bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty in shear resistance models of reinforced concrete beams according to fib MC2010
Authors: Sykora Miroslav , Krejsa Jan , Mlcoch Jan , Prieto Miguel , Tanner Peter
Published: February 2018

Load bearing capacity can be predicted by appropriate modeling of material properties, geometry variables, and uncertainties associated with an applied model for the failure mechanism under consideration. The submitted study investigates shear resistance model uncertainties for reinforced concrete beams with and without shear reinforcement, considering large test databases and various levels of approximation offered by fib Model Code 2010. Model uncertainty is treated as a random variable and its characteristics are obtained by comparing test and model outcomes. The sensitivity of model uncertainty with respect to basic variables is analyzed. For beams with stirrups, Level III is recommended for practical applications. Its predictions are shown to be independent of the amount of shear reinforcement and have reasonable bias and dispersion around test results. For beams without shear reinforcement, the use of Level II is advisable and a distinction between lightly reinforced and moderately to heavily reinforced beams should be made.
Long‐Term Survival and Prognostic Factors of Pulmonary Metastasectomy in Liver Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Wang Chong , Yang Lei , Liang Zikun , Liu Yaodong , Liu Shuku
Published: February 2018

Background

Lung is the most common extrahepatic metastatic organ of liver cancer. Surgical resection is a common local treatment for pulmonary metastasis. But the long‐term prognosis of pulmonary metastasectomy varies greatly due to the small sample size and different results of previous studies. Therefore, we conducted this meta‐analysis to evaluate the combined 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate and prognostic factors after pulmonary metastasectomy in liver cancer.

Methods

Key words such as liver cancer pulmonary metastasis and metastasectomy were retrieved firstly in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Chinese Wanfang databases. Eligible studies were identified by manual searches. Each included study should report 5‐year OS rate and/or prognostic factors of pulmonary metastasectomy. Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment, and heterogeneity was estimated by I2. We calculated the combined 5‐year survival rates and determined the prognostic factors for OS by the hazard ratios (HR) and number of events.

Results

Seventeen cohort studies with a total of 513 patients were included in this meta‐analysis. The combined 5‐year survival rates after pulmonary metastasectomy were 33% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 29–37%]. The poor prognostic factors were disease‐free interval (DFI) < 12 months (HR = 2.421 95% CI 1.384 4.236) and existence of cirrhosis (HR = 1.936 95% CI 1.031 3.636).

Conclusion

The 5‐year OS rate of patients with pulmonary metastasectomy after resection of primary liver cancer is 33%. DFI < 12 months and existence of cirrhosis are probably poor prognostic factors.
Fast and accurate quantitative organic acid analysis with LC‐QTOF/MS facilitates screening of patients for inborn errors of metabolism
Authors: Körver‐Keularts Irene M. L. W. , Wang Ping , Waterval Huub W. A. H. , Kluijtmans Leo A. J. , Wevers Ron A. , Langhans Claus‐Dieter , Scott Camilla , Habets Daphna D. J. , Bierau Jörgen
Published: February 2018

Since organic acid analysis in urine with gaschromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) is a time‐consuming technique, we developed a new liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐QTOF/MS) method to replace the classical analysis for diagnosis of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). Sample preparation is simple and experimental time short. Targeted mass extraction and automatic calculation of z‐scores generated profiles characteristic for the IEMs in our panel consisting of 71 biomarkers for defects in amino acids, neurotransmitters, fatty acids, purine, and pyrimidine metabolism as well as other disorders. In addition, four medication‐related metabolites were included in the panel. The method was validated to meet Dutch NEN‐EN‐ISO 15189 standards. Cross validation of 24 organic acids from 28 urine samples of the ERNDIM scheme showed superiority of the UPLC‐QTOF/MS method over the GC‐MS method. We applied our method to 99 patient urine samples with 32 different IEMs, and 88 control samples. All IEMs were unambiguously established/diagnosed using this new QTOF method by evaluation of the panel of 71 biomarkers. In conclusion, we present a LC‐QTOF/MS method for fast and accurate quantitative organic acid analysis which facilitates screening of patients for IEMs. Extension of the panel of metabolites is easy which makes this application a promising technique in metabolic diagnostics/laboratories.
The effect of parental style on bullying and cyber bullying behaviors and the mediating role of peer attachment relationships: A longitudinal study
Authors: Charalampous Kyriakos , Demetriou Constantina , Tricha Loukia , Ioannou Myria , Georgiou Stelios , Nikiforou Militsa , Stavrinides Panayiotis
Published: February 2018

The purpose of the present study was the examination of the longitudinal effect of parental style on short‐term changes in conventional and cyber forms of bullying/victimization, and the investigation of the mediating role of peer attachment relationships on this effect. The participants were 861 children and adolescents (52% girls, Mage = 11.72 years) attending Cyprus public institutions. Students provided information during three measurement points. There was a six and a 12 week interval among the three measurement points, respectively. The findings of the study indicated that parenting seems to be a significant predictor of all forms of bullying/victimization, conventional and cyber, in early adolescents, even when accounting for bullying/victimization levels eighteen weeks back. More importantly, results showed that the effect of parental style on bullying forms was mediated by peer attachment relationships. Results are discussed in the light of theoretical and practical implications.
Periodontal prosthesis in contemporary dentistry
Authors: Liu Chiun‐Lin Steven
Published: February 2018

