bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retinoic Acid Receptor γ Activity in Mesenchymal Stem Cells Regulates Endochondral Bone, Angiogenesis, and B Lymphopoiesis
Authors: Green Alanna C , Rudolph-Stringer Victoria , Straszkowski Lenny , Tjin Gavin , Crimeen-Irwin Blessing , Walia Mannu , Martin T John , Sims Natalie A , Purton Louise E
Published: July 2018

Retinoic acid receptor (RAR) signaling regulates bone structure and hematopoiesis through intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. This study aimed to establish how early in the osteoblast lineage loss of RARγ (Rarg) disrupts the bone marrow microenvironment. Bone structure was analyzed by micro–computed tomography (μCT) in Rarg–/– mice and mice with Rarg conditional deletion in Osterix-Cre–targeted osteoblast progenitors or Prrx1-Cre–targeted mesenchymal stem cells. Rarg–/– tibias exhibited less trabecular and cortical bone and impaired longitudinal and radial growth. The trabecular bone and longitudinal, but not radial, growth defects were recapitulated in Prrx1:RargΔ/Δ mice but not Osx1:RargΔ/Δ mice. Although both male and female Prrx1:RargΔ/Δ mice had low trabecular bone mass, males exhibited increased numbers of trabecular osteoclasts and Prrx1:RargΔ/Δ females had impaired mineral deposition. Both male and female Prrx1:RargΔ/Δ growth plates were narrower than controls and their epiphyses contained hypertrophic chondrocyte islands. Flow cytometry revealed that male Prrx1:RargΔ/Δ bone marrow exhibited elevated pro-B and pre-B lymphocyte numbers, accompanied by increased Cxcl12 expression in bone marrow cells. Prrx1:RargΔ/Δ bone marrow also had elevated megakaryocyte-derived Vegfa expression accompanied by smaller sinusoidal vessels. Thus, RARγ expression by Prrx1-Cre–targeted cells directly regulates endochondral bone formation and indirectly regulates tibial vascularization. Furthermore, RARγ expression by Prrx1-Cre–targeted cells extrinsically regulates osteoclastogenesis and B lymphopoiesis in male mice. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Measuring lipoprotein‐associated phospholipase A2 activity in China: Protocol comparison and recalibration
Authors: Wang Danchen , Guo Xiuzhi , Hou Li'an , Cheng Xinqi , You Tingting , Li Honglei , Xia Liangyu , Yin Yicong , Yu Songlin , Qiu Ling
Published: July 2018

Background

Lp‐PLA2 is a novel inflammation marker in cardiovascular disease. While several manufactures have registered Lp‐PLA2 activity reagents, few studies have investigated the consistency among these assays. In this study, we compared and recalibrated Lp‐PLA2 activity assays.

Methods

Serum samples from 110 patients and 140 healthy individuals were collected for method comparison and reference interval validation, respectively. Fresh human serum pools (847 and 442 U/L) were used for recalibration. Lp‐PLA2 activity was analyzed using all five assays with a Beckman AU 5800 analyzer. Passing‐Bablok regression equations and Bland‐Altman plots were used to estimate the relationship and bias among the results. A 2.5% confidence interval (CI) and 97.5% CI were used to establish a laboratory reference interval.

Results

Assay imprecision varied from 0.8%‐2.9%, while the overall coincidence rates ranged from 75.5%‐98.2%. Passing‐Bablok regression shows excellent linear correlation between Evermed and Diasys (R2 = 0.999), while that between Diazyme and Evermed was poor (R2 = 0.846). The R2 and correlation coefficient r among assays were 0.846‐0.999 and 0.8947‐0.9993, respectively. The mean bias percentages ranged from −71.5%‐1.6% and −2.0%‐11.6% before and after recalibration. As Diazyme and Diasys were not comparable, the Diazyme assay was not recalibrated. The reference intervals determined for Diasys, Evermed, Hengxiao, and Zybio were 184‐605, 208‐704, 81‐328, and 273‐696 U/L, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that recalibration increased assay agreement and also highlight the need for each laboratory to establish its own reference interval for Lp‐PLA2 activity.
Bright light at night alters the perception of daylength in Indian weaver bird (Ploceus philippinus)
Authors: Kumar Jayant , Malik Shalie , Bhardwaj Sanjay Kumar , Rani Sangeeta
Published: July 2018

The brighter nights have posed new challenges to the wild species by affecting their temporal physiology. The present study on Indian weaver bird (Ploceus philippinus) investigated if exposure to bright light at different phases of night affects their clock‐mediated daily functions. Birds were placed individually in specially designed activity cages under short days and long nights (8L:16D; L = 100 lux, D < 0.1 lux) for ∼3 weeks (19 days). Thereafter, they were divided into four groups (n = 6–9), and given ∼2 lux light either for the entire night (ZT 08–24; zeitgeber time 0 = time of light on; pattern A) or for 4 hr (pattern B), placed in 16 hr night such that its onset coincides with the onset of night (early night group, ZT 08–12), its end with the end of night (late night group, ZT 20–24), or the night was interrupted in the middle (midnight group, ZT 14–18). The results showed that bright light in entire night induced early onset of day activity and fragmented rest at night, however, if given at different phases of night, it made the days longer by delaying end (early night group) or advancing onset of daily activity (late night group). It also suppressed the melatonin levels and increased body temperature. These results suggest that bright light at night alters the perception of daylength and affects the underlying physiology. The findings may be useful in adopting a strategy for use of night light without disturbing species fitness in their environment.
Mutational analysis of CCL20 reveals flexibility of N-terminal amino acid composition and length
Authors: Riutta Sarah J , Larsen Olav , Getschman Anthony E , Rosenkilde Mette M , Hwang Sam T , Volkman Brian F
Published: July 2018

