bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Behaviors of helium in Cr2AlC from first principles
Authors: Wang Chunjie , Zhang Weiguang , Han Zhibin , Shi Liqun
Published: May 2018

The properties of helium incorporation and transport in Cr2AlC have been investigated using first principles method. The results of calculation show that a single helium atom is preferred to reside at an interstitial position near the Al plane in perfect Cr2AlC crystal, attributing to the low predicted formation energy. Helium atoms are expected to aggregate in Al layers. The interaction between helium and lattice atoms is primarily elastic due to the closed‐shell electronic structure of helium. The Doping of helium leads to a weakening of the Cr–Al bonds. Furthermore, an interstitial helium atom is likely to migrate along an indirect migration pathway from the hexahedral interstitial position on Al plane (IAlC), passing by the nearest tetrahedral interstitial position near Al plane (IAlCr), and finally reach to another hexahedral interstitial position (IAlC) with an activation energy of 1.21 eV. The high activation energy suggests a relatively low migration for helium atoms in Cr2AlC as well as a slow growth rate of helium bubbles for the early stage of helium irradiation.
U.S. Monetary Regimes and Optimal Monetary Policy in the Euro Area
Authors: MAVROMATIS KOSTAS
Published: May 2018

Monetary policy in the United States has been documented to have switched from reacting weakly to inflation fluctuations during the 1970s, to fighting inflation aggressively from the early 1980s onward. In this paper, I analyze the impact of the U.S. monetary policy regime switches on the Eurozone. I construct a New Keynesian two‐country model where foreign (U.S.) monetary policy switches regimes over time. I estimate the model for the U.S. and the Euro Area using quarterly data and find that the United States has switched between those two regimes, in line with existing evidence. I show that foreign regime switches affect home (Eurozone) inflation and output volatility and their responses to shocks, substantially, as long as the home central bank commits to a time‐invariant interest rate rule reacting to domestic conditions only. Optimal policy in the home country instead requires that the home central bank reacts strongly to domestic producer‐price inflation and to international variables, such as imported goods relative prices. In fact, I show that currency misalignments and relative prices play a crucial role in the transmission of foreign monetary policy regime switches internationally. Interestingly, I show that only marginal gains arise for the Euro Area when the European Central Bank (ECB) adjusts its policy according to the monetary regime in the United States. Thus, a simple time‐invariant monetary policy rule with a strong reaction to Producer Price Index (PPI) inflation and relative prices is enough to counteract the effects of monetary policy switches in the United States.
A Note on Simple Strategic Bargaining for Models of Money or Credit
Authors: ZHU YU
Published: May 2018

Many papers on liquidity have bilateral trade with buyers constrained by their money holdings or debt limits. Axiomatic bargaining, typically Nash, determines the terms of trade. However, there are reasons to prefer strategic bargaining. I analyze a bargaining game that is useful in models of liquidity. Advantages include (i) it has simple microfoundations, both in and out of steady state; (ii) it is more tractable than Nash, but the outcomes share interesting features; (iii) the benchmark version is consistent with axiomatic approaches in the literature, while another version is not, but can still be used; and (iv) it is arguably realistic.
The Effects of Oil Supply and Demand Shocks on U.S. Consumer Sentiment
Authors: GÜNTNER JOCHEN H. F. , LINSBAUER KATHARINA
Published: May 2018

This paper investigates how the University of Michigan's Index of Consumer Sentiment responds to oil price shocks. While oil supply shocks play only a limited role, the effect of aggregate demand shocks is positive for the first few months and negative thereafter. A typical other oil demand shock has a significant negative impact for up to 2 years. By studying the responses of individual survey questions, we find that expectations of future inflation and a change in real household income as well as perceived vehicle and house buying conditions are the main transmission channels of oil supply and demand shocks.
Prevalence and risk factors for injection site skin infections among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tehran
Authors: Noroozi Mehdi , Armoon Bahram , Ghisvand Hesam , Noroozi Alireza , Karimy Mahmood , Bazrafshan Mohammad Rafi , Marshall Brandon D L , Dieji Bahman
Published: May 2018

Background/Objectives

Injection drug use is one of the major public health problems in Iran. Injection drug use is associated with numerous negative health outcomes, such as blood‐borne infections (HIV, HCV) and injection site skin infections (abscesses, cellulitis). The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of injection site skin infections and its associated risk factors among people who inject drugs (PWID) in Tehran, Iran.

Methods

The cross‐sectional study was conducted from March to August 2016 in Tehran province. A total of 500 PWID were recruited by convenience and snowball sampling from Drop‐in Centers (DIC) in the South of Tehran. Our primary outcomes were self‐report of ever having injection sites skin infections and receiving treatment for them. We first examined associations between individual variables and lifetime history of having injection site infections in bivariate analysis using the chi‐square or Fisher's exact tests, as appropriate. Variables with P‐value <.2 were included in a multiple logistic regression model.

Results

Overall, 40% (CI95%: 30.3%, 52.2%) of participants reported ever having an injection site infection. In the multivariable model, those with low socioeconomic status (AOR = 2.4, P = .03), self‐reported as HIV positive (AOR =1.6, P = .01), reporting more than 3 injections per day (AOR = 4.1, P = .03) and reuse of their own syringes (AOR = 8.5, P = .03) were more likely to have injection sites skin infections. PWID who used needle and syringe program (NSP) services were less likely to report injection site infections (AOR = 0.5, P = .04).

