bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passive acoustic monitoring of coastally associated Hawaiian spinner dolphins, Stenella longirostris, ground-truthed through visual surveys
Authors: Heenehan Heather L. , Tyne Julian A. , Bejder Lars , Van Parijs Sofie M. , Johnston David W.
Published: July 2016

Effective decision making to protect coastally associated dolphins relies on monitoring the presence of animals in areas that are critical to their survival. Hawaiian spinner dolphins forage at night and rest during the day in shallow bays. Due to their predictable presence, they are targeted by dolphin-tourism. In this study, comparisons of presence were made between passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and vessel-based visual surveys in Hawaiian spinner dolphin resting bays. DSG-Ocean passive acoustic recording devices were deployed in four bays along the Kona Coast of Hawai‘i Island between January 8, 2011 and August 30, 2012. The devices sampled at 80 kHz, making 30-s recordings every four minutes. Overall, dolphins were acoustically detected on 37.1% to 89.6% of recording days depending on the bay. Vessel-based visual surveys overlapped with the PAM surveys on 202 days across the four bays. No significant differences were found between visual and acoustic detections suggesting acoustic surveys can be used as a proxy for visual surveys. Given the need to monitor dolphin presence across sites, PAM is the most suitable and efficient tool for monitoring long-term presence/absence. Concomitant photo-identification surveys are necessary to address changes in abundance over time.
Lectin-Glycan Interaction Network-Based Identification of Host Receptors of Microbial Pathogenic Adhesins
Authors: Ielasi Francesco S. , Alioscha-Perez Mitchel , Donohue Dagmara , Claes Sandra , Sahli Hichem , Schols Dominique , Willaert Ronnie G.
Published: July 2016

The first step in the infection of humans by microbial pathogens is their adherence to host tissue cells, which is frequently based on the binding of carbohydrate-binding proteins (lectin-like adhesins) to human cell receptors that expose glycans. In only a few cases have the human receptors of pathogenic adhesins been described. A novel strategy—based on the construction of a lectin-glycan interaction (LGI) network—to identify the potential human binding receptors for pathogenic adhesins with lectin activity was developed. The new approach is based on linking glycan array screening results of these adhesins to a human glycoprotein database via the construction of an LGI network. This strategy was used to detect human receptors for virulentEscherichia coli(FimH adhesin), and the fungal pathogensCandida albicans(Als1p and Als3p adhesins) andC. glabrata(Epa1, Epa6, and Epa7 adhesins), which cause candidiasis. This LGI network strategy allows the profiling of potential adhesin binding receptors in the host with prioritization, based on experimental binding data, of the most relevant interactions. New potential targets for the selected adhesins were predicted and experimentally confirmed. This methodology was also used to predict lectin interactions with envelope glycoproteins of human-pathogenic viruses. It was shown that this strategy was successful in revealing that the FimH adhesin has anti-HIV activity.

IMPORTANCEMicrobial pathogens may express a wide range of carbohydrate-specific adhesion proteins that mediate adherence to host tissues. Pathogen attachment to host cells is achieved through the binding of these lectin-like adhesins to glycans on human glycoproteins. In only a few cases have the human receptors of pathogenic adhesins been described. We developed a new strategy to predict these interacting receptors. Therefore, we developed a novel LGI network that would allow the mapping of potential adhesin binding receptors in the host with prioritization, based on the experimental binding data, of the most relevant interactions. New potential targets for the selected adhesins (bacterial uroepithelial FimH fromE. coliand fungal Epa and Als adhesins fromC. glabrataandC. albicans) were predicted and experimentally confirmed. This methodology was also used to predict lectin interactions with human-pathogenic viruses and to discover whether FimH adhesin has anti-HIV activity.
Transfer of DNA from Bacteria to Eukaryotes
Authors: Lacroix Benoît , Citovsky Vitaly
Published: July 2016

Historically, the members of the
Agrobacterium
genus have been considered the only bacterial species naturally able to transfer and integrate DNA into the genomes of their eukaryotic hosts. Yet, increasing evidence suggests that this ability to genetically transform eukaryotic host cells might be more widespread in the bacterial world. Indeed, analyses of accumulating genomic data reveal cases of horizontal gene transfer from bacteria to eukaryotes and suggest that it represents a significant force in adaptive evolution of eukaryotic species. Specifically, recent reports indicate that bacteria other than
Agrobacterium
, such as
Bartonella henselae
(a zoonotic pathogen),
Rhizobium etli
(a plant-symbiotic bacterium related to
Agrobacterium
), or even
Escherichia coli
, have the ability to genetically transform their host cells under laboratory conditions. This DNA transfer relies on type IV secretion systems (T4SSs), the molecular machines that transport macromolecules during conjugative plasmid transfer and also during transport of proteins and/or DNA to the eukaryotic recipient cells. In this review article, we explore the extent of possible transfer of genetic information from bacteria to eukaryotic cells as well as the evolutionary implications and potential applications of this transfer.
LPS Remodeling Triggers Formation of Outer Membrane Vesicles in
Salmonella
Authors: Elhenawy Wael , Bording-Jorgensen Michael , Valguarnera Ezequiel , Haurat M. Florencia , Wine Eytan , Feldman Mario F.
Published: July 2016