Chemokine–chemokine receptor (CKR) interactions are traditionally described by a two-step/two-site mechanism that details the major contact points between chemokine ligands and CKRs leading to ligand recognition and receptor activation. Chemokine recognition site 1 (CRS1) encompasses interactions between the CKR N-terminus and the globular chemokine core. Chemokine recognition site 2 (CRS2) includes interactions between the unstructured chemokine N-terminus and the binding pocket of the receptor. The two-step/two-site paradigm has been an adequate framework to study the intricacies of chemokine:CKR interactions, but emerging studies highlight the limitations of this model. Here, we present studies of CRS2 interactions between the chemokine CCL20 and its cognate receptor CCR6 driven by the hypothesis that CCL20 interacts with CCR6 as described by the two-step/two-site model. CCL20 is a chemokine with an unusually short N-terminus of 5 residues (NH2-ASNFD), compared to the average length of 10 residues for chemokine ligands. We have investigated how well CCL20 tolerates manipulation of the N-terminus by monitoring binding affinity of variants and their ability to activate the receptor. We show the CCL20 N-terminus tolerates truncation of up to 3 residues, extension by up to 5 additional residues, and point mutations at 4 of 5 positions with minimal loss of binding affinity and minimal impairment in ability to stimulate calcium mobilization, inositol triphosphate accumulation, chemotaxis, and β-arrestin-2 recruitment. Mutation of the fifth residue, aspartate, to alanine or lysine has a dramatic impact on binding affinity for CCR6 and ligand potency. We postulate CCL20 does not activate CCR6 through the canonical two-step/two-site mechanism of CKR activation.

Systematic structure-function analysis of the CCL20 N-terminus reveals extreme tolerance of N-terminal extension, truncation, or modification to maintain activity at CCR6.
The interplay between neutrophils and microbiota in cancer
Authors: Smith Carolyne K , Trinchieri Giorgio
Published: July 2018

The role of the microbiota in many diseases including cancer has gained increasing attention. Paired with this is our expanding appreciation for the heterogeneity of the neutrophil compartment regarding surface marker expression and functionality. In this review, we will discuss the influence of the microbiota on granulopoiesis and consequent activity of neutrophils in cancer. As evidence for this microbiota-neutrophil-cancer axis builds, it exposes new therapeutic targets to improve a cancer patient's outcome.

Microbiota influence granulopoiesis, anti-tumor therapies and myeloid cell activation, while early versus late stage tumors effect the switch from anti-tumor (N1) to pro-tumor (N2) neutrophils.
Sea surface temperature change in the Black Sea under climate change: A simulation of the sea surface temperature up to 2100
Authors: Sakalli Abdulla , Başusta Nuri
Published: July 2018

Surface temperature of the Black Sea increased due to climate change during the 20th century and continues to rise. Here we present by in situ data‐corrected remote‐sensed SST data covering a 34‐year period (1982–2015). Using a linear black box model, we predicted the Black Sea surface temperature (SST) up to 2100. During the 34‐year study period, we detected a 0.64 °C increase in SST per decade. The largest monthly fluctuations in SST were during late summer (August) and autumn (November). The rate of SST increase has almost caught up with the worst climate change scenario for the future. At the end of this century, the relative increase in average Black Sea SST is predicted to be 5.1 °C. In summary, our data show sea surface warming during recent decades, and we predict that this warming is likely to continue under the present environmental condition. The warming of the sea seems to also influence the amount of caught anchovies in the Black Sea. After 1993, the amount of captured anchovies in the southern Black Sea was drastically decreased with increased SST.
Manipulating the Properties of Poly(1,4‐Cyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate) (PCT) Just by Tuning Steric Configuration of 1.4‐Cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM)
Authors: Wang Jinggang , Liu Xiaoqing , Zhu Jin
Published: July 2018

The properties of poly(1,4‐cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) (PCT) are manipulated only by tuning the steric configuration of 1,4‐cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM). The chemical structures and compositions of PCTs are confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR and 13C NMR) before their thermal and mechanical properties are investigated by differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analyzer, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Results show that the ratio of cis‐ to trans‐CHDM in PCTs has significant influences on their properties. The melting temperature of PCTs is varied from 251 to 313 °C, and the glass transition temperature is increased from 73 to 92 °C when the content of trans‐CHDM in PCTs is increased from 10% to 96%. In addition, the crystallizability of PCT is also increased with the content of trans‐CHDM. However, its thermal stability is decreased seriously when the melting temperature of PCT is higher than 280 °C. It is concluded that when the content of trans‐CHDM is lower than 50% (PCT‐10, PCT‐28, and PCT‐46), the balance of melting temperature, glass transition temperature, and thermal stability for PCT can be achieved. Just by varying the cis/trans ratio of CHDM, rather than the addition of other components, the properties of PCT can be manipulated.
Evaluation of glutathione S‐transferase pi 1 expression and gene promoter methylation in Moroccan patients with urothelial bladder cancer
Authors: Hadami Khaoula , Dakka Nadia , Bensaid Mounia , El Ahanidi Hajar , Ameur Ahmed , Chahdi Hafsa , Oukabli Mohamed , Al Bouzidi Abderrahmane , Attaleb Mohammed , El Mzibri Mohammed
Published: July 2018

