bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Succeeding in Sustained Reduction in the use of Restraint using the Improvement Model
Authors: Bell Alyssa , Gallacher Neil
Published: June 2016

As part of the Scottish Patient Safety Programme – Mental Health one of the main drivers was the reduction of harm to patients caused by restraint. The aim of this project was to reduce the number of restraints on our Acute Admissions ward.

Through use the of the Improvement Model (PDSA), frontline staff were empowered to implement small tests of change at a grassroots level. This approach has led to frontline staff having ownership of driving the changes on a daily basis within the Clinical area.

The use of a restraint data collection tool has been adapted and developed with frontline staff to ensure that the staff have ownership of data collected and is used to facilitate improvement. This data is used to inform the development of our Physical Interventions training. Most recently, following analysis, were able to introduce changes to promote the increased use of de-escalation and a shift from prone restraint to the safer seated restraint position.

Patient involvement has been paramount with their inclusion in the debrief process. The information gleaned from the patients is used for staff and patient reflection. This has created a learning environment not only for staff but also patients and carers. Everyone involved is able to identify reasons and triggers and generate ideas to reduce the possibility of another restraint.

The use of staff and patient safety climate surveys has ensured that we are constantly monitoring improvements in the feeling of safety amongst staff and patients.

Our approach has resulted in a change in the culture of restraint resulting in a sustained reduction of 50% in restraint.
Mobile phones and seizures: drug-resistant epilepsy is less common in mobile-phone-using patients
Authors: Nagarjunakonda Sundarachary , Amalakanti Sridhar , Uppala Veeramma , Gajula Rama Krishna , Tata Ramya Sree , Bolla Hima Bindu , Rajanala Lalitha , Athina Srinivasulu , Daggumati Rajeswari , Lavu Harish , Devanaboina Anil Kumar
Published: June 2016

Background

Epilepsy is a condition where patients have seizures due to abnormal nerve impulses in the brain. The effect of mobile phone radiation on patients with seizures is not known.

Objective

To compare the seizure profile of patients not using mobile phones with that of their peers using mobile phones.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study performed at the neurology outpatient department of Guntur Medical College Hospital, Guntur, India from September 2014 to September 2015, we included 178 consecutive epileptic patients aged 16–65 years, who had had seizure disorder for 1 year or more. On the basis of their possession and usage of mobile phones, patients were divided into three groups: no mobile group (NMG), home mobile group (HMG) and personal mobile group (PMG). We obtained data on seizure frequency and recorded details of mobile phone usage and their antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment.

Results

107 NMG, 3 HMG and 68 PMG patients were finalised for the analysis. There was no significant difference in the number of seizures in the past year between the three groups. The PMG (3.7%) contained a clinically significant lower proportion of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy than the NMG (28.2%). Patients with drug-responsive epilepsy were 7.4 (95% CI 1.4 to 39.9) (p=0.01) times more likely to be found in the PMG than in the NMG after adjustment for differences in sex and occupation.

Conclusions

Although the experimental data remain inconclusive, our clinical study suggests that patients who use mobile phones are less likely to have drug-resistant epilepsy.
Development of global correlation models between in situ stress-normalized shear wave velocity and soil unit weight for plastic soils
Authors: Moon Sung-Woo , Ku Taeseo
Published: June 2016

Shear wave velocity (Vs) in geo-materials is strongly dependent on factors such as stress state, void ratio, and soil structure. Stress-dependency and void-ratio dependency can be represented by the equations [Formula: see text] and Vs= a(e)b(where α and a are material constants; exponents β and b represent the sensitivity of stress and the void dependent effect, respectively; [Formula: see text] is effective confining stress; e is void ratio), respectively. To consider the effect of soil disturbance and stress relief in geo-materials, shear wave velocity is often required to be normalized by adopting the site-specific model parameters (β or b). Based on a special in situ database compiled from 156 well-documented test sites that include various geo-materials, this study presents (i) the apparent relationships of the model parameters α and β for all soil and rock materials as well as a and b for all soil materials, (ii) new global correlations between soil unit weight and two types of stress-normalized shear wave velocities (Vs1and Vsn), instead of the conventional Vs– soil unit weight relationship for clays, and (iii) the best-fitted multi-regression models between soil unit weight and site-specifically normalized shear wave velocity as well as the plasticity index for plastic soils. Moreover, this study presents the importance of site-specific stress normalization (Vsn) in creating a better correlation model. The proposed relationships offer first-order assessments of soil unit weight within the ranges of available data, which are also approximately guided by a hyperbolic unit weight model with depth.
The structural evolution of the Albula Pass region, Graubünden, eastern Switzerland: the origin of the various vergences in the structure of the Alps
Authors: Şengör A.M. Celâl
Published: June 2016

