bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LOW FALSE RECENT RATE OF LIMITING ANTIGEN AVIDITY ASSAY COMBINED WITH HIV-1 RNA DATA IN BOTSWANA
Authors: Moyo Sikhulile , Kotokwe Kenanao , Mohammed Terence , Boleo Coretah , Mupfumi Lucy , Chishala Samuel , Gaseitsiwe Simani , Tsalaile Lesedi , Bussmann Herman , Makhema Joseph , Baum Marianna , Marlink Richard , Engelbretch Susan , Essex Max , Novitsky Vladimir
Published: February 2017

Background

Cross-sectional tests for recency of HIV infection are increasing in utility for estimating HIV incidence and evaluating impact of interventions. However, they have been shown to misclassify individuals with long standing infection as recent. Local performance characteristics are essential for their application. We estimated the false recency rate (FRR) among long term HIV-1 infected individuals from Botswana.

Methods

A total of 1036 specimens from treatment naïve individuals known to be HIV-infected 1.5 to 2 years from baseline were tested using the limiting antigen-avidity assay (LAg) using a cut-off of 1.5 normalised optical density units (OD-n). Study participants were enrolled in HIV disease progression and did not qualify for treatment according to national guidelines at the time of enrolment. Baseline HIV status was determined using double ELISA. Viral and CD4 measures were done every 3 months.

Results

Most participants were females (74.8%) and median age was 35 years (IQR 30–42). The median CD4 cell count and viral load were 394 cells/µL (IQR 303–524) and 4.25 copies/mL (IQR 3.51–4.87), respectively. Overall the FRR was 0.97% (10/1036; 95% CI: 0.46–1.77). Four samples had viral loads >1000 copies/mL, giving an adjusted FRR of 0.39% (4/1036; 95% CI 0.11–0.99).

Conclusions

LAg had a very low FRR in this Botswana population using the algorithm involving viral load. We found viral load to be a complementary marker for improving the specificity of the LAg-avidity assay. To our knowledge, this is the first report of LAg-avidity FRR for the Botswana population, which is much lower than the 2% recommended by the WHO Incidence Assays Working Group.
NEED FOR REANALYSIS OF CURRENT TESTING OF HIV-EXPOSED INFANTS
Authors: Saka Emmanuel , Kalipalire Zex , Bhairavabhotla Ravikiran , Midiani Dalitso , Sherman Judith
Published: February 2017

Background

In 2015, 12% of HIV-exposed infants in Malawi received an early infant diagnostic test (EID) in the first two months of life. Provider-initiated testing and counselling (PITC) is recommended as a standard component of comprehensive clinical management for inpatients and outpatients in entry points, including at mother-infant pair (MIP) clinics, nutrition rehabilitation units (NRU) and paediatric wards.

Methods

An analysis of the 2015 databases of Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Laboratory Information Management System (LMIS) and EID at point-of-care (EID POC) was conducted to identify optimal entry points for identifying HIV-infected children. A chi-square test was used to determine differences between groups.

Results

A total of 7629 children below 5 years of age were admitted in NRUs; 60% were tested for HIV and 17% were HIV-infected. The EID POC database showed that most (50%) of the children identified from the inpatient paediatric ward were HIV-infected as compared to 2.5% in MIP clinics and 11% in outpatient paediatric wards. A chi-square test of significance shows that the HIV positivity varies between entry points (chi-square value=182.34, with 2 degrees of freedom and p-value <0.001). The LMIS database showed that 45% of children identified in the paediatric ward were HIV-infected compared to 30% of children identified via NRUs and 4% in MIP clinics. A chi-square test of significance shows that HIV positivity varies between entry points (chi-square value=597.83, with 6 degrees of freedom and p-value <0.001).

Conclusions

High yield of HIV positivity in children was found in the paediatric wards and NRUs as opposed to MIP and outpatient wards. Targeting EID POC testing to these settings can reduce infant mortality and morbidity as HIV-infected children will be identified and initiated on treatment more quickly.
ENHANCING TUBERCULOSIS DETECTION BY TRAINED RATS AND TRACKING OF MISSED PATIENTS THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED STRATEGY IN TB HIGH-BURDEN COUNTRIES
Authors: Mgode Georgies , Cox Christophe , Bwana Dickens , Mtui Leah , Magesa Daniel , Kahwa Amos , Mfinanga Godfrey , Mulder Christiaan
Published: February 2017

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis in most sub-Saharan African countries with high TB burden is by direct smear microscopy that has low sensitivity. More sensitive tests like GeneXpert are expensive and not yet available in most African settings. Therefore, a need for cheap and rapid tests is inevitable. Trained rats (Cricetomysspp.) detect TB by targeting theMycobacterium tuberculosisspecific volatile compounds. Accredited rats evaluated 150 sputa in 20 minutes. We report on intervention involving TB detection by rats and additional patient tracking by community healthcare workers from MUKIKUTE and PASADA for treatment.

Methods

Sputum was collected in hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Coast and Morogoro, Tanzania after microscopy. Sputa were heat inactivated at 100oC×30 minutes to kill pathogens and thereafter presented to rats in random computer generated positions for evaluation. Samples indicated as TB-positive by rats were confirmed by concentrated smear microscopy whether they contained TB bacilli. Confirmed TB cases were reported to community healthcare workers and hospitals for tracking and treatment. Healthcare workers recorded contact details of presumptive TB patients for subsequent tracking when detected by rats.

