bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of digital curation professional competencies: theory and current practices
Authors: Feng Yuanyuan , Richards Lorraine
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the concept of professional competency in current digital curation literature through the lens of competency theories in management science and organizational studies. This paper also aims to provide recommendations to articulate and expand professional competencies in future digital curation research and professional education.

Design/methodology/approach

The outcomes presented in this paper are based on a multi-disciplinary literature review and a qualitative content analysis. The literature review explores theoretical foundations of professional competency in management science and organizational studies and how the concept of professional competency is used in digital curation literature. The content analysis scrutinizes 16 digital curation publications that have discussed professional competency, with an in-depth examination of seven empirical studies in these publications.

Findings

The findings include: the concept of professional competency is inconsistently used in digital curation literature, the digital curation literature exhibits disparate coverage of different types of professional competencies, and the digital curation empirical studies often narrowly operationalize the concept of professional competency but the empirical studies using multiple or in-depth qualitative methods yield more comprehensive findings reflecting a broader scope of the concept.

Originality/value

Although past research focused on the competencies required for digital curation, there is no research scrutinizing the conceptual construct of professional competency in the digital curation literature. This paper will be of value to digital curation researchers and educators to better determine the competencies needed for digital curators as an emerging profession.
Flow–Structure Interaction Simulations of the Aortic Heart Valve at Physiologic Conditions: The Role of Tissue Constitutive Model
Authors: Gilmanov Anvar , Stolarski Henryk , Sotiropoulos Fotis
Published: January 2018

The blood flow patterns in the region around the aortic valve depend on the geometry of the aorta and on the complex flow–structure interaction between the pulsatile flow and the valve leaflets. Consequently, the flow depends strongly on the constitutive properties of the tissue, which can be expected to vary between healthy and diseased heart valves or native and prosthetic valves. The main goal of this work is to qualitatively demonstrate that the choice of the constitutive model of the aortic valve is critical in analysis of heart hemodynamics. To accomplish that two different constitutive models were used in curvilinear immersed boundary–finite element–fluid–structure interaction (CURVIB-FE-FSI) method developed by Gilmanov et al. (2015, “A Numerical Approach for Simulating Fluid Structure Interaction of Flexible Thin Shells Undergoing Arbitrarily Large Deformations in Complex Domains,” J. Comput. Phys., 300, pp. 814–843.) to simulate an aortic valve in an anatomic aorta at physiologic conditions. The two constitutive models are: (1) the Saint-Venant (StV) model and (2) the modified May-Newman&Yin (MNY) model. The MNY model is more general and includes nonlinear, anisotropic effects. It is appropriate to model the behavior of both prosthetic and biological tissue including native valves. Both models are employed to carry out FSI simulations of the same valve in the same aorta anatomy. The computed results reveal dramatic differences in both the vorticity dynamics in the aortic sinus and the wall shear-stress patterns on the aortic valve leaflets and underscore the importance of tissue constitutive models for clinically relevant simulations of aortic valves.
Study of the Shear Strain and Shear Strain Rate Progression During Titanium Machining
Authors: Davis Brian , Dabrow David , Ifju Peter , Xiao Guoxian , Liang Steven Y. , Huang Yong
Published: January 2018

Machining is among the most versatile material removal processes in the manufacturing industry. To better optimize the machining process, the knowledge of shear strains and shear strain rates within the primary shear zone (PSZ) during chip formation has been of great interest. The objective of this study is to study the strain and strain rate progression within the PSZ both in the chip flow direction and along the thickness direction during machining equal channel angular extrusion (ECAE) processed titanium (Ti). ECAE-processed ultrafine-grained Ti has been machined at cutting speeds of 0.1 and 0.5 m/s, and the shear strain and the shear strain rate have been determined using high speed imaging and digital image correlation (DIC). It is found that the chip morphology is saw-tooth at 0.1 m/s while continuous at 0.5 m/s. The cumulative shear strain and the incremental shear strain rate of the saw-tooth chip morphology can reach approximately 3.9 and 2.4 × 103 s−1, respectively, and those of the continuous chip morphology may be approximately 1.3 and 5.0 × 103 s−1, respectively. There is a distinct peak shift in the shear strain rate distribution during saw-tooth chip formation while there is a stable peak position of the strain rate distribution during continuous chip formation. The PSZ thickness during saw-tooth chip formation is more localized and smaller than that during continuous chip formation (28 versus 35 μm).
Optimizing Preloading Pressure of Precharged Gas for Isobaric Gas-Tight Hydrothermal Samplers
Authors: Huang Haocai , Huang Liang , Ye Wei , Wu Shijun , Yang Canjun , Chen Ying , Wang Hangzhou
Published: January 2018

