bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Covalent functionalization of graphene using polyacryloyl chloride and performance of functionalized graphene–epoxy nanocomposite
Authors: Bose Saswata , Das Arit , Basu Sankhadeep , Drzal Lawrence T.
Published: February 2017

A facile approach to functionalize mild acid treated exfoliated graphite nanoparticles (GnPs) was established using poly (acryloyl chloride) (PACl). The reaction between the acyl chloride groups of PACl and the hydroxyl group of mild acid treated GnPs (AGNPs) facilitated the formation of “ester linkage.” The remaining –COCl groups of PACl were covalently bonded with epoxy to form the hybrid nanocomposite. Structure of GnPs was not perturbed upon mild acid treatment. Successful functionalization was confirmed via thermal stability and morphological observations. The structural aspects and properties of the nanocomposites were evaluated via spectroscopic measurements, thermo‐mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopic observations. Improved interfacial adhesion between epoxy and functionalized GnPs was evaluated via SEM. The nanocomposite exhibited an enhancement of mechanical properties at lower filler content (1.0 wt%), which resulted in an increase in flexural strength and flexural modulus by 15 and 22%, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3119–3128, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cover Image, Volume 6, Issue 2
Authors: Ciriminna Rosaria , Meneguzzo Francesco , Albanese Lorenzo , Pagliaro Mario
Published: February 2017

The cover image, by Mario Pagliaro et al., is based on the Focus Article Solar street lighting: a key technology en route to sustainability, DOI: 10.1002/wene.218.

image
Alexithymia and Immune Dysregulation: A Critical Review
Authors: Uher Tomas
Published: February 2017

Alexithymia presents a deficit in identifying and expressing emotions, paucity of fantasies, and an externally oriented cognitive style. Numerous recent studies have documented that alexithymia is significantly related to dysregulation of immune functions. These findings implicate that stressors related to alexithymia could underlie the process of immune dysregulation that likely presents a significant risk factor in pathogenesis of several psychosomatic illnesses. In this article various findings on immune dysregulation in alexithymia are reviewed and discussed.
Consciousness and the Problem of Other Minds
Authors: O’Dea John
Published: February 2017

Because a conception of consciousness based on direct self-awareness does not generalise easily to other cases, a fully general theory of consciousness under this conception may not be possible, as Ned Block (2003) has pointed out. In this paper, i discuss the possibility of doing away with the underlying idea, common in philosophical and scientific circles, that consciousness is a first-person concept in the first instance, from which we infer outwards to others. i suggest that notable Phenomenological descriptions of the centrality and automaticity of our experience of others is broadly in line with the evidence from psychology and the neurosciences; recent work on possible “mirror” and related mechanisms for engaging with the mental states of others, together with behavioural and developmental studies, all undermine the inferential approach to other minds. I defend the possibility that the conception of mentality that underlies our engagement with others from infancy does not arise from self-awareness, and that if so, the way we theorise about consciousness in its most general sense may have to change.
Food Craving, Stress And Limbic Irritability
Authors: Svetlak Miroslav
Published: February 2017

Recent findings show that food craving is strongly related to emotional distress. Stress-induced feeding is a phenomenon related to sensitization associated with repeated stress stimuli and related increase in incentive salience attributed to known familiar foods and increased craving. Because stress sensitization may also produce seizure-like activity, aim of the present study was to test a hypothesis that food craving could be linked to heightened level of seizure-like symptoms that present cognitive and affective symptoms related to temporo-limbic hyperexcitability. In order to achieve this goal we have measured indices of food craving, traumatic stress and seizure-like symptoms using psychometric measures in 257 university students. The results indicate statistically significant correlations of food craving with traumatic stress symptoms (r=0.26, p<0.05), dissociative symptoms (r=0.37, p<0.01) and seizure-like symptoms (r=0.41, p<0.01). These results present first supportive evidence that food craving in healthy persons may be related to traumatic stress and seizure-like symptoms. The present results also support findings that traumatic stress may lead to kindling-like sensitization that could play a role in food craving mechanisms.
How and Why Psychiatrists Should Use Imaging Methods
Authors: Kasparek Tomas
Published: February 2017

From the perspective of a clinical psychiatrist, the extensive research in the field of imaging methods seems to have brought virtually no relevant information to practice (except for differential diagnoses of organic mental disorders). Mental disorders have not been shown to have a correlate detectable with common methods used in other branches of clinical medicine; neither do they provide access to subjective contents, i.e., they do not allow us to “read” our patients’ thoughts or emotions, as popularized, particularly, by science fiction writers. However, imaging methods do have a significant role to play in psychiatry. Along with cognitive neuroscience findings, they allow us to understand the origin of certain psychopathological phenomena and formulate specific therapeutic approaches that can be used to influence them; together with findings from histopathology and animal studies, they allow us to assess the neuropathology of mental illnesses and assess the effectiveness of treatment modalities. imaging techniques allow us to determine which parts of the brain are connected with a particular psychopathology, which in turn allows treatment selection to be focused on the anatomical and biological targets, linked to the psychopathology, thus offering benefits to the patient. Methods are beginning to appear which, using various brain imaging and multidimensional classification techniques, allow us (with increasing sensitivity and specificity) to determine which group an assessed subject belongs. This last feature is of greatest interest in clinical practice as it may be helpful with the diagnosis (i.e., whether the image of the brain corresponds to the healthy population or the suspected disorder) or in prediction (e.g. based on response to treatment, what are the probable courses for the illness, etc.). Thus, although mental illnesses are not accompanied by specific changes in the brain perceptible to the naked eye, if we ask clinically relevant questions, imaging methods provide us with important answers. This is why psychiatrists themselves should become knowledgeable and comfortable with imaging methods.
Consciousness: A Computational Paradigm Update
Authors: Matzke Douglas J.
Published: February 2017