In the last 5 decades, the developments of osseointegrated titanium implants (since 1965) have led to the success of contemporary dentistry. Endosseous implant‐supported restorations delivered in accordance with the traditional Branemark protocol have proven to be highly predictable. Today, implants are becoming increasingly common in dental care and provide more therapeutic options, but treatment planning and the sequencing of therapy are critical in implant‐assisted and implant‐supported cases. Implant prostheses give patients and dentists more options in treatment planning, but also present challenging decisions regarding implant surgery. In essence, the emerging thought is that teeth are expendable, as we now have implants to solve these problems. The fact that peri‐implantitis is no simple problem to treat does not seem to affect many who hold that thought. In this article, the authors explain how to properly apply the periodontal prosthesis philosophy, concepts, principles, and techniques in contemporary dentistry. (This article is an update from the article was published in 2005) [1].
Migração do fio de Kirschner após o tratamento da luxação acromioclavicular para o ombro contralateral – relato de caso
Authors: Palauro Fabiano , Stirma Guilherme , Secundino Armando , Riffel Gabriel , Baracho Filipe , Dau Leonardo
Published: February 2018

O uso dos fios metálicos, denominados fios de Kirschner, é um método de fixação simples e eficaz para a correção de fraturas e luxações do ombro na cirurgia ortopédica. Uma das possíveis complicações é a migração do fio durante o acompanhamento pós-operatório. Os autores apresentam um caso de um paciente masculino de 48 anos, administrador, que sofreu uma queda de mesmo nível com trauma em ombro direito durante uma partida de futebol. Atendido em um hospital de referência de ortopedia e traumatologia, foi diagnosticada luxação acromioclavicular grau V. Quatro dias após o trauma, fez-se o tratamento cirúrgico da luxação acromioclavicular com amarrilhos com fios de âncora, transferência do ligamento coracoacromial e fixação com fio de Kirchner do acrômio à clavícula. No retorno, 12 dias após o procedimento cirúrgico, identificou-se a migração do fio de Kirschner do bordo do acrômio. Apesar de orientado a se submeter a cirurgia para remoção do fio, o paciente se recusou. Nove meses após o tratamento cirúrgico, o paciente apresentou dores no ombro esquerdo (lado contralateral), dificuldade para mobilizar o ombro, equimose e saliência. Foram feitas radiografias bilaterais e foi constatado que o fio de Kirschner, originalmente no ombro direito, estava no ombro contralateral. Fez-se então cirurgia para remoção do implante, com sucesso.
Tratamento de fraturas patológicas tumorais diafisárias do úmero com haste intramedular rígida bloqueada estática – Experiência de 22 anos
Authors: Moura Diogo Lino , Alves Filipe , Fonseca Rúben , Freitas João , Casanova José
Published: February 2018

Objetivo Estudo retrospectivo observacional em pacientes submetidos à fixação com haste intramedular de fratura patológica tumoral consumada ou iminente da diáfise do úmero em contexto de doença tumoral disseminada ao longo de 22 anos na mesma instituição.

Métodos Amostra com 82 pacientes e 86 fixações do úmero com haste intramedular rígida bloqueada estática não fresada anterógrada ou retrógrada.

Resultados Os tumores primários mais prevalentes foram carcinoma da mama (30,49%), mieloma múltiplo (24,39%), adenocarcinoma do pulmão (8,54%) e carcinoma das células renais (6,10%). O tempo médio de intervenção cirúrgica para fixação com haste foi 90,16 ± 42,98 minutos (40-135). Todos os pacientes referiram melhoria das queixas álgicas no nível do braço e velicou-se melhoria do score MSTS médio de 26% no pré-operatório para 72,6% na avaliação efetuada nos pacientes ainda vivos aos três meses de pós-operatório. A taxa de sobrevivência aos três meses após a cirurgia foi de 69,50%, 56,10% aos seis meses, 26,70% em um ano e 11,90% em dois anos. Nenhuma das mortes decorreu da cirurgia ou de complicações dela. Apenas se registaram quatro complicações relacionadas com a cirurgia, uma intraoperatória e três tardias, corresponderam a risco de complicações de 4,65%.

Conclusão O uso de haste intramedular não fresada estática bloqueada (anterógrado ou retrógrado) no úmero é um método rápido, seguro, eficaz e com baixa morbilidade no tratamento das fraturas patológicas da diáfise umeral, garante fixação estável do braço e consequentemente melhora a funcionalidade e a qualidade de vida desses pacientes durante a sua curta expectativa de vida.
The Financial Performance Implications of Differential Marketing Strategies: Exploring Farms that Pursue Local Markets as a Core Competitive Advantage
Authors: Bauman Allison , Thilmany McFadden Dawn , Jablonski Becca B. R.
Published: February 2018

This study explores how participation in direct and intermediated marketing channels and key operational factors influence agricultural producers’ financial performance. Accordingly, we divide the sample of local and regional food marketers into quartiles segmented by profitability performance as an initial exploration of how strong and weak performance may vary across scale, location, and choice of direct and intermediated channels. Moreover, other financial metrics that vary across types of producers and performance-based quartiles are analyzed. This paper provides initial evidence that participation in direct and intermediated markets may allow farms of any scale of sales volume to be financially viable.
Changing contribution of peak velocity events to annual velocities following a multi-decadal slowdown at White Glacier
Authors: Thomson Laura I. , Copland Luke
Published: February 2018

