bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radial Pressure Wave Behavior in Transient Laminar Pipe Flows Under Different Flow Perturbations
Authors: Che Tong-Chuan , Duan Huan-Feng , Lee Pedro J. , Meniconi Silvia , Pan Bin , Brunone Bruno
Published: March 2018

The study of transient pressure waves in both low- and high-frequency domains has become a new research area to provide potentially high-resolution pipe fault detection methods. In previous research works, radial pressure waves were evidently observed after stopping the laminar pipe flows by valve closures, but the generation mechanism and components of these radial pressure waves are unclear. This paper intends to clarify this phenomenon. To this end, this study first addresses the inefficiencies of the current numerical scheme for the full two-dimensional (full-2D) water hammer model. The modified efficient full-2D model is then implemented into a practical reservoir-pipeline-valve (RPV) system, which is validated by the well-established analytical solutions. The generation mechanism and components of the radial pressure waves, caused by different flow perturbations from valve operations, in transient laminar flows are investigated systematically using this efficient full-2D model. The results indicate that nonuniform changes in the initial velocity profile form pressure gradients along the pipe radius. The existence of these radial pressure gradients is the driving force of the formation of radial flux and radial pressure waves. In addition, high radial modes can be excited, and the frequency of flow perturbations by valve oscillation can redistribute the energy entrapped in each high radial mode.
Influence of Geometry of Inlet Guide Vanes on Pressure Fluctuations of a Centrifugal Pump
Authors: Liu Ming , Tan Lei , Cao Shuliang
Published: March 2018

Prewhirl regulation by inlet guide vanes (IGVs) has been proven as an effective method for operation regulation of centrifugal pumps. By contrast, the influence of the geometry of IGVs on operation stability of centrifugal pump remains unknown. The pressure fluctuations and flow patterns in a centrifugal pump without and with two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) IGVs are investigated numerically at 1.0Qd, 0.6Qd, and 1.2Qd. Renormalization group (RNG) k–ε turbulence model is used as turbulence model, and fast Fourier transform (FFT) method is used to analyze the pressure fluctuations. The dominant frequency of pressure fluctuations in impellers is either the rotational frequency fi or twice thereof for pumps without and with IGVs at three flow rates, while the dominant frequency is constantly the blade passing frequency in volute. For 1.0Qd, the comparison of pumps without IGVs indicates that the maximum amplitude of pressure fluctuations at fi in pumps with 2D IGVs is decreased by an average of 22.2%, and the amplitude is decreased by an average of 44.9% in pumps with 3D IGVs. The IGVs mainly influence the pressure fluctuations at fi but indicate minimal influence at 2fi. For 0.6Qd, the comparison of pumps without IGVs denotes that the maximum amplitudes of pressure fluctuations at fi in pumps with 2D or 3D IGVs both increase; the maximum increase is 2.01%. For 1.2Qd, the comparison of pumps without IGVs indicates that the maximum amplitudes of pressure fluctuations at fi in pumps with 2D or 3D IGVs both decrease; the maximum decline is 15.9%.
Air Bubble Entrainment, Breakup, and Interplay in Vertical Plunging Jets
Authors: Bertola Numa , Wang Hang , Chanson Hubert
Published: March 2018

The entrainment, breakup, and interplay of air bubbles were observed in a vertical, two-dimensional supported jet at low impact velocities. Ultra-high-speed movies were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The onset velocity of bubble entrainment was between 0.9 and 1.1 m/s. Most bubbles were entrained as detached bubbles from elongated air cavities at the impingement point. Explosion, stretching, and dejection mechanisms were observed for individual bubble breakup, and the bubble interaction behaviors encompassed bubble rebound, “kiss-and-go,” coalescence and breakup induced by approaching bubble(s). The effects of jet impact velocity on the bubble behaviors were investigated for impact velocities from 1.0 to 1.36 m/s, in the presence of a shear flow environment.
A Method of Panel Flutter Suppression and Elimination for Aeroelastic Structures in Supersonic Airflow
Authors: Song Zhi-Guang , Yang Tian-Zhi , Li Feng-Ming , Carrera Erasmo , Hagedorn Peter
Published: March 2018

In traditional active flutter control, piezoelectric materials are used to increase the stiffness of the aeroelastic structure by providing an active stiffness, and usually the active stiffness matrix is symmetric. That is to say that the active stiffness not only cannot offset the influence of the aerodynamic stiffness which is an asymmetric matrix, but also will affect the natural frequency of the structural system. In other words, by traditional active flutter control method, the flutter bound can just be moved backward but cannot be eliminated. In this investigation, a new active flutter control method which can suppress the flutter effectively and without affecting the natural frequency of the structural system is proposed by exerting active control forces on some discrete points of the structure. In the structural modeling, the Kirchhoff plate theory and supersonic piston theory are applied. From the numerical results, it can be noted that the present control method is effective on the flutter suppression, and the control effects will be better if more active control forces are exerted. After being controlled by the present control method, the natural frequency of the structure remains unchanged.
Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Optimized for Postcombustion Carbon Capture
Authors: Can Gülen S. , Hall Chris
Published: March 2018

