bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of the Bow‐Tie and STAMP Approaches to Reduce the Risk of Surgical Instrument Retention
Authors: Chatzimichailidou Maria Mikela , Ward James , Horberry Tim , Clarkson P. John
Published: November 2017

Although relatively rare, surgical instrument retention inside a patient following central venous catheterization still presents a significant risk. The research presented here compared two approaches to help reduce retention risk: Bow‐Tie Analysis and Systems‐Theoretic Accident Model and Processes. Each method was undertaken separately and then the results of the two approaches were compared and combined. Both approaches produced beneficial results that added to existing domain knowledge, and a combination of the two methods was found to be beneficial. For example, the Bow‐Tie Analysis gave an overview of which activities keep controls working and who is responsible for each control, and the Systems‐Theoretic Accident Model and Processes revealed the safety constraints that were not enforced by the supervisor of the controlled process. Such two‐way feedback between both methods is potentially helpful for improving patient safety. Further methodology ideas to minimize surgical instrument retention risks are also described.
Estimating Dynamic Macroeconomic Models: How Informative are the Data?
Authors: Beltran Daniel O. , Draper David
Published: November 2017

Central banks have long used dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models, which are typically estimated by using Bayesian techniques, to inform key policy decisions. This paper offers an empirical strategy that quantifies the information content of the data relative to that of the prior distribution. Using an off-the-shelf dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model applied to quarterly euro area data from 1970, quarter 3, to 2009, quarter 4, we show how Monte Carlo simulations can reveal parameters for which the model's structure obscures identification. By integrating out components of the likelihood function and conducting a Bayesian sensitivity analysis, we uncover parameters that are weakly informed by the data. The weak identification of some key structural parameters in our comparatively simple model should raise a red flag to researchers trying to draw valid inferences from, and to base policy on, complex large-scale models featuring many parameters.
Do adapted vignettes improve medical decision‐making capacity for individuals with Alzheimer's disease?
Authors: Thalén Liv , Heimann Mühlenbock Katarina , Almkvist Ove , Eriksdotter Maria , Sundström Erik , Tallberg Ing‐Mari
Published: November 2017

Medical decision‐making capacity (MDC) is known to decline in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The vignette method uses hypothetical information as a prerequisite for measuring the capacity to make well‐informed decisions to clinical trials. Our aim was to investigate if adapted vignettes can help individuals with mild AD to assimilate information, make decisions and express them in an understandable way, compared to corresponding decisions based on linguistically more demanding vignettes, as measured by the Swedish Linguistic Instrument for Medical Decision‐making (LIMD). Two vignettes from LIMD were altered linguistically with the aim to facilitate understanding for individuals with AD. An experimental within‐subject design was used to study the influence on MDC of readability (original/adapted vignettes) and content (two different clinical trials). We included 24 patients with mild AD in this prospective study, which read all four vignettes along with a few other tests. This allowed us to investigate the association between MDC and cognitive function. Adapted vignettes did not yield significant differences regarding MDC as compared with original vignettes using a two‐way repeated measures analysis of variance. A difference was found between the two clinical trials where LIMD score was significantly higher for Kidney disease than hypertension vignettes. Our results indicate that adapted vignettes may not improve MDC for individuals with mild AD. MDC was affected by which clinical trial the vignettes regarded, which implies that other factors affecting MDC need to be investigated, like length of text and vocabulary used.
Activity budgets and dietary investigations of Varanus salvator (Reptilia: Varanidae) in Karamjal ecotourism spot of Bangladesh Sundarbans mangrove forest
Authors: Rahman K. M. Mijanur , Rakhimov Ilgizar Iliazovic , Khan M. Monirul H.
Published: November 2017

Tropical mangrove forest ecosystem of Sundarbans is considered as the most potential habitat for Varanus salvator in Bangladesh. The study was conducted to understand the general ecology and behavior of V. salvator, to assess its activity patterns and feeding ecology in and around Karamjal ecotourism spot of Bangladesh Sundarbans. The activities of water monitor were more frequently seen during 0900 – 1200 hrs, and 1530 – 1700 hrs of the day. The proportion of time spent on different behavioral states by the water monitors varied significantly between the wet and dry seasons. It was found that adult water monitors spent a highest proportion of time in foraging activity during the rainy or wet season, whereas during winter they spent most of the time basking. During this study, their diet was mostly crabs, although they also showed their character as scavengers. Since V. salvator is an ectothermic species, the influence of environmental variables upon its activities in different habitats either in summer or in winter, should not be ignored
Validation of Putative Apicoplast-Targeting Drugs Using a Chemical Supplementation Assay in Cultured Human Malaria Parasites
Authors: Uddin Taher , McFadden Geoffrey Ian , Goodman Christopher Dean
Published: November 2017

