (OR 4.19, 95% CI 2.01 to 8.71) were positively associated with a higher prevalence of asthma among girls.

Conclusions

Our study indicates that experiencing the disaster may have affected the health status of nursery school children at least up to 1.5 years after the disaster. Continuous monitoring of the health status of children is necessary to develop strategic plans for child health.
Global systematic review of Indigenous community-led legal interventions to control alcohol
Authors: Muhunthan Janani , Angell Blake , Hackett Maree L , Wilson Andrew , Latimer Jane , Eades Anne-Marie , Jan Stephen
Published: March 2017

Objectives

The national and subnational governments of most developed nations have adopted cost-effective regulatory and legislative controls over alcohol supply and consumption with great success. However, there has been a lack of scrutiny of the effectiveness and appropriateness of these laws in shaping the health-related behaviours of Indigenous communities, who disproportionately experience alcohol-related harm. Further, such controls imposed unilaterally without Indigenous consultation have often been discriminatory and harmful in practice.

Setting, participants and outcome measures

In this systematic review of quantitative evaluations of Indigenous-led alcohol controls, we aim to investigate how regulatory responses have been developed and implemented by Indigenous communities worldwide, and evaluate their effectiveness in improving health and social outcomes. We included articles from electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Web of Science from inception to December 2015.

Results

Our search yielded 1489 articles from which 18 met the inclusion criteria. Controls were implemented in rural and remote populations of high-income nations. Communities employed a range of regulatory options including alcohol rationing, prohibition of sale, importation or possession, restrictions on liquor sold, times of sale or mode of sale, Indigenous-controlled liquor licensing, sin tax and traditional forms of control. 11 studies reported interventions that were effective in reducing crime, injury deaths, injury, hospitalisations or lowering per capita consumption. In six studies interventions were found to be ineffective or harmful. The results were inconclusive in one.

Conclusions

Indigenous-led policies that are developed or implemented by communities can be effective in improving health and social outcomes.
Determinants of second pregnancy among pregnant women: a hospital-based cross-sectional survey in China
Authors: Xu Xianglong , Zuo Hanxiao , Shi Zumin , Rao Yunshuang , Wang LianLian , Zeng Huan , Zhang Lei , Sharma Manoj , Reis Cesar , Zhao Yong
Published: March 2017

Objectives

This study aimed to explore determinants of second pregnancy and underlying reasons among pregnant Chinese women.

Design

The study was a population-based cross-sectional survey.

Setting

16 hospitals in 5 provinces of Mainland China were included.

Participants

A total of 2345 pregnant women aged 18 years or above were surveyed face to face by investigators between June and August 2015.

Main outcome measures

The pregnancy statuses (first or second pregnancy) and reasons for entering second pregnancy.

Results

A total of 1755 (74.8%) and 590 (25.2%) women in their respective first and second pregnancies were enrolled in this study. The most common self-reported reasons for entering second pregnancy among participants included the benefits to the first child (26.1%), love of children (25.8%), adoption of the 2-child policy (11.5%), concerns about losing the first child (7.5%) and suggestions from parents (7.5%). Pregnant women with low (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.96; 95% CI 1.62 to 2.36) and moderate education level (PR 1.97; 95% CI 1.65 to 2.36) were more likely to have a second pregnancy than their higher educated counterparts. Income was inversely associated with second pregnancy. However, unemployed participants (PR 0.79; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.95) were less likely to enter a second pregnancy than those employed. Women with moderate education were 3 times more likely to have a second child following the ‘2-child policy’ than the low education level subgroup.

Conclusions

1 in every 4 pregnant women is undergoing a second pregnancy. The benefits of the firstborn or the love of children were the key drivers of a second pregnancy. Low socioeconomic status was positively associated with a second pregnancy as well. The new 2-child policy will have an influence on China's demographics.
Survey of susceptibility to marbofloxacin in bacteria isolated from diseased pigs in Europe
Authors: El Garch F. , Kroemer S. , Galland D. , Morrissey I. , Woehrle F.
Published: March 2017

A monitoring programme of marbofloxacin susceptibility of bacteria from Europe causing respiratory tract infection and meningitis in pigs has been active since 1994 and 2002, respectively. Monitoring digestive, metritis and urinary tract infection (UTI) in pigs has been active since 2005 and susceptibility results until 2013 are presented. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution. For MIC interpretation, Vétoquinol‐evaluated breakpoints were applied. For digestive pathogens, Escherichia coli and Salmonella species (1717 and 300 isolates, respectively) exhibited 7.5 per cent resistance in E coli and no resistance in Salmonella species. Similarly, E coli from metritis (369 isolates) had 7.0 per cent resistance to marbofloxacin. However, E coli from UTI (633 isolates) had higher resistance (10.4 per cent). For Streptococcus suis causing meningitis (585 isolates), marbofloxacin susceptibility was very high with only 0.5 per cent resistance and 0.4 per cent resistance was observed with S suis causing respiratory disease (729 isolates). Other respiratory pathogens were also highly susceptible to marbofloxacin with no resistance in Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae (647 isolates) or Bordetella bronchiseptica (504 isolates), 0.1 per cent resistance in Pasteurella multocida (1373 isolates) and 1.4 per cent resistance in Haemophilus parasuis (145 isolates). There was no apparent change in marbofloxacin MIC over time for any bacterial pathogen based on MIC50/90. These data confirm previously published MIC results from porcine and other animal infections.
Axion-like particle dark matter in the linear regime of structure formation
Authors: Yang Qiaoli , Di Haoran
Published: March 2017

