bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability of automated synovial fluid cell counting with Mindray BC‐6800 body fluid mode
Authors: Buoro S. , Seghezzi M. , Manenti B. , Mecca T. , Candiago E. , Vidali M. , Ottomano C. , Castelli C.C. , Ferrari R. , Zappalà G. , Lippi G.
Published: March 2017

Introduction

The enumeration and differentiation of nuclear elements in synovial fluid is a cornerstone for diagnosis and follow‐up of many orthopedic and rheumatologic diseases. In this study, we evaluated the analytical performance of Mindray BC‐6800 BF mode (BC‐6800‐BF) for synovial fluid analysis.

Methods

Overall, 78 synovial fluids were collected and analyzed with both BC‐6800‐BF and light microscopy. The study also entailed the assessment of limit of blank (LoB), limit of detection (LoD), limit of quantification (LoQ), carryover and linearity.

Results

The LoB for the parameters total cells and white blood cells was 6 × 106 cells/L, and the LoD and LoQ were instead 15 and 16 × 106 cells/L, respectively. Linearity was excellent and carryover was negligible. The agreement between BC‐6800‐BF and light microscopy was satisfactory for all samples pretreated with hyaluronidase, displaying a bias between −5.9% and 8.2%.

Conclusions

The use of BC‐6800‐BF for synovial fluid analysis enables rapid and accurate assessment, especially for total cell and polymorphonuclear counts. The use of BC‐6800‐BF may therefore allow the replacement of optical analysis, especially in samples pretreated with hyaluronidase, thus allowing its routine use for the screening of synovial specimens.
Modeling of process indices of Aloe vera gel extraction machine using artificial neural network
Authors: Dinesh D. T. , Kumar Ananda , Ramchandra C. T. , Hiregoudar Sharanagouda , Nidoni Udaykumar
Published: March 2017

The performance evaluation of Aloe vera gel extraction machine in terms of extraction efficiency, gel recovery, and extraction loss were evaluated at three level of roller speeds (11.40, 15.10, and 18.80 rpm) and roller clearance (4, 5, and 6 mm). The data obtained were used for development of artificial neural network (ANN) model. The roller speed, roller clearance, extraction efficiency, gel recovery, and extraction loss were used as the inputs and the gel extraction efficiency, gel recovery, and extraction loss were the output from the model. New feed forward neural network was used for the model building and trained using Bayesian regularization training algorithm. Optimum ANN architecture was obtained by trial and error method. The results showed that the correlation coefficient for calibration and validation was .9751 and .9982, respectively, the root mean square error for calibration and validations was .4746 and .1258, respectively, and the ANN efficiency for calibration and validation was .9507 and .9964, respectively, were recorded for ANN model 5‐10‐3. Results indicated that ANN can be used efficiently for the modeling of the process indices of the Aloe vera gel extraction machine.

Practical applications

Using a set of experimental data from Aloe vera gel extraction machine artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to evaluate and predict the performance of Aloe vera gel extraction machine in terms of extraction efficiency, gel recovery, and extraction loss. The evaluation of ANN model with test data proved that model has very good accuracy. Using this model one can search for optimum operation conditions of Aloe vera gel extraction machine to maximize the efficiency and gel recovery and minimize the extraction loss.
Association Between Preoperative Malnutrition and Postoperative Delirium After Hip Fracture Surgery in Older Adults
Authors: Mazzola Paolo , Ward Libby , Zazzetta Sara , Broggini Valentina , Anzuini Alessandra , Valcarcel Breanna , Brathwaite Justin S. , Pasinetti Giulio M. , Bellelli Giuseppe , Annoni Giorgio
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To determine whether poor nutritional status can predict postoperative delirium in elderly adults undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Italian orthogeriatric unit.

Participants

Individuals aged 70 and older (mean age 84.0 ± 6.6, 74.5% female) consecutively admitted for surgical repair of a proximal femur fracture between September 2012 and April 2016 (N = 415).

Measurements

Participants underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment including nutritional status, which was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA‐SF). The MNA‐SF‐based three‐class stratification was tested using multivariable logistic regression to assess its role in predicting postoperative delirium (outcome).

Results

Seventy‐eight malnourished individuals (MNA‐SF score 0–7), 185 at risk of malnutrition (MNA‐SF score 8–11), and 152 who were well nourished (MNA‐SF score 12–14) were compared. On average, individuals with poor nutritional status were more disabled and more cognitively impaired than those who were well nourished and those at risk of malnutrition. Moreover, those who were malnourished were more likely to have postoperative delirium. Multivariate regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, functional impairment, preoperative cognitive status, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score showed that those who were at risk of malnutrition (odds ratio (OR) = 2.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.29–4.53) and those who were overtly malnourished (OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.43–6.19) were more likely to develop postoperative delirium.

