bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A meta‐analysis of single HCV‐untreated arm of studies evaluating outcomes after curative treatments of HCV‐related hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cabibbo Giuseppe , Petta Salvatore , Barbàra Marco , Missale Gabriele , Virdone Roberto , Caturelli Eugenio , Piscaglia Fabio , Morisco Filomena , Colecchia Antonio , Farinati Fabio , Giannini Edoardo , Trevisani Franco , Craxì Antonio , Colombo Massimo , Cammà Calogero ,   the ITA.LI.CA study group
Published: January 2017

Background & Aims

Determining risk for recurrence or survival after curative resection or ablation in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is important for stratifying patients according to expected outcomes in future studies of adjuvant therapy in the era of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs). The aims of this meta‐analysis were to estimate the recurrence and survival probabilities of HCV‐related early HCC following complete response after potentially curative treatment and to identify predictors of recurrence and survival.

Methods

Studies reporting time‐dependent outcomes (HCC recurrence or death) after potentially curative treatment of HCV‐related early HCC were identified in MEDLINE through May 2016. Data on patient populations and outcomes were extracted from each study by three independent observers and combined using a distribution‐free summary survival curve. Primary outcomes were actuarial probabilities of recurrence and survival.

Results

Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Pooled estimates of actuarial recurrence rates were 7.4% at 6 months and 47.0% at 2 years. Pooled estimates of actuarial survival rates were 79.8% at 3 years and 58.6% at 5 years. Heterogeneity among studies was highly significant for all outcomes. By univariate meta‐regression analyses, lower serum albumin, randomized controlled trial study design and follow‐up were independently associated with higher recurrence risk, whereas tumour size and alpha‐foetoprotein levels were associated with higher mortality.

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis showed that recurrence risk and survival are extremely variable in patients with successfully treated HCV‐related HCC, providing a useful benchmark for indirect comparisons of the benefits of DAAs and for a correct design of randomized controlled trials in the adjuvant setting.
Time Structure of Emissions and Comparison Between the Optimal Emission Taxes Under Selling and Under Renting in Durable Goods Oligopolies
Authors: Sagasta Amagoia , Usategui José M.
Published: January 2017

We compare the optimal emission taxes on selling firms and on renting firms in a model of a durable‐goods oligopoly considering three types of emissions: emissions at production, emissions during use and emissions at disposal. We find that the optimal emission tax in the present may be lower when firms sell their output than when they rent their output if emissions are during use or at the disposal of the good. When emissions occur at production that optimal emission tax is higher on selling firms than on renting firms. Moreover, the total expected optimal emission tax per unit produced in the present is higher on selling firms than on renting firms for any of the three types of emissions considered. We provide intuition for these results.
Differential profit rates in long period analysis: The nonlinear case
Authors: D'Agata Antonio
Published: January 2017

In this note, we generalize the long‐period linear model with differential profit rates due to “idiosyncratic” factors considered by classical economists and developed in D'Agata and Mori. More specifically, we remove the assumption of linear evaluation functions and the assumption that in the economy there are as many producers as industries.
Communities of Practice in Study Abroad: A Four‐Year Study of an Indonesian Student's Experience in Japan
Authors: UMINO TAE , BENSON PHIL
Published: January 2017

This 4‐year case study used a photo‐elicitation approach to language learning history research in an individual case study of an Indonesian student's experiences of communities of practice while studying abroad in Japan. The study showed how the student's opportunities for interaction in Japanese were at first limited by his peripheral participation in institutionally organized communities of practice that consisted of international students and local Japanese support staff. Toward the end of his 4 years, however, the student succeeded in becoming a central participant in an informal self‐organized community of practice that consisted mainly of local Japanese friends, who were more supportive of his interactions and language development. The study also shows how earlier experiences of peripheral participation scaffolded the student's later experience as a central participant. Photographs taken by the student over the 4 years were both a valuable source of data on the nature of his participation in communities and a stimulus to reflection that enriched the language learning history data.
Effect of mitochondrial uncoupling and glycolysis inhibition on ram sperm functionality
Authors: Losano JDA , Angrimani DSR , Dalmazzo A , Rui BR , Brito MM , Mendes CM , Kawai GKV , Vannucchi CI , Assumpção MEOA , Barnabe VH , Nichi M
Published: January 2017

Contents

Studies have demonstrated the importance of mitochondria to sperm functionality, as the main source of ATP for cellular homoeostasis and motility. However, the role of mitochondria on sperm metabolism is still controversial. Studies indicate that, for some species, glycolysis may be the main mechanism for sperm energy production. For ram sperm, such pathway is not clear. Thus, we evaluated ram sperm in response to mitochondrial uncoupling and glycolysis inhibition aiming to assess the importance of each pathway for sperm functionality. Statistical analysis was performed by the SAS System for Windows, using the General Linear Model Procedure. Data were tested for residue normality and variance homogeneity. A p < .05 was considered significant. Groups treated with the mitochondrial uncoupler Carbonyl cyanide 3 chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) showed a decrease in the percentage of cells with low mitochondrial activity and high mitochondrial membrane potential. We also observed that the highest CCCP concentration promotes a decrease in sperm susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Regardless the lack of effect of CCCP on total motility, this substance induced significant alterations on sperm kinetics. Besides the interference of CCCP on spermatic movement patterns, it was also possible to observe such an effect in samples treated with the inhibitor of glycolysis (2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose, DOG). Furthermore, treatment with DOG also led to a dose‐dependent increase in sperm susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Based on our results, we suggest that the glycolysis appears to be as important as oxidative phosphorylation for ovine sperm kinetics as this mechanism is capable of maintaining full motility when most of the cells have a low mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, we found that changes in the glycolytic pathway trough glycolysis inhibition are likely involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and sperm oxidative unbalance.
Short communication: Progressive motility of frozen–thawed canine semen is highest five minutes after thawing
Authors: Karger S , Geiser B , Grau M , Heuwieser W , Arlt SP
Published: January 2017

