bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health‐care Work in Globalization: News Reports on Care Worker Migration to Japan
Authors: Shinohara Chika
Published: March 2016

Health‐care worker migration has emerged as a social issue in Japan, contrary to it has in Indonesia. This article shows how national contexts affected by globalization have shaped social understandings and policies towards health‐care worker migration in the two societies over time. Analyses of news coverage in the Japanese and Indonesian national media reveal a gap of social responses toward this change. The Japanese are more likely to respond negatively to health‐care worker migration; yet they intend to face cross‐cultural challenges, although slowly, making revisions to related policies. In contrast, in Indonesia, from where health‐care workers migrate to Japan and many other countries, this tends to be understood positively, overall, as providing economic benefits and permitting Indonesian professionals to contribute to the worker shortage in Japan. I interpret these results based on the literature on health‐care worker migration, emerging global norms and local changes, and comparative research on employment and care work. This study contributes to the sociological understanding of worker migration and health‐care issues.
Role of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms in aplastic anemia: a case–control study from China
Authors: Yu W. , Ge M. , Shi J. , Li X. , Zhang J. , Wang M. , Shao Y. , Zheng Y.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and its polymorphisms are highlighted as candidate components for susceptibility to various autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the role ofVDRpolymorphisms (rs2228570, rs1544410, rs7975232, and rs731236) in aplastic anemia (AA).

Methods

In this case–control study, the genotyping ofVDRrs1544410 (c.1024 + 283G>A), rs7975232 (c.1025‐49G>T), and rs731236 (c.1056T>C) polymorphisms was conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–ligase detection reaction, while the genotyping of rs2228570 (c.2T>C) was detected byPCR–restriction fragment length polymorphism.

Results

The frequencies ofGGgenotype and G allele of rs1544410 were significantly higher in patients withAAthan in controls. Further analysis indicated that rs1544410 and rs7975232 polymorphisms were correlated with the risk to nonsevereAA, while rs2228570 was relevant to severeAA. Moreover,TTcarriers of rs2228570 were closely associated with a poor response to treatment and a higher risk of myelodysplastic syndrome/acute leukemia transformation, whileCTcarriers more easily evolved to overt paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Conclusions

VDRpolymorphisms may contribute to susceptibility toAAand influence the severity and prognosis ofAAin a Chinese population.
Validation of a molecular diagnostic assay for CALR exon 9 indels in myeloproliferative neoplasms: identification of coexisting JAK2 and CALR mutations and a novel 9 bp deletion in CALR
Authors: Murugesan G. , Guenther‐Johnson J. , Mularo F. , Cook J. R. , Daly T. M.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

The 2008 WHO criteria for the diagnosis and classification of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) rely in part upon the assessment of mutations in JAK2 and MPL genes. Recently, mutations in calreticulin (CALR) have been identified in MPN lacking JAK2 and MPL mutations. We have validated a sensitive fragment analysis assay to detect CALR mutations.

Methods

Genomic DNA from peripheral blood, bone marrow, and FFPE bone marrow clot preparations from 52 MPN specimens with known JAK2 and MPL mutation status and 29 non‐MPN specimens was analyzed. CALR mutation testing was performed by fragment length analysis, and the results were confirmed by sequencing. Accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and robustness of the assay were determined.

Results

Forty specimens (32 JAK2+, 2 JAK2‐/MPL+, and 6 JAK2‐/MPL‐) were negative for CALR mutations. Twelve specimens had CALR mutations including 52 bp deletion (5), 5 bp insertion (6), and a novel 9 bp deletion (1). This 9 bp inframe deletion occurring at an allelic burden of 50% would delete three amino acids. One specimen with a 52 bp deletion also had JAK2 V617F mutation. All 29 non‐MPN specimens were negative for CALR mutations. The assay accurately identified the mutation status of all 52 MPN specimens and had a coefficient of variation <3% for the fragment size and mutant peaks with a sensitivity of 5% for indels.

Conclusions

Fragment analysis is an accurate and sensitive method for the detection of CALR indels. The novel 9 bp deletion is likely a germline variant. Consequence of coexisting JAK2 V617F and CALR mutations requires careful interpretation.
Enzalutamide in Japanese patients with chemotherapy‐naïve, metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer: A post‐hoc analysis of the placebo‐controlled PREVAIL trial
Authors: Kimura Go , Yonese Junji , Fukagai Takashi , Kamba Tomomi , Nishimura Kazuo , Nozawa Masahiro , Mansbach Hank , Theeuwes Ad , Beer Tomasz M , Tombal Bertrand , Ueda Takeshi
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To evaluate the treatment effects, safety and pharmacokinetics of enzalutamide in Japanese patients.

Methods

This was a post‐hoc analysis of the phase 3, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled PREVAIL trial. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic chemotherapy‐naïve patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer progressing on androgen deprivation therapy were randomized one‐to‐one to 160 mg/day oral enzalutamide or placebo until discontinuation on radiographic progression or skeletal‐related event and initiation of subsequent antineoplastic therapy. Coprimary end‐points were centrally assessed radiographic progression‐free survival and overall survival. Secondary end‐points were investigator‐assessed radiographic progression‐free survival, time to initiation of chemotherapy, time to prostate‐specific antigen progression, prostate‐specific antigen response (≥50% decline) and time to skeletal‐related event.

