bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FLEXURAL CAPACITY ASSESSMENT OF BRICK AGGREGATED PRE-CRACKED RC BEAM STRENGTHENED WITH CARBON FIBER POLYMER
Authors: Mamun Niaz Md , Islam G. M. Sadiqul , Alam Md Jahangir
Published: April 2019

Ageing and improvements to design code has led to many existing RC structures made of locally available brick aggregates are now found structurally deficient and are in need of rehabilitation. This research emphases on flexural capacity assessment and investigation of failure modes of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP) strengthened brick aggregated RC beams. Flexural performance of the RC beam specimens are evaluated using four point bending method. Six RC beams (initially cracked) with CFRP strengthening were tested by varying (i) type of CFRP, (ii) reinforcing area, (iii) anchorage type; and (iv) number of CFRP layers. Two beams were tested as control specimens. Unidirectional carbon fiber sheet (Tow Sheet) and individually hardened continuous fiber strands woven into sheet form (Strand Sheet) were used. Simple flexure failure was obtained for unstrengthened RC beams while end plate and interfacial debonding were observed for the initially cracked CFRP strengthened RC beams. Strengthening of pre-cracked beams using Strand Sheet gave better performance compared to Tow sheet. Overall flexural strength improvement of CFRP strengthened beams varied from 12% to 34% with respect to unstrengthened beams depending on strengthening methods.
WASTEWATER CHARACTERIZATION AND SEQUENCING BATCH REACTOR OPERATION FOR AEROBIC GRANULAR SLUDGE CULTIVATION
Authors: Basri Hazlami Fikri , Nor Anuar Aznah , Ab Halim Mohd Hakim
Published: April 2019

Studying the possibility of forming aerobic granules on real domestic sewage was a logical step in the scaling-up process and development of Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) technology. It was noted that influent wastewater composition and Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) operation cycle time are important factors that can influence the formation of AGS. Therefore, this study aims to determine the suitability of influent wastewater from Bunus Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) for AGS cultivation and then propose a proper SBR operation cycle time. In this study, wastewater characterization was done for the influent of wastewater treatment plant located in Bunus, Kuala Lumpur. The result was then analysed and compared with previous research to determine the suitability of AGS cultivation. The information on SBR from previous studies were also gathered to propose SBR operation cycle time that suit the Bunus WWTP influent. The findings indicate that the wastewater can be characterized as low strength domestic wastewater with low organic and nutrients content. The values of related parameters in this study have shown that influent wastewater of Bunus WWTP is suitable for cultivating AGS. For the proposed SBR operation, the cycle time is 3h, which consist of 60 min (fill), 110 min (aerate), 5 min (settle), and 5 min (discharge), respectively.
COMPOSED COEFFICIENT TECHNIQUE FOR MODELLING BARRETTE GROUPS
Authors: El Gendy Mahmoud , Ibrahim Hassan , El Arabi Ibrahim
Published: April 2019

Most of soil structure interaction methods for analyzing large-section supports such as barrette foundation modeling and the surrounding soil are using 3D finite element (FE) models. In which, the model leads to a large finite element mesh, and consequently a large system of linear equations to be solved. In this paper, Composed Coefficient Technique (CCT) is adapted for analyzing barrette group. The technique considers the 3D full interactions between barrettes and the surrounding soil. Due to the high rigidity of the barrettes relative to the surrounding soil, a uniform settlement for the barrettes can be considered. This is done to compose the stiffness coefficients of the soil matrix into composed coefficients, which consequently leads to a significant reduction in the soil stiffness matrix. An application for analyzing barrette group by CCT technique is carried out on a real subsoil. The application presents guidelines and diagrams for barrette group that may be used in real practice.
COMPRESSIBLITY OF PEAT SOIL IMPROVED WITH POLYURETHANE
Authors: Mohamed Jais Ismacahyadi Bagus , Che Lat Diana , Tengku Endut Tengku Nur Dalila
Published: April 2019

This research investigated the compressibility of natural peat soil and peat soil improved with polyurethane foam. High natural moisture content, high compressibility, low bearing capacity and medium to low permeability is a problem and characteristic of a peat soil. This problem can be solved by reducing the compressibility of the peat soil. The objective of this study is mainly to prove whether the presence of polyurethane foam as a lightweight material on peat soil can reduce the compressibility of peat soil or otherwise. Fifteen samples of peat soil taken from Johan Setia, Klang were tested using Oedometer test with load is doubled at each increment until it reaches the maximum required load which is 10kPa, 20kPa, 40kPa, 80kPa, 160kPa, 320kPa and 640kPa. Polyurethane foam is a lightweight material, therefore reduces the overburden pressure to the underlying soil, hence future settlement can be minimized to a tolerable settlement value. Based on the data obtained from analysis of Oedometer test, the compressibility parameters including void ratio, compression index and swelling index of the peat soil alone are very high which denoted extremely poor condition of the peat soil. The compressibility parameters improved significantly with the PU foam stabilization as PU act as a void filler for peat soil. A slight increase in the compressibility parameters are recorded with higher ratio of isocyanate.  However, the maximum pre-consolidation pressure recorded was with PU ratio of 1:1. Therefore, the optimum ratio for PU peat stabilization is in the ratio of 1:1.
Fisicoculturistas consumidores de esteroides anabolizantes y sus relaciones con la autodescripción física y la ansiedad física social
Authors: Arbinaga Ibarzábal Félix
Published: April 2019

