bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kafka interfaces for composable streaming genomics pipelines
Authors: Versaci Francesco , Pireddu Luca , Zanetti Gianluigi
Published: August 2017

Modern sequencing machines produce order of a terabyte of data per day, which need subsequently to go through a complex processing pipeline. The standard workflow begins with a few independent, shared-memory tools, which communicate by means of intermediate files. Given the constant increase of the amount of data produced, this approach is proving more and more unmanageable, due to its lack of robustness and scalability.

In this work we propose the adoption of stream computing to simplify the genomic pipeline, boost its performance and improve its fault-tolerance. We decompose the first steps of the genomic processing in two distinct and specialized modules (preprocessing and alignment) and we loosely compose them via communication through Kafka streams, in order to allow for easy composability and integration in the already existing Hadoop-based pipelines. The proposed solution is then experimentally validated on real data and shown to scale almost linearly.
Functional characterization of 3D-protein structures informed by human genetic diversity
Authors: Hicks Michael , Bartha Istvan , Iulio Julia di , Abagyan Ruben , Craig Venter J. , Telenti Amalio
Published: August 2017

Sequence variation data of the human proteome can be used to analyze 3-dimensional (3D) protein structures to derive functional insights. We used genetic variant data from nearly 150,000 individuals to analyze 3D positional conservation in 4,390 protein structures using 481,708 missense and 264,257 synonymous variants. Sixty percent of protein structures harbor at least one intolerant 3D site as defined by significant depletion of observed over expected missense variation. We established an Angstrom-scale distribution of annotated pathogenic missense variants and showed that they accumulate in proximity to the most intolerant 3D sites. Structural intolerance data correlated with experimental functional read-outsin vitro. The 3D structural intolerance analysis revealed characteristic features of ligand binding pockets, orthosteric and allosteric sites. The identification of novel functional 3D sites based on human genetic data helps to validate, rank or predict drug target binding sitesin vivo.
Effects of some design parameters on bifurcation behavior of a magnetically supported coaxial rotor in auxiliary bearings
Authors: Ebrahimi Reza , Ghayour Mostafa , Mohammad Khanlo Heshmatallah
Published: August 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present bifurcation analysis of a magnetically supported coaxial rotor model in auxiliary bearings, which includes gyroscopic moments of disks and geometric coupling of the magnetic actuators.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten nonlinear equations of motion were solved using the Runge–Kutta method. The vibration responses were analyzed using dynamic trajectories, power spectra, Poincaré maps, bifurcation diagrams and the maximum Lyapunov exponent. The analysis was carried out for different system parameters, namely, the inner shaft stiffness, inter-rotor bearing stiffness, auxiliary bearing stiffness and disk position.

Findings

It was shown that dynamics of the system could be significantly affected by varying these parameters, so that the system responses displayed a rich variety of nonlinear dynamical phenomena, including quasi-periodicity, chaos and jump. Next, some threshold values were provided with regard to the design of appropriate parameters for this system. Therefore, the proposed work can provide an effective means of gaining insights into the nonlinear dynamics of coaxial rotor–active magnetic bearing systems with auxiliary bearings in the future.

Originality/value

This paper considered the influences of the inner shaft stiffness, inter-rotor bearing stiffness, auxiliary bearing stiffness and disk position on the bifurcation behavior of a magnetically supported coaxial rotor system in auxiliary bearings.
How buyer roles and critical times affect buyer-supplier exchange episodes
Authors: Newell William James
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is threefold: first, to examine how buyer-supplier episodes are characterised by their dimensions of time and social space, and how these dimensions interact to impact the criticality of an episode; second, to explore how time and social space create patterns of episodes that lead to buyer-supplier relationship change and continuity; and third, to examine the social space by the different roles that the buyer assumes among their episodes, while focusing on the concept of critical time to denote the temporal context.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study of a small retailer and five suppliers is employed. The primary data are e-mail communications between the buying and selling firms, along with a two-week field study at the retailer’s location. A total of 2,000 e-mails are coded to yield 75 episodes for the analysis.

Findings

The criticality of episodes differs depending on the role that the buyer assumes, and whether the episode occurs within a critical time period. The social space affects the type of criticality, while critical times enhance an episode’s criticality. This study outlines five different patterns of episodes occurring within critical times and across social spaces that characterise each of the buyer-supplier relationships.

Research limitations/implications

This paper focuses on e-mail communication, with little data on interactions occurring outside of this medium.

Originality/value

To the researcher’s knowledge, this paper is the first to link specific patterns of episode characteristics to the concept of buyer roles. It also examines episodes using e-mail communication, which is not a common source within the IMP research stream.
A new health and social care context in Wales
Authors: Greenwell Stewart , Antebi Daniel
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 provide a direction of travel for all public services in Wales and a framework for delivering the aspirations in the legislation. Although specifically referring to social care, both pieces of legislation are as relevant to the NHS as they are to other public bodies, providing an opportunity for NHS Wales and local government, in particular, to be equal partners in making a difference to the people and communities they serve. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

A viewpoint paper.

