bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State transformation and the evolution of economic nationalism in the East Asian developmental state: the Taiwanese semiconductor industry as case study
Authors: Hsu Jinn‐yuh
Published: January 2017

This paper empirically highlights the role of nationalism in the development of the semiconductor industry in Taiwan. First, it demonstrates how the pre‐1980s Taiwanese developmental state mobilised Chinese economic nationalism against Japanese colonialism and Chinese communism and adopted the strategies of graduated sovereignty, selectively subsidising certain areas and sectors, and promoting national (homogeneously imagined) territorialisation to integrate with the international market. Second, the paper exhibits how in the late 1980s, when the outflow of capital to Mainland China became a compelling phenomenon and Taiwan democratised, popular sovereignty became the norm and Taiwanese nationalism emerged. In response, the democratised state started employing Taiwanese economic nationalism and implementing populist territorial policies to consolidate the support of ‘us’ (the Taiwanese/Taiwan) versus ‘them’ (the Chinese/China). This made China and everything related a security concern that had to be excluded as ‘the other’. This paper responds to the appeals of political geographers to give nationalism a central place in contemporary theories of the nation‐state and contributes to the theory of the developmental state by bringing ‘the nation’ back. While most of the existing developmental state literature focuses on how the roles and effects of ‘the state’ influence economic development, taking ‘the nation’ seriously can provide more accurate explanations for how and why the state focuses on development or not. Accordingly, through valuing the nation this paper promotes a theory of the developmental nation‐state.
Characterization of recombinant human lysosomal beta-hexosaminidases produced in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris
Authors: Espejo Mojica Angela Johana , Mosquera Angela Rocío , Rodríguez-López Edwin Alexander , Díaz Dennis Johana , Betrán Laura Milena , Hernández Francy Liliana , Alméciga Díaz Carlos Javier , Barrera Luis Alejandro
Published: January 2017

β-hexosaminidases (Hex) are dimeric enzymes involved in the lysosomal degradation of glycolipids and glycans. They are formed by α- and/or β-subunits encoded by HEXA and HEXB genes, respectively. Mutations in these genes lead to Tay Sachs or Sandhoff diseases, which are neurodegenerative disorders caused by the accumulation of non-degraded glycolipids. Although tissue-derived Hex have been widely characterized, limited information is available for recombinant β-hexosaminidases. In this study, human lysosomal recombinant Hex (rhHex-A, rhHex-B, and rhHex-S) were produced in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris GS115. The highest specific enzyme activities were 13,124 for rhHexA; 12,779 for rhHex-B; and 14.606 U.mg-1 for rhHex-S. These results were 25- to 50-fold higher than those obtained from normal human leukocytes. Proteins were purified and characterized at different pH and temperature conditions. All proteins were stable at acidic pH, and at
4 °C and 37 °C. At 45 °C rhHex-S was completely inactivated, while rhHex-A and rhHex-B showed high stability. This study demonstrates P. pastoris GS115 potential for polymeric lysosomal enzyme production, and describes the characterization of recombinant β-hexosaminidases produced within the same host.
Optimization of UV-assisted wet oxidation of GaAs
Authors: Gucmann Filip , Kúdela Róbert , Rosová Alica , Dobročka Edmund , Mičušík Matej , Gregušová Dagmar
Published: January 2017

Ultraviolet (UV) light-assisted wet oxidation in deionized water (photowashing) was done on commercial semi-insulating (SI) and N-type (Nd ∼ 7.5 × 1017 cm−3) (100) GaAs substrates. Oxidation rate, depth elemental composition profiling, and structural quality of prepared oxide layers and oxide/GaAs interfaces were evaluated for various oxidation times and for four selected intensities of UV light (320–480 nm) irradiation by means of x-ray reflectivity, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. N-type GaAs exhibited ∼30% higher oxidation rates as compared to SI GaAs. Oxidized layers were found to consist predominantly of Ga2O3. Peak gallium concentrations in oxidized layers related to Ga2O3 achieved ∼45 at. %, while concentrations of arsenic related to unfavorable As2O3 were found to be as low as 4–5 and 4–6 at. % for SI GaAs and N-type GaAs, respectively. As2O3 occurrence was not spatially confined and occurred throughout the oxidized layer. Arsenic depth concentration profiling showed no notable humps suggesting arsenic pile-up at the oxide/GaAs interface. TEM revealed strong correlation between UV light intensity and oxide/GaAs interface roughness. Inhomogeneous oxide layers, rough oxide/GaAs interface, and dislocation formation under excessive UV light intensity were observed. Optimized conditions were found to produce homogeneous oxide layers with smooth oxide/GaAs interface.
Kitchen Physics: Lessons in Fluid Pressure and Error Analysis
Authors: Vieyra Rebecca Elizabeth , Vieyra Chrystian , Macchia Stefano
Published: January 2017

