bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
State of SuDS delivery in the United Kingdom
Authors: Melville‐Shreeve Peter , Cotterill Sarah , Grant Laura , Arahuetes Ana , Stovin Virginia , Farmani Raziyeh , Butler David
Published: August 2017

Sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) have become a key tool in the design of water sensitive cities, due to their capacity to store and attenuate surface water, and to treat runoff. SuDS implementation requires a complex alignment of planning frameworks, engineering designs, construction practices, maintenance processes, community buy‐in and ownership agreements. To understand this alignment, and build an evidence base on the implementation and management of UK SuDS, a questionnaire was distributed to 50 000 industry professionals by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management. The findings suggested that SuDS are beginning to become the norm, although ‘harder’ solutions tend to prevail. Additionally, design and construction remain weakly regulated, and there is a lack of clear legal framework on SuDS ownership and maintenance. Expert practitioners supported the need for a single adoption method, coordinated by the local authority and suggested policy changes to make SuDS obligatory.
Overcoming psychological resistance toward using recycled water in California
Authors: Hui Iris , Cain Bruce E.
Published: August 2017

We use data from a representative sample of adult Californians (N = 1500) to examine the relation between information and sociodemographic factors to the willingness to adopt recycled water in 10 different applications. We find that direct consumption or skin contact with recycled water stirs the strongest resistance. We conducted a randomized experiment to test how respondents would react to learning that there is large, existing, indirect potable use program in Orange County. While both messages boost support for almost all uses of recycled water, respondents still resist drinking, bathing and cooking with it. Contrary to some previous findings, the response to both information cues generally does not appear to depend upon level of education.
Ulva prolifera (Chlorophyta): a suitable material to remove Cd2+ from aquatic environments
Authors: Huan Li , Su Hai‐xia , Duan Chen‐xue , Gao Shan , Xie Xiu‐jun , Wang Guang‐ce
Published: August 2017

Heavy metal pollution in aquatic environments is a significant environmental problem. Marine macroalgae are novel materials for the removal of heavy metals from water, aided by their large biomass and the feature of easy collection. In this study, Ulva prolifera O.F.Müller was used to remove cadmium ions (Cd2+) from the aquatic environment. We examined the Cd2+ absorption capacity of the thalli in a factorial experiment using fresh thalli cultivated in seawater, freshwater, water containing domestic garbage, water containing industrial waste and elutriant of soil with additional Cd2+. In addition, changes in photosynthetic activity of thalli were investigated. A significant decrease of maximum quantum yield and effective photochemical quantum yield of PSII (YII) indicated Cd2+ was transported into the cells and seriously inhibited photosynthesis. Furthermore, the Cd2+ absorption capacity was relatively high. The results indicated the suitability of U. prolifera for removing Cd2+ from aquatic environments of different backgrounds.
Evidence‐based injury prediction data for the water temperature and duration of exposure for clinically relevant deep dermal scald injuries
Authors: Andrews Christine J. , Kimble Roy M. , Kempf Margit , Cuttle Leila
Published: August 2017

Deep dermal burn injuries require extensive medical care; however, the water temperatures and durations of exposure that result in a severe scald injury are unknown. This study used a porcine burn model to investigate the time and temperature threshold for clinically relevant deep dermal injuries for both immersion (long duration) and spill/splash (short duration) scald events. Scald wounds were created on the flanks of anaesthetized juvenile large White pigs (27 kg). Acute tissue injury evaluations performed at 1 hour and days 1, 3, and 7 postburn (16 pigs) included: wound examination, biopsies, and laser Doppler imaging. Up to 20 burn combinations were tested including: 50–60 °C water for 1–10 minutes (immersion); and 60–90 °C water for 5 seconds (spill/splash). Burn conditions demonstrating mid‐to‐deep dermal damage histologically were followed for 21 days to assess time to reepithelialize (eight pigs). Histologically, depth of damage increased until day 3 postburn. Damage to ≥75% of the depth of dermis was associated with burns taking longer than 3 weeks to fully reepithelialize. For spill/splash (5 seconds) scalds, water at ≥75 °C showed damage to mid‐dermis or deeper by day 3; however, only burns from water ≥85 °C were not reepithelialized by day 21. For immersion scalds of equivalent duration, water at 55 °C caused significantly deeper dermal damage than 50 °C (p < 0.05) at day 3. Immersion scalds that were not fully reepithelialized by day 21 included 50 °C for >10 minutes, 55 °C for 5 minutes, 60 °C for 60 seconds, and 70 °C for > 15 seconds. This research provides valuable evidence‐based injury prediction data, which can be used to inform future burn injury prevention guidelines/legislation to reduce the risk of severe scald injuries and support medicolegal opinions for cases where an inflicted mechanism of injury is alleged.
Galectin‐1 from conditioned medium of three‐dimensional culture of adipose‐derived stem cells accelerates migration and proliferation of human keratinocytes and fibroblasts
Authors: Kim Min Ho , Wu Wen Hao , Choi Jee Hyun , Kim Jihyun , Jun Jin Hyun , Ko Yong , Lee Jong Hun
Published: August 2017

