bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical‐scale production of cGMP compliant CD3/CD19 cell‐depleted NK cells in the evolution of NK cell immunotherapy at a single institution
Authors: Williams Shelly M. , Sumstad Darin , Kadidlo Diane , Curtsinger Julie , Luo Xianghua , Miller Jeffrey S. , McKenna David H.
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell adoptive immunotherapy is a growing therapeutic option for patients. Clinical‐scale production of NK cells using immunomagnetic selection complies with current good manufacturing practices (cGMPs) and allows for closed‐system, automated purification. We report our experience with CD3/CD19 cell‐depleted (CD3/CD19dep) NK cell production and compare to previous methods of CD3 cell depletion and CD3 cell depletion/CD56 cell enrichment.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Nonmobilized mononuclear cells collected by apheresis were incubated with anti‐CD3/anti‐CD19 microbeads and depleted in an automated cell selection system (CliniMACS, Miltenyi). The NK cell–enriched products were incubated overnight in interleukin (IL)‐2 or IL‐15, washed, and resuspended prior to lot release testing and infusion.

RESULTS

Since 2010, 94 freshly infusible CD3/CD19dep NK cell products were manufactured in support of eight clinical trials. Sixty‐six products were incubated in IL‐2 and 28 products in IL‐15. Processing resulted in a mean NK cell recovery of 74% and viability of 95.8%; NK cells, T cells, B cells, and monocytes accounted for 47%, 0.2%, 0.08%, and 49% of the final products, respectively. Seven products required dose adjustments to meet lot release. The specification for purity changed throughout the evolution of manufacturing. IL‐2 or IL‐15 activation enhanced in vitro cytotoxicity compared to preactivated cells. There was no difference in final product composition or cytotoxicity between cytokine cohorts.

CONCLUSION

Clinical‐scale/cGMP production of NK cells using CD3/CD19 cell‐depletion effectively minimized T‐cell and B‐cell contamination in a single manipulation without compromise to NK‐cell recovery. Cytokine activation increased in vitro cytotoxicity compared to column‐depleted, preactivated NK cells.
Lymphocyte apheresis for chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell manufacturing in children and young adults with leukemia and neuroblastoma
Authors: Ceppi Francesco , Rivers Julie , Annesley Colleen , Pinto Navin , Park Julie R. , Lindgren Catherine , Mgebroff Stephanie , Linn Naomi , Delaney Meghan , Gardner Rebecca A.
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The first step in the production of chimeric antigen receptor T cells is the collection of autologous T cells using apheresis technology. The procedure is technically challenging, because patients often have low leukocyte counts and are heavily pretreated with multiple lines of chemotherapy, marrow transplantation, and/or radiotherapy. Here, we report our experience of collecting T lymphocytes for chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell manufacturing in pediatric and young adult patients with leukemia, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, or neuroblastoma.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Apheresis procedures were performed on a COBE Spectra machine using the mononuclear cell program, with a collection target of 1 × 109 total mononuclear cells per kilogram. Data were collected regarding preapheresis and postapheresis blood counts, apheresis parameters, products, and adverse events.

RESULTS

Ninety‐nine patients (ages 1.3‐25.7 years) and 102 apheresis events were available for analysis. Patients underwent apheresis at a variety of absolute lymphocyte cell counts, with a median absolute lymphocyte count of 944 cells/μL (range, 142‐6944 cells/μL). Twenty‐two patients (21.6%) had absolute lymphocyte counts less than 500 cells/μL. The mononuclear cell target was obtained in 100% of all apheresis harvests, and chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell production was possible from the majority of collections (94%). Mononuclear cell collection efficiency was 65.4%, and T‐lymphocyte collection efficiency was 83.4%. Ten patients (9.8%) presented with minor adverse events during the 102 apheresis procedures, with one exception of a severe allergy.

CONCLUSIONS

Mononuclear cell apheresis for chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell therapy is well tolerated and safe, and it is possible to obtain an adequate quantity of CD3+ lymphocytes for chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell manufacturing in heavily pretreated patients who have low lymphocyte counts.
Autologous blood as a source of platelet gel for the effective and safe treatment of oral chronic graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Bojanic Ines , Mravak Stipetic Marinka , Pulanic Drazen , Desnica Lana , Mazic Sanja , Golubic Cepulic Branka , Serventi Seiwerth Ranka , Vrhovac Radovan , Nemet Damir , Pavletic Steven Z.
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Oral chronic graft‐versus‐host disease (cGvHD) impairs oral function and patients' quality of life. Some lesions are refractory to local and systemic immunosuppressive therapy, and new therapeutic modalities are required. The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy and safety of topical application of autologous platelet gel (PG) in patients with oral cGvHD.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

PG was prepared from autologous blood and applied on ulcerous lesions using an automated system. The oral cGvHD was assessed using the 273‐point Oral Mucositis Rating Scale (OMRS) prior and after completion of the PG treatment. The overall response to treatment of particular topography expressed as the total score on OMRS was compared to total score on National Institutes of Health cGvHD Oral Mucosal Score (NIH OMS). The pain intensity was measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS).