Although the advent and popularization of the “flipped classroom” tends to center around at-home video lectures, teachers are increasingly turning to at-home labs for enhanced student engagement. This paper describes two simple at-home experiments that can be accomplished in the kitchen. The first experiment analyzes the density of four liquids using a waterproof case and a smartphone barometer in a container, sink, or tub. The second experiment determines the relationship between pressure and temperature of an ideal gas in a constant volume container placed momentarily in a refrigerator freezer. These experiences provide a ripe opportunity both for learning fundamental physics concepts as well as to investigate a variety of error analysis techniques that are frequently overlooked in introductory physics courses.
The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship: Bridging the Gap Between Policy and Practice
Authors: Milbourne Jeff , Wheeler Sam
Published: January 2017

In an ideal world, education policy and practice would exist as parts of a coherent system. Effective practice would inform policy and that policy would, in turn, promote the tenets of effective practice at the local, state, and national levels. Policymakers and practitioners would collaborate and, by extension, have familiarity and respect for one another’s perspective. Unfortunately, our current education system is a far cry from the ideal, a fact that we as practitioners know all too well.
Soft robotic sleeve supports heart function
Authors: Roche Ellen T. , Horvath Markus A. , Wamala Isaac , Alazmani Ali , Song Sang-Eun , Whyte William , Machaidze Zurab , Payne Christopher J. , Weaver James C. , Fishbein Gregory , Kuebler Joseph , Vasilyev Nikolay V. , Mooney David J. , Pigula Frank A. , Walsh Conor J.
Published: January 2017

A soft robotic sleeve modeled on the structure of the human heart assists cardiovascular function in an ex vivo and in vivo porcine model of heart failure.
Reporter gene imaging of targeted T cell immunotherapy in recurrent glioma
Authors: Keu Khun Visith , Witney Timothy H. , Yaghoubi Shahriar , Rosenberg Jarrett , Kurien Anita , Magnusson Rachel , Williams John , Habte Frezghi , Wagner Jamie R. , Forman Stephen , Brown Christine , Allen-Auerbach Martin , Czernin Johannes , Tang Winson , Jensen Michael C. , Badie Behnam , Gambhir Sanjiv S.
Published: January 2017

PET gene reporter imaging can be used to monitor the trafficking of therapeutic cytotoxic T cells in glioma patients.
Coexistence of potent HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies and antibody-sensitive viruses in a viremic controller
Authors: Freund Natalia T. , Wang Haoqing , Scharf Louise , Nogueira Lilian , Horwitz Joshua A. , Bar-On Yotam , Golijanin Jovana , Sievers Stuart A. , Sok Devin , Cai Hui , Cesar Lorenzi Julio C. , Halper-Stromberg Ariel , Toth Ildiko , Piechocka-Trocha Alicja , Gristick Harry B. , van Gils Marit J. , Sanders Rogier W. , Wang Lai-Xi , Seaman Michael S. , Burton Dennis R. , Gazumyan Anna , Walker Bruce D. , West Anthony P. , Bjorkman Pamela J. , Nussenzweig Michel C.
Published: January 2017

Three new potent neutralizing antibodies neutralize autologous HIV-1 strains and contribute to viral control in an HIV-1 controller.
Large-Scale Evaluation of
In Vitro
Amphotericin B, Triazole, and Echinocandin Activity against Coccidioides Species from U.S. Institutions
Authors: Thompson George R. , Barker Bridget M. , Wiederhold Nathan P.
Published: January 2017

Large-scale testing of
Coccidioides
isolates has not been performed, and the frequency of clinical isolates with elevated amphotericin B or triazole MICs has not been evaluated.
Coccidioides
isolates (
n
= 581) underwent antifungal susceptibility testing. Elevated MIC values were observed for fluconazole (≥16 μg/ml, 37.3% of isolates; ≥32 μg/ml, 7.9% of isolates), itraconazole (≥2 μg/ml, 1.0% of isolates), posaconazole (≥1 μg/ml, 1.0% of isolates), and voriconazole (≥2 μg/ml, 1.2% of isolates). However, mold-active triazoles exhibited low MICs for the majority of isolates tested. Additional correlation with patient outcomes to determine the relevance of elevated MICs in
Coccidioides
isolates is needed.
Loss-of-Function Mutations in HspR Rescue the Growth Defect of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis Proteasome Accessory Factor E (
pafE
) Mutant
Authors: Jastrab Jordan B. , Samanovic Marie I. , Copin Richard , Shopsin Bo , Darwin K. Heran
Published: January 2017

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
uses a proteasome to degrade proteins by both ATP-dependent and -independent pathways. While much has been learned about ATP-dependent degradation, relatively little is understood about the ATP-independent pathway, which is controlled by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
p
roteasome
a
ccessory
f
actor
E
(PafE). Recently, we found that a
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
pafE
mutant has slowed growth
in vitro
and is sensitive to killing by heat stress. However, we did not know if these phenotypes were caused by an inability to degrade the PafE-proteasome substrate HspR (
h
eat
s
hock
p
rotein
r
epressor), an inability to degrade any damaged or misfolded proteins, or a defect in another protein quality control pathway. To address this question, we characterized
pafE
suppressor mutants that grew similarly to
pafE
+
bacteria under normal culture conditions. All but one suppressor mutant analyzed contained mutations that inactivated HspR function, demonstrating that the slowed growth and heat shock sensitivity of a
pafE
mutant were caused primarily by the inability of the proteasome to degrade HspR.

