bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autogenous Tungsten Inert Gas and Gas Tungsten Arc With Filler Welding of Dissimilar P91 and P92 Steels
Authors: Pandey Chandan , Mohan Mahapatra Manas , Kumar Pradeep , Saini N.
Published: January 2018

Creep strength ferritic/martensitic modified 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb (P91) steel also designated as ASTM A335 and P92 steel are used for piping, cladding, ducts, wrappers, and the pressure vessel in Gen IV nuclear reactors. In the present investigation, a comparative study of the effect of autogenous tungsten inert gas welding (A-TIG) with double pass and multipass gas tungsten arc (GTA) welding with filler on microstructure evolution in the weld fusion zone and the mechanical properties of P91 and P92 steel welded joints was carried out. The microstructure evolution was studied in as-welded and postweld heat treatment (PWHT) condition. The study also focused on the evolution of δ-ferrite patches and their influence on the tensile properties of welded joints. PWHT was carried out at 760 °C with durations from 2 to 6 h. To study the effect of δ-ferrite evolution on mechanical properties, Charpy toughness, microhardness, and tensile tests were performed. The acceptable microstructure and mechanical properties were obtained after the 6 h of PWHT for A-TIG arc welding process while for GTA weld with filler wire, it was obtained after the 2 h of PWHT at 760 °C.
Experimental Investigation on Hydrodynamics of Two-Phase Crude Oil Flow in Horizontal Pipe With Novel Surfactant
Authors: Gudala Manojkumar , Banerjee Shirsendu , Kumar Ravindra , Rama Mohan Rao T. , Mandal Ajay , Kumar Naiya Tarun
Published: January 2018

The hydrodynamic entrance length, pressure drop analysis, viscosity, and fully developed velocity profile in horizontal pipe for crude oil with and without water and surfactant were studied in a 2 in ID horizontal pipe of length 2.5 m experimentally. Hydrodynamic entry length and fluid characteristics have been examined by varying temperature, water fraction, and flow rates. Temperature was varied by 25–40 °C, flow rates 40–60 LPM, and water 0–15% v/v and Madhuca longifolia from 500 to 2000 ppm. Triton X-100 was mixed with water to increase the emulsion capability during crude oil–water flows. The results showed significant influence of water, flow rate, and temperature on the hydrodynamic entry region length, pressure drop, viscosity, and velocity profiles along with natural surfactant. Pressure drop was reduced by 93.75%, 94.18%, and 93.02% with 15% water and 2000 ppm surfactant at 40 °C for 40 LPM, 50 LPM, and 60 LPM, respectively. Viscosity of the crude oil during flowing is greatly influenced by water and addition of surfactant. After addition of 2000 ppm surfactant and 15% water at 40 °C, viscosity reduced by about 94%. Hydrodynamic entry region length increased from 0.0354 to 0.2014 m, 0.0368 to 0.2336 m, and 0.0384 to 0.2641 m during transportation of crude oil after addition of 2000 ppm surfactant and 15% water at 40 °C for 40 LPM, 50 LPM, and 60 LPM flow, respectively.
Performance Characteristics of an Innovative Journal Bearing With Adjustable Bearing Elements
Authors: Pai R. , Parkins D. W.
Published: January 2018

The development of new machines capable of running at high loads and speeds is an important industrial requirement, which demands that the performance envelope of the support systems for these machines be extended. Conventional full cylindrical fluid film bearings may present instability problems at higher speeds and loads, which has been countered by the use of different bearing bore shapes. In this paper, the performance characteristics of a novel fluid film bearing, comprising of a number of adjustable bearing elements is presented. Experiments have been performed to measure the static characteristics of the novel bearing with different radial and tilt adjustments of the bearing elements. The test bearing has an L/D ratio of 0.53 and was run at 2000, 5000, and 7000 rpm. The load on the bearing was varied from 0 to 600 N. Eccentricity, attitude angle, temperature of oil; power absorbed; and stability are measured. Experimental results are compared with those for a conventional axial groove plain cylindrical bearing having the same L/D ratio and run under similar conditions. Test results indicate that the novel bearing is very stable at zero loads and at 8800 rpm. Typical results obtained are presented. A few of the attributes and features of the novel bearing are also presented.
Availability and Economic Possibilities of Fuels
Authors: Farber Erich A.
Published: January 2018

This paper discusses our present situation with regard to energy supply and demand and indicates the need for a national energy policy to be able to meet future demands as well as possible. The various energy or fuel sources are evaluated and their possible future contributions as well as costs, in dollars and to the environment, considered.

Paper published with permission.
Multiple Hydraulic Drives Load Sensing
Authors: Adams W. C.
Published: January 2018

Hydraulics date back to the pyramids and Egyptians. It became popular during World War I and World War II, when it was mass produced for the military. What we will discuss today will be modern hydraulics, primarily hydraulics for the citrus industry.

