bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of parallelism on data volumes for a multibeam mask writer
Authors: Chaudhary Narendra , Luo Yao , Savari Serap A.
Published: September 2016

Single beam mask writer architectures have satisfied mask patterning requirements for decades, but there is now great interest in multibeam mask writers to handle the throughput and resolution demands arising from the needs of sub-10 nm technology nodes. Future mask writers must transmit terabits of information per second and handle petabytes of data. For electron-beam direct write (EBDW) lithography systems parallelism and lossless layout image compression are techniques which have been considered together to approach the data transfer problem. For the multibeam mask architectures proposed by IMS Nanofabrication and NuFlare, the data being transmitted are significantly processed and modified from the initial proximity-corrected layout images, so the data compression problem the authors consider for this application appears to be for a new type of data. Just as the throughput requirements for EBDW lithography systems necessitate the lossless data compression decoders to swiftly reproduce the layout images from their encodings it is likewise interesting to study simple and effective lossless data compression algorithms for multibeam mask writers. The authors will examine how parallelism affects the total beam compressed data for a family of idealized multibeam architectures inspired by the IMS Nanofabrication eMET series.
Energetic and informational masking of complex sounds by a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)
Authors: Branstetter Brian K. , Bakhtiari Kimberly , Black Amy , Trickey Jennifer S. , Finneran James J. , Aihara Hitomi
Published: September 2016

With few exceptions, laboratory studies of auditory masking in marine mammals have been limited to examining detection thresholds for simple tonal signals embedded in broadband noise. However, detection of a sound has little adaptive advantage without the knowledge of what produced the sound (recognition) and where the sound originated (localization). In the current study, a bottlenose dolphin's masked detection thresholds (energetic masking) and masked recognition thresholds (informational masking) were estimated for a variety of complex signals including dolphin vocalizations, frequency modulated signals, and a 10 kHz pure tone. Broadband noise types included recordings of natural sounds and computer generated sounds. Detection thresholds were estimated using a standard go, no-go adaptive staircase procedure. The same dolphin learned to associate whistle-like FM sounds with specific arbitrary objects using a three alternative, matching-to-sample (MTS) procedure. The dolphin's performance in the MTS task was then tested in the presence of the same masking noise types used in the detection task. Recognition thresholds were, on average, about 4 dB higher than detection thresholds for similar signal-noise conditions. The 4 dB difference is likely due to additional cognitive demands of recognition, including attention and pattern recognition.
Single-neuron and genetic correlates of autistic behavior in macaque
Authors: Yoshida Kyoko , Go Yasuhiro , Kushima Itaru , Toyoda Atsushi , Fujiyama Asao , Imai Hiroo , Saito Nobuhito , Iriki Atsushi , Ozaki Norio , Isoda Masaki
Published: September 2016

Medial frontal neurons and gene variants show the existence of an autism-like psychiatric disorder in monkeys.
Using DNA, radiation therapy gets personal
Authors: Dolgin Elie
Published: September 2016

Gene-based tests aim to predict who will benefit from radiation, or suffer.
Radiocarbon constraints imply reduced carbon uptake by soils during the 21st century
Authors: He Yujie , Trumbore Susan E. , Torn Margaret S. , Harden Jennifer W. , Vaughn Lydia J. S. , Allison Steven D. , Randerson James T.
Published: September 2016

Soil is the largest terrestrial carbon reservoir and may influence the sign and magnitude of carbon cycle–climate feedbacks. Many Earth system models (ESMs) estimate a significant soil carbon sink by 2100, yet the underlying carbon dynamics determining this response have not been systematically tested against observations. We used
14
C data from 157 globally distributed soil profiles sampled to 1-meter depth to show that ESMs underestimated the mean age of soil carbon by a factor of more than six (430 ± 50 years versus 3100 ± 1800 years). Consequently, ESMs overestimated the carbon sequestration potential of soils by a factor of nearly two (40 ± 27%). These inconsistencies suggest that ESMs must better represent carbon stabilization processes and the turnover time of slow and passive reservoirs when simulating future atmospheric carbon dioxide dynamics.
Tomography reveals buoyant asthenosphere accumulating beneath the Juan de Fuca plate
Authors: Hawley William B. , Allen Richard M. , Richards Mark A.
Published: September 2016

The boundary between Earth’s strong lithospheric plates and the underlying mantle asthenosphere corresponds to an abrupt seismic velocity decrease and electrical conductivity increase with depth, perhaps indicating a thin, weak layer that may strongly influence plate motion dynamics. The behavior of such a layer at subduction zones remains unexplored. We present a tomographic model, derived from on- and offshore seismic experiments, that reveals a strong low-velocity feature beneath the subducting Juan de Fuca slab along the entire Cascadia subduction zone. Through simple geodynamic arguments, we propose that this low-velocity feature is the accumulation of material from a thin, weak, buoyant layer present beneath the entire oceanic lithosphere. The presence of this feature could have major implications for our understanding of the asthenosphere and subduction zone dynamics.
Screening in crystalline liquids protects energetic carriers in hybrid perovskites
Authors: Zhu Haiming , Miyata Kiyoshi , Fu Yongping , Wang Jue , Joshi Prakriti P. , Niesner Daniel , Williams Kristopher W. , Jin Song , Zhu X.-Y.
Published: September 2016