Se determinan las características sobre ansiedad física social y la autodescripción física en 55 varones físicoculturistas usuarios de esteroides anabolizantes y 95 no usuarios, valorado el consumo a través del Índice de Masa Corporal Libre de Grasa. En la escala SPAS los consumidores dan unos valores superiores a los no consumidores en la puntuación total y en la Expectativa ante la Evaluación Negativa, y muy ajustadas las diferencias en el Confort con la Presencia Física. En Autodescripción, valorada mediante el Cuestionario de Autodescripción Física (PSDQ), se muestra que los no usuarios puntúan por encima. Sin embargo, no se dan diferencias en las puntuaciones globales en Autodescripción de la Forma Física. Se observan las correlaciones inversas y significativas entre las dos escalas; con la dimensión Autodescripción Física y con Autodescripción de la Forma Física.
Inventario del Desarrollo de Habilidades Comunicativas McArthur-Bates (CDI): Propuesta de una versión abreviada
Authors: Farkas Klein Chamarrita
Published: April 2019

Los Inventarios del Desarrollo de Habilidades Comunicativas de McArthur-Bates (CDI) evalúan el desarrollo del lenguaje en niños y niñas, a través del reporte de un cuidador significativo. El primer inventario evalúa lenguaje verbal y no verbal en infantes de 8 y 18 meses y se compone de 949 reactivos, distribuidos en 6 escalas. Este estudio propone una versión abreviada del instrumento, para lo cual fue aplicado a familiares y educadoras de 130 infantes chilenos de 11 a 15 meses. Se realizaron análisis de reactivos, de confiabilidad y validez, y análisis factorial de las subescalas. La versión abreviada considera 241 reactivos, distribuidos en 4 escalas. Las evaluaciones de las propiedades psicométricas de la escala resultaron satisfactorias, mostrando confiabilidad y validez adecuadas.
Validity of the Human System Audit Transformational Leadership Short Scale (HSA-TFL) in four european countries
Authors: Berger Rita , Yepes Montserrat , Gómez Benito Juana , Quijano Santiago , Brodbeck Felix
Published: April 2019

This study aimed to clarify the validity of the short scale of Transformational Leadership used by the Human System Audit (short HSA-TFL). The need of today’s enterprises for combined assessment of transformational leadership and quality-related performance in wider contexts requires short instruments based on scientific research. Convergent, construct and criterion validity of the short HSA-TFL were analyzed. Comparison of the short HSA-TFL with the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ-5X) showed high convergent validity. Exploratory factor analysis with hospital workers in Spain (N=625) showed the single factor structure of the Spanish version of the HSA-TFL. Confirmatory factor analysis using three further samples of hospital workers (N= 776) from different european countries confirmed a single factor. As regards criterion validity, the results indicated that the short HSA-TFL is positively related in all four countries to subjective performance. In sum, the results provide empirical evidence for the validity of the short HSA-TFL scale.
Qualidade de vida e auto-imagem de pacientes com câncer de cabeça e pescoço
Authors: Silveira e Silva Marina , Chem Carolina , Kern de Castro Elisa
Published: April 2019

O câncer de cabeça e pescoço refere-se a tumores malignos de pele que atinge pessoas de todas as idades. O tratamento envolve cirurgias, quimioterapia e radioterapia. Objetivo: examinar a auto-imagem e a qualidade de vida de pacientes que tiveram câncer de cabeça e pescoço. Participantes: 28 pacientes, entre 30 e 73 anos. Instrumentos: Avaliação da Qualidade de Vida da OMS – versão breve e Escala de Avaliação com a Satisfação Corporal. Resultados: qualidade de vida total e suas subescalas correlacionaram-se positivamente com auto-imagem, com exceção da subescala relações sociais. A auto-imagem foi uma variável preditora significativa da qualidade de vida total e das dimensões física, psicológica e meio-ambiente. Conclusão: a qualidade de vida desses pacientes está intimamente ligada à auto-imagem
La sala de clases sí importa: Incidencia del clima de aula sobre la percepción de intimidación y victimización entre escolares
Authors: López Verónica , Bilbao Maria De Los Angeles , Rodriguez Jose Ignacio
Published: April 2019

La investigación sobre agresión entre escolares (bullying) tiende a poner énfasis en las características individuales de agresores y víctimas, y no así en las características contextuales. En este artículo presentamos evidencia de que el clima de aula es un factor predictor de la percepción de agresión entre escolares. Se aplicaron instrumentos de autopercepción y heteropercepción de intimidación y victimización de 444 estudiantes chilenos de séptimo y octavo básico, y se analizó el efecto de la percepción del clima de su sala de clases sobre estos indicadores. Para intimidación, el modelo de regresión fue significativo aún después de controlar el nivel socioeconómico y explicó el 40,1% de la varianza; y para victimización, el 33,5%. Específicamente, fueron las dimensiones de fricción, satisfacción y competencia las que incidieron en la intimidación y victimización entre pares. Estos resultados son discutidos en el marco de la investigación sobre victimización entre pares desde una perspectiva social-ecológica.
Caracterización del avance teórico, investigativo y/o de intervención en resiliencia desde el ámbito de las universidades en Colombia
Authors: Campo Vasquez Rafael Calixto , Granados Ospina Luis Fernando , Muñoz Ortega Liliana , Trujillo García Sergio , Rodríguez Arenas María Stella
Published: April 2019