Paper published with permission.
Recovery of Citrus By-Products and Specialty Products From Florida Citrus
Authors: Kesterson J. W. , Braddock R. J. , Crandall P. G.
Published: January 2018

The Florida Citrus Industry has come to realize that by-products and specialty products are important ingredients in the overall economic returns from citrus processing. The purpose of this paper is to show the potential recoveries of various commodities that can be produced from Valencia oranges, Marsh and Duncan grapefruit. It is hoped that these data will generate interest in improving present processes to obtain greater recoveries, and at the same time create a desire on the part of citrus processors to produce more sophisticated specialty products of greater economic value. Many different trade-offs and options are available in any given by-product operation, and it must be realized that not all of the products discussed can be produced simultaneously. Certainly future profits to a great extent, will be dependent on an adequate understanding of a more sophisticated by-product and specialty product technology.

Paper published with permission.
An Untapped Management Resource
Authors: Hoffman William E. , Matchett Paul
Published: January 2018

In the early 70’s, an effort began to develop an automated test for Brix and Acid in citrus juices. The W.B. Dickey Company, Toledo Scale Company, the Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Divisions of the Winter Haven office of the Florida Department of Agriculture, and the Citrus Research Station of Lake Alfred worked over a five year period before the first fully automated system was ready. In 1977, five of these systems were placed in State Test Labs where for the most part, the performed as predicted. In the ensuing years additional systems have been purchased, improvements in the testing process made, and additional functions added.

Paper published with permission.
Programmable Logic Controllers
Authors: Sages Terence M.
Published: January 2018

The use of the programmable logic controller has advanced tremendously since its introduction in the late 1960’s. The programmable logic controller, affectionately known as the PLC in today’s industries, was first introduced as an electrical control relay replacer. The purpose of this paper is to assist those who are considering the application of a PLC in their facility to better understand where programmable logic controller technology has advanced to today.

Paper published with permission.
Soundscape expectations of rural tourism: A comparison between Chinese and English potential tourists
Authors: Ren Xinxin , Kang Jian , Zhu Peisheng , Wang Shiyuan
Published: January 2018

A questionnaire survey was carried out for a comparative study between Chinese and English potential tourists to examine their soundscape expectation. The results show that while both groups prefer natural sounds most, compared to the English, the Chinese expect natural, livestock, melodic sounds more, and traffic and industrial sounds less. The sound categories related to the interactions between human activities and nature play a more dominant role for the English than the Chinese, in terms of preference of sound sources. On the expectation of a holistic soundscape, function is the most important aspect for the Chinese, while that for the English is sound characteristics; the expected psychological perception for the English is associated with emotional response rather than basic ecology consciousness, as for the Chinese.
Substantial convection and precipitation enhancements by ultrafineaerosol particles
Authors: Fan Jiwen , Rosenfeld Daniel , Zhang Yuwei , Giangrande Scott E. , Li Zhanqing , Machado Luiz A. T. , Martin Scot T. , Yang Yan , Wang Jian , Artaxo Paulo , Barbosa Henrique M. J. , Braga Ramon C. , Comstock Jennifer M. , Feng Zhe , Gao Wenhua , Gomes Helber B. , Mei Fan , Pöhlker Christopher , Pöhlker Mira L. , Pöschl Ulrich , de Souza Rodrigo A. F.
Published: January 2018

Up with ultrafine aerosol particles

Ultrafine aerosol particles (smaller than 50 nanometers in diameter) have been
thought to be too small to affect cloud formation. Fan
et al.
show that this is not the case. They studied the effect of urban pollution
transported into the otherwise nearly pristine atmosphere of the Amazon.
Condensational growth of water droplets around the tiny particles releases
latent heat, thereby intensifying atmospheric convection. Thus, anthropogenic
ultrafine aerosol particles may exert a more important influence on cloud
formation processes than previously believed.

Science
, this issue p.
411
Transcription-coupled changes in nuclear mobility of mammalian cis-regulatory elements
Authors: Gu Bo , Swigut Tomek , Spencley Andrew , Bauer Matthew R. , Chung Mingyu , Meyer Tobias , Wysocka Joanna
Published: January 2018

Tracking regulatory DNA in action

Cis-regulatory DNA elements such as enhancers and promoters are critical for transcription regulation. Little is known about the relationship between these elements' transcriptional activity and their mobility within the nucleus in living cells. Gu
et al.
developed a strategy to deliver multiple RNAs to guide inactive Cas9 to label these elements. Quantitative measurement of their movement during stem cell differentiation revealed that increased DNA loci mobility correlated with transcriptional activation.

Science
, this issue p.
1050
An evolutionarily conserved gene family encodes proton-selective ion channels
Authors: Tu Yu-Hsiang , Cooper Alexander J. , Teng Bochuan , Chang Rui B. , Artiga Daniel J. , Turner Heather N. , Mulhall Eric M. , Ye Wenlei , Smith Andrew D. , Liman Emily R.
Published: January 2018

The proton channel behind sour taste

Although many proteins that form ion channels in cell membranes have been described, none that selectively conduct protons into eukaryotic cells have been identified. Tu
et al.
used a genetic screen to pinpoint candidate genes that might encode such a protein from mouse taste receptor cells (see the Perspective by Montell). They identified the known protein otopetrin and showed that it conferred proton conductance when expressed in cultured human cells. Their results indicate that otopetrin may function in sensory recognition of sour (acidic) taste in humans and other organisms.

