bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development of Dermestes Frischii and Dermestes Undulatus (Coleoptera, Dermestidae): Comparison Between Species
Authors: Lambiase Simonetta , Murgia Giulia , Sacchi Roberto , Ghitti Michele , di Lucia Valeria
Published: June 2017

Dermestidae could be useful in forensic investigations to assess the PMI as adults and larvae colonize dried remains. We reared two species of Dermestidae (Dermestes frischii and Dermestes undulatus) to understand the effects of different temperatures on the length of their whole life cycle and on their immature stages. Both species were reared at 23°C ± 0.5, RH 75% and at 26°C ± 0.5, 75% RH. Our result shows that the temperature is the main factor that influences the development of those species; in fact, increasing temperature leads to a shorter development cycle (59.8 ± 0.5 and 38.1 ± 0.2 for D. frischii; 50.6 ± 0.6 and 36.2 ± 0.2 for D. undulatus). Furthermore, we found that the number of the molts before the pupa decreases from 5–7 to 5–6 for D. frischii and from 4–6 to 4–5 for D. undulatus, respectively, at 23°C and 26°C.
Atopic dermatitis is associated with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, but not with psychiatric hospitalization or suicide
Authors: Thyssen J. P. , Hamann C. R. , Linneberg A. , Dantoft T. M. , Skov L. , Gislason G. H. , Wu J. J. , Egeberg A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) has been linked with psychiatric disease in adults. However, the exact relationship and its consequences have been insufficiently studied. Our aim of this study was to assess the association between depression, anxiety, and AD in adults and examine the risk of hospitalization and suicide.

Methods

We utilized questionnaire data from a large general population study with data on social habits and psychiatric symptoms to compare prevalences of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and anxiety attacks, in adults with and without a history of AD. Additionally, we used nationwide hospital/clinic registry and prescription data to examine the risk of anxiety and depression in Danish adults with mild and moderate‐severe AD, as well as the risk of hospitalization and suicide.

Results

In the general population study, those with AD reported clinician‐diagnosed depression and anxiety more often than non‐AD subjects, and had an increased prevalence of suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms. In the health registry study, moderate‐severe AD patients had increased risk of antidepressant and anxiolytic medication use, while patients with mild AD only had increased risk of anxiolytic medication use. There was no increased risk of hospitalization or outpatient contacts due to depression or anxiety, or risk of suicide in AD patients.

Conclusions

Depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation are more common among AD individuals, but do not lead to psychiatric consultations, hospitalization, or suicide.
Successful delivery derived from cryopreserved rare human spermatozoa with novel cryopiece
Authors: Sun J. , Chen W. , Zhou L. , Hu J. , Li Z. , Zhang Z. , Wu Y.
Published: June 2017

Herein, we report the clinical outcomes following intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with cryopiece cryopreserved rare human spermatozoa from severe male factor infertility patients. We established a novel cryopiece system on the basis of previous studies. In this study, 126 spermatozoa from four patients with non‐obstructiveazoospermia (NOA) or severe oligozoospermia were stored in cryopiece and then thawed on the day of the oocyte retrieval, 88 (83%) spermatozoa were recovered with a 47.5% (38 of 80) motile rate. Routine ICSI were performed in enrolled 30 MII oocytes from their spouse with their own spermatozoa, respectively. Twenty‐two (73%) fertilization and 19 (86%) zygote cleavage were observed. Finally, a total of 11 embryos were achieved and each female patient received a transplantation of two fresh embryos. Four healthy babies were born at term. In conclusion, our novel cryopiece can be applied in assisted reproduction through ICSI with an effective motile spermatozoa recovery rate, high fertilization rate, and successful pregnancy result.
The effects of cultural drift on geographic variation in echolocation calls of the Chinese rufous horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus sinicus)
Authors: Xie Lifen , Sun Keping , Jiang Tinglei , Liu Sen , Lu Guanjun , Jin Longru , Feng Jiang
Published: June 2017

Drift, selection, or their combined effects commonly drive geographic variation in traits. Clarifying the relative roles of each process is a long‐standing research goal in evolutionary biology. Acoustic signals of bats are a phenotypic characteristic that plays an important role in social organization and species recognition. We extensively sampled the Chinese rufous horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus sinicus) throughout China and Vietnam and reconstructed a species phylogeny to better understand the patterns and causes of the geographic variation of acoustic signals. Our results showed that the resting frequency (RF) of calls varied with latitude, sex, and distance among different colony locations. RF differences were not correlated with genetic distance (based on only one nuclear locus and the mitochondrial locus), climatic factors (mean annual temperature and mean annual precipitable water), or body size, although differences in calls increased with distance among various populations. This suggests that cultural drift may play more important roles than genetic drift and acoustic adaptation in shaping acoustic differences within regions in R. sinicus.
Subharmonics increase the auditory impact of female koala rejection calls
Authors: Charlton Benjamin D. , Watchorn Darcy J. , Whisson Desley A.
Published: June 2017

