bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enthesitis of the hands in psoriatic arthritis: an ultrasonographic perspective
Authors: Zabotti Alen , Idolazzi Luca , Batticciotto Alberto , De Lucia Orazio , Scirè Carlo Alberto , Tinazzi Ilaria , Iagnocco Annamaria
Published: September 2017

Psoriatic arthritis is a systemic inflammatory disease in which enthesitis and dactylitis are two of the main hallmarks of the disease. In the last years, ultrasonography is increasingly playing a key role in the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis and ultrasonography of the entheses, particularly of the lower limbs, is commonly used to assess patients with that disease. New advancements in ultrasound equipment using high frequencies probes allowed us also to identify and characterize the involvementof the entheses of the hand in psoriatic arthritis, confirming the results of the experimental models of the disease and the theory of the sinovial-entheseal complex, even in small joints.
Pole distribution in finite phononic crystals: Understanding Bragg-effects through closed-form system dynamics
Authors: Al Ba'ba'a H. , Nouh M. , Singh T.
Published: September 2017

Bragg band gaps associated with infinite phononic crystals are predicted using wave dispersion models. This paper departs from the Bloch-wave solution and presents a comprehensive dynamic systems analysis of finite phononic systems. Closed form transfer functions are derived for two systems where phononic effects are achieved by periodic variation of material property and boundary conditions. Using band structures, differences in dispersion characteristics are highlighted and followed by an analytical derivation of the eigenvalues. The latter is used to derive the end-to-end transfer function of a finite phononic crystal as a function of any given parameters. The analysis reveals intriguing features that explain the evolution of Bragg band gaps in the frequency response. It quantifies how the split of eigenvalues into sub- and super-band-gap natural frequencies contribute to band gap formation. The unique distribution of poles allows the closely packed sub-band gap natural frequencies to achieve maximum attenuation in the Bode response. At that point, the impact of the super-band-gap frequencies on the opposing side becomes significant causing the attenuation to fade and the band gap to come to an end. Finally, the effect of splitting the poles further apart is presented in both phononic systems, with material and boundary condition periodicities.
News at a glance
Authors: Travis John
Published: September 2017

A roundup of weekly science policy and related news.
NIH quietly shelves gun research program
Authors: Wadman Meredith
Published: September 2017

Agency says it might still renew funding opportunity, which answered Obama call after school shooting.
‘Supergenes’ drive evolution
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: September 2017

Flipped DNA speeds the emergence of new sets of traits.
Keeping the faith
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: September 2017

In the face of persistent critics, paleontologist Mary Schweitzer pursues evidence of dinosaur proteins.
Technology Feature | Agreeable antibodies: Antibody validation challenges and solutions
Authors: Dove Alan
Published: September 2017

Commercially produced antibodies have become workhorses of basic research, but opaque supply chains, a lack of clear quality standards, and scientists' complacency have turned antibody-based experiments into potential disaster zones. Several strategies can help researchers navigate past these pitfalls.

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Darwin, the crowdsourcer
Darwin's Backyard: How Small Experiments Led to a Big Theory
James T. Costa
Norton, 2017. 461 pp.
Authors: Kemp Christopher
Published: September 2017

Friends and family helped the naturalist form his famous theory
Scattering neutrinos caught in the act
Authors: Link Jonathan M.
Published: September 2017

Neutrino experiment finds new tool to search for physics beyond the standard model
Pairing off
Mate Choice: The Evolution of Sexual Decision Making from Microbes to Humans
Gil G. Rosenthal
Princeton University Press, 2017. 646 pp.
Authors: Sun Lixing
Published: September 2017

A boom in mate choice research prompts a comprehensive look at the state of the field
Science of preparedness
Authors: Berg Jeremy
Published: September 2017

Our hearts go out to those affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma and by earlier monsoons across South Asia. These events are compelling reminders of the important role that science must play in preparing for disasters. But preparation is challenging, as reflected in the many facets of the “science of preparedness.” Certainly, modeling and forecasting storms are critical, but so are analyses of how agencies, communities, and individuals interact to understand and implement preparedness initiatives.
T-plastin is essential for basement membrane assembly and epidermal morphogenesis
Authors: Dor-On Eyal , Raviv Shaul , Cohen Yonatan , Adir Orit , Padmanabhan Krishnanand , Luxenburg Chen
Published: September 2017

The actin-bundling protein T-plastin and the cortical cytoskeleton ensure that the epidermal basement membrane develops properly.
Science Signaling
Podcast for 6 June 2017: Calcium signaling and dry mouth
Authors: Ambudkar Indu , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: September 2017

Radiation therapy for head and neck cancers causes dry mouth by interfering with Ca
2+
signaling in salivary gland cells (Liu
et al
. in 6 June 2017 issue).
A little stress is good
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: September 2017

Acute psychological stress triggers signaling between sympathetic neurons and the spleen to protect against ischemic tissue damage.
New connections: Manipulating NK cell responses
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: September 2017

Manipulating ligand interactions with the activating receptor NKG2D modulates natural killer cell responses.
Highlight: Understanding radiation sialadenitis
Authors: Yaffe Michael B.
Published: September 2017