Isobaric gas-tight hydrothermal samplers, with the ability to maintain pressure, can be used to keep in situ chemical and biological sample properties stable. The preloading pressure of the precharged gas is a major concern for isobaric gas-tight hydrothermal samplers, especially when the samplers are used at different sampling depths, where the in situ pressures and ambient temperatures vary greatly. The most commonly adopted solution is to set the preloading pressure for gas-tight samplers as 10% of the hydrostatic pressure at the sampling depth, which might emphasize too much on pressure retention; thereby, the sample volume may be unnecessarily reduced. The pressure transition of the precharged gas was analyzed theoretically and modeled at each sampling stage of the entire field application process. Additionally, theoretical models were built to represent the pressure and volume of hydrothermal fluid samples as a function of the preloading pressure of the precharged gas. Further, laboratory simulation and examination approaches were also adopted and compared, in order to obtain the volume change of the sample and accumulator chambers. By using theoretical models and the volume change of the two chambers, the optimized preloading pressure for the precharged gas was obtained. Under the optimized preloading pressure, the in situ pressure of the fluid samples could be maintained, and their volume was maximized. The optimized preloading pressure obtained in this study should also be applicable to other isobaric gas-tight hydrothermal samplers, by adopting a similar approach to pressure maintenance.
A Hierarchical Route Guidance Framework for Off-Road Connected Vehicles
Authors: Roy Judhajit , Wan Nianfeng , Goswami Angshuman , Vahidi Ardalan , Jayakumar Paramsothy , Zhang Chen
Published: January 2018

A new framework for route guidance, as part of a path decision support tool, for off-road driving scenarios is presented in this paper. The algorithm accesses information gathered prior to and during a mission which are stored as layers of a central map. The algorithm incorporates a priori knowledge of the low resolution soil and elevation information and real-time high-resolution information from on-board sensors. The challenge of high computational cost to find the optimal path over a large-scale high-resolution map is mitigated by the proposed hierarchical path planning algorithm. A dynamic programming (DP) method generates the globally optimal path approximation based on low-resolution information. The optimal cost-to-go from each grid cell to the destination is calculated by back-stepping from the target and stored. A model predictive control algorithm (MPC) operates locally on the vehicle to find the optimal path over a moving radial horizon. The MPC algorithm uses the stored global optimal cost-to-go map in addition to high resolution and locally available information. Efficacy of the developed algorithm is demonstrated in scenarios simulating static and moving obstacles avoidance, path finding in condition-time-variant environments, eluding adversarial line of sight detection, and connected fleet cooperation.
The Demands of Amputee Soccer Impair Muscular Endurance and Power Indices But Not Match Physical Performance
Authors: Simim Mário A.M. , da Mota Gustavo R. , Marocolo Moacir , da Silva Bruno V.C. , de Mello Marco Túlio , Bradley Paul S.
Published: January 2018

We investigated the match demands (distances covered and acute physiological responses) of amputee soccer and its impact on muscular endurance and power. Measures such as heart rate, blood lactate concentration, subjective rating of perceived exertion, and time-motion characteristics were recorded in 16 Brazilian amputee soccer players during matches. Before and after matches, players completed a battery of tests: push-ups, countermovement vertical jump performance, and medicine ball throwing. Small differences were found between the first and second half for the distance covered in total and across various speed categories. Heart rate responses, blood lactate concentrations, and peak speed did not differ between halves, and all neuromuscular performance measures decreased after the match particularly after push-ups, although the rating of perceived exertion increased markedly compared with prematches. Although match physical performances were consistent across halves, the overall demands impaired test performance, especially for upper limb and closed kinetic chain exercise.
Phytohormones, Isoprenoids, and Role of the Apicoplast in Recovery from Dihydroartemisinin-Induced Dormancy of Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Duvalsaint Marvin , Kyle Dennis E.
Published: January 2018

Many organisms undergo dormancy as a stress response to survive under unfavorable conditions that might impede development. This is observed in seeds and buds of plants and has been proposed as a mechanism of drug evasion and resistance formation in
Plasmodium falciparum
. We explored the effects of the phytohormones abscisic acid (ABA) and gibberellic acid (GA) on dihydroartemisinin (DHA)-induced dormant erythrocytic stages of
P. falciparum
parasites. Dormant ring stages exposed to ABA and GA recovered from dormancy up to 48 h earlier than parasites exposed to DHA alone. Conversely, fluridone, an herbicide inhibitor of ABA synthesis, blocked emergence from dormancy. Additionally, the role of the apicoplast was assessed in dormant parasite recovery. Apicoplast-deficient
P. falciparum
remained viable for up to 8 days without the organelle and recrudesced only when supplemented with isopentyl pyrophosphate (IPP). IPP was not required for survival in the dormant state. Fosmidomycin inhibition of isoprenoid biosynthesis did not prevent dormancy release from occurring in parasites with an intact apicoplast, but IPP or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate was needed for complete recrudescence. In addition, the apicoplast and specifically the isoprenoids it produces are essential for recovery of dormant parasites. In summary, ABA and GA have significant effects on dormant parasites, and the phenotypes produced by these phytohormones and the herbicide fluridone also provide a means to explore the mechanism(s) underlying dormancy and the regulatory network that promotes cell cycle arrest in
P. falciparum
.
Aspergillus fumigatus
Afssn3-Afssn8
Pair Reverse Regulates Azole Resistance by Conferring Extracellular Polysaccharide, Sphingolipid Pathway Intermediates, and Efflux Pumps to Biofilm
Authors: Long Nanbiao , Zeng Liping , Qiao Shanlei , Li Lei , Zhong Guowei
Published: January 2018

