bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concurrent Design of a Four Bar Mechanism With a Flexible Link
Authors: Cervantes Héctor , Cruz-Villar Carlos A.
Published: March 2016

A concurrent methodology to design a PID controlled four-bar mechanism with a flexible coupler is proposed. From a mathematical point of view, the design problem is posed as a multi objective dynamic optimization problem constrained by Partial Differential Equations modeling the flexible mechanism. As performance objectives path generation error, tangential velocity error and vibrations at the end effector are considered. We consider the link lengths and PID gains as independent variables. It has been found that mechanical vibrations can be minimized with the proper dimensional synthesis of the mechanism.
Fatigue-Induced Changes in Movement Pattern and Muscle Activity During Ballet Releve on Demi-Pointe
Authors: Lin Cheng-Feng , Lee Wan-Chin , Chen Yi-An , Hsue Bih-Jen
Published: March 2016

Fatigue in ballet dancers may lead to injury, particularly in the lower extremities. However, few studies have investigated the effects of fatigue on ballet dancers’ performance and movement patterns. Thus, the current study examines the effect of fatigue on the balance, movement pattern, and muscle activities of the lower extremities in ballet dancers. Twenty healthy, female ballet dancers performed releve on demi-pointe before and after fatigue. The trajectory of the whole body movement and the muscle activities of the major lower extremity muscles were recorded continuously during task performance. The results show that fatigue increases the medial-lateral center of mass (COM) displacement and hip and trunk motion, but decreases the COM velocity and ankle motion. Moreover, fatigue reduces the activities of the hamstrings and tibialis anterior, but increases that of the soleus. Finally, greater proximal hip and trunk motions are applied to compensate for the effects of fatigue, leading to a greater COM movement. Overall, the present findings show that fatigue results in impaired movement control and may therefore increase the risk of dance injury.
Muscle Activation and Estimated Relative Joint Force During Running with Weight Support on a Lower-Body Positive-Pressure Treadmill
Authors: Jensen Bente R. , Hovgaard-Hansen Line , Cappelen Katrine L.
Published: March 2016

Running on a lower-body positive-pressure (LBPP) treadmill allows effects of weight support on leg muscle activation to be assessed systematically, and has the potential to facilitate rehabilitation and prevent overloading. The aim was to study the effect of running with weight support on leg muscle activation and to estimate relative knee and ankle joint forces. Runners performed 6-min running sessions at 2.22 m/s and 3.33 m/s, at 100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20% body weight (BW). Surface electromyography, ground reaction force, and running characteristics were measured. Relative knee and ankle joint forces were estimated. Leg muscles responded differently to unweighting during running, reflecting different relative contribution to propulsion and antigravity forces. At 20% BW, knee extensor EMGpeak decreased to 22% at 2.22 m/s and 28% at 3.33 m/s of 100% BW values. Plantar flexors decreased to 52% and 58% at 20% BW, while activity of biceps femoris muscle remained unchanged. Unweighting with LBPP reduced estimated joint force significantly although less than proportional to the degree of weight support (ankle).It was concluded that leg muscle activation adapted to the new biomechanical environment, and the effect of unweighting on estimated knee force was more pronounced than on ankle force.
Angular Impulse and Balance Regulation During the Golf Swing
Authors: Peterson Travis J. , Wilcox Rand R. , McNitt-Gray Jill L.
Published: March 2016

Our aim was to determine how skilled players regulate linear and angular impulse while maintaining balance during the golf swing. Eleven highly-skilled golf players performed swings with a 6-iron and driver. Components contributing to linear and angular impulse generated by the rear and target legs (resultant horizontal reaction force [RFh], RFh-angle, and moment arm) were quantified and compared across the group and within a player (α = .05). Net angular impulse generated by both the rear and target legs was greater for the driver than the 6-iron. Mechanisms used to regulate angular impulse generation between clubs varied across players and required coordination between the legs. Increases in net angular impulse with a driver involved increases in target leg RFh. Rear leg RFh-angle was maintained between clubs whereas target leg RFh became more aligned with the target line. Net linear impulse perpendicular to the target line remained near zero, preserving balance, while net linear impulse along the target line decreased in magnitude. These results indicate that the net angular impulse was regulated between clubs by coordinating force generation of the rear and target legs while sustaining balance throughout the task.
Changes in Gait with Anteriorly Added Mass: A Pregnancy Simulation Study
Authors: Ogamba Maureen I. , Loverro Kari L. , Laudicina Natalie M. , Gill Simone V. , Lewis Cara L.
Published: March 2016

During pregnancy, the female body experiences structural changes, such as weight gain. As pregnancy advances, most of the additional mass is concentrated anteriorly on the lower trunk. The purpose of this study is to analyze kinematic and kinetic changes when load is added anteriorly to the trunk, simulating a physical change experienced during pregnancy. Twenty healthy females walked on a treadmill while wearing a custom made pseudo-pregnancy sac (1 kg) under 3 load conditions: sac-only condition, 10-lb condition (4.535 kg added anteriorly), and 20-lb condition (9.07 kg added anteriorly), used to simulate pregnancy in the second trimester and at full-term pregnancy, respectively. The increase in anterior mass resulted in kinematic changes at the knee, hip, pelvis, and trunk in the sagittal and frontal planes. In addition, ankle, knee, and hip joint moments normalized to baseline mass increased with increased load; however, these moments decreased when normalized to total mass. These kinematic and kinetic changes may suggest that women modify gait biomechanics to reduce the effect of added load. Furthermore, the increase in joint moments increases stress on the musculoskeletal system and may contribute to musculoskeletal pain.
Sway Area and Velocity Correlated with MobileMat Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) Scores
Authors: Caccese Jaclyn B. , Buckley Thomas A. , Kaminski Thomas W.
Published: March 2016