Science
, this issue p.
1047
; see also p.
991
Conserving honey bees does not help wildlife
Authors: Geldmann Jonas , González-Varo Juan P.
Published: January 2018

High densities of managed honey bees can harm populations of wild pollinators
How shall we save the planet?
The Wizard and the Prophet
Charles C. Mann
Alfred A. Knopf, 2018. 629 pp.
Authors: Priest Tyler
Published: January 2018

A techno-optimist is pitted against the pied piper of “apocalyptic environmentalism”
Using nature to understand nurture
Authors: Koellinger Philipp D. , Harden K. Paige
Published: January 2018

Genetic associations show how parenting matters for children's education
Novel Method Reveals a Narrow Phylogenetic Distribution of Bacterial Dispersers in Environmental Communities Exposed to Low-Hydration Conditions
Authors: Krüger U. S. , Bak F. , Aamand J. , Nybroe O. , Badawi N. , Smets B. F. , Dechesne A.
Published: January 2018

In this study, we developed a method that provides profiles of community-level surface dispersal from environmental samples under controlled hydration conditions and enables us to isolate and uncover the diversity of the fastest bacterial dispersers. The method expands on the porous surface model (PSM), previously used to monitor the dispersal of individual bacterial strains in liquid films at the surface of a porous ceramic disc. The novel procedure targets complex communities and captures the dispersed bacteria on a solid medium for growth and detection. The method was first validated by distinguishing motilePseudomonas putidaandFlavobacterium johnsoniaestrains from their nonmotile mutants. Applying the method to soil and lake water bacterial communities showed that community-scale dispersal declined as conditions became drier. However, for both communities, dispersal was detected even under low-hydration conditions (matric potential, −3.1 kPa) previously proven too dry forP. putidastrain KT2440 motility. We were then able to specifically recover and characterize the fastest dispersers from the inoculated communities. For both soil and lake samples, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that the fastest dispersers were substantially less diverse than the total communities. The dispersing fraction of the soil microbial community was dominated byPseudomonasspecies cells, which increased in abundance under low-hydration conditions, while the dispersing fraction of the lake community was dominated byAeromonasspecies cells and, under wet conditions (−0.5 kPa), also byExiguobacteriumspecies cells. The results gained in this study bring us a step closer to assessing the dispersal ability within complex communities under environmentally relevant conditions.

IMPORTANCEDispersal is a key process of bacterial community assembly, and yet, very few attempts have been made to assess bacterial dispersal at the community level, as the focus has previously been on pure-culture studies. A crucial factor for dispersal in habitats where hydration conditions vary, such as soils, is the thickness of the liquid films surrounding solid surfaces, but little is known about how the ability to disperse in such films varies within bacterial communities. Therefore, we developed a method to profile community dispersal and identify fast dispersers on a rough surface resembling soil surfaces. Our results suggest that within the motile fraction of a bacterial community, only a minority of the bacterial types are able to disperse in the thinnest liquid films. During dry periods, these efficient dispersers can gain a significant fitness advantage through their ability to colonize new habitats ahead of the rest of the community.
Programme frequency, type, time and duration do not explain the effects of balance exercise in older adults: a systematic review with a meta-regression analysis
Authors: Farlie Melanie K , Robins Lauren , Haas Romi , Keating Jennifer L , Molloy Elizabeth , Haines Terry P
Published: January 2018

Objective

The objective of this systematic review was to examine the effects of different balance exercise interventions compared with non-balance exercise controls on balance task performance in older adults.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, EMBASE, Scopus and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched until July 2017.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised trials of balance exercise interventions for older adults were identified for extraction of eligible randomised trials. Eligibility criteria for inclusion of randomised trials in meta-analyses were comparison of a balance exercise intervention with a control group that did not perform balance exercises, report of at least one end-intervention balance outcome measurement that was consistent with the five subgroups of balance exercise identified, and full-text article available in English.

Results

Ninety-five trials were included in meta-analyses and 80 in meta-regressions. For four balance exercise types (control centre of mass, multidimensional, mobility and reaching), significant effects for balance exercise interventions were found in meta-analyses (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.31–0.50), however with considerable heterogeneity in observed effects (I2: 50.4%–80.6%). Risk of bias assessments (Physiotherapy Evidence Database score and funnel plots) did not explain heterogeneity. One significant relationship identified in the meta-regressions of SMD and balance exercise frequency, time and duration explained 2.1% of variance for the control centre of mass subgroup.

Conclusion

Limitations to this study included the variability in design of balance interventions, incomplete reporting of data and statistical heterogeneity. The design of balance exercise programmes provides inadequate explanation of the observed benefits of these interventions.
Role of organisational factors on the ‘weekend effect’ in critically ill patients in Brazil: a retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Zampieri Fernando G , Lisboa Thiago C , Correa Thiago D , Bozza Fernando A , Ferez Marcus , Fernandes Haggeas S , Japiassú André M , Verdeal Juan Carlos R , Carvalho Ana Cláudia P , Knibel Marcos F , Mazza Bruno F , Colombari Fernando , Vieira José Mauro , Viana William N , Costa Roberto , Godoy Michele M , Maia Marcelo O , Caser Eliana B , Salluh Jorge I F , Soares Marcio
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Higher mortality for patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) during the weekends has been occasionally reported with conflicting results that could be related to organisational factors. We investigated the effects of ICU organisational and staffing patterns on the potential association between weekend admission and outcomes in critically ill patients.

