bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive management assists reintroduction as higher tides threaten an endangered salt marsh plant
Authors: Noe Gregory B. , Fellows Meghan Q.N. , Parsons Lorraine , West Janelle , Callaway John , Trnka Sally , Wegener Mark , Zedler Joy
Published: February 2019

In theory, extirpated plant species can be reintroduced and managed to restore sustainable populations. However, few reintroduced plants are known to persist for more than a few years. Our adaptive‐management case study illustrates how we restored the endangered hemiparasitic annual plant, Chloropyron maritimum subsp. maritimum (salt marsh bird's beak), to Sweetwater Marsh, San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge, California, United States, and used monitoring and experimentation to identify the factors limiting the reintroduced population. After extirpation in 1988, reintroduction starting that year led to a resilient, genetically diverse population in 2016 (a “boom” of approximately 14,000) that rebounded from a “bust” (62 in 2014). Multiple regressions attributed 82% of the variation in population counts to tidal amplitude, rainfall, and temperature. Populations of salt marsh bird's beak crashed when the diurnal tide range peaked during the 18.6‐year lunar nodal cycle (a rarely considered factor that periodically added approximately 12 cm to tidal ranges). We explain booms as follows: During smaller tidal amplitudes, above‐average rainfall could desalinize upper intertidal soils and stimulate salt marsh bird's beak germination. Then, moderate temperature in May favors growth to reproduction in June. In addition, salt marsh bird's beak needs a short and open canopy of native perennial plants, with roots to parasitize (not non‐native annual grass pseudohosts) and nearby upland soil for a preferred pollinator, ground‐burrowing bees. Although our reintroduced salt marsh bird's beak population is an exceptional case of persistence, this rare species‐specific environmental and biological requirement makes it vulnerable to rising sea levels and global warming.
Recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma‐incorporating advance care planning in education and practice
Authors: Munz Stephanie M. , Helman Joseph I. , Tiner Margaret K. , Hart Anita L.
Published: February 2019

This reflection describes a life‐limiting case of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that required thoughtful management facilitated by an advance care plan (ACP). A 70‐year‐old female was diagnosed with a T4aN2bM0 biopsy‐proven invasive, well‐differentiated keratinizing SCC. Surgical wide‐local excision included teeth #11‐16 with left unilateral neck dissection, levels I‐V. She was rehabilitated with maxillary obturator prosthesis and underwent chemoradiation therapy. Her course was complicated by dysphagia and trismus. She experienced multiple recurrences. At a certain point, negative margins could not be achieved without facial disfigurement. The patient, her husband, and providers decided together that further management would be palliative. Before the additional surgical procedures, she communicated a thorough ACP with her husband and providers who were prepared to facilitate difficult care decisions on her behalf. The patient passed away at home with hospice care at the age of 74. This motivated patient with oral SCC and impactful postmanagement complications appreciated the clarity of an ACP. Her values and goals of care were incorporated with ongoing communication and documentation of this plan, which was instrumental in facilitating her person‐centered care. The providers apply lessons learned here in future practice and education of residents and students.
The production of trans illegality: Cisnormativity in the U.S. immigration system
Authors: Collier Megan , Daniel Meghan
Published: February 2019

Drawing from critical scholarship on immigrant illegality and transgender studies, this paper examines how trans immigrants may be more prone to vulnerabilities in the U.S. immigration system. Cisnormativity, a hierarchical system of power that structures legal, administrative, and policing systems, produces the “hypervisibility” of gender variance. We add to migration scholarship by analyzing how cisnormativity can intersect with the production of immigrant illegalities and can render trans immigrants as hypervisible and, where possible, attend to the ways in which, paradoxically, trans subjectivity is also erased. Trans immigrants can be more susceptible to arrest, criminal prosecution, detention, deportation, blocked paths to citizenship, or adjustment of status. With trans studies' insights on the criminalization of gender variance and administrative documentation, we investigate the particularities of visibility for trans immigrants as they inform legalities and social exclusions. We end with a call for more empirical research on the experiences of trans immigrants and the complex inclusions and exclusions that structure U.S. immigration policy.
Pleasure, power, and pain: A review of the literature on the experiences of BDSM participants
Authors: Simula Brandy L.
Published: February 2019

Since the explosion of social scientific and sociological research on BDSM in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the field has grown exponentially. In this review, I identify three particularly fruitful recent lines of research in sociological and related approaches to BDSM. First, I discuss work that critically analyzes the meaning(s) of BDSM for participants and the role of debates about the sexual and the erotic in relation to BDSM. Second, I discuss work on BDSM identities, including scholarship that examines BDSM identities in relation to other identities. Here, I also discuss emerging lines of scholarship that focus on the ways in which privileges (particularly race/ethnicity and class) shape identification with and access to BDSM communities. Third, I discuss work on BDSM communities, examining the ways that community organization shapes BDSM experiences. I conclude with suggestions for future research in the field including deepening and broadening intersectional analyses of BDSM experiences, exploring specialized roles and identities that exist within the broader BDSM umbrella, and investigating similarities and differences between those who participate in BDSM on a time‐limited basis versus those for whom BDSM is an ongoing, continual core aspect of identity.
Strain and stress mapping by mechanochemical activation of spiropyran in poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Celestine Asha‐Dee N. , Sottos Nancy R. , White Scott R.
Published: February 2019

