bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical investigation of the effects of the cushion on reducing underwater noise from offshore pile driving
Authors: Deng Qingpeng , Jiang Weikang , Zhang Wenzheng
Published: October 2016

Offshore pile driving noise has gained increasing attention due to its adverse influence on marine animals. Two models are established to investigate the influence of the cushion on the underwater noise from pile driving. A one-dimensional nonlinear finite difference model is developed to compute the impact force and the soil penetration. The radiated sound pressure is predicted by the second model based on a semi-analytical variational formulation. For the examined pile, a proper cushion can significantly dampen the high-frequency impact force and reduce the peak of the sound pressure. It is found that there exists a stiffness range within which the decline of the cushion stiffness effectively reduces the single sound exposure level but hardly increases the required hammer blows to achieve a certain penetration depth.
Opinions Toward Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Interventions to Stimulate Active Living During Early Retirement: A Qualitative Study in Recently Retired Adults
Authors: Van Dyck Delfien , Mertens Lieze , Cardon Greet , De Cocker Katrien , De Bourdeaudhuij Ilse
Published: October 2016

This study aimed to obtain qualitative information about physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB)and their determinants, and about recently retired adults’ needs regarding PA interventions. Four focus group interviews were organized. The most commonly reported PA types were walking, cycling, swimming and fitness. The most commonly reported SB were reading, TV viewing, and computer use. Car use was limited. Most adults agreed their habits had changed during retirement. The most striking PA determinant was the feeling of being a ‘forgotten group’ and therefore having too few tailored PA initiatives available. Furthermore, participants were not aware of the negative health effects of SB and not motivated to decrease their SB. Concerning new PA interventions, very diverse ideas were put forward, reflecting the diversity of the target group. It seems that a dynamic intervention in which participants can choose which PA type they want to increase is preferable for recently retired adults.
Don’t mix zinc lozenges and antibiotics
Authors: Kashyap Purna
Published: October 2016

Dietary zinc increases susceptibility to
Clostridium difficile
infection following antibiotic use in mice.
New genetic insights into brain size
Authors: Fung Lawrence K.
Published: October 2016

A meta-analysis of large-scale human neuroimaging data reveals new genetic loci underlying brain volume.
Protecting kids with a patch
Authors: Whitehead Kathryn A.
Published: October 2016

A needle-free skin patch protects against respiratory syncytial virus via a T
H
1/T
H
17 immune response.
Impact of Sample Type and DNA Isolation Procedure on Genomic Inference of Microbiome Composition
Authors: Knudsen Berith E. , Bergmark Lasse , Munk Patrick , Lukjancenko Oksana , Priemé Anders , Aarestrup Frank M. , Pamp Sünje J.
Published: October 2016

Sequencing-based analyses of microbiomes may lead to a breakthrough in our understanding of the microbial worlds associated with humans, animals, and the environment. Such insight could further the development of innovative ecosystem management approaches for the protection of our natural resources and the design of more effective and sustainable solutions to prevent and control infectious diseases. Genome sequence information is an organism (pathogen)-independent language that can be used across sectors, space, and time. Harmonized standards, protocols, and workflows for sample processing and analysis can facilitate the generation of such actionable information. In this study, we assessed several procedures for the isolation of DNA for next-generation sequencing. Our study highlights several important aspects to consider in the design and conduct of sequence-based analysis of microbiomes. We provide a standard operating procedure for the isolation of DNA from a range of biological specimens particularly relevant in clinical diagnostics and epidemiology.
Migraines Are Correlated with Higher Levels of Nitrate-, Nitrite-, and Nitric Oxide-Reducing Oral Microbes in the American Gut Project Cohort
Authors: Gonzalez Antonio , Hyde Embriette , Sangwan Naseer , Gilbert Jack A. , Viirre Erik , Knight Rob
Published: October 2016

Recent work has demonstrated a potentially symbiotic relationship between oral commensal bacteria and humans through the salivary nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway (C. Duncan et al., Nat Med 1:546–551, 1995,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nm0695-546
). Oral nitrate-reducing bacteria contribute physiologically relevant levels of nitrite and nitric oxide to the human host that may have positive downstream effects on cardiovascular health (V. Kapil et al., Free Radic Biol Med 55:93–100, 2013,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2012.11.013
). In the work presented here, we used 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing to determine whether a connection exists between oral nitrate-reducing bacteria, nitrates for cardiovascular disease, and migraines, which are a common side effect of nitrate medications (U. Thadani and T. Rodgers, Expert Opin Drug Saf 5:667–674, 2006,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14740338.5.5.667
).
Weston-Hurst syndrome: a rare fulminant form of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM)
Authors: Nabi Sumaira , Badshah Mazhar , Ahmed Shahzad , Nomani Ali Zohair
Published: October 2016