Results

From 2011 to 2015 detection rats evaluated 306,346 sputum samples from 152,118 presumptive TB patients, which were also tested by microscopy in hospitals. DOTS smear-positive TB patients were 21,911 and rats detected an additional 7961 patients missed in hospitals. Community healthcare workers tracking the additional patients brought 2715 additional TB patients to treatment whereas treatment initiation increased from 56% (1020/1812) in 2013 to 73% (870/1,198) in 2015. This prevented TB transmission to 27,150 to 40,725 people since one untreated TB patient can spread the disease to 10–15 persons annually.

Conclusions

TB detection using rats and involvement of community healthcare workers to track the additional TB patients for treatment can increase TB detection and treatment initiation rate of missed TB cases.
MOLECULAR TYPING AND DRUG RESISTANCE INMYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSISCOMPLEX ISOLATES FROM JAMOT AND MBALMAYO DISTRICT HOSPITALS, CAMEROON
Authors: Tekwu Emmanuel Mouafo , Sidze Larissa Kamgue , Assam Jean Paul Assam , Eyangoh Sarah , Niemann Stefan , Ntoumi Francine , Beng Veronique Penlap , Frank Matthias
Published: February 2017

Background

Cameroon is a country where tuberculosis still remains a major public health problem. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the potential of molecular markers in predicting first-line drug resistance and to investigate the predominant genotypes representative ofMycobacterium tuberculosisstrains in the Centre region of Cameroon.

Methods

A total of 169 strains ofM. tuberculosisisolate from the Centre Region of Cameroon were screened for mutations associated with first-line drug resistance by DNA sequence analysis. Spoligotyping and MIRU-VNTR (24 loci; mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units typing – variable number tandem repeat) were combined to identify clustered isolates.

Results

Rifampicin-resistant strains had therpoBmutations D516V, H526D or S531L; isoniazid-resistant strains had the mutationskatGS315T or inhA promoter C15T; streptomycin-resistant strains had the mutationsrpsLK43R,gidBV36G, H48N, P75S, L79W, or A138P; ethambutol-resistant strains had the mutationembBM306V. Among thoseM. tuberculosisisolates, 52.5% isolates were Cameroon genotypes followed by Haarlem genotype (22.1%). The frequencies of isoniazid, rifampin, streptomycin and multidrug-resistant isolates were equally distributed in Cameroon genotype strains and non-Cameroon strains. Furthermore, the analysis also shows the very low frequency ofM. africanumsince only 2.6% of isolates belong to this species.

Conclusions

Mutations of common genes known to be involved in resistance had high specificities in detecting resistance. This study reveals the highly diverseM.tuberculosispopulation structure, It confirms a predominance of the Cameroon lineage in the Centre Region of Cameroon and the disappearance ofM. africanumin Cameroon.
COMBINED SPECIFIC IGG – AND IGA-BASED DIAGNOSIS OF TUBERCULOSIS IN AFRICAN PRIMARY HEALTHCARE CLINIC ATTENDEES WITH SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS SUGGESTIVE OF TUBERCULOSIS
Authors: Awoniyi Dolapo , Baumann Ralf , Chegou Novel , Kriel Belinda , Jacobs Ruschca , Kidd Martin , Loxton Andre , Kaempfer Susanne , Singh Mahavir , Walzl Gerhard
Published: February 2017

Background

IgG-based tests for the diagnosis of active tuberculosis disease (TB) often show a lack of specificity in TB endemic regions, which is mainly due to a high background prevalence of latent TB infection (LTBI). Here, we investigate the combined performance of the responses of different Ig classes to selected mycobacterial antigens in primary healthcare clinic attendees with signs and symptoms suggestive of TB.

Methods

We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of serologic IgA, IgG and/or IgM to LAM, 7 mycobacterial protein antigens (ESAT-6, Tpx, PstS1, AlaDH, MPT64, 16 kDa and 19 kDa) and 2 antigen combinations (TUB, TB-LTBI) in the plasma of 42 individuals with other respiratory diseases (separated into 21 LTBI controls and 21 uninfected healthy controls), and 21 active TB patients at baseline, of whom 19 were followed up at month 6 at the end of TB treatment.

Results

The leading single serodiagnostic markers were anti-16 kDa IgA, anti-MPT64 IgA, anti-LAM IgG and anti-TB-LTBI IgG. IgA responses to MPT64 and 16 kDa had the highest sensitivity/specificity of 95%/95% and 95%/90% in differentiating active TB from other respiratory diseases and active TB from LTBI controls, respectively. The combined use of 3 or 4 antibodies further improved this performance to accuracies above 95%. After successful completion of anti-TB treatment at month 6, only particularly anti-TUB IgG showed distinctively decreased levels.

Conclusions

These results show the potential of combining IgG and IgA responses against selected protein and non-protein antigens in differentiating active TB from other respiratory diseases in TB endemic settings, and may provide a benchmark for vaccines.
DISCORDANT RESULTS BETWEEN GENOTYPIC ASSAYS (XPERT MTB/RIF AND HAIN MTBDRPLUS) AND BACTEC MGIT 960 SYSTEM FOR DETECTION OF RIFAMPICIN-RESISTANTMYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSISISOLATES IN ZAMBIA
Authors: Mwanza Winnie , Milimo Deborah , Moyo Maureen , Kasese Nkatya , Cheeba-Lengwe Maina , Munkondya Stembiso , Ayles Helen , Haas Petra De , Muyoyeta Monde
Published: February 2017

Background

Combination of genotypic assays (Xpert MTB/ RIF and MTBDRplus (LiPA) would be a powerful tool to shorten the time for diagnosis of MDR tuberculosis (TB). However, the algorithm used for these assays in Zambia has not yet been implemented and the most widely used drug susceptibility testing (DST) method remains MGIT DST. Missed rifampicin resistance on the MGIT 960 system has been reported by several studies due to silent rpoB gene mutations. We report comparative observations made on the performance of Xpert, LiPA and MGIT DST methods for detection of rifampicin resistance (RR) at the ZAMBART Central Laboratory (ZCL).