Outer membrane vesicles (OMV) are proposed to mediate multiple functions during pathogenesis and symbiosis. However, the mechanisms responsible for OMV formation remain poorly understood. It has been shown in eukaryotic membranes that lipids with an inverted-cone shape favor the formation of positive membrane curvatures. Based on these studies, we formulated the hypothesis that lipid A deacylation might impose shape modifications that result in the curvature of the outer membrane (OM) and subsequent OMV formation. We tested the effect of lipid A remodeling on OMV biogenesis employing
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium as a model organism. Expression of the lipid A deacylase PagL resulted in increased vesiculation, without inducing an envelope stress response. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed profound differences in the patterns of lipid A in OM and OMV, with accumulation of deacylated lipid A forms exclusively in OMV. OMV biogenesis by intracellular bacteria upon macrophage infection was drastically reduced in a
pagL
mutant strain. We propose a novel mechanism for OMV biogenesis requiring lipid A deacylation in the context of a multifactorial process that involves the orchestrated remodeling of the outer membrane.

IMPORTANCE
The role of lipid remodeling in vesiculation is well documented in eukaryotes. Similarly, bacteria produce membrane-derived vesicles; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying their production are yet to be determined. In this work, we investigated the role of outer membrane remodeling in OMV biogenesis in
S
. Typhimurium. We showed that the expression of the lipid A deacylase PagL results in overvesiculation with deacylated lipid A accumulation exclusively in OMV. An
S
. Typhimurium Δ
pagL
strain showed a significant reduction in intracellular OMV secretion relative to the wild-type strain. Our results suggest a novel mechanism for OMV biogenesis that involves outer membrane remodeling through lipid A modification. Understanding how OMV are produced by bacteria is important to advance our understanding of the host-pathogen interactions.
Zonal Soil Type Determines Soil Microbial Responses to Maize Cropping and Fertilization
Authors: Zhao Mengxin , Sun Bo , Wu Linwei , Gao Qun , Wang Feng , Wen Chongqing , Wang Mengmeng , Liang Yuting , Hale Lauren , Zhou Jizhong , Yang Yunfeng
Published: July 2016

Microbial communities are essential drivers of soil functional processes such as nitrification and heterotrophic respiration. Although there is initial evidence revealing the importance of soil type in shaping microbial communities, there has been no in-depth, comprehensive survey to robustly establish it as a major determinant of microbial community composition, functional gene structure, or ecosystem functioning. We examined bacterial and fungal community structures using Illumina sequencing, microbial functional genes using GeoChip, microbial biomass using phospholipid fatty acid analysis, as well as functional processes of soil nitrification potential and CO
2
efflux. We demonstrated the critical role of soil type in determining microbial responses to land use changes at the continental level. Our findings underscore the inherent difficulty in generalizing ecosystem responses across landscapes and suggest that assessments of community feedback must take soil types into consideration.
Subducted lithosphere controls halogen enrichments in the Iceland mantle plume source
Authors: Halldórsson Sæmundur A. , Barnes Jaime D. , Stefánsson Andri , Hilton David R. , Hauri Erik H. , Marshall Edward W.
Published: July 2016

The chlorine isotope composition of Earth’s interior can place strong constraints on deep-Earth cycling of halogens and the origin of mantle chemical heterogeneity. However, all mantle-derived volcanic samples studied for Cl isotopes thus far originate from submarine volcanic systems, where the influence of seawater-derived Cl is pervasive. Here, we present Cl isotope data from subglacial volcanic glasses from Iceland, where the mid-ocean ridge system emerges above sea level and is free of seawater influence. The Iceland data display significant variability in δ37Cl values, from −1.8‰ to +1.4‰, and are devoid of regional controls. The absence of correlations between Cl and O isotope ratios and the lack of evidence for seawater-derived enrichments in Cl indicate that the variation in δ37Cl values in Icelandic basalts can be solely attributed to mantle heterogeneity. Indeed, positive correlations are evident between δ37Cl values and incompatible trace element ratios (e.g., La/Y), and long-lived radiogenic Pb isotope ratios. The data are consistent with the incorporation of altered lithosphere, including the uppermost sedimentary package, subducted into the Iceland mantle plume source, resulting in notable halogen enrichments in Icelandic basalts relative to lavas from adjacent mid-ocean ridges.
Incidence of adverse drug events in public and private hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: the (ADESA) prospective cohort study
Authors: Aljadhey Hisham , Mahmoud Mansour A , Ahmed Yusuf , Sultana Razia , Zouein Salah , Alshanawani Sulafah , Mayet Ahmed , Alshaikh Mashael K , Kalagi Nora , Al Tawil Esraa , El Kinge Abdul Rahman , Arwadi Abdulmajid , Alyahya Maha , Murray Michael D , Bates David
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To determine the incidence of adverse drug events (ADEs) and assess their severity and preventability in four Saudi hospitals.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

The study included patients admitted to medical, surgical and intensive care units (ICUs) of four hospitals in Saudi Arabia. These hospitals include a 900-bed tertiary teaching hospital, a 400-bed private hospital, a 1400-bed large government hospital and a 350-bed small government hospital.

Participants

All patients (≥12 years) admitted to the study units over 4 months.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Incidents were collected by pharmacists and reviewed by independent clinicians. Reviewers classified the identified incidents as ADEs, potential ADEs (PADEs) or medication errors and then determined their severity and preventability.

