bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Finite Element Analysis of Flexible Pipes Under Axial Compression: Influence of the Sample Length
Authors: Malta Eduardo Ribeiro , de Arruda Martins Clóvis
Published: August 2016

In order to study the axial compressive behavior of flexible pipes, a nonlinear tridimensional finite element model was developed. This model recreates a five layer flexible pipe with two tensile armor layers, an external polymeric sheath, an orthotropic high strength tape, and a rigid inner core. Using this model, several studies were conducted to verify the influence of key parameters on the wire instability phenomenon. The pipe sample length can be considered as one of these parameters. This paper includes a detailed description of the finite element model itself and a case study where the length of the pipe is varied. The procedure of this analysis is here described and a case study is presented which shows that the sample length itself has no practical effect on the prebuckling response of the samples and a small effect on the limit force value. The postbuckling response, however, presented high sensitivity to the changes, but its erratic behavior has made impossible to establish a pattern.
Effects of Viscoelastic Properties of Friction Lining Materials on Their Friction Coefficients
Authors: Chen Kai , Zhang Dekun , Zhang Xiaojia
Published: August 2016

In order to obtain the viscoelastic properties of friction linings and their effect on the tribological properties, three friction linings (K25, G30, and GM-3) are studied. Results show that higher creep and stress relaxation performances are favorable for promoting the friction coefficient. The friction coefficient of GM-3 is inversely proportional to the load. Meanwhile, the friction coefficients of K25 and G30 first increase to the peak under the load and later decrease. Under high load, GM-3 has the largest friction coefficient, whereas K25 has the smallest, with that of G30 being the median. The friction coefficient of GM-3 is inversely proportional to the loss factor, whereas those of K25 and G30 are directly proportional.
Simulation of Laser-Induced Controlled Fracturing Utilizing a Phase Field Model
Authors: Schlüter Alexander , Kuhn Charlotte , Müller Ralf
Published: August 2016

This work presents an approach to simulate laser cutting of ceramic substrates utilizing a phase field model for brittle fracture. To start with, the necessary thermoelastic extension of the original phase field model is introduced. Here, the Beer–Lambert law is used in order to model the effect of the laser on the substrate. The arising system of partial differential equations—which comprises the balance of linear momentum, the energy balance, and the evolution equation that governs crack propagation—is solved by a monolithic finite-element scheme. Finally, the influences of the laser power and the initial groove size on the manufactured work piece are analyzed numerically in simulations of a laser-cutting process.
A multistage crucible of revision and approval shapes IPCC policymaker summaries
Authors: Mach Katharine J. , Freeman Patrick T. , Mastrandrea Michael D. , Field Christopher B.
Published: August 2016

IPCC governmental approval is a complex science-policy interaction shaping its assessment summaries.
Humans display a reduced set of consistent behavioral phenotypes in dyadic games
Authors: Poncela-Casasnovas Julia , Gutiérrez-Roig Mario , Gracia-Lázaro Carlos , Vicens Julian , Gómez-Gardeñes Jesús , Perelló Josep , Moreno Yamir , Duch Jordi , Sánchez Angel
Published: August 2016

Lab-in-the-field experiment reveals that humans display a reduced set of consistent behavioral phenotypes in dyadic games.
Shatter cones: (Mis)understood?
Authors: Osinski Gordon R. , Ferrière Ludovic
Published: August 2016

Shatter cones can be used to confirm impact craters and determine their size.
Minerals with metal-organic framework structures
Authors: Huskić Igor , Pekov Igor V. , Krivovichev Sergey V. , Friščić Tomislav
Published: August 2016

The rare minerals stepanovite and zhemchuzhnikovite are unique examples of naturally occurring open metal-organic frameworks.
Carbon Catabolite Repression and Impranil Polyurethane Degradation in Pseudomonas protegens Strain Pf-5
Authors: Hung Chia-Suei , Zingarelli Sandra , Nadeau Lloyd J. , Biffinger Justin C. , Drake Carrie A. , Crouch Audra L. , Barlow Daniel E. , Russell John N. , Crookes-Goodson Wendy J.
Published: August 2016

Polyester polyurethane (PU) coatings are widely used to help protect underlying structural surfaces but are susceptible to biological degradation. PUs are susceptible to degradation by
Pseudomonas
species, due in part to the degradative activity of secreted hydrolytic enzymes. Microorganisms often respond to environmental cues by secreting enzymes or secondary metabolites to benefit their survival. This study investigated the impact of exposing several
Pseudomonas
strains to select carbon sources on the degradation of the colloidal polyester polyurethane Impranil DLN (Impranil). The prototypic
Pseudomonas protegens
strain Pf-5 exhibited Impranil-degrading activities when grown in sodium citrate but not in glucose-containing medium. Glucose also inhibited the induction of Impranil-degrading activity by citrate-fed Pf-5 in a dose-dependent manner. Biochemical and mutational analyses identified two extracellular lipases present in the Pf-5 culture supernatant (PueA and PueB) that were involved in degradation of Impranil. Deletion of the
pueA
gene reduced Impranil-clearing activities, while
pueB
deletion exhibited little effect. Removal of both genes was necessary to stop degradation of the polyurethane. Bioinformatic analysis showed that putative Cbr/Hfq/Crc-mediated regulatory elements were present in the intergenic sequences upstream of both
pueA
and
pueB
genes. Our results confirmed that both PueA and PueB extracellular enzymes act in concert to degrade Impranil. Furthermore, our data showed that carbon sources in the growth medium directly affected the levels of Impranil-degrading activity but that carbon source effects varied among
Pseudomonas
strains. This study uncovered an intricate and complicated regulation of
P. protegens
PU degradation activity controlled by carbon catabolite repression.

