bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Surgical Drill Instrument With Force Sensing and Force Feedback for Robotically Assisted Otologic Surgery
Authors: Sang Hongqiang , Monfaredi Reza , Wilson Emmanuel , Fooladi Hadi , Preciado Diego , Cleary Kevin
Published: April 2017

Drilling through bone is a common task during otologic procedures. Currently, the drilling tool is manually held by the surgeon. A robotically assisted surgical drill with force sensing for otologic surgery was developed, and the feasibility of using the da Vinci research kit to hold the drill and provide force feedback for temporal bone drilling was demonstrated in this paper. To accomplish intuitive motion and force feedback, the kinematics and coupling matrices of the slave manipulator were analyzed and a suitable mapping was implemented. Several experiments were completed including trajectory tracking, drill instrument calibration, and temporal bone drilling with force feedback. The results showed that good trajectory tracking performance and minor calibration errors were achieved. In addition, temporal bone drilling could be successfully performed and force feedback from the drill instrument could be felt at the master manipulator. In the future, it may be feasible to use master–slave surgical robotic systems for temporal bone drilling.
The Effect of Selected Operating Parameters, Material Pairing, and Gear Size on the Wear Behavior of Grease Lubricated, Small Module Gears
Authors: Schultheiss Hansjörg , Tobie Thomas , Stahl Karsten
Published: April 2017

The wear behavior of grease lubricated gears is significantly affected by a number of factors besides the composition of the grease that is used for lubrication. A main influence factor on the wear behavior of grease lubricated gears is the lubrication supply mechanism (“circulating” or “channeling”), which is, among other things, strongly affected by the rotational speed of the gears. Especially at higher rotational speed, the dominant grease lubrication supply mechanism for grease lubricated gears tends to be channeling, which generally promotes increased wear on account of limited lubricant availability in the mesh as well as limited heat dissipation from the mesh. Experimental investigations conducted herein have shown that the gear wear behavior, especially at higher rotational speed, can be influenced by the internal geometry of the gear casing as well as by the direction of rotation of the gears. Additional investigations that were conducted focus on the effect of the material pairing and heat treatment on the wear behavior of grease lubricated gears in comparison to a case-carburized reference gear set. Furthermore, the effect of the gear size on the lubrication supply mechanism and thus on the wear behavior was investigated. For both gear sizes investigated (mn = 1.0 mm and mn = 0.6 mm), circulating was observed at low rotational speeds. At high rotational speeds, channeling effects were dominant.
On the physics of propagating Bessel modes in cylindrical waveguides
Authors: Gómez-Correa J. E. , Balderas-Mata S. E. , Coello V. , Puente N. P. , Rogel-Salazar J. , Chávez-Cerda S.
Published: April 2017

In this paper, we demonstrate that by using a mathematical physics approach—focusing attention on the physics and using mathematics as a tool—it is possible to visualize the formation of the transverse modes inside a cylindrical waveguide. The opposite (physical mathematics) approach looks at the mathematical problem and then tries to impose a physical interpretation. For cylindrical waveguides, the physical mathematics route leads to the Bessel differential equation, and it is argued that in the core of the waveguide there are only Bessel functions of the first kind in the description of the transverse modes. The Neumann functions are deemed non-physical due to their singularity at the origin and are eliminated from the final description of the solution. In this paper, by combining geometric optics and wave optics concepts, we show that the inclusion of the Neumann function is physically necessary to describe fully and properly the formation of the propagating transverse modes. With this approach, we also show that the field outside a dielectric waveguide arises in a natural way.
Inexpensive robots used to teach dc circuits and electronics
Authors: Sidebottom David L.
Published: April 2017

This article describes inexpensive, autonomous built without microprocessors, used in a college-level introductory physics laboratory course to motivate student learning of dc circuits. Detailed circuit descriptions are provided as well as a week-by-week course plan that can guide students from elementary dc circuits, through Kirchhoff's laws, and into simple analog integrated circuits with the motivational incentive of building an autonomous that can compete with others in a public arena.
The Polarization of Light and Malus’ Law Using Smartphones
Authors: Monteiro Martín , Stari Cecilia , Cabeza Cecilia , Martí Arturo C.
Published: April 2017

Originally an empirical law, nowadays Malus’ law is seen as a key experiment to demonstrate the transverse nature of electromagnetic waves, as well as the intrinsic connection between optics and electromagnetism. In this work, a simple and inexpensive setup is proposed to quantitatively verify the nature of polarized light. A flat computer screen serves as a source of linear polarized light and a smartphone (possessing ambient light and orientation sensors) is used, thanks to its built-in sensors, to experiment with polarized light and verify Malus’ law.
An Arduino-Based Magnetometer
Authors: McCaughey Mike
Published: April 2017

An Arduino-based system with a triple axis magnetometer chip may be used to plot both the strength and direction of the magnetic field of a magnet directly on a sheet of paper. Before taking measurements, it is necessary either to correct for or to eliminate soft and hard iron effects. The same sensor may be used to determine the presence of soft iron effects.
Sound speed and attenuation measurements within a seagrass meadow from the water column into the seabed
Authors: Lee Kevin M. , Ballard Megan S. , McNeese Andrew R. , Wilson Preston S.
Published: April 2017