The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is often used for sport-related concussion balance assessment. However, moderate intratester and intertester reliability may cause low initial sensitivity, suggesting that a more objective balance assessment method is needed. The MobileMat BESS was designed for objective BESS scoring, but the outcome measures must be validated with reliable balance measures. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to compare MobileMat BESS scores to linear and nonlinear measures of balance. Eighty-eight healthy collegiate student-athletes (age: 20.0 ± 1.4 y, height: 177.7 ± 10.7 cm, mass: 74.8 ± 13.7 kg) completed the MobileMat BESS. MobileMat BESS scores were compared with 95% area, sway velocity, approximate entropy, and sample entropy. MobileMat BESS scores were significantly correlated with 95% area for single-leg (r = .332) and tandem firm (r = .474), and double-leg foam (r = .660); and with sway velocity for single-leg (r = .406) and tandem firm (r = .601), and double-leg (r = .575) and single-leg foam (r = .434). MobileMat BESS scores were not correlated with approximate or sample entropy. MobileMat BESS scores were low to moderately correlated with linear measures, suggesting the ability to identify changes in the center of mass–center of pressure relationship, but not higher-order processing associated with nonlinear measures. These results suggest that the MobileMat BESS may be a clinically-useful tool that provides objective linear balance measures.
The adhesion molecule PECAM-1 enhances the TGF-β–mediated inhibition of T cell function
Authors: Newman Debra K. , Fu Guoping , Adams Tamara , Cui Weiguo , Arumugam Vidhyalakshmi , Bluemn Theresa , Riese Matthew J.
Published: March 2016

Blocking an adhesion molecule on the surface of T cells may enhance antitumor activity.
The CAR that drives Ca
2+
to Orai1
Authors: Jha Archana , Muallem Shmuel
Published: March 2016

A Ca
2+
-accumulating region in Orai1 facilitates ion permeation and contributes to selectivity.
Pannexin1: A mediator of NMDA and adrenergic receptor signaling
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: March 2016

Pannexin1 mediates excitotoxicity in neurons and vasoconstriction in vascular smooth muscle.
Fatty diet alters stem cells
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: March 2016

A high-fat diet enhances the regenerative and tumor-forming activities of intestinal stem cells through a mechanism involving PPAR-δ.
Actin’ against BRAF inhibitors
Authors: Ferrarelli Leslie K.
Published: March 2016

Blocking actin polymerization prevents YAP and TAZ activation and resistance to BRAF inhibitors in melanoma.
New connections: Reprogramming NK and T cells to attack cancer
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: March 2016

Blocking the effects of TGF-β on natural killer cells and T cells may improve the destruction of cancer cells.
Limiting inflammation with p62
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: March 2016

Without the adaptor protein p62, macrophages produce tissue-damaging amounts of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β.
Clarithromycin Resistance Mechanisms of Epidemic β-Lactamase-Nonproducing Ampicillin-Resistant Haemophilus influenzae Strains in Japan
Authors: Seyama Shoji , Wajima Takeaki , Nakaminami Hidemasa , Noguchi Norihisa
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to clarify the clarithromycin resistance mechanisms of β-lactamase-nonproducing ampicillin-resistant
Haemophilus influenzae
strains. In all clarithromycin-resistant strains, the transcript level of
acrB
was significantly elevated, and these strains had a frameshift mutation in
acrR
. Introduction of the
acrR
mutation into
H. influenzae
Rd generated a clarithromycin-resistant transformant with the same MIC as the donor strain. Our results indicate that the
acrR
mutation confers clarithromycin resistance by the increasing the transcription of
acrB
.
Effects of Efflux Pump Inhibitors on Colistin Resistance in Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Ni Wentao , Li Yanjun , Guan Jie , Zhao Jin , Cui Junchang , Wang Rui , Liu Youning
Published: March 2016

We tested the effects of various putative efflux pump inhibitors on colistin resistance in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Addition of 10 mg/liter cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) to the test medium could significantly decrease the MICs of colistin-resistant strains. Time-kill assays showed CCCP could reverse colistin resistance and inhibit the regrowth of the resistant subpopulation, especially in
Acinetobacter baumannii
and
Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
. These results suggest colistin resistance in Gram-negative bacteria can be suppressed and reversed by CCCP.
Antitrypanosomal Activities and Mechanisms of Action of Novel Tetracyclic Iridoids from Morinda lucida Benth
Authors: Kwofie Kofi D. , Tung Nguyen Huu , Suzuki-Ohashi Mitsuko , Amoa-Bosompem Michael , Adegle Richard , Sakyiamah Maxwell M. , Ayertey Frederick , Owusu Kofi Baffour-Awuah , Tuffour Isaac , Atchoglo Philip , Frempong Kwadwo K. , Anyan William K. , Uto Takuhiro , Morinaga Osamu , Yamashita Taizo , Aboagye Frederic , Appiah Alfred A. , Appiah-Opong Regina , Nyarko Alexander K. , Yamaguchi Yasuchika , Edoh Dominic , Koram Kwadwo A. , Yamaoka Shoji , Boakye Daniel A. , Ohta Nobuo , Shoyama Yukihiro , Ayi Irene
Published: March 2016

