bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinicopathologic characteristics of double primary endometrial and colorectal cancers in a single institution
Authors: Lee Hyun J. , Choi Min C. , Jang Ja‐Hyun , Jung Sang G. , Park Hyun , Joo Won D. , Kim Tae H. , Lee Chan , Lee Je H.
Published: February 2018

Aim

To investigate the clinicopathologic and genetic correlations between double primary endometrial and colorectal cancer related to Lynch syndrome and to analyze germline mutations in mismatch repair genes in endometrial cancer patients in Korea.

Methods

Thirteen patients diagnosed with pathologically endometrial and colorectal cancer between January 2005 and November 2016 in a single institution were enrolled in the study. The medical records were retrospectively analyzed. The genetic mutational information of endometrial cancer in Korea was retrieved from the literature review.

Results

Endometrial cancer was diagnosed first in eight (62%) patients, and one patient was diagnosed with colorectal cancer first. Endometrioid adenocarcinoma was reported in 10 of 13 (77%) endometrial cancer patients. Endometrial cancer was found at the low uterine segment in three patients. Three of four patients had high microsatellite instability. The loss of mismatch repair proteins was confirmed in 7 of 11 cases using immunohistochemistry. Four patients fulfilled clinical criteria based on a family history of cancer. Overall, the incidence of suspected Lynch syndrome was 77% (10/13). Four of them underwent genetic testing and three were found to have a pathogenic germline mutation. A possible founder mutation, c.1757_1758insC in MLH1, was observed in 21 germline mutation information from literature review.

Conclusion

The present study describes the clinicopathologic data of double primary endometrial and colorectal cancer patients and supports that these patients should undergo closed approach for Lynch syndrome. Moreover, a possible founder mutation in Korean endometrial cancer patients was identified.
Contextualizing the effects of job complexity on creativity and task performance: Extending job design theory with social and contextual contingencies
Authors: Chae Heesun , Choi Jin Nam
Published: February 2018

The dynamic nature of work underscores the necessity of reassessing the effect of job design by considering the role of employee proactive behaviour and distinct work contexts. This study identifies creativity as a critical proactive behaviour that differentially explains the effect of job complexity on task performance across varying levels of growth need strength (GNS), supervisor support for creativity (SSC), and task interdependence. Our analysis supports the mediating role of creativity in the relationship between job complexity and task performance. The tests of conditional indirect effects show that the moderating role of GNS is positive only when task interdependence is low. By contrast, SSC positively moderates the effect of job complexity only when task interdependence is high. These findings suggest the necessity of considering task interdependence in applying job design theory to explain the proactive behaviour and task performance of employees in emerging forms of work.

Practitioner points

This study shows that creativity explains how job complexity affects task performance.

Growth need strength accentuates the effect of job complexity on employee creativity and performance only when task interdependence is low.

Supervisor support for creativity positively moderates the effect of job complexity on employee creativity and performance only when task interdependence is high.
Optimized methods of chromatin immunoprecipitation for profiling histone modifications in industrial microalgae Nannochloropsis spp.
Authors: Wei Li , Xu Jian
Published: February 2018

Epigenetic factors such as histone modifications play integral roles in plant development and stress response, yet their implications in algae remain poorly understood. In the industrial oleaginous microalgae Nannochloropsis spp., the lack of an efficient methodology for chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), which determines the specific genomic location of various histone modifications, has hindered probing the epigenetic basis of their photosynthetic carbon conversion and storage as oil. Here, a detailed ChIP protocol was developed for Nannochloropsis oceanica, which represents a reliable approach for the analysis of histone modifications, chromatin state, and transcription factor‐binding sites at the epigenetic level. Using ChIP‐qPCR, genes related to photosynthetic carbon fixation in this microalga were systematically assessed. Furthermore, a ChIP‐Seq protocol was established and optimized, which generated a genome‐wide profile of histone modification events, using histone mark H3K9Ac as an example. These results are the first step for appreciation of the chromatin landscape in industrial oleaginous microalgae and for epigenetics‐based microalgal feedstock development.
Invasive pneumococcal infections in pediatric liver‐small bowel‐pancreas transplant recipients
Authors: Vo Hanh D. , Florescu Diana F. , Brown Cindy R. , Chambers Heather E. , Mercer David F. , Vargas Luciano M. , Grant Wendy J. , Langnas Alan N. , Quiros‐Tejeira Ruben E.
Published: February 2018

Children undergoingLSBPTx are at increased risk ofIPIdue to splenectomy. We aimed to describe the clinical features and outcomes ofIPIin pediatricLSBPTx recipients. Between 2008 and 2016, 122LSBPTx children at our center were retrospectively reviewed. Nine patients had 12 episodes ofIPI; the median age at first infection was 3.5 years (range: 1.5‐7.1 years). The median time from transplant to first infection was 3 years (range: 0.8‐5.8 years). Clinical presentation included as follows: pneumonia (n = 1), bacteremia/sepsis (n = 7), pneumonia with sepsis (n = 1), meningitis with sepsis (n = 2), pneumonia and meningitis with sepsis (n = 1). The overall risk forIPIwas 7.4% or 0.9% per year. The mortality rate was 22%. Seven (78%) children had received at least one dose ofPCV13, four (44%) patients had received 23‐valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine prior toIPI. All patients were on oral penicillin prophylaxis. In conclusion, despite partial or complete pneumococcal immunization and reported antimicrobial prophylaxis,IPIinLSBPTx children can have a fatal outcome. Routine monitoring of pneumococcal serotype antibodies to determine the timing for revaccination might be warranted to ensure protective immunity in these transplant recipients.
Are Eating Disorders and Related Symptoms Risk Factors for Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors? A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Smith April R. , Velkoff Elizabeth A. , Ribeiro Jessica D. , Franklin Joseph
Published: February 2018