Hybrid lead halide perovskites exhibit carrier properties that resemble those of pristine nonpolar semiconductors despite static and dynamic disorder, but how carriers are protected from efficient scattering with charged defects and optical phonons is unknown. Here, we reveal the carrier protection mechanism by comparing three single-crystal lead bromide perovskites: CH
3
NH
3
PbBr
3
, CH(NH
2
)
2
PbBr
3
, and CsPbBr
3
. We observed hot fluorescence emission from energetic carriers with ~10
2
-picosecond lifetimes in CH
3
NH
3
PbBr
3
or CH(NH
2
)
2
PbBr
3
, but not in CsPbBr
3
. The hot fluorescence is correlated with liquid-like molecular reorientational motions, suggesting that dynamic screening protects energetic carriers via solvation or large polaron formation on time scales competitive with that of ultrafast cooling. Similar protections likely exist for band-edge carriers. The long-lived energetic carriers may enable hot-carrier solar cells with efficiencies exceeding the Shockley-Queisser limit.
Surface uplift and time-dependent seismic hazard due to fluid injection in eastern Texas
Authors: Shirzaei Manoochehr , Ellsworth William L. , Tiampo Kristy F. , González Pablo J. , Manga Michael
Published: September 2016

Observations that unequivocally link seismicity and wastewater injection are scarce. Here we show that wastewater injection in eastern Texas causes uplift, detectable in radar interferometric data up to >8 kilometers from the wells. Using measurements of uplift, reported injection data, and a poroelastic model, we computed the crustal strain and pore pressure. We infer that an increase of >1 megapascal in pore pressure in rocks with low compressibility triggers earthquakes, including the 4.8–moment magnitude event that occurred on 17 May 2012, the largest earthquake recorded in eastern Texas. Seismic activity increased even while injection rates declined, owing to diffusion of pore pressure from earlier periods with higher injection rates. Induced seismicity potential is suppressed where tight confining formations prevent pore pressure from propagating into crystalline basement rocks.
Clinical Utility of On-Demand Multiplex Respiratory Pathogen Testing among Adult Outpatients
Authors: Green Daniel A. , Hitoaliaj Letiana , Kotansky Brian , Campbell Sheldon M. , Peaper David R.
Published: September 2016

Multiplex tests for respiratory tract infections include up to 20 targets for common pathogens, predominantly viruses. A specific therapeutic intervention is available for individuals testing positive for influenza viruses (oseltamivir), and it is potentially beneficial to identify non-influenza viruses to avoid unnecessary antibiotic use. We evaluated antimicrobial prescriptions following respiratory pathogen testing among outpatients at a large Veterans Administration (VA) medical center. Results of the FilmArray respiratory panel (BioFire, Salt Lake City, UT) from 15 December 2014 to 15 April 2015 were evaluated among 408 outpatients, and patient medical records were reviewed. Differences in antibiotic and oseltamivir prescription rates were analyzed. Among 408 patients tested in outpatient centers (emergency departments, urgent care clinics, and outpatient clinics), 295 (72.3%) were managed as outpatients. Among these 295 outpatients, 105 (35.6%) tested positive for influenza virus, 109 (36.9%) tested positive for a non-influenza virus pathogen, and 81 (27.5%) had no respiratory pathogen detected. Rates of oseltamivir and antibiotic prescriptions were significantly different among the three test groups (chi-squared values of 167.6 [
P
< 0.0001] and 10.48 [
P
= 0.005], respectively), but there was no significant difference in antibiotic prescription rates between the non-influenza virus pathogen group and those who tested negative (chi-square value, 0;
P
= 1.0). Among adult outpatients, testing positive for influenza virus was associated with receiving fewer antibiotic prescriptions, but no such effect was seen for those who tested positive for a non-influenza virus. These data suggest that testing for influenza viruses alone may be sufficient and more cost-effective than multiplex pathogen testing for outpatients.
Comprehensive Genome Scale Phylogenetic Study Provides New Insights on the Global Expansion of Chikungunya Virus
Authors: Chen Rubing , Puri Vinita , Fedorova Nadia , Lin David , Hari Kumar L. , Jain Ravi , Rodas Juan David , Das Suman R. , Shabman Reed S. , Weaver Scott C.
Published: September 2016

Since the India and Indian Ocean outbreaks of 2005 and 2006, the global distribution of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and the locations of epidemics have dramatically shifted. First, the Indian Ocean lineage (IOL) caused sustained epidemics in India and has radiated to many other countries. Second, the Asian lineage has caused frequent outbreaks in the Pacific islands and in 2013 was introduced into the Caribbean, followed by rapid spread to nearly all of the neotropics. Further, CHIKV epidemics, as well as exported cases, have been reported in central Africa after a long period of perceived silence. To understand these changes and to anticipate the future of the virus, the exact distribution, genetic diversity, transmission routes, and future epidemic potential of CHIKV require further assessment. To do so, we conducted the most comprehensive phylogenetic analysis to date, examined CHIKV evolution and transmission, and explored distinct genetic factors associated with the emergence of the East/Central/South African (ECSA) lineage, the IOL, and the Asian lineage. Our results reveal contrasting evolutionary patterns among the lineages, with growing genetic diversities observed in each, and suggest that CHIKV will continue to be a major public health threat with the potential for further emergence and spread.