Background

Glutathione S‐transferase pi 1 (GSTP1) is a cytosolic detoxifying enzyme that protects cells against deleterious effects of oxidative stress. Deregulated expression of GSTP1 protein and aberrant promoter methylation of GSTP1 gene were reported in various human tumors and were shown to be involved in the molecular pathway for cancer development.

Aims and methods

In this study, we aimed to determine the expression status of GSTP1 in relation to its gene promoter methylation in Moroccan population of 30 bladder cancer (BC) patients and in two noncancerous bladder tissues used as controls. GSTP1 expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and GSTP1 gene promoter methylation status was studied by methylation‐specific PCR (MS‐PCR).

Results

Glutathione S‐transferase pi 1 was expressed in the two normal tissues. In BC cases, GSTP1 expression was strong in 23.33% (7/30), moderate in 60% (18/30), and weak in 13.33% (4/30) of cases, while GSTP1 was not expressed in one cancer case (3.33%). Variability of GSTP1 expression does not correlate with high‐grade cancer or invasive‐stage (p > 0.05). No GSTP1 gene promoter methylation was detected in all control and cancer cases.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that GSTP1 expression is not associated with BC development, limiting its use as a biomarker for BC management in Morocco. Moreover, difference in GSTP1 expression among BC cases is not due to GSTP1 promoter methylation.
Analog and digital signal processing method using multi‐time‐over‐threshold and FPGA for PET
Authors: Kim Kyu Bom , Choi Yong , Jung Jiwoong , Lee Sangwon , Choe Hyeok‐jun , Leem Hyun Tae
Published: July 2018

Purpose

The goal of this study was to develop an analog and digital signal processing method using multi‐time‐over‐threshold (MTOT) and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) to extract PET event information by using the internal clock of FPGA (~350 MHz), without ADC and TDC.

Methods

The PET detector modules were composed of a 4 × 4 matrix of 3 × 3 × 20 mm3 LYSO and 4 × 4 SiPM array. Output charge signals of PET detector modules were amplified and fed into four comparators to generate trigger signals. The energy of the detected gamma ray was calculated by integrating the digitized pulse and the arrival time was determined from the time stamp of the lowest trigger signal by FPGA. The data packet containing energy, time, and position information was stored in list mode on the host computer.

Results

The performance of analog and digital signal processing circuits using MTOT method and FPGA was evaluated by measuring energy and time resolution of the proposed method and the values were 19% and 900 ps, respectively.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that the proposed MTOT method consisting of only FPGA without ADC and TDC could provide a simple and cost‐effective analog and digital signal processing system for PET.
Micromechanical approach to effective viscoelastic properties of micro‐fractured geomaterials
Authors: Aguiar Cássio B. , Maghous Samir
Published: July 2018

The aim of this paper is to formulate a micromechanics‐based approach to non‐aging viscoelastic behavior of materials with randomly distributed micro‐fractures. Unlike cracks, fractures are discontinuities that are able to transfer stresses and can therefore be regarded from a mechanical viewpoint as interfaces endowed with a specific behavior under normal and shear loading. Making use of the elastic‐viscoelastic correspondence principle together with a Mori‐Tanka homogenization scheme, the effective viscoelastic behavior is assessed from properties of the material constituents and damage parameters related to density and size of fractures. It is notably shown that the homogenized behavior thus formulated can be described in most cases by means of a generalized Maxwell rheological model. For practical implementation in structural analyses, an approximate model for the isotropic homogenized fractured medium is formulated within the class of Burger models. Although the approximation is basically developed for short‐term and long‐term behaviors, numerical applications indicate that the approximate Burger model accurately reproduce the homogenized viscoelastic behavior also in the transient conditions.
Assessing the optimal preparation strategy to minimize the variability of cardiac pyruvate dehydrogenase flux measurements with hyperpolarized MRS
Authors: Timm Kerstin N. , Apps Andrew , Miller Jack J. , Ball Vicky , Chong Cher‐Rin , Dodd Michael S. , Tyler Damian J.
Published: July 2018

