bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving Tool-Life Stochastic Control Through a Tool-Life Model Based on Diffusion Theory
Authors: Braglia Marcello , Castellano Davide
Published: March 2015

It is known that estimating the wear level at a future time instant and obtaining an updated evaluation of the tool-life density is essential to keeping machined parts at the desired quality level, reducing material waste, increasing machine availability, and guaranteeing the safety requirements. In this regard, the present paper aims at showing that the tool-life model that Braglia and Castellano (Braglia and Castellano, 2014, “Diffusion Theory Applied to Tool-Life Stochastic Modeling Under a Progressive Wear Process,” ASME J. Manuf. Sci. Eng., 136(3), p. 031010) developed can be successfully adopted to probabilistically predict the future tool wear and to update the tool-life density. Thanks to the peculiarities of a stochastic diffusion process, the approach presented allows deriving the density of the wear level at a future time instant, considering the information on the present tool wear. This makes it therefore possible updating the tool-life density given the information on the current state. The method proposed is then experimentally validated, where its capability to achieve a better exploitation of the tool useful life is also shown. The approach presented is based on a direct wear measurement. However, final considerations give cues for its application under an indirect wear estimate.
The Effects of Maintenance Actions on the Average Probability of Failure on Demand of Spring Operated Pressure Relief Valves
Authors: Bukowski Julia V. , Goble William M. , Gross Robert E. , Harris Stephen P.
Published: March 2015

The safety integrity level (SIL) of equipment used in safety instrumented functions is determined by the average probability of failure on demand (PFDavg) computed at the time of periodic inspection and maintenance, i.e., the time of proof testing. The computation of PFDavg is generally based solely on predictions or estimates of the assumed constant failure rate of the equipment. However, PFDavg is also affected by maintenance actions (or lack thereof) taken by the end user. This paper shows how maintenance actions can affect the PFDavg of spring operated pressure relief valves (SOPRV) and how these maintenance actions may be accounted for in the computation of the PFDavg metric. The method provides a means for quantifying the effects of changes in maintenance practices and shows how these changes impact plant safety.
Automated Fracture Mechanics and Fatigue Analyses Based on Three-Dimensional Finite Elements
Authors: Nakamura Hitoshi , Gu Wenwei , Tajima Seiichi , Hazama Osamu
Published: March 2015

This paper describes the structure and application of a software system that automates the fatigue initiation and crack propagation analysis based on finite element method (FEM). The system automatically performs necessary procedures to track propagation history of cracks: insertion of a crack and updating of three-dimensional (3D) finite element mesh in accordance with the crack propagation. The system is equipped with a function to automatically perform fatigue analyses using the stress–strain histories at nodes of a 3D FEM model. Some analyses for several examples were carried out for validation. The important example is the surface crack propagation in steel pipes with residual stress.
Two-Stage Feedback Control Design for a Class of Linear Discrete-Time Systems With Slow and Fast Modes
Authors: Radisavljevic-Gajic Verica
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we first review the new algorithm for the two-stage feedback controller design of linear discrete-time systems, and then provide conditions for its applicability. The design algorithm is specialized and simplified for a class of linear systems with slow and fast modes (multitime scale systems or singularly perturbed systems). The proposed design significantly reduces computational full-state feedback design requirements and provides independent and accurate feedback controller design techniques in slow and fast time scales. We present also conditions needed for applicability of the proposed two-stage design in two time scales. The power of the two-stage design lies in the fact that different types of controllers can be designed for different subsystems using the corresponding feedback gains obtained by performing calculations only with the subsystem (reduced-order) matrices.
Novel spirometry based on optical surface imaging
Authors: Li Guang , Huang Hailiang , Wei Jie , Li Diana G. , Chen Qing , Gaebler Carl P. , Sullivan James , Zatcky Joan , Rimner Andreas , Mechalakos James
Published: March 2015

Purpose:

To evaluate the feasibility of using optical surface imaging (OSI) to measure the dynamic tidal volume (TV) of the human torso during free breathing.

Methods:

We performed experiments to measure volume or volume change in geometric and deformable phantoms as well as human subjects using OSI. To assess the accuracy of OSI in volume determination, we performed experiments using five geometric phantoms and two deformable body phantoms and compared the values with those derived from geometric calculations and computed tomography (CT) measurements, respectively. To apply this technique to human subjects, an institutional review board protocol was established and three healthy volunteers were studied. In the human experiment, a high‐speed image capture mode of OSI was applied to acquire torso images at 4–5 frames per second, which was synchronized with conventional spirometric measurements at 5 Hz. An in‐house matlab program was developed to interactively define the volume of interest (VOI), separate the thorax and abdomen, and automatically calculate the thoracic and abdominal volumes within the VOIs. The torso volume change (TV C = ΔVtorso = ΔVthorax + ΔVabdomen) was automatically calculated using full‐exhalation phase as the reference. The volumetric breathing pattern (BPv = ΔVthorax/ΔVtorso) quantifying thoracic and abdominal volume variations was also calculated. Under quiet breathing, TVC should equal the tidal volume measured concurrently by a spirometer with a conversion factor (1.08) accounting for internal and external differences of temperature and moisture. Another matlab program was implemented to control the conventional spirometer that was used as the standard.