IMPORTANCE
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
encodes a proteasome that is highly similar to eukaryotic proteasomes and is required for virulence. We recently discovered a proteasome cofactor, PafE, which is required for the normal growth, heat shock resistance, and full virulence of
M. tuberculosis
. In this study, we demonstrate that PafE influences this phenotype primarily by promoting the expression of protein chaperone genes that are necessary for surviving proteotoxic stress.
Murine Cytomegalovirus Deubiquitinase Regulates Viral Chemokine Levels To Control Inflammation and Pathogenesis
Authors: Hilterbrand Adam T. , Boutz Daniel R. , Marcotte Edward M. , Upton Jason W.
Published: January 2017

Maintaining control over inflammatory processes represents a paradox for viral pathogens. Although many viruses induce host inflammatory responses to facilitate infection, control is necessary to avoid overactivation. One way is through the manipulation of proinflammatory chemokine levels, both host and viral. Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), a model betaherpesvirus, encodes a viral C-C chemokine, MCK2, which promotes host inflammatory responses and incorporates into virions to facilitate viral dissemination. Here, we show that the activity of M48, the conserved MCMV deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB), regulates MCK2 levels during infection. Inactivation of M48 DUB activity results in viral attenuation and exacerbates virally induced, MCK2-dependent inflammatory responses. M48 DUB activity also influences MCK2 incorporation into virions. Importantly, attenuation of DUB-mutant virus acute replication
in vitro
and
in vivo
is largely ameliorated by targeted deletion of MCK2. Thus, uncontrolled MCK2 levels appear to mediate DUB-mutant virus attenuation in specific tissues or cell types. This demonstrates that MCMV M48 DUB activity plays a previously unappreciated role in controlling MCK2 levels, thereby managing MCK2-dependent processes. These findings reveal a novel intrinsic control mechanism of virally induced inflammation and support the identification of betaherpesvirus DUBs as possible new targets for antiviral therapies.

IMPORTANCE
Human cytomegalovirus infections represent a tremendous burden not only to those afflicted but also to health care systems worldwide. As cytomegalovirus infections are a leading cause of nongenetic sensory loss and neurodevelopmental delay, it is imperative that valuable model systems exist in order that we might understand what viral factors contribute to replication and pathogenesis. Currently, the only approved drug treatments against CMV infection are nucleoside analogues, to which some strains have become resistant. Understanding unique viral enzymatic contributions to infections will allow the development of novel pharmacological therapies. Here, we show that M48, the conserved MCMV deubiquitinase, is critical for MCMV replication in mice and demonstrate that attenuation is due to deregulated production of a viral proinflammatory chemokine. The deubiquitinases of both human and murine CMV represent structurally unique DUBs and are therefore attractive targets for pharmacological intervention. Continued research into the substrates of these DUBs will lend additional insight into their potential as targets.
A
Clostridium difficile
-Specific, Gel-Forming Protein Required for Optimal Spore Germination
Authors: Donnelly M. Lauren , Li William , Li Yong-qing , Hinkel Lauren , Setlow Peter , Shen Aimee
Published: January 2017

Clostridium difficile
is a Gram-positive spore-forming obligate anaerobe that is a leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea worldwide. In order for
C. difficile
to initiate infection, its aerotolerant spore form must germinate in the gut of mammalian hosts. While almost all spore-forming organisms use transmembrane germinant receptors to trigger germination,
C. difficile
uses the pseudoprotease CspC to sense bile salt germinants. CspC activates the related subtilisin-like protease CspB, which then proteolytically activates the cortex hydrolase SleC. Activated SleC degrades the protective spore cortex layer, a step that is essential for germination to proceed. Since CspC incorporation into spores also depends on CspA, a related pseudoprotease domain, Csp family proteins play a critical role in germination. However, how Csps are incorporated into spores remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that incorporation of the CspC, CspB, and CspA germination regulators into spores depends on CD0311 (renamed GerG), a previously uncharacterized hypothetical protein. The reduced levels of Csps in
gerG
spores correlate with reduced responsiveness to bile salt germinants and increased germination heterogeneity in single-spore germination assays. Interestingly, asparagine-rich repeat sequences in GerG’s central region facilitate spontaneous gel formation
in vitro
even though they are dispensable for GerG-mediated control of germination. Since GerG is found exclusively in
C. difficile
, our results suggest that exploiting GerG function could represent a promising avenue for developing
C. difficile
-specific anti-infective therapies.

IMPORTANCE
The spore-forming bacterium
Clostridium difficile
is a leading cause of health care-associated infections. While a subset of antibiotics can treat
C. difficile
infections (CDIs), the primary determinant of CDI disease susceptibility is prior antibiotic exposure, since it reduces the colonization resistance conferred by a diverse microflora. Thus, therapies that minimize perturbations to the gut microbiome should be more effective at reducing CDIs and their recurrence, the main source of disease complications. Given that spore germination is essential for
C. difficile
to initiate infection and that
C. difficile
uses a unique pathway to initiate germination, methods that inhibit distinct elements of germination could selectively prevent
C. difficile
disease recurrence. Here, we identify GerG as a
C. difficile
-specific protein that controls the incorporation of germinant signaling proteins into spores. Since
gerG
mutant spores exhibit germination defects and are less responsive to germinant, GerG may represent a promising target for developing therapeutics against CDI.
Expressing the
Geobacter metallireducens
PilA in
Geobacter sulfurreducens
Yields Pili with Exceptional Conductivity
Authors: Tan Yang , Adhikari Ramesh Y. , Malvankar Nikhil S. , Ward Joy E. , Woodard Trevor L. , Nevin Kelly P. , Lovley Derek R.
Published: January 2017

