bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flow dynamics at the origin of thin clayey sand lacustrine turbidites: Examples from Lake Hazar, Turkey
Authors: Hage Sophie , Hubert‐Ferrari Aurélia , Lamair Laura , Avşar Ulaş , El Ouahabi Meriam , Van Daele Maarten , Boulvain Frédéric , Ali Bahri Mohamed , Seret Alain , Plenevaux Alain
Published: April 2017

Turbidity currents and their deposits can be investigated using several methods, i.e. direct monitoring, physical and numerical modelling, sediment cores and outcrops. The present study focused on thin clayey sand turbidites found in Lake Hazar (Turkey) occurring in eleven clusters of closely spaced thin beds. Depositional processes and sources for three of those eleven clusters are studied at three coring sites. Bathymetrical data and seismic reflection profiles are used to understand the specific geomorphology of each site. X‐ray, thin sections and CT scan imagery combined with grain‐size, geochemical and mineralogical measurements on the cores allow characterization of the turbidites. Turbidites included in each cluster were produced by remobilization of surficial slope sediment, a process identified in very few studies worldwide. Three types of turbidites are distinguished and compared with deposits obtained in flume studies published in the literature. Type 1 is made of an ungraded clayey silt layer issued from a cohesive flow. Type 2 is composed of a partially graded clayey sand layer overlain by a mud cap, attributed to a transitional flow. Type 3 corresponds to a graded clayey sand layer overlain by a mud cap issued from a turbulence‐dominated flow. While the published experimental studies show that turbulence is damped by cohesion for low clay content, type 3 deposits of this study show evidence for a turbulence‐dominated mechanism despite their high clay content. This divergence may in part relate to input variables, such as water chemistry and clay mineralogy, that are not routinely considered in experimental studies. Furthermore, the large sedimentological variety observed in the turbidites from one coring site to another is related to the evolution of a sediment flow within a field‐scale basin made of a complex physiography that cannot be tackled by flume experiments.
The Sociological Insight of W.E.B. Du Bois
Authors: Green Dan S. , Wortham Robert A.
Published: April 2017

W.E.B. Du Bois discussed key aspects of the new field of sociology in his early writings. This article presents Du Bois’ conception of the developing field and his sociological perspective based on nine of his key original sociological writings. Rather than generating theoretical formulations and studying abstract concepts, Du Bois insisted that sociology be an empirical science adhering to the methods utilized by the physical sciences. Sociology's major objectives are to study the “deeds of men” and to provide a science of human action. Sociological research seeks the discovery of “truth” which can form the basis of social policy. Noting that the regularity of human behavior is evidence of laws and acknowledging that human behavior is also subject to chance factors, sociology must seek to determine the limits of each. Du Bois’ research methods, based on methodological triangulation, were formulated to provide the “truths” which he eagerly sought. Du Bois was convinced that these truths were worth knowing and that sociology had the promise of becoming one of the “greatest sciences.” Attention directed toward Du Bois’ key sociological writings within sociology curricula will introduce current and future readers to the groundbreaking sociological work of the pioneer sociologist.
Where Are You From and Why Are You Here? Microaggressions, Racialization, and Mexican College Students in a New Destination
Authors: Ballinas Jorge
Published: April 2017

Previous sociological research on U.S. Mexicans has concentrated on their assimilation, especially educational patterns. While recent research has shifted focus to Mexicans settling in “new destinations” away from the Southwest, there have been few examinations of the microlevel dynamics through which this group's young people have been received in new destinations. Moreover, an emphasis remains on how well this group is assimilating. Using in‐depth interviews, sociology of race perspectives, and racial microaggressions, this article analyzes Mexican students’ treatment in a predominantly white university, town, and high schools in a northeastern state. While assimilation perspectives would view these students’ presence in college as an early indicator of structural assimilation into the dominant white middle class, interviews paint a more nuanced picture. Notably there is a pattern of racial microaggressions, or everyday slights, typically coming from white students and school officials. Through these microaggressions, respondents are racialized as nonwhite, juxtaposed as inferior to whites, and come to learn of their group's lower status. Nonetheless, respondents are advancing toward college graduation given the support and resources they use.
Determination of reference intervals of acid‐base parameters in clinically healthy dogs
Authors: Vanova‐Uhrikova Ivana , Rauserova‐Lexmaulova Leona , Rehakova Kristina , Scheer Peter , Doubek Jaroslav
Published: April 2017

Objective

To establish reference intervals for traditionally‐ and Stewart's approach‐determined acid‐base parameters in a population of clinically healthy dogs.

Design

Prospective study (June 2011–September 2012).

Setting

Veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Two hundred twenty‐four client‐owned, clinically healthy dogs.

Interventions

Blood was collected from the jugular vein and the dorsal pedal artery.

Measurements and Main Results

In the whole blood samples, pH, PCO2, and PO2were measured and HCO3−, standard and total bicarbonate, base excess, oxygen content, and alveolar–arterial oxygen differences were calculated. Plasma sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, albumin, and lactate concentrations were measured and the following parameters were calculated separately for venous and arterial samples: anion gap, anion gap corrected for albumin and phosphate, sodium chloride difference and ratio, chloride gap, strong ion difference, strong ion gap, and unmeasured anions.