Antifungal treatment is often ineffectual, partly because of biofilm formation. In this study, by using a combined forward and reverse genetic strategy, we identified that nucleus-localized AfSsn3 and its partner AfSsn8, which constitute a Cdk8-cyclin pair, are required for azole resistance in
Aspergillus fumigatus
. Deletion of
Afssn3
led to increased absorption and utilization of glucose and amino acids. Interestingly, absorption and utilization of glucose accelerated the extracellular polysaccharide formation, while utilization of the amino acids serine, threonine, and glycine increased sphingolipid pathway intermediate accumulation. In addition, the absence of
Afssn3
induced the activity of the efflux pump proteins. These factors indicate the mature biofilm is responsible for the major mechanisms of
A. fumigatus
resistance to azoles in the Δ
Afssn3
mutant. Collectively, the loss of
Afssn3
led to two “barrier” layers between the intracellular and extracellular spaces, which consequently decreased drug penetration into the cell.
Single-Dose Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Meropenem-Vaborbactam in Subjects with Chronic Renal Impairment
Authors: Rubino Christopher M. , Bhavnani Sujata M. , Loutit Jeffery S. , Lohse Brooke , Dudley Michael N. , Griffith David C.
Published: January 2018

Vaborbactam is a member of a new class of β-lactamase inhibitors with inhibitory activity against serine carbapenemases (e.g.,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase) that has been developed in combination with meropenem. The pharmacokinetics of the combination was evaluated in 41 subjects with chronic renal impairment in a phase 1, open-label, single-dose study. Subjects were assigned to one of five groups based on renal function: normal (creatinine clearance of ≥90 ml/min), mild (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] of 60 to 89 ml/min/1.73 m
2
), moderate (eGFR of 30 to <60), or severe (eGFR of <30) impairment plus end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis. Subjects received a single intravenous dose of 1 g of meropenem plus 1 g of vaborbactam by 3-h infusion. The ESRD group received two doses (on and off dialysis) separated by a washout. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated by standard noncompartmental methods. For both meropenem and vaborbactam, the area under the concentration-time curve was larger and the elimination half-life was longer with decreasing renal function. Meropenem and vaborbactam total plasma clearance (CLt) rates were similar and decreased with decreasing renal function. Slopes of the linear relationship between eGFR and CLt were similar, indicating a similar proportional reduction in CLt with decreasing renal function. Hemodialysis significantly increased drug clearance of meropenem (mean of 2.21-fold increase in CLt,
P
< 0.001) and vaborbactam (mean of 5.11-fold increase,
P
= 0.0235) relative to drug administration off dialysis, consistent with dose recovery rates of 38.3% and 52.9% for meropenem and vaborbactam, respectively, in dialysate. Plasma clearance of meropenem and vaborbactam is reduced with renal impairment, requiring dose adjustment. Hemodialysis removes both drugs. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT02020434.)
Species-Specific Interactions of Arr with RplK Mediate Stringent Response in Bacteria
Authors: Agrawal Priyanka , Varada Rajagopal , Sah Shivjee , Bhattacharyya Souvik , Varshney Umesh
Published: January 2018

Bacteria respond to stressful growth conditions through a conserved phenomenon of stringent response mediated by synthesis of stress alarmones ppGpp and pppGpp [referred to as (p)ppGpp]. (p)ppGpp synthesis is known to occur by ribosome-associated RelA. In addition, a dual-function protein, SpoT (with both synthetase and hydrolase activities), maintains (p)ppGpp homeostasis. The presence of (p)ppGpp is also known to contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria.Mycobacterium smegmatispossesses Arr, which inactivates rifampin by its ADP ribosylation. Arr has been shown to be upregulated in response to stress. However, the roles Arr might play during growth have remained unclear. We show that Arr confers growth fitness advantage toM. smegmatiseven in the absence of rifampin. Arr deficiency inM. smegmatisresulted in deficiency of biofilm formation. Further, we show that while Arr does not interact with the wild-typeEscherichia coliribosomes, it interacts with them when theE. coliribosomal protein L11 (a stringent response regulator) is replaced with its homolog fromM. smegmatis. The Arr interaction withE. coliribosomes occurs even when the N-terminal 33 amino acids of its L11 protein were replaced with the corresponding sequence ofM. smegmatisL11 (Msm-EcoL11 chimeric protein). Interestingly, Arr interaction with theE. coliribosomes harboringM. smegmatisL11 orMsm-EcoL11 results in the synthesis of ppGppin vivo. Our study shows a novel role of antibiotic resistance genearrin stress response.

IMPORTANCEMycobacterium smegmatis, like many other bacteria, possesses an ADP-ribosyltransferase, Arr, which confers resistance to the first-line antituberculosis drug, rifampin, by its ADP ribosylation. In this report, we show that in addition to its known property of conferring resistance to rifampin, Arr confers growth fitness advantage toM. smegmatiseven when there is no rifampin in the growth medium. We then show that Arr establishes species-specific interactions with ribosomes through the N-terminal sequence of ribosomal protein L11 (a stringent response regulator) and results in ppGpp (stress alarmone) synthesis. Deficiency of Arr inM. smegmatisresults in deficiency of biofilm formation. Arr protein is physiologically important both in conferring antibiotic resistance as well as in mediating stringent response.
Impact of surgery on presence and dimensions of anatomical isthmuses in tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Kapel Gijsbert F L , Laranjo Sergio , Blom Nico A , Hazekamp Mark G , Schalij Martin J , Bartelings Margot M , Jongbloed Monique R M , Zeppenfeld Katja
Published: January 2018

Objective

In tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), the dominant ventricular tachycardia substrates are slow-conducting anatomical isthmuses. Surgical correction has evolved, which might have influenced isthmus presence and dimensions.