In situ measurements of sound speed and attenuation at 50 kHz were conducted in a Thalassia testudium meadow. Measurements were obtained at discrete depths in the water column, in the seagrass canopy, and in the sediment beneath the seagrass. Measurements were also obtained in bare sediment located a few meters away. Sediment biomass abundance was measured from cores collected at each site. Even though the measurements were obtained in the dormant season (winter), significant differences in sound speed and attenuation were observed in the sediment beneath the seagrass bed compared to the bare sediment.
Automated detection of low-frequency rumbles of forest elephants: A critical tool for their conservation
Authors: Keen Sara C. , Shiu Yu , Wrege Peter H. , Rowland Elizabeth D.
Published: April 2017

African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) occupy large ranges in dense tropical forests and often use far-reaching vocal signals to coordinate social behavior. Elephant populations in Central Africa are in crisis, having declined by more than 60% in the last decade. Methods currently used to monitor these populations are expensive and time-intensive, though acoustic monitoring technology may offer an effective alternative if signals of interest can be efficiently extracted from the sound stream. This paper proposes an automated elephant call detection algorithm that was tested on nearly 4000 h of field recordings collected from five forest clearings in Central Africa, including sites both inside protected areas and in logging concessions. Recordings were obtained in different seasons, years, and under diverse weather conditions. The detector achieved an 83.2% true positive rate when the false positive rate is 5.5% (approximately 20 false positives per hour). These results suggest that this algorithm can enable analysis of long-term recording datasets or facilitate near-real-time monitoring of elephants in a wide range of settings and conditions.
A blind source separation approach for humpback whale song separation
Authors: Zhang Zhenbin , White Paul R.
Published: April 2017

Many marine mammal species are highly social and are frequently encountered in groups or aggregations. When conducting passive acoustic monitoring in such circumstances, recordings commonly contain vocalizations of multiple individuals which overlap in time and frequency. This paper considers the use of blind source separation as a method for processing these recordings to separate the calls of individuals. The example problem considered here is that of the songs of humpback whales. The high levels of noise and long impulse responses can make source separation in underwater contexts a challenging proposition. The approach present here is based on time-frequency masking, allied to a noise reduction process. The technique is assessed using simulated and measured data sets, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method for separating humpback whale songs.
Terbinafine Resistance of Trichophyton Clinical Isolates Caused by Specific Point Mutations in the Squalene Epoxidase Gene
Authors: Yamada Tsuyoshi , Maeda Mari , Alshahni Mohamed Mahdi , Tanaka Reiko , Yaguchi Takashi , Bontems Olympia , Salamin Karine , Fratti Marina , Monod Michel
Published: April 2017

Terbinafine is one of the allylamine antifungal agents whose target is squalene epoxidase (SQLE). This agent has been extensively used in the therapy of dermatophyte infections. The incidence of patients with tinea pedis or unguium tolerant to terbinafine treatment prompted us to screen the terbinafine resistance of all
Trichophyton
clinical isolates from the laboratory of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois collected over a 3-year period and to identify their mechanism of resistance. Among 2,056 tested isolates, 17 (≈1%) showed reduced terbinafine susceptibility, and all of these were found to harbor
SQLE
gene alleles with different single point mutations, leading to single amino acid substitutions at one of four positions (Leu
393
, Phe
397
, Phe
415
, and His
440
) of the SQLE protein. Point mutations leading to the corresponding amino acid substitutions were introduced into the endogenous
SQLE
gene of a terbinafine-sensitive
Arthroderma vanbreuseghemii
(formerly
Trichophyton mentagrophytes
) strain. All of the generated
A. vanbreuseghemii
transformants expressing mutated SQLE proteins exhibited obvious terbinafine-resistant phenotypes compared to the phenotypes of the parent strain and of transformants expressing wild-type SQLE proteins. Nearly identical phenotypes were also observed in
A. vanbreuseghemii
transformants expressing mutant forms of
Trichophyton rubrum
SQLE proteins. Considering that the genome size of dermatophytes is about 22 Mb, the frequency of terbinafine-resistant clinical isolates was strikingly high. Increased exposure to antifungal drugs could favor the generation of resistant strains.
Colistin-Resistant
mcr-1
-Positive Escherichia coli on Public Beaches, an Infectious Threat Emerging in Recreational Waters
Authors: Fernandes Miriam R. , Sellera Fábio P. , Esposito Fernanda , Sabino Caetano P. , Cerdeira Louise , Lincopan Nilton
Published: April 2017