Conclusion

Reference intervals for traditionally‐ and Stewart's approach‐determined acid‐base parameters were established for venous and arterial blood in dogs.
Autochthonous Chagas disease in the southern United States: A case report of suspected residential and military exposures
Authors: Harris N. , Woc‐Colburn L. , Gunter S. M. , Gorchakov R. , Murray K. O. , Rossmann S. , Garcia M. N.
Published: April 2017

Chagas disease is a parasitic infection that can result in a progressive dilated cardiomyopathy. Here, we present the epidemiologic details of a suspected locally acquired transmission case originating from the southern United States. This is the first published report of Chagas disease in a young, healthy United States veteran with repeat triatomine exposures in Arizona. Military personnel and Arizona residents should be aware of their Chagas disease transmission risks.
A Robust Estimation of the CAPM with a Heavy-tailed Distribution
Authors: Tsuji Chikashi
Published: April 2017

This study quantitatively explores the linear standard capital asset pricing model (CAPM) and a non-linear CAPM by using ten US representative firms’ monthly stock returns. By the maximum likelihood estimation, we derive the following useful findings. (1) First, when the stock return distribution is fat-tailed, our non-linear CAPM application is highly effective. Because our non-linear CAPM parameters very well capture the behavior of fat-tailed returns, the non-linear CAPM estimation derives more reliable beta value estimates than the standard linear CAPM. (2) Second, conducting the Wald tests based on both the standard linear CAPM and non-linear CAPM estimators, we clarify that when the stock return distribution is fat-tailed, the Wald test result based on the non-linear CAPM estimators is more reliable than that based on the standard linear CAPM estimators.
Empirically Determined Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Mechano-Adaptation Law
Authors: Steucke Kerianne E. , Win Zaw , Stemler Taylor R. , Walsh Emily E. , Hall Jennifer L. , Alford Patrick W.
Published: April 2017

Cardiovascular disease can alter the mechanical environment of the vascular system, leading to mechano-adaptive growth and remodeling. Predictive models of arterial mechano-adaptation could improve patient treatments and outcomes in cardiovascular disease. Vessel-scale mechano-adaptation includes remodeling of both the cells and extracellular matrix. Here, we aimed to experimentally measure and characterize a phenomenological mechano-adaptation law for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) within an artery. To do this, we developed a highly controlled and reproducible system for applying a chronic step-change in strain to individual VSMCs with in vivo like architecture and tracked the temporal cellular stress evolution. We found that a simple linear growth law was able to capture the dynamic stress evolution of VSMCs in response to this mechanical perturbation. These results provide an initial framework for development of clinically relevant models of vascular remodeling that include VSMC adaptation.
The Enigma of Large-Scale Permeability of Gas Shale: Pre-Existing or Frac-Induced?
Authors: Chau Viet T. , Li Cunbao , Rahimi-Aghdam Saeed , Bažant Zdeněk P.
Published: April 2017

The existing commercial programs for simulation of hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking, or frac) of gas (or oil) shale predict parallel vertical cracks to spread in vertical parallel planes, with no lateral branching. These cracks emanate from the perforation clusters on the horizontal wellbore casing, typically spaced 10 m apart or more. For such a large spacing, the rate of gas production observed at the wellhead can be explained only upon making the hypothesis that the large-scale (or regional) permeability of shale is (even at 3 km depth) about 10,000 times higher than the gas permeability of shale measured in the lab on drilled (nondried) shale cores under confining pressures corresponding to shale at the depth of about 3 km. This hypothesis has recently been rendered doubtful by a new three-phase medium theory that takes into account the body forces due to pressure gradients of pore water diffusing into the pores. This theory predicts the fracking to produce a dense system of branched vertical hydraulic cracks with the spacing of about 0.1 m. This value matches the crack spacing deduced from the gas production rate at wellhead based on the actual lab-measured permeability. It is calculated that, to boost the permeability 10,000 times, the width of the pre-existing open (unfilled) natural cracks or joints (whose ages are distributed from one to several hundred million years) would have to be about 2.8 μm (not counting possible calcite deposits in the cracks). But this width is improbably high because, over the geologic time span, the shale must exhibit significant primary and secondary creep or flow. It is shown that the creep must close all the cracks tightly (except for residual openings of the order of 10 nm) even if the cracks are propped open by surface asperities. The inevitability of secondary creep (or steady-state flow) is explained theoretically by activation of new creep sites at stress concentrations caused by prior creep deformation. The time of transition from primary to secondary creep is taken equal to the Maxwell time estimate from geology. The overall conclusion is that the 10,000-fold increase of large-scale permeability is most likely not pre-existing but frac-induced. Although this conclusion will make little difference for long-term forecasts, it would make a major difference for the understanding and control of the frac process.
A Note on the Generalized Thermoelasticity Theory With Memory-Dependent Derivatives
Authors: Shaw Soumen
Published: April 2017

