bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redefining the induction of periodontal tissue regeneration in primates by the osteogenic proteins of the transforming growth factor‐β supergene family
Authors: Ripamonti U.
Published: February 2016

The molecular bases of periodontal tissue induction and regeneration are the osteogenic proteins of the transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) supergene family. These morphogens act as soluble mediators for the induction of tissues morphogenesis sculpting the multicellular mineralized structures of the periodontal tissues with functionally oriented ligament fibers into newly formed cementum. Human TGF‐β3 (hTGF‐β3) in growth factor‐reduced Matrigel® matrix induces cementogenesis when implanted in class II mandibular furcation defects surgically prepared in the non‐human primate Chacma baboon, Papio ursinus. The newly formed periodontal ligament space is characterized by running fibers tightly attached to the cementoid surface penetrating as mineralized constructs within the newly formed cementum assembling and initiating within the mineralized dentine. Angiogenesis heralds the newly formed periodontal ligament space, and newly sprouting capillaries are lined by cellular elements with condensed chromatin interpreted as angioblasts responsible for the rapid and sustained induction of angiogenesis. The inductive activity of hTGF‐β3 in Matrigel® matrix is enhanced by the addition of autogenous morcellated fragments of the rectus abdominis muscle potentially providing myoblastic, pericytic/perivascular stem cells for continuous tissue induction and morphogenesis. The striated rectus abdominis muscle is endowed with stem cell niches in para/perivascular location, which can be dominant, thus imposing stem cell features or stemness to the surrounding cells. This capacity to impose stemness is morphologically shown by greater alveolar bone induction and cementogenesis when hTGF‐β3 in Matrigel® matrix is combined with morcellated fragments of autogenous rectus abdominis muscle. The induction of periodontal tissue morphogenesis develops as a mosaic structure in which the osteogenic proteins of the TGF‐β supergene family singly, synergistically and synchronously initiate and maintain tissue induction and morphogenesis. In primates, the presence of several homologous yet molecularly different isoforms with osteogenic activity highlights the biological significance of this apparent redundancy and indicates multiple interactions during embryonic development and bone regeneration in postnatal life. Molecular redundancy with associated different biological functionalities in primate tissues may simply represent the fine‐tuning of speciation‐related molecular evolution in anthropoid apes at the early Pliocene boundary, which resulted in finer tuning of the bone induction cascade.
Presentation, clinical pathological and post‐mortem findings in three related Scottish terriers with ligneous membranitis
Authors: Mason S. L. , Fisher C. , Ressel L. , Bommer N. X. , Buckley L. M. , Nuttall T.
Published: February 2016

Ligneous conjunctivitis and gingivitis were diagnosed in three related Scottish terrier dogs presented for investigation of severe conjunctivitis and respiratory signs. Hypoplasminogenaemia was confirmed in one of the three affected dogs. Supportive treatment was not effective, and the dogs died or were euthanased because of the disease. Post‐mortem analysis of two of the dogs revealed multiple abnormalities including severe proliferative fibrinous lesions affecting the conjunctiva, gingiva, trachea, larynx and epicardium and multiple fibrous adhesions throughout the thoracic and abdominal cavities. One dog had internal hydrocephalus and lacked a cerebellar vermis. Ligneous membranitis was confirmed on histopathology. This is a rare condition in dogs but an important differential diagnosis for severe conjunctivitis and gingivitis.
Measuring the Rule of Law: A Comparison of Indicators
Authors: Versteeg Mila , Ginsburg Tom
Published: February 2016

The rule of law era has given rise to multiple indicators purporting to measure the concept. This article compares four major indicators of the rule of law and shows that their approaches to conceptualization and measurement differ. Given their disparate conceptualizations and measurement strategies, one might expect a weak correlation between them. Strikingly, however, all four indicators are highly correlated with each other (with the pair-wise correlations between three of them exceeding 0.95). They are also correlated with the widely used measure of corruption. This suggests that the indicators might capture a more encompassing concept, like impartial administration. The article critiques the rule of law measurement enterprise as insufficiently linked to the underlying normative concept. It points to the reliance on expert perceptions and information constraints as a possible cause for the convergence. It concludes that measurement strategy, rather than differences in conceptualization, explains the convergence between the indicators.
The toxin GraT inhibits ribosome biogenesis
Authors: Ainelo Andres , Tamman Hedvig , Leppik Margus , Remme Jaanus , Hõrak Rita
Published: February 2016