Trypanosoma brucei
parasites are kinetoplastid protozoa that devastate the health and economic well-being of millions of people in Africa through the disease human African trypanosomiasis (HAT). New chemotherapy has been eagerly awaited due to severe side effects and the drug resistance issues plaguing current drugs. Recently, there has been an emphasis on the use of medicinal plants worldwide.
Morinda lucida
Benth. is a popular medicinal plant widely distributed in Africa, and several research groups have reported on the antiprotozoal activities of this plant. In this study, we identified three novel tetracyclic iridoids, molucidin, ML-2-3, and ML-F52, from the CHCl
3
fraction of
M. lucida
leaves, which possess activity against the GUTat 3.1 strain of
T. brucei brucei
. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
) of molucidin, ML-2-3, and ML-F52 were 1.27 μM, 3.75 μM, and 0.43 μM, respectively. ML-2-3 and ML-F52 suppressed the expression of paraflagellum rod protein subunit 2, PFR-2, and caused cell cycle alteration, which preceded apoptosis induction in the bloodstream form of
Trypanosoma
parasites. Novel tetracyclic iridoids may be promising lead compounds for the development of new chemotherapies for African trypanosomal infections in humans and animals.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Pharmacokinetics of Aminoalkylated Diarylpropanes NP085 and NP102
Authors: Gibhard Liezl , Pravin Kendrekar , Abay Efrem , Wilhelm Anke , Swart Kenneth , Lawrence Nina , Khoury Rosal , van der Westhuizen Jan , Smith Peter , Wiesner Lubbe
Published: March 2016

Malaria remains a great burden on humanity. Although significant advances have been made in the prevention and treatment of malaria, malaria control is now hindered by an increasing tolerance of the parasite to one or more drugs within artemisinin combination therapies; therefore, an urgent need exists for development of novel and improved therapies. The University of the Free State Chemistry Department previously synthesized an antimalarial compound, NP046.
In vitro
studies illustrated an enhanced efficacy against
Plasmodium falciparum
. However, NP046 showed low bioavailability. Efforts to enhance the bioavailability of NP046 have resulted in the synthesis of a number of aminoalkylated diarylpropanes, including NP085 and NP102. Pharmacokinetic studies were conducted in C57BL/6 mice, with 15 mg/kg NP085 or NP102 administered orally and the 5 mg/kg NP085 or NP102 administered intravenously. Blood samples were collected by means of tail bleeding at predetermined time intervals. Drug concentrations were determined using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, and subsequently pharmacokinetic modeling was done for both compounds. NP085 and NP102 were incubated
in vitro
with human and mouse liver microsomes. Both compounds were also subjected to a parallel artificial membrane permeation assay.
In vitro
studies of NP085 and NP102 illustrated that both of the compounds are rapidly absorbed and undergo rapid hepatic metabolism. The maximum concentration of drug (
C
max
) obtained following oral administration of NP085 and NP102 was 0.2 ± 0.4 and 0.7 ± 0.3 μM, respectively; the elimination half-life of both compounds was 6.1 h. NP085 and NP102 showed bioavailability levels of 8% and 22%, respectively.
Overcoming Chloroquine Resistance in Malaria: Design, Synthesis, and Structure-Activity Relationships of Novel Hybrid Compounds
Authors: Boudhar Aicha , Ng Xiao Wei , Loh Chiew Yee , Chia Wan Ni , Tan Zhi Ming , Nosten Francois , Dymock Brian W. , Tan Kevin S. W.
Published: March 2016

Resistance to antimalarial therapies, including artemisinin, has emerged as a significant challenge. Reversal of acquired resistance can be achieved using agents that resensitize resistant parasites to a previously efficacious therapy. Building on our initial work describing novel chemoreversal agents (CRAs) that resensitize resistant parasites to chloroquine (CQ), we herein report new hybrid single agents as an innovative strategy in the battle against resistant malaria. Synthetically linking a CRA scaffold to chloroquine produces hybrid compounds with restored potency toward a range of resistant malaria parasites. A preferred compound, compound 35, showed broad activity and good potency against seven strains resistant to chloroquine and artemisinin. Assessment of aqueous solubility, membrane permeability, and
in vitro
toxicity in a hepatocyte line and a cardiomyocyte line indicates that compound 35 has a good therapeutic window and favorable drug-like properties. This study provides initial support for CQ-CRA hybrid compounds as a potential treatment for resistant malaria.
In Vitro
and
In Vivo
Activities of OP0595, a New Diazabicyclooctane, against CTX-M-15-Positive Escherichia coli and KPC-Positive Klebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Morinaka Akihiro , Tsutsumi Yuko , Yamada Keiko , Takayama Yoshihiro , Sakakibara Shiro , Takata Toshihiko , Abe Takao , Furuuchi Takeshi , Inamura Seiichi , Sakamaki Yoshiaki , Tsujii Nakako , Ida Takashi
Published: March 2016

