bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wind turbine sound power measurements
Authors: Keith Stephen E. , Feder Katya , Voicescu Sonia A. , Soukhovtsev Victor , Denning Allison , Tsang Jason , Broner Norm , Richarz Werner , van den Berg Frits
Published: March 2016

This paper provides experimental validation of the sound power level data obtained from manufacturers for the ten wind turbine models examined in Health Canada's Community Noise and Health Study (CNHS). Within measurement uncertainty, the wind turbine sound power levels measured using IEC 61400-11 [(2002). (International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva)] were consistent with the sound power level data provided by manufacturers. Based on measurements, the sound power level data were also extended to 16 Hz for calculation of C-weighted levels. The C-weighted levels were 11.5 dB higher than the A-weighted levels (standard deviation 1.7 dB). The simple relationship between A- and C- weighted levels suggests that there is unlikely to be any statistically significant difference between analysis based on either C- or A-weighted data.
Consistent response of bird populations to climate change on two continents
Authors: Stephens Philip A. , Mason Lucy R. , Green Rhys E. , Gregory Richard D. , Sauer John R. , Alison Jamie , Aunins Ainars , Brotons Lluís , Butchart Stuart H. M. , Campedelli Tommaso , Chodkiewicz Tomasz , Chylarecki Przemysław , Crowe Olivia , Elts Jaanus , Escandell Virginia , Foppen Ruud P. B. , Heldbjerg Henning , Herrando Sergi , Husby Magne , Jiguet Frédéric , Lehikoinen Aleksi , Lindström Åke , Noble David G. , Paquet Jean-Yves , Reif Jiri , Sattler Thomas , Szép Tibor , Teufelbauer Norbert , Trautmann Sven , van Strien Arco J. , van Turnhout Chris A. M. , Vorisek Petr , Willis Stephen G.
Published: March 2016

Birds populations allied in abundance

Changes in climate can cause populations of species to decline, to increase, or to remain steady. Stephens
et al.
looked across species of common birds in Europe and the United States. Despite many differences between the two regions, expectations about how a species might respond to climate change did predict actual responses. Species predicted to benefit from increasing temperatures, or their associated effects, tended to increase, whereas those predicted to be negatively affected declined. Thus, even across widely varying ecological conditions and communities, climate change can be expected to alter population sizes.

Science
, this issue p.
84
Genetic circuit design automation
Authors: Nielsen Alec A. K. , Der Bryan S. , Shin Jonghyeon , Vaidyanathan Prashant , Paralanov Vanya , Strychalski Elizabeth A. , Ross David , Densmore Douglas , Voigt Christopher A.
Published: March 2016

Programming circuitry for synthetic biology

As synthetic biology techniques become more powerful, researchers are anticipating a future in which the design of biological circuits will be similar to the design of integrated circuits in electronics. Nielsen
et al.
describe what is essentially a programming language to design computational circuits in living cells. The circuits generated on plasmids expressed in
Escherichia coli
required careful insulation from their genetic context, but primarily functioned as specified. The circuits could, for example, regulate cellular functions in response to multiple environmental signals. Such a strategy can facilitate the development of more complex circuits by genetic engineering.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aac7341
Social conflict resolution regulated by two dorsal habenular subregions in zebrafish
Authors: Chou Ming-Yi , Amo Ryunosuke , Kinoshita Masae , Cherng Bor-Wei , Shimazaki Hideaki , Agetsuma Masakazu , Shiraki Toshiyuki , Aoki Tazu , Takahoko Mikako , Yamazaki Masako , Higashijima Shin-ichi , Okamoto Hitoshi
Published: March 2016

How to win a fish fight

When to cease aggression and escape is an important decision that fighting animals must make. Chou
et al.
characterized the role of two nuclei in a brain area of the zebrafish called the dorsal habenula (dHb) during social aggression (see the Perspective by Desban and Wyart). Silencing the lateral dHb reduced the likelihood of winning a fight, whereas silencing the medial dHb increased the likelihood of winning. Thus, these two nuclei antagonistically control the threshold for surrender.

Science
, this issue p.
87
; see also p.
42
A white dwarf with an oxygen atmosphere
Authors: Kepler S. O. , Koester Detlev , Ourique Gustavo
Published: March 2016

Discovery of an oxygen white dwarf

The vast majority of stars will eventually evolve into a white dwarf, a small, hot, and extremely dense object made of leftover material from the star's core. Stellar evolution theory suggests that white dwarfs should be mostly made of helium, carbon, or oxygen, but even a tiny amount of hydrogen or helium floats to the surface and hides the underlying composition. Kepler
et al.
searched through thousands of white dwarf spectra and discovered one that has an atmosphere dominated by oxygen, with no contamination by hydrogen or helium (see the Perspective by Gänsicke). This pristine object confirms the long-postulated theory and will be an important test case for stellar evolution.