The Albula Pass region lies between the Lower Austroalpine Err Nappe and the Middle Austroalpine Silvretta Nappe. They will be treated here as the frame of the non- to gently metamorphic sedimentary units between the two during the Alpide times. Sedimentation started on a metamorphic Hercynian basement during the latest Carboniferous(?) and continued into the Permian. Then a sequence from the Alpine Buntsandstein to the medial Jurassic to early Cretaceous Aptychenkalk (=Maiolica) and radiolarites were deposited in an environment of rifting and subsidence. The succeeding Palombini clastics were laid down after the Aptychenkalk and mark the onset of shortening in the Alpine realm. The initial structures that formed were at least two north-dipping normal faults which formed before the deposition of the Jurassic sedimentary rocks. When shortening set in, the first structure that came into being was the south-vergent Elalbula Nappe, bending the normal faults into close antiforms. It became further dismembered into two pieces creating parts of the future Ela and Albula nappes in the Albula region. This motion was later reversed, when the entire ensemble became bulldozed by the immense body of the Silvretta Nappe along numerous, closely spaced thrust faults, some of which only very locally followed horizontal bits of the old normal faults, but in principle they determined their own course. No evidence for westerly motion could be identified, although microstructures in the structural fabric were not studied. The reason for this may be the pre-orogenic fabric in the bounding tectonic units.
A comparison of the response of twoBurkholderia fungorumstrains grown as planktonic cells versus biofilm to dibenzothiophene and select polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Authors: Khoei Nazanin Seyed , Andreolli Marco , Lampis Silvia , Vallini Giovanni , Turner Raymond J.
Published: June 2016

In natural environments, bacteria often exist in close association with surfaces and interfaces by establishing biofilms. Here, we report on the ability of Burkholderia fungorum strains DBT1 and 95 to survive in high concentrations of hydrocarbons, and we compare their growth as a biofilm vs. planktonic cells. The 2 compounds tested were dibenzothiophene (DBT) and a mixture of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene (5:2:1) as representative compounds of thiophenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), respectively. The results showed that both strains were able to degrade DBT and to survive in the presence of up to a 2000 mg·L−1concentration of this compound both as a biofilm and as free-living cells. Moreover, B. fungorum DBT1 showed reduced tolerance towards the mixed PAHs (2000 mg·L−1naphthalene, 800 mg·L−1phenanthrene, and 400 mg·L−1pyrene) both as a biofilm and as free-living cells. Conversely, biofilms of B. fungorum 95 enhanced resistance against these toxic compounds compared with planktonic cells (P < 0.05). Visual observation through confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that exposure of biofilms to DBT and PAHs altered their structure: high concentrations of DBT triggered an aggregation of biofilm cells. These findings provide new perspectives on the effectiveness of using DBT-degrading bacterial strains in bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated sites.
The generalized Lang–Firsov transformation and the three- and the four-fermion interactions in a lattice fermion model
Authors: Tarasewicz P.
Published: June 2016

A new two-band polaronic Hamiltonian is derived from a generalized periodic Anderson model. This is achieved by making use of a new generalized Lang–Firsov transformation on the periodic Anderson model completed with new terms representing the interactions between local phonons and both single electrons and pairs of them with opposite spins residing on the same lattice site. The novelty consists in the appearance of three- and four-fermion terms in the resulting Hamiltonian. The interaction between phonons and pairs of electrons with opposite spins was introduced at first time by Hirsch in order to describe the weakening of the Coulomb repulsion acting between two electrons with opposite spins occupying the same atomic orbital observed in experiments. The three-fermion terms represent the local interactions between a single polarons from one band and a pair of them with opposite spins from the other one. Whether it is attractive or repulsive depends on the signs of couplings of phonons to electron pairs. The four-fermion term stands for the local attraction between pairs of electrons with opposite spins from two bands. In the case of presence of such an interaction, the formation of local fermion quartets is possible. A simplified version of the generalized Hamiltonian is investigated in the end of the paper. The influence of the three- and the four-fermion terms on the properties of the two-band fermion system with two order parameters is examined. Expressions for the order parameters at zero temperatures and finite ones along with the critical temperatures for two-electron subsystems have been derived. This was achieved in the atomic limit by making use of the mean field method.
MULTILAYERS DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON FILM WITH GERMANIUM BUFFER LAYERS BY PULSED LASER DEPOSITION
Authors: CHENG Y. , LU Y. M. , GUO Y. L. , HUANG G. J. , WANG S. Y. , TIAN F. T.
Published: June 2016

Multilayer diamond-like carbon film with germanium buffer layers, which was composed of several thick DLC layers and thin germanium island “layers” and named as Ge-DLC film, was prepared on the germanium substrate by ultraviolet laser. The Ge-DLC film had almost same surface roughness as the pure DLC film. Hardness of the Ge-DLC film was above 48.1[Formula: see text]GPa, which was almost the same as that of pure DLC film. Meanwhile, compared to the pure DLC film, the critical load of Ge-DLC film on the germanium substrate increased from 81.6[Formula: see text]mN to 143.8[Formula: see text]mN. Moreover, Ge-DLC film on germanium substrates had no change after fastness tests. The results showed that Ge-DLC film not only kept high hardness but also had higher critical load than that of pure DLC film. Therefore, it could be used as practical protective films.
Generalized Hodge dual for torsion in teleparallel gravity
Authors: Huang Peng , Yuan Fang-Fang
Published: June 2016

For teleparallel gravity in four dimensions, Lucas and Pereira have shown that its action can be constructed via a generalized Hodge dual for torsion tensor. In this paper, we demonstrate that a direct generalization of this approach to other dimensions fails due to the fact that no generalized Hodge dual operator could be given in general dimensions. Furthermore, if one enforces the definition of a generalized Hodge dual to be consistent with the action of teleparallel gravity in general dimensions, the basic identity for any sensible Hodge dual would require an ad hoc definition for the second Hodge dual operation which is totally unexpected. Therefore, we conclude that at least for the torsion tensor, the observation of Lucas and Pereira only applies to four dimensions.
A dynamical system analysis of f(R,T) gravity
Authors: Mirza Behrouz , Oboudiat Fatemeh
Published: June 2016