Methods

We included 59 614 patients admitted to 78 ICUs participating during 2013. We defined ‘weekend admission’ as any ICU admission from Friday 19:00 until Monday 07:00. We assessed the association between weekend admission with hospital mortality using a mixed logistic regression model controlling for both patient-level (illness severity, age, comorbidities, performance status and admission type) and ICU-level (decrease in nurse/bed ratio on weekend, full-time intensivist coverage, use of checklists on weekends and number of institutional protocols) confounders. We performed secondary analyses in the subgroup of scheduled surgical admissions.

Results

A total of 41 894 patients (70.3%) were admitted on weekdays and 17 720 patients (29.7%) on weekends. In univariable analysis, weekend admitted patients had higher ICU (10.9% vs 9.0%, P<0.001) and hospital (16.5% vs 13.5%, P<0.001) mortality. After adjusting for confounders, weekend admission was not associated with higher hospital mortality (OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.12, P=0.095). However, a ‘weekend effect’ was still observed in scheduled surgical admissions, as well as in ICUs not using checklists during the weekends. For unscheduled admissions, no ‘weekend effect’ was observed regardless of ICU’s characteristics. For scheduled surgical admissions, a ‘weekend effect’ was present only in ICUs with a low number of implemented protocols and those with a reduction in the nurse/bed ratio and not applying checklists during weekends.

Conclusions

ICU organisational factors, such as decreased nurse-to-patient ratio, absence of checklists and fewer standardised protocols, may explain, in part, increases in mortality in patients admitted to the ICU mortality on weekends.
Association between body mass index and obesity-related cancer risk in men and women with type 2 diabetes in primary care in the Netherlands: a cohort study (ZODIAC-56)
Authors: Hendriks Steven H , Schrijnders Dennis , van Hateren Kornelis JJ , Groenier Klaas H , Siesling Sabine , Maas Angela H E M , Landman Gijs W D , Bilo Henk J G , Kleefstra N
Published: January 2018

Objective

To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and obesity-related cancers in men and women with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Design

Observational cohort study.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

A total of 52 044 patients with T2D who participated in the ZODIAC (Zwolle Outpatient Diabetes project Integrating Available Care) study between 1998 and 2012 was included (49% women). A dataset of these patients was linked to available information of the Netherlands Cancer Registry to obtain data on cancer incidents.

Primary outcome measures

Analyses were performed for the total group of obesity-related cancers and for non-sex-specific and sex-specific obesity-related cancers (in men: advanced prostate cancer, in women: ovarian, endometrial and postmenopausal breast cancer).

Results

The median follow-up period in all analyses was 3.1 (1.7–5.0) years in men and 3.1 (1.7–5.1) in women. During follow-up, 689 men and 914 women were diagnosed with an obesity-related cancer. In men, BMI was associated with a higher risk of the total group of obesity-related cancers and non-sex-specific obesity-related cancers (HR (per 5 kg/m2increase) 1.12 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.23) and HR 1.18 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.31)). No association was found with prostate cancer. In women, an association between BMI and all obesity-related cancers combined and sex-specific obesity-related cancers was present (HR 1.15 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.22) and HR 1.22 (95% CI 1.14 to 1.32)). No association with non-sex-specific cancers was found in women.

Conclusions

BMI is associated with obesity-related cancers in men with T2D, except with advanced prostate cancer. The results of this study provide reason to reconsider the classification of advanced prostate cancer as an obesity-related cancer, at least in T2D. In women, BMI is associated with the total group of obesity-related cancers and with sex-specific obesity-related cancers.
Motives for sickness presence among students at secondary school: a cross-sectional study in five European countries
Authors: Johansen Vegard
Published: January 2018

Objectives

This article investigates various motives for sickness presence (SP) among students in secondary school.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

25 secondary schools in Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Italy and Latvia.

Participants

5002 students between 16 and 19 years of age, 49% female.

Results

Almost half of the students reported two or more incidents of SP. The study indicated that the practice of SP was mainly extrinsically motivated. The most often reported motives for SP were that absence could affect grades negatively, that important curriculum material was explained at the school and attendance requirements. Some students practising SP expressed intrinsic motivation, such as maintaining their social network and interest in what was learnt at school.

Conclusion

The study investigated various motives for SP in secondary schools in five European countries. Extrinsic motivation for SP was more often reported than intrinsic motivation for SP. Multivariate analyses indicated that boys, students in vocational education, immigrants and students with low-educated parents more often reported intrinsic motivation for SP, while girls and students with high absence more often reported extrinsic motivation. There were also notable cross-country differences regarding reported motives for SP.
Comparative effectiveness of novel oral anticoagulants in UK patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease: a matched cohort study
Authors: Loo Simone Y , Coulombe Janie , Dell’Aniello Sophie , Brophy James M , Suissa Samy , Renoux Christel
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) among patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF), particularly those with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Design

Population-based matched cohort study.