Science
, this issue p.
67
; see also p.
37
The TAM family receptor tyrosine kinase TYRO3 is a negative regulator of type 2 immunity
Authors: Chan Pamela Y. , Silva Eugenio A. Carrera , De Kouchkovsky Dimitri , Joannas Leonel D. , Hao Liming , Hu Donglei , Huntsman Scott , Eng Celeste , Licona-Limón Paula , Weinstein Jason S. , Herbert De’Broski R. , Craft Joseph E. , Flavell Richard A. , Repetto Silvia , Correale Jorge , Burchard Esteban G. , Torgerson Dara G. , Ghosh Sourav , Rothlin Carla V.
Published: March 2016

Host responses against metazoan parasites or an array of environmental substances elicit type 2 immunity. Despite its protective function, type 2 immunity also drives allergic diseases. The mechanisms that regulate the magnitude of the type 2 response remain largely unknown. Here, we show that genetic ablation of a receptor tyrosine kinase encoded by
Tyro3
in mice or the functional neutralization of its ortholog in human dendritic cells resulted in enhanced type 2 immunity. Furthermore, the TYRO3 agonist PROS1 was induced in T cells by the quintessential type 2 cytokine, interleukin-4. T cell–specific
Pros1
knockouts phenocopied the loss of
Tyro3
. Thus, a PROS1-mediated feedback from adaptive immunity engages a rheostat, TYRO3, on innate immune cells to limit the intensity of type 2 responses.
Programmed necrosis in inflammation: Toward identification of the effector molecules
Authors: Wallach David , Kang Tae-Bong , Dillon Christopher P. , Green Douglas R.
Published: March 2016

Apoptosis, necrosis, and pyroptosis

The routes to cell death are many, and distinguishing which path a particular cell may have taken remains a challenge. Wallach
et al.
review current understanding of how programmed necrotic cell death contributes to inflammation.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aaf2154
Rethinking the S
N
2 reaction
Authors: Xie Jing , Hase William L.
Published: March 2016

The gas-phase dynamics of a paradigm organic reaction are more complex than expected
A lncRNA links genomic variation with celiac disease
Authors: Huarte Maite
Published: March 2016

A long noncoding RNA is associated with an intestinal autoimmune disorder

[Also see Report by

Castellanos-Rubio
et al.

]
Auto-Assembling Detoxified Staphylococcus aureus Alpha-Hemolysin Mimicking the Wild-Type Cytolytic Toxin
Authors: Fiaschi Luigi , Di Palo Benedetta , Scarselli Maria , Pozzi Clarissa , Tomaszewski Kelly , Galletti Bruno , Nardi-Dei Vincenzo , Arcidiacono Letizia , Mishra Ravi P. N. , Mori Elena , Pallaoro Michele , Falugi Fabiana , Torre Antonina , Fontana Maria Rita , Soriani Marco , Bubeck Wardenburg Juliane , Grandi Guido , Rappuoli Rino , Ferlenghi Ilaria , Bagnoli Fabio
Published: March 2016

Staphylococcus aureus
alpha-hemolysin (Hla) assembles into heptameric pores on the host cell membrane, causing lysis, apoptosis, and junction disruption. Herein, we present the design of a newly engineered
S. aureus
alpha-toxin, HlaPSGS, which lacks the predicted membrane-spanning stem domain. This protein is able to form heptamers in aqueous solution in the absence of lipophilic substrata, and its structure, obtained by transmission electron microscopy and single-particle reconstruction analysis, resembles the cap of the wild-type cytolytic Hla pore. HlaPSGS was found to be impaired in binding to host cells and to its receptor ADAM10 and to lack hemolytic and cytotoxic activity. Immunological studies using human sera as well as sera from mice convalescent from
S. aureus
infection suggested that the heptameric conformation of HlaPSGS mimics epitopes exposed by the cytolytic Hla pore during infection. Finally, immunization with this newly engineered Hla generated high protective immunity against staphylococcal infection in mice. Overall, this study provides unprecedented data on the natural immune response against Hla and suggests that the heptameric HlaPSGS is a highly valuable vaccine candidate against
S. aureus
.
Diagnostic Accuracy of the Small Membrane Filtration Method for Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a High-HIV-Prevalence Setting
Authors: Boum Yap , Kim Soyeon , Orikiriza Patrick , Acuña-Villaorduña Carlos , Vinhas Solange , Bonnet Maryline , Nyehangane Dan , Mwanga-Amumpaire Juliet , Fennelly Kevin P. , Jones-López Edward C.
Published: March 2016

Sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear microscopy has suboptimal sensitivity but remains the most commonly used laboratory test to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We prospectively evaluated the small membrane filtration (SMF) method that concentrates AFB in a smaller area to facilitate detection to improve the diagnostic performance of microscopy. We enrolled adults with suspicion of pulmonary TB from health facilities in southwestern Uganda. Clinical history, physical examination, and 3 sputum samples were obtained for direct fluorescent AFB smear, SMF, Xpert MTB/RIF, and MGIT culture media. Sensitivity and specificity were estimated for SMF, AFB smear, and Xpert MTB/RIF, using MGIT as the reference standard. The analysis was stratified according to HIV status. From September 2012 to April 2014, 737 participants were included in the HIV-infected stratum (146 [20.5%] were culture positive) and 313 were in the HIV-uninfected stratum (85 [28%] were culture positive). In HIV-infected patients, the sensitivity of a single SMF was 67.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 59.9% to 74.1%); for AFB, 68.0% (95% CI, 60.6% to 74.6%); and for Xpert MTB/RIF, 91.0% (95% CI, 85.0% to 94.8%). In HIV-uninfected patients, the corresponding sensitivities were 72.5% (95% CI, 62.1% to 80.9%), 80.3% (95% CI, 70.8% to 87.2%), and 93.5% (95% CI, 85.7% to 97.2%). The specificity for all 3 tests in both HIV groups was ≥96%. In this setting, the SMF method did not improve the diagnostic accuracy of sputum AFB. The Xpert MTB/RIF assay performed well in both HIV-infected and -uninfected groups.
Anatomic, Geographic, and Taxon-Specific Relative Risks of Carbapenem Resistance in the Health Care System of the U.S. Department of Defense
Authors: Lesho Emil , Chukwuma Uzo , Sparks Michael , Neumann Charlotte , Richesson Douglas , Clifford Robert , Gierhart Sarah , Waterman Paige , Hinkle Mary
Published: March 2016