Although non‐linear phenomena are common in human and non‐human animal vocalisations, their functional relevance remains poorly understood. One theory posits that non‐linear phenomena generate unpredictability in vocalisations, which increases the auditory impact of vocal signals, and makes animals less likely to habituate to call repetition. Female koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) produce vocal signals when they reject male copulation attempts that contain relatively high levels of non‐linear phenomena, and thus may function as attention grabbing vocal signals during the breeding season. To test this hypothesis, we used playback experiments: firstly, to determine whether female rejection calls induce heightened behavioural responses in free‐ranging male koalas during the breeding season, and secondly, to examine how the relative amount of non‐linear phenomena in rejection calls influences male behavioural response. The results show that male koalas look for longer towards speakers broadcasting playback sequences of male bellows followed by a series of female rejection calls than those broadcasting only male bellows. In addition, female rejection call sequences with more subharmonics, higher harmonics‐to‐noise ratios, and less biphonation produced the greatest male looking responses. Our findings support the hypothesis that female koala rejection calls function to grab male attention during the breeding season, and indicate that subharmonics are the main acoustic feature that increases the auditory impact of these vocal signals.
Crystallization behavior of 45S5 bioactive glass modified by therapeutic ions
Authors: Erol Taygun Melek , Hocaoğlu Vahide
Published: June 2017

This is the first study that investigates the crystallization behavior of strontium‐ and copper‐doped bioactive glasses by both isothermal and nonisothermal methods using differential thermal analysis (DTA) data. DTA results showed that bioactive glasses are suitable for glass‐ceramic production. Isothermal and nonisothermal DTA experiments indicated that the crystallization activation energies of strontium‐doped bioactive glasses are in the range of 304.1‐327.7 kJ/mol, whereas the activation energies of copper‐doped bioactive glasses change in the range of 219.13‐263.20 kJ/mol. It was found that crystallization activation energies of strontium‐doped glasses are higher than those of the copper‐doped glasses. Avrami exponent, n, values of bioactive glasses showed that the bulk crystallization was found to predominate in all samples. Results revealed that isothermal and nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of strontium‐ and copper‐doped bioactive glasses are in agreement within the experimental error.
Prescribing in the oldest old inpatients: a retrospective analysis of patients referred for specialist geriatric consultation
Authors: Ilango Sivarajah , Pillans Peter , Peel Nancye M. , Scott Ian , Gray Leonard C. , Hubbard Ruth E.
Published: June 2017

Background

While medications may prolong life and prevent morbidity in older people, adverse effects of polypharmacy are increasingly recognised. As patients age and become frail, prescribing may be expected to focus more on symptom control and minimise potentially harmful preventive medication use that confer little benefit within a short lifespan. Whether prescribing practice shifts to one of symptom controls among the oldest old admitted to hospital remains unclear.

Aim

To determine, in the oldest old inpatients, whether preventive versus symptom control medication prescribing was associated with age or level of frailty.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of all patients aged ≥85 years referred for comprehensive geriatric assessment at a tertiary care hospital between May 2006 and December 2014 for whom all prescribed medications were documented. Medication use was assessed according to age group (85–89, 90–94, ≥95) and categories of frailty index calculated for patients based on 52 deficits (fitter, moderately frail, frail and severely frail).

Results

Seven hundred and eighty‐three inpatients were assessed of mean (SD) age 89.0 (3.4) and mean frailty index 0.45 (SD0.14) with a median of eight co‐morbidities (IQR6–10) and who were prescribed a mean of 8.3 (SD3.8) regular medications per day. Polypharmacy (5–9 medications per day) was observed in 406 patients (51.9%) and hyper‐polypharmacy (≥10 medications per day) in 268 patients (34.2%). While there was a significant decrease in number of prescribed medications as age increased, there were no differences across age groups or frailty categories in proportions of medications used for prevention versus symptom control.

Conclusion

Polypharmacy is prevalent in oldest old inpatients and prescribing patterns according to prevention versus symptom control appear unaffected by age and frailty status.
Obstructive sleep apnea and silent cerebral infarction in hypertensive individuals
Authors: Alvarez‐Sabín José , Romero Odile , Delgado Pilar , Quintana Manuel , Santamarina Estevo , Ferré Alex , Maisterra Olga , Riba‐Llena Iolanda , Montaner Joan , Sampol Gabriel
Published: June 2017

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is very prevalent in hypertensive subjects. Moreover, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome activates multiple processes that might be associated with silent cerebral infarct independently of established risk factors. Our aim is to estimate the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome in hypertensive patients with and without silent cerebral infarct, and to determine whether obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is an independent risk factor of silent cerebral infarct and/or lacunar silent cerebral infarct in patients with hypertension. In this matched cross‐sectional study performed in hypertensive subjects, each patient with silent cerebral infarct detected by magnetic resonance imaging was matched with two patients without silent cerebral infarct. Polysomnographic studies were performed, and the apnea–hypopnea index was calculated. Severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was considered in those with apnea–hypopnea index >30. One‐hundred and eighty‐three patients, 61 with silent cerebral infarct and 122 without silent cerebral infarct, were evaluated. The mean age was 64.1 ± 4.5 years, and 72.1% were men. The frequency of severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was 44.3% in patients with silent cerebral infarct and 38.5% in the control group. An adjusted conditional logistic regression model did not show a significant increased risk of silent cerebral infarct in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (odds ratio 1.362; 95% confidence interval: 0.659–2.813; P = 0.404). Forty‐three patients (70.5%) of the silent cerebral infarct were lacunar. The presence of severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was significantly higher in lacunar silent cerebral infarct when compared with patients without lacunar infarcts (55.8% versus 35.7%, P = 0.019), being independently associated on an adjusted logistic regression model (odds ratio 2.177; 95% confidence interval: 1.058–4.479; P = 0.035). In conclusion, severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is highly prevalent among hypertensive subjects, and is independently associated with lacunar silent cerebral infarct.
Injecting drug use in low and middle‐income countries: Opportunities to improve care and prevent harm
Authors: O'Keefe D. , Stoové M. , Doyle J. , Dietze P. , Hellard M.
Published: June 2017

