bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrodynamic Aspects on Vulnerability Criteria for Surf-Riding of Ships
Authors: Ito Yuto , Umeda Naoya , Kubo Hisako
Published: March 2014

For developing the International Maritime Organization (IMO) second-generation intact stability criteria regarding broaching, draft vulnerability criteria for surf-riding were agreed at the IMO in 2012. This paper describes their hydrodynamic backgrounds with captive model experiments for seven ships, a hydrodynamic theory and a random process theory. In the first level vulnerability criteria, a ship is required to reduce her Froude number of less than 0.3 in case of severe following waves. For predicting the surf-riding threshold in a global bifurcation theory, it is necessary to precisely estimate wave-induced surge force. Thus, the authors execute captive model experiments for three ships in model basins. As a result, we confirmed that the Froude-Krylov calculation overestimates the amplitude of wave-induced surge force so that an empirical formula for regulatory application is presented. For investigating the reason of this discrepancy, a slender body theory assuming low encounter frequency is applied to the situation where a ship runs with a wave. This theory suggests that change of wave-making resistance due to incident wave could reduce the amplitude of the wave-induced surge force and quantitative agreement with model experiment requires the use of CFD or an empirical formula. Thus, the authors can recommend the use of experimental correction formula for the vulnerability criteria. Based on sample calculation results of surf-riding probability of six ships in the North Atlantic, the safety level to be required in the criteria is proposed.
Assessment of Ship-Bank Interactions on LNG Tanker in Shallow Water
Authors: Sian A. Y. , Maimun A. , Priyanto A. , M. Ahmed Yasser
Published: March 2014

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker often travels through shallow waters with visible banks to load and unload its hazardous cargo. Manoeuvring of vessel in shallow water is relatively difficult and always exposed to higher risk of grounding and collision compared to deep water due to effect of ship-bank interaction. This research work examines ship-bank interaction effects of a LNG tanker in shallow water. CFD analysis is performed to investigate the hull hydrodynamic forces/moments and ship-bank interaction forces/moments which are further validate by captive model tests.
Combustion Characteristics of Inedible Vegetable Oil Biodiesel Fuels
Authors: Ehsan Hosseini Seyed , Abdul Wahid Mazlan , Ramesh Farzad , Mohajeri Hossein , Tajbakhsh Bahram
Published: March 2014

Energy crisis and environmental issues related to fossil fuel consumption have emerged as a concern for scientific societies. Biodiesel has been introduced as an acceptable source of energy to substitute fossil fuels. In general, vegetable oils and their derivatives known as biodiesel have been applied successfully in energy generation purposes. Technically, biodiesel provides some advantages in terms of pollutant formation and power generation in comparison with conventional diesel fuel. In addition to being an indigenous and renewable supply, biodiesel reduces toxic emissions, and majority of engine performance and fuel consumption are comparable with the use of conventional fuels. In this paper various aspects of inedible oil utilization in engine and energy generation is studied. Economy, combustion characteristics and pollution formation of some inedible oil namely Jatropha, Karanja, Jojoba, Cottonseed, Mahua Oil and Rice bran Oil are investigated.
Field Measurement of Fishing Boats Generated Waves
Authors: Suprayogi Dedy Triawan , Yaakob Omar , Adnan Faizul Amri , A. Ghani Mohamad Pauzi , Izzat Ullah Sheikh Usman Ullah Sheikh
Published: March 2014

Ship generated waves can cause banks erosion as well as disturbance on stationary boats. Studies have shown that the boat generated waves are dependent on and affected by environmental factors and vessel parameters. The main environmental factors are tidal and current direction, and for vessel parameters are speeds and hullforms. This paper describes a full-scale experimental work to measure wave heights and wave angle direction on boat generated waves.  The measurement method used in this paper is based on the analysis of digital video recordings and image processing techniques.
Experimental Studies on the Rheological and Hydraulic Performance of Palm Based Hydraulic Fluid
Authors: Wan Nik W. B. , Zulkifli F. , Lam S. S. , Rahman M. M. , Yusof A. A. , Rahman M. M.
Published: March 2014

Development of environmental friendly hydraulic fluid has a major influence in ecologically benign environment. The use of plant oil as hydraulic fluid would help to minimize hazardous pollution caused by accidental spillage, lower disposal costs of the used fluid and meet the environmental regulations. Hydraulic test rig was built to conduct endurance test where it can be operated continuously with several safety features. This research was conducted to evaluate the rheology elements and hydraulic performance of palm based hydraulic fluid. The palm oil shows decreasing trend in volumetric efficiency as the pressure increase while the mechanical efficiency increases as the pressure increase. Properties and characteristics of palm based hydraulic fluid were evaluated via rheology study. The effect of viscosity with temperature and shear rate was studied. The influence of shear rate and temperature on the variation of viscosity was clearly observed but temperature has more significant influence. Interpretations of rheological models indicate that this palm based hydraulic fluid belongs to pseudo-plastic category. Further analysis was done to fit the experimental data with two models and the findings show that Cross rheological model fits well with the experiment data. The plant oil was used in 1000 hours operation in a hydraulic system built in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. The overall results suggest the potential substitution of palm oil as hydraulic fluid in marine applications.
Tribological Evaluation of Mineral Oil and Vegetable Oil as a Lubricant
Authors: Syahrullail S. , Kamitani S. , Shakirin A.
Published: March 2014