Findings

In Wales the time is right to do things differently in health and social care, so the authors will reflect on why current services are struggling and propose an approach that is rooted in communities rather than in specialities. The authors suggest developing a centre of gravity in the community through a multi-agency collaboration to achieve the greatest health, social care and economic impact.

Originality/value

Attention needs to be directed to supporting people, communities and frontline workers to become more resilient, rather than our current focus on specialist services.
Joining up dementia: not as easy as it sounds
Authors: Manthorpe Jill , Iliffe Steve
Published: August 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the different meanings of integration as expressed in dementia care practice and service organisation in England. Dementia is frequently complicated by concurrent illnesses or long-term conditions at the end of life.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a policy discussion.

Findings

The paper describes three forms of integration: linkage, co-ordination of care, and full integration. Each form or level is related to dementia as a progressive neurological disorder with multiple symptoms, which also overlaps with other long-term conditions, making each individual’s dementia unique. Linkage means being able to identify appropriate resources to meet the needs of the individual and their family. Co-ordination usually means multi-disciplinary working at least with general practice and often wider practitioner input. Full integration is best expressed by the work of care homes, which co-ordinate care and often draws on diverse funding streams.

Practical implications

Greater specificity of the meaning of integration may be helpful to policy makers and practitioners. The care and treatment of people with dementia may be optimised if practitioners think about work styles and engagement with other sectors, agencies and professionals rather than pursuing all-encompassing organisational integration. Care homes may have much to teach other practice settings about full integration.

Originality/value

Integration is often seen uncritically as the solution to all problems; this paper explores the varieties of integration and explores their implications for practitioners and policy makers supporting people with dementia and their carers.
Resection accuracy of patient‐specific cutting guides in total knee replacement
Authors: Wernecke Gregory C. , Taylor Scott , Wernecke Penny , MacDessi Samuel J. , Chen Darren B.
Published: August 2017

Background

Patient‐specific guides (PSGs) have been thoroughly investigated with regards to reconstitution of mechanical alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The ability to replicate the preoperative surgical plan is essential for optimal outcomes but intraoperative measurements to confirm accurate progression through the operation are limited. This leads to our clinical question: can PSGs replicate the planned bone resection depth during TKA?

Methods

This is a prospective case series of 118 patients who underwent TKA using magnetic resonance imaging‐based patient‐specific cutting guides. Intraoperative bone resection thickness was measured and compared with the preoperative planned bone resections as a primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included the need for additional bone resections, the number of cases for which the PSG technique was abandoned, final component sizes and mechanical alignment.

Results

PSGs could not accurately recreate preoperative plan. PSGs resulted in over‐resection in all bone cuts compared with the preoperative surgical resection plan. Secondary osteotomies were required in 37% of patients. PSGs had to be abandoned in 10.5% of cases, mostly due to suboptimal fit of the femoral block. The tibial component size was altered more frequently than the femoral.

Conclusion

Intraoperatively, PSGs could not accurately recreate the preoperative plan. PSGs are marketed as user‐friendly tools to simplify TKA but our research demonstrates the need for surgeons to monitor surgical progression and compensate for errors occurring during the use of PSGs.
Hemodynamic Evaluation of a Biological and Mechanical Aortic Valve Prosthesis Using Patient‐Specific MRI‐Based CFD
Authors: Hellmeier Florian , Nordmeyer Sarah , Yevtushenko Pavlo , Bruening Jan , Berger Felix , Kuehne Titus , Goubergrits Leonid , Kelm Marcus
Published: August 2017

Modeling different treatment options before a procedure is performed is a promising approach for surgical decision making and patient care in heart valve disease. This study investigated the hemodynamic impact of different prostheses through patient‐specific MRI‐based CFD simulations. Ten time‐resolved MRI data sets with and without velocity encoding were obtained to reconstruct the aorta and set hemodynamic boundary conditions for simulations. Aortic hemodynamics after virtual valve replacement with a biological and mechanical valve prosthesis were investigated. Wall shear stress (WSS), secondary flow degree (SFD), transvalvular pressure drop (TPD), turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), and normalized flow displacement (NFD) were evaluated to characterize valve‐induced hemodynamics. The biological prostheses induced significantly higher WSS (medians: 9.3 vs. 8.6 Pa, P = 0.027) and SFD (means: 0.78 vs. 0.49, P = 0.002) in the ascending aorta, TPD (medians: 11.4 vs. 2.7 mm Hg, P = 0.002), TKE (means: 400 vs. 283 cm2/s2, P = 0.037), and NFD (means: 0.0994 vs. 0.0607, P = 0.020) than the mechanical prostheses. The differences between the prosthesis types showed great inter‐patient variability, however. Given this variability, a patient‐specific evaluation is warranted. In conclusion, MRI‐based CFD offers an opportunity to assess the interactions between prosthesis and patient‐specific boundary conditions, which may help in optimizing surgical decision making and providing additional guidance to clinicians.
A Novel Three‐Compartmental Model for Artificial Pancreas: Development and Validation
Authors: Piemonte Vincenzo , Capocelli Mauro , De Santis Luca , Maurizi Anna Rita , Pozzilli Paolo
Published: August 2017