Methods

Specimens were collected from consecutive patients with Xpert rifampicin resistance positive (RR+) or rifampicin resistance indeterminate (RRI) results at peripheral site laboratories for further testing at the ZCL. Each sample was tested using Xpert, LiPA and MGIT culture/DST.

Results

30 patient samples were received and 17 were RR+, 8 were rifampicin-sensitive (RR-) and 5 were TB-negative by Xpert. All 17 RR+ on Xpert were RR+ on LiPA and all 8 Xpert RR – were sensitive on LiPA giving a 100% concordance for diagnosis of RR. Three isolates that were rifampicin sensitive by the MGIT system (Gold standard) were RR+ by both genotypic tests. Genotypic tests showed evidence of mutation in the codon 526 region of the rpoB gene for all the three isolates with discordant RR MGIT DST results. Xpert positive predictive value for Multidrug Resistance (MDR) TB was 62.5% and 81.2% compared to MGIT DST and LiPA, respectively.

Conclusions

There is need for Zambia to perform a full classification of rpoB mutations to determine the prevalence of silent mutations. This will optimise national guidelines for diagnosis of RR – and MDR-TB.
ANALYSING THE TREND OF BIOMARKERS WITH TB TREATMENT IN TUBERCULOSIS DISEASE SUSPECTS
Authors: Namuganga Anna Ritah , Kizza Harriet Mayanja
Published: February 2017

Background

The search for biomarkers of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) disease, infection, treatment progress among others is especially due to lack of suitable tests for diagnosis or differentiation of active PTB disease and mere latent TB infection. The existing methods have, among others, poor sensitivity, long turnaround time, high cost and the need for skilled personnel and infrastructure. Therefore, this study analysed 27 analytes (previously identified as promising) in TB research for their trend during TB treatment among PTB disease suspects in Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods

This study used plasma samples from 76 TB suspects enrolled as part of a bigger longitudinal African-European TB Consortium (AETBC) study funded by the EDCTP within Kampala, Uganda. 71% were males, average age was 32±10, 14% were HIV-infected. PTB was confirmed by MGIT (mycobacteria growth indicator tube) and speciated for MTB complex. Subjects were followed at month 2 and 6 of treatment. The 27 analytes: (IL-1b,1ra, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,12p70,13,15,17A, eotaxin, Basic FGF,G-CSF, GM-CSF, IFNg,IP10, MCP-1, MIP-1a,b, PDGF-BB, RANTES, TNF-a, VEGF) were analysed using Luminex. Of the TB suspects, 38 had confirmed MTB by MGIT. The 38 TB suspects, used as controls, had X-ray results ranging from normal to consistent with TB.

Results

Levels of 14 of the analytes most notably MIP-1a, b, IP-10, RANTES, IL-8, IL-12p70, IL-17A and VEGF significantly reduced throughout treatment. Notably, levels of IFNg, IL-12p70, 4,6,IP10, and VEGF significantly reduced by month of treatment. Combinations of IP10, RANTES, MIP-1b and VEGF also showed promising abilities in identifying treatment success with an interesting trend appearing in suspects with non-TB chest infections and with HIV−TB co-infection.

Conclusions

The above markers have promising abilities for PTB diagnosis and identification of possible relapse or treatment failures.
FACTORS AFFECTING TB TRANSMISSION FROM ADULT TO CHILDREN WITHIN HOUSEHOLDS IN THE GAMBIA
Authors: Mendy Alieu , Tientcheu Leopold , Ayorinde Abigail , Coker Edward , Egere Uzochukwu , Kampmann Beate
Published: February 2017

Background

Childhood tuberculosis (TB) has significant impact on public health worldwide and it is believed that most children acquire TB from an adult smear-positive index case within their household. To further examine this hypothesis and to investigate transmissibility of strains within the household setting, we compared strain-types in adults and their child contacts. We also examined the influence of bacillary burden and strain-type on clinical outcome of contacts.

Methods

Stored isolates from smear positive adult TB cases (n=136) were selected according to clinical outcomes of their household contacts (children<15 years old). Mycobacteria were isolated from both adult and – where available – children samples via culture, and typed using spoligotyping to enable strain classification.

Results

The AFB grade of adult index cases correlated with clinical outcome of the children with microbiologically confirmed TB, clinically diagnosed probable TB, asymptomatic but TST positive, and asymptomatic, and TST negative children showed 60%, 35%, 34% and 33% highest AFB grade (3+) levels, respectively. Strain-type determination by spoligotyping showed that 93% of children had acquired Euro-American lineages, while 7% hadM. africanumlineage. Combined results for adult index cases of children with confirmed and probable TB showed 76% Mtb-Euro-American, 17%M. africanumand 7% Mtb-Indo-Oceanic. Index cases of TST positive children showed 59% Mtb-Euro-American, 32%M. africanum, 8% Mtb-Indo-Oceanic and 2% Mtb-Beijing. Those of TST negative children showed 63% Mtb-Euro-American, 26%M. africanum, 9% Mtb-Indo-Oceanic and 2% Mtb-Beijing.