Conclusion

We have identified several risk factors for injection sites infections among PWID, including frequency of injection per day, reuse of their own syringes, not using NSP services, HIV status, socioeconomic status with skin infections in PWID. Prevention strategies to reduce skin infections should focus on high‐risk injection behaviors and improving access to NSP services.
Observational studies investigating hip fracture risk: a fundamental methodological issue?
Authors: Sugiyama T.
Published: May 2018

Click here to view the Original article by Dr. Bergholdt et al.
A comparison between methadone and buprenorphine for perioperative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy
Authors: Shah M. D. , Yates D. , Hunt J. , Murrell J. C.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To investigate whether preoperative methadone provides superior perioperative analgesia compared to buprenorphine in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Methods

Eighty female dogs were recruited to an assessor‐blinded, randomised, clinical trial. Dogs received a premedication dose of 0·05 mg/kg acepromazine or 10 μg/kg medetomidine combined with either 0·3 mg/kg methadone or 20 μg/kg buprenorphine intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Pain was assessed using two scoring schemes (a dynamic interactive visual analogue scale and the short form of the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale) before premedication, 30 minutes later and every hour for 8 hours after premedication. If indicated, rescue analgesia was provided with methadone. Meloxicam was administered after the final assessment. The area under the curve for change in pain scores over time and the requirement for rescue analgesia were compared between groups.

Results

Groups premedicated with buprenorphine had significantly higher pain scores than those premedicated with methadone. There was no interaction between opioid and sedative for any outcome measure. Rescue analgesia was required by significantly more dogs premedicated with buprenorphine (45%) than that of methadone (20%).

Clinical Significance

At the doses investigated, methadone produced superior postoperative analgesia compared to buprenorphine in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
Low level aflatoxin exposure associated with greater linear growth in southern Mexico: A longitudinal study
Authors: Leroy Jef L. , Sununtnasuk Celeste , García‐Guerra Armando , Wang Jia‐Sheng
Published: May 2018

Aflatoxins are a group of naturally occurring mycotoxins, which can lead to death and are a known cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. AF exposure has been hypothesised to lead to stunted growth in children, but separating the AF effect from other determinants of linear growth retardation is difficult. The study used secondary data from an efficacy trial conducted in young children in southern Mexico to test the comparative efficacy of a milk‐based multiple micronutrient‐fortified food, a multiple micronutrient syrup, or a multiple micronutrient powder. The effect of serum AFB1‐lysine adduct level on incremental growth was tested using a longitudinal mixed model, controlling for key individual, maternal, and household‐level covariates. AFB1‐lysine adduct was detectable in all but 2 of the 347 children in the study (median exposure: 0.82 pg/mg albumin). AF exposure was associated (p < .05) with greater linear growth: an increase equivalent to the sample interquartile range (~0.5 pg AFB1‐lysine/mg albumin) was associated (p < .05) with an increase in the child's height‐for‐age deficit of 1.5 to 2.0 mm in the 4 months from baseline (average age 8 months) to follow‐up (average age 12 months); the magnitude of the difference in the 10‐month follow‐up was smaller and not statistically significant. This study documents that low‐dose AF exposure was associated with greater child linear growth. Given its toxicity and carcinogenicity, our results do not change the urgent need to drastically reduce human AF exposure. Our findings show that the association between AF exposure and linear growth is more complex than previously thought.
The two “rules of speciation” in species with young sex chromosomes
Authors: Filatov Dmitry A.
Published: May 2018

The two “rules of speciation,” Haldane's rule (HR) and the large‐X effect (LXE), are thought to be caused by recessive species incompatibilities exposed in the phenotype due to the hemizygosity of X‐linked genes in the heterogametic sex. Thus, the reports of HR and the LXE in species with recently evolved non‐ or partially degenerate Y‐chromosomes, such as Silene latifolia and its relatives, were surprising. Here, I argue that rapid species‐specific degeneration of Y‐linked genes and associated adjustment of expression of X‐linked gametologs (dosage compensation) may lead to rapid evolution of sex‐linked species incompatibilities. This process is likely to be too slow in species with old degenerate Y‐chromosomes (e.g., in mammals), but Y‐degeneration in species with young gene‐rich sex chromosomes may be fast enough to play a significant role in speciation. To illustrate this point, I report the analysis of Y‐degeneration and the associated evolution of gene expression on the X‐chromosome of S. latifolia and Silene dioica, a close relative that shares the same recently evolved sex chromosomes. Despite the recent (≤1MY) divergence of the two species, ~7% of Y‐linked genes have undergone degeneration in one but not the other species. This species‐specific degeneration appears to drive faster expression divergence of X‐linked genes, which may account for HR and the LXE reported for these species. Furthermore, I suggest that “exposure” of autosomal or sex‐linked recessive species incompatibilities in the haploid plant gametophyte may mimic the presence of HR in plants. Both haploid expression and species‐specific Y‐degeneration need to receive more attention if we are to understand the role of these processes in speciation.
Two ways of relating to (and acting for) reasons
Authors: Arruda Caroline T. , Povinelli Daniel J.
Published: May 2018