Gram-negative bacteria are evolving to produce β-lactamases of increasing diversity that challenge antimicrobial chemotherapy. OP0595 is a new diazabicyclooctane serine β-lactamase inhibitor which acts also as an antibiotic and as a β-lactamase-independent β-lactam “enhancer” against
Enterobacteriaceae
. Here we determined the optimal concentration of OP0595 in combination with piperacillin, cefepime, and meropenem, in addition to the antibacterial activity of OP0595 alone and in combination with cefepime, in
in vitro
time-kill studies and an
in vivo
infection model against five strains of CTX-M-15-positive
Escherichia coli
and five strains of KPC-positive
Klebsiella pneumoniae
. An OP0595 concentration of 4 μg/ml was found to be sufficient for an effective combination with all three β-lactam agents. In both
in vitro
time-kill studies and an
in vivo
model of infection, cefepime-OP0595 showed stronger efficacy than cefepime alone against all β-lactamase-positive strains tested, whereas OP0595 alone showed weaker or no efficacy. Taken together, these data indicate that combinational use of OP0595 and a β-lactam agent is important to exert the antimicrobial functions of OP0595.
Protective Effect of a Synbiotic against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in a Murine Infection Model
Authors: Asahara Takashi , Takahashi Akira , Yuki Norikatsu , Kaji Rumi , Takahashi Takuya , Nomoto Koji
Published: March 2016

This study investigated the ability of the probiotic
Bifidobacterium breve
strain Yakult (BbY) to protect against infection, as well as the potentiation of BbY activity by the synbiotic combination of BbY and prebiotic galactooligosaccharides (GOS). The study employed a mouse model of lethal intestinal multidrug-resistant
Acinetobacter baumannii
(MDRAb) infection. The endogenous intestinal microbiota was disrupted by the administration of multiple antibiotics, causing the loss of endogenous
Bifidobacterium
. Oral infection of these mice with MDRAb resulted in marked growth of this organism. Additional treatment of the infected mice with a sublethal dose of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced systemic invasion by MDRAb and subsequent animal death. The continuous oral administration of BbY increased the survival rate and inhibited the intestinal growth and invasion by MDRAb in the infection model. Disruptions of the intestinal environment and barrier function in the infected mice were attenuated by BbY. Protection against the MDRAb infection was markedly potentiated by a synbiotic combination of BbY and GOS, although GOS by itself did not provide protection. Negative correlations were observed between intestinal MDRAb and BbY counts or acetic acid levels; positive correlations were observed between acetic acid levels and intestinal epithelium expression of tight-junction-related genes. These results demonstrated that the probiotic and synbiotic markedly potentiated protection against fatal intestinal infection caused by a multidrug-resistant bacterium. Probiotics and synbiotics are presumed to provide protection by compensation for the disrupted indigenous populations, thereby maintaining the intestinal environments and barrier functions otherwise targeted during opportunistic infection by MDRAb.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Isavuconazole in Subjects with Mild or Moderate Hepatic Impairment
Authors: Desai Amit , Schmitt-Hoffmann Anne-Hortense , Mujais Salim , Townsend Robert
Published: March 2016

Isavuconazole, administered as the prodrug isavuconazonium sulfate, was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of adults with invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis. The objective of this analysis was to develop a population pharmacokinetic model using NONMEM (version 7.2) for subjects with hepatic impairment, using intravenous and oral administration data from two hepatic studies, and to simulate concentration profiles to steady state, thus evaluating the need for dose adjustment. A two-compartment model with Weibull absorption function and first-order elimination process adequately described plasma isavuconazole concentrations. The population mean clearance in healthy subjects was 2.5 liters/h (5th and 95th percentiles: 2.0 and 3.1). The mean clearance values for subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment decreased approximately to 1.55 liters/h (5th and 95th percentiles: 1.3 and 1.8 liters/h) and 1.32 liters/h (5th and 95th percentiles: 1.05 and 1.35), respectively. Peripheral volume of distribution increased with body mass index. Simulations of mean concentration time profiles to steady state showed less than a 2-fold increase in mean trough concentrations for subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment compared with healthy subjects. After administration of the single dose, safety data for subjects with mild and moderate hepatic impairment were generally comparable to those for healthy subjects in both studies. Due to the <2-fold increase in trough concentrations and the established safety margin, dose adjustment appears to be unnecessary in subjects with mild or moderate hepatic impairment.
Intramacrophage Infection Reinforces the Virulence of Edwardsiella tarda
Authors: Zhang Lingzhi , Ni Chunshan , Xu Wenting , Dai Tongcheng , Yang Dahai , Wang Qiyao , Zhang Yuanxing , Liu Qin
Published: March 2016

Edwardsiella tarda
is an important pathogenic bacterium that can replicate in macrophages. However, how the intramacrophage infection process affects the virulence of this bacterium is essentially unknown. Here, we show that
E. tarda
replicates and induces a caspase-1-dependent cell pyroptosis in a murine macrophage model. Via pyroptosis, intracellular
E. tarda
escapes to the extracellular milieu, forming a unique bacterial population. Being different from the bacteria cultured alone, this unique population possesses a reprogrammed transcriptional profile, particularly with upregulated type III secretion system (T3SS)/T6SS cluster genes. Subsequent studies revealed that the macrophage-released population gains enhanced infectivity for host epithelial cells and increases resistance to multiple host defenses and hence displays significantly promoted virulence
in vivo
. Further studies indicated that T3SS is essentially required for the macrophage infection process, while T6SS contributes to infection-induced bacterial virulence. Altogether, this work demonstrates that
E. tarda
can utilize macrophages as a niche for virulence priming and for spreading infection, suggesting a positive role for intramacrophage infection in bacterial pathogenesis.