Environmental pollution issue has made humankind tend to choose plant based oil instead of mineral based oil especially in lubrication usage. This decision is make based on several useful characteristic of plant oil where they are rapidly biodegradable, renewable, excellent lubricants and inexpensive to produce. Even though this oil show poor stability of oxidation and unfavorable properties at low temperature, currently researchers have proven that by altering the structure of plant oil it could solve this problem. Thus, several vegetable oil has been selected which are palm oil, jatropha oil and soybean oil to be test their performance in lubrication system for stamping and hydraulic purpose. These plant oils will be tested according to ASTM D 4172 and ASTM D 2783 by using four-ball tester machine. This experiment will be focus on the performance of plant oil as a lubricant and the effects of wear on the ball bearing based on the influence of the characteristics of plant oil itself.
Experimental Study on Friction and Wear Behaviors of Ball Bearings under Gas Lubricated Conditions
Authors: Abdollah Mohd Fadzli , Azfar Mazlan Mohd Afiq , Amiruddin Hilmi , Tamaldin Noreffendy
Published: March 2014

Friction and wear behaviors of ball bearings made from carbon-chrome steel were experimentally simulated using a modified ball-on-disc tribometer. The test was performed over a broad range of applied loads (W), sliding velocities (v) and sliding distances (L) under gas lubricated conditions using a Taguchi method. The results found that gas blown to the sliding surfaces in air effectively reduced the coefficient of friction as compared with the air lubrication at higher applied load, sliding speed and sliding distance. In addition, a specific wear rate is constant throughout the tests under gas lubricated conditions. However, under air lubrication, the specific wear rate decreases with increasing applied load, sliding speed and sliding distance. By using the optimal design parameters, a confirmation test successfully verify the N2-gas lubrication reduced average coefficient of friction and simultaneously improved wear resistance about 24% and 50%, respectively. This is in accordance with a significant reduction of wear scar diameter and smoother worn surface on a ball.
A Comparative Study of I-kaz Based Signal Analysis Techniques: Application to Detect Tool Wear during Turning Process
Authors: Rizal Muhammad , A. Ghani Jaharah , Nuawi Mohd Zaki , Mohd Tahir Mohamad Amir Shafiq r , Che Haron Che Hassan
Published: March 2014

Detection of tool wear during in-progress machining process is a significant requirement to assure the quality of machined parts that helps to improve the productivity. The cutting force is one of the signals in machining process that has been widely used for tool wear monitoring. In the present paper three derived I-kazTM based methods explained and compared for monitoring tool wear changes during turning process. The aim of this work is to study the performance of I-kazTM, I-kaz 2D and I-kaz Multilevel techniques to detect flank wear width using the cutting force signal. The experiments were carried out by turning hardened carbon steel, and cutting force signals were measured by two channels of strain gauges that were mounted on the surface of tool holder. The analysis of results using I-kaz 2D, I-kazTM and also I-kaz Multilevel methods, revealed that all methods can applied to determine tool wear progression during turning process and feed force signal change is very significant due to flank wear.
The Effects of Oil Supply Pressure at different Groove Position on Temperature and Pressure Profile in Journal Bearing
Authors: Ahmad Mohamad Ali , Kasolang Salmiah , Dwyer-Joyce R. S. , Jumahat Aidah
Published: March 2014

The effects of oil supply pressure on the temperature and pressure at different groove locations on a hydrodynamic journal bearing were investigated. A journal with a diameter of 100 mm and a ½ length-to-diameter ratio was used. The supply pressure was set to 0.2, 0.5, and 0.7 MPa at seven different groove locations, namely, -45°, -30°, -15°, 0°, +15°, +30°, and +45°. Temperature and pressure profiles were measured at speed values of 300, 500, and 800 rpm with 10 kN radial load. The results show that the change in oil supply pressure simultaneously reduced the temperature and increased the pressure profile.
Resource Allocation for M2M Communication in Heterogeneous Network: Coalitional Game Theory Approach
Authors: Safdar Hashim , Fisal Norsheila , Ullah Rahat , Khalid Zubair , Maqbool Wajahat
Published: March 2014

The heterogeneous cellular network (HCN) is a promising technology to handle the rising number of devices due to their universal presence. This rising popularity HCN based Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications is opening new opportunities and also bringing forth new system design issues. However, the main challenge of M2M communication is the possibility of huge traffic and significant difference in the nature of M2M traffic than the current commercial traffic for which current cellular network is designed and optimized. In this article, we investigate the uplink resource allocation problem of M2M devices (MDs) in the multiple Femto base station's coverage. We first model the uplink power and sub-carrier allocation in femtocells independently; Based on the cooperative game resource allocation among MDs is analyzed through non-transferable utility game to enhance the data rate performance with minimum utilization of power. Simulation results show that the resource allocation model based on cooperative game is able to provide a fair distribution of data rate compared with non-cooperative and greedy type of MDs.
Influence of N-limitation on Malic Enzyme Isoforms and Lipogenesis of Cunninghamella bainieri 2A1
Authors: Abdul Hamid Aidil , Shuib Shuwahida , M. Taha Ekhlass , Omar Othman , Khalil Mohd Sahaid , Abdul Kader Abdul Jalil , Mohd Isa Mohd Hafez
Published: March 2014