Hyperpolarized [1‐13C] pyruvate MRS can measure cardiac pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) flux in vivo through 13C‐label incorporation into bicarbonate. Using this technology, substrate availability as well as pathology have been shown to modulate PDH flux. Clinical protocols attempt to standardize PDH flux with oral glucose loading prior to scanning, while rodents in preclinical studies are usually scanned in the fed state. We aimed to establish which strategy was optimal to maximize PDH flux and minimize its variability in both control and Type II diabetic rats, without affecting the pathological variation being assessed. We found similar variances in the bicarbonate to pyruvate ratio, reflecting PDH flux, in fed and fasted/glucose‐loaded animals, which showed no statistically significant differences. Furthermore, fasting/glucose loading did not alter the low PDH flux seen in Type II diabetic rats. Overall this suggests that preclinical cardiac hyperpolarized magnetic resonance studies could be performed either in the fed or in the fasted/glucose‐loaded state. Centres planning to start new clinical studies with cardiac hyperpolarized magnetic resonance in man may find it beneficial to run small proof‐of‐concept trials to determine whether metabolic standardizations by oral or intravenous glucose load are beneficial compared with scanning patients in the fed state.
Evidence for lineage continuity between early serous proliferations (ESPs) in the Fallopian tube and disseminated high‐grade serous carcinomas
Authors: Soong Thing Rinda , Howitt Brooke E , Miron Alexander , Horowitz Neil S , Campbell Frank , Feltmate Colleen M , Muto Michael G , Berkowitz Ross S , Nucci Marisa R , Xian Wa , Crum Christopher P
Published: July 2018

The distal Fallopian tube is a site of origin for many ‘ovarian’ high‐grade serous carcinomas (HGSCs) with intraepithelial carcinomas (STICs) that share identical TP53 mutations with metastatic tumors. TP53 mutation‐positive early serous proliferations (ESPs) comprise a spectrum including p53 signatures and serous tubal intraepithelial lesions (STILs) and are not considered malignant; however, ESPs are often the only abnormality found in Fallopian tubes of women with metastatic HGSC. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between isolated ESPs and concurrent metastatic HGSCs in the absence of STIC. Fallopian tubes from 32 HGSCs without a co‐existing STIC/HGSC in the endosalpinx were exhaustively sectioned. The presence of either STIC/HGSC or ESP in the endosalpinx was documented and DNA from tissues containing ESPs, concurrent HGSC, and control epithelia were interrogated for TP53 mutations by targeted amplicon‐based sequencing with average coverage reads >4000 across DNA replicate samples. Serial sectioning revealed a previously unrecognized STIC/HGSC in 3 of 32 (9.3%) and ESPs in 13 (40.6%). Twelve contained TP53 mutations. Nine (75%) shared identical TP53 mutations with concurrent HGSCs, four at high (≥ 5%) and five at low (< 5%) allele frequency. All control epithelia were TP53 mutation‐negative. This study, for the first time, indicates lineage identity between ESPs in the distal tube and some metastatic HGSCs via a shared site‐specific TP53 mutation. It supports a novel serous carcinogenic sequence in which an ESP could eventually culminate in a metastatic serous cancer via ‘precursor escape’ and would explain the apparent sudden onset of cancers without co‐existing STICs. This paradigm for serous cancer development underscores the likelihood that multiple precursor types in the Fallopian tube contribute to serous cancer development with implications for the evolution, pathologic classification, and prevention of this lethal malignancy. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Population Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Analysis of Nociceptive Pain Models Following an Oral Pregabalin Dose Administration to Healthy Subjects
Authors: van Esdonk Michiel J. , Lindeman Ian , Okkerse Pieter , de Kam Marieke L. , Groeneveld Geert J. , Stevens Jasper
Published: July 2018

A battery of pain models can be used in clinical trials to investigate the efficacy and to establish the concentration‐effect relationship of novel analgesics. This study quantified the pharmacokinetics (PK) of pregabalin after a single oral dose of 300 mg and the pharmacodynamics (PD) on the pain tolerance threshold (PTT) of the cold pressor, electrical stimulation, the pressure pain model, and on the pain detection threshold of a contact heat pain model. The PK were best described using a one‐compartment model with lag time, linear absorption, and linear elimination. The PTT of the cold pressor showed a negative linear decrease over time without pregabalin. A linear drug effect was identified on the PTT of the cold pressor test and an on/off effect for the electrical stimulation PTT. No PK/PD relationship could be identified on the pressure pain and heat pain test. Citation:
A Semi‐Mechanistic Population Pharmacokinetic Model of Nusinersen: An Antisense Oligonucleotide for the Treatment of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Authors: Biliouris Konstantinos , Gaitonde Puneet , Yin Wei , Norris Daniel A. , Wang Yanfeng , Henry Scott , Fey Robert , Nestorov Ivan , Schmidt Stephan , Rogge Mark , Lesko Lawrence J. , Trame Mirjam N.
Published: July 2018

A pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed for nusinersen, an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that is the first approved treatment for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). The model was built with data from 92 nonhuman primates (NHPs) following intrathecal doses (0.3–7 mg) and characterized the PK in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma, total spinal cord, brain, and pons. The estimated volumes were 13.6, 937, 4.5, 53.8, and 2.11 mL, respectively. Global sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the CSF‐to‐plasma drug distribution rate (0.09 hour−1) is a major determinant of the maximum nusinersen concentration in central nervous system (CNS) tissues. Physiological age‐based and body weight‐based allometric scaling was implemented with exponent values of −0.08 and 1 for the rate constants and the volume of distribution, respectively. Simulations of the scaled model were in agreement with clinical observations from 52 pediatric phase I PK profiles. The developed model can be used to guide the design of clinical trials with ASOs.
Diamond Microstructuring by Deep Anisotropic Reactive Ion Etching
Authors: Golovanov Anton V. , Bormashov Vitaly S. , Luparev Nikolay V. , Tarelkin Sergey A. , Troschiev Sergey Y. , Buga Sergei G. , Blank Vladimir D.
Published: July 2018