Keratinocytes and fibroblasts cells play important roles in the skin‐wound healing process and are the cell types activated by trauma. Activated cells participate in epithelialization, granulation, scar tissue formation, wound remodeling, and angiogenesis via a series of cellular activities including migration and proliferation. Previous studies reported that the conditioned medium (CM) of adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) stimulated the migration and proliferation of cell types involved in the skin wound healing process; however, these studies only show ADSC‐CM effects that were obtained using 2‐dimensional (2D) culture. Recently, 3‐dimensional (3D) culture has been considered as a more physiologically appropriate system than 2D culture for ADSC cultures; therefore, ADSC‐CM was collected from 3D culture (ADSC‐CM‐3D) and compared with ADSC‐CM from 2D culture (ADSC‐CM‐2D) to investigate the effects on the migration and proliferation of human keratinocytes (HaCaTs) and fibroblasts. The migrations of the HaCaT cells and fibroblasts were significantly higher with ADSC‐CM‐3D compared with the 2D culture; similarly, the proliferation of HaCaT cells was also highly stimulated by ADSC‐CM‐3D. Proteomic analyses of the ADSC‐CM revealed that collagens and actins were highly expressed in the 3D‐culture system. Chitinase 3‐like 1 (CHI3L1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP), and galectin‐1 were specifically expressed only in ADSC‐CM‐3D. Especially, through antibody neutralization, galectin‐1 in ADSC‐CM‐3D was found to be an important factor for the migration of human keratinocytes. Therefore, these results suggest that ADSC‐CM‐3D was more effective in the wound healing than ADSC‐CM‐2D, and galectin‐1 in ADSC‐CM‐3D was could be a promising option for skin‐wound healing. Furthermore, the differential expressions of several ADSC‐CM proteins between the 2D‐ and 3D‐culture systems may be used as basic information for the development of efficient wound‐healing strategies.
Systematic Review of Cyberbullying Interventions for Youth and Parents With Implications for Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Hutson Elizabeth , Kelly Stephanie , Militello Lisa K.
Published: August 2017

Background

Cyberbullying is a new risk factor for the well‐being of pediatric populations. Consequences of cyberbullying include both physical and mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and somatic concerns. Adolescents who have been victims of cyberbullying and developed secondary symptoms are often recommended to visit a healthcare provider to obtain effective, evidence‐based treatment. To date, no interventions exist in the healthcare setting for adolescents who are victims of cyberbullying.

Aims

The purpose of this project is to review interventional studies on cyberbullying that have components for adolescents who have been involved with cyberbullying and their parents and to provide recommendations on effective intervention components with the goal of guiding clinical practice.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted using the Institute of Medicine guidelines. A comprehensive electronic literature search was completed targeting interventions of cyberbullying in any setting. No date limits were used. Literature was searched in MEDLINE, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Communication and Mass Media Complete, Education Information Resource Center (ERIC), and PsycINFO databases. The following search terms were applied “cyberbullying” + “intervention” or “treatment” or “therapy” or “program.” Only articles with a pediatric population were selected for review.

Results

Seventeen cyberbullying intervention programs in 23 articles were found to meet the search criteria. The most frequently used intervention components included education on cyberbullying for the adolescent, coping skills, empathy training, communication and social skills, and digital citizenship. Parent education on cyberbullying was also found to be important and was included in programs with significant outcomes.

Linking Evidence to Action

As youth present to healthcare providers with symptoms related to cyberbullying, effective interventions are needed to guide evidence‐based practice. This review supports educating the individual youth and parent on cyberbullying and teaching the youth skills in communication and social, empathy, coping with cyberbullying, and digital citizenship.
Deep divergence among mitochondrial lineages in African jackals
Authors: Atickem Anagaw , Stenseth Nils Chr. , Drouilly Marine , Bock Steffen , Roos Christian , Zinner Dietmar
Published: August 2017

Recently, molecular analyses revealed that African and Eurasian golden jackals are distinct species. This finding suggests re‐investigation of the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomy of other African members of the Canidae. Here, we provide a study on the phylogenetic relationship between populations of African jackals Lupulella mesomelas and L. adusta inferred from 962 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) gene. As expected from its disjunct distribution, with one population in eastern Africa and the other one in southern Africa, we found two mitochondrial lineages within L. mesomelas, which diverged about 2.5 million years ago (Ma). In contrast, in L. adusta with its more continuous distribution in sub‐Saharan Africa, we found only a shallower genetic diversification, with the exception of the West African population, which diverged around 1.4 Ma from the Central and East African populations. Both divergence ages are older than, for example the 1.1–0.9 million years between the grey wolf Canis lupus and the African golden wolf C. lupaster. One taxonomic implication of our findings might be that the two L. mesomelas populations warrant species status. However, genome‐wide data with adequate geographical sampling are needed to substantiate our results.
Elevated resting H+ current in the R1239H type 1 hypokalaemic periodic paralysis mutated Ca2+ channel
Authors: Fuster Clarisse , Perrot Jimmy , Berthier Christine , Jacquemond Vincent , Allard Bruno
Published: August 2017

Key points

Missense mutations in the gene encoding the α1 subunit of the skeletal muscle voltage‐gated Ca2+ channel induce type 1 hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, a poorly understood neuromuscular disease characterized by episodic attacks of paralysis associated with low serum K+.