A nonapoptotic function of caspase-3 underlies the salivary gland complications of radiation therapy of head and neck cancers.
Papers of note in
Science Translational Medicine
9 (392)
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: September 2017

This week’s articles describe a new drug conjugate to treat pain, a target for preventing cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease, and a strategy for sensitizing RAS-mutant cancers to PARP inhibitors.
Papers of note in
Nature
546
(7656)
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: September 2017

This week’s articles highlight the role of follicle-stimulating hormone in postmenopausal adipose tissue accumulation, the importance of a sphingolipid for T cell survival, and the cryo-EM structure of a G protein–coupled receptor complex.
Use of Reverse Vaccinology in the Design and Construction of Nanoglycoconjugate Vaccines against Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Muruato Laura A. , Tapia Daniel , Hatcher Christopher L. , Kalita Mridul , Brett Paul J. , Gregory Anthony E. , Samuel James E. , Titball Richard W. , Torres Alfredo G.
Published: September 2017

Burkholderia pseudomallei
is a Gram-negative, facultative intracellular pathogen that causes the disease melioidosis in humans and other mammals. Respiratory infection with
B. pseudomallei
leads to a fulminant and often fatal disease. It has previously been shown that glycoconjugate vaccines can provide significant protection against lethal challenge; however, the limited number of known
Burkholderia
antigens has slowed progress toward vaccine development. The objective of this study was to identify novel antigens and evaluate their protective capacity when incorporated into a nanoglycoconjugate vaccine platform. First, an
in silico
approach to identify antigens with strong predicted immunogenicity was developed. Protein candidates were screened and ranked according to predicted subcellular localization, transmembrane domains, adhesive properties, and ability to interact with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II. From these
in silico
predictions, we identified seven “high priority” proteins that demonstrated seroreactivity with anti-
B. pseudomallei
murine sera and convalescent human melioidosis sera, providing validation of our methods. Two novel proteins, together with Hcp1, were linked to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and incorporated with the surface of a gold nanoparticle (AuNP). Animals receiving AuNP glycoconjugate vaccines generated high protein- and polysaccharide-specific antibody titers. Importantly, immunized animals receiving the AuNP-FlgL-LPS alone or as a combination demonstrated up to 100% survival and reduced lung colonization following a lethal challenge with
B. pseudomallei
. Together, this study provides a rational approach to vaccine design that can be adapted for other complex pathogens and provides a rationale for further preclinical testing of AuNP glycoconjugate in animal models of infection.
Heat Shock Proteins in Histoplasma and Paracoccidioides
Authors: Cleare Levi G. , Zamith-Miranda Daniel , Nosanchuk Joshua D.
Published: September 2017

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are highly conserved biomolecules that are constitutively expressed and generally upregulated in response to various stress conditions (biotic and abiotic). Hsps have diverse functions, categorizations, and classifications. Their adaptive expression in fungi indicates their significance in these diverse species, particularly in dimorphic pathogens.
Histoplasma capsulatum
and
Paracoccidioides
species are dimorphic fungi that are the causative agents of histoplasmosis and paracoccidioidomycosis, respectively. This minireview focuses on the pathobiology of Hsps, with particular emphasis on their roles in the morphogenesis and virulence of
Histoplasma
and
Paracoccidioides
and the potential roles of active and passive immunization against Hsps in protection against infection with these fungi.
Progress and Challenges towards Point-of-Care Diagnostic Development for Dengue
Authors: Pang Junxiong , Chia Po Ying , Lye David C. , Leo Yee Sin
Published: September 2017

Dengue detection strategies involve viral RNA, antigen, and/or antibody detection. Each strategy has its advantages and disadvantages. Optimal, user-friendly, rapid diagnostic tests based on immunochromatographic assays are pragmatic point-of-care tests (POCTs) in regions where dengue is endemic where there are limited laboratory capabilities and optimal storage conditions. Increasingly, there is a greater public health significance for a multiplexing assay that differentiates dengue from Zika or pathogens with similar clinical presentations. Although there have been many assay/platform developments toward POCTs, independent validation and implementation remain very limited. This review highlights the current key progress and challenges toward the development of a dengue POCT.
Epstein-Barr Virus BKRF4 Gene Product Is Required for Efficient Progeny Production
Authors: Masud H. M. Abdullah Al , Watanabe Takahiro , Yoshida Masahiro , Sato Yoshitaka , Goshima Fumi , Kimura Hiroshi , Murata Takayuki
Published: September 2017

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a member of human gammaherpesvirus, infects mainly B cells. EBV has two alternative life cycles, latent and lytic, and is reactivated occasionally from the latent stage to the lytic cycle. To combat EBV-associated disorders, understanding the molecular mechanisms of the EBV lytic replication cycle is also important. Here, we focused on an EBV lytic gene, BKRF4. Using our anti-BKRF4 antibody, we revealed that the BKRF4 gene product is expressed during the lytic cycle with late kinetics. To characterize the role of BKRF4, we constructed BKRF4-knockout mutants using the bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) and CRISPR/Cas9 systems. Although disruption of the BKRF4 gene had almost no effect on viral protein expression and DNA synthesis, it significantly decreased progeny virion levels in HEK293 and Akata cells. Furthermore, we show that BKRF4 is involved not only in production of progeny virions but also in increasing the infectivity of the virus particles. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that BKRF4 interacted with a virion protein, BGLF2. We showed that the C-terminal region of BKRF4 was critical for this interaction and for efficient progeny production. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that BKRF4 partially colocalized with BGLF2 in the nucleus and perinuclear region. Finally, we showed that BKRF4 is a phosphorylated, possible tegument protein and that the EBV protein kinase BGLF4 may be important for this phosphorylation. Taken together, our data suggest that BKRF4 is involved in the production of infectious virions.

