bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dengue Fever and Aedes aegypti in indigenous Brazilians: seroprevalence, risk factors, knowledge and practices
Authors: Sacramento Rafael Henrique Machado , de Carvalho Araújo Fernanda Montenegro , Lima Danielle Malta , Alencar Carlos Carlos Henrique , Martins Victor Emanuel Pessoa , Araújo Lucas Venâncio , de Oliveira Tais Castelo , de Góes Cavalcanti Luciano Pamplona 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveDengue remains an important public health problem in Brazil. We estimated the associated factors of dengue seroprevalence among native Indians of the Tremembé ethnic and their knowledge about the aspects related to the presence of mosquitoes of the genus Aedes.MethodsAn analytical cross‐sectional study and a prospective environmental study to monitor the trapping of mosquito eggs monthly were performed. The serological portion of the study involved indigenous people living in the village of Tapera in northeastern Brazil. Ovitraps were monitored for 12 months.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety of 350 indigenous people (82.9%) participated in the study, with an average age of 30.2 years. The seroprevalence was 22.1% and positivity increased with age, with rates of 4.2% in children under 15 years of age, 26.8% in 15 to 59‐year‐olds and 42.3% in those older than 59 (CI: 2.25–15.96; P < 0.001). A higher incidence of moving to the city and the presence of underlying diseases were associated with the occurrence of dengue (P < 0.001). Four serotypes were detected, with the highest prevalence of DENV‐1 (77.8%), followed by DENV‐2 (70.4%), DENV‐3 (14.8%) and DENV‐4 (11.1%). Eggs were collected in all months of the year and in the traps located in the vicinities of the domiciles (57%).ConclusionsWe present the first seroepidemiological survey of dengue conducted among indigenous populations in Brazil. This lack of studies is likely due to the great bureaucratic challenge of working with indigenous populations, which may lead to greater negligence in the health of these populations.
Pathogenic Nocardia cyriacigeorgica and Nocardia nova Evolve To Resist Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole by both Expected and Unexpected Pathways
Authors: Mehta H. , Weng J. , Prater A. , Elworth R. A. L. , Han X. , Shamoo Y. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACT

Nocardia
spp. are Gram-positive opportunistic pathogens that affect largely immunocompromised patients, leading to serious pulmonary or systemic infections. Combination therapy using the folate biosynthesis pathway inhibitors trimethoprim (TMP) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX) is commonly used as an antimicrobial therapy. Not surprisingly, as antibiotic therapies for nocardiosis can extend for many months, resistance to TMP-SMX has emerged. Using experimental evolution, we surveyed the genetic basis of adaptation to TMP-SMX across 8 strains of
Nocardia nova
and 2 strains of
Nocardia cyriacigeorgica
. By employing both continuous experimental evolution to provide longitudinal information on the order of changes and characterization of resistant endpoint isolates, we observe changes that are consistent with modifications of two enzymes of the folate biosynthesis pathway: dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) (FolP), with the mutations often being clustered near the active site of the enzymes. While changes to DHFR and DHPS might be expected, we also noted that mutations in a previously undescribed homolog of DHPS (DHPS2 or FolP2) that was annotated as being “nonfunctional” were also sufficient to generate TMP-SMX resistance, which serves as a cautionary tale for the use of automated annotation by investigators and for the future discovery of drugs against this genus. Additionally,
folP2
overlapped glucosyl-3-phosphoglycerate synthase. Remarkably, an adaptive frameshift mutation within the overlapping region resulted in a new in-frame fusion to the downstream gene to produce a potentially new bifunctional enzyme. How a single potentially bifunctional DHPS2 enzyme might confer resistance is unclear. However, it highlights the unexpected ways in which adaptive evolution finds novel solutions for selection.
Pneumococcal haemolytic uraemic syndrome in the postvaccine era
Authors: Lawrence Jolie , Gwee Amanda , Quinlan Catherine 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivePneumococcal infection is a leading cause of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) and is potentially vaccine preventable. Published data suggest high mortality and poor renal outcomes. The introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) has seen the emergence of disease caused by non-vaccine strains, particularly 19A. We sought to describe serotype prevalence and outcomes, particularly after the introduction of the 13-valent PCV.Design and settingWe performed a retrospective chart review, using hospital medical records to identify cases of HUS in a tertiary paediatric hospital in Australia over a 20-year period (January 1997–December 2016). Associated pneumococcal infection was identified, and serotype data were categorised according to vaccine era: prevaccine (January 1997–December 2004), PCV7 (January 2005–June 2011) and PCV13 (July 2011–December 2016).ResultsWe identified 66 cases of HUS. Pneumococcal infection was proven in 11 cases, representing 4% (1/26) of cases prior to the introduction of PCV7, 20% (3/15) in the PCV7 era and 28% (7/25) in the PCV13 era. Subtype 19A was the most prevalent pneumococcal serotype (6/11). All four patients who received PCV7 were infected with a non-vaccine serotype. Four of the five patients who received PCV13 were classed as vaccine failures. Median follow-up was 14 (range 1–108) months. Chronic kidney disease was the most common complication (4/7). We observed no mortality, neurological sequelae or progression to end-stage kidney disease.ConclusionsSerotype 19A is most commonly associated with pneumococcal HUS, despite the introduction of the 13-valent vaccine. Chronic kidney disease is a significant complication of pneumococcal HUS.
Retrospective observational study of emergency department syndromic surveillance data during air pollution episodes across London and Paris in 2014
Authors: Hughes Helen E , Morbey Roger , Fouillet Anne , Caserio-Schönemann Céline , Dobney Alec , Hughes Thomas C , Smith Gillian E , Elliot Alex J 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionPoor air quality (AQ) is a global public health issue and AQ events can span across countries. Using emergency department (ED) syndromic surveillance from England and France, we describe changes in human health indicators during periods of particularly poor AQ in London and Paris during 2014.MethodsUsing daily AQ data for 2014, we identified three periods of poor AQ affecting both London and Paris. Anonymised near real-time ED attendance syndromic surveillance data from EDs across England and France were used to monitor the health impact of poor AQ.Using the routine English syndromic surveillance detection methods, increases in selected ED syndromic indicators (asthma, difficulty breathing and myocardial ischaemia), in total and by age, were identified and compared with periods of poor AQ in each city. Retrospective Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests were used to identify significant increases in ED attendance data on days with (and up to 3 days following) poor AQ.ResultsAlmost 1.5 million ED attendances were recorded during the study period (27 February 2014 to 1 October 2014). Significant increases in ED attendances for asthma were identified around periods of poor AQ in both cities, especially in children (aged 0–14 years). Some variation was seen in Paris with a rapid increase during the first AQ period in asthma attendances among children (aged 0–14 years), whereas during the second period the increase was greater in adults.DiscussionThis work demonstrates the public health value of syndromic surveillance during air pollution incidents. There is potential for further cross-border harmonisation to provide Europe-wide early alerting to health impacts and improve future public health messaging to healthcare services to provide warning of increases in demand.
Can interprofessional teamwork reduce patient throughput times? A longitudinal single-centre study of three different triage processes at a Swedish emergency department
Authors: Liu Jenny , Masiello Italo , Ponzer Sari , Farrokhnia Nasim 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo determine the impact on emergency department (ED) throughput times and proportion of patients who leave without being seen by a physician (LWBS) of two triage interventions, where comprehensive nurse-led triage was first replaced by senior physician-led triage and then by interprofessional teamwork.DesignSingle-centre before-and-after study.SettingAdult ED of a Swedish urban hospital.ParticipantsPatients arriving on weekdays 08:00 to 21:00 during three 1-year periods in the interval May 2012 to November 2015. A total of 185 806 arrivals were included.InterventionsSenior physicians replaced triage nurses May 2013 to May 2014. Interprofessional teamwork replaced the triage process on weekdays 08:00 to 21:00 November 2014 to November 2015.Main outcome measuresPrimary outcomes were the median time to physician (TTP) and the median length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcome was the LWBS rate.ResultsThe crude median LOS was shortest for teamwork, 228 min (95% CI 226.4 to 230.5) compared with 232 min (95% CI 230.8 to 233.9) for nurse-led and 250 min (95% CI 248.5 to 252.6) for physician-led triage. The adjusted LOS for the teamwork period was 16 min shorter than for nurse-led triage and 23 min shorter than for physician-led triage. The median TTP was shortest for physician-led triage, 56 min (95% CI 54.5 to 56.6) compared with 116 min (95% CI 114.4 to 117.5) for nurse-led triage and 74 min (95% CI 72.7 to 74.8) for teamwork. The LWBS rate was 1.9% for nurse-led triage, 1.2% for physician-led triage and 3.2% for teamwork. All outcome measure differences had two-tailed p values<0.01.ConclusionsInterprofessional teamwork had the shortest length of stay, a shorter time to physician than nurse-led triage, but a higher LWBS rate. Interprofessional teamwork may be a useful approach to reducing ED throughput times.
Discordance between perceived and actual tobacco product use prevalence among US youth: a comparative analysis of electronic and regular cigarettes
Authors: Agaku Israel Terungwa , Odani Satomi , Homa David , Armour Brian , Glover-Kudon Rebecca 
Published: April 2018