Acute expression of human wild‐type and R1239H HypoPP1 mutant α1 subunits in mature mouse muscles showed that R1239H fibres displayed Ca2+ currents of reduced amplitude and larger resting leak inward current increased by external acidification.

External acidification also produced intracellular acidification at a higher rate in R1239H fibres and inhibited inward rectifier K+ currents.

These data suggest that the R1239H mutation induces an elevated leak H+ current at rest flowing through a gating pore and could explain why paralytic attacks preferentially occur during the recovery period following muscle exercise.

Missense mutations in the gene encoding the α1 subunit of the skeletal muscle voltage‐gated Ca2+ channel induce type 1 hypokalaemic periodic paralysis, a poorly understood neuromuscular disease characterized by episodic attacks of paralysis associated with low serum K+. The present study aimed at identifying the changes in muscle fibre electrical properties induced by acute expression of the R1239H hypokalaemic periodic paralysis human mutant α1 subunit of Ca2+ channels in a mature muscle environment to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in this disorder. We transferred genes encoding wild‐type and R1239H mutant human Ca2+ channels into hindlimb mouse muscle by electroporation and combined voltage‐clamp and intracellular pH measurements on enzymatically dissociated single muscle fibres. As compared to fibres expressing wild‐type α1 subunits, R1239H mutant‐expressing fibres displayed Ca2+ currents of reduced amplitude and a higher resting leak inward current that was increased by external acidification. External acidification also produced intracellular acidification at a higher rate in R1239H fibres and inhibited inward rectifier K+ currents. These data indicate that the R1239H mutation induces an elevated leak H+ current at rest flowing through a gating pore created by the mutation and that external acidification favours onset of muscle paralysis by potentiating H+ depolarizing currents and inhibiting resting inward rectifier K+ currents. Our results could thus explain why paralytic attacks preferentially occur during the recovery period following intense muscle exercise.
Do right‐ventricular trabeculae gain energetic advantage from having a greater velocity of shortening?
Authors: Pham Toan , Han June‐Chiew , Taberner Andrew , Loiselle Denis
Published: August 2017

Key points

We designed a study to test whether velocity of shortening in right‐ventricular tissue preparations is greater than that of the left side under conditions mimicking those encountered by the heart in vivo.

Our experiments allowed us to explore whether greater velocity of shortening results in any energetic advantage.

We found that velocity of shortening was higher in the rat right‐ventricular trabeculae. These results at the tissue level seem paradoxical to the velocity of ventricular ejection at the organ level, and are not always in accord with shortening of unloaded cells.

Despite greater velocity of shortening in right‐ventricular trabeculae, they neither gained nor lost advantage with respect to both mechanical efficiency and the heat generated during shortening.

Our study aimed to ascertain whether the interventricular difference of shortening velocity, reported for isolated cardiac tissues in vitro, affects interventricular mechano‐energetic performance when tested under physiological conditions using a shortening protocol designed to mimic those in vivo. We isolated trabeculae from both ventricles of the rat, mounted them in a calorimeter, and performed experiments at 37°C and 5 Hz stimulus frequency to emulate conditions of the rat heart in vivo. Each trabecula was subjected to two experimental protocols: (i) isotonic work‐loop contractions at a variety of afterloads, and (ii) isometric contractions at a variety of preloads. Velocity of shortening was calculated from the former protocol during the isotonic shortening phase of the contraction. Simultaneous measurements of force–length work and heat output allowed calculation of mechanical efficiency. The shortening‐dependent thermal component was quantified from the difference in heat output between the two protocols. Our results show that both extent of shortening and velocity of shortening were higher in trabeculae from the right ventricle. Despite these differences, trabeculae from both ventricles developed the same stress, performed the same work, liberated the same amount of heat, and hence operated at the same mechanical efficiency. Shortening heat was also ventricle independent. The interventricular differences in velocity of shortening and extent of shortening of isolated trabeculae were not manifested in any index of energetics. These collective results underscore the absence of any mechano‐energetic advantage or disadvantage conferred on right‐ventricular trabeculae arising from their superior velocity of shortening.
Conjugate Unscented Transformation: Applications to Estimation and Control
Authors: Adurthi Nagavenkat , Singla Puneet , Singh Tarunraj
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a computationally efficient approach to evaluate multidimensional expectation integrals. Specifically, certain nonproduct cubature points are constructed that exploit the symmetric structure of the Gaussian and uniform density functions. The proposed cubature points can be used as an efficient alternative to the Gauss–Hermite (GH) and Gauss–Legendre quadrature rules, but with significantly fewer number of points while maintaining the same order of accuracy when integrating polynomial functions in a multidimensional space. The advantage of the newly developed points is made evident through few benchmark problems in uncertainty propagation, nonlinear filtering, and control applications.
Extended Kalman Filter for Stereo Vision-Based Localization and Mapping Applications
Authors: Wong Xue Iuan , Majji Manoranjan
Published: August 2017