RESULTS

In five patients, 12 autologous blood collections were performed; median 3 (range 1‐3) per patient, and 26 PG applications were performed; median 6 (range 2‐8) per patient. PG applications reduced lesions in oral cGvHD: median OMRS total score was reduced for 43.2% (range 9.6%‐47.3%), and median NIH OMS total score for 27.3% (range 20.0%‐50.0%) from baseline values. Median of pain intensity reduction on NRS scale was 57.1% (range 50%‐100%). No side effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

Application of autologous PG in oral cGvHD showed as an efficient and safe treatment option for patients who do not respond to standard local treatment.
Influence of radiographic techniques on the measurement of femoral anteversion angles and a conformation score of pelvic limbs inLabrador retrievers
Authors: Mostafa Ayman A. , Cunningham Devin P. , Boudrieau Randy J. , Kowaleski Michael P. , Griffon Dominique J.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To determine repeatability of and correlation between 2 radiographic measurements of femoral anteversion angles (FAA) and to determine their influence on a score derived from tibial plateau angle (TPA) and FAA to predict the risk of cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD).

Study Design

Prospective clinical study.

Animals

Forty‐eight Labrador retrievers with or without CCLD.

Methods

FAA and CCLD scores were calculated for each limb from extended pelvic radiographs (t‐FAA) or angled (a‐FAA) projections of the femur by 3 investigators. One investigator repeated measurements twice. Data were analyzed for repeatability, correlation between t‐FAA and a‐FAA, and their influence on CCLD scores.

Results

FAA correlated most strongly with the distance between the femoral head and the femoral axis on mediolateral radiographs, a measurement with excellent repeatability. t‐FAA and a‐FAA correlated with each other (r > 0.79,P < .0001), although t‐FAA were about 1° greater than a‐FAA (P = .01). Intrainvestigator and interinvestigator repeatability of the CCLD score was fair when derived from t‐FAA and good to excellent when derived from a‐FAA. CCLD scores differed between radiographic techniques but led to different predictions in only 9 (10%) limbs, all with lower TPA and CCLD scores than the rest of the population.

Conclusion

a‐FAA correlated strongly with t‐FAA and improved the repeatability of CCLD scores within and between investigators.

Clinical significance

A craniocaudal angled beam projection of the femur is a suitable alternative to a ventrodorsal pelvic radiograph when measuring FAA and may improve the repeatability and positive predictive value of CCLD scores.
Radiographic, computed tomographic, and arthroscopic diagnosis of radioulnar incongruence in dogs with medial coronoid disease
Authors: Griffon Dominique J. , Mostafa Ayman A. , Blond Laurent , Schaeffer David J.
Published: March 2018

Objective

To characterize radioulnar incongruence (RUI) in large dogs with medial coronoid disease (MCD) and determine the agreement between radiography, computed tomography (CT), and arthroscopy.

Study design

Prospective observational case series.

Animals

Twenty‐four large‐breed dogs under 3 years of age with confirmed MCD.

Methods

MCD and incongruence were evaluated by radiographs and CT. RUI was measured along the ulnar commissure, mid‐body, and apex of the medial coronoid process (MCP) by CT and arthroscopy. Joints with RUI ≥ 2 mm were considered incongruent. Variables recorded during arthroscopic treatment included type of MCD, RUI, and modified Outerbridge score. Agreement between the 3 diagnostic imaging techniques was evaluated, and the association between RUI and cartilage damage was analyzed.

Results

Single fragmentation was the most common MCD according to CT and arthroscopy. RUI was associated with degenerative joint disease according to CT and with cartilage damage according to arthroscopy. RUI was diagnosed in 26% of elbows by radiography, in 35% of elbows by CT, in 78% of elbows according to CT measurements of RUI ≥ 2 mm, and in 57% of joints by arthroscopy. RUI was most commonly detected at the ulnar commissure with CT and at the apex of the MCP with arthroscopy. Imaging modalities were in poor to fair agreement with arthroscopy when evaluating RUI.

Conclusion

CT and arthroscopy provided similar detection of MCD and cartilage disease but disagreed in the assessment and localization of RUI.

Clinical significance

CT does not reliably predict arthroscopic assessment of RUI and associated treatment decisions for MCD.
Polycarbonate as a negative-tone resist for electron-beam lithography
Authors: Zheng Nan , Min Haodi , Jiang Youwei , Cheng Xing
Published: March 2018

Polycarbonate has excellent mechanical properties, and previous studies have demonstrated the use of polycarbonate as a positive-tone resist for electron-beam lithography (EBL). The current study demonstrates that polycarbonate can also behave as a negative-tone resist under a very high electron exposure dosage. The negative-tone behavior is investigated in detail through EBL and thickness measurements. The change in the chemical structure of polycarbonate due to electron exposure is also studied by Raman spectroscopy. The negative-tone behavior and the effective dosage variation on a patterned substrate can potentially be exploited to develop a new electron-beam patterning technique. This technique can replicate polymer patterns by flood electron exposure of a polycarbonate layer on top of a prepatterned metallic template.
Comparison of Athletic Trainer Stress and Job Satisfaction with Different Models of Care Delivery
Authors: Baker Carrie S. , Wilkerson Gary B.
Published: March 2018