Contents

Progressive motility is usually estimated by visual inspection using a light contrast microscope at X 100 immediately after semen collection or immediately after thawing frozen semen. Standard operating procedures have never been established for this test. The objective of this experiment was to examine time‐dependent changes of motility after thawing cryopreserved canine semen. Semen of 35 dogs was collected, and volume, concentration, progressive motility, morphology, membrane integrity and HOS test were evaluated. For cryopreservation, CaniPRO® Freeze A&B was used. Semen was thawed and diluted using CaniPRO® culture medium. After thawing, semen was evaluated as before. In addition, every sample was evaluated for progressively motile sperm cells 0, 5, 20 and 60 min after thawing. Progressive semen motility was significantly highest five minutes after thawing.
Effect of sperm pretreatment with glutathione and membrane destabilizing agents lysolecithin and Triton X‐100, on the efficiency of bovine intracytoplasmic sperm injection
Authors: Zambrano F , Aguila L , Arias ME , Sanchez R , Felmer R
Published: January 2017

Contents

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an assisted reproduction tool with several applications. Its effectiveness in bovines is lower than that in other species, mainly because of difficulties in the decondensation of the sperm nucleus after injection, and the presence of the acrosome and the plasma membrane which remain intact in this procedure. In this study, we assessed the effect of lysolecithin (LL) and Triton X‐100 (TX), in combination with glutathione (GSH) as sperm pretreatments prior to ICSI. The GSH‐LL and GSH‐TX groups showed 0% of spermatozoa with intact membrane (SYBR 14+/PI), in comparison with the control (63.3%) and GSH (65.7%) groups. The proportions of spermatozoa with damaged acrosome membrane in the GSH‐LL, GSH‐TX, GSH and control groups were 46%, 35.9%, 10.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Sperm chromatin decondensation analysis showed that the groups incubated for 3 hr with GSH presented greater decondensation (p < .05). Although fertilization was improved in all treatment groups evaluated, no differences were observed in the cleavage rate 72 hr after activation in the GSH (73.7%), GSH‐LL (80.2%) and GSH‐TX (77.8%) groups compared to the control (66.3%), neither in the blastocyst rate on day 8 (24.0%, 26.2%, 27.1% and 28.4% for the control, GSH, GSH‐LL and GSH‐TX groups, respectively). No differences were also observed in the total number of cells in all groups. In conclusion, although these sperm treatments promoted nuclear decondensation and induced plasma membrane disruption, these effects were not sufficient to improve bovine embryonic development after ICSI.
A Solution to the Missing Globalization Puzzle by Non‐CES Preferences
Authors: Yilmazkuday Hakan
Published: January 2017

One channel of welfare‐improving globalization is through the increasing integration of trade. Although this is attributed to decreasing effects of distance across countries, the workhorse models of gravity fail to capture it, the so‐called “missing globalization” or “distance puzzle.” This paper shows that this puzzle may be due to the restricting assumption of constant elasticity of substitution (CES) preferences working behind the gravity models. We test the validity of this assumption for different trade intervals and show that it is violated as a result of the distance elasticity of trade decreasing with the amount of trade. Accordingly, we consider a type of non‐CES utility function, namely constant absolute risk version (CARA), and analytically show that the negative relation between trade and distance elasticity of trade is captured by CARA preferences. We estimate the gravity equation implied by CARA preferences, empirically confirm the endogenous relation between trade and distance elasticity of trade, and show that the distance puzzle is solved under CARA preferences. According to the data set used, CARA preferences are also econometrically selected over CES preferences based on their goodness of fit.
Exploring the impact of diagenesis on (isotope) geochemical and microstructural alteration features in biogenic aragonite
Authors: Ritter Ann‐Christine , Mavromatis Vasileios , Dietzel Martin , Kwiecien Ola , Wiethoff Felix , Griesshaber Erika , Casella Laura A. , Schmahl Wolfgang W. , Koelen Jennifer , Neuser Rolf D. , Leis Albrecht , Buhl Dieter , Niedermayr Andrea , Breitenbach Sebastian F. M. , Bernasconi Stefano M. , Immenhauser Adrian
Published: January 2017