This dualist model of mind-body addresses the formal and physical limits to computation that critics of artificial intelligence argue are the reason computers will never produce really intelligent machines. This model describes potential ideal computational leverage mechanisms that are based upon primitive properties of the universe (such as space, time, and number of dimensions) derived from modern physics consistency arguments. An intuitive model of computational costs is introduced to create a framework for discussing how unlimited computation could be derived from space, time, and observer requirements. This cost model suggests that an ideal solution for unlimited intelligence would require a sparse, high dimensional spacetime (unrestricted locality) and a formalized observer mechanism (mobile observer framework based on a superset of inertial frame properties). This solution simultaneously addresses the semantical issue of unrestricted locality by maintaining a space/time metric but by going beyond the non-locality constraints of 4D physical implementation layers. Such a computational model would strongly support a dualist model of the consciousness, where the mind has properties distinct from the brain/body. This solution would differentiate why naturally occurring “real intelligence” computation systems exhibit consciousness and why current artificial intelligence solutions are not really intelligent nor do they exhibit consciousness. This original paper and model are still valid today and this paper includes updates due to new results developed since the original model.
Activation of Retinotopic Visual Areas Is Central to REM Sleep Associated Dreams: Visual Dreams and Visual Imagery Possibly Co-Emerged In Evolution
Authors: Bókkon István , Mallick Birendra Nath
Published: February 2017

The latest experimental results support that multiple retinotopic visual systems play a central role not only in the processing of visual signals but also in the integration and processing of internally represented auditory and tactile information. These retinotopic maps have access to higher levels of cognitive processing, performed by the frontal lobes, for example. The occipital cortex may have a special role in multisensory integration. There is a functional basis for the development and maturation of visual memory in association of rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) which is linked to dreams and visual imagery. Physiological and psychological processes of REMS are similar to waking visual imagery. Furthermore, visual imagery during REMS utilize a common visual neural pathway similar to that used in wakefulness. This pathway subserves visual processes accompanied with auditory experiences and intrinsic feelings. We argue that the activation of the retinotopic visual areas is central to REM sleep associated dreams and that REMS associated dreaming and visual imagery may have co-evolved in homeothermic animals during evolution. We also suggest that protoconscious state during REM sleep, as introduced by Hobson many years ago, may be a basic visual process.
Dissipationless Transfer of Visual Information From Retina to the Primary Visual Cortex in the Human Brain
Authors: Salari Vahid , Rahnama Majid , Tuszynski Jack A.
Published: February 2017

Recently, the experiments on photosynthetic systems via “femto-second laser spectroscopy” methods have indicated that a “quantum-coherence” in the system causes a highly efficient transfer of energy to the “reaction center” (efficiency is approximately equal to 100%). A recent experiment on a single neuron has indicated that it can conduct light. Also, a re-emission of light from both photosynthetic systems and single neurons has been observed, which is called “delayed luminescence”. This can be supposed as a possibility for dissipationless transfer of visual information to the human brain. In addition, a long-range Fröhlich coherence in microtubules can be a candidate for efficient transfer of light through “noisy” and complex structures of the human brain. From an informational point of view it is a legitimate question to ask how human brain can receive subtle external quantum information of photons intact when photons are in a quantum superposition and pass through very noisy and complex pathways from the eye to the brain? Here, we propose a coherent model in which quantum states of photons can be rebuilt in the human brain.
Retained Primitive Reflexes and ADHD in Children
Authors: Konicarova Jana , Bob Petr
Published: February 2017

Particularly important postnatal developmental reflexes that diminish in later stages of development are Moro reflex and Galant reflex that belong among the so-called primitive reflexes. According to current evidence persistence of the primitive reflexes is related to certain specific neuropsychiatric disorders. According to current knowledge there is no evidence whether these reflexes play a role in Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). To develop these findings we have tested a hypothesis whether ADHD children in the school age (8–11 years) will have higher level of persisting primitive reflexes Moro and Galant compared to a control group of children of the same age. Results of this study show that ADHD children have high occurrence of primitive reflexes compared to the control group, which indicates that ADHD symptoms may present a compensation of unfinished developmental stages related to diminishing Moro and Galant reflexes.
The Effect of Handedness on Visual P300 Responses and Visual Scanning Pathways
Authors: Eskikurt Gökcer , Yücesir İlker , İsoglu-Alkac Ümmühan
Published: February 2017