Malaria parasites contain a relict plastid, the apicoplast, which is considered an excellent drug target due to its bacterial-like ancestry. Numerous parasiticidals have been proposed to target the apicoplast, but few have had their actual targets substantiated. Isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) production is the sole required function of the apicoplast in the blood stage of the parasite life cycle, and IPP supplementation rescues parasites from apicoplast-perturbing drugs. Hence, any drug that kills parasites when IPP is supplied in culture must have a nonapicoplast target. Here, we use IPP supplementation to discriminate whether 23 purported apicoplast-targeting drugs are on- or off-target. We demonstrate that a prokaryotic DNA replication inhibitor (ciprofloxacin), several prokaryotic translation inhibitors (chloramphenicol, doxycycline, tetracycline, clindamycin, azithromycin, erythromycin, and clarithromycin), a tRNA synthase inhibitor (mupirocin), and two IPP synthesis pathway inhibitors (fosmidomycin and FR900098) have apicoplast targets. Intriguingly, fosmidomycin and FR900098 leave the apicoplast intact, whereas the others eventually result in apicoplast loss. Actinonin, an inhibitor of bacterial posttranslational modification, does not produce a typical delayed-death response but is rescued with IPP, thereby confirming its apicoplast target. Parasites treated with putative apicoplast fatty acid pathway inhibitors could not be rescued, demonstrating that these drugs have their primary targets outside the apicoplast, which agrees with the dispensability of the apicoplast fatty acid synthesis pathways in the blood stage of malaria parasites. IPP supplementation provides a simple test of whether a compound has a target in the apicoplast and can be used to screen novel compounds for mode of action.
Overtreatment of Asymptomatic Candiduria among Hospitalized Patients: a Multi-institutional Study
Authors: Jacobs David M. , Dilworth Thomas J. , Beyda Nicholas D. , Casapao Anthony M. , Bowers Dana R.
Published: November 2017

Candiduria is common in hospitalized patients, and asymptomatic candiduria contributes to antifungal overuse. The guidelines for management of asymptomatic candiduria do not recommend antifungal use, but rather the elimination of predisposing factors. It is unknown whether these recommendations are being followed. The primary objective of this study was to characterize candiduria management among hospitalized patients. This was a retrospective cohort study of a random sample of 305 hospitalized patients with candiduria at four U.S. medical centers from January 2010 to December 2013. Patients were classified as asymptomatic or symptomatic based on established criteria, and data were collected by chart review. Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) treatment guideline adherence and its association with clinical outcomes, including candiduria recurrence (short- and long-term) and 30-day readmission, were assessed. Eighty percent of patients were classified as having asymptomatic candiduria. Overall, 143 (47%) patients were not managed according to recommended guidelines, including 105/243 (43%) in the asymptomatic candiduria group and 38/62 (61%) in the symptomatic group (
P
= 0.01). Discordance among asymptomatic patients was driven by overtreatment with an antifungal (98/105 [93%]). Thirty-three percent of patients with asymptomatic candiduria not managed according to the guidelines were treated for over 7 days, and 5% received over 14 days of therapy. Fluconazole was the most commonly used empirical antifungal among asymptomatic candiduria patients (96%), followed by micafungin (4%). Asymptomatic candiduria patients not managed according to the guidelines had a trend toward higher 30-day readmission (35% versus 26%,
P
= 0.27). Inappropriate management of candiduria among hospitalized patients was high, leading to overtreatment with antifungal therapy.
Metabolic Mitigation of Staphylococcus aureus Vancomycin Intermediate-Level Susceptibility
Authors: Gardner Stewart G. , Marshall Darrell D. , Daum Robert S. , Powers Robert , Somerville Greg A.
Published: November 2017

Staphylococcus aureus
is a major human pathogen whose infections are increasingly difficult to treat due to increased antibiotic resistance, including resistance to vancomycin. Vancomycin-intermediate
S. aureus
(VISA) strains develop resistance to vancomycin through adaptive changes that are incompletely understood. Central to this adaptation are metabolic changes that permit growth in the presence of vancomycin. To define the metabolic changes associated with adaptive resistance to vancomycin in
S. aureus
, the metabolomes of a vancomycin-sensitive and VISA strain pair isolated from the same patient shortly after vancomycin therapy began and following vancomycin treatment failure were analyzed. The metabolic adaptations included increases in acetogenesis, carbon flow through the pentose phosphate pathway, wall teichoic acid and peptidoglycan precursor biosynthesis, purine biosynthesis, and decreased tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle activity. The significance of these metabolic pathways for vancomycin-intermediate susceptibility was determined by assessing the synergistic potential of human-use-approved inhibitors of these pathways in combination with vancomycin against VISA strains. Importantly, inhibitors of amino sugar and purine biosynthesis acted synergistically with vancomycin to kill a diverse set of VISA strains, suggesting that combinatorial therapy could augment the efficacy of vancomycin even in patients infected with VISA strains.
The Streptococcus agalactiae Stringent Response Enhances Virulence and Persistence in Human Blood
Authors: Hooven Thomas A. , Catomeris Andrew J. , Bonakdar Maryam , Tallon Luke J. , Santana-Cruz Ivette , Ott Sandra , Daugherty Sean C. , Tettelin Hervé , Ratner Adam J.
Published: November 2017

