bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimization of a plasma immersion ion implantation process for shallow junctions in silicon
Authors: Ray Ashok , Nori Rajashree , Bhatt Piyush , Lodha Saurabh , Pinto Richard , Rao Valipe Ramgopal , Jomard François , Neumann-Spallart Michael
Published: October 2014

A plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) process has been developed for realizing shallow doping profiles of phosphorus and boron in silicon using an in-house built dual chamber cluster tool. High Si etch rates observed in a 5% PH3 in H2 plasma have been ascribed to high concentration of H(α) radicals. Therefore, subsequent work was carried out with 5% PH3 in He, leading to much smaller etch rates. By optical emission spectroscopy, the radical species H(α), PH*2, and PH* have been identified. The concentration of all three species increased with pressure. Also, ion concentrations increased with pressure as evidenced by Langmuir data, with a maximum occurring at 0.12 mbar. The duty cycle of pulsed DC bias has a significant bearing on both the implantation and the etching process as it controls the leakage of positive charge collected at the surface of the silicon wafer during pulse on-time generated primarily due to secondary electron emission. The P implant process was optimized for a duty cycle of 10% or less at a pressure of 0.12 mbar with implant times as low as 30 s. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy showed a P dopant depth of 145 nm after rapid thermal annealing (RTA) at 950 °C for 5 s, resulting in a sheet resistance of 77 Ω/◻. Si n+/p diodes fabricated with phosphorus implantation using optimized PIII and RTA conditions exhibit Jon/Joff > 106 with an ideality factor of nearly 1.2. Using similar conditions, shallow doping profiles of B in silicon have also been realized.
Dosimetry of cone‐defined stereotactic radiosurgery fields with a commercial synthetic diamond detector
Authors: Morales Johnny E. , Crowe Scott B. , Hill Robin , Freeman Nigel , Trapp J. V.
Published: October 2014

Purpose:

Small field x‐ray beam dosimetry is difficult due to lack of lateral electronic equilibrium, source occlusion, high dose gradients, and detector volume averaging. Currently, there is no single definitive detector recommended for small field dosimetry. The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of a new commercial synthetic diamond detector, namely, the PTW 60019 microDiamond, for the dosimetry of small x‐ray fields as used in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS).

Methods:

Small field sizes were defined by BrainLAB circular cones (4–30 mm diameter) on a Novalis Trilogy linear accelerator and using the 6 MV SRS x‐ray beam mode for all measurements. Percentage depth doses (PDDs) were measured and compared to an IBA SFD and a PTW 60012 E diode. Cross profiles were measured and compared to an IBA SFD diode. Field factors, , were calculated by Monte Carlo methods using BEAMnrc and correction factors, , were derived for the PTW 60019 microDiamond detector.

Results:

For the small fields of 4–30 mm diameter, there were dose differences in the PDDs of up to 1.5% when compared to an IBA SFD and PTW 60012 E diode detector. For the cross profile measurements the penumbra values varied, depending upon the orientation of the detector. The field factors, , were calculated for these field diameters at a depth of 1.4 cm in water and they were within 2.7% of published values for a similar linear accelerator. The corrections factors, , were derived for the PTW 60019 microDiamond detector.

Conclusions:

The authors conclude that the new PTW 60019 microDiamond detector is generally suitable for relative dosimetry in small 6 MV SRS beams for a Novalis Trilogy linear equipped with circular cones.
Large amplitude oscillatory shear of immiscible polymer blends and comparison to anisotropy and droplet models
Authors: Almusallam Abdulwahab S.
Published: October 2014

Large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS) experiments were carried out for a model immiscible blend composed of two Newtonian components at different viscosity ratio and volume fraction values. Data for the first, third, and fifth harmonics of the sinusoidal stress response were recorded and compared to the constrained volume (CV) model and to the Maffettone and Minale model. Moreover, various constitutive equations were investigated: The Batchelor constitutive equation with the viscous part of the interfacial contribution to stress neglected, Peters et al. [J. Rheol. 45, 659–689 (2001)] constitutive equation, the Lee and Park [J. Rheol. 38, 1405–1425 (1994)] constitutive equation, and the Yu and Bousmina [J. Rheol. 47, 1011–1039 (2003)] constitutive equation. It was found that a modification of the Peters et al constitutive equation, when combined with the CV model predictions, results in good description of the first harmonic data, as well as reasonable description for the third and fifth harmonic data. Experimental LAOS results at large viscosity ratio agreed well with the scaling law developed by Reinheimer et al. [J. Colloid Interface Sci. 360, 818–825 (2011)].
The Impact of Color and Animation on Sports Viewers’ Attention to Televised Sponsorship Signage
Authors: Breuer Christoph , Rumpf Christopher
Published: October 2014