IMPORTANCE
Chikungunya fever is a reemerging infectious disease that is transmitted by
Aedes
mosquitoes and causes severe health and economic burdens in affected populations. Since the unprecedented Indian Ocean and Indian subcontinent outbreaks of 2005 and 2006, CHIKV has further expanded its geographic range, including to the Americas in 2013. Its evolution and transmission during and following these epidemics, as well as the recent evolution and spread of other lineages, require optimal assessment. Using newly obtained genome sequences, we provide a comprehensive update of the global distribution of CHIKV genetic diversity and analyze factors associated with recent outbreaks. These results provide a solid foundation for future evolutionary studies of CHIKV that can elucidate emergence mechanisms and also may help to predict future epidemics.
Influenza Virus Susceptibility of Wild-Derived CAST/EiJ Mice Results from Two Amino Acid Changes in the MX1 Restriction Factor
Authors: Nürnberger Cindy , Zimmermann Vanessa , Gerhardt Melanie , Staeheli Peter
Published: September 2016

The interferon-regulatedMx1gene of the A2G mouse strain confers a high degree of resistance against influenza A and Thogoto viruses. Most other laboratory inbred mouse strains carry truncated nonfunctionalMx1alleles and, consequently, exhibit high virus susceptibility. Interestingly, CAST/EiJ mice, derived from wildMus musculus castaneus, possess a seemingly intactMx1gene but are highly susceptible to influenza A virus challenge. To determine whether the enhanced influenza virus susceptibility is due to intrinsically reduced antiviral activity of the CAST-derivedMx1allele, we generated a congenic C57BL/6J mouse line that carries theMxlocus of CAST/EiJ mice. Adult animals of this line were almost as susceptible to influenza virus challenge as standard C57BL/6J mice lacking functionalMx1alleles but exhibited far more pronounced resistance to Thogoto virus. Sequencing revealed that CAST-derived MX1 differs from A2G-derived MX1 by two amino acids (G83R and A222V) in the GTPase domain. Especially the A222V mutation reduced GTPase activity of purified MX1 and diminished the inhibitory effect of MX1 in influenza A virus polymerase activity assays. Further, MX1 protein was substantially less abundant in organs of interferon-treated mice carrying the CASTMx1allele than in those of mice carrying the A2GMx1allele. We found that the CAST-specific mutations reduced the metabolic stability of the MX1 protein althoughMx1mRNA levels were unchanged. Thus, the enhanced influenza virus susceptibility of CAST/EiJ mice can be explained by minor alterations in the MX1 restriction factor that negatively affect its enzymatic activity and reduce its half-life.

IMPORTANCEAlthough the crystal structure of the prototypic human MXA protein is known, the importance of specific protein domains for antiviral activity is still incompletely understood. Novel insights might come from studying naturally occurring MX protein variants with altered antiviral activity. Here we identified two seemingly minor amino acid changes in the GTPase domain that negatively affect the enzymatic activity and metabolic stability of murine MX1 and thus dramatically reduce the influenza virus resistance of the respective mouse inbred strain. These observations highlight our current inability to predict the biological consequences of previously uncharacterized MX mutations in mice. Since this is probably also true for naturally occurring mutations inMxgenes of humans, careful experimental analysis of any natural MXA variants for altered activity is necessary in order to assess possible consequences of such mutations on innate antiviral immunity.
A Novel Benzodiazepine Compound Inhibits Yellow Fever Virus Infection by Specifically Targeting NS4B Protein
Authors: Guo Fang , Wu Shuo , Julander Justin , Ma Julia , Zhang Xuexiang , Kulp John , Cuconati Andrea , Block Timothy M. , Du Yanming , Guo Ju-Tao , Chang Jinhong
Published: September 2016

Although a highly effective vaccine is available, the number of yellow fever cases has increased over the past 2 decades, which highlights the pressing need for antiviral therapeutics. In a high-throughput screening campaign, we identified an acetic acid benzodiazepine (BDAA) compound which potently inhibits yellow fever virus (YFV). Interestingly, while treatment of YFV-infected cultures with 2 μM BDAA reduced the virion production by greater than 2 logs, the compound was not active against 21 other viruses from 14 different viral families. Selection and genetic analysis of drug-resistant viruses revealed that replacement of the proline at amino acid 219 (P219) of the nonstructural protein 4B (NS4B) with serine, threonine, or alanine conferred YFV with resistance to BDAA without apparent loss of replication fitness in cultured mammalian cells. However, replacement of P219 with glycine conferred BDAA resistance with significant loss of replication ability. Bioinformatics analysis predicts that the P219 amino acid is localized at the endoplasmic reticulum lumen side of the fifth putative transmembrane domain of NS4B, and the mutation may render the viral protein incapable of interacting with BDAA. Our studies thus revealed an important role and the structural basis for the NS4B protein in supporting YFV replication. Moreover, in YFV-infected hamsters, oral administration of BDAA protected 90% of the animals from death, significantly reduced viral load by greater than 2 logs, and attenuated virus infection-induced liver injury and body weight loss. The encouraging preclinical results thus warrant further development of BDAA or its derivatives as antiviral agents to treat yellow fever.

