bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seeking mental health information and support online: experiences and perspectives of young people receiving treatment for first‐episode psychosis
Authors: Lal Shalini , Nguyen Valentin , Theriault Joanie
Published: January 2016

Aim

Limited knowledge exists on youth mental health service users' experiences and perspectives of seeking mental health information, services and support online. Such information is important for developing online resources that are tailored to the needs of youth with different types of mental health concerns. The purpose of this study was to better understand the experiences and perspectives of young people receiving treatment for first‐episode psychosis (FEP) on using web‐based and mobile technologies for accessing mental health information, services and support.

Methods

A qualitative approach using focus group methods was used. Seventeen participants between the ages of 21 and 35 were recruited from a specialized early intervention program for psychosis. A thematic analysis was conducted.

Results

The results are organized under three related themes: striving towards a better understanding of the illness and treatment; encountering multiple issues with accessing information online; and valuing online mental health information and support. The majority of participants described online activities related to information and support, rather than specific types of mental health services or interventions.

Conclusions

Youth receiving treatment for FEP value accessing mental health information and support online; however, they encounter several challenges in this regard. The findings can inform the development of online resources and strategies that meet the needs of service users. This study also highlights the importance for mental healthcare professionals to address the topic of online mental health information and support seeking within the context of providing services to young people.
Constraints on the biological recovery of the Bohemian Forest lakes from acid stress
Authors: Vrba Jaroslav , Bojková Jindřiška , Chvojka Pavel , Fott Jan , Kopáček Jiří , Macek Miroslav , Nedbalová Linda , Papáček Miroslav , Rádková Vanda , Sacherová Veronika , Soldán Tomáš , Šorf Michal
Published: January 2016

The response of planktonic (phytoplankton, ciliates, rotifers and crustaceans) and littoral (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) assemblages to chemical recovery was studied over a twelve‐year period (1999–2011) in eight glacial lakes in the Bohemian Forest (central Europe). The region suffered from high atmospheric pollution from the 1950s to the late 1980s, but has since been recovering from acidification due to 86% and 44% decrease in sulphur and nitrogen deposition, respectively, during the 1990s–2000s. Despite the rapid improvement in water chemistry of all the eight studied lakes, only four have partly recovered so far (low‐aluminium lakes), while the other four lakes still remain strongly acidic (high‐aluminium lakes).

All present lake assemblages are dissimilar by 40–90% from those during the early phase of chemical recovery as a result of species (re)colonisation (ciliates, crustaceans and insects) in the high‐Al lakes, and considerable species replacement (zooplankton) and (re)colonisation (insects) in the low‐Al lakes. Phytoplankton remained very similar in the high‐Al lakes, but changed (loss and/or replacement of some acid‐tolerant species) in the low‐Al lakes.

Aluminium (Al) concentrations were dominant in structuring the assemblages of phytoplankton, rotifers and Nepomorpha, but also affected crustaceans through the seston carbon to phosphorus (P) ratio. Both direct (toxicity) and indirect (P availability) effects of Al control biological recovery in the Bohemian Forest lakes. A concentration of 200 μg L−1 of total Al is the main barrier preventing the high‐Al lakes from recovery. In contrast, pH and total P rather than Al significantly influenced Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera.

Although biotic responses (especially in the low‐Al lakes) showed important signs of recovery, such as reappearance of some indigenous or acid‐sensitive species, decline in eurytopic acid‐tolerant species and colonisation by vagile species, the assemblages of all the lakes still suffer from acid stress. Our results also indicate an increasing role of biotic interactions between colonisers and residents leading to the reconstruction of aquatic food webs in the low‐Al lakes.
Healthcare needs of displaced women: Osire refugee camp, Namibia
Authors: Pinehas Lusia N. , van Wyk Neltjie C. , Leech Ronell
Published: January 2016

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of healthcare needs of displaced women in the Osire refugee camp in Namibia.

Background

Namibia is a country where displaced people from other African countries seek refuge as a result of their own country's political instability. All displaced people are hosted in the Osire camp, which is a highly protected area. There are more women than men in the camp and their health is often compromised.

Methods

In this descriptive phenomenological study, the natural dimension of the experiences of the participants of their healthcare needs were explored through in‐depth interviews and reflected upon through transcendental processes to formulate the phenomenological dimension thereof.

Findings

The essence of displaced women′s healthcare needs was “the need for the restoration of hope and human dignity”. Their needs refer to measures to enhance their autonomy and freedom; skills training; certainty about their future; security with aid distribution; protection against stigmatization due to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; protection against abuse; and participation in reproductive health care.

Discussion

When displaced women are admitted in a camp they lose their freedom to make decisions about everyday functioning and future. They thus develop feelings of insecurity and vulnerability.

Conclusion

The participants referred to several factors that were detrimental for their well‐being. The essence of their needs was “the need for the restoration of hope and human dignity” that could only be achieved when their needs are addressed.

Implications for nursing

As nurses are in close contact with displaced women in refugee camps they should negotiate opportunities for the women to discuss their concerns with the camp officials.