Most views of agency take acting for reasons (whether explanatory or justifying) to be an important hallmark of the capacity for agency. The problem, however, is that the standard analysis of what it is to act in light of reasons is not sufficiently fine grained to accommodate what we will argue are the myriadtypesof ways that agents can do so. We suggest that a full account of acting for reasons must also recognizethe relationship that agents have with their reasons.We focus on two types of relationships. The first is the traditional case, where agents act in light of reasons that they take to be their own and that they endorse. We describe this as possessing an Endorsement Relationship with one's reasons. A second way of relating to reasons is what we will describe as possessing a Directed Relationship with one's reasons. This includes cases in which agents' actions are the product of reasons but toward which agents do not have an Endorsement Relationship. The Endorsement Relationship is uncontroversial. In this paper, we defend the existence and importance of the Directed Relationship. We show that it is a genuine but overlooked way of relating to, and thereby acting for, reasons.
Variants in ACTG2 underlie a substantial number of Australasian patients with primary chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction
Authors: Ravenscroft G. , Pannell S. , O'Grady G. , Ong R. , Ee H. C. , Faiz F. , Marns L. , Goel H. , Kumarasinghe P. , Sollis E. , Sivadorai P. , Wilson M. , Magoffin A. , Nightingale S. , Freckmann M.‐L. , Kirk E. P. , Sachdev R. , Lemberg D. A. , Delatycki M. B. , Kamm M. A. , Basnayake C. , Lamont P. J. , Amor D. J. , Jones K. , Schilperoort J. , Davis M. R. , Laing N. G.
Published: May 2018

Background

Primary chronic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction (CIPO) is a rare, potentially life‐threatening disorder characterized by severely impaired gastrointestinal motility. The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of ACTG2, LMOD1, MYH11, and MYLK mutations in an Australasian cohort of patients with a diagnosis of primary CIPO associated with visceral myopathy.

Methods

Pediatric and adult patients with primary CIPO and suspected visceral myopathy were recruited from across Australia and New Zealand. Sanger sequencing of the genes encoding enteric gamma‐actin (ACTG2) and smooth muscle leiomodin (LMOD1) was performed on DNA from patients, and their relatives, where available. MYH11 and MYLK were screened by next‐generation sequencing.

Key results

We identified heterozygous missense variants in ACTG2 in 7 of 17 families (~41%) diagnosed with CIPO and its associated conditions. We also identified a previously unpublished missense mutation (c.443C>T, p.Arg148Leu) in one family. One case presented with megacystis‐microcolon‐intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome in utero with subsequent termination of pregnancy at 28 weeks' gestation. All of the substitutions identified occurred at arginine residues. No likely pathogenic variants in LMOD1, MYH11, or MYLK were identified within our cohort.

Conclusions and inferences

ACTG2 mutations represent a significant underlying cause of primary CIPO with visceral myopathy and associated phenotypes in Australasian patients. Thus, ACTG2 sequencing should be considered in cases presenting with hypoperistalsis phenotypes with suspected visceral myopathy. It is likely that variants in other genes encoding enteric smooth muscle contractile proteins will contribute further to the genetic heterogeneity of hypoperistalsis phenotypes.
Oral yeast colonization in patients with primary and secondary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Medeiros Clarissa Castro Galvão , dos Anjos Borges Luiz Gustavo , Cherubini Karen , Salum Fernanda Gonçalves , Medina da Silva Renata , de Figueiredo Maria Antonia Zancanaro
Published: May 2018

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the pattern of oral yeast colonization of Sjögren's syndrome patients and its correlation to salivary flow rates, age, and time of the disease progression.

Materials and methods

Saliva and swab specimens were obtained from 45 patients (primary Sjögren's syndrome = 15/ secondary Sjögren's syndrome = 15/ healthy controls = 15). Yeast species were identified using culture method through chromogenic medium followed by polymerase chain reaction and Sanger sequencing.

Results

Eleven species from six different genera were detected. The most prevalent species found wasCandida albicansfollowed byCandida tropicalis,Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis,andCandida krusei. Both groups of Sjögren's syndrome showed higher counts ofC. albicans(Total andCFUcounts) when compared to control group. In contrast, a greater variety of yeast species was identified on samples of the control group.

Conclusions

This study showed thatC. albicansis the most prevalent yeast, but also that a variety of other yeast species can colonize the oral cavity of Sjogren's syndrome patients. The identification of most of the colonies was not obtained by culturing‐PCRmethods combined.
Remaining longevity and evidence of failure of cardiac implantable electrophysiology devices recovered from funeral homes
Authors: Laslett David , Verdino Ralph J. , Kirkpatrick James N.
Published: May 2018

Background

Given the prohibitive cost of pacemakers and defibrillators for medically underserved patients in low‐income countries, these devices are sometimes recovered from funeral homes for charitable reimplantation. Many devices are implanted near the end of the patients’ lives, meaning that recovered devices from funeral homes have the potential for significant remaining longevity.

Methods

After sending letters asking funeral directors in the Philadelphia area to donate explanted pacemakers and defibrillators, 78 devices were recovered. Sixty‐seven of these devices were successfully interrogated, and 64 devices reported estimates of remaining battery life in years. Twenty‐one defibrillators were also interrogated for evidence of failure.