IMPORTANCE
Although the latent genes of EBV have been studied extensively, the lytic genes are less well characterized. This study focused on one such lytic gene, BKRF4, which is conserved only among gammaherpesviruses (ORF45 of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus or murine herpesvirus 68). After preparing the BKRF4 knockout virus using B95-8 EBV-BAC, we demonstrated that the BKRF4 gene was involved in infectious progeny particle production. Importantly, we successfully generated a BKRF4 knockout virus of Akata using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, confirming the phenotype in this separate strain. We further showed that BKRF4 interacted with another virion protein, BGLF2, and demonstrated the importance of this interaction in infectious virion production. These results shed light on the elusive process of EBV progeny maturation in the lytic cycle. Notably, this study describes a successful example of the generation and characterization of an EBV construct with a disrupted lytic gene using CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
Role of Herpes Simplex Virus 1 γ34.5 in the Regulation of IRF3 Signaling
Authors: Manivanh Richard , Mehrbach Jesse , Knipe David M. , Leib David A.
Published: September 2017

During viral infection, pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) and their associated adaptors recruit TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) to activate interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), resulting in production of type I interferons (IFNs). ICP0 and ICP34.5 are among the proteins encoded by herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) that modulate type I IFN signaling. We constructed a recombinant virus (ΔXX) that lacks amino acids 87 to 106, a portion of the previously described TBK1-binding domain of the γ34.5 gene (D. Verpooten, Y. Ma, S. Hou, Z. Yan, and B. He, J Biol Chem 284:1097–1105, 2009,
https://doi.org/10.1074/JBC.M805905200
). These 20 residues are outside the γ34.5 beclin1-binding domain (BBD) that interacts with beclin1 and regulates autophagy. Unexpectedly, ΔXX showed no deficit in replication
in vivo
in a variety of tissues and showed virulence comparable to that of wild-type and marker-rescued viruses following intracerebral infection. ΔXX was fully capable of mediating the dephosphorylation of eIF2α, and the virus was capable of controlling the phosphorylation of IRF3. In contrast, a null mutant in γ34.5 failed to control IRF3 phosphorylation due to an inability of the mutant to sustain expression of ICP0. Our data show that while γ34.5 regulates IRF3 phosphorylation, the TBK1-binding domain itself has no impact on IRF3 phosphorylation or on replication and pathogenesis in mice.

IMPORTANCE
Interferons (IFNs) are potent activators of a variety of host responses that serve to control virus infections. The
Herpesviridae
have evolved countermeasures to IFN responses. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) encodes the multifunctional neurovirulence protein ICP34.5. In this study, we investigated the biological relevance of the interaction between ICP34.5 and TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), an activator of IFN responses. Here, we establish that although ICP34.5 binds TBK1 under certain conditions through a TBK1-binding domain (TBD), there was no direct impact of the TBD on viral replication or virulence in mice. Furthermore, we showed that activation of IRF3, a substrate of TBK1, was independent of the TBD. Instead, we provided evidence that the ability of ICP34.5 to control IRF3 activation is through its ability to reverse translational shutoff and sustain the expression of other IFN inhibitors encoded by the virus. This work provides new insights into the immunomodulatory functions of ICP34.5.
Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide Induces HIV-1 Proteasomal Degradation in Mucosal Langerhans Cells
Authors: Bomsel Morgane , Ganor Yonatan
Published: September 2017

The neuroimmune dialogue between peripheral neurons and Langerhans cells (LCs) within mucosal epithelia protects against incoming pathogens. LCs rapidly internalize human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) upon its sexual transmission and then
trans
-infect CD4
+
T cells. We recently found that the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), secreted mucosally from peripheral neurons, inhibits LC-mediated HIV-1
trans
-infection. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of CGRP-induced inhibition, focusing on HIV-1 degradation in LCs and its interplay with
trans
-infection. We first show that HIV-1 degradation occurs in endolysosomes in untreated LCs, and functionally blocking such degradation with lysosomotropic agents results in increased
trans
-infection. We demonstrate that CGRP acts via its cognate receptor and at a viral postentry step to induce faster HIV-1 degradation, but without affecting the kinetics of endolysosomal degradation. We reveal that unexpectedly, CGRP shifts HIV-1 degradation from endolysosomes toward the proteasome, providing the first evidence for functional HIV-1 proteasomal degradation in LCs. Such efficient proteasomal degradation significantly inhibits the first phase of
trans
-infection, and proteasomal, but not endolysosomal, inhibitors abrogate CGRP-induced inhibition. Together, our results establish that CGRP controls the HIV-1 degradation mode in LCs. The presence of endogenous CGRP within innervated mucosal tissues, especially during the sexual response, to which CGRP contributes, suggests that HIV-1 proteasomal degradation predominates
in vivo
. Hence, proteasomal, rather than endolysosomal, HIV-1 degradation in LCs should be enhanced clinically to effectively restrict HIV-1
trans
-infection.