It is thought that hemispheric asymmetry is reflected to behavioral asymmetries. The most prominent behavioral asymmetry is hand preference. This study consisted of two groups (14 each) with different handedness. Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) to a visual oddball task were recorded from 19 sites, and another session with a “change detection paradigm” was applied, where the visual scanning pathways were recorded. Although the comparison of P300 grand averages of 19 sites showed no significant difference between the groups, the comparison of the central sites (Fz, Cz, Pz) showed significant differences of both, amplitude and latency, (p<0.05; p<0.04) respectively, where larger amplitudes and longer latencies were found in the right handed group. Both groups have showed larger P300 amplitudes of right hemispheric responses (p<0.01) in inter-hemispheric comparison. The results of “change detection paradigm” have shown no significant difference between the groups. The cognitive processing of visual information was found to be more dominant at the right hemisphere in both groups, and stronger at central sites in right handed subjects than their left handed counter partners. The study included both, right- and left handed subjects, which makes it more specific than the previous studies in the field. The present findings were related with the results of studies which examine the thickness of the skull, the size of corpus callosal area and the functional specialization of hemispheres.
The Essence of Free will and of Its Real Main Restriction
Authors: Rotenberg Vadim
Published: February 2017

Free will is actually a free choice of a definite type of behavior from many options that are determined by different objective conditions. This choice is the function of the Self-Image as the highest level of personality. At the same time Self-Image restricts the free will making it different from arbitrariness. The essence of the free will is the subject’s responsible choice of one option of motivated behavior from many options and this choice is determined by the subject’s Self-Image as the most integrative and not totally conscious or realized representation of the Self that includes the highest personal values.
Standard of Open Surgical Repair of Suprapubic Incisional Hernias
Authors: Renard Yohann , Simonneau Anne‐Charlotte , de Mestier Louis , Teuma Lugdivine , Meffert Jean‐Luc , Palot Jean‐Pierre , Kianmanesh Reza
Published: February 2017

Background

Suprapubic incisional hernias (SIH) are a rare wall defect, whose surgical management is challenging because of limited literature. The proximity of the hernia to bone, vascular, nerve, and urinary structures, and the absence of posterior rectus sheath in this location imply adequate technique of surgical repair. We aimed to describe a cohort of female patients operated on for SIH after gynecological surgery using a homogeneous surgical technique and to report surgical outcomes.

Methods

The records of all consecutive patients operated on for SIH in a specialized surgical center between January 2009 and January 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. The same open technique was performed, i.e., using a mesh placed inferiorly in the preperitoneal space of Retzius, with large overlap, and fixed on the Cooper’s ligaments, through the muscles superiorly and laterally with strong tension, in a sublay or underlay position.

Results

The cohort included 71 female patients. SIH were recurrent in 31% of patients and was related to cesarean in 32 patients (45.1%) and to gynecologic surgery in 39 patients (54.9%). The mesh was totally extraperitoneal in 76.1% of patients. The postoperative mortality rate was null. The rate of specific surgical complications was 29.6%. After a median follow‐up of 30.3 months, the recurrence rate was 7%.

Conclusion

The open approach for SIH repair was safe and efficient. Due to the paucity of adequate scientific studies, this reproducible open method could help moving toward a standardization of SIH surgical management.
Habitat structure determines spider diversity in highland ponds
Authors: Ávila Arthur Cardoso , Stenert Cristina , Rodrigues Everton Nei Lopes , Maltchik Leonardo
Published: February 2017

Wetlands (e.g. ponds, meadows) can be found in many landscapes, playing an important role in maintaining regional biodiversity and supporting heterogeneous communities. Spiders are diversified predators that are highly influenced by changes in plant community structure, heterogeneous habitats sustain high spider diversity and abundance. We investigated the characteristics of spider biodiversity in ponds with different habitat structures, by examining patterns across habitats of ponds with different vegetation levels. Sampling took place in four occasions over a year. We compared spider abundance, species richness and composition among ponds including distinct vegetation variables, related to life form, type of leaves, coverage and height. Overall 1174 individuals (194 adults) of 11 families and 37 morphospecies were sampled. We found mostly expected differences in the manner that communities were structured between different habitats. Thus, higher variability of abundance was explained for higher habitat structure of ponds. We also found differences in species composition between ponds with low emergent vegetation and higher habitat structures. Additionaly, spiders were consistently structured more by turnover than nestedness components, with a greater beta diversity of web‐builders. Our results suggest varying levels of habitat structures and species substitution shape pond spider communities, depending on habitat heterogeneity and spider guild. Those findings demonstrate the clear role of spatial habitat structure, with more spider species preferring to build webs or actively hunt at vegetated environments on ponds.
An energy estimate of an exterior problem and a Liouville theorem for harmonic maps
Authors: Zhang Dong
Published: February 2017

We prove that the exterior harmonic maps, from

R^n\setminus Ω

(

n ≧ 3

) to a bounded strictly convex geodesic ball of some Riemannian manifolds, have finite conformal invariant energy. A consequence of this estimate is a Liouville theorem which states that harmonic maps between Euclidean space

(R^n, g_0)

and Riemannian manifolds are constant maps provided their image at infinity falls into a bounded strictly convex geodesic ball.