Fabrication of diamond micro‐patterned structures is a technological challenge due to the outstanding hardness and chemical stability of the material. In this work, the synthetic diamond reactive ion etching (RIE) process is studied. The effects of the gas mixture and bias on the diamond etching rate are investigated. A high etching rate (up to 5 μm h−1) is achieved in SF6 based plasmas with the intensive ion sputtering. The features of protective masks on diamond samples fabrication are discussed. Etching selectivities of Al, Ni, Mo, Al2O3, and AlN as mask materials in SF6 plasma are investigated. The initial size of the mask affects its selectivity. To explain the influence of the initial mask shape on the selectivity, a semi‐empirical model of the diamond‐mask topography transformation under the ion sputtering is proposed. By setting the shape of the masks, it is possible to form diamond structures with any desirable profile using the same etching process: steep walls with 20 μm height, solid immersion lenses with 2–10 μm radii, conic figures, and developed surface. This is a relatively simple and universal method of diamond microstructures fabrication.
RRep: A composite index to assess and test rater precision
Authors: Vanacore Amalia , Pellegrino Maria Sole
Published: July 2018

In subjective evaluation systems, raters act as measurement instruments providing useful evaluations for taking strategic and/or operational decisions. The assessment of rater evaluative ability in terms of accuracy and precision is of critical importance since rater unreliability may compromise the quality of the decision‐making process. The focus of this paper is on rater precision: we propose a novel composite index to assess the rater ability to provide evaluations repeatable over time and reproducible over scales. The extent of rater precision is qualified via a nonparametric benchmarking procedure. The properties of both proposed index and benchmarking procedure have been analysed via a Monte Carlo simulation study.
The Correlation of Macrostructure, Microstructure, and Texture with Room Temperature Mechanical Properties of a Twinning‐Induced Plasticity Automotive Steel after Friction Stir Spot Welding/Processing
Authors: Barabi Aidin , Zarei‐Hanzaki Abbas , Abedi Hamidreza , Anoushe Amirsalar , Cho Jae‐Hyung
Published: July 2018

The microstructure and texture evolution of a commercialized twinning‐induced plasticity automotive steel during friction stir spot welding/processing are addressed. The welding is conducted at various rotational speeds of 1000, 1600, and 2500 rpm, considering effects of strain rate and heat input on microstructural evolution. Sub grains with low angle grain boundaries are mainly developed at the thermomechanically‐affected and stirred zones. At low rotational speed of 1000 rpm, continuous dynamic recrystallization occurred at the stirred zone, which eventually led to considerable grain refinement. At higher rotational speeds, dynamic recrystallization is also observed near the stirred zone. The static/dynamic microstructural evolution increased the extent of bimodality of the grain size distribution, and enhanced mechanical properties. The hook formation is hindered owning to the influence of the dynamic recrystallization on the material's flow during welding. Some fiber textures belonging to shear components are detected under low rotational speed. As deformation increased with rotational speed, shear texture further developed. Different types of shear textures of A‐Fiber and are observed at 1600 and 2500 rpm, respectively. The mechanical properties are explored in connection with macrostructure, microstructure, and texture evolutions.
Fortified Rice Starches: The Role of Hydrothermal Treatments in Zinc Entrapment
Authors: Henning Fernanda Gabriela , Schnitzler Egon , Demiate Ivo Mottin , Lacerda Luiz Gustavo , Ito Vivian Cristina , Malucelli Lucca Centa , da Silva Carvalho Filho Marco Aurélio
Published: July 2018

This study investigates the potential for zinc fortification of native, heat‐moisture treatment (HMT), and annealing (ANN), modified rice starches, using neutral extracted rice starch as precursor. The zinc content, micrographs, X‐ray crystallinity, pasting, and thermal properties are evaluated. The fortified rice starch increases crystallinity, thermal stability, and gelatinization enthalpy, as well as lowers peak viscosity and gelatinization temperature when compared to its precursor (native rice starch). The ANN fortified starch shows decreased crystallinity, thermal stability, gelatinization temperature, and enthalpy, while the HMT starch has increased crystallinity and final viscosity. The results indicate that the native rice starch has higher zinc entrapment potential (1359 mg Kg−1) than the physically modified starches (<100 mg Kg−1); this is attributed to the protein spread over the surface of the granules and the pre‐gelatinization of the surface of the starches after modification, which serve as a barrier to zinc cations.
PrEP: pre‐exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention
Authors: Page Matthew , Nicholls Jane
Published: July 2018

HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is the use of antiretrovirals by HIV negative individuals to reduce the risk of HIV infection. In this article the authors give an overview of the evidence for PrEP among key populations and practical considerations regarding HIV and PrEP risk assessment, delivery and monitoring.
Lyme disease: lurking in the bushes
Authors: Brightman Christopher
Published: July 2018