IMPORTANCE
During sexual transmission, HIV-1 is internalized and degraded in LCs, the resident antigen-presenting cells in mucosal epithelia. Yet during
trans
-infection, infectious virions escaping degradation are transferred to CD4
+
T cells, the principal HIV-1 targets. We previously found that the neuroimmune dialogue between LCs and peripheral neurons, innervating mucosal epithelia, significantly inhibits
trans
-infection via the action of the secreted neuropeptide CGRP on LCs. In this study, we investigated whether CGRP-induced inhibition of
trans
-infection is linked to CGRP-controlled HIV-1 degradation in LCs. We show that in untreated LCs, HIV-1 is functionally degraded in endolysosomes. In sharp contrast, we reveal that in CGRP-treated LCs, HIV-1 is diverted toward and degraded via another cytosolic protein degradative pathway, namely, the proteasome. These results establish that CGRP regulates HIV-1 degradation in LCs. As CGRP contributes to the sexual response and present within mucosal epithelia, HIV-1 proteasomal degradation in LCs might predominate
in vivo
and should be enhanced clinically.
Vaccinia Virus Encodes a Novel Inhibitor of Apoptosis That Associates with the Apoptosome
Authors: Ryerson Melissa R. , Richards Monique M. , Kvansakul Marc , Hawkins Christine J. , Shisler Joanna L.
Published: September 2017

Apoptosis is an important antiviral host defense mechanism. Here we report the identification of a novel apoptosis inhibitor encoded by the vaccinia virus (VACV)M1Lgene.M1Lis absent in the attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) strain of VACV, a strain that stimulates apoptosis in several types of immune cells. M1 expression increased the viability of MVA-infected THP-1 and Jurkat cells and reduced several biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis, such as PARP-1 and procaspase-3 cleavage. Furthermore, ectopicM1Lexpression decreased staurosporine-induced (intrinsic) apoptosis in HeLa cells. We then identified the molecular basis for M1 inhibitory function. M1 allowed mitochondrial depolarization but blocked procaspase-9 processing, suggesting that M1 targeted the apoptosome. In support of this model, we found that M1 promoted survival inSaccharomyces cerevisiaeoverexpressing human Apaf-1 and procaspase-9, critical components of the apoptosome, or overexpressing only conformationally active caspase-9. In mammalian cells, M1 coimmunoprecipitated with Apaf-1–procaspase-9 complexes. The current model is that M1 associates with and allows the formation of the apoptosome but prevents apoptotic functions of the apoptosome. The M1 protein features 14 predicted ankyrin (ANK) repeat domains, and M1 is the first ANK-containing protein reported to use this inhibitory strategy. Since ANK-containing proteins are encoded by many large DNA viruses and found in all domains of life, studies of M1 may lead to a better understanding of the roles of ANK proteins in virus-host interactions.

IMPORTANCEApoptosis selectively eliminates dangerous cells such as virus-infected cells. Poxviruses express apoptosis antagonists to neutralize this antiviral host defense. The vaccinia virus (VACV) M1 ankyrin (ANK) protein, a protein with no previously ascribed function, inhibits apoptosis. M1 interacts with the apoptosome and prevents procaspase-9 processing as well as downstream procaspase-3 cleavage in several cell types and under multiple conditions. M1 is the first poxviral protein reported to associate with and prevent the function of the apoptosome, giving a more detailed picture of the threats VACV encounters during infection. Dysregulation of apoptosis is associated with several human diseases. One potential treatment of apoptosis-related diseases is through the use of designed ANK repeat proteins (DARPins), similar to M1, as caspase inhibitors. Thus, the study of the novel antiapoptosis effects of M1 via apoptosome association will be helpful for understanding how to control apoptosis using either natural or synthetic molecules.
The Gut Commensal Microbiome of Drosophila melanogaster Is Modified by the Endosymbiont
Wolbachia
Authors: Simhadri Rama K. , Fast Eva M. , Guo Rong , Schultz Michaela J. , Vaisman Natalie , Ortiz Luis , Bybee Joanna , Slatko Barton E. , Frydman Horacio M.
Published: September 2017

Wolbachia
bacteria are intracellular bacteria present in the microbiome of a large fraction of insects and parasitic nematodes. They can block mosquitos’ ability to transmit several infectious disease-causing pathogens, including Zika, dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile viruses and malaria parasites. Certain extracellular bacteria present in the gut lumen of these insects can also block pathogen transmission. However, our understanding of interactions between
Wolbachia
and gut bacteria and how they influence each other is limited. Here we show that the presence of
Wolbachia
strain
w
Mel changes the composition of gut commensal bacteria in the fruit fly. Our findings implicate interactions between bacterial species as a key factor in determining the overall composition of the microbiome and thus reveal new paradigms to consider in the development of disease control strategies.
Long-term follow-up of benign positional vertical opsoclonus in infants: retrospective cohort
Authors: Sternfeld Amir , Lobel Daniella , Leiba Hana , Luckman Judith , Michowiz Shalom , Goldenberg-Cohen Nitza
Published: September 2017

Background/Aims

Benign positional vertical opsoclonus in infants, also described as paroxysmal tonic downgaze, is an unsettling phenomenon that leads to extensive work-up, although benign course has been reported in sporadic cases. We describe long-term follow-up of a series of infants with the phenomenon.