For the Quaternary and Neogene, aragonitic biogenic and abiogenic carbonates are frequently exploited as archives of their environment. Conversely, pre‐Neogene aragonite is often diagenetically altered and calcite archives are studied instead. Nevertheless, the exact sequence of diagenetic processes and products is difficult to disclose from naturally altered material. Here, experiments were performed to understand biogenic aragonite alteration processes and products. Shell subsamples of the bivalve Arctica islandica were exposed to hydrothermal alteration. Thermal boundary conditions were set at 100°C, 175°C and 200°C. These comparably high temperatures were chosen to shorten experimental durations. Subsamples were exposed to different 18O‐depleted fluids for durations between two and twenty weeks. Alteration was documented using X‐ray diffraction, cathodoluminescence, fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy, as well as conventional and clumped isotope analyses. Experiments performed at 100°C show redistribution and darkening of organic matter, but lack evidence for diagenetic alteration, except in Δ47 which show the effects of annealing processes. At 175°C, valves undergo significant aragonite to calcite transformation and neomorphism. The δ18O signature supports transformation via dissolution and reprecipitation, but isotopic exchange is limited by fluid migration through the subsamples. Individual growth increments in these subsamples exhibit bright orange luminescence. At 200°C, valves are fully transformed to calcite and exhibit purple‐blue luminescence with orange bands. The δ18O and Δ47 signatures reveal exchange with the aqueous fluid, whereas δ13C remains unaltered in all experiments, indicating a carbonate‐buffered system. Clumped isotope temperatures in high‐temperature experiments show compositions in broad agreement with the measured temperature. Experimentally induced alteration patterns are comparable with individual features present in Pleistocene shells. This study represents a significant step towards sequential analysis of diagenetic features in biogenic aragonites and sheds light on reaction times and threshold limits. The limitations of a study restricted to a single test organism are acknowledged and call for refined follow‐up experiments.
Does carbon finance make a sustainable difference? Hydropower expansion and livelihood trade‐offs in the Red River valley, Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Rousseau Jean‐François
Published: January 2017

The Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is a carbon credit trading scheme intended to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and promote ‘sustainable development’. Hundreds of CDM‐sponsored hydroelectric dams have been constructed in southwest China's Yunnan Province, where carbon finance contributes substantial financial incentives to hydropower expansion. This article investigates whether riparian Handai farmers settled near the Madushan hydropower plant on the Chinese section of Red River have experienced positive outcomes from this project's participation in the CDM. I assess how Handai individuals' access to core livelihood assets has been modified following dam completion and probe how the CDM reconfigures scalar relations among the various stakeholders involved in hydropower governance in Yunnan. Though the CDM facilitates hydropower expansion, it fails to produce development that is more sustainable than ‘business as usual’ from a local perspective. Rather, the CDM consolidates hydropower governance in the same way as it unfolded in Yunnan before the province became an active participant in this scheme. The CDM also facilitates a national development campaign fostering specific socio‐economic modernization patterns in China's western provinces.
Successful treatment of donor‐derived hepatitis C viral infection in three transplant recipients from a donor at increased risk for bloodborne pathogens
Authors: Shah Ashesh P. , Cameron Andrew , Singh Pooja , Frank Adam M. , Fenkel Jonathan M.
Published: January 2017

We report here the successful treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmitted from a nucleic acid testing (NAT)‐negative donor to three HCV‐negative recipients—two renal transplants and one liver. Both renal recipients underwent standard deceased‐donor renal transplantation with immediate graft function. The liver recipient underwent standard orthotopic liver transplantation and recovered uneventfully. The donor was a 39‐year‐old woman with a terminal serum creatinine of 0.7 mg/dL. She was high risk for bloodborne pathogens, based upon a history of sexual contact with an HCV‐infected male partner. Recipient 1 was a 45‐year‐old man with a history of end‐stage renal disease from systemic lupus erythematosus. Recipient 2 was a 62‐year‐old woman with a history of end‐stage renal disease caused by hypertension and insulin‐dependent diabetes. Recipient 3 was a 42‐year‐old man with acute liver failure from acetaminophen ingestion. All recipients became HCV polymerase chain reaction positive on post‐transplant follow‐up. Both kidney recipients were treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir combination therapy for 12 weeks without side effects or rejection episodes. Recipient 3 was treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir in combination with ribavirin for 12 weeks without side effects. All patients achieved a sustained viral response at 12 weeks and are considered cured of HCV. The kidney recipients maintained good allograft function with a serum creatinine of 1.4 mg/dL and 1.0 mg/dL, respectively. Both renal recipients maintained normal liver function post treatment and did not develop any evidence of fibrosis. The liver recipient's liver function tests returned to normal without further incident. This case report provides evidence for the successful treatment of donor‐derived HCV in transplant recipients.
Droplets Jumping from a Hybrid Superhydrophilic and Superhydrophobic Surface
Authors: Wang Hai , Nguyen Quang , Kwon Jae W. , Wang Jing , Ma Hongbin
Published: January 2017