Streptococcus agalactiae
(group B
Streptococcus
[GBS]) causes serious infections in neonates. We previously reported a transposon sequencing (Tn-seq) system for performing genomewide assessment of gene fitness in GBS. In order to identify molecular mechanisms required for GBS to transition from a mucosal commensal lifestyle to bloodstream invasion, we performed Tn-seq on GBS strain A909 with human whole blood. Our analysis identified 16 genes conditionally essential for GBS survival in blood, of which 75% were members of the capsular polysaccharide (
cps
) operon. Among the non-
cps
genes identified as conditionally essential was
relA
, which encodes an enzyme whose activity is central to the bacterial stringent response—a conserved adaptation to environmental stress. We used blood coincubation studies of targeted knockout strains to confirm the expected growth defects of GBS deficient in capsule or stringent response activation. Unexpectedly, we found that the
relA
knockout strains demonstrated decreased expression of β-hemolysin/cytolysin, an important cytotoxin implicated in facilitating GBS invasion. Furthermore, chemical activation of the stringent response with serine hydroxamate increased β-hemolysin/cytolysin expression. To establish a mechanism by which the stringent response leads to increased cytotoxicity, we performed transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) on two GBS strains grown under stringent response or control conditions. This revealed a conserved decrease in the expression of genes in the arginine deiminase pathway during stringent response activation. Through coincubation with supplemental arginine and the arginine antagonist canavanine, we show that arginine availability is a determinant of GBS cytotoxicity and that the pathway between stringent response activation and increased virulence is arginine dependent.
Characterization of an Aldolase Involved in Cholesterol Side Chain Degradation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Gilbert Stephanie , Hood LaChae , Seah Stephen Y. K.
Published: November 2017

The heteromeric acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) dehydrogenase FadE28-FadE29 and the enoyl-CoA hydratase ChsH1-ChsH2, encoded by genes within the intracellular growth (
igr
) operon of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, catalyze the dehydrogenation of the cholesterol metabolite 3-oxo-4-pregnene-20-carboxyl-CoA (3-OPC-CoA), with a 3-carbon side chain, and subsequent hydration of the product 3-oxo-4,17-pregnadiene-20-carboxyl-CoA (3-OPDC-CoA) to form 17-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-pregnene-20-carboxyl-CoA (17-HOPC-CoA). The gene downstream of
chsH2
, i.e.,
ltp2
, was expressed in recombinant
Rhodococcus jostii
RHA1 in combination with other genes within the
igr
operon. His-tagged Ltp2 copurified with untagged ChsH1-ChsH2, ChsH2, or the C-terminal domain of ChsH2, which contains a domain of unknown function (DUF35). Ltp2 in association with ChsH1-ChsH2 or just the DUF35 domain of ChsH2 was shown to catalyze the retroaldol cleavage of 17-HOPC-CoA to form androst-4-ene-3,17-dione and propionyl-CoA. Steady-state kinetic analysis using the Ltp2-DUF35 complex showed that the aldolase had optimal activity at pH 7.5, with a

K
m

of 6.54 ± 0.90 μM and a
k
cat
of 159 ± 8.50 s
−1
. ChsH1-ChsH2 could hydrate only about 30% of 3-OPDC-CoA, but this unfavorable equilibrium could be overcome when the aldolase was present to remove the hydrated product, providing a rationale for the close association of the aldolase with the hydratase. Homologs of ChsH1, ChsH2, and Ltp2 are found in steroid-degrading Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, suggesting that side chains of diverse steroids may be cleaved by aldolases in the bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
The C-C bond cleavage of the D-ring side chain of cholesterol was shown to be catalyzed by an aldolase. The aldolase associates with the hydratase that catalyzes the preceding reaction in the cholesterol side chain degradation pathway. These enzymes are encoded by genes within the intracellular growth (
igr
) operon of
M. tuberculosis
, and the operon was demonstrated previously to be linked to the pathogenicity and persistence of the bacteria in macrophages and in mice.
Homologous VapC Toxins Inhibit Translation and Cell Growth by Sequence-Specific Cleavage of tRNA
fMet
Authors: Walling Lauren R. , Butler J. Scott
Published: November 2017

Type II toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems play a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of bacterial dormancy. They are composed of a protein toxin and its cognate protein antitoxin. They function to regulate growth under conditions of stress, such as starvation or antibiotic treatment. As cellular proteases degrade the antitoxin, which normally binds and neutralizes the toxin, this frees the toxin to act on its cellular targets and arrest bacterial growth. TA systems are of particular concern in regard to pathogenic organisms, such as nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
(NTHi), as dormancy may lead to chronic infections and failure of antibiotic treatment. Many targets of VapC toxins have not been identified, to date, and this knowledge is crucial to understanding how toxins control the establishment and maintenance of bacterial dormancy. Accordingly, we characterized the target specificity of the VapC toxins from the two paralogous NTHi
vapBC
TA systems. RNA sequencing and Northern blot analysis revealed that VapC1 and VapC2 cleave tRNA
fMet
in the anticodon loop. Overexpression of tRNA
fMet
suppresses VapC toxicity, suggesting that translation inhibition results from the depletion of tRNA
fMet
. These experiments also identified base pairs in the tRNA
fMet
anticodon stem that play a key role in VapC-specific cleavage of the tRNA. Together these findings suggest the potential for NTHi VapC1 and VapC2 to induce dormancy by sequence-specific cleavage of tRNA
fMet
.