Este artículo presenta los resultados de la investigación realizada con el fin de caracterizar los avances teóricos, investigativos y/o de intervención en resiliencia desde el ámbito de las universidades en Colombia. Para conseguir este objetivo se analizaron 74 documentos procedentes de 14 universidades colombianas. El abordaje realizado permitió describir las investigaciones, reflexiones e intervenciones realizadas en las universidades colombianas, considerando dos categorías: a) identificación de documentos y b) análisis de contenido. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo y posteriormente interpretativo, a partir de los cuales se llegó a conclusiones y propuestas particulares para cada categoría y generales en torno a la resiliencia. Una novedad de las investigaciones estudiadas reside en las problemáticas abordadas.
Memoria e inteligencia: interdependencia en función de los procesos y contenidos de las tareas
Authors: Ferreira Aristides I. , Almeida Leandro S. , Prieto Adánez Gerardo , Guisande M. Adelina
Published: April 2019

Este trabajo procura analizar las características de los factores específicos de la memoria (procesos o contenidos) asociados a Gsm del modelo CHC. Para esto, a una muestra de estudiantes universitarios se le administraron tareas de memoria con diferentes contenidos, varios tests de aptitudes y una prueba de inteligencia general. Se evaluaron dos modelos que relacionan la aptitud general Gsm, bien con la memoria de trabajo y la amplitud de memoria, bien con aptitudes verbales-numéricas y viso-espaciales. Los resultados muestran, para ambos modelos, buenos índices de ajuste, sin embargo, se encontraron datos de regresión estandarizados con una regresión positiva superior entre Gsm y memoria de trabajo y entre Gsm y contenido viso-espacial. También se debe destacar que en ambos modelos se observaron valores de regresión estandarizados de 0.54 y 0.73 entre Gsm y el factor g. Teniendo en cuenta los resultados obtenidos, se discuten algunas implicaciones del estudio para comprender la relación entre inteligencia y memoria.
Preliminary factor analysis of the O’Kelly Women Beliefs Scale in a US sample
Authors: Heman Contreras Arturo , Lega Leonor , O´Kelly Monica , Friedman Mark J. , Feinberg Joshua , Kedding Erika
Published: April 2019

Using a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy framework, the O’Kelly Women Beliefs Scale (O’Kelly, in press) was originally constructed in Australia to measure sex-role beliefs women may develop through sex-role stereotyping. Factor analysis of the 92 original items showed that 64 items loaded into a single component that accounted for 18.2% of the variance in a sample of 974 Australian women. The present exploratory study examined the psychometric properties of the OWBS in a sample of 202 women born and living in the US. A varimax rotation with cutoff eigenvalues of 3, showed that 37 items loaded into 3 components which accounted for 58.48% of the variance. The items were subsequently grouped into two factors: Irrationality, with a total of 27 items was created by merging component 1 and 3 (Pearson’s r = 0.8 between them), and Rationality, with the 10 items from component 2. Analyses indicated a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91 for Factor 1, and a Cronbach’s alpha 0.74 for Factor 2. Results indicate that this version of the instrument may be used to evaluate both the rational and irrational content of sex-role beliefs of women born in the US.
Participación de los stakeholders en la gobernanza corporativa: fundamentación ontológica y propuesta metodológica
Authors: San-Jose Ruiz De Aguirre Leire , Retolaza José Luis
Published: April 2019

La participación en la empresa es un tema de larga trayectoria en la investigación sobre organización empresarial; sin embargo, por lo general, se ha reducido únicamente a los trabajadores y ha excluido los niveles más altos de gobierno corporativo. En las modernas empresas, el valor aportado por el capital es cada vez más reducido, y el riesgo, en muchas ocasiones, es compartido por el conjunto de stakeholders de la empresa. Si la aportación de valor y la asunción de riesgos no son exclusivos de los shareholders, ¿por qué los derechos de gobierno han de ser únicos para los shareholders? En este artículo se reflexiona sobre los fundamentos de la participación de los diferentes grupos de interés que componen la empresa. Se abordan los problemas vinculados a la instrumentalización de la Teoría de Stakeholders, y al agotamiento deductivo de la misma y se propone adoptar la perspectiva ontológica, así como un acercamiento práctico de carácter inductivo. La principal aportación del trabajo es ofrecer una guía metodológica en la que se resume la participación de los stakeholders en las organizaciones.
Emociones, estilos de afrontamiento y agresividad en la adolescencia
Authors: Mestre Escrivá Vicenta , Samper García Paula , Tur Porcar Ana María , Richaud de Minzi Cristina , Mesurado Belen
Published: April 2019

Este estudio analiza la relación entre las estrategias de afrontamiento y las emociones para determinar en qué medida son procesos relacionados con la conducta agresiva. Se parte del supuesto de que en la agresividad influyen los mecanismos de afrontamiento en la resolución de problemas y el manejo de las emociones: inestabilidad emocional (falta de autocontrol ante situaciones que producen tensión) o empatía (sentimientos orientados al otro que tiene un problema o necesidad). Se ha evaluado una muestra de 1.557 niños y niñas, con un rango de edad entre 12 y 15 años, escolarizados en primer ciclo de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) en 36 Centros escolares de la Comunidad Valenciana, seleccionados aleatoriamente. Los resultados indican claras diferencias entre los sujetos con alta y baja agresividad y los mecanismos de afrontamiento que utilizan, los adolescentes más agresivos utilizan en mayor medida un afrontamiento improductivo, mientras que los menos agresivos aplican estrategias más centradas en la resolución del problema. En todos los modelos de ecuaciones estructurales, el efecto directo de la inestabilidad emocional y la empatía sobre la agresividad es significativa, siempre positivo en el primer caso pero negativo en el segundo. Además, la empatía favorece el afrontamiento centrado en la resolución del problema, mientras que la inestabilidad emocional se relaciona positivamente con el afrontamiento improductivo y este con la agresividad.
Data mining and mall users profile
Authors: Romeo Delgado Marina , Codina Mata Núria , Yepes Baldó Montserrat , Pestana Montesinos José Vicente , Guardia Olmos Joan
Published: April 2019

