bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Porcine antigen‐specific IFN‐γ ELISpot as a potentially valuable tool for monitoring cellular immune responses in pig‐to‐non‐human primate islet xenotransplantation
Authors: Kim Hyun‐Je , Yoon Il‐Hee , Min Byoung‐Hoon , Kim Yong‐Hee , Shin Jun‐Seop , Kim Jong‐Min , Kim Jung‐Sik , Nam Hye‐Young , Lee Won‐Woo , Park Chung‐Gyu
Published: July 2016

Background

Recent progress in xenotransplantation of porcine islets to non‐human primates (NHPs) gives hope for human clinical trials in the near future. Thus, implementation of an appropriate monitoring method to detect the development of detrimental porcine antigen‐specific cellular immune responses is necessary. The enzyme‐linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay has been widely used to monitor antigen‐specific alloreactive T‐cell responses in humans; however, the utility of porcine islet‐specific ELISpot assay has not yet been thoroughly evaluated for pig‐to‐NHPs intraportal islet xenotransplantation.

Methods

The optimal ELISpot assay conditions, including the number of responder and stimulator cells and the provision of costimulation, were determined. Then, ELISpot assays were conducted on serial stocks of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples previously isolated from NHP recipients transplanted with porcine islets. Either splenocytes from donor pigs or pancreatic islets from third‐party pigs were used for antigen stimulation. At the same time, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T cells and the percentage of CD4+ FoxP3+ T cells in the peripheral blood were evaluated. Finally, liver biopsy samples were evaluated to assess the immunopathology of the grafts.

Results

The optimal conditions for the ELISpot assay were defined as 2.5 × 105 responder cells incubated with 5.0 × 105 stimulator cells in 96‐well, flat‐bottom plates without further costimulation. Using donor splenocytes as stimulators, a serial interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) ELISpot assay with PBMCs from the monkeys with prolonged porcine islet grafts (>180 days) demonstrated that the number of donor antigen‐specific IFN‐γ‐producing cells significantly increased upon overt graft rejection. However, use of third‐party porcine islets as stimulators did not reflect graft rejection, suggesting that the use of donor‐specific PBMCs, and not tissue (porcine islet)‐specific cells, as stimulators could better serve the purpose of this assay in adult porcine islet transplantation. IFN‐γ spot number was neither influenced by the peripheral blood CD4+/CD8+ T‐cell ratio nor the percentage of CD4+FoxP3+ T cells. Finally, in cases of overt graft rejection, the number of IFN‐γ spots and the graft‐infiltrating T cells in biopsied liver samples increased simultaneously.

Conclusion

Use of PBMCs in a porcine antigen‐specific IFN‐γ ELISpot assay is a reliable method for monitoring T‐cell‐mediated rejection in pig‐to‐NHP islet xenotransplantation.
EFFECTS OF ASCORBIC ACID AND FERUM IONS CONCENTRATION ON THE HYDROLYSIS OF GLUCOSINOLATE AND MYROSINASE ACTIVITY IN THE WATERCRESS (Nasturtium officinale sp.)
Authors: Mohd Zul Syamimi , Surugau Noumie
Published: July 2016

Watercress (Nasturtium officinale sp.) from the Brassicae family contains phenethyl glucosinolates (gluconasturtiin) as the main glucosinolate (GLS). The enzymatic hydrolysis products by naturally-occuring myrosinase produced phenethyl isothicyanate (PEITC) which reported to possess anti-carcinogenic activity. Depending on several factors, its counterpart, phenethyl nitrile (PEN) can also be formed as hydrolysis product. This study investigated the effects of adding ascorbic acid and Fe2+ ions at different concentration on the hydrolysis of gluconasturtiin. Hydrolysis products were extracted using dichloromethane and analyzed semi-quantitatively by using GCMS. The results showed that PEITC increased at the low concentration of ascorbic acid (up to 0.06M). Similarly, addition of up to 0.06M Fe2+ ions increased PEITC; higher than 0.06M inhibits the formation of PEITC. Interestingly, similar trend for the production of PEN was detected. This study also investigated myrosinase activity both by exogenous and endogenous methods at different concentrations of ascorbic acid and Fe2+ ions using standard sinigrin as subsrat. Overall, the myrosinase activity was more active at the low concentrations of ascorbic acid. Also, the exogenous method is more efficient than endogenous. This study proved that the presence of reducing agents such as ascorbic acid and Fe2+ ions during the preparation of watercress as food would affect the production of the health-promoting PEITC.
ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY BIO-PESTICIDE ROTENONE EXTRACTED FROM Derris sp.: A REVIEW ON THE EXTRACTION METHOD, TOXICITY AND FIELD EFFECTIVENESS
Authors: Zubairi Saiful Irwan , Othman Zetty Shafiqa , Sarmidi Mohamad Roji , Abdul Aziz Ramlan
Published: July 2016