The emergence and rapid spread of colistin-resistant
Escherichia coli
carrying the
mcr-1
gene have generated an urgent need to strengthen surveillance. We performed a meticulous investigation of strains of this sort, which resulted in the identification of international clones of
E. coli
carrying IncX4-plasmid-mediated
mcr-1
and
bla
CTX-M
genes in recreational waters of public urban beaches in cities with high tourist turnover, highlighting a new environmental reservoir.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Proteome Response to Antituberculosis Compounds Reveals Metabolic “Escape” Pathways That Prolong Bacterial Survival
Authors: Danelishvili Lia , Shulzhenko Natalia , Chinison Jessica J. J. , Babrak Lmar , Hu Jialu , Morgun Andriy , Burrows Gregory , Bermudez Luiz E.
Published: April 2017

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be one of the most common bacterial infectious diseases and is the leading cause of death in many parts of the world. A major limitation of TB therapy is slow killing of the infecting organism, increasing the risk for the development of a tolerance phenotype and drug resistance. Studies indicate that
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
takes several days to be killed upon treatment with lethal concentrations of antibiotics both
in vitro
and
in vivo
. To investigate how metabolic remodeling can enable transient bacterial survival during exposure to bactericidal concentrations of compounds,
M. tuberculosis
strain H37Rv was exposed to twice the MIC of isoniazid, rifampin, moxifloxacin, mefloquine, or bedaquiline for 24 h, 48 h, 4 days, and 6 days, and the bacterial proteomic response was analyzed using quantitative shotgun mass spectrometry. Numerous sets of
de novo
bacterial proteins were identified over the 6-day treatment. Network analysis and comparisons between the drug treatment groups revealed several shared sets of predominant proteins and enzymes simultaneously belonging to a number of diverse pathways. Overexpression of some of these proteins in the nonpathogenic
Mycobacterium smegmatis
extended bacterial survival upon exposure to bactericidal concentrations of antimicrobials, and inactivation of some proteins in
M. tuberculosis
prevented the pathogen from escaping the fast killing
in vitro
and in macrophages, as well. Our biology-driven approach identified promising bacterial metabolic pathways and enzymes that might be targeted by novel drugs to reduce the length of tuberculosis therapy.
Efflux Attenuates the Antibacterial Activity of Q203 in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Jang Jichan , Kim Ryangyeo , Woo Minjeong , Jeong Jinsun , Park Da Eun , Kim Guehye , Delorme Vincent
Published: April 2017

New and improved treatments for tuberculosis (TB) are urgently needed. Recently, it has been demonstrated that verapamil, an efflux inhibitor, can reduce bacterial drug tolerance caused by efflux pump activity when administered in combination with available antituberculosis agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of verapamil in combination with the antituberculosis drug candidate Q203, which has recently been developed and is currently under clinical trials as a potential antituberculosis agent. We evaluated changes in Q203 activity in the presence and absence of verapamil
in vitro
using the resazurin microplate assay and
ex vivo
using a microscopy-based phenotypic assay for the quantification of intracellular replicating mycobacteria. Verapamil increased the potency of Q203 against
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
both
in vitro
and
ex vivo
, indicating that efflux pumps are associated with the activity of Q203. Other efflux pump inhibitors also displayed an increase in Q203 potency, strengthening this hypothesis. Therefore, the combination of verapamil and Q203 may be a promising combinatorial strategy for anti-TB treatment to accelerate the elimination of
M. tuberculosis
.
Spheres of Hope, Packets of Doom: the Good and Bad of Outer Membrane Vesicles in Interspecies and Ecological Dynamics
Authors: Lynch Jonathan B. , Alegado Rosanna A.
Published: April 2017

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are proteoliposome nanoparticles ubiquitously produced by Gram-negative bacteria. Typically bearing a composition similar to those of the outer membrane and periplasm of the cells from which they are derived, OMVs package an array of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Once considered inconsequential by-products of bacterial growth, OMVs have since been demonstrated to mediate cellular stress relief, promote horizontal gene transfer and antimicrobial activity, and elicit metazoan inflammation. Recently, OMVs have gained appreciation as critical moderators of interorganismal dynamics. In this review, we focus on recent progress toward understanding the functions of OMVs with regard to symbiosis and ecological contexts, and we propose potential avenues for future OMV studies.
Distinct Domains of CheA Confer Unique Functions in Chemotaxis and Cell Length in Azospirillum brasilense Sp7
Authors: Gullett Jessica M. , Bible Amber , Alexandre Gladys
Published: April 2017

Chemotaxis is the movement of cells in response to gradients of diverse chemical cues. Motile bacteria utilize a conserved chemotaxis signal transduction system to bias their motility and navigate through a gradient. A central regulator of chemotaxis is the histidine kinase CheA. This cytoplasmic protein interacts with membrane-bound receptors, which assemble into large polar arrays, to propagate the signal. In the alphaproteobacterium
Azospirillum brasilense
, Che1 controls transient increases in swimming speed during chemotaxis, but it also biases the cell length at division. However, the exact underlying molecular mechanisms for Che1-dependent control of multiple cellular behaviors are not known. Here, we identify specific domains of the CheA1 histidine kinase implicated in modulating each of these functions. We show that CheA1 is produced in two isoforms: a membrane-anchored isoform produced as a fusion with a conserved seven-transmembrane domain of unknown function (TMX) at the N terminus and a soluble isoform similar to prototypical CheA. Site-directed and deletion mutagenesis combined with behavioral assays confirm the role of CheA1 in chemotaxis and implicate the TMX domain in mediating changes in cell length. Fluorescence microscopy further reveals that the membrane-anchored isoform is distributed around the cell surface while the soluble isoform localizes at the cell poles. Together, the data provide a mechanism for the role of Che1 in controlling multiple unrelated cellular behaviors via acquisition of a new domain in CheA1 and production of distinct functional isoforms.