This paper describes a gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power plant system, which addresses the three key design challenges of postcombustion CO2 capture from the stack gas of a GTCC power plant using aqueous amine-based scrubbing method by offering the following: (i) low heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) stack gas temperature, (ii) increased HRSG stack gas CO2 content, and (iii) decreased HRSG stack gas O2 content. This is achieved by combining two bottoming cycle modifications in an inventive manner, i.e., (i) high supplementary (duct) firing in the HRSG and (ii) recirculation of the HRSG stack gas. It is shown that, compared to an existing natural gas-fired GTCC power plant with postcombustion capture, it is possible to reduce the CO2 capture penalty—power diverted away from generation—by almost 65% and the overall capital cost ($/kW) by about 35%.
Ultrahigh vacuum dc magnetron sputter-deposition of epitaxial Pd(111)/Al2O3(0001) thin films
Authors: Aleman Angel , Li Chao , Zaid Hicham , Kindlund Hanna , Fankhauser Joshua , Prikhodko Sergey V. , Goorsky Mark S. , Kodambaka Suneel
Published: March 2018

Pd(111) thin films, ∼245 nm thick, are deposited on Al2O3(0001) substrates at ≈0.5Tm, where Tm is the Pd melting point, by ultrahigh vacuum dc magnetron sputtering of Pd target in pure Ar discharges. Auger electron spectra and low-energy electron diffraction patterns acquired in situ from the as-deposited samples reveal that the surfaces are compositionally pure 111-oriented Pd. Double-axis x-ray diffraction (XRD) ω-2θ scans show only the set of Pd 111 peaks from the film. In triple-axis high-resolution XRD, the full width at half maximum intensity Γω of the Pd 111 ω-rocking curve is 630 arc sec. XRD 111 pole figure obtained from the sample revealed six peaks 60°-apart at a tilt angles corresponding to Pd 111 reflections. XRD ϕ scans show six 60°-rotated 111 peaks of Pd at the same ϕ angles for 112¯3 of Al2O3 based on which the epitaxial crystallographic relationships between the film and the substrate are determined as (111)Pdǁ(0001)Al2O3 with two in-plane orientations of [112¯]Pdǁ[112¯0]Al2O3 and [21¯1¯]Pdǁ[112¯0]Al2O3. Using triple axis symmetric and asymmetric reciprocal space maps, interplanar spacings of out-of-plane (111) and in-plane (112¯) are found to be 0.2242 ± 0.0003 and 0.1591 ± 0.0003 nm, respectively. These values are 0.18% lower than 0.2246 nm for (111) and the same, within the measurement uncertainties, as 0.1588 nm for (112¯) calculated from the bulk Pd lattice parameter, suggesting a small out-of-plane compressive strain and an in-plane tensile strain related to the thermal strain upon cooling the sample from the deposition temperature to room temperature. High-resolution cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectra obtained from the Pd(111)/Al2O3(0001) samples indicate that the Pd-Al2O3 interfaces are essentially atomically abrupt and dislocation-free. These results demonstrate the growth of epitaxial Pd thin films with (111) out-of-plane orientation with low mosaicity on Al2O3(0001).
Balance and Coordination Proficiency of Age-Matched Male and Female Children and Adolescents With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Pitetti Ken , Miller Ruth Ann , Loovis E. Michael
Published: March 2018

Male youth (8–18 years) with intellectual disability (ID) demonstrate motor proficiency below age-related competence capacities for typically developing youth. Whether below-criteria motor proficiency also exists for females with ID is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine if sex-specific differences exist in motor proficiency for youth with ID. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency was used to measure motor proficiency: six items for upper limb coordination, seven items for balance, and six items for bilateral coordination. One hundred and seventy-two (172) males and 85 females with ID but without Down syndrome were divided into five age groups for comparative purposes: 8–10, 11–12, 13–14, 15–16, and 17–21 years. Males scored sufficiently higher than females to suggest that sex data should not be combined to established Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency standards for upper limb coordination, balance, and bilateral coordination subtests.
A single-atom 3D sub-attonewton force sensor
Authors: Blūms Valdis , Piotrowski Marcin , Hussain Mahmood I. , Norton Benjamin G. , Connell Steven C. , Gensemer Stephen , Lobino Mirko , Streed Erik W.
Published: March 2018

We realize a 3D force sensor through super-resolution imaging of a single trapped ion and measured a 95-zN light force.
Extracellular Conformational Changes in the Capsid of Human Papillomaviruses Contribute to Asynchronous Uptake into Host Cells
Authors: Becker Miriam , Greune Lilo , Schmidt M. Alexander , Schelhaas Mario
Published: March 2018

Human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. For initial infection, HPV16 utilizes a novel endocytic pathway for host cell entry. Unique among viruses, uptake occurs asynchronously over a protracted period of time, with half-times between 9 and 12 h. To trigger endocytic uptake, the virus particles need to undergo a series of structural modifications after initial binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). These changes involve proteolytic cleavage of the major capsid protein L1 by kallikrein-8 (KLK8), exposure of the N terminus of the minor capsid protein L2 by cyclophilins, and cleavage of this N terminus by furin. Overall, the structural changes are thought to facilitate the engagement of an elusive secondary receptor for internalization. Here, we addressed whether structural changes are the rate-limiting steps during infectious internalization of HPV16 by using structurally primed HPV16 particles. Our findings indicate that the structural modifications mediated by cyclophilins and furin, which lead to exposure and cleavage, respectively, of the L2 N terminus contribute to the slow and asynchronous internalization kinetics, whereas conformational changes elicited by HSPG binding and KLK8 cleavage did not. However, these structural modifications accounted for only 30 to 50% of the delay in internalization. Therefore, we propose that limited internalization receptor availability for engagement of HPV16 causes slow and asynchronous internalization in addition to rate-limiting structural changes in the viral capsid.