Methods

One hundred and forty-two postmortem TOF specimens (84/58 corrected/uncorrected) were studied for isthmus presence. Isthmus 1 is located between the tricuspid annulus and right ventricular (RV) outflow tract (RVOT) patch/RV incision, isthmus 2 between RVOT patch/RV incision and pulmonary valve, isthmus 3 between pulmonary valve and ventricular septal defect (patch), isthmus 4 between ventricular septal defect (patch) and tricuspid annulus. Isthmus width and thickness were measured.

Results

Of 84 corrected postmortem TOF specimens (death: 6.6 years (4.0–11.5)), 83 demonstrated isthmus 1 (99%, width=25±10 mm, thickness=5±2 mm), 35 isthmus 2 (42%, width=10±9 mm, thickness=3±2 mm), 83 isthmus 3 (99%, width=10±6 mm, thickness=5±2 mm), and 5 isthmus 4 (6%, width=4±2 mm, thickness=2±1 mm). Transatrial-transpulmonary correction (n=49) as compared with transventricular correction (n=35) prevented isthmus 2 (0% vs 100%, P<0.001). Transatrial-transpulmonary correction at age <1 year (n=7) as compared with ≥1 year (n=42) required a smaller transannular RVOT patch (28±15 vs 45±14 mm, P<0.001). Mode and timing of correction did not influence presence and dimensions of isthmus 3. In corrected and uncorrected TOF specimens (death 1.8 years (0.5–6.6)), the range of isthmus 3 dimensions was broad (width: min=2 mm, max=32 mm; thickness: min=1, max 13 mm) across all ages. Isthmus 3 width and thickness were strongly correlated (r=0.65, P<0.001).

Conclusions

In TOF, the current routine use of transatrial-transpulmonary correction prevents isthmus 2. Correction <1 year reduces transannular patch size, which may influence isthmus 1 width later in life. Mode and timing of correction did not change prevalence and dimensions of isthmus 3, in which dimensions varied widely in uncorrected and corrected TOF.
Associations of neighbourhood crime with adverse pregnancy outcomes among women in Chicago: analysis of electronic health records from 2009 to 2013
Authors: Mayne Stephanie L , Pool Lindsay R , Grobman William A , Kershaw Kiarri N
Published: January 2018

Background

Adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with higher cardiovascular disease risk among mothers and future health problems of offspring. Neighbourhood crime may contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes by increasing chronic stress, yet the association has been relatively understudied.

Methods

Electronic health records from 34 383 singleton births at a single hospital in Chicago (2009–2013) were geocoded and linked to 1-year rates of police-recorded crime at the neighbourhood (Chicago community area) level. Crimes included homicide, assault/battery, criminal offences and incivilities. Cross-sectional associations of total neighbourhood crime rates with hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HDP: pre-eclampsia/gestational hypertension), preterm birth (PTB), spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) birth were assessed using multilevel logistic regression with community-area random intercepts. Models controlled for maternal and infant characteristics and neighbourhood poverty. We then assessed associations between individual crime categories and all outcomes.

Results

Total neighbourhood crime rates ranged from 11.6 to 303.5 incidents per 1000 persons per year (mean: 61.5, SD: 40.3). A 1-SD higher total neighbourhood crime rate was associated with higher odds of HDP (OR: 1.06, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.13), PTB (OR: 1.09, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.15), sPTB (OR: 1.09, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.16) and SGA (OR: 1.05, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.10) in fully adjusted models. Associations were generally consistent across crime categories, although only assault/battery and incivilities were associated with HDP.

Conclusions

Higher neighbourhood crime rates were associated with small but significant increases in the odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Interventions that cultivate safer neighbourhoods may be a promising approach for improving pregnancy outcomes.
Alistair William MacDonald
Authors: Callegari Angus
Published: January 2018

A devoted family man and churchgoer, Alistair MacDonald was a meticulous vet with a great sense of humour. Having served in the RAF during the Second World War, he had plenty of stories to tell.
Effects of metformin on insulin resistance and metabolic disorders in tumor-bearing rats with advanced cachexia
Authors: de Fatima Silva Flaviane , Ortiz-Silva Milene , Galia Winny Beatriz de Souza , Cassolla Priscila , da Silva Francemilson Goulart , Graciano Maria Fernanda Rodrigues , Carpinelli Angelo Rafael , de Souza Helenir Medri
Published: January 2018

