bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An optimal track maintenance scheduling model analysis taking the risk of accidents into consideration
Authors: Miwa Masashi , Oyama Tatsuo
Published: June 2017

This paper presents an optimal track maintenance scheduling model developed for maintaining adequate conditions of the railway tracks and accomplishing an efficient management of the railway service. Our model has been used in several major Japanese railway companies to develop optimal track maintenance schedules (OTMS). Since train accidents cause enormous losses (not only for the railway company but also for society), we propose to take into account the risk of train accidents while developing the OTMS. Thus, it is critically important to identify measures to quantitatively evaluate the risk of accidents to ensure safe and stable transportation. We propose a method to estimate track maintenance costs and the related costs associated with the risk of train derailment due to longitudinal level irregularities of the railway track. We attempt to show a desirable condition of railway tracks by applying the accident cost estimation method and the OTMS model to an actual railway section. We also demonstrate how to apply these models to actual railway networks in general by validating the estimation results using actual numerical data.
Book Reviews
Authors: Hardwick C. T.
Published: June 2017

PRODUCTION CONTROL TECHNIQUES By R. L. VAN DE MARK (St. Clair, Michigan: VanDeMark, Inc., 1964. (193 pages)
Book Reviews
Authors: Pooler Victor H.
Published: June 2017

THE WEAPONS ACQUISITION PROCESS: ECONOMIC INCENTIVES By FREDERIC M. SCHERER (Boston: Harvard University, Division of Research, 1964. 447 pages. $7.50)
Book Reviews
Authors: Hahn James D.
Published: June 2017

PURCHASING MANAGEMENT BY HAROLD A. BERRY (Waterford, Connecticut: National Foremen's Institute, 1964. 176 pages. $4.95)
Exogenous and endogenous corticosterone in feathers
Authors: Fischer Clare Parker , Rao Rohan , Romero L. Michael
Published: June 2017

In birds, the steroid hormone corticosterone (CORT) increases in response to real or perceived threats to homeostasis. A long‐term record of CORT exposure is recorded in feathers when the hormone is incorporated into the keratinized tissue, and then preserved when the mature feather is cut off from the blood supply. The opportunity to retrospectively assess the exposure of an individual to stressors by measuring the amount of CORT in a feather has generated excitement amongst avian ecologists. However, this technique is relatively new and requires additional validations. In this study, we performed experiments in wild caught European starlings Sturnus vulgaris to test whether: 1) CORT deposition in the feather depends on time of day and 2) whether an ecologically relevant stressor (unpredictable food access) causes a change in feather CORT. We found that exogenous CORT was incorporated into feathers during the day and the night. However, there was no difference in feather CORT between birds with unpredictable access to food and those with continuous access, indicating that feather CORT might not always detect ecologically relevant stressors.
Sickeningly Sweet: L‐rhamnose stimulates Flavobacterium columnare biofilm formation and virulence
Authors: Lange M D , Farmer B D , Declercq A M , Peatman E , Decostere A , Beck B H
Published: June 2017

Flavobacterium columnare, the causative agent of columnaris disease, causes substantial mortality worldwide in numerous freshwater finfish species. Due to its global significance and impact on the aquaculture industry continual efforts to better understand basic mechanisms that contribute to disease are urgently needed. The current work sought to evaluate the effect of L‐rhamnose on the growth characteristics of F. columnare. While we initially did not observe any key changes during the total growth of F. columnare isolates tested when treated with L‐rhamnose, it soon became apparent that the difference lies in the ability of this carbohydrate to facilitate the formation of biofilms. The addition of different concentrations of L‐rhamnose consistently promoted the development of biofilms among different F. columnare isolates; however, it does not appear to be sufficient as a sole carbon source for biofilm growth. Our data also suggest that iron acquisition machinery is required for biofilm development. Finally, the addition of different concentrations of L‐rhamnose to F. columnare prior to a laboratory challenge increased mortality rates in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) as compared to controls. These results provide further evidence that biofilm formation is an integral virulence factor in the initiation of disease in fish.
Dietary Pattern Associated with Frailty: Results from Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan
Authors: Lo Yen‐Li , Hsieh Yao‐Te , Hsu Li‐Lin , Chuang Shao‐Yuan , Chang Hsing‐Yi , Hsu Chih‐Cheng , Chen Ching‐Yu , Pan Wen‐Harn
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To investigate whether dietary patterns are associated with frailty phenotypes in an elderly Taiwanese population.

Design

Cross‐sectional.

Setting

Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan (NAHSIT), 2014–2016.

Participants

Noninstitutionalized Taiwanese nationals aged 65 years and older enrolled in the NAHSIT (N = 923).

Measurements

Dietary intake was assessed using a 79‐item food‐frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Presence of 5 frailty phenotypes was determined using modified Fried criteria and are summed into a frailty score. Using data from the NAHSIT (2014–15), reduced rank regression was used to find a dietary pattern that explained maximal degree of variation of the frailty scores. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between frailty and dietary pattern. The findings were validated with data from 2016.