IMPORTANCE
Yellow fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease which threatens approximately 1 billion people living in tropical areas of Africa and Latin America. Although a highly effective yellow fever vaccine has been available for more than 7 decades, the low vaccination rate fails to prevent outbreaks in at-risk regions. It has been estimated that up to 1.7 million YFV infections occur in Africa each year, resulting in 29,000 to 60,000 deaths. Thus far, there is no specific antiviral treatment for yellow fever. To cope with this medical challenge, we identified a benzodiazepine compound that selectively inhibits YFV by targeting the viral NS4B protein. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating
in vivo
safety and antiviral efficacy of a YFV NS4B inhibitor in an animal model. We have thus reached a critical milestone toward the development of specific antiviral therapeutics for clinical management of yellow fever.
HIV-1 Escape from a Peptidic Anchor Inhibitor through Stabilization of the Envelope Glycoprotein Spike
Authors: Eggink Dirk , de Taeye Steven W. , Bontjer Ilja , Klasse Per Johan , Langedijk Johannes P. M. , Berkhout Ben , Sanders Rogier W.
Published: September 2016

The trimeric HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein spike (Env) mediates viral entry into cells by using a spring-loaded mechanism that allows for the controlled insertion of the Env fusion peptide into the target membrane, followed by membrane fusion. Env is the focus of vaccine research aimed at inducing protective immunity by antibodies as well as efforts to develop drugs that inhibit the viral entry process. The molecular factors contributing to Env stability and decay need to be understood better in order to optimally design vaccines and therapeutics. We generated viruses with resistance to VIR165, a peptidic inhibitor that binds the fusion peptide of the gp41 subunit and prevents its insertion into the target membrane. Interestingly, a number of escape viruses acquired substitutions in the C1 domain of the gp120 subunit (A60E, E64K, and H66R) that rendered these viruses dependent on the inhibitor. These viruses could infect target cells only when VIR165 was present after CD4 binding. Furthermore, the VIR165-dependent viruses were resistant to soluble CD4-induced Env destabilization and decay. These data suggest that VIR165-dependent Env proteins are kinetically trapped in the unliganded state and require the drug to negotiate CD4-induced conformational changes. These studies provide mechanistic insight into the action of the gp41 fusion peptide and its inhibitors and provide new ways to stabilize Env trimer vaccines.

IMPORTANCE
Because of the rapid development of HIV-1 drug resistance, new drug targets need to be explored continuously. The fusion peptide of the envelope glycoprotein can be targeted by anchor inhibitors. Here we describe virus escape from the anchor inhibitor VIR165. Interestingly, some escape viruses became dependent on the inhibitor for cell entry. We show that the identified escape mutations stabilize the ground state of the envelope glycoprotein and should thus be useful in the design of stabilized envelope-based HIV vaccines.
Hepacivirus NS3/4A Proteases Interfere with MAVS Signaling in both Their Cognate Animal Hosts and Humans: Implications for Zoonotic Transmission
Authors: Anggakusuma  , Brown Richard J. P. , Banda Dominic H. , Todt Daniel , Vieyres Gabrielle , Steinmann Eike , Pietschmann Thomas
Published: September 2016

Multiple novel members of the genus
Hepacivirus
have recently been discovered in diverse mammalian species. However, to date, their replication mechanisms and zoonotic potential have not been explored in detail. The NS3/4A serine protease of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is critical for cleavage of the viral polyprotein. It also cleaves the cellular innate immune adaptor MAVS, thus decreasing interferon (IFN) production and contributing to HCV persistence in the human host. To investigate the conservation of fundamental aspects of the hepaciviral life cycle, we explored if MAVS cleavage and suppression of innate immune signaling represent a common mechanism employed across different clades of the genus
Hepacivirus
to enhance viral replication. To estimate the zoonotic potential of these nonhuman hepaciviruses, we assessed if their NS3/4A proteases were capable of cleaving human MAVS. NS3/4A proteases of viruses infecting colobus monkeys, rodents, horses, and cows cleaved the MAVS proteins of their cognate hosts and interfered with the ability of MAVS to induce the IFN-β promoter. All NS3/4A proteases from nonhuman viruses readily cleaved human MAVS. Thus, NS3/4A-dependent cleavage of MAVS is a conserved replication strategy across multiple clades within the genus
Hepacivirus
. Human MAVS is susceptible to cleavage by these nonhuman viral proteases, indicating that it does not pose a barrier for zoonotic transmission of these viruses to humans.

IMPORTANCE
Virus infection is recognized by cellular sensor proteins triggering innate immune signaling and antiviral defenses. While viruses have evolved strategies to thwart these antiviral programs in their cognate host species, these evasion mechanisms are often ineffective in a novel host, thus limiting viral transmission across species. HCV, the best-characterized member of the genus
Hepacivirus
within the family
Flaviviridae
, uses its NS3/4A protease to disrupt innate immune signaling by cleaving the cellular adaptor protein MAVS. Recently, a large number of HCV-related viruses have been discovered in various animal species, including wild, livestock, and companion animals. We show that the NS3/4A proteases of these hepaciviruses from different animals and representing various clades of the genus cleave their cognate host MAVS proteins in addition to human MAVS. Therefore, cleavage of MAVS is a common strategy of hepaciviruses, and human MAVS is likely unable to limit replication of these nonhuman viruses upon zoonotic exposure.
Arthritis in children: comparison of clinical and biological characteristics of septic arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Aupiais Camille , Basmaci Romain , Ilharreborde Brice , Blachier Audrey , Desmarest Marie , Job-Deslandre Chantal , Faye Albert , Bonacorsi Stéphane , Alberti Corinne , Lorrot Mathie
Published: September 2016

Aim

Childhood arthritis arises from several causes. The aim of this observational study is to compare the clinical and biological features and short-term outcome of different types of arthritis because they have different treatment and prognoses.