The relationship between fracture‐induced mechanophore activation and the strain and stress ahead of a propagating crack in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is studied. The mechanophore spiropyran is used as a secondary cross‐linker in rubber toughened PMMA, and the spiropyran‐linked material is subjected to fracture testing. Mechanophore activation is detected and analysed by fluorescence imaging. Digital image correlation is used to measure the strain field ahead of the crack tip, whereas the corresponding stress field is calculated using the Hutchinson–Rice–Rosengren singularity field equations. Mechanophore activation follows a power law dependence on distance from the crack tip and provides both a qualitative and quantitative measure of the strain and stress fields ahead of the crack.
Pharmacy educator evaluation of web‐based learning
Authors: Isaacs Alex N , Walton Alison M , Gonzalvo Jasmine D , Howard Meredith L , Nisly Sarah A
Published: February 2019

Background

Web‐based learning (WBL), instruction facilitated through the Internet, has demonstrated utility in classroom and clinical education settings; however, there is a void of literature about the use of WBL by clinical educators within pharmacy. The purpose of this research is to evaluate a WBL initiative within clinical pharmacy education.

Methods

Based on the results of a pilot survey, 10 asynchronous WBL clinical modules (videos and interactive patient cases) were developed for pharmacy educators and students in clinical education affiliated with two schools of pharmacy in the midwest USA. A 21‐item, cross‐sectional, electronic survey was administered to pharmacy educators within acute and primary care to assess the use of WBL within clinical pharmacy education.

Results

Of the 115 eligible clinical educators, 69 participated in the survey (60% response rate), with the majority working within acute care; 38% of educators encouraged the use of WBL. Respondents not using WBL stated a lack of awareness (48%) or existing student time commitments (33%) as reasons. For educators encouraging WBL, 87% agreed that it enhanced student clinical knowledge, 68% stated that it decreased direct instruction time commitments and 100% stated they would encourage its use for future clinical education.

Conclusions

Clinical pharmacy educators reported that the WBL initiative resulted in a perceived stronger student clinical foundation, and all pharmacy educators using WBL encouraged its continued use for future clinical education. Web‐based learning provides clinical educators with a learning tool to augment clinical experiences by reinforcing student knowledge, at the same time minimising direct instruction time.
Early ovarian ageing
Authors: Maclaran Kate , Nikolaou Dimitrios
Published: February 2019

Key content

Early ovarian ageing (EOA) affects around 10% of women.

Women with early ovarian ageing are frequently asymptomatic with normal fertility; however, continuing follicular loss will result in loss of fertility, menstrual irregularity and, finally, early menopause.

As women increasingly delay childbirth, the physical, psychological and financial impact of EOA is escalating.

Long‐term health effects include early menopause and increased cardiovascular risk.

Improvements in the success of oocyte freezing have provided a treatment option when EOA is identified early.

Learning objectives

To understand the prevalence and pathophysiology of EOA.

To appreciate the effects of EOA on fertility, miscarriage risk and long‐term health.

To be able to counsel women presenting with EOA regarding their fertility options.

Ethical issues

Should women be screened for EOA?

What is the efficacy of egg freezing for fertility preservation?
Multifaceted activity of cytokinin in leaf development shapes its size and structure in Arabidopsis
Authors: Skalák Jan , Vercruyssen Liesbeth , Claeys Hannes , Hradilová Jana , Černý Martin , Novák Ondřej , Plačková Lenka , Saiz‐Fernández Iñigo , Skaláková Patricie , Coppens Frederik , Dhondt Stijn , Koukalová Šárka , Zouhar Jan , Inzé Dirk , Brzobohatý Břetislav
Published: February 2019

The phytohormone cytokinin has been shown to affect many aspects of plant development ranging from the regulation of the shoot apical meristem to leaf senescence. However, some studies have reported contradictory effects of cytokinin on leaf physiology. Therefore cytokinin treatments cause both chlorosis and increased greening and both lead to decrease or increase in cell size. To elucidate this multifaceted role of cytokinin in leaf development, we have employed a system of temporal controls over the cytokinin pool and investigated the consequences of modulated cytokinin levels in the third leaf of Arabidopsis. We show that, at the cell proliferation phase, cytokinin is needed to maintain cell proliferation by blocking the transition to cell expansion and the onset of photosynthesis. Transcriptome profiling revealed regulation by cytokinin of a gene suite previously shown to affect cell proliferation and expansion and thereby a molecular mechanism by which cytokinin modulates a molecular network underlying the cellular responses. During the cell expansion phase, cytokinin stimulates cell expansion and differentiation. Consequently, a cytokinin excess at the cell expansion phase results in an increased leaf and rosette size fueled by higher cell expansion rate, yielding higher shoot biomass. Proteome profiling revealed the stimulation of primary metabolism by cytokinin, in line with an increased sugar content that is expected to increase turgor pressure, representing the driving force of cell expansion. Therefore, the developmental timing of cytokinin content fluctuations, together with a tight control of primary metabolism, is a key factor mediating transitions from cell proliferation to cell expansion in leaves.
Automatic depletion with Spectra Optia allows a safe 16% reduction of red blood cell pack consumption in exchanged sickle cell anemia patients
Authors: Hequet O. , Poutrel S. , Connes P. , Revesz D. , Chelghoum Y. , Kebaili K. , Cannas G. , Gauthier A. , Guironnet‐Paquet A. , Vocanson M. , Nicolas J.F. , Renoux C. , Raba M. , Cognasse F. , Bertrand Y. , Hot A. , Joly P.
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