IMPORTANCE
Bacterial persistence is a significant concern in regard to pathogenic organisms, such as nontypeable
Haemophilus influenzae
, as it can result in recurrent and chronic infections. Toxin-antitoxin systems can lead to persistence by causing bacteria to enter a slow-growing state that renders them antibiotic tolerant. Type II toxin components affect a wide variety of bacterial targets in order to elicit dormancy, and for many toxin-antitoxin systems, these mechanisms are not well understood. Thus, in order to understand how
vapBC
toxin-antitoxin systems cause dormancy, it is crucial to investigate the substrate specificity of VapC toxins. This study identifies the target of the VapC1 and VapC2 toxins from NTHi and takes important steps toward understanding the specificity of these toxins for their tRNA target.
Regulation of Proteolysis in the Gram-Negative Bacterial Envelope
Authors: Raivio Tracy L.
Published: November 2017

Proteolysis is carefully regulated to prevent the untimely destruction of critical proteins. In this issue of the
Journal of Bacteriology
, Kim and colleagues identify YjfN as a proteolytic regulator that stimulates the activity of the DegP/HtrA protease of
Escherichia coli
(S. Kim, I. Song, G. Eom, and S. Kim, J Bacteriol 200:e00519-17, 2018,
https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00519-17
). The suicide destruction and transcriptional regulation of YjfN limit its activity to conditions in which there are likely to be many misfolded substrate proteins present.
Facile preparation and isolation of neutral organic electron donors based on 4-dimethylaminopyridine
Authors: Martin Julien D. , Dyker C. Adam
Published: November 2017

A number of new neutral bis-2-(4-dimethylamino)pyridinylidene electron donors featuring N-akyl groups of varying lengths (propyl, butyl, hexyl, dodecyl) have been prepared from 4-dimethylaminopyridine by means of a simple two-step procedure. Each derivative could be isolated in high yield and could be stored indefinitely under inert atmosphere. The electron donors were chemically oxidized to the corresponding bipyridinium ions, and all compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. As an emerging class of electron transfer agents, the availability of the isolated neutral bispyridinylidenes should be beneficial for cases that are incompatible with generating the electron donor in situ.
Fermion fields in the (non)symmetric Kaluza–Klein theory
Authors: Kalinowski M.W.
Published: November 2017

The paper is devoted to the unification of fermions within nonsymmetric Kaluza–Klein theories. We obtain a Lagrangian for fermions in non-Abelian Kaluza–Klein theory and non-Abelian Kaluza–Klein theory with spontaneous symmetry breaking and Higgs’ mechanism. A Lagrangian for fermions for geometrized bosonic part of GSW (Glashow–Salam–Weinberg) model in our approach has been derived. Yukawa-type terms and mass terms coming from higher dimensions have been obtained. In the paper, 1/2-spin fields and 3/2-spin fields are considered.
Instantaneous Frequencies of Continuous Blood Pressure a Comparison of the Power Spectrum, the Continuous Wavelet Transform and the Hilbert–Huang Transform
Authors: Knai Kathrine , Kulia Geir , Molinas Marta , Skjaervold Nils Kristian
Published: November 2017

Continuous biological signals, like blood pressure recordings, exhibit nonlinear and nonstationary properties which must be considered during their analysis. Heart rate variability analyses have identified several frequency components and their autonomic origin. There is need for more knowledge on the time-changing properties of these frequencies. The power spectrum, continuous wavelet transform and Hilbert–Huang transform are applied on a continuous blood pressure signal to investigate how the different methods compare to each other. The Hilbert–Huang transform shows high ability to analyze such data, and can, by identifying instantaneous frequency shifts, provide new insights into the nature of these kinds of data.
Real-Time Traffic Event Detection From Social Media
Authors: Wang Di , Al-Rubaie Ahmad , Clarke Sandra Stinčić , Davies John
Published: November 2017

Smart communities are composed of groups, organizations, and individuals who share information and make use of that shared information for better decision making. Shared information can come from many sources, particularly, but not exclusively, from sensors and social media. Social media has become an important source of near-instantaneous user-generated information that can be shared and analyzed to support better decision making. One domain where social media data can add value is transportation and traffic management. This article looks at the exploitation of Twitter data in the traffic reporting domain. A key challenge is how to identify relevant information from a huge amount of user-generated data and then analyze the relevant data for automatic geocoded incident detection. The article proposes an instant traffic alert and warning system based on a novel latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) approach (“tweet-LDA”). The system is evaluated and shown to perform better than related approaches.
ITiCSE review
Authors: Goldweber Michael
Published: November 2017

Its official, ITiCSE 2017, held this past July in Bologna, Italy, with 228 registered delegates, was the third largest in ITiCSE history! For those of you who follow this kind of scorekeeping, the second largest ITiCSE was 2006, when Bologna hosted its first ITiCSE.
ICER review
Authors: Chinn Donald , Tenenberg Josh
Published: November 2017