Nous démontrons que des applications harmoniques extérieures, de

R^n\setminus Ω

(

n ≧ 3

) vers une boule géodésique donnée strictement convexe d’une variété riemannienne, ont une énergie invariante conforme finie. Une conséquence de ce résultat est un théorème de Liouville qui montre qu’une application harmonique, entre un espace euclidien

(R^n, g_0)

et des variétés riemanniennes, est constante dès que son image à l’infini est continue dans une boule géodésique bornée strictement convexe.
A priori regularity for weak solutions of some nonlinear elliptic equations
Authors: Pacard Frank
Published: February 2017

Let

f(u)

be some positive regular function bounded from above by

u^{\frac{n}{n−2}}

, in

ℝ^+

. We derive some necessary and sufficient conditions, in order for all positive solutions to

−\mathrm{\Delta }u = f\left(u\right) \in L_{\mathrm{loc}}^{1}\left(ℝ^{n}\right)

to be regular.

Soit

f(u)

une fonction positive, suffisamment régulière, bornée par

u^{\frac{n}{n−2}}

sur

ℝ^+

. On démontre qu’il existe un critère permettant de déterminer si toutes les solutions faibles positives de

−\mathrm{\Delta }u = f\left(u\right) \in L_{\mathrm{loc}}^{1}\left(ℝ^{n}\right)

sont régulières.
Small solutions to nonlinear Schrödinger equations
Authors: Kenig Carlos E. , Ponce Gustavo , Vega Luis
Published: February 2017

It is shown that the initial value problem for the nonlinear Schrödinger equations

∂_{t}u = i\mathrm{\Delta }u + \mathrm{P}(u,\:\nabla _{x}u,\:\bar u,\:\nabla _{x}\bar u),\:\:t \in ℝ,\:x \in ℝ^{n},

where

Ρ (.)

is a polynomial having no constant or linear terms, is locally well posed for a class of “small” data

u_0

.

The main ingredients in the proof are new estimates describing the smoothing effect of Kato type for the group

\left\{e^{it\mathrm{\Delta }}\right\}_{−∞}^{∞}

. This method extends to systems and other dispersive models.

On montre que le problème de Cauchy pour l’équation de Schrödinger non linéaire

∂_{t}u = i\mathrm{\Delta }u + \mathrm{P}(u,\:\nabla _{x}u,\:\bar u,\:\nabla _{x}\bar u),\:\:t \in ℝ,\:x \in ℝ^{n},

où

P (.)

est un polynôme sans termes constants ou linéaires, est bien posé pour une classe de « petites » données

u_0

.

Les ingrédients principaux de la démonstration sont des nouvelles estimations qui décrivent l’effet régularisant de type de Kato pour le groupe

\left\{e^{it\mathrm{\Delta }}\right\}

. La méthode admet des extensions aux systèmes et aux autres modèles dispersifs.
On the Blowup of Multidimensional Semilinear Heat Equations
Authors: Filippas Stathis , Liu Wenxiong
Published: February 2017

This work is concerned with positive, blowing-up solutions of the semilinear heat equation

u_t − ∆u = u^p

in

\mathbf R^n

. No symmetry assumptions are made. Working with the equation in similarity variables, we first prove a result suggested by center manifold theory. We then calculate the refined asymptotics for

u

in a backward space-time parabola near a blowup point, and we obtain some information about the local structure of the blowup set. Our results suggest that in space dimension

n

, among solutions that follow the center manifold, there are exactly

n

different blowup patterns.

On étudie les solutions positives explosant en temps fini de l’equation semilinéaire de la chaleur :

u_t − ∆u = u^p

dans

\mathbf R^n

. On ne suppose aucune hypothèse de symétrie. On calcule le comportement asymptotique de la solution au voisinage d’un point d’explosion et on obtient certaines informations sur l’ensemble des points d’explosion.
Univalent solutions of elliptic systems of Heinz-Lewy type
Authors: Schulz Friedmar
Published: February 2017

Under consideration are homeomorphisms

u= (u^1(x^1, x^2), u^2(x^1, x^2))

with finite Dirichlet integral which solve binary, quasilinear elliptic systems (3) with quadratic growth in the gradient of the solution mapping. Regularity results are derived under minimal assumptions on the coefficients of the system. The non-vanishing of the Jacobian is shown for the Heinz–Lewy system (1) together with an
a priori
estimate from below under suitable normalizations. This involves proving an asymptotic expansion for real-valued functions

φ(x)

satisfying the differential inequality (2).

On considére des homéomorphismes

u= (u^1(x^1, x^2), u^2(x^1, x^2))

dont l’intégrale de Dirichlet est finie et qui résolvent certains systèmes elliptiques quasilinéaires. On démontre alors des résultats de régulants. Dans le cas particulier du système des Heinz–Lewy, on démontre la non-nullité du Jacobien ainsi qu’une estimation
a priori
par le dessous.
Interior curvature estimates for hypersurfaces of prescribed mean curvature
Authors: Ecker Klaus , Huisken Gerhard
Published: February 2017

We prove that a smooth solution of the prescribed mean curvature equation

\operatorname{div} (v^{−1} \mathrm{D}u) = \mathrm H

,

v = (1 + |\mathrm Du|^2)^{1/2}

satisfies an interior curvature estimate of the form

\left|\mathrm{A}\right|v\left(0\right)≦c\:\mathbf{R}^{−1}\sup\limits_{\mathrm{B}_{\mathbf{R}}(0)} \:v.

