bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of Film Formation on Grooved Tools in an Atomization-Based Cutting Fluid Delivery System for Titanium Machining
Authors: Kulkarni Devashish R. , Mujumdar Soham S. , Kapoor Shiv G.
Published: January 2018

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of cutting tool surface geometry and the atomization-based cutting fluid (ACF) spray parameters on the characteristics of the thin film formed in an ACF delivery system. A computational model is developed using three submodels that are used to predict the carrier gas flow, droplet trajectories and the film formation, respectively. The model is validated through film thickness measurements using a laser displacement sensor. Turning inserts with chip-breaking grooves along with a conventional flat insert are used to study the effect of cutting tool surface geometry on the model-predicted film characteristics, including film thickness and velocity. Machining experiments are also conducted to investigate the effect of film characteristics on the machining performance in terms of tool wear, which show that the tool wear is minimum at a certain desired film thickness value and large film velocity value. Carrier gas pressure and cutting fluid flow rate are also varied to study the effect of ACF spray parameters on the film characteristics. Increase in the fluid flow results in increase in both film thickness and velocity, while an increase in the gas pressure results in the reduction of the film thickness but an increase in the film velocity.
Predicting Microstructure Evolution During Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Baykasoglu Cengiz , Akyildiz Oncu , Candemir Duygu , Yang Qingcheng , To Albert C.
Published: January 2018

Laser engineering net shaping (LENS) is one of the representative processes of directed energy deposition (DED) in which a moving heat source having high-intensity melts and fuses metal powders together to print parts. The complex and nonuniform thermal gradients during the laser heating and cooling cycles in the LENS process directly affect the microstructural characteristics, and thereby the ultimate mechanical properties of fabricated parts. Therefore, prediction of microstructure evolution during the LENS process is of paramount importance. The objective of this study is to present a thermo-microstructural model for predicting microstructure evolution during the LENS process of Ti-6Al-4V. First, a detailed transient thermal finite element (FE) model is developed and validated for a sample LENS process. Then, a density type microstructural model which enables calculation of the α-phase fractions (i.e., Widmanstätten colony and basketweave α-phase fractions), β-phase fraction, and alpha lath widths during LENS process is developed and coupled to the thermal model. The microstructural algorithm is first verified by comparing the phase fraction results with the results presented in the literature for a given thermal history data. Second, the average lath width values calculated using the model are compared with the experimentally measured counterparts, where a reasonable agreement is achieved in both cases.
Continuation Method on Cumulant Neglect Equations
Authors: Perkins Edmon , Fitzgerald Tim
Published: January 2018

For stochastic systems, the Fokker–Planck equation (FPE) is used to describe the system dynamics. The FPE is a partial differential equation, which is a function of all the variables in state space and of time. To solve the FPE, several methods are used, including finite elements, moment neglect methods, and cumulant neglect methods. This paper will study the cumulant neglect equations, which are derived from the FPE. It will be shown that the cumulant neglect method, while being a useful and popular tool for studying the system response, introduces several nonphysical artifacts.
Physical modeling of a conical lip reed instrument
Authors: Giordano N.
Published: January 2018

A model of a brass instrument is described in which the air flow and pressure inside the instrument are computed with the Navier-Stokes equations and the motion of the player's lips are described using the swinging lip model of Adachi and Sato [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 99, 1200–1209 (1996)]. Using the Navier-Stokes equations to treat the air motion allows the calculation of the spatial variations and time dependences of the pressure and velocity near the lips, which has not been possible with previous modeling approaches. Detailed results for these quantities and for the lip motion are presented, and compared with the results of previous modeling of lip reed instruments and with available experimental results. Shortcomings are found in previous treatments of the aerodynamic force on the lips, and the implications of this result for first-principles modeling of brass instruments are discussed.
Peano-HASEL actuators: Muscle-mimetic, electrohydraulic transducers that linearly contract on activation
Authors: Kellaris Nicholas , Gopaluni Venkata Vidyacharan , Smith Garrett M. , Mitchell Shane K. , Keplinger Christoph
Published: January 2018

A class of fast, muscle-mimetic actuators uses electrohydraulic coupling to linearly contract on activation.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Intravenous Polymyxin B from Clinical Samples
Authors: Kubin Christine J. , Nelson Brian C. , Miglis Cristina , Scheetz Marc H. , Rhodes Nathaniel J. , Avedissian Sean N. , Cremers Serge , Yin Michael T.
Published: January 2018

A retrospective study was conducted in hospitalized patients receiving intravenous polymyxin B who underwent therapeutic drug monitoring during treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the population pharmacokinetics (PK) of intravenous polymyxin B in patients with variable total body weights and create a population model for clinical use. Nonlinear mixed-effects modeling analyses were performed. A total of 43 patients were included, and 70% of these patients were male. The median age was 58 years, and the median weight was 78 kg. The median polymyxin B dose was 180 mg/day or 2.8 mg/kg/day. A one-compartment model described the polymyxin B PK well with conditional mean parameter estimates of a clearance (CL) of 2.37 liters/h and a volume of distribution of 34.4 liters and can be employed for clinical population modeling. Total body weight was not significantly associated with CL (Akaike information criterion, 361.6 for the weight-based model versus 359.5 for the non-weight-based model). These data suggest that dosing according to patient body weight requires further exploration. Greater study is needed to assess the relationships between polymyxin B exposures and efficacy and toxicity.
Validation of Cycloserine Efficacy in Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant and Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Beijing, China
Authors: Yu Xia , Zeng Xiling , Shi Wenhui , Hu Yanjie , Nie Wenjuan , Chu Naihui , Huang Hairong
Published: January 2018