Results

Of 1717 patients, 61 were enrolled in Japan (enzalutamide, n = 28; placebo, n = 33); hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) of 0.30 for centrally assessed radiographic progression‐free survival (0.03–2.95), 0.59 for overall survival (0.20–1.8), 0.46 for time to chemotherapy (0.22–0.96) and 0.36 for time to prostate‐specific antigen progression (0.17–0.75) showed the treatment benefit of enzalutamide over the placebo. Prostate‐specific antigen responses were observed in 60.7% of enzalutamide‐treated men versus 21.2% of placebo‐treated men. Plasma concentrations of enzalutamide were higher in Japanese patients: the geometric mean ratio of Japanese/non‐Japanese patients was 1.126 (90% confidence interval 1.018–1.245) at 13 weeks. Treatment‐related adverse events grade ≥3 occurred in 3.6% of enzalutamide‐ and 6.1% of placebo‐treated Japanese patients.

Conclusion

Treatment effects and safety in Japanese patients were generally consistent with the overall results from PREVAIL.
The Influence of Water Activity on the Hydration Rate of Tricalcium Silicate
Authors: Oey Tandre , Kumar Aditya , Falzone Gabriel , Huang Jian , Kennison Sierra , Bauchy Mathieu , Neithalath Narayanan , Bullard Jeffrey W. , Sant Gaurav
Published: March 2016

Tricalcium silicate does not undergo hydration at relative humidities (RH's) below 80%. But, the rate at which its hydration rate decreases as a function of the RH has not yet been elucidated. By invoking correspondence between RH and water activity (aH, unitless), both of which are related to the chemical potential of water, the reaction evolutions of triclinic tricalcium silicate (i.e., T1‐Ca3SiO5 or C3S) are tracked in water + isopropanol (IPA) mixtures, prepared across a wide range of water activities. Emphasis is placed on quantifying the: (a) rate of hydration as a function of aH, and (b) the critical (initial, aH0c or the achieved) water activity at which hydration effectively ceases, i.e., does not progress; here identified to be ≈ 0.70. The hydration of tricalcium silicate is arrested even when the system remains near saturated with a liquid phase, such that small, if any, capillary stresses develop. This suggests that changes in chemical potential induced via a vapor‐phase or liquid‐phase route both induce similar suppressions of C3S hydration. A phase boundary nucleation and growth (pBNG) model is fit to measured hydration rates from the onset of the acceleration period until well beyond the rate maximum when the water activity is altered. The simulations suggest that for a fixed hydrate nucleation density, any water activity reductions consistently suppress the growth of hydration products. Thermodynamic considerations of how water activity changes may influence reactions/hydrate evolutions are discussed. The outcomes improve our understanding of the chemical factors that influence the rate of Ca3SiO5 hydration.
Cardiovascular Outcomes According to Systolic Blood Pressure in Patients With and Without Diabetes: An ACCOMPLISH Substudy
Authors: Weber Michael A. , Bloch Michael , Bakris George L. , Weir Matthew R. , Zappe Dion H. , Dahlof Bjorn , Velazquez Eric J. , Pitt Bertram , Basile Jan N. , Jamerson Kenneth , Hua Tsushung A.
Published: March 2016

To evaluate the effects of achieved systolic blood pressure (SBP) during treatment on cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, the authors measured event rates of a composite primary endpoint (CV death or nonfatal myocardial infarction or stroke) at on‐treatment SBPs of ≥140 mm Hg and the 10 mm Hg intervals of <140 mm Hg, <130 mm Hg, and <120 mm Hg in 6459 patients with diabetes (mean age, 67) and 4246 patients without diabetes (mean age, 69) from the Avoiding Cardiovascular Events in Combination Therapy in Patients Living With Systolic Hypertension (ACCOMPLISH) trial. In the diabetic cohort, the primary endpoint was 49% lower (P<.001) at <140 mm Hg than at ≥140 mm Hg, and the separate components of this endpoint were also significantly reduced. Further SBP reductions did not improve outcomes, and at <120 mm Hg they were no longer different (except for stroke) from ≥140 mm Hg. In contrast, in the nondiabetic cohort, the primary endpoint event rate fell steadily (although not significantly) through the decreasing SBP categories until it was reduced by 45% (P=.0413) at <120 mm Hg. Total stroke rates for both the diabetic (−56%, P=.0120) and nondiabetic (−68%, P=.0067) cohorts were lowest at <120 mm Hg, and adverse renal events (serum creatinine increase ≥50%) were significantly lowest in the range of 130 mm Hg to 139 mm Hg for both cohorts. Diabetic patients (<140 mm Hg or <130 mm Hg) and nondiabetic patients (<120 mm Hg) may require different SBP targets for optimal CV protection, although stroke and renal considerations should also influence the selection of blood pressure targets.
Association of potentially functional variants in the XPG gene with neuroblastoma risk in a Chinese population
Authors: He Jing , Wang Fenghua , Zhu Jinhong , Zhang Ruizhong , Yang Tianyou , Zou Yan , Xia Huimin
Published: March 2016