Most bacteria encode numerous chromosomal toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems that are proposed to contribute to stress tolerance, as they are able to shift the cells to a dormant state. Toxins act on a variety of targets with the majority attacking the translational apparatus. Intriguingly, the toxicity mechanisms of even closely related toxins may differ essentially. Here, we report on a new type of TA toxin that inhibits ribosome biogenesis. GraT of the GraTA system has previously been described in Pseudomonas putida as an unusually moderate toxin at optimal growth temperatures. However, GraT causes a severe growth defect at lower temperatures. Here, we demonstrate that GraT causes the accumulation of free ribosomal subunits. Mapping the rRNA 5′ ends reveals incomplete processing of the free subunits and quantification of modified nucleosides shows an underrepresentation of late subunit assembly specific modifications. This indicates that GraT inhibits ribosome subunit assembly. Interestingly, GraT effects can be alleviated by modification of the chaperone DnaK, a known facilitator of late stages in ribosome biogenesis. We show that GraT directly interacts with DnaK and suggest two possible models for the role of this interaction in GraT toxicity.
Low‐target tacrolimus in de novo standard risk renal transplant recipients: A single‐centre experience
Authors: Størset Elisabet , Åsberg Anders , Hartmann Anders , Reisæter Anna V. , Holdaas Hallvard , Skauby Morten , Bergan Stein , Midtvedt Karsten
Published: February 2016

Aim

Optimal tacrolimus exposure in transplant recipients is not well established. The results from the Symphony study indicated that low‐target tacrolimus (trough concentrations 3–7 µg/L) in de novo standard risk renal transplant recipients should be appropriate. The aim of this study was to evaluate real‐life outcomes when applying a similar strategy in a clinical setting.

Methods

A single‐centre analysis was conducted in standard risk renal transplant recipients receiving low‐target tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, glucocorticoids and basiliximab induction. One‐year estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, Cockcroft‐Gault), one‐year biopsy‐proven acute rejection rate and graft‐ and patient survival up to 3 years post‐transplant were compared with the outcomes in the Symphony study.

Results

From 1 January 2009 to 31 March 2013, we included 406 patients. One year after transplantation, the mean ± SD eGFR was 76.8 ± 28.3 mL/min (Symphony: 65.4 ± 27.0 mL/min, P < 0.001). Biopsy‐proven acute rejections were seen in 14.5% of the patients (Symphony: 12.3%, P = 0.35). Kaplan–Meier estimates [95% confidence interval] of three‐year death‐censored graft‐ and patient survival were 96.6% [94.2–99.0%] (Symphony: 93%) and 95.0% [92.6–97.3%] (Symphony: 95%), respectively.

Conclusion

Low‐target tacrolimus‐based immunosuppression is safe and effective also in a standard clinical setting in de novo standard risk renal transplant recipients.
Critical Patient Severity Classification System predicts outcomes in intensive care unit patients
Authors: Choi Mona , Lee Hyeong Suk
Published: February 2016

Background

The CPSCS was developed to assess the nursing care demands of patients in intensive care units (ICUs).

Aim

This study aimed to examine the Critical Patient Severity Classification System (CPSCS) score as an independent predictor of patient hospital outcomes.

Design

This study was a secondary analysis.

Methods

Data from 6380 cases were extracted from the electronic medical records in ICUs at a tertiary hospital in Korea during 2010–2012. To examine the association of the CPSCS score with 30‐day ICU mortality, the Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used, and generalized linear regression models of gamma distribution were developed for ICU length of stay (LOS).

Results

More patients were admitted to surgical ICUs than medical ICUs (4664 versus 1716) during the study period. Medical ICU patients had longer ICU LOS, higher 30‐day ICU mortality and a higher mean CPSCS score than surgical ICU patients. Cox analysis indicated that the mid and high CPSCS score groups had 1·687 and 2·913 times higher mortality risk, respectively, than the low CPSCS score group after adjusting for age, sex and primary diagnosis. The CPSCS score significantly predicted ICU mortality in both medical and surgical ICUs. Multivariate generalized linear regression indicated that CPSCS score was a significant predictor of ICU LOS after adjusting for other covariates.

Conclusions

The CPSCS score can be used to efficiently predict ICU mortality and LOS in patients admitted to the medical and surgical ICUs, although only the high CPSCS score group had significantly high mortality than the low CPSCS score group in the medical ICU.

Relevance to clinical practice

The findings of this study contribute to valuable evidence that nursing‐related factors have an impact on patient outcomes such as ICU mortality and LOS and that they have implications for hospital management, clinical practice and future research.
Achene germination of the spring ephemeroid species Carex physodes in the Gurbantunggut Desert
Authors: Abudureheman Buhailiqiemu , Zhang Lingwei , Liu Huiliang , Zhang Daoyuan , Guan Kaiyun
Published: February 2016