This meta‐analysis addressed whether eating disorders (EDs) are risk factors (i.e., longitudinal predictors) for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. We identified 2,611 longitudinal studies published through August 1, 2017. Inclusion required studies include at least one longitudinal analysis predicting suicide ideation, attempt, or death using an ED diagnosis and/or symptom. Fourteen studies (42 prediction cases) met criteria. Results indicated that clinically diagnosed EDs and disordered eating symptoms were significant but weak predictors of suicide attempts but not death. Effects remained weak when moderators were considered. By reviewing the methodological limitations of previous research, these results highlight avenues for future research.
Suicidal Ideation in First‐Episode Psychosis (FEP): Examination of Symptoms of Depression and Psychosis Among Individuals in an Early Phase of Treatment
Authors: Bornheimer Lindsay A.
Published: February 2018

First‐episode psychosis (FEP) is a particularly high‐risk period for suicide, in which risk elevates by 60% within a first year of treatment as compared to later stages of illness. To date, much of the literature has focused on individuals with a longer duration of psychosis; thus, there is an urgency for research to examine suicide risk among individuals in FEP in the beginning stage of treatment. This study aimed to identify the relationships between demographic characteristics, symptoms of depression, psychosis (particularly positive symptoms of psychosis), and suicidal ideation among individuals in FEP. Secondary data were obtained from National Institute of Mental Health's Early Treatment Program of the Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode project (N = 404). Consistent with prior research, participants who experienced suicidal ideation during the study period reported having a longer duration of untreated psychosis and greater symptoms of depression. Further, positive symptoms of psychosis, namely hallucinations and delusions, were found to increase the odds of experiencing suicidal ideation. Findings point toward the implication that depression and positive symptoms of psychosis relate to the experience of suicidal ideation among individuals with a FEP and should be evaluated for and treated in the early stages of treatment.
Instructional immediacy in the Chinese quantitative reasoning classroom
Authors: Kelly Stephanie , Liu Liping , Denton Zachary , Lee Clinton , Croucher Stephen
Published: February 2018

The present investigation examined instructor immediacy behaviors, students' perceptions of those behaviors, and student math anxiety in Chinese classrooms. Consistent with the American college classroom, a simple causal chain was anticipated in which instructor immediacy behaviors positively induced a psychological response to immediacy, which had a negative influence on math anxiety. Study 1 tested this model in the Chinese college classroom and the model failed. It was speculated that perhaps given the high testing admission standards of Chinese colleges (i.e., the GaoKao), that Chinese college students were a biased sample of only students who had learned to manage their anxieties. Thus, in Study 2, the model was retested among junior and senior high Chinese students. Among junior and senior high Chinese students, the model fit well.
The checkpoint kinase TOR (target of rapamycin) regulates expression of a nuclear‐encoded chloroplast RelA‐SpoT homolog (RSH) and modulates chloroplast ribosomal RNA synthesis in a unicellular red alga
Authors: Imamura Sousuke , Nomura Yuhta , Takemura Tokiaki , Pancha Imran , Taki Keiko , Toguchi Kazuki , Tozawa Yuzuru , Tanaka Kan
Published: February 2018

Chloroplasts are plant organelles that carry out oxygenic photosynthesis. Chloroplast biogenesis depends upon chloroplast ribosomes and their translational activity. However, regulation of chloroplast ribosome biogenesis remains an important unanswered question. In this study, we found that inhibition of target of rapamycin (TOR), a general eukaryotic checkpoint kinase, results in a decline in chloroplast ribosomal RNA (rRNA) transcription in the unicellular red alga, Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Upon TOR inhibition, transcriptomics and other analyses revealed increased expression of a nuclear‐encoded chloroplast RelA‐SpoT homolog (RSH) gene (CmRSH4b), which encodes a homolog of the guanosine 3′‐diphosphate 5′‐diphosphate (ppGpp) synthetases that modulate rRNA synthesis in bacteria. Using an Escherichia coli mutant lacking ppGpp, CmRSH4b was demonstrated to have ppGpp synthetase activity. Expression analysis of a green fluorescent protein‐fused protein indicated that CmRSH4b localizes to the chloroplast, and overexpression of the CmRSH4b gene resulted in a decrease of chloroplast rRNA synthesis concomitant with growth inhibition and reduction of chloroplast size. Biochemical analyses using C. merolae cell lysates or purified recombinant proteins revealed that ppGpp inhibits bacteria‐type RNA polymerase‐dependent chloroplast rRNA synthesis as well as a chloroplast guanylate kinase. These results suggest that CmRSH4b‐dependent ppGpp synthesis in chloroplasts is an important regulator of chloroplast rRNA transcription. Nuclear and mitochondrial rRNA transcription were both reduced by TOR inhibition, suggesting that the biogeneses of the three independent ribosome systems are interconnected by TOR in plant cells.
A tale of two ports: an in vitro comparison of flow characteristics for therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: De Simone Nicole , Sarode Ravi
Published: February 2018