Cycloserine (Cs) is recommended by the World Health Organization as a second-line drug to treat multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB); however, its efficacy has never been sufficiently evaluated. To gain some insights into the value of cycloserine for MDR-TB treatment,
in vitro
bacteriostatic effect was determined and patient validations were performed prospectively. The
in vitro
activity of Cs against 104 wild-type
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains was determined, and serum Cs concentrations were measured for 73 MDR TB patients 2 h after administration. The treatment outcomes for 27 MDR-TB patients who had baseline isolates and were treated with Cs-containing regimens were followed up. The MICs for 90% of the recruited 104 wild-type strains were below 32 μg/ml. Eighteen out of 52 patients had peak serum concentrations (
C
max
) below 20 μg/ml at the dosage of 500 mg daily, while 13 out of 21 patients had peak serum concentrations higher than 35 μg/ml at the dosage of 750 mg daily. The percentage of favorable treatment outcomes among patients with a
C
max
/MIC ratio of ≥1 was statistically significantly higher than that among the group with a
C
max
/MIC ratio of <1 (
P
= 0.022). The epidemiological cutoff value for Cs susceptibility testing was 32 μg/ml. A high percentage of patients receiving the recommended dosage of 10 mg/kg for Cs administration could not acquire desirable blood concentrations; therefore, adjusting the dosage according to drug concentration monitoring is necessary. The
C
max
/MIC ratio might be a good indicator for predicting the treatment outcome for patients with MDR-TB or extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) who are being administered Cs-containing regimens.
Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Cefiderocol, a Novel Siderophore Cephalosporin for Gram-Negative Bacteria, in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Saisho Yutaka , Katsube Takayuki , White Scott , Fukase Hiroyuki , Shimada Jingoro
Published: January 2018

Cefiderocol is a novel parenteral siderophore cephalosporin that shows potent efficacy against various Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant strains,
in vitro
and in preclinical models of infection. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and tolerability of cefiderocol after both single and multiple dosing by intravenous infusion over 60 min in healthy adult subjects. A single-ascending-dose study at doses of 100, 250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg was conducted in 40 healthy Japanese males and females (6 individuals receiving the active drug and 2 individuals receiving a placebo per cohort). A multiple-ascending-dose study at doses of 1,000 (two groups) and 2,000 mg every 8 h (q8h) was conducted in 30 healthy Japanese and Caucasian males (8 individuals receiving the active drug and 2 individuals receiving a placebo per cohort). There were no serious or clinically significant adverse events (AEs) observed in either study. A single subject receiving 1,000 mg cefiderocol q8h was withdrawn due to AEs. Dose-proportional increases in the maximum plasma concentration (
C
max
), the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) from time zero to the time of the last quantifiable concentration after dosing, and the area under the concentration-time curve extrapolated from time zero to infinity were observed across the dose range of 100 to 2,000 mg. The mean plasma half-life of cefiderocol was 1.98 to 2.74 h. Cefiderocol was primarily excreted unchanged in the urine (61.5% to 68.4% of the dose). There was little accumulation of
C
max
and AUC by dosing q8h, and the PK of cefiderocol did not change with multiple dosing. This study indicates that single and multiple intravenous doses of cefiderocol at up to 2,000 mg are well tolerated in healthy subjects and exhibit linear PK at doses up to 2,000 mg.
Molecular Epidemiology of Dairy Cattle-Associated Escherichia coli Carrying
bla
CTX-M
Genes in Washington State
Authors: Afema Josephine A. , Ahmed Sara , Besser Thomas E. , Jones Lisa P. , Sischo William M. , Davis Margaret A.
Published: January 2018

An increase in the prevalence of commensal
Escherichia coli
carrying
bla
CTX-M
genes among dairy cattle was observed between 2008 and 2012 in Washington State. To study the molecular epidemiology of this change, we selected 126
bla
CTX-M
-positive and 126
bla
CTX-M
-negative isolates for determinations of the multilocus sequence types (MLSTs) and antibiotic resistance phenotypes from
E. coli
obtained during a previous study. For 99 isolates, we also determined the
bla
CTX-M
alleles using PCR and sequencing and identified the replicon types of
bla
CTX-M
-carrying plasmids. The
bla
CTX-M
-negative
E. coli
isolates comprised 76 sequence types (STs) compared with 32 STs in
bla
CTX-M
-positive
E. coli
isolates. The
bla
CTX-M
-positive
E. coli
isolates formed three MLST clonal complexes, accounting for 83% of these isolates; 52% of
bla
CTX-M
-negative
E. coli
isolates clustered into 10 clonal complexes, and the remainder were singletons. Overall,
bla
CTX-M
-negative
E. coli
isolates had more diverse genotypes that were distinct to farms, whereas
bla
CTX-M
-positive
E. coli
isolates had a clonal population structure and were widely disseminated on farms in both regions included in the study. Plasmid replicon types included IncI1 which predominated, followed by IncFIB and IncFIA/FIB.
bla
CTX-M-15
was the predominant CTX-M gene allele, followed by
bla
CTX-M-27
and
bla
CTX-M-14
. There was no significant association between plasmid replicon types and bacterial STs, and neither clonal complexes nor major plasmid groups were associated with two discrete dairy-farming regions of Washington State.