IMPORTANCE
Polyurethane (PU) coatings are commonly used to protect metals from corrosion. Microbiologically induced PU degradation might pose a substantial problem for the integrity of these coatings. Microorganisms from diverse genera, including pseudomonads, possess the ability to degrade PUs via various means. This work identified two extracellular lipases, PueA and PueB, secreted by
P. protegens
strain Pf-5, to be responsible for the degradation of a colloidal polyester PU, Impranil. This study also revealed that the expression of the degradative activity by strain Pf-5 is controlled by glucose carbon catabolite repression. Furthermore, this study showed that the Impranil-degrading activity of many other
Pseudomonas
strains could be influenced by different carbon sources. This work shed light on the carbon source regulation of PU degradation activity among pseudomonads and identified the polyurethane lipases in
P. protegens
.
Multivalent Chromosomal Expression of the Clostridium botulinum Serotype A Neurotoxin Heavy-Chain Antigen and the Bacillus anthracis Protective Antigen in Lactobacillus acidophilus
Authors: O'Flaherty Sarah , Klaenhammer Todd R.
Published: August 2016

Clostridium botulinum
and
Bacillus anthracis
produce potent toxins that cause severe disease in humans. New and improved vaccines are needed for both of these pathogens. For mucosal vaccine delivery using lactic acid bacteria, chromosomal expression of antigens is preferred over plasmid-based expression systems, as chromosomal expression circumvents plasmid instability and the need for antibiotic pressure. In this study, we constructed three strains of
Lactobacillus acidophilus
NCFM expressing from the chromosome (i) the nontoxic host receptor-binding domain of the heavy chain of
Clostridium botulinum
serotype A neurotoxin (BoNT/A-Hc), (ii) the anthrax protective antigen (PA), and (iii) both the BoNT/A-Hc and the PA. The BoNT/A-Hc vaccine cassette was engineered to contain the signal peptide from the S-layer protein A from
L. acidophilus
and a dendritic-cell-targeting peptide. A chromosomal region downstream of
lba0889
carrying a highly expressed enolase gene was selected for insertion of the vaccine cassettes. Western blot analysis confirmed the heterologous expression of the two antigens from plasmid and chromosome locations. Stability assays demonstrated loss of the vaccine cassettes from expression plasmids without antibiotic maintenance. RNA sequencing showed high expression of each antigen and that insertion of the vaccine cassettes had little to no effect on the transcription of other genes in the chromosome. This study demonstrated that chromosomal integrative recombinant strains are promising vaccine delivery vehicles when targeted into high-expression chromosomal regions. Levels of expression match high-copy-number plasmids and eliminate the requirement for antibiotic selective maintenance of recombinant plasmids.

IMPORTANCE
Clostridium botulinum
and
Bacillus anthracis
produce potent neurotoxins that pose a biochemical warfare concern; therefore, effective vaccines against these bacteria are required. Chromosomal expression of antigens is preferred over plasmid-based expression systems since expressing antigens from a chromosomal location confers an advantage to the vaccine strains by eliminating the antibiotic maintenance required for plasmids and negates issues with plasmid instability that would result in loss of the antigen. Lactic acid bacteria, including
Lactobacillus acidophilus
, have shown potential for mucosal vaccine delivery, as
L. acidophilus
is bile and acid tolerant, allowing transit through the gastrointestinal tract where cells interact with host epithelial and immune cells, including dendritic cells. In this study, we successfully expressed
C. botulinum
and
B. anthracis
antigens in the probiotic
L. acidophilus
strain NCFM. Both antigens were highly expressed individually or in tandem from the chromosome of
L. acidophilus
.
Recent developments in the detection and management of acute kidney injury
Authors: McCaffrey James , Dhakal Ajaya Kumar , Milford David V , Webb Nicholas J A , Lennon Rachel
Published: August 2016

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition in children admitted to hospital and existing serum and urine biomarkers are insensitive. There have been significant developments in stratifying the risk of AKI in children and also in the identification of new AKI biomarkers. Risk stratification coupled with a panel of AKI biomarkers will improve future detection of AKI, however, paediatric validation studies in mixed patient cohorts are required. The principles of effective management rely on treating the underlying cause and preventing secondary AKI by the appropriate use of fluids and medication. Further therapeutic innovation will depend on improving our understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying AKI in children.
Identification of adults with sepsis in the prehospital environment: a systematic review
Authors: Smyth Michael A , Brace-McDonnell Samantha J , Perkins Gavin D
Published: August 2016

Objective

Early identification of sepsis could enable prompt delivery of key interventions such as fluid resuscitation and antibiotic administration which, in turn, may lead to improved patient outcomes. Limited data indicate that recognition of sepsis by paramedics is often poor. We systematically reviewed the literature on prehospital sepsis screening tools to determine whether they improved sepsis recognition.