In this note, two aspects in the theory of heat conduction model with memory-dependent derivatives (MDDs) are studied. First, the discontinuity solutions of the memory-dependent generalized thermoelasticity model are analyzed. The fundamental equations of the problem are expressed in the form of a vector matrix differential equation. Applying modal decomposition technique, the vector matrix differential equation is solved by eigenvalue approach in Laplace transform domain. In order to obtain the solution in the physical domain, an approximate method by using asymptotic expansion is applied for short-time domain and analyzed the nature of the waves and discontinuity of the solutions. Second, a suitable Lyapunov function, which will be an important tool to study several qualitative properties, is proposed.
Design and Experimental Analysis of Origami-Inspired Vibration Isolator With Quasi-Zero-Stiffness Characteristic
Authors: Ishida Sachiko , Suzuki Kohki , Shimosaka Haruo
Published: April 2017

We present a prototype vibration isolator whose design is inspired by origami-based foldable cylinders with torsional buckling patterns. The vibration isolator works as a nonlinear spring that has quasi-zero spring stiffness in a given frequency region, where it does not transmit vibration in theory. We evaluate the performance of the prototype vibration isolator through excitation experiments via the use of harmonic oscillations and seismic-wave simulations of the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean and Kobe earthquakes. The results indicate that the isolator with the current specification is able to suppress the transmission of vibrations with frequencies of over 6 Hz. The functionality and constraints of the isolator are also clarified. It has been known that origami-based foldable cylinders with torsional buckling patterns provide bistable folding motions under given conditions. In a previous study, we proposed a vibration isolator utilizing the bistability characteristics and numerically confirmed the device's validity as a vibration isolator. Here, we attempt prototyping the isolator with the use of versatile metallic components and experimentally evaluate the isolation performance.
Passive Control of Piston Secondary Motion Using Nonlinear Energy Absorbers
Authors: Dolatabadi N. , Theodossiades S. , Rothberg S. J.
Published: April 2017

The impulsive behavior of the piston in the cylinder liner plays a key role in the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) of internal combustion engines. There have been several studies on the identification and quantification of piston impact action under various operation conditions. In the current study, the dynamics of the piston secondary motion are initially explored in order to describe the aggressive oscillations, energy loss, and noise generation. The control of piston secondary motion (and thus, impacts) is investigated using a new passive approach based on energy transfer of the highly transient oscillations to a nonlinear absorber. The effectiveness of this new method for improving the piston impact behavior is discussed using a preliminary parametric study that leads to the conceptual design of a nonlinear energy absorber.
Toughness-Dominated Hydraulic Fracture in Permeable Rocks
Authors: Dong Xuelin , Zhang Guangqing , Gao Deli , Duan Zhiyin
Published: April 2017

A solution to the problem of a hydraulic fracture driven by an incompressible Newtonian fluid at a constant injection rate in a permeable rock is presented in this paper. A set of governing equations are formed to obtain the fracture half-length, crack opening, and net fluid pressure. The solution is derived under the assumptions of plane strain, zero lag between fluid front and crack tip, followed by negligible fluid viscosity. The last assumption is related to a toughness-dominated fracture propagation regime therefore leading to a uniform fluid pressure along the crack surface. Early-time and late-time asymptotic solutions are obtained, which correspond to both regimes when the fluid contains within the crack and most of the injected fluid infiltrates into the rock, respectively. It is shown that these asymptotic solutions are in a simple form when the fracture propagation is dominated by the material toughness. The transient solution for the evolution from the early time to the late time is also obtained by a numerical method.
Velocity Effect on the Bending Failure of Ice Sheets Against Wide Sloping Structures
Authors: Wang Yihe , Poh Leong Hien
Published: April 2017

Sloping structures are widely used in ice-infested waters because of their ability to reduce ice loading by inducing a bending failure in ice sheets. From model test data, a significant velocity effect on the breaking load of ice sheets has been reported. In this paper, the ice–fluid interaction process is investigated by adopting the Euler–Bernoulli beam theory for the ice sheet and the potential theory for the underlying fluid domain. Accounting for the inertia effect of the ice sheet and the hydrodynamics of sea water beneath the ice sheet, the results demonstrate a velocity effect on the ice breaking loads in-plane deformation, which compare well with the available model test data. Moreover, our model formulation and implementation is such that the solutions for different ice velocities can be obtained rapidly from the reference solution, which facilitates the development of a real-time simulator. It is also shown that the velocity effect depends on the ice compressive strength and the angle of sloping structure.
A Study on the Dynamics of Spatial Mechanisms With Frictional Spherical Clearance Joints
Authors: Marques Filipe , Isaac Fernando , Dourado Nuno , Souto António Pedro , Flores Paulo , Lankarani Hamid M.
Published: April 2017

An investigation on the dynamic modeling and analysis of spatial mechanisms with spherical clearance joints including friction is presented. For this purpose, the ball and the socket, which compose a spherical joint, are modeled as two individual colliding components. The normal contact-impact forces that develop at the spherical clearance joint are determined by using a continuous force model. A continuous analysis approach is used here with a Hertzian-based contact force model, which includes a dissipative term representing the energy dissipation during the contact process. The pseudopenetration that occurs between the potential contact points of the ball and the socket surface, as well as the indentation rate play a crucial role in the evaluation of the normal contact forces. In addition, several different friction force models based on the Coulomb's law are revisited in this work. The friction models utilized here can accommodate the various friction regimens and phenomena that take place at the contact interface between the ball and the socket. Both the normal and tangential contact forces are evaluated and included into the systems' dynamics equation of motion, developed under the framework of multibody systems formulations. A spatial four-bar mechanism, which includes a spherical joint with clearance, is used as an application example to examine and quantify the effects of various friction force models, clearance sizes, and the friction coefficients.
Right Ventricular Fiber Structure as a Compensatory Mechanism in Pressure Overload: A Computational Study
Authors: Gomez Arnold D. , Zou Huashan , Bowen Megan E. , Liu Xiaoqing , Hsu Edward W. , McKellar Stephen H.
Published: April 2017

