bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac Surgery in a Patient with Implanted Brain Pacemaker: A Case Report
Authors: Singh Ajmer , Mehta Yatin , Trehan Naresh
Published: November 2018

Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder, affects approximately 1% of population older than 60 years. Patients with Parkinson’s disease with intractable symptoms often require placement of deep brain stimulator, conventionally known as brain pacemaker. Patients implanted with this device pose specific challenges to the anesthesiologist in view of the primary illness, possible drug interactions, risk of cerebral hemorrhage from anticoagulant therapy, and potential for device malfunction by electromagnetic interference during cardiac surgery. The authors describe perioperative management of a patient with implanted brain pacemaker who underwent aortic valve replacement at their institution.
Isolated Right Ventricle Mass: The Role of Echocardiography in Diagnostic Dilemma
Authors: Ladha Suruchi , Kiran Usha , Bora Santanu
Published: November 2018

The presence of a right ventricle mass is uncommon, especially if there is no associated mass in the other chambers of the heart. Right ventricle mass is usually due to thrombi or vegetations; however, a variety of tumors may also present similarly. The authors report the presence of an isolated right ventricle mass in a young female patient and the intraoperative use of transesophageal echocardiography in diagnostic dilemma. Echocardiography helps in assessing the characteristics of the mass, such as the size, shape, attachment points, and composition, and continues to remain an invaluable tool for guiding both the anesthetic and the surgical management of the case.
Role of Physiotherapist in Critical Care Situations: Recent Perspective
Authors:   Jyoti,   Meenu
Published: November 2018

Physiotherapy is part of a multidisciplinary team and plays an important role in the critical care unit to improve patients’ quality of life. It is reported that a patient mechanically ventilated for more than a week shows muscular weakness approximately 25% and approximately 90% of patients have ongoing muscular weakness and poor quality of life. Physiotherapy in critical care units and high dependency units play a vital role to promote lung functions and early discharge. There are more ventilator-free days for patient with early physiotherapy in intensive care unit (ICU) compared with standard care. A large number of physical limitations are faced by patient and professionals in ICU and respiratory intermediate intensive care units. Declined pulmonary function, persistent muscle weakness, prolonged mechanical ventilation, and contracture are associated with poor quality of life and long-time staying in hospitals. Physiotherapy is a main component of patient management in critical care units and involves mobilization activities, functional positioning, passive- and active-assisted movements of extremities, sitting, bedside standing, walking with support, early mobilization, postural drainage, clear airway secretions, manual hyperinflation, percussion and vibration, assisted and resisted exercise, and electric stimulation.
Transesophageal Echocardiography for Ross-Konno Procedure
Authors: Aggarwal Shivani , Basumatary Probal , Devagourou V.
Published: November 2018

Ross procedure involves replacing diseased aortic valve with pulmonary autograft and placing a pulmonary/aortic homograft between the right ventricle and pulmonary artery. In case of small aortic annulus in pediatric patients or in patients with multilevel left ventricular outflow obstruction, aortic annulus enlargement might be required concurrently. Konno type of aortic ventriculoplasty is most commonly done. The American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) has classified transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) as class I indication for congenital heart disease
Magnetic and dielectric response in yttrium (Y)-manganese (Mn) substituted multiferroic Bi1−xYxFe1−yMnyO3 (x=y=;x=0.03,0.06,0.12,y=0.05) ceramics
Authors: Jena A. K. , Satapathy S. , Mohanty J.
Published: November 2018

The effect of Y and Mn substitution on the structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of Bi1−xYxFe1−yMnyO3 (x=y=0;x=0.03,0.06,0.12,y=0.05) is investigated. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis revealed that all the compounds were stabilized in the Rhombohedral structure (Space group: R3c) below Y(6%)-Mn co-doping. A minimal contribution from the Pbam phase was also observed at higher Y (12%). Co-doped compounds exhibit canted ferromagnetic behavior with a significant increase in the saturation magnetization (Ms) of 1.28 emu/g when (Y, Mn)=(0.12,0.05). Dielectric measurements at different temperatures ranging between 30°C and 210°C in a wide frequency range of 1 Hz–1 MHz were investigated. Impedance study is useful to understand the correlation of grain and grain boundary with electrical properties. The grain and grain boundary contribution to electrical parameters was presented with equivalent R-C circuit. Furthermore, electrical properties such as complex electrical modulus and electrical conductivity analysis clearly emphasize the substitution of Y and Mn, leading to a significant change in BiFeO3 ceramic.
Two-channel high-resolution quasi-monochromatic X-ray imager for Al and Ti plasma
Authors: Do A. , Briat M. , Baton S. D. , Krumrey M. , Lecherbourg L. , Loupias B. , Pérez F. , Renaudin P. , Rubbelynck C. , Troussel Ph.
Published: November 2018

