bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“What” perception of sounds and words
Authors: Baese-Berk Melissa M.
Published: November 2019

Speech perception is a task that, on the surface, is deceptively simple. Every day in most of our interactions, we are able to understand speech from a variety of talkers about a variety of topics without significant challenges. However, the actual task of understanding speech is a complex one, requiring a listener to quickly extract information from a noisy and variable acoustic signal to determine the speaker’s intended meaning. Determining what linguistic features and words a speaker has intended is not trivial, as many factors can influence the acoustic signal. That is, the same intended word or speech segment can be produced with many distinct acoustic realizations depending on the speaker, the surrounding speech context, and other linguistic features, including the speaking rate. Further, speech perception can be even more challenging when a listener is trying to perceive speech in noisy environments, including environmental noise (e.g., construction noise) or competing speech from other talkers. In this talk, I will focus on how listeners are able to extract relatively invariant meaning representations from a highly variable signal. Understanding what is perceived when listeners hear speech is critically important for an understanding of what factors matter for speech privacy.
Investigation of a rupture-induced underwater sound source
Authors: McNeese Andrew R. , Lee Kevin M. , Lee Michael , Sagers Jason D. , Wilson Preston S.
Published: November 2019

Underwater acoustic experiments, surveys, and sonar often require a repeatable, predictable, and broadband sound source. In many instances, a high amplitude, impulsive sound source is utilized to produce a broadband event capable of penetrating the seabed and propagating to long range. Prior experimentation at the Applied Research Laboratories at the University of Texas at Austin (ARL:UT) has demonstrated the viability of a device that utilizes a rupture disk as an underwater acoustic source. A rupture disk is an expendable diaphragm used in industrial applications, which is designed to break at a specified pressure differential. Placing a rupture disk over an evacuated chamber and mechanically breaking the disk (either by striking on demand or via hydrostatic pressure) at a specified depth was demonstrated to produce high-amplitude, broadband waveforms as the cavity collapses and inflowing water impacts the bottom of the chamber. Residual bubble oscillations are greatly reduced due to the fact that the collapse chamber is initially evacuated. This source also has the advantage that it is solely comprises inert materials—no explosives or combustive gases are required. Discussion will focus on new and expanded source level measurements and preliminary comparisons to model predictions. [Work Supported by ARL:UT IR&D Program.]
Environmental characterization using airgun seismic sources
Authors: Hildebrand John , Cornuelle Bruce D.
Published: November 2019

Seismic surveys using arrays of airguns are a ubiquitous feature of the ocean ambient sound environment. An approach is presented to use airguns as a sound source to study how physical oceanographic variability shapes long range acoustic propagation. Signal processing and data analysis tools are presented to allow opportunistic use of commercial seismic surveys in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) for environmental characterization. Airgun propagation data are analyzed and compared to models generated from conventional physical oceanographic data collection for large scale features such as the Loop Current.
Modelling Lamb waves in the septal wall of the heart
Authors: Sabbadini Alberico , Caenen Annette , Vos Hendrik J. , de Jong Nico , Verweij Martin D.
Published: November 2019

Shear Wave Elastography (SWE) has been proposed to investigate cardiac health by non-invasively monitoring tissue stiffness. Previous work has shown that the plate-like geometry of the Interventricular Septum (IVS) may result in a dispersion similar to Lamb waves, complicating the link between shear wave speed and cardiac stiffness. However, the IVS is not a simple plate, e.g., its thickness tapers across its length. We have used 2-D Finite Element simulations to investigate the effects of tapering on Lamb waves. The model consists of an elastic slab immersed in water, with a thickness decreasing smoothly in space from 9 to 3 mm. Pulses with low (0–80 Hz) and high (0–700 Hz) frequency contents were used to excite natural and acoustic radiation force induced waves. The results show that, at the lower frequencies, propagation speed can decrease during propagation by ~20% due to the thickness reduction, producing a nonlinear space-time relation from which multiple speed values can be extracted. At higher frequencies, the main observation is a dependence of the dispersion behavior on the shape of the tapering (e.g., linear, concave, or convex). These results suggest that septal geometry is likely to play a role in deriving cardiac stiffness from propagation speed measurements.
Measurements of ultrasound attenuation in human chest wall
Authors: Patterson Brandon , Miller Douglas
Published: November 2019

