bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Driving working memory with frequency‐tuned noninvasive brain stimulation
Authors: Albouy Philippe , Baillet Sylvain , Zatorre Robert J.
Published: April 2018

Frequency‐tuned noninvasive brain stimulation is a recent approach in cognitive neuroscience that involves matching the frequency of transcranially applied electromagnetic fields to that of specific oscillatory components of the underlying neurophysiology. The objective of this method is to modulate ongoing/intrinsic brain oscillations, which correspond to rhythmic fluctuations of neural excitability, to causally change behavior. We review the impact of frequency‐tuned noninvasive brain stimulation on the research field of human working memory. We argue that this is a powerful method to probe and understand the mechanisms of memory functions, targeting specifically task‐related oscillatory dynamics, neuronal representations, and brain networks. We report the main behavioral and neurophysiological outcomes published to date, in particular, how functionally relevant oscillatory signatures in signal power and interregional connectivity yield causal changes of working memory abilities. We also present recent developments of the technique that aim to modulate cross‐frequency coupling in polyrhythmic neural activity. Overall, the method has led to significant advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of systems neuroscience, and the role of brain oscillations in cognition and behavior. We also emphasize the translational impact of noninvasive brain stimulation techniques in the development of therapeutic approaches.
Intra‐oral noma‐like lesion associated with acute myeloid leukaemia: a case report
Authors: Chatzipantelis A. , Atkin P. A.
Published: April 2018

Acute myeloid leukaemia is a malignancy of the white blood cells that can develop in both children and adults with rapid development and possible intra‐oral manifestations.

This report describes a case involving a 50‐year‐old patient who was referred to the Emergency Department of a University Dental Hospital complaining of severe intra‐oral ulceration, spontaneous intra‐oral bleeding and generalised fatigue and malaise. Examination revealed the existence of an erythematous intra‐oral necrotising, noma‐like, ulceration in the posterior area of the right buccal mucosa. The patient was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia.

Acute myeloid leukaemia develops rapidly and the initial symptoms may be non‐specific. Patients may demonstrate intra‐oral manifestations; most common symptoms include spontaneous gingival bleeding, gingival enlargement and acute ulceration. Ulceration with necrotising (noma‐like) characteristics is a rare oral manifestation of acute myeloid leukaemia, the cause of which is yet unknown. Fewer than 10 cases have been reported in the international literature.

Intra‐oral pathology can be an early indicator of significant medical pathology. A dental practitioner is likely to be the first point of contact for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia due to the unusual or painful nature of the intra‐oral pathology; identification of suspicious signs and symptoms can lead to early detection and treatment.

Clinical relevance Leukaemia may present initially to dental practitioners because of a high incidence of early intra‐oral signs and symptoms. A high index of suspicion for underlying systemic disease will lead to prompt onward referral for specialist investigations.

Oral presentations may include spontaneous gingival bleeding and gingival enlargement. A rare oral presentation of acute myeloid leukaemia is deep and severe oral ulceration presenting as a noma‐like lesion, which we present here.
Commercial Buildings Capital Consumption and the United States National Accounts
Authors: Bokhari Sheharyar , Geltner David
Published: April 2018

Commercial buildings are a major asset class, over 30 percent of the value of the stock of all produced assets according to the BEA. Yet, US commercial buildings depreciation has not been comprehensively studied since the highly influential work of Hulten and Wykoff almost 40 years ago. This paper's major contributions include: (i) More flexible and precise estimation of the net depreciation value/age profile, allowing much finer characterization of the building life cycle; (ii) Explicit quantification of the land value component of commercial property value, enabling net depreciation to be quantified as a fraction of remaining structure value; (iii) Inclusion of capital improvement expenditures, allowing estimates of “gross depreciation” (total capital consumption); and (iv) Implications of the paper's findings to and for the national accounts.
Factors Shaping Policy Learning: A Study of Policy Actors in Subnational Climate and Energy Issues
Authors: Pattison Andrew
Published: April 2018

The concept of learning has long played a central role in the theories and frameworks used to understand policy processes. Findings described here aim to contribute to the theoretical and methodological understanding of individual learning in the policy process by explicitly examining belief change and belief reinforcement as products of policy learning, measuring both, as well as measuring the absence of either. The objective of this study is to use the lens of the Advocacy Coalition Framework to examine some of the factors that promote and shape policy learning, including policy actors' beliefs and the extent to which policy actors engage in various policy activities within and between belief coalitions. The results indicate that extreme beliefs are associated with belief reinforcement, relative to policy actors with more moderate beliefs, and that collaboration with individuals with differing policy views is associated with belief change.
Participating in A Panel Survey Changes Respondents’ Labour Market Behaviour
Authors: Bach Ruben L. , Eckman Stephanie
Published: April 2018

Panel survey participation can bring about unintended changes in respondents’ behaviour and/or their reporting of behaviour. Using administrative data linked to a large panel survey, we analyse whether the survey brings about changes in respondents’ labour market behaviour. We estimate the causal effect of panel participation on the take-up of federal labour market programmes by using instrumental variables. Results show that panel survey participation leads to an increase in respondents’ take-up of these measures. These results suggest that panel survey participation not only affects the reporting of behaviour, as previous studies have demonstrated, but can also alter respondents’ actual behaviour.
Innovative soil management for sustainable pomegranate cultivation on skeletal soils
Authors: Marathe R. A. , Sharma Jyotsana , Murkute A. A.
Published: April 2018