Bio-pesticides are natural occurring substances that control pest and derived either from plants or microorganism. It play a vital role in coping with adverse effect arise due to massive used of synthetic pesticides and development of insecticide resistance of some insect groups in crop productions. Thus, Derris species from Leguminosae (Fabacea) family is a climbing plant of Southeast Asia that was well known for its environmental friendly bioactive compound is used as one of the effective insecticides. Rotenone was one of the bioactive constituents extracted from Derris plant that was used as agricultural pest control due to its strong paralysis action (knock-down effect) on cold blooded animals. Moreover, it has a lethal mechanism in inhibiting respiratory enzyme of insects and easily degrades which makes it environmental friendly. Extraction of rotenone commonly uses organic solvents as extractant either in non-conventional extraction methods or conventional method. Application of green solvents, ionic liquids as extractant is new approach for rotenone extraction. Indeed environmental friendly bio-pesticides have not been studied thoroughly and several approach and further study are required to produce high quality and environmental friendly bio-pesticides. In addition, biological assay such as “Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina) Lethality” study is also vital in order to determine a preliminary safe exposure limit of extracted rotenone prior to be used as pesticides. For that reason, a review of the environmental friendly bio-pesticide rotenone extracted from Derris sp. is presented herewith. This article reviews the up scaling extraction methods, toxicity and its effectiveness against several moth species such as Spodoptera litura and Plutella xylostella.
INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT ON SUSTAINABILITY FOR FRESH FRUIT BUNCH (FFB) OF ELAIS GUINEESIS IN MALAYSIA USING ARTIFICIAL DOMESTIC POLLINATION SYSTEM (ADOPSY™)
Authors: Mohammad Zulkeflee , Othman Nor' Azizi , Abu Bakar Nooh , Hara Hirofumi , Zakaria Zuriati , Sugiura Norio
Published: July 2016

Sustainability of the Fresh Fruit Bunch (FBB) is one of the most important elements at the plantation level. Most of Oil Palm planters at this stage do not get the desired result of output production due to inconsistency of number of fresh fruit bunch on the plants. The main element to ensure plants producing FBB at a sustainable level is to keep the existence of the weevil for pollination. Nowadays it is hard to ensure the population of the weevil in right condition constantly due to misconduct of the biodiversity as well as ecosystem in the plantation areas. Weevil species (Elaeidodius kamerunicus) brought by an entomologist, Syed Anwar Rahman, from Cameroon to Malaysia managed to increase the number of fruit set in 1981. Hence, this research is carried out to determine the new method of pollination that should help planters to get sustainable output of FBB in term of quantity. The main purpose of the research is to get sufficient numbers of FBB at individual oil palm plant using Artificial Domestic Pollination System (ADOPSY™) that was invented by the researcher. Applied research base on case study undertaken in Felda Cawangan Tembangau 6, Pahang, under the management of Felda Global Venture (FGV). Data collection completed by the FGV staff by using standard format so called “Bancian tandan hitam” or Fresh Fruit Bunch Census Format without influences by the researcher, ensuring data corroborated. The data is analyzed to examine the development in term of production referring to the increased quantity of fresh fruit bunch. FGV was chosen due to its worldwide establishment among the biggest oil palm production conglomerate in Malaysia. The most vital finding of this research is to confirm that the technology (ADOPSY™) and supported product (PreMix-SP) used in this research, would produce sustainable output production of FBB. The research demonstrated the increasing value of production of FBB by implementing check and control method under treated test plot compared to untreated test plot for period of one year. This research will also facilitate opportunity profit by eliminating defect, referring to decreasing numbers of abortion in plantation production.
COASTAL UPWELLING AT TERENGGANU AND PAHANG COASTAL WATERS: INTERACTION OF HYDROGRAPHY, CURRENT CIRCULATION AND PHYTOPLANKTON BIOMASS
Authors: Zainol Zuraini , Akhir Mohd Fadzil Mohd
Published: July 2016

The hydrographic characteristics and current circulation in Terengganu and Pahang coastal waters were examined for their spatial and temporal variability based on the seasonal influence during the transition period (April 2014) and southwest monsoon (June and August, 2014). The results of this study demonstrated the presence of slightly cooler water during June and August, 2014 compared to April, 2014, which indicate the existence of coastal upwelling. Furthermore, the uplifting of isotherms towards the coast during the study trip was also a good evidence of upwelling. The current flow generated by the wind was the possible reason of the features. Furthermore, this study also makes the first attempt to observe the coupling effects between coastal upwelling and the phytoplankton biomass in Terengganu and Pahang coastal waters, which is still sparse. Interestingly, apart from the nutrient availability, the coastal upwelling was believed to influence the phytoplankton biomass at the study area.
THE OPPORTUNITY OF MAGNETIC INDUCTION TOMOGRAPHY MODALITY IN BREAST CANCER DETECTION
Authors: Balasena Gowry , Sim Lynn , Zakaria Zulkarnay , Abu Bakar Shahriman , Abd Rahim Mohamad Aliff , Mansor Saiful Badri , Balkhis Ibrahim , Rahiman Mohd Hafiz Fazalul , Abdul Rahim Ruzairi
Published: July 2016