Lyme disease is transmitted via ticks picked up in the undergrowth. It is on the increase and clinicians need to be vigilant and consider it as a diagnosis in patients presenting with cutaneous, neurological, musculoskeletal or cardiac symptoms.
Factors influencing hunter flush success of three small game species
Authors: Rhoden Cody M. , Orange Jeremy P. , Tanner Evan P. , Baxley Danna L. , Morgan John J. , Robinson Ben A.
Published: July 2018

Encounter rates may have multifaceted effects on population dynamics, hunter satisfaction, and hunter retention. However, there is currently a lack of knowledge pertaining to those factors affecting small game flush rates. In an effort to address this paucity of information, we investigated factors that may affect flush rates of 3 small game species: ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus; hereafter, grouse), northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter, bobwhite), and rabbit (Sylvilagus spp.). From 2003 to 2015, we collected cooperator hunting logs for 3,948 grouse hunts, 19,301 rabbit hunts, and 4,798 bobwhite hunts in Kentucky, USA. Hunting success was defined as the number of grouse, rabbit, or bobwhite coveys flushed by a hunting party. We used an information theoretic approach to model variables that may explain variation in hunting success. The number of hunters within a party explained the greatest amount of variation in hunting success for all species, with a positive relationship between the number of hunters and success. Similarly, for grouse and rabbit, we observed a positive relationship between the number of dogs in a party and hunting success. Weather variables and annual abundance indices were not supported in any competing models explaining hunting success, suggesting a possible scale mismatch related to these broad‐scale data and more localized conditions experienced by hunting parties. Our research indicates that increasing hunting party size through the addition of hunters and dogs was a unifying influence on increasing hunting success (likely through increased hunting corridors) across small game species. This information can be useful for agencies seeking to increase or maintain support for small game hunters in the future. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Tetrafluoridonitridotechnetate(VI) – Reactions and Structures
Authors: Balasekaran S. Mariappan , Hagenbach Adelheid , Abram Ulrich
Published: July 2018

Dissolution of the polymeric nitridotechnetic(VI) acid in aqueous HF results in the formation of the [TcNF4]– anion. The presence of the paramagnetic anion in such solutions can readily be confirmed by EPR spectroscopy. Addition of CsF or (NEt4)F gives orange‐yellow, diamagnetic solids of the compositions Cs3(NH4)[F4NTc(μ‐O)TcNF4] and (NEt4)3(NH4)[NF2Tc(μ‐O)2TcNF2]2, respectively.
Fermions in geodesic Witten diagrams
Authors: Nishida Mitsuhiro , Tamaoka Kotaro
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We develop the embedding formalism for odd dimensional Dirac spinors in AdS and apply it to the (geodesic) Witten diagrams including fermionic degrees of freedom. We first show that the geodesic Witten diagram (GWD) with fermion exchange is equivalent to the conformal partial waves associated with the spin one-half primary field. Then, we explicitly demonstrate the GWD decomposition of the Witten diagram including the fermion exchange with the aid of the split representation. The geodesic representation of CPW indeed gives the useful basis for computing the Witten diagrams.
Axions from strings: the attractive solution
Authors: Gorghetto Marco , Hardy Edward , Villadoro Giovanni
Published: July 2018

Abstract

We study the system of axion strings that forms in the early Universe if the Peccei-Quinn symmetry is restored after inflation. Using numerical simulations, we establish the existence of an asymptotic solution to which the system is attracted independently of the initial conditions. We study in detail the properties of this solution, including the average number of strings per Hubble patch, the distribution of loops and long strings, the way that different types of radiation are emitted, and the shape of the spectrum of axions produced. We find clear evidence of logarithmic violations of the scaling properties of the attractor solution. We also find that, while most of the axions are emitted with momenta of order Hubble, most of the axion energy density is contained in axions with energy of order the string core scale, at least in the parameter range available in the simulation. While such a spectrum would lead to a negligible number density of relic axions from strings when extrapolated to the physical parameter region, we show that the presence of small logarithmic corrections to the spectrum shape could completely alter such a conclusion. A detailed understanding of the evolution of the axion spectrum is therefore crucial for a reliable estimate of the relic axion abundance from strings.
Element Distribution in the Silicomanganese Production Process
Authors: Ma Yan , Moosavi-Khoonsari Elmira , Kero Ida T. , Tranell Gabriella M.
Published: July 2018

A pilot scale, silicomanganese alloy production campaign was performed in a 440 kVA, single phase electric furnace in order to establish an overview of the minor- and trace element contents in process input raw materials and their distribution in the resulting primary and secondary products. Samples of the in-going raw materials (manganese ore, coke, quartzite, and high carbon ferromanganese slag) and the out-going products (silicomanganese alloy, silicomanganese slag, and dust) were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The distribution of 51 elements between the product phases was discussed in terms of their boiling temperatures, Gibbs energies of oxidation and activity coefficients of elements in the metal. A thermochemical simulation using the thermochemical software FactSage 7.1 was also carried out in order to model element phase distribution between the alloy, slag, and dust/gas. The correlation between the model and experimental element concentrations in the silicomanganese slag and dust is fair for most elements. However, in the metal phase, fewer elements show good correlation between modeled results and measured experimental concentrations. The discrepancy could be explained by a lack of accurate thermodynamic descriptions for several minor species in the database.
A novel multi-level evaluation approach for human-coupled IoT applications
Authors: Seok Moon Gi , Park Daejin
Published: July 2018