Conclusion

This is the first study in a Western population showing that risk of malnutrition and overt malnutrition, as assessed using the MNA‐SF, are independent predictors of postoperative delirium. Accordingly, nutritional status should be assessed in individuals with hip fracture before surgery to determine risk of developing delirium.
Decreasing Hospital Length of Stay: Effects on Daily Functioning in Older Adults
Authors: van Vliet Majogé , Huisman Martijn , Deeg Dorly J. H.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To examine the effects of decreasing hospital length of stay (HLOS) on change in functioning from prehospital admission to posthospital discharge in older cohorts.

Design

Cohort‐sequential design.

Setting

Nationwide, older population‐based Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA).

Participants

Individuals aged 68 and older with any hospital admission according to national medical registry data: two 10‐year age groups (68–77 (younger‐old) and 78–87 (older‐old)) in two periods (1996–99 (Period 1) and 2006–09 (Period 2)) (N = 1,212).

Measurements

HLOS was the main independent variable in multinomial logistic models, dichotomized as 1 to 5 days (short) and 6 days or longer (long). Outcomes were change scores in mobility and activities in daily living (ADLs). Respondents who died during the 3‐year period were assigned to a third outcome category.

Results

Results for both age groups showed more hospital admissions and shorter median HLOS in Period 2 than Period 1 (P < .05). Lower odds of decline in physical functioning were found in respondents with short HLOS than in those with long HLOS (for mobility: odds ratio (OR) = 0.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.23–0.54 (younger‐old) and OR = 0.47, 95% CI = 0.30–0.72 (older‐old); for ADLs: OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.19–0.48 (younger‐old) and OR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.18–0.53 (older‐old)). Adjusting for confounders did not significantly change these estimates. Period did not modify these associations.

Conclusion

Because the associations of HLOS with change in mobility and ADLs were the same in both periods, hospitalized older adults had neither advantage nor disadvantage from the decrease in HLOS. In addition, in both age groups, a greater percentage experienced the better functional outcomes and lower mortality associated with short admissions, which suggests an advantage of the decrease in HLOS.
The Frailty Phenotype and Palliative Care Needs of Older Survivors of Critical Illness
Authors: Pollack Lauren R. , Goldstein Nathan E. , Gonzalez Wendy C. , Blinderman Craig D. , Maurer Mathew S. , Lederer David J. , Baldwin Matthew R.
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To assess symptoms in older intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and determine whether post‐ICU frailty identifies those with the greatest palliative care needs.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

Urban tertiary care hospital and community hospital.

Participants

Medical ICU survivors of mechanical ventilation aged 65 and older (N = 125).

Measurements

Baseline measurements of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), categorized as mild (0–3), moderate (4–6), and severe (7–10), and the frailty phenotype were made during the week before hospital discharge. Functional recovery was defined as a return to a Katz activity of daily living dependency count less than or equal to the prehospitalization dependency count within 3 months. In the last 29 participants recruited, we made additional assessments of fatigue and ESAS both at baseline and 1 month after discharge.

Results

Fatigue was the most‐prevalent moderate to severe symptom (74%), followed by dyspnea (53%), drowsiness (50%), poor appetite (47%), pain (45%), depression (42%), anxiety (36%), and nausea (17%). At 1‐month follow‐up, there were no significant differences in the proportions of participants with moderate to severe symptoms. Each increase in baseline ESAS fatigue severity category was associated with 55% lower odds of functional recovery (odds ratio = 0.45, 95% confidence interval = 0.24–0.84), independent of age, sex, comorbidities, and critical illness severity. Frail participants had a higher median baseline total ESAS symptom distress score (34, interquartile range (IQR) 23–44) than nonfrail participants (13, IQR 9–22) (P < .001).

Conclusion

Older ICU survivors have a high burden of palliative care needs that persist 1 month after discharge. Fatigue is the most‐prevalent symptom and may interfere with recovery. Post‐ICU frailty may be a useful trigger for palliative care consultation and a treatment target.
Analyzing Who, When, and Where: Data for Better Targeting of Resources for School‐Based Asthma Interventions
Authors: Raun Loren H. , Campos Laura A. , Stevenson Elizabeth , Ensor Katherine B. , Johnson Gwen , Persse David
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Rates of uncontrolled asthma vary by demographics, space, and time. This article uses data on ambulance‐treated asthma attacks in children to analyze these variations so that school districts can improve their asthma management interventions.

METHODS

Incidence rates of 1826 ambulance‐treated asthma attacks for children aged 5‐18 years were calculated for school zones for elementary, middle, and high schools in the Houston (Texas) Independent School District (HISD). Zones with rates in the upper quartile were identified as the highest rate zones and were compared with other school zones in the district by demographics, location, and timing of attacks.

RESULTS

The ambulance‐treated asthma rate was respectively 5, 3, and 2 times greater in the highest rate school zones compared with all other school zones for those school levels. Ambulance‐treated asthma attacks in the high‐rate school zones occurred most at midday and in the evening and high‐rate zones were often geographically contiguous. Schools in the high‐rate zones had a higher percent of socioeconomically disadvantaged students and were more often without a school nurse.