Metformin (MET) is widely used in the correction of insulin (INS) resistance and metabolic abnormalities in type 2 diabetes. However, its effect on INS resistance and metabolic disorders associated with cancer cachexia is not established. We investigated the MET effects, isolated or associated with INS, on INS resistance and metabolic changes induced by Walker-256 tumor in rats with advanced cachexia. MET (500 mg·kg−1, oral) and MET + INS (1.0 IU·kg−1, s.c.) were administered for 12 days, starting on the day of tumor cell inoculation. Tumor-bearing rats showed adipose and muscle mass wasting, body mass loss, anorexia, decreased Akt phosphorylation in retroperitoneal and mesenteric adipose tissue, peripheral INS resistance, hypoinsulinemia, reduced INS content and secretion from pancreatic islets, and also inhibition of glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glycogenolysis in liver. MET and MET + INS treatments did not prevent these changes. It can be concluded that treatments with MET and MET + INS did not prevent the adipose and muscle mass wasting and body mass loss of tumor-bearing rats possibly by not improving INS resistance. Therefore, MET, used for the treatment of INS resistance in type 2 diabetes, is not effective in improving INS resistance in the advanced stage of cancer cachexia, evidencing that the drug does not have the same beneficial effect in these 2 diseases.
Internal head morphology of minor workers and soldiers in the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole
Authors: Lillico-Ouachour Angelica , Metscher Brian , Kaji Tominari , Abouheif Ehab
Published: January 2018

In the hyperdiverse ant genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839, the worker caste evolved into two morphologically distinct subcastes: minor workers and soldiers. The evolution of soldiers, which are larger in size than minor workers and have disproportionately larger heads, are thought to be key to Phediole’s success. Although many studies have focused on external anatomy, little is known about their internal anatomy. We therefore used microCT imaging and quantitative three-dimensional image analysis to reconstruct the major glands of the head, the musculature, nervous system, and digestive organ of minor workers and soldiers of four Pheidole species. We expected these tissues to scale isometrically and to be proportionally larger in soldiers relative to the minor workers. Surprisingly, we found that the nervous system, cephalic gland, and digestive organ volume are absolutely and relatively smaller in soldiers, whereas muscle volume is absolutely and relatively larger, than in minor workers. This may reflect individual-level trade-offs, where muscles grow at the expense of all other cephalic organs. Alternatively, this relationship may reflect the specialization of internal anatomy in each subcaste to enhance division of labour at the colony level. Future studies should test these alternative hypotheses across a larger number of Pheidole species.
Riemannian flows and adiabatic limits
Authors: Habib Georges , Richardson Ken
Published: January 2018

We show the convergence properties of the eigenvalues of the Dirac operator on a spin manifold with a Riemannian flow when the metric is collapsed along the flow.
A tabulation of ribbon knots in tangle form
Authors: Khesin Andrey Boris
Published: January 2018

It is known that there are 21 ribbon knots with 10 crossings or fewer. We show that for every ribbon knot, there exists a tangle that satisfies two properties associated with the knot. First, under a specific closure, the closed tangle is equivalent to its corresponding knot. Second, under a different closure, the closed tangle is equivalent to the unlink. For each of these 21 ribbon knots, we present a 4-strand tangle that satisfies these properties. We provide diagrams of these tangles and also express them in planar diagram notation.
Strangeness production and color deconfinement
Authors: Castorina P. , Plumari S. , Satz H.
Published: January 2018

The relative multiplicities for hadron production in different high energy collisions are in general well described by an ideal gas of all hadronic resonances, except that under certain conditions, strange particle rates are systematically reduced. We show that the suppression factor [Formula: see text], accounting for reduced strange particle rates in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] collisions at different collision energies, becomes a universal function when expressed in terms of the initial entropy density [Formula: see text] or the initial temperature [Formula: see text] of the produced thermal medium. It is found that [Formula: see text] increases from about 0.5 to 1.0 in a narrow temperature range around the quark–hadron transition temperature [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]MeV. Strangeness suppression thus disappears with the onset of color deconfinement; subsequently, full equilibrium resonance gas behavior is attained.
The Hanging Column as a Dynamic Vibration Absorber
Authors: Wang C. Y.
Published: January 2018

A simple mass–spring system with an attached hanging column is investigated. The problem is formulated and the frequencies obtained with an efficient initial value method. Under forced vibration, the amplitude of the mass may be greatly reduced by adding a hanging column. The possibility of using such a hanging column as a dynamic vibration absorber is shown for the first time.
PVD thin film growth of M(Pc)(CN)2 axially substituted metal-phthalocyanines
Authors: Küster Felix , Grünewald Marco , Ikeda Mitsuo , Hanasaki Noriaki , Fritz Torsten
Published: January 2018

We tested the feasibility of in-house synthesized M(Pc)(CN)[Formula: see text] type axially substituted metal-phthalocyanines (M [Formula: see text] metal ion Co or Fe; Pc [Formula: see text] phthalocyanine ligand) for thin film growth via physical vapor deposition. We performed optical and infrared spectroscopy on thin films deposited in high vacuum as well as thermal desorption experiments in ultrahigh vacuum using mass spectrometry. In contradiction to the expectation of a rather strongly bound CN ligand, the results indicate molecular dissociation under the loss of CN groups at a temperature that is below the evaporation temperature of the material needed to form a film on a substrate. Therefore it was concluded that PVD is not a suitable method to grow M(Pc)(CN)[Formula: see text] thin films. However, the obtained data yield valuable insight into the molecules’ stability.
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in China: Mechanisms on two distinct annual peaks and control measures
Authors: Li Li , Wang Cui-Hua , Wang Shi-Fu , Li Ming-Tao , Yakob Laith , Cazelles Bernard , Jin Zhen , Zhang Wen-Yi
Published: January 2018