A 25-year-old Pakistani woman presented to the emergency department with a 2-day history of rapidly progressive tetraplegia followed by sudden loss of consciousness. This was preceded by an upper respiratory tract infection. On examination, she was deeply comatose with a GCS of 3/15 and intact brainstem reflexes. She was in respiratory distress, and an endotracheal tube had been passed. She had flaccid quadriplegia with depressed deep tendon reflexes and upgoing plantar response. Her MRI brain with contrast showed extensive brainstem involvement with haemorrhagic foci along with signal changes in the corpus callosum. The patient was put on a respirator. She was given IV methyl prednisolone, and later on 5 sessions of plasmapheresis were performed. After 3 months, the patient gradually recovered and started communicating. Her motor power had improved to 2/5 in her arms and 1/5 in the lower extremities. She was then discharged for further rehabilitation at home.
Bronchial schwannoma: a singular lesion as a cause of obstructive pneumonia
Authors: Oliveira Rui Caetano , Nogueira Tiago , Sousa Vítor , Carvalho Lina
Published: October 2016

Bronchial schwannomas are very rare pulmonary lesions, but its awareness is important to reach correct diagnosis and decide proper intervention. Clinical and radiological characteristics are mainly unspecific and pathological examination usually provides the definite diagnosis. In small lesions, endoscopic approach may be sufficient, but in large lesions associated with organising pneumonia surgical intervention may be required. Prognosis is typically favourable. We describe a case of a woman, aged 66 years, with productive cough and sporadic haemoptysis, dyspnoea, anorexia, excessive sweating and weight loss with 2 months evolution. CT scan showed a soft tissue dense lesion on the left hilum with 3.75 cm with 18-Fludeoxyglucose uptake. Left upper lobectomy was performed. Gross examination revealed a polypoid mass without necrosis, histologically showing cellular dense (Antoni A) and less dense (Antoni B) areas with Verocay bodies, slightly pleomorphic spindle cells, without mitotic activity and positive for S100 protein on immunohistochemistry.
Primary care interventions to reduce cardiovascular risk behaviours in adolescents: a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Haller Dagmar M , Pfarrwaller Eva , Cerutti Bernard , Gaspoz Jean-Michel
Published: October 2016

Introduction

Health-compromising behaviours are often acquired in adolescence. Alongside broader public health interventions, preventive interventions within primary care have the potential to encourage long-lasting behaviour change by tailoring messages to each individual. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of primary care interventions in reducing the 3 main cardiovascular risk behaviours (smoking, low physical activity and unhealthy diet) in adolescents aged 10–19 years. It is also to identify successful initiatives and ingredients for such success that could be replicated in primary care.

Methods and analysis

This systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) recommendations. The following databases will be searched for articles published between January 1990 and December 2016: MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, ISRCTN registry. Our search will focus on randomised and cluster randomised controlled trials of interventions conducted in primary care practices to reduce the 3 main cardiovascular risk behaviours in adolescents aged 10–19 years, compared with active (information leaflet, etc) or passive (usual care, etc) control conditions. The primary outcomes will be smoking, physical activity and diet, measured either objectively or by self-report. Secondary outcomes such as body mass index or insulin resistance will also be examined. 2 reviewers will independently screen articles, extract relevant data and assess study quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. A meta-analysis will be considered if the number of studies is sufficient and outcomes are sufficiently homogeneous. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria will be used to assess the quality of the evidence.

Ethics and dissemination

This systematic review will add to our knowledge on the prevention of cardiovascular disease early in life and these findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at relevant conferences.

Study registration number

PROSPERO CRD42016028045.
Stress fracture and premenstrual syndrome in Japanese adolescent athletes: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Takeda Takashi , Imoto Yoko , Nagasawa Hiroyo , Takeshita Atsuko , Shiina Masami
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To investigate the relationship between the occurrence of stress fracture and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)/premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in Japanese adolescent athletes.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Osaka, Japan.

Participants

A school-based survey on menstruation and school life was conducted using a sample of 1818 Japanese female students who belonged to two public high schools in Japan. Among them, we recruited 394 athletes who had regular menstrual cycles (25–38 days) and completed a questionnaire about their premenstrual symptoms and their competitive career.

Main outcome measure

Premenstrual symptoms and the occurrence of stress fracture.

Results

The prevalences of moderate-to-severe PMS and PMDD were 8.9% and 1.3%, respectively, which were the same as in collegiate athletes in a previous study. Premenstrual symptoms disturbed ‘Work efficiency or productivity, home responsibilities’, ‘Relationships with coworkers or family’ and ‘Athletic performance in training or competition’ more severely than menstrual pain (p=0.031, p=0.004 and p<0.001, respectively). 66 athletes (16.8%) reported having experienced a stress fracture. The severity of ‘Overeating or food cravings’, ‘Physical symptoms’ and ‘Performance in training or competition’ in athletes with previous stress fractures were much higher than in those without a history of stress fractures (p=0.015, p=0.008 and p=0.006, respectively). In terms of premenstrual symptoms, ‘Physical symptoms’ was associated with an increased risk of stress fractures in athletes (OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.62).