The 13th International Computing Education Research conference was held in mid-August in Tacoma, Washington, USA. The conference venue was in the downtown campus of the University of Washington Tacoma. At ICER this year we had a record number of submissions (108), and the highest attendance ever: 157, of which 55 were students, 34 were international visitors from outside the US and 93 first time ICER attendees.
2017 SIGCSE travel grants
Authors: Decker Adrienne
Published: November 2017

The SIGCSE Board is pleased to announce the opening of applications for the 2018 Travel Grant Program. The Travel Grant Program was established through a generous donation by Henry Walker to support faculty and teachers who have not yet had an opportunity to attend the SIGCSE Symposium. We anticipate funding at least five awards for the 2018 Symposium.
Development and Function of the Mucosal Immune System in the Upper Respiratory Tract of Neonatal Calves
Authors: Osman Rahwa , Malmuthuge Nilusha , Gonzalez-Cano Patricia , Griebel Philip
Published: November 2017

Respiratory infections remain the second most common cause of clinical disease and mortality in newborn calves, which has led to increased interest in using vaccines early in life to mitigate this risk. Intranasal vaccination of neonatal calves can be an effective strategy to circumvent vaccine interference by maternal antibody, but this raises questions regarding onset of immune competence in the upper respiratory tract (URT) following birth. Little is known, however, about the development and function of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in the URT of newborn calves and what factors, including the commensal microbiome, contribute to this early development. We review the structure, development, and function of MALT in the bovine URT during the first six weeks of life and identify knowledge gaps regarding this early developmental time. This information is critical when designing vaccination programs for young calves, especially when targeting respiratory pathogens that may reside within the commensal microbiome.
Catfish Biology and Farming
Authors: Dunham Rex A. , Elaswad Ahmed
Published: November 2017

This article summarizes the biology and culture of ictalurid catfish, an important commercial, aquaculture, and sport fish family in the United States. The history of the propagation as well as spawning of common catfish species in this family is reviewed, with special emphasis on channel catfish and its hybridization with blue catfish. The importance of the channel catfish female×blue catfish male hybrid, including current and future methods of hybrid catfish production, and the potential role it plays in the recovery of the US catfish industry are discussed. Recent advances in catfish culture elements, including environment, management, nutrition, feeding, disease control, culture systems, genetic improvement programs, transgenics, and the application of genome-based approaches in catfish production and welfare, are reviewed. The current status, needs, and future projections are discussed, as well as genetically modified organism developments that are changing the future.
Innate Immunity and Neurodegeneration
Authors: Labzin Larisa I. , Heneka Michael T. , Latz Eicke
Published: November 2017

The innate immune system plays diverse roles in health and disease. It represents the first line of defense against infection and is involved in tissue repair, wound healing, and clearance of apoptotic cells and cellular debris. Excessive or nonresolving innate immune activation can lead to systemic or local inflammatory complications and cause or contribute to the development of inflammatory diseases. In the brain, microglia represent the key innate immune cells, which are involved in brain development, brain maturation, and homeostasis. Impaired microglial function, either through aberrant activation or decreased functionality, can occur during aging and during neurodegeneration, and the resulting inflammation is thought to contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. This review highlights recent advances in our understanding of the influence of innate immunity on neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease.
Estimation of Fluctuation Characterizations by USV-Operation Simulations in Sea State 3
Authors: Park Jae-Han , Bae Ji-Hun , Baeg Moon-Hong
Published: November 2017

This paper proposes a method based on simulation techniques for fluctuation characterizations of unmanned surface vehicle (USV) operations under Sea State 3. In order to simulate the operations of a USV in Sea State 3, we generated the data of sea surfaces using linear wave theory and utilized the motion equation. Fluctuation analysis results by the proposed simulation method could provide crucial information for designing the stabilization system for the critical equipment on a USV. Through these works, it was verified that the design specifications such as range of motion, maximum speed, and acceleration could be estimated using the simulation data.
Study of Split-Flow Wall Located at Exit
Authors: Zhao Guomin , Li Min , Zhao Yunfeng , Zhng Qingsong , Liu Zhongxian
Published: November 2017

Congestion is the major cause of crowd stampede-trampling and crushing incidents. To alleviate the phenomenon of congestion in the process of evacuation, theory of split-flow wall is put forward to optimize the evacuation and the principle of it is analyzed. Based on the occupant evacuation software of buildingEXODUS, the set parameters of the split-flow wall are studied, and we find that the best range of shunt wall length is 1.5–2 times the export width and the best position of the split-flow wall is 0.5 to 0.75 times the export width far from the exit. Shunt wall can effectively alleviate and even eliminate the congestion in the process of evacuation and will not affect safe evacuation when crowd density is low.
Regulation of Sirtuin‐Mediated Protein Deacetylation by Cardioprotective Phytochemicals
Authors: Treviño-Saldaña Niria , García-Rivas Gerardo
Published: November 2017