IMPORTANCE
Chemotaxis provides a significant competitive advantage to bacteria in the environment, and this function has been transferred laterally multiple times, with evidence of functional divergence in different genomic contexts. The molecular principles that underlie functional diversification of chemotaxis in various genomic contexts are unknown. Here, we provide a molecular mechanism by which a single CheA protein controls two unrelated functions: chemotaxis and cell length. Acquisition of this multifunctionality is seemingly a recent evolutionary event. The findings illustrate a mechanism by which chemotaxis function may be co-opted to regulate additional cellular functions.
Prognostication in critically ill patients with severe traumatic brain injury: the TBI-Prognosis multicentre feasibility study
Authors: Turgeon Alexis F , Lauzier François , Zarychanski Ryan , Fergusson Dean A , Léger Caroline , McIntyre Lauralyn A , Bernard Francis , Rigamonti Andrea , Burns Karen , Griesdale Donald E , Green Robert , Scales Damon C , Meade Maureen O , Savard Martin , Shemilt Michèle , Paquet Jérôme , Gariépy Jean-Luc , Lavoie André , Reddy Kesh , Jichici Draga , Pagliarello Giuseppe , Zygun David , Moore Lynne
Published: April 2017

Objective

Severe traumatic brain injury is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in young adults. Assessing long-term neurological outcome after such injury is difficult and often characterised by uncertainty. The objective of this feasibility study was to establish the feasibility of conducting a large, multicentre prospective study to develop a prognostic model of long-term neurological outcome in critically ill patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

9 Canadian intensive care units enrolled patients suffering from acute severe traumatic brain injury. Clinical, biological, radiological and electrophysiological data were systematically collected during the first week in the intensive care unit. Mortality and functional outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale extended) were assessed on hospital discharge, and then 3, 6 and 12 months following injury.

Outcomes

The compliance to protocolised test procedures was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were enrolment rate and compliance to follow-up.

Results

We successfully enrolled 50 patients over a 12-month period. Most patients were male (80%), with a median age of 45 years (IQR 29.0–60.0), a median Injury Severity Score of 38 (IQR 25–50) and a Glasgow Coma Scale of 6 (IQR 3–7). Mortality was 38% (19/50) and most deaths occurred following a decision to withdraw life-sustaining therapies (18/19). The main reasons for non-enrolment were the time window for inclusion being after regular working hours (35%, n=23) and oversight (24%, n=16). Compliance with protocolised test procedures ranged from 92% to 100% and enrolment rate was 43%. No patients were lost to follow-up at 6 months and 2 were at 12 months.

Conclusions

In this multicentre prospective feasibility study, we achieved feasibility objectives pertaining to compliance to test, enrolment and follow-up. We conclude that the TBI-Prognosis prospective multicentre study in severe traumatic brain injury patients in Canada is feasible.
Has the role of personal income in alcohol drinking among teenagers changed between 1983 and 2013: a series of nationally representative surveys in Finland
Authors: Lintonen Tomi , Nevalainen Jaakko
Published: April 2017

Objective

Affordability is known to be a key determinant of alcohol consumption, possibly even more important in adolescence. Relating adolescent drinking pattern developments over a period of time to trends in adolescent income can yield information on the significance of parental control of adolescent income.

Design

Biannual repeated cross-sectional surveys.

Setting

Nationally representative samples.

Participants

14-year-old adolescents in the period 1983–2013 in Finland (N=33 771).

Results

Adolescents' alcohol drinking pattern was significantly associated with their disposable income. The OR for monthly drunkenness versus abstinence was 6.6 (95% CI 5.0 to 8.8) among girls and 9.0 (6.3 to 13.0) among boys in the highest income group compared with the lowest. However, the association between income and drinking pattern weakened considerably during the 30-year period.

Conclusions

Disposable income has been a significant predictor of adolescent alcohol drinking in the past 30 years. However, in the recent years, the amount of disposable money has decreased in importance.
Cluster randomised controlled trial of a consumer behaviour intervention to improve healthy food purchases from online canteens: study protocol
Authors: Delaney Tessa , Wyse Rebecca , Yoong Sze Lin , Sutherland Rachel , Wiggers John , Ball Kylie , Campbell Karen , Rissel Chris , Wolfenden Luke
Published: April 2017

Introduction

School canteens represent an opportune setting in which to deliver public health nutrition strategies given their wide reach, and frequent use by children. Online school canteen ordering systems, where students order and pay for their lunch online, provide an avenue to improve healthy canteen purchases through the application of consumer behaviour strategies that impact on purchasing decisions. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of a consumer behaviour intervention implemented in an online school canteen ordering system in reducing the kilojoule, saturated fat, sugar and sodium content of primary student lunch orders.