Results

Twenty‐two percent of the 64 devices had greater than 4 years of longevity. Fourteen percent of the devices had between 1 and 4 years of longevity, and the remaining 64% had less than 1 year of remaining battery life. We found no evidence from 21 recovered defibrillators that the patient's cause of death was because of defibrillator failure. In almost half (10/21) of the defibrillators, however, the arrhythmia logs were nondecipherable given the entire log was replaced by episodes of signal noise likely occurring after death.

Conclusions

A significant percentage of devices explanted in funeral homes have suitable remaining battery life for reuse. While no evidence of defibrillator device failure could be found, the analysis was limited by postmortem signal artifact, which may preclude accurate assessment of rates of failure in devices explanted postmortem.
BRN2, a POUerful driver of melanoma phenotype switching and metastasis
Authors: Fane Mitchell E. , Chhabra Yash , Smith Aaron G. , Sturm Richard A.
Published: May 2018

The POU domain family of transcription factors play a central role in embryogenesis and are highly expressed in neural crest cells and the developing brain. BRN2 is a class III POU domain protein that is a key mediator of neuroendocrine and melanocytic development and differentiation. While BRN2 is a central regulator in numerous developmental programs, it has also emerged as a major player in the biology of tumourigenesis. In melanoma, BRN2 has been implicated as one of the master regulators of the acquisition of invasive behaviour within the phenotype switching model of progression. As a mediator of melanoma cell phenotype switching, it coordinates the transition to a dedifferentiated, slow cycling and highly motile cell type. Its inverse expression relationship with MITF is believed to mediate tumour progression and metastasis within this model. Recent evidence has now outlined a potential epigenetic switching mechanism in melanoma cells driven by BRN2 expression that induces melanoma cell invasion. We summarize the role of BRN2 in tumour cell dissemination and metastasis in melanoma, while also examining it as a potential metastatic regulator in other tumour models.
Locke's Theory of Demonstration and Demonstrative Morality
Authors: Connolly Patrick J.
Published: May 2018

Locke famously claimed that morality was capable of demonstration. But he also refused to provide a system of demonstrative morality. This paper addresses the mismatch between Locke's stated views and his actual philosophical practice. While Locke's claims about demonstrative morality have received a lot of attention it is rare to see them discussed in the context of his general theory of demonstration and his specific discussions of particular demonstrations. This paper explores Locke's general remarks about demonstration as well as his claims about demonstration in natural philosophy, mathematics, and morality. Careful attention to these detailed discussions motivates a reevaluation of Locke's views on demonstrative knowledge of morality. Specifically, while Locke did believe that some demonstrative moral knowledge might be in‐principle available to us he also believed that facts about the difficulty of demonstration meant that this knowledge would in‐practice be largely unattainable.
EEG oscillations during caress‐like affective haptic elicitation
Authors: Valenza Gaetano , Greco Alberto , Bianchi Matteo , Nardelli Mimma , Rossi Simone , Scilingo Enzo Pasquale
Published: May 2018

Noninvasive, objective quantitative techniques to gauge emotional states are fundamental for clinical psychology as they overcome subjective bias of currently used questionnaires. To this end, we investigated brain oscillatory EEG activity during caresslike, affective haptic elicitation conveyed on the forearm at two force (strength of the caress) and three velocity (velocity of the caress) levels. Thirty‐two healthy subjects (16 female) were asked to assess each haptic stimulus in terms of arousal (i.e., intensity of emotional perception) and valence (i.e., pleasantness/unpleasantness of emotional perception) scores, according to the circumplex model of affect. Changes in brain oscillations were quantified through spectral and functional connectivity analyses. EEG power spectra were estimated through the individual α frequency peak. Results, expressed in terms of p‐value topographic maps, revealed a suppression of α, β, and γ oscillations over the contralateral somatosensory cortex during unpleasant caresses performed with the lowest force (2 N) and the highest velocity (65 mm/s). Conversely, pleasant caresses at the highest force were associated with a significant decrease of EEG oscillatory activity over the midfrontal region, at frequency bands including α, β, and γ. A correlation analysis showed that EEG γ power from the somatosensory area was linked to caressing force. The more unpleasant the affective cutaneous stimuli, the more the brain dynamics decrease in activity all over the scalp, primarily showing a suppression of α power over the midfrontal cortex. These results also pave the way for the design of haptic systems eliciting a given emotional state.
Effect of various levels of dissolved oxygen on reactive oxygen species and cryocapacitation‐like changes in bull sperm
Authors: Amin Beigh Y. , Prasad Jai K. , Ghosh Subrata K. , Lone Shabir A. , Kumar Abhishek , Mustapha Abdul R. , Din Omer , Kumar Ajay
Published: May 2018