A patient-centered model (PCM) for athletic training services may function as a better model to decrease athletic trainer (AT) stress and result in a more desirable work-life balance compared to the traditional model (TM). The purpose of this study was to assess differences in AT stress and job satisfaction between healthcare models for delivery of AT services. A one-time electronic stress survey was administered to ATs working in both settings. ATs who work in the TM are more likely to report greater work-related stress, and less likely to report job satisfaction than ATs who work in the PCM setting.
PlayerLoad Variables: Sensitive to Changes in Direction and Not Related to Collision Workloads in Rugby League Match Play
Authors: Hulin Billy T. , Gabbett Tim J. , Johnston Rich D. , Jenkins David G.
Published: March 2018

Purpose: To determine (1) how change-of-direction (COD) workloads influence PlayerLoad (PL) variables when controlling total distance covered and (2) relationships among collision workloads and PL variables during rugby league match play. Methods: Participants completed 3 protocols (crossover design) consisting of 10 repetitions of a 60-m effort in 15 s. The difference between protocols was the COD demands required to complete 1 repetition: no COD (straight line), 1° × 180° COD, or 3° × 180° COD. During rugby league matches, relationships among collision workloads, triaxial vector-magnitude PlayerLoad (PLVM), anteroposterior + mediolateral PL (PL2D), and PLVM accumulated at locomotor velocities below 2 m·s−1 (ie, PLSLOW) were examined using Pearson correlations (r) with coefficients of determination (R2). Results: Comparing 3° × 180° COD to straight-line drills, PLVM·min−1 (d = 1.50 ± 0.49, large, likelihood = 100%, almost certainly), PL2D·min−1 (d = 1.38 ± 0.53, large, likelihood = 100%, almost certainly), and PLSLOW·min−1 (d = 1.69 ± 0.40, large, likelihood = 100%, almost certainly) were greater. Collisions per minute demonstrated a distinct (ie, R2 < .50) relationship from PLVM·min−1 (R2 = .30, r = .55) and PL2D·min−1 (R2 = .37, r = .61). Total distance per minute demonstrated a very large relationship with PLVM·min−1 (R2 = .62, r = .79) and PL2D·min−1 (R2 = .57, r = .76). Conclusions: PL variables demonstrate (1) large increases as COD demands intensify, (2) separate relationships from collision workloads, and (3) moderate to very large relationships with total distance during match play. PL variables should be used with caution to measure collision workloads in team sport.
Agreement Between Standard Body Composition Methods to Estimate Percentage of Body Fat in Young Male Athletes
Authors: Ferri-Morales Asunción , Nascimento-Ferreira Marcus Vinicius , Vlachopoulos Dimitris , Ubago-Guisado Esther , Torres-Costoso Ana , De Moraes Augusto Cesar F. , Barker Alan R. , Moreno Luis A. , Martínez-Vizcaino Vicente , Gracia-Marco Luis
Published: March 2018

Purpose: To examine the intermethods agreement of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and foot-to-foot bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to assess the percentage of body fat (%BF) in young male athletes using air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) as the reference method. Methods: Standard measurement protocols were carried out in 104 athletes (40 swimmers, 37 footballers, and 27 cyclists, aged 12–14 y). Results: Age-adjusted %BF ADP and %BF BIA were significantly higher in swimmers than footballers. ADP correlates better with DXA than with BIA (r = .84 vs r = .60, P < .001). %BF was lower when measured by DXA and BIA than ADP (P < .001), and the bias was higher when comparing ADP versus BIA than ADP versus DXA. The intraclass correlation coefficients between DXA and ADP showed a good to excellent agreement (r = .67–.79), though it was poor when BIA was compared with ADP (r = .26–.49). The ranges of agreement were wider when comparing BIA with ADP than DXA with ADP. Conclusion: DXA and BIA seem to underestimate %BF in young male athletes compared with ADP. Furthermore, the bias significantly increases with %BF in the BIA measurements. At the individual level, BIA and DXA do not seem to predict %BF precisely compared with ADP in young athletic populations.
Max Planck Society, at a crossroads, seeks new leaders
Authors: Kupferschmidt Kai
Published: March 2018

A wave of retirements offers a chance to recruit female institute directors and open up new research avenues.
Concern as HIV prevention strategy languishes
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: March 2018

Few countries promote prophylactic drug regimen, and many people shun it.
Mutation dynamics and fitness effects followed in single cells
Authors: Robert Lydia , Ollion Jean , Robert Jerome , Song Xiaohu , Matic Ivan , Elez Marina
Published: March 2018

Mutation rates and effects in single cells

Understanding the dynamics of mutations and the distribution of fitness effects is critical for most evolutionary models. Robert
et al.
used a single-cell technology to visualize the accumulation of new mutations. The method identifies DNA sequences with mispaired bases and small insertions or deletions caused by DNA replication errors in living
Escherichia coli
cells. Following the fates of cells after mutation allowed for a precise quantification of the effects of new mutations. A smaller fraction of mutations were found to be deleterious than predicted previously from indirect observations.