Importance
Two components of social norms—descriptive (estimated prevalence) and injunctive (perceived acceptability)—can influence youth tobacco use.

Objective
To investigate electronic cigarettes (e-cigarette) and cigarette descriptive norms and measure the associations between overestimation of e-cigarette and cigarette prevalence and tobacco-related attitudes and behaviours.

Design
Cross-sectional.

Setting
School-based, using paper-and-pencil questionnaires.

Participants
US 6th-12th graders participating in the 2015 (n=17 711) and 2016 (n=20 675) National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Exposure
Students estimated the percent of their grade-mates who they thought used e-cigarettes and cigarettes; the discordance between perceived versus grade-specific actual prevalence was used to categorise students as overestimating (1) neither product, (2) e-cigarettes only, (3) cigarettes only or (4) both products.

Outcomes
Product-specific outcomes were curiosity and susceptibility (never users), as well as ever and current use (all students). Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was at p<0.05. Data were weighted to be nationally representative.

Results
More students overestimated cigarette (74.0%) than e-cigarette prevalence (61.0%; p<0.05). However, the associations between e-cigarette-only overestimation and e-cigarette curiosity (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.29), susceptibility (AOR=2.59), ever use (AOR=5.86) and current use (AOR=8.15) were each significantly larger than the corresponding associations between cigarette-only overestimation and cigarette curiosity (AOR=1.50), susceptibility (AOR=1.54), ever use (AOR=2.04) and current use (AOR=2.52). Despite significant declines in actual e-cigarette use prevalence within each high school grade level during 2015–2016, perceived prevalence increased (11th and 12th grades) or remained unchanged (9th and 10th grades).

Conclusions
Four of five US students overestimated peer e-cigarette or cigarette use. Counter-tobacco mass media messages can help denormalise tobacco use.
Free Surface Flow over Obstacles at Subcritical Froude Numbers
Authors: Tong J.S.C. , Currie I.G. 
Published: April 2018

Experiments were carried out on free-surface flow over obstacles of finite length. The obstacles were located on the otherwise horizontal surface which contained the free-surface flow. The Froude number in each case was subcritical and resulted in a train of lee waves on the surface, downstream of the obstacles. The results confirm the predicted phenomenon of ‘upstream influence’ – that the mean upstream depth and the mean downstream depth should differ. Serious discrepancies between the observed results and the results from existing theories are noted, however. Not only is the amplitude of the lee waves at variance with the theory, but the phasing of the wave train, relative to the obstacle, is different. An alternative theoretical approach is proposed, the results from which are in much better agreement with the observed results.
Evaluation of Humane Traps - Design of a Trap Simulator
Authors: Jofriet J.C. , Zelin S. , Percival K. 
Published: April 2018

Growing demand for more humane methods for trapping fur-bearing animals has resulted in numerous new trap designs and a need to find a way to evaluate the “humaneness” of such traps. Such an evaluation requires an easy to use criterion, a test method and a standard for humane traps. The Canadian Government Specification Board has published a provisional standard for mechanically powered, trigger-activated traps (144-GP-lMP). This standard lists killing thresholds for a number of species of fur-bearers, expressed in terms of momentum of the striking bar of the trap at the instant of impact. This paper describes the design and evaluation of the testing equipment used to help establish these thresholds.
Influence of Temperature Characteristics of the Upper Surface on Heat Transfer in a Solar Collector
Authors: Karayiannis T.G. , Tarasuk J.D. 
Published: April 2018