Tunneled central venous catheters with ports are increasingly used for therapeutic apheresis procedures. Vortex ports have been used as access for therapeutic apheresis procedures, but are not ideal for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) procedures due to lower flow rates. We performed an in vitro experiment to compare flow characteristics of the single‐lumen Vortex port (AngioDynamics) with the single‐lumen TidalPort (Norfolk Medical). We used expired red blood cell units and adjusted the hematocrit to 40% with normal saline in a 2‐L bag. We programmed the Spectra Optia (Terumo BCT) to run a 1.0‐volume TPE with 5% albumin as replacement fluid. The TidalPort achieved flow rates of up to 110 mL/min without triggering alarms. Due to crucial alarms, the Vortex Port was not able to run at a flow rate higher than 90 mL/min, and multiple caution alarms were triggered at flow rates of 80 to 90 mL/min. These findings suggest that the TidalPort may be a suitable access option that provides flow rates similar to peripheral or central venous catheters for TPE procedures.
Cellular collection by apheresis
Authors: Padmanabhan Anand
Published: February 2018

Cellular collection is an important and increasingly used apheresis procedure. These collections are performed by leukocytapheresis, a procedure involving the removal of a patient's or donor's white blood cells, and are used to collect hematopoietic progenitor cells, specific cell populations (such as T‐lymphocytes), and granulocytes. Hematopoietic progenitor cell apheresis and T‐lymphocyte collection are performed by procedures that enrich for mononuclear cells. Hematopoietic progenitor cells are used for autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, whereas T‐cell collection is being used increasingly in novel cellular therapy approaches and for donor lymphocyte infusions to induce graft‐versus‐leukemia effect. Granulocytes are collected from healthy donors to treat severe sepsis in patients who are refractory to antimicrobial therapies. Less frequently, cellular depletion of leukocytes may be indicated in leukemic patients who have severe hyperleukocytosis resulting in leukoaggregation and decreased tissue perfusion. In these procedures, establishing and maintaining adequate vascular access are critical prerequisites to ensuring a successful procedure. For most types of leukocytapheresis procedures, efforts should be made to ensure that they are performed using peripheral veins, and the use of an intravascular access device should be considered only after it is determined that peripheral access is not feasible or desirable. However, in some settings (such as in patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation), intravascular access devices are often used to facilitate both the leukocytapheresis procedure and the subsequent transplant. Here, different types of vascular access approaches used in cellular collections are discussed, and this information is supplemented by the author's experience and practice in areas where published information is limited.
Pharmaceutical cost‐sharing systems and savings for healthcare systems from parallel trade
Authors: Birg Laura
Published: February 2018

This paper studies the consequences of parallel trade in a two‐country model. It compares a coinsurance scheme (consumers pay a percentage of the drug price) and an indemnity insurance scheme (reimbursement is independent of the drug price) with respect to changes in copayments and public health expenditure. In the destination country, copayments for patients decrease to a larger extent under indemnity insurance, whereas reductions in public health expenditure occur only under coinsurance. In the source country, copayments increase less under coinsurance, whereas health expenditure is reduced more under indemnity insurance. In both countries, total expenditure under parallel trade is lower.
Dissecting the decline of hepatitis C in first‐time donors in England and Wales
Authors: Reynolds C. A. , Davison K. L. , Andrews N. , Patel P. , Kitchen A. , Brailsford S. R.
Published: February 2018

Background and Objectives

The rate of confirmed hepatitis C virus (HCV) cases, in first‐time donors, is much lower in 2015 than 20 years ago. We investigate reasons for the decline.

Materials and Methods

HCV rates were analysed by gender and birth cohort for 1996 to 2015 and ethnic group for 2006 to 2015. Variables for confirmed positive cases were compared for two ten‐year periods (1996 to 2005 and 2006 to 2015) including genotyping data for 2006 to 2015.

Results

There were 2007 confirmed HCV cases identified between 1996 and 2015. The rate per 100 000 donations fell from 78·6 in 1996 to 26·9 by 2015. By birth cohort, HCV rates were highest in donors born in the 1950s and 1960s who contributed a decreasing proportion of first‐time donors. Between 2006 and 2015, there was no significant decline in HCV rate. The HCV‐positive donor profile has changed in the last 10 years with increased proportions of younger donors, donors born abroad and decreased reported injecting drug use. Genotype 1a remains predominate, but genotype 1b has increased associated with this change in birth cohort and ethnicity.