Implications for health and social development policy

Policies should make provision for the involvement of displaced people in all aspects that relate to their everyday and future living arrangements.
Lewy‐ and Alzheimer‐type pathologies in midbrain and cerebellum across the Lewy body disorders spectrum
Authors: Sierra M. , Gelpi E. , Martí M. J. , Compta Y.
Published: January 2016

Aims

Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are pathologically characterized by intraneuronal α‐synuclein aggregates and thus labelled as Lewy body disorders (LBD). Conjoint cortical α‐synuclein, tau and amyloid‐β (Aβ), and striatal Aβ aggregates, have been related to dementia in LBD. Interpretation of current and emerging in vivo molecular imaging of these pathologies will need of precise knowledge of their topographic distribution. We aimed to assess these pathologies further down the encephalon across the LBD‐spectrum.

Methods

Semiquantitative rating of α‐synuclein, Aβ and hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in midbrain (and cerebellum in the case of Aβ as it represents the last β‐amyloidosis stage) sections from cases representative of the LBD‐spectrum (PD non‐dementia, PD‐dementia, DLB; n = 10 each) compared to controls (n = 10) and Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 10).

Results

α‐synuclein midbrain scores rose from controls to AD and then LBD irrespective of dementia. Aβ and tau were more prominent in the tectum/tegmentum, increasing from controls to LBD (mostly in dementia cases in the case of Aβ), and then peaking in AD. By contrast, cerebellar Aβ scores were marginal across the LBD‐spectrum, as opposed to AD, only showing a trend towards greater involvement in LBD cases with dementia.

Conclusions

Frequency and severity of Aβ and tau pathologies in the midbrain across the LBD‐spectrum were midway between controls and AD, with Aβ in the tectum/tegmentum being associated with dementia. These findings might have potential implications in the eventual interpretation of regional uptake of in vivo molecular imaging of these pathologies.
Mechanism of aortic root dilation and cardiovascular function in tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Seki Mitsuru , Kuwata Seiko , Kurishima Clara , Nakagawa Ryo , Inuzuka Ryo , Sugimoto Masaya , Saiki Hirofumi , Iwamoto Yoichi , Ishido Hirotaka , Masutani Satoshi , Senzaki Hideaki
Published: January 2016

The aortic root dilation in tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a long‐term clinical problem, because a severely dilated aorta can lead to aortic regurgitation, dissection, or rupture, which can be fatal, necessitating surgical intervention. The details of the mechanism of aortic root dilation, however, are unclear. We have shown that aortic stiffness is increased in patients with repaired TOF, and may mirror the histological abnormality of elastic fiber disruption and matrix expansion. This aortic stiffness is related closely to the aortic dilation, indicating that aortic stiffness may be a predictor of outcome of aortic dilation. Furthermore, the aortic volume overload is a very important determinant of aortic diameter in TOF patients before corrective surgery. In addition, a chromosomal abnormality and the transforming growth factor‐β signaling pathway, a major contributor to aortic dilation in Marfan syndrome, also affect this mechanism. In this way, aortic dilation in TOF patients is suggested to be a multifactorial disorder. The aim of this review was therefore to clarify the mechanism of aortic dilation in TOF, focusing on recent research findings. Studies linking histopathology, mechanical properties, molecular/cellular physiology, and clinical manifestations of aortic dilation facilitate appropriate treatment intervention and improvement of long‐term prognosis of TOF.
Translational research on influenza virus infection using a nonhuman primate model
Authors: Itoh Yasushi
Published: January 2016

Influenza virus infection is a seasonal infectious disease for humans, whereas it is also a zoonosis that is originally transmitted from animals to humans. Therefore, several animal models are used in research on influenza virus infection. We have used a nonhuman primate (NHP) model to extrapolate pathogenicity of various influenza viruses and efficacy of vaccines and antiviral drugs against the influenza viruses in humans. NHPs have genes, anatomical structure, and immune responses similar to those of humans as compared to other animal models. Using an NHP model, we revealed that the pandemic 2009 influenza A virus caused viral pneumonia as reported in human patients. Thus, it is thought that NHP models can be used to predict replication of emerging viruses in humans. We also examined the pathogenicity of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses and evaluated a new therapeutic antibody in macaques under an immunocompromised condition. NHP models have provided promising results in research on other infectious diseases including Ebola virus and human/simian immunodeficiency virus infections. Thus, NHPs are important in biomedical research for determining the pathogenesis and for development of treatments, especially when clinical trials are difficult. We summarize the characteristics and advantages of research using NHP models in this review.
Sclerosing mesenteritis: A real manifestation or histological mimic of IgG4‐related disease?
Authors: Avincsal Mehmet Ozgur , Otani Kyoko , Kanzawa Maki , Fujikura Kohei , Jimbo Naoe , Morinaga Yukiko , Hirose Takanori , Itoh Tomoo , Zen Yoh
Published: January 2016