Chronic red blood cell exchanges (RBCXs) are frequently used to prevent complications in patients with sickle cell anemia, but the scarcity of matched red blood cell packs (RBCPs) is a serious concern. The main goal of this study was to compare the number of RBCPs used during RBCXs between the Spectra Optia (SO) device (with the automatic depletion step) and the former Cobe Spectra (CSP) device.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The performances and safety of 300 SO sessions using the automatic depletion step (SO/DE) in 50 patients with sickle cell anemia under a chronic transfusion program over a 1‐year period were prospectively analyzed. The numbers of RBCPs saved using this protocol compared to the SO device without depletion and to the CSP device were determined.

RESULTS

The SO/DE protocol appeared to be safe, as only 5% and 17% of the sessions were characterized by a significant decrease in blood pressure and increase in heart rate (grade 2 adverse events), respectively. Postapheresis hematocrit and fraction of cells remaining reached expected values. The SO/DE protocol required 16% fewer RBCPs compared to SO without depletion, allowing a mean saving of 12 RBCPs per patient and per year and 13% fewer compared to CSP device. Interestingly, the saving was more important for patients with high total blood volume and/or high preapheresis hematocrit.

CONCLUSION

The SO/DE protocol is an efficient, safe and cost‐effective procedure for patients with sickle cell anemia under a chronic transfusion program.
Courtroom Questioning Adapted to Institutional Power
Authors: Hu Haijuan
Published: February 2019

This paper focuses on analyzing courtroom questioning as a dynamic process of adaptation to the institutional power by recourse to intimidation and topic management. Institutional power is the important factor which motivates the questioners’ linguistic choice. By adapting their questioning to the institutional power, questioners can succeed in bringing the defendant, especially the hardened criminals, under their control so that their authority as institutional representatives will be maintained, which is essential to ensure the solemnity and effectiveness of courtroom trial.
A Decade of Development-led Archaeology in Bulgaria
Authors: Vagalinski Lyudmil
Published: February 2019

A new Law of Heritage of Culture was introduced in Bulgaria in 2009. This short articles examines the juridical and practical effects of its implementation regarding preventive archaeology in the country.
A Citizen's View on Public Archaeology and Heritage in Austria
Authors: Peter Sigrid
Published: February 2019

In this article, I describe the current opportunities for citizen participation in archaeology and heritage in Austria. I introduce some associations and organisations that carry out archaeological projects with citizen participation then discuss the Austrian monument protection law and explain why it is difficult even with political consent to start such initiatives. I move on to explain who should still benefit from archaeology and monument preservation and what is the best way of dealing with the public. Finally, I introduce a new entity called 'bridge builders', which aims to reduce the barrier between science and the public, while at the same time promoting cooperation.
Numerical Predictions of Three-Dimensional Unsteady Turbulent Film-Cooling for Trailing Edge of Gas-Turbine Blade Using Large Eddy Simulation
Authors: Khalil Ahmed , Kayed Hatem , Hanafi Abdallah , Nemitallah Medhat , Habib Mohamed
Published: February 2019

This work investigates the performance of film-cooling on trailing edge of gas turbine blades using unsteady three-dimensional numerical model adopting large eddy simulation (LES) turbulence scheme in a low Mach number flow regime. This study is concerned with the scaling parameters affecting effectiveness and heat transfer performance on the trailing edge, as a critical design parameter, of gas turbine blades. Simulations were performed using ANSYS-fluentworkbench 17.2. High quality mesh was adapted, whereas the size of cells adjacent to the wall was optimized carefully to sufficiently resolve the boundary layer to obtain insight predictions of the film-cooling effectiveness on a flat plate downstream the slot opening. Blowing ratio, density ratio, Reynolds number, and the turbulence intensity of the mainstream and coolant flow are optimally examined against the film-cooling effectiveness. The predicted results showed a great agreement when compared with the experiments. The results show a distinctive behavior of the cooling effectiveness with blowing ratio variation as it has a dip in vicinity of unity which is explained by the behavior of the vortex entrainment and momentum of coolant flow. The negative effect of the turbulence intensity on the cooling effectiveness is demonstrated as well.
Physicochemical Properties of Fuel Blends Composed of Heavy Fuel Oil and Tire-Derived Pyrolytic Oils
Authors: Borówka Grzegorz , Bytnar Krzysztof , Krzak Mateusz , Walendziewski Jerzy , Zmuda Wieslaw A.
Published: February 2019