Closed‐loop insulin delivery system, also known as artificial pancreas (AP), provides the blood glucose control in diabetic patients, enabling the automatic blood‐sugar management and reducing the risks and improving the lives of people with diabetes. A new three‐compartmental model of glucose‐insulin interaction for AP is presented and tested in this paper. The glucose and insulin “spaces” are split into a plasma compartment and interstitial fluids compartment, respectively. The model includes an additional subcutaneous compartment and provides three explicit delays and three parameters influencing the regulatory system and correlating with the physiopathology of the patients. Two delays are related with hepatic glucose production and insulin secretion; the third delay represents the lag time in the absorption of exogenous insulin in subcutaneous tissue. The parameters regulate the system dynamics acting on the glucose utilization and the insulin secretion. The clinical data (including information on food ingestion and exogenous insulin injection) from five case studies of Type 1 diabetics are presented and used to validate the mathematical model. After training the parameters for each case study, the model well simulates the glucose level during a 4‐day test. The estimated values are physiologically meaningful and provide a further insight on the subject's dysfunctions and on the state of the disease. The results have been also compared with a parallel simulation carried out by implementing a previous two‐compartmental model. The proposed algorithm produces a lower sum of the squared error between the simulated and the measured glucose concentrations over time.
TBT and SPS impacts on Korean exports to China: empirical analysis using the PPML method
Authors: Wood Jacob , Wu Jie , Li Yilin , Kim Jungsuk
Published: August 2017

Since diplomatic relations were established between China and Korea, the two countries have expanded their relationships, especially in trading commodities and services. However, in recent years, as tariff levels have fallen, China has sought to implement other protectionist mechanisms. The use of non‐tariff measures has added another dimension to international trade activities that need to be better understood. The paper analyses the impacts that two forms of non‐tariff measures, technical barriers to trade (TBT) and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, have on Korean exports to China. To measure the impacts, we use an adapted version of the gravity model and the Poisson pseudo‐maximum likelihood method. The results show that Chinese sanitary and phytosanitary measures, estimated using both the coverage ratio and the frequency index, have positive correlations with Korean agricultural exports; however, Chinese TBT measures, when estimated by the coverage ratio, were found to depress Korean manufacturing exports and exports as a whole. However, using the frequency index, Chinese TBT measures were found to have a statistically insignificant negative impact on Korean exports to China.
Effects of different additives on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of Leymus chinensis silage
Authors: Zhang Q. , Yu Z. , Na R. S.
Published: August 2017

This study investigated the effects of different additives on fermentation quality and aerobic stability of Leymus chinensis silage. Treatments included (i) no additive, (ii) 3 mL kg−1 formic acid (FA), (iii) 6 mL kg−1 FA, (iv) 5 mL kg−1 acetic acid (AA), (v) 10 mL kg−1 AA, (vi) 2 mL kg−1 propionic acid (PA), (vii) 4 mL kg−1 PA, (viii) 5 mL kg−1 butyric acid (BA), (ix) 10 mL kg−1 BA, (x) 1.0 g kg−1 potassium sorbate (PS), (xi) 1.0 g kg−1 sodium benzoate (SB), (xii) 1 × 108 colony‐forming units (cfu) kg−1 Lactobacillus (Lb) plantarum LP (LP), (xiii) 1 × 108 cfu kg−1 Lb. brevis LB (LB) and (xiv) 1 × 108 cfu kg−1 Lb. buchneri NCIMB40788 (Fresh). Each additive treatment was based on fresh matter (FM). Results showed that all additives decreased pH values. All additives except Fresh decreased ammonia‐N content (p < .001). Both LP and LB increased lactic acid content (p < .001). Butyric acid content increased with FA (3 mL kg−1) and BA, but decreased with PA, PS, SB, FA (6 mL kg−1), AA, LP, LB (p < .001). FA (3 mL kg−1), AA (10 mL kg−1), PA, BA, PS, SB and Fresh improved aerobic stability (p < .001). After 8 days exposure to air, the pH value and yeast count were lower in FA (3 mL kg−1), BA (10 mL kg−1), SB treatments than in other treatments. Overall, AA outperformed all other additives in improving fermentation quality. Sodium benzoate and AA could be used as an effective additive to improve aerobic stability of L. chinensis silage.
Description of Triplophysa luochengensis sp. nov. (Teleostei: Nemacheilidae) from a karst cave in Guangxi, China
Authors: Li J. , Lan J. H. , Chen X. Y. , Du L. N.
Published: August 2017

A new cave‐dwelling fish Triplophysa luochengensis is described based on specimens collected from a karst cave in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, that is interconnected to the Hongshui River drainage. The species can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: eyes degenerated, anal fin with six branched rays, caudal fin with 16–17 branched rays, pectoral‐fin length 72·4–95·8% of the distance between pectoral‐fin origin and pelvic‐fin origin, lateral head length 26·2–28·2% of standard length (LS), eye diameter 7·5–8·6 of LS, body covered by sparse scales, lateral line complete and 7–8 pre‐operculo‐mandibular pores. Dark pigments irregularly present on dorsum of head, dorsum and flank.
Numerical activities of daily living in adults with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Burgio F. , Benavides‐Varela S. , Arcara G. , Trevisson E. , Frizziero D. , Clementi M. , Semenza C.
Published: August 2017

Background

This study aimed to identify the mathematical domains affected in adults with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) and the impact of the numerical difficulties on the patients' activities of daily living.