IMPORTANCE
HPVs are the main cause of anogenital cancers. Their unique biology is linked to the differentiation program of skin or mucosa. Here, we analyzed another unique aspect of HPV infections using the prototype HPV16. After initial cell binding, HPVs display an unusually protracted residence time on the plasma membrane prior to asynchronous uptake. As viruses typically do not expose themselves to host immune sensing, we analyzed the underlying reasons for this unusual behavior. This study provides evidence that both extracellular structural modifications and possibly a limited availability of the internalization receptor contribute to the slow internalization process of the virus. These findings indicate that perhaps a unique niche for initial infection that could allow for rapid infection exists. In addition, our results may help to develop novel, preventive antiviral measures.
Health-related quality of life in congenital heart disease surgery in children and young adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ladak Laila Akbar , Hasan Babar Sultan , Gullick Janice , Gallagher Robyn
Published: March 2018

Background

As survival improves in the congenital heart disease (CHD) population, health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes become increasingly important. While surgery improves survival, poor HRQOL occurs postoperatively and cardiac-related HRQOL outcomes are rarely reported.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analyses of general and cardiac-related HRQOL in CHD surgical children and young adults.

Method

Medline, CINAHL and EMBASE were searched. Quantitative designs with a minimum of 80% CHD surgical patients and mean age ≤18 years compared with healthy controls were included in the review. Data were analysed in RevMan V.5.3 using a random effects model.

Outcome measures

General and cardiac-related HRQOL.

Results

Studies (n=20) were conducted in high-income countries and included 3808 patients plus 2951 parental reports of patients. HRQOL was worse in postoperative patients with CHD versus healthy controls in all domains with the largest difference seen for physical function (standard mean difference (SMD) of −0.56, 95% CI −0.82 to −0.30). Cardiac-related HRQOL was worse in complex compared with simple CHD with the largest SMD (−0.60, 95% CI −0.80 to −0.40) for symptoms. Heterogeneity ranged from 0% to 90%.

Conclusions

CHD surgical patients have substantially worse HRQOL compared with age-matched healthy controls. Strategies should focus on improving HRQOL in this subgroup. Results may not be applicable to low/middle-income countries given the dearth of relevant research.
‘And you’ll suddenly realise ‘I’ve not washed my hands’: medical students’, junior doctors’ and medical educators’ narratives of hygiene behaviours
Authors: Cresswell Penelope , Monrouxe Lynn V
Published: March 2018

Objective

Compliance to hygiene behaviours has long been recognised as important in the prevention and control of healthcare associated infections, but medical doctors still display some of the lowest rates of compliance of all healthcare workers. We aim to understand compliance to hygiene behaviours by analysing medical students’, junior doctors’ and medical educators’ narratives of these behaviours to identify their respective attitudes and beliefs around compliance and how these are learnt during training. Such an understanding can inform future interventions to improve compliance targeted to areas of greatest need.

Design

A qualitative study, using narrative interviews (nine focus groups and one individual interview). Data were analysed thematically using inductive framework analysis.

Setting

Teaching hospitals in the UK.

Participants

Convenience sample of 25 participants: third-year medical students in their first clinical year (n=13), junior doctors (n=6) and medical educators (n=6).

Results

We identified four main themes: (1) knowledge, (2) constraints, (3) role models/culture and (4) hygiene as an added extra. Knowledge varied across participant groups and appeared to influence behaviours; medical students relied on what they have been told by seniors, while medical educators relied on their own knowledge and experience. There was a strong belief that evidence for the effectiveness of good hygiene behaviours is lacking. Furthermore, medical educators’ behaviour appears to strongly influence others. Finally, hygiene was predominately viewed as an added extra rather than an integral part of the process.

Conclusions

Awareness of the evidence around good hygiene needs to be improved at all levels. Medical students and junior doctors should be encouraged to considerwhythey are asked to perform certain hygiene behaviours in order to improve ownership of those behaviours. Medical educators need to recognise their responsibilities as role models for their junior counterparts, thereby understanding their role in developing the culture of hygiene practices within their clinical domains.
Opportunities for better value wound care: a multiservice, cross-sectional survey of complex wounds and their care in a UK community population
Authors: Gray Trish A , Rhodes Sarah , Atkinson Ross A , Rothwell Katy , Wilson Paul , Dumville Jo C , Cullum Nicky A
Published: March 2018

Background

Complex wounds impose a substantial health economic burden worldwide. As wound care is managed across multiple settings by a range of healthcare professionals with varying levels of expertise, the actual care delivered can vary considerably and result in the underuse of evidence-based interventions, the overuse of interventions supported by limited evidence and low value healthcare.