Marketing scholars have suggested a need for more empirical research on consumer response to malls, in order to have a better understanding of the variables that explain the behavior of the consumers. The segmentation methodology CHAID (Chi-square automatic interaction detection) was used in order to identify the profiles of consumers with regard to their activities at malls, on the basis of socio-demographic variables and behavioral variables (how and with whom they go to the malls). A sample of 790 subjects answered an online questionnaire. The CHAID analysis of the results was used to identify the profiles of consumers with regard to their activities at malls. In the set of variables analyzed the transport used in order to go shopping and the frequency of visits to centers are the main predictors of behavior in malls. The results provide guidelines for the development of effective strategies to attract consumers to malls and retain them there.
La parálisis cerebral como una condición dinámica del cerebro: un estudio secuencial del desarrollo de niños hasta los 6 años de edad
Authors: Moraleda Barreno Enrique , Romero López Modesto Jesús , Cayetano Menéndez María José
Published: April 2019

La parálisis cerebral es un trastorno motor debido a inmadurez cerebral con numerosos déficits asociados, incluidos los adaptativos, sociales, motores, cognitivos y de la comunicación, y con gran impacto en el desarrollo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue estudiar el desarrollo durante un año de niños con parálisis cerebral de uno a seis años. El método empleado fue un diseño ex post facto evolutivo secuencial. Se utilizó la prueba de screening del Inventario de Desarrollo de Battelle en un pretest y en un postest transcurrido un año. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 41 niños de entre 1 y 6 años de edad con diagnóstico de parálisis cerebral infantil. Los niños mostraban puntuaciones en el postest significativamente superiores en todas las áreas estudiadas. Se observó una mejora generalizada en las capacidades de la mayoría de los sujetos. Se discuten las posibles influencias que contribuyen a estas mejoras en los cocientes de desarrollo en la obtención de estos resultados.
Personality Factors, Affect, and Autonomy Support as Predictors of Life Satisfaction
Authors: Puente Díaz Rogelio , Cavazos Arroyo Judith
Published: April 2019

This research examined the predictors of subjective well-being. Two studies were conducted. Our first study involved the administration of life satisfaction, personality, affection, need satisfaction, and self-construal questionnaires to 369 college students from Mexico. The results showed that extroversion and neuroticism had a significant direct effect on positive and negative affect, respectively, and indirect effects on life satisfaction. Results also revealed that autonomy support, defined as the ability to perceive oneself as the source of one’s behavior, was a significant and positive predictor of life satisfaction. To address some of the limitations from study I, study II used the World Values Survey to examine the effects of autonomy support on life satisfaction and domain satisfaction among representative samples from Mexico, Argentina, and Brazil. The findings showed that the autonomy support was a significant predictor of life satisfaction and domain satisfaction in all three countries. The implications of the results are discussed.
Codificación y análisis diferencial de los problemas de los adolescentes acogidos en centros de protección en España
Authors: Fernández-Millán Juan Manuel , Malpica Buitrago María José , Navas Fernández Marina
Published: April 2019

La adolescencia es una etapa de la vida que se caracteriza por un marcado y difícil de-sarrollo físico, psicológico y social durante el que el joven deberá enfrentarse a distintos problemas cotidianos y estresores vitales. Conocer y clasificar los conflictos que más preocupan al adolescente puede servir para dirigir los proyectos educativos o las inter-venciones terapéuticas más eficaces. En el presente trabajo se han codificado y cuantifi-cado a través del Sistema de Codificación y Análisis Diferencial de los Problemas de los Adolescente los problemas percibidos como más estresantes por una muestra de menores residentes en un centro de acogida. Una comparación entre los adolescentes acogidos y aquellos que viven con sus padres, muestra que los menores acogidos (entre 11 y 17 años) plantean situaciones vitales diferentes en todas las categorías, destacando el alto porcentaje de problemas interpersonales con compañeros y relacionados con el deporte o el tiempo de ocio.
Cognitive inhibitory control and arithmetic word problem solving in children with attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: a pilot study
Authors: Sabagh-Sabbagh Sigem , Pineda David A.
Published: April 2019

A sample of 30 subjects, 10 with Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and 20 non-ADHD children, statistically controlled by age, gender, academic grades and normal full scale intelligence quotient, was selected. To measure cognitive inhibitory control, a math problem solving ability test containing four problems for each level with verbal and numerical irrelevant content was administered. ADHD children exhibited significantly inferior performance in choosing correct answers (p = 0.011) with a large effect size (d = 1.00) and a significantly superior number of irrelevant answers (p = 0.004) with a very large effect size. In conclusion ADHD children showed a cognitive inhibitory control disorder, measured by math problem solving ability.
Efecto de la aplicación aguda de fluoxetina sobre una tarea de miedo condicionado al contexto en ratas sometidas a restricción comportamental
Authors: León Laura A. , Lizarazo Lina T. , Sierra Rodrigo O. , Nitola Laura P. , Urazán Juan M. , Cárdenas P. Fernando
Published: April 2019