IMPORTANCE
Infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing
Escherichia coli
occur globally and present treatment challenges because of their resistance to multiple antimicrobial drugs. Cattle are potential reservoirs of ESBL-producing
Enterobacteriaceae
, and so understanding the causes of successful dissemination of
bla
CTX-M
genes in commensal bacteria will inform future approaches for the prevention of antibiotic-resistant pathogen emergence.
Mutations in Escherichia coli Polyphosphate Kinase That Lead to Dramatically Increased
In Vivo
Polyphosphate Levels
Authors: Rudat Amanda K. , Pokhrel Arya , Green Todd J. , Gray Michael J.
Published: January 2018

Bacteria synthesize inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) in response to a wide variety of stresses, and production of polyP is essential for stress response and survival in many important pathogens and bacteria used in biotechnological processes. However, surprisingly little is known about the molecular mechanisms that control polyP synthesis. We have therefore developed a novel genetic screen that specifically links growth of
Escherichia coli
to polyP synthesis, allowing us to isolate mutations leading to enhanced polyP production. Using this system, we have identified mutations in the polyP-synthesizing enzyme polyP kinase (PPK) that lead to dramatic increases in
in vivo
polyP synthesis but do not substantially affect the rate of polyP synthesis by PPK
in vitro
. These mutations are distant from the PPK active site and found in interfaces between monomers of the PPK tetramer. We have also shown that high levels of polyP lead to intracellular magnesium starvation. Our results provide new insights into the control of bacterial polyP accumulation and suggest a simple, novel strategy for engineering bacteria with increased polyP contents.

IMPORTANCE
PolyP is an ancient, universally conserved biomolecule and is important for stress response, energy metabolism, and virulence in a remarkably broad range of microorganisms. PolyP accumulation by bacteria is also important in biotechnology applications. For example, it is critical to enhanced biological phosphate removal (EBPR) from wastewater. Understanding how bacteria control polyP synthesis is therefore of broad importance in both the fields of bacterial pathogenesis and biological engineering. Using
Escherichia coli
as a model organism, we have identified the first known mutations in polyP kinase that lead to increases in cellular polyP content.
Monitoring of Cytomegalovirus (CMV)-Specific Cell-Mediated Immunity in Heart Transplant Recipients: Clinical Utility of the QuantiFERON-CMV Assay for Management of Posttransplant CMV Infection
Authors: Chiereghin Angela , Potena Luciano , Borgese Laura , Gibertoni Dino , Squarzoni Diego , Turello Gabriele , Petrisli Evangelia , Piccirilli Giulia , Gabrielli Liliana , Grigioni Francesco , Lazzarotto Tiziana
Published: January 2018

The clinical utility of the QuantiFERON-CMV (QFN-CMV) assay in heart transplant recipients was assessed. Forty-four cytomegalovirus (CMV)-seropositive patients were enrolled: 17 received antiviral prophylaxis, and 27 were managed preemptively. CMV-DNAemia monitoring was performed by the use of a quantitative real-time PCR assay. The QFN-CMV assay was retrospectively performed on blood samples collected at five posttransplant time points. A higher proportion of patients with an indeterminate QFN-CMV result after the suspension of prophylaxis than of patients who showed a global T-cell responsiveness developed CMV infection (
P
= 0.036). Patients who reconstituted a CMV-specific response following the first CMV-DNAemia-positive result (42.9%) showed a median CMV-DNAemia peak 1 log of magnitude lower than that seen with patients with indeterminate results, and all controlled viral replication spontaneously. The 25% of patients with an indeterminate result developed CMV disease. In the preemptive strategy group, no differences in the development of subsequent infection, magnitude of viral load, and viral control were observed on the basis of QFN-CMV measurements performed before and after the first CMV-DNAemia-positive result. Considering both CMV prevention strategies, viral relapse was associated with the failure to reconstitute CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) after the resolution of the first episode of CMV infection (
P
= 0.032). QFN-CMV measurements can be a useful tool for identifying patients (i) at higher risk of developing infection after discontinuing antiviral prophylaxis, (ii) with late CMV infection who would benefit from appropriate antiviral interventions, and (iii) at higher risk of viral relapses. QFN-CMV measurements taken within 1 month posttransplantation (early period) are not revealing.
Tuberculosis: Just the FAQs
Authors: Guinn Kristine M. , Rubin Eric J.
Published: January 2018

Tuberculosis is responsible for more deaths worldwide than any other infectious disease. For anyone looking to learn more about this persistent public health threat, this conversational “frequently asked questions” style review addresses a breadth of questions. It offers a brief, somewhat opinionated, review of what is and is not known, particularly in light of how findings in the lab do or do not help inform the understanding of human tuberculosis.
Case of nasogastric tube dysfunction
Authors: Rainer Florian , Prenner Guenther , Binder Lukas Peter , Fickert Peter , Plank Johannes
Published: January 2018

Clinical presentation

An elderly female patient was admitted to intensive care for prolonged vasopressor therapy and mechanical ventilation after cardiac arrest and acute percutaneous coronary intervention. Antiplatelet, thyroid hormone replacement and statin therapies were administered through a 14-French nasogastric tube (Nestlé Health Science) and enteral feeding was initiated. Correct position of the nasogastric tube was confirmed radiologically. On the seventh day in the intensive care, our patient was seen to regurgitate soft crumbs into her mouth. The blocked nasogastric tube was removed, but attempts to reinsert another tube failed.