We present three cases of sclerosing mesenteritis and review the literature to learn whether or not sclerosing mesenteritis is an IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD). Our patients were all adult males. Their mesenteric masses ranged from 6.5 to 14.5 cm in the greatest diameter. Tissue specimens showed moderate to severe lymphoplasmacytic infiltration with occasional eosinophils against a background of irregular fibrosis. Both obliterative phlebitis and storiform fibrosis were noted in all cases. IgG4+ plasma cells were moderately increased in number (46 to 85 cells/high‐power field). However, unlike IgG4‐RD, the IgG4+/IgG+ plasma cell ratio was <40% (28% to 35%). Serum IgG4 concentrations were also within the normal range (43.2 to 105 mg/dL; normal range <135 mg/dL). Two biopsy cases showed spontaneous regression on imaging approximately 5 months later. No sclerosing conditions were found in other organs. The literature review identified 11 additional cases of sclerosing mesenteritis with IgG4+ plasma cell infiltration. However, conclusive cases with four characteristic features (high serum IgG4 levels, tissue IgG4 elevation, multi‐organ involvement, and effective response to glucocorticoid therapy) have never been reported. In conclusion, although sclerosing mesenteritis shares histological features with IgG4‐RD, most cases are less likely to be IgG4‐related. IgG4‐RD seemingly seldom, if ever, affects this anatomical site.
QMRA for Drinking Water: 1. Revisiting the Mathematical Structure of Single‐Hit Dose‐Response Models
Authors: Nilsen Vegard , Wyller John
Published: January 2016

Dose‐response models are essential to quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), providing a link between levels of human exposure to pathogens and the probability of negative health outcomes. In drinking water studies, the class of semi‐mechanistic models known as single‐hit models, such as the exponential and the exact beta‐Poisson, has seen widespread use. In this work, an attempt is made to carefully develop the general mathematical single‐hit framework while explicitly accounting for variation in (1) host susceptibility and (2) pathogen infectivity. This allows a precise interpretation of the so‐called single‐hit probability and precise identification of a set of statistical independence assumptions that are sufficient to arrive at single‐hit models. Further analysis of the model framework is facilitated by formulating the single‐hit models compactly using probability generating and moment generating functions. Among the more practically relevant conclusions drawn are: (1) for any dose distribution, variation in host susceptibility always reduces the single‐hit risk compared to a constant host susceptibility (assuming equal mean susceptibilities), (2) the model‐consistent representation of complete host immunity is formally demonstrated to be a simple scaling of the response, (3) the model‐consistent expression for the total risk from repeated exposures deviates (gives lower risk) from the conventional expression used in applications, and (4) a model‐consistent expression for the mean per‐exposure dose that produces the correct total risk from repeated exposures is developed.
The Transparent and the Invisible in Professional Pedagogical Vision for Science Teaching
Authors: McDonald Scott P.
Published: January 2016

Science teacher educators use examples of practice to support teacher candidates (TCs) learning to engage in new forms of science teaching. However, interpretation of these examples assumes a level of expertise about practice TCs lack. This article describes a study designed to determine some of the differences between expert teachers' and TCs' professional pedagogical vision for science teaching. Specifically, the study examines what each group attends to (highlights) in examples of science teaching and how they interpret the events they attend to (codes). Both groups were asked to analyze video of classroom science teaching. Differences were found between TCs and expert teachers in terms of both highlighting and coding of science teaching practice. Four key areas of difference are described in detail: actor focus, questions, grain size, and enactment. The implications for science teacher education are discussed, in particular a set of tools and teacher education practices to support acculturating TCs into more a sophisticated professional pedagogical vision for science teaching.

This article features a Research to Practice Companion Article. Please click on the supporting information link below to access.
Cylinder Pressure Information-Based Postinjection Timing Control for Aftertreatment System Regeneration in a Diesel Engine—Part I: Derivation of Control Parameter
Authors: Lee Hyunjun , Han Manbae , Sunwoo Myoungho
Published: January 2016

The implementation of aftertreatment systems in passenger car diesel engines, such as a lean NOx trap (LNT) and a diesel particulate filter (DPF), requires an in-cylinder postinjection (POI) for a periodic regeneration of those aftertreatment systems to consistently reduce tail-pipe emissions. Although the combustion and emission characteristics are changed from the normal engine operating conditions due to the POI, POI is generally applied with a look-up table (LUT) based feedforward control because of its cost effectiveness and easy implementation into the engine management system (EMS). However, the LUT-based POI control necessities tremendous calibration work to find the optimal timing to supply high exhaust gas temperature or enough reductants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon to regenerate the aftertreatment systems while maintaining low engine-out smoke emissions. To solve this problem, we propose a novel combustion analysis method based on the cylinder pressure information. This method investigates the relation between the POI timing with the exhaust emissions and compensates the combustion phase shift occurred by the engine operating condition changes, such as the engine speed and injection quantity. A burning rate of fuel after a location of the rate of heat release maximum (BRaLoROHRmax) was derived from the combustion analysis. A mass fraction burned X% after a location of the rate of heat release maximum (MFBXaLoROHRmax) was determined using the BRaLoROHRmax and main injection (MI) quantity. Nonlinear characteristics of the exhaust emissions according to POI timing variations and the combustion phase shift due to the engine operating condition changes can be easily analyzed and compensated in terms of the proposed MFBXaLoROHRmax domain. The proposed method successfully evaluated its utility through the engine experiments for the LNT and DPF regeneration.
Blade Load Unsteadiness and Turbulence Statistics in an Actuator-Line Computed Turbine–Turbine Interaction Problem
Authors: Jha Pankaj K. , Schmitz Sven
Published: January 2016