Results:

The volumes measured from the OSI imaging of geometric phantoms agreed with the calculated volumes with a discrepancy of 0.0% ± 1.6% (range −1.9% to 2.5%). In measurements from the deformable torso/thorax phantoms, the volume differences measured using OSI imaging and CT imaging were 1.2% ± 2.1% (range −0.5% to 3.6%), with a linear regression fitting (slope = 1.02 and R2 = 0.999). In volunteers, the relative error in OSI tidal volume measurement was −2.2% ± 4.9% (range −9.2% to 4.8%) and a correlation of r = 0.98 was found with spirometric measurement. The breathing pattern values of the three volunteers were substantially different from each other (BPv = 0.15, 0.45, and 0.32).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates the feasibility of using OSI to measure breathing tidal volumes and breathing patterns with adequate accuracy. This is the first time that dynamic breathing tidal volume as well as breathing patterns is measured using optical surface imaging. The OSI‐observed movement of the entire torso could serve as a new respiratory surrogate in the treatment room during radiation therapy.
Lessons from the wild lab
Authors: Morell Virginia
Published: March 2015

Yellowstone Park is a real-world laboratory of predator-prey relations.
Targeting LDH enzymes with a stiripentol analog to treat epilepsy
Authors: Sada Nagisa , Lee Suni , Katsu Takashi , Otsuki Takemi , Inoue Tsuyoshi
Published: March 2015

Targeting metabolism to tackle seizures

About 1% of us suffer from epilepsy. Unfortunately, presently available drugs do not work for a third of epileptic patients. Sada
et al.
wanted to develop compounds to treat drug-resistant epilepsy (see the Perspective by Scharfman). They focused on a metabolic pathway in the brain, the astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle. They found that lactate dehydrogenase, a key molecule in nerve cell metabolism, controls brain excitability. Searching for a substance that selectively targets this molecule, they found a potential anti-epileptic drug that strongly suppressed drug-resistant epilepsy in an animal model.

Science
, this issue p.
1362
; see also p.
1312
Food futurism
Note-by-Note Cooking: The Future of Food
Hervé This
Columbia University Press, 2014. 286 pp.
The In Vitro Meat Cookbook: The Lab Grown Hamburger and 45 Other Recipes
Koert van Mensvoort and Hendrik-Jan Grievink
BIS, 2014. 192 pp.
Authors: Ubbink Job
Published: March 2015

Today's technologies, tomorrow's dinner table
Experimental ground-state combination differences of CH
5
+
Authors: Asvany Oskar , Yamada Koichi M. T. , Brünken Sandra , Potapov Alexey , Schlemmer Stephan
Published: March 2015

High-resolution spectroscopy helps to elucidate the highly dynamic structure of protonated methane.

[Also see Perspective by
Oka
]
All that glitters need not be gold
Authors: Boltasseva Alexandra , Shalaev Vladimir M.
Published: March 2015

Refractory plasmonic ceramics provide durable nanophotonic solutions
Holding your breath for longevity
Authors: Ocampo Alejandro , Belmonte Juan Carlos Izpisua
Published: March 2015

A nutrient-sensing protein is important for the health of hematopoietic stem cells during aging

[Also see Report by

Mohrin
et al.

]
Ignorance is not an option
Authors: McNutt Marcia
Published: March 2015

Suppose future governments of the world discover that a single nation is taking the unprecedented action of spraying sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere to cool Earth's surface temperature by a few degrees celsius? The move is intended to increase the fraction of solar energy that is reflected from Earth back into space—a measure known as modifying Earth's albedo. The nation was prompted by a failed harvest the previous year, the result of greenhouse gas buildup in the atmosphere that boosted average summer temperatures above 32°C. National leaders turn to the science community for answers: What does this action mean for any individual country? Will it make the drought in Saõ Paolo better or worse? If the wheat yield falls in northern Russia, could it be due to the albedo modification? Can science apportion damage caused by such an intervention? Should the United Nations block such action?
The Challenge of Efflux-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Li Xian-Zhi , Plésiat Patrick , Nikaido Hiroshi
Published: March 2015

The global emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria is a growing threat to antibiotic therapy. The chromosomally encoded drug efflux mechanisms that are ubiquitous in these bacteria greatly contribute to antibiotic resistance and present a major challenge for antibiotic development. Multidrug pumps, particularly those represented by the clinically relevant AcrAB-TolC and Mex pumps of the resistance-nodulation-division (RND) superfamily, not only mediate intrinsic and acquired multidrug resistance (MDR) but also are involved in other functions, including the bacterial stress response and pathogenicity. Additionally, efflux pumps interact synergistically with other resistance mechanisms (e.g., with the outer membrane permeability barrier) to increase resistance levels. Since the discovery of RND pumps in the early 1990s, remarkable scientific and technological advances have allowed for an in-depth understanding of the structural and biochemical basis, substrate profiles, molecular regulation, and inhibition of MDR pumps. However, the development of clinically useful efflux pump inhibitors and/or new antibiotics that can bypass pump effects continues to be a challenge. Plasmid-borne efflux pump genes (including those for RND pumps) have increasingly been identified. This article highlights the recent progress obtained for organisms of clinical significance, together with methodological considerations for the characterization of MDR pumps.
Vaccines for Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae: the Future Is Now
Authors: Murphy Timothy F.
Published: March 2015