High-resolution, high-sensitivity X-ray imaging is a real challenge in high-energy density plasma experiments. We present an improved design of the Fresnel ultra high-resolution imager instrument. Using an Ultra-High-Intensity (UHI) laser to generate hot and dense plasma in a small volume of an Al-Ti mixed target provides simultaneous imaging of both Al and Ti X-ray emission. Specifically, the Al Heβ (or Lyβ) and the Ti Heα lines are imaged with a resolution of (2.7 ± 0.3) μm and (5.5 ± 0.3) μm, respectively. It features two transmission Fresnel phase zone plates fabricated on the same substrate, each associated with a multilayer mirror for spectral selection. Their spatial resolution has been measured on the PTB synchrotron radiation facility laboratory at BESSY II and on the EQUINOX laser facility. Results obtained on an UHI experiment highlight the difference of emission zone sizes between Al and Ti lines and the versatility of this instrument.
Simple eigenvalue-self-consistent Δ¯GW
Authors: Vlček Vojtěch , Baer Roi , Rabani Eran , Neuhauser Daniel
Published: November 2018

We show that a rigid scissors-like GW self-consistency approach, labeled here Δ¯GW0, can be trivially implemented at zero additional cost for large scale one-shot G0W0 calculations. The method significantly improves one-shot G0W0 and for large systems is very accurate. Δ¯GW0 is similar in spirit to evGW0 where the self-consistency is only applied on the eigenvalues entering Green’s function, while both W and the eigenvectors of Green’s function are held fixed. Δ¯GW0 further assumes that the shift of the eigenvalues is rigid scissors-like so that all occupied states are shifted by the same amount and analogously for all the unoccupied states. We show that this results in a trivial modification of the time-dependent G0W0 self-energy, enabling an a posteriori self-consistency cycle. The method is applicable for our recent stochastic-GW approach, thereby enabling self-consistent calculations for giant systems with thousands of electrons. The accuracy of Δ¯GW0 increases with the system size. For molecules, it is up to 0.4-0.5 eV away from coupled-cluster single double triple (CCSD(T)), but for tetracene and hexacene, it matches the ionization energies from both CCSD(T) and evGW0 to better than 0.05 eV. For solids, as exemplified here by periodic supercells of semiconductors and insulators with 6192 valence electrons, the method matches evGW0 quite well and both methods are in good agreement with the experiment.
Multistability in the cyclic competition system
Authors: Park Junpyo , Do Younghae , Jang Bongsoo
Published: November 2018

Cyclically competition models have been successful to gain an insight of biodiversity mechanism in ecosystems. There are, however, still limitations to elucidate complex phenomena arising in real competition. In this paper, we report that a multistability occurs in a simple rock-paper-scissor cyclically competition model by assuming that intraspecific competition depends on the logistic growth of each species density. This complex stability is absent in any cyclically competition model, and we investigate how the proposed intraspecific competition affects biodiversity in the existing society of three species through macroscopic and microscopic approaches. When the system is multistable, we show basins of the asymptotically stable heteroclinic cycle and stable attractors to demonstrate how the survival state is determined by initial densities of three species. Also, we find that the multistability is associated with a subcritical Hopf bifurcation. This surprising finding will give an opportunity to interpret rich dynamical phenomena in ecosystems which may occur in cyclic competition systems with different types of interactions.
Orientational dynamics of a heated Janus particle
Authors: Chakraborty Dipanjan
Published: November 2018

Using large scale molecular dynamics simulations, we study the orientational dynamics of a heated Janus particle which exhibits self-propulsion. The asymmetry in the microscopic interaction of the colloid with the solvent is implemented by choosing different wetting parameters for the two halves of the sphere. This choice leads to a different microscopic Kapitza resistance across the solid-fluid boundary of the two halves of the sphere, and consequently a gradient in temperature is created across the poles of the sphere. It is this self-created temperature gradient which leads to a self-propulsion along the direction of the symmetry axis. In this article, we look at the orientational dynamics of such a system, as well as the subsequent enhancement of the translational diffusivity of the heated Janus colloid at late times. The orientational correlation of the symmetry axis is measured from the simulation and provides a direct access to the rotational diffusion constant. The heating leads to an increase in the rotational diffusivity of the colloid. We quantify this increase in rotational diffusion Dr against the temperature difference δT ≡ T(R, 0) − T(R, π) across the poles of the Janus sphere as well as the average surface temperature difference ΔT ≡ T(R) − T(∞) from the ambient fluid. Since the rotational diffusion is determined by the complete flow field in the solvent, we illustrate that comparing Dr against δT is misleading and is better quantified when compared against ΔT. The later quantification results in a data collapse for different choices of the microscopic interaction. The average propulsion velocity is also measured for different choices of the wetting parameter. The directionality of self-propulsion changes depending on the microscopic interaction. We show that whenever the attractive interaction of the colloid with the solvent is switched off, the phoretic mobility changes sign. Furthermore, the propulsion velocity is zero for heating below a certain threshold value. This is also corroborated by the probability distribution of the angle between the displacement vector Δr(t) ≡ r(t) − r(0) and the symmetry axis. Finally, we combine the measured propulsion velocity and the rotational diffusion time τr = 1/2Dr to estimate the enhancement in the long time diffusion coefficient of the particle.
Shielding effectiveness and bandgaps of interpenetrating phase composites based on the Schwarz Primitive surface
Authors: Abueidda Diab W. , Karimi Pouyan , Jin Jian-Ming , Sobh Nahil A. , Jasiuk Iwona M. , Ostoja-Starzewski Martin
Published: November 2018