Methods

This retrospective cohort included all infants diagnosed with rapid downgaze eye movement in 2012–2015 and followed until 2016. The databases of two medical centres were retrospectively reviewed. Benign positional vertical opsoclonus was diagnosed based on clinical findings of experienced neuro-ophthalmologists. Data were collected on demographics, symptoms and signs, neuro-ophthalmological and neurological evaluations, and outcome. Imaging studies were reviewed. Main outcome measures were long-term outcome and findings of the thorough investigation.

Results

The cohort included six infants. All infants were born at term. Age at presentation was several days to 12 weeks. Episodes lasted a few seconds and varied in frequency from <10 to dozens per day. In five infants, symptoms occurred in the supine position. There was a wide variability in the work-up without any pathological findings. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 2.5 years. Ocular symptoms gradually decreased until resolution. Infants reached normal developmental milestones.

Conclusions

Our identification of six patients in only 3 years suggests benign positional vertical opsoclonus may be more prevalent than previously described. In our experience, it affects otherwise healthy infants and resolves spontaneously. In view of the good long-term outcome, a comprehensive clinical investigation may not be necessary.
Continuation of non-essential medications in actively dying hospitalised patients
Authors: Williams Beverly Rosa , Amos Bailey F , Kvale Elizabeth , Steil Neal , Goode Patricia S , Kennedy Richard E , Burgio Kathryn L
Published: September 2017

Objective

The objective of this analysis was to examine the use of 11 non-essential medications in actively dying patients.

Methods

This was a planned secondary analysis of data from the Best Practices for End-of-Life Care for Our Nation’s Veterans trial, a multicentre implementation trial of an intervention to improve processes of end-of-life care in inpatient settings. Supported with an electronic comfort care decision support tool, intervention included training hospital staff to identify actively dying patients, communicate the prognosis to patients/families and implement best practices of traditionally home-based hospice care. Data on medication use before and after intervention were derived from electronic medical records of 5476 deceased veterans.

Results

Five non-essential medications, clopidogrel, donepezil, glyburide, metformin and propoxyphene, were ordered in less than 5% of cases. More common were orders for simvastatin (15.8%/15.1%), calcium tablets (8.4%/7.9%), multivitamins (11.6%/10.8%), ferrous sulfate (9.1%/7.6%), diphenhydramine (7.2%/5.1%) and subcutaneous heparin (29.9%/27.5%). Significant decreases were found for donepezil (2.5%/1.3%; p=0.001), propoxyphene (0.8%/0.1%; p=0.001), metformin (0.8%/0.3%; p=0.007) and multivitamins (11.6%/10.8%; p=0.01). Orders for one or more non-essential medications were less likely to occur in association with palliative care consultation (adjusted OR (AOR)=0.64, p<0.001), do-not-resuscitate orders (AOR=0.66, p=0.001) and orders for death rattle medication (AOR=0.35, p<0.001). Patients who died in an intensive care unit were more likely to receive a non-essential medication (AOR=1.60, p=0.009), as were older patients (AOR=1.12 per 10 years, p=0.002).

Conclusions

Non-essential medications continue to be administered to actively dying patients. Discontinuation of these medications may be facilitated by interventions that enhance recognition and consideration of patients’ actively dying status.
WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) Intervention Guide: a systematic review of evidence from low and middle-income countries
Authors: Keynejad Roxanne C , Dua Tarun , Barbui Corrado , Thornicroft Graham
Published: September 2017

Question

Despite mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders being highly prevalent, there is a worldwide gap between service need and provision. WHO launched its Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) in 2008, and the Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) in 2010. mhGAP-IG provides evidence-based guidance and tools for assessment and integrated management of priority MNS disorders in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), using clinical decision-making protocols. It targets a non-specialised primary healthcare audience, but has also been used by ministries, non-governmental organisations and academics, for mental health service scale-up in 90 countries. This review aimed to identify evidence to date for mhGAP-IG implementation in LMICs.

Study selection and analysis

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Knowledge/Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, LILACS, SciELO/Web of Science, Cochrane, Pubmed databases and Google Scholar for studies reporting evidence, experience or evaluation of mhGAP-IG in LMICs, in any language. Data were extracted from included papers, but heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis.

Findings

We conducted a systematic review of evidence to date, of mhGAP-IG implementation and evaluation in LMICs. Thirty-three included studies reported 15 training courses, 9 clinical implementations, 3 country contextualisations, 3 economic models, 2 uses as control interventions and 1 use to develop a rating scale. Our review identified the importance of detailed reports of contextual challenges in the field, alongside detailed protocols, qualitative studies and randomised controlled trials.