We investigate equations of motion and future singularities of [Formula: see text] gravity where [Formula: see text] is the Ricci scalar and [Formula: see text] is the trace of stress-energy tensor. Future singularities for two kinds of equation of state (barotropic perfect fluid and generalized form of equation of state) are studied. While no future singularity is found for the first case, some kind of singularity is found to be possible for the second. We also investigate [Formula: see text] gravity by the method of dynamical systems and obtain some fixed points. Finally, the effect of the Noether symmetry on [Formula: see text] is studied and the consistent form of [Formula: see text] function is found using the symmetry and the conserved charge.
Classification of static plane symmetric spacetime via Noether gauge symmetries
Authors: Jhangeer Adil , Iftikhar Nazish , Naz Tayyaba
Published: June 2016

In this paper, general static plane symmetric spacetime is classified with respect to Noether operators. For this purpose, Noether theorem is used which yields a set of linear partial differential equations (PDEs) with unknown radial functions [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Further, these PDEs are solved by taking different possibilities of radial functions. In the first case, all radial functions are considered same, while two functions are taken proportional to each other in second case, which further discussed by taking four different relationships between [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. For all cases, different forms of unknown functions of radial factor [Formula: see text] are reported for nontrivial Noether operators with non-zero gauge term. At the end, a list of conserved quantities for each Noether operator Tables 1–4 is presented.
NMR spectroscopy of the phenyl derivative of germanium(IV) 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole
Authors: Ricciardi Giampaolo , Cicero Daniel O. , Lentini Sara , Nardis Sara , Paolesse Roberto , Rosa Angela
Published: June 2016

A thoroughly structural characterization of (TTC)GePh (TTC [Formula: see text] 5,10,15-tritolylcorrole; Ph [Formula: see text] phenyl) in solution has been carried out through a combination of 2D NMR (1H-1H COSY, 1H-1H ROESY, 1H-[Formula: see text]C HSQC and 1H-[Formula: see text]C HMBC) experiments and density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the molecular and electronic structure and the shielding constants. The 1H and [Formula: see text]C chemical shifts computed at DFT-S12g and DFT-SAOP levels of theory nicely reproduce the experimental values, the agreement between theory and experiment being especially good for the DFT-S12g results. The calculations prove to be able to capture the fine details of the NMR spectra and to resolve some assignment ambiguities related to the inherent conformational flexibility of the macrocycle. The calculations also provide an explanation of the observed chemical shift trends in terms of diamagnetic and paramagnetic components of the shielding tensor.
Remarks on Numerical Experiments of the Allen-Cahn Equations with Constraint via Yosida Approximation
Authors: Suzuki Tomoyuki , Takasao Keisuke , Yamazaki Noriaki
Published: June 2016

We consider a one-dimensional Allen-Cahn equation with constraint from the viewpoint of numerical analysis. The constraint is provided by the subdifferential of the indicator function on the closed interval, which is the multivalued function. Therefore, it is very difficult to perform a numerical experiment of our equation. In this paper we approximate the constraint by the Yosida approximation. Then, we study the approximating system of the original model numerically. In particular, we give the criteria for the standard forward Euler method to give the stable numerical experiments of the approximating equation. Moreover, we provide the numerical experiments of the approximating equation.
Simultaneous Clear Cell Sarcomas of the Duodenum and Jejunum
Authors: Moslim Maitham A. , Falk Gavin A. , Cruise Michael , Morris-Stiff Gareth
Published: June 2016

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is an uncommon tumor that usually presents as an extremity mass but can rarely manifest as a gastrointestinal tumor with a diverse spectrum of symptoms, most commonly related to a mass effect or ulceration. Herein we report a case in which two separate tumors, one in the duodenum and the other in the jejunum, present concurrently. The subject presented with symptomatic anemia and underwent imaging and endoscopic studies that culminated in the discovery of the two lesions. He subsequently underwent operative treatment with resection of both tumors and made an unremarkable recovery. The resection specimen consisted of two separate clear cell sarcomas with negative margins. Under microscopic evaluation, they demonstrated nested growths of epithelioid cells with scattered spindled cells infiltrating the enteric wall. The neoplastic cells were positive for S100 with scattered expression of Melan A. Florescence in situ hybridization revealed a translocation at the EWRS1 locus. He was disease-free for 30 months following the procedure; then he developed a rapidly progressing metastatic disease with subsequent death 4 months later.
Microchips in Medicine: Current and Future Applications
Authors: Eltorai Adam E. M. , Fox Henry , McGurrin Emily , Guang Stephanie
Published: June 2016

With the objective of improving efficacy and morbidity, device manufacturers incorporate chemicals or drugs into medical implants. Using multiple reservoirs of discrete drug doses, microchips represent a new technology capable of on-demand release of various drugs over long periods of time. Herein, we review drug delivery systems, how microchips work, recent investigations, and future applications in various fields of medicine.
Adrenal Insufficiency under Standard Dosage of Glucocorticoid Replacement after Unilateral Adrenalectomy for Cushing’s Syndrome
Authors: Fujii Kentaro , Miyashita Kazutoshi , Kurihara Isao , Hiratsuka Ken , Sato Seiji , Yokota Kenichi , Kobayashi Sakiko , Shibata Hirotaka , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: June 2016