The wetting condition effect of the condensation process on a hybrid superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic copper surface as shown in Fig. 1a was experimentally investigated. The superhydrophilic surface (Fig. 1b) consists of micro-flowers (CuO) and nanorods (Cu(OH)2) obtained by immersing the copper substrate into alkaline solution of 2.5 M sodium hydroxide and 0.1 M ammonium persulphate, and the superhydrophobic nanostructured surface (Fig. 1c) was formed by spin coating the Cytop on the hierarchically structured CuO / Cu(OH)2 surface. Experimental results show that the film condensation started on the superhydrophilic region while the dropwise condensation of tiny droplets with an average contact angle of 160° were formed on the superhydrophobic region. Because the film condensation was confined within the superhydrophilic region of 1 mm x 1 mm, the contact angle of this droplet became larger and larger. When a tiny droplet developed on the superhydrophobic area joins with the big droplet formed on the superhydrophilic surface (square region), the coalesced droplet obtains additional energy and jumps off from the condensing surface.
Unsteady Flow Structures and Pressure Pulsations in a Nuclear Reactor Coolant Pump With Spherical Casing
Authors: Ni Dan , Yang Minguan , Zhang Ning , Gao Bo , Li Zhong
Published: January 2017

Severe vibrations induced by flow instabilities in the nuclear reactor coolant pump (RCP) are detrimental to the safe operation of the pump. Due to the particular spherical casing in the RCP, the internal flow structures are extremely ambiguity and complicated. The goal of the present work is to shed comprehensive light on the unsteady flow structures and its correlation with the pressure pulsations by using large eddy simulation (LES) method of the RCP. The vorticity distribution and the shedding vortex from the blade trailing edge are depicted in detail. Furthermore, the internal correlations between the flow unsteadiness and pressure pulsation are illustrated in some special regions of the RCP. Evidently, some main excitation components in the pressure spectra are excited by the shedding vortex. Besides, components at blade passing frequency (fBPF) are closely associated with rotor–stator interaction between the wake flow from the impeller outlet and unsteadiness vortexes shedding from the diffuser blade trailing edge. It is thought to be that the pressure pulsations of the RCP are closely associated with the corresponding vorticity distribution and the unsteady vortex shedding effect.
Effects of Physical and Sorption Properties of Desiccant Coating on Performance of Energy Wheels
Authors: Fathieh Farhad , Nezakat Majid , Evitts Richard W. , Simonson Carey J.
Published: January 2017

Desiccant-coated energy wheels are rotary-air-to-air energy exchangers widely used in ventilation systems to reduce the energy consumption required in industrial environments and commercial buildings. In this study, the effects of silica gel microphysical properties, i.e., pore width (Pw), specific surface area (SA), and particle size (dp), on the moisture recovery efficiency (latent effectiveness) of energy wheels are investigated. Three silica gel samples with different particle size and pore width (55 μm–77 Å, 150 μm–63 Å, and 160 μm–115 Å) are selected to coat small-scale energy exchangers. The sorption performance of the exchangers is determined from their normalized humidity response to a step increase in the inlet humidity at different flow rates. The results demonstrate that the transient humidity response is mainly specified by the desiccant pore size distribution, specific surface area, and mass of the coating. The transient analytical model is used to calculate the latent effectiveness (ɛL) of the exchangers from the transient humidity response. It was found that the exchanger coated with the smallest pore width (63 Å) has the highest available surface area and the highest latent effectiveness. With almost the same particle size (dp = 150 μm and 160 μm), the latent effectiveness increases by 5% (at wheel speed 20 rpm and Re = 174) as the pore width reduces from 150 Å to 63 Å. Increasing the particle size from 55 μm to 150 μm with almost the identical pore width (Pw = 63 Å and 77 Å) results in a slight enhancement in the latent effectiveness. ɛL is also calculated for correlated data (Yoon–Nelson model) where the results agree within experimental uncertainty bounds.
Experimental Investigation of Film-Cooling Effectiveness of a Highly Loaded Turbine Blade Under Steady and Periodic Unsteady Flow Conditions
Authors: Nikparto Ali , T. Schobeiri Meinhard
Published: January 2017

This paper describes the experimental investigations of film-cooling effectiveness on a highly loaded low-pressure turbine blade under steady and unsteady wake flow conditions. The cascade facility in Turbomachinery Performance and Flow Research Lab (TPFL) at the Texas A&M University was used to simulate the periodic flow condition inside gas turbine engines. Moving wakes, originated from upstream stator blades, are simulated inside the cascade facility by moving rods in front of the blades. The flow coefficient is maintained at 0.8 and the incoming wakes have a reduced frequency of 3.18. A total of 617 holes on the blade are distributed along 13 different rows. Six rows cover the suction side, six other rows cover the pressure side, and one last row feeds the leading edge. Each row has a twin row on the other side of the blade with exact same number of holes and arrangement (except for leading edge). They both are connected to the same cavity. Coolant is injected from either sides of the blade through cavities to form a uniform distribution along the span of the blade. Film-cooling effectiveness under periodic unsteady flow condition was studied using pressure-sensitive paint. Experiments were performed at Reynolds number of 150,000 and blowing ratio of one, based on equal mass flux distribution. Experimental investigations were performed to determine the effect of flow separation and pressure gradient on film-cooling effectiveness. Moreover, the effect of impinging wakes on the overall film coverage of blade surfaces was studied. It was found that heat transfer coefficient (HTC) and film-cooling effectiveness (FCE) in majority of regions behave in opposite ways. This can be justified from turbulence intensity and velocity fluctuation point of view. Also, unsteady wakes imposed on top of film injection have opposite effects on suction and pressure side of the blade. This is more clearly seen in region near leading edge.
Contribution of leaky modes in the modal analysis of unbounded problems with perfectly matched layers
Authors: Gallezot Matthieu , Treyssède Fabien , Laguerre Laurent
Published: January 2017