On démontre qu’une solution de l’équation

\operatorname{div} (v^{−1} \mathrm{D}u) = \mathrm H

,

v = (1 + |\mathrm Du|^2)^{1/2}

satisfait l’estimation intérieure pour la courbure

\left|\mathrm{A}\right|v\left(0\right)≦c\:\mathbf{R}^{−1}\sup\limits_{\mathrm{B}_{\mathbf{R}}(0)} \:v.
Trademark and Unfair Competition Conflicts
Authors: Dornis Tim W.
Published: February 2017

With the rise of internet marketing and e-commerce around the world, international and cross-border conflicts in trademark and unfair competition law have become increasingly important. In this groundbreaking work, Tim Dornis - who, in addition to his scholarly pursuits, has worked as an attorney, a public prosecutor, and a judge, giving him experience in both civil and common-law jurisdictions - presents the historical-comparative, doctrinal, and economic aspects of trademark and unfair competition conflicts law. The book should be read by any scholar or practitioner interested in the international aspects of intellectual property generally, and trademark and unfair competition law specifically. This title is available as Open Access.
British Women Surgeons and their Patients, 1860–1918
Authors: Brock Claire
Published: February 2017

When women agitated to join the medical profession in Britain during the 1860s, the practice of surgery proved both a help (women were neat, patient and used to needlework) and a hindrance (surgery was brutal, bloody and distinctly unfeminine). In this major new study, Claire Brock examines the cultural, social and self-representation of the woman surgeon from the second half of the nineteenth century until the end of the Great War. Drawing on a rich archive of British hospital records, she investigates precisely what surgery women performed and how these procedures affected their personal and professional reputation, as well as the reactions of their patients to these new phenomena. Essential reading for those interested in the history of medicine, British Women Surgeons and their Patients, 1860–1918 provides wide-ranging new perspectives on patient narratives and women's participation in surgery between 1860 and 1918. This title is also available as Open Access.
Characterization and functional analysis of serpin-1 like gene from oak silkworm Antheraea pernyi
Authors: Yu H.M. , Zhu B.J. , Sun Y. , Wei G.Q. , Wang L. , Qian C. , Nadeem Abbas M. , Liu C.L.
Published: February 2017

Serpins are a broadly distributed family of proteases found in various organisms that play an important role in regulating the immune response. Here, we identified a serpin-1 gene from Antheraea pernyi that encodes a 279 amino acid protein with a molecular weight of 30.8 kDa. We expressed the recombinant Ap-serpin-1 protein in Escherichia coli and used the purified protein to prepare rabbit anti-Ap-serpin-1 polyclonal antibodies. We calculated the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay titer of the antibody as 1:128000. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Ap-serpin-1 was expressed in all examined tissues, including hemolymph, malpighian tubules, midgut, silk gland, integument and the fat body; the highest Ap-serpin-1 expression levels was detected in the fat body. We next investigated the expression patterns of Ap-serpin-1 in both fat body and hemolymph samples, following treatment with E. coli, Beauveria bassiana, Micrococcus luteus and nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV). We reported that NPV and M. luteus significantly enhanced Ap-serpin-1 expression in the fat body. While, in the hemolymph samples, treatment with B. bassiana and M. luteus was shown to upregulate Ap-serpin-1 expression at 24 h induction. Altogether, our results suggest that Ap-serpin-1 is involved in the innate immunity of A. pernyi.
Hospitalizations associated with salmonellosis among seniors in Canada, 2000–2010
Authors: TURGEON P. , MURRAY R. , NESBITT A.
Published: February 2017

Salmonella is one of the most prevalent bacteria associated with enteric illness in Canada and seniors are considered a vulnerable population more likely to develop severe illness. In the coming decades, hospitalizations and deaths associated with Salmonella in seniors could represent a challenge due to an aging population in Canada. The numbers of non-typhoidal (NT) Salmonella-related hospitalizations from the Canadian Hospitalization Morbidity Database were analysed for a period of 10 years for seniors. Hospitalization rate calculations and descriptive analyses were performed on variables associated with the burden of hospitalization and compared with the adult age group. Estimates of hospitalizations and deaths associated with domestically acquired Salmonella (accounting for under-reporting) were also calculated. This study found that 50% of the NT Salmonella-related hospitalization and 82% of the deaths recorded in the Canadian adult population occurred in seniors. The length of hospitalization stay was also longer in seniors (7 days) than other adults (4 days). We estimated that each year, 535 hospitalizations and 27 deaths are related to domestically acquired Salmonella in seniors. Senior populations represent a substantial percentage of Salmonella-related hospitalizations and deaths in Canada and the burden associated with those hospitalizations is also greater. This should be considered when developing estimates of medical costs and implementing prevention activities.
Seeds of non-native species in King George Island soil
Authors: Fuentes-Lillo Eduardo , Cuba-Díaz Marely , Troncoso-Castro José M. , Rondanelli-Reyes Mauricio
Published: February 2017

