bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pediatric ventricular assist devices: Bridge to a new era of perioperative care
Authors: Navaratnam Manchula , Maeda Katsuhide , Hollander Seth A.
Published: February 2019

Pediatric ventricular assist devices (VADs) are evolving as a standard therapy for end stage heart failure in children. Major recent developments include the increased use of continuous flow (CF) devices in children and increased experience with congenital heart disease (CHD) and outpatient management. In the current and future era anesthesiologists will encounter more children presenting for VAD implantation, subsequent procedures and heart transplantation. Successful perioperative management requires an understanding of the interaction between the patient's physiology and the device and a framework to troubleshoot problems. This review focuses on CF devices, VAD support for CHD and perioperative management of pulsatile and CF devices in the pediatric population.
A “Disloyal” and “Immoral” Woman “In Such a Responsible Place”: M. Louise Hunt's Refusal to Purchase a Liberty Bond, Civil Liberties, and Female Citizenship in the First World War
Authors: Jensen Kimberly
Published: February 2019

Socialist and pacifist Portland, Oregon librarian Louise M. Hunt refused to purchase a Liberty Bond to support U.S. participation in the First World War in April 1918. The powerful public assaults against her, which led to her resignation and more, characterized the intense “patriotic scrutiny” of dissenters during the conflict. As an Oregon woman, Hunt had been a voting citizen since 1912. Her understanding of female citizenship comprised the American tradition of dissent in the new context of women's progressive activism in the early twentieth century. The striking reactions to her decision provide a strong opportunity to analyze three major parts of the practice of female citizenship and civil liberties during the conflict: “patriotic womanhood” as the approved civic role for women in the crisis, women's economic citizenship, and the question of whether women could be conscientious objectors in wartime even though not subject to the draft. This analysis demonstrates that the wartime imperative of the practice of female citizenship only as “patriotic womanhood,” and the machinery put in place to enforce it, transformed Hunt into an “immoral” and “disloyal” woman in “such a responsible place” who had to be removed, even deported, to make Portland and the nation safe again. Hunt persisted in her professional life after the incident and continued her anti‐war activism into the Cold War before her death in 1960.
The T‐helper cells 17 instead of Tregs play the key role in acute rejection after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Wang Kai , Song Zhuo‐Lun , Wu Bin , Zhou Chun‐Lei , Liu Wei , Gao Wei
Published: February 2019

Th17 and imbalance of Treg/Th17 might be one of the mechanisms of acute rejection. We aim to explore the role of Th17s in the balance of Treg/Th17 in acute rejection after LT in children diagnosed with BA. The ratios of Treg and Th17 in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry pre‐LT, post‐LT, and when rejection occurred. Treg proportion was higher before transplantation than at 2 weeks and 1 month after transplantation, with no statistical difference between 2 weeks and 1 month. However, Treg proportions were lower in pediatric recipients than healthy controls. The proportion of Tregs before anti‐rejection treatment was lower than control group, with no statistical difference compared to the stable group and it showed no difference compared with that at 2 weeks and 1 month post‐LT. The Th17 proportions were higher at 2 weeks and 1 month after transplantation than healthy controls. The Th17 proportion under the circumstances of rejection was higher than that in the stable group and control group; the proportion in stable group was higher than that in control group. After anti‐rejection therapy, the proportions of Th17 were lower than those before therapy. In conclusion, the imbalance of Treg/Th17, especially Th17s instead of Tregs, may be one of the important mechanisms in acute rejection.
Rebuilding coral reefs: success (and failure) 16 years after low‐cost, low‐tech restoration
Authors: Fox Helen E. , Harris Jill L. , Darling Emily S. , Ahmadia Gabby N. , Estradivari  , Razak Tries B.
Published: February 2019

Calls for coral reef restoration are increasing amidst continued declines, yet we know little about long‐term outcomes and conditions that lead to successful coral recovery. Here, we report on one of the longest monitoring studies following 16 years of large‐scale, “low‐tech” experimental reef rehabilitation on rubble fields created by chronic blast fishing in Komodo National Park, Indonesia. After blast fishing had stopped, in the absence of rehabilitation, hard coral cover in rubble fields remained about 3% from 1999 to 2016, but on rehabilitation treatments, cover increased from 0% in 2002 to 44.5% (±21.9% SD) in 2016. Coral cover varied among sites and treatments (ranging from <5 to >80% in 2016) in patterns that may reflect current strength and turbidity. Our results demonstrate that low‐tech substrate stabilization can facilitate natural coral recruitment and growth. We conclude that relatively low‐cost methods can deliver sustained rehabilitation of hard coral cover and that long‐term monitoring should be incorporated more widely in restoration activities to inform return on investment.
Risk Perceptions Toward Drinking Water Quality Among Private Well Owners in Ireland: The Illusion of Control
Authors: Hooks Teresa , Schuitema Geertje , McDermott Frank
Published: February 2019