Results

The derived dietary pattern was characterized with a high consumption of fruit, nuts and seeds, tea, vegetables, whole grains, shellfish, milk, and fish. The prevalence of frailty was 7.8% and of prefrailty was 50.8%, defined using the modified Fried criteria. Using data from the NAHSIT (2014–15), the dietary pattern score showed an inverse dose‐response relationship with prevalence of frailty and pre‐frailty. Individuals in the second dietary pattern tertile were one‐third as likely to be frail as those in the first tertile (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.12−0.85), and those in the third tertile were 4% as likely to be frail as those in the first tertile (aOR = 0.04, 95% CI = 0.01−0.18). The dietary pattern score estimated using FFQ data from the NAHSIT 2016 was also significantly and inversely associated with frailty.

Conclusion

Individuals with a dietary pattern with more phytonutrient‐rich plant foods, tea, omega‐3‐rich deep‐sea fish, and other protein‐rich foods such as shellfish and milk had a reduced prevalence of frailty. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and investigate whether related dietary interventions can reduce frailty in older adults.
Candida albicans biofilms: comparative analysis of room‐temperature and cryofixation for scanning electron microscopy
Authors: VILA T. , FONSECA B.B. , DA CUNHA M.M.L. , DOS SANTOS G.R.C. , ISHIDA K. , BARRETO‐BERGTER E. , DE SOUZA W. , ROZENTAL S.
Published: June 2017

Biofilms are frequently related to invasive fungal infections and are reported to be more resistant to antifungal drugs than planktonic cells. The structural complexity of the biofilm as well as the presence of a polymeric extracellular matrix (ECM) is thought to be associated with this resistant behavior. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after room temperature glutaraldehyde‐based fixation, have been used to study fungal biofilm structure and drug susceptibility but they usually fail to preserve the ECM and, therefore, are not an optimised methodology to understand the complexity of the fungal biofilm. Thus, in this work, we propose a comparative analysis of room‐temperature and cryofixation/freeze substitution of Candida albicans biofilms for SEM observation. Our experiments showed that room‐temperature fixative protocols using glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide prior to alcohol dehydration led to a complete extraction of the polymeric ECM of biofilms. ECM from fixative and alcohol solutions were recovered after all processing steps and these structures were characterised by biochemistry assays, transmission electron microscopy and mass spectrometry. Cryofixation techniques followed by freeze‐substitution lead to a great preservation of both ECM structure and C. albicans biofilm cells, allowing the visualisation of a more reliable biofilm structure. These findings reinforce that cryofixation should be the indicated method for SEM sample preparation to study fungal biofilms as it allows the visualisation of the EMC and the exploration of the biofilm structure to its fullest, as its structural/functional role in interaction with host cells, other pathogens and for drug resistance assays.
Patient Perspectives on Nurse Practitioner Care in Oncology in Canada
Authors: Stahlke Sarah , Rawson Krista , Pituskin Edith
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to add to what is known about patient satisfaction with nurse practitioner (NP) care, from the perspective of breast cancer patients who were followed by an NP.

Methods and Design

This study utilized Interpretive Description, a qualitative method aimed at making sense of the experiential aspects of health care and developing practical knowledge for improved care. Nine patients receiving NP‐led care in an outpatient breast cancer clinic were interviewed about their perspectives on and experiences with NP‐led care. Interview transcripts were thematically analyzed.

Findings

The NP role has long been regarded as a way of addressing many contemporary health system problems, although there continue to be barriers to the effective utilization of the role, including public and patient misunderstandings. This study revealed that, despite persistent traditional role understandings about health professionals, the patient participants appreciated the benefits of NP care and were highly satisfied with both the physical care and holistic support they received during the course of their treatment.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Today's healthcare system is characterized by accessibility issues, unmet patient need, workforce issues, and funding pressures. This research supports and enriches what is known about the benefits and usefulness of NP‐provided care from the viewpoint of those receiving the care. The findings offer guidance to NPs in the clinical setting regarding patient needs and optimal care strategies.
Enhancement of high glucose‐induced PINK1 expression by melatonin stimulates neuronal cell survival: Involvement of MT2/Akt/NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Onphachanh Xaykham , Lee Hyun Jik , Lim Jae Ryong , Jung Young Hyun , Kim Jun Sung , Chae Chang Woo , Lee Sei‐Jung , Gabr Amr Ahmed , Han Ho Jae
Published: June 2017

Hyperglycemia is a representative hallmark and risk factor for diabetes mellitus (DM) and is closely linked to DM‐associated neuronal cell death. Previous investigators reported on a genome‐wide association study and showed relationships between DM and melatonin receptor (MT), highlighting the role of MT signaling by assessing melatonin in DM. However, the role of MT signaling in DM pathogenesis is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of mitophagy regulators in high glucose‐induced neuronal cell death and the effect of melatonin against high glucose‐induced mitophagy regulators in neuronal cells. In our results, high glucose significantly increased PTEN‐induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and LC‐3B expressions; as well it decreased cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 expression and Mitotracker™ fluorescence intensity. Silencing of PINK1 induced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial membrane potential impairment, increased expressions of cleaved caspases, and increased the number of annexin V‐positive cells. In addition, high glucose‐stimulated melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B) mRNA and PINK1 expressions were reversed by ROS scavenger N‐acetyl cysteine pretreatment. Upregulation of PINK1 expression in neuronal cells is suppressed by pretreatment with MT2 receptor‐specific inhibitor 4‐P‐PDOT. We further showed melatonin stimulated Akt phosphorylation, which was followed by nuclear factor kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Silencing of PINK1 expression abolished melatonin‐regulated mitochondrial ROS production, cleaved caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 expressions, and the number of annexin V‐positive cells. In conclusion, we have demonstrated the melatonin stimulates PINK1 expression via an MT2/Akt/NF‐κB pathway, and such stimulation is important for the prevention of neuronal cell apoptosis under high glucose conditions.
Production of N2 and N2O from nitrate ingested by sheep
Authors: de Raphélis‐Soissan V. , Nolan J. V. , Godwin I. R. , Newbold J. R. , Eyre B. D. , Erler D. V. , Hegarty R. S.
Published: June 2017