The electrically conductive pili (e-pili) of
Geobacter sulfurreducens
serve as a model for a novel strategy for long-range extracellular electron transfer. e-pili are also a new class of bioelectronic materials. However, the only other
Geobacter
pili previously studied, which were from
G. uraniireducens
, were poorly conductive. In order to obtain more information on the range of pili conductivities in
Geobacter
species, the pili of
G. metallireducens
were investigated. Heterologously expressing the PilA gene of
G. metallireducens
in
G. sulfurreducens
yielded a
G. sulfurreducens
strain, designated strain MP, that produced abundant pili. Strain MP exhibited phenotypes consistent with the presence of e-pili, such as high rates of Fe(III) oxide reduction and high current densities on graphite anodes. Individual pili prepared at physiologically relevant pH 7 had conductivities of 277 ± 18.9 S/cm (mean ± standard deviation), which is 5,000-fold higher than the conductivity of
G. sulfurreducens
pili at pH 7 and nearly 1 million-fold higher than the conductivity of
G. uraniireducens
pili at the same pH. A potential explanation for the higher conductivity of the
G. metallireducens
pili is their greater density of aromatic amino acids, which are known to be important components in electron transport along the length of the pilus. The
G. metallireducens
pili represent the most highly conductive pili found to date and suggest strategies for designing synthetic pili with even higher conductivities.

IMPORTANCE
e-pili are a remarkable electrically conductive material that can be sustainably produced without harsh chemical processes from renewable feedstocks and that contain no toxic components in the final product. Thus, e-pili offer an unprecedented potential for developing novel materials, electronic devices, and sensors for diverse applications with a new “green” technology. Increasing e-pili conductivity will even further expand their potential applications. A proven strategy is to design synthetic e-pili that contain tryptophan, an aromatic amino acid not found in previously studied e-pili. The studies reported here demonstrate that a productive alternative approach is to search more broadly in the microbial world. Surprisingly, even though
G. metallireducens
and
G. sulfurreducens
are closely related, the conductivities of their e-pili differ by more than 3 orders of magnitude. The ability to produce e-pili with high conductivity without generating a genetically modified product enhances the attractiveness of this novel electronic material.
The value of paediatric assessment in historic child sexual abuse
Authors: Al-Jilaihawi Sarah , Borg Kevin , Maguire Sabine , Hodes Deborah
Published: January 2017

Introduction

A perception exists that there are few benefits of a paediatric assessment in historic child sexual abuse (CSA), as the likelihood of finding forensic evidence is low.

Aim

To determine the value of a comprehensive paediatric assessment in a dedicated clinic for children and young people who present following suspicion or allegation of historic CSA.

Method

All children with suspected or alleged historic CSA, defined as >7 days after the last episode of sexual assault in pubertal girls, or >3 days for prepubertal girls and all boys, were assessed in a specialised paediatric clinic. Clinic data were collected prospectively between October 2009 and November 2014 and through retrospective case note review.

Results

Among the 249 children who presented with possible historic CSA, ages ranged from 0 to 17 years (median 7, SD 4.3). Of these children, 141 (57%) had a medical concern(s) related to the referral reason, 78 (31%) had an unrelated medical concern(s) and 55 (22%) had emotional or behavioural concerns requiring onward referral, while 18 (7%) children had physical signs supportive of CSA. Findings referable to social care were identified in 26 cases (10%), the police in 6 cases and 15 (6%) parents required professional help for anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions

This study highlights the value of a comprehensive paediatric assessment in a dedicated clinic for cases of suspected or alleged historic CSA, by identifying a broad variety of unmet health needs in this group. The findings have important implications for the child, their families and the multiagency team.
Clostridium hastiformebacteraemia secondary to pyometra in a 64-year-old woman
Authors: Ørum Matilde , Fuglsang-Damgaard David , Nielsen Hans Linde
Published: January 2017

The Gram-negative, rod-shaped, anaerobe bacteriaTissierella praeacutawas first described in 1908 by Tissier. However, during the past decade,Clostridium hastiformehas been recognised as a later synonym ofT. praeacuta. C. hastiforme/T. praeacutahas only rarely been described in previous literature as a cause of human infection. We present here a case report ofC. hastiforme/T. praeacuta bacteraemiasecondary to pyometra in a 64-year-old woman with a history of multiple sclerosis and an intrauterine device inserted three decades earlier.C. hastiforme/T. praeacutawas isolated from blood as well as pus from the site of infection. The patient was cured with a combination of drainage and antibiotic therapy.
Resource use associated with type 2 diabetes in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Eurasia and Turkey: results from the International Diabetes Management Practice Study (IDMPS)
Authors: Gagliardino Juan J , Atanasov Petar K , Chan Juliana C N , Mbanya Jean C , Shestakova Marina V , Leguet-Dinville Prisca , Annemans Lieven
Published: January 2017

Objective

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications form a global healthcare burden but the exact impact in some geographical regions is still not well documented. We describe the healthcare resource usage (HRU) associated with T2D in Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Eurasia and Turkey.