In rural areas where no public or group water schemes exist, groundwater is often the only source of drinking water and is extracted by drilling private wells. Typically, private well owners are responsible for the quality and testing of their own drinking water. Previous studies indicate that well owners tend to underestimate the risks of their well water being contaminated, yet little is known about why this is the case. We conducted a qualitative study by interviewing private well owners in Ireland to investigate their beliefs surrounding their water quality, which, in turn, inform their risk perceptions and their willingness to regularly test their water. Based on our findings we designed a theoretical model arguing that perceived control is central in the perceived contamination risks of well water. More specifically, we argue that well owners have the illusion of being in control over their water quality, which implies that people often perceive themselves to be more in control of a situation than they actually are. As a result, they tend to underestimate contamination risks, which subsequently impact negatively on water testing behaviors. Theoretical and practical implications are highlighted.
Censors Get Smart: Evidence from Psiphon in Iran
Authors: Deibert Ronald , Oliver Joshua , Senft Adam
Published: February 2019

Information controls are actions intended to deny, disrupt, monitor, or secure information for political ends. They can be implemented using a wide variety of technical and nontechnical means. Political contests over the control of information are heightened around important events, such as major anniversaries, armed conflicts, protests, and elections. In this paper, we offer a comparative case study of online censorship of the circumvention tool Psiphon during the Iranian elections in 2016 and 2013, drawing on unique access to analytics data from Psiphon. We find that the Iranian regime developed its censorship approach in two ways, deploying blocking that was more targeted and strategically timed in the more recent case. Evidence suggests that the regime relaxed censorship of Psiphon during the official campaign period for the 2016 election. The apparent objective of this new approach was to control access to information while minimizing the political consequences of doing so.
Caries prevalence and experience in individuals with osteogenesis imperfecta: A cross‐sectional multicenter study
Authors: Ma Mang Shin , Najirad Mohammadamin , Taqi Doaa , Retrouvey Jean‐Marc , Tamimi Faleh , Dagdeviren Didem , Glorieux Francis H. , Lee Brendan , Sutton Vernon Reid , Rauch Frank , Esfandiari Shahrokh
Published: February 2019

Objective

Dentinogenesis Imperfecta (DI) forms a group of dental abnormalities frequently found associated with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), a hereditary disease characterized by bone fragility. The objectives of this study were to quantify the dental caries prevalence and experience among different OI‐types in the sample population and quantify how much these values change for the subset with DI.

Methods

To determine which clinical characteristics were associated with increased Caries Prevalence and Experience (CPE) in patients with OI, the adjusted DFT scores were used to account for frequent hypodontia, impacted teeth and retained teeth in OI population. For each variable measured, frequency distributions, means, proportions and standard deviations were generated. Groups means were analyzed by the unpaired t‐test or ANOVA as appropriate. For multivariate analysis, subjects with caries experience of zero were compared with those with caries experience greater than zero using logistic regression.

Results

The stepwise regression analysis while controlling for all other variables demonstrated the presence of DI (OR 2.43; CI 1.37‐4.32; P = 0.002) as the significant independent predictor of CPE in the final model.

Conclusion

This study found no evidence that CPE of OI subjects differs between the types of OI. The presence of DI when controlled for other factors was found to be the significant predictor of CPE.
Anthropometric labial analysis of Han Chinese young adults
Authors: Wang Yan , Guo Shu , Sun Qiang , Jin Shi‐feng , Zhang Xin , Xiao Ming , Wang Chen‐chao , Sun Xu , Lv Meng‐zhu , Li Ke‐zhu
Published: February 2019

Background

Facial features vary in size and proportions between different races. This study aimed to measure the anthropometric variables of the labial region in Han Chinese young adults.

Materials and Methods

A total of 900 college students (475 male and 425 female) of Chinese Han ethnicity from the northern China were included. Measurements of the labial region included 14 linear items and seven proportions.

Results

All the linear measurements of the males were significantly higher than those of the females (all P < 0.001). Significant gender differences were found in the philtrum morphology, philtrum width, upper vermilion‐cutaneous lip, lower vermilion‐cutaneous lip, and vermilion. There are significant differences in the anthropometric variables of the labial region between male and female Han Chinese young adults.

Conclusions

These data may be used as a reference standard for labial reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.
Age‐related biophysical changes of the epidermal and dermal skin in Korean women
Authors: Cho Changhui , Cho Eunbyul , Kim Nahee , Shin Juhee , Woo Sanga , Lee Eunyoung , Hwang Jaesung , Ha Jaehyoun
Published: February 2019

Introduction

The clinical characteristics of skin were investigated to study the inter‐relationship and changes in the biophysical properties of the epidermal and dermal layers associated with aging using noninvasive methods.

Methods

Our study included 100 healthy women aged between the early 20s and late 60s. Biophysical characteristics of skin such as color (brightness and spots), transparency, wrinkle on crow's feet, elasticity, hydration, sebum content, glossiness, and transepidermal water loss measured under controlled conditions.

Results

This study performed in a Korean population demonstrated that aging significantly affects human skin in terms of parameters such as wrinkles, skin color, elasticity, and epidermal hydration. Age‐related changes in skin hydration showed varying patterns between the epidermis and dermis. Skin color showed heterogeneous characteristics between the upper and lower epidermal layers associated with aging. Skin elasticity and wrinkles were observed to show and inversely proportional relationship in the early 40s.