Results

We followed 4041 patients from admission to discharge. Of these, 3985 patients had complete data for analysis. The mean±SD age of patients in the analysed cohort was 43.4±19.0 years. A total of 1676 ADEs were identified by pharmacists during the medical chart review. Clinician reviewers accepted 1531 (91.4%) of the incidents identified by the pharmacists (245 ADEs, 677 PADEs and 609 medication errors with low risk of causing harm). The incidence of ADEs was 6.1 (95% CI 5.4 to 6.9) per 100 admissions and 7.9 (95% CI 6.9 to 8.9) per 1000 patient-days. The occurrence of ADEs was most common in ICUs (149 (60.8%)) followed by medical (67 (27.3%)) and surgical (29 (11.8%)) units. In terms of severity, 129 (52.7%) of the ADEs were significant, 91 (37.1%) were serious, 22 (9%) were life-threatening and three (1.2%) were fatal.

Conclusions

We found that ADEs were common in Saudi hospitals, especially in ICUs, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Future studies should focus on investigating the root causes of ADEs at the prescribing stage, and development and testing of interventions to minimise harm from medications.
Screening for cognitive impairment with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Chinese patients with acute mild stroke and transient ischaemic attack: a validation study
Authors: Zuo Lijun , Dong Yanhong , Zhu Rongyan , Jin Zhao , Li Zixiao , Wang Yilong , Zhao Xingquan , Sachdev Perminder , Zhang Wei , Wang Yongjun
Published: July 2016

Objective

We aimed to establish the cut-off point of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-Beijing) in screening for cognitive impairment (CI) within 2 weeks of mild stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).

Methods

A total of 80 acute mild ischaemic stroke patients and 22 TIA patients were recruited. They received the MoCA-Beijing and a formal neuropsychological test battery. CI was defined by 1.5 SD below the established norms on a formal neuropsychological test battery.

Results

Most stroke and TIA patients were in their 50s (53.95±11.43 years old), with greater than primary school level of education. The optimal cut-off point for MoCA-Beijing in discriminating patients with CI from those with no cognitive impairment (NCI) was 22/23 (sensitivity 85%, specificity 88%, positive predictive value=91%, negative predictive value=80%, classification accuracy=86%). The predominant cognitive deficits were characteristic of frontal-subcortical impairment, such as visuomotor speed (46.08%), attention/executive function (42.16%) and visuospatial ability (40.20%).

Conclusions

A MoCA-Beijing cut-off score of 22/23 is optimally sensitive and specific for detecting CI after mild stroke, and TIA in the acute stroke phase, and is recommended for routine clinical practice.
Prostate-specific antigen testing in inner London general practices: are those at higher risk most likely to get tested?
Authors: Nderitu Paul , Van Hemelrijck Mieke , Ashworth Mark , Mathur Rohini , Hull Sally , Dudek Alexandra , Chowdhury Simon
Published: July 2016

Objectives

To investigate the association between factors influencing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing prevalence including prostate cancer risk factors (age, ethnicity, obesity) and non-risk factors (social deprivation and comorbidity).

Setting

A cross-sectional database of 136 inner London general practices from 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2014.

Participants

Men aged ≥40 years without prostate cancer were included (n=150 481).

Primary outcome

Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the association between PSA testing and age, ethnicity, social deprivation, body mass index (BMI) and comorbidity while adjusting for age, benign prostatic hypertrophy, prostatitis and tamsulosin or finasteride use.

Results

PSA testing prevalence was 8.2% (2013–2014), and the mean age was 54 years (SD 11). PSA testing was positively associated with age (OR 70–74 years compared to 40–44 years: 7.34 (95% CI 6.82 to 7.90)), ethnicity (black) (OR compared to white: 1.78 (95% CI 1.71 to 1.85)), increasing BMI and cardiovascular comorbidity. Testing was negatively associated with Chinese ethnicity and with increasing social deprivation.

Conclusions

PSA testing among black patients was higher compared to that among white patients, which differs from lower testing rates seen in previous studies. PSA testing was positively associated with prostate cancer risk factors and non-risk factors. Association with non-risk factors may increase the risk of unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures.
Mortality Reduction in Septic Shock by Plasma Adsorption (ROMPA): a protocol for a randomised clinical trial
Authors: Colomina-Climent Francisco , Giménez-Esparza Carola , Portillo-Requena Cristina , Allegue-Gallego José Manuel , Galindo-Martínez María , Mollà-Jiménez Cristina , Antón-Pascual José Luis , Rodríguez-Serra Manuel , Martín-Ruíz José Luis , Fernández-Arroyo Pablo Juan , Blasco-Císcar Eugenia María , Cánovas-Robles José , Herrera-Murillo Miguel , González-Hernández Enrique , Sánchez-Morán Fernando , Solera-Suárez Manuel , Torres-Tortajada Jesús , Nuñez-Martínez José María , Martín-Langerwerf David , Herrero-Gutiérrez Eugenio , Sebastián-Muñoz Isabel , Palazón-Bru Antonio , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco
Published: July 2016

Introduction

There is a lack of evidence in the efficacy of the coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA) to reduce the mortality rate in septic shock. To fill this gap, we have designed the ROMPA study (Mortality Reduction in Septic Shock by Plasma Adsorption) to confirm whether treatment with an adequate dose of treated plasma by CPFA could confer a clinical benefit.