Inadequate response to injecting drug use (IDU) is a significant problem the world over. Low levels of funding, political inaction, poor levels of health service coverage, high prevalence and incidence of IDU‐related blood‐borne viruses (BBVs) and ongoing stigmatization/marginalization affect people who inject drugs (PWID) regardless of the income status of the country they reside in. These barriers and system failings are, however, exacerbated in low and middle‐income countries (LMICs), meaning that the potential consequences of inaction are more pressing. In this narrative review, we describe the levels of IDU and IDU‐specific BBV prevalence in LMICs; levels of harm reduction implementation; the consequences of late or insufficient response, the shortcomings of data collection and dissemination; and the barriers to effective LMIC harm reduction implementation. We also exemplify cases where IDU‐related harms and BBV epidemics have been successfully curtailed in LMICs, showing that effective response, despite the barriers, is possible. In conclusion, we suggest four key priorities on the basis of the review: confirming the presence or absence of IDU in LMICs, improving the collection and dissemination of national IDU‐specific data, increasing the level of harm reduction programme implementation in LMICs, and increasing both national and international advocacy for PWID and attendant public health interventions.
Historically‐informed nursing: A transnational case study in China
Authors: Lu Jun , Grypma Sonya , Cao Yingjuan , Bu Lijuan , Shen Lin , Davidson Patricia M.
Published: June 2017

The term ‘nurse’ (hushi—’caring scholar’) did not enter the Chinese language until the early 20th century. Modern nursing—a fundamentally Western notion popularized by Nightingale and introduced to China in 1884—profoundly changed the way care of the sick was practiced. For 65 years, until 1949, nursing developed in China as a transnational project, with Western and Chinese influences shaping the profession of nursing in ways that linger today. Co‐authored by Chinese, Canadian, and American nurses, this paper examines the early stages of nursing in one province of China as an exemplar of the transnational nature of nursing development. By identifying sociopolitical influences on the early development of nursing in Shandong, the authors aimed not only to contribute to the nascent body of knowledge on China nursing history, but also to heighten readers’ sensitivity to the existence of historical echoes, residue, and resonances in their own nursing practices. Tracing current issues, values, or practices back to their roots provides context and helps us to better understand the present. Whether we are aware of the details or not, the gestalt of nursing practice in a particular place has been shaped by its history—including in Shandong province in China.
An association of periostin levels with the severity and chronicity of atopic dermatitis in children
Authors: Sung Myongsoon , Lee Kyung Suk , Ha Eun Gyo , Lee Seung Jin , Kim Mi Ae , Lee Seung Won , Jee Hye Mi , Sheen Youn Ho , Jung Young Ho , Han Man Yong
Published: June 2017

Background

Serum periostin might be a biomarker in the pathogenesis of T helper 2‐type allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum periostin levels and the severity and chronicity of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children.

Methods

This population‐based study examined 4076 children aged 4 to 13 years between June 2015 and July 2015. Of the 4076 children, 196—137 with a history of AD in the AD group and 59 without allergic diseases history in the healthy control (HC) group—were included for the final analysis.

Results

Serum periostin levels were higher in the AD group than in the HC group (P<.001) and were found to be positively associated with SCORAD score (Spearman's rho [r]=.24, P=.001). Children with AD‐onset time <2 years had significantly higher periostin levels (P=.030) compared to those with AD‐onset time ≥2 years. The total eosinophil (P=.189) and IgE levels (P=.140) were comparable between children with AD‐onset time <2 years and those with AD‐onset time ≥2 years. After adjustment for age, gender, and parental allergic history, serum periostin level (OR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00‐1.06, P=.046) contributed to the development of AD in children with AD‐onset time <2 years.

Conclusion

Serum periostin level may play a role in the severity and chronicity of AD in children.
Maternal Overweight and Obesity and Genital Anomalies in Male Offspring: A Population‐Based Swedish Cohort Study
Authors: Arendt Linn Håkonsen , Ramlau‐Hansen Cecilia Høst , Lindhard Morten Søndergaard , Henriksen Tine Brink , Olsen Jørn , Yu Yongfu , Cnattingius Sven
Published: June 2017

Background

Overweight and obese pregnant women face higher risk of several critical birth outcomes, including an overall increased risk of congenital abnormalities. Only few studies have focused on associations between maternal overweight and the genital anomalies in boys, cryptorchidism and hypospadias, and results are inconclusive.