The needs for non-invasive technique in breast cancer detection could enhance and preserve the future of medical field in Malaysia as well as countries around the world. Breast cancer has become the main concern nowadays not only for women but for man as well. In overall, the risk of women getting breast cancer is higher than man due to the denser tissue of breast in women compare to man. Beside the unawareness for the disease, the reason which contributes to this increasing number of breast cancer reported is also due to the limitations arising from modalities such as MRI, Mammography, ultrasound and other modalities. An alternative to current technologies should be improved for early detection and treatment which causes no physical harm to patients if possible. Thus, non-invasive and better technology in detecting breast cancer is very much needed in the current market. This paper will be discussing the insights of Magnetic Induction Tomography techniques in breast cancer detection.
PLATFORM INDEPENDENT WEB-BASED TELECARDIOLOGY FOR CONNECTED HEART CARE
Authors: Lin Kam Kui , Wen Hau Yuan
Published: July 2016

Most of the commercial telecardiology systems are platform-dependent and operating system (OS)-dependent. This causes inconvenience to medical officer for retrieving data from database and hence reduce the work efficiency. In this paper, a platform-independent and OS-independent web-based telecardiology system, named VirtualDave System, is proposed based on client-server model and developed in Hypertext Markup Language 5 (HTML5), Active Server Pages (ASP) scripting and C# languages. This system allows users to log on and access the patient medical data from any technology devices that equipped with web browser and internet access. Besides, it also allows targeted users to communicate and get remote medical consultation without long distance traveling and long-time queuing. Verification result shows that this proposed system could be executed in any platform regardless the OS. This web-based telecardiology could significantly help to improve the health care services especially in rural area.
RECYCLING TOWARD SUSTAINABLE PAVEMENT DEVELOPMENT:END-OF-LIFE CONSIDERATIONS IN ASPHALT PAVEMENT
Authors: Babashamsi Peyman , Md Yusoff Nur Izzi , Ceylan Halil , Md Nor Nor Ghani
Published: July 2016

As quality aggregate sources are depleted, there is a growing importance given to incorporating recycled co-products and waste materials (RCWMs) in new and rehabilitated pavements. An ideal goal would be using recycled materials to create long-lived, well-performing pavement and then being able to use those materials again at the end of their life to create new pavement, thereby effectively achieving a zero-waste highway construction stream. This would not only produce distinct cost advantages, but it would also significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and eliminate the need for landfill disposal. Drawing from ISO standards and practices, this article reviews the recycling methods and definitions associated with the End-of-Life (EOL) phase and present various EOL considerations for asphalt pavements and the associated challenges to quantify EOL contribution in the pavement life cycle.
EVALUATING POTENTIAL OF DIATOMITE AS ANTI-CLOGGING AGENT FOR POROUS ASPHALT MIXTURE
Authors: Mohamed Abdullah Nor Asniza , Abdul Hassan Norhidayah , Mohd Shukry Nurul Athma , Mahmud Mohd Zul Hanif , Putrajaya Ramadhansyah , Hainin Mohd Rosli , Md. Yusoff Nur Izzi
Published: July 2016

Clogging is a major problem that occurs throughout the service life of porous asphalt due to the open nature of the mixture itself. Diatomite with characteristic of abrasiveness and porous structure seems to have potential in order to remove the clogging materials that mainly consists of soils. This study aims to investigate the effects of diatomite as anti-clogging agent on the permeability rate and strength of porous asphalt. The porous asphalt samples were prepared using Malaysia aggregate gradation and polymer modified bitumen of PG76 was used as the binder. This study focuses on clay as the clogging material at different concentration. A fixed amount of 0.5 g/L diatomite was applied to the porous asphalt samples as an anti-clogging agent prior to clogging cycles. The permeability test and resilient modulus were then conducted at different clogging concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 g/L) and cycles, with and without diatomite. It was found that samples with diatomite have a higher permeability rate compared to those without any application of diatomite after a few clogging cycles. As the clogging cycles increase, the clogging materials have trapped and filled up the voids in the porous asphalt samples and increase the resilient modulus result.
Status, Comparison, and Issues of Computer-Aided Design Model Data Exchange Methods Based on Standardized Neutral Files and Web Ontology Language File
Authors: Qin Yuchu , Lu Wenlong , Qi Qunfen , Liu Xiaojun , Zhong Yanru , Scott Paul J. , Jiang Xiangqian
Published: July 2016

Exchanging computer-aided design (CAD) model data among heterogeneous CAD systems is indispensable for collaborative product development. Currently, the industry mainly uses the standardized neutral files-based methods to implement such exchange. While at the same time, the application of web ontology language (OWL) file and underlying semantic web technologies in CAD model data exchange is gaining importance and popularity within the academia. The coexistence of different types of methods has generated a series of controversies and questions within the industry and the academia. Yet, can the neutral files-based exchange methods completely implement model data exchange among heterogeneous CAD systems? What challenges have been addressed to date by the developed CAD model data exchange standards? Why OWL has been introduced to CAD model data exchange? Does CAD model data exchange really need OWL? Are there any issues in existing neutral files-based exchange methods and OWL file-based exchange methods need to be addressed in future studies? This paper proposes to conduct a study of the standardized neutral files-based exchange methods and OWL file-based exchange methods. An in-depth analysis of the widely used standard for the exchange of product model data (STEP) method and the newly emerging OWL methods is first provided. Then, the paper makes a detailed comparison between these two types of methods based on this analysis. Finally, some issues in the two types of methods that need to be addressed in the future are discussed.
Effects of Airfoil's Polar Data in the Stall Region on the Estimation of Darrieus Wind Turbine Performance
Authors: Marten David , Bianchini Alessandro , Pechlivanoglou Georgios , Balduzzi Francesco , Nayeri Christian Navid , Ferrara Giovanni , Paschereit Christian Oliver , Ferrari Lorenzo
Published: July 2016