Glucocorticoid replacement is needed for patients after adrenal surgery for Cushing’s syndrome; however, the adequate dosage is not easily determined. The patient was a 62-year-old woman who has had hypertension for 5 years and presented with heart failure due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She consulted with us because of general fatigue, facial edema, and muscle weakness and was diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome. A laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed, standard dosage of postoperative replacement was administered, and she was discharged with 30 mg/day of hydrocortisone (cortisol). However, she suffered from loss of appetite and was transferred to an emergency unit with the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency on postoperative day 15. After initial hydrocortisone replacement with 200 mg/day, the dosage was gradually decreased during hospitalization; however, reduction of hydrocortisone dosage lower than 60 mg/day was difficult because of nausea and fatigue. Her circadian cortisol profile after hydrocortisone administration showed delayed and lowered peaks, which suggested that hydrocortisone absorption in the intestine was impaired. Therefore, complicated heart failure may have led to the adrenal insufficiency in the patient. In such cases, we should consider postoperative administration of more than the standard dosage of hydrocortisone to avoid adrenal insufficiency after surgery for Cushing’s syndrome.
Properties of Calcium Acetate Manufactured with Etching Waste Solution and Limestone Sludge as a Cementitious High-Early-Strength Admixture
Authors: Kim Deuck-Mo , Ryu Hwa-Sung , Shin Sang-Heon , Park Won-Jun
Published: June 2016

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials. There are several methods available to improve its performance, with one of them being the use of high-early-strength admixtures (HESAs). Typical HESAs include calcium nitrate, calcium chloride, and calcium formate (CF). Industrial by-products, such as acetic acid and lime stone sludge (LSS), can be used together to produce calcium acetate (CA), which can subsequently be used as a cementitious HESA. In this study, calcium carbonate and LSS were mixed with cement in weight ratios of 1 : 1, 1 : 1.5, and 1 : 2, and the properties of the as-produced CA were evaluated. CA and CF were mixed with cement in different weight ratios (0, 1, 2, and 3 wt%) to obtain CA- and CF-mortars, respectively. The flow behavior, setting time, pH, and compressive strength of these mortars were evaluated, and their X-ray diffraction patterns were also analyzed. It was found that as the CF content in the CF-mortar increased, the initial strength of the mortar also increased. However, it impaired its long-term strength. On the other hand, when 1% CA was mixed with cement, satisfactory early and long-term strengths were achieved. Thus, CA, which is obtained from industrial by-products, can be an effective HESA.
FullSSR: Microsatellite Finder and Primer Designer
Authors: Metz Sebastián , Cabrera Juan Manuel , Rueda Eva , Giri Federico , Amavet Patricia
Published: June 2016

Microsatellites are genomic sequences comprised of tandem repeats of short nucleotide motifs widely used as molecular markers in population genetics. FullSSR is a new bioinformatic tool for microsatellite (SSR) loci detection and primer design using genomic data from NGS assay. The software was tested with 2000 sequences of Oryza sativa shotgun sequencing project from the National Center of Biotechnology Information Trace Archive and with partial genome sequencing with ROCHE 454® from Caiman latirostris, Salvator merianae, Aegla platensis, and Zilchiopsis collastinensis. FullSSR performance was compared against other similar SSR search programs. The results of the use of this kind of approach depend on the parameters set by the user. In addition, results can be affected by the analyzed sequences because of differences among the genomes. FullSSR simplifies the detection of SSRs and primer design on a big data set. The command line interface of FullSSR was intended to be used as part of genomic analysis tools pipeline; however, it can be used as a stand-alone program because the results are easily interpreted for a nonexpert user.
On Shift-Dependent Cumulative Entropy Measures
Authors: Misagh Farsam
Published: June 2016

Measures of cumulative residual entropy (CRE) and cumulative entropy (CE) about predictability of failure time of a system have been introduced in the studies of reliability and life testing. In this paper, cumulative distribution and survival function are used to develop weighted forms of CRE and CE. These new measures are denominated as weighted cumulative residual entropy (WCRE) and weighted cumulative entropy (WCE) and the connections of these new measures with hazard and reversed hazard rates are assessed. These information-theoretic uncertainty measures are shift-dependent and various properties of these measures are studied, including their connections with CRE, CE, mean residual lifetime, and mean inactivity time. The notions of weighted mean residual lifetime (WMRL) and weighted mean inactivity time (WMIT) are defined. The connections of weighted cumulative uncertainties with WMRL and WMIT are used to calculate the cumulative entropies of some well-known distributions. The joint versions of WCE and WCRE are defined which have the additive properties similar to those of Shannon entropy for two independent random lifetimes. The upper boundaries of newly introduced measures and the effect of linear transformations on them are considered. Finally, empirical WCRE and WCE are proposed by virtue of sample mean, sample variance, and order statistics to estimate the new measures of uncertainty. The consistency of these estimators is studied under specific choices of distributions.
The Effect of Photoluminescence of Bioceramic Irradiation on Middle Cerebral Arterial Occlusion in Rats
Authors: Zhang Lei , Chan Paul , Liu Zhong-Min , Hwang Ling-Ling , Lin Kuo-Chi , Chan Wing P. , Leung Ting-Kai , Choy Cheuk Sing
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this study is to determine the possible effect of photoluminescence of bioceramic (PLB) on ischemic cerebral infarction (stroke), by using an animal model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Sprague‐Dawley rats were used to induce MCAO to block the origin of the left MCAO; three months later, the positive chronic stroke rats were selected by running tunnel maze; the MCAO rats with significant chronic stroke and neurological defects were used for treadmill experiments with varying speed settings to test their capability for restoration after muscular fatigue under conditions of with and without PLB irradiation. As a result, PLB irradiation could improve exercise completion rate and average running speed during slow and fast treadmill settings. After PLB irradiation, the selected MCAO rats successfully completed all the second‐round treadmill exercises at the maximum speed setting, and they had better restoration from muscular fatigue. An in vitro cell study on astrocytes of rats by bioceramic irradiation further demonstrated increased intracellular nitric oxide. To explain these results, we suggest that cortical brain stimulation of microcirculation and enhancement of peripheral muscular activity are the main causes of the improved exercise performance in MCAO rats by PLB.
The Effect of Short Duration Electric Current on the Quasi-Static Tensile Behavior of Magnesium AZ31 Alloy
Authors: Nguyen Trung Thien , Nguyen Thai Vinh , Hong Sung-Tae , Kim Moon-Jo , Han Heung Nam , Morestin Fabrice
Published: June 2016