CONCLUSION

Spatial and temporal analysis of ambulance data can be valuable tools for schools to focus policy and program interventions for the students in need of improved asthma management.
Revising the shock classification of meteorites
Authors: Fritz Jörg , Greshake Ansgar , Fernandes Vera A.
Published: March 2017

The current shock classification scheme of meteorites assigns shock levels of S1 (unshocked) to S6 (very strongly shocked) using shock effects in rock‐forming minerals such as olivine and plagioclase. The S6 stage (55–90 GPa; 850–1750 °C) relies solely on localized effects in or near melt zones, the recrystallization of olivine, or the presence of mafic high‐pressure phases such as ringwoodite. However, high whole rock temperatures and the presence of high‐pressure phases that are unstable at those temperatures and pressures of zero GPa (e.g., ringwoodite) are two criteria that exclude each other. Each type of high‐pressure phase provides a minimum shock pressure during elevated pressure conditions to allow the formation of this phase, and a maximum temperature of the whole rock after decompression to allow the preservation of this phase. Rocks classified as S6 are characterized not by the presence but by the absence of those thermally unstable high‐pressure phases. High‐pressure phases in or attached to shock melt zones form mainly during shock pressure decline. This is because shocked rocks (<60 GPa) experience a shock wave with a broad isobaric pressure plateau only during low velocity (<4.5 km s−1) impacts, which rarely occur on small planetary bodies; e.g., the Moon and asteroids. The mineralogy of shock melt zones provides information on the shape and temporal duration of the shock wave but no information on the general maximum shock pressure in the whole rock.
A Wavelet Support Vector Machine‐Based Neural Network Metamodel for Structural Reliability Assessment
Authors: Dai Hongzhe , Cao Zhenggang
Published: March 2017

Wavelet neural network (WNN) has been widely used in the field of civil engineering. However, WNN can only effectively handle problems of small dimensions as the computational cost for constructing wavelets of large dimensions is prohibitive. To expand the application of WNN to higher dimensions, this article develops a new wavelet support vector machine (SVM)‐based neural network metamodel for reliability analysis. The method first develops an autocorrelation wavelet kernel SVM and then uses a set of wavelet SVMs with different resolution as the activation function of WNN. The output of network is obtained through aggregating outputs of different wavelet SVMs. The method takes advantage of the excellent capacities of SVM to handle high‐dimensional problems and of the attractive properties of wavelet to represent complex functions. Four examples are given to demonstrate the application and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Global biogeography of seed dormancy is determined by seasonality and seed size: a case study in the legumes
Authors: Rubio de Casas Rafael , Willis Charles G. , Pearse William D. , Baskin Carol C. , Baskin Jerry M. , Cavender‐Bares Jeannine
Published: March 2017

Seed dormancy is expected to provide ecological advantages by adjusting germination to the favorable growth period. However, many species produce nondormant seeds, particularly in wet tropical forests, a biogeographic pattern that is not well accounted for in current models.

We hypothesized that the global distribution of dormant seeds derives from their adaptive value in predictably fluctuating (i.e. seasonal) environments. However, the advantage conferred by dormancy might ultimately depend on other seed attributes, particularly size. This general model was tested within a phylogenetically informed framework using a data set comprising > 216 000 world‐wide observations of Fabaceae, spanning three orders of magnitude in seed size and including both dormant and nondormant seeds.

Our results confirmed our hypothesis: nondormant seeds can only evolve in climates with long growing seasons and/or in lineages that produce larger seeds. Conversely, dormancy should be evolutionarily stable in temperate lineages with small seeds. When the favorable season is fleeting, seed dormancy is the only adaptive strategy.

Based on these results, we predict that, within a given lineage, taxa producing larger, nondormant seeds will necessarily predominate in aseasonal environments, while plants bearing small, dormant seeds will be dominant under short growing seasons.
Cutting in the middleman: hidden substrates at the interface between proteases and plant development
Authors: Liu Chen , Moschou Panagiotis N.
Published: March 2017

Contents

Summary
916

I.
Introduction
916

II.
DEK1: towards identification of protease substrates
917

III.
Separases: when proteolytic modules attain nonproteolytic functions
918

IV.
The peculiar case of a nonredundant subtilisin
919

V.
Towards a solution to the protease redundancy problem
920

VI.
Matters arising and closing remarks
921

Acknowledgements
921

References
921

Proteases are integral components of proteome remodelling networks that regulate turnover of proteins and expand their functional diversity. Accumulating evidence highlights the importance of proteases as being central hubs of developmental programs. Yet the molecular pathways that many proteases act on, their natural substrates and their putative nonproteolytic functions remain largely elusive. Here, we discuss recent findings on proteases with functions that converge into plant development regulation, such as DEFECTIVE KERNEL 1 (DEK1), separase and subtilisins, to highlight conspicuous but unexplored aspects of protease biology. We also suggest an exploratory framework for addressing protease functions.
GA as a regulatory link between the showy floral traits color and scent
Authors: Ravid Jasmin , Spitzer‐Rimon Ben , Takebayashi Yumiko , Seo Mitsunori , Cna'ani Alon , Aravena‐Calvo Javiera , Masci Tania , Farhi Moran , Vainstein Alexander
Published: March 2017

Emission of volatiles at advanced stages of flower development is a strategy used by plants to lure pollinators to the flower. We reveal that GA negatively regulates floral scent production in petunia.