As the focus of intensive glaciological studies in the 1960–70s, White Glacier on Axel Heiberg Island, Canada, has played an important role in understanding the dynamics of mostly-cold polythermal glaciers in the high Arctic. In this study, we examine the magnitude, duration and timing of peak velocity events in the summers of 2013–15 using continuous dual-frequency GPS observations, and compare them with similar measurements made in 1968. Summer speed-up events in 1968 and 2014, in which ice velocities reached 200% above winter values, were found to occur in conjunction with formation and drainage of an ice-marginal lake. Despite thinning of the glacier by >20 m and a decrease in annual surface velocities of 15–35% since the 1960s, the relative magnitude and duration of these peak events has increased, particularly at lower elevations, in comparison with the observations at the same locations many decades ago. Given the long-term slowdown of the glacier, the relative contribution of summer displacement to the net annual motion has therefore increased significantly, with summer motion over the span of <2 months now accounting for nearly half of the total annual displacement.
Review of implementation strategies to change healthcare provider behaviour in the emergency department
Authors: de Wit Kerstin , Curran Janet , Thoma Brent , Dowling Shawn , Lang Eddy , Kuljic Nebojsa , Perry Jeffrey J. , Morrison Laurie
Published: February 2018

Objectives

Advances in emergency medicine research can be slow to make their way into clinical care, and implementing a new evidence-based intervention can be challenging in the emergency department. The Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians (CAEP) Knowledge Translation Symposium working group set out to produce recommendations for best practice in the implementation of a new science in Canadian emergency departments.

Methods

A systematic review of implementation strategies to change health care provider behaviour in the emergency department was conducted simultaneously with a national survey of emergency physician experience. We summarized our findings into a list of draft recommendations that were presented at the national CAEP Conference 2017 and further refined based on feedback through social media strategies.

Results

We produced 10 recommendations for implementing new evidence-based interventions in the emergency department, which cover identifying a practice gap, evaluating the evidence, planning the intervention strategy, monitoring, providing feedback during implementation, and desired qualities of future implementation research.

Conclusions

We present recommendations to guide future emergency department implementation initiatives. There is a need for robust and well-designed implementation research to guide future emergency department implementation initiatives.
A DIRECT PROOF OF SCHWICHTENBERG’S BAR RECURSION CLOSURE THEOREM
Authors: OLIVA PAULO , STEILA SILVIA
Published: February 2018

In [12], Schwichtenberg showed that the System T definable functionals are closed under a rule-like version Spector’s bar recursion of lowest type levels 0 and 1. More precisely, if the functional Y which controls the stopping condition of Spector’s bar recursor is T-definable, then the corresponding bar recursion of type levels 0 and 1 is already T-definable. Schwichtenberg’s original proof, however, relies on a detour through Tait’s infinitary terms and the correspondence between ordinal recursion for $\alpha < {\varepsilon _0}$ and primitive recursion over finite types. This detour makes it hard to calculate on given concrete system T input, what the corresponding system T output would look like. In this paper we present an alternative (more direct) proof based on an explicit construction which we prove correct via a suitably defined logical relation. We show through an example how this gives a straightforward mechanism for converting bar recursive definitions into T-definitions under the conditions of Schwichtenberg’s theorem. Finally, with the explicit construction we can also easily state a sharper result: if Y is in the fragment Ti then terms built from $BR^{\mathbb{N},\sigma } $ for this particular Y are definable in the fragment ${T_{i + {\rm{max}}\left\{ {1,{\rm{level}}\left( \sigma \right)} \right\} + 2}}$.
Estimating the number of pulses in a mass extinction
Authors: Wang Steve C. , Zhong Ling
Published: February 2018

The Signor-Lipps effect states that even a sudden mass extinction will invariably appear gradual in the fossil record, due to incomplete fossil preservation. Most previous work on the Signor–Lipps effect has focused on testing whether taxa in a mass extinction went extinct simultaneously or gradually. However, many authors have proposed scenarios in which taxa went extinct in distinct pulses. Little methodology has been developed for quantifying characteristics of such pulsed extinction events. Here we introduce a method for estimating the number of pulses in a mass extinction, based on the positions of fossil occurrences in a stratigraphic section. Rather than using a hypothesis test and assuming simultaneous extinction as the default, we reframe the question by asking what number of pulses best explains the observed fossil record.