The influence of the presence of ammonium ions in growth culture on malic enzyme (ME) isoforms activity and lipogenesis in Cunninghamella bainieri 2A1 was investigated. The fungus was cultivated in a nitrogen-limiting medium for 120 h at 30oC under two conditions. One of the cultures was intermittently fed with ammonium tartrate to maintain the ammonium concentrations above 0.5 g/L. The second culture was performed without any feeding to allow N limitation, thus promoting lipid accumulation. Activity staining of ME isoforms was carried out for both cultures. The culture which was not intermittently fed with ammonium tartrate achieved a maximum lipid content of 35% (g/g biomass) at 48 h. This culture possessed five ME isoforms (A, B, C, D and E) with isoform E showing a parallel correlation to lipid accumulation profile. In contrast, intensity of bands representing isoform D decreased as lipid accumulated. No appreciable differences of all other isoforms were observed. However, the culture which was intermittently fed with ammonium tartrate, accumulated only up to 16% lipid (g/g biomass). All isoforms were present but with a more pronounced activity of isoform D and a lower activity of isoform E was observed. These findings support further evidence that isoform E is the key isoform for lipid synthesis in C. bainieri 2A1.
Design of Low Power Integrated CMOS Potentiometric Biosensor for Direct Electronic Detection of DNA Hybridization
Authors: How Hwan Wong , Lam Siu Fan Vinny , Yusof Yusmeeraz
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this research is to design a low power integrated complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) detection circuit for charge-modulated field-effect transistor (CMFET) and it is used for the detection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) hybridization. With the available CMOS technology, it allows the realization of complete systems which integrate the sensing units and transducing elements in the same device. Point-of-care (POC) testing device is a device that allows anyone to operate anywhere and obtain immediate results. One of the important features of POC device is low power consumption because it is normally battery-operated. The power consumption of the proposed integrated CMOS detection circuit requires only 14.87 mW. The detection circuit will amplify the electrical signal that comes from the CMFET to a specified level in order to improve the recording characteristics of the biosensor. Self-cascode topology was used in the drain follower circuit in order to reduce the channel length modulation effect. The proposed detection circuit was designed with 0.18µm Silterra CMOS fabrication process and simulated under Cadence Simulation Tool.
Orientation-dependent pseudomorphic growth of InAs for use in lattice-mismatched mid-infrared photonic structures
Authors: Meyer Charles , Cheng Emily , Triplett Gregory
Published: March 2014

In this study, InAs was deposited on GaAs (100) and GaAs (111)B 2° → ⟨2-1-1⟩ substrates for the purpose of differentiating the InAs growth mode stemming from strain and then analyzed using in-situ reflection high energy electron diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, reflectance spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The procession of InAs deposition throughout a range of deposition conditions results in assorted forms of strain relief revealing that, despite lattice mismatch for InAs on GaAs (approximately 7%), InAs does not necessarily result in typical quantum dot/wire formation on (111) surfaces, but instead proceeds two-dimensionally due primarily to the surface orientation.
Fabrication of polymer antireflection structures by injection molding using ordered anodic porous alumina mold
Authors: Yanagishita Takashi , Masui Mikio , Ikegawa Naoto , Masuda Hideki
Published: March 2014

Polymer antireflection structures were fabricated by injection molding using anodic porous alumina or a Ni replica as a mold. An ordered array of tapered pillars or holes was successfully formed on the surface of polycarbonate plates. The obtained polymer antireflection structures exhibit a lower reflectance than a smooth polycarbonate surface.
PlayerLoad™: Reliability, Convergent Validity, and Influence of Unit Position during Treadmill Running
Authors: Barrett Steve , Midgley Adrian , Lovell Ric
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

The study aimed to establish the test–retest reliability and convergent validity of PlayerLoad™ (triaxial-accelerometer data) during a standardized bout of treadmill running.

Methods:

Forty-four team-sport players performed 2 standardized incremental treadmill running tests (7–16 km/h) 7 d apart. Players’ oxygen uptake (VO2; n = 20), heart rate (n = 44), and triaxialaccelerometer data (PlayerLoad; n = 44) measured at both the scapulae and at the center of mass (COM), were recorded. Accelerometer data from the individual component planes of PlayerLoad (anteroposterior [PLAP], mediolateral [PLML], and vertical [PLV]) were also examined.

Results:

Moderate to high test–retest reliability was observed for PlayerLoad and its individual planes (ICC .80–.97, CV 4.2–14.8%) at both unit locations. PlayerLoad was significantly higher at COM vs scapulae (223.4 ± 42.6 vs 185.5 ± 26.3 arbitrary units; P = .001). The percentage contributions of individual planes to PlayerLoad were higher for PLML at the COM (scapulae 20.4% ± 3.8%, COM 26.5% ± 4.9%; P = .001) but lower for PLV (scapulae 55.7% ± 5.3%, COM 49.5% ± 6.9%; P = .001). Between-subjects correlations between PlayerLoad and VO2, and between PlayerLoad and heart rate were trivial to moderate (r = –.43 to .33), whereas within-subject correlations were nearly perfect (r = .92–.98).

Conclusions:

PlayerLoad had a moderate to high degree of test–retest reliability and demonstrated convergent validity with measures of exercise intensity on an individual basis. However, caution should be applied in making between-athletes contrasts in loading and when using recordings from the scapulae to identify lower-limb movement patterns.
Assessment of Fatigue Thresholds in 50-m All-Out Swimming
Authors: Soares Susana M. , Fernandes Ricardo J. , Machado J. Leandro , Maia José A. , Daly Daniel J. , Vilas-Boas João P.
Published: March 2014

Context:

It is essential to determine swimmers’ anaerobic potential and better plan training, understanding physiological effects of the fatigue.