Setting

Over 670 primary care practices in the UK, contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

Participants

Up to 6818 adult patients newly treated with NOACs between 2011 and 2016, matched 1:1 to new users of VKAs on age, sex and high-dimensional propensity score.

Interventions

Current exposure to NOACs compared with current exposure to VKAs.

Main outcome measures

HRs of ischaemic stroke and systemic embolism (SE), major bleeding, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, intracranial bleeding, myocardial infarction and all-cause mortality.

Results

In as-treated analyses, the rates of ischaemic stroke/SE were similar between NOACs and VKAs (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.62 to 1.42), as were the rates of major bleeding (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.56 to 1.33). NOACs also significantly increased the risk of GI bleeding (HR 1.78; 95% CI 1.27 to 2.48). In patients with NVAF and CKD, NOACs and VKAs remained comparable with respect to the risk of ischaemic stroke/SE (HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.40 to 1.58) and major bleeding (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.62), with no difference in the risk of GI bleeding (HR 0.99; 95% CI 0.63 to 1.55). Similar results were obtained in on-treatment analyses using a time-dependent exposure definition.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that in the UK primary care, NOACs are overall effective and safe alternatives to VKAs, among patients with NVAF altogether, as well as in patients with NVAF and CKD.
Reasons for Accident and Emergency department attendance by people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or heart failure: recipients and providers’ perspectives. An exploratory study
Authors: Lee Jeong Su , Lempp Heidi , Srivastava Vivek , Barley Elizabeth
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Fifteen million people are affected by one or more long-term conditions in England. The cost of caring for this patient group increases every year. Several studies have been conducted to find out why people with those conditions choose to access Accident and Emergency (A&E) frequently. To our knowledge, there is no study that compares the three groups (patients, family members and hospital clinicians), and this approach may enhance understanding of A&E admissions in England. Therefore, an exploratory study was undertaken to identify key factors that contribute to A&E admissions as perceived by patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart failure (HF), their family members (or carers) and hospital clinicians.

Methods

A mixed methods approach was undertaken: (1) semistructured interviews with patients and their family members (or carers) and (2) a self-developed survey with hospital clinicians. A purposive sample of 15 patients (9 COPD, 6 HF), 6 family members and carers (2 COPD, 4 HF) and 13 hospital clinicians (5 doctors, 8 nurses) participated in the study.

Results

The patients’ main reason for A&E admission was severe exacerbation of their symptoms and all three parties (patients, family members or carers, hospital clinicians) agreed with this decision. Three key factors were highlighted in relation to A&E attendance: (1) patients’ health-seeking behaviour, (2) perceptions about general practitioner (GP) and A&E services by patients and (3) patients’ attitudes towards managing their own conditions.

Conclusions

Improving patients’ perceptions of GP services in the management of exacerbations of HF and COPD will be important to increase patients’ trust in GP services so that patients will access primary care in a timely manner to prevent exacerbations of symptoms that require A&E admission. This may be achieved by developing a close collaboration between the patients, family members (carers) and hospital clinicians over time.
Charting the road forward in psychiatric neurosurgery: proceedings of the 2016 American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery workshop on neuromodulation for psychiatric disorders
Authors: Bari Ausaf A , Mikell Charles B , Abosch Aviva , Ben-Haim Sharona , Buchanan Robert J , Burton Allen W , Carcieri Stephen , Cosgrove G Rees , D’Haese Pierre-Francois , Daskalakis Zafiris Jeffrey , Eskandar Emad N , Gerrard Jason L , Goodman Wayne K , Greenberg Benjamin David , Gross Robert E , Hamani Clement , Kiss Zelma H T , Konrad Peter , Kopell Brian H , Krinke Lothar , Langevin Jean-Philippe , Lozano Andres M , Malone Donald , Mayberg Helen S , Miller Jonathan P , Patil Parag G , Peichel DeLea , Petersen Erika A , Rezai Ali R , Richardson R Mark , Riva-Posse Patricio , Sankar Tejas , Schwalb Jason M , Simpson Helen Blair , Slavin Konstantin , Stypulkowski Paul H , Tosteson Tor , Warnke Peter , Willie Jon T , Zaghloul Kareem A , Neimat Joseph S , Pouratian Nader , Sheth Sameer A
Published: January 2018

Objective

Refractory psychiatric disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and there is a great need for new treatments. In the last decade, investigators piloted novel deep brain stimulation (DBS)-based therapies for depression and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Results from recent pivotal trials of these therapies, however, did not demonstrate the degree of efficacy expected from previous smaller trials. To discuss next steps, neurosurgeons, neurologists, psychiatrists and representatives from industry convened a workshop sponsored by the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery in Chicago, Illinois, in June of 2016.