Carbapenem-resistant
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa,
Acinetobacter
spp., and
Enterobacteriaceae
pose urgent public health threats. The differential burden, relative risks, associations with antimicrobial consumption, and temporal trends of those taxa in large, geographically diverse U.S. health systems remain under reported. Electronic records of all patients in a geographically dispersed 280-hospital managed-care system from 2005 to 2014 were reviewed. Carbapenem-resistant strains were identified based on Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and breakpoints. A total of 360,000 potentially carbapenem-resistant strains were identified from 14.7 million cultures (80% infecting and 20% surveillance). Isolation of bacteria overseas or isolation from the bloodstream was associated with a higher relative risks of carbapenem resistance (CR;
P
< 0.0001).
Enterobacteriaceae
were isolated 11 times more frequently than
P. aeruginosa
and
Acinetobacter
spp. However, compared to
Enterobacteriaceae
, the CR levels were 73-fold and 210-fold higher in P. aeruginosa and
Acinetobacter
spp., respectively. Significant differences in the relative risk of CR between taxa, anatomic, and geographic locations persisted after adjustment for other variables, the biggest differences occurring between taxa. Overall, CR rates increased for
Enterobacteriaceae
(
P
= 0.03) and decreased for Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa (
P
< 0.0001). These data provide a useful baseline for resistance trending and have implications for surveillance. Infections acquired overseas and bloodstream infections are particularly important areas for continued monitoring.
Identification of the Fusion Peptide-Containing Region in Betacoronavirus Spike Glycoproteins
Authors: Ou Xiuyuan , Zheng Wangliang , Shan Yiwei , Mu Zhixia , Dominguez Samuel R. , Holmes Kathryn V. , Qian Zhaohui
Published: March 2016

The fusion peptides (FP) play an essential role in fusion of viral envelope with cellular membranes. The location and properties of the FPs in the spike (S) glycoproteins of different coronaviruses (CoV) have not yet been determined. Through amino acid sequence analysis of S proteins of representative CoVs, we identified a common region as a possible FP (pFP) that shares the characteristics of FPs of class I viral fusion proteins, including high Ala/Gly content, intermediate hydrophobicity, and few charged residues. To test the hypothesis that this region contains the CoV FP, we systemically mutated every residue in the pFP of Middle East respiratory syndrome betacoronavirus (MERS-CoV) and found that 11 of the 22 residues in the pFP (from G953 to L964, except for A956) were essential for S protein-mediated cell-cell fusion and virus entry. The synthetic MERS-CoV pFP core peptide (
955
IAGVGWTAGL
964
) induced extensive fusion of liposome membranes, while mutant peptide failed to induce any lipid mixing. We also selectively mutated residues in pFPs of two other β-CoVs, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). Although the amino acid sequences of these two pFPs differed significantly from that of MERS-CoV and each other, most of the pFP mutants of SARS-CoV and MHV also failed to mediate membrane fusion, suggesting that these pFPs are also the functional FPs. Thus, the FPs of 3 different lineages of β-CoVs are conserved in location within the S glycoproteins and in their functions, although their amino acid sequences have diverged significantly during CoV evolution.

IMPORTANCE
Within the class I viral fusion proteins of many enveloped viruses, the FP is the critical mediator of fusion of the viral envelope with host cell membranes leading to virus infection. FPs from within a virus family, like influenza viruses or human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), tend to share high amino acid sequence identity. In this study, we determined the location and amino acid sequences of the FPs of S glycoproteins of 3 β-CoVs, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and MHV, and demonstrated that they were essential for mediating cell-cell fusion and virus entry. Interestingly, in marked contrast to the FPs of influenza and HIV, the primary amino acid sequences of the FPs of β-CoVs in 3 different lineages differed significantly. Thus, during evolution the FPs of β-CoVs have diverged significantly in their primary sequences while maintaining the same essential biological functions. Our findings identify a potential new target for development of drugs against CoVs.
Quantitation of Productively Infected Monocytes and Macrophages of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macaques
Authors: Avalos Claudia R. , Price Sarah L. , Forsyth Ellen R. , Pin Julia N. , Shirk Erin N. , Bullock Brandon T. , Queen Suzanne E. , Li Ming , Gellerup Dane , O'Connor Shelby L. , Zink M. Christine , Mankowski Joseph L. , Gama Lucio , Clements Janice E.
Published: March 2016

Despite the success of combined antiretroviral therapy (ART), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a lifelong infection because of latent viral reservoirs in infected patients. The contribution of CD4
+
T cells to infection and disease progression has been extensively studied. However, during early HIV infection, macrophages in brain and other tissues are infected and contribute to tissue-specific diseases, such as encephalitis and dementia in brain and pneumonia in lung. The extent of infection of monocytes and macrophages has not been rigorously assessed with assays comparable to those used to study infection of CD4
+
T cells and to evaluate the number of CD4
+
T cells that harbor infectious viral genomes. To assess the contribution of productively infected monocytes and macrophages to HIV- and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected cells
in vivo
, we developed a quantitative virus outgrowth assay (QVOA) based on similar assays used to quantitate CD4
+
T cell latent reservoirs in HIV- and SIV-infected individuals in whom the infection is suppressed by ART. Myeloid cells expressing CD11b were serially diluted and cocultured with susceptible cells to amplify virus. T cell receptor β RNA was measured as a control to assess the potential contribution of CD4
+
T cells in the assay. Virus production in the supernatant was quantitated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Productively infected myeloid cells were detected in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lungs, spleen, and brain, demonstrating that these cells persist throughout SIV infection and have the potential to contribute to the viral reservoir during ART.