Objectives

To quantify the number, type and management of complex wounds being treated over a two-week period and to explore variations in care by comparing current practices in wound assessment, prevention and treatment.

Design

A multiservice cross-sectional survey.

Setting

This survey spanned eight community services within five Northern England NHS Trusts.

Results

The point prevalence of complex wounds in this community-based population was 16.4 per 10 000 (95% CI 15.9 to 17.0). Based on data from 3179 patients, antimicrobial dressings were being used as the primary dressing for 36% of patients with complex wounds. Forty per cent of people with leg ulcers either had not received the recommended Doppler-aided Ankle Brachial Pressure Index assessment or it was unclear whether a recording had been taken. Thirty-one per cent of patients whose most severe wound was a venous leg ulcer were not receiving compression therapy, and there was limited use of two-layer compression hosiery. Of patients with a pressure ulcer, 39% were not using a pressure-relieving cushion or mattress.

Conclusions

Marked variations were found in care, underuse of evidence-based practices and overuse of practices that are not supported by robust research evidence. Significant opportunities for delivering better value wound care therefore exist. Efforts should now focus on developing strategies to identify, assess and disinvest from products and practices supported by little or no evidence and enhance the uptake of those that are.
Improving the management of pain from advanced cancer in the community: study protocol for a pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Allsop Matthew J , Wright-Hughes Alexandra , Black Kath , Hartley Suzanne , Fletcher Marie , Ziegler Lucy E , Bewick Bridgette M , Meads David , Hughes Nicholas D , Closs S José , Hulme Claire , Taylor Sally , Flemming Kate , Hackett Julia , O’Dwyer John L , Brown Julia M , Bennett Michael I
Published: March 2018

Introduction

For patients with advanced cancer, research shows that pain is frequent, burdensome and undertreated. Evidence-based approaches to support cancer pain management have been developed but have not been implemented within the context of the UK National Health Service. This protocol is for a pragmatic multicentre randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess feasibility, acceptability, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness for a multicomponent intervention for pain management in patients with advanced cancer.

Methods and analysis

This trial will assess the feasibility of implementation and uptake of evidence-based interventions, developed and piloted as part of the Improving the Management of Pain from Advanced Cancer in the Community Programme grant, into routine clinical practice and determine whether there are potential differences with respect to patient-rated pain, patient pain knowledge and experience, healthcare use, quality of life and cost-effectiveness. 160 patients will receive either the intervention (usual care plus supported self-management) delivered within the oncology clinic and palliative care services by locally assigned community palliative care nurses, consisting of a self-management educational intervention and eHealth intervention for routine pain assessment and monitoring; or usual care. The primary outcomes are to assess implementation and uptake of the interventions, and differences in terms of pain severity. Secondary outcomes include pain interference, participant pain knowledge and experience, and cost-effectiveness. Outcome assessment will be blinded and patient-reported outcome measures collected via post at 6 and 12 weeks following randomisation.

Ethics and dissemination

This RCT has the potential to significantly influence National Health Service delivery to community-based patients with pain from advanced cancer. We aim to provide definitive evidence of whether two simple interventions delivered by community palliative care nurse in palliative care that support-self-management are clinically effective and cost-effective additions to standard community palliative care.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN18281271; Pre-results.
Nature-based supportive care opportunities: a conceptual framework
Authors: Blaschke Sarah , O’Callaghan Clare C , Schofield Penelope
Published: March 2018

Objective

Given preliminary evidence for positive health outcomes related to contact with nature for cancer populations, research is warranted to ascertain possible strategies for incorporating nature-based care opportunities into oncology contexts as additional strategies for addressing multidimensional aspects of cancer patients’ health and recovery needs. The objective of this study was to consolidate existing research related to nature-based supportive care opportunities and generate a conceptual framework for discerning relevant applications in the supportive care setting.

Methods

Drawing on research investigating nature-based engagement in oncology contexts, a two-step analytic process was used to construct a conceptual framework for guiding nature-based supportive care design and future research. Concept analysis methodology generated new representations of understanding by extracting and synthesising salient concepts. Newly formulated concepts were transposed to findings from related research about patient-reported and healthcare expert-developed recommendations for nature-based supportive care in oncology.

Results

Five theoretical concepts (themes) were formulated describing patients’ reasons for engaging with nature and the underlying needs these interactions address. These included: connecting with what is genuinely valued, distancing from the cancer experience, meaning-making and reframing the cancer experience, finding comfort and safety, and vital nurturance. Eight shared patient and expert recommendations were compiled, which address the identified needs through nature-based initiatives. Eleven additional patient-reported recommendations attend to beneficial and adverse experiential qualities of patients’ nature-based engagement and complete the framework.