The modal analysis of wave problems of unbounded type involves a continuous sum of radiation modes. This continuum is difficult to handle mathematically and physically. It can be approximated by a discrete set of leaky modes, corresponding to improper modes growing to infinity. Perfectly matched layers (PMLs) have been widely applied in numerical methods to efficiently simulate infinite media, most often without considering a modal approach. This letter aims to bring insight into the modal basis computed with PMLs. PMLs actually enable to reveal of the contribution of leaky modes by redefining the continua (two for elastodynamics), discretized after PML truncation.
A SUMO-ubiquitin relay recruits proteasomes to chromosome axes to regulate meiotic recombination
Authors: Rao H. B. D. Prasada , Qiao Huanyu , Bhatt Shubhang K. , Bailey Logan R. J. , Tran Hung D. , Bourne Sarah L. , Qiu Wendy , Deshpande Anusha , Sharma Ajay N. , Beebout Connor J. , Pezza Roberto J. , Hunter Neil
Published: January 2017

Proteasomes and SUMO wrestle chromosomes

Meiosis is the double cell division that generates haploid gametes from diploid parental cells. Pairing of homologous chromosomes during the first meiotic division ensures that each gamete receives a complete set of chromosomes. The proteasome, on the other hand, is a molecular machine that degrades proteins tagged for destruction within the cell (see the Perspective by Zetka). Ahuja
et al.
show that the proteasome is also involved in ensuring that homologous chromosomes pair with each other during meiosis. Rao
et al.
show that the SUMO (small ubiquitin-like modifier) protein, ubiquitin, and the proteasome localize to the axes between homologous chromosomes. In this location, they help mediate chromosome pairing and recombination between homologs.

Science
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349
, p.
408
; see also p.
403
Regeneration of fat cells from myofibroblasts during wound healing
Authors: Plikus Maksim V. , Guerrero-Juarez Christian F. , Ito Mayumi , Li Yun Rose , Dedhia Priya H. , Zheng Ying , Shao Mengle , Gay Denise L. , Ramos Raul , Hsi Tsai-Ching , Oh Ji Won , Wang Xiaojie , Ramirez Amanda , Konopelski Sara E. , Elzein Arijh , Wang Anne , Supapannachart Rarinthip June , Lee Hye-Lim , Lim Chae Ho , Nace Arben , Guo Amy , Treffeisen Elsa , Andl Thomas , Ramirez Ricardo N. , Murad Rabi , Offermanns Stefan , Metzger Daniel , Chambon Pierre , Widgerow Alan D. , Tuan Tai-Lan , Mortazavi Ali , Gupta Rana K. , Hamilton Bruce A. , Millar Sarah E. , Seale Patrick , Pear Warren S. , Lazar Mitchell A. , Cotsarelis George
Published: January 2017

Hair follicles: Secret to prevent scars?

Although some animals easily regenerate limbs and heal broken flesh, mammals are generally not so gifted. Wounding can leave scars, which are characterized by a lack of hair follicles and cutaneous fat. Plikus
et al.
now show that hair follicles in both mice and humans can convert myofibroblasts, the predominant dermal cell in a wound, into adipocytes (see the Perspective by Chan and Longaker). The hair follicles activated the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway and adipocyte transcription factors in the myofibroblast. Thus, it may be possible to reduce scar formation after wounding by adding BMP.

Science
, this issue p.
748
; see also p.
693
103-year-old on dialysis: was it worth it?
Authors: Shrestha Alvin , Burns Aine
Published: January 2017

It is increasingly common for nephrologists to be faced with the question of whether starting dialysis on an elderly patient is appropriate. We present an extraordinary case of a 103-year-old person who has become the oldest patient in our unit, reportedly the world, to not only remain on haemodialysis, but to thrive on it. This case adds to the compelling literature, which suggests that it is indeed the number and severity of comorbidities that is more likely to impact survival than age alone.
First reported case of disseminatedNocardia kroppenstedtiisp nov. infection presenting with brain abscess and endocarditis in an immunocompromised patient with mantle cell lymphoma: challenges in diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Majeed Aneela , Abdullah Hafez Mohammad Ammar , Ullah Waqas , Al Mohajer Mayar
Published: January 2017

A 72-year-old man with a history of blastoid variant stage IV relapsed refractory mantle cell lymphoma presented with new central nervous system (CNS) symptoms. Brain imaging was positive for rim-enhancing lesions along with a mitral valve mass on the echocardiogram. It was a challenge to establish the exact aetiology of these lesions in this patient. He was empirically treated with chemotherapy on the presumption that the brain lesions were secondary to progressive malignancy. However, brain biopsy was negative for malignancy and blood cultures were found positive forNocardia kroppenstedtiisp nov. He subsequently improved with antibiotic therapy. DisseminatedNocardiacan present with multiorgan involvement. Clinical and microbiological diagnosis can be challenging. Antimicrobial treatment-related side effects require close monitoring, and dosage changes or therapy adjustments may be necessary.
Measuring shear-wave speed with point shear-wave elastography and MR elastography: a phantom study
Authors: Kishimoto Riwa , Suga Mikio , Koyama Atsuhisa , Omatsu Tokuhiko , Tachibana Yasuhiko , Ebner Daniel K , Obata Takayuki
Published: January 2017

Objectives

To compare shear-wave speed (SWS) measured by ultrasound-based point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) and MR elastography (MRE) on phantoms with a known shear modulus, and to assess method validity and variability.