Para estudiar el efecto del aumento comportamental o farmacológico de la ansiedad sobre la adquisición del miedo condicionado al contexto, 32 ratas Wistar (275±25gm) divididas en dos grupos (restricción comportamental y control) recibieron fluoxetina (ig.; 4mg/Kg; 1ml) o solución salina (ig.; 0.9%). Luego fueron entrenadas en una tarea de miedo condicionado al contexto. El ANOVA de dos vías mostró diferencias significativas para el factor tratamiento (F[1,28]=25.261; P<0.001). Los sujetos tratados con fluoxetina presentaron menor tiempo de congelamiento (Student Newman-Keuls; P<0.05). No hubo diferencias significativas para la restricción, ni para la interacción entre factores (F[1,28]=0.115; P=0.737 y F[1,28]=0.016; P=0.899). Así, la restricción no alteró la adquisición del miedo condicionado indicando que el aumento de liberación de 5-HT así inducido no es comparable al inducido por fluoxetina. La fluoxetina deterioró la adquisición de la respuesta de miedo, indicando que el mecanismo por el cual la ansiedad interrumpe el aprendizaje puede ser serotoninérgico.
Progesterone regulates corticosterone elevation and alterations in spatial memory and exploratory behavior induced by stress in Wistar rats
Authors: Diaz-Burke Yolanda , Valencia-Alfonso Carlos Eduardo , González-Sandoval Claudia Elena , Huerta Miguel , Trujillo Xóchitl , Diaz Lourdes , García-Estrada Joaquín , Luquín Sonia
Published: April 2019

The hippocampus is sensitive to high levels of glucocorticoids. During stress response, it suffers biochemical and cellular changes that affect functions such as spatial memory and exploratory behavior. In this study, we analyzed the influence of the neurosteroid progesterone (PROG), on stress-induced changes in urinary corticosterone (CORT) levels, spatial memory and exploratory behavior. Castrated adult male rats were implanted with PROG or vehicle (VEHI), and then exposed to chronic stress by overcrowding or ultrasonic noise for ten days. PROG and CORT levels were assessed in urine using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Implanted PROG inhibited stress-induced CORT raise, prevented spatial memory impairment in the Morris water maze, and eliminated increased exploratory behavior in the hole-board test. These results suggest protective effects of PROG against the corticosteroids raise and behavioral deficit generated by both stressful situations, possibly mediated by its anxiolytic mechanisms.
Combining Monophosphoryl Lipid A (MPL), CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), and QS-21 Adjuvants Induces Strong and Persistent Functional Antibodies and T Cell Responses against Cell-Traversal Protein for Ookinetes and Sporozoites (CelTOS) of Plasmodium falciparum in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Pirahmadi Sakineh , Zakeri Sedigheh , Mehrizi Akram A. , Djadid Navid D. , Raz Abbas-Ali , Sani Jafar J.
Published: April 2019

Plasmodium falciparumcell-traversal protein for ookinetes and sporozoites (PfCelTOS) is an advanced vaccine candidate that has a crucial role in the traversal of the malaria parasite in both mosquito and mammalian hosts. As recombinant purified proteins are normally poor immunogens, they require to be admixed with an adjuvant(s); therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the capacity of different vaccine adjuvants, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), CpG, andQuillaja saponariaMolina fraction 21 (QS-21), alone or in combination (MCQ [MPL/CpG/QS-21]), to enhance the immunogenicity ofEscherichia coli-expressed PfCelTOS in BALB/c mice.
Evaluation of the Liat Cdiff Assay for Direct Detection of Clostridioides difficile Toxin Genes within 20 Minutes
Authors: Hetem David J. , Bos-Sanders Ingrid , Nijhuis Roel H. T. , Tamminga Sven , Berlinger Livia , Kuijper Ed J. , Sickler Joanna J. , Claas Eric C. J.
Published: April 2019

Clostridioides difficile
is the main causative agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Prompt diagnosis is required for initiation of timely infection control measures and appropriate adjustment of antibiotic treatment.
Intestinal Epithelial Cells and the Microbiome Undergo Swift Reprogramming at the Inception of Colonic Citrobacter rodentium Infection
Authors: Hopkins Eve G. D. , Roumeliotis Theodoros I. , Mullineaux-Sanders Caroline , Choudhary Jyoti S. , Frankel Gad
Published: April 2019

The mouse pathogen
C. rodentium
is a widely used model for colonic infection and has been a major tool in fundamental discoveries in the fields of bacterial pathogenesis and mucosal immunology. Despite extensive studies probing acute
C. rodentium
infection, our understanding of the early stages preceding the infection climax remains relatively undetailed. To this end, we apply a multiomics approach to resolve temporal changes to the host and microbiome during early infection. Unexpectedly, we found immediate and dramatic responses occurring on the day of colonic infection, both in the host intestinal epithelial cells and in the microbiome. Our study suggests changes in cholesterol and carbon metabolism in epithelial cells are instantly induced upon pathogen detection in the colon, corresponding with a shift to primarily facultative anaerobes constituting the microbiome. This study contributes to our knowledge of disease pathogenesis and mechanisms of barrier regulation, which is required for development of novel therapeutics targeting the intestinal epithelium.
Superoxide Dismutase and Pseudocatalase Increase Tolerance to Hg(II) in Thermus thermophilus HB27 by Maintaining the Reduced Bacillithiol Pool
Authors: Norambuena Javiera , Hanson Thomas E. , Barkay Tamar , Boyd Jeffrey M.
Published: April 2019