Methods and analysis

The study will employ a cluster randomised controlled trial design. Approximately 1040 students (aged 5–12 years) from 10 primary schools in New South Wales, Australia, currently using an online canteen ordering system will be invited to participate. Schools will be randomised in a 1:1 ratio to receive either the intervention (enhanced system) or control (standard online ordering only). The intervention will include evidence-based strategies shown to influence healthy food purchasing (strategies targeting availability, menu labelling, placement and prompting). The primary outcomes of the trial will be the mean content per student online lunch order of (1) energy (kJ), (2) saturated fat (g), (3) sugar (g) and (4) sodium (mg). The impact of the intervention will be determined by between-group assessment of the nutritional content of lunch purchases over a 2-month period postintervention initiation.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee, University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committee and New South Wales Department of Education and School Communities. Study findings will be disseminated widely through peer-reviewed publications and relevant presentations in international conferences and to stakeholders.

Trial registration number

ACTRN12616000499482.
Absent progesterone receptor expression in the lymph node metastases of ER-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer is associated with relapse on tamoxifen
Authors: Snell Cameron E , Gough Madeline , Middleton Kathryn , Hsieh Michael , Furnas Lauren , Seidl Brenton , Gibbons Kristen , Pyke Christopher , Shannon Catherine , Woodward Natasha , Armes Jane E
Published: April 2017

Aims

Progesterone receptor (PR) expression is prognostic in early stage breast cancer. There are several reports of discordant expression between primary tumour and axillary lymph node (ALN) metastasis expression of oestrogen receptor (ER) and PR. We sought to determine whether expression of these biomarkers in the synchronous ALN metastases of ER positive (+), HER2 negative (−) breast cancer could provide more accurate prognostic information.

Methods

The retrospective cohort included 229 patients from a single institution with ER+, HER2− breast cancer who had synchronous ALN metastatic disease (2005–2014). PR expression was correlated with relapse-free survival, and subset analysis was performed for patients who received adjuvant tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.

Results

One patient had an ER+ primary tumour, which was ER− in the ALN metastasis. 27 (11.3%) were PR− in the primary tumour and 56 (23.6%) in the ALN metastasis. The predominant change was from PR+ in the primary tumour to PR− in the lymph node. Absence of PR expression in the ALN was significantly associated with relapse; however, this was not the case in the primary tumour. In a subset analysis of patients taking adjuvant endocrine therapy, poorer prognosis was limited to those with PR− metastases on tamoxifen (HR=5.203, 95% CI 1.649 to 16.416, p=0.005). No significant prognostic effect of PR− metastases in patients taking aromatase inhibitors was seen (HR=1.519, 95% CI 0.675 to 3.418, p=0.312).

Conclusions

Evaluation of PR expression in ALN metastasis may enable prediction of patients who are less likely to benefit from adjuvant tamoxifen. This study should be replicated in other cohorts.
Association between smoking and health outcomes in an economically deprived population: the Liverpool Lung Project
Authors: Sherratt F C , Field J K , Marcus M W
Published: April 2017

Background

The association between smoking and several health outcomes among those from the most deprived communities in the UK has not previously been detailed. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of smoking on health outcomes specifically among a particularly deprived population in a developed country (Liverpool; one of the most deprived local authorities in England).

Methods

The Liverpool Lung Project recruited a prospective cohort of 8753 participants from across Liverpool, aged 45–79 years between 1998 and 2008. Participants were followed annually through the Hospital Episode Statistics until 31 January 2013. Logistic regression models were used to identify health outcomes of smoking.

Results

From our study population, 5195 were smokers and 3558 were non-smokers. Smoking was associated with male gender (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.48 to 1.77), pneumonia (1.28, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.49), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (1.30, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.48), emphysema (5.46, 95% CI 3.48 to 8.55), bronchitis (1.85, 95% CI 1.65 to 2.07), other cancers (1.69, 95% CI 1.44 to 1.99), lung cancer (6.0, 95% CI 3.72 to 9.69), diabetes (1.21, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.43) and cardiovascular disease (1.45, 95% CI 1.25 to 1.67).

Conclusions

Smokers from deprived backgrounds in Liverpool showed increased risk of developing pneumonia, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, lung cancer, other types of cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These findings are in line with the literature and may help to inform public health policies and ultimately work towards addressing smoking-related health inequalities.
Changes in directly alcohol-attributable mortality during the great recession by employment status in Spain: a population cohort of 22 million people
Authors: Alonso Ignacio , Vallejo Fernando , Regidor Enrique , Belza M José , Sordo Luis , Otero-García Laura , Barrio Gregorio
Published: April 2017

Background

Macroeconomic fluctuations can impact differentially on alcohol-related problems across sociodemographic groups. We assess trend changes in directly alcohol-attributable (DAA) mortality in the population aged 25–64 during the post-2008 recession in Spain according to employment status and other sociodemographic factors.