Interest in vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) is experiencing a renaissance after most major research projects came to a standstill in the mid 1990s, in favor of conventional horizontal-axis turbines (HAWTs). Nowadays, the inherent advantages of the VAWT concept, especially in the Darrieus configuration, may outweigh their disadvantages in specific applications, like the urban context or floating platforms. To enable these concepts further, efficient, accurate, and robust aerodynamic prediction tools and design guidelines are needed for VAWTs, for which low-order simulation methods have not reached yet a maturity comparable to that of the blade element momentum theory for HAWTs' applications. The two computationally efficient methods that are presently capable of capturing the unsteady aerodynamics of Darrieus turbines are the double multiple streamtubes (DMS) theory, based on momentum balances, and the lifting line theory (LLT) coupled to a free vortex wake model. Both methods make use of tabulated lift and drag coefficients to compute the blade forces. Since the incidence angles range experienced by a VAWT blade is much wider than that of a HAWT blade, the accuracy of polars in describing the stall region and the transition toward the “thin plate like” behavior has a large effect on simulation results. This paper will demonstrate the importance of stall and poststall data handling in the performance estimation of Darrieus VAWTs. Using validated CFD simulations as a baseline, comparisons are provided for a blade in VAWT-like motion based on a DMS and a LLT code employing three sets of poststall data obtained from a wind tunnel campaign, XFoil predictions extrapolated with the Viterna–Corrigan model and a combination of them. The polar extrapolation influence on quasi-steady operating conditions is shown and azimuthal variations of thrust and torque are compared for exemplary tip-speed ratios (TSRs). In addition, the major relevance of a proper dynamic stall model into both the simulation methods is highlighted and discussed.
Rear Impact Vehicle Seat Structure (RIVSS) Design
Authors: Salmon James , Burnett Roger , Caulfield Edward
Published: July 2016

Two Rear Impact Vehicle Seat Structure (RIVSS) test seats are designed, fabricated and tested. The designs allow control of the seatback recliner pivot moment, or seat strength. In addition to the control of the strength, the RIVSS design configurations result in unique recliner pivot moment shapes as a function of seatback angle. Each of the designs incorporate a closed cylinder and piston arrangement that contains honeycomb of different densities and crush section geometries making the piston collapse load and thus seatback strength controllable. One of the concepts was physically tested using the HYGE sled facility at the Ford Motor Company. Six tests were performed simulating a rear-end collision with an approximate 26 mph Delta-V. Three seatback configurations, each having a different seatback moment shape, were run with a repeat test of each configuration. A 50th percentile instrumented Hybrid-III anthropomorphic test device (ATD) was restrained in the seat with a three-point harness for each of the tests. The test data are presented and assessed for correlation of the results between repeated tests of common configurations. The results show high correlation in repeated tests and that the mechanism can be effectively used to control seatback strength from a nearly rigid seatback to one that will fully collapse when subjected to the 26 mph Delta-V with the 50th percentile ATD.
Study and Development of Vehicle Collision Detection System
Authors: Huluka Alemayehu W. , Lemu Hirpa G.
Published: July 2016

In order to reduce the alarmingly increasing vehicle accident worldwide, developing collision detection system has been an endeavor of engineers within the last 3–4 decades. Based on the vehicles’ speed and acceleration, detecting the safe distance is one of the approaches reported in research results and claimed patents. As speed and acceleration of both the involved vehicles is changing with time, developing effective algorithms that can capture and process sufficient dynamic information and then warn for or take appropriate action is demanded. One possible approach that can contribute to the effort of minimizing vehicle collision accidents is to use embedded electronic systems to control the speed of the vehicle(s). Accordingly, the study and research work reported in this article focuses on developing a model of rear-end anti-collision system that can detect the distance between two vehicles moving on the same lane in the same direction and alert the driver whenever danger is eminent within certain tolerance range.
Design of Kinetic Energy Recovery System for Effi-Cycle
Authors: Suresh Sidhu , Kartha Balagovind N. K. , Gopal Vinod Kumar , Pillai Sujith T. , Udayabhanu Govind , Narayanan Akilesh , Unnikrishnan Nikhil , Jayaprakash Vinayak
Published: July 2016