Conclusions

The framework outlines salient findings about helpful nature-based supportive care opportunities for ready access by healthcare practitioners, designers, researchers and patients themselves.
Functional and clinical relevance of novel mutations in a large cohort of patients with Cockayne syndrome
Authors: Calmels Nadege , Botta Elena , Jia Nan , Fawcett Heather , Nardo Tiziana , Nakazawa Yuka , Lanzafame Manuela , Moriwaki Shinichi , Sugita Katsuo , Kubota Masaya , Obringer Cathy , Spitz Marie-Aude , Stefanini Miria , Laugel Vincent , Orioli Donata , Ogi Tomoo , Lehmann Alan Robert
Published: March 2018

Background

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a rare, autosomal recessive multisystem disorder characterised by prenatal or postnatal growth failure, progressive neurological dysfunction, ocular and skeletal abnormalities and premature ageing. About half of the patients with symptoms diagnostic for CS show cutaneous photosensitivity and an abnormal cellular response to UV light due to mutations in either the ERCC8/CSA or ERCC6/CSB gene. Studies performed thus far have failed to delineate clear genotype-phenotype relationships. We have carried out a four-centre clinical, molecular and cellular analysis of 124 patients with CS.

Methods and results

We assigned 39 patients to the ERCC8/CSA and 85 to the ERCC6/CSB genes. Most of the genetic variants were truncations. The missense variants were distributed non-randomly with concentrations in relatively short regions of the respective proteins. Our analyses revealed several hotspots and founder mutations in ERCC6/CSB. Although no unequivocal genotype-phenotype relationships could be made, patients were more likely to have severe clinical features if the mutation was downstream of the PiggyBac insertion in intron 5 of ERCC6/CSB than if it was upstream. Also a higher proportion of severely affected patients was found with mutations in ERCC6/CSB than in ERCC8/CSA.

Conclusion

By identifying >70 novel homozygous or compound heterozygous genetic variants in 124 patients with CS with different disease severity and ethnic backgrounds, we considerably broaden the CSA and CSB mutation spectrum responsible for CS. Besides providing information relevant for diagnosis of and genetic counselling for this devastating disorder, this study improves the definition of the puzzling genotype-phenotype relationships in patients with CS.
Inframe deletion of human ESPN is associated with deafness, vestibulopathy and vision impairment
Authors: Ahmed Zubair M , Jaworek Thomas J , Sarangdhar Gowri N , Zheng Lili , Gul Khitab , Khan Shaheen N , Friedman Thomas B , Sisk Robert A , Bartles James R , Riazuddin Sheikh , Riazuddin Saima
Published: March 2018

Background

Usher syndrome (USH) is a neurosensory disorder characterised by deafness, variable vestibular areflexia and vision loss. The aim of the study was to identify the genetic defect in a Pakistani family (PKDF1051) segregating USH.

Methods

Genome-wide linkage analysis was performed by using an Illumina linkage array followed by Sanger and exome sequencing. Heterologous cells and mouse organ of Corti explant-based transfection assays were used for functional evaluations. Detailed clinical evaluations were performed to characterise the USH phenotype.

Results

Through homozygosity mapping, we genetically linked the USH phenotype segregating in family PKDF1051 to markers on chromosome 1p36.32-p36.22. The locus was designated USH1M. Using a combination of Sanger sequencing and exome sequencing, we identified a novel homozygous 18 base pair inframe deletion in ESPN. Variants of ESPN, encoding the actin-bundling protein espin, have been previously associated with deafness and vestibular areflexia in humans with no apparent visual deficits. Our functional studies in heterologous cells and in mouse organ of Corti explant cultures revealed that the six deleted residues in affected individuals of family PKDF1051 are essential for the actin bundling function of espin demonstrated by ultracentrifugation actin binding and bundling assays. Funduscopic examination of the affected individuals of family PKDF1051 revealed irregular retinal contour, temporal flecks and disc pallor in both eyes. ERG revealed diminished rod photoreceptor function among affected individuals.

Conclusion

Our study uncovers an additional USH gene, assigns the USH1 phenotype to a variant of ESPN and provides a 12th molecular component to the USH proteome.
Lupus community panel proposals for optimising clinical trials: 2018
Authors: Merrill Joan T , Manzi Susan , Aranow Cynthia , Askenase Anca , Bruce Ian , Chakravarty Eliza , Chong Ben , Costenbader Karen , Dall’Era Maria , Ginzler Ellen , Hanrahan Leslie , Kalunian Ken , Merola Joseph , Raymond Sandra , Rovin Brad , Saxena Amit , Werth Victoria P
Published: March 2018

Formidable impediments stand in the way of treatment development for lupus. These include the unwieldy size of current trials, international competition for scarce patients, complex outcome measures and a poor understanding of these outcomes in the world at large. The heterogeneity of the disease itself coupled to superimposition of variegated background polypharmacy has created enough immunological noise to virtually ensure the failure of lupus treatment trials, leaving an understandable suspicion that at least some of the results in testing failed drugs over the years may not have been negative, but merely uninterpretable. The authors have consulted with many clinical trial investigators, biopharmaceutical developers and stakeholders from government and voluntary sectors. This paper examines the available evidence that supports workable trial designs and proposes approaches to improve the odds of completing interpretable treatment development programs for lupus.
Long-term visual outcome in patients treated by flow diversion for carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms
Authors: Touzé Romain , Touitou Valérie , Shotar Eimad , Gabrieli Joseph , Drir Mehdi , Mathon Bertrand , Sourour Nader-Antoine , Clarençon Frédéric
Published: March 2018

Background

Flow-diverter stents (FDSs) are an upgrade in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. However, complications concerning covered branches have been reported, especially the ophthalmic artery (OA). The purpose of our study was to evaluate the long-term ophthalmic complication rate of carotid-ophthalmic aneurysms (COA) without visual pathways compression, treated by a FDS covering the OA by performing an exhaustive ophthalmic examination.