The paper presents physicochemical properties of pyrolysis oil (PO) blends obtained from pyrolysis of rubber and spent tires mixed with selected heavy fuel oil (HFO) and the effect of PO properties on physicochemical properties of the final heavy heating oil. On the basis of physicochemical properties determinations, one sample of PO was selected, which was characterized by the best properties from the point of view of technological application. In the next step, physicochemical properties for the selected sample of heavy heating fuel oil consisting of 25% PO and 75% HFO were determined. It was found that the most important property of tire-derived PO is the content of gasoline, i.e., light hydrocarbons with a boiling point below 180 °C, which determine the ignition temperature of the obtained fuel blends. This property determines also the amount of PO that can be added to HFO, on the order of 30 wt % and more. The lower content of light hydrocarbons, the greater the amount of PO can be used to compose HFO. A positive aspect of the use of tire derive PO for the composing of heavy heating fuel is about a threefold decrease in kinematic viscosity, lowering the flow temperature and a significant reduction in ash content. Other properties of the modified HFO remained virtually unchanged and the fuel obtained as a result of blending meets the requirements of the relevant standard.
Improving the Energy Conversion Efficiency of a Savonius Rotor Using Automatic Valves
Authors: Amiri M. , Anbarsooz M.
Published: February 2019

Savonius wind turbines are popular for their easy fabrication and high starting capabilities. Nevertheless, they suffer from low power coefficients, which are mainly due to a negative torque resulting from the blade moving against the upcoming wind. Numerous methods have been proposed to alleviate the negative torque, among them are modified blade profiles (twisted blades), adding flow deflectors, and valve-aided blades. In this study, the effects of adding automatic valves to a two-bladed Savonius rotor on its energy conversion efficiency are investigated numerically and experimentally. The valves are placed at three different positions: close to the rotor axis, at the blade center, and at the tip of the rotor. Results show that although adding valves can decrease the negative torque of the returning blade, they can also lead to a considerable reduction in the positive torque of the advancing blade. For the rotors in the current study, the maximum power coefficient is increased 20.8% when the valves are at the tip of the blades, while the two other cases have decreased the power coefficient of the rotor. Adding the valves to the blades does not change the tip speed ratio corresponding to the maximum power coefficient of the rotor.
Inclusive Decision Making for Falls Prevention: A Discussion Tool for Use With People With Dementia and Their Caregivers
Authors: Meyer Claudia , Hill Sophie , Hill Keith D. , Dow Briony
Published: February 2019

Provision of choice and participation in falls prevention strategies is challenging for people with dementia. This study outlines development of a discussion tool to aid engagement of people with dementia and their caregivers in falls prevention strategies. The tool is based on a literature review of falls prevention and dementia care (1990–2016) and decision aid principles and was trialed over 6 months. A total of 25 community-dwelling people with dementia (Mage = 80 years, SD = 7.7, 52% male) and their caregivers (Mage = 73 years, SD = 12.3, 36% male) underwent falls risk assessment and evaluation of their preparedness to change falls risk behaviors. Most commonly rated, and prioritized for intervention, high falls risk factors were impaired balance/mobility (92%), polypharmacy (60%), and incontinence (56%). This discussion tool facilitated collaboration between people with dementia, their caregivers, and health professionals, to increase uptake of acceptable and feasible evidence-based falls prevention strategies.
Current Concepts in Healthy Aging and Physical Activity: A Viewpoint
Authors: El Hajj Boutros Guy , Morais José A. , Karelis Antony D.
Published: February 2019

Physical activity plays an important role for achieving healthy aging by promoting independence and increasing the quality of life. However, current guidelines for physical activity in older adults may be difficult to achieve in an older population. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest that increasing exercise intensity in older adults may be associated with greater reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Therefore, the idea prescribing high-intensity exercise protocols such as high-intensity interval training and high-intensity resistance training becomes an intriguing strategy for healthy aging. Collectively, the literature review in this viewpoint will briefly focus on summarizing alternative/novel time-efficient approaches in physical activity toward healthy aging. Our goal is to hopefully open a discussion on possibly revising the current physical activity guidelines in older adults.
Effects of Tai Chi on Cerebral Hemodynamics and Health-Related Outcomes in Older Community Adults at Risk of Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zheng Guohua , Zheng Xin , Li Junzhe , Duan Tingjin , Ling Kun , Tao Jing , Chen Lidian
Published: February 2019

This study investigated the effects of Tai Chi compared with no exercise control on the cerebral hemodynamic parameters and other health-related factors in community older adults at risk of ischemic stroke. A total of 170 eligible participants were randomly allocated to Tai Chi or control group. The cerebral hemodynamic parameters and physical fitness risk factors of cardiovascular disease were measured at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. After the 12-week intervention, Tai Chi significantly improved the minimum of blood flow velocity (BFVmin); BFVmean; pulsatility index and resistance index of the right anterior cerebral artery; and BFVmax, BFVmin, and BFVmean parameters of the right middle cerebral artery. Tai Chi training also decreased triglyceride, fasting blood glucose, and homocysteine levels, and improved balance ability. Therefore, the supervised 12-week Tai Chi exercise had potential beneficial effects on cerebral hemodynamics, plasma risk factors, and balance ability in older community adults at risk of ischemic stroke.
The Epidemiology and Management of Exertional Heat Illnesses in High School Sports During the 2012/2013–2016/2017 Academic Years
Authors: Kerr Zachary Y. , Yeargin Susan W. , Hosokawa Yuri , Hirschhorn Rebecca M. , Pierpoint Lauren A. , Casa Douglas J.
Published: February 2019