Methods

We assessed 28 adult patients with NF1 and 28 healthy control participants. All participants completed the standardised battery of numerical activities of daily living along with clinical batteries of cognitive (Mini‐Mental State Examination) and daily functioning (instrumental activities of daily living). The group comparisons of the performance on numerical activities of daily living were carried out using t‐test correcting for multiple comparisons.

Results

The results showed that the NF1 group performed worse than controls in written subtractions, written multiplication, multiplication principles and digit comprehension (dot counting) tasks. Importantly, no significant differences in numerical ecological tasks were found between patients and controls, suggesting a possible use of compensatory strategies in daily living abilities in spite of calculation deficits.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that NF1 affects calculation but not the basic comprehension or representation of numbers in adult patients. These data have important implications for designing cognitive interventions tailored to the cognitive profile of individuals with NF1.
Masticatory performance‐related factors in preschool children: establishing a method to assess masticatory performance in preschool children using colour‐changeable chewing gum
Authors: Hama Y. , Hosoda A. , Komagamine Y. , Gotoh S. , Kubota C. , Kanazawa M. , Minakuchi S.
Published: August 2017

A knowledge gap regarding masticatory performance in preschool children exists, which in turn delays intervention for preventive care; therefore, a method to easily assess performance is needed. The purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of assessing masticatory performance using colour‐changeable chewing gum and to investigate masticatory performance‐related factors in preschool children. This cross‐sectional survey was conducted in two childcare facilities and our laboratory. First, a one‐third quantity of colour‐changeable chewing gum was masticated by six adults to assess the nature and progression of colour changes in this quantity. Then, masticatory performance in 370 children 4–6 years of age was assessed using the same quantity of colour‐changeable chewing gum (60 chew strokes). The maximum bite force, body height, weight, age and number of healthy teeth were recorded. A t‐test was performed to determine whether gum‐chewing experience or lack thereof produced a significant difference in masticatory performance. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was then determined for masticatory performance assessment values and other factors solely for children with gum‐chewing experience. Measurements from 259 children were obtained. Children with gum‐chewing experience demons trated significantly higher assessment values and were deemed to have been correctly assessed. A very weak but significant positive correlation was observed only between masticatory performance and the number of healthy teeth. The masticatory performance of preschool children was easily assessed using colour‐changeable chewing gum. The assessment values demonstrated significant correlation with the number of healthy teeth, but not with maximum bite force, body height, weight or age.
Effect of body posture on chewing behaviours in healthy volunteers
Authors: Iizumi T. , Magara J. , Tsujimura T. , Inoue M.
Published: August 2017

Mastication is essential to the eating process and forms an important part of feeding behaviour. Many factors related to the food bolus, such as bolus texture and size, are known to influence mastication. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of body posture on (i) chewing duration prior to the first swallow and (ii) patterns of mastication‐related EMG activity. We asked 10 healthy adults to chew 8 g of steamed rice with barium sulphate while we recorded masseter, suprahyoid and infrahyoid muscle activity and simultaneously collected videofluorographic images. Participants chewed in either an upright or reclining position. Chewing duration, which was defined as the time from the start of mastication to the first swallow, was not different between the positions. However, the variability of chewing duration was larger in the upright versus reclining position, and the chewing duration in the reclining position was distributed around 15 s. Masseter activity gradually decreased in a time‐dependent manner and was significantly larger at the early versus late stage of mastication. Suprahyoid activity was significantly larger at the early versus middle stage of mastication in the upright position only. Finally, masseter activity per second was negatively correlated with changes in chewing duration, that is, the larger the increase in chewing duration in the reclining position, the more the decrease in masseter activity per second. These results suggest that position‐dependent changes in chewing behaviours, as described by chewing duration and EMG activity, may vary among participants.
Changes in psychological health, subjective food intake ability and oral health‐related quality of life during orthodontic treatment
Authors: Choi S.‐H. , Cha J.‐Y. , Lee K.‐J. , Yu H.‐S. , Hwang C.‐J.
Published: August 2017