Design

Systematic review. The electronic databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library and PubMed were systematically searched up to June 2015. In addition, subject experts were contacted.

Setting

Prehospital/emergency medical services (EMS).

Study selection

All studies addressing identification of sepsis (including severe sepsis and septic shock) among adult patients managed by EMS.

Outcome measures

Recognition of sepsis by EMS clinicians.

Results

Owing to considerable variation in the methodological approach adopted and outcome measures reported, a narrative approach to data synthesis was adopted. Three studies addressed development of prehospital sepsis screening tools. Six studies addressed paramedic diagnosis of sepsis with or without use of a prehospital sepsis screening tool.

Conclusions

Recognition of sepsis by ambulance clinicians is poor. The use of screening tools, based on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign diagnostic criteria, improves prehospital sepsis recognition. Screening tools derived from EMS data have been developed, but they have not yet been validated in clinical practice. There is a need to undertake validation studies to determine whether prehospital sepsis screening tools confer any clinical benefit.
Combined cognitive–behavioural and mindfulness programme for people living with dystonia: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Sandhu H , Bernstein C J , Davies G , Tang N K Y , Belhag M , Tingle A , Field M , Foss J , Lindahl A , Underwood M , Ellard D R
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To design and test the delivery of an intervention targeting the non-motor symptoms of dystonia and pilot key health and well-being questionnaires in this population.

Design

A proof-of-concept study to test the delivery, acceptability, relevance, structure and content for a 3-day group residential programme for the management of dystonia.

Setting

Participants were recruited from a single botulinum toxin clinic. The intervention was delivered in the community.

Participants

14 participants consented to take part (2 withdrew prior to the starting of intervention). The average age was 60 years (range 44–77), 8 of whom were female. After drop-out, 9 participants completed the 3-day programme.

Intervention

A 3-day group residential programme.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Process evaluation and interviews were carried out before and after the intervention to explore participant's views and expectations, as well as experiences of the intervention. Select questionnaires were completed at baseline, 1-month and 3-month follow-up.

Results

Although participants were not sure what to expect from the programme, they found it informative and for many this together with being in a group with other people with dystonia legitimised their condition. Mindfulness was accepted and adopted as a coping strategy. This was reflected in the 1-month follow-up.

Conclusions

We successfully delivered a 3-day residential programme to help those living with dystonia manage their condition. Further improvements are suggested. The quantitative outcome measures were acceptable to this group of patients with dystonia.
Comparing the accuracy of quantitative versus qualitative analyses of interim PET to prognosticate Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review protocol of diagnostic test accuracy
Authors: Procházka Vít , Klugar Miloslav , Bachanova Veronika , Klugarová Jitka , Tučková Dagmar , Papajík Tomáš
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Hodgkin lymphoma is an effectively treated malignancy, yet 20% of patients relapse or are refractory to front-line treatments with potentially fatal outcomes. Early detection of poor treatment responders is crucial for appropriate application of tailored treatment strategies. Tumour metabolic imaging of Hodgkin lymphoma using visual (qualitative) 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a gold standard for staging and final outcome assessment, but results gathered during the interim period are less accurate. Analysis of continuous metabolic–morphological data (quantitative) FDG-PET may enhance the robustness of interim disease monitoring, and help to improve treatment decision-making processes. The objective of this review is to compare diagnostic test accuracy of quantitative versus qualitative interim FDG-PET in the prognostication of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Methods

The literature on this topic will be reviewed in a 3-step strategy that follows methods described by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). First, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases will be searched. Second, listed databases for published literature (MEDLINE, Tripdatabase, Pedro, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and WoS) and unpublished literature (Open Grey, Current Controlled Trials, MedNar, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cos Conference Papers Index and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform of the WHO) will be queried. Third, 2 independent reviewers will analyse titles, abstracts and full texts, and perform hand search of relevant studies, and then perform critical appraisal and data extraction from selected studies using the DATARI tool (JBI). If possible, a statistical meta-analysis will be performed on pooled sensitivity and specificity data gathered from the selected studies. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed. Funnel plots, Begg's rank correlations and Egger's regression tests will be used to detect and/or correct publication bias.

Ethics and dissemination

The results will be disseminated by publishing in a peer-reviewed journal. Ethical assessment will not be needed; only existing sources of literature will be searched.