Using a two-step algorithm, we are able to estimate not just the number of extinction pulses but also a confidence level or posterior probability for each possible number of pulses. In the first step, we find the maximum likelihood estimate for each possible number of pulses. In the second step, we calculate the Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion weights for each possible number of pulses, and then apply ak-nearest neighbor classifier to these weights. This method gives us a vector of confidence levels for the number of extinction pulses—for instance, we might be 80% confident that there was a single extinction pulse, 15% confident that there were two pulses, and 5% confident that there were three pulses. Equivalently, we can state that we are 95% confident that the number of extinction pulses is one or two. Using simulation studies, we show that the method performs well in a variety of situations, although it has difficulty in the case of decreasing fossil recovery potential, and it is most effective for small numbers of pulses unless the sample size is large. We demonstrate the method using a data set of Late Cretaceous ammonites.
Carbon-isotope stratigraphy of the uppermost Cambrian in eastern Laurentia: implications for global correlation
Authors: AZMY KAREM
Published: February 2018

The δ13C profile from an interval of the Martin Point section in western Newfoundland (Canada) spans the upper Furongian (uppermost Cambrian). The interval (~90 m) is a part of the Green Point Formation of the Cow Head Group and consists of the Martin Point (lower) and the Broom Point (upper) members. It is formed of slope marine carbonates alternating with shales (rhythmites) and conglomeratic interbeds. The preservation of the investigated micritic carbonates was meticulously evaluated by multiple petrographic and geochemical screening tools. The δ13C and δ18O values (−0.5 ± 0.8 ‰VPDB and −7.1 ± 0.3 ‰VPDB, respectively) exhibit insignificant correlation (R2= 0.002) and similarly the correlation of δ13C values with their Sr and Mn counterparts, which supports the preservation of at least near-primary δ13C signatures that can be utilized to construct a reliable high-resolution carbon-isotope profile for global correlations.

The δ13C profile exhibits two main negative excursions, a lower broad excursion (~3 ‰) that reaches its maximum at ~70 m below the Martin Point / Broom Point members boundary and an upper narrow excursion (~2.5 ‰) immediately below the same boundary. The lower excursion can be correlated with the global latest Furongian HERB event (TOCE), which is also recognized in the C-isotope profile of the GSSP boundary section at Green Point whereas the upper excursion matches with that of the Cambrian‒Ordovician boundary in the same section. The peak of the HERB δ13C excursion is correlated with positive shifts on the Th/U and Ni profiles (redox and productivity proxies).
Do patients with p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma get more bone metastasis than p16-negative patients?
Authors: Harris A S , Thomas R G , Passant C D
Published: February 2018

Background:

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma is thought to rarely metastasise to bone. This study hypothesised that in p16-positive disease there is a significant incidence of bony metastasis.

Methods:

This was an ambispective cohort review. All patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma diagnosed and treated at one centre were included.

Results:

A total of 180 consecutive patients were identified over 5 years. Fifteen patients were excluded because of lack of p16 status, none of whom had bony metastasis. The final analysis included 165 patients: 48 (29.09 per cent) in the p16-negative group and 117 (70.91 per cent) in the p16-positive group. Ten patients (8.55 per cent) in the p16-positive group developed bony metastasis, compared with zero in the p16-negative group; this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.036).

Conclusion:

Expression of p16 was associated with an increased incidence in bony metastasis in this cohort. This is the first study to explore this specific question.
Microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of otitis externa: a changing pattern of antimicrobial resistance
Authors: Heward E , Cullen M , Hobson J
Published: February 2018

Objective:

Otitis externa is a common presentation to secondary care otolaryngology clinics. Despite this, few studies have investigated the microbiology and antimicrobial resistance of otitis externa. This study aimed to examine these issues.

Methods:

Analysis identified 302 swabs taken from 217 patients (100 male, 117 female), between 1 January 2015 and 30 March 2016, at our rapid access otolaryngology clinic.

Results:

In total, 315 organisms were isolated; the most frequent was Pseudomonas aeruginosa (31.1 per cent), followed by candida species (22.9 per cent) and Staphylococcus aureus (11.7 per cent). P aeruginosa was sensitive to ciprofloxacin in 97.7 per cent of cases and to gentamicin in 78.4 per cent.

Conclusion:

Compared with studies worldwide, the relative proportions of different organisms causing otitis externa and the patterns of antimicrobial resistance differ. Increasing resistance of P aeruginosa to aminoglycosides demonstrates a changing pattern of antimicrobial resistance that has not been previously reported. Reassuringly, quinolone antibiotics remain highly effective when treating P aeruginosa.
SMILING, LAUGHING AND JOKING IN PAPAL ROME: THOMAS OF MARLBOROUGH AND GERALD OF WALES AT THE COURT OF INNOCENT III (1198–1216)
Authors: Fonnesberg-Schmidt Iben , Kynan-Wilson William
Published: February 2018

This article examines textual descriptions of smiling, laughing and joking with the pope in thirteenth-century Rome. It focuses on two Anglo-Norman accounts of conducting litigation at the papal curia: Thomas of Marlborough's (d.1236) Chronicon abbatiae de Eveshamand Gerald of Wales's (c. 1146–1220×23)De jure et statu Menevensis ecclesiae. Both authors include several careful and prominent references to smiling, laughing and joking, and specifically in relation to Pope Innocent III. These passages have previously been read as straightforward examples of wit and friendship, but this study shows that the authors use these physiological expressions to convey complex and subtly different pictures of the papal curia. Above all, this article demonstrates how Thomas and Gerald's descriptions of humorous interactions with the pope play crucial narrative and mnemonic roles within their work.
Integrating collaborative governance theory with the Advocacy Coalition Framework
Authors: Koebele Elizabeth A.
Published: February 2018

As collaborative governance processes continue to grow in popularity, practitioners and policy scholars alike can benefit from the development of methods to better analyse and evaluate them. This article develops one such method by demonstrating how collaborative governance theory can be integrated with the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF) to better explain coalition dynamics, policy-oriented learning and policy change in collaborative contexts. I offer three theoretical propositions that suggest alternate relationships among ACF variables under collaborative governance arrangements and illustrate these propositions using interview data from an original case study of a collaborative governance process in Colorado, USA. The integration of collaborative governance theory with the ACF improves its application in collaborative contexts and provides new theoretical insights into the study and practice of collaborative governance.
Music Education Issues for Adult Beginners in Armenia: Specifically the Analysis of the Difficulties of Piano Playing
Authors: Adamyan Anna
Published: February 2018

This paper reveals contemporary issues of music education in post-soviet Armenia. The author analyses the state of music education and draws special attention to the music education of adult beginners, which is a new challenge for the educational system of Armenia. In particular, the author reveals new problems in the performing arts, especially piano playing by adults, which brings with it many questions about new methodical approaches.