Upper GI endoscopy revealed an obstruction of the oesophagus with a milky-yellowish caseous substance 20 cm from the incisors (figure 1). The proximal part of the mass showed a central hole and ring-shaped layers resembling the cut face of a tree trunk.

Figure 1

Obstruction of the oesophagus with a milky-yellowish caseous substance.

Questions

What caused the obstruction?

How should we manage such a problem?
Arterial stiffness association with chronic inflammatory disorders in the UK Biobank study
Authors: Dregan Alex
Published: January 2018

Objective

The present study tested the hypothesis that arterial stiffness will be elevated across overall and specific inflammatory disorders compared with an inflammation-free comparison group.

Methods

Adults (n=171 125) aged 40–70 years from the UK Biobank who were cardiovascular disease (CVD) free and who had their arterial stiffness assessed at the time of study recruitment between 2006 and 2010 were included. The main exposure was represented by a global measure of chronic inflammatory disorders. Two inflammatory biomarker measures (eg, leucocytes count, granulocytes count) were included as markers of inflammation severity. The arterial stiffness index assessed by a non-invasive technique represented the study primary outcome measure.

Results

A total of 5976 (3%) participants diagnosed with inflammatory disorders and 165 149 participants without an inflammatory disorder had data on arterial stiffness. Adjusted linear regression analyses revealed a 14% increment in mean arterial stiffness for chronic inflammatory disorders (beta coefficient (β) 1.14, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.24, P=0.002) compared with no chronic inflammatory disorder. Arterial stiffness tended to increase (P value=0.031) with tertiles of leucocytes and granulocytes count. For instance, mean arterial stiffness values increased from 1.11 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.29) in the first tertile to 1.17 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.34) in the second tertile, and 1.21 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.39) in the third tertile of leucocytes count. There was evidence for similar associations with some of the most common individual inflammatory disorders, including psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Conclusion

Arterial stiffness was associated with multiple chronic inflammatory disorders. An increasing trend in mean arterial stiffness was also documented with increasing tertiles of different inflammatory biomarkers. Future studies are needed to investigate the discriminant value of arterial stiffness to predict major CVD events within various inflammatory disorders.
Electron–photon interaction in de Sitter ambient space formalism
Authors: Jalilifard F. , Ahmadi Y. , Takook M. V.
Published: January 2018

The electron–photon interaction (the spinor–vector field interaction) in the de Sitter ambient space formalism is investigated in the first (leading order) approximation. The interaction Lagrangian and the scattering matrix are presented. In this approximation, the scattering matrix can be written as a expansion of the interaction Lagrangian. The tree-diagram of electron–photon scattering amplitude is calculated. Finally, the Minkowski limit is considered.
How to centralize and normalize quandle extensions
Authors: Duckerts-Antoine Mathieu , Even Valérian , Montoli Andrea
Published: January 2018

We show that quandle coverings in the sense of Eisermann form a (regular epi)-reflective subcategory of the category of surjective quandle homomorphisms, both by using arguments coming from categorical Galois theory and by constructing concretely a centralization congruence. Moreover, we show that a similar result holds for normal quandle extensions.
SURFACE-RELIEF THREE-PORT OUTPUT WITH A CONNECTING LAYER GRATING UNDER THE SECOND BRAGG CONDITION
Authors: WANG BO , ZHU WENHUA , LI HONGTAO , YIN SUFANG , SU CHENGYUE , CHEN LI , LEI LIANG , ZHOU JINYUN
Published: January 2018

A three-port surface-relief grating with a connecting layer under the second Bragg condition is put forward and designed for the free space application in this paper. Such grating can function as a beam splitter, which can split the polarized light into the [Formula: see text]2nd order and the [Formula: see text]1st order and the 0th order based on the optimum grating profile parameters. By using rigorous coupled-wave analysis, a highly-efficient polarization-dependent connecting-layer-based grating can be obtained with the optimum different depths and thicknesses with the grating duty cycle of 0.65 and grating period of 1150[Formula: see text]nm. On the basis of the designed grating profile parameters, a modal method can explain the propagating process. Compared with the conventional surface-relief fused-silica grating, the diffraction efficiencies for TE polarization in three orders are improved. Therefore, the novel conception of the grating under the second Bragg condition is significant for further applications such as interferometer with improved efficiency for TE polarization.
1D Columnar stacking structures in the single crystals of 5,10-diarylporphyrin metal complexes
Authors: Tanaka Takayuki , Ueta Kento , Ikeda Shin , Aratani Naoki , Osuka Atsuhiro
Published: January 2018

A general design of a meso-aryl porphyrin for the formation of a 1D columnar stacking structure in the single crystal state is proposed. We found that 5,10-diphenyl- and 5,10-bis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin metal complexes (M = Zn, Ni) can stack in a complementary manner to form a 1D columnar stacking structure in the single crystals, while the corresponding freebase porphyrins displayed herringbone or dimeric orthogonal packing forms. The structural details of the obtained 1D columnar packing structures are discussed in comparison with precedented examples including 5,10-diphenylporphyrin Cu(II) and Ag(II) complexes, 5,10-diphenyl [Formula: see text]-confused porphyrin Ag(III) complex and 5,10-bis(pentafluorophenyl)corrole.
Thermodynamics of interaction ofmeso-tetra-(4N-oxyethylpyridyl) porphyrin and its Cu(II)- and Co(II)- containing derivatives with A and B forms of DNA
Authors: Avetisyan Ani A. , Vardanyan Ishkhan V. , Dalyan Yeva B.
Published: January 2018