Methods

We performed a population‐based cohort study and assessed the associations between maternal body mass index (BMI) in early pregnancy and occurrence of cryptorchidism and hypospadias. All live‐born singleton boys born in Sweden from 1992 to 2012 were included. From the Swedish Patient Register, information on cryptorchidism and hypospadias was available. Data were analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression adjusted for potential confounders. Mediation analyses were performed to estimate how much of the association between BMI and genital anomalies were mediated through obesity‐related diseases.

Results

Of the 1 055 705 live‐born singleton boys born from 1992 to 2012, 6807 (6.4 per 1000) were diagnosed with hypospadias and 16 469 (15.6 per 1000) were diagnosed with cryptorchidism, of which 9768 (9.3 per 1000) underwent corrective surgery for cryptorchidism. We observed dose‐response associations between maternal BMI and hypospadias and cryptorchidism. Boys of mothers with BMI ≥40.0 kg/m2 had the highest adjusted hazard ratios for hypospadias (HR 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04, 1.76) and cryptorchidism (HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.00, 1.58). A substantial proportion of the associations between BMI and the genital anomalies were mediated through preeclampsia.

Conclusion

This large register‐based study adds to the current literature and indicates that the occurrence of hypospadias and cryptorchidism increase with maternal overweight and obesity severity.
Is aid for trade effective? A panel quantile regression approach
Authors: Martínez‐Zarzoso Inmaculada , Nowak‐Lehmann D. Felicitas , Rehwald Kai
Published: June 2017

This paper investigates whether Aid for Trade (AfT) leads to greater exports in recipient countries. Using panel quantile regression and two strategies to address endogeneity (AfT lagged by two periods and dynamic OLS), our results suggest that total AfT disbursements promote the export of goods and services mainly for the lower quantiles (0.1, 0.25, 0.50) of the conditional distribution of exports. Hence, countries that export less in volume are those benefitting most from AfT. This effect is mainly driven by the impact on exports of goods rather than on that of services. We also investigate which types of AfT are effective when endogeneity is controlled for. The main results show that whereas aid to improve trade policy and regulation is associated with higher exports for all quantiles, aid used to build infrastructure is found to affect exports at only the lowest tails of the distribution (0.10–0.35) and aid to build productive capacity is generally more effective for the lower quantiles of the export distribution (0.10–0.50). In contrast, aid disbursed for general budget support (an untargeted type of aid) is not associated with greater export levels. This finding holds irrespective of the quantile.
UTILIZATION OF EGGSHELL-DERIVED MATERIAL AS A SOLID BASE CATALYST FOR EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF SUBSTITUTED CHALCONES
Authors: Mardiana Lina , Ardiansah Bayu , Bakri Ridla , Cahyana Antonius Herry , Anita Yulia , Aziza Nuraini Pahlawati
Published: June 2017

A simple preparation of sodium impregnated on activated chicken eggshells (Na-ACE) as a solid base material for substituted chalcones synthesis is presented. After characterization using FTIR, XRD, SEM, EDS and total basicity, the catalyst was applied in Aldol condensation to produce corresponding chalcones 3a-3j. Confirmation of products structure has been done by FTIR, UV-Vis and MS instruments. Reaction can be carried out in relative short time with ethanol as the best solvent and gave the highest yield of 95 %. This research presented a facile synthesis of chalcone derivatives, the prominent class of organic compounds with interesting biological activities.
EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL VALIDATION OF FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR OF MULTI-SCALE PREFABRICATED INDUSTRIALISED BUILDING SYSTEM (IBS) SUB-FRAME
Authors: Wong Jing-Ying , Marsono Abdul Kadir , Yip Chun-Chieh
Published: June 2017

The paper describes the approach to develop the 1/5 scaled physical model and its applicability is validated against full scale model. Non-dimensional modelling methods using Buckingham Pi Theorem and Similitude Theory are explained and material properties for concrete, reinforcement, steel links, and beam-column connections are provided. The comparison between the results of experimental flexural test and Non-Linear Finite Element Analysis (NLFEA) of 1/5 scaled model and prototype of prefabricated IBS are discussed and presented. This paper is to verify the procedures and results of flexural test for 1/5 scaled model of prefabricated IBS in comparison to the prototype. The IBS components were set-up and tested under two-points monotonic vertical loading in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Structure Laboratory. Three Linear Variable Displacement Transducers (LVDTs) and two strain gauges were instrumented in the small-scaled model to record deflections and strains. Both small-scaled model and prototype were analysed by Abaqus FEA software. Elastic range for both small scaled model and prototype are determined by scaled factor of 5.0, and proven to be accurate by both experimental test and NLFEA with ultimate capacity of 13 kN load and 10.9 mm vertical deflection. Since the similitude theory only applicable until elastic limit, hence the structural performance in nonlinear state is evaluated in concrete crack patterns and beam-column connection deformations are presented graphically in this paper. Load-displacement with maximum 12.9 mm deflection, 35.64 N/mm2 ultimate crushing stresses at concrete and beam-column connection with minimum yield strength of 222.6 N/mm2 are presented. This paper concluded that the procedures and results of flexural test for 1/5 scaled model of prefabricated IBS is valid in comparison to the prototype.
Investigation of Biotransport in a Tumor With Uncertain Material Properties Using a Nonintrusive Spectral Uncertainty Quantification Method
Authors: Alexanderian Alen , Zhu Liang , Salloum Maher , Ma Ronghui , Yu Meilin
Published: June 2017