The objective of this study is to investigate how different volumetric projection techniques used in actuator-line modeling affect the unsteady blade loads and wake turbulence statistics. The two techniques for the body-force projection radius are based on either (i) the grid spacing or (ii) the combination of grid spacing and an equivalent elliptic blade planform. An array of two National Renewable Energy Laboratory 5-MW turbines separated by seven rotor diameters is simulated for 2000 s (about rotor 300 revolutions) within a large-eddy simulation (LES) solver of the neutral and moderately convective atmospheric boundary layer (ABL). The statistics of sectional angle of attack (AOA), blade loads, and turbine power histories are quantified. Moreover, the degree of unsteadiness of sectional blade loads in response to atmospheric and wake turbulence is computed via a reduced frequency based on the rate-of-change in sectional AOA. The goal of this work is to make the wind energy community aware of the uncertainties associated with actuator-line modeling approaches.
A Symmetric Angle-Ply Composite Flywheel for High-Speed Energy Storage
Authors: Conteh Michael A. , Nsofor Emmanuel C.
Published: January 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the stress, strain, and strength ratio distributions in the composite flywheel rotor for high-energy density storage applications. Symmetric laminate design was used to avoid shear and extension–bending coupling and to minimize torsion coupling. The rotor studied consists of four anisotropic unidirectional plies. The continuity conditions of the radial stresses and displacements between plies were used to obtain a local stiffness matrix for each ply and develop the global stiffness matrix for the rotor due to the different ply orientations. The Tsai–Wu three-dimensional (3D) quadratic failure criterion in stress space was used to evaluate the strength ratio of the rings. Analysis was done for ply orientations between [±5 deg]S and [±85 deg]S. Three specific ply orientations were reported for discussion. The results show how the stress, strain, and safe rotational speed of the flywheel change as the ply orientations are varied. The circumferential stress was found to be the dominant stress. It increases as the ply angle increased in the circumferential direction while the axial stress decreased. Due to significant improvements in composite materials and technology, the results from this study will contribute to further development of the flywheel which has recently re-emerged as a promising application for energy storage.
Summary of the 2014 Sandia Verification and Validation Challenge Workshop
Authors: Schroeder Benjamin B. , Hu Kenneth T. , Mullins Joshua G. , Winokur Justin G.
Published: January 2016

A discussion of the five responses to the 2014 Sandia Verification and Validation (V&V) Challenge Problem, presented within this special issue, is provided hereafter. Overviews of the challenge problem workshop, workshop participants, and the problem statement are also included. Brief summations of teams' responses to the challenge problem are provided. Issues that arose throughout the responses that are deemed applicable to the general verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification (VVUQ) community are the main focal point of this paper. The discussion is oriented and organized into big picture comparison of data and model usage, VVUQ activities, and differentiating conceptual themes behind the teams' VVUQ strategies. Significant differences are noted in the teams' approaches toward all VVUQ activities, and those deemed most relevant are discussed. Beyond the specific details of VVUQ implementations, thematic concepts are found to create differences among the approaches; some of the major themes are discussed. Finally, an encapsulation of the key contributions, the lessons learned, and advice for the future are presented.
Effect of Deep Penetration of Interleaf on Delamination Resistance in GFRP
Authors: Bian Dakai , Bucher Tizian , Shim D. J. , Jones Marshall , Lawrence Yao Y.
Published: January 2016

The problem of improving the delamination resistance and toughness of laminate fiber-reinforced composites especially for the drop-off structure is receiving considerable attention with the increasing need and application in industries. A hot melt-bonding process is developed to bond glass fabric laminates and the thermoplastic (TP) polysulfone (PSU) interleaf prior to the vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) of laminate composites. The TP interleaf is heated above the glass transition temperature to reduce the viscosity when penetrating deeply into the glass fiber fabric. Mechanical tensile testing is performed to quantify the effects of the penetration depth on composite delamination resistance and composite toughness under different melt-bonding temperatures. Crack paths are observed by optical microscopy to characterize the crack propagation and arrest mechanism. Postmortem high-resolution imaging of the fracture surfaces is used to characterize the toughening mechanism of the TP interleaf reinforcements by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). With deep penetration of the interleaf into the fiber bundles, cracks arrested within the penetration region improve the toughness by avoiding the cracks to reach the weak interface between interleaf and epoxy.
Paper of note in
Science Translational Medicine
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: January 2016

This week’s article features insights into how neutrophils control fungal infection.
Micromanaging the microbiome
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: January 2016

Intestinal cells produce microRNAs that regulate gut microbial communities.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mutations Associated with Reduced Susceptibility to Linezolid
Authors: Zhang Shuo , Chen Jiazhen , Cui Peng , Shi Wanliang , Shi Xiaohong , Niu Hongxia , Chan Denise , Yew Wing Wai , Zhang Wenhong , Zhang Ying
Published: January 2016