The author details ideas with respect to the psychological aspects of adults who wish to play piano and presents results of her tests on students from the chair of Music Education, Armenian State Pedagogical University after Khachatur Abovyan. She also provides observations and a number of recommendations for even more productive work.
Epidemiology and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in a high-prevalence population
Authors: Fill M. A. , Sizemore L. A. , Rickles M. , Cooper K. C. , Buecker C. M. , Mullins H. L. , Hofmeister M. G. , Abara W. E. , Foster M. A. , Asher A. K. , Schaffner W. , Dunn J. R. , Jones T. F. , Wester C.
Published: February 2018

To understand increasing rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Tennessee, we conducted testing, risk factor analysis and a nested case–control study among persons who use drugs. During June–October 2016, HCV testing with risk factor assessment was conducted in sexually transmitted disease clinics, family planning clinics and an addiction treatment facility in eastern Tennessee; data were analysed by using multivariable logistic regression. A nested case–control study was conducted to assess drug-using risks and behaviours among persons who reported intranasal or injection drug use (IDU). Of 4753 persons tested, 397 (8.4%) were HCV-antibody positive. HCV infection was significantly associated with a history of both intranasal and IDU (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 35.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 24.1–51.9), IDU alone (aOR 52.7, CI 25.3–109.9), intranasal drug use alone (aOR 2.6, CI 1.8–3.9) and incarceration (aOR 2.7, CI 2.0–3.8). By 4 October 2016, 574 persons with a reported history of drug use; 63 (11%) were interviewed further. Of 31 persons who used both intranasal and injection drugs, 26 (84%) reported previous intranasal drug use, occurring 1–18 years (median 5.5 years) before their first IDU. Our findings provide evidence that reported IDU, intranasal drug use and incarceration are independent indicators of risk for past or present HCV infection in the study population.
Ailleurs, d'ailleurs, par ailleurs :De l'espace à l'humain, de l'humain au discours
Authors: FAGARD BENJAMIN , CHAROLLES MICHEL
Published: February 2018

Nous décrivons dans cet article l’évolution des formes adverbialesailleurs,d'ailleursetpar ailleursde l'ancien français au français moderne. A l'aide d'une étude sur un large corpus diachronique, portant sur des occurrences tirées des bases de données BFM, DMF et Frantext, et combinant une approche qualitative et une approche quantitative, nous montrons l’évolution sémantique de l'adverbeailleursdu concret à l'abstrait, et l’émergence successive de deux locutions adverbiales,d'ailleursen français classique etpar ailleursen français moderne. Plus précisément, nous montrons qued'ailleurspuispar ailleurs, une fois lexicalisés, se grammaticalisent en marqueurs de discours, signalant un changement de topique de discours, avec des emplois proches mais distincts.
Dual-polarization reflectarray in Ku-band based on two layers of dipole arrays for a transmit–receive satellite antenna with South American coverage
Authors: Encinar Jose A. , Florencio Rafael , Arrebola Manuel , Salas Natera Miguel Alejandro , Barba Mariano , Page Juan E. , Boix Rafael R. , Toso Giovanni
Published: February 2018

A 1.1-m reflectarray antenna has been designed, manufactured, and tested to fulfill the requirements of a satellite antenna in Ku-band that provides South-American coverage in Tx and Rx. The reflectarray cells consist of four dipoles for each polarization in two dielectric layers, selected because of their simplicity and high performance. The dipole dimensions are optimized in all the reflectarray cells to accomplish the prescribed radiation patterns, by iteratively calling an analysis routine based on method of moments in spectral domain and local periodicity. The measured radiation patterns of the manufactured antenna have been satisfactorily compared with simulations and with a three-layer reflectarray previously designed, manufactured, and tested for the same mission.
Stiffness increase of red blood cells during storage
Authors: Xu Zhensong , Zheng Yi , Wang Xian , Shehata Nadine , Wang Chen , Sun Yu
Published: February 2018