Conclusions

The results from this study indicated that premenstrual symptoms may affect athletic performance and has the risk of stress fractures in adolescent athletes.
Integration of oral health into primary care: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Emami Elham , Harnagea Hermina , Girard Felix , Charbonneau Anne , Voyer René , Bedos Christophe Pierre , Chartier Martin , Wootton John , Couturier Yves
Published: October 2016

Introduction

Integrated care has been introduced as a means of improving health outcomes and access to care, and reducing the cost of healthcare. Despite its importance, the integration of oral health into primary care is still an emerging healthcare pathway. This scoping review protocol has been developed and funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to provide an evidence-based synthesis on a primary oral healthcare approach and its effectiveness in improving oral health outcomes.

Methods and analysis

The 6-stage framework developed by Levacet alunderpins this scoping review. We will identify relevant existing theories, programmes and original research through a comprehensive and systematic search of electronic databases such as OVID (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane databases), NCBI (PubMed), EBSCOhost (CINAHL), ProQuest, Databases in Public Health, Databases of the National Institutes of Health (health management and health technology) and relevant organisational websites and other sources of grey literature. All types of studies from 1978 to May 2016 in the French and English languages will be included. Using the Rainbow conceptual model of integrative primary care, a qualitative descriptive approach and thematic analysis will be used to synthesise the literature. Implementing novel healthcare models necessitates identifying barriers, sharing knowledge and delivering information. The integration of oral healthcare into primary care is an approach that promotes breaking the boundaries separating oral healthcare professionals and primary care. It creates opportunities for the dental workforce to become more involved in community-based practice and to assume shared responsibility with healthcare professionals to address the unmet oral health needs of those experiencing vulnerability and marginalisation.

Ethics and dissemination

The scoping study has received approval from the Université de Montréal's Institutional Review Board (#14–097-CERES-D). The findings will be disseminated through publications and presentations in provincial, national and international research symposiums and professional meetings.
The influence of procedural volume and proficiency gain on mortality from upper GI endoscopic mucosal resection
Authors: Markar Sheraz R , Mackenzie Hugh , Ni Melody , Huddy Jeremy R , Askari Alan , Faiz Omar , Griffin S Michael , Lovat Laurence , Hanna George B
Published: October 2016

Objective

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is established for the management of benign and early malignant upper GI disease. The aim of this observational study was to establish the effect of endoscopist procedural volume on mortality.

Design

Patients undergoing upper GI EMR between 1997 and 2012 were identified from the Hospital Episode Statistics database. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality and secondary outcomes were 90-day mortality, requirement for emergency intervention and elective cancer re-intervention. Risk-adjusted cumulative sum (RA-CUSUM) analysis was used to assess patient mortality risk during initial stage of endoscopist proficiency gain and the effect of endoscopist and hospital volume. Mortality was compared before and after the change point or threshold in the RA-CUSUM curve.

Results

11 051 patients underwent upper GI EMR. Endoscopist procedure volume was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality. Fifty-eight per cent of EMR procedures were performed by endoscopists with annual volume of 2 cases or less, and had a higher 30-day and 90-day mortality rate for patients with cancer, 6.1% vs 0.4% (p<0.001) and 12% vs 2.1% (p<0.001), respectively. The requirement for emergency intervention after EMR for cancer was also greater with low volume endoscopists (1.8% vs 0.1%, p=0.002). In patients with cancer, the RA-CUSUM curve change points for 30-day mortality and elective re-intervention were 4 cases and 43 cases, respectively.

Conclusions

EMR performed by high volume endoscopists is associated with reduced adverse outcomes. In order to reach proficiency, appropriate training and procedural volume accreditation training programmes are needed nationally.
Myxoid variant epithelioid pleural mesothelioma defines a favourable prognosis group: an analysis of 191 patients with pleural malignant mesothelioma
Authors: Alchami Fouad Sami , Attanoos Richard Luther , Bamber Andrew Richard
Published: October 2016

Malignant pleural mesothelioma shows marked cytoarchitectural diversity. The aim of the study was to evaluate how morphological phenotype impacted upon overall survival. 191 cases of malignant pleural mesothelioma with available follow-up were identified, examined and classified according to histological types. The epithelioid mesotheliomas were further subdivided according to morphological subtypes: myxoid, microcystic, tubulopapillary, solid epithelioid, micropapillary and pleomorphic; biphasic mesotheliomas were divided into epithelioid component dominant and sarcomatoid component dominant; pure sarcomatoid mesotheliomas were divided into not otherwise specified, leiomyoid, desmoplastic and heterologous. All cases were confirmed by two experienced observers. Myxoid variant malignant pleural epithelioid mesothelioma was observed to have a favourable overall survival compared with pleomorphic form (p=0.00008). Pleomorphic phenotype had the worst overall survival. Morphological phenotype is an important histological factor that should be included in pathology reports to convey potential favourable prognostic subgroups of patients with mesothelioma.
How well do farmers know their badgers? Relating farmer knowledge to ecological survey data
Authors: Robertson A. , Delahay R. J. , Wilson G. J. , Vernon I. J. , McDonald R. A. , Judge J.
Published: October 2016