Context: Recent data on exertional heat illness (EHI) in high school sports are limited yet warranted to identify specific settings with the highest risk of EHI. Objective: To describe the epidemiology of EHI in high school sports during the 2012/2013–2016/2017 academic years. Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting: Aggregate injury and exposure data collected from athletic trainers working in high school sports in the United States. Patients or Other Participants: High school athletes during the 2012/2013–2016/2017 academic years. Intervention: High School Reporting Information Online surveillance system data from the 2012/2013–2016/2017 academic years were analyzed. Main Outcome Measures: EHI counts, rates per 10,000 athlete exposures (AEs), and distributions were examined by sport, event type, and US census region. EHI management strategies provided by athletic trainers were analyzed. Injury rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) compared EHI rates. Results: Overall, 300 EHIs were reported for an overall rate of 0.13/10,000 AE (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.14). Of these, 44.3% occurred in American football preseason practices; 20.7% occurred in American football preseason practices with a registered air temperature ≥90°F and ≥1 hour into practice. The EHI rate was higher in American football than all other sports (0.52 vs 0.04/10,000 AE; injury rate ratio = 11.87; 95% CI, 9.22 to 15.27). However, girls’ cross-country had the highest competition EHI rate (1.18/10,000 AE). The EHI rate was higher in the South US census region than all other US census regions (0.23 vs 0.08/10,000 AE; injury rate ratio = 2.96; 95% CI, 2.35 to 3.74). Common EHI management strategies included having medical staff on-site at the onset of EHI (92.7%), removing athlete from play (85.0%), and giving athlete fluids via the mouth (77.7%). Conclusions: American football continues to have the highest overall EHI rate although the high competition EHI rate in girls’ cross-country merits additional examination. Regional differences in EHI incidence, coupled with sport-specific variations in management, may highlight the need for region- and sport-specific EHI prevention guidelines.
Guidelines for the Selection of Physical Literacy Measures in Physical Education in Australia
Authors: Barnett Lisa M. , Dudley Dean A. , Telford Richard D. , Lubans David R. , Bryant Anna S. , Roberts William M. , Morgan Philip J. , Schranz Natasha K. , Weissensteiner Juanita R. , Vella Stewart A. , Salmon Jo , Ziviani Jenny , Okely Anthony D. , Wainwright Nalda , Evans John R. , Keegan Richard J.
Published: February 2019

Assessment of physical literacy poses a dilemma of what instrument to use. There is currently no guide regarding the suitability of common assessment approaches. The purpose of this brief communication is to provide a user’s guide for selecting physical literacy assessment instruments appropriate for use in school physical education and sport settings. Although recommendations regarding specific instruments are not provided, the guide offers information about key attributes and considerations for the use. A decision flow chart has been developed to assist teachers and affiliated school practitioners to select appropriate methods of assessing physical literacy. School physical education and sport scenarios are presented to illustrate this process. It is important that practitioners are empowered to select the most appropriate instrument/s to suit their needs.
A Professional Development Program to Enhance Primary School Teachers’ Knowledge and Operationalization of Physical Literacy
Authors: Edwards Lowri C. , Bryant Anna S. , Morgan Kevin , Cooper Stephen-Mark , Jones Anwen M. , Keegan Richard J.
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Despite increases in research and implementation, physical literacy continues to be largely misinterpreted by practitioners. The purpose of this study was to devise, implement, and evaluate a professional development program that works in a primary school environment to enhance their knowledge and operationalization of physical literacy.Methods: Following a 3-month needs assessment phase, data were collected from structured observations, reflections, and semistructured interviews with the teachers, before, during, and after an introductory workshop and 6-month physical literacy intervention. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate perceptions of program effectiveness.Results: The needs assessment phase identified notable differences between teachers’ classroom and physical education practice. Results of the physical literacy workshop and intervention detailed an increase in teachers’ knowledge of, and operationalization of, physical literacy.Discussion/Conclusions: Applying established principles of effective professional development in a contextually sensitive manner was viewed as effective in enhancing primary school teachers’ knowledge and practice regarding physical literacy.
Conjugal Transfer, Whole-Genome Sequencing, and Plasmid Analysis of Four
mcr-1
-Bearing Isolates from U.S. Patients
Authors: Zhu Wenming , Lawsin Adrian , Lindsey Rebecca L. , Batra Dhwani , Knipe Kristen , Yoo Brian B. , Perry K. Allison , Rowe Lori A. , Lonsway David , Walters Maroya S. , Rasheed J. Kamile , Halpin Alison Laufer
Published: February 2019