Conclusions

The data so far support other published data, which show that a higher bacillary burden in the index case increases the likelihood of TB transmission to child contacts. Adult patients appear to be more likely to transmit TB if they were carrying Euro-American lineages rather than West African strains.
Toxoplasma gondiiexposure and Parkinson's disease: a case–control study
Authors: Alvarado-Esquivel Cosme , Méndez-Hernández Edna Madai , Salas-Pacheco José Manuel , Ruano-Calderón Luis Ángel , Hernández-Tinoco Jesús , Arias-Carrión Oscar , Sánchez-Anguiano Luis Francisco , Castellanos-Juárez Francisco Xavier , Sandoval-Carrillo Ada Agustina , Liesenfeld Oliver , Ramos-Nevárez Agar
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To determine the association betweenToxoplasma gondiiinfection and Parkinson's disease and to investigate whetherT. gondiiseropositivity is associated with the general characteristics of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Design

Case–control study.

Setting

Cases and controls were enrolled in Durango City, Mexico.

Participants

65 patients with Parkinson's disease and 195 age- and gender-matched control subjects without Parkinson's disease.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Serum samples of participants were analysed for anti-T. gondiiIgG and IgM antibodies by commercially available enzyme-linked immunoassays. Prevalence ofT. gondiiDNA was determined in seropositive subjects using PCR. The association between clinical data and infection was examined by bivariate analysis.

Results

Anti-T. gondiiIgG antibodies were found in 6/65 cases (9.2%) and in 21/195 controls (10.8%) (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.32 to 2.18; p=0.81). The frequency of high (>150 IU/mL) antibody levels was similar among cases and controls (p=0.34). None of the anti-T. gondiiIgG positive cases and four of the anti-T. gondiiIgG positive controls had anti-T. gondiiIgM antibodies (p=0.54). The prevalence ofT. gondiiDNA was comparable in seropositive cases and controls (16.7% and 25%, respectively; p=1.0). Seroprevalence ofT. gondiiinfection was associated with a young age onset of disease (p=0.03), high Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale scores (p=0.04) and depression (p=0.02). Seropositivity toT. gondiiinfection was lower in patients treated with pramipexole than in patients without this treatment (p=0.01). However, none of the associations remained significant after Bonferroni correction.

Conclusions

The results do not support an association betweenT. gondiiinfection and Parkinson's disease. However,T. gondiiinfection might have an influence on certain symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Further research to elucidate the role ofT. gondiiexposure on Parkinson's disease is warranted.
Retrospective observational study of trends in hospital admissions for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Spain (2004–2013) using administrative data
Authors: Pedraza-Serrano Fernando , López de Andrés Ana , Jiménez-García Rodrigo , Jiménez-Trujillo Isabel , Hernández-Barrera Valentín , Sánchez-Muñoz Gema , Puente-Maestu Luis , de Miguel-Díez Javier
Published: February 2017

Objective

To assess changes in incidence, diagnostic procedures, comorbidity profiles, length of hospital stay (LOHS), economic costs and in-hospital mortality (IHM) associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Methods

We identified patients hospitalised with IPF in Spain from 2004 to 2013. Data were collected from the National Hospital Discharge Database.

Results

The study population comprised 22 214 patients. Overall crude incidence increased from 3.82 to 6.98 admissions per 100 000 inhabitants from 2004 to 2013 (p<0.05). The percentage of lung biopsies decreased significantly from 10.68% in 2004 to 9.04% in 2013 (p<0.05). The percentage of patients with a Charlson comorbidity index ≥2 was 15.14% in 2004, increasing to 26.95% in 2013 (p<0.05). IHM decreased from 14.77% in 2004 to 13.72% in 2013 (adjusted OR 0.98; 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99). Mean LOHS was 11.87±11.18 days in 2004, decreasing to 10.20±11.12 days in 2013 (p<0.05). The mean cost per patient increased from €4838.51 in 2004 to €5410.90 in 2013 (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The frequency of hospital admissions for IPF increased during the study period, as did healthcare costs. However, IHM and LOHS decreased.
Firearm carrying and concurrent substance use behaviours in a community-based sample of emerging adults
Authors: Buschmann Robert N , Prochaska John D , Baillargeon Jacques G , Temple Jeff R
Published: February 2017

Introduction

This paper examines associations between high-risk gun carrying and substance use in emerging adults (ages 18–22). The coexistence of these high-risk behaviours in a general population of emerging adults can have disastrous consequences.

Methods

Dating it Safe is an ongoing longitudinal (2010–2016) survey of emerging adults recruited from seven high schools in five south-east Texas-area school districts (current sample n=684). Multiple logistic regression modelling was used to examine the association between past-year use of legal and illegal substances and past-year firearm carrying for a reason other than sport or hunting.

Results

6% of emerging adults carried firearms in the past year, with most (68%) carrying for protection. Use of cocaine, hallucinogens, methamphetamine, ecstasy and prescription medications in the past year, as well as episodic heavy drinking in the past month, was associated with increased risk of carrying a firearm (p<0.05 for all). After controlling for covariates, hallucinogens (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.00 to 7.81), ecstasy (OR 3.66, 95% CI 1.32 to 10.14) and prescription medications (OR 2.85, 95% CI 1.22 to 6.68) remained associated with firearm carrying. Episodic heavy drinking was associated with firearm carrying, but only for those who had five or more episodes/month (OR 3.61, 95% CI 1.51 to 8.66).

Conclusions

In this community-based sample of emerging adults, firearm carrying, mostly for protection, was associated with a variety of past-year substance use behaviours. These findings extend previous research and suggest directions for further exploration of the clustering of high-risk behaviours in emerging adults.
PrevenTing Falls in a high-risk, vision-impaired population through specialist ORientation and Mobility services: protocol for the PlaTFORM randomised trial
Authors: Keay Lisa , Dillon Lisa , Clemson Lindy , Tiedemann Anne , Sherrington Catherine , McCluskey Peter , Ramulu Pradeep , Jan Stephen , Rogers Kris , Martin Jodi , Tinsley Frances , Jakobsen Kirsten Bonrud , Ivers Rebecca Q
Published: February 2017

Background

Older people with vision impairment have significant ongoing morbidity, including risk of falls, but are neglected in fall prevention programmes. PlaTFORM is a pragmatic evaluation of the Lifestyle-integrated Functional Exercise fall prevention programme for older people with vision impairment or blindness (v-LiFE). Implementation and scalability issues will also be investigated.