XPG gene plays a critical role in the nucleotide excision repair pathway. However, the association between XPG gene polymorphisms and neuroblastoma risk has not been investigated. In this study with 256 neuroblastoma cases and 531 cancer‐free controls, we investigated the effects of five potentially functional polymorphisms (rs2094258 C>T, rs751402 C>T, rs2296147 T>C, rs1047768 T>C and rs873601G>A) on neuroblastoma risk. We calculated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate the association between the five selected polymorphisms and neuroblastoma risk. False‐positive report probability (FPRP) was utilized to determine whether significant findings were noteworthy or because of a chance. We also performed genotype–phenotype association analysis to explore the biological plausibility of our findings. We found that the rs2094258 T allele was significantly associated with decreased neuroblastoma risk (CT versus CC: adjusted OR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.47–0.90, P = 0.010; and CT/TT versus CC: adjusted OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.53–0.97, P = 0.030) after adjusting for age and gender. The association was more prominent for subjects with retroperitoneal tumour or early‐stage tumour. We also found that carriers of the 2–3 risk genotypes had a significantly increased neuroblastoma risk when compared to carriers of the 0–1 risk genotypes. The association with risk genotypes was more predominant in older children, females and subjects with retroperitoneal tumour or early stage. Our results were further supported by FPRP analysis and genotype–phenotype association analysis. In conclusion, our study verified that the XPG gene rs2094258 C>T polymorphism may contribute to neuroblastoma susceptibility. Our findings require further validation by studies with larger sample size and concerning different ethnicities.
Rapid evolution of antioxidant defence in a natural population of Daphnia magna
Authors: Oexle S. , Jansen M. , Pauwels K. , Sommaruga R. , De Meester L. , Stoks R.
Published: March 2016

Natural populations can cope with rapid changes in stressors by relying on sets of physiological defence mechanisms. Little is known onto what extent these physiological responses reflect plasticity and/or genetic adaptation, evolve in the same direction and result in an increased defence ability. Using resurrection ecology, we studied how a natural Daphnia magna population adjusted its antioxidant defence to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) during a period with increasing incident UVR reaching the water surface. We demonstrate a rapid evolution of the induction patterns of key antioxidant enzymes under UVR exposure in the laboratory. Notably, evolutionary changes strongly differed among enzymes and mainly involved the evolution of UV‐induced plasticity. Whereas D. magna evolved a strong plastic up‐regulation of glutathione peroxidase under UVR, it evolved a lower plastic up‐regulation of glutathione S‐transferase and superoxide dismutase and a plastic down‐regulation of catalase. The differentially evolved antioxidant strategies were collectively equally effective in dealing with oxidative stress because they resulted in the same high levels of oxidative damage (to lipids, proteins and DNA) and lowered fitness (intrinsic growth rate) under UVR exposure. The lack of better protection against UVR may suggest that the UVR exposure did not increase between both periods. Predator‐induced evolution to migrate to lower depths that occurred during the same period may have contributed to the evolved defence strategy. Our results highlight the need for a multiple trait approach when focusing on the evolution of defence mechanisms.
Mode‐synthesizing atomic force microscopy for volume characterization of mixed metal nanoparticles
Authors: VITRY P. , BOURILLOT E. , TÉTARD L. , PLASSARD C. , LACROUTE Y. , LESNIEWSKA E.
Published: March 2016

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and other techniques derived from AFM have revolutionized the understanding of materials and biology at the nanoscale, but mostly provide surface properties. The observation of subsurface nanoscale features and properties remains a great challenge in nanometrology. The operating principle of the mode‐synthesizing AFM (MSAFM) is based on the interaction of two ultrasonic waves, one launched by the AFM probe fp, a second launched by the sample fs, and their resulting nonlinear frequency mixing. Recent developments highlighted the need for quantitative correlation between the role of the frequency actuation of the probe fp and the sample fs. Here we present the great potential of MSAFM for advanced volume characterization of metallic nanoparticles presenting a multilayered structure composed of a nickel core surrounded by a gold envelope.
Transmission electron microscopy of mercury metal
Authors: ANJUM DALAVER H. , SOUGRAT RACHID
Published: March 2016

Transmission electron microcopy (TEM) analysis of liquid metals, especially mercury (Hg), is difficult to carry out because their specimen preparation poses a daunting task due to the unique surface properties of these metals. This paper reports a cryoTEM study on Hg using a novel specimen preparation technique. Hg metal is mixed with water using sonication and quenched in liquid ethane cryogen. This technique permits research into the morphological, phase and structural properties of Hg at nanoscale dimensions.
Non‐rigid alignment in electron tomography in materials science
Authors: PRINTEMPS TONY , BERNIER NICOLAS , BLEUET PIERRE , MULA GUIDO , HERVÉ LIONEL
Published: March 2016