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a lethal condition in diverse pathologies. Pressure overload is the most common etiology of RVF, but our understanding of the tissue structure remodeling and other biomechanical factors involved in RVF is limited. Some remodeling patterns are interpreted as compensatory mechanisms including myocyte hypertrophy, extracellular fibrosis, and changes in fiber orientation. However, the specific implications of these changes, especially in relation to clinically observable measurements, are difficult to investigate experimentally. In this computational study, we hypothesized that, with other variables constant, fiber orientation alteration provides a quantifiable and distinct compensatory mechanism during RV pressure overload (RVPO). Numerical models were constructed using a rabbit model of chronic pressure overload RVF based on intraventricular pressure measurements, CINE magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and diffusion tensor MRI (DT-MRI). Biventricular simulations were conducted under normotensive and hypertensive boundary conditions using variations in RV wall thickness, tissue stiffness, and fiber orientation to investigate their effect on RV pump function. Our results show that a longitudinally aligned myocardial fiber orientation contributed to an increase in RV ejection fraction (RVEF). This effect was more pronounced in response to pressure overload. Likewise, models with longitudinally aligned fiber orientation required a lesser contractility for maintaining a target RVEF against elevated pressures. In addition to increased wall thickness and material stiffness (diastolic compensation), systolic mechanisms in the forms of myocardial fiber realignment and changes in contractility are likely involved in the overall compensatory responses to pressure overload.
Focusing on Concepts by Covering Them Simultaneously
Authors: Schwartz Pete
Published: April 2017

“Parallel” pedagogy covers the four mechanics concepts of momentum, energy, forces, and kinematics simultaneously instead of building each concept on an understanding of the previous one. Course content is delivered through interactive videos, allowing class time for group work and student-centered activities. We start with simple examples, building complexity throughout the course with the introduction of springs, two dimensions, vectors, energy diagrams, universal gravitation, and rotation. Success means that students ponder underlying physics concepts rather than hunt for formulas. Surveys indicate that students accept this learning model well and have considerable improvement in applied conceptual understanding.
High-Resolution Melting Analysis for Rapid Detection of Sequence Type 131 Escherichia coli
Authors: Harrison Lucas B. , Hanson Nancy D.
Published: April 2017

Escherichia coli
isolates belonging to the sequence type 131 (ST131) clonal complex have been associated with the global distribution of fluoroquinolone and β-lactam resistance. Whole-genome sequencing and multilocus sequence typing identify sequence type but are expensive when evaluating large numbers of samples. This study was designed to develop a cost-effective screening tool using high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis to differentiate ST131 from non-ST131
E. coli
in large sample populations in the absence of sequence analysis. The method was optimized using DNA from 12
E. coli
isolates. Singleplex PCR was performed using 10 ng of DNA, Type-it HRM buffer, and multilocus sequence typing primers and was followed by multiplex PCR. The amplicon sizes ranged from 630 to 737 bp. Melt temperature peaks were determined by performing HRM analysis at 0.1°C resolution from 50 to 95°C on a Rotor-Gene Q 5-plex HRM system. Derivative melt curves were compared between sequence types and analyzed by principal component analysis. A blinded study of 191
E. coli
isolates of ST131 and unknown sequence types validated this methodology. This methodology returned 99.2% specificity (124 true negatives and 1 false positive) and 100% sensitivity (66 true positives and 0 false negatives). This HRM methodology distinguishes ST131 from non-ST131
E. coli
without sequence analysis. The analysis can be accomplished in about 3 h in any laboratory with an HRM-capable instrument and principal component analysis software. Therefore, this assay is a fast and cost-effective alternative to sequencing-based ST131 identification.
Anti-influenza Activity of a Bacillus subtilis Probiotic Strain
Authors: Starosila Darya , Rybalko Svetlana , Varbanetz Ludmila , Ivanskaya Naila , Sorokulova Iryna
Published: April 2017

Among
Bacillus
bacteria,
B. subtilis
is the species that produces the most antimicrobial compounds. In this study, we analyzed the activity of probiotic strain
B. subtilis
3 against the influenza virus. The antiviral effect of this strain has been demonstrated
in vitro
and
in vivo
. A new peptide, P18, produced by the probiotic strain was isolated, purified, chemically synthesized, and characterized. Cytotoxicity studies demonstrated no toxic effect of P18 on Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells, even at the highest concentration tested (100 μg/ml). Complete inhibition of the influenza virus
in vitro
was observed at concentrations of 12.5 to 100 μg/ml. The protective effect of P18 in mice was comparable to that of oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu). Further study will assess the potential of peptide P18 as an antiviral compound and as a promising candidate for the development of new antiviral vaccines.
Deprescribing anticholinergic and sedative medicines: protocol for a Feasibility Trial (DEFEAT-polypharmacy) in residential aged care facilities
Authors: Ailabouni Nagham , Mangin Dee , Nishtala Prasad S
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Targeted deprescribing of anticholinergic and sedative medicines can lead to positive health outcomes in older people; as they have been associated with cognitive and physical functioning decline. This study will examine whether the proposed intervention is feasible at reducing the prescription of anticholinergic and sedative medicines in older people.