Science
, this issue p.
1283
Chronology of the Acheulean to Middle Stone Age transition in eastern Africa
Authors: Deino Alan L. , Behrensmeyer Anna K. , Brooks Alison S. , Yellen John E. , Sharp Warren D. , Potts Richard
Published: March 2018

The Middle Stone Age in Africa

The Olorgesailie basin in the southern Kenya rift valley contains sediments dating back to 1.2 million years ago, preserving a long archaeological record of human activity and environmental conditions. Three papers present the oldest East African evidence of the Middle Stone Age (MSA) and elucidate the system of technology and behavior associated with the origin of
Homo sapiens
. Potts
et al.
present evidence for the demise of Acheulean technology that preceded the MSA and describe variations in late Acheulean hominin behavior that anticipate MSA characteristics. The transition to the MSA was accompanied by turnover of large mammals and large-scale landscape change. Brooks
et al.
establish that ∼320,000 to 305,000 years ago, the populations in eastern Africa underwent a technological shift upon procurement of distantly sourced obsidian for toolmaking, indicating the early development of social exchange. Deino
et al.
provide the chronological underpinning for these discoveries.

Science
, this issue p.
86
, p.
90
, p.
95
Women's work
A Lab of One's Own: Science and Suffrage in the First World War
Patricia Fara
Oxford University Press, 2018. 350 pp.
Authors: Puaca Laura Micheletti
Published: March 2018

Stepping into scientific roles left vacant during World War I brought gains for women in and out of the laboratory
Logic in babies
Authors: Halberda Justin
Published: March 2018

12-month-olds spontaneously reason using process of elimination
Life in triplicate
Three Identical Strangers
Tim Wardle, director
RAW, 2018. 96 minutes.
Authors: Kardon Gabrielle
Published: March 2018

A tale of triplets separated at birth raises red flags and questions about the role of nature and nurture
Good gun policy needs research
Authors: Leshner Alan I. , Dzau Victor J.
Published: March 2018

The tragic shooting at a school in Parkland, Florida, last month triggered another round of proposals from local, state, and federal policymakers about controlling firearm-related violence without violating broad interpretations of the rights to keep and bear arms provided by the U.S. Constitution. Unfortunately, there is only very sparse scientific evidence that can help figure out which policies will be effective. Earlier this month, the RAND Corporation released a comprehensive analysis on gun policy in the United States,* and among its conclusions is that too few policies and outcomes have been the subject of rigorous scientific investigation. Even the seemingly popular view that violent crime would be reduced by laws prohibiting the purchase or possession of guns by individuals with mental illness was deemed to have only moderate supporting evidence. If the nation is serious about getting firearm-related violence under control, it must rise above its aversion to providing financial support for firearm-related research, and the scientific community will have to expeditiously carry out the needed research.
Development of a Broadly Accessible Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Replicon Particle Vaccine Platform
Authors: Agnihothram Sudhakar , Menachery Vineet D. , Yount Boyd L. , Lindesmith Lisa C. , Scobey Trevor , Whitmore Alan , Schäfer Alexandra , Heise Mark T. , Baric Ralph S.
Published: March 2018

Zoonotic viruses circulate as swarms in animal reservoirs and can emerge into human populations, causing epidemics that adversely affect public health. Portable, safe, and effective vaccine platforms are needed in the context of these outbreak and emergence situations. In this work, we report the generation and characterization of an alphavirus replicon vaccine platform based on a non-select agent, attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus vaccine, strain 3526 (VRP 3526). Using both noroviruses and coronaviruses as model systems, we demonstrate the utility of the VRP 3526 platform in the generation of recombinant proteins, production of virus-like particles, and
in vivo
efficacy as a vaccine against emergent viruses. Importantly, packaging under biosafety level 2 (BSL2) conditions distinguishes VRP 3526 from previously reported alphavirus platforms and makes this approach accessible to the majority of laboratories around the world. In addition, improved outcomes in the vulnerable aged models as well as against heterologous challenge suggest improved efficacy compared to that of previously attenuated VRP approaches. Taking these results together, the VRP 3526 platform represents a safe and highly portable system that can be rapidly deployed under BSL2 conditions for generation of candidate vaccines against emerging microbial pathogens.

IMPORTANCE
While VEE virus replicon particles provide a robust, established platform for antigen expression and vaccination, its utility has been limited by the requirement for high-containment-level facilities for production and packaging. In this work, we utilize an attenuated vaccine strain capable of use at lower biocontainment level but retaining the capacity of the wild-type replicon particle. Importantly, the new replicon platform provides equal protection for aged mice and following heterologous challenge, which distinguishes it from other attenuated replicon platforms. Together, the new system represents a highly portable, safe system for use in the context of disease emergence.
Endovascular recanalisation with drug coated balloon for chronic symptomatic middle cerebral artery total occlusion
Authors: Zhang Jun , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Jin-Ping , Han Ju
Published: March 2018

The optimal treatment for patients with chronic symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) total occlusion is not well established. In addition to medical therapy, vessel recanalisation with stenting has shown much promise, especially for patients with recurrent ischemic symptoms. Nevertheless, the incidence of symptomatic in-stent restenosis (ISR) is high, and is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Drug coated balloons (DCBs) have been proven to be effective in treating and preventing ISR. However, the feasibility of DCBs for de novo intracranial atherothrombotic stenosis has not been previously described, especially for total occlusion lesions. Here we reported a patient with chronic left MCA total occlusion successfully treated with DCBs, with a good outcome at the 1 year follow-up. More studies are warranted to further compare the efficacy of DCBs and stentings for intracranial revascularisation.
Autopsy case of aortic dissection after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
Authors: Losmanova Tereza , Tosoni Ivo , Fahrni Stella , Ballmer Peter Ernst
Published: March 2018