This article provides the design of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System designed for Effi-Cycle 2012 competition conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers, North India Section in Chandigarh, India. This hybrid tricycle has the capability to be driven by 2 humans simultaneously and also by a 400W BLDC motor. The tri-cycle won the Overall First, Best Acceleration and First Runner-up in the Endurance awards. A Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), also known as regenerative braking system, is inbuilt into it in order to harness the energy lost during braking. The Regenerative Braking system used in Effi-cycle makes use of an electronic energy efficient converter to store energy regenerated from the motor during braking, in the form of electrical energy. The system monitors the effective voltage at the BLDC motor driver outputs and calculates the required control algorithms to drive the converter and recover the maximum energy at any point. Microcontrollers are used to monitor the performance of the entire system by tabulating and analysing the different sensor values.
Analyzing Roadside Safety Implications of Future Vehicle Designs
Authors: Ruparel Tejas , Yonten Karma , Eskandarian Azim
Published: July 2016

To meet new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards, future vehicles are expected to be more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient. In addition to introducing innovative manufacturing methods and structural modifications, automobile manufacturers are primarily adopting lightweighting technologies to meet the demands for more fuel efficient vehicles. It is seen from prior research that by focusing on lightweight (LW) designs alone, the average new vehicle could weigh 28% less in 2016 than it does today. Using LW designs is not without its challenges though. These designs represent significantly different dynamic characteristics and crashworthiness response when compared against original designs. Accordingly, it is necessary to evaluate the safety implications of these LW vehicles under impact scenarios with various roadside infrastructures. It is also necessary to ensure that the existing infrastructure can satisfy required safety standards in protecting the occupants under different crash conditions.

In this paper, we adopt Finite Element Method (FEM) for modeling and simulating different crash scenarios in order to evaluate the safety implications of future LW vehicle designs. Baseline (BL) models for three vehicles — Toyota Yaris, Ford Taurus and Chevy Silverado are appropriately LW modeled with 15% (LW15) and 25% (LW25) reduction in weight, whilst maintaining structural stiffness and Center of Gravity. Numerical simulations are then performed for a 25° impact angle against three common roadside infrastructures — Concrete median barrier, Strong post W-beam guardrail and W-beam transition barrier at three different speeds — 50, 70 and 100 km/hr. The goal is to conduct a matrix of simulations in order to provide comprehensive and relative safety assessment. Barrier performance is then gauged in accordance to the MASH (Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware) [1] criteria wherein the metrics take into account evaluation factors such as structural adequacy and occupant risk.
Nonlinear Robust Control of Vehicle Lateral Dynamics Considering Driver’s Dynamics
Authors: Khosravani Saeid , Fadakar Iman , Khajepour Amir , Fidan Baris , Litkouhi Bakhtiar , Chen Shih Ken
Published: July 2016

Guaranteeing stability of a vehicle without considering the driver in the control loop is difficult. In this paper, a driver-in-the-loop control strategy is proposed to improve the lateral vehicle behavior and extend the stability margin. The driver is modeled as a delayed linear controller with the aim of tracking the desired path. The main aim of the controller design is to track the desired yaw rate of the vehicle considering the driver effects. To make an implementable approach, it is assumed that the desired road information and the exact values of longitudinal and lateral forces are not available for the control level and the controller treats them as bounded uncertainties. The nonlinear damping technique is adopted to stabilize the yaw rate error. For two different robust designs, we have shown that the yaw rate error will confine inside a certain neighborhood even in the presence of uncertainty. The size of this neighborhood is directly proportionate to the gain of the robust control terms and the driver characteristics. A standard harsh double lane change scenario is simulated as the desired path for the driver. The results demonstrate that the design process improves the overall behavior of the driver-vehicle system in the presence of bounded uncertainties.
Robust Estimation and Experimental Evaluation of Longitudinal Friction Forces in Ground Vehicles
Authors: Hashemi Ehsan , Kasaiezadeh Alireza , Khajepour Amir , Moshchuk Nikolai , Chen Shih-Ken
Published: July 2016

A longitudinal force estimation based on wheel dynamics and unscented Kalman filter is proposed in this report to address the difficulties in the conventional tire-based approaches. Although it seems that implementation of a tire model in the estimation procedure should result in more accurate results, especially for non-linear regions, complexities in identifying the tire parameters due to the variation of the road and tire conditions leads to inaccurate results for harsh maneuvers on slippery roads. Moreover, the estimation process requires reliable measurements and this necessitates utilizing dynamic models with feasible measurements. Consequently, wheel dynamics is employed to extend the fidelity of the algorithm. For such a model, wheel speeds as reliable and feasible measurements are available. In this strategy, the complex tire-road interaction can be discarded since the wheel speeds are being observed by wheel sensors and the values of the effective torques are provided by motor drives then the longitudinal forces at each individual corner of the vehicle can be estimated independently. Experimental and simulation results confirm the validity of the algorithm in slippery road conditions as well as normal conditions. The newly developed structure has a strong potential to be integrated with other state estimation, such as longitudinal/lateral velocities and lateral forces.
AAAS Pacific Division explores climate-change communication
Authors: Korte Andrea
Published: July 2016