Knowledge of badger distribution is important for the management of bovine tuberculosis. At the farm level, typically the only information on badger activity available is from the farmers themselves. This study compares how well farmer perceptions of badger activity match data obtained from ecological surveys. Farmer estimates of numbers of badger setts (burrows) surrounding their farms were generally correlated with field survey results, but tended to be underestimates. Farmers correctly recorded 50 per cent of setts recorded in surveys, with larger setts and active setts more likely to be correctly recorded. Badger visits to farm buildings and yards were also monitored using surveillance cameras. The majority of farmers were aware of badger visits to their farm buildings, but in 22 per cent of cases farmers were not aware of badger visits. At the farm level, knowledge of badger activity will be useful in informing vets and animal health professionals of the potential risks of disease transmission, and hence directing management interventions. However, the tendency to underestimate activity, combined with a lack of detailed knowledge of sett locations, means that farmer estimates of badger activity should be interpreted with caution and in isolation may not be sufficient to inform management interventions.
Transformation models for effective friction angle and relative density calibrated based on generic database of coarse-grained soils
Authors: Ching Jianye , Lin Guan-Hong , Chen Jie-Ru , Phoon Kok-Kwang
Published: October 2016

This study compiles a generic database of seven parameters, including relative density and friction angle, for coarse-grained soils from 176 studies, covering a wide range of reconstituted and in situ coarse-grained soils. This database, labeled as “SAND/7/2794”, is dominated by data from laboratory reconstituted soils such as Erksak, Hokksund, Monterey, Ottawa, Sacramento River, Ticino, and Tonegawa sands. About 15% of the data points in the database are in situ samples obtained from tube sampling, block sampling, or ground freezing techniques. The correlation behavior among some parameters in the database is consistent with existing transformation models in the literature. Mine tailings, volcanic soils, railroad ballast, gravelly soils with significant cobble or boulder content, and soils with high fines contents are removed from the database because they exhibit inconsistent behavior. Soils subjected to very high effective stresses are also removed from the database. The generic database is adopted to calibrate the bias and variability of existing transformation models. Transformation uncertainties are characterized based on their bias, variability, and the range of applicability.
Age-related changes to vascular protease-activated receptor 2 in metabolic syndrome: a relationship between oxidative stress, receptor expression, and endothelium-dependent vasodilation
Authors: Maruyama Kana , Kagota Satomi , McGuire John J. , Wakuda Hirokazu , Yoshikawa Noriko , Nakamura Kazuki , Shinozuka Kazumasa
Published: October 2016

Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) is expressed in vascular endothelium. Nitric oxide (NO) – cyclic GMP-mediated vasodilation in response to 2-furoyl-LIGRLO-amide (2fLIGRLO), a PAR2-activating peptide, is impaired in aortas from aged SHRSP.Z-Leprfa/IzmDmcr (SHRSP.ZF) rats with metabolic syndrome. Here we investigated mechanisms linking PAR2’s vascular effects to phenotypic characteristics of male SHRSP.ZF rats at 10, 20, and 30 weeks of age. We found vasodilation responses to either 2fLIGRLO or enzyme-mediated PAR2 activation by trypsin were sustained until 20 weeks and lessened at 30 weeks. PAR2 protein and mRNA levels were lower in aortas at 30 weeks than at 10 and 20 weeks. PAR2-mediated responses positively correlated with PAR2 protein and mRNA levels. Decreased cGMP accumulation in the presence of 2fLIGRLO paralleled the decreased relaxations elicited by nitroprusside and the cGMP analog 8-pCPT-cGMP, and the less soluble guanylyl cyclase protein at 30 weeks. 2fLIGRLO-induced relaxation was negatively correlated with serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, an index of oxidative stress, which increased with age. Forward stepwise data regression supported a model of age-related decreases in PAR2 function resulting from decreased PAR2 mRNA and increased oxidative stress. We conclude that decreased responsiveness of aortic smooth muscle to NO and downregulation of receptor expression impair PAR2 functions at later stages of metabolic syndrome in SHRSP.ZF rats.
Characterization of “Brachyspira hampsonii” clades I and II isolated from commercial swine in Western Canada
Authors: Perez Jason Byron D.S. , Rubin Joseph E. , Fernando Champika , Harding John C.S. , Hill Janet E.
Published: October 2016

A novel Brachyspira emerged in 2009 and has since become a production-limiting pathogen of pigs in North America. The name “ Brachyspira hampsonii” has been proposed for this novel taxon. “ Brachyspira hampsonii” is divided into two phylogenetically distinct clades based on the sequence of the NADH-oxidase ( nox) gene, although the clinical disease associated with clades I and II is indistinguishable and phenotypic characteristics that discriminate the clades have not been determined. The objectives of the current study were to enhance the description of the provisional species “ B. hampsonii” with biochemical profiles and morphometric data from isolates affecting Canadian swine and to investigate potentially diagnostically informative characteristics for this emerging pathogen. Biochemical profiles of isolates from different commercial swine barns in Western Canada showed that biochemical profiles were insufficient to distinguish “ B. hampsonii” clades I and II from each other or from other pathogenic Brachyspira. Hippurate hydrolysis, previously reported as uniformly negative in “ B. hampsonii,” was variable among Canadian isolates. Spirochete dimensions and flagella numbers for “ B. hampsonii” overlapped with other Brachyspira species. Taken together, these results indicate that nox gene sequencing remains a preferred method for identification and discrimination of “ B. hampsonii” from other pig-associated Brachyspira spp.
Optical properties of the superposition of q-deformed coherent states
Authors: Batouli J. , El Baz M. , Maaouni A.
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we study some optical properties of the superposition of q-deformed coherent states. We study the effect of the deformation on the non-classicality of q-coherent states as well as some superposition of such states.
Gribov universality of hadron cross sections at ultrahigh energies
Authors: Anisovich V. V.
Published: October 2016