Although competition for viewers’ attention to sponsorship signage in sport telecasts has become a growing issue in sponsorship-linked marketing, sport management research has not yet investigated how to create eyecatching sponsorship signage in the cluttered visual surroundings of sport events without negatively affecting the viewers’ first objective: watching sports. This research takes into account the peculiarities of televised sport sponsorship platforms by including (1) the concurrent appearance of sport action and sponsor signage, (2) the color contrast between signage and sport surroundings, and (3) viewer confusion as a reaction to an overload of sponsorship information. Based on a laboratory study, it was found that both color and animation significantly impact sports viewers’ attention. However, animation can lead to visual confusion for television sport viewers, and may jeopardize intended sponsorship effects. These findings provide scientific evidence for the opportunities and risks of visual features in sponsorship-linked marketing.
Factors Influencing Sponsorship Effectiveness: A Meta-Analytic Review and Research Synthesis
Authors: Kim Yukyoum , Lee Hyun-Woo , Magnusen Marshall J. , Kim Minjung
Published: October 2014

Sponsorship is a significant element of today’s marketing communication. Nevertheless, managers and researchers lack of systematic and integrative understanding of key factors that influence sponsorship outcomes and the contexts in which the relationships between sponsorship effectiveness antecedents and outcomes are stronger or weaker. The authors attempt to address this gap by providing a systematic meta-analytic review of sponsorship effectiveness that incorporates (1) cognitive, affective, and conative consumer-focused sponsorship outcomes; (2) sponsor-related, dyadic, and sponsee-related antecedents to consumer-focused sponsorship outcomes; and (3) sponsorship-related and methodological moderators of the relationships between the three antecedent categories and three outcome categories. Our findings help assess the validity and robustness of the predictive capability of the antecedents, and they also offer a more generalizable and empirically established set of factors that are vital to the achievement of key sponsorship outcomes. Several of our results afford noteworthy implications for improving the effectiveness of sponsorship research and practice.
Comment on “Oxytocin-mediated GABA inhibition during delivery attenuates autism pathogenesis in rodent offspring”
Authors: Bambini-Junior Victorio , Nunes Gustavo Della Flora , Schneider Tomasz , Gottfried Carmem
Published: October 2014

Tyzio
et al
. (Reports, 7 February 2014, p. 675) reported that bumetanide restored the impaired oxytocin-mediated γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) excitatory-inhibitory shift during delivery in animal models of autism, ameliorating some autistic-like characteristics in the offspring. However, standard practices in the study of these models, such as the use of sex-dimorphic or males-only analyses and implementation of tests measuring social behavior, are lacking to definitely associate their findings to autism.
Spatial organization of cytokinesis signaling reconstituted in a cell-free system
Authors: Nguyen Phuong A. , Groen Aaron C. , Loose Martin , Ishihara Keisuke , Wühr Martin , Field Christine M. , Mitchison Timothy J.
Published: October 2014

During animal cell division, the cleavage furrow is positioned by microtubules that signal to the actin cortex at the cell midplane. We developed a cell-free system to recapitulate cytokinesis signaling using cytoplasmic extract from
Xenopus
eggs. Microtubules grew out as asters from artificial centrosomes and met to organize antiparallel overlap zones. These zones blocked the interpenetration of neighboring asters and recruited cytokinesis midzone proteins, including the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC) and centralspindlin. The CPC was transported to overlap zones, which required two motor proteins, Kif4A and a Kif20A paralog. Using supported lipid bilayers to mimic the plasma membrane, we observed the recruitment of cleavage furrow markers, including an active RhoA reporter, at microtubule overlaps. This system opens further approaches to understanding the biophysics of cytokinesis signaling.
A class of warm Jupiters with mutually inclined, apsidally misaligned close friends
Authors: Dawson Rebekah I. , Chiang Eugene
Published: October 2014

The orbits of giant extrasolar planets often have surprisingly small semimajor axes, large eccentricities, or severe misalignments between their orbit normals and their host stars' spin axes. In some formation scenarios invoking Kozai-Lidov oscillations, an external planetary companion drives a planet onto an orbit having these properties. The mutual inclinations for Kozai-Lidov oscillations can be large and have not been confirmed observationally. Here we present evidence that observed eccentric warm Jupiters with eccentric giant companions have mutual inclinations that oscillate between 35° and 65°. Our inference is based on the pairs’ observed apsidal separations, which cluster near 90°. The near-orthogonality of periapse directions is effected by the outer companion's quadrupolar and octupolar potentials. These systems may be undergoing a stalled version of tidal migration that produces warm Jupiters over hot Jupiters, and they provide evidence for a population of multiplanet systems that are not flat and have been sculpted by Kozai-Lidov oscillations.
Plant synthetic biology takes root
Authors: Medford June I. , Prasad Ashok
Published: October 2014

Applying the basic principles of synthetic biology to plants shows progress
Brain's GPS finds top honor
Authors: Underwood Emily
Published: October 2014

“Place” and “grid” cells help explain how we navigate.
Physicists change the light bulb
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: October 2014

Blue light-emitting diodes, critical to white LED lighting, win this year's prize.
Congress, NSF spar on access to grant files
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: October 2014

Grantees wonder what House science panel will do with private award details.
Meet your new co-worker
Authors: Bohannon John
Published: October 2014

At the vanguard of human-robot interactions is Baxter, a bot quick on the uptake that even knows how to cheat.
Minds of their own
Authors: Service Robert F.
Published: October 2014