Methods and analysis

Our study is a multicentric randomised clinical trial with a 28-day and 90-day follow-up and allocation ratio 1:1. Its aim is to clarify whether the application of high doses of CPFA (treated plasma ≥0.20 L/kg/day) in the first 3 days after randomisation, in addition to the current clinical practice, is able to reduce hospital mortality in patients with septic shock in intensive care units (ICUs) at 28 and 90 days after initiation of the therapy. The study will be performed in 10 ICUs in the Southeast of Spain which follow the same protocol in this disease (based on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign). Our trial is designed to be able to demonstrate an absolute mortality reduction of 20% (α=0.05; 1−β=0.8; n=190(95×2)). The severity of the process, ensuring the recruitment of patients with a high probability of death (50% in the control group), will be achieved through an adequate stratification by using both severity scores and classical definitions of severe sepsis/septic shock and dynamic parameters. Our centres are fully aware of the many pitfalls associated with previous medical device trials. Trying to reduce these problems, we have developed a training programme to improve the CPFA use (especially clotting problems).

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol was approved by the Ethics Committees of all the participant centres. The findings of the trial will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, as well as national and international conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT02357433; Pre-results.
Computational fluid dynamics of cerebral aneurysm coiling using high-resolution and high-energy synchrotron X-ray microtomography: comparison with the homogeneous porous medium approach
Authors: Levitt Michael R , Barbour Michael C , Rolland du Roscoat Sabine , Geindreau Christian , Chivukula Venkat K , McGah Patrick M , Nerva John D , Morton Ryan P , Kim Louis J , Aliseda Alberto
Published: July 2016

Background

Computational modeling of intracranial aneurysms provides insights into the influence of hemodynamics on aneurysm growth, rupture, and treatment outcome. Standard modeling of coiled aneurysms simplifies the complex geometry of the coil mass into a homogeneous porous medium that fills the aneurysmal sac. We compare hemodynamics of coiled aneurysms modeled from high-resolution imaging with those from the same aneurysms modeled following the standard technique, in an effort to characterize sources of error from the simplified model.

Materials

Physical models of two unruptured aneurysms were created using three-dimensional printing. The models were treated with coil embolization using the same coils as those used in actual patient treatment and then scanned by synchrotron X-ray microtomography to obtain high-resolution imaging of the coil mass. Computational modeling of each aneurysm was performed using patient-specific boundary conditions. The coils were modeled using the simplified porous medium or by incorporating the X-ray imaged coil surface, and the differences in hemodynamic variables were assessed.

Results

X-ray microtomographic imaging of coils and incorporation into computational models were successful for both aneurysms. Porous medium calculations of coiled aneurysm hemodynamics overestimated intra-aneurysmal flow, underestimated oscillatory shear index and viscous dissipation, and over- or underpredicted wall shear stress (WSS) and WSS gradient compared with X-ray-based coiled computational fluid dynamics models.

Conclusions

Computational modeling of coiled intracranial aneurysms using the porous medium approach may inaccurately estimate key hemodynamic variables compared with models incorporating high-resolution synchrotron X-ray microtomographic imaging of complex aneurysm coil geometry.
Dirac equation with some time-dependent electromagnetic terms
Authors: Saeedi K. , Zarrinkamar S. , Hassanabadi H.
Published: July 2016

We study the motion of relativistic fermions in a time-dependent electromagnetic field within the framework of Dirac equation. We consider the time-dependent scalar potential of the exponential form and the vector potential of linear form. We obtain the eigenfunctions and eigenvalues.
How is Lorentz invariance encoded in the Hamiltonian?
Authors: Kajuri Nirmalya
Published: July 2016

One of the disadvantages of the Hamiltonian formulation is that Lorentz invariance is not manifest in the former. Given a Hamiltonian, there is no simple way to check whether it is relativistic or not. One would either have to solve for the equations of motion or calculate the Poisson brackets of the Noether charges to perform such a check. In this paper we show that, for a class of Hamiltonians, it is possible to check Lorentz invariance directly from the Hamiltonian. Our work is particularly useful for theories where the other methods may not be readily available.
Additive Decomposition of Power Spectrum Density in Singular Spectrum Analysis
Authors: Kume Kenji , Nose-Togawa Naoko
Published: July 2016

Singular spectrum analysis (SSA) is a nonparametric and adaptive spectral decomposition of a time series. The singular value decomposition of the trajectory matrix and the anti-diagonal averaging lead to a time-series decomposition. In this paper, we propose an novel algorithm for the additive decomposition of the power spectrum density of a time series based on the filtering interpretation of SSA. This can be used to examine the spectral overlap or the admixture of the SSA decomposition. We can obtain insights into the spectral structure of the SSA decomposition which helps us for the proper choice of the window length in the practical application. The relationship to the conventional SSA decomposition of a time series is also discussed.
Energy-Efficient Real-Time Human Activity Recognition on Smart Mobile Devices
Authors: Lee Jin , Kim Jungsun
Published: July 2016