Methods

PlaTFORM is a single-blinded, randomised trial designed to evaluate the v-LiFE programme compared with usual care. Primary outcomes are fall rate over 12 months, measured using prospective monthly fall calendars, and function and participation assessed by the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument (Late-Life FDI) Function component. The secondary outcome is rate of falls requiring medical care. Activity-normalised fall rate will be estimated using accelerometer-measured physical activity data. EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level questionnaire will measure quality of life and impact of falls. Health record linkage will estimate resource use associated with falls. v-LiFE cost-effectiveness will be determined compared with usual care. 500 participants (250 per group) can provide 90% power to detect a significant between-group difference in fall rates; 588 will be recruited to allow for drop-out. Falls per person-year and Late-Life FDI will be compared between groups.

Discussion

PlaTFORM will determine if falls can be prevented among older people with vision loss through a home-based exercise programme. v-LiFE embeds balance and strength training within everyday activities with the aim of preventing falls. The study will also determine whether the programme can be effectively delivered by personnel who provide Orientation and Mobility training for people with vision impairment.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616001186448p.
Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs in gold mine tailings in Nopiming Provincial Park, Manitoba, Canada
Authors: Hughes Elizabeth , Head Breanne , Maltman Chris , Piercey-Normore Michele , Yurkov Vladimir
Published: February 2017

A sampling trip to Central Gold Mine, Nopiming Provincial Park, Canada, was taken in September 2011. Abundance, distribution, and physiology of aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs (AAP) from 4 locations were studied. Enumeration revealed 14.6% of culturable microbes were AAP. Five strains (NM4.16, NM4.18, C4, C9, C11) were chosen for analysis. All grow best on complex media without vitamin requirements and with an optimal pH 7.0–8.0, with strain C4 preferring pH 6.0. Strain NM4.18 tolerates the highest pH 11.0. Optimal temperature for all is 28 °C (range of 2–37 °C except NM4.16, which survives 45 °C). Strains C9, C11, and NM4.18 grew in 1.0%, 2.0%, and 5.0% NaCl, respectively, while NM4.16 and C4 grew only without NaCl. Isolates were all highly resistant to toxic metal(oid) oxides: tellurite (1500 μg/mL, all), tellurate (1500 μg/mL, C11), selenite (5000 μg/mL, C9, C11, and NM4.18), selenate (1000 μg/mL, C9 and C11), and orthometavanadate and metavanadate (5000 μg/mL, C11 and NM4.18). They could reduce tellurite to the less toxic elemental tellurium. Full 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed all strains are Alphaproteobacteria, with C4 and NM4.16 closely related to Porphyrobacter colymbi (99.4% and 99.7% sequence similarity, respectively), C9 to Brevundimonas variabilis (99.1%), C11 to Brevundimonas bacteroides (98.6%), and NM4.18 to Erythromonas ursincola (98.5%).
Stimulating a Canadian narrative for climate
Authors: Potvin Catherine , Sharma Divya , Creed Irena , Aitken Sally , Anctil François , Bennett Elena , Berkes Fikret , Bernstein Steven , Bleau Nathalie , Bourque Alain , Brown Bryson , Burch Sarah , Byrne James , Cunsolo Ashlee , Dale Ann , de Lange Deborah , Dyck Bruno , Entz Martin , Etcheverry José , Faucher Rosine , Fenech Adam , Fraser Lauchlan , Henriques Irene , Heyland Andreas , Hoffmann Matthew , Hoberg George , Holden Meg , Huang Gordon , Jacob Aerin L. , Jodoin Sebastien , Kemper Alison , Lucotte Marc , Maranger Roxane , Margolis Liat , Mauro Ian , McDonnell Jeffrey , Meadowcroft James , Messier Christian , Mkandawire Martin , Morency Catherine , Mousseau Normand , Oakes Ken , Otto Sarah , Palmater Pamela , Palmer Taysha Sharlene , Paquin Dominique , Perl Anthony , Potvin André , Ramos Howard , Raudsepp-Hearne Ciara , Richards Natalie , Robinson John , Sheppard Stephen , Simard Suzanne , Sinclair Brent J. , Slawinski Natalie , Stoddart Mark , Villard Marc-André , Villeneuve Claude , Wright Tarah
Published: February 2017

This perspective documents current thinking around climate actions in Canada by synthesizing scholarly proposals made by Sustainable Canada Dialogues (SCD), an informal network of scholars from all 10 provinces, and by reviewing responses from civil society representatives to the scholars’ proposals. Motivated by Canada’s recent history of repeatedly missing its emissions reduction targets and failing to produce a coherent plan to address climate change, SCD mobilized more than 60 scholars to identify possible pathways towards a low-carbon economy and sustainable society and invited civil society to comment on the proposed solutions. This perspective illustrates a range of Canadian ideas coming from many sectors of society and a wealth of existing inspiring initiatives. Solutions discussed include climate change governance, low-carbon transition, energy production, and consumption. This process of knowledge synthesis/creation is novel and important because it provides a working model for making connections across academic fields as well as between academia and civil society. The process produces a holistic set of insights and recommendations for climate change actions and a unique model of engagement. The different voices reported here enrich the scope of possible solutions, showing that Canada is brimming with ideas, possibilities, and the will to act.
Theory study on the bandgap of antimonide-based multi-element alloys
Authors: An Ning , Liu Cheng-Zhi , Fan Cun-Bo , Dong Xue , Song Qing-Li
Published: February 2017