The current status of ultrahigh energy diffractive collisions is given. Profile function and K-matrix function techniques in the impact parameter space are presented, and the Gribov universality of the hadron total cross sections is discussed.
Diffraction as a critical element in soft scattering
Authors: Maor Uri ,   Collaboration with E. Gotsman And E. Levin
Published: October 2016

Gribov’s partonic Pomeron provides the foundations of updated models which incorporate soft and hard scattering, so as to reproduce the recent LHC p-p cross sections. Explicitly, total, elastic, inelastic and diffrative data. Leading models are: GLM (Gotsman, Levin, Maor), KMR (Khoze, Martin, Ryskin), Kaidalov-Poghosyan and Ostapchenco.

None of these models in their pre-LHC versions reproduced the TOTEM, ALICE, ATLAS and CMS soft LHC data, needing considerable reconstructions, either in the fitting procedures (GLM), or in the details of the theoretical models. In the following, I shall relate mostly to the GLM model, emphasizing the critical role of the diffractive channels.
Hyperfine splitting in muonium and positronium
Authors: Eides Michael I. , Shelyuto Valery A.
Published: October 2016

Calculation of hard three-loop corrections of order [Formula: see text] to hyperfine splitting in muonium and positronium is reviewed. All these contributions are generated by the graphs with photon, electron and/or muon loop radiative insertions in the two-photon exchange diagrams. We calculate contributions of six gauge invariant sets of diagrams.
Ultra-fast neutrinos: What can we learn from a false discovery?
Authors: Horváth Dezső
Published: October 2016

We overview the history of superluminal neutrinos, how they were first observed then refuted, and the emerged physical interpretations. It is shown that in certain cases such false experimental discoveries can help the development of science.
Fragmentation in the ϕ3 theory and the LPHD hypothesis
Authors: Urmossy K. , Rak J.
Published: October 2016

We present analytic solution of the Dokshitzer–Gribov–Lipatov–Altarelli–Parisi (DGLAP) equation at leading order (LO) in the [Formula: see text] theory in 6 space-time dimensions. If the [Formula: see text] model was the theory of strong interactions, the obtained solution would describe the distribution of partons in a jet. We point out that the local parton-hadron duality (LPHD) conjecture does not work in this hypothetical situation. That is, treatment of hadronisation of shower partons is essential for the description of hadron distributions in jets stemming from proton-proton (pp) collisions at [Formula: see text] TeV and from electron-positron ([Formula: see text]) annihilations at various collision energies. We use a statistical model for the description of hadronisation.
Rigidity results and topology at infinity of translating solitons of the mean curvature flow
Authors: Impera Debora , Rimoldi Michele
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we obtain rigidity results and obstructions on the topology at infinity of translating solitons of the mean curvature flow in the Euclidean space. Our approach relies on the theory of [Formula: see text]-minimal hypersurfaces.
Probability analysis of a stochastic SIS epidemic model
Authors: Ge Qing , Li Zhiming , Teng Zhidong
Published: October 2016

In this paper, the probability properties are investigated for a stochastic SIS epidemic model. Transition probabilities of the susceptible process are obtained by using Laplace transform and perturbation variables. According to two cases: basic reproduction number [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the dynamical behaviors in probability of the process are analyzed. It is shown that when [Formula: see text] the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable with probability one, and when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a positive integer, the endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable with probability one. These results coincide with the corresponding deterministic SIS epidemic model. However, when [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is not a positive integer, there are different properties between the deterministic and stochastic models. Numerical simulations are also performed to validate these results.
Markov processes with spatial delay: Path space characterization, occupation time and properties
Authors: Salins Michael , Spiliopoulos Konstantinos
Published: October 2016

In this paper, we study one-dimensional Markov processes with spatial delay. Since the seminal work of Feller, we know that virtually any one-dimensional, strong, homogeneous, continuous Markov process can be uniquely characterized via its infinitesimal generator and the generator’s domain of definition. Unlike standard diffusions like Brownian motion, processes with spatial delay spend positive time at a single point of space. Interestingly, the set of times that a delay process spends at its delay point is nowhere dense and forms a positive measure Cantor set. The domain of definition of the generator has restrictions involving second derivatives. In this paper we provide a pathwise characterization for processes with delay in terms of an SDE and an occupation time formula involving the symmetric local time. This characterization provides an explicit Doob–Meyer decomposition, demonstrating that such processes are semi-martingales and that all of stochastic calculus including Itô formula and Girsanov formula applies. We also establish an occupation time formula linking the time that the process spends at a delay point with its symmetric local time there. A physical example of a stochastic dynamical system with delay is lastly presented and analyzed.
Intermittency for branching walks with heavy tails
Authors: Getan A. , Molchanov S. , Vainberg B.
Published: October 2016