IMPORTANCE
Many pathogens can replicate in macrophages, which is crucial for their pathogenesis. To survive in the macrophage cell, pathogens are likely to require fitness genes to counteract multiple host-killing mechanisms. Here,
Edwardsiella tarda
is proved to exit from macrophages during infection. This macrophage-released population displays a reprogrammed transcriptional profile with significantly upregulated type III secretion system (T3SS)/T6SS-related genes. Furthermore, both enhanced infectivity in epithelial cells and activated resistance to complex host defenses were conferred on this macrophage-primed population, which consequently promoted the full virulence of
E. tarda
in vivo
. Our work provides evidence that
E. tarda
can utilize macrophages as a niche for virulence priming and for spreading infection, highlighting the importance of the intramacrophage infection cycle for the pathogenesis of
E. tarda
.
Delineating Lake Types of the Jurassic East Berlin Formation, Hartford Basin, Newark Supergroup
Authors:   Ohio University, Conti Alexander A. , Gierlowski-Kordesch Elizabeth H.
Published: March 2016

The Mesozoic Hartford Basin, a fault-bounded half-graben in New England, is composed of four sedimentologic units displaying lacustrine, playa, and alluvial conditions separated by three tholeiitic basalt flows. Limited outcrop, however, has restricted analyses across the basin. The Jurassic East Berlin Formation, in particular, crops out only in the southern and northern extents of the basin, exposing the upper 100-118-m of deposits. As a result, a new core analysis across a 600-m-transect of East Berlin rocks has been completed in the central region of the basin, exposing the entire 195-m thickness of the formation for the first time. Cores expose eight 3-m-thick lacustrine mudrock units, the upper six of which are correlative to lake deposits identified in the southern and northern extents of the basin. Additionally, thin chicken-wire evaporites demarcate the lowermost, previously unexposed, lacustrine unit, 7-m beneath a 15-cm-thick tufa horizon. Thin playa deposits and thick sheetflood and Vertisol packages separate these lake sequences over 5-30-m of vertical distance.

To supplement these sedimentologic data, and better understand lake geochemistry of the basin during East Berlin time, new biomarker analyses have been applied to each of the eight lacustrine mudrock units for the first time. Biomarker data are useful for determining the lake-basin type, a paleolake classification system derived by Bohacs, Carroll, and others to describe predictable physical and geochemical evolution within rift basins from fluvial facies to over-filled, balance-filled, and under-filled lacustrine facies; subsequently, balance-filled lacustrine facies grade to a terminal fluvial facies during changes in accommodation space through time. While fluvial facies envelope lake deposits within the Hartford Basin, identifying the lake types within the East Berlin has been problematic because of limited exposures. These new sedimentologic and biomarker analyses, however, suggest balance-filled lacustrine conditions at the base of the East Berlin that grade into under-filled conditions upsection. These new biomarker data finally provide definitive evidence for changing lake types during East Berlin time.
Fractured tracheostomy tube presenting as a foreign body in a paediatric patient
Authors: Gupta Suman Lata , Swaminathan Srinivasan , Ramya Ravivalar , Parida Satyen
Published: March 2016

Tracheostomy tube fracture and aspiration into the tracheobronchial tree leading to airway obstruction is a dangerous complication after tracheostomy. We report a case of a fractured tracheostomy tube in a 6-year-old child who had been maintained on a tracheostomy tube for the past 5 years. The tracheostomy tube got fractured at the junction of the tube and neck plate, and impacted in the trachea and right main bronchus. Rigid bronchoscopy performed through the tracheostomy stoma to retrieve the fractured tracheostomy tube and the anaesthetic management during the period are discussed.
Unusual renal tumour: multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Morna Palmeiro Marta , Niza João Luz , Loureiro Ana Luisa , Conceição e Silva João Paulo
Published: March 2016

Multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma (MCRCC) is a rare presentation of renal cell carcinoma. Most patients are asymptomatic and frequently MCRCCs are detected incidentally. MCRCCs have good prognosis because of their low malignant potential. We report a case of a 39-year-old woman who presented with mild right flank pain and normal laboratory data. On imaging examinations, a Bosniak III cystic lesion was detected in the lower third of the right kidney. She underwent right partial nephrectomy and histopathology showed a multilocular cystic renal cell carcinoma Fuhrman grade 1. In this article, we also present a review of the literature on MCRCC, highlight the correlation of the pathological and imaging characteristics of these low aggressive renal lesions, and underscore the importance of their recognition to prevent unnecessary radical surgery.
Post-traumatic stress disorder and occupational characteristics of police officers in Republic of Korea: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Lee June-Hee , Kim Inah , Won Jong-Uk , Roh Jaehoon
Published: March 2016

Objective

South Korean police officers have a greater workload compared to their counterparts in advanced countries. However, few studies have evaluated the occupational challenges that South Korean police officers face. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the police officer's job characteristics and risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among South Korean police officers.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Police officers in South Korea.

Participants

3817 police officers with a traumatic event over a 1-year period.