Assessing changes in patient's psychological health and oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) over time during orthodontic treatment may help clinicians to treat patients more carefully. To evaluate changes in mental health, self‐reported masticatory ability and OHRQoL during orthodontic treatment in adults, this prospective study included 66 adults (30 men, 36 women; mean age, 24·2 ± 5·2 years). Each patient completed the Korean versions of the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory, Zung Self‐Rating Depression Scale, Rosenberg self‐esteem scale, key subjective food intake ability (KFIA) test for five key foods and Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14K) at baseline (T0), 12 months after treatment initiation (T1) and debonding (T2). All variables changed with time. Self‐esteem and the total OHIP‐14K score significantly decreased and increased, respectively, at T1, with a particular increase in the psychological and social disabilities scores. There were no significant differences in any questionnaire scores before and after treatment. The total OHIP‐14K score was positively correlated with trait anxiety and depression, and negatively correlated with self‐esteem and KFIA at T0, regardless of the treatment duration. Older patients showed a significant increase in the total OHIP‐14K score at T1 and T2. OHRQoL worsened with an increase in the treatment duration. Our results suggest that OHRQoL temporarily deteriorates, with the development of psychological and social disabilities, during orthodontic treatment. This is related to the baseline age, psychological health and self‐reported masticatory function. However, patients recover once the treatment is complete.
Amoebic brain abscess associated with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Abdullah Umme Hani , Baig Mirza Zain , Azeemuddin Muhammad , Wasay Mohammad , Yakoob Javed , Beg Mohammad Asim
Published: August 2017

Entamoeba histolytica is a protozoan parasite that is associated with diarrhea, but can extend to involve several organs. We report a case of amoebic brain abscess in a man who presented with fever, vomiting and headache with confusion and right hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass in the left frontal lobe, while abdominal computerized tomography showed a left renal malignancy. Brain biopsy showed Entamoeba histolytica infection. He was treated with intravenous metronidazole and nephrectomy that was followed by complete recovery. The present case report emphasizes that cerebral amoebiasis is associated with renal cell carcinoma.
A NEW CHITOSAN BIOPOLYMER DERIVATIVE FOR THE REMOVAL OF COPPER (II) AND LEAD (II) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS: SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND ADSORPTION STUDIES
Authors: Balakrishna Prabhu K. , Saidutta M. B. , M. Isloor Arun , Kamath Girish
Published: August 2017

A new chitosan derivative was prepared by grafting a ligand [3-(4methoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde] to chitosan by a Schiff base reaction. The chitosan-ligand derivative (CTSL) was characterized by spectral studies (FT-IR, 13CNMR, XRD) and scanning electronic microscope. The suitability of CTSL as an adsorbent for the removal of two metals viz. Cu (II) and Pb (II) was studied by conducting equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. Experimental data obtained in equilibrium studies were analyzed for Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson isotherms. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity obtained for the two metals were CTSL-Cu (40.62 mg/g) and CTSL-Pb (71.99 mg/g). The data obtained from the kinetic study was analyzed with three models viz. pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models. The pseudo-second-order rate equation fitted the experimental data very well. Thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔH and ΔS were determined. The sorption operation was feasible, exothermic and accompanied with a positive increase in entropy. The metal interactions with the adsorbent were attributed to the hydroxyl, imine and the amine groups present in the synthesized derivative.
DEVELOPMENT OF BIOGRANULES IN A PILOT-SCALE SEQUENTIAL BATCH REACTOR TREATING ACTUAL TEXTILE WASTEWATER
Authors: Krishnen Ranjeni , Aris Azmi , Muda Khalida , Hashim Normala , Ibrahim Zaharah , Salim Mohd Razman
Published: August 2017

A pilot-scale sequential batch reactor (SBR) biogranular system for the treatment of actual textile wastewater was developed in this study. The reactor had a working volume of 70 L and was operated according to SBR’s sequence for 24-hr cycle, which includes sequential anaerobic and aerobic reaction phases. Wastewater from two textile mills were used as feed, while sewage and pineapple wastewater were used as co-substrate. After operating the system for 60 d, 30% of the sludge had transformed into biogranules and had increased to 67% at the end of the study. The biogranules developed in the reactor have sizes ranging from 0.2 mm to 9.5 mm with a mean settling velocity of 28 ± 7 m/hr and sludge volume index of 73.9 mL/g. At the end of the study, the system yields 92% removal of COD, but the color removal oscillated throughout the development period in the range of 50 to 70%. Although the biogranules development is much faster in lab-scale reactor under controlled environment, the findings indicate the feasibility of developing biogranules in a bigger scale reactor using actual textile wastewater and other high-strength biodegradable wastewater as co-substrate.
KINETICS AND ISOTHERM STUDIES OF Pb(II) IMPRINTED CARBOXYMETHYL CHITOSAN–PECTIN-PEGDE
Authors: Hastuti Budi , Siswanta Dwi , Mudasir Mudasir , Triyono Triyono
Published: August 2017