Thermus thermophilus
is a deep-branching thermophilic aerobe. It is a member of the
Deinococcus
-
Thermus
phylum that, together with the
Aquificae
, constitute the earliest branching aerobic bacterial lineages; therefore, this organism serves as a model for early diverged bacteria (R. K. Hartmann, J. Wolters, B. Kröger, S. Schultze, et al., Syst Appl Microbiol 11:243–249, 1989,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0723-2020(89)80020-7
) whose natural heated habitat may contain mercury of geological origins (G. G. Geesey, T. Barkay, and S. King, Sci Total Environ 569-570:321–331, 2016,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.080
).
T. thermophilus
likely arose shortly after the oxidation of the biosphere 2.4 billion years ago. Studying
T. thermophilus
physiology provides clues about the origin and evolution of mechanisms for mercury and oxidative stress responses, the latter being critical for the survival and function of all extant aerobes.
Human Influenza A Virus Hemagglutinin Glycan Evolution Follows a Temporal Pattern to a Glycan Limit
Authors: Altman Meghan O. , Angel Matthew , Košík Ivan , Trovão Nídia S. , Zost Seth J. , Gibbs James S. , Casalino Lorenzo , Amaro Rommie E. , Hensley Scott E. , Nelson Martha I. , Yewdell Jonathan W.
Published: April 2019

Frequent mutation of its major antibody target, the glycoprotein hemagglutinin, ensures that the influenza virus is perennially both a rapidly emerging virus and a major threat to public health. One type of mutation escapes immunity by adding a glycan onto an area of hemagglutinin that many antibodies recognize. This study revealed that these glycan changes follow a simple temporal pattern. Every 5 to 7 years, hemagglutinin adds a new glycan, up to a limit. After this limit is reached, no net additions of glycans occur. Instead, glycans are swapped or lost at longer intervals. Eventually, a pandemic replaces the terminally glycosylated hemagglutinin with a minimally glycosylated one from the animal reservoir, restarting the cycle. This pattern suggests the following: (i) some hemagglutinins are evolved for this decades-long process, which is both defined by and limited by successive glycan addition; and (ii) hemagglutinin's antibody dominance and its capacity for mutations are highly adapted features that allow influenza to outpace our antibody-based immunity.
Mutations in
hmg1
, Challenging the Paradigm of Clinical Triazole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: Rybak Jeffrey M. , Ge Wenbo , Wiederhold Nathan P. , Parker Josie E. , Kelly Steven L. , Rogers P. David , Fortwendel Jarrod R.
Published: April 2019

Aspergillus fumigatus
is the predominant pathogen of invasive aspergillosis, a disease state credited with over 200,000 life-threatening infections annually. The triazole class of antifungals are clinically essential to the treatment of invasive aspergillosis. Unfortunately, resistance to the triazoles among
A. fumigatus
isolates is now increasingly reported worldwide. In this work, we challenge the current paradigm of clinical triazole resistance in
A. fumigatus
, by first demonstrating that previously characterized mechanisms of resistance have nominal impact on triazole susceptibility and subsequently identifying a novel mechanism of resistance with a profound impact on clinical triazole susceptibility. We demonstrate that mutations in the HMG-CoA reductase gene,
hmg1
, are common among resistant clinical isolates and that
hmg1
mutations confer resistance to all clinically available triazole antifungals.
Acute Flaccid Myelitis: Something Old and Something New
Authors: Morens David M. , Folkers Gregory K. , Fauci Anthony S.
Published: April 2019

Since 2014, acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a long-recognized condition associated with polioviruses, nonpolio enteroviruses, and various other viral and nonviral causes, has been reemerging globally in epidemic form. This unanticipated reemergence is ironic, given that polioviruses, once the major causes of AFM, are now at the very threshold of global eradication and cannot therefore explain any aspect of AFM reemergence.
Waldenstrom-associated anti-MAG paraprotein polyneuropathy with neurogenic tremor
Authors: Canepa Carlo
Published: April 2019

A 71-year-old female patient presented with a 14-year history of slowly progressive distal limb numbness, paraesthesia and reduced vibration perception, ataxic gait and intentional tremor. Examination revealed with a length-dependent sensory neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies showed a chronic sensorimotor inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment (on two occasions) proved ineffective. Serum electrophoresis showed increased monoclonal IgM with kappa light chains. Anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) levels were extremely elevated, >70 000 BTU. Bone marrow biopsy revealed 15%–20% small B cells and positive MYD88 mutation, indicative of Waldenstrom macroglobulinaemia. A diagnosis of Waldenstrom-associated anti-MAG paraprotein neuropathy with intentional (neurogenic) tremor was made. Repeat nerve conduction study showed a severe sensory demyelinating neuropathy with no axonal lesion. Treatment with rituximab was given for 1 month with minimal improvement. Repeat anti-MAG levels dropped to 53 670 BTU, with minimal clinical improvement.
A bimodal approach to thymic carcinoma with pericardial sac invasion
Authors: Ahmed Adnan , Soin Sarthak , Patel Sabah
Published: April 2019