Nowadays, human activity recognition (HAR) plays an important role in wellness-care and context-aware systems. Human activities can be recognized in real-time by using sensory data collected from various sensors built in smart mobile devices. Recent studies have focused on HAR that is solely based on triaxial accelerometers, which is the most energy-efficient approach. However, such HAR approaches are still energy-inefficient because the accelerometer is required to run without stopping so that the physical activity of a user can be recognized in real-time. In this paper, we propose a novel approach for HAR process that controls the activity recognition duration for energy-efficient HAR. We investigated the impact of varying the acceleration-sampling frequency and window size for HAR by using the variable activity recognition duration (VARD) strategy. We implemented our approach by using an Android platform and evaluated its performance in terms of energy efficiency and accuracy. The experimental results showed that our approach reduced energy consumption by a minimum of about 44.23% and maximum of about 78.85% compared to conventional HAR without sacrificing accuracy.
Characterization and Uncertainty Assessment of a Certified Reference Material of Chloramphenicol in Methanol (GBW(E)082557)
Authors: Yang Mengrui , Wang Min , Zhou Jian , Song Yinqing , Wang Tongtong
Published: July 2016

Prior to preparation of CRM candidate of chloramphenicol in methanol with a concentration of 100 mg/L, two independent methods including mass balance (MB) and quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (qNMR) were employed to precisely measure the mass fraction of pure chloramphenicol materials. The mass fraction was assigned to be 99.8% with uncertainty of 0.3%. Homogeneity testing and stability study of chloramphenicol in methanol were examined by using high performance liquid chromatography. Additionally, the uncertainties originating from the process of CRM development were comprehensively evaluated. The experimental results indicate that the property value of this CRM is homogeneous and stable at 4°C for at least six months. The new CRM (GBW(E)082557) can be applicable to calibration of instrument and assurance of accuracy and comparability of results in routine measurement.
Solutions to Uncertain Volterra Integral Equations by Fitted Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space Method
Authors: Gumah Ghaleb , Moaddy Khaled , Al-Smadi Mohammed , Hashim Ishak
Published: July 2016

We present an efficient modern strategy for solving some well-known classes of uncertain integral equations arising in engineering and physics fields. The solution methodology is based on generating an orthogonal basis upon the obtained kernel function in the Hilbert spaceW21a,bin order to formulate the analytical solutions in a rapidly convergent series form in terms of theirα-cut representation. The approximation solution is expressed byn-term summation of reproducing kernel functions and it is convergent to the analytical solution. Our investigations indicate that there is excellent agreement between the numerical results and the RKHS method, which is applied to some computational experiments to demonstrate the validity, performance, and superiority of the method. The present work shows the potential of the RKHS technique in solving such uncertain integral equations.
The Effects of High Alkaline Fly Ash on Strength Behaviour of a Cohesive Soil
Authors: Binal A.
Published: July 2016

Contemporarily, there are 16 coal-burning thermal power plants currently operating in Turkey. This number is expected to rise to 46 in the future. Annually, about 15 million tons of fly ash are removed from the existing thermal power plants in Turkey, but a small proportion of it, 2%, is recyclable. Turkey’s plants are fired by lignite, producing Class C fly ash containing a high percentage of lime. Sulfate and alkali levels are also higher in Class C fly ashes. Therefore, fly ash is, commonly, unsuitable as an additive in cement or concrete in Turkey. In this study, highly alkaline fly ash obtained from the Yeniköy thermal power plants is combined with soil samples in different proportions (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%) and changes in the geomechanical properties of Ankara clay were investigated. The effect of curing time on the physicomechanical properties of the fly ash mixed soil samples was also analyzed. The soil classification of Ankara clay changed from CH to MH due to fly ash additives. Free swelling index values showed a decrease of 92.6%. Direct shear tests on the cohesion value of Ankara clay have shown increases by multiples of 15.85 and 3.01 in internal friction angle values. The California bearing ratio has seen a more drastic increase in value (68.7 times for 25% fly ash mix).
Design and Evaluation of Smart Mobile Services for Cross-Channel Shopping
Authors: Liao Guangji , Zhou Jia , Huang Jincheng , Mo Fan , Wang Huilin , Yi Shuping
Published: July 2016

This study explores the potential of smart mobile services to enhance online and offline shopping. Three prototypes were designed and implemented on smart phones and smart watches. Thirty young adults participated in the experiment to evaluate these prototypes. The results indicate that satisfaction with smart services is influenced by characteristics such as innovativeness, current shopping behavior, and design of prototypes. Positive feedback was generally given towards smart mobile services, but there were mixed attitudes towards key features. First, participants with a utilitarian motivation liked the indoor navigation feature, but those with a hedonic motivation enjoyed exploration. Second, in the area of big data, participants wanted more control over recommendations and more protection of privacy. Third, participants wanted to make mobile payments but were concerned about security. Finally, developers of new technology for smart mobile services should consider practicability.
A New Soliton Hierarchy Associated withso⁡3,Rand Its Conservation Laws
Authors: Wei Hanyu , Xia Tiecheng , He Guoliang
Published: July 2016

Based on the three-dimensional real special orthogonal Lie algebraso(3,R), we construct a new hierarchy of soliton equations by zero curvature equations and show that each equation in the resulting hierarchy has a bi-Hamiltonian structure and thus integrable in the Liouville sense. Furthermore, we present the infinitely many conservation laws for the new soliton hierarchy.
Melatonin in Epilepsy: A New Mathematical Model of Diurnal Secretion
Authors: Paprocka Justyna , Kijonka Marek , Pęcka Marcin , Sokół Maria
Published: July 2016