Research design and methods

In the fifth wave of the International Diabetes Management Practices Study (IDMPS; 2011–2012), we collected self-reported and physician-reported cross-sectional data from 8156 patients from 18 countries across 5 regions, including different types of HRU in the previous 3–6 months. Negative binomial regression was used to identify parameters associated with HRU, using incidence rate ratios (IRRs) to express associations.

Results

Patients in Africa (n=2220), the Middle East (n=2065), Eurasia (n=1843), South Asia (n=1195) and Turkey (n=842) experienced an annual hospitalization rate (mean±SD) of 0.6±1.9, 0.3±1.2, 1.7±4.1, 0.4±1.5 and 1.3±2.7, respectively. The annual number of diabetes-related inpatient days (mean±SD) was 4.7±22.7, 1.1±6.1, 16.0±30.0, 1.5±6.8 and 10.8±34.3, respectively. Despite some inter-regional heterogeneity, macrovascular complications (IRRs varying between 1.4 and 8.9), microvascular complications (IRRs varying between 3.4 and 4.3) and, to a large extent, inadequate glycemic control (IRRs varying between 1.89 and 10.1), were independent parameters associated with hospitalization in these respective regions.

Conclusions

In non-Western countries, macrovascular/microvascular complications and inadequate glycemic control were common and important parameters associated with increased HRU.
Management challenges in mHealth: failures of a mobile community health worker surveillance programme in rural Nepal
Authors: Meyers David J , Filkins Malina , Harsha Bangura Alex , Sharma Ranju , Baruwal Ashma , Pande Sami , Halliday Scott , Schwarz Dan , Schwarz Ryan K , Maru Duncan S R
Published: January 2017

Community health workers form the backbone of healthcare systems globally. The rapid expansion of mobile communications systems represents an opportunity to improve the productivity of community health workers in rural areas. Here, we describe a programme in rural Nepal that aimed to implement a mobile phone system for collecting health surveillance data, yet did not reach its fullest potential due to several programme management challenges during the implementation of the surveillance programme. Despite early successes with the mobile phone system itself, the programme ultimately failed due to leadership transitions, poor process design and a lack of consistent vision of how to operationalise the data. This field report provides important insights into the design, maintenance and pitfalls of similar community-based mobile health initiatives and technology innovation projects in general.
Healthcare resource consumption for intermittent urinary catheterisation: cost-effectiveness of hydrophilic catheters and budget impact analyses
Authors: Rognoni Carla , Tarricone Rosanna
Published: January 2017

Objectives

This study presents a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing hydrophilic coated to uncoated catheters for patients performing urinary intermittent catheterisation. A national budget impact analysis is also included to evaluate the impact of intermittent catheterisation for management of bladder dysfunctions over a period of 5 years.

Design

A Markov model (lifetime horizon, 1 year cycle length) was developed to project health outcomes (life years and quality-adjusted life years) and economic consequences related to patients using hydrophilic coated or uncoated catheters. The model was populated with catheter-related clinical efficacy data retrieved from randomised controlled trials and quality-of-life data (utility weights) from the literature. Cost data (EUR, 2015) were estimated on the basis of healthcare resource consumption derived from an e-survey addressed to key opinion leaders in the field.

Setting

Italian Healthcare Service perspective.

Population

Patients with spinal cord injury performing intermittent urinary catheterisation in the home setting.

Main outcome measures

Incremental cost-effectiveness and cost-utility ratios (ICER and ICUR) of hydrophilic coated versus uncoated catheters and associated healthcare budget impact.

Results

The base-case ICER and ICUR associated with hydrophilic coated catheters were €20 761 and €24 405, respectively. This implies that hydrophilic coated catheters are likely to be cost-effective in comparison to uncoated ones, as proposed Italian threshold values range between €25 000 and €66 400. Considering a market share at year 5 of 89% hydrophilic catheters and 11% uncoated catheters, the additional cost for Italy is approximately €12 million in the next 5 years (current market share scenario for year 0: 80% hydrophilic catheters and 20% uncoated catheters).

Conclusions

Considered over a lifetime, hydrophilic coated catheters are potentially a cost-effective choice in comparison to uncoated ones. These findings can assist policymakers in evaluating intermittent catheterisation in patients with spinal cord injury.
SheppHeartCABG trial—comprehensive early rehabilitation after coronary artery bypass grafting: a protocol for a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Højskov Ida Elisabeth , Moons Philip , Hansen Niels Viggo , La Cour Søren , Olsen Peter Skov , Gluud Christian , Winkel Per , Lindschou Jane , Thygesen Lau Caspar , Egerod Ingrid , Berg Selina Kikkenborg
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery often experience a range of symptoms. Studies indicate that non-pharmacological interventions such as exercise training and psychoeducation have a positive physiological and psychological effect in early outpatient rehabilitation. The SheppHeartCABG trial will investigate the effect of early comprehensive rehabilitation in early phase rehabilitation versus usual care. The aim of this paper is to present the protocol for the SheppHeartCABG trial.