An interferometric technique was used to study coupled convective heat transfer for an inclined solar collector. The collector was simulated by an inclined, closed rectangular cavity which was heated isothermally at the bottom plate and cooled by natural convection at the top plate. Both plates had dimensions 457.2 mm wide and 424.2 mm long. Infinite interferograms, for temperature field visualization, and finite interferograms for analysis were obtained. The parameters studied were Rayleigh number, aspect ratio, and angle of inclination. The Rayleigh number was varied from subcritical to 6 × 105 and the aspect ratio was changed from 6.68 to 33.4. The angle of inclination was 15° and 60° to the horizontal. The temperature on the cold plate was found to increase with distance from the lower boundary. Temperature reversal occurs in the cavity and first appears in the corner regions. The temperature gradients were obtained and thus the local heat transfer coefficients were calculated indicating a strong dependence from side boundaries. In comparison with reports where both surfaces were isothermal a significant difference in the dependence of average Nusselt number on Rayleigh number was found. At high Rayleigh numbers the average Nusselt number is less dependent on Rayleigh number for the cavity with a non-isothermal top surface than for the isothermal top surface.
FUNDAMENTAL BIOROBOTICS OF INHERENTLY LIFELIKE MACHINES
Authors: Bubic F.R. 
Published: April 2018

An original way to define, analyze and design mechanical systems with inherently lifelike dynamic properties is presented. The construction of elementary actuating mechanisms for robotic manipulators which embody a complete set of technologically relevant biological principles is outlined. The ultimate objective is to develop a new class of mobile, autonomous, and interactive machines which dynamically emulates live musculoskeletal systems. This study introduces the mathematical models and algorithms to transform and synthesize the results of research in musculoskeletal physiology into explicit engineering design specifications. The application of a new contractile muscle-like viscoelastic motor as a servomechanical drive for articulated rigid link mechanisms is investigated. Key features of the neuromuscular force control by twitch summation are combined to formulate a pulse stream control method suitable for fluid powered mechanisms.
On a conjecture about the quasirecognition by prime graph of some finite simple groups
Authors: Mahmoudifar Ali 
Published: April 2018