IMPORTANCE
Infection of CD4
+
T cells and their role as latent reservoirs have been rigorously assessed; however, the frequency of productively infected monocytes and macrophages
in vivo
has not been similarly studied. Myeloid cells, unlike lymphocytes, are resistant to the cytopathic effects of HIV. Moreover, tissue-resident macrophages have the ability to self-renew and persist in the body for months to years. Thus, tissue macrophages, once infected, have the characteristics of a potentially stable viral reservoir. A better understanding of the number of productively infected macrophages is crucial to further evaluate the role of infected myeloid cells as a potential viral reservoir. In the study described here we compared the frequency of productively infected CD4
+
T cells and macrophages in an SIV-infected macaque model. We developed a critical assay that will allow us to quantitate myeloid cells containing viral genomes that lead to productive infection in SIV-infected macaques and assess the role of macrophages as potential reservoirs.
A Highly Efficacious Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Vaccine Blocks Viral Pathogenesis and Prevents Corneal Immunopathology via Humoral Immunity
Authors: Royer Derek J. , Gurung Hem R. , Jinkins Jeremy K. , Geltz Joshua J. , Wu Jennifer L. , Halford William P. , Carr Daniel J. J.
Published: March 2016

Correlates of immunologic protection requisite for an efficacious herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) vaccine remain unclear with respect to viral pathogenesis and clinical disease. In the present study, mice were vaccinated with a novel avirulent, live attenuated virus (0ΔNLS) or an adjuvanted glycoprotein D subunit (gD-2) similar to that used in several human clinical trials. Mice vaccinated with 0ΔNLS showed superior protection against early viral replication, neuroinvasion, latency, and mortality compared to that of gD-2-vaccinated or naive mice following ocular challenge with a neurovirulent clinical isolate of HSV-1. Moreover, 0ΔNLS-vaccinated mice exhibited protection against ocular immunopathology and maintained corneal mechanosensory function. Vaccinated mice also showed suppressed T cell activation in the draining lymph nodes following challenge. Vaccine efficacy correlated with serum neutralizing antibody titers. Humoral immunity was identified as the correlate of protection against corneal neovascularization, HSV-1 shedding, and latency through passive immunization. Overall, 0ΔNLS affords remarkable protection against HSV-1-associated ocular sequelae by impeding viral replication, dissemination, and establishment of latency.

IMPORTANCEHSV-1 manifests in a variety of clinical presentations ranging from a rather benign “cold sore” to more severe forms of infection, including necrotizing stromal keratitis and herpes simplex encephalitis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate a novel vaccine to ocular HSV-1 infection not only for resistance to viral replication and spread but also for maintenance of the visual axis. The results underscore the necessity to reconsider strategies that utilize attenuated live virus as opposed to subunit vaccines against ocular HSV-1 infection.
Pathogenesis of Influenza D Virus in Cattle
Authors: Ferguson Lucas , Olivier Alicia K. , Genova Suzanne , Epperson William B. , Smith David R. , Schneider Liesel , Barton Kathleen , McCuan Katlin , Webby Richard J. , Wan Xiu-Feng
Published: March 2016

Cattle have been proposed as the natural reservoir of a novel member of the virus family
Orthomyxoviridae
, which has been tentatively classified as influenza D virus (IDV). Although isolated from sick animals, it is unclear whether IDV causes any clinical disease in cattle. To address this aspect of Koch's postulates, three dairy calves (treatment animals) held in individual pens were inoculated intranasally with IDV strain D/bovine/Mississippi/C00046N/2014. At 1 day postinoculation, a seronegative calf (contact animal) was added to each of the treatment animal pens. The cattle in both treatment and contact groups seroconverted, and virus was detected in their respiratory tracts. Histologically, there was a significant increase in neutrophil tracking in tracheal epithelia of the treatment calves compared to control animals. While infected and contact animals demonstrated various symptoms of respiratory tract infection, they were mild, and the calves in the treatment group did not differ from the controls in terms of heart rate, respiratory rate, or rectal temperature. To mimic zoonotic transmission, two ferrets were exposed to a plastic toy fomite soaked with infected nasal discharge from the treatment calves. These ferrets did not shed the virus or seroconvert. In summary, this study demonstrates that IDV causes a mild respiratory disease upon experimental infection of cattle and can be transmitted effectively among cattle by in-pen contact, but not from cattle to ferrets through fomite exposure. These findings support the hypothesis that cattle are a natural reservoir for the virus.