An innovative planting technique for pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cv. Bhagwa in gravelly, shallow soils was standardized. Trapezoidal pits were dug in skeletal soils and filled with various types of soils, namely, gravelly, loamy, clayey, clayey mixed with sand and weathered rock. The clayey soil had the highest capacity to supply macronutrients (available N: 376.1, P: 47.1 and K: 761.6 kg/ha), and the loamy soil had the highest capacity to supply micronutrients (available Fe: 19.2, Cu: 8.1 and Zn: 1.83 ppm). The highest Mn (41.2 ppm), Zn (22.4 ppm), Cu (80.1 ppm) and chlorophyll (61.8) contents were observed in the leaves of plants grown in loamy soil. The highest number of hermaphrodite flowers was observed in loamy soil. Higher fruit quality in terms of higher juice content (49.3%), total soluble solids (TSS) in fruit juice (15.7°B) and TSS:acid ratio (37.8) was produced in light‐textured soil. The highest fruit yield (4.28 t/ha) and cost‐benefit ratio (3.85) were obtained in clayey soil up to 0.60 m depth. This produced a 90.2% increase in yield, while total income was 147.4% higher than that obtained with weathered rock. However, when the pits were filled with clayey soils up to 1.20 m depth, disease prevalence increased, and yield was markedly reduced, to 2.25 t/ha. Thus, it may be concluded that skeletal soils could be used for pomegranate cultivation by refilling rhizosphere soil strata with clayey or loamy soil material up to 0.60 m depth.
Unresponsiveness to meglumine antimoniate in anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis field isolates: analysis of resistance biomarkers by gene expression profiling
Authors: Oliaee Razieh Tavakoli , Sharifi Iraj , Afgar Ali , Kareshk Amir Tavakoli , Asadi Arash , Heshmatkhah Amireh , Bamorovat Mehdi , Jafarzadeh Abdollah , Mohammadi Mohammad Ali , Daneshvar Hamid
Published: April 2018

Background

Resistance to antimonials is a fundamental determinant of treatment failure in anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). Detection of reliable molecular markers to distinguish unresponsive and responsive parasites is critical for consolidating strategies to monitor drug efficacy.

Methods

We analysed the expression of five major antimony resistance‐associated genes that is aquaglyceroporin1 (AQP1), γ‐glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ‐GCS), multidrug resistance protein A (MRPA), trypanothione reductase (TR) and thiol‐dependent reductase 1 (TDR1), in unresponsive and responsive Leishmania tropica field isolates by quantitative real‐time PCR in comparison with sensitive and resistant reference strains.

Results

Gene expression analysis showed the down‐regulation of AQP1, γ‐GCS and TDR1 by a factor of 1.9, 1.7 and 3.55, respectively, in unresponsive isolates vs. responsive ones. The average RNA expression level of MRPA increased by a factor of 1.9 in the unresponsive group. Isolates exhibited a strong positive linear correlation between gene expression of AQP1 and γ‐GCS. A negative correlation between the AQP1 and γ‐GCS expression level and lesion duration in responsive patients indicated the potential role in diagnosing drug‐unresponsive parasites in endemic areas of ACL.

Conclusion

In cases of inconclusive outcomes of resistance tests in clinical isolates, expression analysis of a set of influential genes can be beneficial to identify distinctive biomarkers between antimony‐unresponsive and responsive parasites.
Granulocyte antibodies in male blood donors: can they trigger transfusion‐related acute lung injury?
Authors: Nguyen Xuan‐Duc , Schulze Torsten J. , Bugert Peter , Lauber‐Härtl Stephanie , Schulz‐Linkholt Monika , González‐Schulze Karen , Reil Angelika , Dengler Thomas , Panzer Simon , Seifried Erhard
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

White blood cell–associated antibodies can lead to transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI). Female donors with a history of pregnancies have been identified as a main cause for these antibodies. Male or female donors without a history of pregnancy are considered as safe donors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Following the identification of two TRALI cases associated with blood products from male donors, we investigated the frequency of granulocyte‐specific and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies in the entire blood donor population using a high throughput automated flow‐cytometry–based granulocyte immunofluorescence test (Flow‐GIFT). We investigated sera from 14,343 whole blood donors (female, n = 6974, 48.7%; male, n = 7369, 51.3%) using automated Flow‐GIFT. Of the female blood donors, 60.4% had a history of pregnancy. Positive sera were retested by the standard granulocyte immunofluorescence test and granulocyte agglutination test. For the detection of HLA Class I and II immunoglobulin G antibodies, we used a commercial screening enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

We detected in 924 (21.9%) of the 4212 females with a history of pregnancy antibodies against granulocyte antigens (n = 62, 1.5%), HLA Class I and/or II antigens (n = 864, 20.5%). Notably, in 3.5% (n = 96) of 2762 females without a history of pregnancy and in 2.1% (n = 154) of 7369 males antibodies against granulocyte antigens (n = 13, 0.47% and n = 45, 0.6%), HLA Class I and/or II (n = 83, 3% and n = 109, 1.4%, respectively), were also detected.