Conclusions

We confirmed the significant influence of aging on the biophysical properties of skin and determined the distinct age‐related biophysical changes in the epidermal and dermal layers of skin using noninvasive method. This study indicates the need for further research to investigate the distinctive age‐related changes in characteristics of the epidermal and dermal layers of human skin.
Effectiveness of acyclovir prophylaxis against varicella zoster virus disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wada‐Shimosato Yuko , Tanoshima Reo , Hiratoko Kanako , Takeuchi Masanobu , Tsujimoto Shin‐Ichi , Shiba Norio , Ito Shinya , Yamanaka Takeharu , Ito Shuichi
Published: February 2019

Background

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) disease is a common complication after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). The mortality rate for disseminated VZV infection is 34%. Acyclovir has been used for the prophylaxis of VZV disease after HCT, but the effectiveness of prophylaxis is controversial. We conducted a meta‐analysis of the incidence of VZV disease within the first 1 year after acyclovir prophylaxis had been discontinued and assessed the risk of VZV disease during acyclovir prophylaxis.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE plus EMBASE classics, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were used for a systematic search. The inclusion criteria were both randomized controlled trials and cohort studies that described the effectiveness of acyclovir as prophylaxis against VZV disease after allogeneic HCT.

Results

We included seven studies involving a total of 2265 patients. No mortality by VZV was identified. Acyclovir prophylaxis significantly reduced the rate of VZV infection within the first 1 year after discontinuation (risk ratio: 0.38, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.29‐0.51). The risk of VZV disease during acyclovir prophylaxis was also reduced (risk ratio: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.12‐0.24). Both short–term and long–term prophylaxis reduced the incidence of VZV infection (RR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30‐0.86 vs RR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.22‐0.54). Low–dose acyclovir (<400 mg/d) is sufficient to reduce the risk of VZV disease.

Conclusion

This study showed that acyclovir prophylaxis reduced VZV infection after HCT with no fatal cases and acyclovir prophylaxis is beneficial. No significant adverse effects occurred and no delayed VZV disease was identified.
Fatal disseminated visceral varicella zoster virus infection in a renal transplant recipient
Authors: Loftus Michael J. , Yong Michelle K. , Wilson Scott , Peleg Anton Y.
Published: February 2019

We report a case of fatal disseminated varicella zoster virus (VZV) with delayed–onset rash in a 66‐year‐old female more than 2 years following uncomplicated deceased donor renal transplantation. Whilst on a stable regimen of maintenance immunosuppression, the patient presented with chest and abdominal pain with concomitant hepatitis and pancreatitis. After pursuing multiple other potential causes of her symptoms, the correct diagnosis of VZV was only suspected after the development of a widespread vesicular rash—11 days after her initial symptoms. Despite antiviral therapy and inotropic support in the intensive care unit, the patient died. Simultaneous VZV hepatitis and pancreatitis in solid organ transplant recipients is uncommon. The new inactivated VZV vaccines have the potential to prevent post‐transplant infections, with promising early clinical data on safety and efficacy in renal transplant recipients. VZV is an important preventable infection that should be considered in immunocompromised patients, even in the absence of rash.
Oncolytic activity of canine distemper virus in canine mammary tubular adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Li Peiran , Wang Jigui , Chen Gaoxiang , Zhang Xiaomei , Lin Degui , Zhou Yun , Yu Yongle , Liu Weiquan , Zhang Di
Published: February 2019

Canine distemper virus (CDV), bearing a close resemblance to measles virus, represents a promising candidate for oncolytic therapy; however, its application and underlying oncolytic mechanisms in canine mammary carcinoma cells remain to be explored. Here, we found that an attenuated canine distemper vaccine strain, CDV‐L, efficiently infected and inhibited the growth of canine mammary tubular adenocarcinoma CIPp cells but not MDCK cells in vitro. Transcriptomic analysis of CDV‐L‐infected CIPp cells revealed substantially differentially expressed genes in apoptotic and NF‐κB signalling pathways. Subsequent validations confirmed that CDV‐L‐induced apoptosis of CIPp cells through the caspase‐8 and caspase‐3 pathway. Identification of phosphorylated‐IκBα, phosphorylated‐p65 and the nuclear translocation of p65 confirmed the activation of the NF‐κB signalling pathway. Inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway abrogated CDV‐L‐induced cleaved‐caspase‐3 and cleaved‐PARP. In a CIPp subcutaneous xenograft mouse model, intratumoural injections of CDV‐L significantly restricted tumour growth without apparent pathology, and virus remained localized within the tumour. Taken altogether, these findings indicate that CDV‐L exerts an antitumour effect in CIPp cells, and that apoptosis and the NF‐κB pathway play essential roles in this process.
The Use of Data Collected From mHealth Apps to Inform Evidence‐Based Quality Improvement: An Integrative Review
Authors: Radbron Emma , Wilson Valerie , McCance Tanya , Middleton Rebekkah
Published: February 2019

Background

The global acceptance and use of technology in health care has resulted in an abundance of mobile health (mHealth) applications (apps) available for use in the delivery and improvement of care. With so many apps available to patients and clinicians, it is important to understand how data from apps are being used to inform quality improvement in practice.