Pectin and chitosan are biomaterials that capable to act as biosorbent. Pectin has active groups, such as carboxyl, methoxyl, and hydroxyl (OH), while chitosan has amine group (–NH2) and hydroxyl (OH) as the active site metal ion absorber. Integration of two biopolymers is conducted by using a suitable cross-linker agents that are expected to form stable and more organized structure. This structure facilitate metal ions to enter and to form chelation reaction. Thus, it has great capacity for metal adsorption. A modified natural adsorbent pectin-chitosan has been synthesized by reacting of -OH group among pectin (Pec) and chitosan with Poly(ethylene glycol) Diglycidyl Ether (PEGDE) crosslinker agent to form a stable and an acidic medium-resistance adsorbent. Prior to increasing the active group of the adsorbent, chitosan was attached with acetate to form Carboxymethyl Chitosan (CMC). Furthermore, the CMC-Pec-PEGDE adsorbent was imprinted with Pb (II) to afford Pb(II) imprinted-CMC-Pec-PEGDE adsorbent in order to improve the selective sorption of Pb(II) metal ion. All of the functional groups attached on the synthesized adsorbents were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectrometry. The kinetics and thermodynamics bath sorption of Pb(II) on Pb(II) imprinted-CMC-Pec-PEGDE film adsorbent have been investigated including the optimal condition for adsorption. The pseudo first-order and second-order kinetic model were investigated in order to determine the adsorption mechanism. The results indicated that all of the three adsorbent, CMC, CMC-Pec-PEGDE, and Pb(II) imprinted-CMC-Pec-PEGDE followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, adsorption studies of Pb(II) ion on CMC and CMC–Pec-PEGDE found to follow Langmuir adsorption while on imprinted-CMC-Pec-PEGDE followed Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The adsorption isotherm parameters of CMC and CMC-Pec-PEGDE adsorbents were ΔG° of 24.8 and 23.1 kJ mol-1, respectively. While Pb(II) imprinted-CMC-Pec-PEGDE followedisotherm model with ΔG° of 9.6 kJ mol-1.
MECHANICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF SAWDUST CONCRETE
Authors: Pervez Memon Ruhal , Mohd. Sam Abdul Rahman , Abdul Awal A. S. M. , Achekzai Lemar
Published: August 2017

Industrialization in developing countries has resulted in an increase in agricultural output and consequent accumulation of unmanageable agro wastes. Pollution arising from such wastes is a matter of concern for many developing nations. The aim of this study is to investigate the behavior of lightweight concrete and the utilization of sawdust as waste material in concrete. This paper focuses on the manufacturing of concrete which possess long duration heat transfer by using sawdust waste. In this research, cement to sawdust ratio of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 by volume was prepared for sawdust concrete, and the ratio of sand was kept constant that is 1. At these ratios, the mechanical and thermal properties like density, workability, strength and heat transfer were measured after, 7, 28 and 56 days of air curing. The tests results show that with the increase in the amount of sawdust, the workability, compressive strength, tensile strength and flexural strength decreased. It also resulted in reduction of heat transfer of sawdust concrete. Taking into account the overall physical and mechanical properties, sawdust concrete can be used in construction technology.
HISTORY TRACKING ABILITY OF HYBRID SECOND AND FOURTH ORDERS RUNGE-KUTTA IN SOLVING DELAY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Authors: Lim Rui Sih , Ahmad Rohanin , Hoe Yeak Su
Published: August 2017

This paper presents numerical solution for Delay Differential Equations systems to identify frequent discontinuities which occur after and sometimes before the initial solution. The Runge-Kutta methods have been chosen because they are well-established methods and can be modified to handle discontinuities by means of mapping of past values. The state system of the problem is first discretized before the method is applied to find the solution. Our objective is to develop a scheme for solving delay differential equations using hybrid second and fourth order of Runge-Kutta methods. The results have been compared with the result from Matlab routine dde23 which used second and third order of Runge-Kutta methods.  Our numerical scheme is able to successfully handle discontinuities in the system and produces results with acceptable error.
Rare autosomal trisomies, revealed by maternal plasma DNA sequencing, suggest increased risk of feto-placental disease
Authors: Pertile Mark D. , Halks-Miller Meredith , Flowers Nicola , Barbacioru Catalin , Kinnings Sarah L. , Vavrek Darcy , Seltzer William K. , Bianchi Diana W.
Published: August 2017

Maternal plasma cell-free DNA sequencing reveals rare autosomal trisomies that are associated with perinatal complications.
Genome-Wide Spectra of Transcription Insertions and Deletions Reveal That Slippage Depends on RNA:DNA Hybrid Complementarity
Authors: Traverse Charles C. , Ochman Howard
Published: August 2017

Advances in sequencing technologies have enabled direct quantification of genome-wide errors that occur during RNA transcription. These errors occur at rates that are orders of magnitude higher than rates during DNA replication, but due to technical difficulties such measurements have been limited to single-base substitutions and have not yet quantified the scope of transcription insertions and deletions. Previous reporter gene assay findings suggested that transcription indels are produced exclusively by elongation complex slippage at homopolymeric runs, so we enumerated indels across the protein-coding transcriptomes of
Escherichia coli
and
Buchnera aphidicola
, which differ widely in their genomic base compositions and incidence of repeat regions. As anticipated from prior assays, transcription insertions prevailed in homopolymeric runs of A and T; however, transcription deletions arose in much more complex sequences and were rarely associated with homopolymeric runs. By reconstructing the relocated positions of the elongation complex as inferred from the sequences inserted or deleted during transcription, we show that continuation of transcription after slippage hinges on the degree of nucleotide complementarity within the RNA:DNA hybrid at the new DNA template location.