The interaction of water soluble meso-tetra-(4N-oxyethylpyridyl) porphyrin (TOEPyP4) and its Cu(II)- and Co(II)-containing derivatives (CuTOEPyP4 and CoTOEPyP4) with A and B forms of DNA at low ionic strength was studied via UV-vis spectrophotometry and Circular Dichroism. It is shown that the binding constant of TOEPyP4 and CuTOEPyP4 with A–DNA is two times larger than with B–DNA, and the binding constant of CoTOEPyP4 does not depend on the form of DNA. The thermodynamical analysis based on spectral data indicates the preferable entropic character of porphyrins binding with both forms of DNA. This result shows that at low ionic strength the external groove binding mode is a preferred binding mechanism of these porphyrins with both forms of DNA.
Towards new multivalent supramolecular helical structures based on phthalocyanines for PDT applications
Authors: García-Iglesias Miguel , Huerta Elisa
Published: January 2018

The self-assembly of [Formula: see text]-D-glucose octafunctionalized Zn(II) phtalocyanine (ZnPc) in aqueous media has been investigated using different techniques such as UV, CD and diffusion-ordered [Formula: see text]H-NMR spectroscopy (DOSY). The formation of supramolecular columnar helical aggregates with a preferred handedness due to the presence of the sugar moiety has been confirmed by these techniques. Moreover, the stability of the supramolecular polymers formed has been assessed by using pyridine as a zinc ligand, disrupting the aggregates or inducing their formation by dilution of the system.
Mathematical model of the effects of government intervention and rehabilitation of prostitution
Authors: Lanz Aprillya , White Zakar , Alford Terry L.
Published: January 2018

In the United States, prostitution is considered illegal in all but one state; Nevada allows some legal activities in exchange for substantial guidelines. In 2010, approximately 43,600 females were arrested for prostitution. Numerous intervention programs were established in order to obstruct the lifestyle of a prostitute (PRP, Project ROSE, etc.). There are many documentations and programs that share their forethought on prostitution; however, few target prostitution directly. To determine the dynamics of prostitution, this paper constructs a four-class compartmental model that focuses on the effectiveness of government intervention and rehabilitation of prostitutes mathematically. The basic reproductive number, [Formula: see text], helps to discover the threshold values for the dynamics of prostitution to become both prevalent or absent in society. This paper predominately observes government intervention to curtail a prostitution prevalent society. Various parameters and variables help to define and indicate the dynamics of prostitution to construct viable simulations. Successful prostitution interaction prevention deemed essential in prostitution prevention; however, government intervention corresponding with successful rehabilitation competitively challenges prostitution interaction prevention in reducing basic reproductive values.
Toric geometry in polymake
Authors: Kastner Lars , Lorenz Benjamin , Paffenholz Andreas , Winz Anna-Lena
Published: January 2018

We give an overview of the application 'fulton' for toric geometry of the software framework polymake. Using two-dimensional cyclic quotient singularities as our main example, we will show how to create toric varieties and divisors on these. The Singular interface of polymake allows one to go back to the algebraic side in case there is no combinatorial algorithm known yet, in order to develop new conjectures and algorithms.
Go-realtime
Authors: Fang Zhou , Luo Mulong , Anwar Fatima M. , Zhuang Hao , Gupta Rajesh K.
Published: January 2018

We present the design of Go-RealTime, a lightweight framework for real-time parallel programming based on Go language. Go-RealTime is implemented in user space with portability and efficiency as important design goals. It takes the advantage of Go language's ease of programming and natural model of concurrency. Goroutines are adapted to provide scheduling for real-time tasks, with resource reservation enabled by exposing Linux APIs to Go. We demonstrate nearly full utilization on 32 processors scheduling periodic heavy tasks using Least Laxity First (LLF) algorithm. With its abstraction and system support, Go-RealTime greatly simplifies the set up of sequential and parallel real-time programs on multiprocessor systems.
Amegakaryocytic Thrombocytopenia and Subsequent Aplastic Anemia Associated with Apparent Epstein-Barr Virus Infection
Authors: Levy Ilana , Laor Ruth , Jiries Nizar , Bejar Jacob , Polliack Aaron , Tadmor Tamar
Published: January 2018

Acquired amegakaryocytic thrombocytopenia (AAT), a rare entity characterized by severe thrombocytopenia and the absence of megakaryocytes in the bone marrow, may mimic or precede the diagnosis of aplastic anemia (AA). Here, we describe a patient who presented with apparent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated immune thrombocytopenia resistant to several lines of therapies, which was in fact a form of AAT with some features of AA. He eventually responded to therapy with eltrombopag, cyclosporine A (CSA), and antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and recovered completely. EBV infection is known to cause a variety of benign and malignant hematologic disorders, including bone marrow failure. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of EBV-associated AAT. Treatment options for AAT are still not well defined, and even response to eltrombopag together with CSA and ATG does not always imply successful therapy. The natural history of EBV infection may well be sufficient to explain unexpected eventual recovery.
Intravenous Drug Use-Associated Scopulariopsis Endophthalmitis Treated with Systemic and Intravitreal Voriconazole
Authors: Raevis Joseph J. , Shaik Neha , Tseng Joseph
Published: January 2018