In this study, statistical models are developed for modeling uncertain heterogeneous permeability and porosity in tumors, and the resulting uncertainties in pressure and velocity fields during an intratumoral injection are quantified using a nonintrusive spectral uncertainty quantification (UQ) method. Specifically, the uncertain permeability is modeled as a log-Gaussian random field, represented using a truncated Karhunen–Lòeve (KL) expansion, and the uncertain porosity is modeled as a log-normal random variable. The efficacy of the developed statistical models is validated by simulating the concentration fields with permeability and porosity of different uncertainty levels. The irregularity in the concentration field bears reasonable visual agreement with that in MicroCT images from experiments. The pressure and velocity fields are represented using polynomial chaos (PC) expansions to enable efficient computation of their statistical properties. The coefficients in the PC expansion are computed using a nonintrusive spectral projection method with the Smolyak sparse quadrature. The developed UQ approach is then used to quantify the uncertainties in the random pressure and velocity fields. A global sensitivity analysis is also performed to assess the contribution of individual KL modes of the log-permeability field to the total variance of the pressure field. It is demonstrated that the developed UQ approach can effectively quantify the flow uncertainties induced by uncertain material properties of the tumor.
Fixture Layout Design of Sheet Metal Parts Based on Global Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Xing YanFeng
Published: June 2017

Fixture layout can affect deformation and dimensional variation of sheet metal assemblies. Conventionally, the assembly dimensions are simulated with a quantity of finite element (FE) analyses, and fixture layout optimization needs significant user intervention and unaffordable iterations of finite element analyses. This paper therefore proposes a fully automated and efficient method of fixture layout optimization based on the combination of 3dcs simulation (for dimensional analyses) and global optimization algorithms. In this paper, two global algorithms are proposed to optimize fixture locator points, which are social radiation algorithm (SRA) and GAOT, a genetic algorithm (GA) in optimization toolbox in matlab. The flowchart of fixture design includes the following steps: (1) The locating points, the key elements of a fixture layout, are selected from a much smaller candidate pool thanks to our proposed manufacturing constraints based filtering methods and thus the computational efficiency is greatly improved. (2) The two global optimization algorithms are edited to be used to optimize fixture schemes based on matlab. (3) Since matlab macrocommands of 3dcs have been developed to calculate assembly dimensions, the optimization process is fully automated. A case study of inner hood is applied to demonstrate the proposed method. The results show that the GAOT algorithm is more suitable than SRA for generating the optimal fixture layout with excellent efficiency for engineering applications.
Wrench Uncertainty Quantification and Reconfiguration Analysis in
Loosely Interconnected Cooperative Systems
Authors: Sovizi Javad , Rai Rahul , Krovi Venkat
Published: June 2017

Loosely interconnected cooperative systems such as cable robots are particularly susceptible to uncertainty. Such uncertainty is exacerbated by addition of the base mobility to realize reconfigurability within the system. However, it also sets the ground for predictive base reconfiguration in order to reduce the uncertainty level in system response. To this end, in this paper, we systematically quantify the output wrench uncertainty based on which a base reconfiguration scheme is proposed to reduce the uncertainty level for a given task (uncertainty manipulation). Variations in the tension and orientation of the cables are considered as the primary sources of the uncertainty responsible for nondeterministic wrench output on the platform. For nonoptimal designs/configurations, this may require complex control structures or lead to system instability. The force vector corresponding to each agent (e.g., pulley and cable) is modeled as random vector whose magnitude and orientation are modeled as random variables with Gaussian and von Mises distributions, respectively. In a probabilistic framework, we develop the closed-form expressions of the means and variances of the output force and moment given the current state (tension and orientation of the cables) of the system. This is intended to enable the designer to efficiently characterize an optimal configuration (location) of the bases in order to reduce the overall wrench fluctuations for a specific task. Numerical simulations as well as real experiments with multiple iRobots are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Nucleation and growth of CuCl thin films on commercially available SnO2/glass substrates by the sublimation method
Authors: Nicholson Anthony P. , Hemenway Davis R. , Sampath Walajabad S. , Barth Kurt L.
Published: June 2017

Studies on cuprous chloride (CuCl) sublimation, thin film deposition, and growth on commercially available tin oxide coated glass substrates were performed by adjusting substrate and vapor source thermal parameters. A systematic method for measuring CuCl film thicknesses was implemented using scanning white light interferometry. Furthermore, structural characteristics of the films were evaluated via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Thickness measurements at established locations determined the growth rates of CuCl thin films with respect to deposition conditions. SEM and EDS results revealed that localized clusters (islanding) occurred at the initial stages of growth. As growth continued, the islands began to coalesce and develop nonuniform CuCl grain networks across the substrate. The results support the Volmer–Weber growth mode as the primary mechanism responsible for such growth behavior.
In Vitro
Activity of Delafloxacin and Microbiological Response against Fluoroquinolone-Susceptible and Nonsusceptible Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from Two Phase 3 Studies of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections
Authors: McCurdy S. , Lawrence L. , Quintas M. , Woosley L. , Flamm R. , Tseng C. , Cammarata S.
Published: June 2017