Aim

The aim of this integrative review is to establish current knowledge of how mHealth apps are used to produce data to inform quality improvement in health care.

Methods

Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Medline Plus Full Text databases were searched for peer‐reviewed papers written in English. The inclusion criteria comprised of full‐text, empirical research studies relating to mobile health application use (not development) in clinical care.

Results

Nineteen studies met inclusion criteria. The functions of the apps outlined in the studies can be summarized into four different categories: communication, illness management, clinical management, and education/information. The types of data collected by the apps included numerical, textual, photographic, and graphical with several apps able to collect a variety of data types. Analysis of the studies showed that although data collection is rarely outlined as the explicit purpose of mHealth apps, data collected through such technology are and can be used to inform practice change both in real time and retrospectively.

Linking Evidence to Action

This review highlights while this is an emerging area, data obtained from mHealth apps can and are being used to inform quality improvement in health care. Further research is required in this area to adequately understand how data from mHealth apps can be used to produce quality improvement, specifically in relation to nursing. This review also highlights a need for the development of apps that aim to capture data to inform quality improvement, particularly from the patient perspective.
A Needs Assessment for the Development of a Performance Appraisal System for Government Employees at the Provincial Statistical Office
Authors: Khoungsimma Pornweenus , Phusee-orn Songsak
Published: February 2019

This study aimed at two main objectives. The first objective is to perform a needs assessment for the development of a performance appraisal system for government employees. The second objective was to examine the guidelines on the development of the performance appraisal system for government employees. The findings of the study included the followings.The performance appraisal system for government employees indicated a significant difference (Z* = 15.55, P-value = 0.00) between the current conditions and expected conditions. The performance appraisal system for government employees was at a critical level of the need for development (PNImodified = 0.40).The guidelines for the development of the performance appraisal system are the following. First, the inputs should clearly define the workload as well as the metrics and mutual evaluation criteria between the evaluator and the evaluates. Second, the process of the performance appraisal system should be conducted in the using an evaluation committee. A periodic performance monitoring system can be used to review the scoring rubrics of all evaluators. Third, the output of the performance appraisal report must show a clear scoring scale. Suggestions should be presented to tell the evaluator what has been observed. Fourth, feedback can divide government employees into 3 groups: 1) very good and excellent, admire the past performance, 2) good and fair , focus on acceptable and must-be-improved behaviors, and 3) must-be-improved , focus on what needs to be improved to make better performance as soon as possible.
The Effect Of Core Training On Some Motoric Features Of University Footballers
Authors: Afyon Yakup Akif
Published: February 2019

In this study, the effect of core training on some motor features of universıty footballers has been examined. 36 footballers both studying at Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University in Muğla, Turkey and playing in amateur leagues participated in the study. 18 university footballers of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Sports Club who play in Muğla Super Amateur League formed the experimental group (EG) (Age X = 21.4 ± 2.12 years, Height X = 174.3 ± 6.84 cm and Weight X = 75.9 ± 8,43 kg ). 18 footballers with amateur licences who play in the Faculty of Economics and Adiministrative Sciences, train regularly and play in the university faculty matches formed the control group (CG) (Age X = 21,6 ± 2.56 years, Height X = 176.7 ± 7.13 cm and Weight X = 76.3 ± 8.43 kg). The required permissions were obtained and the students filled in the “Admission Consent Forms” before the applications. The trainings were done in the football field of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University and the measurements were taken in the Faculty of Sports Sciences Physiology Laboratory. The 10-movements core training programme for eight weeks was applied to the EG footballers in addition to their weekly 2-day football training when the footballers in the CG continued their regular trainings.Before the study, the leg strength, back strength, right-left hand griping strength, flexibility, and vertical jump measurement were taken as pre-test values. After the 8-week training, the final measurements of the EG and the CG were taken. The comparison between the Pretest and Posttest was studied statistically with paired sample t test at 0.05 significance levelConsequently it was determined the that the 8-week Core Training provided the undergradute footballers with an improvement of their the leg strength, back strength, right hand griping strength and vertical jump (p<0.05). No improvement in flexibility features was observed.
Young Children’s Theory of Mind: Home Literacy Environment, Technology Usage, and Preschool Education
Authors: Altun Dilek
Published: February 2019

Theory of mind (ToM) skills involve young children’s mentalizing ability to be aware of their own selves and other individuals’ thoughts, beliefs, desires, and intentions (mental states). The social cognition skills are essential for processing complex social relations and overcoming interpersonal difficulties in communication. Previous studies shed light on the relationship of parenting and demographics to children’s ToM skills, but do not examine the associations with both home environment and preschool education experiences. The goal of the present study is to investigate children’s preschool education experience, home literacy environment (HLE), and technology usage in relation to their ToM skills. Participants were 203 preschoolers and their parents. The study data were collected using a home literacy environment questionnaire (HLEQ), theory of mind scale, and a demographic information form. The findings revealed that (a) children’s ToM scores are not differentiated regarding gender, excluding the diverse belief tasks, b) children’s ToM performances were differentiated in favor of children who have internet access at home, c) HLE, child age, daily TV watching, household income, maternal education, preschool experience, and shared book reading explained 46% of the total variance of preschoolers’ ToM scores.
Gene expression variability in human skeletal muscle transcriptome responses to acute resistance exercise
Authors: Bonafiglia Jacob T. , Menzies Keir J. , Gurd Brendon J.
Published: February 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Does exercise, independent of random error and within‐subject variability, contribute to the variability in gene expression responses to an acute bout of resistance exercise?