Modulation of posttranslational modifications (PTMs), such as protein acetylation, is considered a novel therapeutic strategy to combat the development and progression of cardiovascular diseases. Protein hyperacetylation is associated with the development of numerous cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, and heart failure. In addition, decreased expression and activity of the deacetylases Sirt1, Sirt3, and Sirt6 have been linked to the development and progression of cardiac dysfunction. Several phytochemicals exert cardioprotective effects by regulating protein acetylation levels. These effects are mainly exerted via activation of Sirt1 and Sirt3 and inhibition of acetyltransferases. Numerous studies support a cardioprotective role for sirtuin activators (e.g., resveratrol), as well as other emerging modulators of protein acetylation, including curcumin, honokiol, oroxilyn A, quercetin, epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate, bakuchiol, tyrosol, and berberine. Studies also point to a cardioprotective role for various nonaromatic molecules, such as docosahexaenoic acid, alpha‐lipoic acid, sulforaphane, and caffeic acid ethanolamide. Here, we review the vast evidence from the bench to the clinical setting for the potential cardioprotective roles of various phytochemicals in the modulation of sirtuin‐mediated deacetylation.
Structural Improvements for Tall Buildings under Wind Loads: Comparative Study
Authors: Longarini Nicola , Cabras Luigi , Zucca Marco , Chapain Suvash , Aly Aly Mousaad
Published: November 2017

The behavior of a very slender building is investigated under wind loads, to satisfy both strength and serviceability (comfort) design criteria. To evaluate the wind effects, wind tunnel testing and structural analysis were conducted, by two different procedures: (i) Pressure Integration Method (PIM), with finite element modeling, and (ii) High Frequency Force Balance (HFFB) technique. The results from both approaches are compared with those obtained from Eurocode 1 and the Italian design codes, emphasizing the need to further deepen the understanding of problems related to wind actions on such type of structure with high geometrical slenderness. In order to reduce wind induced effects, structural and damping solutions are proposed and discussed in a comparative study. These solutions include (1) height reduction, (2) steel belts, (3) tuned mass damper, (4) viscous dampers, and (5) orientation change. Each solution is studied in detail, along with its advantages and limitations, and the reductions in the design loads and structural displacements and acceleration are quantified. The study shows the potential of damping enhancement in the building to mitigate vibrations and reduce design loads and hence provide an optimal balance among resilience, serviceability, and sustainability requirements.
Effect of Surface Morphology and Dispersion Media on the Properties of PEDOT:PSS/n-Si Hybrid Solar Cell Containing Functionalized Graphene
Authors: Van Trinh Pham , Hong Phan Ngoc , Thang Bui Hung , Hong Nguyen Tuan , Thiet Duong Van , Chuc Nguyen Van , Minh Phan Ngoc
Published: November 2017

We present the results on the effect of surface morphology and dispersion media on the properties of PEDOT:PSS/n-Si hybrid solar cell containing functionalized graphene (Gr). The hybrid solar cells based on SiNWs showed higher power conversion efficiency (PCE) compared to the planar based cells due to suppressing the carrier recombination and improving carrier transport efficiency. The PCE of hybrid solar cells could be improved by adding Gr into PEDOT:PSS. Different solvents including deionized (DI) water, ethylene glycol (EG), and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) were used as media for Gr dispersion. The best performance was obtained for the cell containing Gr dispersed in EG with a measured PCE of 7.33% and nearly 13% and 16% enhancement in comparison with the cells using Gr dispersed in IPA and DI water, respectively. The increase in PCE is attributed to improving the carrier-mobility, electrical conductivity, PEDOT crystallinity, and ordering.
Enteric Fever Caused bySalmonella entericaSerovars with Reduced Susceptibility of Fluoroquinolones at a Community Based Teaching Hospital of Nepal
Authors: Bhetwal Anjeela , Maharjan Anjila , Khanal Puspa Raj , Parajuli Narayan Prasad
Published: November 2017

Enteric fever continues to be an important public health problem especially in developing countries of the tropical region including Nepal. In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of enteric fever associated withSalmonella entericaand determine its antimicrobial susceptibilities to therapeutic antimicrobials in a community based teaching hospital of Nepal. A total of 2,304 blood samples from suspected enteric fever patients attending Manmohan Memorial Teaching Hospital were processed with standard microbiological methods for the isolation and identification of bacterial pathogens. TheSalmonella entericaclinical strains were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method, and the results were interpreted according to the criteria suggested by the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). A total of 245 (10.6%) cases of enteric fever associated withSalmonella entericawere confirmed by blood culture. Out of them, 162 (66.1%) were caused bySalmonellaTyphi and 83 (33.9%) bySalmonellaParatyphi. On Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion antimicrobial susceptibility testing,Salmonellaisolates were highly susceptible to cefixime (100%), ceftriaxone (100%), ampicillin (97.9%), cotrimoxazole (94.6%), azithromycin (96.7%), tetracycline (95.5%), and chloramphenicol (97.5%), respectively. Two hundred twenty-six (92.2%) ofSalmonellaisolates were nalidixic acid resistant with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin (36.7%) and ofloxacin (54.8%), respectively. Although the rate of MDRSalmonellastrains was very low (<5%), their reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones has restricted their routine empirical use. Third generation cephalosporins are the safest choice for empirical use but ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, azithromycin, and chloramphenicol can be effective alternatives.
Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: Are All Countries Treating Children in the Same Way? A Literature Review
Authors: Donà Daniele , Luise Dora , Da Dalt Liviana , Giaquinto Carlo
Published: November 2017