Conductive composites possessing a polymeric matrix have been developed as an auspicious class of materials yielding superior properties to metal-based materials. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness and bandgaps of a novel interpenetrating phase composite with a polymeric matrix are studied computationally. This composite is generated from a so-called Schwarz Primitive surface, a member of the triply periodic minimal surfaces family. The shielding effectiveness of the resulting Primitive-based composite is compared with those of composites reinforced with periodically and randomly distributed spherical conductive particles. For the composites with random spherical particles, the random sequential addition method is used to generate the realizations of fillers followed by the Monte Carlo relaxation step to obtain an equilibrated configuration. The Primitive-based composite shows higher shielding effectiveness due to the interconnectivity of both phases (conductive phase and polymeric matrix) leading to a higher effective electrical conductivity. Employing a finite element analysis leads to dispersion curves, which reveal the existence of electromagnetic bandgaps at low frequencies and low volume fractions of the conductive phase, in comparison to those of other structures reported in the literature. The Primitive-based composite shows the bandgaps for transverse-electric modes, where the widths of the bandgaps vary with the volume fraction of the conductive phase.
Charge and thermal modeling of a semiconductor-based optical refrigerator
Authors: Morozov Yurii V. , Zhang Shubin , Janko Boldizsar , Kuno Masaru
Published: November 2018

Despite multiple attempts to achieve optical refrigeration in very high (99.5%) external quantum efficiency (EQE) GaAs, no cooling has been observed to date. In this study, we investigate optical refrigeration in GaAs by numerically solving the transient drift-diffusion equation coupled to Poisson's equation. The charge carrier distributions we obtain, together with the heat diffusion equation, allow us to observe the spatial and temporal evolution of cooling/heating within GaAs. Our results indicate that maximum cooling occurs at a laser intensity different from that which maximizes EQE. An 11-fold difference in intensity exists with a corresponding 6-fold difference in cooling power. We ultimately find that samples suspended in vacuum using a 250 μm SiO2 fiber cool to 88 K, starting from room temperature. These results emphasize the critical importance of choosing an appropriate laser excitation intensity to achieve optical refrigeration along with minimizing the conductive heat load on the refrigerator. Furthermore, results of this study are applicable towards analyzing the optical response of other optoelectronic systems where accurate charge and/or heat diffusion modeling is critical.
Numerical investigation of electrowetting-based droplet splitting in closed digital microfluidic system: Dynamics, mode, and satellite droplet
Authors: Guan Yin , Li Baiyun , Xing Lu
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the splitting of microdroplet in a closed electrowetting-based digital microfluidic system has been studied via a numerical model. The governing equations for the fluid flow are solved by a finite volume formulation with a two-step projection method on a fixed computational domain. The free surface of the liquid is tracked by a coupled level-set and volume-of-fluid method, with the surface tension at the free surface computed by continuum surface force scheme. Contact angle hysteresis is implemented as an essential component of electrowetting modeling, and a simplified viscous force model is adopted to evaluate the viscous stress based on the Hele-Shaw model. Excellent agreement has been achieved between the numerical and published experimental results. A parametric study has been performed in which the effects of viscous stress, channel height, static contact angles, contact angle hysteresis, and electrode size on the splitting process have been analyzed. Three distinct splitting modes, which are “splitting with satellite droplet,” “normal splitting,” and “splitting cessation,” have been discussed. Based on the competition between the curvature in the z-direction (κz) and that on the x-y plane (κxy), the physical mechanism that separates the splitting into these three modes has been revealed. More importantly, a dimensionless parameter κ̃ has been proposed, which can be used for (a) determining the splitting mode and (b) estimating satellite droplet volume for electrowetting-induced droplet splitting process.
A topological order parameter for describing folding free energy landscapes of proteins
Authors: Lan Pham Dang , Kouza Maksim , Kloczkowski Andrzej , Li Mai Suan
Published: November 2018

We studied the refolding free energy landscape of 26 proteins using the Go-like model. The distance between the denaturated state and the transition state, XF, was calculated using the Bell theory and the nonlinear Dudko-Hummer-Szabo theory, and its relation to the geometrical properties of the native state was considered in detail. We showed that none of the structural parameters, such as the contact order, protein length, and radius of cross section, correlate with XF for all classes of proteins. To overcome this problem, we have introduced the nematic order parameter P02, which describes the ordering of the structured elements of the native state. Due to its topologically global nature, P02 is better than other structural parameters in describing the folding free energy landscape. In particular, P02 displays a good correlation with XF extracted from the nonlinear theory for all three classes of proteins. Therefore, this parameter can be used to predict XF for any protein, if its native structure is known.
Broadband models and their consequences on line shape analysis in vibrational
sum-frequency spectroscopy
Authors: Yang Wei-Chen , Hore Dennis K.
Published: November 2018

Vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy can provide valuable qualitative and quantitative information about molecular species at surface and buried interfaces. For example, the resonance frequency of a particular chemical function group is revealing of the surface environment, especially when compared to what is observed in bulk IR absorption or Raman scattering spectra. Furthermore, the amplitude of the mode can be related to the molecular orientation, providing a detailed quantitative account of the surface structure. Each of these attributes, however, requires fitting the spectra to some vibrationally resonant line shape. This is particularly challenging when the modes of interest co-exist with broad resonance features, such as water O–H stretching. In this perspective, we examine the merits and consequences of different approaches to fitting homodyne SFG data. We illustrate that, while any model can provide a useful description of the data, no model can accurately and consistently provide even the relative phase deeply encoded in homodyne data without the use of additional information.
Theory of electron density in a collisionless plasma in the vicinity of a magnetic dipole
Authors: Gibson Joseph , Coppins Michael
Published: November 2018

This paper first points out that experimental models of weak lunar swirls and studies of magnetized dusty plasma crystals are linked by the same underlying electron physics. The radial profile of the plasma in both cases has been attributed to electron motion being restricted by the magnetic field, and in this work an analytic expression is derived for the regions which are inaccessible to electrons along with a typical lengthscale. A useful approximation is also set out to easily calculate what these regions imply for the electron density, with application to a magnet embedded in a boundary with dipole moment oriented normally.
Pharmacists in general practice: recommendations resulting from team-based collaborative care
Authors: Benson Helen , Lucas Cherie , Benrimoj Shalom I. , Kmet Walter , Williams Kylie A.
Published: November 2018

The Western Sydney Primary Health Network (PHN), WentWest, has been working to improve patient and health system outcomes by commissioning projects that enhance patient-focussed, team-based care. One such project is the WentWest General Practice Pharmacist Project, involving the integration of pharmacists within general practice sites. The aim of this study is to describe, classify and analyse recommendations made by pharmacists to GPs, resulting from patient consultations between pharmacists and patients in a general practice setting. This study was a multi-centre prospective observational study (April 2017–September 2017) investigating recommendations made by pharmacists integrated in a general practice setting. Thirteen general practice sites located in Western Sydney, NSW, Australia were involved in the study. The main outcome measures of this study include the classification of pharmacist recommendations and the percentage of those recommendations accepted by GPs. The pharmacists recorded the results from 618 patient consultations. These consultations resulted in 1601 recommendations of which 1404 (88%) were recorded as accepted. This study demonstrated that the recommendations made by pharmacists in general practice are well accepted by GPs and may lead to improvements in medication management and patient care.
美国对外古代汉语教学调查研究报告 (Survey research on teaching Classical Chinese as L2 in the U.S.)
Authors: Wang Jing
Published: November 2018

抽象

本文是对美国 11 所高校 144 名古汉语课学生问卷调查的研究报告。调查内容包括学生的语言背景、学习动机、学习结果的自我评估，以及对古汉语教学中一些重要问题的看法，诸如教材的内容与形式、教学语言、教学法等。本研究是多年来首次对美国古汉语教学大规模的跨校际调查，从学生的角度、以量化的方式，为对外古汉语教学今后的发展提供了数据和参考意见。调查结果反映出美国古汉语课的学生组成跟 20 年前相比已经发生了很大的变化，师生在一些颇具争议性的问题上的看法有分歧也有一致。
A framework for analyzing evaluative language in historical discourse
Authors: Myskow Gordon
Published: November 2018

History texts are not just disciplinary artefacts for describing, explaining or making arguments about the past. They play a key role in defining present-day group identities and their terms of affiliation. As such, they have generated a great deal of interest among functional linguists interested in how ideology is construed through language. But the ways history texts evaluate the past is not straightforward; they include a complex interplay of discourse participants putting forward a range of views toward the subject-matter. This article presents a framework for investigating evaluative meaning in historical discourse that aims to untangle this complex web of voices, showing how they work together to position readers to take up particular views toward the past. The framework brings together two prominent approaches to the study of evaluation:Martin & White’s (2005)Appraisal framework andHunston’s (2000)notions of Status Value and Relevance. It posits four levels of evaluation (inter-, super-, extra- and meta-evaluation) that are grounded in insights from the field of historiography and reflect key disciplinary activities of historians.
Variation between modal adverbs in British English
Authors: Suzuki Daisuke
Published: November 2018

This study investigates the use and distribution of the synonymous adverbsmaybeandperhapsin order to determine their functional similarities and differences. After extracting usage data from the British National Corpus (BNC), this study explores the following factors by analyzing the target adverbs in a larger context: (i) the kind of register, (ii) the kind of NP chosen as the subject inmaybe/perhapsclauses, (iii) the kind of modal verb used in the same clause, and (iv) the position occupied by the target adverbs in a clause. The corpus analysis demonstrates thatmaybeis more prone to subjective use whileperhapsis a more strongly grammaticalized item, and that the factors related to a highly subjective context contribute much to the variation between the adverbs. In addition, I suggest that bothmaybeandperhaps(in combination with modal verbs or in final position) can be used in an intersubjective context.
From phonemic spelling to distinctive spelling
Authors: Sampson Geoffrey
Published: November 2018