Methods and analysis

The Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional trials (SPIRIT checklist) was used to develop and report the protocol. Single group (precomparison and postcomparison) feasibility study design.

Study population

3 residential care homes have been recruited.

Intervention

This will involve a New Zealand registered pharmacist using peer-reviewed deprescribing guidelines, to recommend to general practitioners (GPs), sedative and anticholinergic medicines that can be deprescribed. The cumulative use of anticholinergic and sedative medicines for each participant will be quantified, using the Drug Burden Index (DBI).

Outcomes

The primary outcome will be the change in the participants' DBI total and DBI PRN 3 and 6 months after implementing the deprescribing intervention. Secondary outcomes will include the number of recommendations taken up by the GP, participants' cognitive functioning, depression, quality of life, activities of daily living and number of falls.

Data collection points

Participants' demographic and clinical data will be collected at the time of enrolment, along with the DBI. Outcome measures will be collected at the time of enrolment, 3 and 6 months' postenrolment.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval has been granted by the Human Disability and Ethics Committee. Ethical approval number (16/NTA/61).

Trial registration number

Pre-results;ACTRN12616000721404.
Simplification of the HOSPITAL score for predicting 30-day readmissions
Authors: Aubert Carole E , Schnipper Jeffrey L , Williams Mark V , Robinson Edmondo J , Zimlichman Eyal , Vasilevskis Eduard E , Kripalani Sunil , Metlay Joshua P , Wallington Tamara , Fletcher Grant S , Auerbach Andrew D , Aujesky Drahomir , D Donzé Jacques
Published: April 2017

Objective

The HOSPITAL score has been widely validated and accurately identifies high-risk patients who may mostly benefit from transition care interventions. Although this score is easy to use, it has the potential to be simplified without impacting its performance. We aimed to validate a simplified version of the HOSPITAL score for predicting patients likely to be readmitted.

Design and setting

Retrospective study in 9 large hospitals across 4 countries, from January through December 2011.

Participants

We included all consecutively discharged medical patients. We excluded patients who died before discharge or were transferred to another acute care facility.

Measurements

The primary outcome was any 30-day potentially avoidable readmission. We simplified the score as follows: (1) ‘discharge from an oncology division’ was replaced by ‘cancer diagnosis or discharge from an oncology division’; (2) ‘any procedure’ was left out; (3) patients were categorised into two risk groups (unlikely and likely to be readmitted). The performance of the simplified HOSPITAL score was evaluated according to its overall accuracy, its discriminatory power and its calibration.

Results

Thirty-day potentially avoidable readmission rate was 9.7% (n=11 307/117 065 patients discharged). Median of the simplified HOSPITAL score was 3 points (IQR 2–5). Overall accuracy was very good with a Brier score of 0.08 and discriminatory power remained good with a C-statistic of 0.69 (95% CI 0.68 to 0.69). The calibration was excellent when comparing the expected with the observed risk in the two risk categories.

Conclusions

The simplified HOSPITAL score has good performance for predicting 30-day readmission. Prognostic accuracy was similar to the original version, while its use is even easier. This simplified score may provide a good alternative to the original score depending on the setting.
Microsatellite analysis of sporadic and hereditary gynaecological cancer in routine diagnostics
Authors: Libera Laura , Sahnane Nora , Carnevali Ileana Wanda , Cimetti Laura , Cerutti Roberta , Chiaravalli Anna Maria , Riva Cristina , Tibiletti Maria Grazia , Sessa Fausto , Furlan Daniela
Published: April 2017

Microsatellite instability (MSI) testing is tricky in gynaecological cancers (GC). Thus, we aimed to describe the instability patterns to improve MSI test interpretation in sporadic and hereditary GCs. Ninety-five cases, including uterine and ovarian cancers, with known genetic and immunohistochemical (IHC) features, were analysed for MSI by a mononucleotide repeats pentaplex (MRP). We identified 13 ambiguous cases that did not fully meet MSI criteria (‘borderline’ cases, B-MSI), which were mainly represented by MSH2/MSH6-deficient and Lynch syndrome cases. Also, we evaluated nine additional loci of candidate MSI markers that did not improve the detection of MSI cases, but might be useful for discordant or borderline samples. In conclusion, although MSI and IHC test are highly concordant, a subset of ambiguous MSI cases deserves a careful interpretation in particular when MSH2/MSH6 are involved.RPL22andSRPRtesting may be useful to integrate MRP panel for the analysis of critical cases.
Compliance with Uruguay’s single presentation requirement
Authors: DeAtley Teresa , Bianco Eduardo , Welding Kevin , Cohen Joanna E
Published: April 2017

Introduction

Tobacco companies vary pack colours, designs, descriptors, flavours and brand names on cigarette packs to target a multitude of consumers. These different brand variants can falsely imply that some brand variants are less harmful than others. Uruguay is the only country that requires cigarette companies to adhere to a single presentation (one brand variant) per brand family.