Trial registration number

CRD42016027953.
Understanding and reducing the prescription of hypnotics and sedatives at the interface of hospital care and general practice: a protocol for a mixed-methods study
Authors: Heinemann Stephanie , Weiß Vivien , Straube Kati , Nau Roland , Grimmsmann Thomas , Himmel Wolfgang , Hummers-Pradier Eva
Published: August 2016

Introduction

Hypnotics and sedatives, especially benzodiazepines and Z-drugs, are frequently prescribed for longer periods than recommended—in spite of potential risks for patients. Any intervention to improve this situation has to take into account the interplay between different actors, interests and needs. The ultimate goal of this study is to develop—together with the professionals involved—ideas for reducing the use of hypnotics and sedatives and then to implement and evaluate adequate interventions in the hospital and at the primary and secondary care interface.

Methods and analysis

The study will take place in a regional hospital in northern Germany and in some general practices in this region. We will collect data from doctors, nurses, patients and a major social health insurer to define the problem from multiple perspectives. These data will be explored and discussed with relevant stakeholders to develop interventions. The interventions will be implemented and, in a final step, evaluated. Both quantitative and qualitative data, including surveys, interviews, chart reviews and secondary analysis of social health insurance data, will be collected to obtain a full understanding of the frequency and the reasons for using hypnotics and sedatives.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval has been granted from the ethics review committee of the University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany. Results will be disseminated to researchers, clinicians and policy makers in peer-reviewed journal articles and conference publications. One or more dissemination events will be held locally during continuous professional development events for local professionals, including (but not confined to) the study participants.
Study on the development of an infectious disease-specific health literacy scale in the Chinese population
Authors: Tian Xiangyang , Di Zeqing , Cheng Yulan , Ren Xuefeng , Chai Yan , Ding Fan , Chen Jibin , Southerland Jodi L , Cui Zengwei , Hu Xiuqiong , Xu Jingdong , Xu Shuiyang , Qian Guohong , Wang Liang
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To develop a scale to assess infectious disease-specific health literacy (IDSHL) in China and test its initial psychometric properties.

Methods

Item pooling, reduction and assessment of psychometric properties were conducted. The scale was divided into 2 subscales; subscale 1 assessed an individual's skills to prevent/treat infectious diseases and subscale 2 assessed cognitive ability. In 2014, 9000 people aged 15–69 years were randomly sampled from 3 provinces and asked to complete the IDSHL questionnaire. Cronbach's α was calculated to assess reliability. Exploratory factor analysis, t-test, correlations, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and logistic regression were used to examine validity.

Results

Each of the 22 items in subscale 1 had a content validity index >0.8. In total, 8858 people completed the scale. The principal components factor analysis suggested a 5-factor solution. All factor loadings were >0.40 (p<0.05). The IDSHL score was 22.07±7.91 (mean±SD; total score=38.62). Significant differences were observed across age (r=−0.276), sex (males: 21.65±8.03; females: 22.47±7.78), education (14.16±8.19 to 26.55±6.26), 2-week morbidity (present: 20.62±8.17, absent: 22.35±7.83; p<0.001) and health literacy of the highest and lowest 27% score groups (all p<0.05). The ROC curve indicated that 76.2% of respondents were adequate in IDSHL. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed 12 predictors of IDSHL adequacy (p<0.05). Among the 22 remaining items, Corrected Item-Total Correlation ranged from 0.316 to 0.504 and Cronbach's α values ranged from 0.754 to 0.810 if the items were deleted. The overall α value was 0.839 and the difficulty coefficient ranged from 1.19 to 4.08. For subscale 2, there were statistically significant differences between the mean scores of those with a correct/incorrect answer (all p<0.001).

Conclusions

The newly developed 28-item scale provides an efficient, psychometrically sound and user-friendly measure of IDSHL in the Chinese population.
Effect of warning symbols in combination with education on the frequency of erroneously crushing medication in nursing homes: an uncontrolled before and after study
Authors: van Welie Steven , Wijma Linda , Beerden Tim , van Doormaal Jasperien , Taxis Katja
Published: August 2016

Objectives

Residents of nursing homes often have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), which complicates the administration of solid oral dosage formulations. Erroneously crushing medication is common, but few interventions have been tested to improve medication safety. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of warning symbols in combination with education on the frequency of erroneously crushing medication in nursing homes.

Setting

This was a prospective uncontrolled intervention study with a preintervention and postintervention measurement. The study was conducted on 18 wards (total of 200 beds) in 3 nursing homes in the North of the Netherlands.

Participants

We observed 36 nurses/nursing assistants (92% female; 92% nursing assistants) administering medication to 197 patients (62.9% female; mean age 81.6).

Intervention

The intervention consisted of a set of warning symbols printed on each patient's unit dose packaging indicating whether or not a medication could be crushed as well as education of ward staff (lectures, newsletter and poster).

Primary outcome measure

The relative risk (RR) of a crushing error occurring in the postintervention period compared to the preintervention period. A crushing error was defined as the crushing of a medication considered unsuitable to be crushed based on standard reference sources. Data were collected using direct (disguised) observation of nurses during drug administration.