Conclusion

The decline in number and rate of confirmed HCV‐positive first‐time donors is mainly due to a decrease in first‐time donors born before 1970, with the highest rate of HCV. However, the decline has slowed and the profile of HCV‐positive first‐time donors is changing. A better understanding of behaviour and sources of HCV in younger and ethnic minority donors are needed.
Quality monitoring and risk management in blood transfusion services
Authors: Vuk T. , Qiu Y. , Bust L. , Strengers P. , Seidl C.
Published: February 2018

The safety and quality of blood and blood components are of essential value in transfusion medicine. It is a responsibility of blood establishments to organize their activities so that quality and safety requirements are met. The implementation and maintenance of an effective quality management system (QMS) will greatly contribute to the achievement of this goal. To be fully effective, a QMS should incorporate risk‐based thinking in all aspects of the vein‐to‐vein transfusion process and include quality monitoring, which is carefully planned, continuous and properly evaluated. This study discusses several aspects of quality monitoring and risk management including their role, the importance thereof, objectives and implementation strategies. Quality monitoring is elaborated in detail with regard to quality indicators and quality control of blood components. In addition to describing general aspects of risk management in transfusion medicine, an example of its application is given on labelling of blood and blood components using the format of the EuBIS guide. Considering the biological origin of blood components and specific risks associated with their use, activities of quality monitoring and risk management in transfusion medicine should be strategic and proactive and not reactive.
Ensino superior e magistério da Igreja. A meta da verdade e o método do diálogo
Authors: Décio Passos João
Published: February 2018

O presente estudo expõe um panorama sobre a questão do ensino superior no magistério da Igreja Católica. Estrutura-se em dois tópicos que focam, respectivamente, as raízes históricas do ensino superior, no âmbito do processo de institucionalização do cristianismo e os textos do magistério dedicados ao assunto. Afirma que a tradição escolástica e o Concilio Vaticano II constituem dois epicentros em torno dos quais gravita a questão, sendo esse último a referência fundamental para o diálogo entre a fé a razão no contexto da sociedade plural e tecnocientífica de nossos dias.
Laminar Mixed Convection of Non-Newtonian Nanofluids Flowing Vertically Upward Across a Confined Circular Cylinder
Authors: Singh Abhipsit Kumar , Kishore Nanda
Published: February 2018

Numerical results on laminar mixed convective heat transfer phenomenon between a confined circular cylinder and shear-thinning type nanofluids are presented. The cylinder is placed horizontally in a confined channel through which nanofluids flow vertically upward. The effect of buoyancy is same as the direction of the flow. Because of existence of mixed convection, governing continuity, momentum, and energy equations are simultaneously solved within the limitations of Boussinesq approximation. The ranges of parameters considered are: volume fraction of nanoparticles, ϕ = 0.005–0.045; Reynolds number, Re = 1–40; Richardson number, Ri = 0–40; and confinement ratio of circular cylinder, λ = 0.0625–0.5. Finally, the effects of these parameters on the streamlines, isotherm contours, individual and total drag coefficients, and local and average Nusselt numbers are thoroughly delineated. The individual and total drag coefficients decrease with the increasing both ϕ and Re; and/or with the decreasing both Ri and λ. The rate of heat transfer increases with the increasing Re, ϕ, Ri, and λ; however, at Re = 30–40, when ϕ > 0.005 and Ri < 2, the average Nusselt number decreases with the increasing Richardson number. Finally, correlations for the total drag coefficient and average Nusselt number are proposed as functions of pertinent dimensionless parameters on the basis of present numerical results.
Model Validation of Functional Responses Across Experimental Regions Using Functional Regression Extensions to the CORA Objective Rating System
Authors: Storm Scott M. , Hill Raymond R. , Pignatiello Joseph J. , Geoffrey Vining G. , White Edward D.
Published: February 2018

As we continue to model more complex systems, the validation of dynamical responses has come to the forefront of modeling and simulation. One form of dynamic response is when the output is a function of time. The proper evaluation of functional data over an array of desired input parameters is critical to achieving a robust validation assessment of a simulation model. We extend the correlation analysis (CORA) objective rating system to validate functional data across experimental regions. Functional regression analysis is used to generate surrogate estimations of the system response functions at points within the region where experimental observations are absent. These CORA scores provide a measure of disagreement at each desired parameter configuration. An overall score for model validity is achieved using a weighted linear combination of the individual CORA scores. Finally, an improved CORA size scoring metric is introduced.
Different Configurations of Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery in Internal Combustion Engine: Evaluation on Different Driving Cycles Using Numerical Simulations
Authors: Sara Hanna , Chalet David , Cormerais Mickaël
Published: February 2018

Exhaust gas heat recovery is one of the interesting thermal management strategies that aim to improve the cold start of the engine and thus reduce its fuel consumption. In this work, an overview of the heat exchanger used as well as the experimental setup and the different tests will be presented first. Then numerical simulations were run to assess and valorize the exhaust gas heat recovery strategy. The application was divided into three parts: an indirect heating of the oil with the coolant as a medium fluid, a direct heating of the oil, and direct heating of the oil and the coolant. Different ideas were tested over five different driving cycles: New European driving cycle (NEDC), worldwide harmonized light duty driving test cycle (WLTC), common Artemis driving cycle (CADC) (urban and highway), and one in-house developed cycle. The simulations were performed over two ambient temperatures. Different configurations were proposed to control the engine's lubricant maximum temperature. Results concerning the temperature profiles as well as the assessment of fuel consumption were stated for each case.
Modified Extended Finite Element Methods for Gas Flow in Fractured Reservoirs: A Pseudo-Pressure Approach
Authors: Jiang Youshi , Dahi-Taleghani Arash
Published: February 2018