Four
Enterobacteriaceae
clinical isolates bearing
mcr-1
gene-harboring plasmids were characterized. All isolates demonstrated the ability to transfer colistin resistance to
Escherichia coli
; plasmids were stable in conjugants after multiple passages on nonselective media.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Doravirine and Exposure-Response Analysis in Individuals with HIV-1
Authors: Yee Ka Lai , Ouerdani Aziz , Claussen Anetta , de Greef Rik , Wenning Larissa
Published: February 2019

Doravirine is a novel nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection. A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model was developed for doravirine using pooled data from densely sampled phase 1 trials and from sparsely sampled phase 2b and phase 3 trials evaluating doravirine administered orally as a single entity or as part of a fixed-dose combination of doravirine-lamivudine-tenofovir disoproxil fumarate.
Inorganic Polyphosphate Accumulation in Escherichia coli Is Regulated by DksA but Not by (p)ppGpp
Authors: Gray Michael J.
Published: February 2019

Production of polyP in bacteria is required for virulence and stress response, but little is known about how bacteria regulate polyP levels in response to changes in their environments. Understanding this regulation is important for understanding how pathogenic microbes resist killing by disinfectants, antibiotics, and the immune system. In this work, I have clarified the connections between polyP regulation and the stringent response to starvation stress in
Escherichia coli
and demonstrated an important and previously unknown role for the transcription factor DksA in controlling polyP levels.
A CRISPR Interference Platform for Efficient Genetic Repression in
Candida albicans
Authors: Wensing Lauren , Sharma Jehoshua , Uthayakumar Deeva , Proteau Yannic , Chavez Alejandro , Shapiro Rebecca S.
Published: February 2019

Fungal pathogens are an increasingly important cause of human disease and mortality, and
Candida albicans
is among the most common causes of fungal disease. Studying this important fungal pathogen requires a comprehensive genetic toolkit to establish how different genetic factors play roles in the biology and virulence of this pathogen. Here, we developed a CRISPR-based genetic regulation platform to achieve targeted repression of
C. albicans
genes. This CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) technology exploits a nuclease-dead Cas9 protein (dCas9) fused to transcriptional repressors. The dCas9 fusion proteins pair with a guide RNA to target genetic promoter regions and to repress expression from these genes. We demonstrated the functionality of this system for repression in
C. albicans
and show that we can apply this technology to repress essential genes. Taking the results together, this work presents a new technology for efficient genetic repression in
C. albicans
, with important applications for genetic analysis in this fungal pathogen.
Dose-Dependent Differences in HIV Inhibition by Different Interferon Alpha Subtypes While Having Overall Similar Biologic Effects
Authors: Schlaepfer Erika , Fahrny Audrey , Gruenbach Maarja , Kuster Stefan P. , Simon Viviana , Schreiber Gideon , Speck Roberto F.
Published: February 2019

Elucidating the functional role of the IFN-α subtypes is of particular importance for the development of efficacious therapies using exogenous IFN-α. Specifically, this will help define whether IFN therapy should be based on the use of pathogen-dependent IFN subtypes or, rather, IFN mutants with optimized IFNAR binding properties.
Quaternionic wave function
Authors: Bolokhov Pavel A.
Published: February 2019

We argue that quaternions form a natural language for the description of quantum-mechanical wave functions with spin. We use the quaternionic spinor formalism which is in one-to-one correspondence with the usual spinor language. No unphysical degrees of freedom are admitted, in contrast to the majority of literature on quaternions. In this paper, we first build a Dirac Lagrangian in the quaternionic form, derive the Dirac equation and take the nonrelativistic limit to find the Schrödinger’s equation. We show that the quaternionic formalism is a natural choice to start with, while in the transition to the noninteracting nonrelativistic limit, the quaternionic description effectively reduces to the regular complex wave function language. We provide an easy-to-use grammar for switching between the ordinary spinor language and the description in terms of quaternions. As an illustration of the broader range of the formalism, we also derive the Maxwell’s equation from the quaternionic Lagrangian of Quantum Electrodynamics. In order to derive the equations of motion, we develop the variational calculus appropriate for this formalism.
Exact form of the generalized Lorentz force in Fock’s nonlinear relativity
Authors: Takka N.
Published: February 2019

This work completes a series of two papers devoted to the extension of the fundamental laws of electrodynamics in the context of Fock’s nonlinear relativity (FNLR). Indeed, after having established in the previous study the exact generalizations of both Maxwell’s equations and Dirac’s magnetic monopole, we present here the remaining exact Lorentz force. As in [Formula: see text]-Minkowski space–time, two different contributions appear in the corresponding equation of motion where the new effect is interpreted as the gravitational-type Lorentz force. This common point separately induced by the radius of the universe in our case, or Planck energy in other works, reinforces once more the analogy between electromagnetism and gravity in two different scientific approaches. As a relative difference, it is very important to highlight that more homogeneity characterizes our results where each effect is exclusively generated by mass or charge but not both at the same time. Even more, the new effect emerges as the result of the triple effect of the R-deformation, mass and the square of the velocity but completely independent of electromagnetic field.
The gluon condensate in an effective SU(2) Yang–Mills theory
Authors: Efremov A. N.
Published: February 2019