IMPORTANCE
A novel influenza virus, tentatively classified as influenza D virus (IDV), was identified in swine, cattle, sheep, and goats. Among these hosts, cattle have been proposed as the natural reservoir. In this study, we show that cattle experimentally infected with IDV can shed virus and transmit it to other cattle through direct contact, but not to ferrets through fomite routes. IDV caused minor clinical signs in the infected cattle, fulfilling another of Koch's postulates for this novel agent, although other objective clinical endpoints were not different from those of control animals. Although the disease observed was mild, IDV induced neutrophil tracking and epithelial attenuation in cattle trachea, which could facilitate coinfection with other pathogens, and in doing so, predispose animals to bovine respiratory disease.
Two Outbreak Sources of Influenza A (H7N9) Viruses Have Been Established in China
Authors: Wang Dayan , Yang Lei , Zhu Wenfei , Zhang Ye , Zou Shumei , Bo Hong , Gao Rongbao , Dong Jie , Huang Weijuan , Guo Junfeng , Li Zi , Zhao Xiang , Li Xiaodan , Xin Li , Zhou Jianfang , Chen Tao , Dong Libo , Wei Hejiang , Li Xiyan , Liu Liqi , Tang Jing , Lan Yu , Yang Jing , Shu Yuelong
Published: March 2016

Due to enzootic infections in poultry and persistent human infections in China, influenza A (H7N9) virus has remained a public health threat. The Yangtze River Delta region, which is located in eastern China, is well recognized as the original source for H7N9 outbreaks. Based on the evolutionary analysis of H7N9 viruses from all three outbreak waves since 2013, we identified the Pearl River Delta region as an additional H7N9 outbreak source. H7N9 viruses are repeatedly introduced from these two sources to the other areas, and the persistent circulation of H7N9 viruses occurs in poultry, causing continuous outbreak waves. Poultry movements may contribute to the geographic expansion of the virus. In addition, the AnH1 genotype, which was predominant during wave 1, was replaced by JS537, JS18828, and AnH1887 genotypes during waves 2 and 3. The establishment of a new source and the continuous evolution of the virus hamper the elimination of H7N9 viruses, thus posing a long-term threat of H7N9 infection in humans. Therefore, both surveillance of H7N9 viruses in humans and poultry and supervision of poultry movements should be strengthened.

IMPORTANCE
Since its occurrence in humans in eastern China in spring 2013, the avian H7N9 viruses have been demonstrating the continuing pandemic threat posed by the current influenza ecosystem in China. As the viruses are silently circulated in poultry, with potentially severe outcomes in humans, H7N9 virus activity in humans in China is very important to understand. In this study, we identified a newly emerged H7N9 outbreak source in the Pearl River Delta region. Both sources in the Yangtze River Delta region and the Pearl River Delta region have been established and found to be responsible for the H7N9 outbreaks in mainland China.
Perivascular parenchymal extension of the ablation zone following liver microwave ablation
Authors: Singh Saurabh , Siriwardana Pulathis Nilantha , Johnston Edward William , Bandula Steven , Davidson Brian Ritchie , Illing Rowland Oliver
Published: March 2016

A 69-year-old man who presented with abdominal discomfort was, on examination, found to have a palpable abdominal mass. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a mass arising from the inferior vena cava, which biopsy confirmed to be a leiomyosarcoma. One month after chemoradiotherapy, CT demonstrated a new 15 mm solitary central right liver metastasis. Microwave ablation (MWA) of the metastasis was performed using an Acculis Sulis V system (Angiodynamics, USA) at a power of 140 Watts for 4 min, with no immediate complications. After 1 month, MRI with gadolinium was performed to assess the liver ablation zone. The MRI demonstrated thrombosis of a right inferior hepatic vein branch leading to the ablation zone and extension of the ablation zone 1 cm into the tissue around the thrombosed vessel.
PHACE syndrome with lip haemangioma, microphthalmos and persistent fetal vasculature
Authors: Nayak Lipika , Nayak Bhagabat , Sinha Gautam , Khokhar Sudarshan
Published: March 2016

An 11-month-old baby girl presented with white reflex in her left eye. On examination, there was a 6.5×5 mm2haemangioma present over her face involving on her lower lip. Systemic examinations were within normal limits. The left eye was small, with an axial length of 16.08 mm and had a cataract. Ultrasonography of the left eye was suggestive of the presence of a vascular stalk, persistent hyperplasia of a primary vitreous, or persistent fetal vasculature with vitreous haemorrhage. On MRI, the left eye was small with vitreous haemorrhage. Left eye lens aspiration was performed and the bleeding vascular stalk behind the lens was cauterised with diathermy. The right eye was normal. The patient was diagnosed as having PHACE syndrome (Posterior fossa malformations, Hemangiomas, Arterial anomalies, Coarctation of the aorta and other cardiac defects, and Eye abnormalities syndrome). On follow-up, she was able to follow light with her left eye.
Applying appropriate-use criteria to cardiac revascularisation in India
Authors: Sood Neeraj , Ugargol Allen P , Barnes Kayleigh , Mahajan Anish
Published: March 2016

Objectives

The high prevalence of coronary heart disease and dramatic growth of cardiac interventions in India motivate an evaluation of the appropriateness of coronary revascularisation procedures in India. Although, appropriate-use criteria (AUC) have been used to analyse the appropriateness of cardiovascular care in the USA, they are yet to be applied to care in India. In our study, we apply AUC to cardiac care in Karnataka, India, compare our results to international applications of AUC, and suggest ways to improve the appropriateness of care in India.

Setting

Data were collected from the Vajpayee Arogyashree Scheme, a government-sponsored health insurance scheme in Karnataka, India. These data were collected as part of the preauthorisation process for cardiac procedures.

Participants

The final data included a random sample of 600 patients from 28 hospitals in Karnataka, who obtained coronary artery bypass grafting or percutaneous coronary intervention between 1 October 2014 and 31 December 2014.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

We obtained our primary baseline results using a random imputation simulation to fill in missing data. Our secondary outcome measure was a best case–worst case scenario where missing data were filled to give the lowest or highest number of appropriate cases.