The present investigation was carried out to study the effect of various levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cryocapacitation‐like changes in bull sperm. Egg yolk–Tris–glycerol (EYTG) extender was split into four subextenders; viz., Extender I (control; no flushing with liquid nitrogen (LN2)), Extender II, Extender III and Extender IV were flushed with LN2 for 40, 16 and 8 min, respectively. The DO levels were standardized to 11.7, 2, 4 and 8 ppm, respectively, in control (Extender I), Extender II, Extender III and Extender IV. Ejaculates with mass motility of ≥ 3+ were divided into group I (diluted with Extender I), group II (diluted with Extender II), group III (diluted with Extender III) and group IV (diluted with Extender IV) up to 80 × 106 sperm/ml. Extended semen samples were packed in French mini straws (0.25 ml), equilibrated and cryopreserved. Semen samples were evaluated at prefreeze and post‐thaw stage for various parameters (DO, progressive motility (PM), viability (VIB), acrosomal integrity (AI), hypo‐osmotic swelling (HOS) test, ROS, cholesterol (C) and phospholipid (P). The percentage of PM, VIB, AI, HOS test, cholesterol (C) and phospholipid (P) levels, and capacitated sperm were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in groups III and IV as compared to groups I and II. However, the acrosome‐reacted sperm (%; pattern AR) were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in group III as compared to all other groups. Besides the proportion of sperm displaying tyrosine‐phosphorylated pattern, EA (fluorescence at both equatorial and anterior acrosomal regions, i.e. high capacitation level) was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in group III compared to all other groups. In conclusion, varying DO levels in the extender significantly affect sperm quality, ROS production and capacitation‐like changes in bulls.
Factor‐biased public infrastructure and wage inequality
Authors: Pi Jiancai , Zhang Pengqing
Published: May 2018

This paper analyzes how factor‐biased public infrastructure affects the skilled–unskilled wage inequality. In the basic model with a full employment economy, we find that when the weighted dependence of skilled labor and capital in the urban skilled sector on public infrastructure is large enough relatively to that of unskilled labor and capital in the urban unskilled sector, the wage inequality will be expanded. We also discuss labor‐biased and capital‐biased public infrastructure in our framework, and find that the relative dependences of relevant labor or capital on public infrastructure are important determinants of wage inequality. In the extended models, we analyze separately the issue of wage inequality in the economy with unemployment and the totally open capital market, and find the results of the basic model almost still hold.
Aging and inequality: The link and transmission mechanisms
Authors: Luo Zhi , Wan Guanghua , Wang Chen , Zhang Xun
Published: May 2018

There exists a shortage of rigorous empirical analyses that focus on the aging‐to‐inequality transmission mechanisms although both developed and some developing countries have been confronted with the challenge of population aging. Using cross‐country panel data covering the period of 1975 to 2015, this paper contributes to the literature by directly modeling the relationship between aging and inequality and exploring the transmission mechanisms. Our estimation results show that (1) Aging worsens income distribution; (2) This adverse impact is attributable to its negative correlation with the share of labor income that in general is more equally distributed than capital income; (3) The labor share‐reducing effect of aging can be further attributed to the significant and negative impact of aging on both labor input or supply and wage or labor productivity; and (4) Our findings are robust to changes in model specifications, use of different indicators of aging, different inequality and labor share data sources.
Aerodynamic grain‐size distribution of blown sand
Authors: Yang YanYan , Liu LianYou , Li XiaoYan , Shi PeiJun , Zhang GuoMing , Xiong YiYing , Lyu YanLi , Guo LanLan , Liang Bo , Zhao MengDi , Dai JiaDong , Zuo XiYang , Han XuJiao
Published: May 2018

Aeolian sand entrainment, saltation and deposition are important and closely related near surface processes. Determining how grains are sorted by wind requires a detailed understanding of how aerodynamic sand transport processes vary within the saltating layer with height above the bed. Grain‐size distribution of sand throughout the saltation layer and, in particular, how the associated flux of different grain size changes with variation in wind velocity, remain unclear. In the present study, a blowdown wind tunnel with a 50 cm thick boundary layer was used to investigate saltating sand grains by analyzing the weight percentage and transport flux of different grain‐size fractions and the mean grain size at different wind velocities. It was found that mean grain size decreases with height above the sand bed before undergoing a reversal. The height of the reversal point ranges from 4 to 40 cm, and increases with wind velocity following a non‐linear relationship. The content of the finer fractions (very fine and fine sand) initially increases above the sand bed and then decreases slightly with height, whereas that of the coarser fractions (medium and coarse sand) exhibits the opposite trend. The content of coarser grains and the mean grain size of sand in the saltation layer increase with wind velocity, indicating erosional selectivity with respect to grains in multi‐sized sand beds; but this size selectivity decreases with increasing wind velocity. The vertical mass flux structure of fine sand and very fine sand does not obey a general exponential decay pattern under strong wind conditions; and the coarser the sand grain, the greater the decrease rate of their transport mass with height. The results of these experiments suggest that the grain‐size distribution of a saltating sand cloud is governed by both wind velocity and height within the near‐surface boundary layer.
Identification of an HLA‐B*27 variant, B*27:120, by sequence‐based typing in a Taiwanese bone marrow stem cell donor
Authors: Yang E. K. L. , Lin P. Y.
Published: May 2018

One nucleotide substitution at residue 577 of HLA‐B*27:04:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐B*27:120.
Effects of low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound on radiographic healing of tibial plateau leveling osteotomies in dogs: a prospective, randomized, double‐blinded study
Authors: Kieves Nina R. , Canapp Sherman O. , Lotsikas Peter J. , Christopher Scott A. , Leasure Christopher S. , Canapp Debra , Gavin Patrick R.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To determine the influence of low‐intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on radiographic healing and limb function after uncomplicated, stable osteotomies in dogs.