Purpose:

To study changes in the characteristics of the intracyclic velocity variation during an all-out 50-m swim and to observe differences in speed and stroking parameters between these changes.

Methods:

28 competitive swimmers performed a 50-m front-crawl all-out test while attached to a speedometer. The velocity–time (v[t]) curve off all stroke cycles was analyzed per individual using a routine that included a wavelet procedure, allowing the determination of the fatigue thresholds that divide effort in time intervals.

Results:

One or 2 fatigue thresholds were observed at individual level on the v(t) curve. In males, when 1 fatigue threshold was identified, the mean velocity and the stroke index dropped (P < .05) in the second time interval (1.7 ± 0.0 vs 1.6 ± 0.0 m/s and 3.0 ± 0.2 vs 2.8 ± 0.3 m/s, respectively). When 2 fatigue thresholds were identified, the mean velocity of the first time interval was higher than that of the third time interval (P < .05), for both male (1.7 ± 0.0 vs 1.6 ± 0.1 m/s) and female (1.5 ± 0.1 vs 1.3 ± 0.1 m/s) swimmers.

Conclusion:

One or 2 fatigue thresholds were found in the intracyclic velocity-variation patterns. Concurrently, changes in velocity and stroke parameters were also observed between time intervals. This information could allow coaches to obtain new insights into delaying the degenerative effects of fatigue and maintain stable stroke-cycle characteristics over a 50-m event.
Validity and Reliability of a New Karate-Specific Aerobic Field Test for Karatekas
Authors: Tabben Montassar , Coquart Jeremy , Chaabène Helmi , Franchini Emerson , Chamari Karim , Tourny Claire
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

This study determined the validity and reliability of a new specific field test that was based on the scientific data from the latest research.

Methods:

Seventeen international-level karatekas participated in the study: 14 men (age 24.1 ± 4.6 y, body mass 65.7 ± 10.8 kg) and 3 women (age 19 ± 3.6 y, body mass 54.1 ± 0.9 kg). All performed the new karate-specific test (KST) 2 times (test and retest sessions were carried out on separated occasions 1 wk apart). Thirteen men also performed a laboratory test to assess maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max).

Results:

Test–retest results showed the KST to be reliable. Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), peak heart rate (HRpeak), blood lactate concentration, rating of perceived exertion, and time to exhaustion (TE) did not display a difference between the test and the retest. The SEM and ICC for relative and absolute VO2peak and TE were <5% and >.90, respectively. Significant correlations were found between VO2peak (mL · kg−1 · min−1) and TE measured from the KST (r = .71, 95%CI 0.35–0.88, P < .0001). There was also no significant difference between VO2peak measured from the KST and VO2max recorded from the cycle-ergometer laboratory test (55.1 ± 4.8 vs 53.2 ± 6.6 mL · kg−1 · min−1, respectively; t = –1.85, df = 12, P = .08, dz = 0.51 [small]). The Bland and Altman analyses reported a mean difference (bias) ± the 95% limits of agreement of 1.9 ± 7.35 mL · kg−1 · min−1.

Conclusions:

This study showed that the new KST test, with effort patterns replicating real karate combat sessions, can be considered a valid and reliable karate-specific field test for assessing karatekas’ endurance fitness.
A Single-Visit Field Test of Critical Speed
Authors: Galbraith Andy , Hopker James , Lelliott Stephen , Diddams Louise , Passfield Louis
Published: March 2014

Purpose:

To compare critical speed (CS) measured from a single-visit field test of the distance–time relationship with the “traditional” treadmill time-to-exhaustion multivisit protocol.

Methods:

Ten male distance runners completed treadmill and field tests to calculate CS and the maximum distance performed above CS (D′). The field test involved 3 runs on a single visit to an outdoor athletics track over 3600, 2400, and 1200 m. Two field-test protocols were evaluated using either a 30-min recovery or a 60-min recovery between runs. The treadmill test involved runs to exhaustion at 100%, 105%, and 110% of velocity at VO2max, with 24 h recovery between runs.

Results:

There was no difference in CS measured with the treadmill and 30-min- and 60-minrecovery field tests (P < .05). CS from the treadmill test was highly correlated with CS from the 30- and 60-min-recovery field tests (r = .89, r = .82; P < .05). However there was a difference and no correlation in D′ between the treadmill test and the 30 and 60-min-recovery field tests (r = .13; r = .33, P > .05). A typical error of the estimate of 0.14 m/s (95% confidence limits 0.09–0.26 m/s) was seen for CS and 88 m (95% confidence limits 60–169 m) for D′. A coefficient of variation of 0.4% (95% confidence limits: 0.3–0.8%) was found for repeat tests of CS and 13% (95% confidence limits 10–27%) for D′.