Design

Here we summarise the proceedings of the workshop. Participants discussed a number of issues of importance to the community. First, we discussed how to interpret results from the recent pivotal trials of DBS for OCD and depression. We then reviewed what can be learnt from lesions and closed-loop neurostimulation. Subsequently, representatives from the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration and industry discussed their views on neuromodulation for psychiatric disorders. In particular, these third parties discussed their criteria for moving forward with new trials. Finally, we discussed the best way of confirming safety and efficacy of these therapies, including registries and clinical trial design. We close by discussing next steps in the journey to new neuromodulatory therapies for these devastating illnesses.

Conclusion

Interest and motivation remain strong for deep brain stimulation for psychiatric disease. Progress will require coordinated efforts by all stakeholders.
Public smoking ban and socioeconomic inequalities in smoking prevalence and cessation: a cross-sectional population-based study in Geneva, Switzerland (1995–2014)
Authors: Sandoval José Luis , Leão Teresa , Cullati Stéphane , Theler Jean-Marc , Joost Stéphane , Humair Jean-Paul , Gaspoz Jean-Michel , Guessous Idris
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Smoking bans were suggested to reduce smoking prevalence and increase quit ratio but their equity impact remains unclear. We aimed to characterise the socioeconomic status (SES)-related inequalities in smoking prevalence and quit ratio before and after the implementation of a public smoking ban.

Methods

We included data from 17 544 participants in the population-based cross-sectional Bus Santé study in Geneva, Switzerland, between 1995 and 2014. We considered educational attainment (primary, secondary and tertiary) as a SES indicator. Outcomes were smoking prevalence (proportion of current smokers) and quit ratio (ex-smokers to ever-smokers ratio). We used segmented linear regression to assess the overall impact of smoking ban on outcome trends. We calculated the relative (RII) and slope (SII, absolute difference) indexes of inequality, quantifying disparities between educational groups in outcomes overall (1995–2014), before and after ban implementation (November 2009).

Results

Least educated participants displayed higher smoking prevalence (RII=2.04, P<0.001; SII=0.15, P<0.001) and lower quit ratio (RII=0.73, P<0.001; SII=−0.18, P<0.001). As in other studies, smoking ban implementation coincided with a temporary reduction of smoking prevalence (P=0.003) and increase in quit ratio (P=0.02), with a progressive return to preban levels. Inequalities increased (P<0.05) in relative terms for smoking prevalence (RIIbefore=1.84, P<0.001 and RIIafter=3.01, P<0.001) and absolute terms for both outcomes (smoking prevalence: SIIbefore=0.14, P<0.001 and SIIafter=0.19, P<0.001; quit ratio: SIIbefore=−0.15, P<0.001 and SIIafter=−0.27, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Implementation of a public smoking ban coincided with a short-lived decrease in smoking prevalence and increase in quit ratio but also with a widening in SES inequalities in smoking-related outcomes.
Assortative pairing by telomere length in King Penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) and relationships with breeding success
Authors: Schull Quentin , Viblanc Vincent A. , Dobson F. Stephen , Robin Jean-Patrice , Zahn Sandrine , Cristofari Robin , Bize Pierre , Criscuolo François
Published: January 2018

Telomeres are noncoding genetic repeats protecting the ends of linear chromosomes. Long telomeres are often associated with high individual survival, and interindividual variation in telomere length has recently been proposed as a proxy for individual quality. Therefore, one might expect individuals of either sex with long telomeres to be of higher intrinsic quality and to be preferred in the context of mate choice. Thus, in sexually monomorphic species where individuals discriminate mates on the basis of signals of intrinsic quality, mate choice should lead to assortative pairing by telomere length, and it should be associated with breeding performance. We tested these two predictions in the King Penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus J.F. Miller, 1778), a sexually monomorphic seabird. Over 3 years of study and 73 penguin pairs under contrasting environmental conditions, we found strong assortative pairing by telomere length. Interestingly, only female telomere length was positively associated to chick survival up to fledging, and this relationship was only apparent when foraging conditions at sea were average. The positive link between telomere length and breeding success confirmed that telomere length is somehow related to individual biological state at a given time. The proximate mechanisms by which birds assess individual state related to telomere length remain to be discovered.
Comparative bite force in two syntopic murids (Rodentia) suggests lack of competition for food resources
Authors: Ginot Samuel , Le Noëne Camille , Cassaing Jacques
Published: January 2018

Closely related syntopic species have been shown to avoid competition by differentiating in the type of food they process. This can be achieved by changes in size or in the masticatory apparatus that produce modifications in bite force. The wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus (Linnaeus, 1758)) and Western Mediterranean mouse (Mus spretus Lataste, 1883) are two murid rodent species found in syntopy in the south of France. We measured bite force in wild specimens of both species to test for differences in performance. Despite its greater body mass, the wood mouse showed only slightly higher bite force than the Western Mediterranean mouse. We found no clear sexual dimorphism in either species; however, among the males of the Western Mediterranean mouse, two groups appeared in terms of bite force. This bite force difference may correspond to a hierarchical organization of these males. Overall, it seems that both species have similar bite forces and accordingly overlap in the resources they use. Other factors may exist that create a niche differentiation between the wood mouse and the Western Mediterranean mouse. Another explanation may be a great abundance of food, which would cancel competition for this resource in these species.
Relativistic excited state binding energies and RMS radii of Λ-hypernuclei
Authors: Nejad S. Mohammad Moosavi , Armat A.
Published: January 2018

Using an analytical solution for the relativistic equation of single [Formula: see text]-hypernuclei in the presence of Woods–Saxon (WS) potential we present, for the first time, an analytical form for the excited state binding energies of 1p, 1d, 1f and 1g shells of a number of hypernuclei.