Aortic dissection is one of the severe but rare vascular complications arising from transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). This paper presents an autopsy case of an 81-year-old male patient with delayed aortic dissection with underlying haemorrhages and acute inflammation 3 years after TAVI.
Myelodysplastic syndrome presenting as a Behçet’s-like disease with aortitis
Authors: Wang Shudan , Broder Noam , Marchetta Paula , Nowatzky Johannes
Published: March 2018

A 46-year-old Hispanic man presented with fever, genital ulcers, left eye redness and chest pain. Physical examination was notable for a healed oral ulcer and scrotal ulcers, and bilateral superficial thrombophlebitis. He was found to have new-onset pancytopenia. CT of the chest showed pericardial and pleural effusions and rapidly progressing inflammation of the aortic arch and ascending vessels. Although the patient had Behcet’s disease (BD)-like symptoms, pancytopenia could not be explained by the diagnosis, prompting a bone marrow biopsy which showed myelodysplastic syndrome. This report highlights the importance of excluding alternate disorders before making a diagnosis of Behcet’s disease if atypical, BD-incompatible or incomplete constellations of symptoms and findings are present.
Efficacy and safety of 0.1% ciclosporin A cationic emulsion in dry eye disease: a pooled analysis of two double-masked, randomised, vehicle-controlled phase III clinical studies
Authors: Leonardi Andrea , Messmer Elisabeth M , Labetoulle Marc , Amrane Mourad , Garrigue Jean-Sébastien , Ismail Dahlia , Sainz-de-la-Maza Maite , Figueiredo Francisco C , Baudouin Christophe
Published: March 2018

Background/aim

To assess the treatment effect of 0.1% ciclosporin A cationic emulsion (CsA CE) versus vehicle on signs/symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) in various subgroups (moderate-to-severe DED/severe DED/Sjögren’s syndrome (SS)/SS with severe DED).

Methods

Pooled data were analysed from two similar phase III studies: SICCANOVE (moderate-to-severe DED) and SANSIKA (severe DED with severe keratitis). In both studies, patients aged ≥18 years received CsA CE 0.1% (n=395) or vehicle (n=339) once daily for 6 months. A composite responder efficacy endpoint (corneal fluorescein staining–Ocular Surface Disease Index (CFS–OSDI) at month 6) was used to evaluate the efficacy of CsA CE in alleviating signs/symptoms of DED (response defined as improvement of ≥2 grades in CFS and ≥30% in OSDI (baseline to month 6)). Human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) conjunctival expression was used as a biomarker of ocular surface inflammation.

Results

CsA CE–treated patients were significantly more likely to be CFS–OSDI responders than vehicle-treated patients in the overall (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.11 to 2.50; P=0.015), severe DED (1.80, 1.04 to 3.19; P=0.038) and SS with severe DED (3.37, 1.20 to 11.19; P=0.030) populations. The difference was not significant for CsA CE versus vehicle for the overall Sjögren’s population (OR 1.77, CI 0.89 to 3.66; P=0.109). CsA CE also significantly reduced median HLA-DR expression versus vehicle at 6 months (P=0.002).

Conclusion

Pooled phase III data indicate CsA CE produced significant improvement in signs/symptoms versus vehicle in patients with moderate-to-severe DED (especially in those with severe keratitis), including patients with SS with severe DED.
Can we successfully teach novice junior doctors basic interventional ultrasound in a single focused training session?
Authors: McKay Grace Frances Mary , Weerasinghe Asoka
Published: March 2018

Background

Ultrasonography is recognised as an invaluable imaging modality for assessing critically unwell patients and obtaining vascular access. Senior emergency medicine and anaesthetic clinicians will regularly use ultrasound-guided imaging to establish vascular access for unwell patients; however, junior doctors, who are routinely the first clinicians to review deteriorating patients, are not encouraged or required to develop basic ultrasound interventional skills and are therefore ill equipped to use ultrasonography.

Aim

To demonstrate that teaching basic interventional ultrasound skills to novice junior doctors in a single focused session is an achievable outcome.

Method

We reviewed the success of the ‘Junior doctor Ultrasound Training’ (JUST) course in teaching basic interventional ultrasound skills to junior clinicians. We collated information from 237 JUST delegates. We surveyed candidates’ prior ultrasound experience and retrospectively analysed their level 2 Kirkpatrick formative assessment outcome following the JUST course.

Results

The overwhelming majority of doctors had no prior ultrasound experience (>95%). 99% (235) of candidates performed ultrasound to an acceptable standard to pass the formative assessment. 73% (174) achieved the course outcomes independent of faculty prompting. 1% (2) candidates failed the formative assessment.