In order to meet the design requirements of the high-performance antimonide-based optoelectronic devices, the spin–orbit splitting correction method for bandgaps of Sb-based multi-element alloys is proposed. Based on the analysis of band structure, a correction factor is introduced in the In[Formula: see text]Ga[Formula: see text]As[Formula: see text]Sb[Formula: see text] bandgaps calculation with taking into account the spin–orbit coupling sufficiently. In addition, the In[Formula: see text]Ga[Formula: see text]As[Formula: see text]Sb[Formula: see text] films with different compositions are grown on GaSb substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), and the corresponding bandgaps are obtained by photoluminescence (PL) to test the accuracy and reliability of this new method. The results show that the calculated values agree fairly well with the experimental results. To further verify this new method, the bandgaps of a series of experimental samples reported before are calculated. The error rate analysis reveals that the [Formula: see text] of spin–orbit splitting correction method is decreased to 2%, almost one order of magnitude smaller than the common method. It means this new method can calculate the antimonide multi-element more accurately and has the merit of wide applicability. This work can give a reasonable interpretation for the reported results and beneficial to tailor the antimonides properties and optoelectronic devices.
A Multifractal-Guided Multilevel Surrogate Model-Based Evolutionary Algorithm for Expensive Multiobjective Problems
Authors: Zhang Dongmei , Liao Jianping , Huang Xiaohui , Jin Jiaqi
Published: February 2017

In applied engineering, there are tremendous optimization problems which are multiobjective problems. Meanwhile, a number of them require large amount of time to evaluate their expensive cost function during optimization procedures. This kind of problems can be either financially expensive due to significant computational resources being required or time expensive due to numerous computational complexity. Aiming to this kind of problems, this paper proposed a multilevel surrogate model-based evolutionary algorithm. The proposed method employs DACE modeling method at the beginning to obtain a global trend in the decision domain. When more and more samples are involved and the sample distribution presents a trend or a manifold, the SVR model is utilized as a second-level surrogate model to achieve a better local search. The model transition is determined by the multifractal analysis on the solution set. Experimental results on ZDT and DTLZ standard test cases demonstrate that the time for EGO modeling can be reduced, and the accuracy can be better balanced by comparing to existing SVR and EGO methods.
Analysis of a Theoretical KMS Model Implementation in the Indian IT Sector Using PLS-SEM
Authors: Kundapur Poornima Panduranga , Rodrigues Lewlyn Lester Raj
Published: February 2017

The software industry being highly resource-oriented tries to ensure that knowledge residing in the minds of the employees is effectively utilised for leveraging core business competencies. Therefore, providing effective knowledge management systems (KMSs) to utilise this knowledge for optimising business processes has become crucial for enterprises to stay competitive. This paper attempts to assess the effectiveness of KMS implementations from a knowledge workers’ perspective via six dimensions of the Jennex and Olfman (J&O) KMS success model. Quantitative data was collected through a web-based survey questionnaire from knowledge workers in 25 Indian software companies. Statistical analysis of the study’s model was conducted using SmartPLS® (version 2.0.M3) software for assessment of both measurement and structural models. The empirical analysis of the model’s hypotheses indicated that a knowledge worker’s intent to use a KMS is significantly dependent on Service and Knowledge/Information Quality dimensions of J&O KMS success model. This paper implies that the J&O KMS success model seems to have adequate predictive power for most implied variables with the exception of System Quality. The J&O KMS success model from a practical point of view offers a means for organisations to evaluate and predict the effectiveness of KMS implementations. The results produced in this study may allow KM practitioners to know more about the levers that help to improve their KMS and thus suitably prioritise their investment plans accordingly.
Obtaining a high-resolution geological and petrophysical model from the results of reservoir-orientated elastic wave-equation-based seismic inversion
Authors: Feng Runhai , Luthi Stefan M. , Gisolf Dries , Sharma Siddharth
Published: February 2017

A previous geological and petrophysical model of the fluvio-deltaic Book Cliffs outcrops contained eight lithotypes, within each of which a number of lithologies were grouped. While this model was an adequate representation of the overall depositional architecture, for reservoir-geological purposes the potential reservoir and non-reservoir lithologies needed to be separated. Here, a new and more detailed geological model is presented in which more differentiation is put on the potential reservoir lithologies. This new model contains 12 lithologies with layers down to 1 m in thickness. Assuming a burial depth of 3 km and an average clay content, representative rock physical properties are assigned to lithologies based on published data.

After the model thickness has been stretched by a factor of 4 in order to represent a more realistic reservoir, a full-waveform forward seismic response is modelled. These data are used as inputs into an iterative elastic wave-equation-based inversion scheme, with the goal to retrieve the rock properties and layer geometries. The results of this conceptual study show that sandstone units in the shoreface and distributary channels, which are potential reservoirs, are successfully identified. The recovery of medium parameters has a high resolution because the non-linear relationship between rock properties and the seismic data has been exploited.
Coupling Strategies Investigation of Hybrid Atomistic-Continuum Method Based on State Variable Coupling
Authors: Wang Qian , Ren Xiao-Guang , Xu Xin-Hai , Li Chao , Ji Hong-Yu , Yang Xue-Jun
Published: February 2017