Background. Pneumonia represents an important threat to children’s health in both developed and developing countries. In the last 10 years, many national and international guidelines on the treatment of pediatric CAP have been published, in order to optimize the prescription of antibiotics and limit their cost and side effects. However, the practical implementation of these guidelines is still limited.Main Text. We analyzed the current recommendations for the therapy of pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) that all converge on the identification of aminopenicillins and beta-lactams as the optimal treatment for CAP. We also conducted a review of the current literature on antibiotic regimens used for pediatric CAP to identify the current state of guidelines implementation in different settings. We selected 37 studies published from 2010 to 2016, including both retrospective and prospective studies, mainly cross-sectional and hospital based. The results show a global heterogeneity in the antibiotics prescription for pediatric CAP, with application of guidelines varying from 0% to more than 91% and with important differences even within the same country.Conclusions. Our review has demonstrated that the implementation of the guidelines is still limited but also that achieving the optimal prescription is possible and can be done in both developed and developing countries.
Usefulness of Urea as a Means of Improving the Solubility of Poorly Water-Soluble Ascorbyl Palmitate
Authors: Inoue Yutaka , Niiyama Daichi , Murata Isamu , Kanamoto Ikuo
Published: November 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate complexes of L-ascorbyl palmitate (ASCP) and urea (UR). This evaluation involved differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), a solubility test, a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging test, and a mushroom tyrosinase inhibition assay. Physicochemical evaluation revealed that ASCP/UR complexes form at a molar ratio of 1/12. The solubility test revealed that ASCP/UR complexes had increased solubility compared to ASCP. The DPPH radical scavenging test and mushroom tyrosinase inhibition assay revealed that the activity of ASCP/UR complexes was not impaired by complex formation. These results are probably due to the tetragonal crystal system of UR changing to a hexagonal crystal system and interaction with the alkyl group of ASCP.
Ballistic Target PHD Filter Based on Infrared Focal Plane Ambiguous Observation
Authors: Zhao Wei , Huang Shucai
Published: November 2017

Space‐based early warning system, the main detection means of which is passive detection based on focal plane, is an important part of ballistic missile defense system. The focal plane is mainly composed of CCD, and its size can reach the micron level, so the pixel is often regarded as point of no area in image postprocessing. The design of traditional tracking methods is based on this, and the observation based on the focal plane is modeled as the azimuth with random noise. However, this modeling is inaccurate. In the context of space‐based detection, CCD cannot be simplified as a point, and its size should be considered. And the corresponding observation cannot be treated as azimuth with random noise. In this paper, the observation based on focal plane is modeled as Unambiguously Generated Ambiguous (UGA) measurement. The PHD filter algorithm is redesigned and simplified. The simulation results show that the algorithm based on UGA measurement observation model has better tracking effect compared with that based on traditional observation model. This method provides technical support for more accurate target tracking for space‐based early warning system.
Color Image Denoising Based on Guided Filter and Adaptive Wavelet Threshold
Authors: Sun Xin , He Ning , Zhang Yu-Qing , Zhen Xue-Yan , Lu Ke , Zhou Xiu-Ling
Published: November 2017

In the process of denoising color images, it is very important to enhance the edge and texture information of the images. Image quality can usually be improved by eliminating noise and enhancing contrast. Based on the adaptive wavelet threshold shrinkage algorithm and considering structural characteristics on the basis of color image denoising, this paper describes a method that further enhances the edge and texture details of the image using guided filtering. The use of guided filtering allows edge details that cannot be discriminated in grayscale images to be preserved. The noisy image is decomposed into low-frequency and high-frequency subbands using discrete wavelets, and the contraction function of threshold shrinkage is selected according to the energy in the vicinity of the wavelet coefficients. Finally, the edge and texture information of the denoised color image are enhanced by guided filtering. When the guiding image is the original noiseless image itself, the guided filter can be used as a smoothing operator for preserving edges, resulting in a better effect than bilateral filtering. The proposed method is compared with the adaptive wavelet threshold shrinkage denoising algorithm and the bilateral filtering algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed method achieves superior color image denoising compared to these conventional techniques.
Invasive Candida Infection after Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Surgery for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Brotfain Evgeni , Sebbag Gilbert , Friger Michael , Kirshtein Boris , Borer Abraham , Koyfman Leonid , Frank Dmitry , Bichovsky Yoav , Peiser Jochanan G. , Klein Moti
Published: November 2017

Upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) surgical procedures are more likely to cause nosocomial Candida peritonitis than lower GIT procedures and they thus constitute an independent risk factor for mortality. Because of the severity of postsurgical fungal infections complications, intensivists and surgeons need to be extremely aware of their clinical importance in critically ill postsurgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We analyzed the clinical and microbiological data of 149 oncologic patients who were hospitalized in the ICU at Soroka Medical Center between January 2010 and January 2015 after undergoing upper GIT surgery for gastric cancer. Invasive fungal infections related to secondary peritonitis following oncologic upper GIT surgery had a higher mortality rate than patients with nonfungal postoperative infectious complications. The presence of gastroesophageal junction leakage and advanced age were found to be independent risk factors for invasive fungal infection after oncologic upper GIT surgery.
Semiactive Nonsmooth Control for Building Structure with Deep Learning
Authors: Wang Qing , Wang Jianhui , Huang Xiaofang , Zhang Li
Published: November 2017