Conclusions

The mhGAP-IG literature is substantial, relative to other published evaluations of clinical practice guidelines: an important contribution to a neglected field.
Bats are still not birds in the digital era: echolocation call variation and why it matters for bat species identification
Authors: Russo Danilo , Ancillotto Leonardo , Jones Gareth
Published: September 2017

The recording and analysis of echolocation calls are fundamental methods used to study bat distribution, ecology, and behavior. However, the goal of identifying bats in flight from their echolocation calls is not always possible. Unlike bird songs, bat calls show large variation that often makes identification challenging. The problem has not been fully overcome by modern digital-based hardware and software for bat call recording and analysis. Besides providing fundamental insights into bat physiology, ecology, and behavior, a better understanding of call variation is therefore crucial to best recognize limits and perspectives of call classification. We provide a comprehensive overview of sources of interspecific and intraspecific echolocation call variations, illustrating its adaptive significance and highlighting gaps in knowledge. We remark that further research is needed to better comprehend call variation and control for it more effectively in sound analysis. Despite the state-of-art technology in this field, combining acoustic surveys with capture and roost search, as well as limiting identification to species with distinctive calls, still represent the safest way of conducting bat surveys.
Relativistic elliptic matrix tops and finite Fourier transformations
Authors: Zotov A.
Published: September 2017

We consider a family of classical elliptic integrable systems including (relativistic) tops and their matrix extensions of different types. These models can be obtained from the “off-shell” Lax pairs, which do not satisfy the Lax equations in general case but become true Lax pairs under various conditions (reductions). At the level of the off-shell Lax matrix, there is a natural symmetry between the spectral parameter z and relativistic parameter [Formula: see text]. It is generated by the finite Fourier transformation, which we describe in detail. The symmetry allows one to consider z and [Formula: see text] on an equal footing. Depending on the type of integrable reduction, any of the parameters can be chosen to be the spectral one. Then another one is the relativistic deformation parameter. As a by-product, we describe the model of N2 interacting GL(M) matrix tops and/or M2 interacting GL(N) matrix tops depending on a choice of the spectral parameter.
Graphene on Cu(111) at the nonzero temperatures: Molecular dynamic simulation
Authors: Sidorenkov A. V. , Kolesnikov S. V. , Saletsky A. M.
Published: September 2017

We present results of molecular dynamic simulation of continuous graphene monolayer on Cu(111). In this paper, we investigate the dependencies of the average binding energy and the average binding distance on the temperature. The interaction between carbon and copper atoms was described by Lennard-Jones potential. It is shown that the binding energy practically remains constant in a wide range of temperatures 0–800 K. However, in the same temperature range, the binding distance of graphene on Cu(111) surface has a linear dependence on temperature. The dependence of the linear thermal expansion coefficient of the binding distance on Lennard-Jones parameters has been calculated. We suggest a simple theoretical model to explain this dependence qualitatively.
Basic and Quasi Structures of Step-Up Switched Based dc/dc Converter: Steady-State Analysis and Design in Different Operating Modes
Authors: Babaei Ebrahim , Nozadian Mohsen Hasan Babayi , Asl Elias Shokati
Published: September 2017

In this paper, basic step-up switched dc/dc converters and its quasi structures are proposed. In dc/dc converters, the operation of the converters can be changed by changing the values of the elements and other parameters such as duty cycle, so the complete analysis of the basic step-up switched dc/dc converter (SSC) in different operating modes is presented. It is shown that, SSC has three different operating modes, which include synchronous operation of diodes (SOD), asynchronous operation of diodes (AOD), and boundary mode (BM). These operating modes are related to the diodes ON and OFF time. Critical inductors are calculated in BM and their values are investigated under various conditions. Inductors current ripple and the output voltage ripple are also calculated. The precise power losses analysis and small signal (SS) analysis for SSC are presented. The high voltage gain quasi structures are introduced and all of the proposed structures are compared with conventional structures. Finally, in order to verify the accuracy of the claims, the experimental results are presented.
Navigating Weighted Regions with Scattered Skinny Tetrahedra
Authors: Cheng Siu-Wing , Chiu Man-Kwun , Jin Jiongxin , Vigneron Antoine
Published: September 2017

We propose an algorithm for finding a [Formula: see text]-approximate shortest path through a weighted 3D simplicial complex [Formula: see text]. The weights are integers from the range [Formula: see text] and the vertices have integral coordinates. Let [Formula: see text] be the largest vertex coordinate magnitude, and let [Formula: see text] be the number of tetrahedra in [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] be some arbitrary constant. Let [Formula: see text] be the size of the largest connected component of tetrahedra whose aspect ratios exceed [Formula: see text]. There exists a constant [Formula: see text] dependent on [Formula: see text] but independent of [Formula: see text] such that if [Formula: see text], the running time of our algorithm is polynomial in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. If [Formula: see text], the running time reduces to [Formula: see text].
Study of shape coexistence in the 180−190Hg isotopes by SO(6) representation of eigenstates
Authors: Sabri H. , Asadi A. Ghale , Jabbarzade O. , Mobarake S. K. Mousavi
Published: September 2017