IMPORTANCE
The high level of mistakes generated during transcription can result in the accumulation of malfunctioning and misfolded proteins which can alter global gene regulation and in the expenditure of energy to degrade these nonfunctional proteins. The transcriptome-wide occurrence of base substitutions has been elucidated in bacteria, but information on transcription insertions and deletions—errors that potentially have more dire effects on protein function—is limited to reporter gene constructs. Here, we capture the transcriptome-wide spectrum of insertions and deletions in
Escherichia coli
and
Buchnera aphidicola
and show that they occur at rates approaching those of base substitutions. Knowledge of the full extent of sequences subject to transcription indels supports a new model of bacterial transcription slippage, one that relies on the number of complementary bases between the transcript and the DNA template to which it slipped.
Gemcitabine-induced chronic systemic capillary leak syndrome
Authors: Bajwa Ravneet , Starr Jason , Daily Karen
Published: August 2017

A 56-year-old woman presented with anasarca, hypoalbuminaemia and hypotension following cycle 3 day 1 of adjuvant gemcitabine for stage II pancreatic cancer. Due to the temporal nature of presentation, suspicion for gemcitabine-induced capillary leak syndrome was included in the differential diagnosis. Vascular endothelial growth factor levels were elevated at 707 pg/mL (reference range: 9–86 pg/mL). Corticosteroids were initiated, resulting in complete resolution of symptoms and hypotension. The patient suffered relapse of symptoms on discontinuation of steroids, further supporting chronic capillary leak syndrome.
Impact of a primary healthcare quality improvement program on diabetes in Canada: evaluation of the Quality Improvement and Innovation Partnership (QIIP)
Authors: Reichert Sonja M , Harris Stewart B , Tompkins Jordan W , Belle-Brown Judith , Fournie Meghan , Green Michael , Han Han , Kotecha Jyoti , Mequanint Selam , Paquette-Warren Jann , Roberts Sharon , Russell Grant , Stewart Moira , Thind Amardeep , Webster-Bogaert Susan , Birtwhistle Richard
Published: August 2017

Objective

Primary healthcare (PHC) quality improvement (QI) initiatives are designed to improve patient care and health outcomes. We evaluated the Quality Improvement and Innovation Partnership (QIIP), an Ontario-wide PHC QI program on access to care, diabetes management and colorectal cancer screening. This manuscript highlights the impact of QIIP on diabetes outcomes and associated vascular risk factors.

Research design and methods

A cluster matched-control, retrospective prechart and postchart audit was conducted. One physician per QIIP-PHC team (N=34) and control (N=34) were recruited for the audit. Eligible charts were reviewed for prespecified type 2 diabetes mellitus clinical process and outcome data at baseline, during (intervention range: 15–17.5 months) and post. Primary outcome measures were the A1c of patients above study target and proportion of patients with an annual foot exam. Secondary outcome measures included glycemic, hypertension and lipid outcomes and management, screening for diabetes-related complications, healthcare utilization, and diabetes counseling, education and self-management goal setting.

Results

More patients in the QIIP group achieved statistically improved lipid testing, eye examinations, peripheral neuropathy exams, and documented body mass index. No statistical differences in A1c, low-density lipoprotein or systolic/diastolic blood pressure values were noted, with no significant differences in medication prescription, specialist referrals, or chart-reported diabetes counseling, education or self-management goals. Patients of QIIP physicians had significantly more PHC visits.

Conclusion

The QIIP-learning collaborative program evaluation using stratified random selection of participants and the inclusion of a control group makes this one of the most rigorous and promising efforts to date evaluating the impact of a QI program in PHC. The chart audit component of this evaluation highlighted that while QIIP improved some secondary diabetes measures, no improvements in clinical outcomes were noted. This study highlights the importance of formalized evaluation of QI initiatives to provide an evidence base to inform future program planning and scale-up.
Modelling the cost of community interventions to reduce child mortality in South Africa using the Lives Saved Tool (LiST)
Authors: Nkonki Lungiswa, LL , Chola Lumbwe, L , Tugendhaft Aviva, A , Hofman Karen, K
Published: August 2017

Objective

To estimate the costs and impact on reducing child mortality of scaling up interventions that can be delivered by community health workers at community level from a provider’s perspective.

Setting

In this study, we used the Lives Saved Tool (LiST), a module in the spectrum software. Within the spectrum software, LiST interacts with other modules, the AIDS Impact Module, Family Planning Module and Demography Projections Module (Dem Proj), to model the impact of more than 60 interventions that affect cause-specific mortality.

Participants

DemProj Based on National South African Data.

Interventions

A total of nine interventions namely, breastfeeding promotion, complementary feeding, vitamin supplementation, hand washing with soap, hygienic disposal of children’s stools, oral rehydration solution, oral antibiotics for the treatment of pneumonia, therapeutic feeding for wasting and treatment for moderate malnutrition.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Reducing child mortality.

Results

A total of 9 interventions can prevent 8891 deaths by 2030. Hand washing with soap (21%) accounts for the highest number of deaths prevented, followed by therapeutic feeding (19%) and oral rehydration therapy (16%). The top 5 interventions account for 77% of all deaths prevented. At scale, an estimated cost of US$169.5 million (US$3 per capita) per year will be required in community health worker costs.