We used Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression of GA‐20ox in petunia flowers and a virus‐induced gene silencing approach to knock down DELLA expression, measured volatile emission, internal pool sizes and GA levels by GC‐MS or LC–MS/MS, and analyzed transcript levels of scent‐related phenylpropanoid‐pathway genes.

We show that GA has a negative effect on the concentrations of accumulated and emitted phenylpropanoid volatiles in petunia flowers; this effect is exerted through transcriptional/post‐transcriptional downregulation of regulatory and biosynthetic scent‐related genes. Both overexpression of GA20‐ox, a GA‐biosynthesis gene, and suppression of DELLA, a repressor of GA‐signal transduction, corroborated GA's negative regulation of floral scent.

We present a model in which GA‐dependent timing of the sequential activation of different branches of the phenylpropanoid pathway during flower development may represent a link between the showy traits controlling pollinator attraction, namely color and scent.
Electrical Storm in ICD Recipients with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy
Authors: YIN KANG , DING LIGANG , HUA WEI , ZHANG SHU
Published: March 2017

Background

Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the most important management for prevention of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). However, some patients may receive multiple ICD therapies in a short period, a condition referred as “electrical storm” (ES).

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the prevalence, therapeutic options, and prognostic implications of ES in ARVC patients with an ICD.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the baseline and follow‐up data of 39 ARVC patients with an ICD. ES was defined as three or more separated episodes of ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation (VT/VF) within a 24‐hour period.

Results

During a median follow‐up of 49 months (range 6–225), 12 of 39 (31%) patients suffered at least one episode of ES. The interval between the first ES and the initial ICD implantation ranged from 1 month to 109 months, and ES was the first ICD discharge in three patients. The median number of VT/VF events per ES was four (range 3–39). Five patients experienced 20 episodes of ES that were treated by antitachycardia pacing only, while the other seven patients suffered shock therapies during ES. In three patients, ES required emergency hospitalization, and the repeatedly occurred VT/VF was finally subsided by intravenous amiodarone. There was no significant difference in actual survival between patients with and without such an event.

Conclusions

ES is not rare in ARVC patients with an ICD for prevention of SCD, but it does not independently confer increased mortality. Intravenous amiodarone is effective in management of ES when VT/VF repeatedly occurred.
Quantum gravity and the nature of space and time
Authors: Matsubara Keizo
Published: March 2017

This is a nontechnical overview of how various approaches to quantum gravity suggest modifications to the way we conceptualize space and time. A theory of quantum gravity is needed to reconcile quantum physics with general relativity, our best theory for gravity. The most popular approaches to quantum gravity are string theory and loop quantum gravity. So far, no approach has been empirically successful, and there is no commonly accepted theory. Thus, the conclusions presented here are tentative. Many approaches suggest that space and time—or perhaps, it is better to talk about spacetime—might not be fundamental. Various views on how to think about time in quantum gravity are briefly presented.
Explanations of the gender gap in philosophy
Authors: Thompson Morgan
Published: March 2017

Recently, researchers have begun to empirically investigate the gender gap in philosophy and provide potential explanations for the underrepresentation of women in philosophy relative to their representation in other disciplines. This empirical research as well as research on the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields has shed light on a priori, armchair explanations of the gender gap. For example, implicit bias and stereotype threat may contribute much less to the philosophy gender gap than previously thought. However, new candidate contributing factors have emerged. Drawing on the theoretical resources concerning fixed mindsets in response to difficult tasks, a new theory suggests that practitioners in various fields, including philosophy, hold the belief that success in their fields requires natural brilliance (a brilliance‐based field‐specific ability belief). Further, the extent to which members of a field hold that belief predicts the diversity of the members of that field. Initial findings suggest that among the set of students who hold these beliefs, women are disproportionately disinterested in continuing in philosophy. Other hypotheses seem plausible, such as the idea that lay people hold gendered schemas about philosophy, but require more empirical support to be partial explanations. Future empirical research should focus on these plausible hypotheses, replications of previous findings, and investigating the effects of intersectionality within the gender gap.
Thomas Reid on Signs and Language
Authors: Powell Lewis
Published: March 2017

Thomas Reid's philosophy of mind, epistemology, and philosophy of language all rely on his account of signs and signification. On Reid's view, some entities play a role of indicating other entities to our minds. In some cases, our sensitivity to this indication is learned through experience, whereas in others, the sensitivity is built in to our natural constitutions. Unlike representation, which was presumed to depend on resemblances and necessary connections, signification is the sort of relationship that can occur without any intrinsic ties between the sign and the thing signified. Of particular interest is the priority Reid gives to natural signs (in contrast with artificial signs, that is, those signs instituted by humans). Reid deploys his robust account of natural signs in a way that allows him to sidestep some skeptical worries common in the early modern period, as well as in grounding “artificial” human languages like English or Cantonese on a more basic human capacity for communication, that is, itself, the result of our sensitivity to natural signs of other people's minds.
Domain-Selective Functional Analysis of Variance for Supervised Statistical Profile Monitoring of Signal Data
Authors: Pini Alessia , Vantini Simone , Colosimo Bianca Maria , Grasso Marco
Published: March 2017