Linezolid (LZD) has become increasingly important for the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), but its mechanisms of resistance are not well characterized. We isolated 32 mutants of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
with reduced susceptibility to LZD, which was accounted for by
rrl
and
rplC
mutations in almost equal proportions, causing lower and higher MICs, respectively. Our findings provide useful information for the rapid detection of LZD resistance for improved treatment of MDR-TB.
In Vitro
Activity of Ceftazidime-Avibactam against Contemporary Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from U.S. Medical Centers by Census Region, 2014
Authors: Huband Michael D. , Castanheira Mariana , Flamm Robert K. , Farrell David J. , Jones Ronald N. , Sader Helio S.
Published: January 2016

The
in vitro
antibacterial activities of ceftazidime-avibactam and comparator agents were evaluated using reference broth microdilution methods against 1,743
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates collected in 2014 from 69 U.S. medical centers, representing each of the nine census regions. Ceftazidime-avibactam demonstrated potent activity against
P. aeruginosa
, including many isolates not susceptible to ceftazidime, meropenem, and piperacillin-tazobactam. In each of the nine census regions, ceftazidime-avibactam demonstrated the highest percentage of susceptible isolates.
TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGE, HETEROGENEOUS TALENT AND TRADE
Authors: KUO KUO-HSING , LEE CHENG-TE
Published: January 2016

This paper will setup a trade model to explore the impact of the diversity of talent distribution and the technology difference on the pattern of trade (POT) and income inequality of an economy. We find that not only the diversity effect but also the technology effect can matter for the pattern of POT. We demonstrate that, in the free-trade equilibrium, if the technology effect dominates the diversity effect then the country with a more (less) diverse distribution of talent may export the goods produced by a technology with supermodularity (submodularity). In addition, we prove that the relative technology difference will affect income inequality. If the technological advance for the submodular sector S is better than for the supermodular sector C, then income inequality would increase.
Simulation of porphyrin-ethanol solvate shell by DFT method
Authors: Singin Pavel V. , Islyaikin Mikhail K. , Trifonova Irina P. , Burmistrov Vladimir A. , Koifman Oscar I.
Published: January 2016

Theoretical studies on porphyrin-ethanol solvates containing from 1 to 8 ethanol molecules have been carried out by density functional theory (DFT) calculations using hybrid (B3LYP) and meta-GGA (M06-L) functionals. It was established that porphirin molecule can be considered as two centered protones acceptor. Specific solvation is at the base of porphyrin-(EtOH)n interactions and results in a distortion of macrocycle planar structure. The nucleophilic solvation energy of the porphirin pyrrole demonstrates dependence on the number of molecules in the ethanol solvate, being the highest for the first two ethanol molecules and decreasing with ethanol association in the solvation shell. Results obtained by this way are in good agreement with data derived from 1H NMR.
Numerical simulation of crack propagation under fatigue loading in piezoelectric material using extended finite element method
Authors: Bhattacharya S. , Pamnani G. , Sanyal S. , Sharma K.
Published: January 2016

Piezoelectric materials due to their electromechanical coupling characteristics are being widely used in actuators, sensor, transducers, etc. Considering wide application it is essential to accurately predict their fatigue and fracture under applied loading conditions. The present study deals with analysis of fatigue crack growth in piezoelectric material using the extended finite element method (XFEM). A pre-cracked rectangular plate with crack at its edge and center impermeable crack-face boundary conditions is considered for simulation. Fatigue crack growth is simulated using extended finite element method under plane strain condition and mechanical, combined (mechanical and electrical) cyclic loading. Stress intensity factors for mechanical and combined (mechanical and electrical cyclic loadings) have been evaluated by interaction integral approach using the asymptotic crack tip fields. Crack propagation criteria have been applied to predict propagation and finally the failure.
Ensuring Trust and Security in the Industrial IoT
Authors: Huberman Bernardo A.
Published: January 2016

Industrial Internet of Things (IOT) is a distributed network of smart sensors that enables precise control and monitoring of complex processes over arbitrary distances. The great advantage of the industrial IoT is counterbalanced by a security weakness. The insertion of a smart device capable of extracting protected data or malicious actions can infect the whole network with relative ease. Thus it becomes imperative to discover whether or not new devices have the right capabilities and compatibilities with other sensors. This article presents a zero knowledge protocol that achieves precisely that objective while keeping the sensor data private.
Self-repair techniques point to robots that design themselves
Authors: Edwards Chris
Published: January 2016

Robots are being taught to brainstorm alternatives when damaged.
Broadening access to computing education state by state
Authors: Adrion Rick , Fall Renee , Ericson Barbara , Guzdial Mark
Published: January 2016

Influencing computer science education at the state level.
Code hoarding
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: January 2016

Committing to commits, and the beauty of summarizing graphs.
A Fast and Slippery Slope for File Systems
Authors: Santana Ricardo , Rangaswami Raju , Tarasov Vasily , Hildebrand Dean
Published: January 2016