Supplementing ruminants with nitrate reduces their enteric methane (CH4) emissions; however, the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation achieved can be partially offset by small emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), a more potent GHG. Sheep were dosed intraruminally with 15 to investigate whether dietary is a precursor of N2O and/or di‐nitrogen gas (N2), and to quantify the amounts of recovered as N2O and N2 in gas emissions from sheep adapted or not adapted to dietary . Ruminally cannulated sheep were adapted to a hay diet supplemented with (n = 3; 10 g /kg DM) or urea (n = 3; 5.3 g urea/kg DM). On the day of the experiment all sheep were dosed intraruminally with 15 and quickly moved into gas‐tight chambers to enable recovery of 15N in N2O and N2 to be measured. Measurements of gases accumulating in the chambers were made over 10 successive 50 min periods; this enabled the amount of N2O produced, and the recovery of 15‐N in N2O and N2 to be determined over a total of 10 hr. Only 0.04% of labelled ‐N was recovered as N2O, and this was not dependent (p > .05) on whether or not the animals had been adapted to dietary . Approximatively 3% of 15‐N was recovered as 15N2, which was also not dependent (p > .05) on whether sheep had been adapted to . Because the kinetics of rumen ammonia (NH3) were uncertain, the recovery of 15N from in rumen NH3 could not accurately be quantified, but our results suggest that approximately 76% of dietary was converted to NH3 in the rumen. We conclude that the small amount of recovered in N2 was evidence of denitrification, previously thought not to occur in the rumen.
Ultra‐reduced phases in Apollo 16 regolith: Combined field emission electron probe microanalysis and atom probe tomography of submicron Fe‐Si grains in Apollo 16 sample 61500
Authors: Gopon Phillip , Spicuzza Michael J. , Kelly Thomas F. , Reinhard David , Prosa Ty J. , Fournelle John
Published: June 2017

The lunar regolith contains a variety of chemically reduced phases of interest to planetary scientists and the most common, metallic iron, is generally ascribed to space weathering processes (Lucey et al.). Reports of silicon metal and iron silicides, phases indicative of extremely reducing conditions, in lunar samples are rare (Anand et al.; Spicuzza et al.). Additional examples of Fe‐silicides have been identified in a survey of particles from Apollo 16 sample 61501,22. Herein is demonstrated the utility of low keV electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), using the Fe Ll X‐ray line, to analyze these submicron phases, and the necessity of accounting for carbon contamination. We document four Fe‐Si and Si0minerals in lunar regolith return material. The new Fe‐Si samples have a composition close to (Fe,Ni)3Si, whereas those associated with Si0are close to FeSi2and Fe3Si7. Atom probe tomography of (Fe,Ni)3Si shows trace levels of C (60 ppma and nanodomains enriched in C, Ni, P, Cr, and Sr). These reduced minerals require orders of magnitude lower oxygen fugacity and more reducing conditions than required to form Fe0. Documenting the similarities and differences in these samples is important to constrain their formation processes. These phases potentially formed at high temperatures resulting from a meteorite impact. Whether carbon played a role in achieving the lower oxygen fugacities—and there is evidence of nearby carbonaceous chondritic material—it remains to be proven that carbon was the necessary component for the unique existence of these Si0and iron silicide minerals.
Life and death of proteins after protease cleavage: protein degradation by the N‐end rule pathway
Authors: Dissmeyer Nico , Rivas Susana , Graciet Emmanuelle
Published: June 2017

Contents

Summary
929

I.
Introduction: conservation and diversity of N‐end rule pathways
929

II.
Defensive functions of the N‐end rule pathway in plants
930

III.
Proteases and degradation by the N‐end rule pathway
930

IV.
New proteomics approaches for the identification of N‐end rule substrates
932

V.
Concluding remarks
932

Acknowledgements
934

References
934

The N‐end rule relates the stability of a protein to the identity of its N‐terminal residue and some of its modifications. Since its discovery in the 1980s, the repertoire of N‐terminal degradation signals has expanded, leading to a diversity of N‐end rule pathways. Although some of these newly discovered N‐end rule pathways remain largely unexplored in plants, recent discoveries have highlighted roles of N‐end rule‐mediated protein degradation in plant defense against pathogens and in cell proliferation during organ growth. Despite this progress, a bottleneck remains the proteome‐wide identification of N‐end rule substrates due to the prerequisite for endoproteolytic cleavage and technical limitations. Here, we discuss the recent diversification of N‐end rule pathways and their newly discovered functions in plant defenses, stressing the role of proteases. We expect that novel proteomics techniques (N‐terminomics) will be essential for substrate identification. We review these methods, their limitations and future developments.
Inhibition of hazardous compound formation in muscle foods by antioxidative phytophenols
Authors: Xiong Youling L.
Published: June 2017