Aiming at suppressing harmful effect for building structure by surface motion, semiactive nonsmooth control algorithm with Deep Learning is proposed. By finite-time stable theory, the building structure closed-loop system’s stability is discussed under the proposed control algorithm. It is found that the building structure closed-loop system is stable. Then the proposed control algorithm is applied on controlling the building structural vibration. The seismic action is chosen as El Centro seismic wave. Dynamic characteristics have comparative analysis between semiactive nonsmooth control and passive control in two simulation examples. They demonstrate that the designed control algorithm has great robustness and anti-interference. The proposed control algorithm is more effective than passive control in suppressing structural vibration.
Bilateral Mycobacterium chelonae Keratitis after Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery
Authors: Martinez Jaime D. , Amescua Guillermo , Lozano-Cárdenas Jesus , Suh Leejee H.
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this manuscript is to report the case of an 81-year-old patient who presented with bilateral keratitis after phacoemulsification surgery. Cultures came back positive for Mycobacterium chelonae. Despite aggressive topical and systemic antimicrobial treatment, the patient developed a corneal perforation in both eyes, treated with corneal glue in the right eye and corneoscleral patch in the left eye. After two years of follow-up, patient was free of infection in the right eye with visual acuity of 20/200 and the left eye progressed to phthisis bulbi. We present an unusual case of bilateral Mycobacterium chelonae keratitis associated with phacoemulsification cataract surgery. This case represents the importance of making clinicians aware of this devastating infection and highlights the need for better management to improve outcomes.
Conventional-Microwave Mediated Synthesis and In Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Carbazole-Efflux Pump Inhibitor Hybrid Antibacterials
Authors: Yaqub Ghazala , Sadiq Zubi , Hamid Almas , Fatima Amber , Ijaz Zainab
Published: November 2017

Work presented herein is the first report of two dual-action hybrids synthesized by covalent linkage of carbazole based novel antibacterial compounds with efflux pump inhibitors, that is, indole acetic acid/gallic acid. In this paper, novel antibacterial compounds 2 and 3 were prepared first and then these were covalently linked with efflux pump inhibitors, that is, indole acetic acid/gallic acid leading to the successful formation of two dual-action hybrids 4 and 5. Prepared antibacterials and hybrids were evaluated for their bacteria cell killing capability against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pasteurella multocida, and Bacillus subtilis. Both antibacterial compounds 2 and 3 were found effective against all tested bacterial strains at different concentrations. But when these compounds were linked with efflux pump inhibitors, they showed dramatic enhancement in their bacterial cell killing potential and minimum inhibitory concentration of all hybrids ranging from 7.250 μg/mL to 0.05 μg/mL. These prepared hybrid drugs will be promising and effective new agents in the category of dual-action antibiotics.
The Influence of 3D Printing on Global Container Multimodal Transport System
Authors: Chen Zhen
Published: November 2017

Container multimodal transport system was an important promoter of postwar globalization. But in the future, part of global manufacturing may change from centralized to distributed due to 3D printing. To evaluate its impact, this research established a system dynamics model of sneakers supply chain firstly. The modeling showed that the total demand of international transport would decline after the application of 3D printing. For consumer country, the return of manufacturing would increase its container business. And that of producer country would reduce correspondingly. But for resource country, its resource exports would decline, while its container business may grow for the local processing of printing filaments. Secondly, the evaluations based on the data of Guangzhou port suggest that the 3D printing of sneakers was not enough to subvert the existing system. It would be broken only after the 3D printing of electrical products. By then, more manufacturing activities would transfer to the end of supply chain. On the other hand, producer country may actively respond to maintain its advantage in incumbent industrial pattern, such as Belt and Road initiative proposed by China. Deglobalization, caused by 3D printing, and globalization strengthening, caused by trade cooperation, will affect this system simultaneously.
Mathematical Formulation and Analysis of the Optimal Launch Timing for Mobile Applications with Perceived Value and Network Effect
Authors: Li Wei , Ma Shu-gang , He Yan-peng , An Qiao-zhi
Published: November 2017

Successive release is a common strategy adopted by mobile app providers, and determining the launch timing of new app versions presents an important challenge to these providers. Network effect and consumers’ perceived value are significant factors that influence the decisions of providers. By focusing on a monopoly market, we develop an optimization model that incorporates the two factors to determine the optimal launch timing of new versions of mobile apps. The model is solved by Lagrangian method, and the closed‐form results indicate that the monopoly provider launches new app versions as soon as possible if the consumers’ perceived value is not sufficiently high. Otherwise, the new version is launched after (or before) the sales of its former version reach maturity if the network effect is (or not) sufficiently high. Moreover, the monopoly app vendor delays the launch of a new version when the consumers enjoy a large network externality; however, the same vendor accelerates the release of upgrades if the consumers have a high perceived value of the app. This paper presents a novel mathematical formulation to analyze the launching policy of digital products.