What is the main finding and its importance?

A reanalysis of publicly available microarray data revealed that variability in observed gene expression responses for a subset of genes could be partially attributable to an effect of acute resistance exercise. These finding support the notion that individual responsiveness explains a portion of the variability in observed gene expression responses to acute resistance exercise.

The purpose of this study was to use publicly available transcriptomic data to determine whether variability in gene expression responses to an acute bout of acute resistance exercise (ARE) can be attributable to an effect of ARE per se. We examined microarray data from a previous study that collected skeletal muscle biopsies before and 24 h after ARE or a no‐exercise time‐matched control period (CTL). By subtracting the standard deviation in the observed responses to CTL from ARE, we determined that ARE contributed to the variability in the observed gene expression responses for many (∼31,000), but not all, transcripts included on the Affymetrix Human Genome chips. ARE had a large effect on variability in the observed gene expression responses in 1290 genes that was not attributed to any technical/biological variability associated with repeated measurements. Pathway analysis using WebGestalt revealed that several of these 1290 genes are involved in pathways known to regulate skeletal muscle adaptations to chronic resistance training. These results suggest that variability in the observed gene expression responses for a subset of genes could be partially attributable to an effect of ARE.
Respiratory disturbances in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Oliveira Luiz M. , Oliveira Maria A. , Moriya Henrique T. , Moreira Thiago S. , Takakura Ana C.
Published: February 2019

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Clinical reports have described and suggested central and peripheral respiratory abnormalities in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients; however, these reports have never addressed the occurrence of these abnormalities in an animal model.

What is the main finding and its importance?

A mouse model of PD has reduced neurokinin‐1 receptor immunoreactivity in the pre‐Bӧtzinger complex and Phox2b‐expressing neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus. The PD mouse has impairments of respiratory frequency and the hypercapnic ventilatory response. Lung collagen deposition and ribcage stiffness appear in PD mice.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative motor disorder characterized by dopaminergic deficits in the brain. Parkinson's disease patients may experience shortness of breath, dyspnoea, breathing difficulties and pneumonia, which can be linked as a cause of morbidity and mortality of those patients. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether a mouse model of PD could develop central brainstem and lung respiratory abnormalities. Adult male C57BL/6 mice received bilateral injections of 6‐hydroxydopamine (10 μg μl−1; 0.5 μl) or vehicle into the striatum. Ventilatory parameters were assessed in the 40 days after induction of PD, by whole‐body plethysmography. In addition, measurements of respiratory input impedance (closed and opened thorax) were performed. 6‐Hydroxydopamine reduced the number of tyrosine hydroxylase neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, the density of neurokinin‐1 receptor immunoreactivity in the pre‐Bӧtzinger complex and the number of Phox2b neurons in the retrotrapezoid nucleus. Physiological experiments revealed a reduction in resting respiratory frequency in PD animals, owing to an increase in expiratory time and a blunted hypercapnic ventilatory response. Measurements of respiratory input impedance showed that only PD animals with the thorax preserved had increased viscance, indicating that the ribcage could be stiff in this animal model of PD. Consistent with stiffened ribcage mechanics, abnormal collagen deposits in alveolar septa and airways were observed in PD animals. Our data showed that our mouse model of PD presented with neurodegeneration in respiratory brainstem centres and disruption of lung mechanical properties, suggesting that both central and peripheral deficiencies contribute to PD‐related respiratory pathologies.
Design of a Variable-Mobility Linkage Using the Bohemian Dome
Authors: López-Custodio P. C. , Dai J. S.
Published: February 2019

A new method is presented for the design of kinematotropic linkages based on 2-DOF kinematic chains that generate more than one surface. As an example of the proposed method, a kinematotropic linkage is obtained by studying a special case of the Bohemian dome which has two different parametrizations constructed by translation of circles and, therefore, two different hybrid kinematic chains can be designed to generate the same Bohemian dome. Each of these hybrid kinematic chains can generate two different surfaces and, thus, can be used in the proposed method. Parametrizations for the secondary surfaces are then obtained and studied. A total of 27 motion branches are found in the configuration space of this kinematotropic linkage. The singularities in the configuration space are further determined using the properties of the surfaces. The resultant linkage offers an explanation of Wholhart’s queer-square linkage other than its original paper folding. As part of the analysis of this example, the relationship between the properties of self-intersections in generated surfaces and the configuration space of the generator linkage is studied for the first time, leading to a description of motion branches related to self-intersections of generated surfaces.
Improved performance and stability of In-Sn-Zn-O thin film transistor by introducing a meso-crystalline ZrO2 high-k gate insulator
Authors: Choi Wan-Ho , Sheng Jiazhen , Jeong Hyun-Jun , Park Jin-Seong , Kim MinJung , Jeon Woojin
Published: February 2019