Individual and mixed herbal extracts, as well as plant spices, are widely used in the preparation of muscle foods to enhance the organoleptic attributes. Abundantly rich in phenolic compounds, many of the phytochemical extracts have been shown to possess strong radical‐scavenging and metal ion–binding properties and hence exert antioxidant activity in meat products. Because of their antiradical nature, phenolic acids and flavonoids, such as tea catechins, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and mixed polyphenols derived from rosemary, licorice, and other herbal materials, are capable of inhibiting the formation of harmful secondary products from oxidized lipids and proteins. The inactivation of carcinogenic compounds produced in some nitrite‐cured and high temperature–processed meats (e.g., nitrosamines and aromatic amines) by phytophenols has also been demonstrated in recent studies. Here, I describe the application of phytochemical‐rich food ingredients in prepared meat and discuss the mechanisms by which plant‐derived phenolic antioxidants mitigate toxicant and mutagen production in muscle foods.
Crystal structures of claudins: insights into their intermolecular interactions
Authors: Suzuki Hiroshi , Tani Kazutoshi , Fujiyoshi Yoshinori
Published: June 2017

Claudins are four‐transmembrane proteins that constitute the backbone of tight junction strands via self‐polymerization in the apicolateral membranes of epithelial cells. Together with their cell–cell adhesion function, claudin proteins form the paracellular barrier and/or channels through epithelial cell sheets whose permeability is primarily dependent on the claudin subtype. Recently determined crystal structures of several claudins revealed the unique claudin fold of four transmembrane helices in a left‐handed helical bundle with an extracellular β‐sheet domain. Here, we focus on the structural basis of the intermolecular interactions between claudin molecules and between the Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin and its receptor claudins.
The first case of domino‐split‐liver transplantation in maple syrup urine disease
Authors: Herden Uta , Li Jun , Fischer Lutz , Brinkert Florian , Blohm Martin , Santer René , Nashan Bjoern , Grabhorn Enke
Published: June 2017

The enzymatic defect in MSUD results in accumulation of neurotoxic metabolites of BCAAs. LTX has shown to be a feasible strategy in patients non‐responsive to diet. Because of sufficient enzyme activity in extrahepatic tissues in healthy people, the MSUD liver graft is a suitable domino organ. We present the first case of a technical challenging ex situ split of a MSUD domino organ transplanted into two pediatric recipients. The domino graft donor was a 21‐year‐old female (58 kg) suffering from MSUD with recurrent metabolic decompensation despite strict diet. The organ was allocated to a 14‐year‐old girl (55 kg) with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Due to excellent organ quality and suitable anatomy, a backward split for a girl of 3 months (5 kg) with decompensated liver cirrhosis due to biliary atresia was performed. The postoperative course was without relevant complications, and the three recipients were discharged on postoperative days 28, 29, and 45, respectively, with good organ function. BCAAs in plasma were normal in the two domino graft recipients, and the MSUD patient showed mildly elevated but stable BCAA concentrations despite an unrestricted diet. Split‐domino LTX enabled successful transplantation of three patients of the waiting list with only one deceased donor graft.
Radial oxygen loss by the cushion plant Eriocaulon schimperi prevents methane emissions from an East‐African mountain mire
Authors: Dullo B. W. , Grootjans A. P. , Roelofs J. G. M. , Senbeta A. F. , Fritz C. , Lamers L. P. M.
Published: June 2017

Groundwater‐fed fens are known sources of methane (CH4) emissions to the atmosphere, and these are known to be mediated by the vegetation. In a fen located in the Bale Mountains, Ethiopia, we assessed the effects of a cushion plant (Eriocaulon schimperi) and a sedge (Carex monostachya) on rhizosphere biogeochemistry.

Methane and CO2 concentrations and pH were measured in pore‐water at different depths in the profile. Redox potentials and NaCl‐extractable element concentrations were analysed in soil samples from sites dominated by either E. schimperii or C. monostachya. Nutrient and element concentration were analysed in plant tissues.

At Carex‐dominated sites, CH4 concentrations increased from 70 μmol·l−1 at a depth of 10 cm to 130 μmol·l−1 at a depth of 100 cm. CH4 concentrations at Eriocaulon‐dominated sites were almost zero (<1 μmol·l−1) to a depth of 100 cm. Simultaneously, soil redox potentials and CO2 concentrations were higher at Eriocaulon‐dominated sites, indicating a low potential for CH4 production and a high potential for CH4 oxidation.