In this paper, we have studied the shape coexistence in the [Formula: see text]Hg isotopes. The SO(6) representation of eigenstates and a transitional Hamiltonian in the Interacting Boson Model (IBM) are used to consider the evolution from prolate to oblate shapes for systems with total boson number [Formula: see text]. Parameter free (up to overall scale factors) predictions for energy spectra and quadrupole transition rates are found to be in good agreement with experimental counterparts. The results for the control parameter of transitional Hamiltonian offer a combination of spherical and deformed shapes in these Hg isotopes and also more deviation from SO(6) limit is observed when the quadrupole deformation is decreased. Also, there are some suggestions about the expectation values of the [Formula: see text] operator which are determined in the first state of ground, beta and gamma bounds and the control parameter of model.
Probabilistic Solutions of the In-Plane Nonlinear Random Vibrations of Shallow Cables Under Filtered Gaussian White Noise
Authors: Er G. K. , Wang K. , Iu V. P.
Published: September 2017

The probabilistic solutions of the responses of shallow cable are studied when the cable is excited by filtered Gaussian white noise. The nonlinear multi-degree-of-freedom system is formulated which governs the random vibration of cable. The state-space-split (SSS) method and exponential polynomial closure (EPC) method are adopted to analyze the probabilistic solutions of cable systems in order to study the effectiveness and computational efficiency of SSS-EPC procedure in analyzing the probabilistic solutions of the cable systems under the excitation of filtered Gaussian white noise. Numerical results obtained by SSS-EPC method, Monte Carlo simulation, and equivalent linearization method are compared to examine the computational efficiency and numerical accuracy of SSS-EPC method in this case. Thereafter, the behaviors of probabilistic solutions of the cable systems are studied with different values of peak frequency and seismic intensity of excitation when the cable is excited by Kanai–Tajimi seismic force. Some observations and discussions are given by introducing a probabilistic quantity to show the influence of excitations on the probabilistic solutions.
Kv3 Channels: Enablers of Rapid Firing, Neurotransmitter Release, and Neuronal Endurance
Authors: Kaczmarek Leonard K. , Zhang Yalan
Published: September 2017

The intrinsic electrical characteristics of different types of neurons are shaped by the K+channels they express. From among the more than 70 different K+channel genes expressed in neurons, Kv3 family voltage-dependent K+channels are uniquely associated with the ability of certain neurons to fire action potentials and to release neurotransmitter at high rates of up to 1,000 Hz. In general, the four Kv3 channels Kv3.1–Kv3.4 share the property of activating and deactivating rapidly at potentials more positive than other channels. Each Kv3 channel gene can generate multiple protein isoforms, which contribute to the high-frequency firing of neurons such as auditory brain stem neurons, fast-spiking GABAergic interneurons, and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, and to regulation of neurotransmitter release at the terminals of many neurons. The different Kv3 channels have unique expression patterns and biophysical properties and are regulated in different ways by protein kinases. In this review, we cover the function, localization, and modulation of Kv3 channels and describe how levels and properties of the channels are altered by changes in ongoing neuronal activity. We also cover how the protein-protein interaction of these channels with other proteins affects neuronal functions, and how mutations or abnormal regulation of Kv3 channels are associated with neurological disorders such as ataxias, epilepsies, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The Artificial Neural Networks Based on Scalarization Method for a Class of Bilevel Biobjective Programming Problem
Authors: Zhang Tao , Chen Zhong , Liu June , Li Xiong
Published: September 2017

A two-stage artificial neural network (ANN) based on scalarization method is proposed for bilevel biobjective programming problem (BLBOP). The induced set of the BLBOP is firstly expressed as the set of minimal solutions of a biobjective optimization problem by using scalar approach, and then the whole efficient set of the BLBOP is derived by the proposed two-stage ANN for exploring the induced set. In order to illustrate the proposed method, seven numerical examples are tested and compared with results in the classical literature. Finally, a practical problem is solved by the proposed algorithm.
Complexities in Assessing Structural Health of Civil Infrastructures
Authors: Al-Hussein Abdullah , Haldar Achintya
Published: September 2017

The complexity in the health assessment of civil infrastructures, as it evolves over a long period of time, is briefly discussed. A simple problem can become very complex based on the current needs, sophistication required, and the technological advancements. To meet the current needs of locating defect spots and their severity accurately and efficiently, infrastructures are represented by finite elements. To increase the implementation potential, the stiffness parameters of all the elements are identified and tracked using only few noise-contaminated dynamic responses measured at small part of the infrastructure. To extract the required information, Kalman filter concept is integrated with other numerical schemes. An unscented Kalman filter (UKF) concept is developed for highly nonlinear dynamic systems. It is denoted as 3D UKF-UI-WGI. The basic UKF concept is improved in several ways. Instead of using one long duration time-history in one global iteration, very short duration time-histories and multiple global iterations with weight factors are used to locate the defect spot more accurately and efficiently. The capabilities of the procedure are demonstrated with the help of two informative examples. The proposed procedure is much superior to the extended Kalman filter-based procedures developed by the team earlier.
Sparse Signal Inversion with Impulsive Noise by Dual Spectral Projected Gradient Method
Authors: Ding Liang , Zhao Hui , Dou Yixin
Published: September 2017