Electron tomography is a key technique that enables the visualization of an object in three dimensions with a resolution of about a nanometre. High‐quality 3D reconstruction is possible thanks to the latest compressed sensing algorithms and/or better alignment and preprocessing of the 2D projections. Rigid alignment of 2D projections is routine in electron tomography. However, it cannot correct misalignments induced by (i) deformations of the sample due to radiation damage or (ii) drifting of the sample during the acquisition of an image in scanning transmission electron microscope mode. In both cases, those misalignments can give rise to artefacts in the reconstruction. We propose a simple‐to‐implement non‐rigid alignment technique to correct those artefacts. This technique is particularly suited for needle‐shaped samples in materials science. It is initiated by a rigid alignment of the projections and it is then followed by several rigid alignments of different parts of the projections. Piecewise linear deformations are applied to each projection to force them to simultaneously satisfy the rigid alignments of the different parts. The efficiency of this technique is demonstrated on three samples, an intermetallic sample with deformation misalignments due to a high electron dose typical to spectroscopic electron tomography, a porous silicon sample with an extremely thin end particularly sensitive to electron beam and another porous silicon sample that was drifting during image acquisitions.
Relation between periodontal disease and arterial stiffness
Authors: Nicolosi L. N. , Lewin P. G. , Rudzinski J. J. , Pompeo M. , Guanca F. , Rodríguez P. , Gelpi R. J. , Rubio M. C.
Published: March 2016

Background and Objective

Periodontal disease has been described as playing a role in the atherosclerosis process, and its relation with intimal thickness and vascular endothelial function (EF) has been investigated. The present study sought to determine whether there are differences in parameters of arterial stiffness and EF between patients with and without severe periodontal disease (SPD).

Material and Methods

Patients referred to the School of Dentistry University of Buenos Aires, were assessed. Demographic characteristics, atherogenic risk factors and concomitant pathologies were recorded. Patients with known cardiovascular pathology were excluded. Using carotid Doppler ultrasound an operator assessed arterial stiffness parameters: compliance, elastic modulus (EM), β stiffness index (βSI) and vascular EF by brachial artery flow‐mediated dilatation. The patients were divided into two groups: with and without SPD.

Results

Forty patients were included; 60% were women; 15 were in the SPD group and 25 in the group without SPD. Respective results of the studied variables were: age 56.53 ± 17.58 vs. 51.12 ± 12.97 years (NS); probing depth 2.53 ± 1.30 (95% CI 1.81–3.25) vs. 1.25 ± 0.51 (95% CI 1.31–1.73) p = 0.02; clinical attachment level 4.80 ± 2.00 (95% CI 3.69–5.91) vs. 1.72 ± 0.93 (95% CI 1.33–2.11) p = 0.001; intimal thickness 0.10 ± 0.17 (95% CI 0.095–0.11) vs. 0.82 ± 0.18 (95% CI 0.074–0.98) (NS); EM 48.33 ± 12.53 vs. 38.86 ± 7.69 (p = 0.005); βSI 4.21 ± 1.03 vs. 3.64 ± 1.02 (p = 0.004); EF 16.13 ± 5.02 vs. 22.76 ± 4.50 (p = 0.0003). Correlation between: EM and clinical attachment level r = 0.58 (p < 0.001), βSI and clinical attachment level r = 0.66 (p < 0.001), EF and clinical attachment level 0.59 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Parameters of arterial stiffness and EF were worse in patients with SPD and correlated moderately with clinical attachment level. Correlation with compliance and EF was negative.
Urothelial Dysfunction and Chronic Inflammation in Diabetic Patients with Overactive Bladder
Authors: WANG Chung‐Cheng , KUO Hann‐Chorng
Published: March 2016

Objectives

To investigate urothelial dysfunction, suburothelial inflammation, and muscarinic receptor expression in diabetic patients with overactive bladder (OAB).

Methods

A total 19 patients with OAB and diabetes mellitus (DM), 14 OAB patients without DM, and 10 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. Immunofluorescence staining of E‐cadherin, zonula occludens‐1 (ZO‐1), tryptase (mast cell activation), and apoptosis tests on the bladder urothelium and suburothelium were performed. Tissue muscarinic receptor M2, M3, and purinergic receptor P2X3 levels were measured by Western blotting. Video urodynamic studies were analyzed in relation to immunofluorescence and western blotting results.

Results

The mean age of the controls, OAB patients without and with DM were comparable (62.9 ± 6.9, 58.4 ± 21.3, and 68.9 ± 11.3 years, respectively, P = 0.25). E‐cadherin and mast cell expression in the bladder urothelium samples of the DM‐OAB group and the OAB group without DM differed significantly from those of the control group (all P < 0.05). However, immunofluorescence analyses including E‐cadherin, mast cells, apoptotic cell counts, and ZO‐1 were comparable between OAB patients with and without DM. In addition, M3 muscarinic protein expression in the bladders of OAB patients with and without DM was significantly higher than that in the control subjects. The video urodynamic parameters did not correlate with the immunofluorescence data, M2 and M3 muscarinic receptor data, or P2X3 protein expression.

Conclusion

Urothelial dysfunction and chronic suburothelial inflammation may contribute to the pathogeneses of OAB. However, DM does not aggravate the severity of urothelial inflammation in OAB patients.
Factors influencing older people′s experiences of participation in autonomous decisions concerning their daily care in their own homes: a review of the literature
Authors: Fjordside Solveig , Morville Annette
Published: March 2016

Aim

To review the literature on how older people perceive opportunities and limitations with regard to participation in autonomous decisions concerning their daily care in their own homes.

Background

The perception of personal control plays a critical role in an older person's health and well‐being. Little is known about factors that facilitate or hinder older people′s autonomous decision‐making in their own homes.

Methods

The study has been carried out as a literature review. The following databases were used: CINAHL, PubMed, PsykInfo, Cochrane, SweMed, Embase. Research studies range from 2009 to 2014.