The Antarctic terrestrial ecosystem is relatively simple and has low plant diversity. Taking into account the current effects of climate change and the exponential increase in visitors during the past 50 years, this ecosystem is very vulnerable to the arrival of non-native species. Fildes Peninsula, King George Island, is an area of high human impact due to the scientific and logistical activities that occur there making the area particularly interesting for the arrival of non-native species. In this study, we determine the spectrum of seeds arriving to the peninsula and being deposited in the topsoil. Soil samples were collected and analysed in order to identify and quantify plant material. The results indicate that there is a direct relationship between the sites where seeds were found and areas with higher levels of human activity on the peninsula. Eight species were identified, with the most common beingHypochaeris radicataandSenecio jacobaea. Seed quantification indicated that areas of high human activity are most vulnerable to the invasion and establishment of non-native species. This study is the first to demonstrate the presence of non-native seeds in the topsoil at Fildes Peninsula, Antarctica.
The State of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems in Africa
Authors: Mould-Millman Nee-Kofi , Dixon Julia M. , Sefa Nana , Yancey Arthur , Hollong Bonaventure G. , Hagahmed Mohamed , Ginde Adit A. , Wallis Lee A.
Published: February 2017

Introduction

Little is known about the existence, distribution, and characteristics of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems in Africa, or the corresponding epidemiology of prehospital illness and injury.

Methods

A survey was conducted between 2013 and 2014 by distributing a detailed EMS system questionnaire to experts in paper and electronic versions. The questionnaire ascertained EMS systems’ jurisdiction, operations, finance, clinical care, resources, and regulatory environment. The discovery of respondents with requisite expertise occurred in multiple phases, including snowball sampling, a review of published scientific literature, and a rigorous search of the Internet.

Results

The survey response rate was 46%, and data represented 49 of 54 (91%) African countries. Twenty-five EMS systems were identified and distributed among 16 countries (30% of African countries). There was no evidence of EMS systems in 33 (61%) countries. A total of 98,574,731 (8.7%) of the African population were serviced by at least one EMS system in 2012. The leading causes of EMS transport were (in order of decreasing frequency): injury, obstetric, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal complaints. Nineteen percent of African countries had government-financed EMS systems and 26% had a toll-free public access telephone number. Basic emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and Basic Life Support (BLS)-equipped ambulances were the most common cadre of provider and ambulance level, respectively (84% each).

Conclusion

Emergency Medical Services systems exist in one-third of African countries. Injury and obstetric complaints are the leading African prehospital conditions. Only a minority (<9.0%) of Africans have coverage by an EMS system. Most systems were predominantly BLS, government operated, and fee-for-service.

Mould-MillmanNK, DixonJM, SefaN, YanceyA, HollongBG, HagahmedM, GindeAA, WallisLA. The state of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems in Africa. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(3):273–283.
Luminescence Spectroscopical Properties of Plagioclase Particles from the Hayabusa Sample Return Mission: An Implication for Study of Space Weathering Processes in the Asteroid Itokawa
Authors: Gucsik Arnold , Nakamura Tomoki , Jäger Cornelia , Ninagawa Kiyotaka , Nishido Hirotsugu , Kayama Masahiro , Tsuchiyama Akira , Ott Ulrich , Kereszturi Ákos
Published: February 2017

We report a systematic spectroscopical investigation of three plagioclase particles (RB-QD04-0022, RA-QD02-0025-01, and RA-QD02-0025-02) returned by the Hayabusa spacecraft from the asteroid Itokawa, by means of scanning electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence microscopy/spectroscopy, and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The cathodoluminescence properties are used to evaluate the crystallization effects and the degree of space weathering processes, especially the shock-wave history of Itokawa. They provide new insights regarding spectral changes of asteroidal bodies due to space weathering processes. The cathodoluminescence spectra of the plagioclase particles from Itokawa show a defect-related broad band centered at around 450 nm, with a shoulder peak at 425 nm in the blue region, but there are no Mn- or Fe-related emission peaks. The absence of these crystal field-related activators indicates that the plagioclase was formed during thermal metamorphism at subsolidus temperature and extreme low oxygen fugacity. Luminescence characteristics of the selected samples do not show any signatures of the shock-induced microstructures or amorphization, indicating that these plagioclase samples suffered no (or low-shock pressure regime) shock metamorphism. Cathodoluminescence can play a key role as a powerful tool to determine mineralogy of fine-grained astromaterials.
Optimization of Vascular Casting for Three-Dimensional Fluorescence Cryo-Imaging of Collateral Vessels in the Ischemic Rat Hindlimb
Authors: Schwarz Janina C.V. , van Lier Monique G.J.T.B. , Bakker Erik N.T.P. , de Vos Judith , Spaan Jos A.E. , VanBavel Ed , Siebes Maria
Published: February 2017

Development of collateral vessels, arteriogenesis, may protect against tissue ischemia, however, quantitative data on this process remain scarce. We have developed a technique for replicating the entire arterial network of ischemic rat hindlimbs in three dimensions (3D) based on vascular casting and automated sequential cryo-imaging. Various dilutions of Batson’s No. 17 with methyl methacrylate were evaluated in healthy rats, with further protocol optimization in ischemic rats. Penetration of the resin into the vascular network greatly depended on dilution; the total length of casted vessels below 75 µm was 13-fold higher at 50% dilution compared with the 10% dilution. Dilutions of 25–30%, with transient clamping of the healthy iliac artery, were optimal for imaging the arterial network in unilateral ischemia. This protocol completely filled the lumina of small arterioles and collateral vessels. These appeared as thin anastomoses in healthy legs and increasingly larger vessels during ligation (median diameter 1 week: 63 µm, 4 weeks: 127 µm). The presented combination of quality casts with high-resolution cryo-imaging enables automated, detailed 3D analysis of collateral adaptation, which furthermore can be combined with co-registered 3D distributions of fluorescent molecular imaging markers reflecting biological activity or perfusion.
Fast Atomic-Scale Elemental Mapping of Crystalline Materials by STEM Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy Achieved with Thin Specimens
Authors: Lu Ping , Yuan Renliang , Zuo Jian Min
Published: February 2017