Whether spelling is phonemic is only one factor in whether a writing system is suitable for a given language; another consideration is "lexical distinctiveness" of spelling, in two separate senses, and the importance of lexical distinctiveness grows as a writing system matures. Seen in this light, the increasing irregularity of English spelling, over the period when English has been a written language, has been a desirable response to the changing needs of the English-speaking world.
Core syllables vs. moraic writing
Authors: Buckley Eugene
Published: November 2018

It is generally accepted that the units of writing systems represent categories found in spoken language; in phonographic writing, these categories traditionally include the syllable and segment, which correspond to syllabic and alphabetic systems. But it has been claimed that some or most “syllabaries” are actually based on moras, well known from phonological theory as units of syllable weight. I argue that apparent moraic systems are in fact built on signs that stand for core CV syllables, and consequently that moras do not appear to play a central role in any writing system.
Orthographic principles in computer-mediated communication
Authors: Verheijen Lieke
Published: November 2018

Online messages often diverge from the standard language orthography: so-called textisms have become an indispensable part of youths’ written computer-mediated communication (CMC). This paper presents an in-depth corpus study of texts from four new media produced by Dutch youths: MSN chats, text messages, tweets, and WhatsApp messages. It is demonstrated that Dutch informal written CMC, as in other languages, is implicitly governed by orthographic principles. Relative frequencies of textism types in the corpus show how textisms are effectively used by Dutch youths. Textism types are classified here in terms of forms, operations, and, crucially, functions – the ‘SUPER-functions’: textisms can make orthography more Speechlike, Understandable, Playful, Expressive, or Reduced. Moreover, this study proves that preferences for textism types greatly depend on age group and medium. New media have their own combination of characteristics and constraints, while adolescents and young adults appear to have different perceptions on language use and spelling.
Keratin 6 regulates collective keratinocyte migration by altering cell–cell and cell–matrix adhesion
Authors: Wang Fengrong , Chen Song , Liu Hans B. , Parent Carole A. , Coulombe Pierre A.
Published: November 2018

The a and b isoforms of keratin 6 (K6), a type II intermediate filament (IF) protein, are robustly induced upon injury to interfollicular epidermis. We previously showed that complete loss of K6a/K6b stimulates keratinocyte migration, correlating with enhanced Src activity. In this study, we demonstrate that this property is cell autonomous, depends on the ECM, and results from elevated speed, enhanced directionality, and an increased rate of focal adhesion disassembly. We show that myosin IIA interacts with K6a/K6b, that its levels are markedly reduced in Krt6a/Krt6b-null keratinocytes, and that inhibiting myosin ATPase activity normalizes the enhanced migration potential of Krt6a/Krt6b-null cells. Desmoplakin, which mediates attachment of IFs to desmosomes, is also expressed at reduced levels and is mislocalized to the nucleus in Krt6a/Krt6b-null cells, correlating with defects in cell adhesion. These findings reveal that K6a/K6b modulate keratinocyte migration by regulating cell–matrix and cell–cell adhesion and highlight a role for keratins in collective cell migration.
The Potency of Bacterial Associating Endemic Plants of The Java Coastal Area in Inducing Salt Tolerant in Agricultural Crops
Authors: Sulastri  , Wiyono S , Sopandie D , Santosa D A
Published: November 2018

Recent studies indicate that many plant species have ability to adapt to environmental stress because of their association with microbes. The aim of the research is to explore and to characterize bacterial endophyte and rhizoplane from endemic plants of the Java coastal area that induced salt tolerance in agricultural crops. Among the 1358 isolates of salt tolerant bacteria that have been isolated from 218 of different costal plants showed that 108 isolates of bacterial rhizoplane, 87 isolates of bacterial root endophytes and 35 isolates of bacterial leaf endophyte have the ability to promote rice seedling growth. An amount of 33 isolates with vigor index (VI) value more than 1200 were tested at different levels of NaCl concentration (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mM). Fifteen bacterial isolates significantly increased VI value of rice seedling by up to 50% over uninoculated control at NaCl concentration more than 100 mM. Characterization of these 33 isolates revealed 32 isolates degraded pectin, 26 isolates produced indole acetic acid (IAA), 18 isolates solubilized phosphate, 15 isolates showed 1aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase activity, 11 isolates produced hidrogene cyanide (HCN).
The Ant Mosaic Distribution of Oecophylla smaragdina and Dominant Ant Species: Effects on Ants Communities in Agroforestry in Tarakan Island
Authors: Rahim A , Ohkawara K
Published: November 2018