Infections due to nontypeableHaemophilus influenzaeresult in enormous global morbidity in two clinical settings: otitis media in children and respiratory tract infections in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recurrent otitis media affects up to 20% of children and results in hearing loss, delays in speech and language development and, in developing countries, chronic suppurative otitis media. Infections in people with COPD result in clinic and emergency room visits, hospital admissions, and respiratory failure. An effective vaccine would prevent morbidity, help control health care costs, and reduce antibiotic use, a major contributor to the global crisis in bacterial antibiotic resistance. The widespread use of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccines is causing a relative increase inH. influenzaeotitis media. The partial protection againstH. influenzaeotitis media induced by the pneumococcalH. influenzaeprotein D conjugate vaccine represents a proof of principle of the feasibility of a vaccine for nontypeableH. influenzae. An ideal vaccine antigen should be conserved among strains, have abundant epitopes on the bacterial surface, be immunogenic, and induce protective immune responses. Several surface proteins ofH. influenzaehave been identified as potential vaccine candidates and are in various stages of development. With continued research, progress toward a broadly effective vaccine to prevent infections caused by nontypeableH. influenzaeis expected over the next several years.
Generation and Characterization of Human Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Anthrax Protective Antigen following Vaccination with a Recombinant Protective Antigen Vaccine
Authors: Chi Xiangyang , Li Jianmin , Liu Weicen , Wang Xiaolin , Yin Kexin , Liu Ju , Zai Xiaodong , Li Liangliang , Song Xiaohong , Zhang Jun , Zhang Xiaopeng , Yin Ying , Fu Ling , Xu Junjie , Yu Changming , Chen Wei
Published: March 2015

The anthrax protective antigen (PA) is the central component of the three-part anthrax toxin, and it is the primary immunogenic component in the approved AVA anthrax vaccine and the “next-generation” recombinant PA (rPA) anthrax vaccines. Animal models have indicated that PA-specific antibodies (AB) are sufficient to protect against infection withBacillus anthracis. In this study, we investigated the PA domain specificity, affinity, mechanisms of neutralization, and synergistic effects of PA-specific antibodies from a single donor following vaccination with the rPA vaccine. Antibody-secreting cells were isolated 7 days after the donor received a boost vaccination, and 34 fully human monoclonal antibodies (hMAb) were identified. Clones 8H6, 4A3, and 22F1 were able to neutralize lethal toxin (LeTx) bothin vitroandin vivo. Clone 8H6 neutralized LeTx by preventing furin cleavage of PA in a dose-dependent manner. Clone 4A3 enhanced degradation of nicked PA, thereby interfering with PA oligomerization. The mechanism of 22F1 is still unclear. A fourth clone, 2A6, that was protective onlyin vitrowas found to be neutralizingin vivoin combination with a toxin-enhancing antibody, 8A7, which binds to domain 3 of PA and PA oligomers. These results provide novel insights into the antibody response elicited by the rPA vaccine and may be useful for PA-based vaccine and immunotherapeutic cocktail design.
Use of Amplification Refractory Mutation System PCR Assay as a Simple and Effective Tool To Detect HIV-1 Drug Resistance Mutations
Authors: Nanfack Aubin J. , Agyingi Lucy , Noubiap Jean Jacques N. , Ngai Johnson N. , Colizzi Vittorio , Nyambi Phillipe N.
Published: March 2015

Access to genotyping assays to determine successful antiretroviral treatment (ART) is limited in resource-constrained settings by high cost, suggesting the need for a cost-effective and simplified method to identify HIV-1 drug resistance (HIVDR) mutations. In this study, an amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR assay was developed and used to investigate the most frequent HIVDR mutations affecting first-line ART in settings where WHO ART guidelines are applied. Seventy-five HIV-positive (HIV+) samples from Cameroon were used to assess the performance of this assay. Sequencing of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase was simultaneously performed for comparison, and discordant samples were tested with a Trugene HIV-1 genotyping kit. The ARMS-PCR assay was able to detect M184V, T215Y/F, K103N, and Y181C mutations with sensitivities of 96.8%, 85.7%, 91.3%, and 70%, respectively, and specificities of 90.6%, 95%, 100%, 96.9%, respectively, compared with data on sequencing. The results indicated the highest positive predictive value for K103N (100%) and the highest negative predictive value for M184V (97.5%). ARMS-PCR's limits of detection for mutations M184V, T215Y/F, K103N, and Y181C were <75 copies/ml, 143 copies/ml, 143 copies/ml, and 836 copies/ml, respectively. ARMS-PCR efficiently identified mutations in individuals harboring different HIV-1 clades (CRF02_AG and non-CRF02_AG). In addition, this approach was more cost-effective than other genotyping assays. The high throughput, the cost-effectiveness, and the simplicity of the ARMS-PCR assay make it a suitable tool to monitor HIVDR patterns in resource-constrained settings with broad HIV-1 genetic diversity.
Simultaneous Identification of Multiple β-Lactamases in Acinetobacter baumannii in Relation to Carbapenem and Ceftazidime Resistance, Using Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Trip Hein , Mende Katrin , Majchrzykiewicz-Koehorst Joanna A. , Sedee Norbert J. A. , Hulst Albert G. , Jansen Hugo-Jan , Murray Clinton K. , Paauw Armand
Published: March 2015