Much of the seed germination research on Carex has focused on wetland species, and little is known about the species of arid habitats. Here, we investigated seed dormancy and germination of Carex physodes, which is an important component of the plant community of the Gurbantunggut Desert of the Junggar Basin in Xinjiang, China. Our studies included the effects of mechanical and chemical scarification, dry storage, treatment with GA3, wet‐cold stratification, and burial in the field. No freshly matured achenes germinated over a range of temperature regimes after treatment with GA3, 6 months of dry storage or removal of part of the endosperm. The mechanical scarification resulted in < 5% achene germination, however, higher percentage of achene germination occurred after removal of the pericarp (60%), H2SO4 scarification (30%) or scarification in 10% NaOH (85%). Six and nine months of wet‐cold stratification promoted < 40% achene germination. The optimal germination temperatures ranged from 25/10°C to 35/20°C. Maximum germination after 9 months of burial at a depth of 3 cm in the field was 36%. These results indicate that the seeds have non‐deep physiological dormancy (PD) and that the pericarp contains germination inhibitors and has strong mechanical resistance to germination.
Small interfering RNAs from bidirectional transcripts of GhMML3_A12 regulate cotton fiber development
Authors: Wan Qun , Guan Xueying , Yang Nannan , Wu Huaitong , Pan Mengqiao , Liu Bingliang , Fang Lei , Yang Shouping , Hu Yan , Ye Wenxue , Zhang Hua , Ma Peiyong , Chen Jiedan , Wang Qiong , Mei Gaofu , Cai Caiping , Yang Donglei , Wang Jiawei , Guo Wangzhen , Zhang Wenhua , Chen Xiaoya , Zhang Tianzhen
Published: February 2016

Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are commonly observed in eukaryotic genomes, but only a limited number of such genes have been identified as being involved in gene regulation in plants. In this research, we investigated the function of small RNA derived from a NAT in fiber cell development.

Using a map‐based cloning strategy for the first time in tetraploid cotton, we cloned a naked seed mutant gene (N1) encoding a MYBMIXTA‐like transcription factor 3 (MML3)/GhMYB25‐like in chromosome A12, GhMML3_A12, that is associated with fuzz fiber development.

The extremely low expression of GhMML3_A12 in N1 is associated with NAT production, driven by its 3′ antisense promoter, as indicated by the promoter‐driven histochemical staining assay. In addition, small RNA deep sequencing analysis suggested that the bidirectional transcriptions of GhMML3_A12 form double‐stranded RNAs and generate 21–22 nt small RNAs. Therefore, in a fiber‐specific manner, small RNA derived from the GhMML3_A12 locus can mediate GhMML3_A12 mRNA self‐cleavage and result in the production of naked seeds followed by lint fiber inhibition in N1 plants.

The present research reports the first observation of gene‐mediated NATs and siRNA directly controlling fiber development in cotton.
Genetically defined autoinflammatory diseases
Authors: de Jesus AA , Goldbach‐Mansky R
Published: February 2016

Autoinflammatory diseases are hyperinflammatory, immune dysregulatory conditions that typically present in early childhood with fever and rashes and disease‐specific patterns of organ inflammation. This review provides a historic background of autoinflammatory disease research, an overview of the currently genetically defined autoinflammatory diseases, and insights into treatment strategies derived from understanding of the disease pathogenesis. The integrative assessment of autoinflammatory conditions led to the identification of innate pro‐inflammatory cytokine ‘amplification loops’ as the cause of the systemic and organ‐specific disease manifestations, which initially centered around increased IL‐1 production and signaling. More recently, additional innate pro‐inflammatory cytokine amplification loops resulting in increased Type I IFN, IL‐17, IL‐18, or IL‐36 signaling or production have led to the successful use of targeted therapies in some of these conditions. Clinical findings such as fever patterns, type of skin lesions, genetic mutation testing, and the prevalent cytokine abnormalities can be used to group autoinflammatory diseases.
Difference between early onset and late‐onset pediatric ulcerative colitis
Authors: Nambu Ryusuke , Hagiwara Shin‐ichiro , Kubota Mitsuru , Kagimoto Seiichi
Published: February 2016

Background

Early onset pediatric ulcerative colitis (EO‐UC) is distinguished from late‐onset pediatric ulcerative colitis (LO‐UC) by the effects of genetic predisposition, but there have been few reports on the clinical features of EO‐UC in Asia.

Methods

To describe and compare the presentation and disease course of EO‐UC (age range, 0–7 years) with those of LO‐UC (age range, 8–15 years), we retrospectively analyzed 63 children with UC who had been diagnosed between January 2004 and March 2014 at Saitama Children's Medical Center in Japan.

Results

Ten patients (16%) had EO‐UC, and 53 (84%) had LO‐UC. All patients in the EO‐UC group and 70% in the LO‐UC group had pancolitis (P = 0.05). The period from onset to diagnosis was 9.0 ± 14.1 months for EO‐UC and 2.6 ± 3.5 months for LO‐UC (P < 0.01). The prevalence of extra‐intestinal complications at diagnosis was significantly higher for EO‐UC than for LO‐UC (50% vs 11%, respectively; P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the use of corticosteroids, immunomodulators, immunosuppressants, or surgical risk between the groups but, in the EO‐UC group, only one patient was treated with cytapheresis and none was treated with anti‐tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐α) antibodies.