Methods

5 homogeneous phantoms of different stiffnesses were made. Shear modulus was measured by a rheometer, and this value was used as the standard. 10 SWS measurements were obtained at 4 different depths with 1.0–4.5 MHz convex (4C1) and 4.0–9.0 MHz linear (9L4) transducers using pSWE. MRE was carried out once per phantom, and SWSs at 5 different depths were obtained. These SWSs were then compared with those from a rheometer using linear regression analyses.

Results

SWSs obtained with both pSWE as well as MRE had a strong correlation with those obtained by a rheometer (R2>0.97). The relative difference in SWS between the procedures was from −25.2% to 25.6% for all phantoms, and from −8.1% to 6.9% when the softest and hardest phantoms were excluded. Depth dependency was noted in the 9L4 transducer of pSWE and MRE.

Conclusions

SWSs from pSWE and MRE showed a good correlation with a rheometer-determined SWS. Although based on phantom studies, SWSs obtained with these methods are not always equivalent, the measurement can be thought of as reliable and these SWSs were reasonably close to each other for the middle range of stiffness within the measurable range.
Risk and severity of herpes zoster in patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving different immunosuppressive medications: a case–control study in Asia
Authors: Liao Tsai-Ling , Chen Yi-Ming , Liu Hung-Jen , Chen Der-Yuan
Published: January 2017

Objective

Increasing evidence indicates that the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Little is known about the epidemiology of HZ in patients with RA in Asia. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors and outcomes of HZ among patients with RA.

Design

A case–control study.

Setting

A medical centre in Asia.

Participants

A total of 9025 newly diagnosed and eligible patients with RA (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes 714.0) during the period 2001–2014. Among them, 275 (3.05%) were newly diagnosed with HZ (ICD-9-CM code 053.0) after the RA identification. As the control group, patients with RA without HZ were matched for age, gender and RA disease duration at the time of HZ infection with the RA-HZ case group at a ratio of 4:1, and a total of 1100 control subjects were selected.

Outcome measures

We estimated ORs using conditional logistic regression to investigate the risk and severity of HZ among patients with RA receiving different immunosuppressive medications.

Results

Exposure to corticosteroids (≥10 mg/day adjusted OR (aOR)=2.30, 95% CI 1.25 to 4.22, p=0.01), anti-tumour necrosis factor biologicals (aOR=2.07, 95% CI 1.34 to 3.19, p=0.001) and conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (methotrexate (aOR=1.98, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.76, p<0.001) and hydroxychloroquine (aOR=1.95, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.73, p<0.001)) was associated with an increased HZ risk in patients with RA. The association between the use of corticosteroids and HZ risk was dose-dependent (ptrend<0.001). Time-to-HZ diagnosis among patients with RA receiving biological medications was significantly shorter than that in patients not receiving biological medications. A higher proportion of severe HZ and ophthalmic involvement was found in patients with RA receiving biologicals.

Conclusions

There was an increased risk of HZ in patients with RA taking specific immunosuppressive medication. Biologicals used were associated with severe HZ occurrence. Therefore, it is important to closely monitor and prevent severe HZ complications during specific immunosuppressive therapy.
Elevated Il-37, Il-18 and Il-18Bp Serum Concentrations in Patients with Primary SjöGren'S Syndrome
Authors: Liuqing Wang , Liping Xia , Hui Shen , Jing Lu
Published: January 2017

The objectives of this study were to examine the serum levels of interleukin (IL)-37 and its clinical association in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) and to investigate whether or not IL-37 participates in the regulation of the pathogenesis of pSS. ELISA was used to analyse the serum levels of IL-37, total IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP). The level of free IL-18 was calculated based on the mass action law. The correlations between the IL-37 serum levels with the laboratory values and the total IL-18 and IL-18BP serum levels were analyzed by a Spearman's correlation test. The serum levels of IL-37 in the patients with pSS were significantly increased compared with the healthy controls (HCs). The levels were especially elevated in the patients with pSS with positive anti-Ro/SSA and/or anti-La/SSB antibodies. Furthermore, the patients with pSS showed high serum levels of total IL-18, free IL-18 and IL-18BP compared with the HCs. Strikingly, the IL-37 levels were significantly positively correlated with the antibody levels in the patients with pSS, including rheumatoid factor, anti-Ro/SSA, and anti-La/SSB and the total IL-18 and IL-18BP serum levels. The serum levels of IL-37, which were correlated with antibody production and the serum levels of total IL-18 and IL-18BP, were elevated in the patients with pSS. IL-37, an important anti-inflammatory cytokine, may participate in the regulation of the pathogenesis of pSS.
Non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions in patients with early arthritis: a systematic literature review informing the 2016 update of EULAR recommendations for the management of early arthritis
Authors: DAIEN Claire Immediato , HUA Charlotte , COMBE Bernard , LANDEWE Robert
Published: January 2017

Objective

To perform a systematic literature review (SLR) on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, in order to inform the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of early arthritis (EA).