Conclusion:

The single-visit method provides a useful alternative for assessing CS in the field.
Silicon Phthalocyanine 4 Phototoxicity in Trichophyton rubrum
Authors: Lam Minh , Dimaano Matthew L. , Oyetakin-White Patricia , Retuerto Mauricio A. , Chandra Jyotsna , Mukherjee Pranab K. , Ghannoum Mahmoud A. , Cooper Kevin D. , Baron Elma D.
Published: March 2014

Trichophyton rubrum
is the leading pathogen that causes long-lasting skin and nail dermatophyte infections. Currently, topical treatment consists of terbinafine for the skin and ciclopirox for the nails, whereas systemic agents, such as oral terbinafine and itraconazole, are also prescribed. These systemic drugs have severe side effects, including liver toxicity. Topical therapies, however, are sometimes ineffective. This led us to investigate alternative treatment options, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). Although PDT is traditionally recognized as a therapeutic option for treating a wide range of medical conditions, including age-related macular degeneration and malignant cancers, its antimicrobial properties have also received considerable attention. However, the mechanism(s) underlying the susceptibility of dermatophytic fungi to PDT is relatively unknown. As a noninvasive treatment, PDT uses a photosensitizing drug and light, which, in the presence of oxygen, results in cellular destruction. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of cytotoxicity of PDT
in vitro
using the silicon phthalocyanine (Pc) 4 [SiPc(OSi(CH
3
)
2
(CH
2
)
3
N(CH
3
)
2
)(OH)] in
T. rubrum
. Confocal microscopy revealed that Pc 4 binds to cytoplasmic organelles, and upon irradiation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated. The impairment of fungal metabolic activities as measured by an XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxyanilide inner salt) assay indicated that 1.0 μM Pc 4 followed by 670 to 675 nm light at 2.0 J/cm
2
reduced the overall cell survival rate, which was substantiated by a dry weight assay. In addition, we found that this therapeutic approach is effective against terbinafine-sensitive (24602) and terbinafine-resistant (MRL666) strains. These data suggest that Pc 4-PDT may have utility as a treatment for dermatophytosis.
Determination of Vancomycin Pharmacokinetics in Neonates To Develop Practical Initial Dosing Recommendations
Authors: Kim Julianne , Walker Sandra A. N. , Iaboni Dolores C. , Walker Scott E. , Elligsen Marion , Dunn Michael S. , Allen Vanessa G. , Simor Andrew
Published: March 2014

Variability in neonatal vancomycin pharmacokinetics and the lack of consensus for optimal trough concentrations in neonatal intensive care units pose challenges to dosing vancomycin in neonates. Our objective was to determine vancomycin pharmacokinetics in neonates and evaluate dosing regimens to identify whether practical initial recommendations that targeted trough concentrations most commonly used in neonatal intensive care units could be determined. Fifty neonates who received vancomycin with at least one set of steady-state levels were evaluated retrospectively. Mean pharmacokinetic values were determined using first-order pharmacokinetic equations, and Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate initial dosing recommendations for target trough concentrations of 15 to 20 mg/liter, 5 to 20 mg/liter, and ≤20 mg/liter. Monte Carlo simulation revealed that dosing by mg/kg of body weight was optimal where intermittent dosing of 9 to 12 mg/kg intravenously (i.v.) every 8 h (q8h) had the highest probability of attaining a target trough concentration of 15 to 20 mg/liter. However, continuous infusion with a loading dose of 10 mg/kg followed by 25 to 30 mg/kg per day infused over 24 h had the best overall probability of target attainment. Initial intermittent dosing of 9 to 15 mg/kg i.v. q12h was optimal for target trough concentrations of 5 to 20 mg/liter and ≤20 mg/liter. In conclusion, we determined that the practical initial vancomycin dose of 10 mg/kg vancomycin i.v. q12h was optimal for vancomycin trough concentrations of either 5 to 20 mg/liter or ≤20 mg/liter and that the same initial dose q8h was optimal for target trough concentrations of 15 to 20 mg/liter. However, due to large interpatient vancomycin pharmacokinetic variability in neonates, monitoring of serum concentrations is recommended when trough concentrations between 15 and 20 mg/liter or 5 and 20 mg/liter are desired.
A Novel Approach Utilizing Biofilm Time-Kill Curves To Assess the Bactericidal Activity of Ceftaroline Combinations against Biofilm-Producing Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Barber Katie E. , Werth Brian J. , McRoberts John P. , Rybak Michael J.
Published: March 2014

Medical device infections frequently require combination therapy. Beta-lactams combined with glycopeptides/lipopeptides are bactericidal against methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA). Novel macrowell kill-curve methods tested synergy between ceftaroline or cefazolin plus daptomycin, vancomycin, or rifampin against biofilm-producing MRSA. Ceftaroline combinations demonstrated the most pronounced bacterial reductions. Ceftaroline demonstrated greatest kill with daptomycin (4.02 ± 0.59 log
10
CFU/cm
2
), compared to combination with vancomycin (3.36 ± 0.35 log
10
CFU/cm
2
) or rifampin (2.68 ± 0.61 log
10
CFU/cm
2
). These data suggest that beta-lactam combinations are useful against MRSA biofilms.
Establishment of Three Francisella Infections in Zebrafish Embryos at Different Temperatures
Authors: Brudal Espen , Ulanova Lilia S. , O. Lampe Elisabeth , Rishovd Anne-Lise , Griffiths Gareth , Winther-Larsen Hanne C.
Published: March 2014