CONCLUSION

Human neutrophil antigen antibodies are rare in male and females without a history of pregnancy compared to females with a history of pregnancy, but their relevance is not negligible.
Additional palmaroproximal–palmarodistal oblique radiographic projections improve accuracy of detection and characterization of equine flexor cortical lysis
Authors: Johnson Sherry A. , Barrett Myra F. , Frisbie David D.
Published: April 2018

Radiographic flexor cortical lysis indicates advanced degenerative change and its earlier recognition may improve case outcome. Aims of this prospective, diagnostic accuracy study were to determine effects of radiographic beam angle and observer on accuracy of lesion detection. The sample included 36 limbs from 31 horses. Palmaroproximal–palmarodistal oblique (skyline) radiographs were acquired at standard (n = 38) and more shallow (alternate) angles (n = 58). Images were independently reviewed by four experience levels of five observers each (n = 20) for the presence and severity of flexor cortical lysis. Observers also reported their confidence in these answers. Responses were compared based on seeing a standard skyline or multiple projections. The definitive presence (or absence) and severity of lysis was based upon radiologist consensus agreement. When assessed by observer, the identification of lysis and the assessment of its severity was most similar to that of radiologists when observers of all levels of experience were able to view multiple skyline projections (P = 0.399, P = 0.174). Using multiple views to detect lysis resulted in improved sensitivity (85.3% vs. 97.2%, P < 0.001), decreased specificity (82.8% vs. 74.5%, P = 0.03), and improved interobserver agreement (86.0% vs. 90.2%, P = 0.21). On average, observers of all levels of experience became more confident viewing multiple projections (P < 0.001). Skyline radiographs using a flatter angle of incidence improve radiographic detection and characterization of flexor cortical lysis severity, may allow the beam to be tangential to the more distal portion of the navicular bone, and are recommended when flexor cortical lysis is suspected.
Modeling and Validation of a Web Ontology Language Based Disassembly Planning Information Model
Authors: Zhu Bicheng , Roy Utpal
Published: April 2018

Disassembly, a process of separating the end of life (EOL) product into discrete components for re-utilizing their associated residual values, is an important enabler for the sustainable manufacturing. This work focuses on the modeling of the disassembly planning related information and develops a disassembly information model (DIM) based on an extensive investigation of various informational aspects in the domain of disassembly planning. The developed DIM, which represents an appropriate systematization and classification of the products, processes, uncertainties, and degradations related information, follows a layered modeling methodology in which DIM is subdivided into layers with the intent to separate general knowledge into different levels of abstractions and reach a balance between information reusability and information usability. Two prototype disassembly planning related applications have been incorporated to validate the usability and reusability of the developed DIM.
Determination of MIC Distribution and Mechanisms of Decreased Susceptibility to Bedaquiline among Clinical Isolates of Mycobacterium abscessus
Authors: Li Bing , Ye Meiping , Guo Qi , Zhang Zhemin , Yang Shiyi , Ma Wei , Yu Fangyou , Chu Haiqing
Published: April 2018

Chemotherapeutic options against
Mycobacterium abscessus
infections are very limited. Bedaquiline, a new antituberculosis (anti-TB) drug, is effective for the treatment of multidrug-resistant TB. However, few data are available on bedaquiline for treatment of
M. abscessus
infections. In this study, we determined the profile for
in vitro
susceptibility of
M. abscessus
clinical isolates to bedaquiline and investigated the potential molecular mechanisms of decreased susceptibility. A total of 197
M. abscessus
clinical isolates were collected from sputum and bronchoalveolar fluid of patients with lung infections. Standard broth microdilution test revealed that bedaquiline exhibited high
in vitro
killing activity against
M. abscessus
isolates, with a MIC
50
of 0.062 and a MIC
90
of 0.125 mg/liter. Whole-genome sequencing data showed that no nonsynonymous mutation occurred in
atpE
, the gene encoding the bedaquiline-targeted protein. However, of 6 strains with decreased susceptibility of bedaquiline (MIC = 0.5 to 1 mg/liter), 3 strains had nonsynonymous mutations in
mab_4384
, the gene encoding the repressor of efflux pump MmpS5/MmpL5. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the expression of MmpS5/MmpL5 in the group with decreased susceptibility to bedaquiline was significantly higher than in those with medium MICs (MIC = 0.125 to 0.5 mg/liter) or in the low-MIC group (MIC ≤ 0.062 mg/liter). Two isolates with increased MICs did not show overexpression of MmpS5/MmpL5, which could not be explained by known molecular mechanisms. This is the first report showing the association of MmpS5/MmpL5 with decreased bedaquiline susceptibility in
M. abscessus
clinical isolates and suggesting the presence of other, yet-to-be identified mechanisms for decreased bedaquiline susceptibility in
M. abscessus
.
Yeast Cell Wall Chitin Reduces Wine Haze Formation
Authors: Ndlovu Thulile , Divol Benoit , Bauer Florian F.
Published: April 2018