Methods

Nationwide cohort study covering 21.9 million people living in Spain in 2001. People were classified by employment status and other factors. The annual percentage change (APC) in mortality rates during 2002–2007 (precrisis) and 2008–2011 (crisis) was estimated by the Poisson regression. The period effect size was then calculated as the difference between crisis and precrisis APCs.

Results

The age-adjusted APCs in DAA mortality were 6.9% in 2002–2007 and 3.7% in 2008–2011 among employed people, and −4.3% and −0.4%, respectively, among non-employed people. Statistically significant trend changes in such mortality during the crisis were found, which were favourable in certain employed subgroups (manual workers and employees aged 25–49), and unfavourable in the total non-employed population and certain non-employed subgroups (men, non-married and especially medium/high-wealth people). The greatest unfavourable change corresponded to non-employed people living in households of 72–104 m2who had 2 or more cars. Favourable changes were also found in the remaining employed subgroups, especially women and non-married people, although they did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the post-2008 Spanish crisis had a heterogeneous impact across sociodemographic subgroups on DAA mortality, and that employment status seemed to have an important effect. The impact was especially unfavourable on the non-employed, particularly those with substantial material wealth.
Finite-volume effects on phase transition in the Polyakov-loop extended Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model with a chiral chemical potential
Authors: Pan Zan , Cui Zhu-Fang , Chang Chao-Hsi , Zong Hong-Shi
Published: April 2017

To investigate the finite-volume effects on the chiral symmetry restoration and the deconfinement transition for a quantum chromodynamics (QCD) system with [Formula: see text] (two quark flavors), we apply the Polyakov-loop extended Nambu–Jona-Lasinio model by introducing a chiral chemical potential [Formula: see text] artificially. The final numerical results indicate that the introduced chiral chemical potential does not change the critical exponents, but shifts the location of critical end point (CEP) significantly; the ratios for the chiral chemical potentials and temperatures at CEP, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], are significantly affected by the system size [Formula: see text]. The behavior is that [Formula: see text] increases slowly with [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] is “large” and [Formula: see text] decreases first and then increases with [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] is “small.” It is also found that for a fixed [Formula: see text], there is a [Formula: see text], where the critical end point vanishes and the whole phase diagram becomes a crossover when [Formula: see text]. Therefore, we suggest that for the heavy-ion collision experiments, which is to study the possible location of CEP, the finite-volume behavior should be taken into account.
Interaction of dynamical fractional branes with background fields: Superstring calculations
Authors: Saidy-Sarjoubi Maryam , Kamani Davoud
Published: April 2017

We compute the boundary state corresponding to a fractional Dp-brane with transverse motion and internal background fields: Kalb–Ramond and a U(1) gauge field. The space–time has the orbifold structure [Formula: see text]. The calculations are in the superstring theory. Using this boundary state we shall obtain the interaction amplitude between two parallel moving fractional Dp-branes. We shall extract behavior of the interaction amplitude for large distances of the branes.
Realization of Chaotic Circuits Using Lambda Diode
Authors: Kumari Bibha , Gupta Nisha
Published: April 2017

This paper presents the design of novel autonomous and non-autonomous inductorless chaotic circuit using lambda diode. The autonomous chaotic circuit is implemented using Chua’s circuit, where the piece-wise linear element of Chua’s circuit called Chua’s diode is replaced by lambda diode. The lambda diode used as a nonlinear resistor in Chua’s circuit comprises of BJT, FET and resistors. The non-autonomous chaotic circuit is studied by replacing the piece-wise linear element of Murali–Lakshmana–Chua (MLC) circuit by lambda diode. The reason for employing lambda diode is that it has a wide range of negative resistance characteristics, which enable the circuit to operate at higher frequency ranges. The resulting chaotic oscillator can easily be made to operate at both low and high frequencies. The chaotic behavior of the circuit is established through Multisim simulations in the time and frequency domains. Both theoretical analysis and electronic circuit experiments are presented. The circuit’s chaotic characteristics are further confirmed by means of Poincare plot and the Bifurcation diagram. The observed route to chaos is period-adding.
Datasets for Mobile, Wearable and IOT Research
Authors: Rawassizadeh Reza , Kotz David
Published: April 2017

The advent of affordable devices with sensors and communication capabilities has led to the proliferation of computing paradigms, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), mobile devices, and wearable technologies. For the sake of simplicity, we use the umbrella term "small devices" for these technologies. At the same time, in the past decade, the increasing availability of large datasets has shifted scientists' attention toward data science, and defined new trends in computation. Even some scientists call it an evolutionary shift that has changed the pace of scientific progress, i.e., the "fourth paradigm" [1].
Atmospheric Aerosols: Clouds, Chemistry, and Climate
Authors: McNeill V. Faye
Published: April 2017