Methods

Children <16 years of age hospitalised in a French tertiary care centre for a first episode of arthritis lasting for less than 6 weeks who underwent joint aspiration were retrospectively included. We performed non-parametrical tests to compare groups (septic arthritis (SA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and arthritis with no definitive diagnosis). The time before apyrexia or C reactive protein (CRP) <10 mg/L was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier method.

Results

We studied 125 children with a sex ratio (M/F) of 1.1 and a median age of 2.2 years (range 0.3 to 14.6). SA was associated with a lower age at onset (1.5 years, IQR 1.2–3.0 vs 3.6 years, IQR 2.2–5.6), shorter duration of symptoms before diagnosis (2 days, IQR 1–4 vs 7 days, IQR 1–19) and higher synovial white blood cell count (147 cells ×103/mm3, IQR 71–227, vs 51 cells ×103/mm3, IQR 12–113), than JIA. Apyrexia occurred later in children with JIA (40% after 2 days, 95% CI 17% to 75%) than children with SA (82%, 95% CI 68% to 92%), as did CRP<10 mg/L (18% at 7 days, 95% CI 6.3% to 29.6% vs 82.1%, 95% CI 76.1% to 89.7%, p=0.01).

Conclusions

There were no sufficiently reliable predictors for differentiating between SA and JIA at onset. The outcomes were different; JIA should be considered in cases of poor disease evolution after antibiotic treatment and joint aspiration.
Can vestibular rehabilitation exercises help patients with concussion? A systematic review of efficacy, prescription and progression patterns
Authors: Murray Drew A , Meldrum Dara , Lennon Olive
Published: September 2016

Objective

Concussion symptoms normally resolve within 7–10 days but vertigo, dizziness and balance dysfunction persist in 10–30% of cases causing significant morbidity. This study systematically evaluated the evidence supporting the efficacy, prescription and progression patterns of vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) in patients with concussion.

Design

Systematic Review, guided by PRISMA guidelines and presenting a best evidence synthesis.

Data sources

Electronic databases PubMed (1949 to May 2015), CINAHL (1982 to May 2015), EMBASE (1947 to May 2015), SPORTDiscus (1985 to May 2015), Web of Science (1945 to May 2015) and PEDRO (1999 to May 2015), supplemented by manual searches and grey literature.

Eligibility criteria for study selection

Article or abstract of original research, population of patients with concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with vestibular symptoms, interventions detailing VRT, measurement of outcomes pre-VRT/post-VRT. Study type was not specified.

Results

Following a double review of abstract and full-text articles, 10 studies met the inclusion criteria: randomised controlled trial (n=2), uncontrolled studies (n=3) and case studies (n=5). 4 studies evaluated VRT as a single intervention. 6 studies incorporated VRT in multimodal interventions (including manual therapy, strength training, occupational tasks, counselling or medication). 9 studies reported improvement in outcomes but level I evidence from only 1 study was found that demonstrated increased rates (OR 3.91; 95% CI 1.34 to 11.34; p=0.002) of medical clearance for return to sport within 8 weeks, when VRT (combined with cervical therapy) was compared with usual care. Heterogeneity in study type and outcomes precluded meta-analysis. Habituation and adaptation exercises were employed in 8 studies and balance exercises in 9 studies. Prescription and progression patterns lacked standardisation.

Conclusions

Current evidence for optimal prescription and efficacy of VRT in patients with mTBI/concussion is limited. Available evidence, although weak, shows promise in this population. Further high-level studies evaluating the effects of VRT in patients with mTBI/concussion with vestibular and/or balance dysfunction are required.
Sodium intake and blood pressure in children and adolescents: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Leyvraz Magali , Taffé Patrick , Chatelan Angeline , Paradis Gilles , Tabin René , Bovet Pascal , Bochud Murielle , Chiolero Arnaud
Published: September 2016

Introduction

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In adults, high sodium intake is associated with elevated blood pressure. In children, experimental studies have shown that reducing sodium intake can reduce blood pressure. However, their external validity is limited, notably because the sodium reduction was substantial and not applicable in a real-life setting. Observational studies, on the other hand, allow assess the association between blood pressure and sodium intake across usual levels of consumption. There is also evidence that the association differs between subgroups of children according to age and body weight. Our objective is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of experimental and observational studies on the association between sodium intake and blood pressure in children and adolescents and to assess whether the association differs according to age and body weight.

Methods and analysis

A systematic search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL databases will be conducted and supplemented by a manual search of bibliographies and unpublished studies. Experimental and observational studies involving children or adolescents between 0 and 18 years of age will be included. The exposure will be dietary sodium intake, estimated using different methods including urinary sodium excretion. The outcomes will be systolic and diastolic blood pressure, elevated blood pressure and hypertension. If appropriate, meta-analyses will be performed by pooling data across all studies together and separately for experimental and observational studies. Subgroup meta-analyses by age and body weight will be also conducted. Moreover, separate meta-analyses for different sodium intake levels will be conducted to investigate the dose–response relationship.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. A report will be prepared for national authorities and other stakeholders in the domains of nutrition, public health, and child health in Switzerland.