Protein haze formation in bottled wines is a significant concern for the global wine industry, and wine clarification before bottling is therefore a common but expensive practice. Previous studies have shown that wine yeast strains can reduce haze formation through the secretion of certain mannoproteins, but it has been suggested that other yeast-dependent haze protective mechanisms exist. On the other hand, the addition of chitin has been shown to reduce haze formation, likely because grape chitinases have been shown to be the major contributors to haze. In this study, Chardonnay grape must fermented by various yeast strains resulted in wines with different protein haze levels, indicating differences in haze-protective capacities of the strains. The cell wall chitin levels of these strains were determined, and a strong correlation between cell wall chitin levels and haze protection capability was observed. To further evaluate the mechanism of haze protection,Escherichia coli-produced green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged grape chitinase was shown to bind efficiently to yeast cell walls in a cell wall chitin concentration-dependent manner, while commercial chitinase was removed from synthetic wine in quantities that also correlated with the cell wall chitin levels of the strains. Our findings suggest a new mechanism of reducing wine haze, and we propose a strategy for optimizing wine yeast strains to improve wine clarification.

IMPORTANCEIn this study, we establish a new mechanism by which wine yeast strains can impact the protein haze formation of wines, and we demonstrate that yeast cell wall chitin binds grape chitinase in a chitin concentration-dependent manner. We also show that yeast can remove this haze-forming protein from wine. Chitin has in the past been shown to efficiently reduce wine haze formation when added to the wine in high concentration as a clarifying agent. Our data suggest that the selection of yeast strains with high levels of cell wall chitin can reduce protein haze. We also investigate how yeast cell wall chitin levels are affected by environmental conditions.
Crystal Structure of Classical Swine Fever Virus NS5B Reveals a Novel N-Terminal Domain
Authors: Li Weiwei , Wu Baixing , Soca Wibowo Adian , An Lei
Published: April 2018

Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is the cause of classical swine fever (CSF). Nonstructural protein 5B (NS5B) is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) that is a key enzyme initiating viral RNA replication by a
de novo
mechanism. It is also an attractive target for the development of anti-CSFV drugs. To gain a better understanding of the mechanism of CSFV RNA synthesis, here, we solved the first crystal structure of CSFV NS5B. Our studies show that the CSFV NS5B RdRp contains the characteristic finger, palm, and thumb domains, as well as a unique N-terminal domain (NTD) that has never been observed. Mutagenesis studies on NS5B validated the importance of the NTD in the catalytic activity of this novel RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. Moreover, our results shed light on CSFV infection.

IMPORTANCE
Pigs are important domesticated animals. However, a highly contagious viral disease named classical swine fever (CSF) causes devastating economic losses. Classical swine fever virus (CSFV), the primary cause of CSF, is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus
Pestivirus
, family
Flaviviridae
. Genome replication of CSFV depends on an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) known as NS5B. However, the structure of CSFV NS5B has never been reported, and the mechanism of CSFV replication is poorly understood. Here, we solve the first crystal structure of CSFV NS5B and analyze the functions of the characteristic finger, palm, and thumb domains. Additionally, our structure revealed the presence of a novel N-terminal domain (NTD). Biochemical studies demonstrated that the NTD of CSFV NS5B is very important for RdRp activity. Collectively, our studies provide a structural basis for future rational design of anti-CSFV drugs, which is critically important, as no effective anti-CSFV drugs have been developed.
Antiviral Activity of HIV gp120-Targeting Bispecific T Cell Engager Antibody Constructs
Authors: Brozy Johannes , Schlaepfer Erika , Mueller Christina K. S. , Rochat Mary-Aude , Rampini Silvana K. , Myburgh Renier , Raum Tobias , Kufer Peter , Baeuerle Patrick A. , Muenz Markus , Speck Roberto F.
Published: April 2018

Today's gold standard in HIV therapy is combined antiretroviral therapy (cART). It requires strict adherence by patients and lifelong medication, which can lower the viral load below detection limits and prevent HIV-associated immunodeficiency but cannot cure patients. The bispecific T cell-engaging (BiTE) antibody technology has demonstrated long-term relapse-free outcomes in patients with relapsed and refractory acute lymphocytic leukemia. Here, we generated BiTE antibody constructs that target the HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 (HIV gp120) using either the scFv B12 or VRC01, the first two extracellular domains (1 + 2) of human CD4 alone or joined to the single chain variable fragment (scFv) of the antibody 17b fused to an anti-human CD3ε scFv. These engineered human BiTE antibody constructs showed engagement of T cells for redirected lysis of HIV gp120-transfected CHO cells. Furthermore, they substantially inhibited HIV-1 replication in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as well as in macrophages cocultured with autologous CD8+T cells, the most potent being the human CD4(1 + 2) BiTE [termed CD(1 + 2) h BiTE] antibody construct and the CD4(1 + 2)L17b BiTE antibody construct. The CD4(1 + 2) h BiTE antibody construct promoted HIV infection of human CD4−/CD8+T cells. In contrast, the neutralizing B12 and the VRC01 BiTE antibody constructs, as well as the CD4(1 + 2)L17b BiTE antibody construct, did not. Thus, BiTE antibody constructs targeting HIV gp120 are very promising for constraining HIV and warrant further development as novel antiviral therapy with curative potential.