Novel neuromorphic chips and software should provide robots with unrivaled perceptual skills.
Helping robots see the big picture
Authors: Bohannon John
Published: October 2014

A computational approach called deep learning has transformed machine vision.
Humans need not apply
Authors: DuRant Hassan , You Jia
Published: October 2014

Machines are poised to take over as rescuers and reporters.
Q&A: Robots and the law
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: October 2014

As robots take on societal roles that were once the province of humans, they are creating new legal dilemmas.
Exomes and the Clinical Research Conundrum: New Approaches to Enhancing the Value of Genomic Data
Authors: Miller David , Milos Patrice
Published: October 2014

Clinical research providers who investigate unknown genetic disorders have an unprecedented opportunity to gather and examine large-scale genetic information to seek the underlying variation that could potentially explain a given condition. The use of exome sequencing to inform disease characterization and treatment in the future, while not yet very widely accessible, is increasing. However, the availability of exome and genome scale data have presented the broader community with questions about reproducibility and scalability of DNA sequencing and interpretation processes, the importance of integrating relevant phenotypic information, and the ability to provide statements about “significance” in an environment where new knowledge about variants is being acquired on a daily basis.

In this webinar, our expert speakers will highlight both the opportunities and the questions that powerful NGS technologies raise, and how best to address them with new approaches that have been developed based on the needs of the clinical research community, including but not limited to the use of orthogonal platforms and focused interpretation to provide the most relevant results quickly.
Immunologic Characterization of a Rhesus Macaque H1N1 Challenge Model for Candidate Influenza Virus Vaccine Assessment
Authors: Skinner Jason A. , Zurawski Sandra M. , Sugimoto Chie , Vinet-Oliphant Heather , Vinod Parvathi , Xue Yaming , Russell-Lodrigue Kasi , Albrecht Randy A. , García-Sastre Adolfo , Salazar Andres M. , Roy Chad J. , Kuroda Marcelo J. , Oh SangKon , Zurawski Gerard
Published: October 2014

Despite the availability of annually formulated vaccines, influenza virus infection remains a worldwide public health burden. Therefore, it is important to develop preclinical challenge models that enable the evaluation of vaccine candidates while elucidating mechanisms of protection. Here, we report that naive rhesus macaques challenged with 2009 pandemic H1N1 (pH1N1) influenza virus do not develop observable clinical symptoms of disease but develop a subclinical biphasic fever on days 1 and 5 to 6 postchallenge. Whole blood microarray analysis further revealed that interferon activity was associated with fever. We then tested whether type I interferon activity in the blood is a correlate of vaccine efficacy. The animals immunized with candidate vaccines carrying hemagglutinin (HA) or nucleoprotein (NP) exhibited significantly reduced interferon activity on days 5 to 6 postchallenge. Supported by cellular and serological data, we conclude that blood interferon activity is a prominent marker that provides a convenient metric of influenza virus vaccine efficacy in the subclinical rhesus macaque model.
Genetic Diversity and Dynamic Distribution of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates Causing Pulmonary and Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis in Thailand
Authors: Srilohasin Prapaporn , Chaiprasert Angkana , Tokunaga Katsushi , Nishida Nao , Prammananan Therdsak , Smittipat Nat , Mahasirimongkol Surakameth , Chaiyasirinroje Boonchai , Yanai Hideki , Palittapongarnpim Prasit
Published: October 2014

This study examined the genetic diversity and dynamicity of circulating
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
strains in Thailand using nearly neutral molecular markers. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based genotypes of 1,414 culture-positive
M. tuberculosis
isolates from 1,282 pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and 132 extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) patients collected from 1995 to 2011 were characterized. Among the eight SNP cluster groups (SCG), SCG2 (44.1%), which included the Beijing (BJ) genotype, and SCG1 (39.4%), an East African Indian genotype, were dominant. Comparisons between the genotypes of
M. tuberculosis
isolates causing PTB and EPTB in HIV-negative cases revealed similar prevalence trends although genetic diversity was higher in the PTB patients. The identification of 10 reported sequence types (STs) and three novel STs was hypothesized to indicate preferential expansion of the SCG2 genotype, especially the modern BJ ST10 (15.6%) and ancestral BJ ST19 (13.1%). An association between SCG2 and SCG1 genotypes and particular patient age groups implies the existence of different genetic advantages among the bacterial populations. The results revealed that increasing numbers of young patients were infected with
M. tuberculosis
SCGs 2 and 5, which contrasts with the reduction of the SCG1 genotype. Our results indicate the selection and dissemination of potent
M. tuberculosis
genotypes in this population. The determination of heterogeneity and dynamic population changes of circulating
M. tuberculosis
strains in countries using the
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine are beneficial for vaccine development and control strategies.
External Quality Assessments for Microbiologic Diagnosis of Diphtheria in Europe
Authors: Both Leonard , Neal Shona , De Zoysa Aruni , Mann Ginder , Czumbel Ida , Efstratiou Androulla
Published: October 2014