Agroforestry system enhanced ant biodiversity. Ant structure in the ecosystem has been driven by many factors, e.g., competition and predation among species. Dominant species and predator may give impact to species diversity in the ecosystem. We had field research to examine the interactions among dominant ant species, predatorOecophylla smaragdina, and other ants in Tarakan, North Kalimantan. In agroforestry system as the study site, ants and other insects on 66 crop trees were collected by sweeping and beating. The obtained number of two speciesTapinoma melanocephalumandOecophylla smaragdinaoccupied more than 60% of all collected ants. Two dominant ants tended to be separately distributed. The community structure may be ant mosaic pattern. Furthermore, the densities of the two dominant ants were higher, but their diversities in the tree were lower than dominant species and predator absence. Probably, the tendency seems to be active on the distribution of other ants.
Inadequate Perioperative Prophylaxis and Postsurgical Complications After Graft Implantation Are Important Risk Factors for Subsequent Vascular Graft Infections: Prospective Results From the Vascular Graft Infection Cohort Study
Authors: Anagnostopoulos Alexia , Ledergerber Bruno , Kuster Stefan P , Scherrer Alexandra U , Näf Bettina , Greiner Michael A , Rancic Zoran , Kobe Adrian , Bettex Dominique , Hasse Barbara ,   VASGRA Cohort Study, Anagnostopoulos A , Bloemberg G , Eberhard N , Hasse B , Husman L , Keller P , Ledergerber B , Mayer D , Rancic Z , Scherrer A , Weber A , Weber R , Zbinden R , Zinkernagel A
Published: November 2018

Background

Reconstructive vascular surgery has become increasingly common. Vascular graft infections (VGIs) are serious complications, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Previously described risk factors for VGIs include groin incisions, wound infections, and comorbidities. We aimed to identify modifiable predictors for VGIs as targets for infection prevention strategies.

Methods

Participants of the prospective Vascular Graft Infection Cohort (VASGRA) with surgery between 2013 and 2017 were included. The observation time was calculated from surgery until a confirmed VGI or the last follow-up. Variables were assessed by infection status, using non-parametric tests. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models, adjusted for demographic factors, were applied to assess risk factors for a VGI.

Results

A total of 438 predominantly male (83.1%) patients with a median age of 71 years (interquartile range [IQR] 63 – 76) contributed to 554 person years of follow-up. Thereof, 39 (8.9%) developed a VGI, amounting to an incidence rate of 7.0/100 person years. We found incisional surgical site infections (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 10.09, 95% CI 2.88 – 35.34); hemorrhage (aHR 4.92, 1.28–18.94); renal insufficiency (aHR 4.85, 1.20 – 19.61); inadequate perioperative prophylaxis in patients with an established antibiotic treatment, compared to the additional application of perioperative prophylaxis (aHR 2.87, 95% CI 1.17 – 7.05); and procedure time increases of 1-hour intervals (aHR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08 – 1.39) to be risk factors for VGIs.

Conclusions

We identified procedure time; inadequate perioperative prophylaxis, especially among patients with an established antibiotic treatment; and several postsurgical infectious and non-infectious complications as modifiable, predictive factors for VGIs and, therefore, as keys to improved surveillance programs and prevention strategies.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT01821664
Complex sex-biased antibody responses: estrogen receptors bind estrogen response elements centered within immunoglobulin heavy chain gene enhancers
Authors: Jones Bart G , Sealy Robert E , Penkert Rhiannon R , Surman Sherri L , Maul Robert W , Neale Geoff , Xu Beisi , Gearhart Patricia J , Hurwitz Julia L
Published: November 2018

Nuclear hormone receptors including the estrogen receptor (ERα) and the retinoic acid receptor regulate a plethora of biological functions including reproduction, circulation and immunity. To understand how estrogen and other nuclear hormones influence antibody production, we characterized total serum antibody isotypes in female and male mice of C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ and C3H/HeJ mouse strains. Antibody levels were higher in females compared to males in all strains and there was a female preference for IgG2b production. Sex-biased patterns were influenced by vitamin levels, and by antigen specificity toward influenza virus or pneumococcus antigens. To help explain sex biases, we examined the direct effects of estrogen on immunoglobulin heavy chain sterile transcript production among purified, lipopolysaccharide-stimulated B cells. Supplemental estrogen in B-cell cultures significantly increased immunoglobulin heavy chain sterile transcripts. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses of activated B cells identified significant ERα binding to estrogen response elements (EREs) centered within enhancer elements of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus, including the Eµ enhancer and hypersensitive site 1,2 (HS1,2) in the 3′ regulatory region. The ERE in HS1,2 was conserved across animal species, and in humans marked a site of polymorphism associated with the estrogen-augmented autoimmune disease, lupus. Taken together, the results highlight: (i) the important targets of ERα in regulatory regions of the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus that influence antibody production, and (ii) the complexity of mechanisms by which estrogen instructs sex-biased antibody production profiles.
Analysis of a lectin microarray identifies altered sialylation of mouse serum glycoproteins induced by whole-body radiation exposure
Authors: Iizuka Daisuke , Izumi Shunsuke , Suzuki Fumio , Kamiya Kenji
Published: November 2018