There is a vast number and variety of file systems currently available, each optimizing for an ever growing number of storage devices and workloads. Users have an unprecedented, and somewhat overwhelming, number of data management options. At the same time, the fastest storage devices are only getting faster, and it is unclear on how well the existing file systems will adapt. Using emulation techniques, we evaluate five popular Linux file systems across a range of storage device latencies typical to low-end hard drives, latest high-performance persistent memory block devices, and in between. Our findings are often surprising. Depending on the workload, we find that some file systems can clearly scale with faster storage devices much better than others. Further, as storage device latency decreases, we find unexpected performance inversions across file systems. Finally, file system scalability in the higher device latency range is not representative of scalability in the lower, submillisecond, latency range. We then focus on Nilfs2 as an especially alarming example of an unexpectedly poor scalability and present detailed instructions for identifying bottlenecks in the I/O stack.
Observational Constraints of 30–40 GeV Dark Matter Annihilation in Galaxy Clusters
Authors: Chan Man Ho
Published: January 2016

Recently, it has been shown that the annihilation of 30–40 GeV dark matter particles through bb- channel can satisfactorily explain the excess GeV gamma-ray spectrum near the Galactic Center. In this paper, we apply the above model to galaxy clusters and use the latest upper limits of gamma-ray flux derived from Fermi-LAT data to obtain an upper bound of the annihilation cross section of dark matter. By considering the extended density profiles and the cosmic ray profile models of 49 galaxy clusters, the upper bound of the annihilation cross section can be further tightened to σv≤9×10-26 cm3 s−1. This result is consistent with the one obtained from the data near the Galactic Center.
Serological Investigation of Akabane Virus Infection in Cattle and Sheep in Nigeria
Authors: Oluwayelu Daniel Oladimeji , Aiki-Raji Comfort Oluladun , Umeh Emmanuel Chibuzor , Mustapha Samat Odunayo , Adebiyi Adebowale Idris
Published: January 2016

Akabane virus (AKAV) is recognized as an important pathogen that causes abortions and congenital malformations in ruminants. However, it has not received adequate attention in Nigeria. Therefore, in investigating this disease, serum samples from 184 (abattoir and farm) head of cattle and 184 intensively reared sheep from two states in southwest Nigeria were screened for antibodies against AKAV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. An overall seropositivity of 70.1% (129/184) was obtained with antibodies being detectable in 73.8% of abattoir (trade) cattle and 40.0% in farm cattle, while 4.3% (8/184) seropositivity was observed in sheep. All the age groups of cattle tested had seropositive animals, 0-1 year (1/7, 14.3%), 2-3 years (17/34, 50.0%), 4-5 years (92/121, 76.0%), and >5 years (19/22, 86.4%), while in sheep only the age groups of 2-3 and 4-5 years showed seropositivity of 4.1% (4/97) and 8.2% (4/49), respectively. The detection of antibody-positive animals among unvaccinated cattle and sheep provides evidence of AKAV infection in Nigeria. These findings call for continuous monitoring of the disease among ruminants in order to ascertain the actual burden and increase awareness of the disease. This will facilitate early detection and aid the development of appropriate control measures against the disease in Nigeria.
TightK-g-Frame and Its Novel Characterizations via Atomic Systems
Authors: Huang Yongdong , Hua Dingli
Published: January 2016

K-g-frame is a generalization ofg-frame. We generalize the tightg-frame toK-g-frame via atomic systems. In this paper, the definition of tightK-g-frame is put forward; equivalent characterizations and necessary conditions of tightK-g-frame are given. In particular, the necessary and sufficient condition for tightK-g-frame being tightg-frame is obtained. Finally, by means of methods and techniques of frame theory, several properties of tightK-g-frame are given.
Segmenting Brain Tissues from Chinese Visible Human Dataset by Deep-Learned Features with Stacked Autoencoder
Authors: Zhao Guangjun , Wang Xuchu , Niu Yanmin , Tan Liwen , Zhang Shao-Xiang
Published: January 2016

Cryosection brain images in Chinese Visible Human (CVH) dataset contain rich anatomical structure information of tissues because of its high resolution (e.g., 0.167 mm per pixel). Fast and accurate segmentation of these images into white matter, gray matter, and cerebrospinal fluid plays a critical role in analyzing and measuring the anatomical structures of human brain. However, most existing automated segmentation methods are designed for computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging data, and they may not be applicable for cryosection images due to the imaging difference. In this paper, we propose a supervised learning-based CVH brain tissues segmentation method that uses stacked autoencoder (SAE) to automatically learn the deep feature representations. Specifically, our model includes two successive parts where two three-layer SAEs take image patches as input to learn the complex anatomical feature representation, and then these features are sent to Softmax classifier for inferring the labels. Experimental results validated the effectiveness of our method and showed that it outperformed four other classical brain tissue detection strategies. Furthermore, we reconstructed three-dimensional surfaces of these tissues, which show their potential in exploring the high-resolution anatomical structures of human brain.
Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome: Behind the Genetic Scenes
Authors: Stouffs Katrien , Gheldof Alexander , Tournaye Herman , Vandermaelen Deborah , Bonduelle Maryse , Lissens Willy , Seneca Sara
Published: January 2016