Conclusion

The use of community health workers offers enormous opportunities for saving lives. These programmes require appropriate financial investments. Findings from this study show what can be achieved if concerted effort is channelled towards the identified set of life-saving interventions.
Signs and symptoms preceding the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease: a systematic scoping review of literature from 1937 to 2016
Authors: Bature Fidelia , Guinn Barbara-ann , Pang Dong , Pappas Yannis
Published: August 2017

Objective

Late diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) may be due to diagnostic uncertainties. We aimed to determine the sequence and timing of the appearance of established early signs and symptoms in people who are subsequently diagnosed with AD.

Methods

We used systematic review methodology to investigate the existing literature. Articles were reviewed in May 2016, using the following databases: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, British Nursing Index, PubMed central and the Cochrane library, with no language restriction. Data from the included articles were extracted independently by two authors and quality assessment was undertaken with the quality assessment and diagnostic accuracy tool-2 (QUADAS tool-2 quality assessment tool).

Results

We found that depression and cognitive impairment were the first symptoms to appear in 98.5% and 99.1% of individuals in a study with late-onset AD (LOAD) and 9% and 80%, respectively, in early-onset AD (EOAD). Memory loss presented early and was experienced 12 years before the clinically defined AD dementia in the LOAD. However, the rapidly progressive late-onset AD presented predominantly with 35 non-established focal symptoms and signs including myoclonus (75%), disturbed gait (66%) and rigidity. These were misdiagnosed as symptoms of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD) in all the cases. The participant with the lowest mini-mental state examination score of 25 remained stable for 2 years, which is consistent with the score of the healthy family members.

Conclusions

The findings of this review suggest that neurological and depressive behaviours are an early occurrence in EOAD with depressive and cognitive symptoms in the measure of semantic memory and conceptual formation in LOAD. Misdiagnosis of rapidly progressive AD as CJD and the familial memory score can be confounding factors while establishing a diagnosis. However, the study was limited by the fact that each one of the findings was based on a single study.
Psychosocial job stressors and suicidality: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Milner Allison , Witt Katrina , LaMontagne Anthony D , Niedhammer Isabelle
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Job stressors are known determinants of common mental disorders. Over the past 10 years, there has been evidence that job stressors may also be risk factors for suicidality. The current paper sought to examine this topic through the first comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to date.

Methods

We used a three-tier search strategy of seven electronic databases. Studies were included if they reported on a job stressor or job-related stress as an exposure and suicide ideation, self-harm, suicide attempt or suicide as an outcome. Two researchers independently screened articles. All extracted effect estimates were converted to log-transformed ORs.

Results

There were 22 studies that were included in meta-analysis. Overall, exposure to job stressors was associated with elevated risk of suicide ideation and behaviours. The OR for suicide ideation (14 studies) ranged from 1.45 (95% CI 1.01 to 2.08) for poor supervisor and colleague support to 1.91 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.99) for job insecurity. For suicide (six studies), exposure to lower supervisor and collegial support produced an OR of 1.16 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.38), while low job control resulted in an OR of 1.23 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.50). There were only two studies that examined suicide attempt, both of which suggested an adverse effect of exposure to job stressors.

Conclusions

This study provides some evidence that job stressors may be related to suicidal outcomes. However, as most studies in the area were cross-sectional and observational in design, there is a need for longitudinal research to assess the robustness of observed associations.
Exercise training with concomitant nitric oxide synthase inhibition improved anxiogenic behavior, spatial cognition, and BDNF/P70S6 kinase activation in 20-month-old rats
Authors: Salehpour Mojtaba , Khodagholi Fariba , Zeinaddini Meymand Arman , Nourshahi Maryam , Ashabi Ghorbangol
Published: August 2017

This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibition on memory, anxiety, and protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and P70S6 kinase (P70S6K). Twenty-month-old rats were divided into 6 groups: a control group, 2 groups treated with l-nitro-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (25 or 100 mg/kg) for 63 days, 2 groups treated with L-NAME (25 or 100 mg/kg) for 63 days plus 2 months of exercise, and 1 group treated with exercise. Behavioral tests were conducted to determine the anxiolytic and memory-improving role of exercise and NOS inhibition. BDNF, P70S6K, and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were evaluated by Western blotting. Exercise and L-NAME (25 mg/kg) or their combination had an anxiolytic effect and improved spatial memory in old rats compared with the control or exercised group, respectively. Exercise and treatment with a low dose of L-NAME (25 mg/kg) each increased BDNF and P70S6K in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex compared with levels in control rats. In comparison with exercise alone, co-treatment with exercise and a low dose of L-NAME (25 mg/kg) also increased BDNF and P70S6K in the hippocampus. The neuronal level of cleaved caspase-3 was reduced in the L-NAME (25 mg/kg) + exercise group compared with the exercised group. The L-NAME (100 mg/kg) + exercise treatment had no positive behavioral or molecular effects compared with exercise alone. The protective role of NOS inhibition and aerobic exercise against aging is probably modulated via BDNF and P70S6K in the brain.