Results

Of the cases, 86.7% (CI 0.837% to 0.892%) were deemed appropriate, 3.65% (CI 0.023% to 0.055%) were inappropriate and 9.63% (CI 0.074% to 0.123%) were uncertain.

Conclusions

The vast majority of cardiac revascularisation procedures performed on beneficiaries of a government-sponsored insurance programme in India were found to be appropriate. These results meet or exceed levels of appropriate use of cardiac care in the USA.
Optimising text messaging to improve adherence to web-based smoking cessation treatment: a randomised control trial protocol
Authors: Graham Amanda L , Jacobs Megan A , Cohn Amy M , Cha Sarah , Abroms Lorien C , Papandonatos George D , Whittaker Robyn
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Millions of smokers use the Internet for smoking cessation assistance each year; however, most smokers engage minimally with even the best designed websites. The ubiquity of mobile devices and their effectiveness in promoting adherence in other areas of health behaviour change make them a promising tool to address adherence in Internet smoking cessation interventions. Text messaging is used by most adults, and messages can proactively encourage use of a web-based intervention. Text messaging can also be integrated with an Internet intervention to facilitate the use of core Internet intervention components.

Methods and analysis

We identified four aspects of a text message intervention that may enhance its effectiveness in promoting adherence to a web-based smoking cessation programme: personalisation, integration, dynamic tailoring and message intensity. Phase I will use a two-level full factorial design to test the impact of these four experimental features on adherence to a web-based intervention. The primary outcome is a composite metric of adherence that incorporates general utilisation metrics (eg, logins, page views) and specific feature utilisation shown to predict abstinence. Participants will be N=860 adult smokers who register on an established Internet cessation programme and enrol in its text message programme. Phase II will be a two-arm randomised trial to compare the efficacy of the web-based cessation programme alone and in conjunction with the optimised text messaging intervention on 30-day point prevalence abstinence at 9 months. Phase II participants will be N=600 adult smokers who register to use an established Internet cessation programme and enrol in text messaging. Secondary analyses will explore whether adherence mediates the effect of treatment condition on outcome.

Ethics and dissemination

This protocol was approved by Chesapeake IRB. We will disseminate study results through peer-reviewed manuscripts and conference presentations related to the methods and design, outcomes and exploratory analyses.

Trial registration number

NCT02585206.
Less is more: a project to reduce the number of PIMs (potentially inappropriate medications) on an elderly care ward
Authors: Aung Tin Htun , Judith Beck Adèle , Siese Thomas , Berrisford Richard
Published: March 2016

Potentially inappropriate prescribing in healthcare of the elderly (HCE) is associated with avoidable adverse drug events (ADEs).1,2 A recent set of prescribing criteria has been designed and validated, called “Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions” (STOPP), to rationalise prescribing in hospitalised patients on HCE wards.1,3 The aim of this quality improvement project was to identify how many potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) were prescribed on these wards, and remove them. This was executed by implementing a ward round checklist, which incorporated STOPP criteria, for the twice weekly, consultant led ward rounds.

This quality improvement project was carried out over four months. In a pilot study, we identified eight inappropriate medical prescriptions among 148 medications (5.4% ) prescribed on one ward. After applying a checklist for a structured ward round, we reviewed the medications prescribed on that ward, and found 10 PIMs out of 192 (5.2% ). Utilising the increasingly recognised “plan, do, study, act” (PDSA) cycle,4 we implemented departmental teaching and meetings with other members of the multidisciplinary team, which raised awareness of PIMs among junior doctors, as well as involving our pharmacists in drug chart screening. During this process we continued with a further six cycles on a bi-weekly basis, and saw a gradual decrease in PIM to 1.5%.

In conclusion, a structured ward round, facilitated by a checklist that included review of drug charts based on STOPP criteria, demonstrated a considerable reduction of PIMs. It would be interesting to apply this quality improvement project to non-HCE wards, including general surgical wards or adult psychiatry wards, as a means of not only reducing the effects of ADEs, but also the expenditure associated with unnecessary drug prescriptions, and the costs associated with additional care arising from associated ADEs.
Two progressive pathways of microinvasive carcinoma: low-grade luminal pathway and high-grade HER2 pathway based on high tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes
Authors: Morita Michi , Yamaguchi Rin , Tanaka Maki , Tse Gary M , Yamaguchi Miki , Otsuka Hiroko , Kanomata Naoki , Minami Shigeki , Eguchi Susumu , Yano Hirohisa
Published: March 2016

Aims

While cancer immunity is involved in tumour progression from the very early stage, no detailed study has been reported on the relationship between ‘early-stage’ breast cancer and tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). We focused on microinvasive carcinoma to investigate the relationship between histological tumour factors and immunity in ‘early’ breast cancer.

Methods

Of 2593 resected breast carcinomas, 46 microinvasive carcinomas (1.8%) were included. The relationships between tumour characteristics (invasive form, grade, comedo, subtype) and immunological characteristics (TIL, healing) were examined. The invasive form was divided into ‘cluster-like’ (ie, invasive foci consisted of a small number of cancer cells) and ‘non-cluster-like’ (ie, nested and classifiable into particular histological type).