Fluid flow in fractured porous media has always been important in different engineering applications especially in hydrology and reservoir engineering. However, by the onset of the hydraulic fracturing revolution, massive fracturing jobs have been implemented in unconventional hydrocarbon resources such as tight gas and shale gas reservoirs that make understanding fluid flow in fractured media more significant. Considering ultralow permeability of these reservoirs, induced complex fracture networks play a significant role in economic production of these resources. Hence, having a robust and fast numerical technique to evaluate flow through complex fracture networks can play a crucial role in the progress of inversion methods to determine fracture geometries in the subsurface. Current methods for tight gas flow in fractured reservoirs, despite their advantages, still have several shortcomings that make their application for real field problems limited. For instance, the dual permeability theory assumes an ideal uniform orthogonal distribution of fractures, which is quite different from field observation; on the other hand, numerical methods like discrete fracture network (DFN) models can portray the irregular distribution of fractures, but requires massive mesh refinements to have the fractures aligned with the grid/element edges, which can greatly increase the computational cost and simulation time. This paper combines the extended finite element methods (XFEM) and the gas pseudo-pressure to simulate gas flow in fractured tight gas reservoirs by incorporating the strong-discontinuity enrichment scheme to capture the weak-discontinuity feature induced by highly permeable fractures. Utilizing pseudo-pressure formulations simplifies the governing equations and reduces the nonlinearity of the problem significantly. This technique can consider multiple fracture sets and their intersection to mimic real fracture networks on a plain structured mesh. Here, we utilize the unified Hagen–Poiseuille-type equation to compute the permeability of tight gas, and finally adopt Newton–Raphson iteration method to solve the highly nonlinear equations. Numerical results illustrate that XFEM is considerably effective in fast calculation of gas flow in fractured porous media.
Experimental Study of Thermal Performance of a Reduced Scale Cavity Equipped With Phase Change Material: Study of the Optimal Phase Change Material Layer Location
Authors: Gounni Ayoub , El Alami Mustapha , Mabouk Mohamed Tahar , Kheiri Abdelhamid
Published: February 2018

Phase change materials (PCMs) used in the building walls constitute an attractive way to reduce the energy consumption and to increase the occupant's thermal comfort. However, there are some challenges to be faced among which the critical one is the PCM layer location allowing the greater heat flux reduction. In this work, the potential of PCM wallboards is evaluated experimentally using a heated reduced scale cavity including walls with or without PCM in a laboratory conditions. The cavity at reduced scale provides the flexibility to test most kinds of wall constructions in real time and allows faster installation and dismantling of the test walls. Three different PCM layer locations inside the walls are examined in terms of heat flux reduction and outside surface temperatures. The results confirm that the PCM layer reduces the peak heat flux compared to a reference wall (wall without PCM). Indeed, the PCM layer hugely affects the peak heat flux when it is placed on the inner face of the walls, near to the heat source. At this location, the peak heat flux reduction, compared to the reference wall, is 32.9%. Furthermore, for numerical validation purpose, the outside overall heat coefficient of the cavity outside walls is determined based on the experimental data.
A Load Distribution Model for Planetary Gear Sets
Authors: Hu Y. , Talbot D. , Kahraman A.
Published: February 2018

A load distribution model of planetary gear sets presented is capable of simulating planetary gear sets having component- and system-level design variations such as component supporting conditions, different kinds of gear modifications and planetary gear sets with different numbers of equally or unequally spaced planets as well as different gear set kinematic configurations while considering gear mesh phasing. It also accounts for classes of planetary gear set manufacturing and assembly related errors associated with the carrier or gears, i.e., pinhole position errors, run-out errors, and tooth thickness errors. Example analyses are provided to indicate the need for a model of this type when studying load distribution of planetary gear sets due to unique loading of the gear meshes associated with planetary gear sets. Comparisons to measurements existing in the literature are provided.
Design and Testing of a Prosthetic Foot With Interchangeable Custom Springs for Evaluating Lower Leg Trajectory Error, an Optimization Metric for Prosthetic Feet
Authors: Prost Victor , Olesnavage Kathryn M. , Brett Johnson W. , Major Matthew J. , Winter Amos G.
Published: February 2018

An experimental prosthetic foot intended for evaluating a novel design objective is presented. This objective, called the lower leg trajectory error (LLTE), enables the optimization of passive prosthetic feet by modeling the trajectory of the shank during single support for a given prosthetic foot and selecting design variables that minimize the error between this trajectory and able-bodied kinematics. A light-weight, fully characterized test foot with variable ankle joint stiffness was designed to evaluate the LLTE. The test foot can replicate the range of motion of a physiological ankle over a range of different ankle joint stiffnesses. The test foot consists of a rotational ankle joint machined from acetal resin, interchangeable U-shaped nylon springs that range from 1.5 N · m/deg to 24 N · m/deg, and a flexible nylon forefoot with a bending stiffness of 16 N · m2. The U-shaped springs were designed to support a constant moment along their length to maximize strain energy density; this feature was critical in creating a high-stiffness and high-range of motion ankle. The design performed as predicted during mechanical and in vivo testing, and its modularity allowed us to rapidly vary the ankle joint stiffness. Qualitative feedback from preliminary testing showed that this design is ready for use in large scale clinical trials to further evaluate the use of the LLTE as an optimization objective for passive prosthetic feet.
Precautions
at Fukushima That Would Have Suppressed the Accident
Severity
Authors: Iino Kenji , Yoshioka Ritsuo , Fuchigami Masao , Nakao Masayuki
Published: February 2018