Results

The review includes 12 publications. Four core themes are generated: older person's autonomy in their own home; autonomy and relationship; the balance between autonomy and dependency; older people′s autonomy and the organisation of home care.

Conclusion

Older people have a strong inner drive to maintain autonomy in their own home. The autonomy is challenged when the person becomes increasingly dependent on help. The relationship with carers is of vital importance with regard to the person's ability to make autonomous decisions. The organisation of home care restricts older people′ scope for autonomy.

Implications for practice

Older people′s own perspectives on autonomous decisions can contribute to the ongoing debate about how nursing care can be developed with respect to their autonomy. Nursing care demands attention to an older person′s desire for autonomy despite dependency. A framework for systematic ethical discussions among carers may improve awareness about factors that facilitate or hinder good personalised care. The organisation of nursing care needs to be shaped in line with best practice for older people.
Matrix effect on baked egg tolerance in children with IgE‐mediated hen's egg allergy
Authors: Miceli Sopo Stefano , Greco Monica , Cuomo Barbara , Bianchi Annamaria , Liotti Lucia , Monaco Serena , Dello Iacono Iride
Published: March 2016

Background

Children with IgE‐mediated hen's egg allergy (IgE‐HEA) often tolerate baked egg within a wheat matrix.

Objective

To evaluate the influence of wheat matrix and the effects of little standardized cooking procedures on baked egg tolerance.

Methods

Fifty‐four children with IgE‐HEA were enrolled. They underwent prick‐by‐prick (PbP) tests and open oral food challenges (OFC) performed with baked HE within a wheat matrix (a home‐made cake, locally called ciambellone), baked HE without a wheat matrix (in the form of an omelet, locally named frittata) and boiled HE. Three months after passing ciambellone OFC, parents were asked to answer a survey.

Results

About 88% of children tolerated ciambellone, 74% frittata, and 56% boiled HE. Negative predictive value of PbP performed with ciambellone, frittata, and boiled HE was 100%. No IgE‐mediated adverse reactions were detected at follow‐up carried out by the survey.

Conclusions

Wheat matrix seemed to be relevant only in few cases. If our results will be confirmed by larger studies, a negative PbP with ciambellone, frittata, or boiled HE will allow patients with IgE‐HEA to eat these foods without undergoing OFC. Moreover, our study showed that very strict standardized cooking procedures do not seem to be essential, to guarantee tolerance toward baked HE.
An application of the generalized Poisson difference distribution to the Bayesian modelling of football scores
Authors: Shahtahmassebi Golnaz , Moyeed Rana
Published: March 2016

The analysis of sports data, in particular football match outcomes, has always produced an immense interest among the statisticians. In this paper, we adopt the generalized Poisson difference distribution (GPDD) to model the goal difference of football matches. We discuss the advantages of the proposed model over the Poisson difference (PD) model, which was also used for the same purpose. The GPDD model, like the PD model, is based on the goal difference in each game that allows us to account for the correlation without explicitly modelling it. The main advantage of the GPDD model is its flexibility in the tails by considering shorter as well as longer tails than the PD distribution. We carry out the analysis in a Bayesian framework in order to incorporate external information, such as historical knowledge or data, through the prior distributions. We model both the mean and the variance of the goal difference and show that such a model performs considerably better than a model with a fixed variance. Finally, the proposed model is fitted to the 2012–2013 Italian Serie A football data, and various model diagnostics are carried out to evaluate the performance of the model.
Sepsis and multi‐organ dysfunction associated with postgrooming furunculosis in a dog
Authors: Pipe‐Martin Hannah N. , Peterson Tiffany A. , Langohr Ingeborg M. , Lane Martha , Fletcher Jon M. , Gaschen Frederic , Pucheu‐Haston Cherie M.
Published: March 2016

Background

Postgrooming furunculosis, as previously described in the dog, is a type of pyoderma that typically responds to routine antimicrobial therapy. Systemic clinical signs are common but are usually mild.

Animal

A 3‐year‐old spayed female great dane was presented with marked dorsal furunculosis of 24 h duration. The clinical signs and blood analyses were consistent with sepsis, systemic inflammatory response syndrome and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC).

Methods and results

Skin culture revealed multi‐drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. The dog did not respond to aggressive medical therapy including intravenous antibiotic therapy, fresh frozen plasma and haemodynamic support, and was humanely euthanized. Postmortem findings were consistent with postgrooming furunculosis with associated sepsis and DIC affecting multiple organs including the lungs and brain.

Conclusions and clinical importance

Postgrooming furunculosis can progress to sepsis and multiple organ dysfunction in the dog and can lead to death.
Clinical features, cytology and bacterial culture results in dogs with and without cheilitis and comparison of three sampling techniques
Authors: Doelle Maren , Loeffler Anette , Wolf Katharina , Kostka Veit , Linek Monika
Published: March 2016

Background

Cheilitis is a common presentation in dogs associated with a variety of skin diseases and often complicated by microbial infections.

Objectives

To describe and compare clinical and cytological features and bacterial culture results from the lower lips of dogs with cheilitis (as compared to healthy controls), and to evaluate three cytology sampling techniques for their abilities to differentiate between the groups.

Animals

Fifty six dogs with cheilitis and 54 controls.