Branching random walks on multidimensional lattice with heavy tails and a constant branching rate are considered. It is shown that under these conditions (heavy tails and constant rate), the front propagates exponentially fast, but the particles inside of the front are distributed very non-uniformly. The particles exhibit intermittent behavior in a large part of the region behind the front (i.e. the particles are concentrated only in very sparse spots there). The zone of non-intermittency (were particles are distributed relatively uniformly) extends with a power rate. This rate is found.
Implicitization of tensor product surfaces in the presence of a generic set of basepoints
Authors: Duarte Eliana
Published: October 2016

Given a [Formula: see text]-dimensional vector subspace [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text], a tensor product surface, denoted by [Formula: see text], is the closure of the image of the rational map [Formula: see text] determined by [Formula: see text]. These surfaces arise in geometric modeling and in this context it is useful to know the implicit equation of [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we show that if [Formula: see text] has a finite set of [Formula: see text] basepoints in generic position, then the implicit equation of [Formula: see text] is determined by two syzygies of [Formula: see text] in bidegrees [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. This result is proved by understanding the geometry of the basepoints of [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. The proof techniques for the main theorem also apply when [Formula: see text] is basepoint free.
Gröbner–Shirshov bases for Lie Ω-algebras and free Rota–Baxter Lie algebras
Authors: Qiu Jianjun , Chen Yuqun
Published: October 2016

We generalize the Lyndon–Shirshov words to the Lyndon–Shirshov [Formula: see text]-words on a set [Formula: see text] and prove that the set of all the nonassociative Lyndon–Shirshov [Formula: see text]-words forms a linear basis of the free Lie [Formula: see text]-algebra on the set [Formula: see text]. From this, we establish Gröbner–Shirshov bases theory for Lie [Formula: see text]-algebras. As applications, we give Gröbner–Shirshov bases of a free [Formula: see text]-Rota–Baxter Lie algebra, of a free modified [Formula: see text]-Rota–Baxter Lie algebra, and of a free Nijenhuis Lie algebra and, then linear bases of these three algebras are obtained.
Accelerating diffusion on compact Riemannian surfaces by incompressible drift
Authors: Franke Brice , Yaakoubi Nejib
Published: October 2016

We construct divergence free vector-fields on compact Riemannian surfaces which push the spectral gap of some diffusion generator above some prescribed value. The resulting diffusion describes some Brownian particle in a stationary incompressible fluid. The spectral gap is an indicator for the speed at which this diffusion converges toward its equilibrium, which corresponds to the uniform distribution. In other terms, we describe efficient fluid motion, to accelerate the convergence to equilibrium of some Brownian particle in a two-dimensional liquid.
A fundamental solution for a nonelliptic partial differential operator, II
Authors: Greiner Peter , Li Yutian
Published: October 2016

Let [Formula: see text] denote the holomorphic tangential vector field to the generalized upper-half plane [Formula: see text]. In our terminology, [Formula: see text]. Consider the [Formula: see text] operator on the boundary of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]; note that [Formula: see text] is nowhere elliptic, but it is subelliptic with step three. The principal result of this paper is the derivation of an explicit fundamental solution [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. Our approach is based on special functions and their properties.
Comparative study of statistical modeling of wavelet coefficients for SAR image despeckling
Authors: Sumaiya M. N. , Kumari R. Shantha Selva
Published: October 2016

The work is concentrated to get good despeckled performance under non-homomorphic framework by involving simple distributions to obtain closed form Maximum-a-Posteriori probability (MAP) solutions. To estimate noise-free wavelet coefficient, distributions with lesser number of parameters allied Laplacian/Gaussian probability density function (pdf) for signal reflectivity and Rayleigh/Gaussian pdf for noisy signal are employed. Thus, the four despeckling methods are formed, namely LRMAP, GRMAP, LGMAP and GGMAP to despeckle SAR images and the effectiveness of different distributions is studied. The despeckling method is made adaptive by estimating the local variance of high frequency image using wavelet sub-band coefficient statistics. Also, the parameter space used in the proposed methods does not involve initialization, iterative search and convergence problems. The performances of the proposed methods are evaluated in terms of Equivalent Number of Looks (ENL), Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), Edge Preservation ([Formula: see text] and Mean Structural Similarity Index Measure (MSSIM). Experimental results show that LRMAP yields good results over all methods and GGMAP does not perform good for all images in terms of all quality metrics. Also, the proposed methods yield good quality metrics in less computing time as compared with the method available in the literature.
Anti-Tumor Effect of a Novel DOX/GA-CdTe QD was Mediated by Apoptotic and Autophagic Cell Death
Authors: Zuo Huaqin , Wang Fan , Zhou Di , Zhou Yi , Chen Bing , Ouyang Jian , Xu Peipei
Published: October 2016