Results

Among all cases, 34.8% were grade 1. ER+HER2−, ER+HER2+, ER−HER2+ and ER−HER2− accounted for 58.7%, 8.7%, 28.3% and 4.3%, respectively. Compared with ER+HER2−, ER−HER2+ cases had a significantly stronger association with grade 3 (92.3% vs 0%), comedo (100% vs 55.6%), high TIL (100% vs 29.3%), high CD8+ TIL (92.3% vs 33.3%) and healing (76.9% vs 14.8%) (p<0.001). Compared with ‘non-cluster-like’, ‘cluster-like’ carcinoma showed significantly higher rates of HER2 positivity (69.2% vs 24.2%), high TIL (92.3% vs 42.4%) and high CD8+ TIL (76.9% vs 39.4%) (p<0.01).

Conclusions

Our study revealed that microinvasive carcinoma has two progressive pathways; ‘low-grade luminal pathway’ and ‘high-grade HER2 pathway’. HER2-positive cases showed the following unique characteristics: ‘high-grade; comedo, high TIL and CD8+ TIL; healing; cluster-like invasion’. These results suggest that the cluster-like invasion might occur because of tumour immunity that leads to disruption of the duct and formation of microinvasive carcinoma in HER2-positive cases.
Accuracy of estimating the technological and economic value of pig carcass primal cuts with an optical-needle device
Authors: Knecht D. , Duziński K. , Lisiak D.
Published: March 2016

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the possibility of using CGM-device measurements for the precise estimation of lean-meat content, the real technological and economic value of ham and loin. The experiment was carried out in two stages: the dissection (n = 136) and the industrial cutting (n = 298). Lean-meat content in carcasses was defined with a CGM device, where the thicknesses of the musculus longissimus dorsi (M2) and backfat (with the skin) (T2) were measured. The strongest correlations were achieved for the T2 measurement and the share of skin with fat or muscles in ham and loin. The strongest correlations for M2 were noted for muscle content in ham and loin. Measurements for M2 positively correlated with all the elements of the technological cutting of ham and loin, but negatively with T2 measurements, in terms of commercial value. The highest values, regardless of the point of measurement, were noted for boneless loin (loin) and ham 4D (ham). The highest estimating accuracy was noted for dissection and technological cutting of loin compared with ham. The results of the study suggest that the current classification device should be modified and improved for the evaluation of the real commercial value of the carcass.
Body fat mobilization during lactation in high-producing sows fed varied omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acid ratios
Authors: Eastwood Laura , Leterme Pascal , Beaulieu A. Denise
Published: March 2016

The effects of reducing dietary omega (n)-6 to n-3 fatty acid (FA) ratios on body fat mobilization in lactating sows (n = 100) were investigated. Treatments consisted of a control (tallow, low polyunsaturated FA, 8:1 n-6:n-3 ratio), 3 diets with plant oil based ratios (9:1P, 5:1P, and 1:1P), and a 5:1 fish oil diet (5:1F). An epinephrine [1.6 μg kg−1body weight (BW)] challenge was used to measure adipose tissue lipolytic activity (glycerol, NEFA, and leptin) on d 5 of lactation from a subset of sows (9:1P and 1:1P groups) fitted with jugular catheters. Lactation feed intake was greatest for control and 5:1P-fed sows (8.3 kg d−1), lowest for 1:1P-fed sows (7.4 kg d−1), and intermediate for 9:1P- and 5:1F-fed sows (7.7 kg d−1; P = 0.047). Piglet average daily gain (ADG) and estimated milk output were unaffected by diet (P > 0.10). The 1:1P-fed sows had (P < 0.10) greater backfat thickness, increased circulating leptin, and reduced feed intake, which are correlated (P < 0.10) with increased circulating glycerol and NEFA. Sows fed a plant oil based 1:1 n-6:n-3 FA ratio appeared to be in a state of negative energy balance; however, as no effects were observed on piglet ADG, these sows were able to provide the same level of nutrients to their offspring as the 9:1P fed sows.
Generation of Random Fields for Image Segmentation Using Manifold Learning Technique
Authors: Pemula Rambabu , Nagaraju C.
Published: March 2016

The manifold learning technique is a class of machine learning techniques that converts the intrinsic geometry of the data from higher to lower dimensional representation. The manifold learning technique in image analysis is used to view as a single point in a very high-dimensional space, a set of such points for population of images that may be well represented by a sub-manifold of the space that is likely to be nonlinear and of significantly lower dimensions. In this paper, we presented a new method to generate optimal random fields for image segmentation using local linear embedding manifold learning technique. This method gives better segmentation results compared to entropy classification and occlusion reasoning techniques.
Using Approximate Bayesian Computation to Assess the Reliability of Nanocomponents of a Nanosystem
Authors: Ebrahimi Nader , McCullough Kristin
Published: March 2016

Nanosystems have great potential in practical applications such as: sensors, circuits, solar panels, super strong materials, protective coatings, and drug delivery. Much research is devoted to designing and fabricating these nanosystems. However, the question of reliability is often overlooked during the design process. Specifically, the ability to analyze the reliability of the nanocomponents is lost. In this paper, we introduce the use of Approximate Bayesian Computation to assess nanocomponent reliability. Data on the lifetime of the nanocomponents is not required with this approach; instead data on the lifetime of the nanosystem is utilized. The proposed statistical and computational algorithms result in a more comprehensible understanding of the nanosystem in order to improve the overall reliability.
A BILAYER MODEL FOR INCORPORATING THE SIMULTANEOUS EFFECTS OF SURFACE ENERGY AND MICROSTRUCTURE SIZE DEPENDENCY ON THE DYNAMIC RESPONSE AND STABILITY OF ELECTROMECHANICAL NANOCANTILEVERS
Authors: KEIVANI MARYAM , KOOCHI ALI , KANANI ABOLFAZL , ABADYAN MOHAMADREZA
Published: March 2016