Methods

The expert committee defined research questions concerning non-pharmacological interventions, patient information and education, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, glucocorticoid (GC) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) use, as well as on disease monitoring. The SLR included articles published after the last EULAR SLR until November 2015 found in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases and abstracts from the 2014 and 2015 American College of Rheumatology and EULAR conferences.

Results

Exercise programmes may improve pain and physical function in patients with EA. Patients with EA treated within the first 3 months of symptoms have better clinical and radiological outcomes than those treated beyond 3 months. The clinical and radiological efficacy of GCs is confirmed, with similar efficacy of oral and parenteral administrations. Long-term data raise concerns regarding cardiovascular safety when using GCs. Step-up DMARD therapy is as effective as intensive DMARD therapy ‘ab initio’ for the long-term outcome of EA. Short-term superiority of intensive therapy with bDMARDs is not maintained on withdrawal of bDMARD. Patients with early psoriatic arthritis have better skin and joint outcomes when tight control is used compared to standard care.

Conclusions

The findings confirm the beneficial effect of exercise programmes and the importance of early drug therapy and tight control. They support the use of methotrexate and GCs as first-line drugs, although the long-term use of GCs raises safety concerns.
Diagnosis, prognosis and classification of early arthritis: results of a systematic review informing the 2016 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of early arthritis
Authors: Hua Charlotte , Daien Claire I , Combe Bernard , Landewe Robert
Published: January 2017

Objective

To update the evidence pertaining to the diagnosis, prognosis and classification of patients with early arthritis (EA), and to inform the 2016 European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of patients with EA.

Methods

MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched up to October 2015. The first part of the systematic literature review (SLR) involved a search for studies investigating the recognition and referral of EA. The second part involved a search for studies to identify the place of laboratory and imaging tests in establishing a diagnosis and a prognosis in patients with EA.

Results

Regarding the issue of referral of patients with EA (1643 hits), 4 studies were included. These studies were in support of early referral for patients with EA. Regarding the issue of diagnosis and prognosis of patients with EA (11 435 hits), 88 studies were included, evaluating mainly the value of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anticitrullinated-peptide antibodies (ACPAs). Sensitivity of these antibodies for a RA diagnosis in patients with EA was moderate (40–80%). Specificity was higher, notably for ACPAs (frequently >80%). ACPAs also showed better prognostic performance than RF (negative predictive values around 80%). We confirmed that structural damage on baseline X-rays is predictive of further radiographic progression in patients with EA. Regarding other imaging modalities, data are sparse.

Conclusions

This SLR highlights the importance of early referral for patients with EA and confirms that RF and mainly ACPAs as well as a search for structural X-rays changes may help in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with EA.
Effect of variable confining pressure on cyclic behaviour of granular soil under triaxial tests
Authors: Sun Qi , Cai Yuanqiang , Chu Jian , Dong Quanyang , Wang Jun
Published: January 2017

Previous studies were performed to use combined cyclic deviatoric stress and confining pressure to simulate cyclic vertical and horizontal normal stresses under traffic loading. The effect of variable confining pressure (VCP) on the permanent deformation of soils was investigated. However, some studies concluded VCP could promote the development of permanent deformation compared to the tests with constant confining pressure (CCP), while others drew the opposite conclusions. In this study, three types of CCP and VCP tests with identical maximum stress, identical average stress, and identical initial stress were conducted. Test results showed VCP tests accumulated more permanent strains when CCP and VCP tests had identical maximum or average stress, and the permanent strains increased with the decrease in the inclinations of stress paths, while similar permanent strains were generated when CCP and VCP tests had identical initial stress. In addition, larger permanent strains were generated with the increase in stress ratio or length of stress path in both CCP and VCP tests. Considering that different strains were cumulated in CCP and VCP tests with the same stress ratio, it is recommended that both stress ratio and length of stress path be considered to assess the permanent deformation.
Evidence for Early Pleistocene glaciation from borecore stratigraphy in north-central Alberta, Canada
Authors: Andriashek Laurence D. , Barendregt René W.
Published: January 2017