We make progress towards a derivation of a low energy effective theory for SU(2) Yang–Mills theory. This low energy action is computed to 1-loop using the renormalization group technique, taking proper care of the Slavnov–Taylor identities in the Maximal Abelian Gauge. After that, we perform the Spin-Charge decomposition in a way proposed by Faddeev and Niemi. The resulting action describes a pair of nonlinear O(3) and [Formula: see text]-models interacting with a scalar field. The potential of the scalar field is a Mexican hat and the location of the minima sets the energy scale of solitonic configurations of the [Formula: see text]-model fields whose excitations correspond to glueball states.
Electric and dielectric properties of CdSO4-doped borate glasses
Authors: Ahmed E. M.
Published: February 2019

A system of (100-x)B2O3⋅xCdSO4glasses (0 [Formula: see text]x [Formula: see text] 40) is set by the ordinary quenching method. Density ([Formula: see text]), molar volume (V[Formula: see text]) and oxygen ion density (N[Formula: see text]) are found to increase with the increase of CdSO4in the samples. The dc conductivity ([Formula: see text]) and the ac conductivity ([Formula: see text]) are measured in the temperature range from 308 to 735 K. [Formula: see text] is found to follow the thermal activation Arrhenius relation with activation energies between 0.36 and 0.76 eV. Ac conductivity and the exponent factor (s) confirm that the CBH model is the origin of the conduction. The dielectric constant ([Formula: see text]) and loss ([Formula: see text]) are studied as a function of the temperature and frequency. The dielectric data are fitted according to the Cole–Cole equations. The values of [Formula: see text] parameter are found to vary between 0.2 and 0.58 which means that these glasses exhibit a wide distribution of relaxation times.
Graphical Structure of Attraction Basins of Hidden Chaotic Attractors: The Rabinovich–Fabrikant System
Authors: Danca Marius-F. , Bourke Paul , Kuznetsov Nikolay
Published: February 2019

The attraction basin of hidden attractors does not intersect with small neighborhoods of any equilibrium point. To the best of our knowledge this property has not been explored using realtime interactive three-dimensions graphics. Aided by advanced computer graphic analysis, in this paper, we explore this characteristic of a particular nonlinear system with very rich and unusual dynamics, the Rabinovich–Fabrikant system. It is shown that there exists a neighborhood of one of the unstable equilibria within which the initial conditions do not lead to the considered hidden chaotic attractor, but to one of the stable equilibria or are divergent. The trajectories starting from any neighborhood of the other unstable equilibria are attracted either by the stable equilibria, or are divergent.
Bifurcation Analysis and Vibration Signal Identification for a Motorized Spindle with Random Uncertainty
Authors: Huang Weidi , Gan Chunbiao
Published: February 2019

A nonparametric model is established to investigate the vibration characteristics of a motorized spindle system, where the bearing restoring force, the unbalanced magnetic pull, and the external bounded noise excitation are taken into account. Based on the Monte Carlo simulation, several numerical examples are used to study the effect of dispersion parameters from model uncertainty and strength of external bounded noise excitation on the whirl frequency and bifurcation behavior of the spindle. It is shown that the whirl frequency fluctuates due to the random uncertainty, and the fluctuation range grows wider as the dispersion parameters increase as anticipated. In the randomly uncertain case, the vibration of the spindle also exhibits periodic-dominant and bifurcation phenomena, of particular interest is the delay of bifurcation point following the increase of the rotation speed. Towards the vibration condition monitoring on the spindle system, the phase space reconstruction technique is also applied to identify the vibration signals by comparing the reconstructed deterministic phase-space orbits with those from the random uncertainty and the bounded noise excitation, and the inherent dynamical behavior can be revealed from the irregular one-dimension time series effectively.
Random Disordered Periodical Input Induced Chaos in Discontinuous Systems
Authors: Liu Di , Xu Yong
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we extend the random Melnikov method from stochastic systems with a continuous vector field to discontinuous systems driven by a random disordered periodic input under the assumption that the unperturbed system is a piecewise Hamiltonian system. By measuring the distance of the perturbed stable and unstable manifolds, the nonsmooth random Melnikov process can be derived in detail, and then the mean square criterion for the onset of chaos is established in the statistical sense. It is shown that the threshold for the onset of chaos depends on the stochastic force and a scalar function of hypersurface. Finally, an example is given to analyze the chaotic dynamics using this extended approach, and discuss the effects of noise intensity on the dynamical behaviors of the system. The results indicate that the increase of the noise intensity will result in a chaotic motion of the discontinuous stochastic system and the changes of possible chaotic degree in the phase space. At the same time, the effects of noise intensity on chaos are further investigated through the system response including time history and phase portraits, Poincaré maps and [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] test.
Characterization of Dynamics of a Class of Polynomial Automorphisms in ℂn
Authors: Zhang Xu
Published: February 2019