Main outcome measures

Officers with a response to the Impact of Event Scale (revised Korean version) score of ≥26 were classified as high risk, and we evaluated their age, sex, department and rank, as well as the frequency and type of traumatic events that they experienced.

Results

Among the respondents, 41.11% were classified as having a high risk of PTSD. From the perspective of the rank, Inspector group (46.0%) and Assistant Inspector group (42.7%) show the highest frequencies of PTSD. From the perspective of their working division, Intelligence and National Security Division (43.6%) show the highest frequency, followed by the Police Precinct (43.5%) and the Traffic Affairs Management Department (43.3%). It is shown that working in different departments was associated with the prevalence of PTSD (p=0.004).

Conclusions

The high-risk classification was observed in 41.11% of all officers who had experienced traumatic events, and this frequency is greater than that for other specialised occupations (eg, firefighters). Therefore, we conclude that groups with an elevated proportion of high-risk respondents should be a priority for PTSD treatment, which may help increase its therapeutic effect and improve the awareness of PTSD among South Korean police officers.
Gene of the month:Axl
Authors: Brown Matthew , Black James R M , Sharma Rohini , Stebbing Justin , Pinato David J
Published: March 2016

The interaction between Axl receptor tyrosine kinase and its main ligand Gas6 has been implicated in the progression of a wide number of malignancies. More recently, overexpression of Axl has emerged as a key molecular determinant underlying the development of acquired resistance to targeted anticancer agents. The activation of Axl is overexpression-dependent and controls a number of hallmarks of cancer progression including proliferation, migration, resistance to apoptosis and survival through a complex network of intracellular second messengers. Axl has been noted to influence clinically meaningful end points including metastatic recurrence and survival in the vast majority of tumour types. With Axl inhibitors having gained momentum as novel anticancer therapies, we provide an overview of the biological and clinical relevance of this molecular pathway, outlining the main directions of research.
Homozygosity for the V377I mutation in mevalonate kinase causes distinct clinical phenotypes in two sibs with hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D and periodic fever syndrome (HIDS)
Authors: Messer Laurent , Alsaleh Ghada , Georgel Philippe , Carapito Raphael , Waterham Hans R , Dali-Youcef Nassim , Bahram Siamak , Sibilia Jean
Published: March 2016

Objective

Mevalonate kinase (MVK) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive auto-inflammatory disorder characterised by recurring episodes of fever associated with multiple non-specific inflammatory symptoms and caused by mutations in theMVKgene. The phenotypic spectrum is wide and depends mostly on the nature of the mutations. Hyperimmunoglobulinaemia D and periodic fever syndrome (HIDS) is a relatively mild presentation and predominantly associated with a c.1129G>A (p.V377I) mutation in theMVK gene. We report cases of two sisters homozygous for this mutation but exhibiting distinct (symptomatic vs asymptomatic) phenotypes.

Methods

Patient history was obtained; physical and clinical examination and laboratory tests were performed; lipopolysaccharide (LPS) response of peripheral blood mononuclear cells was quantified.

Results

Low MVK enzymatic activity is not necessarily associated with inflammatory symptoms. Increased inflammatory cytokine secretion in response to LPS is associated with symptomatic MVK deficiency.

Conclusions

Individuals who are homozygous for the common p.V377I mutation in the MVK gene may not display the characteristic inflammatory episodes diagnostic of MKD and thus may be lost for correct and timely diagnosis.
Synthesis and characterization of acceptor–donor–acceptor-based low band gap small molecules containing benzoselenadiazole
Authors: Shaik Baji , Han Jin-Hee , Song Dong Jin , Kang Hun-Min , Lee Sang-Gyeong
Published: March 2016

Acceptor–donor–acceptor-type compounds 5′,5″-(benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole-4,7-diyl)bis(3′-dodecyl-2,2′-bithiophene-5-carbonitrile) (9) and 4,4′-(5,5′-(benzo[c][1,2,5]selenadiazole-4,7-diyl)bis(3-dodecylthiophene-5,2-diyl))dibenzonitrile (10) were designed and synthesized. These compounds differ in terminal positions, compound 9 with a thiophene-containing nitrile group and compound 10 with a phenyl-containing nitrile group. Both compounds have shown good thermal stability and low band gap. The band gaps of compounds 9 and 10 were 1.74 and 1.83 eV, respectively. These results indicate that they are promising materials for use in optoelectronics.
Performance of ectomycorrhizal alders exposed to specific Canadian oil sands tailing stressors under in vivo bipartite symbiotic conditions
Authors: Beaudoin-Nadeau Martin , Gagné André , Bissonnette Cyntia , Bélanger Pier-Anne , Fortin J. André , Roy Sébastien , Greer Charles W. , Khasa Damase P.
Published: March 2016