In many applications, process monitoring has to deal with functional responses, which are also known as profile data. In these scenarios, a relevant industrial problem consists of detecting faults by combining supervised learning with functional data analysis and statistical process monitoring. Supervised learning is usually applied to the whole signal domain, with the aim of discovering the features that are affected by the faults of interest. We explore a different perspective, which consists of performing supervised learning to select inferentially the parts of the signal data that are more informative in terms of underlying fault factors. The procedure is based on a non-parametric domain-selective functional analysis of variance and allows us to identify the specific subintervals where the profile is sensitive to process changes. Benefits achieved by coupling the proposed approach with profile monitoring are highlighted by using a simulation study. We show how applying profile monitoring only to the identified subintervals can reduce the time to detect the out-of-control state of the process. To illustrate its potential in industrial applications, the procedure is applied to remote laser welding, where the main aim is monitoring the gap between the welded plates through the observation of the emission spectra of the welded material.
Follow‐up with Callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Evaluation of Callers’ Perceptions of Care
Authors: Gould Madelyn S. , Lake Alison M. , Galfalvy Hanga , Kleinman Marjorie , Munfakh Jimmie Lou , Wright James , McKeon Richard
Published: March 2017

Continuity of care for suicidal individuals engaged with a variety of health and mental health care systems has become a national priority, and crisis hotlines are increasingly playing a part in the risk management and continuum of care for these individuals. The current study evaluated a national initiative to have crisis centers in the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline network provide follow‐up care to suicidal callers. Data were obtained from 550 callers followed by 41 crisis counselors from 6 centers. Two main data sources provided the information for the current study: a self‐report counselor questionnaire on the follow‐up activities completed on each clinical follow‐up call and a telephone interview with follow‐up clients, providing data on their perceptions of the follow‐up intervention's effectiveness. The majority of interviewed follow‐up clients reported that the intervention stopped them from killing themselves (79.6%) and kept them safe (90.6%). Counselor activities, such as discussing distractors, social contacts to call for help, and reasons for dying, and individual factors, such as baseline suicide risk, were associated with callers’ perceptions of the impact of the intervention on their suicide risk. Our findings provide evidence that follow‐up calls to suicidal individuals can reduce the perceived risk of future suicidal behavior.
Suicidal Ideation, Depressive Symptomatology, and Self‐Concept: A Comparison Between Mexican Institutionalized and Noninstitutionalized Children
Authors: Chavez‐Hernandez Ana‐Maria , Correa‐Romero Fredi‐Everardo , Acosta‐Rojas Irma‐Beatriz , Cardoso‐Espindola Karen‐Viviana , Padilla‐Gallegos Gustavo M. , Valadez‐Figueroa Isabel
Published: March 2017

Previous research reports a significant prevalence of child depression worldwide and self‐concept as a predictor of depression and suicide behavior. Although suicide in children is an increasing problem in Mexico, there are scarce studies reporting risk factors and none of children in foster care institutions. This was a comparative, ex post facto study whose aim was to analyze associations between suicidal ideation, depression, and self‐concept in two paired samples of Mexican children (83 institutionalized and 83 noninstitutionalized). Results show 16% of the children reported suicidal ideation and statistically significant differences among variables in both samples. Suggestions are made to address this problem from early ages.
Antibodies to biotinylated red blood cells in adults and infants: improved detection, partial characterization, and dependence on red blood cell‐biotin dose
Authors: Schmidt Robert L. , Mock Donald M. , Franco Robert S. , Cohen Robert M. , North Anne K. , Cancelas José A. , Geisen Christof , Strauss Ronald G. , Vlaar Alexander P. , Nalbant Demet , Widness John A.
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Biotin‐labeled red blood cells (BioRBCs) are used for in vivo kinetic studies. Because BioRBC dosing occasionally induces antibodies, a sensitive and specific anti‐BioRBC detection assay is needed.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Aims were to 1) develop a gel card assay to evaluate existing, naturally occurring and BioRBC‐induced plasma antibodies, 2) compare gel card and tube agglutination detection results, and 3) test for a relationship of antibody induction and BioRBC dose. Reagent BioRBCs were prepared using sulfo‐NHS biotin ranging from densities 18 (BioRBC‐18) to 1458 (BioRBC‐1458) µg/mL RBCs.