Nanoscale beams might not be considered uniform isotropic since the energy of the surface layer and microstructure of the bulk material highly affect the mechanical characteristics of the beams. Herein, the simultaneous effects of energy of the surface and microstructure of the bulk on the dynamic response and stability of beam-type electromechanical nanocantilevers are investigated. A bilayer model has been developed which incorporates the strain energy of the surface atoms as well as the microstructure-dependent strain energy of the bulk. The Gurtin–Murdoch surface elasticity in conjunction with the modified couple stress theory (MCST) is applied to derive the governing equation. Since the classical assumption for zero normal surface stresses is not consistent with the surface equilibrium assumption in Gurtin–Murdoch elasticity, the presence of normal surface stresses is incorporated. The von Karman nonlinear strain is employed to derive the governing equation. The presence of gas rarefaction at various Knudsen numbers is considered as well as the edge effect on the distribution of Coulomb and dispersion forces. The mode shapes of the nanobeam are determined as a function of the surface and microstructure parameter and the nonlinear governing equation is solved using Galerkin method. The dynamic response, phase plane and stability threshold of the nanocantilever are discussed.
Measuring photoluminescence spectra of self-assembly array nanowire of colloidal CdSe quantum dots using scanning near-field optics microscopy
Authors: Bai Zhongchen , Hao Licai , Zhang Zhengping , Qin Shuijie
Published: March 2016

A novel periodic array CdSe nanowire is prepared on a substrate of the porous titanium dioxide by using a self-assembly method of the colloidal CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The experimental results show that the colloidal CdSe QDs have renewedly assembled on its space scale and direction in process of losing background solvent and form the periodic array nanowire. The main peak wavelength of Photoluminescence (PL) spectra, which is measured by using a 100-nm aperture laser beam spot on a scanning near-field optics microscopy, has shifted 60 nm with compared to the colloidal CdSe QDs. Furthermore, we have measured smaller ordered nanometer structure in thin QDs area as well, a 343-nm periodic nanowire in thick QDs area and the colloidal QDs in edge of well-ordered nanowire.
MARKET COMPETITION, ARBITRAGE RISK, AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE: EVIDENCE FROM TAIWAN
Authors: LIN YU-EN , CHIH HSIANG-HSUAN , CHENG CHIA-HSIN , KU YAN-QING
Published: March 2016

The purpose of this paper is to understand how the product market competition and the arbitrage risk affects managers’ decisions on capital structure. To find managers’ risk preference, we introduce the interaction between market competition and the arbitrage risk of the firm. Sampling from Taiwanese listed companies from 1986 to 2011, we identify both the market competition and the arbitrage risk affects managers’ debt decisions. In addition, we find that most managers in monopolistic firms increase debt to decrease the agency costs. However, some hold risk-averse motivation to enjoy their “quiet life”. These “quiet life” managers exist in those companies that are in non-competitive markets and that exists large idiosyncratic risk.
RATIONAL LEARNING FOR RISK-AVERSE INVESTORS BY CONDITIONING ON BEHAVIORAL CHOICES
Authors: COSTOLA MICHELE , CAPORIN MASSIMILIANO
Published: March 2016

The authors present a rational learner agent, which considers the information coming from a behavioral counterpart during the allocation process. The learner agent adopts a herding behavior by conditioning her choice on the selection of the portfolio’s constituents. They use the concept of performance measure to define agents’ preferences: the higher the measure, the higher the expected utility of a given asset. The rational learner agent updates her information in a Bayesian manner similarly to the Black–Litterman model. Finally, the authors provide an empirical application including all the assets present in the NASDAQ and NYSE stock exchange from September 1977 to December 2014.
A Scalable Framework for Provisioning Large-Scale IoT Deployments
Authors: Vögler Michael , Schleicher Johannes M. , Inzinger Christian , Dustdar Schahram
Published: March 2016

Internet of Things (IoT) devices are usually considered external application dependencies that only provide data or process and execute simple instructions. The recent emergence of IoT devices with embedded execution environments allows practitioners to deploy and execute custom application logic directly on the device. This approach fundamentally changes the overall process of designing, developing, deploying, and managing IoT systems. However, these devices exhibit significant differences in available execution environments, processing, and storage capabilities. To accommodate this diversity, a structured approach is needed to uniformly and transparently deploy application components onto a large number of heterogeneous devices. This is especially important in the context of large-scale IoT systems, such as in the smart city domain. In this article, we present LEONORE, an infrastructure toolset that provides elastic provisioning of application components on resource-constrained and heterogeneous edge devices in large-scale IoT deployments. LEONORE supports push-based as well as pull-based deployments. To improve scalability and reduce generated network traffic between cloud and edge infrastructure, we present a distributed provisioning approach that deploys LEONORE local nodes within the deployment infrastructure close to the actual edge devices. We show that our solution is able to elastically provision large numbers of devices using a testbed based on a real-world industry scenario.
Argumentation Mining
Authors: Lippi Marco , Torroni Paolo
Published: March 2016

Argumentation mining aims at automatically extracting structured arguments from unstructured textual documents. It has recently become a hot topic also due to its potential in processing information originating from the Web, and in particular from social media, in innovative ways. Recent advances in machine learning methods promise to enable breakthrough applications to social and economic sciences, policy making, and information technology: something that only a few years ago was unthinkable. In this survey article, we introduce argumentation models and methods, review existing systems and applications, and discuss challenges and perspectives of this exciting new research area.