Delafloxacin is an investigational anionic fluoroquinolone antibiotic with broad-spectrum
in vitro
activity, including activity against Gram-positive organisms, Gram-negative organisms, atypical organisms, and anaerobes. The
in vitro
activity of delafloxacin and the percent microbiological response in subjects infected with fluoroquinolone-susceptible and nonsusceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
isolates were determined from two global phase 3 studies of delafloxacin versus vancomycin plus aztreonam in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Patients from 23 countries, predominately the United States but also Europe, South America, and Asia, were enrolled. The microbiological intent-to-treat (MITT) population included 1,042 patients from which 685
S. aureus
isolates were submitted for identification and susceptibility testing per CLSI guidelines at the central laboratory (JMI Laboratories, North Liberty, IA). The comparator fluoroquinolone antibiotics included levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Nonsusceptibility to these antibiotics was determined using CLSI breakpoints.
S. aureus
isolates were 33.7% levofloxacin nonsusceptible (LVX-NS). The delafloxacin MIC
90
values against levofloxacin-nonsusceptible
S. aureus
, methicillin-resistant
S. aureus
(MRSA), and methicillin-susceptible
S. aureus
isolates were all 0.25 μg/ml. Delafloxacin demonstrated high rates of microbiological response against LVX-NS isolates as well as isolates with documented mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR).
S. aureus
was eradicated or presumed eradicated in 98.4% (245/249) of delafloxacin-treated patients. Similar eradication rates were observed for delafloxacin-treated subjects with levofloxacin-nonsusceptible
S. aureus
isolates (80/81; 98.8%) and MRSA isolates (70/71; 98.6%). Microbiological response rates of 98.6% were observed with delafloxacin-treated subjects with
S. aureus
isolates with the S84L mutation in
gyrA
and the S80Y mutation in
parC
, the most commonly observed mutations in global phase 3 studies. The data suggest that delafloxacin could be a good option for the treatment of infections caused by
S. aureus
isolates causing ABSSSI, including MRSA isolates, where high rates of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin nonsusceptibility are observed. (The phase 3 studies described in this paper have been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifiers NCT01984684 and NCT01811732.)
β-Lactam Antibiotics with a High Affinity for PBP2 Act Synergistically with the FtsZ-Targeting Agent TXA707 against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Ferrer-González Edgar , Kaul Malvika , Parhi Ajit K. , LaVoie Edmond J. , Pilch Daniel S.
Published: June 2017

Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) is a multidrug-resistant pathogen that poses a significant risk to global health today. We have developed a promising new FtsZ-targeting agent (TXA707) with potent activity against MRSA isolates resistant to current standard-of-care antibiotics. We present here results that demonstrate differing extents of synergy between TXA707 and a broad range of β-lactam antibiotics (including six cephalosporins, two penicillins, and two carbapenems) against MRSA. To explore whether there is a correlation between the extent of synergy and the preferential antibacterial target of each β-lactam, we determined the binding affinities of the β-lactam antibiotics for each of the four native penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of
S. aureus
using a fluorescence anisotropy competition assay. A comparison of the resulting PBP binding affinities with our corresponding synergy results reveals that β-lactams with a high affinity for PBP2 afford the greatest degree of synergy with TXA707 against MRSA. In addition, we present fluorescence and electron microscopy studies that suggest a potential mechanism underlying the synergy between TXA707 and the β-lactam antibiotics. In this connection, our microscopy results show a disruption of septum formation in TXA707-treated MRSA cells, with a concomitant mislocalization of the PBPs from midcell to nonproductive peripheral sites. Viewed as a whole, our results indicate that PBP2-targeting β-lactam antibiotics are optimal synergistic partners with FtsZ-targeting agents for use in combination therapy of MRSA infections.
Pseudomonas Quinolone Signal Induces Oxidative Stress and Inhibits Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression in Lung Epithelial Cells
Authors: Abdalla Maher Y. , Hoke Traci , Seravalli Javier , Switzer Barbara L. , Bavitz Melissa , Fliege Jill D. , Murphy Peter J. , Britigan Bradley E.
Published: June 2017