It is proved that some finite simple groups are quasirecognizable by prime graph. In [A. Mahmoudifar and B. Khosravi, On quasirecognition by prime graph of the simple groups [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], J. Algebra Appl. 14(1) (2015) 12pp], the authors proved that if [Formula: see text] is a prime number and [Formula: see text], then there exists a natural number [Formula: see text] such that for all [Formula: see text], the simple group [Formula: see text] (where [Formula: see text] is a linear or unitary simple group) is quasirecognizable by prime graph. Also[Formula: see text] in that paper[Formula: see text] the author posed the following conjecture: Conjecture. For every prime power [Formula: see text] there exists a natural number [Formula: see text] such that for all [Formula: see text] the simple group [Formula: see text] is quasirecognizable by prime graph. In this paper [Formula: see text] as the main theorem we prove that if [Formula: see text] is a prime power and satisfies some especial conditions [Formula: see text] then there exists a number [Formula: see text] associated to [Formula: see text] such that for all [Formula: see text] the finite linear simple group [Formula: see text] is quasirecognizable by prime graph. Finally [Formula: see text] by a calculation via a computer program [Formula: see text] we conclude that the above conjecture is valid for the simple group [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] is an odd number and [Formula: see text].
Seismic and geomorphic records of Antarctic Ice Sheet evolution in the Ross Sea and controlling factors in its behaviour
Authors: Anderson John B. , Simkins Lauren M. , Bart Phillip J. , De Santis Laura , Halberstadt Anna Ruth W. , Olivo Elisabetta , Greenwood Sarah L. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
A robust collection of seismic and geomorphic data is used to examine the evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet within the Ross Sea Embayment. We use geomorphic data to reconstruct Last Glacial Maximum and post-Last Glacial Maximum ice sheet drainage and demonstrate retreat behaviours for the East Antarctic and West Antarctic sectors of the ice sheet. Using this framework, we then use seismic data and chronostratigraphic information from drill cores to reconstruct the long-term evolution of the ice sheet. Early ice sheet evolution during the Late Oligocene was characterized by isolated ice caps on bathymetric highs, followed by an interval of sediment infilling of rift basins and the development of more subdued relief in the eastern Ross Sea than in the western Ross Sea. Both ice sheets have experienced multiple episodes of expansion across the continental shelf since the Middle Miocene, with the frequency increasing during the Plio-Pleistocene. We conclude that seafloor bathymetry has been the principal control on ice sheet palaeodrainage and retreat behaviour since at least the middle Miocene, demonstrated by broad West Antarctic ice streams loosely guided by south to north cross-shelf troughs, whereas East Antarctic ice streams were funnelled through troughs that merge and converge around banks.
Fractures in shale: the significance of igneous intrusions for groundwater flow
Authors: MacDonald Alan M. , Davies Jeff 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Research in Cretaceous shales from West Africa has demonstrated that significant permeability can develop within shales at shallow depths (<100 m), equivalent to a permeability of >1 m day
−1
. Much of the variation in permeability is related to the degree of burial metamorphism, with shales that have been altered and that approach the anchizone having the highest permeability and those that are largely unaltered (early diagenetic zone) having the lowest permeability. However, further research targeting largely unaltered shales dominated by smectite clay has shown that the presence of small igneous intrusions can radically alter the hydrogeology. Twenty-four exploratory boreholes were drilled into smectite-dominated shale and nine of these boreholes were targeted to small dolerite intrusions within the shale. The dolerite was intensely fractured at the intrusion edge, with significant zeolite growth along the fracture surfaces. The permeability in the fractured dolerite was the highest measured in any shale borehole, with transmissivities of up to 60 m
2
day
−1
measured from pumping tests. Fracturing was less where dolerite was intruded into sandstones, however, and the measured transmissivity was lower (<0.5 m
2
day
−1
). We postulate that the low permeability and high water content of the shale enabled high pressures to develop during intrusion, facilitating the development of fractures along the intrusion contact zone.
Dating protracted fault activities: microstructures, microchemistry and geochronology of the Vaikrita Thrust, Main Central Thrust zone, Garhwal Himalaya, NW India
Authors: Montemagni Chiara , Montomoli Chiara , Iaccarino Salvatore , Carosi Rodolfo , Jain Arvind K. , Massonne Hans-J. , Villa Igor M. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The timing of shearing along the Vaikrita Thrust, the upper structural boundary of the Main Central Thrust Zone in the Garhwal Himalaya, was constrained by combined microstructural, microchemical and geochronological investigations. Three different biotite–muscovite growth and recrystallization episodes were observed: a relict mica-1; mica-2 along the main mylonitic foliation; and mica-3 in coronitic structures around garnet during its breakdown. Electron microprobe analyses of biotite showed chloritization and a bimodal composition of biotite-2 in one sample. Muscovite-2 and muscovite-3 differed in composition from each other. Biotite and muscovite
39
Ar–
40
Ar age spectra from all samples showed both inter- and intra-sample discrepancies. Biotite step-ages ranged between 8.6 and 16 Ma and muscovite step-ages between 3.6 and 7.8 Ma. These ages cannot be interpreted as ‘cooling ages’ because samples from the same outcrop cooled simultaneously. Instead, the Ar systematics reflect sample-specific recrystallization markers. Intergrown impurities were diagnosed by the Ca/K ratios. The age data of biotite were interpreted as a mixture of true biotite-2 (9.00 ± 0.10 Ma) and two alteration products. The negative Cl/K–age correlation identified a Cl-poor muscovite-2 (>7 Ma) and a Cl-rich, post-deformational, coronitic muscovite-3 grown at ≤5.88 ± 0.03 Ma. The Vaikrita Thrust was active at least from 9 to 6 Ma at
c.
600°C; its movement had ended by 6 Ma.

Supplementary material:
Thermometric and
39
Ar–
40
Ar data are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4069076