Sertoli cell-only syndrome is defined by the complete absence of germ cells in testicular tissues and always results in male infertility. The aetiology often remains unknown. In this paper, we have investigated possible causes of Sertoli cell-only syndrome with a special focus on genetic causes. Our results show that, for a large part of the patients (>23% in an unselected group), the sex chromosomes are involved. The majority of patients had a Klinefelter syndrome, followed by patients with Yq microdeletions. Array comparative genomic hybridization in a selected group of “idiopathic patients” showed no known infertility related copy number variations.
Microcystin-LR Induced Immunotoxicity in Mammals
Authors: Lone Yaqoob , Bhide Mangla , Koiri Raj Kumar
Published: January 2016

Microcystins are toxic molecules produced by cyanobacterial blooms due to water eutrophication. Exposure to microcystins is a global health problem because of its association with various other pathological effects and people all over the world are exposed to microcystins on a regular basis. Evidence shows that microcystin-LR (MC-LR) may adversely affect the immune system, but its specific effects on immune functions are lacking. In the present review, immunotoxicological effects associated with MC-LR in animals, humans, andin vitromodels have been reported. Overall, the data shows that chronic exposure to MC-LR has the potential to impair vital immune responses which could lead to increased risk of various diseases including cancers. Studies in animal andin vitromodels have provided some pivotal understanding into the potential mechanisms of MC-LR related immunotoxicity suggesting that further investigation, particularly in humans, is required to better understand the relationship between development of disease and the MC-LR exposure.
Identification and Functional Characterization of Two IntronicNIPBLMutations in Two Patients with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome
Authors: Teresa-Rodrigo María E. , Eckhold Juliane , Puisac Beatriz , Pozojevic Jelena , Parenti Ilaria , Baquero-Montoya Carolina , Gil-Rodríguez María C. , Braunholz Diana , Dalski Andreas , Hernández-Marcos María , Ayerza Ariadna , Bernal María L. , Ramos Feliciano J. , Wieczorek Dagmar , Gillessen-Kaesbach Gabriele , Pié Juan , Kaiser Frank J.
Published: January 2016

Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) is a rare genetically heterogeneous disorder with a high phenotypic variability including mental retardation, developmental delay, and limb malformations. The genetic causes in about 30% of patients with CdLS are still unknown. We report on the functional characterization of two intronicNIPBLmutations in two patients with CdLS that do not affect a conserved splice-donor or acceptor site. Interestingly, mRNA analyses showed aberrantly spliced transcripts missing exon 28 or 37, suggesting the loss of the branch site by the c.5329-15A>G transition and a disruption of the polypyrimidine by the c.6344del(-13)_(-8) deletion. While the loss of exon 28 retains the reading frame of theNIBPLtranscript resulting in a shortened protein, the loss of exon 37 shifts the reading frame with the consequence of a premature stop of translation. Subsequent quantitative PCR analysis demonstrated a 30% decrease of the totalNIPBLmRNA levels associated with the frameshift transcript. Consistent with our results, this patient shows a more severe phenotype compared to the patient with the aberrant transcript that retains its reading frame. Thus, intronic variants identified by sequencing analysis in CdLS diagnostics should carefully be examined before excluding them as nonrelevant to disease.
Process Optimization and Wear Behavior of Red Mud Reinforced Aluminum Composites
Authors: Shanmugavel Rajesh , Sundaresan Thirumalai Kumaran , Marimuthu Uthayakumar , Manickaraj Pethuraj
Published: January 2016

This work presents the application of hybrid approach for optimizing the dry sliding wear behavior of red mud based aluminum metal matrix composites (MMCs). The essential input parameters are identified as applied load, sliding velocity, wt.% of reinforcement, and hardness of the counterpart material, whereas the output responses are specific wear rate and Coefficient of Friction (COF). The Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) is performed to optimize the multiple performance characteristics simultaneously. The Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and entropy methods are applied to evaluate the values of weights corresponding to each output response. The experimental result shows that the wt.% of reinforcements (Q=34.9%) followed by the sliding velocity (Q=34.5%) contributed more to affecting the dry sliding wear behavior. The optimized conditions are verified through the confirmation test, which exhibited an improvement in the grey relational grade of specific wear rate and COF by 0.3 and 0.034, respectively.
Germinoma Mimicking Tumefactive Demyelinating Disease in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Akiyama Yukinori , Suzuki Hime , Mikuni Nobuhiro
Published: January 2016

Cases of intracranial germinoma with granulomatous reaction are rare, so a pathological diagnosis of this disease is difficult. In this report, we describe the case of a 13-year-old boy with a bilateral thalamic germinoma which initially mimicked tumefactive demyelinating disease with inflammation, based on the clinical symptoms, imaging results and histology of a biopsy specimen obtained endoscopically. Upon examination of the cerebrospinal fluid, oligoclonal bands were detected. Although his symptoms and radiological findings improved following steroid pulse treatment, they worsened dramatically almost 1 year after the first surgery and even after an additional steroid pulse treatment. Prompted by the clinical course, a second biopsy was performed, and a pathological examination of the specimen showed a two-cell pattern. The diagnosis was changed to intracranial germinoma. After chemotherapeutic treatment with etoposide and cisplatin, the patient's symptoms and radiological findings dramatically improved. We conclude that it is very challenging to distinguish germinomas with a granulomatous reaction due to other inflammatory diseases, especially when only small specimens can be obtained. Stereotactic or endoscopic biopsies should be performed using samples from several different points even if the lesions are associated with eloquent brain regions.
Assessing Patients' Disaster Preparedness in Home-Based Primary Care
Authors: Wyte-Lake Tamar , Claver Maria , Dobalian Aram
Published: January 2016