Annual meeting symposium considers multidisciplinary approaches
On the record with
E. coli
DNA
Authors: Borkowski Olivier , Gilbert Charlie , Ellis Tom
Published: July 2016

DNA can be engineered for cells to record events in real time
Rapid Bedside Inactivation of Ebola Virus for Safe Nucleic Acid Tests
Authors: Rosenstierne Maiken Worsøe , Karlberg Helen , Bragstad Karoline , Lindegren Gunnel , Stoltz Malin Lundahl , Salata Cristiano , Kran Anne-Marte Bakken , Dudman Susanne Gjeruldsen , Mirazimi Ali , Fomsgaard Anders
Published: July 2016

Rapid bedside inactivation of Ebola virus would be a solution for the safety of medical and technical staff, risk containment, sample transport, and high-throughput or rapid diagnostic testing during an outbreak. We show that the commercially available Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer used for nucleic acid extraction inactivates Ebola virus. A rapid bedside inactivation method for nucleic acid tests is obtained by simply adding Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer directly into vacuum blood collection EDTA tubes using a thin needle and syringe prior to sampling. The ready-to-use inactivation vacuum tubes are stable for more than 4 months, and Ebola virus RNA is preserved in the Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer for at least 5 weeks independent of the storage temperature. We also show that Ebola virus RNA can be manually extracted from Magna Pure lysis/binding buffer-inactivated samples using the QIAamp viral RNA minikit. We present an easy and convenient method for bedside inactivation using available blood collection vacuum tubes and reagents. We propose to use this simple method for fast, safe, and easy bedside inactivation of Ebola virus for safe transport and routine nucleic acid detection.
The Expanding Landscape of Moonlighting Proteins in Yeasts
Authors: Gancedo Carlos , Flores Carmen-Lisset , Gancedo Juana M.
Published: July 2016

Moonlighting proteins are multifunctional proteins that participate in unrelated biological processes and that are not the result of gene fusion. A certain number of these proteins have been characterized in yeasts, and the easy genetic manipulation of these microorganisms has been useful for a thorough analysis of some cases of moonlighting. As the awareness of the moonlighting phenomenon has increased, a growing number of these proteins are being uncovered. In this review, we present a crop of newly identified moonlighting proteins from yeasts and discuss the experimental evidence that qualifies them to be classified as such. The variety of moonlighting functions encompassed by the proteins considered extends from control of transcription to DNA repair or binding to plasminogen. We also discuss several questions pertaining to the moonlighting condition in general. The cases presented show that yeasts are important organisms to be used as tools to understand different aspects of moonlighting proteins.
Gastrointestinal stromal tumour masquerading as a cyst in the lesser sac
Authors: Hamza Ahmed Mahmoud , Ayyash Emad Helmi , Alzafiri Raed , Francis Issam , Asfar Sami
Published: July 2016

Gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) are solid tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, mostly found in the stomach and intestine. They rarely present as cystic lesions. A 74-year-old woman referred to the hepatopancreaticobiliary unit, with 3 months history of upper abdominal discomfort. Abdominal ultrasound scan showed a large cystic lesion in the epigastric region suggestive of a pancreatic pseudocyst. The CT-scan showed a 6.6×6×6.3 cm size cyst related to the pancreas and extending to the hepatogastric omentum. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) scan was suggestive of a pancreatic pseudocyst. Aspirated Cyst fluid via EUS showed benign cytology with normal amylase, lipase and tumour markers (CEA, CA-19.9 and CA-125). She was referred as a case of pancreatic pseudocyst. After surgical excision, the histopathology confirmed the presence GIST in the wall of the cystic lesion. The possibility of GIST should be kept in mind in the presence of unusual features of a cyst on abdominal imaging.
Story behind meldonium–from pharmacology to performance enhancement: a narrative review
Authors: Schobersberger Wolfgang , Dünnwald Tobias , Gmeiner Günther , Blank Cornelia
Published: July 2016

Recent reports from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) indicate an alarming prevalence in the use of meldonium among elite athletes. Therefore, in January 2016, meldonium was added to WADA's prohibited list after being monitored since 2015. Meldonium has been shown to have beneficial effects in cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic diseases due to its anti-ischaemic and cardioprotective properties, which are ascribed mainly to its inhibition of ß-oxidation and its activation of glycolysis. Despite its widespread use, there are only a few clinical studies or clinical trials available. Meldonium is registered in most Baltic countries and is easily accessible through the internet with no serious adverse effects reported by the manufacturer so far. Among athletes, meldonium is used with the purpose of increasing recovery rate or exercise performance. The benefit of taking meldonium in view of performance enhancement in athletes is quite speculative and is discussed without sound scientific evidence. This narrative review provides a detailed overview of the drug meldonium, focusing on the main topics pharmacology and biochemical actions, clinical applications, pharmacokinetics, methods of detection and potential for performance enhancement in athletes.
Gut microbiota associated with HIV infection is significantly enriched in bacteria tolerant to oxygen
Authors: Dubourg Grégory , Lagier Jean-Christophe , Hüe Sophie , Surenaud Mathieu , Bachar Dipankar , Robert Catherine , Michelle Caroline , Ravaux Isabelle , Mokhtari Saadia , Million Matthieu , Stein Andreas , Brouqui Philippe , Levy Yves , Raoult Didier
Published: July 2016

Objectives

Gut microbiota modifications occurring during HIV infection have recently been associated with inflammation and microbial translocation. However, discrepancies between studies justified a comprehensive analysis performed on a large sample size.