Electrical characteristics and reliability of an In-Sn-Zn-O (ITZO) thin film transistor (TFT) using ZrO2 as a high-k gate insulator were investigated. Varying the atomic layer deposition process temperature caused differences in the ZrO2 thin film chemical state and microstructure. Corresponding changes in the electrical properties of the thin film were evaluated. While the ZrO2 thin film deposited at 300 °C exhibited an excellent thin film property, the best TFT performance as measured by subthreshold swing, effective mobility, and on/off ratio was achieved with deposition at 250 °C. The formation of meso-crystalline structure and subsequent low leakage current density enhanced the TFT performance along with the suppression of Coulombic scattering and interface defect formation. Moreover, the reliability of the TFT was demonstrated using both positive and negative bias temperature stress measurements.
Flaw detection with ultrasonic backscatter signal envelopes
Authors: Song Yongfeng , Kube Christopher M. , Peng Zuoxiang , Turner Joseph A. , Li Xiongbing
Published: February 2019

Ultrasound is a prominent nondestructive testing modality for the detection, localization, and sizing of defects in engineering materials. Often, inspectors analyze ultrasonic waveforms to determine if echoes, which stem from the scattering of ultrasound from a defect, exceed a threshold value. In turn, the initial selection of the threshold value is critical. In this letter, a time-dependent threshold or upper bound for the signal envelope is developed based on the statistics governing the scattering of ultrasound from microstructure. The utility of the time-dependent threshold is demonstrated using experiments conducted on sub-wavelength artificial defects. The results are shown to enhance current nondestructive inspection practices.
Combination of Cystatins 9 and C Modulates Serum Biomarkers Associated with Inflammation and Provides Prophylactic as Well as Long-Term Protection against Multidrug-ResistantKlebsiella pneumoniae
Authors: Holloway Alex J. , Yu JiehJuen , Arulanandam Bernard P. , Milligan Gregg N. , Eaves-Pyles Tonyia D.
Published: February 2019

We have identified recombinant human cystatins 9 (rCST9) and C (rCSTC) as a combination immunotherapeutic treatment against multidrug-resistant (MDR) New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1 (NDM-1)-producingKlebsiella pneumoniae. We evaluated the lasting protection of rCST9/rCSTC treatment against MDR NDM-1K. pneumoniaepneumonia.
Iron/Heme Metabolism-Targeted Gallium(III) Nanoparticles Are Active against Extracellular and Intracellular
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and
Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Choi Seoung-ryoung , Britigan Bradley E. , Narayanasamy Prabagaran
Published: February 2019

Iron/heme acquisition systems are critical for microorganisms to acquire iron from the human host, where iron sources are limited due to the nutritional immune system and insolubility of the ferric form of iron. Prior work has shown that a variety of gallium compounds can interfere with bacterial iron acquisition.
Analysis of the mRNAs in Spores of Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Korza George , Camilleri Emily , Green Joshua , Robinson Janelle , Nagler Katja , Moeller Ralf , Caimano Melissa J. , Setlow Peter
Published: February 2019

Previous work indicates that dormant
Bacillus subtilis
spores have many hundreds of mRNAs, some of which are suggested to play roles in spores’ “return to life” or revival. The present work finds only ∼46 mRNAs at ≥1 molecule spore, with others in only fractions of spores in populations, often very small fractions. Less-abundant spore mRNAs are not contaminants in spore preparations, but how spores accumulate them is not clear. Almost all abundant spore mRNAs are synthesized in the developing spore late in its development, most encode proteins in spores, and abundant mRNAs in spores are relatively stable at 4°C. These findings will have a major impact on thinking about the roles that spore mRNAs may play in spore revival.
Turnip Mosaic Virus Is a Second Example of a Virus Using Transmission Activation for Plant-to-Plant Propagation by Aphids
Authors: Berthelot Edwige , Ducousso Marie , Macia Jean-Luc , Bogaert Florent , Baecker Volker , Thébaud Gaël , Gallet Romain , Yvon Michel , Blanc Stéphane , Khelifa Mounia , Drucker Martin
Published: February 2019

Transmission activation, i.e., a viral response to the presence of vectors on infected hosts that regulates virus acquisition and thus transmission, is an only recently described phenomenon. It implies that viruses contribute actively to their transmission, something that has been shown before for many other pathogens but not for viruses. However, transmission activation has been described so far for only one virus, and it was unknown whether other viruses also rely on transmission activation. Here we present evidence that a second virus uses transmission activation, suggesting that it is a general transmission strategy.
The IκB Kinases Restrict Human Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Goodwin Christopher M. , Munger Joshua
Published: February 2019