RESULTS

Among BioRBC‐exposed subjects, gel card and tube agglutination results were concordant in 21 of 22 adults and all 19 infant plasma samples. Gel card antibody detection sensitivity was more than 10‐fold greater than tube agglutination. Twelve to 16 weeks after BioRBC exposure, induced anti‐antibodies were detected by gel card in three of 26 adults (12%) at reagent densities BioRBC‐256 or less, but in none of 41 infants. Importantly, induced anti‐BioRBC antibodies were associated with higher BioRBC dose (p = 0.008); no antibodies were detected in 18 subjects who received BioRBC doses less than or equal to BioRBC‐18. For noninduced BioRBC antibodies, six of 1125 naïve adults (0.3%) and none of 46 naïve infants demonstrated existing anti‐BioRBC antibodies using reagent BioRBC‐140 or ‐162. Existing anti‐BioRBCs were all neutralized by biotin compounds, while induced antibodies were not.

CONCLUSIONS

The gel card assay is more sensitive than the tube agglutination assay. We recommend reagent BioRBC‐256 for identifying anti‐BioRBCs. Use of a low total RBC biotin label dose (≤ BioRBC‐18) may minimize antibody induction.
Growth and photosynthetic responses of invasive Bidens frondosa to light and water availability: A comparison with invasive and native congeners
Authors: Pan Yumei , Tang Saichun , Wei Chunqiang , Li Xiangqin
Published: March 2017

Bidens frondosa is a new invasive species in China. However, the mechanisms underlying its invasiveness are still not understood. This study compared the new invader with its invasive congener, Bidens pilosa, and two native congeners, Bidens biternata and Bidens tripartita, in terms of their morphology, growth, biomass allocation and photosynthetic parameters across variant light and water conditions, aiming to explore the traits that are associated with the invasiveness of the invasive species. All these species are annual herbs. The results showed that the four congeners had a similar tendency of plasticity in their morphological and growth traits to varying light and water, but their response was quantitatively different. Most of the morphological and growing variables, as well as the photosynthetic parameters, were affected more strongly by manipulated light levels. Although B. frondosa had a lower total biomass and relative growth rate than the invasive congener, B. pilosa, the trait values related to growth (e.g. plant height, total biomass, relative growth rate and specific leaf area) and the mean value of the plasticity index were higher for the invasive B. frondosa than for the native B. tripartita. These could contribute to the invasiveness of the invasive species. In addition, the native species, B. biternata, is a vigorous weed with a strong adaptive capacity across various light and water gradients, suggesting that it has the potential to be invasive if introduced into areas with suitable conditions for growth.
Testing of microencapsulated porcine hepatocytes in a new model of fulminant liver failure in baboons
Authors: Machaidze Zurab , Yeh Heidi , Wei Lingling , Schuetz Christian , Carvello Michele , Sgroi Antonino , Smith Rex N. , Schuurman Henk‐Jan , Sachs David H. , Morel Philippe , Markmann James F. , Bühler Léo H.
Published: March 2017

Background

There is no standard therapy for acute liver failure. Hepatocyte transplantation has been proposed for temporary liver function support, while the injured liver regenerates or while waiting for transplantation. We have previously shown such efficacy for microencapsulated porcine hepatocytes in mice with fulminant liver failure. We aimed to establish a large animal model for fulminant liver failure to assess the efficacy of microencapsulated porcine hepatocytes in temporary liver function support.

Methods

The model was developed in baboons; for testing microencapsulated hepatocytes, the best condition was 75% hepatectomy and 60 min warm ischemia time. Fulminant liver failure was characterized by steep increases in liver biochemical parameters, severe steatosis, and massive hepatocyte necrosis during the first 10 days. Hepatocytes from miniature swine were microencapsulated in alginate‐poly‐l‐lysine microspheres, and transplanted intraperitoneally immediately after hepatectomy and warm ischemia (80‐120 mL packed hepatocytes in 200‐350 mL microspheres, about 30%‐50% of the baboon's native liver volume).

Results

In the control group, three of five animals were sacrificed after 6‐10 days because of fulminant liver failure, and two of five animals recovered normal liver function and survived until elective euthanasia (28 days). In the treatment group of four animals, one animal developed liver failure but survived to 21 days, and three animals recovered completely with normal liver function.

Conclusions

The results indicate that microencapsulated porcine hepatocytes provide temporary liver function support in baboons with fulminant liver failure. These data support development of this cell therapy product toward clinical trials in patients with acute liver failure.
RETROSPECTIVA CONSTRUCTIVA E HISTÓRICA DEL PANÓPTICO DE IBAGUÉ, COLOMBIA
Authors: Cifuentes Segovia Mario Fernando
Published: March 2017