Purpose. The main objective of the study was to create a mathematical model that describes the melatonin circadian secretion and, then the functionality of the model was tested by a comparison of the melatonin secretions in children with and without epilepsy.Material and Methods. The patients were divided into the epilepsy group (EG,n=52) and the comparison group (CG,n=30). The melatonin level was assessed by a radioimmunoassay method. The diurnal melatonin secretion was described using a nonlinear least squares method. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was chosen to estimate the dependence of the acquired data. The model reproduces blood concentration profiles and its parameters were statistically analyzed using the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon test and logistic regression.Results. The correlation analysis performed for the EG and CG groups showed moderate correlations between age and the melatonin secretion model parameters. Patients with epilepsy are characterized by an increased phase shift of melatonin release.
Inhibition of TLR4 Signalling-Induced Inflammation Attenuates Secondary Injury after Diffuse Axonal Injury in Rats
Authors: Zhao Yonglin , Zhao Yahui , Zhang Ming , Zhao Junjie , Ma Xudong , Huang Tingqin , Pang Honggang , Li Jiaxi , Song Jinning
Published: July 2016

Increasing evidence suggests that secondary injury after diffuse axonal injury (DAI) damages more axons than the initial insult, but the underlying mechanisms of this phenomenon are not fully understood. Recent studies show that toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a critical role in promoting adaptive immune responses and have been shown to be associated with brain damage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the TLR4 signalling pathway in secondary axonal injury in the cortices of DAI rats. TLR4 was mainly localized in microglial cells and neurons, and the levels of TLR4 downstream signalling molecules, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, toll/IR-1-(TIR-) domain-containing adaptor protein inducing interferon-beta, interferon regulatory factor 3, interferonβ, nuclear factorκB (NF-κB) p65, and phospho-NF-κB p65, significantly increased and peaked at 1 d after DAI. Inhibition of TLR4 by TAK-242 attenuated apoptosis, neuronal and axonal injury, and glial responses. The neuroprotective effects of TLR4 inhibition were associated with decreases in the levels of TLR4 downstream signalling molecules and inflammatory factors, including interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor-α. These results suggest that the TLR4 signalling pathway plays an important role in secondary injury and may be an important therapeutic target following DAI.
Influence of MgO and Hybrid Fiber on the Bonding Strength between Reactive Powder Concrete and Old Concrete
Authors: Jinchuan Mo , Zhongwen Ou , Yahui Wang
Published: July 2016

The reactive powder concrete (RPC) was used as concrete repair material in this paper. The influence of steel fiber, steel fiber + MgO, and steel fiber + MgO + polypropylene fiber (PPF) on the mechanical properties of RPC repair materials and the splitting tensile strength between RPC and old concrete was studied. Influences of steel fiber, MgO, and PPF on the splitting tensile strength were further examined by using scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) and drying shrinkage test. Results indicated that the compressive and flexural strength was improved with the increasing of steel fiber volume fraction. However, the bonding strength showed a trend from rise to decline with the increasing of steel fiber volume fraction. Although MgO caused mechanical performance degradation of RPC, it improved bonding strength between RPC and existing concrete. The influence of PPF on the mechanical properties of RPC was not obvious, whereas it further improved bonding strength by significantly reducing the early age shrinkage of RPC. Finally, the relationship of drying shrinkage and splitting tensile strength was studied, and the equation between the splitting tensile strength relative index and logarithm of drying shrinkage was obtained by function fitting.
EGFR Mutation Analysis of Circulating Tumor DNA Using an Improved PNA-LNA PCR Clamp Method
Authors: Watanabe Kana , Fukuhara Tatsuro , Tsukita Yoko , Morita Mami , Suzuki Aya , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Terasaki Hiroshi , Nukiwa Toshihiro , Maemondo Makoto
Published: July 2016

Introduction. Rebiopsies have become more crucial in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Instead of invasive biopsies, development of collecting biological data of the tumor from blood samples is expected. We conducted a prospective study to assess the feasibility of detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation in plasma samples.Method. NSCLC patients harboring EGFR activating mutations, who were going to receive EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) as first-line treatment, were enrolled in this study. Plasma EGFR activating mutations and the T790M resistance mutation were analyzed by an improved PNA-LNA PCR clamp method, characterized by a 10-fold or more sensitivity compared with the original methods.Result. Six patients with wild-type EGFR and 24 patients with EGFR mutations were enrolled in this study. Pretreatment plasma samples achieved sensitivity of 79%. The 6 patients with wild-type EGFR were all negative for plasma EGFR mutations. At the time of disease progression, plasma T790M mutation was detected in 8 of 16 cases. Absence of T790M before and during TKI treatment and disappearance of activating mutations during TKI treatment were considered as predictors of EGFR-TKIs efficacy.Conclusion. We were able to detect EGFR mutations in plasma samples by using an improved PNA-LNA PCR clamp method.
Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters as Predictors of Lower-Limb Overuse Injuries in Military Training
Authors: Springer Shmuel , Gottlieb Uri , Lozin Mariya
Published: July 2016