We consider sparse signal inversion with impulsive noise. There are three major ingredients. The first is regularizing properties; we discuss convergence rate of regularized solutions. The second is devoted to the numerical solutions. It is challenging due to the fact that both fidelity and regularization term lack differentiability. Moreover, for ill‐conditioned problems, sparsity regularization is often unstable. We propose a novel dual spectral projected gradient (DSPG) method which combines the dual problem of multiparameter regularization with spectral projection gradient method to solve the nonsmooth optimization functional. We show that one can overcome the nondifferentiability and instability by adding a smooth regularization term to the original optimization functional. The advantage of the proposed functional is that its convex duality reduced to a constraint smooth functional. Moreover, it is stable even for ill‐conditioned problems. Spectral projected gradient algorithm is used to compute the minimizers and we prove the convergence. The third is numerical simulation. Some experiments are performed, using compressed sensing and image inpainting, to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
The Foot That Broke Both Hips: A Case Report and Literature Review of Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia
Authors: Beygi Sara , Denio Alfred , Sharma Tarun S.
Published: September 2017

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by hypophosphatemia and clinical symptoms of osteomalacia. Only discussed as case reports, there is still limited knowledge of this condition as a potentially curable cause of osteomalacia among clinicians and pathologists. In this article, we present a case of tumor-induced osteomalacia in a 59-year-old gentleman followed by an up-to-date review of the existing literature on TIO.
Collecting Duct Carcinoma of the Native Kidney in a Renal Transplant Recipient
Authors: Zheng Ian , Alameddine Mahmoud , Tan Yaohong , Moghadamyeghaneh Zhobin , Jue Joshua S. , Yusufali Ali , Farag Ahmed , Ciancio Gaetano
Published: September 2017

Collecting duct carcinoma (CDC) is a rare and aggressive form of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) arising from the epithelium of Bellini’s duct. It presents earlier in life and has a poorer prognosis than the clear-cell type. Historically, immunosuppressed renal transplant patients are more likely to develop malignancies than the general population. We report a case of CDC of the native kidney in a 59-year-old man who initially underwent kidney transplantation five years before the time of presentation. To our knowledge, CDC in the setting of renal transplant and long-term immunosuppression has not been previously described.
A Survey of Bioinspired Jumping Robot: Takeoff, Air Posture Adjustment, and Landing Buffer
Authors: Zhang ZiQiang , Zhao Jing , Chen HanLong , Chen DianSheng
Published: September 2017

A bioinspired jumping robot has a strong ability to overcome obstacles. It can be applied to the occasion with complex and changeable environment, such as detection of planet surface, postdisaster relief, and military reconnaissance. So the bioinspired jumping robot has broad application prospect. The jumping process of the robot can be divided into three stages: takeoff, air posture adjustment, and landing buffer. The motivation of this review is to investigate the research results of the most published bioinspired jumping robots for these three stages. Then, the movement performance of the bioinspired jumping robots is analyzed and compared quantitatively. Then, the limitation of the research on bioinspired jumping robots is discussed, such as the research on the mechanism of biological motion is not thorough enough, the research method about structural design, material applications, and control are still traditional, and energy utilization is low, which make the robots far from practical applications. Finally, the development trend is summarized. This review provides a reference for further research of bioinspired jumping robots.
Decay Experiments of Effective N-Removing Microbial Communities in Sequencing Batch Reactors
Authors: Lv Chen , Li Ming , Zhong Shuang , Wang Jianlong , Wu Lei
Published: September 2017

The temporal changes in the compositions of effective N-removing bacterial communities and the decay coefficients of Anammox were studied within the 120-day decay period under anaerobic or aerobic conditions at 25°C. The maximum nitrogen production rate (MNPR) was determined by measuring the temperature, pH, volatile suspended solids (VSSs), and nitrogen-removal efficiency of the microbial communities during the decay period. The decay coefficients under anaerobic and aerobic conditions at 25°C were determined through equation-based fitting to be 0.031 d−1 and 0.070 d−1, respectively. Through molecular biological means and together with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the proportions of AnAOB in the microbial communities dropped from 48.70% to 3.69% under anaerobic condition and from 48.70% to 1.98% under aerobic condition during the decay period.
Crop Evaluation System Optimization: Attribute Weights Determination Based on Rough Sets Theory
Authors: Wang Ruihong , Zhang Liguo , Lu Xiuying
Published: September 2017

The present study is mainly a continuation of our previous study, which is about a crop evaluation system development that is based on grey relational analysis. In that system, the attribute weight determination affects the evaluation result directly. Attribute weight is usually ascertained by decision‐makers experience knowledge. In this paper, we utilize rough sets theory to calculate attribute significance and then combine it with weight given by decision‐maker. This method is a comprehensive consideration of subjective experience knowledge and objective situation; thus it can acquire much more ideal results. Finally, based on this method, we improve the system based on ASP.NET technology.