The European Diphtheria Surveillance Network (EDSN) ensures the reliable epidemiological and microbiologic assessment of disease prevalence in the European Union. Here, we describe a survey of current diagnostic techniques for diphtheria surveillance conducted across the European Union and report the results from three external quality assessment (EQA) schemes performed between 2010 and 2014.
Comparing Whole-Genome Sequencing with Sanger Sequencing for
spa
Typing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Bartels Mette Damkjær , Petersen Andreas , Worning Peder , Nielsen Jesper Boye , Larner-Svensson Hanna , Johansen Helle Krogh , Andersen Leif Percival , Jarløv Jens Otto , Boye Kit , Larsen Anders Rhod , Westh Henrik
Published: October 2014

spa
typing of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) has traditionally been done by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing of the
spa
repeat region. At Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of all MRSA isolates has been performed routinely since January 2013, and an in-house analysis pipeline determines the
spa
types. Due to national surveillance, all MRSA isolates are sent to Statens Serum Institut, where the
spa
type is determined by PCR and Sanger sequencing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of the
spa
types obtained by 150-bp paired-end Illumina WGS. MRSA isolates from new MRSA patients in 2013 (
n
= 699) in the capital region of Denmark were included. We found a 97% agreement between
spa
types obtained by the two methods. All isolates achieved a
spa
type by both methods. Nineteen isolates differed in
spa
types by the two methods, in most cases due to the lack of 24-bp repeats in the whole-genome-sequenced isolates. These related but incorrect
spa
types should have no consequence in outbreak investigations, since all epidemiologically linked isolates, regardless of
spa
type, will be included in the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. This will reveal the close relatedness of the
spa
types. In conclusion, our data show that WGS is a reliable method to determine the
spa
type of MRSA.
Toward Standardization of BK Virus Monitoring: Evaluation of the BK Virus R-gene Kit for Quantification of BK Viral Load in Urine, Whole-Blood, and Plasma Specimens
Authors: Sueur Charlotte , Solis Morgane , Meddeb Mariam , Soulier Eric , Domingo-Calap Pilar , Lepiller Quentin , Freitag Rachel , Bahram Seiamak , Caillard Sophie , Barth Heidi , Stoll-Keller Françoise , Fafi-Kremer Samira
Published: October 2014

Screening of BK virus (BKV) replication is recommended to identify patients at increased risk of BKV-associated diseases. However, the heterogeneity of molecular techniques hinders the establishment of universal guidelines for BKV monitoring. Here we aimed to compare the performance of the CE-marked BK virus R-gene kit (R-gene) to the performance of our in-house assay for quantification of BKV DNA loads (BKVL). A 12-specimen panel from the Quality Control for Molecular Diagnostics (QCMD) organization, 163 urine samples, and 88 paired specimens of plasma and whole blood (WB) from transplant recipients were tested. Both the R-gene and in-house assays showed a good correlation within the QCMD panel (
r
= 0.995 and
r
= 0.989, respectively). BKVL were highly correlated between assays, although positive biases were observed with the in-house assay in analysis of urine (0.72 ± 0.83 log
10
copies/ml), plasma (1.17 ± 0.63 log
10
copies/ml), and WB (1.28 ± 0.37 log
10
copies/ml). Recalibration with a common calibrator significantly reduced the bias in comparisons between assays. In contrast, BKVL was underestimated with the in-house PCR in eight samples containing BKV genotype II, presenting point mutations at primer-annealing sites. Using the R-gene assay, plasma and WB specimens were found to be equally suitable for quantification of BKVL, as indicated by the high correlation coefficient (
r
= 0.965,
P
< 0.0001). In conclusion, the R-gene assay demonstrated reliable performance and higher accuracy than the in-house assay for quantification of BKVL in urine and blood specimens. Screening of BKV replication by a well-validated commercial kit may enable clinical laboratories to assess viral loads with greater reproducibility and precision.
Laboratory Evaluation of Three Rapid Diagnostic Tests for Dual Detection of HIV and Treponema pallidum Antibodies
Authors: Humphries Romney M. , Woo Jennifer S. , Chung Jun Ho , Sokovic Anita , Bristow Claire C. , Klausner Jeffrey D.
Published: October 2014

The performance of three research-use-only, dual HIV and syphilis rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) was evaluated for 150 patient serum samples and compared to reference HIV and
Treponema pallidum
antibody detection methods. The RDTs performed comparably, with sensitivities of 93 to 99% and specificities of 97 to 100%. The kappa statistic between the RDTs was 0.95.
The VP40 Protein of Marburg Virus Exhibits Impaired Budding and Increased Sensitivity to Human Tetherin following Mouse Adaptation
Authors: Feagins Alicia R. , Basler Christopher F.
Published: October 2014