Canadian oil sands tailings are predominately sodic residues contaminated by hydrocarbons such as naphthenic acids. These conditions are harsh for plant development. In this study, we evaluated the effect of inoculating roots of Alnus viridis ssp. crispa and Alnus incana ssp. rugosa with ectomycorrhizal fungi in the presence of tailings compounds. Seedlings were inoculated with 7 different strains of Paxillus involutus and Alpova diplophloeus and were grown under different treatments of NaCl, Na2SO4, and naphthenic acids in a growth chamber. Afterwards, seedling survival, height, dry biomass, leaf necrosis, and root mycorrhization rate were measured. Paxillus involutus Mai was the most successful strain in enhancing alder survival, health, and growth. Seedlings inoculated with this strain displayed a 25% increase in survival rate, 2-fold greater biomass, and 2-fold less leaf necrosis compared with controls. Contrary to our expectations, A. diplophloeus was not as effective as P. involutus in improving seedling fitness, likely because it did not form ectomycorrhizae on roots of either alder species. High intraspecific variation characterized strains of P. involutus in their ability to stimulate alder height and growth and to minimize leaf necrosis. We conclude that in vivo selection under bipartite symbiotic conditions is essential to select effective strains that will be of use for the revegetation and reclamation of derelict lands.
General rule for boundary conditions from the action principle
Authors: Steiner Roee
Published: March 2016

We construct models where initial and boundary conditions can be found from the fundamental rules of physics, without the need to assume them, they will be derived from the action principle. Those constraints are established from physical viewpoint, and it is not in the form of Lagrange multipliers. We show some examples from the past and some new examples that can be useful, where constraint can be obtained from the action principle. Those actions represent physical models. We show that it is possible to use our rule to get those constraints directly.
Improving entanglement of two atoms in strong coupling regime
Authors: Liu Hui , Yang Qing , Yang Ming , Cao Zhuoliang
Published: March 2016

We consider a model of two identical atoms coupled to a single-mode cavity. When in atom-field strong coupling regime, the entanglement of the two atoms with spontaneous emission should be investigated beyond rotating-wave approximation (RWA). In order to improve the entanglement of the two atoms, some typical feedback based on quantum-jump are attempted to impose on the atoms. The result of numerical simulations shows that an appropriate feedback control can improve the entanglement.
Free electromagnetic radiation from the graphene monolayer with spatially modulated conductivity in THz range
Authors: Gerasik Vladimir , Wartak Marek S. , Zhukov Alexander V. , Belonenko Mikhail B.
Published: March 2016

An infinite graphene layer is known to support graphene surface plasmon polariton (GSP) confined at the interface between the two dielectric half-spaces. In the case of finite width graphene stripe, the termination of the graphene layer acts both as a scattering source and as a “mirror”, thus producing Fabry–Perot (FP)-type resonance. These resonant wavelengths in the presence of free-standing graphene stripe are investigated using the homogeneous convolution-type integral equation approach. The capabilities of the suggested numerical method are illustrated with the results for the transmission spectrum of TM electromagnetic waves travelling in the direction perpendicular to the graphene stripe. Special attention is paid to the case of spatially modulated conductivity of the graphene monolayer, and thus the feasibility of controlling the GSP response.
A Review of Start-Up Circuits for Low Voltage Self-Powered DC-Type Energy Harvesters
Authors: Wang Chuang , Li Zunchao
Published: March 2016

Various start-up circuits (SUCs) for low input voltage self-powered direct current-type (DC-type) energy harvesters have been proposed in recent years, and their structures have been evolving and changing continuously. A general classification and systematic overview of SUCs are presented here. With the development of CMOS process technologies, recent advances in SUCs have paved the way for lower input voltage, simpler structures, lower cost, and better performance. So far, no works have given an overall description of SUCs for low input voltage self-powered energy harvesters. This work is intended to not only provide insights into the topologies of SUCs, but also make a conclusion which identifies their developing tendency.
Online Parameter Estimation of the Lankarani–Nikravesh Contact Force Model Using Two Different Methods
Authors: Ma Jia , Qian Linfang , Chen Guangsong
Published: March 2016

Current contact force models are expected to be used under different environments, where the dynamical parameter estimation becomes an important issue in accurately analyzing the overall behavior of mechanical system especially for complex contact situations. In recent years, a significant amount of research has been carried out in relation to the nonlinear inverse problems, which can be generally divided into two categories: one is the linear method and the other can be called the nonlinear one. In this paper, both methods are described and compared. The linear method is based on the Taylor series and Exponentially Weighted Recursive Least Squares (EWRLS) estimation method. Whereas, the core of the nonlinear one is the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF). The Lankarani–Nikravesh (L–N) contact force model is employed to quantify the contact effect in this paper, since it is proven to be more consistent with the physics of contact. Some simulation examples are employed to evaluate the convergence sensitivity of these two methods to parameter initial conditions. And the comparisons under the same simulation condition between both methods indicate that the nonlinear one is more robust and can converge faster than the linear one.
Green’s Function Problem of Laplace Equation with Spherical and Prolate Spheroidal Boundaries by Using the Null-Field Boundary Integral Equation
Authors: Chang Yu-Lung , Lee Ying-Te , Jiang Li-Jie , Chen Jeng-Tzong
Published: March 2016

A systematic approach of using the null-field integral equation in conjunction with the degenerate kernel and eigenfunction expansion is employed to solve three-dimensional (3D) Green’s functions of Laplace equation. The purpose of using degenerate kernels for interior and exterior expansions is to avoid calculating the principal values. The adaptive observer system is addressed to employ the property of degenerate kernels in the spherical coordinates and in the prolate spheroidal coordinates. After introducing the collocation points on each boundary and matching boundary conditions, a linear algebraic system is obtained without boundary discretization. Unknown coefficients can be easily determined. Finally, several examples are given to demonstrate the validity of the present approach.
Comparison of Coseismic Displacement Obtained from GEONET and Seismic Networks
Authors: Moya Luis , Yamazaki Fumio , Liu Wen
Published: March 2016