The Great East Japan Earthquake on Mar. 11, 2011 triggered huge tsunami waves that attacked Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Fukushima-1). Units 1, 3, and 4 had hydrogen explosions. Units 1–3 had core meltdowns and released a large amount of radioactive material. Published investigation reports did not explain how the severity of the accident could have been prevented. We formed a study group to find: (A) Was the earthquake-induced huge tsunami predictable at Fukushima-1? (B) If it was predictable, what preparations at Fukushima-1 could have avoided the severity of the accident? Our conclusions were: (a) The tsunami that hit Fukushima-1 was predictable, and (b) the severity could have been avoided if the plant had prepared a set of equipment, and most of all, had exercised actions to take against such tsunami. Necessary preparation included: (1) a number of direct current (DC) batteries, (2) portable underwater pumps, (3) portable alternating current (AC) generators with sufficient gasoline supply, (4) high voltage AC power trucks, and (5) drills against extended loss of all electric power and seawater pumps. This set applied only to this specific accident. A thorough preparation would have added (6) portable compressors, (7) watertight modification to reactor core isolation cooling system (RCIC) and high pressure coolant injection system (HPCI) control and instrumentation, and (8) fire engines for alternate low pressure water injection. Item (5), i.e., to study plans and carry out exercises against the tsunami would have identified all other necessary preparations.
An off-target effect of BX795 blocks herpes simplex virus type 1 infection of the eye
Authors: Jaishankar Dinesh , Yakoub Abraam M. , Yadavalli Tejabhiram , Agelidis Alex , Thakkar Neel , Hadigal Satvik , Ames Joshua , Shukla Deepak
Published: February 2018

A kinase inhibitor shows promise as a topical antiviral against ocular herpes.
How to train your microbiome to eat broccoli
Authors: Au Sam H.
Published: February 2018

Engineered commensal bacteria produce colorectal cancer–fighting compounds from ingested broccoli.
Stressing Myc-driven cancer out
Authors: Zhang Qing
Published: February 2018

Myc-driven cancers can be targeted with the IRE1α inhibitor.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Nitrogen-Fixing and Hormogonia-Inducing Cyanobacterium
Nostoc cycadae
Strain WK-1, Isolated from the Coralloid Roots of
Cycas revoluta
Authors: Kanesaki Yu , Hirose Masaki , Hirose Yuu , Fujisawa Takatomo , Nakamura Yasukazu , Watanabe Satoru , Matsunaga Shigeru , Uchida Hiroko , Murakami Akio
Published: February 2018

We report here the whole-genome sequence of
Nostoc cycadae
strain WK-1, which was isolated from cyanobacterial colonies growing in the coralloid roots of the gymnosperm
Cycas revoluta
. It can provide valuable resources to study the mutualistic relationships and the syntrophic metabolisms between the cyanobacterial symbiont and the host plant,
C. revoluta
.
Draft Genome Sequences of
Escherichia coli
Isolates from India
Authors: Karunakaran Athira Cheruplackal , Milton Arockiasamy Arun Prince , Rajendrakumar Arunraj Mekhemadhom , Sahu Amit R. , Pandey A. , Ghatak Sandeep , Abhishek  , Nagaleekar Viswas Konasagara , Gandham Ravikumar , Agarwal Rajesh Kumar
Published: February 2018

Escherichia coli
causes diarrhea and extraintestinal infections in humans and animals. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of
Escherichia coli
strains 360/16 and 646, isolated from neonatal calves.
Complete Genome Sequence of the
Bacillus pumilus
Phage Leo2
Authors: Badran Sondos , Morales Nathanael , Schick Phillip , Jacoby Brandon , Villella William , Lorenz Todd
Published: February 2018

Bacillus
spp. are ubiquitous Gram-positive microbes with many ecological and symbiotic interactions and can be pathogens. Phage Leo2 was found to infect a
Bacillus pumilus
strain isolated from soil. The sequence of phage Leo2 revealed 74 genes; 31% of the genes have associated functions, and 67% of coding regions are unidentified open reading frames.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Pathogenic
Vibrio vulnificus
Strain Isolated in Brazil
Authors: Tiba-Casas Monique Ribeiro , Lemes-Marques Eneida Gonçalves , Almeida Elisabete Aparecida , Soares Flávia Barrosa , Camargo Carlos Henrique
Published: February 2018

We describe the draft genome sequence of the clinical
Vibrio vulnificus
strain 03_7315, isolated in 2016 from the blood of a diabetic patient who died of septicemia after ingestion of seafood. The draft genome, with 4,755,588 bp covering two chromosomes, presented 4,434 genes, 4,213 coding sequences, and 117 pseudogenes.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Sordariomycete
Lecythophora
(
Coniochaeta
)
hoffmannii
CBS 245.38
Authors: Leonhardt Sabrina , Büttner Enrico , Gebauer Anna Maria , Hofrichter Martin , Kellner Harald
Published: February 2018