Material and methods

Retrospective analysis of a single-center database screening the patients treated from October 2009 to April 2015 for an intracranial aneurysm with a FDS. The patients treated for a non-compressive COA with coverage of the OA by the device were studied (n=30). Among these patients, 15 (50%) were excluded. The remaining 15 patients underwent a systematic and extensive ophthalmic examination at least 2 years after the stent placement by two ophthalmologists.

Results

Fifteen patients with 16 COAs treated with a FDS were included. Mean follow-up was 4.1±2 years. Six patients (40%), presented ophthalmic complications, including three fugax amauroses (18.8%) and four significant visual field defects (25%). After comparing each eye’s visual field’s patients, we observed a significant difference between the eye on the FDS side compared with the contralateral eye, with a mean deviation of −1.58 dB versus −0.67 dB respectively (P=0.003). Visual acuity was preserved in all patients.

Conclusion

Patients treated by FDS for COA have a good long-term clinical ophthalmic outcome. However, extensive ophthalmic examination shows a high percentage of minor ophthalmic modifications. Interventional neuroradiologists should be aware of these possible complications when choosing to treat these aneurysms with FDS.
Expert consensus regarding drivers of antimicrobial stewardship in companion animal veterinary practice: a Delphi study
Authors: Currie Kay , King Caroline , Nuttall Tim , Smith Matt , Flowers Paul
Published: March 2018

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge facing both human and animal healthcare professionals; an effective response to this threat requires a ‘One‐Health’ approach to antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) to preserve important antibiotics for urgent clinical need. However, understanding of barriers and enablers to effective AMS behaviour in companion animal veterinary practice is currently limited. We conducted a Delphi study of 16 nationally recognised experts from UK‐based veterinary policymakers, university academics and leaders of professional bodies. This Delphi study sought to identify veterinary behaviours which experts believe contribute to AMR and form vital aspects of AMS. Analysis of Delphi findings indicated a perceived hierarchy of behaviours, the most influential being antibiotic prescribing behaviours and interactions with clients. Other veterinary behaviours perceived as being important related to interactions with veterinary colleagues; infection control practices; and the use of diagnostic tests to confirm infection. Key barriers and enablers to AMS within each of these behavioural domains were identified. Specific interventions to address important barriers and enablers are recommended. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to establish expert consensus at a national level about which ‘behaviours’ (aspects of veterinarian practice) should be targeted in relation to AMR and AMS in companion animal veterinary practice.
Sensitivity of Na+/K+-ATPase isoforms to acid and aluminum explains differential effects on Atlantic salmon osmoregulation in fresh water and seawater
Authors: Regish Amy M. , Kelly John T. , O’Dea Michael F. , McCormick Stephen D.
Published: March 2018

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts are sensitive to acid rain and associated increases in dissolved inorganic aluminum (Al) resulting in decreased seawater tolerance at this critical life stage. Salmon have two major isoforms of the catalytic alpha subunit of Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA), with NKAα1a being the major freshwater (FW) isoform and NKAα1b the major seawater (SW) isoform. Here we evaluate physiological markers of SW preparedness and NKAα1a and NKAα1b isoforms after short-term exposure to acidified water and acidified water with added Al (acid–Al). Atlantic salmon smolts were exposed to low ion FW (Control), low ion acidic water (pH 5.2; acid), and low ion acidic water (pH 5.2) with moderate levels of added inorganic Al (35 μg·L−1; acid–Al) for 4 days. Acid exposure resulted in loss of salinity tolerance (higher plasma chloride (Cl) after SW exposure) and significantly decreased the levels of gill NKAα1b but not NKAα1a protein abundance. Acid–Al exposure resulted in loss of plasma Cl in FW and higher plasma Cl in SW and decreased NKAα1a and NKAα1b abundance. The loss of salinity tolerance in smolts can be explained by the differential sensitivity of NKA isoforms to acid.
Straight spinning cosmic strings in Brans–Dicke gravity
Authors: dos Santos S. Mittmann , da Silva J. M. Hoff , Cindra J. L.
Published: March 2018

An exact solution of straight spinning cosmic strings in Brans–Dicke theory of gravitation is presented. The possibility of the existence of closed time-like curves around these cosmic strings is analyzed. Furthermore, the stability about the formation of the topological defect discussed here is checked. It is shown that the existence of a suitable choice for the integration constants in which closed time-like curves are not allowed. We also study the (im)possibility of using the obtained spacetime in the rotational curves problem.
Mathematical analysis and 2-scale convergence of a heterogeneous microscopic bidomain model
Authors: Collin Annabelle , Imperiale Sébastien
Published: March 2018