La ciudad de Ibagué, antiguamente llamada “Villa de San Bonifacio de Ibagué del Valle de las Lanzas”, fue fundada en 1550 por el adelantado conquistador español Don Andrés López de Galarza, quien erige una población en medio de una boscosa región infestada de nativos Pijaos que la atacaron varias veces, razón por la cual pierde el oncepto colonial y solo hasta 1800 retoma el carácter de población. Fue declarada ciudad republicana por excelencia hacia 1850. A finales de esta década aparece el impresionante edificio Panóptico de Ibagué, reconocida construcción de planta en cruz griega, concebida en estilo neorrománico, de estructura muraria en cal y canto y complejas piezas de cerchas rey en su cubierta. Esta edificación creada por William Blackwel bajo la administración de Manuel Casabianca, estuvo destinada a albergar reclusos e internos desde 1892, uso que se extendió hasta 2003. Su intervención y restauración se inició en 2006 y hoy aún está sin finalizar. Por su carácter monumental y lenguaje propio es una de las edificaciones patrimoniales más importantes no solo de los ámbitos municipal y regional sino también en los niveles nacional y continental.
Understanding of a new approach for silicon nitride spacer etching using gaseous hydrofluoric acid after hydrogen ion implantation
Authors: Ah-Leung Vincent , Pollet Olivier , Possémé Nicolas , Garcia Barros Maxime , Rochat Névine , Guedj Cyril , Audoit Guillaume , Barnola Sébastien
Published: March 2017

Silicon nitride spacer etching is one of the most critical step for the fabrication of CMOS transistors in microelectronics. It is usually done by plasma etching using a fluorocarbon based chemistry. However, from the 14 nm technology node and beyond, this etching process no longer allows the etch specifications to be reached (nonformation of a foot, poor critical dimension control below 1 nm). To overcome this issue, a new process was developed. It consists of two steps: in a first step, the silicon nitride film is modified by light ion implantation (hydrogen), and then followed by a removal step of this modified film by hydrofluoric acid (HF). In this paper, the authors propose to remove the implanted/modified silicon nitride using gaseous HF and understand the associated etching mechanisms using infrared spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy at different stages of the process sequence (after implantation/modification, gaseous HF process, and post-treatment).
Dicarboxylic acids analysed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Part II - butanedioic acid anhydrous
Authors: Ferreira, José M. , Trindade Gustavo F. , Tshulu Rene , Watts John F. , Baker Mark A.
Published: March 2017

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) was carried out to analyse a commercially available butanenedioic acid (succinic acid)powder.XPS spectra were obtained using incident monochromatic Al Kα radiation at 1486.6 eV. A survey spectrum together with O 1s and C 1s core level spectra are presented. The presence of characteristic carbon and oxygen photoelectrons peaks allows the use these results as a reference for dicarboxylic acids.
Perceptual aspects of reproduced sound in car cabin acoustics
Authors: Kaplanis Neofytos , Bech Søren , Tervo Sakari , Pätynen Jukka , Lokki Tapio , van Waterschoot Toon , Jensen Søren Holdt
Published: March 2017

An experiment was conducted to determine the perceptual effects of car cabin acoustics on the reproduced sound field. In-car measurements were conducted whilst the cabin's interior was physically modified. The captured sound fields were recreated in the laboratory using a three-dimensional loudspeaker array. A panel of expert assessors followed a rapid sensory analysis protocol, the flash profile, to perceptually characterize and evaluate 12 acoustical conditions of the car cabin using individually elicited attributes. A multivariate analysis revealed the panel's consensus and the identified perceptual constructs. Six perceptual constructs characterize the differences between the acoustical conditions of the cabin, related to bass, ambience, transparency, width and envelopment, brightness, and image focus. The current results indicate the importance of several acoustical properties of a car's interior on the perceived sound qualities. Moreover, they signify the capacity of the applied methodology in assessing spectral and spatial properties of automotive environments in laboratory settings using a time-efficient and flexible protocol.
Influence of geometric and material characteristics on the behavior of reinforced concrete beam-column connections
Authors: Vandana R.K. , Bindhu K.R.
Published: March 2017

The design of reinforced concrete moment-resisting frames and hence beam-column connections is of great importance in earthquake prone areas. Beam-column joints, which should be sufficiently strong to resist and sustain lateral loads, are designed on the basis of the strong-column weak-beam concept so that they undergo ductile failure. The present study describes the cyclic loading performance of six interior beam-column connection specimens designed to be seismic-resistant with varying aspect ratios, concrete compressive strengths, and beam bar yield strengths. Results indicate that joint ductility and energy dissipation capacity can be enhanced by maintaining a unit aspect ratio. Moreover, joint shear strength can be improved significantly by increasing concrete compressive strength. Beam bar yield strength is observed to influence joint ductility considerably.
Laboratory characterization of reclaimed asphalt pavement for road construction in Egypt
Authors: Mousa E. , Azam A. , El-Shabrawy M. , El-Badawy S.M.
Published: March 2017

This paper presents the engineering characteristics of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), blended with virgin aggregate for unbound base and subbase layers. The proportions of RAP were 0%, 20%, 60%, 80%, and 100% by total mass of the blend. The experimental laboratory testing included index properties such as gradation, modified Proctor compaction, California Bearing Ratio, and hydraulic conductivity. Repeated load resilient modulus testing was conducted on the blends. The impact of load duration on resilient modulus was also investigated. A strong inverse trend was found between resilient modulus and California Bearing Ratio. An accurate model was proposed for the prediction of the resilient modulus as a function of stress state and reclaimed asphalt pavement percentage with coefficient of determination of 0.94. Finally, multilayer elastic analysis of typical pavement sections with the base layer constructed of virgin aggregate and reclaimed asphalt pavement blends showed good performance.
From source to filter: changes in bacterial community composition during potable water treatment
Authors: Zanacic Enisa , McMartin Dena W. , Stavrinides John
Published: March 2017