Purpose: To report a case of intravenous (i.v.) heroin use-associated endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Scopulariopsis fungal species, and its response to intravitreal and oral voriconazole treatments. Patient: A 21-year-old-female with chronic hepatitis C and i.v. heroin use presented with subacute decreased vision to hand motion in her left eye. Results: Endogenous fungal endophthalmitis caused by Scopulariopsis was confirmed by vitreous biopsy. The patient improved clinically after vitrectomy with intravitreal voriconazole and 3 weeks of oral voriconazole. The final vision was 20/60 after 6 months. Conclusions: Scopulariopsis is a rare cause of endophthalmitis, and is often difficult to treat due to its resistance to commonly used antifungals. This case is the first report of Scopulariopsis endophthalmitis secondary to i.v. drug use.
Metastatic Intimal Sarcoma of the Pulmonary Artery Sensitive to Carboplatin-Vinorelbine Chemotherapy: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Cantaloube Marie , Moureau-Zabotto Laurence , Mescam Lena , Monneur Audrey , Deluca Valeria , Guiramand Jerome , Perrot Delphine , Bertucci François
Published: January 2018

Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma (PAIS) is a very rare tumour with a very poor prognosis. In advanced stages, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are poorly efficient, and no standard chemotherapy guideline is currently available. Here, we report on a 37-year-old woman with PAIS initially treated with surgical resection who developed metastatic relapse refractory to anthracycline-based chemotherapy, then trabectedin, then pazopanib. The patient was then given carboplatin-vinorelbine chemotherapy. The treatment was well tolerated, and, rapidly, a CT scan showed an objective response that lasted 8 months despite the 4th therapeutic line. We review the literature and show that our case is the second one that provides evidence of the efficacy of platinum-vinorelbine regimens in this aggressive tumour.
Low Self-rated Health Is Related to Blood Hypercoagulability in Patients Admitted with Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: von Känel Roland , Meister-Langraf Rebecca , Schmid Jean-Paul , Barth Jürgen , Znoj Hansjörg , Schnyder Ulrich , Princip Mary
Published: January 2018

Self-rated health (SRH) is independently associated with all-cause mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in individuals with and without cardiovascular disease. We examined whether SRH relates to haemostatic factors of a hypercoagulable state with prognostic impact in patients admitted with acute myocardial infarction (MI). We assessed 190 patients (median age: 59 years; all Caucasian; 83% men) within 48 hours of an acute coronary intervention in terms of demographic factors, medical and psychiatric comorbidity, health behaviours, cardiac-related variables and psychosocial characteristics. Patients rated their health state before MI retrospectively with the EuroQol Visual Analogue Scale ranging from 0 (‘worst imaginable health state’) to 100 (‘best imaginable health state’). Circulating levels of fibrinogen, fibrin D-dimer and von Willebrand factor (VWF) antigen were measured the morning after hospital referral. The median score of SRH was 75 (range: 20–100). SRH was inversely associated with fibrinogen (r =  − 0.25, p = 0.001) and D-dimer (r =  − 0.17, p = 0.021) levels in the bivariate analysis. Stronger relationships emerged for fibrinogen (r =  − 0.33, p < 0.001), D-dimer (r =  − 0.25, p = 0.001) and also VWF (r =  − 0.19, p = 0.015) levels in fully adjusted linear regression models. As for SRH, the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score was the only covariate showing an independent association with all haemostatic factors (fibrinogen: r = 0.31, D-dimer: r = 0.29, VWF: r = 0.30; all p-values < 0.001). Lower SRH was associated with greater coagulability in patients with acute MI, independent of covariates and comparable with the GRACE risk score. The findings provide a novel psychobiological mechanism that may potentially link SRH with cardiovascular outcome in patients with an acute coronary syndrome.
Dietary Nitrate Supplementation Reduces Circulating Platelet-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Coronary Artery Disease Patients on Clopidogrel Therapy: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Burnley-Hall Nicholas , Abdul Fairoz , Androshchuk Vitaliy , Morris Keith , Ossei-Gerning Nick , Anderson Richard , Rees D. , James Philip
Published: January 2018

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Specifically, platelet-derived EVs are highly pro-coagulant, promoting thrombin generation and fibrin clot formation. Nitrate supplementation exerts beneficial effects in CVD, via an increase in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Clopidogrel is capable of producing NO-donating compounds, such as S-nitrosothiols (RSNO) in the presence of nitrite and low pH. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of nitrate supplementation with versus without clopidogrel therapy on circulating EVs in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, CAD patients with (n = 10) or without (n = 10) clopidogrel therapy received a dietary nitrate supplement (SiS nitrate gel) or identical placebo. NO metabolites and platelet activation were measured using ozone-based chemiluminescence and multiple electrode aggregometry. EV concentration and origin were determined using nanoparticle tracking analysis and time-resolved fluorescence. Following nitrate supplementation, plasma RSNO was elevated (4.7 ± 0.8 vs 0.2 ± 0.5 nM) and thrombin-receptor mediated platelet aggregation was reduced (−19.9 ± 6.0 vs 4.0 ± 6.4 U) only in the clopidogrel group compared with placebo. Circulating EVs were significantly reduced in this group (−1.183e11 ± 3.15e10 vs −9.93e9 ± 1.84e10 EVs/mL), specifically the proportion of CD41+ EVs (−2,120 ± 728 vs 235 ± 436 RFU [relative fluorescence unit]) compared with placebo. In vitro experiments demonstrated clopidogrel–SNO can reduce platelet-EV directly (6.209e10 ± 4.074e9 vs 3.94e11 ±  1.91e10 EVs/mL). In conclusion, nitrate supplementation reduces platelet-derived EVs in CAD patients on clopidogrel therapy, increasing patient responsiveness to clopidogrel. Nitrate supplementation may represent a novel approach to moderating the risk of thrombus formation in CAD patients.
Deletion of IκB‐Kinase β in Smooth Muscle Cells Induces Vascular Calcification Through β‐Catenin–Runt‐Related Transcription Factor 2 Signaling
Authors: Al‐Huseini Isehaq , Ashida Noboru , Kimura Takeshi
Published: January 2018