Based on phenomenological analysis of the [Formula: see text] binding energies in a set of [Formula: see text]-hypernuclei, the WS potential parameters are obtained phenomenologically for the set of [Formula: see text]-hypernuclei. Systematic study of the energy levels of single [Formula: see text]-hypernuclei enables us to extract more detailed information about the [Formula: see text]-nucleon interaction. We also study the root mean square (RMS) radii of the [Formula: see text] orbits in the hypernuclear ground states. Our results are presented for several hypernuclei and it is shown that our results for the binding energies are in good agreement with experimental data.
On the honeycomb conjecture for Robin Laplacian eigenvalues
Authors: Bucur Dorin , Fragalà Ilaria
Published: January 2018

We prove that the optimal cluster problem for the sum/the max of the first Robin eigenvalue of the Laplacian, in the limit of a large number of convex cells, is asymptotically solved by (the Cheeger sets of) the honeycomb of regular hexagons. The same result is established for the Robin torsional rigidity. In the specific case of the max of the first Robin eigenvalue, we are able to remove the convexity assumption on the cells.
Push–pull type manganese(III)corroles: Synthesis, electronic structures and tunable interactions with ctDNA
Authors: Liang Xu , Fang Junjia , Li Minzhi , Chen Qiuyun , Mack John , Molupe Nthabeleng , Nyokong Tebello , Zhu Weihua
Published: January 2018

The synthesis of three low symmetry A2B type Mn(III)triarylcorroles with meso-aryl substituents that provide push–pull electron-donating and -withdrawing properties is reported. An analysis of the structure-property relationships for the optical and redox properties has been carried out through a comparison with the results of theoretical calculations. The results demonstrate that A2B type Mn(III)triarylcorroles interact strongly with cell-free circulating tumor deoxyribonucleic acid (ctDNA) in solution, and that the interaction constants are enhanced when a stronger electron-donating substituent is introduced at the 10-position of the meso-triarylcorrole ligand.
Synthesis and adsorption properties of flower-like layered double hydroxide by a facile one-pot reaction with an eggshell membrane as assistant
Authors: Li Songnan , Zhang Jiawei , Jamil Saba , Cai Qinghai , Zang Shuying
Published: January 2018

In this paper, flower-like layered double hydroxides were synthesized with eggshell membrane assistant. The as-prepared samples were characterized by a series of techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Thermal gravity-differential thermal analysis and Nitrogen sorption/desorption. The resulting layered double hydroxides were composed of nanoplates with edge-to-face particle interactions. The specific surface area and total pore volume of the as-prepared flower-like layered double hydroxides were 160[Formula: see text]m2/g and 0.65[Formula: see text]m3/g, respectively. The adsorption capacity of flower-like layered double hydroxides to Congo Red was 258[Formula: see text]mg/g, which was higher than that of layered double hydroxides synthesized by the traditional method.
Injective edge coloring of sparse graphs
Authors: Bu Yuehua , Qi Chentao
Published: January 2018

A [Formula: see text]-injective edge coloring of a graph [Formula: see text] is a coloring [Formula: see text], such that if [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are consecutive edges in [Formula: see text], then [Formula: see text]. [Formula: see text] has a [Formula: see text]-injective edge coloring[Formula: see text] is called the injective edge coloring number. In this paper, we consider the upper bound of [Formula: see text] in terms of the maximum average degree mad[Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text].
Experimental Study of SiO2 Sputter Etching Process in 13.56 MHz rf-Biased Inductively Coupled Plasma
Authors: Han Chuankun , Yang Yiyong , Liu Weifeng , Lu Yijia , Cheng Jia
Published: January 2018

Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) has been widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, especially in nanoscale etching and deposition process. It is important to understand the relationship among the 13.56[Formula: see text]MHz rf-biased power and the etching process. In this study, the effect of dual rf power on the SiO2 sputter etching is investigated by measuring the ion energy distributions (IEDs), ion flux and sputter etching rate. The results show that the IEDs transforms from uni-modal towards bi-modal distribution when rf-biased power is applied to electrode. The influence of source power, bias power, discharge pressure and current ratio on the ion flux, IEDs are investigated in detail. The energy separations measured by RFEA are in good agreement with analytical model. The ion flux can be modulated by the 13.56[Formula: see text]MHz rf-biased power. Moreover, the coil current ratio expands the control window of the ion bombardment energy for the ICP etch equipment while. Finally, an ion-enhanced etching model is introduced to obtain the sputter etching rate and reveals the influence of discharge conditions on the etch rate.
General-Purpose Computing with Soft GPUs on FPGAs
Authors: Kadi Muhammed Al , Janssen Benedikt , Yudi Jones , Huebner Michael
Published: January 2018