Pseudomonasaeruginosacauses lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). ThePseudomonasquinolone signal (PQS) compound is a secretedP. aeruginosavirulence factor that contributes to the pathogenicity ofP. aeruginosa. We were able to detect PQS in sputum samples from CF patients infected withP. aeruginosabut not in samples from uninfected patients. We then tested the hypothesis that PQS induces oxidative stress in host cells by determining the ability of PQS to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lung epithelial cells (A549 and primary normal human bronchial epithelial [NHBE]) cells and macrophages (J774A.1 and THP-1). ROS production induced by PQS was detected with fluorescent probes (dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, dihydroethidium, and MitoSOX Red) in conjunction with confocal microscopy and flow cytometry. PQS induced ROS production in lung epithelial (A549 and NHBE) cells and macrophages (J774A.1 and THP-1 cells). NHBE cells were sensitive to PQS concentrations as low as 500 ng/ml. PQS significantly induced early apoptosis (P< 0.05,n= 6) in lung epithelial cells, as measured by annexin/propidium iodide detection by flow cytometry. However, no change in apoptosis upon PQS treatment was seen in J774A.1 cells. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein is an antioxidant enzyme usually induced by oxidative stress. Interestingly, incubation with PQS significantly reduced HO-1 and NrF2 expression in A549 and NHBE cells but increased HO-1 expression in J774A.1 cells (P< 0.05,n= 3), as determined by immunoblotting and densitometry. These PQS effects on host cells could play an important role in the pathogenicity ofP. aeruginosainfections.
Porphyromonas gulae Activates Unprimed and Gamma Interferon-Primed Macrophages via the Pattern Recognition Receptors Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2), TLR4, and NOD2
Authors: Holden James A. , O'Brien-Simpson Neil M. , Lenzo Jason C. , Orth Rebecca K. H. , Mansell Ashley , Reynolds Eric C.
Published: June 2017

Porphyromonas gulae
is an anaerobic, Gram-negative coccobacillus that has been associated with periodontal disease in companion animals. The aims of this study were to analyze the ligation of pattern recognition receptors by
P. gulae
and the subsequent activation of macrophages. Exposure of HEK cells transfected with Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or NOD-like receptors to
P. gulae
resulted in the ligation of TLR2, TLR4, and NOD2. The effects of this engagement of receptors were investigated by measuring the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), CD86 expression, and inflammatory cytokine production by wild-type, TLR2
−/−
, and TLR4
−/−
macrophages. The addition of
P. gulae
to unprimed and gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-primed (M1 phenotype) macrophages significantly increased the surface expression of CD86, but only M1 macrophages produced nitric oxide.
P. gulae-
induced expression of CD86 on unprimed macrophages was dependent on both TLR2 and TLR4, but CD86 expression and NO production in M1 macrophages were only TLR2 dependent.
P. gulae
induced an increase in secretion of interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), and macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) by M1 macrophages compared to that by unprimed controls. Among these cytokines, secretion of IL-6 and TNF-α by M1 macrophages was dependent on either TLR2 or TLR4. Our data indicate that TLR2 and TLR4 are important for
P. gulae
activation of unprimed macrophages and that activation and effector functions induced in M1 macrophages by
P. gulae
are mainly dependent on TLR2. In conclusion,
P. gulae
induces a strong TLR2-dependent inflammatory M1 macrophage response which may be important in establishing the chronic inflammation associated with periodontal disease in companion animals.
Effectiveness of conservative interventions including exercise, manual therapy and medical management in adults with shoulder impingement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
Authors: Steuri Ruedi , Sattelmayer Martin , Elsig Simone , Kolly Chloé , Tal Amir , Taeymans Jan , Hilfiker Roger
Published: June 2017

Objective

To investigate the effectiveness of conservative interventions for pain, function and range of motion in adults with shoulder impingement.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials.

Data sources

Medline, CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase and PEDro were searched from inception to January 2017.

Study selection criteria

Randomised controlled trials including participants with shoulder impingement and evaluating at least one conservative intervention against sham or other treatments.

Results

For pain, exercise was superior to non-exercise control interventions (standardised mean difference (SMD) −0.94, 95% CI −1.69 to −0.19). Specific exercises were superior to generic exercises (SMD −0.65, 95% CI −0.99 to −0.32). Corticosteroid injections were superior to no treatment (SMD −0.65, 95% CI −1.04 to −0.26), and ultrasound guided injections were superior to non-guided injections (SMD −0.51, 95% CI −0.89 to −0.13). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) had a small to moderate SMD of −0.29 (95% CI −0.53 to −0.05) compared with placebo. Manual therapy was superior to placebo (SMD −0.35, 95% CI −0.69 to −0.01). When combined with exercise, manual therapy was superior to exercise alone, but only at the shortest follow-up (SMD −0.32, 95% CI −0.62 to −0.01). Laser was superior to sham laser (SMD −0.88, 95% CI −1.48 to −0.27). Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSWT) was superior to sham (−0.39, 95% CI −0.78 to –0.01) and tape was superior to sham (−0.64, 95% CI −1.16 to −0.12), with small to moderate SMDs.

Conclusion

Although there was only very low quality evidence, exercise should be considered for patients with shoulder impingement symptoms and tape, ECSWT, laser or manual therapy might be added. NSAIDS and corticosteroids are superior to placebo, but it is unclear how these treatments compare to exercise.
‘It’s a hard conversation to have’. Healthcare professionals’ views concerning advance care discussions with young people affected by life-limiting neuromuscular diseases: an interview study
Authors: Hiscock Andy , Barclay Stephen
Published: June 2017

Objective

Life-limiting neuromuscular disease, such as some of the muscular dystrophies, are often diagnosed in early childhood: when death comes, commonly in the second or third decade of life, patients rarely have advance care plans in place or documented end-of-life care preferences. There is very limited literature concerning the discussions about end-of-life plans healthcare professionals have with young people affected by life-limiting neuromuscular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the views and experiences of healthcare professionals concerning having discussions about advance care plans and end-of-life care with teenagers and young adult patients affected by life-limiting neuromuscular diseases.