The effect of a single pulse of electric current with short duration on the quasi-static tensile behavior of a magnesium AZ31 alloy is experimentally investigated. A single pulse of electric current with duration less than 1 second is applied to the specimen, while the specimen is being deformed in the plastic region under quasi-static tensile loads. After a nearly instant decrease of flow stress at the pulse of electric current, the flow stress shows strain hardening until the failure of the specimen. The experimental result shows that the strain-hardening parameters (the strength coefficient and the strain-hardening exponent) of the hardening curve after the electric current strongly depend on the applied electric energy density (electric energy per unit volume). Empirical expressions are suggested to describe the hardening behavior after the pulse as a function of the electric energy density and are compared with the empirical expressions suggested for advanced high-strength steels.
Portuguese Adaptation of a Faux Pas Test and a Theory of Mind Picture Stories Task
Authors: Faísca Luís , Afonseca Sofia , Brüne Martin , Gonçalves Gabriela , Gomes Alexandra , Martins Ana Teresa
Published: June 2016

Background: Developmental concepts of ‘Theory of Mind' (ToM) suggest that this cognitive domain is an innate human capacity requiring input from the social environment to mature. Research suggests substantial individual differences in ToM, depending on childhood experiences, genetics, and the presence or absence of a neuropsychiatric disorder. None of the existing ToM tests for adult populations have been made available in Portuguese. Accordingly, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Portuguese versions of the Faux Pas (FP) Recognition Test and the ToM Picture Stories Task. Sampling and Methods: Both tests were given to a sample of 200 Portuguese adults (125 women and 75 men) aged between 18 and 60 years. Results and Conclusions: The psychometric analyses of the results indicate that the Portuguese version of the FP Recognition Test is appropriate for use in research and clinical settings, providing a composite score that reliably measures the ability to infer the thoughts and feelings of others in a ‘faux pas' situation (Cronbach's α = 0.82). However, the ToM Picture Stories Task did not show acceptable psychometric qualities.
Differential CTX-M Expression from a Conserved Promoter: Role of Promoter-Associated Spacer Sequences Downstream of the blaCTX-M Regulon
Authors: Liu Lin , Zhang Xiangyan , Yang Siyuan , Zhai Yao , Liu Weijia , Wang Xiaorong , Zhang Zhao , Gao Zhancheng
Published: June 2016

Aims: The aim of this project was to explore the different CTX-M expression levels occurring from a single conserved promoter with different spacer sequences, the variation of which is hypothesized to be a key factor in fluctuating levels of CTX-M. Methods: The blaCTX-M promoter fragments with five different spacer sequences were amplified, sequenced and cloned into the pUA66 expression vector carrying the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene. The expression of blaCTX-M in the transconjugants was analyzed using fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry and qRT-PCR. Results: The promoters of all the blaCTX-M genes were provided by ISEcp1 and were extremely conserved. The promoter-associated spacer sequences varied from 42 to 127 bp and variations in GFP expression in the five transconjugants were observed. A nucleic acid deletion and point mutation were detected in the spacer sequences by variations in which the expression of blaCTX-M was influenced. Conclusion: The different spacer sequences have a significant impact on the activity of the conserved promoter. The shorter spacer sequence between the conserved promoter and the blaCTX-M gene does not specifically enhance the expression of blaCTX-M, contrary to previous reports. The expression of blaCTX-M may be regulated by changes in promoter activity caused by diverse spacer sequences.
Back to Basics: Is There a Good Reason to Not Systematically Measure Urine Creatinine in Acute Kidney Injury Monitoring?
Authors: Maciel Alexandre Toledo ,   on behalf of the Imed Research Group of Investigators
Published: June 2016