Different configurations of coupling strategies influence greatly the accuracy and convergence of the simulation results in the hybrid atomistic-continuum method. This study aims to quantitatively investigate this effect and offer the guidance on how to choose the proper configuration of coupling strategies in the hybrid atomistic-continuum method. We first propose a hybrid molecular dynamics- (MD-) continuum solver in LAMMPS and OpenFOAM that exchanges state variables between the atomistic region and the continuum region and evaluate different configurations of coupling strategies using the sudden start Couette flow, aiming to find the preferable configuration that delivers better accuracy and efficiency. The major findings are as follows:(1)theC→Aregion plays the most important role in the overlap region and the “4-layer-1” combination achieves the best precision with a fixed width of the overlap region;(2)the data exchanging operation only needs a few sampling points closer to the occasions of interactions and decreasing the coupling exchange operations can reduce the computational load with acceptable errors;(3)the nonperiodic boundary force model with a smoothing parameter of 0.1 and a finer parameter of 20 can not only achieve the minimum disturbance near the MD-continuum interface but also keep the simulation precision.
Phase‐Fitted and Amplification‐Fitted Higher Order Two‐Derivative Runge‐Kutta Method for the Numerical Solution of Orbital and Related Periodical IVPs
Authors: Ahmad N. A. , Senu N. , Ismail F.
Published: February 2017

A phase‐fitted and amplification‐fitted two‐derivative Runge‐Kutta (PFAFTDRK) method of high algebraic order for the numerical solution of first‐order Initial Value Problems (IVPs) which possesses oscillatory solutions is derived. We present a sixth‐order four‐stage two‐derivative Runge‐Kutta (TDRK) method designed using the phase‐fitted and amplification‐fitted property. The stability of the new method is analyzed. The numerical experiments are carried out to show the efficiency of the derived methods in comparison with other existing Runge‐Kutta (RK) methods.
The Performance Evaluation of an IEEE 802.11 Network Containing Misbehavior Nodes under Different Backoff Algorithms
Authors: Hoang Trong-Minh , Bui Van-Kien , Nguyen Thanh-Tra
Published: February 2017

Security of any wireless network is always an important issue due to its serious impacts on network performance. Practically, the IEEE 802.11 medium access control can be violated by several native or smart attacks that result in downgrading network performance. In recent years, there are several studies using analytical model to analyze medium access control (MAC) layer misbehavior issue to explore this problem but they have focused on binary exponential backoff only. Moreover, a practical condition such as the freezing backoff issue is not included in the previous models. Hence, this paper presents a novel analytical model of the IEEE 802.11 MAC to thoroughly understand impacts of misbehaving node on network throughput and delay parameters. Particularly, the model can express detailed backoff algorithms so that the evaluation of the network performance under some typical attacks through numerical simulation results would be easy.
Ductal Breast Carcinoma In Situ: Mammographic Features and Its Relation to Prognosis and Tumour Biology in a Population Based Cohort
Authors: Zhou Wenjing , Sollie Thomas , Tot Tibor , Blomqvist Carl , Abdsaleh Shahin , Liljegren Göran , Wärnberg Fredrik
Published: February 2017

Casting-type calcifications and a histopathological picture with cancer-filled duct-like structures have been presented as breast cancer with neoductgenesis. We correlated mammographic features and histopathological neoductgenesis with prognosis in a DCIS cohort with long follow-up. Mammographic features were classified into seven groups according to Tabár. Histopathological neoductgenesis was defined by concentration of ducts, lymphocyte infiltration, and periductal fibrosis. Endpoints were ipsilateral (IBE) in situ and invasive events. Casting-type calcifications and neoductgenesis were both related to high nuclear grade, ER- and PR-negativity, and HER2 overexpression but not to each other. Casting-type calcifications and neoductgenesis were both related to a nonsignificant lower risk of invasive IBE, HR 0.38 (0.13–1.08) and 0.82 (0.29–2.27), respectively, and the HR of an in situ IBE was 0.90 (0.41–1.95) and 1.60 (0.75–3.39), respectively. Casting-type calcifications could not be related to a worse prognosis in DCIS. We cannot explain why a more aggressive phenotype of DCIS did not correspond to a worse prognosis. Further studies on how the progression from in situ to invasive carcinoma is driven are needed.
A Carbon Cycle Model for the Social-Ecological Process in Coastal Wetland: A Case Study on Gouqi Island, East China
Authors: Li Yanxia , Xiong Lihu , Zhu Wenjia
Published: February 2017

Coastal wetlands offer many important ecosystem services both in natural and in social systems. How to simultaneously decrease the destructive effects flowing from human activities and maintaining the sustainability of regional wetland ecosystems are an important issue for coastal wetlands zones. We use carbon credits as the basis for regional sustainable developing policy-making. With the case of Gouqi Island, a typical coastal wetlands zone that locates in the East China Sea, a carbon cycle model was developed to illustrate the complex social-ecological processes. Carbon-related processes in natural ecosystem, primary industry, secondary industry, tertiary industry, and residents on the island were identified in the model. The model showed that 36780 tons of carbon is released to atmosphere with the form of CO2, and 51240 tons of carbon is captured by the ecosystem in 2014 and the three major resources of carbon emission are transportation and tourism development and seawater desalination. Based on the carbon-related processes and carbon balance, we proposed suggestions on the sustainable development strategy of Gouqi Island as coastal wetlands zone.
Influence of Gliricidia sepium Biochar on Attenuate Perchlorate-Induced Heavy Metal Release in Serpentine Soil
Authors: Kumarathilaka Prasanna , Vithanage Meththika
Published: February 2017