The recent emerging trend to promote the harmonious interactions between human and smart objects in Internet of Things (IoT) applications has led to the rising demand for the comprehensive exploration of associated IoT design spaces, considering system-, network-, and human-level perspectives. The traditional design approach of networked smart objects tends to ignore the effects caused by human interactions so that the existing approach has the limited capability in joint system/network/human multi-level exploration. In this paper, we propose a high-level system modeling and multi-level simulation approach for microsystem models to interoperate with high-level models in the human-level perspective and to provide comprehensive co-exploration. The high-level system modeling enables one to abstract the detailed operations of hardware platforms using power and timing data obtained by the proposed high-level state-based profiling method and using the event-driven modeling concept. For the event-driven system modeling, we utilize the discrete-event system specification (DEVS) to support scalable model-driven prototyping. To represent the coupled relationship of network-level system activity and human-level interactions between node systems and humans, we employ a general-purpose network simulator to model the operation and communication of network modules in smart objects and developed agent-based human behavioral models. For the co-simulation of multi-level models, we designed a distributed simulation platform to enable the interoperation between the DEVS simulator and the network simulator using a runtime infrastructure. The proposed modeling and simulation approach is applied for the multi-level evaluation of a smart museum application to estimate the effect of energy-efficiency policies.
Is patient factor more important than surgeon-related factor in sepsis prevention in colorectal surgery?
Authors: Weledji Elroy Patrick
Published: July 2018

ABSTRACT

Background:

Postoperative infection is an important complication of colorectal surgery and continued efforts are needed to minimize the risk of surgical site infection (SSI). Sepsis prevention in colorectal surgery depends upon the degree of contamination of the peritoneal cavity (disease factor), the preoperative status of the patient (patient factor) and surgical technique (surgeon factor). Immune response and metabolic regulation are highly integrated as minor operations may stimulate the immune response while the effect of major surgery is immunosuppression. The article debates the relative contributions and impact of patient and surgeon-related factors on sepsis prevention in colorectal surgery.

Methods:

A retrospective literature review of published studies on sepsis prevention in colorectal surgery, bacteria-host interactions and the effects of immune deficiency, life-style (smoking, alcohol abuse) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the outcome of colorectal surgery.

Results:

The most important factor in determining postoperative sepsis is the presence of viable organisms in the surgical field prior to wound closure. Inter-individual variation in the pattern of mediator release and of end-organ responsiveness may play a significant role in determining the initial physiological response to major sepsis and this in turn may be a key determinant of outcome. Sepsis source control failure in colorectal surgery are more likely in patients with delayed (>24 h) procedural intervention (Patient/surgeon factor), higher severity of illness - the Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health Care Evaluation score (APACHE >15 (patient/disease factor), advanced age- >70yrs (patient factor), co-morbidity (patient factor), poor nutritional status (patient factor) and a higher degree of peritoneal involvement – Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI) score (disease factor). It would be heralded by persistent or recurrent intra-abdominal infection, anastomotic failure or fistula formation.

Conclusions:

The most important prognostic factors in emergency colorectal surgery are the preoperative status, age and faecal peritonitis. Thus, peritoneal sepsis is seldom the sole cause of death, but compounds coincidental cardiovascular, respiratory or renal pathology. The empiric choice of the surgical technique/procedure is predominantly determined by the patient status and the disease. The patient factor is thus more important than the surgeon factor in the prognosis of sepsis in emergency colorectal surgery but surgeon-related factors can influence the morbidity and mortality from sepsis in both elective and emergency colorectal surgery.

Highlights:
Anomalous blocking over Greenland preceded the 2013 extreme early melt of local sea ice
Authors: Ballinger Thomas J. , Hanna Edward , Hall Richard J. , Cropper Thomas E. , Miller Jeffrey , Ribergaard Mads H. , Overland James E. , Høyer Jacob L.
Published: July 2018

The Arctic marine environment is undergoing a transition from thick multi-year to first-year sea-ice cover with coincident lengthening of the melt season. Such changes are evident in the Baffin Bay-Davis Strait-Labrador Sea (BDL) region where melt onset has occurred ~8 days decade−1 earlier from 1979 to 2015. A series of anomalously early events has occurred since the mid-1990s, overlapping a period of increased upper-air ridging across Greenland and the northwestern North Atlantic. We investigate an extreme early melt event observed in spring 2013. (~6σ below the 1981–2010 melt climatology), with respect to preceding sub-seasonal mid-tropospheric circulation conditions as described by a daily Greenland Blocking Index (GBI). The 40-days prior to the 2013 BDL melt onset are characterized by a persistent, strong 500 hPa anticyclone over the region (GBI >+1 on >75% of days). This circulation pattern advected warm air from northeastern Canada and the northwestern Atlantic poleward onto the thin, first-year sea ice and caused melt ~50 days earlier than normal. The episodic increase in the ridging atmospheric pattern near western Greenland as in 2013, exemplified by large positive GBI values, is an important recent process impacting the atmospheric circulation over a North Atlantic cryosphere undergoing accelerated regional climate change.
Health Care Student Perceptions of Societal Vulnerability to Disasters in the Context of Population Aging
Authors: Lucas Peter , Annear Michael , Harris Wayne , Eyles Helen , Rotheram Auston
Published: July 2018

Objective

This paper reports on undergraduate health care students’ perception of societal vulnerability to disasters in the context of population aging. Forecast increases in extreme weather events are likely to have a particularly devastating effect on older members of the community.