Rural communities rely on surface water reservoirs for potable water. Effective removal of chemical contaminants and bacterial pathogens from these reservoirs requires an understanding of the bacterial community diversity that is present. In this study, we carried out a 16S rRNA-based profiling approach to describe the bacterial consortia in the raw surface water entering the water treatment plants of 2 rural communities. Our results show that source water is dominated by the Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria, with some evidence of seasonal effects altering the predominant groups at each location. A subsequent community analysis of transects of a biological carbon filter in the water treatment plant revealed a significant increase in the proportion of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Planctomycetes, and Nitrospirae relative to raw water. Also, very few enteric coliforms were identified in either the source water or within the filter, although Mycobacterium was of high abundance and was found throughout the filter along with Aeromonas, Legionella, and Pseudomonas. This study provides valuable insight into bacterial community composition within drinking water treatment facilities, and the importance of implementing appropriate disinfection practices to ensure safe potable water for rural communities.
WildPeromyscusadjust maternal nest-building behaviour in response to ambient temperature
Authors: Stewart F.E.C. , McAdam A.G.
Published: March 2017

The heat dissipation limit (HDL) hypothesis suggests that energy output during lactation in mammals might be constrained by their ability to dissipate heat. This hypothesis predicts that wild mammals ought to adjust nest insulation in response to heat load, but these predictions have rarely been tested in wild mammals. Here we developed a simple score of nest-building for wild deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus (Wagner, 1845)) on an ordinal scale from 0 to 4, based on three qualitative and easy to observe aspects of nest-building behaviour: bedding quality, nest shape, and mouse visibility. We used this measure to track 472 nest-building observations across 14 wild P. maniculatus that were brought into captivity and housed under pseudoambient temperatures across one reproductive event. Our observations of nest-building behaviour of the genus Peromyscus Gloger, 1841 provide varying support for the HDL hypothesis; there is a negative effect of ambient temperature on nest-building behaviour and lactating females became more sensitive to temperature as days post partum increased. However, females generally build more elaborate nests in lactation than other reproductive states and there are no effects of litter size, total pup mass, or days post partum on nest scores during lactation. Our observations have broad implications for quantifying behaviours in nest-building species and metabolic relationships in wild mammals.
Stability, diffusion and interactions of nonlinear excitations in a many body system
Authors: Coste Christophe , Jean Michel Saint , Dessup Tommy
Published: March 2017

When repelling particles are confined in a quasi-one-dimensional trap by a transverse potential, a configurational phase transition happens. All particles are aligned along the trap axis at large confinement, but below a critical transverse confinement they adopt a staggered row configuration (zigzag phase). This zigzag transition is a subcritical pitchfork bifurcation in extended systems and in systems with cyclic boundary conditions in the longitudinal direction. Among many evidences, phase coexistence is exhibited by localized nonlinear patterns made of a zigzag phase embedded in otherwise aligned particles. We give the normal form at the bifurcation and we show that these patterns can be described as solitary wave envelopes that we call bubbles. They are stable in a large temperature range and can diffuse as quasi-particles, with a diffusion coefficient that may be deduced from the normal form. The potential energy of a bubble is found to be lower than that of the homogeneous bifurcated phase, which explains their stability. We observe also metastable states, that are pairs of solitary wave envelopes which spontaneously evolve toward a stable single bubble. We evidence a strong effect of the discreteness of the underlying particles system and introduce the concept of topological frustration of a bubble pair. A configuration is frustrated when the particles between the two bubbles are not organized in a modulated staggered row. For a nonfrustrated (NF) bubble pair configuration, the bubbles interaction is attractive so that the bubbles come closer and eventually merge as a single bubble. In contrast, the bubbles interaction is found to be repulsive for a frustrated (F) configuration. We describe a model of interacting solitary wave that provides all qualitative characteristics of the interaction force: it is attractive for NF-systems, repulsive for F-systems, and decreases exponentially with the bubbles distance.
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF THE OPTIMAL STRATEGY UNDER PARTIAL INFORMATION
Authors: BEL HADJ AYED AHMED , LOEPER GRÉGOIRE , EL AOUD SOFIENE , ABERGEL FRÉDÉRIC
Published: March 2017

The question addressed in this paper is the performance of the optimal strategy, and the impact of partial information. The setting we consider is that of a stochastic asset price model where the trend follows an unobservable Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process. We focus on the optimal strategy with a logarithmic utility function under full or partial information. For both cases, we provide the asymptotic expectation and variance of the logarithmic return as functions of the signal-to-noise ratio and of the trend mean reversion speed. Finally, we compare the asymptotic Sharpe ratios of these strategies in order to quantify the loss of performance due to partial information.