IMPORTANCEHIV is a chronic infection well controlled with the current cART. However, we lack a cure for HIV, and the HIV pandemic goes on. Here, we showedin vitroandex vivothat a BiTE antibody construct targeting HIV gp120 resulted in substantially reduced HIV replication. In addition, these BiTE antibody constructs display efficient killing of gp120-expressing cells and inhibited replication inex vivoHIV-infected PBMCs or macrophages. We believe that BiTE antibody constructs recognizing HIV gp120 could be a very valuable strategy for a cure of HIV in combination with cART and compounds which reverse latency.
Glycan Binding Specificity and Mechanism of Human and Porcine P[6]/P[19] Rotavirus VP8*s
Authors: Sun Xiaoman , Li Dandi , Qi Jianxun , Chai Wengang , Wang Luyao , Wang Lihong , Peng Ruchao , Wang Han , Zhang Qing , Pang Lili , Kong Xiangyu , Wang Hong , Jin Miao , Gao George F. , Duan Zhaojun
Published: April 2018

Rotaviruses (RVs), which cause severe gastroenteritis in infants and children, recognize glycan ligands in a genotype-dependent manner via the distal VP8* head of the spike protein VP4. However, the glycan binding mechanisms remain elusive for the P[II] genogroup RVs, including the widely prevalent human RVs (P[8], P[4], and P[6]) and a rare P[19] RV. In this study, we characterized the glycan binding specificities of human and porcine P[6]/P[19] RV VP8*s and found that the P[II] genogroup RV VP8*s could commonly interact with mucin core 2, which may play an important role in RV evolution and cross-species transmission. We determined the first P[6] VP8* structure, as well as the complex structures of human P[19] VP8*, with core 2 and lacto-
N
-tetraose (LNT). A glycan binding site was identified in human P[19] VP8*. Structural superimposition and sequence alignment revealed the conservation of the glycan binding site in the P[II] genogroup RV VP8*s. Our data provide significant insight into the glycan binding specificity and glycan binding mechanism of the P[II] genogroup RV VP8*s, which could help in understanding RV evolution, transmission, and epidemiology and in vaccine development.

IMPORTANCE
Rotaviruses (RVs), belonging to the family
Reoviridae
, are double-stranded RNA viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in children and animals worldwide. Depending on the phylogeny of the VP8* sequences, P[6] and P[19] RVs are grouped into genogroup II, together with P[4] and P[8], which are widely prevalent in humans. In this study, we characterized the glycan binding specificities of human and porcine P[6]/P[19] RV VP8*s, determined the crystal structure of P[6] VP8*, and uncovered the glycan binding pattern in P[19] VP8*, revealing a conserved glycan binding site in the VP8*s of P[II] genogroup RVs by structural superimposition and sequence alignment. Our data suggested that mucin core 2 may play an important role in P[II] RV evolution and cross-species transmission. These data provide insight into the cell attachment, infection, epidemiology, and evolution of P[II] genogroup RVs, which could help in developing control and prevention strategies against RVs.
Efficacy of non-fovea-sparing ILM peeling for symptomatic myopic foveoschisis with and without macular hole
Authors: Al-Badawi Amer Hamad , Abdelhakim Mohamad Amr Salah Eddin , Macky Tamer Ahmed , Mortada Hassan Aly
Published: April 2018

Aim

To study anatomical and visual outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with non-fovea-sparing (entire) internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in eyes with myopic foveoschisis (MF).

Methods

Prospective interventional case series of eyes undergoing PPV with entire ILM peeling for symptomatic MF.

Main outcome measures

Preoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) epiretinal membrane, anomalous posterior vitreous detachment, vitreoschisis and postoperative changes in SD-OCT central foveal thickness (CFT), ellipsoid zone defect, foveal detachment (FD), macular hole (MH) diameter (if present) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR).

Results

This study included 21 eyes (21 patients) with mean age 60.4±13.1, 15 females (71.4%). All patients achieved complete postoperative reattachment by SD-OCT (no FD) 6 months post vitrectomy, with no iatrogenic intraoperative or postoperative MH, and with significant improvement in final BCVA from 1.6±0.30 to1.0±0.2 logMAR, and in CFT from 918.2±311.4 to182.3±33.1 µm. Patients were subdivided intosubgroup A:11 eyes without MH; andsubgroup B:10 eyes with MH, the latter had significant improvement in MH diameter (p=0.005). Preoperative BCVA was a significant risk factor for visual gain, while preoperative FD and CFT were significant for CFT change.

Conclusion

Vitrectomy with non-fovea-sparing (entire) ILM peeling resulted in a significant functional and anatomical improvement in eyes with MF with/without MH with no reported complications. Results are comparable to fovea-sparing ILM peeling.
Support for midlife anxiety diagnosis as an independent risk factor for dementia: a systematic review
Authors: Gimson Amy , Schlosser Marco , Huntley Jonathan D , Marchant Natalie L
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Anxiety is an increasingly recognised predictor of cognitive deterioration in older adults and in those with mild cognitive impairment. Often believed to be a prodromal feature of neurodegenerative disease, anxiety may also be an independent risk factor for dementia, operationally defined here as preceding dementia diagnosis by ≥10 years.

Design

A systematic review of the literature on anxiety diagnosis and long-term risk for dementia was performed following published guidelines.