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is a rodent-borne disease caused by several serotypes of hantavirus and 90% of all reported HFRS cases occur in China. However, the dynamics of such outbreak, particularly the characteristics of two distinct annual peaks in China, are not well understood. Here, we investigate several of the biologically plausible causes for the peaks in monthly HFRS cases, and find that the key factor is the interplay between periodic transmission rates and rodent periodic birth rate. Analysis of dynamical model reveals that vaccination plays a significant role in the control of HFRS in China. Sensitive analysis of different interventions demonstrates that integrating rodent culling and environmental management with the current vaccination program is effective for HFRS control. Our results suggest that for diseases from animals to human beings, the features of both animals and humans beings should be taken into account in the control and prevention strategies.
Story of the Developments in Statistical Physics of Fracture, Breakdown and Earthquake: A Personal Account
Authors: Chakrabarti Bikas K.
Published: January 2018

We review the developments of the statistical physics of fracture and earthquake over the last four decades. We argue that major progress has been made in this field and that the key concepts should now become integral part of the (under-) graduate level text books in condensed matter physics. For arguing in favor of this, we compare the development (citations) with the same for some other related topics in condensed matter, for which Nobel prizes have already been awarded.
Management of Functional Somatic Syndromes and Bodily Distress
Authors: Henningsen Peter , Zipfel Stephan , Sattel Heribert , Creed Francis
Published: January 2018

Functional somatic syndromes (FSS), like irritable bowel syndrome or fibromyalgia and other symptoms reflecting bodily distress, are common in practically all areas of medicine worldwide. Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these symptoms and syndromes vary substantially across and within medical specialties from biomedicine to psychiatry. Patients may become frustrated with the lack of effective treatment, doctors may experience these disorders as difficult to treat, and this type of health problem forms an important component of the global burden of disease. This review intends to develop a unifying perspective on the understanding and management of FSS and bodily distress. Firstly, we present the clinical problem and review current concepts for classification. Secondly, we propose an integrated etiological model which encompasses a wide range of biopsychosocial vulnerability and triggering factors and considers consecutive aggravating and maintaining factors. Thirdly, we systematically scrutinize the current evidence base in terms of an umbrella review of systematic reviews from 2007 to 2017 and give recommendations for treatment for all levels of care, concentrating on developments over the last 10 years. We conclude that activating, patient-involving, and centrally acting therapies appear to be more effective than passive ones that primarily act on peripheral physiology, and we recommend stepped care approaches that translate a truly biopsychosocial approach into actual management of the patient.
ERCP-Related Duodenal Perforation Presenting as Pneumoscrotum
Authors: Khan Mohammad Saud , Jamal Faisal , Khan Zubair , Tiwari Abhinav , Simo Hermann , Sharma Himani
Published: January 2018

Duodenal perforation is a rare but life-threatening complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Duodenal perforation can cause air leak into the extraperitoneal space. In rare instances, the air in the extraperitoneal space could dissect along the fascial planes of the abdomen to reach scrotum, leading to pneumoscrotum. We present the case of a 35-year-old male patient who developed scrotal pain and swelling following ERCP. He was found to have extensive pneumoscrotum, pneumoretroperitoneum, pneumomediastinum, and subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was diagnosed with retroperitoneal duodenal perforation. He was managed conservatively with close monitoring and supportive care.
Circulating Angiogenic Mediators in Patients with Moderate and Severe von Willebrand Disease: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Groeneveld Dafna , Sanders Yvonne , Adelmeijer Jelle , Mauser-Bunschoten Evelien , van der Bom Johanna , Cnossen Marjon , Fijnvandraat Karin , Laros-van Gorkom Britta , Meijer Karina , Lisman Ton , Eikenboom Jeroen , Leebeek Frank
Published: January 2018

Inhibition of von Willebrand factor (VWF) expression in endothelial cells results in enhanced, possible dysfunctional angiogenesis, consistent with observations of severe gastrointestinal bleedings caused by vascular malformations in patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD). VWF is stored in endothelial Weibel–Palade bodies (WPB) with several other mediators of angiogenesis, like angiopoietin-2, osteoprotegerin and galectin-3. Increased release of angiopoietin-2 has been observed in medium of endothelial cells lacking VWF, but data on circulating levels of angiogenic factors in patients with VWD are lacking. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate plasma levels of angiogenic factors in patients with various types of VWD to obtain more insight into the pathogenesis of vascular malformations in these patients. We hypothesized that VWF deficiency leads to increased circulating levels of other WPB components. We therefore measured plasma levels of the WPB components angiopoietin-2, osteoprotegerin and galectin-3 as well as two other angiogenic factors (angiopoietin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]) that are not stored within WPB. We observed that various angiogenic mediators are significantly different between types of VWD patients. Type 2A VWD patients had higher angiopoietin-1 levels compared with type 2B patients. Patients who have increased VWF clearance had higher angiopoietin-2 levels, whereas patients who have impaired VWF synthesis had higher galectin-3 levels. VEGF levels were negatively associated with VWF levels as type 3 VWD patients had the highest VEGF levels. However, complete VWF deficiency did not lead to increased circulating levels of other WPB components.
Effect of Baseline Antiarrhythmic Drug on Outcomes With Ablation in Ischemic Ventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Parkash Ratika , Nault Isabelle , Rivard Lena , Gula Lorne , Essebag Vidal , Nery Pablo , Tung Stanley , Raymond Jean-Marc , Sterns Laurence , Doucette Steve , Wells George , Tang Anthony S.L. , Stevenson William G. , Sapp John L.
Published: January 2018