In transfusion medicine, the deformability of stored red blood cells (RBCs) changes during storage in blood banks. Compromised RBC deformability can reduce the transfusion efficiency or intensify transfusion complications, such as sepsis. This paper reports the microfluidic mechanical measurement of stored RBCs under the physiological deformation mode (that is, folding). Instead of using phenomenological metrics of deformation or elongation indices (DI or EI), the effective stiffness of RBCs, a flow velocity-independent parameter, is defined and used for the first time to evaluate the mechanical degradation of RBCs during storage. Fresh RBCs and RBCs stored up to 6 weeks (42 days) in the blood bank were measured, revealing that the effective stiffness of RBCs increases over the storage process. RBCs stored for 1 week started to show significantly higher stiffness than fresh RBCs, and stored RBC stiffness degraded faster during the last 3 weeks than during the first 3 weeks. Furthermore, the results indicate that the time points of the effective stiffness increase coincide well with the degradation patterns of S-nitrosothiols (SNO) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in RBC storage lesions.
Ablation of protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) leads to enhanced both bone and cartilage development in mice
Authors: Wang Jun , Cao Yong , Qiu Bin , Du Jianyong , Wang Tingting , Wang Chao , Deng Ran , Shi Xudong , Gao Kai , Xie Zhongwen , Yong Weidong
Published: February 2018

This study aimed to investigate the role of protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) on bone and cartilage development using both in vivo and in vitro approaches. Six- to 8-week- old male PP5 knockout mice (KO) and their wild-type (WT) littermate controls were randomly selected for this study, and their body weights and bone (femur) lengths were measured. Micro-computed tomography scanning (Micro-CT) was performed to determine femoral bone density and micro-architecture. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from bone marrow were used to examine the effects of PP5 on osteogenesis in vitro. Whole-mount Alcian blue and Alizarin red staining were used to detect cartilage formation in newborn vertebrae, limbs, and feet. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed to determine growth plate thickness. Real-time PCR analysis, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of genes and proteins in bone marrow-derived MSCs as well as in bone and cartilage tissues. The results showed PP5 KO mice exhibited significantly reduced body weight and shorter femur length compared to WT controls. The KO mice also had significantly higher volumetric bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone volume, and cortical thickness in the femur. The deficiency of PP5 significantly enhanced the formation of cartilage in vertebrae, limbs, and feet. In addition, KO mice possessed a wider distal femur growth plates containing significantly more chondrocytes than WT mice. Furthermore, higher expressions of several cartilage-specific genes were observed in the articular cartilage of PP5 KO mice. Immunohistochemical labeling of growth plates demonstrated that phospho-PPARγ, Runx1, and Runx2 levels were considerably higher in the KO mice. In conclusion, PP5 is a significant negative regulator on the regulation of bone and cartilage development.
Publisher Correction: Maturation of the gut microbiome and risk of asthma in childhood
Authors: Stokholm Jakob , Blaser Martin J. , Thorsen Jonathan , Rasmussen Morten A. , Waage Johannes , Vinding Rebecca K. , Schoos Ann-Marie M. , Kunøe Asja , Fink Nadia R. , Chawes Bo L. , Bønnelykke Klaus , Brejnrod Asker D. , Mortensen Martin S. , Al-Soud Waleed Abu , Sørensen Søren J. , Bisgaard Hans
Published: February 2018

The originally published version of this Article contained an incorrect version of Figure 3 that was introduced following peer review and inadvertently not corrected during the production process. Both versions contain the same set of abundance data, but the incorrect version has the children’s asthma status erroneously disconnected from the abundance data, thereby producing the non-representative p values and graphic presentations. These errors have now been rectified, with the correct version of Figure 3 replaced in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.
Delayed gut microbiota development in high-risk for asthma infants is temporarily modifiable by Lactobacillus supplementation
Authors: Durack Juliana , Kimes Nikole E. , Lin Din L. , Rauch Marcus , McKean Michelle , McCauley Kathryn , Panzer Ariane R. , Mar Jordan S. , Cabana Michael D. , Lynch Susan V.
Published: February 2018

Gut microbiota dysbiosis and metabolic dysfunction in infancy precedes childhood atopy and asthma development. Here we examined gut microbiota maturation over the first year of life in infants at high risk for asthma (HR), and whether it is modifiable by early-lifeLactobacillussupplementation. We performed a longitudinal comparison of stool samples collected from HR infants randomized to daily oralLactobacillus rhamnosusGG (HRLGG) or placebo (HRP) for 6 months, and healthy (HC) infants. Meconium microbiota of HRP participants is distinct, follows a delayed developmental trajectory, and is primarily glycolytic and depleted of a range of anti-inflammatory lipids at 6 months of age. These deficits are partly rescued in HRLGG infants, but this effect was lost at 12 months of age, 6 months after cessation of supplementation. Thus we show that early-life gut microbial development is distinct, but plastic, in HR infants. Our findings offer a novel strategy for early-life preventative interventions.
Humanizing the mdx mouse model of DMD: the long and the short of it
Authors: Yucel Nora , Chang Alex C. , Day John W. , Rosenthal Nadia , Blau Helen M.
Published: February 2018

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a common fatal heritable myopathy, with cardiorespiratory failure occurring by the third decade of life. There is no specific treatment for DMD cardiomyopathy, in large part due to a lack of understanding of the mechanisms underlying the cardiac failure. Mdx mice, which have the same dystrophin mutation as human patients, are of limited use, as they do not develop early dilated cardiomyopathy as seen in patients. Here we summarize the usefulness of the various commonly used DMD mouse models, highlight a model with shortened telomeres like humans, and identify directions that warrant further investigation.
Anti-fibrotic Effects of CXCR4-Targeting i-body AD-114 in Preclinical Models of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Griffiths K. , Habiel D. M. , Jaffar J. , Binder U. , Darby W. G. , Hosking C. G. , Skerra A. , Westall G. P. , Hogaboam C. M. , Foley M.
Published: February 2018