Eriocaulon schimperi displayed a root investment strategy to cope with the harsh environment, similar to the cushion plant Astelia pumila in Patagonian bogs. This strategy is characterised by high root/shoot ratios, high root porosity and density under high redox conditions. Both cushion plant species create an aerobic rhizosphere through radial oxygen loss from deep roots, which strongly reduce CH4 fluxes to the atmosphere.
Carbohydrate metabolism in the subtending leaf cross‐acclimates to waterlogging and elevated temperature stress and influences boll biomass in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: Wang Haimiao , Chen Yinglong , Hu Wei , Wang Shanshan , Snider John L. , Zhou Zhiguo
Published: June 2017

Short‐term waterlogging and chronic elevated temperature occur concomitantly in the cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) growing season. While previous research about co‐occurring waterlogging and elevated temperature has focused primarily on cotton fiber, no studies have investigated carbohydrate metabolism of the subtending leaf (a major source leaf for boll development) cross‐acclimation to aforementioned stressors. To address this, plants were exposed to ambient (31.6/26.5°C) and elevated (34.1/29.0°C) temperatures during the whole flowering and boll formation stage, and waterlogging (0, 3, 6 days) beginning on the day of anthesis. Both waterlogging and high temperature limited boll biomass (reduced by 1.19–32.14%), but effects of different durations of waterlogging coupled with elevated temperature on carbohydrate metabolism in the subtending leaf were quite different. The 6‐day waterlogging combined with elevated temperature had the most negative impact on net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and carbohydrate metabolism of any treatment, leading to upregulated GhSusA and GhSusC expression and enhanced sucrose synthase (SuSy, EC 2.4.1.13) activity for sucrose degradation. A prior exposure to waterlogging for 3 days improved subtending leaf performance under elevated temperature. Pn, sucrose concentrations, Rubisco (EC 4.1.1.39) activity, and cytosolic fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase (cy‐FBPase, EC 3.1.3.11) activity in the subtending leaf significantly increased, while SuSy activity decreased under 3 days waterlogging and elevated temperature combined relative to elevated temperature alone. Thus, we concluded that previous exposure to a brief (3 days) waterlogging stress improved sucrose composition and accumulation cross‐acclimation to high temperature later in development not only by promoting leaf photosynthesis but also inhibiting sucrose degradation.
Theta‐ and delta‐band EEG network dynamics during a novelty oddball task
Authors: Harper Jeremy , Malone Stephen M. , Iacono William G.
Published: June 2017

While the P3 component during target detection and novelty processing has been widely studied, less is known about its underlying network dynamics. A recent cognitive model suggests that frontal‐parietal and frontal‐temporal interregional connectivity are related to attention/action selection and target‐related memory updating during the P3, respectively, but empirical work testing this model is lacking. Other work suggests the importance of theta‐ and delta‐band connectivity between the medial frontal cortex and distributed cortical regions during attention, stimulus detection, and response selection processes, and similar dynamics may underlie P3‐related network connectivity. The present study evaluated the functional connectivity elicited during a visual task, which combined oddball target and novelty stimuli, in a sample of 231 same‐sex twins. It was hypothesized that both target and novel conditions would involve theta frontoparietal connectivity and medial frontal theta power, but that target stimuli would elicit the strongest frontotemporal connectivity. EEG time‐frequency analysis revealed greater theta‐band frontoparietal connectivity and medial frontal power during both target and novel conditions compared to standards, which may index conflict/uncertainty resolution processes. Theta‐band frontotemporal connectivity was maximal during the target condition, potentially reflecting context updating or stimulus‐response activation. Delta‐band frontocentral‐parietal connectivity was also strongest following targets, which may be sensitive to response‐related demands. These results suggest the existence of functional networks related to P3 that are differentially engaged by target oddballs and novel distractors. Compared to simple P3 amplitude, network measures may provide a more nuanced view of the neural dynamics during target detection/novelty processing in normative and pathological populations.
Geographic Hotspots of Critical National Infrastructure
Authors: Thacker Scott , Barr Stuart , Pant Raghav , Hall Jim W. , Alderson David
Published: June 2017

Failure of critical national infrastructures can result in major disruptions to society and the economy. Understanding the criticality of individual assets and the geographic areas in which they are located is essential for targeting investments to reduce risks and enhance system resilience. Within this study we provide new insights into the criticality of real‐life critical infrastructure networks by integrating high‐resolution data on infrastructure location, connectivity, interdependence, and usage. We propose a metric of infrastructure criticality in terms of the number of users who may be directly or indirectly disrupted by the failure of physically interdependent infrastructures. Kernel density estimation is used to integrate spatially discrete criticality values associated with individual infrastructure assets, producing a continuous surface from which statistically significant infrastructure criticality hotspots are identified. We develop a comprehensive and unique national‐scale demonstration for England and Wales that utilizes previously unavailable data from the energy, transport, water, waste, and digital communications sectors. The testing of 200,000 failure scenarios identifies that hotspots are typically located around the periphery of urban areas where there are large facilities upon which many users depend or where several critical infrastructures are concentrated in one location.
Periodontal status of candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Nuernberg Marta Aparecida Alberton , Rodrigues Suelen Caroline , Perdoncini Nicole Nichele , Funke Vaneuza Araújo Moreira , Bonfim Carmem Maria Sales , Nabhan Samir Kanaan , Torres‐Pereira Cassius Carvalho
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe the periodontal profile of ­candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Methods

This cross‐sectional prospective study was performed from March 2014 to March 2015. After an initial interview, eligible individuals were evaluated by the following clinical parameters: visible plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and clinical attachment level at six sites per tooth, excluding third molars.