Regardless of the recent advancements in the understanding of the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury (AKI), its diagnosis remains fundamentally dependent on the serum creatinine (sCr) level and urine output (UO), both of which are considered late markers of AKI, offering only a vague idea of the actual creatinine clearance (CrCl). Although not ideal, CrCl is still the most common alternative of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in clinical practice. It is generally accepted that early diagnosis of AKI must reveal kidney impairment before sCr increases. Much effort has been made to find tubular and glomerular markers of injury which increase (in blood and/or in urine) before the ‘official' diagnosis of AKI. Most of these markers are expensive and not widely available, especially in developing countries. Urine creatinine (CrU), the major link between sCr and UO, has been systematically ignored and clinicians are usually unaware of its value. The reasons for this are unclear, but it may be related to the lack of a reference range, dependence of its concentration value on the urine flow (which in turn is only adequately assessed with an indwelling urinary catheter) and the clinical unavailability of its counterbalance part - creatinine production. Changes in urine tend to precede changes in blood in the course of AKI development and recovery. Hence, it is important to bear in mind that changes in sCr signal renal dysfunction with a significant delay. The search for a more dynamic, ‘real-time' but pragmatic assessment of renal function, especially in patients at risk of abrupt decrease in GFR is certainly one of the most relevant focus of research in the field of AKI monitoring. Systematic CrU assessment may be highly relevant in this case.
RFID Personnel Control System That Can Be Managed Via 4.5G
Authors: ÇAKIR Abdülkadir , KAYGISIZ Halil
Published: June 2016

The current study aimed to reveal that personnel control by the employer should be conducted using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in an easier and more modular way. The most important feature differentiating the RFID from the existing technologies is that it works wirelessly. The hardware used in the study can be managed via Ethernet port. In this study, it is ensured that data be transmitted via Internet by using a mobile cellular communication system. The control of the set up system can be conducted wirelessly via any environment in which an Internet connection can be established. Thanks to the created system, information about arrival and departure dates of the places to where the mobile personnel should go can be monitored 24/7 from anywhere that has internet connection. As a result of the tests and applications that have been conducted, it has been seen that the data could not be transmitted in a radio-frequency environment because of the error caused by the RFID tag. As a result of the calculations made after the application, it has been put forward that the error margin is 7±1%.
A Power Efficient Trust Based SecureRouting Scheme for Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks
Authors: Rathnamma M V , Chenna Reddy P.
Published: June 2016

MANETs are self-organizing, infrastructure less ad-hoc networks with many challenges like low power, limited storage and limited processing devices. Among all the parameters that affect the network efficiency accuracy, scalability, and power consumption are main challenges in the routing of Mobile ad-hoc networks. The network lifetime is dependent on the power efficiency of the nodes in the network. The protocols have to provide the energy efficient route through intermediate nodes in the network. The trust based routing approach is one of the best mechanisms to establish an energy efficient route between source and destination. In this paper we first propose the family relationship based trust model and then propose a new energy efficient trust based routing protocol to reduce the routing overhead, delay and provides better packet delivery ratio that performs better than the existing routing protocols.
Routh Approximation: An Approach of Model Order Reduction in SISO and MIMO Systems
Authors: Sambariya D. K. , Sharma Omveer
Published: June 2016

In this paper the Routh Approximation method is explored for getting the reduced order model of a higher order model. The reduced order modeling of a large system is necessary to ease the analysis of the system. The approach is examined and compared to single-input single-output (SISO) and multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. The response comparison is considered in terms of step response parameters and graphical comparisons. It is reported that the reduced order model using proposed Routh Approximation (RA) method is almost similar in behavior to that of with original systems.
Analysis of Distributed Power Flow Controller in Power System Network for Improving Power Flow Control
Authors: Saini Kuldeep , Saxena Aakash , Farooqi M.R.
Published: June 2016

In this paper, a new power flow controlling device called Distributed Power Flow Controller (DPFC) is presented that offers the same control capability as the unified power-flow controller (UPFC) but with much lower cost and high reliability. The DPFC eliminates the common DC link within the UPFC, to enable the independent operation of the shunt and the series converter. The D-FACTS concept is employed to the series converter to increase the reliability. Multiple low-rating single-phase converters replace the high-rating three-phase series converter, which significantly reduces the cost and increases the reliability. The active power that is exchanged through the common DC link in the UPFC is now transferred through the transmission line at the 3rd harmonic frequency. The DPFC is modeled in a rotating dq-frame. The modeling and analysis of DPFC in a two area two bus interconnected system is done in MATLAB/Simulink environment and comparison between the DPFC and UPFC considering the power flow and cost are also shown.

 
Design of Robust UPFC Based Damping Controller Using Biogeography Based Optimization
Authors: Al-Mawsawi S.Ali Abbas , Haider Anwer , Al-gallaf S.Ahmed
Published: June 2016

In this paper a new optimization algorithm, the biogeography based optimization (BBO) is employed to design a robust power oscillation damping (POD) controller using unified power flow controller (UPFC). The controller that is used to damp low frequency oscillation is designed over a wide range of operating points using two different objective functions. The obtained controllers are then verified through time-domain simulation over different loading conditions with different system uncertainties introduced.
A Review on Back-to-Back Converters in Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator based Wind Energy Conversion System
Authors: Senthilnathan Karthikrajan , Annapoorani K. Iyswarya
Published: June 2016