Trial registration number

CRD42016038245.
Capillary and Venous Lactate Agreement: a pilot prospective observational study
Authors: Datta Deepankar , Grahamslaw Julia , Gray Alasdair James , Graham Catriona
Published: September 2016

Background

Blood lactate is a marker of patient illness severity. Capillary lactate (CAP-LACT) measurement can potentially improve patient screening; however, it has poor evidence of clinical utility.

Aim

We aimed to investigate agreement between CAP-LACT and peripheral venous lactate (PV-LACT).

Methods

We performed a prospective observational pilot study of 99 patients requiring lactate measurement. Paired CAP-LACT and PV-LACT was recorded. Agreement was determined by Bland-Altman analysis.

Results

Bias was 0.2 mmol/L, with 95% limits of agreement from −1.9 to 2.3.

Conclusions

CAP-LACT has poor agreement with PV-LACT. Further research is needed to improve its potential clinical utility.
Life-course partnership history and midlife health behaviours in a population-based birth cohort
Authors: Keenan Katherine , Ploubidis George B , Silverwood Richard J , Grundy Emily
Published: September 2016

Background

Marital and partnership history is strongly associated with health in midlife and later life. However, the role of health behaviours as an explanatory mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate prospective associations between life-course partnership trajectories (taking into account timing, non-marital cohabitation, remarriage and marital transitions) and health behaviours measured in midlife.

Methods

We analysed data from the British National Child Development Study, a prospective cohort study that includes all people born in 1 week of March 1958 (N=10 226). This study included men and women with prospective data on partnership history from age 23 to 42–44 and health behaviours collected at ages 42–46 (2000–2004). Latent class analysis was used to derive longitudinal trajectories of partnership history. We used multivariable regression models to estimate the association between midlife health behaviours and partnership trajectory, adjusting for various early and young adult characteristics.

Results

After adjustment for a range of potential selection factors in childhood and early adulthood, we found that problem drinking, heavy drinking and smoking were more common in men and women who experienced divorce or who had never married or cohabited. Women who married later had a lower prevalence of smoking and were less likely to be overweight than those who married earlier. Overall marriage was associated with a higher body mass index. Individuals who never married or cohabited spent less time exercising.

Conclusions

Some aspects of partnership history such as remaining unpartnered and experiencing divorce are associated with more smoking and drinking in midlife, whereas marriage is associated with midlife weight gain. Despite these offsetting influences, differences in health behaviours probably account for much of the association between partnership trajectories and health found in previous studies.
Importance of length and external diameter in left ventricular geometry. Normal values from the HUNT Study
Authors: Støylen Asbjørn , Mølmen Harald E , Dalen Håvard
Published: September 2016

Background

We aimed to study left ventricular (LV) geometry assessed by length (LVWL), external diameter (LVEDD) and relative wall thickness (RWT) in relation to age, body size and gender in healthy individuals.

Methods

1266 individuals underwent echocardiography in the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT3), Norway. Septum thickness (IVS), posterior wall thickness (LVPWd) and end-diastolic internal diameter (LVIDD) were measured in M-mode, and LVEDD was calculated as the sum. Myocardial wall lengths were measured in a straight line from apex to the mitral ring in apical views at end diastole and averaged to LVWL. RWT ([IVSd+LVPWd]/LVIDD) and the ratio between length and diameter (L/D) were calculated.

Results

Normal age-related and gender-related values are provided. Conventional measures conform to previous studies. All measures correlated with body surface area (BSA) (r 0.29–0.60), and BSA indexed values were higher in women. Wall thickness (WT) and LVEDD, but not LVIDD, were higher with higher age. LVWL and L/D were lower with increasing age, but L/D was independent of BSA and similar in women and men (1.41 vs 1.40). RWT correlated with BSA and age (r 0.17 and 0.34).

Conclusions

LV WT increases and LVWL decreases with higher age. Excluding length in LV mass calculations increasingly overestimates mass with ageing. L/D is a BSA independent measure of LV age-related geometry and may be useful as a body size independent measure in LV hypertrophy. RWT depends on body size and age, and a single cut-off value is not warranted.
Appreciating the difference, making a difference
Authors: Sainz‐Pardo Luiz
Published: September 2016

Luis Sainz‐Pardo didn't realise how different his experience of working as a vet in the UK was until he returned home to Spain, and subsequently travelled throughout Europe. Now, he uses his understanding of veterinary diversity to forge a varied, interesting and international career path within the profession
Modeling and Analysis on the Influence of Reinforcement Particle Size During EDM of Aluminum (Al/3.25Cu/8.5Si)/Fly Ash Composites
Authors: Ravi Kumar K. , Sreebalaji V. S.
Published: September 2016