Methods/analysis

SheppHeartCABG is an investigator-initiated randomised clinical superiority trial with blinded outcome assessment, employing 1:1 central randomisation to rehabilitation plus usual care versus usual care alone. On the basis of a sample size calculation, 326 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting will be included from two clinical sites. All patients receive usual care and patients allocated to the experimental intervention follow 4 weeks rehabilitation consisting of an exercise programme, psycho-educative consultations and a compact mindfulness programme. The primary outcome is physical function measured by the 6-min walk test. The secondary outcomes are mental health and physical activity measured by the Medical Outcome Study Short Form (SF-12), anxiety and depression measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaire, physical, emotional and global scores by the HeartQoL questionnaire, sleep measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, pain measured by the Örebro Musculoskeletal Screening Questionnaire and muscle endurance measured by the sit-to-stand test. A number of explorative analyses will also be conducted.

Ethics and dissemination

SheppHeartCABG is approved by the regional ethics committee (no. H-4-2014-109) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (no. 30-1309) and is performed in accordance with good clinical practice and the Declaration of Helsinki in its latest form. Positive, neutral and negative results of the trial will be submitted to international peer-reviewed journals. Furthermore, results will be presented at national and international conferences relevant to the subject fields.

Trial registration number

NCT02290262; pre-results.
Lateral spreading near deep foundations and influence of soil permeability
Authors: He Liangcai , Ramirez Jose , Lu Jinchi , Tang Liang , Elgamal Ahmed , Tokimatsu Kohji
Published: January 2017

A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model is calibrated based on a large-scale (1g) shake-table experiment. In this experiment, single piles were subjected to liquefaction-induced lateral spreading. The testing configuration, experimental results, and FE framework are presented and discussed. The presence of piles in this fully saturated ground model caused a significant reduction in the extent of accumulated lateral soil deformation. In this regard, high shear strains, additional to those in the free field, occur as the soil moves around the piles in the downslope direction. The associated shear-induced tendency for dilation increases the effective confinement, and reduces the resulting downslope deformations. As such, an FE parametric study is undertaken to investigate the effect of soil permeability on this observed liquefaction-induced lateral response. As the prescribed soil permeability increased (in the silt–sand range), higher levels of ground lateral deformation occured, albeit with a lower pile head displacement and lateral load. Eventually, high permeability (in the gravels range) precluded the accumulation of significant excess pore pressure, with low levels of both soil and pile lateral displacement. On this basis, permeability is highlighted as a critical potentially primary parameter in dictating the effects of liquefaction-induced lateral load on embedded foundation systems.
MOS Only Grounded Active Inductor Circuits and Their Filter Applications
Authors: Konal Mustafa , Kacar Firat
Published: January 2017

This paper presents two grounded MOS only active inductor circuits. Both circuits have only two MOS transistors and two biasing currents. Thus, the proposed active inductors provide small chip area, tunability, low power consumption with 150[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W and 90[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W, respectively. To analyze their performance, a second-order band-pass filter and a third-order high-pass filter structures are presented with low noise as 7.5[Formula: see text]nV/[Formula: see text] and 9.14[Formula: see text]nV/[Formula: see text], respectively. The designed active inductors and filters are simulated in 0.18[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS process parameters using LTSPICE.
An Approach Towards Design of Analog Integrated Circuits Based on Fixator–Norator Pair
Authors: Rohith Krishnan R. , Krishnakumar S.
Published: January 2017

This paper presents a novel method for the design of analog integrated circuit, making use of fixator–norator pairs for the performance design and biasing design. Fixators are the distinctive tools for setting a critical design parameter at a desired value whereas the pairing norator renders these critical parameters into adequate supporting components, mainly resistors. For analog ICs, active loads and current mirrors serve as supporting components. Hence, the use of fixator–norator pairs may abbreviate as defining the dynamic and static resistance of active loads and current mirrors that should be affirmative with a given design. The proposed methodology is illustrated by the use of a common emitter amplifier, a BJT differential amplifier, a MOS operational amplifier and a three-stage CMOS operational amplifier.
Foundations of strangeness nuclear physics derived from chiral effective field theory
Authors: Meißner Ulf-G. , Haidenbauer Johann
Published: January 2017

Dense compact objects like neutron stars or black holes have always been one of Gerry Brown’s favorite research topics. This is closely related to the effects of strangeness in nuclear physics. Here, we review the chiral Effective Field Theory approach to interactions involving nucleons and hyperons, the possible existence of strange dibaryons, the fate of hyperons in nuclear matter and the present status of three-body forces involving hyperons and nucleons.
Cooperative porphyrin-quadrupolar based triad for combined two-photon induced fluorescence and singlet oxygen generation
Authors: Verlhac Jean-Baptiste , Clermont Guillaume , Blanchard-Desce Mireille
Published: January 2017