Results

The crushing error rate decreased from 3.1% (21 wrongly crushed medicines out of 681 administrations) to 0.5% (3/636), RR=0.15 (95% CI 0.05 to 0.51). Likewise, there was a significant reduction using data from patients with swallowing difficulties only, 87.5% (21 errors/24 medications) to 30.0% (3/10) (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.89). Medications which were erroneously crushed included enteric-coated formulations (eg, omeprazole), medication with regulated release systems (eg, Persantin; dipyridamol) and toxic substances (eg, finasteride).

Conclusions

Warning symbols combined with education reduced erroneous crushing of medication, a well-known and common problem in nursing homes.
Evolving strategies to reduce colectomy rates in primary sclerosing cholangitis-inflammatory bowel disease: clinical remission of corticosteroid refractory colitis post-liver transplant with vedolizumab
Authors: Mumtaz Saqib , Goh Jason , Hirschfield Gideon M , Ferguson James , Cooper Sheldon C
Published: August 2016

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in approximately 70% of patients, with ulcerative colitis (UC) being the most common subtype of IBD identified. There is a paucity of data on the optimum management strategy for IBD flares in the post-liver transplant patient, particularly when refractory to conventional treatments. Vedolizumab is a novel gut-specific monoclonal antibody, which has recently been approved for use by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for moderate-to-severe UC. We present an exemplar case of successful use of vedolizumab in the management of corticosteroid refractory PSC-IBD after liver transplantation.
DNA hypermethylation analysis in sputum of asymptomatic subjects at risk for lung cancer participating in the NELSON trial: argument for maximum screening interval of 2 years
Authors: Hubers A Jasmijn , Heideman Daniëlle A M , Duin Sylvia , Witte Birgit I , de Koning Harry J , Groen Harry J M , Prinsen Clemens F M , Bolijn Anne S , Wouters Mandy , van der Meer Susanne E , Steenbergen Renske D M , Snijders Peter J F , Uyterlinde Anne , Berkhof Hans , Smit Egbert F , Thunnissen Erik
Published: August 2016

Aims

Lung cancer is the major contributor to cancer mortality due to metastasised disease at time of presentation. The current study investigated DNA hypermethylation of biomarkersRASSF1A,APC, cytoglobin,3OST2, FAM19A4, PHACTR3andPRDM14in sputum of asymptomatic high-risk individuals from the NELSON lung cancer low-dose spiral CT screening trial to detect lung cancer at preclinical stage.

Methods

Subjects were selected with (i) lung cancer in follow-up (cases; n=65), (ii) minor cytological aberrations (controls; n=120) and (iii) a random selection of subjects without cytological aberrations (controls; n=99). Median follow-up time for controls was 80 months. Cut-off values were based on high specificity to assess diagnostic value of the biomarkers.

Results

RASSF1Amay denote presence of invasive cancer because of its high specificity (93% (95% CI 89% to 96%); sensitivity 17% (95% CI 4% to 31%), with best performance in a screening interval of 2 years. The panel ofRASSF1A, 3OST2andPRDM14detected 28% (95% CI 11% to 44%) of lung cancer cases within 2 years, with specificity of 90% (95% CI 86% to 94%). Sputum cytology did not detect any lung cancers.

Conclusions

In a lung cancer screening setting with maximum screening interval of 2 years, DNA hypermethylation analysis in sputum may play a role in the detection of preclinical disease, but complementary diagnostic markers are needed to improve sensitivity.
Acute leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes with chromosomal rearrangement involving 11q23 locus, but notMLLgene
Authors: Zuo Wenli , Wang Sa A , DiNardo Courtney , Yabe Mariko , Li Shaoying , Medeiros L Jeffrey , Tang Guilin
Published: August 2016

Aims

Chromosome 11q23 translocations, resulting inMLL (KMT2A) rearrangement, have been well characterised in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). However, little is known of haematopoietic neoplasms associated with 11q23 translocation but withoutMLLrearrangement (11q23+/MLL−). The aim of this study is to characterise such cases with 11q23+/MLL−.

Methods and results

We retrospectively searched our database for cases with haematopoietic malignancies with 11q23+/MLL−. We identified nine patients, two with AML, two with B-lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL); two with T-lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), two with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and one with chronic myelomonocytic leukaemia (CMML). The translocations included t(X;11)(p11.2;q23), t(2;11)(p21;q23), t(6;11)(q27;q23), t(8;9;11)(q13;q13;q23), t(11;11)(p15;q23), t(11;14)(q23;q24) and t(11;15)(q23;q14). Five of six patients with acute leukaemia had received chemotherapy and detection of 11q23 translocation occurred at time of disease relapse. Both patients with MDS and the patient with CMML had 11q23 translocation detected at time of initial diagnosis, all three patients progressed to AML after >1 year on hypomethylating agent therapy. All patients received risk-adapted therapies, including stem cell transplant in five patients. At the last follow-up, eight patients died with a median overall survival of 14 months.