Methods

Semistructured interviews with a maximum variety sample of nine professionals involved in the care of young people with life-limiting neuromuscular diseases in one region of the UK.

Results

While recognising the inevitable progression of the conditions, there was no consensus among interviewees concerning best approaches to discuss end-of-life care plans. Several environmental and personal barriers were identified that lead to avoidance of the emotionally challenging and difficult conversations.

Conclusions

Community-based professionals with well-established relationships with patients and families may be best placed to take the lead and coordinate discussions, but individual case-by-case preferences need to be carefully considered.
Classifying the body in Marlene Dumas'The Image as Burden
Authors: Gordon Anthea
Published: June 2017

Medical photography, and in particular dermatological imagery, is often assumed to provide an objective, and functional, representation of disease and that it can act as a diagnostic aid. By contrast, artistic conceptions of the images of the body tend to focus on interpretative heterogeneity and ambiguity, aiming to create or explore meaning rather than enact a particular function. In her 2015 retrospective exhibition at the Tate Modern, South African artist Marlene Dumas questions these disciplinary divides by using medical imagery (among other photographic sources) as the basis for her portraits. Her portrait ‘The White Disease’ draws on an unidentified photograph taken from a medical journal, but obscures the original image to such a degree that any representation of a particular disease is highly questionable. The title creates a new classification, which reflects on disease and on the racial politics of South Africa during apartheid. Though, on the one hand, these techniques are seemingly disparate from the methods of medical understanding, features such as reliance on classification, and attempts at dispelling ambiguity, bring Dumas’ work closer to the history of dermatological portraits than would usually be perceived to be the case. In considering the continuities and disparities between conceptualisations of skin in dermatology and Dumas’ art, this paper questions assumptions of photographic objectivity to suggest that there is greater complexity and interpretative scope in medical dermatological images than might initially be assumed.
Impact of 4 weeks of interval training on resting metabolic rate, fitness, and health-related outcomes
Authors: Schubert Matthew M. , Clarke Holly E. , Seay Rebekah F. , Spain Katie K.
Published: June 2017

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and substrate oxidation (respiratory exchange ratio; RER) are important indicators of health. The effects of interval training on RMR have not been thoroughly investigated, which was the purpose of the present study. Thirty men and women (mean ± SD age and maximal oxygen uptake: 28.8 ± 7.6 years and 33.0 ± 8.3 mL·kg−1·min−1) completed 4 weeks of Wingate-based sprint interval training (SIT), repeated 1-min high-intensity intervals (HIIT), or served as controls. Before and after training, RMR, resting RER, maximal oxygen uptake, body composition, physical activity, and energy intake were recorded. Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA. RMR increased in response to 4 weeks of SIT training (1789 ± 293 to 1855 ± 320 kcal·day−1; p = 0.003) but did not increase after HIIT (1670 ± 324 to 1704 ± 329 kcal·day−1; p = 0.06). While SIT increased RMR by ∼2× the magnitude of HIIT, the difference was not significant (p = 0.5). Fasting substrate oxidation and RER did not change (p > 0.05). Maximal oxygen uptake increased, and small changes were also observed in percent body fat and fat mass (p < 0.05 for all). In conclusion, SIT provided a time-efficient stimulus to increase RMR after 4 weeks in healthy adults. However, the clinical relevance of the changes observed in this study remains to be determined. Further studies should be conducted in obese individuals and those with diabetes or insulin resistance to examine if interval training (≥4 weeks) influences resting metabolic rate in magnitudes similar to that reported here.
Winter water relations of native and introduced evergreens in interior Alaska
Authors: Cowling Joanne E. , Kedrowski Richard A.
Published: June 2017

In view of wintertime browning of needles of pines introduced in Alaska, winter desiccation damage was suspected. However, examination of field xylem water potentials and relative water contents indicated little water stress in pine needles but severe stress in sunny native spruce needles and slightly less stress in shaded needles. Spruce were typical of drought tolerant plants, exhibiting field xylem water potentials of –10 to –40 bars and field relative water contents of 88 to 99%, closing stomates at water contents of 71 to 92%, and maintaining cuticular conductances from 0.013 to 0.088 cm s−1. In contrast, pines were drought avoiding, exhibiting field xylem water potentials of 0 bars and field water contents of 100%, keeping stomates closed all winter, and maintaining cuticular conductances from 0 to 0.033 cm s−1 and 0 to 0.074 cm s−1 in lodgepole pine and yellow pine, respectively. Needles of all species photosynthesized at temperatures from 0 to 10 °C with rates in spruce being 10 times those in yellow pine and 3 times those in lodgepole pine. While spruce needles had significantly more carbohydrate reserves at the end of the winter than did pine needles, the latter were apparently not severely carbohydrate depleted.