The Marburg virus VP40 protein is a viral matrix protein that spontaneously buds from cells. It also functions as an interferon (IFN) signaling antagonist by targeting Janus kinase 1 (JAK1). A previous study demonstrated that the VP40 protein of the Ravn strain of Marburg virus (Ravn virus [RAVV]) failed to block IFN signaling in mouse cells, whereas the mouse-adapted RAVV (maRAVV) VP40 acquired the ability to inhibit IFN responses in mouse cells. The increased IFN antagonist function of maRAVV VP40 mapped to residues 57 and 165, which were mutated during the mouse adaptation process. In the present study, we demonstrate that maRAVV VP40 lost the capacity to efficiently bud from human cell lines, despite the fact that both parental and maRAVV VP40s bud efficiently from mouse cell lines. The impaired budding in human cells corresponds with the appearance of protrusions on the surface of maRAVV VP40-expressing Huh7 cells and with an increased sensitivity of maRAVV VP40 to restriction by human tetherin but not mouse tetherin. However, transfer of the human tetherin cytoplasmic tail to mouse tetherin restored restriction of maRAVV VP40. Residues 57 and 165 were demonstrated to contribute to the failure of maRAVV VP40 to bud from human cells, and residue 57 was demonstrated to alter VP40 oligomerization, as assessed by coprecipitation assay, and to determine sensitivity to human tetherin. This suggests that RAVV VP40 acquired, during adaptation to mice, changes in its oligomerization potential that enhanced IFN antagonist function. However, this new capacity impaired RAVV VP40 budding from human cells.

IMPORTANCE
Filoviruses, which include Marburg viruses and Ebola viruses, are zoonotic pathogens that cause severe disease in humans and nonhuman primates but do not cause similar disease in wild-type laboratory strains of mice unless first adapted to these animals. Although mouse adaptation has been used as a method to develop small animal models of pathogenesis, the molecular determinants associated with filovirus mouse adaptation are poorly understood. Our study demonstrates how genetic changes that accrued during mouse adaptation of the Ravn strain of Marburg virus have impacted the budding function of the viral VP40 matrix protein. Strikingly, we find impairment of mouse-adapted VP40 budding function in human but not mouse cell lines, and we correlate the impairment with an increased sensitivity of VP40 to restriction by human but not mouse tetherin and with changes in VP40 oligomerization. These data suggest that there are functional costs associated with filovirus adaptation to new hosts and implicate tetherin as a filovirus host restriction factor.
Torrential epistaxis in the third trimester: a management conundrum
Authors: Crunkhorn Rosa Elizabeth Mary , Mitchell-Innes Alistair , Muzaffar Jameel
Published: October 2014

Although epistaxis is common during pregnancy, large volume epistaxis is rare. Many standard epistaxis management options are limited in pregnancy due to absolute or relative contraindications. Ear, nose and throat surgeons need to be aware of what options can be used safely and effectively. We present a case of a 32-year-old woman, 32 weeks pregnant, who was admitted with heavy epistaxis refractive to conservative management. Several potential interventions including bismuth iodoform paraffin paste (BIPP) and Floseal were contraindicated or involved additional risk in pregnancy necessitating unorthodox management. This challenging case highlights suitable alternatives for managing large volume epistaxis during pregnancy, as well as discussing the differential diagnosis and relevant investigations.
Bronchopleural fistula following laparoscopic liver resection
Authors: Bhardwaj Neil , Kundra Amritpal , Garcea Giuseppe
Published: October 2014

A rare case is presented of a 58-year-old woman who developed a bronchopleural fistula following a laparoscopic liver resection for a colorectal metastasis. The bronchopleural fistula was finally diagnosed when after repeated admissions for chest infections, the patient coughed up surgical clips. We propose a management plan based on our experience and hope this case report will add to the scarce reports of postoperative bronchopleural fistula cases in the literature.
A systemic disease un…suspected by physical examination
Authors: Costa Cátia , Severino Davide , Pitta Maria Luz , Leal Margarida
Published: October 2014

A 73-year-old man was admitted to the cardiology department with unstable angina. He had a history of macroglossia with 3 years of development, attributed to hypothyroidism. On physical examination, he presented an exuberant macroglossia. The following diagnostic procedures were performed—ECG, in sinus rhythm with low voltage criteria, and transthoracic echocardiography, which revealed a left ventricle with preserved function and marked wall thickening, with low strain values in basal segments. The coronary angiography confirmed a lesion of 90% in the right coronary artery, treated with two stents. Suspecting a systemic infiltrative disease, additional tests were performed and these revealed the presence of systemic amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis with cardiac involvement, associated with multiple myeloma. The patient was sent to a consult of haematology to begin chemotherapy.
Management of ischiopubic stress fracture in patients with anorexia nervosa and excessive compulsive exercising
Authors: El Ghoch Marwan , Bazzani Paola , Dalle Grave Riccardo
Published: October 2014

This case report describes a 28-year-old non-athlete female patient with anorexia nervosa who was diagnosed with an ischiopubic ramus stress fracture and treated successfully as an inpatient with a cognitive behaviour-based therapy. The patient's clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment are described, and a brief review of the relevant literature is included. The importance of this case report stems from the rarity of descriptions of this kind of injury in such patients, despite their inherent risk, and the originality of the treatment applied. This, in addition to the usual approach to medical management, exploited specific cognitive and behavioural procedures and strategies to address the patient's excessive compulsive exercising, promoting rest and movement avoidance in order to allow the fracture to heal, while simultaneously addressing the underlying psychopathology.
A rare cause of hyperthyroidism: functioning thyroid metastases
Authors: Gardner Daphne , Ho Su Chin
Published: October 2014