Setting and participants

Medline, PsycINFO and Embase were searched for peer-reviewed journals until 8 March 2017. Publications reporting HR/OR for all-cause dementia based on clinical criteria from prospective cohort or case–control studies were selected. Included studies measured clinically significant anxiety in isolation or after controlling for symptoms of depression, and reported a mean interval between anxiety assessment and dementia diagnosis of at least 10 years. Methodological quality assessments were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Outcome measure

HR/OR for all-cause dementia.

Results

Searches yielded 3510 articles, of which 4 (0.02%) were eligible. The studies had a combined sample size of 29 819, and all studies found a positive association between clinically significant anxiety and future dementia. Due to the heterogeneity between studies, a meta-analysis was not conducted.

Conclusions

Clinically significant anxiety in midlife was associated with an increased risk of dementia over an interval of at least 10 years. These findings indicate that anxiety may be a risk factor for late-life dementia, excluding anxiety that is related to prodromal cognitive decline. With increasing focus on identifying modifiable risk factors for dementia, more high-quality prospective studies are required to clarify whether clinical anxiety is a risk factor for dementia, separate from a prodromal symptom.
What proportion of patients at the end of life contact out-of-hours primary care? A data linkage study in Oxfordshire
Authors: Brettell Rachel , Fisher Rebecca , Hunt Helen , Garland Sophie , Lasserson Daniel , Hayward Gail
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Out-of-hours (OOH) primary care services are a key element of community care at the end of life, yet there have been no previous attempts to describe the scope of this activity. We aimed to establish the proportion of Oxfordshire patients who were seen by the OOH service within the last 30 days of life, whether they were documented in a palliative phase of care and the demographic and clinical features of these groups.

Design

Population-based study linking a database of patient contacts with OOH primary care with the register of all deaths within Oxfordshire (600 000 population) during 13 months.

Setting

Oxfordshire.

Participants

Between 1 December 2014 and 30 November 2015 there were 102 877 OOH contacts made by 67 943 patients with the OOH service.

Main outcome measures

Proportion of patients dying in the Oxfordshire population who were seen by the OOH service within the last 30 days of life. Demographic and clinical features of these contacts.

Results

29.5% of all population deaths were seen by the OOH service in the last 30 days of life. Among the 1530 patients seen, patients whose palliative phase was documented (n=577, 36.4%) were slightly younger (median age=83.5 vs 85.2 years, P<0.001) and were seen closer to death (median days to death=2 vs 8, P<0.001). More were assessed at home (59.8% vs 51.9%, P<0.001) and less were admitted to hospital (2.7% vs 18.0%, P<0.001).

Conclusions

OOH services see around one-third of all patients who die in a population. Most patients at the end of life are not documented as palliative by OOH services and are less likely to receive ongoing care at home.
Nickel geochemistry of oil sands fluid petroleum coke deposits, Alberta, Canada
Authors: Nesbitt Jake A. , Robertson Jared M. , Swerhone Lawrence A. , Lindsay Matthew B. J.
Published: April 2018

Nickel (Ni) leaching from oil sands petroleum coke can have toxicological effects on aquatic organisms. However, geochemical controls on Ni release, transport, and attenuation within coke deposits remains limited. We examined the geochemistry of fluid coke and associated pore waters from two deposits at an oil sands mine near Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. Synchrotron-based micro-X-ray fluorescence (μXRF) and micro-X-ray absorption near edge structure (μXANES) spectroscopy show that Ni(II)-porphyrin complexes dominate, but inorganic phases including Ni(II)-sulfide and Ni(II)-oxide comprise a minor component of fluid coke. Sequential chemical extractions suggested that sorption–desorption reactions may influence Ni mobility within fluid coke deposits. Although only a small proportion of total Ni (<4%) is susceptible to leaching under environmentally relevant concentrations, dissolved Ni concentrations ( n = 65) range from 2 to 120 μg·L−1(median 7.8 μg·L−1) within the two deposits and generally decrease with depth below the water table. Pore water Ni concentrations are negatively correlated with pH, but not with dissolved sulfate, bicarbonate, or chloride. Overall, our findings suggest that pore water pH and sorption–desorption reactions are principal controls on dissolved Ni concentrations within oil sands fluid petroleum coke deposits.
TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING THE INFLUENCE OF GRADIENT RECONSTRUCTION METHODS ON UNSTRUCTURED FLOWSIMULATIONS
Authors: Mishriky Fadi , Walsh Paul
Published: April 2018

In this paper, the formal order of accuracy of three commonly used gradient reconstruction methods is derived. The analysis showed that the Green–Gauss cell based (GGCB) method is intrinsically inconsistent, due to the leading error term that is independent of the mesh spacing. On the other hand, the Green–Gauss node based (GGNB) and the Least Squares cell based (LSCB) methods achieved a minimum of 1st order accuracy regardless of the mesh geometric properties. Implications of the former results were practically tested on four CFD applications to show that in three out of four cases, the LSCB method achieved the highest order of accuracy. In terms of the computational expenses, the GGNB method consumed 9–34% additional time when compared to the fastest converging method in each test case. Both the GGCB and the LSCB methods consumed nearly the same computational time to reach convergence.
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF CONSTANT-BREADTH CAM MECHANISM WITH OSCILLATING FLAT-FACED FOLLOWER
Authors: Hsieh Jung-Fa
Published: April 2018