Conclusions

11q23+/MLL− occurs rarely, involving different partner chromosomes and showing clinical and pathological features and disease subtypes different from those cases withMLLrearrangement. 11q23+/MLL− appears to be associated with clonal evolution/disease progression in acute leukaemia, a high risk for AML progression in MDS/CMML and a high incidence of disease relapse.
Developments in the practice of physician-assisted dying: perceptions of physicians who had experience with complex cases
Authors: Snijdewind Marianne C , van Tol Donald G , Onwuteaka-Philipsen Bregje D , Willems Dick L
Published: August 2016

Background

Since the enactment of the euthanasia law in the Netherlands, there has been a lively public debate on assisted dying that may influence the way patients talk about euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (EAS) with their physicians and the way physicians experience the practice of EAS.

Aim

To show what developments physicians see in practice and how they perceive the influence of the public debate on the practice of EAS.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of in-depth interviews with 28 Dutch physicians who had experience with a complex case of EAS. Respondents were recruited both by the network of physicians working for SCEN (Support and Consultation for Euthanasia in the Netherlands) as well as via a national questionnaire, wherein participating physicians could indicate their willingness to be interviewed.

Results

Three themes came up in analysing the interviews. First, the interviewed physicians experienced a change in what (family of) patients would expect from them: from a role as an involved caregiver to being the mere performer of EAS. Second, interviewees said that requests for EAS based on non-medical reasons came up more frequently and wondered if EAS was the right solution for these requests. Last, respondents had the impression that the standards of EAS are shifting and that the boundaries of the EAS regulation were stretched.

Conclusions

The perceived developments could make physicians less willing to consider a request for EAS. Our results also raise questions about the role of physicians and of EAS in society.
Interactive effects of urea and lipid content confound stable isotope analysis in elasmobranch fishes
Authors: Carlisle Aaron B. , Litvin Steven Y. , Madigan Daniel J. , Lyons Kady , Bigman Jennifer S. , Ibarra Melissa , Bizzarro Joseph J.
Published: August 2016

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) is becoming a commonly used tool to study the ecology of elasmobranchs. However, the retention of urea by elasmobranchs for osmoregulatory purposes may bias the analysis and interpretation of SIA data. We examined the effects of removing urea and lipid on the stable isotope composition of 14 species of sharks, skates, and rays from the eastern North Pacific Ocean. While effects were variable across taxa, removal of urea generally increased δ15N and C:N. Urea removal had less influence on δ13C, whereas extracting urea and lipid generally increased δ15N, C:N, and δ13C. Because C:N values of nonextracted tissues are often used to infer lipid content and adjust δ13C, shifts in C:N following urea extraction will change the inferred lipid content and bias any mathematical adjustment of δ13C. These results highlight the importance of urea and lipid extraction and demonstrate the confounding effects of these compounds, making it impossible to use C:N of non-urea-extracted samples as a diagnostic tool to estimate and correct for lipid content in elasmobranch tissues.
Buckling and Free Vibration of Nonuniformly Heated Functionally Graded Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Polymer Composite Plate
Authors: George Nivish , Jeyaraj P. , Murigendrappa S. M.
Published: August 2016

Buckling and free vibration behavior of functionally graded carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composite plate subjected to nonuniform temperature fields have been investigated using finite element approach. The effective material constants of the plate are obtained using the extended rule of mixture along with efficiency parameters of the carbon nanotube (to include geometry-dependent material properties). Influence of boundary conditions, aspect ratio, functional grading of the carbon nanotube, nonuniform thermal loading on thermal buckling and free vibration behavior of the heated plate are analyzed. It is observed that temperature fields and functional grading are influenced on the critical buckling temperature of the plates. Further, nature of functional grading showed significant change in buckling mode shapes irrespective of the boundary conditions. The first few natural frequencies of the plate under thermal load decreases as the temperature increases and they are influenced significantly by the nature of temperature field. Variations in free vibration mode shapes of the square plates found with not significant change as temperature increases. However, free vibration modes of the rectangular plates are sensitive to the nature of temperature field whenever there is a free edge associated with the boundary condition. Influence of functional grading on the free vibration mode shapes is not significant in contrast with the free vibration natural frequencies. The magnitude of free vibration natural frequencies of functional grade-X type carbon nanotube reinforcement showed higher in comparison with other two types of reinforcements considered here.
Simulation of High-Resolution Precipitable Water Data by a Stochastic Model with a Random Trigger
Authors: Leung Kimberly , Velado Max , Subramanian Aneesh , Zhang Guang J. , Somerville Richard C. J. , Shen Samuel S. P.
Published: August 2016