Hyperthyroidism is a common medical problem that is readily treated with antithyroid medications. However, attributing the correct aetiology of hyperthyroidism alters management and outcome. We present a case of a 66-year-old woman with a seemingly common problem of hyperthyroidism associated with a goitre, which was initially attributed to a toxic nodule. However, Tc-99m pertechnetate uptake scan and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor antibody were negative, inconsistent with a toxic nodule or Grave’s disease. Her thyroid function tests proved difficult to control over the next few months. She eventually proceeded to a total thyroidectomy and histology revealed follicular variant papillary thyroid carcinoma. She was started on levothyroxine postoperatively but developed severe hyperthyroidism, revealing the cause of hyperthyroidism to be autonomously functioning thyroid metastases. Although functioning thyroid metastases are very rare, they need to be considered among the differential diagnoses of hyperthyroidism, as there are nuances in management that could alter the eventual outcome.
Isaacs’ syndrome in pregnancy
Authors: Lide Brianna , Singh Jasbir , Haeri Sina
Published: October 2014

Isaacs’ syndrome is a rare neuromuscular disorder of continuous muscle fibre activity resulting from peripheral nerve hyperexcitability. Symptoms commonly include myokymia (muscle twitching at rest), pseudomyotonia (delayed muscle relaxation), muscle cramps and stiffness. It is caused by voltage-gated potassium channel dysfunction and may be inherited or acquired. Treatment commonly includes anticonvulsants, immunosuppressive therapy and plasma exchange. To date only two cases of Isaacs’ syndrome in pregnancy have been reported. We present a case of maternal Isaacs’ along with a review of the literature. There are few reports of Isaacs’ syndrome in pregnancy, but all are associated with favourable outcomes. Given the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, genetic counselling of the gravida is recommended. Anticonvulsant may have to be used in pregnancy, and given the potential teratogenicity with several of these agents; preference should be given to newer drugs such as lamotrigine.
‘Conditional candour’ and ‘knowing me’: an interpretive description study on patient preferences for physician behaviours during end-of-life communication
Authors: Abdul-Razzak Amane , You John , Sherifali Diana , Simon Jessica , Brazil Kevin
Published: October 2014

Objective

To understand patients’ preferences for physician behaviours during end-of-life communication.

Methods

We used interpretive description methods to analyse data from semistructured, one-on-one interviews with patients admitted to general medical wards at three Canadian tertiary care hospitals. Study recruitment took place from October 2012 to August 2013. We used a purposive, maximum variation sampling approach to recruit hospitalised patients aged ≥55 years with a high risk of mortality within 6–12 months, and with different combinations of the following demographic variables: race (Caucasian vs non-Caucasian), gender and diagnosis (cancer vs non-cancer).

Results

A total of 16 participants were recruited, most of whom (69%) were women and 70% had a non-cancer diagnosis. Two major concepts regarding helpful physician behaviour during end-of-life conversations emerged: (1) ‘knowing me’, which reflects the importance of acknowledging the influence of family roles and life history on values and priorities expressed during end-of-life communication, and (2) ‘conditional candour’, which describes a process of information exchange that includes an assessment of patients’ readiness, being invited to the conversation, and sensitive delivery of information.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that patients prefer a nuanced approach to truth telling when having end-of-life discussions with their physician. This may have important implications for clinical practice and end-of-life communication training initiatives.
Efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone to overcome the effect of ovarian ageing (DITTO): a proof of principle randomised controlled trial protocol
Authors: Jayaprakasan Kannamannadiar , Narkwichean Amarin , Maalouf Walid E , Campbell Bruce K
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been proposed to improve pregnancy rates in women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. However, evidence regarding its efficacy is supported by a limited number of randomised controlled trials (RCTs). This double-blinded RCT aims to measure the effect of DHEA supplementation prior to and during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation on ovarian response prior to IVF treatment in women predicted to have poor ovarian reserve.

Methods and analysis

Sixty women with ovarian antral follicle count ≤10 and serum anti-Mullerian hormone ≤5 pmol/L undergoing IVF/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment at the Nurture fertility clinic, Nottingham will be recruited. They will be randomised to either receive DHEA capsule 75 mg/day or placebo for at least 12 weeks before egg collection. All participants will undergo standard long down regulation protocol using human menopausal gonadotropin 300 IU/day. Serum samples and follicular fluids at the time of egg collection will be collected for hormonal immunoassays. For ICSI participants, cumulus cells stripped from oocyte will be collected for cumulus gene expression analyses regarding oocyte competence. Microdrops of oocyte culture media before the time of ICSI will be assessed for glucose, pyruvate and lactate utilisation. Embryo transfer will be performed on day 2, 3 or 5 based on the number and quality of the embryos available. Pregnancy will be defined as urine pregnancy test positive (biochemical pregnancy) and 6–8 weeks ultrasound scan with fetal heart beat (clinical pregnancy) and live birth. It is planned to perform the molecular and nutritional fingerprint analyses in batches after finishing the clinical phase of the study.