In the present study, aluminum alloy (Al/3.25Cu/8.5Si) composites reinforced with fly ash particles was fabricated using stir casting technique. Fly ash particles of three different size ranges 53–75, 75–103 and 103–125[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m of 3, 6 and 9 weight percentages was reinforced in aluminum alloy. The effect of peak current, pulse on time, and pulse off time on surface roughness (SR), material removal rate (MRR) and tool wear rate (TWR) of electric discharge machining (EDM) was investigated. A central composite design using response surface methodology (RSM) was selected for conducting experiments, and mathematical models were developed using Design Expert V7.0.0 software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique was used to check the significance of the models developed. Peak current was the major factor influencing the EDM of aluminum fly ash composites. The MRR, TWR, and SR of aluminum fly ash composites were also influenced by the size of the fly ash particles.
Alkaline-rich quartz syenite intrusions of the Western Karelia subprovince
Authors: Heilimo Esa , Mikkola Perttu , Huhma Hannu , Halla Jaana
Published: September 2016

We have studied a group of granitoids from the Western Karelia subprovince of the Fennoscandian Shield. This group is referred to as quartz syenites, but shows compositional variation from syenites to quartz monzonites, with a small number of monzonites and granites. Compositionally studied rocks are alkali and alkali-calcic, and magnesian, mostly metaluminous. Characteristically, they have a high content of alkaline (Na, K), large ion lithophile elements (LILE) (Ba, Sr), high-field strength elements (HFSE) (TiO
2
, Zr, Ce), as well as a low content of Mg, Ni and Cr, by which they can be distinguished from sanukitoid and quartz diorite suites of the Karelia Province. These quartz syenites were emplaced between 2.74 and 2.66 Ga, representing late-phase intrusions overlapping in age with the sanukitoids, the quartz diorites and the leucogranitoids. Initial whole-rock ε
Nd
values of quartz syenites vary from 1.8 to −1.8, and do not indicate a significant contribution of considerably older crust. Oxygen-isotope data for zircon indicate a varying mantle source (δ
18
O 5.35–7.15‰), with a contribution from source(s) with elevated δ
18
O values. Our data provide constraints on compositionally diverse Neoarchaean magmatism in the Archaean Karelia Province. The late Archaean evolution of the Western Karelia subprovince resembles that of the Neoarchean domains worldwide with respect to granitoid composition and temporal distribution.

Supplementary material:
Tables detailing geochemical analyses, analytical data for the five age samples and oxygen-isotope analyses from this study are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.3459771
A brief chronology of medical device security
Authors: Burns A. J. , Johnson M. Eric , Honeyman Peter
Published: September 2016

With the implantation of software-driven devices comes unique privacy and security threats to the human body.
Universities and computer science in the European crisis of refugees
Authors: Conrad Kathrin , Musliu Nysret , Pichler Reinhard , Werthner Hannes
Published: September 2016

Considering the role of universities in promoting tolerance as well as education.
Adding art to STEM
Authors: Cook Perry R.
Published: September 2016

The
Communications
Web site, http://cacm.acm.org, features more than a dozen bloggers in the BLOG@CACM community. In each issue of
Communications
, we'll publish selected posts or excerpts.

twitter

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/blogCACM

http://cacm.acm.org/blogs/blog-cacm

Perry R. Cook considers the career path that led him to STEAM.
Bringing holography to light
Authors: Krakovsky Marina
Published: September 2016

While 3D technologies that make headlines are not truly holographic, holographic techniques are furthering advances in important applications such as biomedical imaging.
Reliable and Energy-Efficient Downward Packet Delivery in Asymmetric Transmission Power-Based Networks
Authors: Kim Hyung-Sin , Lee Myung-Sup , Choi Young-June , Ko Jeonggil , Bahk Saewoong
Published: September 2016

In low-power wireless networks, maintaining multihop connectivity is considered effective in constructing communication routes between individual nodes to a gateway. Since sensor networks are typically used for data collection, multihop routing protocols are designed to find routes optimal in upward directions. As sensor networks become widely applied to diverse applications, efficient downward traffic delivery also becomes important. To achieve this, we consider an asymmetric transmission power-based network (APN), where a power-supplied gateway uses high-power radios to cover the entire network via single-hop transmission, whereas common nodes use low-power transmissions. For effective APN operations, we propose a single-hop downlink protocol (SHDP) that consists of direct downlink transmission, local acknowledgment, neighbor forwarding, and contention resolution among the destination’s neighbors. We evaluate SHDP through mathematical analysis, simulations, and testbed experiments. Our proposal outperforms other competitive multihop routing protocols. Specifically, SHDP shows high packet delivery performance and lowers the duty cycle greatly while reducing the packet transmission overhead by >50%.
Incremental, iterative data processing with timely dataflow
Authors: Murray Derek G. , McSherry Frank , Isard Michael , Isaacs Rebecca , Barham Paul , Abadi Martin
Published: September 2016

We describe the timely dataflow model for distributed computation and its implementation in the Naiad system. The model supports stateful iterative and incremental computations. It enables both low-latency stream processing and high-throughput batch processing, using a new approach to coordination that combines asynchronous and fine-grained synchronous execution. We describe two of the programming frameworks built on Naiad: GraphLINQ for parallel graph processing, and differential dataflow for nested iterative and incremental computations. We show that a general-purpose system can achieve performance that matches, and sometimes exceeds, that of specialized systems.
Efficient parallelization using rank convergence in dynamic programming algorithms
Authors: Maleki Saeed , Musuvathi Madanlal , Mytkowicz Todd
Published: September 2016

This paper proposes an efficient parallel algorithm for an important class of dynamic programming problems that includes Viterbi, Needleman--Wunsch, Smith--Waterman, and Longest Common Subsequence. In dynamic programming, the subproblems that do not depend on each other, and thus can be computed in parallel, form stages, or
wavefronts.
The algorithm presented in this paper provides additional parallelism allowing multiple stages to be computed in parallel despite dependences among them. The correctness and the performance of the algorithm relies on rank convergence properties of matrix multiplication in the tropical semiring, formed with plus as the multiplicative operation and max as the additive operation.