We use a stochastic differential equation (SDE) model with a random precipitation trigger for mass balance to simulate the 20 s temporal resolution column precipitable water vapor (PWV) data during the tropical warm pool international cloud experiment (TWP-ICE) period of January 20 to February 15, 2006 at Darwin, Australia. The trigger is determined by an exponential cumulative distribution function, the time step size in the SDE simulation, and a random precipitation indicator uniformly distributed over [0, 1]. Compared with the observed data, the simulations have similar means, extremes, skewness, kurtosis, and overall shapes of probability distribution, and are temporally well synchronized for increasing and decreasing, but have about 20% lower standard deviation. Based on a 1000-day run, the correlations between the model data and the observations in TWP-ICE period were computed in a moving time window of 25 days and show quasi-periodic variations between (−0.675, 0.697). This shows that the results are robust for the stochastic model simulation of the observed PWV data, whose fractal dimension is 1.9, while the dimension of the simulated data is also about 1.9. This agreement and numerous sensitivity experiments form a test on the feasibility of using an SDE model to simulate precipitation processes in more complex climate models.
Cell Competition: Mechanisms and Physiological Roles
Authors: Clavería Cristina , Torres Miguel
Published: August 2016

Cell-competitive interactions are widespread in nature and determine the outcome of a vast variety of biological processes. A particular class of competitive interactions takes place when alterations in intrinsic cellular properties are sensed nonautonomously by comparison between neighboring cells, resulting in the selective elimination of one cell population. This type of cell competition was first described four decades ago in developing epithelia of Drosophila. In the last 15 years, further molecular and cellular analyses have provided essential knowledge about the mechanisms, universality, and physiological relevance of cell competition. The two main phenomena triggering cell competition are alterations in cellular metabolic status and alterations in epithelial apico-basal polarity, while other reported pathways are less characterized. Cell competition plays essential roles in quality control, homeostasis, and repair of developing and adult tissues, and depending on the context, it may function as a tumor-suppressing or tumor-promoting mechanism.
Focal Adhesion–Independent Cell Migration
Authors: Paluch Ewa K. , Aspalter Irene M. , Sixt Michael
Published: August 2016

Cell migration is central to a multitude of physiological processes, including embryonic development, immune surveillance, and wound healing, and deregulated migration is key to cancer dissemination. Decades of investigations have uncovered many of the molecular and physical mechanisms underlying cell migration. Together with protrusion extension and cell body retraction, adhesion to the substrate via specific focal adhesion points has long been considered an essential step in cell migration. Although this is true for cells moving on two-dimensional substrates, recent studies have demonstrated that focal adhesions are not required for cells moving in three dimensions, in which confinement is sufficient to maintain a cell in contact with its substrate. Here, we review the investigations that have led to challenging the requirement of specific adhesions for migration, discuss the physical mechanisms proposed for cell body translocation during focal adhesion–independent migration, and highlight the remaining open questions for the future.
The China Shock: Learning from Labor-Market Adjustment to Large Changes in Trade
Authors: Autor David H. , Dorn David , Hanson Gordon H.
Published: August 2016

China's emergence as a great economic power has induced an epochal shift in patterns of world trade. Simultaneously, it has challenged much of the received empirical wisdom about how labor markets adjust to trade shocks. Alongside the heralded consumer benefits of expanded trade are substantial adjustment costs and distributional consequences. These impacts are most visible in the local labor markets in which the industries exposed to foreign competition are concentrated. Adjustment in local labor markets is remarkably slow, with wages and labor-force participation rates remaining depressed and unemployment rates remaining elevated for at least a full decade after the China trade shock commences. Exposed workers experience greater job churning and reduced lifetime income. At the national level, employment has fallen in the US industries more exposed to import competition, as expected, but offsetting employment gains in other industries have yet to materialize. Better understanding when and where trade is costly, and how and why it may be beneficial, is a key item on the research agenda for trade and labor economists.
Visual Confidence
Authors: Mamassian Pascal
Published: August 2016

Visual confidence refers to an observer's ability to judge the accuracy of her perceptual decisions. Even though confidence judgments have been recorded since the early days of psychophysics, only recently have they been recognized as essential for a deeper understanding of visual perception. The reluctance to study visual confidence may have come in part from obtaining convincing experimental evidence in favor of metacognitive abilities rather than just perceptual sensitivity. Some effort has thus been dedicated to offer different experimental paradigms to study visual confidence in humans and nonhuman animals. To understand the origins of confidence judgments, investigators have developed two competing frameworks. The approach based on signal decision theory is popular but fails to account for response times. In contrast, the approach based on accumulation of evidence models naturally includes the dynamics of perceptual decisions. These models can explain a range of results, including the apparently paradoxical dissociation between performance and confidence that is sometimes observed.
Identification of genes differentially regulated by vitamin D deficiency that alter lung pathophysiology and inflammation in allergic airways disease
Authors: Foong Rachel E. , Bosco Anthony , Troy Niamh M. , Gorman Shelley , Hart Prue H. , Kicic Anthony , Zosky Graeme R.
Published: August 2016