Thymic carcinoma is a rare tumour of the thymus, representing less than 1% of thymic malignancies.1It has an annual incidence of 0.15–0.32 per 1 00 000 person-years.2It is found incidentally in 30% of the patients as an opacity on chest X-ray or with non-specific complaints of persistent cough, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, arm and facial swelling, and upper airway congestion related to tumour extension. We present the case of a 59-year-old man with a history of Graves’ disease status post radiation treatment presenting with cough and left lingual opacity on chest X-ray, confirmed to be thymic carcinoma with pericardial invasion and lymph node metastasis. We aim to discuss the presentation, treatment modalities and outcome associated with this rare tumour.
Metformin prescription and aortic aneurysm: systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yu Xinyu , Jiang Dingsheng , Wang Jing , Wang Rui , Chen Taiqiang , Wang Kan , Durgahee Mouniir Sha Ahmad , Wei Xiang , Cao Shiyi
Published: April 2019

Objective

To assess the association of metformin prescription with the risk of aortic aneurysm, aortic aneurysm events and the enlargement of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase and Scopus for epidemiological studies up to November 2018. We included observational studies which evaluated the association of metformin prescription with the risk of aortic aneurysm disease, and we also included studies involving progression and enlargement of AAA. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of included studies. Random-effect meta-analyses were conducted in line with the between-study heterogeneity. Sensitivity analyses were performed to identify the source of heterogeneity.

Results

Eight studies enrolling 29 587 participants met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. We found that metformin prescription could significantly limit the enlargement of aortic aneurysm (weighted mean difference: −0.83 mm/year, 95% CI −1.38 to −0.28, I2=89.6%) among patients with AAA. Metformin prescription status may be associated with a decreased risk of aortic aneurysm and aortic aneurysm events.

Conclusions

According to the available epidemiological evidence, metformin prescription could limit the expansion of AAA among patients with this disease, and may be involved with a lower incidence of aortic aneurysm and aortic aneurysm events. Randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm whether metformin could reduce the enlargement of AAA in patients with or without diabetes.
Increased risk of sleep apnoea among primary headache disorders: a nationwide population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Yin Jiu-Haw , Chen Shao-Yuan , Lin Chun-Chieh , Sung Yueh-Feng , Chou Chung-Hsing , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Chien Wu-Chien , Yang Fu-Chi , Tsai Chia-Kuang , Tsai Chia-Lin , Lin Guan-Yu , Lee Jiunn-Tay
Published: April 2019

Background

Primary headache disorders (PHDs) are associated with sleep problems. It is suggested that headache and sleep disorder share anatomical and physiological characteristics. We hypothesised that patients with PHDs were exposed to a great risk for developing sleep apnoea (SA).

Methods

In this retrospective longitudinal study, the data obtained from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database in Taiwan were analysed. The study included 1346 patients with PHDs who were initially diagnosed and 5348 patients who were randomly selected and age/sex matched with the study group as controls. PHDs, SA, comorbidities and other confounding factors were defined based on International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. Cox proportional hazards regressions were employed to examine adjusted HRs after adjusting with confounding factors.

Results

Our data revealed that patients with PHDs had a higher risk (HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.259 to 3.739, p<0.05) to develop SA compared with matched cohorts, whereas patients with migraine exhibited a high risk (HR 2.553, 95% CI 1.460 to 4.395, p<0.01). The results showed that patients with PHDs aged 18–44 exhibited highest risk of developing SA. In addition, males with PHDs exhibited an HR 3.159 (95% CI 1.479 to 6.749, p<0.01) for developing SA, respectively. The impact of PHDs on SA risk was progressively increased by various follow-up time intervals.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that PHDs are linked to an increased risk for SA with sex-dependent and time-dependent characteristics.
Worldsheets in holography: Computing corrections to the Veneziano amplitude
Authors: Ireson Edwin
Published: April 2019

We provide a brief summary of a method to calculate improvements to the Veneziano amplitude, creating sub-leading nonlinearities in the Regge trajectory of states. We formulate it as an extension of a computation by Makeenko and Olesen. We begin in a confining gauge theory coupled to matter, rewriting the meson scattering amplitude as a specific path integral over shapes and sizes of closed Wilson loops using the worldline formalism. We then prescribe how to further the computation at strong coupling by employing holography, which provides a prescription for the expectation value of these Wilson loops in strongly coupled regimes. The computation we desire then appears to subsume to a certain calculation in the effective field theory of a string worldsheet embedded in a certain broad class of allowed holographic backgrounds. A convenient interaction picture presents itself naturally in this context, allowing us to draw Feynman diagrams corresponding to the first few corrections due to weaker coupling regimes. The answer we find has qualitatively the same features as other endeavors with the same objective.
Investigating two heavy neutral leptons neutrino seesaw mechanism at SHiP
Authors: Chianese Marco , Fiorillo Damiano F. G. , Miele Gennaro , Morisi Stefano
Published: April 2019

One of the main purposes of SHiP experiment is to shed light on neutrino mass generation mechanisms like the so-called seesaw. We consider a minimal type-I seesaw neutrino mass mechanism model with two heavy neutral leptons (right-handed or sterile neutrinos) with arbitrary masses. Extremely high active-sterile mixing angle requires a correlation between the phases of the Dirac neutrino couplings. Actual experimental limits on the half-life of neutrinoless double beta decay [Formula: see text]-rate on the active-sterile mixing angle are not significative in constraining the masses or the mixing measurable by SHiP.
Spin structure and optical properties of cobalt octaethylporphyrin
Authors: Chub Dmitriy S. , Farberovich Oleg V. , Soldatov Alexander V.
Published: April 2019