Shotgun proteomics using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was applied to detect β-lactamases in clinical
Acinetobacter baumannii
isolates. The correlation of the detection of β-lactamase proteins (rather than PCR detection of the corresponding genes) with the resistance phenotypes demonstrated an added value for LC-MS/MS in antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Treponemes Detected in Digital Dermatitis Lesions in Brazilian Dairy Cattle and Possible Host Reservoirs of Infection
Authors: Nascimento Ligia Valéria , Mauerwerk Marlise Teresinha , dos Santos Cibelli Lopes , Barros Filho Ivan Roque de , Birgel Júnior Eduardo Harry , Sotomaior Cristina Santos , Madeira Humberto Maciel França , Ollhoff Rüdiger Daniel
Published: March 2015

The main pathogenic treponemes causing bovine digital dermatitis were identified from 17 infected herds in southern Brazil for the first time in this study using PCR. We did not find a relationship between treponeme phylogroup composition and clinical classification.
Treponema phagedenis
was present in all lesions. Rumen fluid was implicated as a reservoir location for these pathogens.
Sustained Delivery of a Broadly Neutralizing Antibody in Nonhuman Primates Confers Long-Term Protection against Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection
Authors: Saunders Kevin O. , Pegu Amarendra , Georgiev Ivelin S. , Zeng Ming , Joyce M. Gordon , Yang Zhi-Yong , Ko Sung-Youl , Chen Xuejun , Schmidt Stephen D. , Haase Ashley T. , Todd John-Paul , Bao Saran , Kwong Peter D. , Rao Srinivas S. , Mascola John R. , Nabel Gary J.
Published: March 2015

Pathogen-specific neutralizing antibodies protect against many viral infections and can potentially prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in humans. However, neutralizing antibodies have so far only been shown to protect nonhuman primates (NHP) against lentiviral infection when given shortly before challenge. Thus, the clinical utility and feasibility of passive antibody transfer to confer long-term protection against HIV-1 are still debated. Here, we investigate the potential of a broadly neutralizing HIV-1 antibody to provide long-term protection in a NHP model of HIV-1 infection. A human antibody was simianized to avoid immune rejection and used to sustain therapeutic levels for ∼5 months. Two months after the final antibody administration, animals were completely protected against viral challenge. These findings demonstrate the feasibility and potential of long-term passive antibody for protection against HIV-1 in humans and provide a model to test antibody therapies for other diseases in NHP.

IMPORTANCE
Antibodies against HIV are potential drugs that may be able to prevent HIV infection in humans. However, the long-term protective capacity of antibodies against HIV has not been assessed. Here, we repetitively administered a macaque version of a human anti-HIV antibody to monkeys, after which the antibody persisted in the blood for >5 months. Moreover, the antibody could be sustained at protective levels for 108 days, conferring protection 52 days after the last dose in a monkey model of HIV infection. Thus, passive antibody transfer can provide durable protection against infection by viruses that cause AIDS in primates.
Dengue Virus Infection with Highly Neutralizing Levels of Cross-Reactive Antibodies Causes Acute Lethal Small Intestinal Pathology without a High Level of Viremia in Mice
Authors: Watanabe Satoru , Chan Kitti Wing Ki , Wang Jiaqi , Rivino Laura , Lok Shee-Mei , Vasudevan Subhash G.
Published: March 2015

Severe dengue virus (DENV)-associated diseases can occur in patients who have preexisting DENV antibodies (Abs) through antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of infection. It is well established that during ADE, DENV-antibody immune complexes (ICs) infect Fcγ receptor-bearing cells and increase the systemic viral burden that can be measured in the blood. For protection against infection with DENV serotypes 1 to 4, strongly neutralizing Abs must be elicited to overcome the effect of ADE. Clinical observations in infants who have maternal DENV Abs or recent phase II/III clinical trials with a leading tetravalent dengue vaccine suggested a lack of correlation between Ab neutralization and
in vivo
disease prevention. In addressing this gap in knowledge, we found that inoculation of ICs formed with serotype cross-reactive Abs that are more than 98% neutralized
in vitro
promotes high mortality in AG129 mice even though peak viremia was lower than that in direct virus infection. This suggests that the serum viremia level is not always correlated with disease severity. We further demonstrated that infection with the ICs resulted in increased vascular permeability, specifically in the small intestine, accompanied with increased tissue viral load and cytokine production, which can be suppressed by anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF-α) Abs. Flow cytometric analysis identified increased infection in CD11b
int
CD11c
int/hi
CD103
−
antigen-presenting cells by IC inoculation, suggesting that these infected cells may be responsible for the increase in TNF-α production and vascular permeability in the small intestine that lead to mortality in mice. Our findings may have important implications for the development of dengue therapeutics.