Methods

Undergraduate paramedicine and nursing students were surveyed using the Perceptions of Ageing and Disaster Vulnerability Scale (PADVS) to determine their views on the risks posed to older members of the community by disasters. Data analysis included a comparison of subscales relating to isolation, health system readiness, declining function, and community inclusiveness.

Results

Students reported a moderate level of concern about disaster vulnerability. Students who had previously completed another university degree reported significantly higher levels of concern than those without a prior degree. Australian students reported lower concern about societal vulnerability compared to a previously reported cohort of Japanese students.

Conclusion

Our study suggests current education of future health care students does not promote adequate levels of awareness of the health-related challenges posed by disasters, particularly among older members of the community. Without addressing this gap in education, the risk of negative outcomes for both unprepared first responders and older members of the community is significant. (Disaster Med Public Health Prep. 2019;13:449-455)
Axisymmetric three-dimensional gravity currents generated by lock exchange
Authors: Inghilesi Roberto , Adduce Claudia , Lombardi Valentina , Roman Federico , Armenio Vincenzo
Published: July 2018

Unconfined three-dimensional gravity currents generated by lock exchange using a small dividing gate in a sufficiently large tank are investigated by means of large eddy simulations under the Boussinesq approximation, with Grashof numbers varying over five orders of magnitudes. The study shows that, after an initial transient, the flow can be separated into an axisymmetric expansion and a globally translating motion. In particular, the circular frontline spreads like a constant-flow-rate, axially symmetric gravity current about a virtual source translating along the symmetry axis. The flow is characterised by the presence of lobe and cleft instabilities and hydrodynamic shocks. Depending on the Grashof number, the shocks can either be isolated or produced continuously. In the latter case a typical ring structure is visible in the density and velocity fields. The analysis of the frontal spreading of the axisymmetric part of the current indicates the presence of three regimes, namely, a slumping phase, an inertial–buoyancy equilibrium regime and a viscous–buoyancy equilibrium regime. The viscous–buoyancy phase is in good agreement with the model of Huppert (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 121, 1982, pp. 43–58), while the inertial phase is consistent with the experiments of Britter (Atmos. Environ., vol. 13, 1979, pp. 1241–1247), conducted for purely axially symmetric, constant inflow, gravity currents. The adoption of the slumping model of Huppert & Simpson (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 99 (04), 1980, pp. 785–799), which is here extended to the case of constant-flow-rate cylindrical currents, allows reconciling of the different theories about the initial radial spreading in the context of different asymptotic regimes. As expected, the slumping phase is governed by the Froude number at the lock’s gate, whereas the transition to the viscous phase depends on both the Froude number at the gate and the Grashof number. The identification of the inertial–buoyancy regime in the presence of hydrodynamic shocks for this class of flows is important, due to the lack of analytical solutions for the similarity problem in the framework of shallow water theory. This fact has considerably slowed the research on variable-flow-rate axisymmetric gravity currents, as opposed to the rapid development of the knowledge about cylindrical constant-volume and planar gravity currents, despite their own environmental relevance.
A new species of trionychid turtle from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) Fruitland Formation of New Mexico, USA
Authors: Joyce Walter G. , Lyson Tyler R. , Sertich Joseph J.W.
Published: July 2018

New shell material of a trionychid turtle from the Upper Cretaceous (upper Campanian) Fossil Forest Member of the Fruitland Formation of northwestern New Mexico represents a new species,Gilmoremys gettyspherensis. The material consists of right costals I–III, V, VI, and VIII, left costals V, VII, and VIII, the left half of the entoplastron, the right hypo- and xiphiplastron, and the left hyo-, hypo-, and xiphiplastron. The specimen shows great similarities to the Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) trionychidGilmoremys lancensis(Gilmore, 1916) by having a relatively thin shell, carapacial sculpturing consisting of fine pits combined with extended sinusoidal ridges or grooves, free costal rib ends, presence of a preneural, a distally constricted costal I and distally expanded costal II, two lateral hyoplastral processes, low hyoplastral shoulders, and full midline contact of the elongate xiphiplastra, but differs by being smaller, having raised sinusoidal ridges on the carapace instead of grooves, less distally expanded costals II, and less elongate xiphiplastra. Phylogenetic analysis placesGilmoremys gettyspherensisn. sp. as sister toGilmoremys lancensisnear the base of the clade Plastomenidae. Like the majority of previously described plastomenid materials, the type specimen ofGilmoremys gettyspherensisn. sp. was collected from a mudstone horizon, suggesting a preference for ponded environments.

UUID:http://zoobank.org/e7165061-d86b-46b7-a1f8-c31f5a8ed628