A kind of higher-dimensional complex polynomial mappings [Formula: see text] is considered: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] are polynomials with degrees higher than one, and [Formula: see text] are nonzero complex numbers, [Formula: see text]. Assume that each [Formula: see text] is hyperbolic on its Julia set and [Formula: see text] is sufficiently small, [Formula: see text], then there exists a bounded set on which the dynamics on the forward and backwards Julia sets are described by using the inductive and the projective limits, respectively. These results are a natural higher-dimensional generalization of the work of Hubbard and Oberste-Vorth on two-dimensional complex Hénon mappings. The combination of the symbolic dynamics and the crossed mapping is also applied to study the complicated dynamics of a class of polynomial mappings in [Formula: see text].
More on Bifurcations and Dynamics of Traveling Wave Solutions for a Higher-Order Shallow Water Wave Equation
Authors: Li Jibin , Chen Guanrong
Published: February 2019

This paper studies the dynamics of traveling wave solutions to a shallow water wave model with a large-amplitude regime in phase space. The corresponding traveling wave system is a singular planar dynamical system with two singular straight lines. By using the method of dynamical systems, bifurcation diagrams are obtained. The existence of solitary wave solutions, periodic wave solutions, peakon, pseudo-peakon solution, periodic peakon solutions and compacton solutions are determined under different parameter conditions.
Improving Classification of Interlinked Entities Using Only the Network Structure
Authors: Pérez-Solà Cristina , Herrera-Joancomartí Jordi
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a classifier architecture that is able to deal with classification of interlinked entities when the only information available is the existing relationships between these entities, i.e. no semantic content is known for either the entities or their relationships. After proposing a classifier to deal with this problem, we provide extensive experimental evaluation showing that our proposed method is sound and that it is able to achieve high accuracy, in most cases much higher than other already existing algorithms configured to tackle this very same problem. The contributions of this paper are twofold: first, it presents a classifier for interlinked entities that outperforms most of the existing algorithms when the only information available is the relationships between these entities; second, it reveals the power of using label independent (LI) features extracted from network structural properties in the bootstrapping phases of relational classification.
Business Process Modeling and Analysis Based on Queue Logical Petri Nets
Authors: Liu Lei , Liu Wei , Du Yuyue
Published: February 2019

In the present modeling tools, there is no proper model to describe the fairness of resource scheduling for sharing systems. In order to solve this problem well, we propose a new sharing system and Queue Logical Petri nets. In this paper, a complete process of entering and leaving a garage is modeled by a Queue Logical Petri nets. Based on random arrival and exponential arrival, the average waiting time of vehicles, the average stay time in the queue and the average number of waiting vehicles in the queue are analyzed. According to reachable sequence of Queue Logical Petri net, the Invariant, the utilization of garage and the number of waiting vehicles are analyzed. And the validity of the sharing system with queue is proved by compared with other methods in the experiment.
Isolated Congenital Absence of Lumbosacral Facet Joint
Authors: Maalouly Joseph , Aouad Dany , Abd El Nour Hicham G. , Nehme Alexandre , Jabbour Fouad
Published: February 2019

A congenital absence of the lumbar facet joint is a rare reported condition. This is the case of a 32-year-old male patient presenting with severe low back pain radiating to his right lower limb. Physical examination revealed no motor deficits, but right lower limb numbness was reported over dorsum aspect of the right foot. No other sensory or motor disturbances were reported or found on exam. Imaging studies, consisting of a spine MRI and spine CT scan with 3D reconstruction, revealed the absence of the right L5-S1 zygapophyseal joint. The patient was treated conservatively with resolution of his symptoms on one-month follow-up.
Are There Any Common Genetic Risk Markers for Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontal Diseases? A Case-Control Study
Authors: Schulz Susanne , Pütz Natalie , Jurianz Elisa , Schaller Hans-Günter , Reichert Stefan
Published: February 2019

Background. Several studies suggest that there is a biologically plausible connection between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal diseases (PD). Both disorders are characterized as multifactorial diseases potentially sharing common risk factors. Based on the inflammatory nature of RA and PD, the impact of genetic variations of genes of the immune system on both diseases was studied in this study.Materials and Methods. We conducted a case-control study (n=201) comparing 101 RA patients suffering from periodontal disease of different severities (no/mild PD vs. severe PD) with 100 systemically healthy controls without RA and severe PD. The genotype, allele, and haplotype distributions of 22 SNPs of 13 pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines were assessed applying sequence-specific PCR.Results. Evaluating the impact of cytokine SNPs in RA, we identified the G allele of rs1801275 in IL4Rα(p=0.043) and the G allele of rs361525 in TNFα(p=0.005) as disease-associated risk factors in bivariate analyses. In multivariate analyses, these significant associations could not be proven. The A allele of rs2430561 in IFNγwas indicative for severe periodontitis among the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (p=0.039). Investigating the impact of rs2430561 in IFNγon comorbidity using binary logistic regression analyses, the A allele was confirmed as an independent risk factor for severe periodontal disease and RA (p=0.024).Conclusions. These results emphasize the association of genetic variations in proinflammatory cytokines (TNFαand IFNγ) and cytokine receptor (IL4Rα) and RA and periodontal diseases. In multivariate analyses, the A allele of IFNγwas proven to be a significant marker of RA and PD comorbidities. The study broadens the knowledge about disease-specific differences in genetic composition and provides an improved understanding of a possible association of both diseases.