Methods

Anatomy and clinical signs of the lower lip were recorded. Cytology samples taken by tape strip, direct impression and swabs rolled over skin were scored semiquantitatively for microorganisms, inflammatory cells and keratinocytes. Cytology scores were correlated with semiquantitative bacterial culture scores.

Results

Pure breeds, frequency of lip folds and all cytology scores except keratinocytes were higher in dogs with cheilitis than in controls, but a substantial overlap was seen in all microorganisms between the groups. Hypersensitivity disorders were diagnosed in 40 of 56 dogs with cheilitis. The tape strip technique yielded the greatest differences between groups. Bacterial growth was reported in 100% of dogs with cheilitis and in 93% of the controls. Pathogens such asStaphylococcus pseudintermedius, Escherichia coliandPseudomonasspp were found more frequently in dogs with cheilitis. Cytology and bacterial culture were poorly correlated.

Conclusion

Cheilitis was associated with primary hypersensitivity disorders and the presence of a lip fold was a predisposing factor. Results of aerobic culture were similar to prior studies on pyoderma of other body sites, except for higher rates ofPseudomonasspp. isolation.
A Dynamic Analysis on the Transition Curve of Profiled Chamber Metering Pump
Authors: Lei Hua , Hu Huijün , Lu Yang
Published: March 2016

A profiled chamber metering pump (PCMP) is a new type of positive-displacement vane pump which is composed of a special stator and a rotor–slide assembly. The face-shaped curve of the inner chamber of the stator is formed by means of two quarter circular arcs and two quarter noncircular arcs, and one of the two quarter noncircular arcs is defined as transition curve. The geometry of the transition curve directly affects the dynamic performances of the pump system, including its mechanical vibration, friction, wear, and kinetic losses. This paper discusses a set of dynamic analysis methods that combine kinetic loss control with vibration control for optimization of the transition curve of the PCMP. At first, basic conception and work line on the method are explained. In a second step, by means of force analysis, a kinetic loss model is established. Then, the model is used to examine a group of vibration optimized curves in polynomial form, and kinetic losses caused by different mechanical resistance forces are calculated. Finally, through a comparison analysis together with vibration and kinetic losses, comprehensive optimal transition curves can be obtained.
Ovalization Defect in Energy Pipes Caused by Concentrated Load
Authors: Ghaednia Hossein , Das Sreekanta
Published: March 2016

Steel pipes are used to build pipelines that carry gas and oil across a country or a continent. The majority of onshore pipelines run underground; hence, they are called buried pipelines. These buried pipelines must endure external interferences and complex loading that result from geotechnical causes, aggressive environments, and operational requirements. Many segments of an underground pipeline may rest on rock tips and other localized hard surfaces, resulting in concentrated reaction load acting on small area of the outer wall of the operating pipeline. As a result, permanent inward deformations in the pipe wall, known as dent defect, can form. In addition, a resulting cross-sectional irregularity, known as an ovalization defect, can also occur. Pipe ovalization defects are a concern of pipeline operating companies, as the defect may challenge a pipeline's operation and/or structural integrity and safety. This research was completed by the Centre of Engineering Research in Pipelines located at the University of Windsor to examine the effects that rock tip shape, operating (internal) pressure, and a pipe's diameter-to-thickness ratio (D/t) have on an NPS30 X70-grade pipe's ovalization defect when it is subjected to such a concentrated load. This article discusses the lab-based full-scale examinations, finite element analysis (FEA) simulations, results, and discussions.
Optimization of a Centrifugal Compressor Impeller for Robustness to Manufacturing Uncertainties
Authors: Javed A. , Pecnik R. , van Buijtenen J. P.
Published: March 2016

Compressor impellers for mass-market turbochargers are die-casted and machined with an aim to achieve high dimensional accuracy and acquire specific performance. However, manufacturing uncertainties result in dimensional deviations causing incompatible operational performance and assembly errors. Process capability limitations of the manufacturer can cause an increase in part rejections, resulting in high production cost. This paper presents a study on a centrifugal impeller with focus on the conceptual design phase to obtain a turbomachine that is robust to manufacturing uncertainties. The impeller has been parameterized and evaluated using a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) solver. Considering the computational cost of CFD, a surrogate model has been prepared for the impeller by response surface methodology (RSM) using space-filling Latin hypercube designs. A sensitivity analysis has been performed initially to identify the critical geometric parameters which influence the performance mainly. Sensitivity analysis is followed by the uncertainty propagation and quantification using the surrogate model based Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, a robust design optimization has been carried out using a stochastic optimization algorithm leading to a robust impeller design for which the performance is relatively insensitive to variability in geometry without reducing the sources of inherent variation, i.e., the manufacturing noise.
Quantitative Structure Tribo-Ability Relationship for Organic Compounds as Lubricant Base Oils Using CoMFA and CoMSIA
Authors: Gao Xinlei , Liu Denghui , Wang Zhan , Dai Kang
Published: March 2016