This paper presents a review on the application of back-to-back converters in the field of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (PMSG) based Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). The wide applications of the back-to-back converters are power conditioning devices, micro grid, High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC), Renewable energy systems. The intention is to present an overview about the design considerations taken by various researchers in back-to-back converters in the field of Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS) and recent developments on it. Generally the configuration of back-to-back converters used are 12 pulse Voltage Source Converters (VSC), 12 pulse Current Source Converter (CSC), 9 Pulse Voltage Source Converter.
Estradiol-17β altera expressão proteica endometrial em fêmeas bovinas tratadas no 17º dia do ciclo estral
Authors: Alves Junior Sérgio Silva , Castro Fernanda Cavallari de , Soares Natália , Pereira Flávia Thomaz Verechia , Balieiro Júlio Cesar de Carvalho , Munin Flávia Simone , Cesar Marcelo De Cerqueira , Binelli Mario , Membrive Claudia Maria Bertan
Published: June 2016

Em fêmeas bovinas, a liberação de prostaglandina F2α (PGF2α) é induzida in vivo pelo estradiol (E2). Acredita-se que o E2 estimule a síntese de proteínas essenciais na produção de PGF2α. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito do E2 no incremento da concentração de proteínas totais e na modificação da composição proteica em explantes endometriais de fêmeas bovinas tratadas com E2 no 17º dia do ciclo estral. Novilhas cruzadas foram tratadas no 17º dia do ciclo estral, via intravenosa, com 0 mg (Grupo Controle; n = 6) ou 3 mg de E2 (Grupo E2; n = 6) e abatidas duas horas após. Explantes endometriais foram isolados, submetidos à extração de proteínas totais, quantificados e avaliados por Eletroforese Unidimensional em gel de poliacrilamida 10% SDS-PAGE. A concentração de proteínas totais não diferiu entre os grupos, 6296,10 + 439,90 µg/mL para o Grupo Controle e 8426,56 + 1156,00 µg/mL para o Grupo E2 (p = 0,1158). Não houve diferença significativa (p > 0,05) no perfil proteico dos explantes endometriais em géis corados com Coomasie Blue. Em géis corados com Nitrato de Prata verificou-se no Grupo E2 maior porcentagem relativa das bandas referentes ao peso molecular de 75 a 76 kDa (8,40% vs. 4,89%; no Grupo E2 e Controle respectivamente; p < 0,05) e 108 a 110 kDa (6,85% vs. 3,84%; no Grupo E2 e Controle respectivamente; p < 0,05). Observou-se no Grupo E2 menor porcentagem relativa da banda referente ao peso molecular de 90 kDa (5,78% vs. 9,83%; no Grupo E2 e Controle respectivamente; p < 0,05). Conclui-se que o E2 não incrementa a concentração de proteínas no endométrio, entretanto, altera a composição proteica nos explantes endometriais, indicando que o E2 altera a expressão de proteínas específicas.
Desenvolvimento in vitro de embriões bovinos cultivados sob diferentes concentrações de soro fetal bovino e tipos celulares
Authors: Tavares Lilian Mara Trevisan , Feitosa Weber Beringui , Oliveira Viviani Purri de , Nichi Marcilio , Assumpção Mayra Elena Ortiz D'Ávila , Visintin José Antonio
Published: June 2016

O presente trabalho foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o desenvolvimento in vitro de embriões bovinos co-cultivados em células da granulosa, do oviduto, BRL e VERO, suplementados com 5% ou 10% de Soro Fetal Bovino (SFB). Os complexos cummulus oócitos foram aspirados, maturados e fecundados in vitro. As estruturas embrionárias foram divididas em oito tratamentos: co-cultivo em TCM 199 contendo células da granulosa, do oviduto, BRL ou VERO adicionadas com 5% ou 10% de SFB. As condições de cultivo foram 38.5 ºC, 5% CO2 em ar e alta humidade por dez dias consecutivos. Os índices de clivagem, blastocisto e eclosão não diferiram (p > 0,05) no co-cultivo com células primárias (granulosa e oviduto) quando a concentração de SFB aumentou de 5 para 10%. Entretanto, no co-cultivo com células de linhagens contínuas (BRL e VERO), quando a concentração de SFB aumentou de 5% para 10%, os índices de blastocistos diminuíram significativamente (p < 0,05) de 33,6 para 16,3 % e de 40 para 16,5% nos embriões bovinos co-cultivados com células VERO e BRL, respectivamente.
Bactérias entéricas presentes em amostras de água e camarão marinho Litopenaeus vannamei oriundos de fazendas de cultivo no Estado do Ceará, Brasil
Authors: Parente Lucélia Sabóia , Costa Renata Albuquerque , Vieira Gustavo Hitzschky Fernandes , Reis Eliane Moura Falavina dos , Hofer Ernesto , Fonteles Antonio Adauto , Vieira Regine Helena Silva dos Fernandes
Published: June 2016

Foram realizados a quantificação de coliformes totais (CT) e termotolerantes (CTT), isolamento e identificação de coliformes, e pesquisa de Salmonella em 28 amostras de água e 28 de camarão da espécie Litopenaeus vannamei, oriundas de duas fazendas de cultivo localizadas no Estado do Ceará, Brasil. Nenhuma amostra de água apresentou índice de CTT acima do limite de 2.500/100 mL preconizado pela legislação para águas salobras destinadas ao cultivo de organismos para fins de consumo. O Número Mais Provável (NMP/g) de CTT das amostras de camarão variou de <3 a 2,9 x 10(4). A maior frequência de isolamento de coliformes nas amostras de água e camarão foi a da espécie Escherichia coli. Em apenas três (5,35%), das 56 amostras analisadas, foi detectada a presença de Salmonella sorovar Newport e S. Saintpaul. Apesar do baixo índice de CTT e da baixa incidência de salmonela, a presença dessas bactérias entéricas em ambientes de cultivo de peneídeos é preocupante, uma vez que podem provocar infecções em humanos.
Análise quantitativa da adesão de Campylobacter fetus venerealis em culturas de células do aparelho reprodutor bovino
Authors: Chiapparrone María Laura , Morán Pedro Edgardo , Pasucci Juan Antonio , Echevarría Hilda María , Monteavaro Cristina , Soto Pedro , Rodríguez Edgardo , Catena María Del Carmen
Published: June 2016