Lecythophora
(
Coniochaeta
)
hoffmannii
, a soil- and lignocellulose-inhabiting sordariomycete (Ascomycota) that can also live as a facultative tree pathogen causing soft rot, belongs to the family Coniochaetaceae. The strain CBS 245.38 sequenced here was assembled into 869 contigs, has a size of 30.8 Mb, and comprises 10,596 predicted protein-coding genes.
High-Quality Draft Genome Sequences of Five
Xanthomonas arboricola
pv. fragariae Isolates
Authors: Gétaz Michael , Baeyen Steve , Blom Jochen , Maes Martine , Cottyn Bart , Pothier Joël F.
Published: February 2018

Xanthomonas arboricola
pv. fragariae was described in 2001 as the causal agent of strawberry bacterial leaf blight. We report here the first draft whole-genome sequences of five
X. arboricola
pv. fragariae isolates from Italy and France.
Discovery of Calcium as a Biofilm-Promoting Signal for Vibrio fischeri Reveals New Phenotypes and Underlying Regulatory Complexity
Authors: Tischler Alice H. , Lie Louise , Thompson Cecilia M. , Visick Karen L.
Published: February 2018

Biofilms, or communities of surface-attached microorganisms adherent via a matrix that typically includes polysaccharides, are highly resistant to environmental stresses and are thus problematic in the clinic and important to study.Vibrio fischeriforms biofilms to colonize its symbiotic host, making this organism useful for studying biofilms. Biofilm formation depends on thesyppolysaccharide locus and its regulators. Here, we identify a signal, calcium, that induces both SYP-PS and cellulose-dependent biofilms. We also identify a newsypregulator, the sensor kinase HahK, and discover a mutant phenotype for the sensor kinase RscS. This work thus reveals a specific biofilm-inducing signal that coordinately controls two polysaccharides, identifies a new regulator, and clarifies the regulatory control over biofilm formation byV. fischeri.
The 38K-Mediated Specific Dephosphorylation of the Viral Core Protein P6.9 Plays an Important Role in the Nucleocapsid Assembly of Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Lai Qingying , Wu Wenbi , Li Ao , Wang Wei , Yuan Meijin , Yang Kai
Published: February 2018

Encapsidation of the viral genomes, leading to the assembly of the nucleocapsids to form infectious progeny virions, is a key step in many virus life cycles. Baculovirus nucleocapsid assembly is a complex process that involves many proteins. Our previous studies showed that the deletion of the core gene
38K
(
ac98
) interrupted the nucleocapsid assembly by producing capsid sheaths devoid of viral genomes by an unknown mechanism. All homologs of 38K contain conserved motifs of the haloacid dehalogenase superfamily, which are involved in phosphoryl transfer. The requirements of these motifs for nucleocapsid assembly, confirmed in the present study, suggest that 38K may be a functioning haloacid dehalogenase. P6.9 is also encoded by a core gene (
ac100
) and is required for viral genome encapsidation. It has been reported that multiple phosphorylated species of P6.9 are present in virus-infected cells, while only an unphosphorylated species is detected in the budded virus. Therefore, whether 38K mediates the dephosphorylation of P6.9 was investigated. An additional phosphorylated species of P6.9 in
38K
-deleted or -mutated virus-transfected cells was detected, and the dephosphorylated sites mediated by 38K were determined by mass spectrometry. To assess the effects of dephosphorylation of P6.9 mediated by 38K on virus replication, these sites were mutated to glutamic acids (phosphorylation-mimic mutant) or to alanines (phosphorylation-deficient mutant). Studies showed that the nucleocapsid assembly was interrupted in phosphorylation-mimic mutant virus-transfected cells. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that 38K mediates the dephosphorylation of specific sites at the C terminus of P6.9, which is essential for viral genome encapsidation.

IMPORTANCE
Genome packaging is a fundamental process in the virus life cycle, and viruses have different strategies to perform this step. For several double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses, the procapsid is formed before genome encapsidation, which may require basic proteins that help to neutralize the nucleic acid charge repulsion to facilitate the compaction of the genome within the confined capsid space. Baculovirus encodes a small basic protein, P6.9, which is required for a variety of processes in the virus infection cycle. The phosphorylation of P6.9 is thought to result in nucleocapsid uncoating, while the dephosphorylation of P6.9 is involved in viral DNA encapsidation during nucleocapsid assembly. Here, we demonstrate that a haloacid dehalogenase homolog encoded by baculovirus core gene
38K
is involved in nucleocapsid assembly by mediating the dephosphorylation of 5 specific sites at the C terminus of P6.9. This finding contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of virus nucleocapsid assembly.
Estimates of prevalence, demographic characteristics and social factors among people with disabilities in the USA: a cross-survey comparison
Authors: Lauer Eric Andrew , Houtenville Andrew J
Published: February 2018

Objective

A national priority for disability research in the USA is the standardised identification of people with disabilities in surveillance efforts. Mandated by federal statute, six dichotomous difficulty-focused questions were implemented in national surveys to identify people with disabilities. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence, demographic characteristics and social factors among people with disabilities based on these six questions using multiple national surveys in the USA.