Knowledge of the bulk acoustic properties of human chest wall is useful in the development and study of cardiac and lung ultrasound exposimetry. However, few studies have been performed on human tissue, and there is a need for attenuation data relevant to clinical diagnostic ultrasound. In this study, we measured the bulk acoustic attenuation in unembalmed, never-frozen human chest wall samples, using a GE Vivid 7, clinical diagnostic ultrasound machine. B-mode ultrasound with frequencies from 1.6 to 5.0 MHz was transmitted through human chest wall tissue samples and compared to equivalent-source signals transmitted through normal saline. The recorded signals were analyzed to characterize the acoustic attenuation. Preliminary results based on 9 donors show that both chest wall morphology and bulk attenuation properties vary widely between individuals. Chest wall thicknesses ranged from 2 to 6 cm. The mean linear acoustic attenuation coefficients, across all samples, ranged from 1.1 dB/cm MHz at 1.6 MHz to 1.7 dB/cm MHz at 5.0 MHz, with a frequency-averaged standard deviation of 0.4 dB/cm MHz. Across all donors and frequency and power settings, linear acoustic attenuation coefficients ranged from 0.5 to 2.3 dB/cm MHz. Variation in thoracic exposure may result from variations in the chest wall composition and morphology between patients.
Applying neural networks to computational simulations of ultrasonic scans to determine scatterer location
Authors: Nguyen Nguyen , Goff Eleanor , Brandt Naomi , Herd Maria-Teresa
Published: November 2019

In the field of ultrasound imaging, it has been theorized that speckle may be the product of unresolvable scatterers. These unresolved scatterers may contain information about tissue structure, including the development of small tumors. Unpacking this information from speckle patterns is mathematically untenable, but neural networks can be used to recognize these patterns. As of now, few attempts have been made to apply neural networks to predict scatterer placement from ultrasound scans. We have constructed a computational simulation which consistently and accurately reproduces experimental data and can be used to train a neural network. Using Field II, a Matlab-based program for ultrasound modelling, simulations were created to replicate data produced from experimental phantoms composed of tapioca beads and agarose gel. Simulations were designed to account for bead placement and size, as well as experimental conditions. Comparisons between simulated and experimental data using statistical analysis show that computational methods can accurately predict ultrasound images. This verification allows us to train a neural network using simulated data and apply this training to analyze experimental data.
Influence of thermodynamics inside bubble and flow nonuniformity on weakly nonlinear waves in bubbly liquids
Authors: Kanagawa Tetsuya , Kamei Takafumi , Maeda Taiki , Ayukai Takahiro
Published: November 2019

An effect of the liquid viscosity and the thermal conductivity and nonuniform distribution of initial flow velocity on weakly nonlinear propagation of pressure waves in an initially quiescent liquid containing many small spherical gas bubbles is theoretically elucidated. Based on the derivation of the KdV–Burgers equation for a long wave and the nonlinear Schrödinger equation for a short carrier wave, the following results are obtained: (i) the installation of the energy equation affects nonlinear, dispersion, and dissipation effects; (ii) the liquid viscosity and the thermal conductivity lead to change considerably the explicit form of the coefficient in the dissipation term; and (iii) the weak nonuniform effect appears in a far field.
A numerical study of blast wave mitigation using volumetric diffusors
Authors: Dunn Kyle G. , Muhlestein Michael B. , Swearingen Michelle E.
Published: November 2019

We explore the use of large-scale volumetric diffusors to reduce the power of a blast wave observed far away from a point source in a given direction. The blast wave propagation is approximated as being linear and modeled using a three-dimensional finite difference time domain method. The volumetric diffusor under consideration consists of many rigid scatterers and is intended to allow energy to propagate through while decreasing the maximum impulsive pressure. The optimization of rigid scatterer positions is used to achieve our goal of 5–7 dB within an arc of at least 30 deg. An overview of the model and methods will be presented along with preliminary results showing the effectiveness of our approach.
On improving sound beam formation using the special acoustic lens in sound extinguisher
Authors: Kim Bong Young , Bae Myungjin
Published: November 2019