Design and methods

In a case–control study, next-generation sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was applied to the faecal microbiota of 31 HIV-infected patients, of whom 18 were treated with antiretroviral treatment (ART), compared with 27 healthy controls. 21 sera samples from HIV-infected patients and 7 sera samples from control participants were used to test the presence of 25 markers of inflammation and/or immune activation.

Results

Diversity was significantly reduced in HIV individuals when compared with controls and was not restored in the ART group. The relative abundance of several members of Ruminococcaceae such asFaecalibacterium prausnitziiwas critically less abundant in the HIV-infected group and inversely correlated with inflammation/immune activation markers. Members of Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcaceae were found to be enriched and positively correlated with these markers. There were significantly more aerotolerant species enriched in HIV samples (42/52 species, 80.8%) when compared with the control group (14/87 species, 16.1%; χ2test, p<10−5, conditional maximum-likelihood estimate (CMLE) OR=21.9).

Conclusions

Imbalance between aerobic and anaerobic flora observed in HIV faecal microbiota could be a consequence of the gut impairment classically observed in HIV infection via the production of oxygen. Overgrowth of proinflammatory aerobic species during HIV infection raises the question of antioxidant supplementation, such as vitamin C, E orN-acetylcysteine.
Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of providing information on childbirth and postnatal period to partners of pregnant women
Authors: Takehara Kenji , Okamura Makoto , Sugiura Naomi , Suto Maiko , Sasaki Hatoko , Mori Rintaro
Published: July 2016

Introduction

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of the distribution of a booklet providing information to fathers during their partners' pregnancies on fathers' and mothers' postpartum mental health and quality of life (QOL), as well as on fathers' childcare participation and living situations.

Methods and analysis

This randomised controlled trial will comprise 554 couples consisting of pregnant women due to give birth at an obstetric institution in Aichi Prefecture, Japan and their partners. Participants will be recruited during prenatal check-ups in the third trimester, and those who provide written consent will be allocated randomly to an intervention and a control group. The pregnant women's partners allocated to the intervention group will be given a booklet written for men containing information on childbirth and postnatal period. Its content will include matters such as what preparations the partner should make before birth and tips for housework and childcare as well as how to prevent unintentional injury to the baby. The control group will not receive any intervention. A baseline survey in the third trimester and follow-up surveys at 1 and 3 months post partum will be carried out using self-administered questionnaires. The primary outcome is the proportion of new mothers' partners at risk for paternal depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score ≥8). Secondary outcomes include the risk of postnatal depression in new mothers, QOL of new mothers and their partners, partners' knowledge of and engagement in housework and childcare, marital relations and parenting stress on the part of new mothers.

Ethics and dissemination

This study has been approved by the Ethical Committee at the National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan. The results of the study will be widely disseminated as peer-reviewed papers and at international conferences, with the aim of improving public health services in Japan.

Trial registration number

UMIN000021475; Pre-results.
A call to improve sampling methodology and reporting in young novice driver research
Authors: Scott-Parker B , Senserrick T
Published: July 2016

Young drivers continue to be over-represented in road crash fatalities despite a multitude of research, communication and intervention. Evidence-based improvement depends to a great extent upon research methodology quality and its reporting, with known limitations in the peer-review process. The aim of the current research was to review the scope of research methodologies applied in ‘young driver’ and ‘teen driver’ research and their reporting in four peer-review journals in the field between January 2006 and December 2013. In total, 806 articles were identified and assessed. Reporting omissions included participant gender (11% of papers), response rates (49%), retention rates (39%) and information regarding incentives (44%). Greater breadth and specific improvements in study designs and reporting are thereby identified as a means to further advance the field.
Understanding Age and Race Disparities in the Application of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Radhakrishnan Archana , Silverman Paula , Pollack Craig Evan , Pfoh Elizabeth R , Shenk Robert , Thompson Cheryl L
Published: July 2016

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is the standard of care for surgical evaluation of early-stage breast cancer and is being employed as a quality metric for accreditation of breast centers. Previous studies report disparities in SLNB receipt. The goal of this study is to determine SLNB rates and explore rationale for non-receipt of SLNB. Patients with early-stage breast cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2011 were identified from the University Hospitals Case Medical Center tumor registry. Multivariable logistic models were used to identify clinical and demographic risk factors for patients who did not receive SLNB. We performed chart reviews to elucidate reasons for the lack of SLNB. Our total sample was 479 patients; of them 432 (90.2%) received SLNB. On average, patients who received SLNB were younger than those who did not receive SLNB (61 compared to 79 years, respectively). Patients ≥80 years were 96% less likely to receive SLNB compared to patients <65 years (OR 0.04; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.14). There were no differences in SLNB by race, between patients undergoing Medicare or Medicaid and managed care, by surgeon specialty, or across medical centers. Chart review determined that 45/47 patients did not have SLNB, because it was a clinical decision-making; advanced age (>80 years) was cited in 27/47 women. Older women had much lower odds of receiving SLNB; however, non-receipt of SLNB was often due to a clinical reasoning. Our study highlights the importance of clinical reasoning in receiving SLNB, whereas other studies solely employing administrative databases do not.
Republished: Separate origins of the left internal and external carotid arteries from the aortic arch and cervical internal carotid artery aneurysm in a patient with Noonan syndrome
Authors: Tahir Rizwan Ahmad , Asmaro Karam , Pabaney Aqueel , Kole Max , Nypaver Timothy , Marin Horia
Published: July 2016