Conclusions

The EO‐UC group had a higher incidence of pancolitis, longer diagnostic delay, and more extra‐intestinal manifestations than the LO‐UC group. Diagnosis and treatment may therefore be slightly more difficult for EO‐UC than for LO‐UC.
Early Foetal Loss Correlates Positively with Seroconversion againstMycobacterium avium paratuberculosisin High‐Producing Dairy Cows
Authors: Garcia‐Ispierto I , López‐Gatius F
Published: February 2016

Contents

This study was designed to examine (i) the seroprevalence ofMycobacterium avium subs paratuberculosis(MAP) in a high‐producing dairy herd with clinical symptoms of bovine paratuberculosis, (ii)MAPseroconversion and seronegativation dynamics in the herd and (iii) possible relationships betweenMAPinfection status and herd reproductive performance. One single blood test per cow was performed early post‐partum on a monthly basis from day 10–40 post‐partum during the first year of the study in 519 cows belonging to a commercial dairy herd. A subset of 111 cows that became pregnant during the study was tested again 60–200 days later during the early foetal period, immediately after the first confirmation of gestation at 58–64 days post‐AI. Logistic regression analysis indicated no effect of any independent variable onMAPseropositivity and conception rate 28–34 days post‐AI.MAPseropositivity was not a factor affecting the anoestrous, subfertility and early foetal loss rates. In the subset of 111 cows, animals that seroconverted had a 3.9 times greater risk of suffering from early foetal loss (30.3%, 10/33) than the remaining pregnant animals (10.3%, 8/78), (95% confidence interval: 1.11–13.4; p = 0.003). In conclusion, early foetal loss was positively correlated with seroconversion toMAP. Reproductive performance was not impaired byMAPinfection.
Facies model for a coarse‐grained, tide‐influenced delta: Gule Horn Formation (Early Jurassic), Jameson Land, Greenland
Authors: Eide Christian Haug , Howell John A. , Buckley Simon J. , Martinius Allard W. , Oftedal Bjørn Terje , Henstra Gijs A.
Published: February 2016

Tide‐dominated deltas have an inherently complex distribution of heterogeneities on several different scales and are less well‐understood than their wave‐dominated and river‐dominated counterparts. Depositional models of these environments are based on a small set of ancient examples and are, therefore, immature. The Early Jurassic Gule Horn Formation is particularly well‐exposed in extensive sea cliffs from which a 32 km long, 250 m high virtual outcrop model has been acquired using helicopter‐mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR). This dataset, combined with a set of sedimentological logs, facilitates interpretation and measurement of depositional elements and tracing of stratigraphic surfaces over seismic‐scale distances. The aim of this article is to use this dataset to increase the understanding of depositional elements and lithologies in proximal, unconfined, tide‐dominated deltas from the delta plain to prodelta. Deposition occurred in a structurally controlled embayment, and immature sediments indicate proximity to the sediment source. The succession is tide dominated but contains evidence for strong fluvial influence and minor wave influence. Wave influence is more pronounced in transgressive intervals. Nine architectural elements have been identified, and their internal architecture and stratigraphical distribution has been investigated. The distal parts comprise prodelta, delta front and unconfined tidal bar deposits. The medial part is characterized by relatively narrow, amalgamated channel fills with fluid mud‐rich bases and sandier deposits upward, interpreted as distributary channels filled by tidal bars deposited near the turbidity maximum. The proximal parts of the studied system are dominated by sandy distributary channel and heterolithic tidal‐flat deposits. The sandbodies of the proximal tidal channels are several kilometres wide and wider than exposures in all cases. Parasequence boundaries are easily defined in the prodelta to delta‐front environments, but are difficult to trace into the more proximal deposits. This article illustrates the proximal to distal organization of facies in unconfined tide‐dominated deltas and shows how such environments react to relative sea‐level rise.
Integrating Indoor and Outdoor Spaces for Pedestrian Navigation Guidance: A Review
Authors: Vanclooster Ann , Van de Weghe Nico , De Maeyer Philippe
Published: February 2016

In light of the many improvements within 3D urban modeling and Location‐Based Services, this article provides a timely review of the state‐of‐the‐art on integrating indoor and outdoor spaces in pedestrian navigation guidance aids. With people moving seamlessly between buildings and surrounding areas, navigation guidance tools should extend from merely outdoor or indoor guidance, to provide support in the combined indoor‐outdoor context. This article first examines the challenges and complexities of integrating indoor and outdoor spaces into a single navigation system. Next, by using objective selection criteria, 36 relevant studies were withheld and further reviewed on their specific developments in data model requirements, and algorithmic and context support for integrated IO navigation systems. This review shows that the challenges of dealing with both indoor and outdoor space structures, while taking into account pedestrian's freer use of space, currently complicate the proposition of a unified IO space concept for navigation. However, there are some ongoing developments (e.g. context definitions, algorithmic extensions, increased data availability, growing awareness of pedestrians’ perception during wayfinding) that will help to bring outdoor and indoor spaces closer together in the realm of combined geospatial analysis.
Optimization of the management of platelet concentrate stocks in the Basque Country using mathematical simulation
Authors: Pérez Vaquero M. Á. , Gorria C. , Lezaun M. , López F. J. , Monge J. , Eguizabal C. , Vesga M. A.
Published: February 2016

Background and Objectives

The management of platelet concentrate (PC) stocks is not simple given their short shelf life and variable demand. In general, managers decide on PC production based on personal experience. The objective of this study was to provide a tool to help decide how many PC units to produce each day in a more rational and objective way.