Methods

An existing, systematic pack purchasing protocol was adapted for data collection. Neighbourhoods in Montevideo were categorised into five strata by percentage of poor households. Five neighbourhoods within each stratum were selected based on geographical variation. In each neighbourhood, a ‘starting hub’ was identified and a systematic walking protocol was implemented to purchase unique packs at four key vendor types.

Results

Unique packs were purchased in 9 out of 25 neighbourhoods. Fifty-six unique packs were purchased, representing 30 brands. Of these, 51 packs were legal, representing 26 brands. The majority of the legal brands (n=16; 62%) were compliant with the requirement. The remaining packs were non-compliant due to differences in colour, design element, brand name, crest and descriptors. Although not prohibited by the single presentation requirement, 16 legal brands had more than one stick count (10, 11, 14 or 20 sticks), and packs from four brands had more than one packaging type (hard, soft or tin).

Conclusion

Overall, compliance with Uruguay’s single presentation requirement was good. In addition to the current restrictions, future single presentation requirements could expand to include packs in more than one stick count and packaging type.
First principle calculations on structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of CdMAs2 (M = Sc, Ti, V) chalcopyrites
Authors: Vijayalakshmi D. , Kalpana G.
Published: April 2017

Structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of ternary CdMAs2 (M = Sc, Ti, and V) compounds in the chalcopyrite structure have been studied using full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method based on density functional theory. We present a detailed study of electronic band structure, density of states, and magnetic moment of all three compounds within local spin density approximation and generalized gradient approximation. CdMAs2 compounds are derived from chalcopyrite structured CdGeAs2 with the substitution of transition metal (TM) atoms at Ge site. Negative values of formation energy signify that these materials are stable in chalcopyrite structure. Spin-polarized calculations show that the substitution of TM atoms at the group IV site influences the appearance of ferromagnetic state (FM) in CdScAs2 and CdVAs2 compounds. FM in CdScAs2 and CdVAs2 compounds is mainly due to the strong spin polarization of 3d states of M cations and 4p states of As anion. CdVAs2 also exhibits half metallic ferromagnetism with an integer magnetic moment of 1.00μB per formula unit. However, there is no effective spin-polarization of energy states at the Fermi level in CdTiAs2 compound and shows a non-magnetic behaviour.
Maxwell’s equations in the context of the Fock transformation and the magnetic monopole
Authors: Takka N. , Bouda A. , Foughali T.
Published: April 2017

In the R-Minkowski space–time, which we recently defined from an appropriate deformed Poisson brackets that reproduce the Fock coordinate transformation, we derive an extended form for Maxwell’s equations by using a generalized version of Feynman’s approach. Also, we establish in this context the Lorentz force. As in deformed special relativity, modifying the angular momentum in such a way as to restore the R-Lorentz algebra generates the magnetic Dirac monopole.
Decoupling the NLO-coupled QED⊗QCD, DGLAP evolution equations, using Laplace transform method
Authors: Mottaghizadeh Marzieh , Eslami Parvin , Taghavi-Shahri Fatemeh
Published: April 2017

We analytically solved the QED[Formula: see text]QCD-coupled DGLAP evolution equations at leading order (LO) quantum electrodynamics (QED) and next-to-leading order (NLO) quantum chromodynamics (QCD) approximations, using the Laplace transform method and then computed the proton structure function in terms of the unpolarized parton distribution functions. Our analytical solutions for parton densities are in good agreement with those from CT14QED [Formula: see text] (Ref. 6) global parametrizations and APFEL (A PDF Evolution Library) [Formula: see text] (Ref. 4). We also compared the proton structure function, [Formula: see text], with the experimental data released by the ZEUS and H1 collaborations at HERA. There is a nice agreement between them in the range of low and high [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Amplitude Control Analysis of a Four-Wing Chaotic Attractor, its Electronic Circuit Designs and Microcontroller-Based Random Number Generator
Authors: Akgul Akif , Li Chunbiao , Pehlivan Ihsan
Published: April 2017

An exhaustive analysis of a four-wing chaotic system is presented in this paper. It is proved that the evolution range of some variables can be modulated easily by one coefficient of a cross product term. An amplitude-adjustable chaotic circuit is designed, which shows a good agreement with the theoretical analysis. Also, in this paper a microcontroller-based random number generator (RNG) was designed with a nonlinear four-wing chaotic system. RNG studies of the current time have been usually carried out with complicated structures that are costly and difficult to use in real time implementations and that require so much energy consumption. On the other hand, in this paper, as opposed to the disadvantages mentioned here, a microcontroller-based RNG was designed with a four-wing chaotic system (also discussed in the paper) and this was introduced to literature. Microcontroller-based random numbers that passed randomness tests will be available for use in many fields in real life, particularly in encryption.
meso-Arylethynyl subporphyrins as efficient and tunable photo-induced electron transfer units
Authors: Cha Won-Young , Oh Juwon , Kitano Masaaki , Osuka Atsuhiro , Kim Dongho
Published: April 2017