If axion-like particles (ALPs) constitute a major part of dark matter (DM), due to their bosonic nature and a relatively small mass, they could behave differently from the pointlike dark matter particles on the formation of the cosmic structures. When studying the structure formation, it is often useful to consider DM as a special fluid with a given density and a given velocity. ALP fluid obeys the same continuity equation compared to the pointlike collisionless DM, but has a different first-order velocity equation. In the linear regime of structure formation, the resulted observational differences are negligible for the QCD axions but can be interesting for very light ALPs.
Energy Update Restricted Chan–Vese Model for Tumor Extraction from MRI of Human Head Scans
Authors: Kalaiselvi T. , Karthigai Selvi S.
Published: March 2017

This research paper proposed a newer strategic method for the extraction of tumor from magnetic resonance imaging scans by employing a region-based active contour model (ACM). The earlier methods have applied the process of contour initialization randomly and updating the energy of the contour at every iteration. The proposed method used wavelet-based feature set to initiate the contour and restricts the energy update procedure. The efficiency of the presented technique in terms of tumor extraction is measured through qualitative and quantitative measures further compared with its counterparts Vese–Chan multiphase model, ACM and Selective binary. Gaussian filtering regularized level set and non active contour based models.
Designing online resources for safety net healthcare providers
Authors: Opel Dawn
Published: March 2017

As the healthcare system in the United States becomes more complex, so does the information needed for administrators and clinicians to keep apprised of new regulatory and systemic changes. In this article, I use a review and analysis of an online resource project to identify effective practices to educate and support healthcare safety net organizations, or those clinics that serve low-income populations. The project team consisted primarily of healthcare researchers who used a systematic review of the scholarly literature to develop online systems for transmitting information about healthcare payment and service delivery reform to those serving low income populations. As the technical communicator working on this project, the author advocated incorporating concepts of user research and user-centered design to the project team. This research included a survey of provider-users. The analysis of this project revealed that, in the health and medical community, evidence-based medicine and the genre of systematic literature review may be privileged such that provider-user needs for information seeking are not taken into account when designing online communication based on these reviews. Communication designers may need to work with and adapt the work of translation science and knowledge-to-action to develop more user-centered online content for provider education.
Editorial re-considering research
Authors: Lauer Claire
Published: March 2017

In this editorial, Lauer argues for expanding our methods of research to include a greater emphasis on quantitative and mixed-methods approaches. This expansion will compliment and help frame the qualitative data collection we already prioritize in the fields of writing studies and design. Lauer discusses the benefits of a mixed-methods approach and presents ten recommendations for how scholars, especially those who may be new to quantitative methods, can learn and employ these methods. Lauer suggests that we need to value this more comprehensive approach to data collection in order to better answer the many questions that remain uninvestigated in our field.
Reading, writing, and digital composition
Authors: Hewett Beth L.
Published: March 2017

Communication design specialists have many challenges in the twenty-first century global, online world. Geographically distributed teams must work together efficiently and effectively. People may need to interact across cultures and languages or using a common language like English or Spanish. In order to complete coherent design projects, they often need to negotiate varied communications software. Most important, both to communicate within teams and to clients with widely varied communication skills of their own, engineers and other communication design professionals must be able to engage the basic literacies of reading, writing, and digital (i.e., multiple media like images, audio, or video)---often called
multimodal
---composition as a holistic skill set, and they must be able to use them well in online environments. These literacies comprise communication skills learned in school and honed in business settings; they are required for clear communicating whether through alphabetic texts or multimodal compositions.
Review of "Risk Communication and Miscommunication: Case Studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Government, and Community Organizations," by Boiarsky, C. (2016). Boulder, CO: University of Colorado Press
Authors: Shivers-McNair Ann
Published: March 2017

What if something as seemingly routine as an email or an interoffice memorandum could make the difference between preventing a crisis or allowing a dangerous situation to deteriorate? This is the question Carolyn Boiarsky asks her readers to grapple with in
Risk Communication and Miscommunication: Case Studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Government, and Community Organizations,
as she presents analyses of communication artifacts in case studies from the last few decades of US history. In a year that brought catastrophic flooding in Louisiana and national controversy over a proposed oil pipeline's threats to drinking water and sacred sites on Native American land, Boiarsky's case studies---which include the 2010 BP/
Deepwater Horizon
oil rig explosion, the 2011 opening of the Mississippi Spillway during river flooding, and the 2014 expansion of the Enbridge Pipeline after a leak in Michigan four years prior---are a timely addition to the literature on risk communication. Communication designers will find this book particularly useful because of its concrete, actionable strategies for practitioners and chapter summaries that lend themselves to quick access for future reference.