Francisella
spp. are facultative intracellular pathogens identified in increasingly diverse hosts, including mammals.
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
and
F. noatunensis
subsp.
noatunensis
infect fish inhabiting warm and cold waters, respectively, while
F. tularensis
subsp.
novicida
is highly infectious for mice and has been widely used as a model for the human pathogen
F. tularensis
. Here, we established zebrafish embryo infection models of fluorescently labeled
F. noatunensis
subsp.
noatunensis
,
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
, and
F. tularensis
subsp.
novicida
at 22, 28, and 32°C, respectively. All infections led to significant bacterial growth, as shown by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), and to a robust proinflammatory immune response, dominated by increased transcription of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β).
F. noatunensis
subsp.
orientalis
was the most virulent,
F. noatunensis
subsp.
noatunensis
caused chronic infection, and
F. tularensis
subsp.
novicida
showed moderate virulence and led to formation of relatively small granuloma-like structures. The use of transgenic zebrafish strains with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-labeled immune cells revealed their detailed interactions with
Francisella
species. All three strains entered preferentially into macrophages, which eventually assembled into granuloma-like structures. Entry into neutrophils was also observed, though the efficiency of this event depended on the route of infection. The results demonstrate the usefulness of the zebrafish embryo model for studying infections caused by different
Francisella
species at a wide range of temperatures and highlight their interactions with immune cells.
Hydrophobic Determinants of α-Defensin Bactericidal Activity
Authors: Tai Kenneth P. , Le Valerie V. , Selsted Michael E. , Ouellette André J.
Published: March 2014

Mammalian α-defensins are approximately 4- to 5-kDa broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptides and abundant granule constituents of neutrophils and small intestinal Paneth cells. The bactericidal activities of amphipathic α-defensins depend in part on electropositive charge and on hydrophobic amino acids that enable membrane disruption by interactions with phospholipid acyl chains. Alignment of α-defensin primary structures identified conserved hydrophobic residues in the loop formed by the Cys
III
-Cys
V
disulfide bond, and we have studied their role by testing the effects of mutagenesis on bactericidal activities. Mouse α-defensin 4 (Crp-4) and rhesus myeloid α-defensin 4 (RMAD-4) were selected for these studies, because they are highly bactericidal
in vitro
and have the same overall electropositive charge. Elimination of hydrophobicity by site-directed mutagenesis at those positions in Crp-4 attenuated bactericidal activity markedly. In contrast to native Crp-4, the (I23/F25/L26/G)-Crp-4 variant lacked bactericidal activity against
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium and did not permeabilize
Escherichia coli
ML35 cells as a result of removing aliphatic side chains by Gly substitutions. Ala replacements in (I23/F25/L26/A)-Crp-4 restored activity, evidence that hydrophobicity contributed by Ala methyl R-groups was sufficient for activity. In macaques, neutrophil α-defensin RMAD-6 is identical to RMAD-4, except for a F28S difference, and (F28S)-RMAD-4 mutagenesis attenuated RMAD-4 bactericidal activity and
E. coli
permeabilization. Interestingly, (R31/32D)-Crp-4 lacks activity in these assays despite the presence of the Ile23, Phe25, and Leu26 hydrophobic patch. We infer that electrostatic interactions between cationic α-defensin residues and negative charge on bacteria precede interactions between critical hydrophobic residue positions that mediate membrane disruption and bacterial cell killing.
Protective Immunity against Recurrent Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infection Requires Antibody and Interleukin-17A
Authors: Montgomery Christopher P. , Daniels Melvin , Zhao Fan , Alegre Maria-Luisa , Chong Anita S. , Daum Robert S.
Published: March 2014

Although many microbial infections elicit an adaptive immune response that can protect against reinfection, it is generally thought that
Staphylococcus aureus
infections fail to generate protective immunity despite detectable T and B cell responses. No vaccine is yet proven to prevent
S. aureus
infections in humans, and efforts to develop one have been hampered by a lack of animal models in which protective immunity occurs. Our results describe a novel mouse model of protective immunity against recurrent infection, in which
S. aureus
skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) strongly protected against secondary SSTI in BALB/c mice but much less so in C57BL/6 mice. This protection was dependent on antibody, because adoptive transfer of immune BALB/c serum or purified antibody into either BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice resulted in smaller skin lesions. We also identified an antibody-independent mechanism, because B cell-deficient mice were partially protected against secondary
S. aureus
SSTI and adoptive transfer of T cells from immune BALB/c mice resulted in smaller lesions upon primary infection. Furthermore, neutralization of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) abolished T cell-mediated protection in BALB/c mice, whereas neutralization of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enhanced protection in C57BL/6 mice. Therefore, protective immunity against recurrent
S. aureus
SSTI was advanced by antibody and the Th17/IL-17A pathway and prevented by the Th1/IFN-γ pathway, suggesting that targeting both cell-mediated and humoral immunity might optimally protect against secondary
S. aureus
SSTI. These findings also highlight the importance of the mouse genetic background in the development of protective immunity against
S. aureus
SSTI.
Interleukin-1 Receptor but Not Toll-Like Receptor 2 Is Essential for MyD88-Dependent Th17 Immunity to Coccidioides Infection
Authors: Hung Chiung-Yu , Jiménez-Alzate María del Pilar , Gonzalez Angel , Wüthrich Marcel , Klein Bruce S. , Cole Garry T.
Published: March 2014