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with asthma risk. Vitamin D deficiency may enhance the inflammatory response, and we have previously shown that airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness is increased in vitamin D-deficient mice. In this study, we hypothesize that vitamin D deficiency would exacerbate house dust mite (HDM)-induced inflammation and alterations in lung structure and function. A BALB/c mouse model of vitamin D deficiency was established by dietary manipulation. Responsiveness to methacholine, airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass, mucus cell metaplasia, lung and airway inflammation, and cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were assessed. Gene expression patterns in mouse lung samples were profiled by RNA-Seq. HDM exposure increased inflammation and inflammatory cytokines in BAL, baseline airway resistance, tissue elastance, and ASM mass. Vitamin D deficiency enhanced the HDM-induced influx of lymphocytes into BAL, ameliorated the HDM-induced increase in ASM mass, and protected against the HDM-induced increase in baseline airway resistance. RNA-Seq identified nine genes that were differentially regulated by vitamin D deficiency in the lungs of HDM-treated mice. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed that protein expression of midline 1 (MID1) and adrenomedullin was differentially regulated such that they promoted inflammation, while hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated, which is associated with ASM remodeling, was downregulated. Protein expression studies in human bronchial epithelial cells also showed that addition of vitamin D decreased MID1 expression. Differential regulation of these genes by vitamin D deficiency could determine lung inflammation and pathophysiology and suggest that the effect of vitamin D deficiency on HDM-induced allergic airways disease is complex.
Staphylococcus aureusα-toxin-mediated cation entry depolarizes membrane potential and activates p38 MAP kinase in airway epithelial cells
Authors: Eiffler Ina , Behnke Jane , Ziesemer Sabine , Müller Christian , Hildebrandt Jan-Peter
Published: August 2016

Membrane potential ( Vm)-, Na+-, or Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dyes were used to analyze changes in Vmor intracellular ion concentrations in airway epithelial cells treated with Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin (Hla), a major virulence factor of pathogenic strains of these bacteria. Gramicidin, a channel-forming peptide causing membrane permeability to monovalent cations, a mutated form of Hla, rHla-H35L, which forms oligomers in the plasma membranes of eukaryotic cells but fails to form functional transmembrane pores, or the cyclodextrin-derivative IB201, a blocker of the Hla pore, were used to investigate the permeability of the pore. Na+as well as Ca2+ions were able to pass the Hla pore and accumulated in the cytosol. The pore-mediated influx of calcium ions was blocked by IB201. Treatment of cells with recombinant Hla resulted in plasma membrane depolarization as well as in increases in the phosphorylation levels of paxillin (signaling pathway mediating disruption of the actin cytoskeleton) and p38 MAP kinase (signaling pathway resulting in defensive actions). p38 MAP kinase phosphorylation, but not paxillin phosphorylation, was elicited by treatment of cells with gramicidin. Although treatment of cells with rHla-H35L resulted in the formation of membrane-associated heptamers, none of these cellular effects were observed in our experiments. This indicates that formation of functional Hla-transmembrane pores is required to induce the cell physiological changes mediated by α-toxin. Specifically, the changes in ion equilibria and plasma membrane potential are important activators of p38 MAP kinase, a signal transduction module involved in host cell defense.
An Expert PI Controller with Dead Time Compensation of Monitor AGC in Hot Strip Mill
Authors: Zhang Fei , Zong Shengyue , Wang Xiang , Ren Xiaohuai
Published: August 2016

Hot strip rolling production is a high-speed process which requires high-speed control and communication system, but because of the long distance between the delivery stand of the finishing mill and the gauge meter, dead time occurs when strip is transported from the site of the actuator to another location where the gauge meter takes its reading, which seriously affects the thickness control effect. According to the process model which is developed based on the measured data, a filtered Smith predictor is applied to predict the thickness deviation of the finishing mill. At the same time, an expert PI controller based on feature information is proposed for the strip thinning during looper rising and coiler biting period and the strip thickening during the tension loss period of the strip tail end. As a result, the thickness accuracy has been improved by about 1.06% at a steady rolling speed and about 1.23% in acceleration and deceleration.
Preparation and Performance of Asphalt Compound Modified with Waste Crumb Rubber and Waste Polyethylene
Authors: Yang Yuqiao , Cheng Youliang
Published: August 2016

Three kinds of modified asphalt were prepared by adding waste crumb rubber (WCR), waste polyethylene (WPE), and WCR/WPE to base asphalt, respectively. The influence of different doses on the performance of modified asphalt, such as 25°C penetration, softening point, 5°C ductility, and 135°C, 165°C viscosity, was studied, and the modification mechanism of modified asphalt was discussed through the fluorescence microscope. As the waterproofing materials, the waterproofness of WCR/WPE compound modified asphalt was tested. The results show that the WPE modified asphalt has excellent resistance to high temperature and WCR modified asphalt has good low temperature resistance. The resistance to deformation ability of WPE modified asphalt is better than that of the WCR modified asphalt. The 135°C viscosity of compound modified asphalt is better than that of WPE and WCR modified asphalt. In addition, the waterproofness of compound modified asphalt using waterproofing materials is better than that of common waterproofing materials.