It is generally recognized that permanent displacements estimated by the double integration of acceleration records need a suitable baseline correction. Current baseline correction methods have been validated by comparing the displacements with those from the Global Positioning System (GPS) records nearby, but GPS stations that are sufficiently close to a strong-motion station are scarce. Because the [Formula: see text] Tohoku-Oki earthquake produced geodetic displacements in a wide area and because dense strong-motion and GPS networks are available in Japan, we interpolated the displacements calculated from GPS records to estimate the permanent displacements at 508 strong-motion stations. The estimated results were used to evaluate uncertainties in permanent displacements obtained using two baseline correction methods, and results were found to be reliable only for KiK-net’s borehole acceleration records. A new joint parameter search method for the surface and borehole records was further proposed, and reliable results were obtained for KiK-net’s surface records.
Effectiveness of Finite Length Inland Forest in Trapping Tsunami-Borne Wood Debris
Authors: Pasha Ghufran Ahmed , Tanaka Norio
Published: March 2016

Debris produced by coastal forest destruction due to the tsunami after the Great East Japan Earthquake caused secondary damage to buildings by collision. To limit such destruction, the trapping action of a finite-length forest was examined in a flume considering the effects of ‘forest density’, ‘debris length to forest width ratio’, and ‘forest width-length ratio (aspect ratio)’ because the trapping height greatly affects the rate of damage to the forest itself. Higher forest density and a higher aspect ratio decrease the velocity in front of the forest. Debris having a specific gravity up to 0.80 floated after collision but oscillated vertically as forest density was increased. With debris of a higher specific gravity (0.90–1.05), increased forest density resulted in debris attachment closer to the ground, which reached a plateau beyond a forest density of 0.48 cylinders/cm2. In sparse forest, when debris was longer than the forest width; most debris fell at the foot of trees, while it was caught in the upper half of water depth in dense forest. The flow structure in front of and around a forest greatly affected the debris trapping capacity. It was deducted that the inland forest with a density of 0.48 cylinders/cm2 and an aspect ratio of 1.7 trapped most of the debris of all lengths at the foot of trees.
Vibration analysis of defective graphene based on the molecular structural mechanics method
Authors: Hua Jun , Zhang Yuhui , Wu Xiaxia
Published: March 2016

A molecular structural mechanics method has been implemented to investigate the vibrational characteristics of single-layer graphene (SLG) with defects. By adopting the lumped mass unit to replace carbon atoms, and the beam element with circular cross-section to mimic C–C covalent bonds, SLG is modeled as a space framework. The simulation results show that the chirality almost has no effect on the natural frequency and the vibration mode of SLG, while boundary conditions have great influences. The influences of defects with different number and location on the natural frequencies are also studied. It is concluded that vibration mode is insensitive to the vacancy defect, small hole and short flaw, but large holes and long flaws can affect the vibration characteristics. So the graphene sheet even with small defect effects might be selected as the nanosensor material as well as pristine graphene. The conclusions in this paper may provide some references for the design of nanosensor.
Natural and anthropogenic sources of atmospheric dust at a remote forest area in Guizhou karst region, southwest China
Authors: Tang Yang , Han Guilin , Li Fushan , Wu Qixin
Published: March 2016

The abundance and distribution patterns of Rare Earth Elements (REE) in atmospheric dust in a typical karst forest area of the Maolan National Nature Reserve Park in Southwest China were determined during the period from May 2009 to January 2011. Total REE concentrations (ΣREE) recorded moderate seasonal variation, ranging from 31.0 mg kg
−1
to 88.2 mg kg
−1
, with an average of 53.5 mg kg
−1
, similar to the ΣREE of local topsoil. The values of ΣREE were negatively correlated with the corresponding dust deposition fluxes, which may be due to different rates of deposition as a function of particulate size. PAAS-normalized REE patterns of the dust showed slightly positive Ce anomalies and enrichment in light REE. Most dust samples had similar PAAS-normalized REE patterns to local topsoil, whereas others were similar to the anthropogenic input material from urban areas.
Fast and Precise Worst-Case Interference Placement for Shared Cache Analysis
Authors: Nagar Kartik , Srikant Y. N.
Published: March 2016

Real-time systems require a safe and precise estimate of the worst-case execution time (WCET) of programs. In multicore architectures, the precision of a program’s WCET estimate highly depends on the precision of its predicted shared cache behavior. Prediction of shared cache behavior is difficult due to the uncertain timing of interfering shared cache accesses made by programs running on other cores. Given the assignment of programs to cores, the worst-case interference placement (WCIP) technique tries to find the worst-case timing of interfering accesses, which would cause the maximum number of cache misses on the worst case path of the program, to determine its WCET. Although WCIP generates highly precise WCET estimates, the current ILP-based approach is also known to have very high analysis time. In this work, we investigate the WCIP problem in detail and determine its source of hardness. We show that performing WCIP is an NP-hard problem by reducing the 0-1 knapsack problem. We use this observation to make simplifying assumptions, which make the WCIP problem tractable, and we propose an approximate greedy technique for WCIP, whose time complexity is linear in the size of the program. We perform extensive experiments to show that the assumptions do not affect the precision of WCIP but result in significant reduction of analysis time.