Image feature-based localization and mapping applications useful in field robotics are considered in this paper. Exploiting the continuity of image features and building upon the tracking algorithms that use point correspondences to provide an instantaneous localization solution, an extended Kalman filtering (EKF) approach is formulated for estimation of the rigid body motion of the camera coordinates with respect to the world coordinate system. Recent results by the authors in quantifying uncertainties associated with the feature tracking methods form the basis for deriving scene-dependent measurement error statistics that drive the optimal estimation approach. It is shown that the use of certain relative motion models between a static scene and the moving target can be recast as a recursive least squares problem and admits an efficient solution to the relative motion estimation problem that is amenable to real-time implementations on board mobile computing platforms with computational constraints. The utility of the estimation approaches developed in the paper is demonstrated using stereoscopic terrain mapping experiments carried out using mobile robots. The map uncertainties estimated by the filter are utilized to establish the registration of the local maps into the global coordinate system.
Passive Control and Enhancement of Low Reynolds Number Slot Jets Through the Use of Tabs and Chevrons
Authors: Sexton Andrew , Punch Jeff , Stafford Jason , Jeffers Nicholas
Published: August 2017

Liquid microjets are emerging as candidate primary or secondary heat exchangers for the thermal management of next generation photonic integrated circuits (PICs). However, the thermal and hydrodynamic behavior of confined, low Reynolds number liquid slot jets is not yet comprehensively understood. This investigation experimentally examined jet outlet modifications—in the form of tabs and chevrons—as techniques for passive control and enhancement of single-phase convective heat transfer. The investigation was carried out for slot jets in the laminar flow regime, with a Reynolds number range, based on the slot jet hydraulic diameter, of 100–500. A slot jet with an aspect ratio of 4 and a fixed confinement height to hydraulic diameter ratio (H/Dh) of 1 was considered. The local surface heat transfer and velocity field characteristics were measured using infrared (IR) thermography and particle image velocimetry (PIV) techniques. It was found that increases in area-averaged Nusselt number of up to 29% compared to the baseline case could be achieved without incurring additional hydrodynamic losses. It was also determined that the location and magnitude of Nusselt number and velocity peaks within the slot jet stagnation region could be passively controlled and enhanced through the application of outlet tabs of varying geometries and locations.
Study of Microscale Three-Dimensional Printing Using Near-Field Melt Electrospinning
Authors: You Xiangyu , Ye Chengcong , Guo Ping
Published: August 2017

Three-dimensional (3D) printing of microscale structures with high-resolution (submicron) and low-cost is still a challenging work for the existing 3D printing techniques. Here, we report a direct writing process via near-field melt electrospinning (NFME) to achieve microscale printing of single filament wall structures. The process allows continuous direct writing due to the linear and stable jet trajectory in the electric near field. The layer-by-layer stacking of fibers, or self-assembly effect, is attributed to the attraction force from the molten deposited fibers and accumulated negative charges. We demonstrated successful printing of various 3D thin-wall structures with a minimal wall thickness less than 5 μm. By optimizing the process parameters of NFME, ultrafine poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers have been stably generated and precisely stacked and fused into 3D thin-wall structures with an aspect ratio of more than 60. It is envisioned that the NFME can be transformed into a viable high-resolution and low-cost microscale 3D printing technology.
Long-Term Extreme Response and Reliability of a Vessel Rolling in Random Beam Seas
Authors: Chai Wei , Naess Arvid , Leira Bernt J.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, the long-term extreme response of a vessel rolling in random beam seas and the associated reliability evaluation are addressed. The long-term response analysis is based on the upcrossing rates of the roll motion under different sea states. Generally, for nonlinear roll motion in random seas, the high-level roll response is sensitive and closely related to the nonlinear effects associated with the restoring and damping terms. Therefore, assessing the corresponding statistics of the random roll motion with low probability levels is difficult and time-consuming. In this work, the Markov theory is introduced in order to tackle this problem. Specifically, for the dead ship condition, the random roll excitation moment is approximated as a filtered white noise process by applying a second-order linear filter and an efficient four-dimensional (4D) path integration (PI) technique is applied in order to calculate the response statistics. Furthermore, the reliability evaluation is based on the well-known Poisson estimate as well as on the upcrossing rate calculated by the 4D PI method. The long-term analysis and reliability evaluation of the nonlinear roll motion in random seas, which consider the variation of the sea states could be a valuable reference for ship stability research.
Gear Reverse-Order Meshing—Phenomenon, Analysis, and Application
Authors: Zhaoyao Shi , Zanhui Shu , Bo Yu , Tao Wang , Xiaoyi Wang
Published: August 2017