Background

Vascular calcification was previously considered as an advanced phase of atherosclerosis; however, recent studies have indicated that such calcification can appear in different situations. Nevertheless, there has been a lack of mechanistic insight to explain the difference. For example, the roles of nuclear factor‐κB, a major regulator of inflammation, in vascular calcification are poorly explored, although its roles in atherosclerosis were well documented. Herein, we investigated the roles of nuclear factor‐κB signaling in vascular calcification.

Methods and Results

We produced mice with deletion of
IKK
β, an essential kinase for nuclear factor‐κB activation, in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs; KO mice) and subjected them to the CaCl
2
‐induced aorta injury model. Unexpectedly,
KO
mice showed more calcification of the aorta than their wild‐type littermates, despite the former's suppressed nuclear factor‐κB activity. Cultured
VSMC
s from the aorta of
KO
mice also showed significant calcification in vitro. In the molecular analysis, we found that Runt‐related transcription factor 2, a transcriptional factor accelerating bone formation, was upregulated in cultured
VSMC
s from
KO
mice, and its regulator β‐catenin was more activated with suppressed ubiquitination in
KO VSMC
s. Furthermore, we examined
VSMC
s from mice in which kinase‐active or kinase‐dead
IKK
β was overexpressed in
VSMC
s. We found that kinase‐independent function of
IKK
β is involved in suppression of calcification via inactivation of β‐catenin, which leads to suppression of Runt‐related transcription factor 2 and osteoblast marker genes.

Conclusions

IKK
β negatively regulates
VSMC
calcification through β‐catenin–Runt‐related transcription factor 2 signaling, which revealed a novel function of
IKK
β on vascular calcification.
Uremic Advanced Glycation End Products and Protein‐Bound Solutes Induce Endothelial Dysfunction Through Suppression of Krüppel‐Like Factor 2
Authors: Saum Keith , Campos Begoña , Celdran‐Bonafonte Diego , Nayak Lalitha , Sangwung Panjamaporn , Thakar Charuhas , Roy‐Chaudhury Prabir , Owens A. Phillip
Published: January 2018

Background

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with end‐stage renal disease. The accumulation of uremic solutes in this patient population is associated with endothelial dysfunction and accelerated cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined the impact of the uremic milieu on the endothelial transcription factor, Krüppel‐like factor 2 (
KLF
2), a key regulator of endothelial function and activation.

Methods and Results

Using serum from uremic pigs with chronic renal insufficiency, our results show that
KLF
2 expression is suppressed by the uremic milieu and individual uremic solutes in vitro. Specifically,
KLF
2 expression is significantly decreased in human umbilical vein endothelial cells after treatment with uremic porcine serum or carboxymethyllysine‐modified albumin, an advanced glycation end product (
AGE
) known to induce endothelial dysfunction.
AGE
‐mediated suppression of
KLF
2 is dependent on activation of the receptor for
AGE
, as measured by small interfering
RNA
knockdown of the receptor for
AGE
. Furthermore,
KLF
2 suppression promotes endothelial dysfunction, because adenoviral overexpression of
KLF
2 inhibits reactive oxygen species production and leukocyte adhesion in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, the application of hemodynamic shear stress, prolonged serum dialysis, or treatment with the receptor for
AGE
antagonist azeliragon (
TTP
488) is sufficient to prevent
KLF
2 suppression in vitro. To decipher the mechanism by which uremic
AGE
s suppress
KLF
2 expression, we assessed the role of the receptor for
AGE
in activation of nuclear factor‐κB signaling, a hallmark of endothelial cell activation. Using a constitutively active form of IκBα, we show that translocation of p65 to the nucleus is necessary for
KLF
2 suppression after treatment with uremic
AGE
s.

Conclusions

These data identify
KLF
2 suppression as a consequence of the uremic milieu, which may exacerbate endothelial dysfunction and resultant cardiovascular disease.
Lizard tail-loss rates on islands are not governed by longer life spans
Authors: Itescu Yuval , Schwarz Rachel , Meiri Shai , Pafilis Panayiotis
Published: January 2018

We recently studied whether, on islands, predation or intraspecific aggression is the main driver of tail-loss, a common defense mechanism among lizards. We concluded the latter was the stronger driver (Itescu et al. 2017). Werner (2017) suggested that we failed to falsify an alternative hypothesis. He claims that on low-predation islands lizards live longer. Thus while tail loss is caused by predators, it accumulates over longer periods, resulting in overall higher tail-loss rates in populations experiencing weak predation. Here we test this hypothesis and three other arguments he presented, and fail to support them. We therefore adhere to our original conclusion that intraspecific aggression is the main driver of lizard tail loss on islands.
Commentary on the Factors Governing the Rate of Tail Loss in Island Lizards
Authors: Werner Yehudah L.
Published: January 2018