Although too small to be seen with the human eye, atmospheric particulate matter has major impacts on the world around us, from our health to global climate. Understanding the sources, properties, and transformations of these particles in the atmosphere is among the major challenges in air quality and climate research today. Significant progress has been made over the past two decades in understanding atmospheric aerosol chemistry and its connections to climate. Advances in technology for characterizing aerosol chemical composition and physical properties have enabled rapid discovery in this area. This article reviews fundamental concepts and recent developments surrounding ambient aerosols, their chemical composition and sources, light-absorbing aerosols, aerosols and cloud formation, and aerosol-based solar radiation management (also known as solar geoengineering).
Atomic-Scale Structure-Property Relationships in Lithium Ion Battery Electrode Materials
Authors: Yang Zhenzhong , Gu Lin , Hu Yong-Sheng , Li Hong
Published: April 2017

Li ion batteries are important components of portable devices, electric vehicles, and smart grids owing to their high energy density, excellent cyclic performance, and safe operation. However, further development of electrode materials for these batteries is needed to satisfy continually increasing performance demands. Typically, both the charge/discharge kinetics and structural stability of these electrode materials depend on the transport and storage properties of the Li ions. High-spatial-resolution information on structural changes and on the strong interaction between electrons and ions is essential for a better understanding of the electrochemical performance of rechargeable batteries. In this article, we review the known atomic-scale structural changes of these electrode materials during the charge/discharge process, with special emphasis on ion/electron interactions.
Changes in LXR signaling influence early-pregnancy lipogenesis and protect against dysregulated fetoplacental lipid homeostasis
Authors: Nikolova Vanya , Papacleovoulou Georgia , Bellafante Elena , Borges Manna Luiza , Jansen Eugene , Baron Silvère , Abu-Hayyeh Shadi , Parker Malcolm , Williamson Catherine
Published: April 2017

Human pregnancy is associated with enhanced de novo lipogenesis in the early stages followed by hyperlipidemia during advanced gestation. Liver X receptors (LXRs) are oxysterol-activated nuclear receptors that stimulate de novo lipogenesis and also promote the efflux of cholesterol from extrahepatic tissues followed by its transport back to the liver for biliary excretion. Although LXR is recognized as a master regulator of triglyceride and cholesterol homeostasis, it is unknown whether it facilitates the gestational adaptations in lipid metabolism. To address this question, biochemical profiling, protein quantification, and gene expression studies were used, and gestational metabolic changes in T0901317-treated wild-type mice and Lxrab−/− mutants were investigated. Here, we show that altered LXR signaling contributes to the enhanced lipogenesis in early pregnancy by increasing the expression of hepatic Fas and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 ( Scd1). Both the pharmacological activation of LXR with T0901317 and the genetic ablation of its two isoforms disrupted the increase in hepatic fatty acid biosynthesis and the development of hypertriglyceridemia during early gestation. We also demonstrate that absence of LXR enhances maternal white adipose tissue lipolysis, causing abnormal accumulation of triglycerides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids in the fetal liver. Together, these data identify LXR as an important factor in early-pregnancy lipogenesis that is also necessary to protect against abnormalities in fetoplacental lipid homeostasis.
Numerical Modal Analysis of Vibrations in a Three-Phase Linear Switched Reluctance Actuator
Authors: Salvado José , Calado Maria do Rosário , Santo António Espírito , Guerman Anna
Published: April 2017

This paper addresses the problem of vibrations produced by switched reluctance actuators, focusing on the linear configuration of this type of machines, aiming at its characterization regarding the structural vibrations. The complexity of the mechanical system and the number of parts used put serious restrictions on the effectiveness of analytical approaches. We build the 3D model of the actuator and use finite element method (FEM) to find its natural frequencies. The focus is on frequencies within the range up to nearly 1.2 kHz which is considered relevant, based on preliminary simulations and experiments. Spectral analysis results of audio signals from experimental modal excitation are also shown and discussed. The obtained data support the characterization of the linear actuator regarding the excited modes, its vibration frequencies, and mode shapes, with high potential of excitation due to the regular operation regimes of the machine. The results reveal abundant modes and harmonics and the symmetry characteristics of the actuator, showing that the vibration modes can be excited for different configurations of the actuator. The identification of the most critical modes is of great significance for the actuator’s control strategies. This analysis also provides significant information to adopt solutions to reduce the vibrations at the design.
Bacteriophages and Their Immunological Applications against Infectious Threats
Authors: Criscuolo Elena , Spadini Sara , Lamanna Jacopo , Ferro Mattia , Burioni Roberto
Published: April 2017