Materials and Methods

From the historical data on PCs produced, transfused and discarded in the Basque Country in 2012, a mathematical model was built, based on the normality of the time series of the transfusions performed on each day of the week throughout the year. This model was implemented in an easy‐to‐use Excel spreadsheet and validated using real production data from 2013.

Results

Comparing with real 2013 data, in the best scenario, the number of PC units that expired was 87·7% lower, PC production, 14·3% lower and the age of the PCs transfused nearly 1‐day younger in the simulation. If we want to ensure a minimum stock at the end of each day, the outdating rate and average age of the transfused PCs progressively increase.

Conclusion

The practical application of the designed tool can facilitate decision‐making about how many PC units to produce each day, resulting in very significant reductions in PC production and wastage and corresponding cost savings, together with an almost 1 day decrease in the mean age of PCs transfused.
Safety of lumbar punctures in patients with thrombocytopenia
Authors: Ning S. , Kerbel B. , Callum J. , Lin Y.
Published: February 2016

Background

American Association of Blood Banks guidelines recommend a minimum platelet count of 50 × 109/l for LPs (lumbar puncture), but evidence is lacking. The objective of this study was to describe the range of platelet counts at which LPs are performed, and the rate of traumatic taps and haemorrhagic complications in an adult oncology population.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of patients receiving LPs over a 2‐year period was carried out. Bleeding risk factors captured included anticoagulants, antiplatelets, end‐stage renal disease, and other bleeding disorders. Pre‐LP platelet counts were those collected ≤24 h from the time of the LP. Traumatic tap was defined as 500 or more red blood cells per high‐power field in cerebrospinal fluid.

Results

One hundred and thirty‐five patients underwent 369 LPs. Twenty‐eight (7·6%) LPs were performed at a platelet count ≤ 50 × 109/l; 18 patients received a platelet transfusion prior to the LP, with post‐transfusion count available prior to LP in only one patient. Traumatic taps occurred in 16 of 113 (14·2%) LPs in patients with thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 150 × 109/l) compared to 27 of 242 (11·1%) LPs in patients with a normal platelet count (P = 0·48). The presence of bleeding risk factors did not increase the incidence of traumatic taps. There were no haemorrhagic complications.

Conclusions

Among this cohort of adult oncology patients, there were no haemorrhagic complications. Traumatic taps were not increased in patients with thrombocytopenia. The effects of platelet transfusions were rarely assessed prior to LP. Further studies should be pursued to assess whether platelet count thresholds lower than 50 × 109/l are safe for lumbar puncture.
Nurses' Perspectives on Patient Satisfaction and Expectations: An International Cross‐Sectional Multicenter Study With Implications for Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Topaz Maxim , Lisby Marianne , Morrison Constance R.C. , Levtzion‐Korach Osnat , Hockey Peter M. , Salzberg Claudia A. , Efrati Nechama , Lipsitz Stuart , Bates David W. , Rozenblum Ronen
Published: February 2016

Background

Addressing patient expectations is necessary to achieve high satisfaction. However, few data are available on nurses’ perceptions and performance with respect to patient expectations and satisfaction. Objectives: This international multicenter study aimed to: (a) evaluate nurses’ attitudes and performance with respect to patient satisfaction and expectations, and (b) identify predictors of nurses’ inquiry of patients’ satisfaction at the point of discharge.

Methods

A questionnaire examining attitudes and performance toward patient satisfaction and expectations was developed and validated. Nurses at four academic hospitals in the United States, the United Kingdom, Israel, and Denmark were surveyed.

Results

A total of 536 nurses participated in the study (response rate 85.3%). Nurses expressed positive attitudes toward activities related to patient satisfaction and expectations, endorsing the importance of talking with patients about their satisfaction status (91.6%) and their expectations (93.2%). More than half of the responders (51.8%) claimed to have responded to the status of patient satisfaction or dissatisfaction (Israel: 25%; United States: 54.9%; United Kingdom: 61.7%; Denmark: 69.9%; p < .001). However, only 12.1% stated that they routinely ask patients about their level of satisfaction, with nurses in the United States (18.3%) and Denmark (17.5%) more likely to ask compared to nurses in the United Kingdom (7.4%) and Israel (6.3%; p = .001). Adjusted logistic regression identified four significant predictors (p < .05) of nurses’ inquiry about patients’ satisfaction: “Responding to patient's satisfaction status” (OR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.7–5.8); “Documenting patient's satisfaction status” (OR: 2.8; 95% CI: 1.6–5.1); “Asking routinely about expectations” (OR: 5.4; 95% CI: 3–9.7); and “Responded to expectations during the past month” (OR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.9–9.4).