Innate immune signaling is a critical defense against viral infection and represents a central host-virus interaction that frequently determines the outcomes of infections. NF-κB signaling is an essential component of innate immunity that is extensively modulated by HCMV, a significant cause of morbidity in neonates and immunosuppressed individuals. However, the roles that various facets of NF-κB signaling play during HCMV infection have remained elusive. We find that the two major regulatory kinases in this pathway, IKKα and IKKβ, limit the initiation of infection, viral replication, and cell-to-cell spread. In addition, our results indicate that these kinases contribute differently to the host cell response to infection in the absence of a virally encoded NF-κB inhibitor, U
L
26. Given the importance of NF-κB in viral infection, elucidating the contributions of various NF-κB constituents to infection is an essential first step toward the possibility of targeting this pathway therapeutically.
Whole-Genome Sequencing of Two Extensively Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from India
Authors: Rufai Syed Beenish , Singh Sarman
Published: February 2019

The emergence of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) presents a considerable challenge and a public health concern due to the high mortality rate of this disease. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of XDR-TB isolates is thus essential for understanding the mechanism of drug resistance.
Complete Genome Assembly of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis IP2666pIB1
Authors: Zoubeidi Adam , Schwiesow Leah , Auerbuch Victoria , Lam Hanh N.
Published: February 2019

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
, closely related to
Yersinia pestis
, is a human pathogen and model organism for studying bacterial pathogenesis. To aid in genomic analysis and understanding bacterial virulence, we sequenced and assembled the complete genome of the human pathogen
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis
IP2666pIB1.
Complete Genome Sequences of Human Astrovirus Prototype Strains (Types 1 to 8)
Authors: Castro Christina J. , Reynolds Emily , Monroe Stephan S. , Marine Rachel L. , Vinjé Jan
Published: February 2019

We report the complete genome sequences of the eight human astrovirus Oxford prototype strains. These sequences share 94.9% to 99.9% nucleotide identity with open reading frame 2 (ORF2) genes of astrovirus genomes previously deposited in GenBank and include the first complete genome of human astrovirus type 7.
Draft Genome Sequence of the UV-Resistant Antarctic Bacterium
Sphingomonas
sp. Strain UV9
Authors: Marizcurrena Juan J. , Morales Danilo , Smircich Pablo , Castro-Sowinski Susana
Published: February 2019

We report the draft genome sequence of the Antarctic UV-resistant bacterium
Sphingomonas
sp. strain UV9. The strain has a genome size of 4.25 Mb, a 65.62% GC content, and 3,879 protein-coding sequences.
The role of magma injection and crystal sorting in the formation of early gabbros at the Coldwell Complex, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Cao Yong-hua , Good David J. , Linnen Robert L. , Samson Iain M.
Published: February 2019

The Layered Series of the Midcontinent Rift related Coldwell Complex comprises thick sections of gabbro, without any known associated ultramafic rocks. It represents a major early intrusive unit of the Coldwell Complex and consists of thick accumulations of olivine gabbro and oxide augite melatroctolite. This study combines petrography, mineral chemistry, and lithogeochemistry to constrain the magma composition and petrogenesis of the Layered Series. The presence of cumulus orthoclase together with the observation that the Layered Series rocks plot in the alkaline field on a total alkali–silica diagram indicate that the Layered Series magma has an alkaline parentage. The stratigraphy of the Layered Series cannot be fully correlated between different areas using lithogeochemistry and mineral chemistry. This together with observed normal and reverse trends for mineral chemical compositions in different areas suggest that the processes related to magma emplacement and crystallization were different in different locations. The whole-rock concentrations of incompatible elements and the compositions of major minerals of the olivine gabbro and oxide augite melatroctolite units are chemically similar. However, major element lithogeochemistry is variable, dominantly due to differences in the abundances of olivine, clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and magnetite. An additional observation is that olivine and clinopyroxene are not in chemical equilibrium. Together, these observations are interpreted to reflect a combination of multiple injections of magma and crystal sorting in an open system.
Fluid compartmentalization of Devonian and Mississippian dolostones, Western Canada Sedimentary Basin: petrologic and geochemical evidence from fracture mineralization
Authors: Al-Aasm Ihsan S. , Mrad Carole , Packard Jeffery
Published: February 2019

Integrated petrographic, geochemical, and fluid inclusion study of fracture mineralization and associated host rock in selected Mississippian and Devonian carbonates extending from southeastern Alberta to northwestern British Columbia, Canada, aims to quantify the type and nature of fluid precipitated saddle dolomite and late calcite cement and their origin. Petrographic and isotopic evidence from both the Devonian and Mississippian fracture-filling carbonates indicate the presence of a hydrothermal fluid source. The δ18O isotopic values for the Devonian saddle dolomite (−14.62‰ to −3.75‰ VPDB, average −11.12‰) combined with enriched 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios (0.70827–0.71599, average 0.71006) and higher homogenization temperatures (Th = 74–194.6 °C, average 126.8 °C) and salinity values (7.7–26.6 wt.% NaCl, average 16.2 wt.% NaCl) show significant differences from the Mississippian saddle dolomite, which is characterized by less negative δ18O isotopic values (−12.53‰ to −7.82‰ VPDB, average −9.14‰), less radiogenic 87Sr/86Sr isotopic ratios (0.70859–0.70943, average 0.70887), and lower homogenization temperatures (Th) and salinity values of fluid inclusions (87.6–214.2 °C, average 136.3 °C; 2.0–13.2 wt.% NaCl, average 9.6 wt.% NaCl). Later fracture- and vug-rimming blocky calcite cement records comparable or slightly lower values of δ18O (−16.31‰ to −4.08‰ VPDB, average −9.76‰) and 87Sr/86Sr (0.70784–0.709743, average 0.70868) and much lower salinity values (0–22.5 wt.% NaCl, average 2.86 wt.% NaCl) for samples mostly from the Mississippian age group. These results possibly suggest two different hydrothermal episodes related to early (Antler) and late (Laramide) tectonic events that affected the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin with possible compartmentalization of hydrothermal systems and their associated brines in the basin.
Design of an X-ray undulator: optimization considerations for SASE operation
Authors: Ketenoglu Bora , Aydin Ayhan , Yavas Omer
Published: February 2019