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fibrotic lung disease that is prevalent in individuals >50 years of age, with a median survival of 3–5 years and limited therapeutic options. The disease is characterized by collagen deposition and remodeling of the lung parenchyma in a process that is thought to be driven by collagen-expressing immune and structural cells. The G-protein coupled C-X-C chemokine receptor 4, CXCR4, is a candidate therapeutic target for IPF owing to its role in the recruitment of CXCR4+ fibrocytes from the bone marrow to fibrotic lung tissue and its increased expression levels by structural cells in fibrotic lung tissue. We have engineered a novel fully human single domain antibody “i-body” called AD-114 that binds with high affinity to human CXCR4. We demonstrate here that AD-114 inhibits invasive wound healing and collagen 1 secretion by human IPF fibroblasts but not non-diseased control lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, in a murine bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis, AD-114 reduced the accumulation of fibrocytes (CXCR4+/Col1+/CD45+) in fibrotic murine lungs and ameliorated the degree of lung injury. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that AD-114 holds promise as a new biological therapeutic for the treatment of IPF.
Giant electrocaloric and energy storage performance of [(K0.5Na0.5)NbO3](1−x)-[LiSbO3]
x
nanocrystalline ceramics
Authors: Kumar Raju , Singh Satyendra
Published: February 2018

Electrocaloric (EC) refrigeration, an EC effect based technology has been accepted as an auspicious way in the development of next generation refrigeration due to high efficiency and compact size. Here, we report the results of our experimental investigations on electrocaloric response and electrical energy storage properties in lead-free nanocrystalline (1 − x)K0.5Na0.5NbO3-xLiSbO3 (KNN-xLS) ceramics in the range of 0.015 ≤ x ≤ 0.06 by the indirect EC measurements. Doping of LiSbO3 has lowered both the transitions (T
C
and TO–T) of KNN to the room temperature side effectively. A maximal value of EC temperature change, ΔT = 3.33 K was obtained for the composition with x = 0.03 at 345 K under an external electric field of 40 kV/cm. The higher value of EC responsivity, ζ = 8.32 × 10−7 K.m/V is found with COP of 8.14 and recoverable energy storage of 0.128 J/cm3 with 46% efficiency for the composition of x = 0.03. Our investigations show that this material is a very promising candidate for electrocaloric refrigeration and energy storage near room temperature.
Tailoring of magnetoimpedance effect and magnetic softness of Fe-rich glass-coated microwires by stress- annealing
Authors: Zhukova V. , Blanco J. M. , Ipatov M. , Churyukanova M. , Taskaev S. , Zhukov A.
Published: February 2018

There is a pressing need for improving of the high-frequency magneto-impedance effect of cost-effective soft magnetic materials for use in high-performance sensing devices. The impact of the stress-annealing on magnetic properties and high frequency impedance of Fe-rich glass-coated microwires was studied. Hysteresis loops of Fe-rich microwires have been considerably affected by stress- annealing. In stress-annealed Fe- rich microwire we obtained drastic decreasing of coercivity and change of character of hysteresis loop from rectangular to linear. By controlling stress-annealing conditions (temperature and time) we achieved drastic increasing (by order of magnitude) of giant magnetoimpedance ratio. Coercivity, remanent magnetization, diagonal and of-diagonal magnetoimpedance effect of Fe-rich microwires can be tuned by stress-annealing conditions: annealing temperature and time. Observed experimental results are discussed considering relaxation of internal stresses, compressive “back-stresses” arising after stress annealing and topological short range ordering.
Validation of house-keeping genes for normalization of gene expression data during diurnal/circadian studies in rice by RT-qPCR
Authors: Jain Nitin , Vergish Satyam , Khurana Jitendra P.
Published: February 2018

The circadian clock in plants is the intrinsic rhythmic expression of thousands of genes in a 24 h period, which is set by the day-night cycles in the environment. The study of the circadian clock often requires expression profiling of genes over a large number of samples for which RT-qPCR is invariably used. Reliability of the results depends largely on the house-keeping genes, which serve as control and thus should be chosen carefully to prevent erroneous results. In this study, ten house-keeping genes were chosen from rice for stability analysis with 48 tissue samples harvested from plants subjected to diurnal/circadian cycles. Although, all the genes were found to be stable, however, six of them showed cyclic expression patterns and caused major changes in the expression profiles of the target genes when used to normalize their expression data, thereby making them poor candidates for diurnal/circadian studies. In conclusion, reference genes need to be selected for diurnal/circadian studies with extra caution as more than 80% of transcriptome in plants undergoes cycling, which remains undetected by the gene stability assessment software and can severely affect the RT-qPCR based gene expression profiling. The geometric mean of two or more most stable reference genes is hence recommended for diurnal/circadian studies in plants.
Co-expression network analysis and cis-regulatory element enrichment determine putative functions and regulatory mechanisms of grapevine ATL E3 ubiquitin ligases
Authors: Wong Darren C. J. , Ariani Pietro , Castellarin Simone , Polverari Annalisa , Vandelle Elodie
Published: February 2018