Campylobacter fetus é o agente etiológico da campilobacteriose genital bovina, uma doença sexualmente transmissível que está associada com perdas reprodutivas em bovinos. Campylobacter coloniza a vagina e o útero e então infecta as células epiteliais do endométrio. O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver um modelo ex vivo para quantificar a adesão de Campylobacter às células-alvo naturais específicas; este é um passo fundamental para o estabelecimento da infecção e estudos acerca da adesão e citotoxicidade sobre as células do hospedeiro natural não estão disponíveis. Os ensaios foram realizados a través da semeadura de Campylobacter fetus venerealis em culturas celulares epiteliais vaginais e uterinas.Células HeLa foram utilizadas como controle.A aderência bacteriana foi confirmada por microscopia óptica e a determinação da porcentagem de bactérias aderidas foi realizada em lâminas tingidas imunoquimicamente. Os resultados são apresentados como porcentagem de células com Campylobacter aderente e como o número de bactérias por células. Em comparação com as células HeLa controle, a análise estatística revelou que as culturas primárias mostram uma maior porcentagem de células infectadas e uma menor variação dos parâmetros avaliados. Este modelo de cultura primária pode ser útil para estudos sobre citopatogenicidade e adesão de diferentes cepas de campo de Campylobacter fetus.
Efeito de diferentes formas de cultivo na ação do óxido nítrico na maturação e na integridade da membrana plasmática de complexos cumulus-oócito em bovinos
Authors: Viana Kelen Salaroli , Caldas-Bussiere Maria Clara , Carvalho Carla Sobrinho Paes de , Dias Bruna Lomba , Lanes Verônica R. , Quirino Celia Raquel
Published: June 2016

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar se diferentes formas de cultivo interferem no efeito do óxido nítrico (NO) sobre a maturação e a integridade da membrana plasmática do complexo cumulus-oócito de bovinos. Para tanto, realizou-se cultivo em gotas sob óleo mineral ou em placas de quatro poços com a adição de diferentes concentrações de nitroprussiato de sódio (SNP, doador de óxido nítrico). Não foi observada diferença (P > 0,05) entre as formas de cultivo quando se avaliou a integridade de membrana plasmática e a expansão das células do cumulus (CC). Contudo, os oócitos dos grupos controle e os cultivados na presença de 10-3 M de SNP, ambos cultivados em placa, apresentaram maior porcentagem de membrana íntegra do que os mesmos tratamentos cultivados em óleo mineral (P < 0,05). Observou-se que a adição de 10-3 M de SNP diminuiu o grau de expansão das CC e de integridade da membrana plasmática dos oócitos, tanto no cultivo em gota sob óleo quanto em placa, diferindo dos outros grupos (P < 0,05). Semelhante à expansão, a forma de cultivo não interferiu na extrusão do primeiro corpúsculo polar, sendo que a adição de 10-3 M de SNP inibiu a extrusão em ambos os sistemas (P < 0,05). Houve um efeito dose-resposta na concentração de NO no meio de maturação em ambos os tipos de cultivo (P < 0,05), sendo que esta foi maior no meio de cultivo sob óleo, exceção feita quando se adicionou 10-3 M de SNP, tratamento no qual não houve diferença nos tipos de cultivo empregados. Estes dados mostram que o sistema de cultivo não interferiu na ação do NO na maturação in vitro de COC bovinos, mas interfere na integridade da membrana plasmática do oócito.
Ocorrência e fatores de risco associados à leptospirose em cães atendidos em hospital veterinário no semiárido paraibano
Authors: Azevedo Sérgio Santos de , Fernandes Annielle Regina Fonseca , Queiroga Inês Maria Barbosa Nunes , Alves Clebert José , Morais Zenaide Maria de , Santos Carolina De Sousa Américo Batista , Vasconcellos Sílvio Arruda
Published: June 2016

Investigou-se a ocorrência de leptospirose em cães da cidade de Patos, semiárido paraibano, e realizou-se um estudo de fatores de risco associados à infecção. Foram examinadas 152 amostras de soro sanguíneo de cães atendidos em hospital veterinário no período de julho a novembro de 2008. O diagnóstico da leptospirose foi realizado pela técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica, utilizando-se uma coleção de 24 sorovariedades. A frequência de animais soropositivos encontrada foi de 19,73% (IC 95% = 13,73% - 26,96%), e as sorovariedades mais frequentes foram Autumnalis (13,16%) e Grippotyphosa (1,97%). A análise de regressão logística múltipla mostrou que os fatores de risco para a leptospirose foram a não definição da raça (odds ratio = 3,67; P = 0,009) e o contato com caprinos/ovinos (odds ratio = 10; P = 0,034).