Conclusion

Basic ultrasound competency is an achievable educational outcome for the overwhelming majority of novice junior doctors. Our findings add to growing evidence that early ultrasound tuition can be both valuable and economical for training clinicians. By arming junior doctors with a relevant and versatile skill set, we can provide opportunity for clinicians to develop their expertise and prepare for the future challenges of clinical medicine.
Measuring the success of specific health problem consultations in cats and dogs: a systematic review
Authors: Corah Louise , Mossop Liz , Cobb Kate , Dean Rachel
Published: March 2018

Consultations are complex interactions, are central to achieving optimal outcomes for all stakeholders, yet what constitutes a successful consultation has not been defined. The aim of this systematic review was to describe the scope of the literature available on specific health problem consultations and appraise their identified success measures. Searches of CAB Abstracts and MEDLINE were performed in May 2016 using species and consultation terms. Systematic sorting of the results allowed identification of consultation ‘success factors’ cited in peer‐reviewed veterinary literature which were appraised using an appropriate critical appraisal tool (AXIS). Searches returned 11 330 results with a total of 17 publications meeting the inclusion criteria, of which four measured consultation success. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association was the most common journal of publication (9 of 17) and the majority of included papers had been published since 2010 (12 of 17). Success factors measured were compliance, client satisfaction and veterinary surgeon satisfaction, and publications primarily used communication analysis tools to measure success. The review highlights the paucity of peer‐reviewed literature examining small animal, health problem veterinary consultations. The available evidence is of variable quality and provides weak evidence as to which factors contribute to a successful consultation.
Streptococcus equi: breaking its strangles‐hold
Authors: Waller Andrew
Published: March 2018

Andrew Waller, head of bacteriology at the AHT, describes Streptococcus equi, the causative agent of strangles in horses, and discusses progress with the latest research aimed at improving vaccines against this global disease.
Active earth pressure for soils with tension cracks under steady unsaturated flow conditions
Authors: Li Zheng-Wei , Yang Xiao-Li
Published: March 2018

The calculation of active earth pressure has commonly been performed under dry or saturated conditions. However, in practice soils are usually unsaturated. With the aim of estimating active earth pressure under steady unsaturated flow conditions, this paper describes a new method within the framework of the kinematic approach of limit analysis. A closed-form formula is adopted to estimate the suction stress of unsaturated soils subjected to vertical steady flow. A rotational failure mechanism composed of a log-spiral curve and a vertical crack is presented for calculations of the external work rate and internal energy dissipation rate. Pre-existing cracks as well as cracks that form as part of the failure mechanism are considered in the present work. The maximum depth of cracks is determined by requiring the vertical crack boundary to be stable. Explicit expressions about the thrust of active earth pressure for different crack types are derived from the work–energy balance equation, and the most critical solutions are obtained by optimizing the variables from the failure mechanism. Numerical results for different parameters are calculated and given in the form of graphs for practical use. A parametric study is performed to investigate the impact of different parameters on the active earth pressure.
Goldstonic pseudoscalar mesons in Bethe–Salpeter-inspired setting
Authors: Lucha Wolfgang , Schöberl Franz F.
Published: March 2018

For a two-particle bound-state equation closer to its Bethe–Salpeter origins than Salpeter’s equation, with effective interaction kernel deliberately forged such as to ensure, in the limit of zero mass of the bound-state constituents, the vanishing of the arising bound-state mass, we scrutinize the emerging features of the lightest pseudoscalar mesons for their agreement with the behavior predicted by a generalization of the Gell-Mann–Oakes–Renner relation.
Thermodynamic investigation by heat capacity measurements of κ-type dimer-Mott organic compounds with chemical pressure tuning
Authors: Matsumura Y. , Imajo S. , Yamashita S. , Akutsu H. , Nakazawa Y.
Published: March 2018

Thermodynamic discussion on the physical properties around the Mott boundary of the dimer-Mott system of [Formula: see text]-type (BEDT-TTF)2X system, where BEDT-TTF is bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene and X denotes monovalent counter anions is performed by heat capacity measurements of the [Formula: see text]-(d[n,n] BEDT-TTF)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br of which donor molecules are partially deuterated. We compare temperature dependences of heat capacity of d[2,2], d[3,3] and d[4,4] compounds (defined as shown in Fig. 1) obtained in rapidly cooled and slowly cooled conditions. While the heat capacity of d[2,2] compound shows cooling rate dependence with the slight change of the absolute values Cp between 25 K and 50 K, the temperature dependences of the other compounds do not give drastic change by changing the cooling rate. The compounds of d[2,2] and d[3,3] located very close to the Mott boundary show peculiar hump structure in the C[Formula: see text]T[Formula: see text] that is related to the existence of a kind of lattice instability region around the first-order phase boundary. The temperature and chemical pressure dependences of the anomalous region are discussed in terms of the phase diagram in which the Mott boundary has peculiar rounding at low-temperature region.
Relativistic collective diffusion in one-dimensional systems
Authors: Lin Gui-Wu , Lam Yu-Yiu , Zheng Dong-Qin , Zhong Wei-Rong
Published: March 2018

The relativistic collective diffusion in one-dimensional molecular system is investigated through nonequilibrium molecular dynamics with Monte Carlo methods. We have proposed the relationship among the speed, the temperature, the density distribution and the collective diffusion coefficient of particles in a relativistic moving system. It is found that the relativistic speed of the system has no effect on the temperature, but the collective diffusion coefficient decreases to zero as the velocity of the system approaches to the speed of light. The collective diffusion coefficient is modified as [Formula: see text] for satisfying the relativistic circumstances. The present results may contribute to the understanding of the behavior of the particles transport diffusion in a high speed system, as well as enlighten the study of biological metabolism at relativistic high speed situation.
MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF IN-VIVO TUMOR-IMMUNE INTERACTIONS FOR THE CANCER IMMUNOTHERAPY USING MATURED DENDRITIC CELLS
Authors: ARABAMERI ABAZAR , ASEMANI DAVUD , HAJATI JAMSHID
Published: March 2018