Background

The VANISH trial (Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation Versus Escalated Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy in Ischemic Heart Disease) compared the effectiveness of escalated antiarrhythmic drug therapy to catheter ablation in patients with prior myocardial infarction, an implanted defibrillator, and ventricular tachycardia (VT). The effectiveness of these interventions in patients on sotalol versus amiodarone was compared.

Methods and Results

Analysis was conducted based on whether patients had recurrent VT, despite amiodarone (amio-refractory) or nonamiodarone drugs (sotalol-refractory). Outcomes included death, VT storm, appropriate implantable cardioverter defibrillator shock, and any ventricular arrhythmia. At baseline, 169 (65.2%) were amio-refractory, and 90 (34.7%) were sotalol-refractory (1 patient on procainamide rather than sotalol). Amio-refractory patients had more renal insufficiency (23.7% versus 10%;
P
=0.0008), worse New York Heart Association class (82.3% II/III versus 65.5%;
P
=0.0003), and lower ejection fraction (29±9.7% versus 35.2±11%;
P
<0.0001). Within the amio-refractory group, ablation resulted in reduction of any ventricular arrhythmia compared with escalated drug therapy (hazard ratio, 0.53; 95% confidence interval, 0.31–0.9),
P
=0.020). Sotalol-refractory patients had trends toward higher mortality and VT storm with ablation, with no effect on implantable cardioverter defibrillator shocks. Within the escalated drug therapy arm, amio-refractory patients had a higher rate of the composite outcome (hazard ratio, 1.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–3.29;
P
=0.0144) and a trend to higher mortality (hazard ratio, 2.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.93–6.22;
P
=0.07), whereas mortality was not different between amio- and sotalol-refractory patients within the ablation treatment group.

Conclusions

Patients with amio-refractory VT have a higher rate of ventricular arrhythmia and mortality than those with sotalol-refractory VT and derive greater benefit of catheter ablation than for patients with sotalol-refractory VT who are switched to amiodarone.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL:
https://clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00905853.
Prior Medications and the Cardiovascular Benefits From Combination Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibition Plus Calcium Channel Blockade Among High‐Risk Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Brook Robert D. , Kaciroti Niko , Bakris George , Dahlöf Björn , Pitt Bertram , Velazquez Eric , Weber Michael , Zappe Dion H. , Hau Tsushung , Jamerson Kenneth A.
Published: January 2018

Background

The
ACCOMPLISH
(Avoiding Cardiovascular Events Through Combination Therapy in Patients Living with Systolic Hypertension) trial demonstrated that combination therapy using amlodipine, rather than hydrochlorothiazide, in conjunction with benazepril provided greater cardiovascular risk reduction among high‐risk hypertensive patients. Few trials have evaluated the effect of prior antihypertensive therapy used among participants on the study outcomes.

Methods and Results

In a post hoc observational analysis, we examined the characteristics of the drug regimens taken before trial enrollment in the context of the primary composite outcome (death from cardiovascular causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, hospitalization for angina, resuscitation after sudden cardiac death, and coronary revascularization). In the “primary subgroup” (n=4475), patients previously taking any renin‐angiotensin system blockade plus either a diuretic or a calcium channel blocker alone or as part of their antihypertensive regimen, there were 206 of 2193 (9.4%) versus 281 of 2282 (12.3%) primary composite events among those randomized to combination therapy involving amlodipine versus hydrochlorothiazide, respectively (adjusted Cox proportional hazard ratio, 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.62–0.89;
P
=0.0015). All other participants (n=6975) previously taking any antihypertensive regimen not included in the primary subgroup also benefited from randomization to amlodipine plus benazepril (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.72–0.98;
P
=0.024). Outcomes among most other subgroups, including patients previously taking lipid‐lowering medications or dichotomized by prior blood pressure control status, showed similar results.

Conclusions

When combined with an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor, amlodipine provides cardiovascular risk reduction superior to hydrochlorothiazide, largely regardless of prior medication use. These findings add further support for the initial use of this combination regimen among high‐risk hypertensive patients.
Life in a Near-Future Atmosphere: Carbon Dioxide Enrichment Increases Plant Growth and Alters the Behavior of a Terrestrial Snail but not a Terrestrial Beetle
Authors: Lefcort Hugh , Kotler Burt P.
Published: January 2018

Abstract In addition to effects on climate and water acidification, anthropogenic atmospheric releases of carbon dioxide may also directly impact terrestrial organisms that use CO2as a chemical cue. We wondered how common organisms would respond to near-future levels of CO2– levels that may occur by 2025. We chose two common but taxonomically and ecologically dissimilar organisms (Theba pisanahelicid snails andAdesmia dilatatatenebrionid beetles) to examine the behavioral effects of a slight rise (~10 ppm) of CO2on animal abundance and plant growth in the Negev Desert of Israel. We found that plots with supplementary CO2exhibited greater plant growth than control plots over a 50-day experiment, but increased growth did not alter beetle or snail numbers.