Linking Evidence to Action

These findings warrant further investigation, potentially into the nurses’ work environments or educational programs, to better understand why nurses’ positive attitudes toward patient satisfaction and expectations do not result in actively asking patients about their satisfaction level and what should be done to improve nurses’ performance. Healthcare organizations and policy makers should develop and support structured programs to address patient expectations and improve patient satisfaction during hospitalization.
On the Oort conjecture for Shimura varieties of unitary and orthogonal types
Authors: Chen Ke , Lu Xin , Zuo Kang
Published: February 2016

In this paper we study the Oort conjecture concerning the non-existence of Shimura subvarieties contained generically in the Torelli locus in the Siegel modular variety${\mathcal{A}}_{g}$. Using the poly-stability of Higgs bundles on curves and the slope inequality of Xiao on fibered surfaces, we show that a Shimura curve$C$is not contained generically in the Torelli locus if its canonical Higgs bundle contains a unitary Higgs subbundle of rank at least$(4g+2)/5$. From this we prove that a Shimura subvariety of$\mathbf{SU}(n,1)$type is not contained generically in the Torelli locus when a numerical inequality holds, which involves the genus$g$, the dimension$n+1$, the degree$2d$of CM field of the Hermitian space, and the type of the symplectic representation defining the Shimura subdatum. A similar result holds for Shimura subvarieties of$\mathbf{SO}(n,2)$type, defined by spin groups associated to quadratic spaces over a totally real number field of degree at least$6$subject to some natural constraints of signatures.
Parabolic induction and restriction via -algebras and Hilbert -modules
Authors: Clare Pierre , Crisp Tyrone , Higson Nigel
Published: February 2016

This paper is about the reduced group $C^{\ast }$-algebras of real reductive groups, and about Hilbert $C^{\ast }$-modules over these $C^{\ast }$-algebras. We shall do three things. First, we shall apply theorems from the tempered representation theory of reductive groups to determine the structure of the reduced $C^{\ast }$-algebra (the result has been known for some time, but it is difficult to assemble a full treatment from the existing literature). Second, we shall use the structure of the reduced $C^{\ast }$-algebra to determine the structure of the Hilbert $C^{\ast }$-bimodule that represents the functor of parabolic induction. Third, we shall prove that the parabolic induction bimodule admits a secondary inner product, using which we can define a functor of parabolic restriction in tempered representation theory. We shall prove in a sequel to this paper that parabolic restriction is adjoint, on both the left and the right, to parabolic induction in the context of tempered unitary Hilbert space representations.
The emotional coaching model: quantitative and qualitative research into relationships, communication and decisions in physical and sports rehabilitation
Authors: Respizzi Stefano , Covelli Elisabetta
Published: February 2016

The emotional coaching model uses quantitative and qualitative elements to demonstrate some assumptions relevant to new methods of treatment in physical rehabilitation, considering emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects in patients, whether or not they are sportsmen.

Through quantitative tools (Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale, Emotional Interview Test, Previous Re-Injury Test, and reports on test scores) and qualitative tools (training contracts and relationships of emotional alliance or “contagion”), we investigate initial assumptions regarding: the presence of a cognitive and emotional mental state of impasse in patients at the beginning of the rehabilitation pathway; the curative value of the emotional alliance or “emotional contagion” relationship between healthcare provider and patient; the link between the patient’s pathology and type of contact with his own body and emotions; analysis of the psychosocial variables for the prediction of possible cases of re-injury for patients who have undergone or are afraid to undergo reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Although this approach is still in the experimental stage, the scores of the administered tests show the possibility of integrating quantitative and qualitative tools to investigate and develop a patient’s physical, mental and emotional resources during the course of his rehabilitation. Furthermore, it seems possible to identify many elements characterizing patients likely to undergo episodes of re-injury or to withdraw totally from sporting activity. In particular, such patients are competitive athletes, who fear or have previously undergone ACL reconstruction.

The theories referred to (the transactional analysis theory, self-determination theory) and the tools used demonstrate the usefulness of continuing this research in order to build a shared coaching model treatment aimed at all patients, sportspeople or otherwise, which is not only physical but also emotional, cognitive and behavioral.
Osteochondral repair in hemophilic ankle arthropathy: from current options to future perspectives
Authors: Buda Roberto , Cavallo Marco , Castagnini Francesco , Ferranti Enrico , Natali Simone , Giannini Sandro
Published: February 2016

Young hemophilic patients are frequently affected by ankle arthropathy. At the end stage of the disease, the current treatments are arthrodesis and arthroplasty, which have significant drawbacks. Validated procedures capable of slowing down or even arresting the progression towards the end stage are currently lacking. This review aims to discuss the rationale for and feasibility of applying, in mild hemophilic ankle arthropathy, the main techniques currently used to treat osteochondral defects, focusing in particular on ankle distraction, chondrocyte implantation, mesenchymal stem cell transplantation, allograft transplantation and the use of growth factors. To date, ankle distraction is the only procedure that has been successfully used in hemophilic ankle arthropathy. The use of mesenchymal stem cells have recently been evaluated as feasible for osteochondral repair in hemophilic patients. There may be a rationale for the use of growth factors if they are combined with the previous techniques, which could be useful to arrest the progression of the degeneration or delay end-stage procedures.
Efficient Implicit Runge-Kutta Methods for Fast-Responding Ligand-Gated Neuroreceptor Kinetic Models
Authors: Dougherty Edward
Published: February 2016