The gear drive is theoretically a normal-order meshing process to transmit movement and power. When temperature variation, misalignment, manufacture error, or deformation occurs, the normal-order meshing will be destroyed. Under certain conditions, the contact point moves in the opposite direction to the normal order on the surface of the tooth. This process is called gear reverse-order meshing. The gear reverse-order meshing will lead to gear impact and generate noise during the transmission. In the study, with gear pairs with base pitch deviation as the study object, we further studied this process and expanded the application scope of the process to kinematics and dynamics. The transmission error of the gear reverse-order meshing process was deduced. Both the speed error and acceleration error were obtained. Based on the curves of these three variables, the influence of gear reverse-order meshing on gear transmission characteristic was analyzed to explore the causes for the meshing impact phenomenon. Although the gear reverse-order meshing process has some disadvantages, it could also be applied in some fields. Due to the feature of gear reverse-order meshing, it is applied to gear integrated error (GIE) measuring technique and tooth-skipped gear honing process effectively.
Adaptation of a dry metalorganic chemical vapor deposition metallization process to a wet chemical pretreatment of polymers
Authors: Zhang Anne , Addou Fouzi , Duguet Thomas , Caussé Nicolas , Vahlas Constantin
Published: August 2017

A wet chemical pretreatment is applied on a carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite in order to provide a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition metallization layer with satisfactory adhesion. The pretreatment modifies the surface composition and the surface energy by forming a high concentration of surface polar groups. It also creates a multiscale roughness which results in a nonuniform topography; the etching efficiency being dependent on the considered surface area. Hence, previously underlying C fibers become exposed at the free surface and this modifies the reactivity toward metallization in these surface regions. The adhesion and resistivity of the Cu films are then impacted by such heterogeneity. This is exemplified by the visual inspection of adhesive tapes used for testing adhesion where Cu is exclusively removed at the location of bare C fibers. Addition of water vapor during the first step of the chemical vapor deposition process results in the formation of a copper oxide buffer layer. The latter perfectly wets the entire substrate surface, making the copper layer uniform while preserving adhesion and improving the electrical resistivity.
Design of ultrathin Pt-Mo-Ni nanowire catalysts for ethanol electrooxidation
Authors: Mao Junjie , Chen Wenxing , He Dongsheng , Wan Jiawei , Pei Jiajing , Dong Juncai , Wang Yu , An Pengfei , Jin Zhao , Xing Wei , Tang Haolin , Zhuang Zhongbin , Liang Xin , Huang Yu , Zhou Gang , Wang Leyu , Wang Dingsheng , Li Yadong
Published: August 2017

Researchers design ultrathin Pt-Mo-Ni NWs as cost-effective, active, and durable electrocatalysts.
Increasing drought in Jordan: Climate change and cascading Syrian land-use impacts on reducing transboundary flow
Authors: Rajsekhar Deepthi , Gorelick Steven M.
Published: August 2017

Water-poor Jordan faces extreme droughts and lower river flows due to climate and land-use change after the Syrian crisis.
Ceftazidime-avibactam has potent sterilizing activity against highly drug-resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Deshpande Devyani , Srivastava Shashikant , Chapagain Moti , Magombedze Gesham , Martin Katherine R. , Cirrincione Kayle N. , Lee Pooi S. , Koeuth Thearith , Dheda Keertan , Gumbo Tawanda
Published: August 2017

Ceftazidime-avibactam is highly efficacious against extensive- and multidrug-resistant strains of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
.
Science suffers as China plugs holes in Great Firewall
Authors: Normile Dennis
Published: August 2017

New restrictions hamper access to sites useful for research.
Reports raise concerns about France's nuclear waste tomb
Authors: Pain Elisabeth
Published: August 2017

Major roadblocks remain for a massive underground storage site in the works since 1991.
The case of the macho crocs
Authors: Leslie Mitch
Published: August 2017

Something is changing the sex of Costa Rican crocodiles. The suspect: a synthetic hormone.
The intestinal microbiota regulates body composition through NFIL3 and the circadian clock
Authors: Wang Yuhao , Kuang Zheng , Yu Xiaofei , Ruhn Kelly A. , Kubo Masato , Hooper Lora V.
Published: August 2017

Light, fat, and commensals

The gut microbiota facilitates energy harvest from food and transfers it into fat storage. Working in mice, Wang
et al.
found that an epithelial cell circadian transcription factor, NFIL3, is involved in regulating body composition through lipid uptake. Flagellin and lipopolysaccharide produced by certain microbes tuned the amplitude of oscillation of NFIL3 through innate lymphoid cell (ILC3) signaling, STAT3, and the epithelial cell clock. Such interactions may help to explain why circadian clock disruptions in humans, arising from shift work or international travel, frequently track with metabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Science
, this issue p.
912
An algal photoenzyme converts fatty acids to hydrocarbons
Authors: Sorigué Damien , Légeret Bertrand , Cuiné Stéphan , Blangy Stéphanie , Moulin Solène , Billon Emmanuelle , Richaud Pierre , Brugière Sabine , Couté Yohann , Nurizzo Didier , Müller Pavel , Brettel Klaus , Pignol David , Arnoux Pascal , Li-Beisson Yonghua , Peltier Gilles , Beisson Fred
Published: August 2017

Algal enzyme driven by blue light

Microalgae make hydrocarbons. In searching for the enzyme responsible, Sorigué
et al.
found a glucose-methanolcholine oxidoreductase (see the Perspective by Scrutton). Expression of the enzyme in
Escherichia coli
showed that hydrocarbon production requires visible light. In fact, the enzyme requires a constant input of blue photons to carry out its catalytic reaction. A long hydrophobic tunnel in the enzyme stabilizes the fatty acid substrates in proximity to the flavin adenine dinucleotide cofactor.