Elemental mapping at the atomic-scale by scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) provides a powerful real-space approach to chemical characterization of crystal structures. However, applications of this powerful technique have been limited by inefficient X-ray emission and collection, which require long acquisition times. Recently, using a lattice-vector translation method, we have shown that rapid atomic-scale elemental mapping using STEM-EDS can be achieved. This method provides atomic-scale elemental maps averaged over crystal areas of ~few 10 nm2with the acquisition time of ~2 s or less. Here we report the details of this method, and, in particular, investigate the experimental conditions necessary for achieving it. It shows, that in addition to usual conditions required for atomic-scale imaging, a thin specimen is essential for the technique to be successful. Phenomenological modeling shows that the localization of X-ray signals to atomic columns is a key reason. The effect of specimen thickness on the signal delocalization is studied by multislice image simulations. The results show that the X-ray localization can be achieved by choosing a thin specimen, and the thickness of less than about 22 nm is preferred for SrTiO3in [001] projection for 200 keV electrons.
ErbB4 signaling stimulates pro-inflammatory macrophage apoptosis and limits colonic inflammation
Authors: Schumacher Michael A , Hedl Matija , Abraham Clara , Bernard Jessica K , Lozano Patricia R , Hsieh Jonathan J , Almohazey Dana , Bucar Edie B , Punit Shivesh , Dempsey Peter J , Frey Mark R
Published: February 2017

Efficient clearance of pro-inflammatory macrophages from tissues after resolution of a challenge is critical to prevent prolonged inflammation. Defects in clearance can contribute to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, and thus may be therapeutically targetable. However, the signaling pathways that induce termination of pro-inflammatory macrophages are incompletely defined. We tested whether the ErbB4 receptor tyrosine kinase, previously not known to have role in macrophage biology, is involved in this process. In vitro, pro-inflammatory activation of cultured murine and human macrophages induced ErbB4 expression; in contrast, other ErbB family members were not induced in pro-inflammatory cells, and other innate immune lineages (dendritic cells, neutrophils) did not express detectable ErbB4 levels. Treatment of activated pro-inflammatory macrophages with the ErbB4 ligand neuregulin-4 (NRG4) induced apoptosis. ErbB4 localized to the mitochondria in these cells. Apoptosis was accompanied by loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and was dependent upon the proteases that generate the cleaved ErbB4 intracellular domain fragment, suggesting a requirement for this fragment and mitochondrial pathway apoptosis. In vivo, ErbB4 was highly expressed on pro-inflammatory macrophages but not neutrophils during experimental DSS colitis in C57Bl/6 mice. Active inflammation in this model suppressed NRG4 expression, which may allow for macrophage persistence and ongoing inflammation. Consistent with this notion, NRG4 levels rebounded during the recovery phase, and administration of exogenous NRG4 during colitis reduced colonic macrophage numbers and ameliorated inflammation. These data define a novel role for ErbB4 in macrophage apoptosis, and outline a mechanism of feedback inhibition that may promote resolution of colitis.
Magnetization switching in ferromagnets by adsorbed chiral molecules without current or external magnetic field
Authors: Ben Dor Oren , Yochelis Shira , Radko Anna , Vankayala Kiran , Capua Eyal , Capua Amir , Yang See-Hun , Baczewski Lech Tomasz , Parkin Stuart Stephen Papworth , Naaman Ron , Paltiel Yossi
Published: February 2017

Ferromagnets are commonly magnetized by either external magnetic fields or spin polarized currents. The manipulation of magnetization by spin-current occurs through the spin-transfer-torque effect, which is applied, for example, in modern magnetoresistive random access memory. However, the current density required for the spin-transfer torque is of the order of 1 × 106 A·cm−2, or about 1 × 1025 electrons s−1 cm−2. This relatively high current density significantly affects the devices’ structure and performance. Here we demonstrate magnetization switching of ferromagnetic thin layers that is induced solely by adsorption of chiral molecules. In this case, about 1013 electrons per cm2 are sufficient to induce magnetization reversal. The direction of the magnetization depends on the handedness of the adsorbed chiral molecules. Local magnetization switching is achieved by adsorbing a chiral self-assembled molecular monolayer on a gold-coated ferromagnetic layer with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. These results present a simple low-power magnetization mechanism when operating at ambient conditions.
Ensemble and single-molecule dynamics of IFT dynein in Caenorhabditis elegans cilia
Authors: Mijalkovic Jona , Prevo Bram , Oswald Felix , Mangeol Pierre , Peterman Erwin J. G.
Published: February 2017