Setting

American Community Survey (ACS), Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS-ASEC), National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).

Participants

Civilian, non-institutionalised US residents aged 18 and over from the 2009 to 2014 ACS, 2009 to 2014 CPS-ASEC, 2009 to 2014 NHIS and 2008 SIPP waves 3, 7 and 10.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Disability was assessed using six standardised questions asking people about hearing, vision, cognition, ambulatory, self-care and independent living disabilities. Social factors were assessed with questions asking people to report their education, employment status, family size, health and marital status, health insurance and income.

Results

Risk ratios and demographic distributions for people with disabilities were consistent across survey. People with disabilities were at decreased risk of having college education, employment, families with three or more people, excellent or very good self-reported health and a spouse. People with disabilities were also consistently at greater risk of having health insurance and living below the poverty line. Estimates of disability prevalence varied between surveys from 2009 to 2014 (range 11.76%–17.08%).

Conclusion

Replicating the existing literature, we found the estimation of disparities and inequity people with disabilities experience to be consistent across survey. Although there was a range of prevalence estimates, demographic factors for people with disabilities were consistent across surveys. Variations in prevalence estimates can be explained by survey context effects.
Estimating the met need for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in three payams of Torit County, South Sudan: a facility-based, retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Bayo Pontius , Itua Imose , Francis Suzie Paul , Boateng Kofi , Tahir Elijo Omoro , Usman Abdulmumini
Published: February 2018

Objective

To determine the met need for emergency obstetric care (EmOC) services in three Payams of Torit County, South Sudan in 2015 and to determine the frequency of each major obstetric complication.

Design

This was a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Setting

Four primary healthcare centres (PHCCs) and one state hospital in three payams (administrative areas that form a county) in Torit County, South Sudan.

Participants

All admissions in the obstetrics and gynaecology wards (a total of 2466 patient admission files) in 2015 in all the facilities designated to conduct deliveries in the study area were reviewed to identify obstetric complications.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

The primary outcome was met need for EmOC, which was defined as the proportion of all women with direct major obstetric complications in 2015 treated in health facilities providing EmOC services. The frequency of each complication and the interventions for treatment were the secondary outcomes.

Results

Two hundred and fifty four major obstetric complications were admitted in 2015 out of 390 expected from 2602 pregnancies, representing 65.13% met need. The met need was highest (88%) for Nyong Payam, an urban area, compared with the other two rural payams, and 98.8% of the complications were treated from the hospital, while no complications were treated from three PHCCs. The most common obstetric complications were abortions (45.7%), prolonged obstructed labour (23.2%) and haemorrhage (16.5%). Evacuation of the uterus for retained products (42.5%), caesarean sections (32.7%) and administration of oxytocin for treatment of postpartum haemorrhage (13.3%) were the most common interventions.

Conclusion

The met need for EmOC in Torit County is low, with 35% of women with major obstetric complications not accessing care, and there is disparity with Nyong Payam having a higher met need. We suggest more support supervision to the PHCCs to increase access for the rural population.
Do quality improvement initiatives for diabetes care address social inequities? Secondary analysis of a systematic review
Authors: Lu Jacquie Boyang , Danko Kristin J , Elfassy Michael D , Welch Vivian , Grimshaw Jeremy M , Ivers Noah M
Published: February 2018

Background

Socially disadvantaged populations carry a disproportionate burden of diabetes-related morbidity and mortality. There is an emerging interest in quality improvement (QI) strategies in the care of patients with diabetes, however, the effect of these interventions on disadvantaged groups remains unclear.

Objective

This is a secondary analysis of a systematic review that seeks to examine the extent of equity considerations in diabetes QI studies, specifically quantifying the proportion of studies that target interventions toward disadvantaged populations and conduct analyses on the impact of interventions on disadvantaged groups.

Research design and methods

Studies were identified using Medline, HealthStar and the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care database. Randomised controlled trials assessing 12 QI strategies targeting health systems, healthcare professionals and/or patients for the management of adult outpatients with diabetes were eligible. The place of residence, race/ethnicity/culture/language, occupational status, gender/sexual identity, religious affiliations, education level, socioeconomic status, social capital, plus age, disability, sexual preferences and relationships (PROGRESS-Plus) framework was used to identify trials that focused on disadvantaged patient populations, to examine the types of equity-relevant factors that are being considered and to explore temporal trends in equity-relevant diabetes QI trials.

Results

Of the 278 trials that met the inclusion criteria, 95 trials had equity-relevant considerations. These include 64 targeted trials that focused on a disadvantaged population with the aim to improve the health status of that population and 31 general trials that undertook subgroup analyses to assess the extent to which their interventions may have had differential impacts on disadvantaged subgroups. Trials predominantly focused on race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status and place of residence as potential factors for disadvantage in patients receiving diabetes care.

Conclusions

Less than one-third of diabetes QI trials included equity-relevant considerations, limiting the relevance and applicability of their data to disadvantaged populations. There is a need for better data collection, reporting, analysis and interventions on the social determinants of health that may influence the health outcomes of patients with diabetes.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42013005165.