Study design

In vivo, prospective, randomized, double‐blinded, placebo‐control study.

Sample population: Fifty client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Fifty client‐owned dogs with naturally occurring unilateral cranial cruciate ligament rupture were enrolled prior to tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. Dogs were assigned to an active (LIPUS) treatment group or a placebo control (SHAM) treatment group via block randomization on the basis of age, weight, and affected limb. Dogs in the LIPUS treatment group underwent LIPUS treatments for 20 minutes daily: 1.5‐MHZ ultrasound wave pulsed at 1 kHZ with a 20% duty cycle at an intensity of 30 mW/cm2 for the duration of the study (12 weeks). Radiographic evaluation was performed at 4, 8, 10, and 12 weeks postoperatively to evaluate bone healing. Limb function was assessed with temporal‐spatial gait analysis preoperatively and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively by using a pressure‐sensitive walkway system.

Results

Both groups had significant improvement in radiographic score and limb use over time. However, there was no significant difference in radiographic bone healing, or limb use as measured by objective gait analysis detected between the LIPUS treatment group and SHAM treatment group at any point in the study.

Conclusion

LIPUS treatment did not improve healing in this stable osteotomy model.

Clinical significance

This study does not provide evidence to support the clinical application of LIPUS to stimulate the healing of stable, uncomplicated osteotomies to accelerate bone healing.
REMOVAL OF REFRACTORY COMPOUNDS FROM LANDFILL LEACHATE BY USING NANOFILTRATION
Authors: Istirokhatun Titik , Amalia Desinta Aswin , Oktiawan Wiharyanto , Rezagama Arya , Budihardjo M. Arief , Nofiana Nofiana , Susanto Heru
Published: May 2018

Landfill leachate is a serious problem during treatment of municipal solid waste using landfill method. Less attention has been paid for the treatment of this leachate while this leachate is usually highly polluted. This study investigated the performances of nanofiltration membrane for treatment of landfill leachate (from Semarang, Indonesia). Landfill leachate was treated using NF99 nanofiltration membrane (pore size 200 Da). Synthetic leachate was used in this research which follows the characteristics of real leachate. Microfiltration (MF) membrane was used as a pretreatment before Nanofiltration (NF). The effect of pressure on membrane performance was observed. The membrane performance was examined for permeate flux and membrane rejection for TSS, TDS, and COD then compared to the effluent quality of existing leachate treatment. The rejection of COD, TSS and TDS were 96, 100 and 62%, respectively. The results suggest that the effluent had much better quality than the existing installation leachate treatment.
REMOVAL OF CD2+ AND PB2+ HEAVY METALS IN WATER BY USING ADSORPTION-ULTRAFILTRATION HYBRID PROCESS
Authors: Mulyati Sri , Syawaliah Syawaliah
Published: May 2018

Pollution caused by heavy metals is a serious problem for the environment. Cadmium and Lead are heavy metals that are highly toxic to living beings. These metals are non-biodegradable and remain in the environment for a long period of time. The removal process of these heavy metals with adsorption using Aceh natural zeolite followed by the membrane filtration has been conducted. Operating parameters such as contact time, sample pH and adsorbent dose found to affect the removal efficiency in the adsorption process. PES membrane which prepared by phase inversion technique was used to eliminate the residual heavy metals remained in the effluent of adsorption process. The final concentration after removal with both processess was 0.21 mg/L and 0.242 mg/L for Cd2+ and Pb2+, respectively. Although the concentration are still above the permitted threshold, which is no more than 0.005 mg/L for Cd2+ and 0.01 mg/L at maximum for Pb2+, this combination can however still be an alternative that can be employed to remove heavy metals in water.
DETERMINATION OF FOULING MECHANISM IN ULTRAFILTRATION OF ELECTROPLATING WASTEWATER
Authors: Ariono Danu , Wardani Anita Kusuma , Prihartini Aryanti Putu Teta , Hakim Ahmad Nurul , Wenten I Gede
Published: May 2018

Wastewater from electroplating industries is usually contaminated with high concentration of hazardous materials, such as nickel, copper, and chromium. Therefore, the electroplating wastewater is one of the environmental problems that require a novel solution to reduce risks for human and environment. Ultrafiltration is a promising technology to overcome this problem due to its ability to reject all suspended solids. However, membrane fouling still becomes a major obstacle in ultrafiltration processes. Fouling reduces the permeate flux and increases membrane operational costs due to membrane cleaning. In this work, fouling mechanism that occurred in polyacrylonitrile based ultrafiltration for electroplating wastewater treatment was investigated. The effects of trans-membrane pressure (TMP) and cross flow velocity on fouling mechanism were also studied. The results showed that in the first 20 minutes, intermediate blocking was occurred on the membrane surface, while cake formation was happened for the rest of filtration time. These results were applied for all TMP and cross flow velocity.
FOULING MECHANISM OF MICELLE ENHANCED ULTRAFILTRATION WITH SDS SURFACTANT FOR INDIGOZOL DYE REMOVAL
Authors: Aryanti Nita , Saraswati Andya , Pratama Putra Rangga , Nafiunisa Aininu , Wardhani Dyah Hesti
Published: May 2018