To develop an anticancer drug, the mathematical models are nowadays indispensable because of complex immunological mechanisms defying with high experimentation costs as well as a large number of parameters. Based on immunological theories and vision of experimentation data, a simple and sufficient compartment model is designed that can accurately interpret and predict the effects of dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy in accordance with experimentation data. The model includes effector cells, regulatory T cells, helper T cells, and DCs. A new key feature is the inclusion of immunotherapy with DCs matured with different materials. All the parameters of the model have been optimally obtained by fitting the experimental data using genetic algorithm. The proposed model has been used to predict a near-optimal pattern that minimizes tumor size after vaccination. This pattern has been validated by carrying out the associated in-vivo experimentation. The model recommends maturation materials and doses that activate a small amount of Treg in the early days and a large Th1/Treg ratio in the next days. The performance of the model compared with the previous study was shown to be superior, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
FRACTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PORES IN TAIYUAN FORMATION SHALE FROM HEDONG COAL FIELD, CHINA
Authors: LI KUNJIE , ZENG FANGUI , CAI JIANCHAO , SHENG GUANGLONG , XIA PENG , ZHANG KUN
Published: March 2018

For the purpose of investigating the fractal characteristics of pores in Taiyuan formation shale, a series of qualitative and quantitative experiments were conducted on 17 shale samples from well HD-1 in Hedong coal field of North China. The results of geochemical experiments show that Total organic carbon (TOC) varies from 0.67% to 5.32% and the organic matters are in the high mature or over mature stage. The shale samples consist mainly of clay minerals and quartz with minor pyrite and carbonates. The FE-SEM images indicate that three types of pores, organic-related pores, inorganic-related pores and micro-fractures related pores, are developed well, and a certain number of intragranular pores are found inside quartz and carbonates formed by acid liquid corrosion. The pore size distributions (PSDs) broadly range from several to hundreds nanometers, but most pores are smaller than 10[Formula: see text]nm. As the result of different adsorption features at relative pressure (0–0.5) and (0.5–1) on the N2 adsorption isotherm, two fractal dimensions [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were obtained with the Frenkel–Halsey–Hill (FHH) model. [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] vary from 2.4227 to 2.6219 and from 2.6049 to 2.7877, respectively. Both TOC and brittle minerals have positive effect on [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], whereas clay minerals, have a negative influence on them. The fractal dimensions are also influenced by the pore structure parameters, such as the specific surface area, BJH pore volume, etc. Shale samples with higher [Formula: see text] could provide more adsorption sites leading to a greater methane adsorption capacity, whereas shale samples with higher [Formula: see text] have little influence on methane adsorption capacity.
Jacobi sequences of powers of random variables
Authors: Accardi Luigi , Barhoumi Abdessatar , Rhaima Mohamed
Published: March 2018

We express, in full generality, the Jacobi sequences and the orthogonal polynomials of the powers of a real-valued random variable [Formula: see text] with all moments, as functions of the corresponding sequences of the random variable itself.
Emotional Storytelling Using Virtual and Robotic Agents
Authors: Costa Sandra , Brunete Alberto , Bae Byung-Chull , Mavridis Nikolaos
Published: March 2018

In order to create effective storytelling agents three fundamental questions must be answered: first, is a physically embodied agent preferable to a virtual agent or a voice-only narration? Second, does a human voice have an advantage over a synthesized voice? Third, how should the emotional trajectory of the different characters in a story be related to a storyteller’s facial expressions during storytelling time, and how does this correlate with the apparent emotions on the faces of the listeners? The results of two specially designed studies indicate that the physically embodied robot produces more narrative attention to the listener as compared to a virtual embodiment, that a human voice is preferable over the current state of the art of text-to-speech, and that there is a complex yet interesting relation between the emotion lines of the story, the facial expressions of the narrating agent, and the emotions of the listener, and that the empathizing of the listener is evident through its facial expressions. This work constitutes an important step towards emotional storytelling robots that can observe their listeners and adapt their style in order to maximize their effectiveness.
A New Nature-Inspired Hybrid Algorithm with a Penalty Method to Solve Constrained Problem
Authors: Farnad Behnam , Jafarian Ahmad
Published: March 2018

In this paper, an efficient hybrid method for solving constrained numerical and engineering optimization problems is presented. The proposed hybrid method uses a combination of three methods a genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), and symbiotic organisms search (SOS) to find desired solution of problems in a complex design space and to control the feasibility of finding solutions using the penalty function method. There are three alternative phases in the proposed algorithm: GA, which develops and selects the best population for the next phases, PSO, which obtains the experiences for each appropriate solution and updates them, the SOS, which performs symbiotic interaction updates in real-world populations. For constraint handling, the penalty function method was used with same values to control the parameters based on the problem. The proposed algorithm was tested on a set of constrained problems from previous studies. Normality and non-parametric tests were performed on the proposed method. the obtained results have showed that the proposed method is able to score the best rank among the CEC 2010 competition algorithms. It is able to solve most of these numerical and engineering design problems up to the best desired solutions and reach the minimum number of function evaluations. The proposed method had a showed better performance than the [Formula: see text]DEag, which was the winner of the CEC 2010 competition.
Reliability-Based Design Optimization Using Step Length Adjustment Algorithm and Sequential Optimization and Reliability Assessment Method
Authors: Yi Ping , Xie Dongchi , Zhu Zuo
Published: March 2018