Ethics and dissemination

The approval of the study was granted by the NHS Research Ethics Committee (Ref number NRES 12/EM/0002), the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the Nottingham University Hospitals Trust Research and Development department. All participants shall provide written informed consent before being randomised into allocated treatment groups.

Trial registration number

Protocol V.2.0; EudraCT number: 2011-002425-21;http://www.clinicaltrials.gov;NCT01572025; CTA reference: 03057/0053/001-0002
Discontinuing Inappropriate Medication in Nursing Home Residents (DIM-NHR Study): protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wouters Hans , Quik Elise H , Boersma Froukje , Nygård Peder , Bosman Judith , Böttger Wendelien M , Mulder Hans , Maring Jan-Gerard , Wijma-Vos Linda , Beerden Tim , van Doormaal Jasperien , Postma Maarten J , Zuidema Sytse U , Taxis Katja
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Nursing home residents often have a high number of comorbidities resulting in polypharmacy. Inappropriate prescribing is therefore likely to occur, which in turn is expected to worsen cognitive impairment, to increase the fall risk and to decrease residents’ quality of life. The objective of the ‘Discontinuing Inappropriate Medication in Nursing Home Residents’ (DIM-NHR) study is to examine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of the Multidisciplinary Multistep Medication Review (3MR) that is aimed at optimising prescribing and discontinuing inappropriate medication.

Methods

A cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted. Elderly care physicians and their wards (clusters) will be randomised. Data will be collected at baseline and 4 months after the 3MR has taken place. Six hundred nursing home residents will be recruited of whom more than half are expected to suffer from dementia. The 3MR will be based on consensus criteria and the relevant literature and will be performed by the patient’s elderly care physician in collaboration with a pharmacist.

Analysis

Primary outcomes—the difference in proportion of residents who successfully discontinuedinappropriatemedication between the intervention and control group at follow-up.Secondary outcomes—undertreatment, exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medicines, neuropsychiatric symptoms, cognitive function, falls, hospital admission, quality of life and cost-effectiveness.

Ethics and dissemination

Participant burden will be kept at a minimum. The elderly care physician will remain free to adjust medication when symptoms relapse or adverse events occur, rendering serious adverse events highly unlikely. Study findings will be published in peer-reviewed journals and a 3MR toolkit will be developed.

Trial registration number

This study has been registered athttp://www.ClinicalTrials.gov(trial registration number:NCT01876095)
Sonic hedgehog signalling proteins are frequently expressed in retinoblastoma and are associated with aggressive clinicopathological features
Authors: Choe Ji-Young , Yun Ji Yun , Jeon Yoon Kyung , Kim Se Hoon , Choung Ho-Kyung , Oh Sohee , Park Mira , Kim Ji Eun
Published: October 2014

Aims

This study aimed to examine the expression of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signalling proteins in retinoblastoma and to evaluate its clinical significance.

Methods

Seventy-nine enucleated retinoblastoma tumours were investigated immunohistochemically using antibodies against SHH pathway proteins, such as SHH, glioma-associated oncogene homologue (GLI) 1, GLI2, GLI3 and ABC binding cassette G2 (ABCG2). Western blotting of SHH signalling proteins was performed in two retinoblastoma cell lines.

Results

SHH was expressed in most retinoblastoma cases (78 of 79, 98.7%), with 21 cases (26.6%) showing strong expression. GLI1 and GLI2 were also frequently expressed: 67 of 78 cases (85.9%) and 71 of 77 cases (92.2%), respectively. GLI3, a transcriptional repressor, was expressed at low levels in 23 of the 78 cases (29.5%). High ABCG2 expression was found in 23 of the 78 cases (29.5%). High expression levels of these proteins in retinoblastoma cell lines were confirmed by western blotting. The expression of SHH was associated with advanced stages, local invasion and metastasis (all p<0.05).

Conclusions

SHH signalling molecules were frequently expressed in retinoblastoma tumour cells, and high SHH expression was closely related to an advanced disease status. Our results suggest that the SHH signalling pathway may play a role in the progression of retinoblastoma.
Modeling significant factors affecting commuters’ perspectives and propensity to use the new proposed metro service in Doha
Authors: Shaaban Khaled , Hassan Hany M.
Published: October 2014

The Qatari government introduced a major public transport project titled the Doha Metro system to address the fast growing transportation demands in Qatar’s urban areas and to be ready for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. To benefit from this new metro system in reducing traffic congestion problems in Doha, it must be attractive with a reasonable level of service to attract large numbers of car users to switch to the new metro. This goal can be achieved by a better understanding of the user’s needs and expectations in Qatar. This paper aims to identify and quantify the significant factors affecting commuters’ perspectives, preferences and tendencies to use this new metro network for their daily trips in the future. The data used for the analysis was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire survey carried out among a sample of commuters living in Doha. Different data mining techniques were employed including conditional distributions and two-way analysis. In addition, logistic regression and structural equation modeling approaches were developed. The results revealed that the location of metro stations, the metro station’s features, the metro’s features, gender, the number of daily trips, the purpose of trips, and the average duration of trips in Doha were the significant factors that affected commuters’ willingness and tendency to use the new metro system. The results of this study provide authorities and decision makers in Doha with valuable insights that should be taken into consideration prior to implementing the new metro service to ensure its success.
Identification and comparative analysis of key parameters influencing construction labour productivity in building and industrial projects
Authors: Tsehayae Abraham Assefa , Robinson Fayek Aminah
Published: October 2014