Membrane separation technology was proposed to confront the problem of inorganic dye pollutant treatment such as an indigosol dye. A modified ultrafiltration process known as micellar-enhance ultrafiltration (MEUF), was applied to remove three kinds of indigosol dye (Pink IR, Blue O4B, and vat brown). Surfactant at concentration above CMC was added to form micelle structure and solubilize the dye molecule in the feed solution. Maximum dye rejection was achieved by the MEUF of all three kinds of indigosol dye. The  rejection of indigosol pink IR, blue O4B, and brown VAT1 were 94,27%, 95,49% and 99,15%, respectively. In this research, it was found that the MEUF system leads to higher membrane flux, compared to the ultrafiltration system as shown in flux profiles. The difference was expected due to different dye molecular structure. Blocking mechanism was predicted by a mathematical model based on Hermia’s model and depicted a mechanism of complete blocking on most UF process and cake formation on MEUF process. This result confirmed that the MEUF system certainly retained the dye molecule on membrane separation process. However, a comprehensive study is required to increase the membrane flux.
THERMODYNAMIC STUDY OF POLYMER ELECTROLYTE MEMBRANE PREPARATION BY NON-SOLVENT INDUCED PHASE SEPARATION
Authors: R Dyartanti Endah , Purwanto Agus , Widiasa I Nyoman , Susanto Heru
Published: May 2018

The composition of both the polymer solution and the non-solvent determines the resulted membrane morphology during membrane preparation through non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. In the porous polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs), a specified porosity and uniform pore membranes are required; therefore prediction of membrane morphology is essential. The Dimensional parameter of thermodynamic was determined to find the diffusional rate between DMAc solvent and Water nonsolvent during the membranes preparation. The influences of the addition of nano-clay as filler and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) addition as pore-forming agent on the thermodynamic parameter were investigated. The resulted nanocomposites were characterized by measuring their porosity and electrolyte uptake as well as by a scanning electron microscopy. The composition of non-solvent required to induce phase separation of the casting solution was determined by cloud point experiment. By adding the content of additives the binodal line shifts to polymer/solvent axis, moreover MG reduces and DSBC raises and the thermodynamic parameter increased. It was obtained that the solubility parameters (Di/j) between solvent-additive are DDMAc/nano-clay  =  0.787 (MPa0.5), DPVP/DMAc = 5.536 (MPa0.5), and The Interaction parameters (c) are  cDMAc/nano-clay = 1.661 (MPa0.5), cDMAc/PVP = 1.449 (MPa0.5).
Bordered Floer homology and existence of incompressible tori in homology spheres
Authors: Eftekhary Eaman
Published: May 2018

Let$Y$be a homology sphere which contains an incompressible torus. We show that$Y$cannot be an$L$-space, i.e. the rank of$\widehat{\text{HF}}(Y)$is greater than$1$. In fact, if the homology sphere$Y$is an irreducible$L$-space, then$Y$is$S^{3}$, the Poincaré sphere$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6F4}(2,3,5)$or hyperbolic.
Particle-based chemical oscillation as a function of depth in latex films using gas cluster ion beam secondary ion mass spectrometry profiling
Authors: Pacholski Michaeleen L. , Qu Zhaohui , Ouyang Wuye , Zheng Zhibo , Wang Rong
Published: May 2018

Depth profiles of thin, latex films using gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) show an oscillation of surfactants and polymer signal that is related to the organization of the particles in the film as layers. These results demonstrate the application of GCIB-SIMS to the distribution of water soluble species with molecular sensitivity, which has implications to film performance in areas of adhesion, appearance, and cohesion. Specifically, surfactant species were found at the highest concentrations at the air interface, decreasing through the top few particle layers to a steady state, whereas salt-rich species (sulfates, oligomers) were found at every particle boundary with a high concentration at the substrate interface.
Acoustic source localization based on the generalized cross-correlation and the generalized mean with few microphones
Authors: Padois Thomas
Published: May 2018

Microphone arrays are an efficient tool for localizing acoustic sources. Time domain beamforming is one of the techniques which can be used to build a sound source map. This technique based on the cross-correlation of the microphone signals can be seen as a broadband beamforming method. The spatial likelihood functions are averaged with the arithmetic mean. Recently, it has been shown that the harmonic and geometric means can improve the quality of the sound source map. In this study, the influence of the exponent value of the generalized mean on the sound source map is investigated. Then it is shown that the proposed technique is less sensitive to the number of microphones and therefore, it can be reduced.
Clonal Spread of Candida glabrata Bloodstream Isolates and Fluconazole Resistance Affected by Prolonged Exposure: a 12-Year Single-Center Study in Belgium
Authors: Goemaere Berdieke , Lagrou Katrien , Spriet Isabel , Hendrickx Marijke , Becker Pierre
Published: May 2018