Microarrays containing 45 different lectins were analyzed to identify global changes in the glycosylation of serum glycoproteins from mice exposed to whole-body γ-radiation. The results showed that radiation exposure increased and decreased the relative amounts of α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialic acids, respectively. The expression of α-2,3- and α-2,6-sialyltransferase genes in the liver was analyzed to determine whether changes in their expression were responsible for the sialic acid changes. The increase in α-2,3-sialic acid correlated with St3gal5 upregulation after radiation exposure; however, a decrease in St6gal1 expression was not observed. Analysis of a PCR array of genes expressed in irradiated mouse livers revealed that irradiation did not alter the expression of most of the included genes. These results suggest that glycomic screening of serum glycoproteins using lectin microarrays can be a powerful tool for identifying radiation-induced changes in the post-translational addition of sugar moieties to proteins. In addition, the results indicate that altered sialylation of glycoproteins may be an initial response to acute radiation exposure.
Great Expectations and Dickens’s Spelling Book Predicament
Authors: Zhang Liwen
Published: November 2018

In Great Expectations (1860–61), Pip and Herbert’s formal introduction to each other in London is a rare occasion on which Pip discloses his first name to someone else, and even more unexpectedly, accepts a blacksmith-related nickname with alacrity. Herbert asks Pip to address him on a first-name basis, and Pip, in return, reveals his first name Philip. Herbert dislikes this name, for ‘it sounds like a moral boy out of a spelling book’. Instead, he proposes a familiar name ‘Handel’, namesake of the famous composer. While previous scholarship has extensively explored the various possible connotations of ‘Pip’ and ‘Handel’, it has not adequately examined the connection between ‘Handel’ and Dickens’s passing comment on spelling books. This paper examines the complex intertextuality between Dickens’s novels and spelling books. For Dickens, the spelling book not only represents an unpleasant type of elementary schoolbook or an undesirable method of teaching; it stands for the arbitrary blend of literacy training and moral cultivation. Although Dickens welcomed both of these undertakings, he objected to the common pedagogical practice of learning to read by memorizing moral tales. As he implies in Great Expectations, a good moral tale should be morally ambivalent and narratively sophisticated. Instead of being memorized and taken for granted like a spelling-book text, it should elicit empathy and encourage idiosyncratic interpretation. The spelling-book mentality is a predicament for a novel writer, and a hurdle in the way of sympathetic reading of a novel. A novel may be moralistic, but it belongs first and foremost to the realm of knowledge and experience, rather than the vacuum of innocence.
Cryoglobulinemia as a Possible Primer for TRALI: Report of a Case
Authors: Beech Cameron , Kumar Deepika , Hendrickson Jeanne , Perincheri Sudhir , Tormey Christopher , Bahar Burak
Published: November 2018

Waldenström macroglobulinemia (WM) is a form of lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma that can cause hyperviscosity syndrome due to unchecked monoclonal antibody production. Some patients are also found to have associated cryoglobulinemia, which can cause systemic complications including vasculitis, renal disease, and pulmonary complications. Cryoglobulins can also serve as a source of interference with various laboratory assays. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is one of the recommended treatment modalities to manage hyperviscosity.

Herein, we present the case of an 84-year-old female patient with Waldenström macroglobulinemia who presented with hyperviscosity syndrome and discrepant laboratory findings, and who then developed transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) during TPE. This case is one of many in the emerging possible linkages observed between cryoglobulinemia and TRALI.
Identification of multiple species and subpopulations among Australian clinical Sporothrix isolates using whole genome sequencing
Authors: New David , Beukers Alicia G , Kidd Sarah E , Merritt Adam J , Weeks Kerry , van Hal Sebastiaan J , Arthur Ian
Published: November 2018

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to demonstrate the wide genetic variability within Sporothrix schenckii sensu lato and establish that there are two main species of Sporothrix within Australian clinical isolates—S. schenckii sensu stricto and Sporothrix globosa. We also demonstrated southwest Western Australia contained genetically similar S. schenckii ss strains that are distinct from strains isolated in the eastern and northern states of Australia. Some genetic clustering by region was also noted for northern NSW, Queensland, and Northern Territory. Phylogenetic analysis of WGS data provided greater phylogenetic resolution compared to analysis of the calmodulin gene alone.
Predictive Value of Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings for Survival and Local Recurrence in Patients Undergoing En Bloc Resection of Sacral Chordomas
Authors: Zuckerman Scott L , Amini Behrang , Lee Sun-Ho , Rao Ganesh , Tatsui Claudio E , Rhines Laurence D
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Few studies have assessed the prognostic importance of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan findings in patients undergoing en bloc resection of sacral chordomas.

OBJECTIVE

To (1) report in-depth imaging characteristics of sacral chordomas, (2) describe the patterns of local and distant recurrence, and (3) determine imaging predictors of overall survival (OS) and local recurrence (LR).