Cytoplasmic dyneins drive microtubule-based, minus-end directed transport in eukaryotic cells. Whereas cytoplasmic dynein 1 has been widely studied, IFT dynein has received far less attention. Here, we use fluorescence microscopy of labelled motors in living Caenorhabditis elegans to investigate IFT-dynein motility at the ensemble and single-molecule level. We find that while the kinesin composition of motor ensembles varies along the track, the amount of dynein remains relatively constant. Remarkably, this does not result in directionality changes of cargo along the track, as has been reported for other opposite-polarity, tug-of-war motility systems. At the single-molecule level, IFT-dynein trajectories reveal unexpected dynamics, including diffusion at the base, and pausing and directional switches along the cilium. Stochastic simulations show that the ensemble IFT-dynein distribution depends upon the probability of single-motor directional switches. Our results provide quantitative insight into IFT-dynein dynamics in vivo, shedding light on the complex functioning of dynein motors in general.
Lack of resistance development in Bemisia tabaci to Isaria fumosorosea after multiple generations of selection
Authors: Gao Tianni , Wang Zhaolei , Huang Yü , Keyhani Nemat O. , Huang Zhen
Published: February 2017

The emergence of insecticide resistant insect pests is of significant concern worldwide. The whitefly,Bemisia tabaci, is an important agricultural pest and has shown incredible resilience developing resistance to a number of chemical pesticides. Entomopathogenic fungi such asIsaria fumosoroseaoffer an attractive alternative to chemical pesticides for insect control, and this fungus has been shown to be an effective pathogen ofB. tabaci. Little is known concerning the potential for the development of resistance toI. fumosoroseabyB. tabaci. Five generations of successive survivors ofB. tabaciinfected byI. fumosoroseawere assayed withI. fumosorosea. No significant differences in susceptibility toI. fumosorosea, number of ovarioles, or ovipostioning were seen between any of the generations tested. Effects ofI. fumosoroseaand cell-free ethyl acetate fractions derived from the fungus on theB. tabacifat body, ovary, and vitellogenin were also investigated. These data revealed significant deformation and degradation of ovary tissues and associated vitellogenin by the fungal mycelium as well as by cell-free ethyl acetate fungal extracts. These data indicate the lack of the emergence of resistance toI. fumosoroseaunder the conditions tested and demonstrate invasion of the insect reproductive tissues during fungal infection.
An experimental study on the impacts of inspiratory and expiratory muscles activities during mechanical ventilation in ARDS animal model
Authors: Zhang Xianming , Du Juan , Wu Weiliang , Zhu Yongcheng , Jiang Ying , Chen Rongchang
Published: February 2017

In spite of intensive investigations, the role of spontaneous breathing (SB) activity in ARDS has not been well defined yet and little has been known about the different contribution of inspiratory or expiratory muscles activities during mechanical ventilation in patients with ARDS. In present study, oleic acid-induced beagle dogs’ ARDS models were employed and ventilated with the same level of mean airway pressure. Respiratory mechanics, lung volume, gas exchange and inflammatory cytokines were measured during mechanical ventilation, and lung injury was determined histologically. As a result, for the comparable ventilator setting, preserved inspiratory muscles activity groups resulted in higher end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) and oxygenation index. In addition, less lung damage scores and lower levels of system inflammatory cytokines were revealed after 8 h of ventilation. In comparison, preserved expiratory muscles activity groups resulted in lower EELV and oxygenation index. Moreover, higher lung injury scores and inflammatory cytokines levels were observed after 8 h of ventilation. Our findings suggest that the activity of inspiratory muscles has beneficial effects, whereas that of expiratory muscles exerts adverse effects during mechanical ventilation in ARDS animal model. Therefore, for mechanically ventilated patients with ARDS, the demands for deep sedation or paralysis might be replaced by the strategy of expiratory muscles paralysis through epidural anesthesia.
Genetic diversity, transmission dynamics and drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Angola
Authors: Perdigão João , Clemente Sofia , Ramos Jorge , Masakidi Pedro , Machado Diana , Silva Carla , Couto Isabel , Viveiros Miguel , Taveira Nuno , Portugal Isabel
Published: February 2017

Tuberculosis (TB) poses a serious public health problem in Angola. No surveillance data on drug resistance is available and nothing is known regarding the genetic diversity and population structure of circulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Here, we have genotyped and evaluated drug susceptibility of 89 Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from Luanda. Thirty-three different spoligotype profiles corresponding to 24 different Shared International Types (SIT) and 9 orphan profiles were detected. SIT 20 (LAM1) was the most prevalent (n = 16, 18.2%) followed by SIT 42 (LAM9; n = 15, 17.1%). Overall, the M. tuberculosis population structure in this sample was dominated by LAM (64.8%) and T (33.0%) strains. Twenty-four-loci MIRU-VNTR analysis revealed that a total of 13 isolates were grouped in 5 distinct clusters. Drug susceptibility data showed that 22 (24.7%) of the 89 clinical isolates were resistant to one or more antibacillary drugs of which 4 (4.5%) were multidrug resistant. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a high predominance of LAM strains circulating in the Luanda setting and the presence of recent transmission events. The rate and the emergence dynamics of drug resistant TB found in this sample are significant and highlight the need of further studies specifically focused on MDR-TB transmission.