Excited state dynamics of meso-arylethynyl-substituted subporphyrins can be tuned by 4-substituent at the arylethynyl group and solvent polarity. In polar acetonitrile, phenylethynyl subporphyrin 1 exhibited enhanced fluorescence, while (4-dimethylaminophenyl)ethynyl subporphyrin 2 showed red-shifted fluorescence from its charge-separated state and (4-nitrophenyl)ethynyl subporphyrin 3 displayed efficient fluorescence quenching due to charge separation.
Early overpressuring in organic-rich shales during burial: evidence from fibrous calcite veins in the Lower Jurassic Shales-with-Beef Member in the Wessex Basin, UK
Authors: Meng Qingfeng , Hooker John , Cartwright Joe
Published: April 2017

Field, petrographic and geochemical analysis of fibrous calcite veins in the Lower Jurassic Shales-with-Beef Member in the Wessex Basin was conducted to investigate the formation mechanism of the veins. Bedding-parallel fibrous calcite veins, including beef veins and tabular cone-in-cone structures, are widespread in the black shales. The calcite veins consist of subvertical fibrous crystals and a dark median zone. The median zone contains scattered clays, pyrite microcrystals, skeletal fragments and amorphous organic matter. The veins exhibit moderate carbon isotope values, ranging from −1.515 to 2.732‰. The oxygen isotope composition ranges from −8.872 to −4.521‰, which is possibly too negative to reflect the primary porewater oxygen isotope signatures and indicates a porewater modification. It is interpreted that the veins mainly derive carbonates from seawater inorganic carbon and bioclasts. The veins formed as closed-system hydraulic fractures in overpressured cells during sediment degassing in the methanogenic zone. The shale beds with a high total organic carbon content could have generated abundant CO
2
, which may have resulted in either the cementing of the pores in the matrix or overpressure buildup. The skeletal fragments provide a control on the spatial distribution of veins as nuclei for calcite precipitation from supersaturated pore fluids.
Practical Human Sensing in the Light
Authors: Li Tianxing , Liu Qiang , Zhou Xia
Published: April 2017

StarLight is an infrastructure-based sensing system that reuses light emitted from ceiling LED panels to reconstruct fine-grained user skeleton postures continuously in real time. It leverages only a few (e.g., 20) photodiodes at optimized locations on the floor to capture low-level visual cues (light blockage information), with neither invasive cameras nor on-body sensors. It aggregates the blockage information of different light rays and identifies the best-fit 3D skeleton postures. Experiments show that StarLight achieves 13.6° mean angular error for five body joints and reconstructs a mobile skeleton at a high frame rate (40 FPS). StarLight presents a new unobtrusive sensing paradigm to augment today's mobile sensing for continuous and accurate behavioral monitoring.
Multivariate Analysis and Statistics in Pharmaceutical Process Research and Development
Authors: Tabora José E. , Domagalski Nathan
Published: April 2017

The application of statistics in pharmaceutical process research and development has evolved significantly over the past decades, motivated in part by the introduction of the Quality by Design paradigm, a landmark change in regulatory expectations for the level of scientific understanding associated with the manufacturing process. Today, statistical methods are increasingly applied to accelerate the characterization and optimization of new drugs created via numerous unit operations well known to the chemical engineering discipline. We offer here a review of the maturity in the implementation of design of experiment techniques, the increased incorporation of latent variable methods in process and material characterization, and the adoption of Bayesian methodology for process risk assessment.
A sandwich ELISA for measurement of the primary glucagon-like peptide-1 metabolite
Authors: Wewer Albrechtsen Nicolai J. , Asmar Ali , Jensen Frederik , Törang Signe , Simonsen Lene , Kuhre Rune E. , Asmar Meena , Veedfald Simon , Plamboeck Astrid , Knop Filip K. , Vilsbøll Tina , Madsbad Sten , Nauck Michael A. , Deacon Carolyn F. , Bülow Jens , Holst Jens J. , Hartmann Bolette
Published: April 2017

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone secreted from the gastrointestinal tract. It is best known for its glucose-dependent insulinotropic effects. GLP-1 is secreted in its intact (active) form (7–36NH2) but is rapidly degraded by the dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) enzyme, converting >90% to the primary metabolite (9–36NH2) before reaching the targets via the circulation. Although originally thought to be inactive or antagonistic, GLP-1 9–36NH2 may have independent actions, and it is therefore relevant to be able to measure it. Because reliable assays were not available, we developed a sandwich ELISA recognizing both GLP-1 9–36NH2 and nonamidated GLP-1 9–37. The ELISA was validated using analytical assay validation guidelines and by comparing it to a subtraction-based method, hitherto employed for estimation of GLP-1 9–36NH2. Its accuracy was evaluated from measurements of plasma obtained during intravenous infusions (1.5 pmol × kg−1 × min−1) of GLP-1 7–36NH2 in healthy subjects and patients with type 2 diabetes. Plasma levels of the endogenous GLP-1 metabolite increased during a meal challenge in patients with type 2 diabetes, and treatment with a DPP-4 inhibitor fully blocked its formation. Accurate measurements of the GLP-1 metabolite may contribute to understanding its physiology and role of GLP-1 in diabetes.
Donor-Specific Anti-Human Leukocyte Antigen Antibodies Predict Prolonged Isolated Thrombocytopenia and Inferior Outcomes of Haploidentical Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Zhao Xiaosu , Zhao Xiangyu , Huo Mingrui , Fan Qiaozhen , Pei Xuying , Wang Yu , Zhang Xiaohui , Xu Lanping , Huang Xiaojun , Liu Kaiyan , Chang Yingjun
Published: April 2017

Prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia (PT) after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) has a great impact on transplant outcome. In this study, we performed a retrospective analysis to investigate the association of donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (DSAs) with PT in 394 patients who underwent unmanipulated haploidentical blood and marrow transplantation (HBMT). For HLA antibody positive samples with a median fluorescent intensity (MFI) > 500, DSAs were further examined. A total of 390 patients (99.0%) achieved sustained myeloid engraftment. Of the 394 cases tested, 45 (11.4%) were DSA positive. The cumulative incidence of PT in this cohort of patients was 9.9 ± 1.5%. The incidence of PT was higher in patients with a MFI ≥ 1000 compared with those with a MFI < 1000 (16.8 ± 6.4% versus 7.4 ± 1.4%,P=0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of DSAs (MFI ≥ 1000) was correlated to PT (hazard ratio (HR) 3.262; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.339–7.946;P=0.009) and transplant-related mortality (HR 2.320; 95% CI, 1.169–4.426;P=0.044). Our results, for the first time, suggest an association of DSAs with PT after unmanipulated HBMT. It would help screen out the suitable donor and guide intervention. This indicated that DSAs should be incorporated in the algorithm for unmanipulated HBMT.
Spatial Scheduling Optimization Algorithm for Block Assembly in Shipbuilding
Authors: Shang Zhengyang , Gu Jinan , Ding Wei , Duodu Enock A.
Published: April 2017

Block assembly consumes the majority of processing time and resources in shipbuilding, and the block spatial scheduling (BSS) related to block assembly has been widely studied as the key to improve shipbuilding efficiency. BSS is a complicated NP‐hard problem that aims to minimize the makespan. Since each block has specific building time and space constraints, the BSS problem can be hardly found with an acceptable solution by using constant scheduling rules. Thus, in this study, we considered the BSS problem as a time‐constrained 3D bin packing mathematical model and proposed an allocation algorithm, best contact algorithm (BCA), that is more suitable for dynamic processes. Then, for global optimization of the BSS problem, we regarded the starting time of each block as a variable and used the genetic algorithm (GA) to operate and optimize the block assembly sequence. Finally, we tested the BCA + GA scheduling system with real data from a shipyard and thereby determined the block scheduling status and the daily utilization rate of the work plate. Comparison shows that the proposed algorithm is able to get shorter makespan and better block scheduling effect; it realized the optimization of the block spatial scheduling dynamically.
Investigations of a Possible Chemical Effect of Salvadora persica Chewing Sticks
Authors: Albabtain Reham , Azeem Muhammad , Wondimu Zenebech , Lindberg Tulay , Borg-Karlson Anna Karin , Gustafsson Anders
Published: April 2017

Salvadora persica is commonly used chewing sticks in many parts of the world as an oral hygiene tool. This study measured the amount of benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) released into the mouth and assessed its retention time in saliva. The study also tested if the released amount of BITC could potentially be antibacterial or cytotoxic. Twelve subjects brushed their teeth with fresh Miswak once, twice, and four times. The amount of BITC in the saliva and in the used brushes was quantified using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The antibacterial effect of BITC and Miswak essential oil (MEO) was tested against Haemophilus influenzae, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. The cytotoxic effect on gingival fibroblasts and keratinocytes was tested using MTT. The highest amount of the active compounds was detected in saliva after using the Miswak tip for once and immediately. It significantly decreased when the Miswak tip was used more than once and thus after 10 min. The growth of the tested bacteria was inhibited by MEO and BITC in a dose dependent manner, P. gingivalis being the most sensitive. MTT assay showed that BITC and MEO were cytotoxic towards gingival fibroblasts while oral keratinocytes showed resistance. This study suggests that the Miswak tip should be cut before each use to ensure the maximum effect.
Chemical and Oxygen Isotopic Composition of Roman and Late Antique Glass from Northern Greece
Authors: Silvestri Alberta , Dotsika Elissavet , Longinelli Antonio , Selmo Enricomaria , Doukata-Demertzi Sophia
Published: April 2017

The present paper emphasizes the importance of measuring the oxygen isotopic and chemical compositions of ancient glass, in order to constrain some features such as age, raw materials, and production technologies and to identify the “fingerprint” of local productions. In this context, thirty-nine Roman and late Antique glass samples and eight chert samples from northern Greece were selected and analysed for their oxygen isotopic and chemical compositions. Results show that the majority of glass samples are produced using natron as flux and have δ18O values of about 15.5‰, plus or minus a few tenths of one per mil, suggesting that raw materials probably come from Levantine area. Four samples are heavily enriched in 18O, and their chemical composition clearly shows that they were made with soda plant ash as flux. Isotopic and chemical data of Greek chert samples support the hypothesis of local production of the above samples. About half of the glass samples have chemical compositions, which allow their age to be constrained to the late Antique period. For the remaining glass, similarities with literature compositional groups are reported and discussed.