Background: Chronic conditions paired with normal aging put home-bound individuals at risk of harm during a disaster. Because of their high rate of comorbidities, veterans receiving care from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)'s home-based primary care (HBPC) program are especially vulnerable, which may prevent them from being prepared for disaster. With intimate knowledge of their patients' home environments, medical needs, resources, and limitations, HBPC practitioners are uniquely positioned to assess and improve disaster preparedness of patients. Objective: This study explored issues regarding disaster preparedness for HBPC patients, including ways in which policy and procedures support routine assessment of disaster preparedness for patients as well as patient education activities. Methods: This project involved 32 semi-structured interviews with practitioners and leadership at 5 VHA HBPC programs - 3 urban and 2 rural. Transcripts of the interviews were analyzed using content analysis techniques. Results: Three themes emerged regarding the assessment of a patient's disaster preparedness: (1) assessment tools are rudimentary and, in some cases, individually developed by practitioners; (2) comprehension of criteria for assigning risk categories varies among practitioners, and (3) patients' cognitive impairment, limited resources, and out-of-date or inaccessible materials are the primary challenges to their preparedness. A fourth additional theme emerged as well: (4) the interdisciplinary nature of the HBPC team allows for unique innovative practices, such as a central focus on caregiver support and personal safety, as it relates to assessment and preparedness of the patient. Conclusion: Health and functional limitations may prevent home-bound patients from being adequately prepared for disasters. Standardized strategies and tools concerning disaster preparedness assessment for HBPC patients, which allow flexibility in consideration of factors such as local hazards, could assist in creating more comprehensive planning approaches and, in turn, more prepared persons. This is a work of the US Government and is not subject to copyright protection in the USA. Foreign copyrights may apply. Published by S. Karger AG, Basel
The Relationship of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2 to Fetal Growth and Adiposity
Authors: Kadakia Rachel , Josefson Jami
Published: January 2016

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) is necessary for adequate human growth. Overexpression of the IGF2 gene is associated with fetal overgrowth and may play a role in the intrauterine programming of adipose tissue. As obesity in children is a major public health problem associated with early onset of comorbid metabolic diseases, identifying early life markers of obesity may serve as useful tool for counseling and implementation of preventive efforts before obesity develops. The relationship between IGF-2 and body composition is an emerging field of study and existing data are conflicting. In this review, we discuss the IGF2 gene and its function, highlight the proposed mechanisms for the effects of IGF-2 on adiposity, and examine the current literature studying the relationships between IGF-2 levels, changes within the IGF2 gene, weight, and adiposity. With additional study, IGF-2 may emerge as a useful marker of future obesity risk in infants.
The wet desert system of the Upper Jurassic of the Parnaiba Basin, in the region between Formosa da Serra Negra and Montes Altos, Maranhão State, Brazil
Authors: Rabelo Cleber Eduardo Neri , Nogueira Afonso César Rodrigues
Published: January 2016

O Mesozoico foi marcado por mudanças geológicas significativas decorrentes da Orogenia Gonduanide, que possibilitou a implantação de sistemas desérticos concomitantemente com expressivos eventos magmáticos. No Brasil, o registro desses eventos é observado na porção central da Bacia do Parnaíba, representados pelos depósitos siliciclásticos da Formação Corda, de idade jurássica, que sobrepõem derrames basálticos da Formação Mosquito. O estudo de fácies e estratigráfico de afloramentos dessa unidade, realizado na região entre Formosa da Serra Negra e Montes Altos, estado do Maranhão, possibilitou reconstituir o paleoambiente e inferir condições paleoclimáticas para essa região da Bacia Parnaíba durante o Jurássico. Foram identificadas quinze fácies sedimentares agrupadas em três associações de fácies (AF), representativas de um sistema desértico: 1) canal fluvial entrelaçado (AF1), caracterizado por conglomerados e arenitos finos a grossos, com grãos e seixos de rochas vulcânicas, com estratificações plano-paralela e cruzada acanalada; 2) lençóis arenosos (AF2), constituídos por arenitos finos a grossos e pelitos subordinados com laminação plano-paralela, laminação cruzada cavalgante, marcas de adesão e gutter casts; 3) campo de dunas (AF3), arenitos finos a médios, com grãos arredondados e estratificações cruzadas tabular e tangencial. Fluxos fluviais efêmeros (AF1), adjacentes ao campo de dunas (AF3), frequentemente retrabalhavam o topo das planícies vulcânicas e, esporadicamente, invadiam os lençóis arenosos (AF2). Comparado aos ergs do Permo-Triássico, o sistema desértico Corda foi mais úmido e menos extenso, precedendo os sistemas fluviais e costeiros de clima mais ameno do Cretáceo da Bacia do Parnaíba