Burkitt’s lymphoma is a highly proliferative B-cell malignancy characterized by MYC oncogene translocation. Intensive short-cycle chemotherapy could effectively improve the outcome of this disease. However, drug resistance limits the treatment of refractory/relapsed disease. Thus, we constructed and investigated a novel cadmium–tellurium quantum dot conjugated with doxorubicin and gambogic acid (DOX/GA-CdTe QDs) for cancer cell combined treatment in Raji, a Burkitt’s lymphoma cell line. Results showed that DOX/GA-CdTe QDs could significantly improve anti-tumor effects compared with drugs alone in the Raji cell line. Flow cytometry, transmission electron micrographs and overexpression of Beclin1 and LC3 II/I showed that apoptosis and autophagy were involved in the process. However, DOX/GA-CdTe QDs did not cause cell cycle arrest, whereas DOX alone or combined with GA could cause apparent G2/M phase arrest. Hence, the novel DOX/GA-CdTe QDs offer a promising approach of drug delivery into cancer cells.
Global stability of an age-structured SVEIR epidemic model with waning immunity, latency and relapse
Authors: Liu Lili , Liu Xianning
Published: October 2016

The global dynamics of an SVEIR epidemic model with age-dependent waning immunity, latency and relapse are studied. Sharp threshold properties for global asymptotic stability of both disease-free equilibrium and endemic equilibrium are given. The asymptotic smoothness, uniform persistence and the existence of interior global attractor of the semi-flow generated by a family of solutions of the system are also addressed. Furthermore, some related strategies for controlling the spread of diseases are discussed.
The last glaciation in Orkney, Scotland: glacial stratigraphy, event sequence and flow paths
Authors: Hall Adrian M. , Riding James B. , Brown John F.
Published: October 2016

Three separate till units are recognized on Orkney deposited during the last ice sheet glaciation: the Digger, Scara Taing and Quendal Till members. The Digger Till records an ice advance from the south that extended on to the Atlantic shelf. The Scara Taing Till records a later period of full ice cover when ice moved from the SE out of the Moray Firth and reached Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) limits on the shelf edge. The Quendal Till records a late phase of ice sheet flow from the SE to limits
c.
20 km west of Orkney. No till unit or flow set has been identified to confirm the presence of a local ice cap on southern Orkney during the last glaciation. Whilst the blocking presence of the Fennoscandian Ice Sheet (FIS) and the Shetland Ice Cap may have contributed to the deflection of ice flow over Orkney, similar flow patterns also occurred before and after the LGM. Scandinavian erratics on northern Orkney are probably reworked and provide no direct support for the passage of the FIS. Middle to Late Carboniferous palynomorphs found in tills in eastern Orkney may have been reworked from nearby Permian mudstones.
Physiology and pathophysiology of potassium homeostasis
Authors: Palmer Biff F. , Clegg Deborah J.
Published: October 2016

Total body potassium content and proper distribution of potassium across the cell membrane is of critical importance for normal cellular function. Potassium homeostasis is maintained by several different methods. In the kidney, total body potassium content is achieved by alterations in renal excretion of potassium in response to variations in intake. Insulin and beta-adrenergic tone play critical roles in maintaining the internal distribution of potassium under normal conditions. Despite homeostatic pathways designed to maintain potassium levels within the normal range, disorders of altered potassium homeostasis are common. The clinical approach to designing effective treatments relies on understanding the pathophysiology and regulatory influences which govern the internal distribution and external balance of potassium. Here we provide an overview of the key regulatory aspects of normal potassium physiology. This review is designed to provide an overview of potassium homeostasis as well as provide references of seminal papers to guide the reader into a more in depth discussion of the importance of potassium balance. This review is designed to be a resource for educators and well-informed clinicians who are teaching trainees about the importance of potassium balance.
Does the sensorimotor system minimize prediction error or select the most likely prediction during object lifting?
Authors: Cashaback Joshua G. A. , McGregor Heather R. , Pun Henry C. H. , Buckingham Gavin , Gribble Paul L.
Published: October 2016

The human sensorimotor system is routinely capable of making accurate predictions about an object's weight, which allows for energetically efficient lifts and prevents objects from being dropped. Often, however, poor predictions arise when the weight of an object can vary and sensory cues about object weight are sparse (e.g., picking up an opaque water bottle). The question arises, what strategies does the sensorimotor system use to make weight predictions when one is dealing with an object whose weight may vary? For example, does the sensorimotor system use a strategy that minimizes prediction error (minimal squared error) or one that selects the weight that is most likely to be correct (maximum a posteriori)? In this study we dissociated the predictions of these two strategies by having participants lift an object whose weight varied according to a skewed probability distribution. We found, using a small range of weight uncertainty, that four indexes of sensorimotor prediction (grip force rate, grip force, load force rate, and load force) were consistent with a feedforward strategy that minimizes the square of prediction errors. These findings match research in the visuomotor system, suggesting parallels in underlying processes. We interpret our findings within a Bayesian framework and discuss the potential benefits of using a minimal squared error strategy.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using a novel experimental model of object lifting, we tested whether the sensorimotor system models the weight of objects by minimizing lifting errors or by selecting the statistically most likely weight. We found that the sensorimotor system minimizes the square of prediction errors for object lifting. This parallels the results of studies that investigated visually guided reaching, suggesting an overlap in the underlying mechanisms between tasks that involve different sensory systems.
Rhythm generation, coordination, and initiation in the vocal pathways of male African clawed frogs
Authors: Yamaguchi Ayako , Cavin Barnes Jessica , Appleby Todd
Published: October 2016