Perchlorate (ClO4-) is a strong oxidizer, capable of accelerating heavy metal release into regolith/soil. Here, we assessed interactions between ClO4- and serpentine soil to simulate and understand the fate of Ni and Mn and their immobilization with the presence of biochar (BC). A soil incubation study (6 months) was performed using serpentine soil in combination with different ClO4- concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 wt.%) and three different amendment rates (1, 2.5, and 5 wt.%) of Gliricidia sepium BC. Bioavailable fraction of Ni and Mn was analyzed using CaCl2 extraction method. An increase of ClO4- concentrations enhanced bioavailability fraction of Ni and Mn. However, BC amendments reduced the bioavailability of Ni and Mn. In comparison, 5% BC amendment significantly immobilized the bioavailability of Ni (68–92%) and Mn (76–93%) compared to other BC amendment rates. Electrostatic attractions and surface diffusion could be postulated for Ni and Mn immobilization by BC. In addition, ClO4- may have adsorbed to BC via hydrogen bonding which may reduce the influence of ClO4- on Ni and Mn mobility. Overall, it is obvious that BC could be utilized as an effective amendment to immobilize Ni and Mn in heavy metal and ClO4- contaminated soil.
Chinese Herbal Medicine Baoyuan Jiedu Decoction Inhibited Muscle Atrophy of Cancer Cachexia through Atrogin‐l and MuRF‐1
Authors: Zhang YaNan , Han XiaoChun , Ouyang Bing , Wu ZhiChun , Yu HuaYun , Wang Yuan , Liu GuoWei , Ji XuMing
Published: February 2017

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine called “Baoyuan Jiedu” (BYJD for short) decoction, improving life quality and preventing muscle atrophy of cancer cachexia model mice. We showed that the effect of BYJD decoction increased body weights of mice and reduced tumor volume and tumor mass. Furthermore, BYJD decoction increased the gastrocnemii mass and the transverse diameter of muscle fiber morphology. Moreover, BYJD reduced the expression of Atrogin‐1 and MuRF‐1 protein. Collectively, our results show that BYJD decoction improves the life quality of cancer cachexia mice and prevents muscle atrophy by downregulating expression of Atrogin‐1 and MuRF‐1.
High Mobility Group Box-1 Protein and Outcomes in Critically Ill Surgical Patients Requiring Open Abdominal Management
Authors: Malig Michelle S. , Jenne Craig N. , Ball Chad G. , Roberts Derek J. , Xiao Zhengwen , Kirkpatrick Andrew W.
Published: February 2017

Background. Previous studies assessing various cytokines in the critically ill/injured have been uninformative in terms of translating to clinical care management. Animal abdominal sepsis work suggests that enhanced intraperitoneal (IP) clearance of Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) improves outcome. Thus measuring the responses of DAMPs offers alternate potential insights and a representative DAMP, High Mobility Group Box-1 protein (HMGB-1), was considered. While IP biomediators are being recognized in critical illness/trauma, HMGB-1 behaviour has not been examined in open abdomen (OA) management. Methods. A modified protocol for HMGB-1 detection was used to examine plasma/IP fluid samples from 44 critically ill/injured OA patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial comparing two negative pressure peritoneal therapies (NPPT): Active NPPT (ANPPT) and Barker’s Vacuum Pack NPPT (BVP). Samples were collected and analyzed at the time of laparotomy and at 24 and 48 hours after. Results. There were no statistically significant differences in survivor versus nonsurvivor HMGB-1 plasma or IP concentrations at baseline, 24 hours, or 48 hours. However, plasma HMGB-1 levels tended to increase continuously in the BVP cohort. Conclusions. HMGB-1 appeared to behave differently between NPPT cohorts. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship of HMGB-1 and outcomes in septic/injured patients.
Effect of Strong Magnetic Field on Competing Order Parameters in Two-Flavor Dense Quark Matter
Authors: Mandal Tanumoy , Jaikumar Prashanth
Published: February 2017

We study the effect of strong magnetic field on competing chiral and diquark order parameters in a regime of moderately dense quark matter. The interdependence of the chiral and diquark condensates through nonperturbative quark mass and strong coupling effects is analyzed in a two-flavor Nambu-Jona-Lasinio (NJL) model. In the weak magnetic field limit, our results agree qualitatively with earlier zero-field studies in the literature that find a critical coupling ratioGD/GS~1.1below which chiral or superconducting order parameters appear almost exclusively. Above the critical ratio, there exists a significant mixed broken phase region where both gaps are nonzero. However, a strong magnetic fieldB≳1018 G disrupts this mixed broken phase region and changes a smooth crossover found in the weak-field case to a first-order transition for both gaps at almost the same critical density. Our results suggest that in the two-flavor approximation to moderately dense quark matter strong magnetic field enhances the possibility of a mixed phase at high density, with implications for the structure, energetics, and vibrational spectrum of neutron stars.
Research on Suspension with Novel Dampers Based on Developed FOA‐LQG Control Algorithm
Authors: Ping Xiao , Hong Gao , Jie Lou , Gang Wang , Limin Niu
Published: February 2017

To enhance working‐performance robustness of suspension, a vehicle suspension with permanent‐magnet magnetic‐valve magnetorheological damper (PMMVMD) was studied. Firstly, mechanical structure of traditional magnetorheological damper (MD) used in vehicle suspensions was redesigned through introducing a permanent magnet and a magnetic valve. Based on theories of electromagnetics and Bingham model, prediction model of damping force was built. On this basis, two‐degree‐of‐freedom vehicle suspension model was established. In addition, fruit fly optimization algorithm‐ (FOA‐) line quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control algorithm suitable for PMMVMD suspensions was designed on the basis of developing normal FOA. Finally, comparison simulation experiments and bench tests were conducted by taking white noise and a sine wave as the road surface input and the results indicated that working performance of PMMVMD suspension based on FOA‐LQG control algorithm was good.