The study objective was to determine whether spatiotemporal gait parameters could predict lower-limb overuse injuries in cohort of combat soldiers during first year of military service. Newly recruited infantry soldiers walked on a treadmill at a 15° incline with a fixed speed of 1.67 m/sec while wearing a standard military vest with a 10 kg load. Stride time variability, stride length variability, step length asymmetry, and the duration of the loading response phase of the gait cycle were measured. Injury data on 76 soldiers who did not report musculoskeletal complaints at initial screening were collected one year after recruitment. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the predictive effect of the gait parameters on lower-limb injuries. Twenty-four soldiers (31.6%) had overuse injuries during the first year after recruitment. Duration of the loading response was a significant predictor of general lower-limb injury (p<0.05), as well as of foot/ankle and knee injuries (p<0.05,p<0.01, resp.). A cutoff value of less than 12.15% for loading response duration predicted knee injuries with 83% sensitivity and 67% specificity. This study demonstrates the utility of spatiotemporal gait evaluation, a simple screening tool before military training, which may help to identify individuals at risk of lower-limb overuse injuries.
Silicon Carbide-Derived Carbon Prepared by Fused Salt Electrolysis and Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Wang Shuyuan , Shao Guangjie
Published: July 2016

A number of carbide-derived carbon (CDC) samples were successfully synthesized by the electrolysis of SiC powder in molten CaCl2. The electrolysis was conducted at different temperatures (850, 900, and 950°C) for 48 h in argon at an applied constant voltage of 3.1 V. The structure of the resulting carbon is characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscope techniques. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements are applied to investigate electrochemical performances of the SiC-CDC material. It can be seen that the degree of order of the SiC-CDC increases monotonically along with elevation of reaction temperature, while the highest specific surface area 1137.74 m2/g together with a specific capacitance of 161.27 F/g at a current density 300 mA/g was achieved from sample synthesized at 900°C.
Multidimensional Analysis of Plates with Irregularities Using Higher-Order Finite Elements Based on Lobatto Shape Functions
Authors: Ahn Jae S.
Published: July 2016

Direct modeling and simulation of engineering problems with various irregularities are computationally very inefficient and in some cases impossible, even in these days of massively parallel computational systems. As a result, in recent times, a number of schemes have been put forward to tract such problems in a computationally efficient manner. Needless to say, such schemes are still going through evolutionary stages. This paper addresses direct solution based on the selective use of different dimensional models at different regions of the problem domain. For the multidimensional approach, a higher-order transition element is developed to connect the different element types where two- and three-dimensional laminated elements based on higher-order subparametric concept are considered. Modeling simplicity and calculation efficiency of the multidimensional approach are shown for the analysis of cantilever plates with stepped section and patch-repaired plates.
Physical Activity and Cancer Outcomes: A Precision Medicine Approach
Authors: Friedenreich Christine M. , Neilson Heather K. , Farris Megan S. , Courneya Kerry S.
Published: July 2016

There is increasing interest in applying a precision medicine approach to understanding exercise as a potential treatment for cancer. We aimed to inform this new approach by appraising epidemiologic literature relating postdiagnosis physical activity to cancer outcomes overall and by molecular/genetic subgroups. Across 26 studies of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer patients, a 37% reduction was seen in risk of cancer-specific mortality, comparing the most versus the least active patients (pooled relative risk = 0.63; 95% confidence interval: 0.54–0.73). Risks of recurrence or recurrence/cancer-specific death (combined outcome) were also reduced based on fewer studies. We identified ten studies of associations between physical activity and cancer outcomes by molecular or genetic markers. Two studies showed statistically significant risk reductions in breast cancer mortality/recurrence for the most (versus least) physically active estrogen receptor–positive/progesterone receptor–positive (ER+/PR+) patients, while others showed risk reductions among ER−PR− and triple-negative patients. In colorectal cancer, four studies showed statistically significant risk reductions in cancer-specific mortality for patients with high (versus low) physical activity and P21 expression, P27 expression, nuclear CTNNB1−, PTGS2 (COX-2)+, or IRS1 low/negative status. One prostate cancer study showed effect modification by Gleason score. As a means to enhance this evidence, future observational studies are needed that will measure physical activity objectively before and after diagnosis, use standardized definitions for outcomes, control for competing risks, assess nonlinear dose–response relations, and consider reverse causality. Ultimately, randomized controlled trials with clinical cancer outcomes and a correlative component will provide the best evidence of causality, relating exercise to cancer outcomes, overall and for molecular and genetic subgroups. Clin Cancer Res; 22(19); 4766–75. ©2016 AACR.
Intravaginal Administration of Fc-Fused IL7 Suppresses the Cervicovaginal Tumor by Recruiting HPV DNA Vaccine-Induced CD8 T Cells
Authors: Choi Young Woo , Kang Moon Cheol , Seo Yong Bok , Namkoong Hong , Park Yunji , Choi Dong-Hoon , Suh You Suk , Lee Seung-Woo , Sung Young Chul , Jin Hyun-Tak
Published: July 2016

Purpose: The induction of tissue-localized virus-specific CD8 T-cell response is essential for the development of an effective therapeutic vaccine against genital diseases, such as cervical cancer and genital herpes. Here, we aimed to elucidate the immunologic role of IL7 in the induction of mucosal cellular immunity.