A step length adjustment (SLA) iterative algorithm was proposed for locating the minimum performance target point (MPTP) in the inverse reliability analysis. This paper elaborates SLA and two deliberately designed numerical examples are used to compare SLA with other algorithms appearing in recent literatures for locating MPTP. The results show that SLA is much more robust and efficient. Then SLA and sequential optimization and reliability assessment (SORA) are combined to solve reliability-based design optimization (RBDO) problems. In the reliability assessment of SORA, with the design obtained from the previous cycle, SLA is used to locate MPTP. Then in the deterministic optimization, the boundaries of violated constraints are shifted to the feasible direction according to the MPTP obtained in the reliability assessment. Several examples frequently cited in similar studies are used to compare SORA-SLA with other RBDO algorithms. The results indicate the effectiveness and robustness of SORA-SLA.
A Survey of Social Media, Big Data, Data Mining, and Analytics
Authors: Oliverio Jared
Published: March 2018

Big Data is a very popular term today. Everywhere you turn companies and organizations are talking about their Big Data solutions and Analytic applications. The source of the data used in these applications varies. However, one type of data is of great interest to most organizations, Social Media Data. Social Media applications are used by a large percentage of the world’s population. The ability to instantly connect and reach other people and companies over distributed distances is an important part of today’s society. Social Media applications allow users to share comments, opinions, ideas, and media with friends, family, businesses, and organizations. The data contained in these comments, ideas, and media are valuable to many types of organizations. Through Data Mining and Analysis, it is possible to predict specific behavior in users of the applications. Currently, several technologies aid in collecting, analyzing, and displaying this data. These technologies allow users to apply this data to solve different problems, in different organizations, including the finance, medicine, environmental, education, and advertising industries. This paper aims to highlight the current technologies used in Data Mining and Analyzing Social Media data, the industries using this data, as well as the future of this field.
Petrogenesis and tectonic significance of late Mesozoic granitic and adakitic rocks from inland South China: constraints from geochemistry, zircon U–Pb geochronology and Hf isotopes
Authors: Wang J. Q. , Shu Liangshu , Santosh M.
Published: March 2018

Widespread late Mesozoic Yanshanian magmatic rocks exposed in the South China Block are of critical importance for unravelling the geodynamic setting of palaeo-Pacific subduction. However, available information on magmatic rocks from inland South China is inadequate to constrain the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of late Mesozoic magmatism. This study focuses on the late Jurassic granitic batholiths and stocks exposed in NW Guangdong, and further inland areas at the boundary region of Hunan (Xiang), Hubei (E) and Jiangxi (G) (abbreviated as XEG). Zircon U–Pb geochronology reveals that the studied granitic rocks were emplaced during latest Jurassic at 153
–
145 Ma. Geochemically, the Daping and Taibao plutons in NW Guangdong exhibit features of adakite-like melts, such as high Sr, SiO
2
, Al
2
O
3
contents, and low Yb content, without an Eu anomaly. This suggests that these rocks were most likely derived from partial melting of a high Sr/Y source at a normal lower continental crustal depth (30–40 km). Combined with the data from the coeval A-type granites in the late Mesozoic Qinhang metallogenic zone, we suggest that the Daping and Taibao adakitic granites were probably generated in low pressure environments related with the extension of the Qinhang zone in response to the late Jurassic roll-back of the palaeo-Pacific slab. The XEG granites, characterized by peraluminous geochemical signatures and enrichment of light rare earth elements and negative εHf(t) values, are classified as highly fractionated I- and S-types, I-type to S-type, formed at an intraplate setting. If correct, this interpretation indicates that the slab roll-back of the palaeo-Pacific plate probably has not reached the XEG region, updating current models for the subduction of the palaeo-Pacific plate.

Supplementary Material:
Analytical procedures, representative field photographs and photomicrographs of samples, U–Pb geochronological data, zircon Lu–Hf isotopic compositions, bulk rock major and trace element data are available at:
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4029982
The importance of subsurface lithology in controlling magma storage v. eruption: an example from offshore southern Australia
Authors: Reynolds P. , Holford S. , Schofield N. , Ross A.
Published: March 2018

The volumetric relationship between the intrusive and extrusive components of volcanic fields is difficult to constrain. This is because either the erupted products are commonly eroded or the intrusions are concealed by overburden. Three-dimensional seismic data therefore offer a unique opportunity to study ancient volcanic provinces, as these datasets can image both components without the need for erosional dissection. This study is based on 3D seismic data from the Bight Basin Igneous Complex (BBIC), a volcanic province constructed within a sedimentary basin, offshore southern Australia. We demonstrate that the BBIC contains abundant sills and laccoliths emplaced within deltaic sediments. The intrusions have a total volume of 92–111 km
3
, and the lava flows and volcanoes have a combined volume of 66–76 km
3
(Dense Rock Equivalent). This indicates that the ratio of intrusive:extrusive products for the BBIC is between 1:1 and 2:1. The architecture of the BBIC contrasts markedly with the neighbouring Newer Volcanics Province (NVP), which lacks abundant sills and laccoliths. Because lava flows and volcanoes in the NVP were dominantly fed by dykes hosted in basement rock, we suggest that subsurface lithology plays an important role in causing sill formation and determining the total volume of magma stored in the subsurface.