IMPORTANCE
We examined the relationship between the neutralizing level of Abs at the time of infection and subsequent disease progression in a mouse model in order to understand why patients who are shown to have a neutralizing quantity of Abs still allow sufficient DENV replication to induce severe dengue manifestations, which sometimes do not correlate with viremia level. Strikingly, we found that high mortality was induced in AG129 mice by the increase in TNF-α-induced vascular permeability accompanied by an increased viral load, specifically in the small intestine, even when the initial infection level is suppressed to less than 5% and the peak viremia level is not enhanced. This suggests that ADE overcomes the protective efficacy of Abs in a tissue-dependent manner that leads to severe small intestinal pathology. Our findings may serve to address the pathogenic role of Abs on severe dengue disease and also help to develop safe Ab-based therapeutic strategies.
Receptor Usage and Cell Entry of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Coronavirus
Authors: Liu Chang , Tang Jian , Ma Yuanmei , Liang Xueya , Yang Yang , Peng Guiqing , Qi Qianqian , Jiang Shibo , Li Jianrong , Du Lanying , Li Fang
Published: March 2015

Porcine epidemic diarrhea coronavirus (PEDV) has significantly damaged America's pork industry. Here we investigate the receptor usage and cell entry of PEDV. PEDV recognizes protein receptor aminopeptidase N from pig and human and sugar coreceptor
N
-acetylneuraminic acid. Moreover, PEDV infects cells from pig, human, monkey, and bat. These results support the idea of bats as an evolutionary origin for PEDV, implicate PEDV as a potential threat to other species, and suggest antiviral strategies to control its spread.
Emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus PB1-F2 Variants and Their Virulence in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Kamal Ram P. , Kumar Amrita , Davis Charles T. , Tzeng Wen-Pin , Nguyen Tung , Donis Ruben O. , Katz Jacqueline M. , York Ian A.
Published: March 2015

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) express the PB1-F2 protein from an alternate reading frame within the PB1 gene segment. The roles of PB1-F2 are not well understood but appear to involve modulation of host cell responses. As shown in previous studies, we find that PB1-F2 proteins of mammalian IAVs frequently have premature stop codons that are expected to cause truncations of the protein, whereas avian IAVs usually express a full-length 90-amino-acid PB1-F2. However, in contrast to other avian IAVs, recent isolates of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza viruses had a high proportion of PB1-F2 truncations (15% since 2010; 61% of isolates in 2013) due to several independent mutations that have persisted and expanded in circulating viruses. One natural H5N1 IAV containing a mutated PB1-F2 start codon (i.e., lacking ATG) was 1,000-fold more virulent for BALB/c mice than a closely related H5N1 containing intact PB1-F2.
In vitro
, we detected expression of an in-frame protein (C-terminal PB1-F2) from downstream ATGs in PB1-F2 plasmids lacking the well-conserved ATG start codon. Transient expression of full-length PB1-F2, truncated (24-amino-acid) PB1-F2, and PB1-F2 lacking the initiating ATG in mammalian and avian cells had no effect on cell apoptosis or interferon expression in human lung epithelial cells. Full-length and C-terminal PB1-F2 mutants colocalized with mitochondria in A549 cells. Close monitoring of alterations of PB1-F2 and their frequency in contemporary avian H5N1 viruses should continue, as such changes may be markers for mammalian virulence.

IMPORTANCE
Although most avian influenza viruses are harmless for humans, some (such as highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza viruses) are capable of infecting humans and causing severe disease with a high mortality rate. A number of risk factors potentially associated with adaptation to mammalian infection have been noted. Here we demonstrate that the protein PB1-F2 is frequently truncated in recent isolates of highly pathogenic H5N1 viruses. Truncation of PB1-F2 has been proposed to act as an adaptation to mammalian infection. We show that some forms of truncation of PB1-F2 may be associated with increased virulence in mammals. Our data support the assessment of PB1-F2 truncations for genomic surveillance of influenza viruses.
How does tolerability of double balloon enteroscopy compare to other forms of endoscopy?
Authors: Irvine Andrew J , Sanders David S , Hopper Andrew , Kurien Matthew , Sidhu Reena
Published: March 2015

Background and aims

Gastrointestinal endoscopy can be difficult for patients to tolerate. Studies on endoscopic tolerability mainly focus on gastroscopy or colonoscopy with a paucity of data on double balloon enteroscopy (DBE). We aimed to prospectively evaluate tolerability in patients undergoing several forms of endoscopy including DBE.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, gastroscopy, endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERCP), capsule endoscopy (CE) and DBE were prospectively recruited. A questionnaire recorded demographics, procedural data, patient tolerability (pain, discomfort and distress recorded on numerical rating scales) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results

956 patients were recruited (512 women; median age 57 years). The median pain score for DBE was poor with a score of 5 compared with 1 and 0 for oesophagogastroduodenoscopy and ERCP, respectively (p<0.001). Colonoscopy and retrograde DBE scores were not dissimilar. CE was well tolerated with a median pain score of 0. Patients with DBE required significantly higher doses of sedation and analgesia than other patients. The HADS Anxiety Score was also associated with poorer tolerability.