Science
, this issue p.
903
; see also p.
872
Tuberculosis today
Catching Breath: The Making and Unmaking of Tuberculosis
Kathryn Lougheed
Bloomsbury Sigma, 2017. 272 pp.
Authors: Bynum Helen
Published: August 2017

A researcher provides a firsthand look at a prolific killer
Sounding out optical phonons
Authors: Juraschek Dominik M. , Spaldin Nicola A.
Published: August 2017

Phonon-based analogs of electronic devices offer potential for future technologies
New soft robots really suck: Vacuum-powered systems empower diverse capabilities
Authors: Robertson Matthew A. , Paik Jamie
Published: August 2017

A foam-based, vacuum-powered actuator enables a multifunctional soft robotic system.
Conjugation does not conquer all in cancer nanotherapy
Authors: Hine Christopher
Published: August 2017

Vaccination with potato virus X nanoparticles enhances the efficacy of traditional doxorubicin anticancer therapy against a mouse melanoma tumor model.
On the origin of relapse in AML
Authors: Jonas Brian A.
Published: August 2017

Preexisting therapy-resistant leukemia stem cell populations underlie the cellular origin of relapse in acute myeloid leukemia.
Genetic Validation of
Leishmania donovani
Lysyl-tRNA Synthetase Shows that It Is Indispensable for Parasite Growth and Infectivity
Authors: Chadha Sanya , Mallampudi N. Arjunreddy , Mohapatra Debendra K. , Madhubala Rentala
Published: August 2017

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases are housekeeping enzymes essential for protein translation, providing charged tRNAs for the proper construction of peptide chains. These enzymes provide raw materials for protein translation and also ensure fidelity of translation.
L. donovani
is a protozoan parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis. It is a continuously proliferating parasite that depends heavily on efficient protein translation. Lysyl-tRNA synthetase is one of the aaRSs which charges lysine to its cognate tRNA. Two different coding sequences for lysyl-tRNA synthetases (
Ld
LysRS) are present in this parasite.
Ld
LysRS-1 is closer to apicomplexans and eukaryotes, whereas
Ld
LysRS-2 is closer to bacteria. Here, we have characterized
Ld
LysRS-1 of
L. donovani
.
Ld
LysRS-1 appears to be an essential gene as the chromosomal null mutants did not survive. The heterozygous mutants showed slower growth kinetics and exhibited attenuated virulence. This study also provides a platform to explore
Ld
LysRS-1 as a potential drug target.
Health-related quality of life in infants and toddlers with congenital heart disease: a cross-sectional survey from South India
Authors: Raj Manu , Sudhakar Abish , Roy Rinku , Soman Sumi , Antony Libin , Champaneri Bhavik , Kumar Raman Krishna
Published: August 2017

Objective

There are limited data on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for infants and toddlers with congenital heart disease (CHD). We sought to compare generic HRQOL of infants and toddlers between CHD subjects and controls.

Design

Dual-setting, cross-sectional analytical survey.

Setting

We collected HRQOL data on infants and toddlers through a community survey for controls and through a hospital-based survey for those with CHD.

Patients

A total of 499 subjects with confirmed CHD in the age group of 1–24 months admitted for elective surgery in the study institution were selected by consecutive sampling. In addition, we selected 628 control children in the same age group from an area within the 10 km radius of the study institution.

Main outcome measures

The data contain parent proxy report of HRQOL. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0) was used to collect HRQOL data. Questionnaires were self-administered for parents.

Results

The mean total proxy HRQOL scores were significantly higher in control infants compared with infants with CHD (adjusted mean difference 5.0, 99% CI 2.5 to 7.5, p<0.001). Corresponding figure for toddlers was 7.6 (95% CI 5.0 to 10.2, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in total HRQOL scores across CHD functional classes among infants and toddlers (p=0.212 and p=0.502, respectively).

Conclusions

Infants and toddlers with uncorrected CHD have significant deficiency in proxy HRQOL compared with their controls. The functional class of CHD appears to have no differential impact on overall HRQOL deficiency in this age group.
Risk of corneal ulcer in patients with end-stage renal disease: a retrospective large-scale cohort study
Authors: Jan Ren-Long , Tai Ming-Cheng , Weng Shih-Feng , Chang Chun , Wang Jhi-Joung , Chang Yuh-Shin
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims

To investigate the risk of corneal ulcer in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Methods

This retrospective, nationwide, matched cohort study included 92 967 patients with ESRD recruited between 2000 and 2009 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The same number of age-matched and sex-matched patients without ESRD were selected from the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database, 2000 as the control group. Data for each patient were collected from the index date until December 2011. Corneal ulcer incidence rate and risk were compared between the groups. A Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate the HR for a corneal ulcer after adjustment for potential confounders. The cumulative corneal ulcer incidence rate was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis.