In laboratory experiments with higher levels of augmented CO2paired with food rewards, we found that snails did not change their climbing behavior when presented with CO2alone, but they avoided food and climbed away when CO2was paired with food. Beetles in the laboratory were attracted to food regardless of CO2levels although high levels of CO2(1200–1300 ppm) reduced movement.

The direct effects of near-future CO2levels may augment plant growth but have only minor influence on terrestrial snails and beetles. However, the effects of CO2on climate change in desert habitats like the Negev may be more severe due to a predicted rise in temperature and a decline in precipitation.
Two new species of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker (Squamata: Gekkonidae) from Thailand
Authors: SUKPRASERT APISAK , SUTTHIWISES SURAPOP , LAUHACHINDA VIRAYUTH , TAKSINTUM WUT
Published: January 2018

We investigate the taxonomy of slender geckos (Hemiphyllodactylus) in Thailand by means of molecular phylogenetics and morphological study using specimens from three provinces; Chiang Mai, Kamphaeng Phet, and Chanthaburi. The results of phylogenetic analyses had shown that the genetic data of populations from 2 provinces were distinctly different from known species. In addition, some morphological characters of these two populations such as lamellar formula on fore- and hindfoot differed from the other species. The integrated taxonomy using molecular phylogenetics and morphological study revealed two new species, Hemiphyllodactylus khlonglanensis sp. nov. from western Thailand, and Hemiphyllodactylus flaviventris sp. nov. from eastern Thailand as described herein.
An annotated checklist of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) of Iran
Authors: NAMIN SAEED MOHAMADZADE , KORNEYEV VALERY A.
Published: January 2018

Based on data published before August 31, 2017 a checklist of the family Tephritidae (Diptera) includes 152 species and subspecies in 41 genera and three subfamilies. The list includes the distribution by province and the most important references on the nomenclature, existing keys, catalogues, original descriptions and redescriptions for the species recorded from Iran.
Parameterizing Unresolved Mesoscale Motions in Atmospheric Dispersion Models
Authors: Webster Helen N. , Whitehead Thomas , Thomson David J.
Published: January 2018

In atmospheric dispersion models driven by meteorological data from numerical weather prediction (NWP) models, it is necessary to include a parameterization for plume spread that is due to unresolved mesoscale motions. These are motions that are not resolved by the input NWP data but are larger in size than the three-dimensional turbulent motions represented by turbulence parameterizations. Neglecting the effect of these quasi-two-dimensional unresolved mesoscale motions has been shown to lead to underprediction of plume spread and overprediction of concentrations within the plume. NWP modeling is conducted at a range of resolutions that resolve different scales of motion. This suggests that any parameterization of unresolved mesoscale motions should depend on the resolution of the input NWP data. Spectral analysis of NWP data and wind observations is used to assess the mesoscale motions unresolved by the NWP model. Appropriate velocity variances and Lagrangian time scales for these motions are found by calculating the missing variance in the energy spectra and analyzing correlation functions. A strong dependence on the resolution of the NWP data is seen, resulting in larger velocity variances and Lagrangian time scales from the lower-resolution models. A parameterization of unresolved mesoscale motions on the basis of the NWP resolution is proposed.
Impact of Inland Terrain on Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind and Implications for Wind Resource Assessment: A Case Study
Authors: Strobach Edward , Sparling Lynn C. , Rabenhorst Scott Daniel , Demoz Belay
Published: January 2018

This paper presents a case study of a strong low-level jet (LLJ) that was observed about 20 km off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland, during a measurement campaign in the summer of 2013. Doppler wind lidar observations offshore, together with analyses of 4-km WRF Model data and NARR data, are used to reconstruct the forcing mechanisms that led to the growth and rapid collapse of the jet offshore as well as to differentiate the forcing mechanisms resulting in an LLJ farther inland. It was observed that the LLJ over the mid-Atlantic coastal plain decreased gradually throughout the early morning hours relative to the LLJ along the coastal ocean as a downslope wind moved eastward from the Appalachian Mountains. The forcing of the LLJ was a result of both thermal and mechanical mechanisms linked to the topography, while synoptic forcing from an approaching cold front led to a downslope wind. Data from a wind profiler near Cambridge, Maryland, also showed an LLJ, but forced by different regional conditions, emphasizing the difficulties of inferring wind conditions offshore from onshore observations. The sudden breakdown of the jet offshore appears to have been a result of an interaction with a downslope wind from the Appalachian Mountains. This particular case study highlights the 1) importance of both large-scale and regional forcing, 2) impact that topographical forcing farther inland had on offshore wind, and 3) different responses in the wind profile as a downslope wind moved across the mid-Atlantic region.