Central pattern generators (CPGs) in the brain stem are considered to underlie vocalizations in many vertebrate species, but the detailed mechanisms underlying how motor rhythms are generated, coordinated, and initiated remain unclear. We addressed these issues using isolated brain preparations of Xenopus laevis from which fictive vocalizations can be elicited. Advertisement calls of male X. laevis that consist of fast and slow trills are generated by vocal CPGs contained in the brain stem. Brain stem central vocal pathways consist of a premotor nucleus [dorsal tegmental area of medulla (DTAM)] and a laryngeal motor nucleus [a homologue of nucleus ambiguus (n.IX-X)] with extensive reciprocal connections between the nuclei. In addition, DTAM receives descending inputs from the extended amygdala. We found that unilateral transection of the projections between DTAM and n.IX-X eliminated premotor fictive fast trill patterns but did not affect fictive slow trills, suggesting that the fast and slow trill CPGs are distinct; the slow trill CPG is contained in n.IX-X, and the fast trill CPG spans DTAM and n.IX-X. Midline transections that eliminated the anterior, posterior, or both commissures caused no change in the temporal structure of fictive calls, but bilateral synchrony was lost, indicating that the vocal CPGs are contained in the lateral halves of the brain stem and that the commissures synchronize the two oscillators. Furthermore, the elimination of the inputs from extended amygdala to DTAM, in addition to the anterior commissure, resulted in autonomous initiation of fictive fast but not slow trills by each hemibrain stem, indicating that the extended amygdala provides a bilateral signal to initiate fast trills.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Central pattern generators (CPGs) are considered to underlie vocalizations in many vertebrate species, but the detailed mechanisms underlying their functions remain unclear. We addressed this question using an isolated brain preparation of African clawed frogs. We discovered that two vocal phases are mediated by anatomically distinct CPGs, that there are a pair of CPGs contained in the left and right half of the brain stem, and that mechanisms underlying initiation of the two vocal phases are distinct.
Exposure top,p′-DDE Induces Morphological Changes and Activation of the PKCα-p38-C/EBPβPathway in Human Promyelocytic HL-60 Cells
Authors: Torres-Avilés Nallely A. , Albores-García Damaris , Luna Ana L. , Moreno-Galván Monica , Salgado-Bustamante Mariana , Portales-Pérez Diana Patricia , Calderón-Aranda Emma S.
Published: October 2016

Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′-DDE), the most persistent metabolite of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), is still present in the human population. Both are present in the bone marrow of patients with bone marrow disorders, but thus far there are no studies that assess the capability ofp,p′-DDE to affect myeloid cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effect ofp,p′-DDE on promyelocytic cell differentiation and intracellular pathways related to this event.p,p′-DDE induced morphological changes compatible with promyelocytic differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner. Thep,p′-DDE effect onCa2+i, C/EBPβprotein levels, PKCαand p38 activation, and the role of oxidative stress or PLA2 was assayed. Exposure to 1.9 μg/mL ofp,p′-DDE increasedCa2+i, PKCα, p38, and C/EBPβprotein levels; the increase of nuclear C/EBPβprotein was dependent on p38. PKCαphosphorylation was dependent on PLA2 andp,p′-DDE-induced oxidative stress. p38 phosphorylation induced byp,p′-DDE was dependent on PLA2, PKC activation, and oxidative stress. These effects ofp,p′-DDE at concentrations found in human bone marrow may induce alterations in immature myeloid cells and could affect their cellular homeostasis. In order to establish the risk from exposure top,p′-DDE on the development of bone marrow disorders in humans, these effects deserve further study.
A Lightweight Authentication and Key Management Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Qin Danyang , Jia Shuang , Yang Songxiang , Wang Erfu , Ding Qun
Published: October 2016

Security problem is one of the most popular research fields in wireless sensor networks for both the application requirement and the resource-constrained essence. An effective and lightweight Authentication and Key Management Scheme (AKMS) is proposed in this paper to solve the problem of malicious nodes occurring in the process of networking and to offer a high level of security with low cost. For the condition that the mobile sensor nodes need to be authenticated, the keys in AKMS will be dynamically generated and adopted for security protection. Even when the keys are being compromised or captured, the attackers can neither use the previous keys nor misuse the authenticated nodes to cheat. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme provides more efficient security with less energy consumption for wireless sensor networks especially with mobile sensors.