Results

In total, 660 patients with ESRD and 591 controls showed a corneal ulcer during follow-up; thus, the corneal ulcer incidence rate in patients with ESRD was 1.54 times (95% CI 1.38–1.72) that in the control patients. After adjustment for potential confounders, including diabetes mellitus and HIV disease, patients with ESRD were 1.17 times (95% CI 1.03 to 1.33) more likely to develop a corneal ulcer in the cohort for the total sample. Among patients with diabetes mellitus, the corneal ulcer incidence rate was significantly higher in the ESRD group, and diabetes mellitus significantly increased corneal ulcer risk even after adjustment for other confounders in the cohort.

Conclusion

ESRD increases the risk of a corneal ulcer, particularly in patients with ESRD with diabetes mellitus. Regular ocular examinations are suggested for patients with ESRD.
Optical coherence tomography angiography reproducibility of lesion size measurements in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Authors: Amoroso Francesca , Miere Alexandra , Semoun Oudy , Jung Camille , Capuano Vittorio , Souied Eric H
Published: August 2017

Purpose

To evaluate the reproducibility and interuser agreement of measurements of choroidal neovascularisation in optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

Design

Prospective non-interventional study.

Methods

Consecutive patients, presenting with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), underwent two sequential OCTA examinations (AngioVue, Optovue, Fremont, California, USA), performed by the same trained examiner. Neovascular lesion area was then measured on both examinations in the choriocapillaris automatic segmentation by two masked readers, using the semiautomated measuring software embedded in the instrument. Two measuring features were used: the first corresponding to the total manually contoured lesion area with the flow draw tool (select area) and the second to the total area of solely vessels with high flow within the lesion (vessel area). These measurements were then compared in order to assess both the reproducibility of OCTA examination and the interuser agreement with the embedded software.

Results

Forty-eight eyes of 46 patients (77.4 mean age,+/-8.2 SD, range from 62 to 95 years old, eight men, 38 women) were included in our study. Mean choroidal neovascularisation area was of 0.72+/-0.7 mm2 for the first measurement and 0.75+/-0.76 mm2 for the second measurement; difference between the first and the second measurement was 0.03 mm2. Intrauser agreement was of 0.98 (CI 0.98 to 0.99) for both ‘vessel area’ and ‘select area’ features. Interuser agreement was of 0.98 (CI 0.97 to 0.99) for ‘select area’ and ‘vessel area’ features.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that OCTA provide reproducible imaging for evaluation of the neovascular size in the setting of AMD.
Diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography for diagnosing glaucoma: secondary analyses of the GATE study
Authors: Virgili Gianni , Michelessi Manuele , Cook Jonathan , Boachie Charles , Burr Jennifer , Banister Katie , Garway-Heath David F , Bourne Rupert R A , Asorey Garcia Almudena , Ramsay Craig R , Azuara-Blanco Augusto
Published: August 2017

Background/Aims

To assess the diagnostic performance of retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) data of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for detecting glaucoma.

Methods

Secondary analyses of a prospective, multicentre diagnostic study (Glaucoma Automated Tests Evaluation (GATE)) referred to hospital eye services in the UK were conducted. We included data from 899 of 966 participants referred to hospital eye services with suspected glaucoma or ocular hypertension. We used both eyes’ data and logistic regression-based receiver operator characteristics analysis to build a set of models to measure the sensitivity and specificity of the average and inferior quadrant RNFL thickness data of OCT. The reference standard was expert clinician examination including automated perimetry. The main outcome measures were sensitivity at 0.95 specificity and specificity at 0.95 sensitivity and the corresponding RNFL thickness thresholds. We explored the possibility of accuracy improvement by adding measures of within-eye and between-eye variation, scan quality, intraocular pressure (IOP) and age.

Results

Glaucoma was diagnosed in at least one eye in 17% of participants. Areas under the curve were between 0.83 and 0.88. When specificity was fixed at 0.95, the sensitivity was between 0.38 and 0.55, and the highest values were reached with models including the inferior quadrant rather than the average RNFL thickness. Fixing sensitivity at 0.95, the specificity was between 0.36 and 0.58. The addition of age, refractive error, IOP or within-subject variation did not improve the accuracy.

Conclusion

RNFL thickness data of OCT can be used as a diagnostic test, but accuracy estimates remain moderate even in exploratory multivariable modelling of aiming to improve accuracy.
Effectiveness of online tailored advice to prevent running-related injuries and promote preventive behaviour in Dutch trail runners: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hespanhol Luiz Carlos , van Mechelen Willem , Verhagen Evert
Published: August 2017

Background

Trail running is popular worldwide, but there is no preventive intervention for running-related injury (RRI).

Aim

To evaluate the effectiveness of adding online tailored advice (TrailS6) to general advice on (1) the prevention of RRIs and (2) the determinants and actual preventive behaviour in Dutch trail runners.