Conclusions

DBE is poorly tolerated when compared with other forms of endoscopy despite higher doses of sedation. Increasing demand to improve tolerability of DBE in the UK may be addressed with the use of propofol.
Translational research: putting the right price on innovation
Authors: Reeve‐Johnson Lloyd
Published: March 2015

The animal health sector makes a substantial contribution to innovation in the field of human health, but this is undervalued, says Lloyd Reeve‐Johnson. He argues that this contribution needs to be recognised and quantified if the benefits of One Health, and the potential of the veterinary profession, are to be realised.
A gestational diet high in fat-soluble vitamins alters expression of genes in brain pathways and reduces sucrose preference, but not food intake, in Wistar male rat offspring
Authors: Sanchez-Hernandez Diana , Poon Abraham N. , Kubant Ruslan , Kim Hwanki , Huot Pedro S.P. , Cho Clara E. , Pannia Emanuela , Pausova Zdenka , Anderson G. Harvey
Published: March 2015

High intakes of multivitamins (HV) during pregnancy by Wistar rats increase food intake, body weight, and characteristics of the metabolic syndrome in male offspring. In this study, high-fat soluble vitamins were fed in combination during gestation to test the hypothesis that they partially account for the effects of the HV diet. Pregnant Wistar rats (14–16/group) were fed a recommended multivitamin diet (1-fold all vitamins) or high-fat soluble vitamin diet (HFS; 10-fold vitamins A, D, E, and K) during pregnancy. Offspring body weight, food intake, and preference as well as expression of selected genes in the hypothalamus and hippocampus were evaluated at birth, weaning, and 14 weeks postweaning. Body weight and food intake were not affected but sucrose preference decreased by 4% in those born to dams fed the HFS gestational diet. Gene expressions of the hypothalamic anorexogenic pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) and orexogenic neuropeptide Y (Npy) (∼30% p = 0.008, ∼40% p = 0.007) were increased in weaning and adult rats, respectively. Hippocampal dopaminergic genes (35%–50% p < 0.05) were upregulated at birth and 14 weeks postweaning. DNA hypermethylation (2% p = 0.006) was observed in the dopamine receptor 1 (Drd1) promoter region. We conclude that a gestational diet high in vitamins A, D, E, and K does not show the effects of the HV diet on body weight or food intake but may affect the development of higher hedonic regulatory pathways associated with food preference.
Classification of actions of compact abelian groups on subfactors with index less than 4
Authors: Shimada Koichi
Published: March 2015

We classify actions of discrete abelian groups on some inclusions of von Neumann algebras, up to cocycle conjugacy. As an application, we classify actions of compact abelian groups on the inclusions of approximately finite dimensional (AFD) factors of type II1 with index less than 4, up to stable conjugacy.
JSI-124 (Cucurbitacin I) Inhibits Tumor Angiogenesis of Human Breast Cancer Through Reduction of STAT3 Phosphorylation
Authors: Qi Jia , Xia Ge , Huang Cheng Rong , Wang Jian Xia , Zhang Jian
Published: March 2015

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer all over the world. Angiogenesis, a physiological or pathological process characterized by the sprouting of new blood vessels from existing vessels, plays a vital role in tumor nutrition. In this work, we used JSI-124 (Cucurbitacin I), a selective JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway inhibitor, to investigate the role of STAT3 in tumor angiogenesis of a human BC cell line in vitro. JSI-124 inhibited cell viability, proliferation, adhesion, migration and tube formation of a human BC cell line MDA-MB-468. After transfection with pMXs-Stat3C, a dominant active mutant, the inhibitory effects of JSI-124 on MDA-MB-468 were abolished. Furthermore, JSI-124 reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3. These results suggested that JSI-124 inhibited tumor angiogenesis of the human BC cell line in vitro through the reduction of STAT3 phosphorylation. In addition, JSI-124 could reduce VEGF transcription and secretion, suggesting that JSI-124 is also involved in the inhibition of the VEGF autocrine loop in the tumor microenvironment.
Every ternary quintic is a sum of ten fifth powers
Authors: De Paris Alessandro
Published: March 2015

To our knowledge at the time of writing, the maximum Waring rank for the set of all ternary forms of degree d (with coefficients in an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero) is known only for d ≤ 4, and the best upper bound that is known for d = 5 is 12. In this work, we lower the upper bound to 10 (and there are evidences that it is likely sharp).
Rasmussen and Ozsváth–Szabó invariants of a family of general pretzel knots
Authors: Kim Se-Goo , Yeon Mi Jeong
Published: March 2015

We compute integer valued knot concordance invariants of a family of general pretzel knots if the invariants are equal to the negative values of signatures for alternating knots. Examples of such invariants are Rasmussen s-invariants and twice Ozsváth–Szabó knot Floer homology τ-invariants. We use the crossing change inequalities of Livingston and the fact that pretzel knots are almost alternating. As a consequence, for the family of pretzel knots given in this paper, s-invariants are twice τ-invariants.
On generating sets of Yoshikawa moves for marked graph diagrams of surface-links
Authors: Kim Jieon , Joung Yewon , Lee Sang Youl
Published: March 2015