Results

Thirty‐six candidates for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) were clinically assessed. Eight (22%) patients were diagnosed with gingivitis and 21 (58%) of them with periodontitis. The gingival bleeding was statistically correlated with the percentage of sites with visible plaque (p < 0.0001; r = 0.630) and did not correlate with the number of platelets (p = 0.643, r = −0.082).

Conclusions

The candidates for allogeneic HSCT studied showed a high prevalence of periodontal diseases with unmonitored local infection before transplantation.
Injuries in youth track and field are perceived to have multiple‐level causes that call for ecological (holistic‐developmental) interventions: A national sporting community perceptions and experiences
Authors: Jacobsson J. , Bergin D. , Timpka T. , Nyce J. M. , Dahlström Ö.
Published: June 2017

Engaging in competitive sports as a youth can have many health benefits, but recent studies also report a high risk for injury. The long‐term purpose of this Swedish research program is to develop a framework for safe track and field training for young athletes (aged 12‐15 years). The aim of this study was to establish what is perceived to contribute and cause injuries in youth track and field by compiling the best available experiential knowledge about the underlying factors and use this knowledge to identify appropriate areas to handle these in practical ways. Nine focus group interviews with in total 74 participants and confirming interviews with five individuals were performed in seven Swedish regions. Qualitative research methods were used for data analysis. Injuries in youth athletes were not considered to be strictly the result of individual factors but rather the result of the interactions between factors at different levels. Three major factors emerged as follows: Insufficient knowledge for athletic development in daily practice; shortsighted communities of practice and sports policies not adjusted to youth; and societal health behaviors. The experiential knowledge in the national sporting community suggests that if effective and sustainable injury prevention processes are to be implemented for youth track and field, an ecological (holistic‐developmental) approach to injury prevention is needed. Such an approach allows a longitudinal development‐focused strategy for prevention that spans an athlete's entire career.
Ultraconserved elements show utility in phylogenetic inference of Adephaga (Coleoptera) and suggest paraphyly of ‘Hydradephaga’
Authors: BACA STEPHEN M. , ALEXANDER ALANA , GUSTAFSON GREY T. , SHORT ANDREW E. Z.
Published: June 2017

The beetle suborder Adephaga has been the subject of many phylogenetic reconstructions utilizing a variety of data sources and inference methods. However, no strong consensus has yet emerged on the relationships among major adephagan lineages. Ultraconserved elements (UCEs) have proved useful for inferring difficult or unresolved phylogenies at varying timescales in vertebrates, arachnids and Hymenoptera. Recently, a UCE bait set was developed for Coleoptera using polyphagan genomes and a member of the order Strepsiptera as an outgroup. Here, we examine the utility of UCEs for reconstructing the phylogeny of adephagan families, in the first in vitro application a UCE bait set in Coleoptera. Our final dataset included 305 UCE loci for 18 representatives of all adephagan families except Aspidytidae, and two polyphagan outgroups, with a total concatenated length of 83 547 bp. We inferred trees using maximum likelihood analyses of the concatenated UCE alignment and coalescent species tree methods (astral ii, ASTRID, svdquartets). Although the coalescent species tree methods had poor resolution and weak support, concatenated analyses produced well‐resolved, highly supported trees. Hydradephaga was recovered as paraphyletic, with Gyrinidae sister to Geadephaga and all other adephagans. Haliplidae was recovered as sister to Dytiscoidea, with Hygrobiidae and Amphizoidae successive sisters to Dytiscidae. Finally, Noteridae was recovered as monophyletic and sister to Meruidae. Given the success of UCE data for resolving phylogenetic relationships within Adephaga, we suggest the potential for further resolution of relationships within Adephaga using UCEs with improved taxon sampling, and by developing Adephaga‐specific probes.
Histologic and cytologic bone marrow findings in dogs with suspected precursor‐targeted immune‐mediated anemia and associated phagocytosis of erythroid precursors
Authors: Lucidi Cynthia de A. , de Rezende Christian L. E. , Jutkowitz L. Ari , Scott Michael A.
Published: June 2017

Background

Precursor‐targeted immune‐mediated anemia (PIMA) has been suspected in dogs with nonregenerative anemia and bone marrow findings varying from erythroid hyperplasia to pure red cell aplasia. Phagocytosis of erythroid precursors/rubriphagocytosis (RP) reported in some affected dogs suggests a destructive component to the pathogenesis ofPIMA.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to characterize laboratory and clinical findings in dogs with suspectedPIMAandRP, with emphasis on cytologic and histologic bone marrow findings.

Methods

Dogs withPIMAandRPwere identified by review of paired bone marrow aspirate and core biopsy slides collected over a 4‐year period. Samples were systematically assessed and characterized along with other pertinent laboratory data and clinical findings.

Results

Twenty‐five dogs met criteria forPIMAand hadRPthat was relatively stage‐selective. Erythropoiesis was expanded to the stage of erythroid precursors undergoing most prominent phagocytosis, yielding patterns characterized by a hypo‐, normo‐, or hypercellular erythroid lineage. A 4thpattern involved severe collagen myelofibrosis, and there was a spectrum of mild to severe collagen myelofibrosis overall. Evidence of immune‐mediated hemolysis was rare. Immunosuppressive therapy was associated with remission in 77% of dogs treated for at least the median response time of 2 months.