The structures and the wear data of 47 different organic compounds as lubricant base oils were included in a comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity index analysis (CoMSIA)–quantitative structure tribo-ability relationship (QSTR) model. CoMFA- and CoMSIA-QSTR models illustrate good accuracy, robustness, and predictability, with the latter more accurate than the former. CoMFA-QSTR with both steric and electrostatic fields: R2 = 0. 958, R2(LOO) = 0.958, and q2 = 0.625; with only a steric field: R2 = 0.987, R2(LOO) = 0.987, and q2 = 0.692. CoMSIA-QSTR with a steric field: R2 = 0.924, R2(LOO) = 0.923, and q2 = 0.898, whereas CoMSIA-QSTR with a hydrophobic field gave R2 = 0.985, R2(LOO) = 0.985, and q2 = 0.899. QSTR with CoMFA and CoMSIA shows a strong correlation to wear scar diameter scales (WDS), and builds statistical and graphical models that relate the wear properties of molecules to their structures.
Dynamics of biosonar signals in free-swimming and stationary dolphins: The role of source levels on the characteristics of the signals
Authors: Au Whitlow W. L. , Martin Stephen W. , Moore Patrick W. , Branstetter Brian , Copeland Adrienne M.
Published: March 2016

The biosonar signals of two free-swimming Atlantic bottlenose dolphins performing a complex sonar search for a bottom target in San Diego Bay were compared with the biosonar signals of a dolphin performing a target discrimination task in a net pen in the same bay. A bite-plate device carried by the free-swimming dolphins supported a hydrophone that extended directly in front of the dolphin. A biosonar measuring tool attached to the bite plate measured the outgoing biosonar signals while the dolphins conducted sonar searches. Each of the free-swimming dolphins used different biosonar search strategy in solving the problem and the dolphins' biosonar signals reflect the difference in strategy. The dolphin in the pen stationed in a hoop while echolocating on a target 6 m away and reported if the indentation on a spherical target was directed toward it. The signals were parameterized by determining the peak-to-peak source levels, source energy flux density, peak frequency, center frequency, root-mean-square (rms) bandwidth, rms duration, and the Q of the signals. Some parameters were similar for the free-swimming and stationary dolphins while some were significantly different, suggesting biosonar signals used by free-swimming animals may be different than signals used by dolphins in a pen.
Exploration of the Mechanisms of Change in Constructs From Self-Determination Theory and Quality of Life During a Multidisciplinary Family-Based Intervention for Overweight Adolescents
Authors: Fenner Ashley A. , Howie Erin K. , Straker Leon M. , Hagger Martin S.
Published: March 2016

The current study explored whether a multidisciplinary family-based intervention underpinned by self-determination theory could enhance perceptions of parent need support, autonomous motivation, and quality of life in overweight and obese adolescents. Using a staggered-entry waitlist-period control design, adolescents (n = 56) were assessed at baseline and preintervention (within-participant control), immediately following intervention, and at 3, 6, and 12 month follow-ups. Parents were trained in need-supportive behaviors within the broader context of an 8-week multidisciplinary intervention attended jointly with adolescents. Following intervention, significant improvements were demonstrated in adolescent perceptions of parent need support, autonomous motivation, and quality of life, and changes were maintained at the 1-year follow-up. Mediation analyses revealed changes in perceptions of parent need support predicted changes in quality of life indirectly via changes in autonomous motivation. Findings suggest overweight and obese adolescents are likely to benefit from multidisciplinary family-based interventions that aim to train parents in need-supportive behaviors.
Tolerating Random Byzantine Failures in an Unbounded Network
Authors: Maurer Alexandre , Tixeuil Sebastien
Published: March 2016

In a context where networks grow larger and larger, their nodes become more likely to fail. Indeed, they may be subject to crashes, attacks, memory corruptions… To encompass all possible types of failure, we consider the most general model of failure: the Byzantine model, where any failing node may exhibit arbitrary (and potentially malicious) behavior.

We consider an asynchronous grid-shaped network where each node has a probability λ to be Byzantine. Our metric is the communication probability, that is, the probability that any two nodes communicate reliably. A number of Byzantine-resilient broadcast protocols exist, but they all share the same weakness: when the size of the grid increases, the communication probability approaches zero.

In this paper, we present the first protocol that overcomes this difficulty, and ensures a communication probability of [Formula: see text] on a grid that may be as large as we want (for a sufficiently small λ, typically [Formula: see text]). The originality of the approach lies in the fractal definition of the protocol, which, we believe, could be used to solve several similar problems related to scalability. We also extend this scheme to a 3-dimensional grid and obtain a [Formula: see text] communication probability for [Formula: see text].
On the Conditional Diagnosability of Hyper-Buttery Graphs and Related Networks
Authors: Cheng Eddie , Qiu Ke , Shen Zhizhang
Published: March 2016

The conditional diagnosability is an important measure of reliability of interconnection networks. Much progress has been made in the past decade. By consolidating various results, a general scheme can be developed to solve the conditional diagnosability problem for many important classes of interconnection networks; thus eliminating various ad-hoc methods used in earlier studies. The buttery network is an important interconnection network and it has been rediscovered multiple times by different authors. The hyper-buttery network is a graph that amalgamates the buttery network and the hypercube. In this paper, we solve the conditional diagnosability problem for these hyper-buttery networks and their generalizations.
Bose–Hubbard Hamiltonian: Quantum chaos approach
Authors: Kolovsky Andrey R.
Published: March 2016