Arabidopsis thaliana Toxicos en Levadura (ATL) proteins are a subclass of the RING-H2 zinc finger binding E3 ubiquitin ligases. The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) ATL family was recently characterized, revealing 96 members that are likely to be involved in several physiological processes through protein ubiquitination. However, the final targets and biological functions of most ATL E3 ligases are still unknown. We analyzed the co-expression networks among grapevine ATL genes across a set of transcriptomic data related to defense and abiotic stress, combined with a condition-independent dataset. This revealed strong correlations between ATL proteins and diverse signal transduction components and transcriptional regulators, in particular those involved in immunity. An enrichment analysis of cis-regulatory elements in ATL gene promoters and related co-expressed genes highlighted the importance of hormones in the regulation of ATL gene expression. Our work identified several ATL proteins as candidates for further studies aiming to decipher specific grapevine resistance mechanisms activated in response to pathogens.
Coastal polynyas: Winter oases for subadult southern elephant seals in East Antarctica
Authors: Labrousse Sara , Williams Guy , Tamura Takeshi , Bestley Sophie , Sallée Jean-Baptiste , Fraser Alexander D. , Sumner Michael , Roquet Fabien , Heerah Karine , Picard Baptiste , Guinet Christophe , Harcourt Robert , McMahon Clive , Hindell Mark A. , Charrassin Jean-Benoit
Published: February 2018

Antarctic coastal polynyas are regions of persistent open water and are thought to be key bio-physical features within the sea-ice zone. However, their use by the upper trophic levels of ecosystems remains unclear. A unique bio-physical dataset recorded by southern elephant seals reveals that East Antarctic polynyas are a key winter foraging habitat for male seals. During their post-moult trips from Isles Kerguelen to the Antarctic continental shelf, a total of 18 out of 23 seals visited 9 different polynyas, spending on average 25 ± 20% (up to 75%) of their total trip time inside polynyas. Changes in seal foraging and diving behaviours are observed inside polynyas as compared to outside polynyas. Two polynya usages by seals are observed for the inactive and active polynya phases, pointing to different seasonal peaks in prey abundance. During the active polynya phase, we link seal foraging behaviour to changes in the physical stability of the water-column, which likely impact the seasonal biological dynamics within polynyas.
Guiding of laser pulses in plasma waveguides created by linearly-polarized femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Lemos N. , Cardoso L. , Geada J. , Figueira G. , Albert F. , Dias J. M.
Published: February 2018

We experimentally demonstrate that plasma waveguides produced with ultra-short laser pulses (sub-picosecond) in gas jets are capable of guiding high intensity laser pulses. This scheme has the unique ability of guiding a high-intensity laser pulse in a plasma waveguide created by the same laser system in the very simple and stable experimental setup. A hot plasma column was created by a femtosecond class laser that expands into an on-axis parabolic low density profile suitable to act as a waveguide for high intensity laser beams. We have successfully guided ~1015 W cm−2 laser pulses in a 8 mm long hydrogen plasma waveguide with a 35% guiding efficiency.
p66Shc Signaling Mediates Diabetes-Related Cognitive Decline
Authors: Minami Yohei , Sonoda Noriyuki , Hayashida Eiichi , Makimura Hiroaki , Ide Makoto , Ikeda Noriko , Ohgidani Masahiro , Kato Takahiro A. , Seki Yoshihiro , Maeda Yasutaka , Kanba Shigenobu , Takayanagi Ryoichi , Ogawa Yoshihiro , Inoguchi Toyoshi
Published: February 2018

Accumlating evidence have suggested that diabetes mellitus links dementia, notably of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Several studies have shown oxidative stress (OS) to be one of the major factors in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Here we show OS involvement in brain damage in a diabetic animal model that is at least partially mediated through an AD-pathology-independent mechanism apart from amyloid-β accumulation. We investigated the contribution of the p66Shc signaling pathway to diabetes-related cognitive decline using p66Shc knockout (−/−) mice. p66Shc (−/−) mice have less OS in the brain and are resistant to diabetes-induced brain damage. Moreover, p66Shc (−/−) diabetic mice show significantly less cognitive dysfunction and decreased levels of OS and the numbers of microglia. This study postulates a p66Shc-mediated inflammatory cascade leading to OS as a causative pathogenic mechanism in diabetes-associated cognitive impairment that is at least partially mediated through an AD-pathology-independent mechanism.
Optimized peptide based inhibitors targeting the dihydrofolate reductase pathway in cancer
Authors: Singh Amrinder , Deshpande Neha , Pramanik Nilkamal , Jhunjhunwala Siddharth , Rangarajan Annapoorni , Atreya Hanudatta S.
Published: February 2018

We report the first peptide basedhDHFRinhibitors designed on the basis of structural analysis of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). A set of peptides were rationally designed and synthesized using solid phase peptide synthesis and characterized using nuclear magnetic resonance and enzyme immunoassays. The best candidate among them, a tetrapeptide, was chosen based on molecular mechanics calculations and evaluated in human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549. It showed a significant reduction of cell proliferation and an IC50of 82 µM was obtained. The interaction of the peptide with DHFR was supported by isothermal calorimetric experiments revealing a dissociation constantKdof 0.7 µM and ΔG of −34 ± 1 kJ mol−1. Conjugation with carboxylated polystyrene nanoparticles improved further its growth inhibitory effects. Taken together, this opens up new avenues to design, develop and deliver biocompatible peptide based anti-cancer agents.