A marked graph diagram is a link diagram possibly with marked 4-valent vertices. S. J. Lomonaco, Jr. and K. Yoshikawa introduced a method of representing surface-links by marked graph diagrams. Specially, K. Yoshikawa suggested local moves on marked graph diagrams, nowadays called Yoshikawa moves. It is now known that two marked graph diagrams representing equivalent surface-links are related by a finite sequence of these Yoshikawa moves. In this paper, we provide some generating sets of Yoshikawa moves on marked graph diagrams representing unoriented surface-links, and also oriented surface-links. We also discuss independence of certain Yoshikawa moves from the other moves.
Noether symmetry approach for Dirac–Born–Infeld cosmology
Authors: Capozziello Salvatore , De Laurentis Mariafelicia , Myrzakulov Ratbay
Published: March 2015

We consider the Noether Symmetry Approach for a cosmological model derived from a tachyon scalar field T with a Dirac–Born–Infeld Lagrangian and a potential V(T). Furthermore, we assume a coupled canonical scalar field ϕ with an arbitrary interaction potential B(T, ϕ). Exact solutions are derived consistent with the accelerated behavior of cosmic fluid.
On Wiener and terminal Wiener index of graphs
Authors: Babujee J. Baskar , Senbagamalar J.
Published: March 2015

The Wiener index is a topological index defined as the sum of distances between all pairs of vertices in a graph. It was introduced as a structural descriptor for molecular graphs of alkanes, which are trees with vertex degrees of four at the most. The terminal Wiener index is defined as the sum of distances between all pairs of pendent vertices in a graph. In this paper we investigate Wiener and terminal Wiener for graphs derived from certain operations.
Investigation of electrical transport properties of Bi0.5Sb1.5Te2.7Se0.3 alloys prepared by high-pressure method
Authors: Guo Xin , Jia Xiaopeng , Zhang Yuewen , Sun Hairui , Sun Bing , Ma Hongan
Published: March 2015

The quaternary Bi 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 alloys have been successfully synthesized within 25 min by high-pressure method. The pressure-dependent electrical transport properties of the as-prepared Bi 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 alloys are carefully investigated at room temperature. The measurement results indicate that the electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient reveal a strong correlation with the increase of synthesis pressure. The carrier concentration and mobility are modulated effectively due to the effects of synthesis pressure and composition, leading to an improvement in the power factor of Bi 0.5 Sb 1.5 Te 2.7 Se 0.3. These results suggest that the utilization of pressure during the synthesis process provides an effective and controllable strategy to optimize the electrical transport properties of the ( Bi , Sb )2( Te , Se )3 alloys.
Pricing method and applications for the farmer's joint liability based on intensity model and Monte Carlo simulation
Authors: Pang Sulin , Xiao Jinwang , Li Shuqing
Published: March 2015

This paper studies the pricing problem of group lending using the strength model and the Monte Carlo simulation method. Simulating the default process of farmers with a Poisson process, this paper describes the default distribution for farmers, and based on which the paper establishes the pricing model of the group lending and obtains the critical number of the defaulted farmers and the default probability for the group. Next, this paper introduces the t-Copula function to describe the default correlation between farmers, and obtains the partially analytical solution of the loan rate for the group lending, and it also provides the Monte Carlo simulation algorithm for the pricing of group lending based on t-Copula function. Finally, this paper carries out the Monte Carlo simulation algorithm on the pricing problem of group lending with three and five peasant households through an example, and discusses the relationship between the loan rate and each of the influencing factors in the pricing model of the group lending.
Inadequacy of different methods of assessing the correct dosages during the preparation of air-hardening lime mortars
Authors: Arizzi A. , Cultrone G.
Published: March 2015

This work highlights the importance of applying suitable methods for the design of air-hardening lime mortars with the correct water dosage and binder-to-aggregate ratios. To this end, the recently developed ‘wet packing method’ has been used to assess the optimum water-to-binder ratio at which the packing density is achieved in lime mortars with different binder-to-aggregate proportions. To support the validity of this method, it has been compared with other standardized methods of determining the bulk density of the dry granular components and the consistency of the mortar pastes. The reliability of the wet packing method has then been verified by studying the mineralogical, textural and mechanical properties of mortars after 2 and 6 months of carbonation. Results showed that although the wet packing method seems to be more realistic than the majority of standards used for the determination of the packing density and workability in granular mixtures, it is not totally suitable for the preparation of air-hardening lime mortars with good performances in the fresh and hardened state.
Repair rendering mortars for the restoration of the Vargas Palace in Granada (Spain): a comparative study of the mortar behaviour in the laboratory and on site
Authors: Arizzi A. , Molina E. , Cultrone G.
Published: March 2015