The design and synthesis of a cooperative multichromophoric triad system which combines the large two-photon absorption properties of fluorene-cored bis-donor quadropolar dyes and the remarkable sensitizing properties of the porphyrin subunit (i.e. high intersystem crossing and ability to produce singlet oxygen by energy transfer to oxygen from its triplet excited state) is described. After irradiation the energy can be transferred from the quadrupolar chromophores to the porphyrin with an estimated 80% efficiency via a FRET process. Moreover both the two-photon absorption properties of the quadrupolar subunits and the sensitizing and fluorescence properties of the porphyrin are retained indicating that deleterious competing processes (such as photo-induced electron transfer) are prevented in such molecular architectures thanks to the implemented design. As a result, the two-photon absorption induced singlet oxygen generation efficiency of the triad in the NIR region is found to be enhanced by an order of magnitude as compared to the porphyin subunit. Potential applications of these porphyrin-based multichromophoric systems for photodynamic therapy based upon two-photon excitation in the NIR region might be possible since it overcomes the low two-photon absorption response of porphyrin while fully retaining their remarkable photosensitizing properties.
CASE REPORT: THREE CASES OF NON-UNION FRACTURE IN DOGS TREATED WITH ADIPOSE-DERIVED ADULT STEM CELLS COMBINED WITH AUTOLOGOUS CANCELLOUS BONE AND SYNTHETIC BONE SUBSTITUTES
Authors: Tsai Kun-Lung
Published: January 2017

The first case was a 4-year old, 10[Formula: see text]kgs intact male Shiba Inu presenting fracture of the distal third of its right ulna and radius. The patient was first managed at a Local Veterinary Hospital (LVH) twice with bone plates but non-union was observed, along with bone infection and bone defect on a large area. The fracture site was re-stabilized and given stem cell therapy at Famous Veterinary Hospital (FVH). The area of bone defect reduced significantly with prominent callus formation. The second case was a 9-year old, 3.3[Formula: see text]kgs intact female Toy Poodle with fracture of the distal right radius and ulna. The fracture was first stabilized with bone plates at LVH but non-union was observed. Resorption of bone was visible radiographically around the proximal screw, which led to fracture and implant loosening at that location. Pan-arthrodesis followed after stem cells administration was performed at FVH. Radiography showed sufficient growth of the radius and union of the ulna occurred at 145 days after therapy. The third case was a 3.5-year old, 10[Formula: see text]kgs intact male Mongrel attended at LVH for a humerus fracture. Fracture reduction with bone plates was attempted twice at LVH but both loosened eventually. At FVH, an external skeletal fixator was used to stabilize the fracture, followed by stem cell therapy. There was radiographic evidence that the humerus healed well by the 35th day after therapy and was completely united by Day 113 of post-surgery and therapy.
From the geometry of box spaces to the geometry and measured couplings of groups
Authors: Das Kajal
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we prove that if two “box spaces” of two residually finite groups are coarsely equivalent, then the two groups are “uniform measured equivalent” (UME). More generally, we prove that if there is a coarse embedding of one box space into another box space, then there exists a “uniform measured equivalent embedding” (UME-embedding) of the first group into the second one. This is a reinforcement of the easier fact that a coarse equivalence (resp.ã coarse embedding) between the box spaces gives rise to a coarse equivalence (resp.ã coarse embedding) between the groups.

We deduce new invariants that distinguish box spaces up to coarse embedding and coarse equivalence. In particular, we obtain that the expanders coming from [Formula: see text] cannot be coarsely embedded inside the expanders of [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Moreover, we obtain a countable class of residually finite groups which are mutually coarse-equivalent but any of their box spaces are not coarse-equivalent.
Theoretical Framework About Relational Capability on Inter-Organizational Cooperation
Authors: Alves Fernanda Salvador , Segatto Andréa Paula , De-Carli Eduardo
Published: January 2017

The inter-organizational cooperation (IOC) is based on the use of consensual ways to seek a common goal. It requires a strategic vision of organizations to enable purchases and allocate resources to improve the performance and create learning. In addition, IOC may be able to pool resources, skills and values looking for maintaining competitiveness. The organizations must develop ‘Relational Capabilities’ (RC) for their cooperative success. Such skills are learning, involving structural interaction, development of specific assets and cooperative behavior. Authors present a typology of dimensions and characteristics to understanding the construct. From these aspects, the research proposes a theoretical framework for understanding and allowing the assessment of the RC construct, in the IOC. To elaborate it, the studies mentioned above were regrouped by similarities, in the pursuit of joint and complementary, to develop a new framework of components from the dimensions proposed. The results were five dimensions: coordination, cultural, knowledge, technology and coadaptation, which were formed by components. It is possible to believe that the evaluation of RC in inter-organizational relationships can identify factors that influence the success of alliances that should be improved or developed by empirical disclosure of the results. Therefore, the partnership objectives are met as full as possible.
Innovation and Social Media: Cultural Impacts on the Opinion Influence Process in Brand Communities
Authors: Chen Yong , Chen Hong
Published: January 2017

Innovation is crucial for firms to gain competition advantages. Social media provides firms a new platform to facilitate innovation because consumers are getting more involved in the whole innovation process with the help of Web 2.0 technologies. Social media has been used as an important tool by firms to influence consumers’ attitude and behavior. Influence occurs in social media-based brand communities because community members have the control of discovering, producing, sharing, and distributing information and because the spread out of their experiences and opinions in the format of electronic word-of-mouth forms brand images. Because social media has the ability of global reach, cross-border factors should not be neglected in studying the influence process. As such, this paper adopts national cultural dimensions identified by Hofstede (1984), individualism/collectivism and power distance particularly, the index of cultural distance, and the social influence theory to explore how culture impacts the opinion influence occurring in social media-based brand communities. Furthermore, this paper predicts that the use of social media facilitate firms’ innovation due to consumers’ active involvement.
Trade-Offs Between Synchronization, Communication, and Computation in Parallel Linear Algebra Computations
Authors: Solomonik Edgar , Carson Erin , Knight Nicholas , Demmel James
Published: January 2017