This paper demonstrates the efficiency of the parallel algorithm by showing significant speedups on a variety of important dynamic programming problems. In particular, the parallel Viterbi decoder is up to 24× faster (with 64 processors) than a highly optimized commercial baseline.
Video Management and Resource Allocation for a Large-Scale VoD Cloud
Authors: Chang Zhangyu , Chan S.-H. Gary
Published: September 2016

We consider providing large-scale Netflix-like video-on-demand (VoD) service on a cloud platform, where cloud proxy servers are placed close to user pools. Videos may have heterogeneous popularity at different geo-locations. A repository provides video backup for the network, and the proxy servers collaboratively store and stream videos. To deploy the VoD cloud, the content provider rents resources consisting of link capacities among servers, server storage, and server processing capacity to handle remote requests.

We study how to minimize the deployment cost by
jointly
optimizing video management (in terms of video placement and retrieval at servers) and resource allocation (in terms of link, storage, and processing capacities), subject to a certain user delay requirement on video access. We first formulate the joint optimization problem and show that it is NP-hard. To address it, we propose Resource allocation And Video management Optimization (RAVO), a novel and efficient algorithm based on linear programming with proven optimality gap. For a large video pool, we propose a video clustering algorithm to substantially reduce the run-time computational complexity without compromising performance. Using extensive simulation and trace-driven real data, we show that RAVO achieves close-to-optimal performance, outperforming other advanced schemes significantly (often by multiple times).
Risks of automation
Authors: Neumann Peter G.
Published: September 2016

Where automation is inevitable, let's do it right.
Molten Salt Synthesis of Transition Metal Oxides doped Li4Ti5O12 as Anode Material of Li-Ion Battery
Authors: Guo Qingjun , Wang Qiang , Chen Gang , Xu Hongjie , Wu Jiayu , Li Bing
Published: September 2016

Co3O4 doped Li4Ti5O12 compounds with protuberant nanoparticles are synthesized by molten salts method. Co3O4 doping greatly decreases particle size of Li4Ti5O12. Combining with the result of Fe2O3 doped Li4Ti5O12 and as interstitial and substitutional atoms, transition metal atoms homogenously distribute in the crystal lattice of Li4Ti5O12 and do not change the cubic spinel structure of Li4Ti5O12. As the substitutional atoms, the mixed valence of Co3+ and Co2+ co-exists in Li4Ti5O12 causing O32e or Li8a,16d vacant sites thereby improving the electronic conductivity of Li4Ti5O12. The doped Li4Ti5O12 exhibits a large first discharge capacity (173.5 mAh g-1) at 0.2 C rate, 144.8 mAh g-1 at 1 C rate with the capacity loss of 8.8% after 100 charge/discharge cycles and 106 mAh g-1 at 10 C. EIS analysis indicates the doped Li4Ti5O12 electrode exhibits lower charge transfer resistance and lithium ions diffusion resistance, as optimized amounts of Co3O4 produces appropriate lattice distortion and interstitial atoms in Li4Ti5O12.
An Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Study on a Lithium Sulfur Pouch Cell
Authors: Stroe Daniel Ioan , Knap Vaclav , Swierczynski Maciej , Stanciu Tiberiu , Schaltz Erik , Teodorescu Remus
Published: September 2016

The impedance behavior of a 3.4 Ah pouch Lithium-Sulfur cell was extensively characterized using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. EIS measurements were performed at various temperatures and over the entire state-of-charge (SOC) interval without applying a superimposed DC current. The obtained results have revealed a high dependency of the pouch cell’s impedance spectrum on the operating conditions. An equivalent electrical circuit was proposed to further analyze the results and to quantify the contributions of different resistances to the total impedance of the Li-S pouch cell at different SOCs and temperatures.
Solar Rechargeable Redox Battery Based on Polysulfide Electrochemistry
Authors: Mahmoudzadeh Mohammad Ali , Usagocar Ashwin R , Giorgio Joseph , Officer David L , Wallace Gordon , Madden John D. W.
Published: September 2016

A solar rechargeable redox flow battery is presented with the highest reported volumetric and areal energy density for an integrated solar energy harvesting and storage device. These features are demonstrated in a scalable solar rechargeable redox flow battery with iodide/polysulfide as the pair of active materials, nickel foam and platinum mesh permeable porous electrodes and a dye sensitized photoelectrode. The flow rate acts as a controlling mechanism for optimal performance of the device. A charge capacity of 4.17 Ah L-1 together with an energy density of 2.1 Wh L-1 are achieved, which are 6 times larger than previous reported solar redox flow battery chemistries. The solar rechargeable redox flow battery system offers a higher round-trip efficiency and potential cost savings on fabrication compared to coupled separate devices.