A simple yet comprehensive method is presented for the design and analysis of a constant-breadth cam mechanism with an oscillating flat-faced follower. In the proposed approach, the kinematic characteristics of the cam mechanism are first derived. The cam profile is then designed using homogenous coordinate transformation and conjugate surface theory. Moreover, the sliding velocity at the cam-follower contact points is determined. Finally, the pressure angle of the constant-breadth cam mechanism and the principal curvatures of the cam are analyzed. The validity of the proposed design methodology is verified by means of motion simulations performed using CAD software.
SIMULATION OF THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE: STUDY OF SYSTEM OF PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS INCORPORATED INTO BUILDING BRICKS
Authors: Madad Abderrahman , Mouhsen Azeddine , Mouhib Taoufiq
Published: April 2018

Based on energy conservation equations, a heat transfer model has been performed and numerically solved to study the thermal response of a brick filled of phase change materials (PCM-brick). Energy conservation equations have been developed and discretized. A simulation platform has been developed to produce dynamic simulations of incorporated PCM thermal behavior. The developed tool permits to carry out simulations for several materials that are included in the associated database. The behavior of the temperature inside of the PCM-brick has been evaluated and compared to that of an empty hollow brick. The effects of PCM type, incorporated quantity and location within the brick on the thermal response of this structure have been discussed.
PROPOSING A VALVE TRAIN SYSTEM FOR CYLINDER DEACTIVATION IN SI ENGINES
Authors: Dat Ly Vinh , Shiao Yaojung
Published: April 2018

Cylinder deactivation method can provide many advantages in improving emissions and fuel consumption at various load ranges in spark ignition (SI) engines. The study proposes a design valve train that can control the deactivation of cylinder in an inline SI engine with four cylinders. The proposed design, which is an improvement on the conventional valve train in the engine, can deactivate one- or two-cylinder mode depending on part or medium load in a vehicle. The results show that cylinder deactivation can reduce about 13–15% of fuel consumption compared with the conventional engine. The concentration of CO reduces by 15%, whereas HC decreases to about 8% when SI engine operates with different cylinder deactivation modes.
THE EFFECT OF FLEXIBLE COMPONENTS ON THE STEERING CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: Huang Hsing-Hui , Lin Meng-Hsuan
Published: April 2018

In this study, motion simulation analysis was used to investigate the performance of a Strut-SLA front suspension system. The geometric kinematics was studied under steering motion and the compliance of flexible elements on suspension performance parameters, under aligning torque, was also investigated. The Taguchi method was used to evaluate combinations of different levels of flexibility in each part of the suspension and to analyze performance parameters and suspension loading conditions associated with different flexible elements. This reduced the number of analyses and time required to a minimum. By using the larger-the-better characteristic to calculate and analyze the results, the combination of the control factor and levels having substantial effect on the performance parameter could be found, this facilitated study of the impact of the flexible elements on all types of parameters.
A note on gravitation and electromagnetism
Authors: Sidharth B. G. , Das Abhishek
Published: April 2018

Sidharth had shown that gravitation can be reconciled with electromagnetic and other forces if we start from a Landau–Ginzburg phase transition. This is further remarked upon and a theory of all forces of nature is proposed.
Supersymmetry and the rotation group
Authors: McKeon D. G. C.
Published: April 2018

A model invariant under a supersymmetric extension of the rotation group 0(3) is mapped, using a stereographic projection, from the spherical surface S2 to two-dimensional Euclidean space. The resulting model is not translation invariant. This has the consequence that fields that are supersymmetric partners no longer have a degenerate mass. This degeneracy is restored once the radius of S2 goes to infinity, and the resulting supersymmetry transformation for the fields is now mass dependent. An analogous model on the surface S4 is introduced and its projection onto four-dimensional Euclidean space is examined. This model in turn suggests a supersymmetric model on (3 + 1)-dimensional Minkowski space.
Electromagnetic decay of Monopole–Antimonopole pair
Authors: Calucci Giorgio
Published: April 2018

A Monopole–Antimonopole pair could annihilate producing a photon shower: Some aspects of the shower like the multiplicity distribution and angular correlations are investigated within a model suitable for processes with high multiplicities and therefore difficult to deal with standard perturbative treatment. The possible production of electron–positron pairs is also considered.
On the four-dimensional holoraumy of the 4D, 𝒩 = 1 complex linear supermultiplet
Authors: Caldwell Wesley , Diaz Alejandro N. , Friend Isaac , Gates S. James , Harmalkar Siddhartha , Lambert-Brown Tamar , Lay Daniel , Martirosova Karina , Meszaros Victor A. , Omokanwaye Mayowa , Rudman Shaina , Shin Daeljuck , Vershov Anthony
Published: April 2018

We present arguments to support the existence of weight spaces for supersymmetric field theories and identify the calculations of information about supermultiplets to define such spaces via the concept of “holoraumy.” For the first time, this is extended to the complex linear superfield by a calculation of the commutator of supercovariant derivatives on all of its component fields.
Thermoelastic Vibration of Shear Deformable Functionally Graded Curved Beams with Microstructural Defects
Authors: Amir Mohammad , Talha Mohammad
Published: April 2018