Neurophysiological models of the brain typically utilize systems of ordinary differential equations to simulate single-cell electrodynamics. To accurately emulate neurological treatments and their physiological effects on neurodegenerative disease, models that incorporate biologically-inspired mechanisms, such as neurotransmitter signalling, are necessary. Additionally, applications that examine populations of neurons, such as multiscale models, can demand solving hundreds of millions of these systems at each simulation time step. Therefore, robust numerical solvers for biologically-inspired neuron models are vital. To address this requirement, we evaluate the numerical accuracy and computational efficiency of three L-stable implicit Runge-Kutta methods when solving kinetic models of the ligand-gated glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitter receptors. Efficient implementations of each numerical method are discussed, and numerous performance metrics including accuracy, simulation time steps, execution speeds, Jacobian calculations, and LU factorizations are evaluated to identify appropriate strategies for solving these models. Comparisons to popular explicit methods are presented and highlight the advantages of the implicit methods. In addition, we show a machine-code compiled implicit Runge-Kutta method implementation that possesses exceptional accuracy and superior computational efficiency.
Numerical Analysis of Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Entrance and Fully Developed Regions of a Channel With Porous Baffles
Authors: Davari Amin , Maerefat Mehdi
Published: February 2016

In the present study, analysis of fluid flow and heat transfer in the entrance and periodically fully developed regions of a channel with porous baffles is numerically studied. The Navier–Stokes and Brinkman–Forchheimer equations are used to model the fluid flow in the open and porous regions. The flow is assumed to be laminar. A finite-volume based method in conjunction with the SIMPLE algorithm is used to solve the equations. The local thermal equilibrium model is adopted in the energy equation to evaluate the solid and fluid temperatures. The effects of parameters such as baffle height, baffle spacing, Reynolds number, and thermal conductivity ratio between the porous baffles and the fluid on the flow field and local heat transfer rate are studied at relatively low and high values of Darcy number. Results show that local heat transfer coefficient significantly depends on the formation and variation of the recirculation caused by the porous baffles, such that, in the cases where use of porous baffles leads to recirculation zone, the local Nusselt number in the entrance region would be less than that of the fully developed region. It is also shown that heat transfer performance ratio is significantly improved for high Prandtl number fluids.
Effects of Boiling Water Reactor Medium on the Fatigue Life of Austenitic Stainless Steels
Authors: Wilhelm Paul , Steinmann Paul , Rudolph Jürgen
Published: February 2016

A statistical model for austenitic stainless steels (SSs) for predicting the effect of boiling water reactor (BWR) environments on fatigue life for a range of temperatures and strain rates is developed based on the analysis of available material data from Europe, U.S., and Japan. Only fatigue data from polished specimens of wrought material tested under strain control were considered. Hollow specimens were not treated in the final calculations. The fatigue-life correction factors were defined as the ratio of life in water at 240 °C (464 °F) (reference conditions) to that in water at service conditions. The model is recommended for predicting fatigue lives that are 102–104 cycles.
Thermal Modeling of Extreme Heat Flux Microchannel Coolers for GaN-on-SiC Semiconductor Devices
Authors: Lee Hyoungsoon , Agonafer Damena D. , Won Yoonjin , Houshmand Farzad , Gorle Catherine , Asheghi Mehdi , Goodson Kenneth E.
Published: February 2016

Gallium nitride (GaN) high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) dissipate high power densities which generate hotspots and cause thermomechanical problems. Here, we propose and simulate GaN-based HEMT technologies that can remove power densities exceeding 30 kW/cm2 at relatively low mass flow rate and pressure drop. Thermal performance of the microcooler module is investigated by modeling both single- and two-phase flow conditions. A reduced-order modeling approach, based on an extensive literature review, is used to predict the appropriate range of heat transfer coefficients associated with the flow regimes for the flow conditions. Finite element simulations are performed to investigate the temperature distribution from GaN to parallel microchannels of the microcooler. Single- and two-phase conjugate computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations provide a lower bound of the total flow resistance in the microcooler as well as overall thermal resistance from GaN HEMT to working fluid. A parametric study is performed to optimize the thermal performance of the microcooler. The modeling results provide detailed flow conditions for the microcooler in order to investigate the required range of heat transfer coefficients for removal of heat fluxes up to 30 kW/cm2 and a junction temperature maintained below 250 °C. The detailed modeling results include local temperature and velocity fields in the microcooler module, which can help in identifying the approximate locations of the maximum velocity and recirculation regions that are susceptible to dryout conditions.
Analysis of Rotating Components Based on a Characteristic Strain Model of Creep
Authors: Banaszkiewicz Mariusz
Published: February 2016

This paper discusses the application of a characteristic strain model (CSM) to analyze the creep behavior of rotating components. First, simple cylinders are analyzed at variable loads and different model constants. A closed-form analytical solution for the steady-state stress and the location of the skeletal point in the rotating solid cylinder are obtained. Then, the hollow cylinder behavior is investigated by numerical analysis, and the skeletal point location is shown to be independent of the applied load. Finally, a numerical creep analysis of a steam turbine rotor is carried out with a detailed examination of the stress and creep strain fields in the rotor disk. The existence of multiple skeletal points in the rotor disk, as well as the independence of their locations of the creep data, is shown.
Nonlocal atlas‐guided multi‐channel forest learning for human brain labeling
Authors: Ma Guangkai , Gao Yaozong , Wu Guorong , Wu Ligang , Shen Dinggang
Published: February 2016