Methods

Two-arm randomised controlled trial over 6 months. 232 trail runners were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. All participants received online general advice on RRI prevention 1 week after baseline. Every 2 weeks, participants in the intervention group received specific advice tailored to their RRI status. The control group received no further intervention. Bayesian mixed models were used to analyse the data.

Results

Trail runners in the intervention group sustained 13% fewer RRIs compared with those in the control group after 6 months of follow-up (absolute risk difference −13.1%, 95% Bayesian highest posterior credible interval (95% BCI) −23.3 to −3.1). A preventive benefit was observed in one out of eight trail runners who had received the online tailored advice for 6 months (number needed to treat 8, 95% BCI 3 to 22). No significant between-group difference was observed on the determinants and actual preventive behaviours.

Conclusions

Online tailored advice prevented RRIs among Dutch trail runners. Therefore, online tailored advice may be used as a preventive component in multicomponent RRI prevention programmes. No effect was observed on determinants and actual preventive behaviours.

Trial registration number

The Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR5431).
Real-world validation of the minimal disease activity index in psoriatic arthritis: an analysis from a prospective, observational, biological treatment registry
Authors: Rahman Proton , Zummer Michel , Bessette Louis , Baer Philip , Haraoui Boulos , Chow Andrew , Kelsall John , Kapur Suneil , Rampakakis Emmanouil , Psaradellis Eliofotisti , Lehman Allen J , Nantel Francois , Osborne Brendan , Tkaczyk Cathy
Published: August 2017

Objective

To describe the minimal disease activity (MDA) rate over time in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) receiving antitumour necrosis factor agents, evaluate prognostic factors of MDA achievement and identify the most common unmet criteria among MDA achievers.

Design

Biologic Treatment Registry Across Canada (BioTRAC): ongoing, prospective registry of patients initiating treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis or PsA with infliximab (IFX), golimumab (GLM) or ustekinumab.

Setting

46 primary-care Canadian rheumatology practices.

Participants

223 patients with PsA receiving IFX (enrolled since 2005) and GLM (enrolled since 2010) with available MDA information at baseline, 6 months and/or 12 months.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

MDA was defined as ≥5 of the following criteria: 28-item tender joint count (TJC28) ≤1, 28-item swollen joint count (SJC28) ≤1, Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) ≤1 or body surface area≤3, Pain Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) ≤15 mm, patient’s global assessment (PtGA) (VAS) ≤20 mm, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) ≤0.5, tender entheseal points ≤1. Independent prognostic factors of MDA achievement were assessed with multivariate logistic regression.

Results

MDA was achieved by 11.7% of patients at baseline, 43.5% at 6 months, 44.8% at 12 months and 48.8% at either 6 or 12 months. Among MDA achievers at 6 months, 75.7% had sustained MDA at 12 months. Lower baseline HAQ (OR=0.210; 95% CI: 0.099 to 0.447) and lower TJC28 (OR=0.880; 95% CI: 0.804 to 0.964), were significant prognostic factors of MDA achievement over 12 months of treatment. The most commonly unmet MDA criteria among MDA achievers was patient reported pain (25%), PtGA (15%) and PASI (12%).

Conclusions

Almost 50% of patients treated with IFX or GLM in routine clinical care achieved MDA within the first year of treatment. Lower baseline HAQ and lower TJC28, were identified as significant prognostic factors of MDA achievement. The most commonly unmet criteria in patients who achieved MDA were pain, PtGA and PASI.

Trial registration number

BioTRAC (NCT00741793).
Protocol for a mixed studies systematic review on the implementation of the recovery approach in adult mental health services
Authors: Piat Myra , Sofouli Eleni , Sabetti Judith , Lambrou Angella , Chodos Howard , Briand Catherine , Vachon Brigitte , Curran Janet
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Recovery is integral to mental health planning in G-8 countries including Canada. A recovery-oriented approach to care aims to promote personal empowerment, illness self-management and a life beyond services for people with serious mental illness (SMI), while reducing the financial burden associated with mental illness. Although there is a growing body of literature on recovery, no synthesis of research on the implementation of recovery into mental health services exists.

Objectives

The objective is to conduct a mixed studies systematic review on the operationalisation of recovery into mental health services for adults with SMI. It will inform the transformation of Canadian services to a recovery orientation, but may be applicable to other countries.

Methods and analysis

Seven databases including PubMed, Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, Ovid PsycInfo, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library and Scopus will be searched for peer-reviewed empirical studies published from 1998 to December 2016. Systematic reviews and studies using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodologies will be included. Secondary searches will be conducted in reference lists of all selected full text articles. Handsearches will also be performed in the tables of contents of three recovery-focused journals for the last 5 years. International experts in the field will be contacted for comments and advice. Data extraction will include identification and methodological synthesis of each study; definition of recovery; information on recovery implementation; facilitators and barriers and study outcomes. A quality assessment will be conducted on each study. The data will be synthesised and a stepwise thematic analysis performed.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval is not required for this knowledge synthesis. Findings will be disseminated through knowledge translation activities including: (1) a 1-day symposium; (2) presentations in national and international conferences and to local stakeholders; (3) publications in peer-reviewed journals; (4) posts on the organisational websites.