Conclusions

Bone marrow patterns in dogs fulfilling criteria forPIMAwere aligned with stage‐selective phagocytosis of erythroid precursors and the development of collagen myelofibrosis, common in dogs withPIMA. Recognition of these patterns and detection ofRPfacilitates diagnosis ofPIMA, and slow response to immunosuppressive therapy warrants further investigation into its pathogenesis.
In vitro effects of dalteparin on thrombin generation in canine plasma
Authors: Gara‐Boivin Carolyn , del Castillo Jérôme R. E. , Dunn Marilyn E. , Bédard Christian
Published: June 2017

Background

The calibrated automated thrombogram (CAT) is a functional thrombin generation (TG) assay that may provide a new approach for monitoring anticoagulant therapy in dogs. The effects of dalteparin on TG variables in dogs are unknown.

Objectives

Objectives were to establish normal TG variable ranges in dogs and measure the in vitro TG variables in canine pooled platelet‐poor plasma (PPP) spiked with different dalteparin concentrations.

Methods

In the first experiment, plasma samples from 25 adult healthy Beagle dogs and 11 client‐owned healthy dogs of multiple breeds was measured individually for obtaining normal TG values. In the second experiment, separate pools of the remaining PPP from 24 of the 25 previous adult Beagles and from 45 different client‐owned dogs were spiked with dalteparin at 9 concentrations with increasing anti‐factor Xa (anti‐FXa) activity. Activated partial thromboplastin time, tissue factor‐induced TG, and anti‐FXa activity were measured for each concentration. Concentration–response relationships were determined with ADAPT v.5, using various nonlinear regression models for stimulatory or inhibitory effects.

Results

Thrombin generation ranges of client‐owned dogs and Beagles were equivalent only for time‐to‐peak (P < .05). In vitro dalteparin resulted in a concentration‐dependent decrease in endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) in pooled PPP. The estimated dalteparin concentration that produced half the maximal inhibition of baseline ETP (IC50) was 0.289 U/mL. Thrombin generation and anti‐FXa activity were more sensitive than APTT to detect the effects of dalteparin.

Conclusions

The CAT assay can measure the effects of dalteparin in canine plasma, resulting in significant dose‐dependent decreases in ETP, prompting further in vivo investigation.
Interventions Promoting Breast Cancer Screening Among Turkish Women With Global Implications: A Systematic Review
Authors: Secginli Selda , Nahcivan Nursen O. , Gunes Gussun , Fernandez Ritin
Published: June 2017

Background

Breast cancer is a major health concern and remains the most common malignancy in women worldwide and in Turkey. Mammography, clinical breast examination (CBE), and breast self‐examination (BSE) are recommended methods to detect early breast cancer in women. Many strategies have been developed to increase the rates of mammography, CBE, and BSE among Turkish women. Despite the benefits of breast cancer screening, these modalities are still underutilized by the majority of Turkish women.

Aim

To systematically review the scientific evidence on the effectiveness of various strategies aimed at improving screening behaviors for breast cancer in Turkish women.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature published between 2000 and 2015 was conducted, searching 10 databases of Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Google Scholar, ULAKBIM Turkish Medical Database, and Council of Higher Education Thesis Center.

Results

Twenty‐three studies were included in the final review. The majority of the studies investigated the effects of multiple strategies to improve BSE. Group education comprised educational sessions, printed and audiovisual materials, which significantly improved BSE, CBE, and mammography screening rates at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the intervention. One‐to‐one education demonstrated no significant difference in BSE rates at 6‐month and 12‐month follow‐up. However, one‐to‐one education demonstrated significant differences in CBE and mammography rates at the 3‐month follow‐up.

Linking Evidence to Action

The use of group education comprising a multicomponent intervention demonstrated an increase in breast‐screening behaviors among Turkish women. Further research investigating the duration of educational interventions is needed in order to suggest a “dose response.”
Endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathogenesis of hypertension
Authors: Young Colin N.
Published: June 2017

New Findings

What is the topic of this review?

This review highlights the emerging role of disruptions in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function, namely ER stress, as a contributor to hypertension.

What advances does it highlight?

This review presents an integrative view of ER stress in cardiovascular control systems, including systems within the brain, kidney and peripheral vasculature, as related to development of hypertension.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a cellular organelle specialized in the synthesis, folding, assembly and modification of proteins. In situations of increased protein demand, complex signalling pathways, termed the unfolded protein response, influence a series of cellular feedback loops to control ER function strictly. Although this is initially a compensatory attempt to maintain cellular homeostasis, chronic activation of the unfolded protein response, known as ER stress, leads to sustained changes in cellular function. A growing body of literature points to ER stress in diverse cardioregulatory systems, including the brain, kidney and vasculature, as central to the development of hypertension. Here, these recent findings from essential and obesity‐related forms of hypertension are highlighted in an integrative manner, with discussion of the potential upstream causes and downstream consequences of ER stress. Given that hypertension is a leading medical and socio‐economic global challenge, emerging findings suggest that targeting ER stress might represent a viable strategy for the treatment of hypertensive disease.
Microporous Coatings and Enhanced Critical Heat Flux for Downward Facing Boiling During Passive Emergency Reactor Cooling
Authors: Segall Albert E. , Sohag Faruk A. , Beck Faith R. , Mohanta Lokanath , Cheung Fan-Bill , Eden Timothy J. , Potter John
Published: June 2017