Distinct origins of the external carotid artery and the internal carotid artery (ICA) from the aortic arch have been rarely described, and represent an aberrant development of the aortic arches during fetal life. This anatomical variation is usually discovered incidentally; infrequently, an aneurysm of the cervical ICA might accompany this rare configuration. We describe one such case in a patient with Noonan syndrome who presented with pulsatile neck mass. The diagnostic features and management of the aneurysm and a review of the literature are presented.
Casimir operator dependences of nonperturbative fermionic QCD amplitudes
Authors: Fried H. M. , Grandou T. , Hofmann R.
Published: July 2016

In eikonal and quenched approximations, it is argued that the strong coupling fermionic QCD Green’s functions and related amplitudes depart from a sole dependence on the [Formula: see text] quadratic Casimir operator, [Formula: see text], evaluated over the fundamental gauge group representation. Noted in nonrelativistic quark models and in a nonperturbative generalization of the Schwinger mechanism, an additional dependence on the cubic Casimir operator shows up, in contradistinction with perturbation theory and other nonperturbative approaches. However, it accounts for the full algebraic content of the rank-2 Lie algebra of [Formula: see text]. Though numerically subleading effects, cubic Casimir dependences, here and elsewhere, appear to be a signature of the nonperturbative fermionic sector of QCD.
External electric field promotes proton transfer in the radical cation of adenine–thymine
Authors: Zhang Guiqing , Xie Shijie
Published: July 2016

According to [Formula: see text] measurements, it has been predicted that proton transfer would not occur in the radical cation of adenine–thymine (A:T). However, recent theoretical calculations indicate that proton transfer takes place in the base pair in water below the room temperature. We have performed simulations of proton transfer in the cation of B-DNA stack composed of 10 A:T base pairs in water from 20 K to 300 K. Proton transfer occurs below the room temperature, meanwhile it could also be observed at the room temperature under the external electric field. Another case that interests us is that proton transfer bounces back after [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]300 fs from the appearance of proton transfer at low temperatures.
Conformal invariance and the metrication of the fundamental forces
Authors: Mannheim Philip D.
Published: July 2016

We revisit Weyl’s metrication (geometrization) of electromagnetism. We show that by making Weyl’s proposed geometric connection be pure imaginary, not only are we able to metricate electromagnetism, an underlying local conformal invariance makes the geometry be strictly Riemannian and prevents observational gravity from being complex. Via torsion, we achieve an analogous metrication for axial-vector fields. We generalize our procedure to Yang–Mills theories, and achieve a metrication of all the fundamental forces. Only in the gravity sector does our approach differ from the standard picture of fundamental forces, with our approach requiring that standard Einstein gravity be replaced by conformal gravity. We show that quantum conformal gravity is a consistent and unitary quantum gravitational theory, one that, unlike string theory, only requires four spacetime dimensions.
Symmetries of spacetime
Authors: Bojowald Martin
Published: July 2016

The equations of Hamiltonian gravity are often considered ugly cousins of the elegant and manifestly covariant versions found in the Lagrangian theory. However, both formulations are fundamental in their own rights because they make different statements about the nature of spacetime and its symmetries. These implications, along with the history of their derivation and an introduction of recent mathematical support, are the topic of this essay.
Realistic Projection on Casual Dual-Planar Surfaces with Global Illumination Compensation
Authors: Ladha Shamsuddin N. , Smith-Miles Kate , Chandran Sharat
Published: July 2016

Projectors are deployed in increasingly demanding environments. The fidelity of the projected image as seen by a user is compromised when projectors are deployed in dual-planar environments (e.g. corner of a room or an office cubicle), thereby diminishing the richness of the user experience. There are many reasons for this. The focus of this paper is to compensate for the global illumination effects due to inter-reflection of light. In the process we also correct geometry distortion. Our system is built from off-the-shelf components and easily deployable without any elaborated setup. In this paper, we describe two complementary methods to compensate for global illumination effects in dual-planar environments. Our methods are based on the systematic adaptation and interpretation of the classical radiosity equation in the image domain. The technique neither assumes nor computes 3D scene geometry, relying on an implicit inference. The system is calibrated in an off-line mode once; in our first method, corrected images and video are computed in real time, and in our second method, a richer scene is offered with a modest increase in computational time. The corrected images when projected have better contrast and are more appealing to the user.