Interleukin-17A (IL-17A)-producing CD4
+
T helper (Th17) cells have been shown to be essential for defense against pulmonary infection with
Coccidioides
species. However, we have just begun to identify the required pattern recognition receptors and understand the signal pathways that lead to Th17 cell activation after fungal infection. We previously reported that
Card9
−/−
mice vaccinated with formalin-killed spherules failed to acquire resistance to
Coccidioides
infection. Here, we report that both
MyD88
−/−
and
Card9
−/−
mice immunized with a live, attenuated vaccine also fail to acquire protective immunity to this respiratory disease. Like
Card9
−/−
mice, vaccinated
MyD88
−/−
mice revealed a significant reduction in numbers of both Th17 and Th1 cells in their lungs after
Coccidioides
infection. Both Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1r1) upstream of MyD88 have been implicated in Th17 cell differentiation. Surprisingly, vaccinated
TLR2
−/−
and wild-type (WT) mice showed similar outcomes after pulmonary infection with
Coccidioides
, while vaccinated
IL-1r1
−/−
mice revealed a significant reduction in the number of Th17 cells in their infected lungs compared to WT mice. Thus, activation of both IL-1r1/MyD88- and Card9-mediated Th17 immunity is essential for protection against
Coccidioides
infection. Our data also reveal that the numbers of Th17 cells were reduced in
IL-1r1
−/−
mice to a lesser extent than in
MyD88
−/−
mice, raising the possibility that other TLRs are involved in MyD88-dependent Th17 immunity to coccidioidomycosis. An antimicrobial action of Th17 cells is to promote early recruitment of neutrophils to infection sites. Our data revealed that neutrophils are required for vaccine immunity to this respiratory disease.
A Case Study on Acupuncture in the Treatment of Schizophrenia
Authors: Bosch Peggy , Staudte Heike , van den Noort Maurits , Lim Sabina
Published: March 2014

This report describes the use of acupuncture as an add on treatment for a patient with chronic schizophrenia. The 63-year-old woman suffered from persistent hallucinations and even physical pain as a result of the hallucination of a black bird that kept pecking her back. The patient received 12 weekly acupuncture treatments. A clinical diagnostic interview and psychological testing (on sleep quality, depression, and on positive and negative symptoms) were conducted before, immediately after and 3 months after the acupuncture treatment. The results of the diagnostic interview gave important insights into the treatment effects. The patient experienced improved daily functioning and noticed a change in hallucinations. Although the hallucinations still occurred, she felt less disturbed by them. Interestingly, pain decreased markedly. In addition, the results showed that the overall score of the positive and negative symptoms did not change immediately; however, a decrease in symptoms occurred 3 months after acupuncture treatment. Moreover, the patient described an immediate improvement in sleep; this was confirmed by a daytime sleepiness questionnaire. The patient was not able to complete a (longer) test on sleep quality beforehand but did so after the treatment period. Finally, a delayed improvement in the depression scale was found. Although larger clinical intervention studies on acupuncture and schizophrenia are needed, the results of this case study indicate that acupuncture may be beneficial as an add on treatment tool in patients with schizophrenia.

Trial registration number

3132.
Recurrent metastatic breast cancer presenting with paraneoplastic scleroderma
Authors: Reynolds Timothy David , Knights Sally Elizabeth
Published: March 2014

A 44-year-old woman presented to the rheumatology clinic with a 5-month history of stiffness and tightness of the skin of the distal fingers, together with pruritus and skin changes throughout the limbs and chest. She had also developed Raynaud's phenomenon (during the summer months), fatigue and abdominal discomfort with early satiety. She had a history of adenocarcinoma of the left breast and had undergone a wide local excision and axillary node clearance 11 years earlier with adjuvant chemotherapy and hormone therapy to which she had responded well. She was found to have sclerodactyly with skin thickening over the knees, upper arms, face and chest wall together with nodularity at the scar site and distortion of the left breast. Subsequent investigations revealed recurrent metastatic breast cancer with paraneoplastic scleroderma. We explore this interesting case and review our current understanding of paraneoplastic scleroderma.
Injuries in 13 international Athletics championships between 2007–2012
Authors: Feddermann-Demont Nina , Junge Astrid , Edouard Pascal , Branco Pedro , Alonso Juan-Manuel
Published: March 2014

Background

The International Association of Athletics Federation has systematically surveyed all Athletics injuries in their competitions since 2007 in order to develop strategies for health protection of their athletes.

Aims

Analysis of frequency and characteristics of injuries during 13 international Athletics championships from 2007 to 2012 regarding different types of championships and discipline categories.

Methods

The team physicians and the Local Organizing Committee reported daily all injuries on a standardised injury report form during each championship.

Results

A total of 1470 injuries were reported, equivalent to 81.1±4.2 injuries per 1000 registrations of which 36.7±2.9 were expected to result in absence from sports. The incidence of time-loss injuries was significantly higher in competition (29.0±2.6) than in training (5.8±1.9), and in outdoor (46.4±4.0) than in indoor (23.7±6.2) or youth/junior championships (13.2±4.0). While most in-competition time-loss injuries were reported during short distance events (32.5%), combined events had the highest incidence of in-competition time-loss injuries (106±26.5). The most frequent diagnosis was thigh strain (28.2%), followed by lower leg strain and ankle sprain. Injury location varied between different discipline categories: in long distances the lower leg, in Marathon the foot and in throws the upper extremity were mainly affected.