In this study, we have developed and used the advanced high-precision numerical techniques to accurately calculate the optical properties and spin structure, and access the details of spin dynamics of the cobalt octaethylporphyrin (CoOEP) in the THz pulse magnetic field. The optical spectra of CoOEP are calculated using first-principles based on the GW approximation. The optical properties, including complex dielectric function, optical reflectivity, extinction coefficient, refractive index and absorption coefficient up to 10 eV, together with the calculated spin structure are considered. The spin structure of CoOEP is described by means of the density of spin transitions within the terahertz range. The study covers both terahertz and visible ranges. On the basis of the obtained optical theoretical spectra and the spin structure of CoOEP, it can be concluded that the applied complex approach provides a detailed and accurate description of the optical properties of cobalt octaethylporphyrin within the whole range of energies.
BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT SURGICAL STRATEGIES FOR THE TREATMENT OF ROTATIONALLY UNSTABLE PELVIC FRACTURE USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
Authors: JHOU SHU-YU , SHIH KAO-SHANG , HUANG PO-SHENG , LIN FANG-YU , HSU CHING-CHI
Published: April 2019

A rotationally unstable pelvic fracture can lead to loss of function and limit moving ability. Immediate fracture fixation is needed for patients with the pelvic fractures. However, it may be difficult to evaluate different surgical strategies for the fracture treatments due to variations in patients’ anatomies and surgical techniques. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the biomechanical performances of the intact, injured, and treated pelvises based on different physiological movements of the spine using finite element method. Three-dimensional musculoskeletal finite element models of the spine-pelvis-femur complex were developed. The intact pelvis, the rotationally unstable pelvis, and six types of pelvic fixation techniques were analyzed. Additionally, seven types of physiological movements of the spine were also considered. The results showed that the posterior iliosacral screws combined with lower and anterior plate (PIS-LAP) had good fixation stability, lower plate stress, and lower pelvic stress. However, the PIS-LAP increased the stress of the posterior iliosacral screws. The right lateral bending, left lateral bending, and flexion significantly affect all the biomechanical performances compared to the other physiological movements of the spine. The present study can provide engineers and surgeons with the understanding of the biomechanics of various fixation techniques during different physiological movements for the treatment of rotationally unstable pelvic fractures.
FEASIBILITY OF SMART HEMODIALYSIS PATIENT CARE USING SENSORS EMBEDDED IN PERSONALIZED 3D PRINTING CAST
Authors: CHEN WEI-LING , YANG TSUNG-LUNG , LEE PO-LEI , KAN CHUNG-DANN
Published: April 2019

The ever-increasing incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has already become a major burden to health budgets and a threat to public health nationwide in Taiwan. According to the United States Renal Data System Annual Data Report in 2015, the prevalence and incidence of ESRD in Taiwan are the highest in the world. Moreover, for the population of 82 thousand ESRD patients receiving hemodialysis treatments, the total cost is up to NT$34.2 billion annually out of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program budget. This project is to design a wearable medical device which can measure and monitor the fluid dynamics of the dialysis access using sensor of phonoangiography (PAG) for exploring vascular pitch pattern and sensor of Photoplethysmography (PPG) for estimating the flow volume as a double checking of the AV access condition. We use arteriovenous access (AVA) stenosis detector based on phonoangiography technique and autoregressive model to detect access stenosis and simultaneously estimate the status of AVA life cycle by tracking and obtaining changes in frequency spectra domain. It helps hemodialysis patients to be aware earlier of the dysfunction of AVA and reminds them to make a return visit. The purpose of the complement deployment of vital sign sensors is to improve the prognosis and optimize overall health by providing analysis of physiological signals, including water content index, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure at the same time. With these sensors, the concept of holistic hemodialysis patient care (HHPC) might be proved.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN EMG CONTROLLER-BASED ROBOTIC GAIT TRAINING SYSTEM AND ITS CLINICAL FEASIBILITY FOR SUBACUTE STROKE PATIENTS IN IMPROVING LOCOMOTIVE FUNCTION
Authors: CHIEN ANDY , HSIEH FU-HAN , HUANG CHING , CHANG FEI-CHUN , MENG NAI-HSIN , CHOU LI-WEI
Published: April 2019

One-third of stroke survivors fail to regain independent ambulation and strokes have been identified as a significant source of long-term disability and a tremendous health burden. Robot-assisted gait rehabilitation is gaining traction and advocators for its inclusion as part of the routine post-stroke rehabilitation program are on the increase. However, despite the recent technological advances in the development and design of better robotics, the research evidence on the best model of robotic training remains sparse and unclear. It is therefore the aim of the current study to comparatively investigate the clinical feasibility and efficacy of a recently developed HIWIN Robotic Gait Training System (MRG-P100) combined with the use of a lab-developed MBS-E100 EMG system as a controller on facilitating the development of an appropriate gait pattern for motor impaired subacute stroke patients. The results indicated that due to the heterogeneity of stroke-induced changes in muscle characteristics, an “auto-fit” algorithm was required to allow constant monitoring and updating of the appropriate threshold based on EMG signals captured during previous gait cycle in order to determine the desired muscle activation threshold for the current gait cycle. Eighteen participants were tested using the new auto-fit algorithm and results demonstrated a significantly more fluent and physiologically appropriate gait pattern.