METHODS

This retrospective case series was obtained from a prospectively maintained spine database from 1995 to 2016. All patients underwent en bloc resection of sacral chordomas. Detailed demographic, outcome, and MRI data were collected. A survival analysis was completed with multivariable cox regression to assess the impact of MRI findings on OS and LR.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients underwent en bloc resection of sacral chordoma with preoperative MRI scans. Tumor characteristics included lobulated: (93%) and soft tissue tail (54%). The following areas had tumor invasion lobulated: sacroiliac (SI) joint (15%), ilium (5%), piriformis (61%), gluteus (46%), subcutaneous fat (32%), and lumbosacral venous plexus (22%). After multivariable analysis, only subcutaneous fat extension was an independent predictor of decreased OS (hazard ratio 5.30, 95% confidence interval 1.47-19.19,P = .011). Though not significant after multivariable analysis, the following factors were significant predictors of LR after univariate logrank testing: above the L5/S1 disc space (P = .004), SI joint invasion (P = .036), and piriformis extension (P = .022).

CONCLUSION

The presence of subcutaneous fat extension was an independent predictor of decreased OS. Other MRI findings with potential for future evaluation include size, presence of soft tissue tail, extension above L5/S1, and SI joint and piriformis invasion.
Magnitude and Chronicity of Environmental Smoke Exposure Across Infancy and Early Childhood in a Sample of Low-Income Children
Authors: Gatzke-Kopp Lisa M , Willoughby Michael T , Warkentien Siri M , O’Connor Thomas , Granger Douglas A , Blair Clancy
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Infants and young children may be at an increased risk for second- and thirdhand exposure to tobacco smoke because of increased respiration rate and exposure to surface residue. However, relatively fewer studies have examined biomarkers of exposure (cotinine) in children under age 4 years. This study examines the magnitude and chronicity of exposure across early childhood among children from low-income families in order to better characterize contextual risk factors associated with exposure.

Methods

A total of 1292 families were recruited in six nonurban counties of Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Cotinine was assayed from infant saliva at 6, 15, 24, and 48 months of age (N = 1218), and categorized as low (≤0.45 ng/mL), moderate (0.46–12 ng/mL), or high (≥12 ng/mL) at each time point. Categories were highly correlated across time. Latent class analysis was used to summarize patterns of exposure categories across time.

Results

Magnitude of exposure in this sample was high, with approximately 12% of infants registering cotinine values at least 12 ng/mL, consistent with active smoking in adults. Greater exposure was associated with lower income, less education, more residential instability, and more instability in adult occupants in the home, whereas time spent in center-based day care was associated with lower exposure.

Conclusions

Young children from low-income, nonurban communities appear to bear a higher burden of secondhand smoke exposure than previous studies have reported. Results contribute to understanding populations at greater risk, as well as specific, potentially malleable, environmental factors that may be examined as direct contributors to exposure.

Implications

Results suggest that infants from low-income, nonurban families have higher risk for environmental smoke exposure than data from nationally representative samples. Predictors of exposure offer insights into specific factors that may be targeted for risk reduction efforts, specifically conditions of children’s physical space. In addition to considering the increases in risk when an adult smoker lives in a child’s home, families should also attend to the possible risk embedded within the home itself, such as residual smoke from previous occupants. For high-risk children, day care appears to mitigate the magnitude of exposure by providing extended time in a smoke-free environment.
Epidemiology of Campylobacter Gastroenteritis in New Zealand Children and the Effect of The Campylobacter Strategy
Authors: Jeffs Emma , Williman Jonathan , Martin Natalie , Brunton Cheryl , Walls Tony
Published: November 2018

Background:

Campylobacter species are a common cause of gastroenteritis in New Zealand (NZ) as well as worldwide. This study aimed to describe epidemiologic trends in disease notifications and hospital admissions because of Campylobacter gastroenteritis in NZ children from 1997 to 2016.

Methods:

In this population-based descriptive study, age-specific and age-standardized notification and hospitalization rates were analyzed for Campylobacter infections in children <15 years of age. Variations in disease by time, sex, age, ethnicity and geography were described.

Results:

During the 20-year period considered, there were 39,970 notifications (59.1% male) and 1458 hospitalizations (61.8% male) because of Campylobacter gastroenteritis in NZ children. Before 2006, notification rates increased by 3.4% annually [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7%–6.2%], with a peak of 340 notifications per 100,000 children in 2003. The average percentage change (APC) in hospitalizations was 7.4% (95% CI: 4.0%–10.9%) in the same period. From 2006 to 2008, notification and hospitalization rates fell by 25% and 30%, respectively. Since 2008, age-standardized incidence rates have been stable at 161 notifications (APC: −3.1; 95% CI: 0.82 to −6.9) and 6.73 hospitalizations (APC: 2.2; 95% CI: −2.0 to 6.5) per 100,000 children per year. Notification rates were highest in children 1–4 years of age. Hospitalizations rates were highest in children <1 year of age.

Conclusions:

NZ has previously had high rates of Campylobacter gastroenteritis in children. Implementation of a national strategy to reduce foodborne Campylobacter infection appears to have contributed to an observed reduction in rates between 2006 and 2008. The burden of Campylobacter disease is highest in the community health setting, with only a small proportion of cases needing hospitalization.