Opinions differ whether tail loss in lizards is mainly caused by predators or by intra-specific fighting. Recently this dilemma was investigated through a comparison of lizard tail loss rates between mainland populations in Greece and those on nearby islands harboring fewer predators. The higher tail loss rate on the islands was interpreted as due to the predation-free denser lizard populations having more intra-specific fighting (Itescu et al. 2017, Journal of Animal Ecology 86: 66–74). However, that analysis failed to exclude an alternative hypothesis which I propose and support with well documented circumstantial evidence: The lizards analyzed were Hemidactylus turcicus and Mediodactylus kotschyi (Gekkonidae), both relatively long-lived. On the predator-poor islands they could live longer due to the few predators and thus accumulate the low rate of tail loss. Moreover, both on the mainland and on the islands the tail loss rates are higher in M. kotschyi than in H. turcicus, although life spans are of similar order of magnitude, possibly longer in H. turcicus. But the latter is active at night whereas M. kotschyi is active also in daytime, exposed to more predators during more time. Thus also this inter-specific difference accords with the alternative hypothesis. The two processes are not mutually exclusive and both should be taken into account as potentially responsible for the rate of tail loss in lizards.
Dostoevsky, Filaret, and The Principles of Christian Teaching
Authors: Rzhevsky Nicholas
Published: January 2018

The influence of a fundamental text and its author on Dostoevsky has been neglected in Dostoevsky scholarship. The text in question is Metropolitan Filaret’s (secular name Vasily Drozdov) catechism, Haчaтки xpиcтиaнcкoгo учeния [Principles of Christian Teaching]. Filaret was a leading religious presence on Dostoevsky’s cultural horizon throughout his life and the catechism, along with the Russian version of the New Testament Filaret helped translate, goes to the heart of the central religious issues Dostoevsky integrated into his fiction. Dostoevsky’s remark about the stench of Filaret’s corpse included in the notes to the Brothers Karamazov suggests the writer’s crucial themes of faith and disbelief played out in Zossima’s death as well as the issues of miracles, mystery, and authority to which he invites his readers.
Dostoevsky, Consciousness and Romantic Irony
Authors: Fung Paul
Published: January 2018

This article reconsiders Dostoevsky in relation to Schlegel’s idea of irony, which is based on the premise that the human subject is self-dividing. The romantic imagines to achieve a stable and united self, but that wish is continually shown futile in an infinite process of self-reflection. Romantic irony therefore is a mode of existence marked by a desire for an organic whole and the realization that such desire is impossible. The Dostoevsky’s hero is thrown to such ironic situation, where human subjectivity is continually confirmed and disconfirmed. The article first discusses references to Russian romanticism in Dostoevsky’s writings. It then moves on to a rereading of Notes from Underground and The Brothers Karamazov. Schlegel’s critical fragments are used throughout to illuminates the ironic quality of Dostoevsky’s writings. The article ends with a comparison between Dostoevsky and Schlegel’s views on irony.
Cyclotella deceusteriana, a new centric diatom species (Bacillariophyta) from the sub-Antarctic Region
Authors: VAN DE VIJVER BART , DESSEIN STEVEN
Published: January 2018

During a survey of the freshwater diatom flora of the sub-Antarctic region (Iles Kerguelen and Iles Crozet) in the southern Indian Ocean, an unknown Cyclotella taxon was observed that was formerly identified as the presumed cosmopolitan C. meneghinana. Detailed morphological analysis based on light and scanning electron microscopical observations and comparison with several similar Cyclotella taxa worldwide justified the description of this unknown taxon as a new species: Cyclotella deceusteriana sp. nov. The new taxon is characterized by the presence of marginal fultoportulae on every costa, hyaline furrows between the raised marginal parts on which the striae are located, 2, occasionally 1, 3 or 4 central fultoportulae and an entirely flat, smooth, relatively small central area. The new species is described and compared with other Cyclotella taxa. Notes on its distribution and ecology are added.
Revision of the genus Adelogorgia Bayer, 1958 (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Octocorallia) with the description of three new species
Authors: BREEDY ODALISCA , GUZMAN HECTOR M
Published: January 2018

The genus Adelogorgia is distinguished from other holaxonians in having conspicuously ornamented double-disc sclerites and leaf clubs in the coenenchyme, and non-mineralised axis cores. The two eastern Pacific species currently recognised as Adelogorgia are diagnosed and illustrated. Three new species for the genus are described from new localities and depth ranges. Analysis of external and internal characters, especially sclerite colours and sizes, and colony colour, shape and branching, allows separating the species. An identification key to the five species is provided, as well as a character table for comparisons. This study was based on newly collected specimens from 50 to 200 m deep, and re-examination of all historical material. We conclude that the genus comprises five valid species with a wider distribution than previously reported. This research is a contribution to the octocoral systematics and biodiversity from mesophotic and deep waters.
Redescription of Brachyolus punctatus White, 1846 (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Entiminae), with synonyms and lectotype designations
Authors: BROWN SAMUEL D. J.
Published: January 2018

The New Zealand entimine weevil species Brachyolus punctatus White, 1846 is redescribed, with the following new synonyms proposed: Brachyolus albescens Broun, 1903, Inophloeus breviusculus Broun, 1880, Brachyolus elegans Broun, 1893 and Brachyolus viridescens Broun, 1893.