The aim of this paper is to provide a complete mathematical analysis of the periodic homogenization procedure that leads to the macroscopic bidomain model in cardiac electrophysiology. We consider space-dependent and tensorial electric conductivities as well as space-dependent physiological and phenomenological nonlinear ionic models. We provide the nondimensionalization of the bidomain equations and derive uniform estimates of the solutions. The homogenization procedure is done using 2-scale convergence theory which enables us to study the behavior of the nonlinear ionic models in the homogenization process.
Inhomogeneities in the light curves of gamma-ray bursts afterglow
Authors: Mazaeva Elena , Pozanenko Alexei , Minaev Pavel
Published: March 2018

We discuss the inhomogeneous behavior of gamma-ray burst afterglow light curves in optic. We use well-sampled light curves based on mostly our own observations to find and identify deviations (inhomogeneities) from broken power law. By the inhomogeneous behavior we mean flashes, bumps, slow deviations from power law (wiggles) in a light curve. In particular we report parameters of broken power law, describe phenomenology, compare optical light curves with X-ray ones and classify the inhomogeneities. We show that the duration of the inhomogeneities correlates with their peak time relative to gamma-ray burst (GRB) trigger and the correlation is the same for all types of inhomogeneities.
Effect of Raindrop Size Distribution on Rain Load and Its Mechanism in Analysis of Transmission Towers
Authors: Fu Xing , Li Hong-Nan
Published: March 2018

Rain load acting on a transmission tower is large enough to receive attention according to previous studies and, therefore, a parametric analysis is necessary to understand its mechanism. In this paper, the effects of different raindrop size distributions on both rain pressure and tower response are studied. First, a theoretical method is proposed to estimate the shape parameters of the gamma raindrop size distribution based on the conservation of rain intensity. The influence of raindrop spectrum on rain pressure in free wind field is then investigated. The results reveal that raindrop spectrum has great effect on the rain pressure distribution and its time interval has a large impact on the total rain pressure. In addition, the time interval has greater influence than the spectrum when the rain intensity is constant. At last, six different raindrop spectra are employed to simulate the tower response induced by wind and rain loads, of which the results indicate that the raindrop spectrum has a significant effect on the tower response. The maximum increasing percentage of rain load relative to wind load can reach up to 13.7%, indicating that the influence of rain load is quite remarkable and should be considered in analyzing the response of transmission towers.
A Fuzzy Rule-Based Optimisation Model for Efficient Resource Utilisation in a Grid Environment Using Proximity Awareness and Semantic Technology
Authors: Shaikh Abdul Khalique , Alhashmi Saadat M. , Parthiban Rajendran , Nazir Amril
Published: March 2018

The performance of computational grids mainly depends on the resource allocation service of a resource management system. Efficient resource allocation is essential for better resource utilisation which could be for both providers and grid users. Resource allocation includes the scheduling of gridlets to the available resources. However, the biggest challenges for grid users are to select the best resources from the available grid resources and to allocate these resources for scheduling of the gridlets. To address these issues and enhance the resource utilisation process, we propose a semantic and proximity-aware fuzzy rule-based model that improves the resource utilisation in a grid environment. The model uses fuzzy techniques with four parameters such as semantic similarity, proximity, number of total machines and number of total processors of each machine. The experimental results provide promising results. Overall, the proposed semantic and proximity-aware fuzzy rule-based decentralised resource discovery model improves the resource utilisation by 23% as compared to non-fuzzy first come first serve (FCFS) technique in a computational grid environment.
An Analysis of Strategic Environmental Assessment Legislation and Regulations in African Countries
Authors: Tshibangu Ghislain Mwamba
Published: March 2018

In light of the scarcity of literature exploring Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) legislation, this paper aims to analyse how national legislation and regulations in Africa include key principles for effective SEA. To achieve this aim, a content analysis of Environmental Assessment (EA) legal arrangements was conducted. Findings reveal that most countries do not have legal provisions for SEA at strategic levels. However, some countries have formal requirements for Environmental Impact Assessment at specific strategic levels. Such requirements may be attributed to an implicit recognition of the need of EA for specific strategic actions. Countries with legal and regulatory requirements for SEA showed varied degrees of conformity with process principles, screening, scoping, impact assessment and documentation strengths, but there are weaknesses in monitoring. Further findings echo a warning as none of the legal arrangements were fully adequate. This paper concludes with recommendations to improve legislation and strengthen SEA practice in Africa.
Role of basaltic magmatism within the Parnaíba cratonic basin, NE Brazil
Authors: Klöcking Marthe , White Nicky , MacLennan John
Published: March 2018