This study gives an example of the steps that a repair work must include to be successful. It deals with a specific building, repair material (lime mortar) and application (render), but also with the study of the repair mortar in the laboratory and on site. Firstly, the original materials of the wall were characterized to ensure compatibility with the new repair mortars. Secondly, the suitability of different mortar mixes, made with lime and calcareous aggregate, was assessed by characterizing their properties after 15 months. At the same time, the repair mortars were applied in testing panels, and their behaviour under environmental conditions was studied and compared with that of the laboratory mortars. Mortar properties (shrinkage, adhesion, mineralogy, microstructure and texture) developed differently according to the curing conditions. The carbonation degree was higher in mortars cured on site (especially those with higher aggregate content), although in both cases it depended on mortar porosity. Testing the type of application on site was helpful to define the best performance of the designed mixes and to choose the most suitable one among them, which was found to be the 1:6 binder-to-sand ratio mortar applied in both layers of the render.
Imprecise Datapath Design
Authors: Shi Kan , Boland David , Constantinides George A.
Published: March 2015

In this article, we describe an alternative circuit design methodology when considering trade-offs between accuracy, performance, and silicon area. We compare two different approaches that could trade accuracy for performance. One is the traditional approach where the precision used in the datapath is limited to meet a target latency. The other is a proposed new approach which simply allows the datapath to operate without timing closure. We demonstrate analytically and experimentally that on average our approach obtains either smaller errors or equivalent faster operating frequencies in comparison to the traditional approach. This is because the worst case caused by timing violations only happens rarely, while precision loss results in errors to most data. We also show that for basic arithmetic operations such as addition, applying our approach to the simple building block of ripple carry adders can achieve better accuracy or performance than using faster adder designs to achieve similar latency.
Functional plasticity of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor in differentiating human erythroid precursor cells
Authors: Hänggi Pascal , Telezhkin Vsevolod , Kemp Paul J. , Schmugge Markus , Gassmann Max , Goede Jeroen S. , Speer Oliver , Bogdanova Anna
Published: March 2015

Calcium signaling is essential to support erythroid proliferation and differentiation. Precise control of the intracellular Ca2+ levels in erythroid precursor cells (EPCs) is afforded by coordinated expression and function of several cation channels, including the recently identified N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Here, we characterized the changes in Ca2+ uptake and electric currents mediated by the NMDARs occurring during EPC differentiation using flow cytometry and patch clamp. During erythropoietic maturation, subunit composition and properties of the receptor changed; in proerythroblasts and basophilic erythroblasts, fast deactivating currents with high amplitudes were mediated by the GluN2A subunit-dominated receptors, while at the polychromatic and orthochromatic erythroblast stages, the GluN2C subunit was getting more abundant, overriding the expression of GluN2A. At these stages, the currents mediated by the NMDARs carried the features characteristic of the GluN2C-containing receptors, such as prolonged decay time and lower conductance. Kinetics of this switch in NMDAR properties and abundance varied markedly from donor to donor. Despite this variability, NMDARs were essential for survival of EPCs in any subject tested. Our findings indicate that NMDARs have a dual role during erythropoiesis, supporting survival of polychromatic erythroblasts and contributing to the Ca2+ homeostasis from the orthochromatic erythroblast stage to circulating red blood cells.
No effect of NOS inhibition on skeletal muscle glucose uptake during in situ hindlimb contraction in healthy and diabetic Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Hong Yet Hoi , Betik Andrew C. , Premilovac Dino , Dwyer Renee M. , Keske Michelle A. , Rattigan Stephen , McConell Glenn K.
Published: March 2015

Nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be involved in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during contraction/exercise, especially in individuals with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). To examine the potential mechanisms, we examined the effect of local NO synthase (NOS) inhibition on muscle glucose uptake and muscle capillary blood flow during contraction in healthy and T2D rats. T2D was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats using a combined high-fat diet (23% fat wt/wt for 4 wk) and low-dose streptozotocin injections (35 mg/kg). Anesthetized animals had one hindlimb stimulated to contract in situ for 30 min (2 Hz, 0.1 ms, 35 V) with the contralateral hindlimb rested. After 10 min, the NOS inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 5 μM) or saline was continuously infused into the femoral artery of the contracting hindlimb until the end of contraction. Surprisingly, there was no increase in skeletal muscle NOS activity during contraction in either group. Local NOS inhibition had no effect on systemic blood pressure or muscle contraction force, but it did cause a significant attenuation of the increase in femoral artery blood flow in control and T2D rats. However, NOS inhibition did not attenuate the increase in muscle capillary recruitment during contraction in these rats. Muscle glucose uptake during contraction was significantly higher in T2D rats compared with controls but, unlike our previous findings in hooded Wistar rats, NOS inhibition had no effect on glucose uptake during contraction. In conclusion, NOS inhibition did not affect muscle glucose uptake during contraction in control or T2D Sprague-Dawley rats, and this may have been because there was no increase in NOS activity during contraction.
Discriminating neural representations of physical and social pains: how multivariate statistics challenge the “shared representation” theory of pain
Authors: Rogachov A. , Cheng J. C. , DeSouza D. D.
Published: March 2015

Overlapping functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) activity elicited by physical pain and social rejection has posited a common neural representation between the two experiences. However, Woo and colleagues ( Nat Commun 5: 5380, 2014) recently used multivariate statistics to challenge the “shared representation” theory of pain. This study has implications in the way results from fMRI studies are interpreted and has the potential of broadening our understanding of different pain states and future development of personalized medicine.