Pleistocene sediments collected in north-central Alberta, Canada, were subsampled and studied for paleomagnetic remanence characteristics. A magnetostratigraphy has been established for sediments previously assumed to represent multiple continental (Laurentide) glaciations but for which no geochronology was available. Based on the Quaternary record elsewhere in Alberta and Saskatchewan, it was thought that some of these sediments were deposited during pre-late Wisconsinan glaciations. The Quaternary sedimentary successions of north-central Alberta have a thickness up to 300 m within buried valleys and are composed of diamicts interbedded with glaciolacustrine and outwash sediments. Most of the sampled units are not accessible from outcrop, and their sedimentology and stratigraphy is derived from core data only. In 4 of 16 borecores sampled to date, diamict that correlates with the Bronson Lake Formation till is reversely magnetized, indicating an Early Pleistocene age. This formation is underlain by either Empress Formation sediments or Colorado Group shale, and is overlain by one or more normally magnetized glacigenic sedimentary units of the Bonnyville, Marie Creek, and Grand Centre formations, respectively. This new record of Early Pleistocene glaciation in north-central Alberta places the westernmost extent of earliest Laurentide ice at least 300 km farther west than its previously established limit in the Saskatoon and Regina regions of the Canadian Interior Plains, but still to the east of the maximum extent of the Late Wisconsinan (Late Pleistocene) Laurentide Ice Sheet, which extended into the foothills of the Alberta and Montana Rocky Mountains.
Time-dependent potential functions to stretch the time distributions of ion pulses ejected from EBIST
Authors: Lapierre A.
Published: January 2017

Electron beam ion sources and traps (EBIST) produce and trap highly charged atomic ions with an electron beam of high current density. The ions are confined in the radial space-charge potential of the electron beam and a long square-shaped axial electrostatic potential well. An important field of application of EBIST is charge breeding of highly charged ions at radioactive ion beam facilities. There, highly charged radioactive isotopes are accelerated by particle accelerators for experiments in nuclear astrophysics and to study the structure of unstable nuclei. The width in time of the ion pulses ejected from EBIST can often contain too many ions for nuclear physics detection systems to efficiently detect all single radioactive isotopes or related events. Neglecting the influence of ion–ion collisions on the extraction rate, this publication derives, for different initial thermal energy distributions of the trapped ions, the time-dependent trap-opening functions to stretch the time distribution of ion pulses ejected from an EBIST trapping potential for the release of ions at a constant rate over an extended extraction period.
String solutions in AdS3 × S3 × S3 × S1 with B-field
Authors: Bozhilov Plamen
Published: January 2017

We consider strings living in [Formula: see text] with nonzero [Formula: see text]-field. By using specific ansatz for the string embedding, we obtain a class of solutions corresponding to strings moving in the whole ten-dimensional space–time. For the [Formula: see text] subspace, these solutions are given in terms of incomplete elliptic integrals. For the two three-spheres, they are expressed in terms of Lauricella hypergeometric functions of many variables. The conserved charges, i.e. the string energy, spin and angular momenta, are also found.
Java Pathfinder on Android Devices
Authors: Kohan Alexander , Yamamoto Mitsuharu , Artho Cyrille , Yamagata Yoriyuki , Ma Lei , Hagiya Masami , Tanabe Yoshinori
Published: January 2017

Because Android apps are written in Java and executed on a virtual machine (VM), there is an opportunity to employ Java Pathfinder (JPF) for their verification. There already exist two JPF extensions, jpf-android and jpf-pathdroid. The former executes Java bytecode on the Java VM, while the latter executes Android applications in their original format. Both do not support native methods, and thus depend on a model of the Android environment. This paper introduces an alternative approach: we run JPF as an Android application that executes Java bytecode, which gives us direct access to the Android environment. This approach allows us to verify rich Android apps that rely on native calls
Towards Exhaustive Testing of Websites using JPF
Authors: Nagarajan Sarvesh , Shafiei Nastaran , Khurshid Sarfraz
Published: January 2017

In this paper, we present a framework for exhaustive test input generation and execution of tests for websites using JPF, and Java libraries such as Selenium and JUnit. Specifically, we utilize the core functionality of jpf-nhandler, a JPF extension, to enable use of useful Java libraries such as GSON in the JPF environment. The paper further describes iterating through webpages successively and generating test inputs systematically for each page. It also presents the experimental results of running our framework on a small example website and a real-world website
Why is programming so difficult to learn?
Authors: Bosse Yorah , Gerosa Marco Aurélio
Published: January 2017

New software engineers and casual developers are needed in many different areas. However, students face many difficulties while learning the logic of computer programming, frequently failing in university courses. This Ph.D. research aims to identify difficulty patterns related to learning how to program, a crucial part of software engineers training. The research methodology comprises studies that put together results from a systematic literature review and empirical data collected from qualitative and quantitative studies. The difficulties identified will be compiled into a model, which may assist students in sharpening their focus, and teachers in preparing their lessons and teaching material, as well as researchers in employing methods and tools to support learning
Research on Augmenting the MDD Process with Variability Modeling
Authors: Echeverría Jorge
Published: January 2017

Software Product Lines (SPLs) have proven to be successful at reducing the costs and time to market of product development through the planned reuse of software components into products within the same scope. SPL adoption has been typically regarded to follow a proactive approach, although recent surveys show that most of the SPLs are planned following reactive approaches. It seems necessary to refocus SPL engineering research, methodologies and tools for existing systems into SPL. We believe that systems following a Model Driven Development (MDD) approach can highly benefit from these re-engineering efforts, in order to enable them to manage variability. The aim of this research is to analyze how to improve the MDD process with variability modeling in real industrial environments. Nowadays, we have performed three empirical studies related to variability modeling in MDD approaches. These studies are the following: (1) an usability evaluation of a MDD approach with variability modeling, (2) comprehensibility of variability in model fragments for product configuration and (3) an evaluation about bug-fixing in a MDD-SPL tool