Bacteriophage therapy dates back almost a century, but the discovery of antibiotics led to a rapid decline in the interests and investments within this field of research. Recently, the novel threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria highlighted the alarming drop in research and development of new antibiotics: 16 molecules were discovered during 1983–87, 10 new therapeutics during the nineties, and only 5 between 2003 and 2007. Phages are therefore being reconsidered as alternative therapeutics. Phage display technique has proved to be extremely promising for the identification of effective antibodies directed against pathogens, as well as for vaccine development. At the same time, conventional phage therapy uses lytic bacteriophages for treatment of infections and recent clinical trials have shown great potential. Moreover, several other approaches have been developed in vitro and in vivo using phage-derived proteins as antibacterial agents. Finally, their use has also been widely considered for public health surveillance, as biosensor phages can be used to detect food and water contaminations and prevent bacterial epidemics. These novel approaches strongly promote the idea that phages and their proteins can be exploited as an effective weapon in the near future, especially in a world which is on the brink of a “postantibiotic era.”
Mechanisms Underlying the Antidepressant Response of Acupuncture via PKA/CREB Signaling Pathway
Authors: Jiang Huili , Zhang Xuhui , Wang Yu , Zhang Huimin , Li Jing , Yang Xinjing , Zhao Bingcong , Zhang Chuntao , Yu Miao , Xu Mingmin , Yu Qiuyun , Liang Xingchen , Li Xiang , Shi Peng , Bao Tuya
Published: April 2017

Protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP response element-binding (CREB) protein signaling pathway, contributing to impaired neurogenesis parallel to depressive-like behaviors, has been identified as the crucial factor involved in the antidepressant response of acupuncture. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with antidepressant response of acupuncture, neurogenesis, and depressive-like behaviors ameliorating remain unexplored. The objective was to identify the mechanisms underlying the antidepressant response of acupuncture through PKA signaling pathway in depression rats by employing the PKA signaling pathway inhibitor H89 in in vivo experiments. Our results indicated that the expression of hippocampal PKA-αand p-CREB was significantly downregulated by chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) procedures. Importantly, acupuncture reversed the downregulation of PKA-αand p-CREB. The expression of PKA-αwas upregulated by fluoxetine, but not p-CREB. No significant difference was found between Acu and FLX groups on the expression of PKA-αand p-CREB. Interestingly, H89 inhibited the effects of acupuncture or fluoxetine on upregulating the expression of p-CREB, but not PKA-α. There was no significant difference in expression of CREB among the groups. Conclusively, our findings further support the hypothesis that acupuncture could ameliorate depressive-like behaviors by regulating PKA/CREB signaling pathway, which might be mainly mediated by regulating the phosphorylation level of CREB.
Structural Characteristics of Rotate Vector Reducer Free Vibration
Authors: Chen Chuan , Yang Yuhu
Published: April 2017

For RV reducer widely used in robots, vibration significantly affects its performance. A lumped parameter model is developed to investigate free vibration characteristics without and with gyroscopic effects. The dynamic model considers key factors affecting vibration such as involute and cycloid gear mesh stiffness, crankshaft bending stiffness, and bearing stiffness. For both nongyroscopic and gyroscopic systems, free vibrations are examined and compared with each other. Results reveal the specific structure of vibration modes for both systems, which results from symmetry structure of RV reducer. According to vibration of the central components, vibration modes of two systems can be classified into three types, rotational, translational, and planetary component modes. Different from nongyroscopic system, the eigenvalues with gyroscopic effects are complex-valued and speed-dependent. The eigenvalue for a range of carrier speeds is obtained by numerical simulation. Divergence and flutter instability is observed at speeds adjacent to critical speeds. Furthermore, the work studies effects of key factors, which include crankshaft eccentricity and the number of pins, on eigenvalues. Finally, experiment is performed to verify the effectiveness of the dynamic model. The research of this paper is helpful for the analysis on free vibration and dynamic design of RV reducer.
Physicochemical Characterization of Representative Firewood Species Used for Cooking in Some Colombian Regions
Authors: Díez Hernán E. , Pérez Juan F.
Published: April 2017

Socioeconomic conditions and the main firewood species used for cooking in three Colombian regions are studied in this work. The species collected were Cordia alliodora, Guazuma ulmifolia, Eucalyptus grandis, and Pinus patula. The used patterns of biomass and socioeconomic conditions of the selected regions were defined by means of secondary information. Firewood was physicochemically characterized and the species are compared with fossil fuels with regard to emissions of CO2, energy density, and costs. The studied regions require solutions to use firewood in eco-efficient systems, since in these rural regions people use biomass as an energy source. Studied firewood species are suitable to be gasified in fixed bed reactors due to their high volatile matter content (>80%) and low ash content (<1.8%). Pinus patula is the one with the highest fuel value index, mainly due to its low ash content (0.4%). The firewood consumption in advanced stoves has environmental advantages resulting from its low CO2 emissions: a cubic meter of Eucalyptus could replace 113 liters of kerosene or 120 m3 of natural gas for cooking applications.
Osteomyelitis of the Patella in a 10-Year-Old Girl: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Sperl Matthias , Novak Michael , Sperl Daniela , Svehlik Martin , Singer Georg , Kraus Tanja
Published: April 2017

The incidence of osteomyelitis constantly declines. While the disease most commonly affects the long bones, involvement of the patella is rarely seen. Due to this rarity and the variable clinical presentation, diagnosis is often delayed. The present case report describes a 10-year-old female patient with a delayed diagnosis of patella osteomyelitis. The diagnostic procedures and the treatment regimen are described. Additionally, a detailed literature review of the available publications reporting osteomyelitis of the patella in children is presented.