Accelerator-based fourth-generation light sources, namely, free-electron lasers (FELs), offer unique radiation characteristics, such as tunable, coherent, high-power, ultra-short pulses. They rely on novel technology with challenging parameters, from which the practicability is currently being proved by world-class facilities like the European XFEL, LCLS, FLASH, and SACLA. When contriving such superior light characteristics, “state-of-the-art” linear accelerator (linac) and undulator technologies come into prominence. In this respect, design and simulation studies for a planar X-ray undulator are considered to optimize the FEL generation process by self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE). Three main performance parameters for SASE operation (i.e., 1D gain length, saturation power, and saturation length) are compared and discussed by means of numerical calculations and simulation results. It is shown that hard X-ray FEL pulses (down to sub-angstroms) are generable via in-vacuum hybrid undulators driven by an 8 GeV electron linac.
Fast-Transient-Response Low-Voltage Integrated, Interleaved DC–DC Converter for Implantable Devices
Authors: Shirazi Najmeh Cheraghi , Jannesari Abumoslem , Torkzadeh Pooya
Published: February 2019

A new self-start-up switched-capacitor charge pump is proposed for low-power, low-voltage and battery-less implantable applications. To minimize output voltage ripple and improve transient response, interleaving regulation technique is applied to a multi-stage Cross-Coupled Charge Pump (CCCP) circuit. It splits the power flow in a time-sequenced manner. Three cases of study are designed and investigated with body-biasing technique by auxiliary transistors: Four-stage Two-Branch CCCP (TBCCCP), the two-cell four-stage Interleaved Two-Branch CCCP (ITBCCCP2) and four-cell four-stage Interleaved Two-Branch CCCP (ITBCCCP4). Multi-phase nonoverlap clock generator circuit with body-biasing technique is also proposed which can operate at voltages as low as CCCP circuits. The proposed circuits are designed with input voltage as low as 300 to 400[Formula: see text]mV and 20[Formula: see text]MHz clock frequency for 1[Formula: see text]pF load capacitance. Among the three designs, ITBCCCP4 has the lowest ramp-up time (41.6% faster), output voltage ripple (29% less) and power consumption (19% less). The Figure-Of-Merit (FOM) of ITBCCCP4 is the highest value among two others. For 400[Formula: see text]mV input voltage, ITBCCCP4 has a 98.3% pumping efficiency within 11.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s, while having a maximum voltage ripple of 0.1% and a power consumption as low as 2.7[Formula: see text]nW. The FOM is 0.66 for this circuit. The designed circuits are implemented in 180-nm standard CMOS technology with an effective chip area of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m for TBCCCP, [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m for ITBCCCP2 and [Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m for ITBCCCP4.
Center Conditions and Bifurcation of Limit Cycles Created from a Class of Second-Order ODEs
Authors: Wu Yusen , Li Hongwei , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a class of second-order ODEs is investigated. First of all, a method of computing singular point values is established for this kind of systems. Then, two classes of second-order ODEs are studied to illustrate the efficiency of the method, and the center conditions and bifurcation of limit cycles are obtained. Above all, center conditions of a class of non-polynomial systems are classified by using this method.
Bipolar Pulse-Induced Coexisting Firing Patterns in Two-Dimensional Hindmarsh–Rose Neuron Model
Authors: Bao Han , Hu Aihuang , Liu Wenbo
Published: February 2019

In this paper, a bipolar pulse (BP) current is taken to mimic a periodic stimulus effect on the membrane potential in the axon of a neuron. By introducing the BP current to substitute the externally applied constant current, a BP-forced two-dimensional Hindmarsh–Rose (HR) neuron model is proposed. Based on the proposed neuron model, the BP-switched equilibrium point and its stability evolution with the periodic variation in time are explored. Furthermore, coexisting asymmetric attractors (or coexisting firing patterns) with bistability are revealed by phase plane orbits, time sequences, and attraction basins, as well as the BP-induced coexisting asymmetric attractors’ behaviors are then elaborated through bifurcation analysis. The research results exhibit that, with the increase of the time, the stabilities of the neuron model are continually switched between an unstable node-focus and a stable point, resulting in the coexisting behaviors of numerous asymmetric attractors under the specified initials. Consequently, the newly introduced BP current stimulus, instead of the original constant current stimulus, allows the two-dimensional HR neuron model to possess complex dynamical behaviors for the membrane potential. Additionally, a hardware breadboard is fabricated and circuit experiments are carried out to validate the numerical simulations.