Candida glabrata
is a major cause of candidemia in immunocompromised patients and is characterized by a high-level of fluconazole resistance. In the present study, the acquisition of antifungal resistance and potential clonal spread of
C. glabrata
were explored at a single center over a 12-year period by analyzing 187 independent clinical
C. glabrata
bloodstream isolates. One strain was found to be micafungin resistant due to a mutation in the
FKS2
gene. Fluconazole resistance remained stable throughout the period and was observed in 20 (10.7%) of the isolates. An analysis of the antifungal consumption data revealed that recent prior exposure to fluconazole increased the risk to be infected by a resistant strain. In particular, the duration of the treatment was significantly longer for patients infected by a resistant isolate, while the total and mean daily doses received did not impact the acquisition of resistance in
C. glabrata
. No link between genotype and resistance was found. However, multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analyses indicated a potential intrahospital spread of some isolates between patients. These isolates shared the same genetic profiles, and infected patients were hospitalized in the same unit during an overlapping period. Finally, quantitative real-time PCR analyses showed that, unlike that for other ABC efflux pumps, the expression of CgCDR1 was significantly greater in resistant strains, suggesting that it would be more involved in fluconazole (FLC) resistance. Our study provides additional evidence that the proper administration of fluconazole is required to limit resistance and that strict hand hygiene is necessary to avoid the possible spreading of
C. glabrata
isolates between patients.
Plasma and Intrapulmonary Concentrations of Cefepime and Zidebactam following Intravenous Administration of WCK 5222 to Healthy Adult Subjects
Authors: Rodvold Keith A. , Gotfried Mark H. , Chugh Rakesh , Gupta Mugdha , Patel Anasuya , Chavan Rajesh , Yeole Ravindra , Friedland H. David , Bhatia Ashima
Published: May 2018

WCK 5222 is a combination of cefepime and the novel β-lactam enhancer zidebactam being developed for the treatment of serious Gram-negative bacterial infections. The objective of this study was to compare plasma (total), epithelial lining fluid (ELF), and alveolar macrophage (AM) concentrations of cefepime and zidebactam in healthy adult subjects.
Short-Term Pegylated Interferon α2a Treatment Does Not Significantly Reduce the Viral Reservoir of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected, Antiretroviral Therapy-Treated Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Palesch David , Bosinger Steven E. , Mavigner Maud , Billingsley James M. , Mattingly Cameron , Carnathan Diane G. , Paiardini Mirko , Chahroudi Ann , Vanderford Thomas H. , Silvestri Guido
Published: May 2018

The potential of type I interferons to reduce the viral reservoir has been recently studied in clinical trials in HIV-infected humans. However, given the lack of mechanistic data and the potential for safety concerns, a more comprehensive testing of IFN treatment
in vivo
in SIV-infected RMs is critical to provide rationale for further development of this intervention in humans. Utilizing the SIV/RM model in which virus replication is suppressed with ART, we addressed experimental limitations of previous human studies, in particular the lack of a control group and specimen sampling limited to blood. Here, we show by rigorous testing of blood and lymphoid tissues that virus replication and reservoir size were not significantly affected by pIFN-α2a treatment in SIV-infected, ART-treated RMs. This suggests that intensified and/or prolonged IFN treatment regimens, possibly in combination with other antilatency agents, are necessary to effectively purge the HIV/SIV reservoir under ART.
Complexities of Viral Mutation Rates
Authors: Peck Kayla M. , Lauring Adam S.
Published: May 2018

Many viruses evolve rapidly. This is due, in part, to their high mutation rates. Mutation rate estimates for over 25 viruses are currently available. Here, we review the population genetics of virus mutation rates. We specifically cover the topics of mutation rate estimation, the forces that drive the evolution of mutation rates, and how the optimal mutation rate can be context-dependent.
Role of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Viroporins E, 3a, and 8a in Replication and Pathogenesis
Authors: Castaño-Rodriguez Carlos , Honrubia Jose M. , Gutiérrez-Álvarez Javier , DeDiego Marta L. , Nieto-Torres Jose L. , Jimenez-Guardeño Jose M. , Regla-Nava Jose A. , Fernandez-Delgado Raul , Verdia-Báguena Carmina , Queralt-Martín Maria , Kochan Grazyna , Perlman Stanley , Aguilella Vicente M. , Sola Isabel , Enjuanes Luis
Published: May 2018

Viroporins are viral proteins with ion channel (IC) activity that play an important role in several processes, including virus replication and pathogenesis. While many coronaviruses (CoVs) encode two viroporins, severe acute respiratory syndrome CoV (SARS-CoV) encodes three: proteins 3a, E, and 8a. Additionally, proteins 3a and E have a PDZ-binding motif (PBM), which can potentially bind over 400 cellular proteins which contain a PDZ domain, making them potentially important for the control of cell function. In the present work, a comparative study of the functional motifs included within the SARS-CoV viroporins was performed, mostly focusing on the roles of the IC and PBM of E and 3a proteins. Our results showed that the full-length E and 3a proteins were required for maximal SARS-CoV replication and virulence, whereas viroporin 8a had only a minor impact on these activities. A virus missing both the E and 3a proteins was not viable, whereas the presence of either protein with a functional PBM restored virus viability. E protein IC activity and the presence of its PBM were necessary for virulence in mice. In contrast, the presence or absence of the homologous motifs in protein 3a did not influence virus pathogenicity. Therefore, dominance of the IC and PBM of protein E over those of protein 3a was demonstrated in the induction of pathogenesis in mice.

IMPORTANCE
Collectively, these results demonstrate key roles for the ion channel and PBM domains in optimal virus replication and pathogenesis and suggest that the viral viroporins and PBMs are suitable targets for antiviral therapy and for mutation in attenuated SARS-CoV vaccines.