Using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) as a substrate to deploy soft graphics processing units (GPUs) would enable offering the FPGA compute power in a very flexible GPU-like tool flow. Application-specific adaptations like selective hardening of floating-point operations and instruction set subsetting would mitigate the high area and power demands of soft GPUs. This work explores the capabilities and limitations of soft General Purpose Computing on GPUs (GPGPU) for both fixed- and floating point arithmetic. For this purpose, we have developed FGPU: a configurable, scalable, and portable GPU architecture designed especially for FPGAs. FGPU is open-source and implemented entirely in RTL. It can be programmed in OpenCL and controlled through a Python API. This article introduces its hardware architecture as well as its tool flow. We evaluated the proposed GPGPU approach against multiple other solutions. In comparison to homogeneous Multi-Processor System-On-Chips (MPSoCs), we found that using a soft GPU is a Pareto-optimal solution regarding throughput per area and energy consumption. On average, FGPU has a 2.9× better compute density and 11.2× less energy consumption than a single MicroBlaze processor when computing in IEEE-754 floating-point format. An average speedup of about 4× over the ARM Cortex-A9 supported with the NEON vector co-processor has been measured for fixed- or floating-point benchmarks. In addition, the biggest FGPU cores we could implement on a Xilinx Zynq-7000 System-On-Chip (SoC) can deliver similar performance to equivalent implementations with High-Level Synthesis (HLS).
Fine-Grained Module-Based Error Recovery in FPGA-Based TMR Systems
Authors: Zhao Zhuoran , Nguyen Nguyen T. H. , Agiakatsikas Dimitris , Lee Ganghee , Cetin Ediz , Diessel Oliver
Published: January 2018

Space processing applications deployed on SRAM-based Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) are vulnerable to radiation-induced Single Event Upsets (SEUs). Compared with the well-known SEU mitigation solution—Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) with configuration memory scrubbing—TMR with module-based error recovery (MER) is notably more energy efficient and responsive in repairing soft-errors in the system. Unfortunately, TMR-MER systems also need to resort to scrubbing when errors occur between sub-components, such as in interconnection nets, which are not recovered by MER. This article addresses this problem by proposing a fine-grained module-based error recovery technique, which can localize and correct errors that classic MER fails to do without additional system hardware. We evaluate our proposal via fault-injection campaigns on three types of circuits implemented in Xilinx 7-Series devices. With respect to scrubbing, we observed reductions in the mean time to repair configuration memory errors of between 48.5% and 89.4%, while reductions in energy used recovering from configuration memory errors were estimated at between 77.4% and 96.1%. These improvements result in higher reliability for systems employing TMR with fine-grained reconfiguration than equivalent systems relying on scrubbing for configuration error recovery.
A specific amino acid formula prevents alcoholic liver disease in rodents
Authors: Tedesco Laura , Corsetti Giovanni , Ruocco Chiara , Ragni Maurizio , Rossi Fabio , Carruba Michele O. , Valerio Alessandra , Nisoli Enzo
Published: January 2018

Chronic alcohol consumption promotes mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, defective protein metabolism, and fat accumulation in hepatocytes (liver steatosis). Inadequate amino acid metabolism is worsened by protein malnutrition, frequently present in alcohol-consuming patients, with reduced circulating branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). Here we asked whether dietary supplementation with a specific amino acid mixture, enriched in BCAAs (BCAAem) and able to promote mitochondrial function in muscle of middle-aged rodents, would prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and liver steatosis in Wistar rats fed on a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol (EtOH)-containing liquid diet. Supplementation of BCAAem, unlike a mixture based on the amino acid profile of casein, abrogated the EtOH-induced fat accumulation, mitochondrial impairment, and oxidative stress in liver. These effects of BCAAem were accompanied by normalization of leucine, arginine, and tryptophan levels, which were reduced in liver of EtOH-consuming rats. Moreover, although the EtOH exposure of HepG2 cells reduced mitochondrial DNA, mitochondrial transcription factors, and respiratory chain proteins, the BCAAem but not casein-derived amino acid supplementation halted this mitochondrial toxicity. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels and sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) expression, as well as endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) and mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways, were downregulated in the EtOH-exposed HepG2 cells. BCAAem reverted these molecular defects and the mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that the mitochondrial integrity obtained with the amino acid supplementation could be mediated through a Sirt1-eNOS-mTOR pathway. Thus a dietary activation of the mitochondrial biogenesis and function by a specific amino acid supplement protects against the EtOH toxicity and preserves the liver integrity in mammals.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Dietary supplementation of a specific amino acid formula prevents both fat accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes of alcohol-consuming rats. These effects are accompanied also by increased expression of anti-reactive oxygen species genes. The amino acid-protective effects likely reflect activation of sirtuin 1-endothelial nitric oxide synthase-mammalian target of rapamycin pathway able to regulate the cellular energy balance of hepatocytes exposed to chronic, alcoholic damage.