The sedimentary fill of the Parnaíba basin in NE Brazil is punctuated by two episodes of basaltic magmatism in Jurassic and Cretaceous times, known as the Mosquito and Sardinha formations, respectively. A quantitative understanding of the depth and degree of melting that generated these basalts should provide useful constraints on the history of vertical motions in this cratonic basin. We carried out forward and inverse modelling of major, trace and rare earth element concentrations for primitive melts from both igneous provinces. We calculated the melt fraction as a function of depth to determine the melt volumes and mantle potential temperatures. Our results suggest that both episodes of magmatism resulted from shallow decompression melting within the asthenospheric mantle. The Mosquito basalts record an excess temperature of 55–75°C and are probably related to the widespread Central Atlantic Magmatic Province associated with the initial break-up of Gondwanaland. By contrast, the Sardinha basalts record localized lithospheric thinning to less than half its original thickness with excess temperatures of 15–25°C. This younger activity is probably part of the Paraná–Etendeka large igneous province, which is linked to rifting between South America and Africa. We suspect that these magmatic episodes are associated with phases of regional epeirogenic uplift affecting the Parnaíba basin.
Orthorhombic faulting in the Beagle Sub-basin, North West Shelf, Australia
Authors: McCormack K. D. , McClay K. R.
Published: March 2018

The Beagle Platform forms a structurally complex outboard boundary to the Mesozoic Beagle Sub-basin in the Northern Carnarvon Basin in 50–1000 m of water
c.
250 km offshore on Australia's North West Shelf. North- and NE-trending conjugate fault systems link to form
c.
5–10 km-wide rhomboidal horsts bound by
c.
5 km-wide graben in complex orthorhombic symmetry.

Interpretation of the Canning TQ3D three-dimensional (3D) seismic survey identified four populations of faults comprising: (1) latest Triassic–Early Cretaceous north–south-striking normal faults (Fault Population I); (2) latest Triassic–Early Cretaceous NE–SW-striking normal faults (Fault Population II); (3) Cretaceous polygonal faults (Fault Population III); and (4) Neogene–present-day north–south- and NE–SW-trending en echelon conjugate fault arrays (Fault Population IV). Structural interpretation, comprising fault seismic interpretation, displacement analyses and fault orientation analysis, illustrates that orthorhombic extensional faulting occurred penecontemporaneously.

Three-dimensional non-plane strain with non-zero intermediate (
σ
2
) extension magnitude controls the near-synchronous displacement of fault population I and II conjugate fault sets in orthorhombic symmetry to create the characteristic rhomboidal fault geometry. Neogene–present-day north–south- and NE–SW-striking en echelon conjugate fault arrays (Fault Population IV) form in response to oblique reactivation of these subjacent latest Triassic–Early Cretaceous polymodal faults (Fault Population I and Fault Population II). Fault Population I, II and IV together form a vertically decoupled (soft-linked) pseudo-conjugate fault system partitioned by a Cretaceous interval characterized by polygonal fault systems (Fault Population III) and monoclinic draping.

The structural interpretation of the Beagle Platform illustrates a seismic-scale orthorhombic fault symmetry accommodating 3D strain and the insufficiency of plane-strain ‘Andersonian’ conjugate fault theory to resolve complex polymodal faulting evolved penecontemporaneously under a single stress regime. Subsequent oblique extension reactivation of these polymodal fault systems also demonstrates that complex soft-linked en echelon extensional conjugate fault arrays form in response to a single stress regime. This research supports the evolution of complex polymodal faulting under simple states of stress, and has implications for understanding the distribution, linkage and age of extensional faults within the Beagle Sub-basin and other extensional basins.
Integrating Clipped Spherical Harmonics Expansions
Authors: Belcour Laurent , Xie Guofu , Hery Christophe , Meyer Mark , Jarosz Wojciech , Nowrouzezahrai Derek
Published: March 2018

Many applications in rendering rely on integrating functions over spherical polygons. We present a new numerical solution for computing the integral of spherical harmonics (SH) expansions clipped to polygonal domains. Our solution, based on zonal decompositions of spherical integrands and discrete contour integration, introduces an important numerical operating for SH expansions in rendering applications. Our method is simple, efficient, and scales linearly in the bandlimited integrand’s harmonic expansion. We apply our technique to problems in rendering, including surface and volume shading, hierarchical product importance sampling, and fast basis projection for interactive rendering. Moreover, we show how to handle general, nonpolynomial integrands in a Monte Carlo setting using control variates. Our technique computes the integral of bandlimited spherical functions with performance competitive to (or faster than) more general numerical integration methods for a broad class of problems, both in offline and interactive rendering contexts. Our implementation is simple, relying only on self-contained SH evaluation and discrete contour integration routines, and we release a full source CPU-only and shader-based implementations (<750 lines of commented code).
Queue-Proportional Sampling
Authors: Gong Long , Tune Paul , Liu Liang , Yang Sen , Xu Jun (Jim)
Published: March 2018

Most present day switching systems, in Internet routers and data-center switches, employ a single input-queued crossbar to interconnect input ports with output ports. Such switches need to compute a matching, between input and output ports, for each switching cycle (time slot). The main challenge in designing such matching algorithms is to deal with the unfortunate tradeoff between the quality of the computed matching and the computational complexity of the algorithm. In this paper, we propose a general approach that can significantly boost the performance of both SERENA and iSLIP, yet incurs only O(1) additional computational complexity at each input/output port. Our approach is a novel proposing strategy, called
Queue-Proportional Sampling (QPS)
, that generates an excellent
starter matching
. We show, through rigorous simulations, that when starting with this starter matching, iSLIP and SERENA can output much better final matching decisions, as measured by the resulting throughput and delay performance, than they otherwise can.