Parameters (factors and practices) influencing construction labour productivity are multi-faceted and project dependent. A proven measurement scheme and modeling approach to investigate the effect of parameters on construction labour productivity has not yet been developed. This study identifies key parameters influencing labour productivity using context-sensitive surveys that reveal contextual differences between key parameters. The study relies on data collected through 141 surveys administered to project management and trade respondents from six Canadian projects in either of two contexts: building and industrial. Analysis revealed the top parameters influencing labour productivity on building and industrial projects. Consensus between project management and trade level respondents regarding parameters’ effects within and between contexts was evaluated using statistical analysis; results indicated some differences in perception. The methodology and findings from this paper are useful for identifying enablers of and barriers to better productivity, developing context-sensitive labour productivity models for use in analysis, and developing productivity improvement strategies.
Stress responses as determinants of antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: multidrug efflux and more
Authors: Poole Keith
Published: October 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a notoriously antimicrobial-resistant organism that is increasingly refractory to antimicrobial chemotherapy. While the usual array of acquired resistance mechanisms contribute to resistance development in this organism a multitude of endogenous genes also play a role. These include a variety of multidrug efflux loci that contribute to both intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance. Despite their roles in resistance, however, it is clear that these efflux systems function in more than just antimicrobial efflux. Indeed, recent data indicate that they are recruited in response to environmental stress and, therefore, function as components of the organism’s stress responses. In fact, a number of endogenous resistance-promoting genes are linked to environmental stress, functioning as part of known stress responses or recruited in response to a variety of environmental stress stimuli. Stress responses are, thus, important determinants of antimicrobial resistance in P. aeruginosa. As such, they represent possible therapeutic targets in countering antimicrobial resistance in this organism.
Understanding Networks of Computing Chemical Droplet Neurons Based on Information Flow
Authors: Gruenert Gerd , Gizynski Konrad , Escuela Gabi , Ibrahim Bashar , Gorecki Jerzy , Dittrich Peter
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we present general methods that can be used to explore the information processing potential of a medium composed of oscillating (self-exciting) droplets. Networks of Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) droplets seem especially interesting as chemical reaction-diffusion computers because their time evolution is qualitatively similar to neural network activity. Moreover, such networks can be self-generated in microfluidic reactors. However, it is hard to track and to understand the function performed by a medium composed of droplets due to its complex dynamics. Corresponding to recurrent neural networks, the flow of excitations in a network of droplets is not limited to a single direction and spreads throughout the whole medium. In this work, we analyze the operation performed by droplet systems by monitoring the information flow. This is achieved by measuring mutual information and time delayed mutual information of the discretized time evolution of individual droplets. To link the model with reality, we use experimental results to estimate the parameters of droplet interactions. We exemplarily investigate an evolutionary generated droplet structure that operates as a NOR gate. The presented methods can be applied to networks composed of at least hundreds of droplets.
Two dimensional numerical modeling of a membrane humidifier with porous media flow field for PEM fuel cell
Authors: Afshari Ebrahim , Houreh Nasser Baharlou
Published: October 2014

A membrane humidifier with porous media flow field (metal foam) can provide more water transfer, low manufacturing complexity and low cost in comparison with the conventional humidifier. In this study, a two-dimensional numerical model is developed to investigate the performance of the humidifier with porous metal foam. The results indicate that the dew point increases with a decrease in the permeability, but at permeabilities lower than 10-8 the pressure drop increases extremely. At all ranges of pressures, temperatures and flow rates of humidifier inlet, the pressure drop in humidifier with porous media flow field is only about 0.5 kPa higher than that of the conventional humidifier, which is not significant and it can be ignored. An increase in the pressure at dry side inlet and wet side inlet of the humidifier results in a better humidifier performance. Humidifier performs better at high flow rates and temperatures of humidifier wet side inlet. At all ranges of pressures, flow rates and temperatures humidifier with porous metal foam indicates better performance.
Unveiling the thermal entanglement in a mixed-spin XXZ model with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya interaction under a homogeneous magnetic field
Authors: Liu Cheng-Cheng , Xu Shuai , He Juan , Ye Liu
Published: October 2014

We analytically investigate the thermal entanglement of three-mixed-spin (1/2, 1, 1/2) XXZ model with the DM interaction under an external magnetic field B. Two different cases are considered: one subsystem (1/2, 1/2) consists of two spin-1/2 fermions and the other subsystem (1/2, 1) contains a spin-1/2 fermion and a spin-1 boson. It is shown that the DM interaction parameter D, the external magnetic field strength B and coupling constant J have different effects on Fermi and mixed Fermi–Bose systems. All of the factors mentioned above can be utilized to control entanglement switch of any two particles in mixed spins model.