Conclusions

The incidence of injuries varied substantially between different types of Athletics championships and between discipline categories. Special attention should be paid to combined events, running disciplines and (thigh) strain to better understand the injury mechanisms and risk factors and develop related preventive measures.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN 2D KNEE VALGUS ANGLE DURING SINGLE LEG SQUAT (SLS), SINGLE LEG LANDING (SLL), AND FORWARD RUNNING
Authors: Atkin K , Herrington L , Alenezi F , Jones P , Jones R
Published: March 2014

Background

Two-dimensional (2D) analysis of knee valgus during common athletic screening tasks such as SLS has been purported to identify individuals who may be at a high-risk of ACL injury. There is limited literature exploring the relationships between joint motion during SLS and other athletic tasks associated with knee joint injuries, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the SLS to identify athletes with hazardous knee motion in a range of athletic tasks.

Objective

To assess the relationship between the 2D knee valgus angle among three tasks (SLS, SLL, and Running).

Design

A correlational study.

Setting

Undertaken in the Human Performance Laboratory at the University of Salford.

Participants

15 recreational athletes, 7 males and 8 females, were recruited (age 25.2±5.1 years; height 1.6±7.38 m; and mass 67.6±10.93 kg).

Intervention

Participants performed a series of SLS, SLL from a 31-cm step, and forward running at percieved maximum speed whilst being videotaped with a 2D digital camera.

Main outcome measurements

Maximum right knee valgus angle was quantified by measuring the frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) using Quintic Biomechanics v21 software package.

Results

A moderate correlation was shown between FPPA during SLS and SLL when the whole participant group was analysed (r=0.35). When split by gender female statistics showed good correlations between the majority of tasks; SLS and SLL (r=0.87), SLS and Run (r=0.59) but weaker between SLL and Run (0.26).

Conclusions

In females the FPPA during SLS correlates with FPPA during SLL and running. This indicates that if a female patient has increased FPPA during SLS they are likely to have increased FPPA across all the tasks. This could potentially reduce the time and tasks required for screening, as only one task would need to be assessed. In males there is little correlation between tasks so the same would not apply in male subjects.
VICTORIAN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT DATA FOR INJURY SURVEILLANCE: HOW USEFUL IS IT?
Authors: Gray S , Finch C
Published: March 2014

Background

The Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset is a database used by the Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit that includes injury presentations to all public Victorian emergency departments with a 24-hour service. Triage staff are required to input information on patients who have sustained an injury which includes activity, place, cause, nature of injury and affected body region, as well as a 250-character narrative outlining the circumstances of the injury. Data is collected in an often busy emergency department, thereby affecting the quality and detail of the data collected.

Objective

To determine the degree to which data collected by emergency department staff provides complete profiles of injury circumstances.

Design

Analysis of emergency department injury variables and case narratives, using injuries sustained in fitness facilities as a case study.

Participants

1 979 de-identified injured persons who have presented to included Victorian emergency departments.

Main outcome measurement

To compare the narrative text descriptions of the injury events with the required coded injury variables to determine the level of agreement and the completeness of the injury surveillance data.

Results

The pre-specified variables were least complete for cause of injury and were coded as unspecified 51.9% of the time. Activity at time of injury was unspecified/miscoded (based on assessment of narrative) 24.2% of the time, whilst the location of the injury was unspecified or miscoded in 33.0% of cases. Nature of injury and body region had comparatively small proportions of unspecified variables (8.4% and 5.6% respectively). Inadequate information about the specific fitness activity associated with injury occurred in 18.6% of the narratives (e.g. providing no further information than “injured at gym”) or they omitted activity, place, cause, injury type or body region details.

Conclusion

For a full perspective on injury surveillance, neither the narrative nor the injury variables can be solely relied upon to provide details of the entire circumstances surrounding an injury.
EVALUATION OF FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS IN FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH SPORTS LEVEL – A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY
Authors: Grygorowicz M , Piontek T , Dudzinski W
Published: March 2014

Background

Little is known about the impact of functional muscle restrictions on the level of functional performance among female soccer players.

Objective

The aim of this study was to analyze: a) abnormalities in the length of lower limb muscles, b) the correctness of movement patterns, and c) the impact of functional limitations of muscles on the correctness of fundamental movement patterns in a group of female soccer players, in relation to their skill level.

Design

Cross Sectional Study.

Setting

Elite and sub-elite division.

Participants

21 female soccer players from Polish Ekstraklasa (PE) and 22 players from the 1st Division (1D).

Interventions

All participants were tested for lower limb muscle length restrictions and level of fundamental movement skills (with the Fundamental Movement ScreenTMtest). Chi-square test was used for categorical unrelated variables. Differences between groups in absolute point values were analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. Statistical significance was set at P<.05.

Main outcome measurements

Lower leg muscle length, FMSTMscore.

Results

Significantly higher number of abnormal rectus femoris length in the 1D (P=.0433) and abnormal hamstring results (P=.0006) in the PE was observed. PE scored higher in the trunk rotational stability test (P=.0008), the 1D players scored higher in the deep squat (P=.0220), in-line lunge (P=.0042) and active straight leg raise (P=.0125) tests. The results suggest that there are different functional reasons affecting point values obtained in the FMSTMtests in both groups.

Conclusions

The differences in the rectus femoris and hamstring muscle flexibility observed between female soccer players with different levels of training may result from a long-term impact of soccer training on the muscle-tendon system and articular structures. Different causes of abnormalities in fundamental movement patterns in both groups suggest the need for tailoring prevention programs to the level of sport skills represented by the players.