During a reaction-initiated accident (RIA) or loss of coolant accident (LOCA), passive external-cooling of the reactor lower head is a viable approach for the in-vessel retention (IVR) of Corium; while this concept can certainly be applied to new constructions, it may also be viable for operational systems with existing cavities below the reactor. However, a boiling crisis will inevitably develop on the reactor lower head owing to the occurrence of critical heat flux (CHF) that could reduce the decay heat removal capability as the vapor phase impedes continuous boiling. Fortunately, this effect can be minimized for both new and existing reactors through the use of a cold-spray-delivered, microporous coating that facilitates the formation of vapor microjets from the reactor surface. The microporous coatings were created by first spraying a binary mixture with the sacrificial material then removed via etching. Subsequent quenching experiments on uncoated and coated hemispherical surfaces showed that local CHF values for the coated vessel were consistently higher relative to the bare surface. Moreover, it was observed for both coated and uncoated surfaces that the local rate of boiling and local CHF limit varied appreciably along the outer surface. Nevertheless, the results of this intriguing study clearly show that the use of cold spray coatings could enhance the local CHF limit for downward facing boiling by more than 88%. Moreover, the cold-spray process is amenable to coating the lower heads of operating reactors.
A Comparison of Single and Double Lip Rim Seal Geometries
Authors: Savov Svilen S. , Atkins Nicholas R. , Uchida Sumiu
Published: June 2017

The effect of the purge flow, engine-like blade pressure field, and mainstream flow coefficient are studied experimentally for a single and double lip rim seal. Compared to the single lip, the double lip seal requires less purge flow for similar levels of cavity seal effectiveness. Unlike the double lip seal, the single lip seal is sensitive to overall Reynolds number, the addition of a simulated blade pressure field, and large-scale nonuniform ingestion. In the case of both seals, unsteady pressure variations attributed to shear layer interaction between the mainstream and rim seal flows appear to be important for ingestion at off-design flow coefficients. The double lip seal has both a weaker vane pressure field in the rim seal cavity and a smaller difference in seal effectiveness across the lower lip than the single lip seal. As a result, the double lip seal is less sensitive in the rotor–stator cavity to changes in shear layer interaction and the effects of large-scale circumferentially nonuniform ingestion. However, the reduced flow rate through the double lip seal means that the outer lip has increased sensitivity to shear layer interactions. Overall, it is shown that seal performance is driven by both the vane/blade pressure field and the gradient in seal effectiveness across the inner lip. This implies that accurate representation of both, the pressure field and the mixing due to shear layer interaction, would be necessary for more reliable modeling.
How time-based alignment of realized acoustic landmarks and predicted landmarks improves analysis of feature cue modification patterns in speech
Authors: Bell Rebekah , Choi Jeung-Yoon , Shattuck-Hufnagel Stefanie
Published: June 2017

Acoustic landmarks are abrupt spectral changes that signal the underlying manner features of phonemes (Stevens 2002). Our goal in developing an automatic method to detect these landmarks is to create a robust, knowledge-based approach to phoneme extraction in automatic speech signal processing. One challenge in such an approach is posed by massive reductions, in which many landmarks and other feature cues are missing. Thus, there is a need to hand-label the acoustic landmarks that actually occur in the speech signal and align them with predicted landmarks. However, this often results in a discrepancy between the locations of labels for the automatically generated and hand-labeled landmarks, which leads to an inaccurate analysis of where realized landmarks occur with respect to word and phoneme interval boundaries. We attempted to solve this issue with a time-based alignment method derived from the minimum edit distance algorithm. The result improved alignment of the realized landmark labels with the predicted landmark labels, enabling a more accurate analysis of modifications in the hand-labeled (realized) landmark tiers.
Profiling measurement of internal tide in the Bali Strait by reciprocal sound transmission
Authors: Syamsudin Fadli , Chen Minmo , Kaneko Arata , Wells John C. , Zhu Xiao-Hua
Published: June 2017

A reciprocal sound transmission experiment was carried out from 10 to 12 June 2015 along one-crossed-strait line in the Bali Strait with strong tidal current to measure the vertical section structures of range-averaged current and temperature at a 3 minutes interval. The five-layer structures of those parameters in the vertical sections were reconstructed by the regularized of travel time data for 2 rays. The hourly mean current showed a generation of nonlinear internal tide with amplitudes of (1.0—1.5)m/s and period of 6 hours, superimposed on semi-diurnal internal tide with amplitudes, decreasing from the upper to lower layer. The hourly mean temperature was characterized by variation with amplitude of (1.0-1.5) and period of 6 and 8 hours. Current variation revealed an out of phase relation between the upper and lower layer while temperature varied in phase for all five layers. The 2-day average current formed a stratified structure, varying from -0.6 to -0.1m/s and from 23.8 to 28, respectively. The five-layer current and temperature were significantly over the inversion errors. It is suggested that thermal stratification in the Bali strait was caused by intrusion of dense cold water from the Indian Ocean due to coastal upwelling.