Purpose:

It is important for many quantitative brain studies to label meaningful anatomical regions in MR brain images. However, due to high complexity of brain structures and ambiguous boundaries between different anatomical regions, the anatomical labeling of MR brain images is still quite a challenging task. In many existing label fusion methods, appearance information is widely used. However, since local anatomy in the human brain is often complex, the appearance information alone is limited in characterizing each image point, especially for identifying the same anatomical structure across different subjects. Recent progress in computer vision suggests that the context features can be very useful in identifying an object from a complex scene. In light of this, the authors propose a novel learning‐based label fusion method by using both low‐level appearance features (computed from the target image) and high‐level context features (computed from warped atlases or tentative labeling maps of the target image).

Methods:

In particular, the authors employ a multi‐channel random forest to learn the nonlinear relationship between these hybrid features and target labels (i.e., corresponding to certain anatomical structures). Specifically, at each of the iterations, the random forest will output tentative labeling maps of the target image, from which the authors compute spatial label context features and then use in combination with original appearance features of the target image to refine the labeling. Moreover, to accommodate the high inter‐subject variations, the authors further extend their learning‐based label fusion to a multi‐atlas scenario, i.e., they train a random forest for each atlas and then obtain the final labeling result according to the consensus of results from all atlases.

Results:

The authors have comprehensively evaluated their method on both public LONI_LBPA40 and IXI datasets. To quantitatively evaluate the labeling accuracy, the authors use the dice similarity coefficient to measure the overlap degree. Their method achieves average overlaps of 82.56% on 54 regions of interest (ROIs) and 79.78% on 80 ROIs, respectively, which significantly outperform the baseline method (random forests), with the average overlaps of 72.48% on 54 ROIs and 72.09% on 80 ROIs, respectively.

Conclusions:

The proposed methods have achieved the highest labeling accuracy, compared to several state‐of‐the‐art methods in the literature.
Experimental observation of ultrasound fast and slow waves through three-dimensional printed trabecular bone phantoms
Authors: Mézière F. , Juskova P. , Woittequand J. , Muller M. , Bossy E. , Boistel Renaud , Malaquin L. , Derode A.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, ultrasound measurements of 1:1 scale three-dimensional (3D) printed trabecular bone phantoms are reported. The micro-structure of a trabecular horse bone sample was obtained via synchrotron x-ray microtomography, converted to a 3D binary data set, and successfully 3D-printed at scale 1:1. Ultrasound through-transmission experiments were also performed through a highly anisotropic version of this structure, obtained by elongating the digitized structure prior to 3D printing. As in real anisotropic trabecular bone, both the fast and slow waves were observed. This illustrates the potential of stereolithography and the relevance of such bone phantoms for the study of ultrasound propagation in bone.
Doravirine Suppresses Common Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor-Associated Mutants at Clinically Relevant Concentrations
Authors: Feng Meizhen , Sachs Nancy A. , Xu Min , Grobler Jay , Blair Wade , Hazuda Daria J. , Miller Michael D. , Lai Ming-Tain
Published: February 2016

Doravirine (DOR), which is currently in a phase 3 clinical trial, is a novel human immunodeficiency type 1 virus (HIV-1) nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). DOR exhibits potent antiviral activity against wild-type virus and K103N, Y181C, and K103N/Y181C mutant viruses, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
s) of 12, 21, 31, and 33 nM, respectively, when measured in 100% normal human serum (NHS). To assess the potential for DOR to suppress NNRTI-associated and rilpivirine (RPV)-specific mutants at concentrations achieved in the clinic setting, inhibitory quotients (IQs) were calculated by determining the ratio of the clinical trough concentration over the antiviral IC
50
for each virus with DOR and RPV and efavirenz (EFV). DOR displayed IQs of 39, 27, and 25 against the K103N, Y181C, and K103N/Y181C mutants, respectively. In contrast, RPV exhibited IQs of 4.6, 1.4, and 0.8, and EFV showed IQs of 2.5, 60, and 1.9 against these viruses, respectively. DOR also displayed higher IQs than those of RPV and EFV against other prevalent NNRTI-associated mutants, with the exception of Y188L. Both DOR and EFV exhibited higher IQs than RPV when analyzed with RPV-associated mutants. Resistance selections were conducted with K103N, Y181C, G190A, and K103N/Y181C mutants at clinically relevant concentrations of DOR, RPV, and EFV. No viral breakthrough was observed with DOR, whereas breakthrough viruses were readily detected with RPV and EFV against Y181C and K103N viruses, respectively. These data suggest that DOR should impose a higher barrier to the development of resistance than RPV and EFV at the concentrations achieved in the clinic setting.