We discuss applications of the theory of quantum chaos to one of the paradigm models of many-body quantum physics — the Bose–Hubbard (BH) model, which describes, in particular, interacting ultracold Bose atoms in an optical lattice. After preliminary, pure quantum analysis of the system we introduce the classical counterpart of the BH model and the governing semiclassical equations of motion. We analyze these equations for the problem of Bloch oscillations (BOs) of cold atoms where a number of experimental results are available. The paper is written for nonexperts and can be viewed as an introduction to the field.
Strong coupling diagram technique for the three-band Hubbard model
Authors: Sherman A.
Published: March 2016

Strong coupling diagram technique equations are derived for hole Green’s functions of the three-band Hubbard model, which describes Cu–O planes of high-[Formula: see text] cuprates. The equations are self-consistently solved in the approximation, in which the series for the irreducible part in powers of the oxygen–copper hopping constant is truncated to two lowest-order terms. For parameters used for hole-doped cuprates, the calculated energy spectrum consists of lower and upper Hubbard subbands of predominantly copper nature, oxygen bands with a small admixture of copper states and the Zhang–Rice states of mixed nature, which are located between the lower Hubbard subband and oxygen bands. The spectrum contains also pseudogaps near transition frequencies of Hubbard atoms on copper sites.
Localization of the valence electron of endohedrally confined hydrogen, lithium and sodium in fullerene cages
Authors: Cuestas Eloisa , Serra Pablo
Published: March 2016

The localization of the valence electron of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] atoms enclosed by three different fullerene molecules is studied. The structure of the fullerene molecules is used to calculate the equilibrium position of the endohedrally atom as the minimum of the classical [Formula: see text]-body Lennard–Jones potential. Once the position of the guest atom is determined, the fullerene cavity is modeled by a short range attractive shell according to molecule symmetry, and the enclosed atom is modeled by an effective one-electron potential. In order to examine whether the endohedral compound is formed by a neutral atom inside a neutral fullerene molecule [Formula: see text]@[Formula: see text] or if the valence electron of the encapsulated atom localizes in the fullerene giving rise to a state with the form [Formula: see text]@[Formula: see text], we analyze the electronic density, the projections onto free atomic states and the weights of partial angular waves.
Charge dynamics in doped Mott insulators on a honeycomb lattice
Authors: Ma Xixiao , Lan Yu , Qin Ling , Feng Shiping
Published: March 2016

Within the framework of the fermion-spin theory, the charge transport in the doped Mott insulators on a honeycomb lattice is studied by taking into account the pseudogap effect. It is shown that the conductivity spectrum in the low-doped regime is separated by the pseudogap into a low-energy non-Drude peak followed by a broad mid-infrared band. However, the decrease of the pseudogap with the increase of doping leads to a shift of the position of the mid-infrared band towards the low-energy non-Drude peak, and then the low-energy Drude behavior recovers in the high-doped regime. The combined results of both the doped honeycomb-lattice and square-lattice Mott insulators indicate that the two-component conductivity induced by the pseudogap is a universal feature in the doped Mott insulators.
Extremal Positive Maps on M3(ℂ) and Idempotent Matrices
Authors: Miller Marek , Olkiewicz Robert
Published: March 2016

A new method of analysing positive bistochastic maps on the algebra of complex matrices [Formula: see text] has been proposed. By identifying the set of such maps with a convex set of linear operators on [Formula: see text], one can employ techniques from the theory of compact semigroups to obtain results concerning asymptotic properties of positive maps. It turns out that the idempotent elements play a crucial role in classifying the convex set into subsets, in which representations of extremal positive maps are to be found. It has been shown that all positive bistochastic maps, extremal in the set of all positive maps of [Formula: see text], that are not Jordan isomorphisms of [Formula: see text] are represented by matrices that fall into two possible categories, determined by the simplest idempotent matrices: one by the zero matrix, and the other by a one-dimensional orthogonal projection. Some norm conditions for matrices representing possible extremal maps have been specified and examples of maps from both categories have been brought up, based on the results published previously.
Quantum Trajectories for Squeezed Input Processes: Explicit Solutions
Authors: Dabrowska Anita , Gough John
Published: March 2016

We consider the quantum (trajectories) filtering equation for the case when the system is driven by Bose field inputs prepared in an arbitrary non-zero mean Gaussian state. The a posteriori evolution of the system is conditioned by the results of a single or double homodyne measurements. The system interacting with the Bose field is a single cavity mode taken initially in a Gaussian state. We show explicit solutions using the method of characteristic functions to the filtering equations exploiting the linear Gaussian nature of the problem.
Stress Analysis of a Functionally Graded Micro/ Nanorotating Disk with Variable Thickness Based on the Strain Gradient Theory
Authors: Baghani M. , Heydarzadeh N. , Roozbahani M. M.
Published: March 2016

In this paper, mechanical response of a micro/nanorotating disk made of functionally graded materials (FGMs) with variable thickness is investigated. Through utilizing variational method and considering the strain gradient theory, the governing equations and the boundary conditions are derived. In order to verify the developed formulation, in special limiting cases, the results are compared with those available in the literature. These comparisons show an excellent correspondence. Employing numerical techniques, some numerical results are presented to investigate the effect of variations of properties and thickness on the response of the small scale rotating disk. It is found that the non-homogeneity constants have a remarkable effect on the stress distribution in the FG rotating disk. Furthermore, the amount of stress could be reduced in the rotating disk through fabricating it with variable thickness.