This article derives trade-offs between three basic costs of a parallel algorithm: synchronization, data movement, and computational cost. These trade-offs are lower bounds on the execution time of the algorithm that are independent of the number of processors but dependent on the problem size. Therefore, they provide lower bounds on the execution time of any parallel schedule of an algorithm computed by a system composed of any number of homogeneous processors, each with associated computational, communication, and synchronization costs. We employ a theoretical model that measures the amount of work and data movement as a maximum over that incurred along any execution path during the parallel computation. By considering this metric rather than the total communication volume over the whole machine, we obtain new insights into the characteristics of parallel schedules for algorithms with nontrivial dependency structures. We also present reductions from BSP and LogGP algorithms to our execution model, extending our lower bounds to these two models of parallel computation. We first develop our results for general dependency graphs and hypergraphs based on their expansion properties, and then we apply the theorem to a number of specific algorithms in numerical linear algebra, namely triangular substitution, Cholesky factorization, and stencil computations. We represent some of these algorithms as families of dependency graphs. We derive their communication lower bounds by studying the communication requirements of the hypergraph structures shared by these dependency graphs. In addition to these lower bounds, we introduce a new communication-efficient parallelization for stencil computation algorithms, which is motivated by results of our lower bound analysis and the properties of previously existing parallelizations of the algorithms.
A Database Approach to SDN Control Plane Design
Authors: Davie Bruce , Koponen Teemu , Pettit Justin , Pfaff Ben , Casado Martin , Gude Natasha , Padmanabhan Amar , Petty Tim , Duda Kenneth , Chanda Anupam
Published: January 2017

Software-defined networking (SDN) is a well-known example of a research idea that has been reduced to practice in numerous settings. Network virtualization has been successfully developed commercially using SDN techniques. This paper describes our experience in developing production-ready, multi-vendor implementations of a complex network virtualization system. Having struggled with a traditional network protocol approach (based on OpenFlow) to achieving interoperability among vendors, we adopted a new approach. We focused first on defining the control information content and then used a generic database protocol to synchronize state between the elements. Within less than nine months of starting the design, we had achieved basic interoperability between our network virtualization controller and the hardware switches of six vendors. This was a qualitative improvement on our decidedly mixed experience using OpenFlow. We found a number of benefits to the database approach, such as speed of implementation, greater hardware diversity, the ability to abstract away implementation details of the hardware, clarified state consistency model, and extensibility of the overall system.
Sign Language and the Foundations of Anaphora
Authors: Schlenker Philippe
Published: January 2017

Sign language anaphora is often realized very differently from its spoken language counterpart. In simple cases, an antecedent is associated with a position or “locus” in signing space, and an anaphoric link is obtained by pointing toward that locus to recover its semantic value. This mechanism may sometimes be an overt realization of coindexation in formal syntax and semantics. I discuss two kinds of insights that sign language research can bring to the foundations of anaphora. First, in some cases the overt nature of indices in sign language allows one to bring overt evidence to bear on classic debates in semantics. I consider two: the availability of situation-denoting variables in natural language and the availability of binding without c-command. Second, in some cases sign language pronouns raise new challenges for formal semantics. Loci may function simultaneously as formal variables and as simplified depictions of what they denote, requiring the construction of a formal semantics with iconicity to analyze their properties.
Unbiased Language Assessment: Contributions of Linguistic Theory
Authors: de Villiers Jill G.
Published: January 2017

This review addresses several situations of language learning to make concrete the issue of fairness—and justice—that arises in designing assessments. First, I discuss the implications of dialect variation in American English, asking how assessment has taken dialect into consideration. Second, I address the question of how to assess the distributed knowledge of bilingual or dual-language learners. The evaluation of the language skills of children growing up in poverty asks whether the current focus on the quantity of caregiver input is misplaced. Third, I address a special case in which the young speakers of a minority language, Romani, are judged to be unfit for schooling because they fail tests in the state language. Finally, I examine the difficult issue of language assessments in countries with multiple official languages and few resources. In each of these areas, the involvement and expertise of linguists are essential for knowing how the grammar works and what might be important to assess.
Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Candidate Therapies for a Potentially Lethal Disease
Authors: Unlu Ozan , Erkan Doruk
Published: January 2017

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a potentially lethal disease that presents with rapidly progressive multiple organ thromboses. Anticoagulation, corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and plasma exchange are the most commonly used treatments for CAPS patients. However, the high mortality despite these medications necessitates new treatment strategies. Following a brief review of current diagnostic and management strategies, we discuss the candidate therapies, i.e., hydroxychloroquine, rituximab, eculizumab, sirolimus, and defibrotide, that can be considered in CAPS patients refractory to traditional treatment.