In the present study, the thermoelastic vibration of shear deformable functionally graded material (FGM) curved beams with microstructural defects (porosity) has been analyzed by the finite element method. The formulation is based on the higher-order shear deformation theory. The material properties of FGM beams are allowed to vary continuously in the thickness direction by a simple power-law distribution in terms of the volume fractions of the constituents. Even and uneven distributions of porosities in the beam have been considered with temperature-dependent material properties. Comparison and convergence study has been performed to validate the present formulation. Parametric studies have been done to study the effect of different influencing parameters on the frequency of the FGM curved beam, i.e. porosity, temperature rise, volume fraction index and opening angle. Some new results are presented which can be used as benchmark solutions for future research.
A Scalable and Interactive Recommendation Model for Users’ Interests Prediction
Authors: Haddad Mohamed Ramzi , Baazaoui Hajer , Ficel Hemza
Published: April 2018

This work focuses on the text-based recommendation challenge on the Web. In fact, with the emergence of electronic media and the explosion of news articles’ volumes on the Web, it has become difficult to suggest recommendations that best suit users’ interests and preferences. In this work, we propose a model of recommendation whose main objective is to guide Internet users in the great mass of news on the Web. Indeed, our contributions are based on three main points, namely, (1) the online semantic analysis of news articles based on their textual content, (2) the incremental segmentation of news articles into categories while taking into account the scalability problem and (3) the dynamic nature of the proposed recommendation approach that adapts its suggestions based on the users’ context and behaviors. An experimental study was conducted on a real-world use case in order to validate and evaluate the quality and the scalability of our proposal within a production environment.
Experimental Investigation on the Performance of a Parallel Plate-Based Active Magnetic Regenerator
Authors: Keawkamrop Thawatchai , Dalkilic Ahmet Selim , Asirvatham Lazarus Godson , Amani Jafar , Mahian Omid , Wongwises Somchai
Published: April 2018

This paper describes a prototype of a linear reciprocating magnetic refrigerator using a gadolinium parallel plate. The new design of the regenerator, installation, and experiment is presented. The regenerator consists of a gadolinium plate and an inlet/outlet section. The thickness and length of the gadolinium plate are 1[Formula: see text]mm and 80[Formula: see text]mm, respectively. The gap between parallel plates is 0.1[Formula: see text]mm. Water is used as the heat transfer fluid. The permanent magnet structure used in the present study can generate a maximum magnetic field intensity of 0.94 T. The effects of surface roughness of the gadolinium parallel plate on the temperature span and cooling capacity are investigated. The results show that there is no significant effect of surface roughness on the magnetic refrigerator performance at a high utilization factor. The results from the present study are important for the design of magnetic refrigerators operating at room temperature.
Mass-wasting processes along the margins of the Ulleung Basin, East Sea: insights from multichannel seismic reflection and multibeam echosounder data
Authors: Horozal Senay , Bahk Jang-Jun , Lee Sang Hoon , Cukur Deniz , Urgeles Roger , Kim Gil Young , Kim Seong-Pil , Ryu Byong-Jae , Kim Jin-Ho
Published: April 2018

Submarine landslides represent a major, previously little recognized, geological hazard to the coastal communities. This study investigates the size, depth and degree of submarine landslides along the margins of the Ulleung Basin and examines how the shelf morphology and sediment supply affect the style and occurrence of slope failures. The slopes have experienced at least 38 episodes of submarine failures, which have left clear arcuate-shaped scarps that initiate at water depths of 150–1120 m. Individual landslides comprise volumes over the range 0.1–340 km
3
, cover 20–800 km
2
on the seafloor and have runout distances of up to 50 km from the source. The headwall scarps are observed as being in excess of 500 m high. The height of scarps in the southern margin is significantly larger than in the western margin. Moreover, the volume of mass-transport deposits in the southern margin is also much higher compared to those from the western margin. The occurrence of the broad shelf (30–150 km wide) and high sedimentation rates in the southern margin might have led to large-scale slope failures. In contrast, the narrow shelf (<20 km) and low sedimentation rates in the western margin would only have promoted small-scale mass-wasting events.
The introductory computer programming course is first and foremost a
language
course
Authors: Portnoff Scott R.
Published: April 2018

An fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) study published in 2014 established that comprehension of computer programs occurs in the same regions of the brain that process natural languages---not logic, not math. The unexpectedness of this result was primed in part by the widespread belief that the language aspects of learning how to program are trivial when compared to learning to use programming languages for engineering tasks. In fact, though, the fMRI data is compelling cognitive evidence for the argument that the reason students have been failing introductory programming courses in large numbers---for decades---is because CS educators have underestimated the importance of teaching programming languages as languages per se. Despite the availability of this non-invasive technology for well over two decades, educators have neither researched the cognitive complexities of how programming languages might be acquired, nor tried to seriously understand this process in any degree of depth. Consequently, they have failed to consider what this evidence now implies: (a) that programming languages, despite being artificial languages, are alive in the brains of programmers in much the same way as any natural language that those programmers speak; and (b) that this new information about the cognitive aspects of programming languages has profound pedagogic implications.