Experimental Design: IL7 was engineered through Fc fusion to enhance mucosal delivery across the genital epithelial barrier. The immunomodulatory role of IL7 was evaluated by monitoring the kinetics of various immune cells and measuring the expression of chemokines and cytokines after intravaginal administration of Fc-fused IL7 (IL7-Fc). The antitumor effects of intramuscular human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA vaccine or topical IL7-Fc alone or in a combinational regimen on mice survival were compared using a orthotopic cervical cancer model.

Results: Intravaginal treatment of IL7-Fc, but not native IL7, induces upregulation of chemokines (CXCL10, CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5), cytokines (IFNγ, TNFα, IL6, and IL1β), and an adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) in the genital tract, leading to the recruitment of several leukocytes, including CD4, CD8, γδ T cells, and dendritic cells. Importantly, in this murine cervical cancer model, topical administration of IL7-Fc after intramuscular HPV DNA vaccination increases the number of HPV-specific CD8 T cells in the genital mucosa, but not in the spleen, leading to stronger antitumor activity than the HPV DNA vaccine alone.

Conclusions: Our findings provide an important insight into the immunomodulatory role of IL7-Fc via topical application and the design of therapeutic vaccine regimen that induces effective genital–mucosal CD8 T-cell responses. Clin Cancer Res; 22(23); 5898–908. ©2016 AACR.
Trajectories of Stress, Depressive Symptoms, and Immunity in Cancer Survivors: Diagnosis to 5 Years
Authors: Andersen Barbara L. , Goyal Neha Godiwala , Westbrook Travis D. , Bishop Brenden , Carson William E.
Published: July 2016

Purpose: Five-year disease endpoint trajectories are available for every cancer site. In contrast, there are few longitudinal, biobehavioral studies of survivors extending beyond the first or second year following diagnosis. This gap is addressed with stress, depressive symptom, and immunity data from breast cancer patients followed continuously for 5 years.

Experimental Design: Women (N = 113) diagnosed and surgically treated for breast cancer and awaiting adjuvant therapy completed self-report measures of stress and depressive symptoms and provided blood for immune assays [natural killer cell cytotoxicity (NKCC) and T-cell blastogenesis]. Assessments (N = 12) were repeated every 4 to 6 months for 5 years.

Results: Multiphase linear mixed models show phases of change and identified specific time points of change. Cancer stress shows two distinct phases of decline, with the change point being 12 months. In contrast, a steep decline in depressive symptoms occurs by 7 months, with stable, low levels thereafter. NKCC shows a steady upward trajectory through 18 months and upper limit stability thereafter, whereas there was no reliable trajectory for T-cell blastogenesis.

Conclusions: For the first time, trajectories and specific time points of change in biobehavioral data for breast cancer survivors are provided, traced through 5 years. Following diagnosis, the breast survivor experience is one of a co-occurrence of change (recovery) in psychologic and innate immunity markers from diagnosis to18 months, and a pattern of stability (depression, NKCC) or continued improvement (stress) through year 5. These data provide new directions for survivorship care and detail of the biobehavioral trajectory. Clin Cancer Res; 23(1); 52–61. ©2016 AACR.
Predictors of Long-Term Outcomes in Asymptomatic Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis and Preserved Left Ventricular Systolic Function Undergoing Exercise Echocardiography
Authors: Masri Ahmad , Goodman Andrew L. , Barr Tyler , Grimm Richard A. , Sabik Joseph F. , Gillinov A. Marc , Rodriguez L. Leonardo , Svensson Lars G. , Griffin Brian P. , Desai Milind Y.
Published: July 2016

Background—

In asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction, we sought to assess incremental prognostic utility of exercise stress echocardiography.

Methods and Results—

We studied 533 such patients (age, 66±13 years; 78% men; 31% with coronary artery disease) who underwent exercise stress echocardiography between 2001 and 2012. Clinical, echocardiographic, and exercise variables (metabolic equivalents [METs], % of age–sex–predicted METs and heart rate recovery at first minute post exercise) were recorded. The end point was all-cause mortality. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons score, left ventricular ejection fraction, mean resting aortic valve (AV) gradient, indexed AV area, METs, and heart rate recovery were 2.9±3%, 58±4%, 35±11 mm Hg, 0.47±0.1 cm
2
/m
2
, 7.8±3, and 26±12 bpm, respectively. Only 50% achieved >100%, whereas 26% achieved <85% age–sex–predicted METs. There were no major exercise stress echocardiography-related complications. Over 6.9±3 years, 341 (64%) underwent AV replacement (54% isolated), and there were 104 (20%) deaths. On multivariable Cox proportional hazard survival analysis, a higher Society of Thoracic Surgeons score (hazard ratio, 1.21), lower % age–sex–predicted METs (hazard ratio 1.15), and slower heart rate recovery (hazard ratio, 1.22) were associated with higher longer-term mortality, whereas AV replacement (time-dependent covariate, hazard ratio, 0.26) was associated with improved survival. The addition of % age–sex–predicted METs to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score resulted in significant reclassification of longer-term mortality risk (integrated discrimination index, 0.07 [0.03–0.11;
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

In asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction undergoing exercise stress echocardiography, a lower % of age–sex–predicted METs and slower heart rate recovery were associated with longer-term mortality, whereas AV replacement was associated with improved survival.