New fire prevention technologies have become necessary due to various fire fighting environments. Sound fire extinguishers can be a new alternative technique to suppress fire by using sound characteristics. We have newly proposed a special acoustical lens to improve the sound beam forming of a sound extinguisher. In this paper, the characteristics of the sound beam formed by the special acoustic lens and the sound beam are verified through experiments. While the wind speed was measured in the sound beam, when the reverse phase sound was supplied, the wind speed was lost and the sound amplitude was reduced by about 20 dB, and the sound velocity of the sound beam was measured to move the medium at a constant cycle with a very large pressure change. Also, the sound level on the propagation path was measured to be 4 dB attenuation up to 30 cm, which is 3 times of 10 cm, and it was confirmed that sound energy was effectively transmitted to 70 cm. As a result of this experiment, the special sound lens of the sound extinguisher emits the resonant sound as the sound source of the plane sound source, so that the sound energy is concentrated and transmitted to the flame effectively.
Post-collection ultrasound-audio synchronization
Authors: Bakst Sarah , Lin Susan
Published: November 2019

Speech research using lingual ultrasound often requires both the ultrasound images as well as audio from the corresponding audio speech signals, but synchronization of these signals is not always available. We propose that periods of matching rates of change in the two signals could be used to align articulatory and acoustic signals where synchronization is impossible or would otherwise benefit from verification. In this study, we analyze pre-synchronized ultrasound and audio recordings of English speakers reading words. For each recording, we calculated the articulatory change as the change in pixel brightness values over time and the acoustic change as the change in Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficient representations of the audio, and then calculated the degree of correlation between the acoustic and articulatory change over a window shifting through the recording. Then, we deliberately offset the signals in increments of 5 ms to verify that the known synchronization results in the best correlations. We manipulated several other variables, and preliminary results suggest that shorter window lengths and analyzing correlations only during detected speech result in the most accurate alignments. Analysis is ongoing to determine whether duration of correlation (number of windows with high r-values) or overall degree of correlation (median r-values) leads to the most accurate alignments.
Targeting redox heterogeneity to counteract drug tolerance in replicating
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Mishra Richa , Kohli Sakshi , Malhotra Nitish , Bandyopadhyay Parijat , Mehta Mansi , Munshi MohamedHusen , Adiga Vasista , Ahuja Vijay Kamal , Shandil Radha K. , Rajmani Raju S. , Seshasayee Aswin Sai Narain , Singh Amit
Published: November 2019

Chloroquine resets the redox physiology of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
to potentiate the efficacy of antibiotics in vivo.
A whiff of change for dysbiosis treatment
Authors: Brunner Patrick M.
Published: November 2019

Vaginal microbiome transplantation might be a safe and effective treatment in patients with intractable bacterial vaginosis.
Meningococcal Quinolone Resistance Originated from Several Commensal
Neisseria
Species
Authors: Chen Mingliang , Zhang Chi , Zhang Xi , Chen Min
Published: November 2019

Quinolone resistance is increasing in
Neisseria meningitidis
, with its prevalence in China being high (>70%), but its origin remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the donors of mutation-harboring
gyrA
alleles in
N. meningitidis
. A total of 198 
N. meningitidis
isolates and 293 commensal
Neisseria
isolates were collected between 2005 and 2018 in Shanghai, China. The MICs of ciprofloxacin were determined using the agar dilution method.
Structural and Functional Dynamics of Soil Microbes following Spruce Beetle Infestation
Authors: Custer Gordon F. , van Diepen Linda T. A. , Stump William L.
Published: November 2019

Belowground impacts of bark beetle infestation have not been explored as thoroughly as their aboveground counterparts. In order to accurately model impacts of bark beetle-induced tree mortality on carbon and nutrient cycling and forest regeneration, the intricacies of soil microbial communities must be examined. In this study, we investigated the structure and function of soil bacterial and fungal communities following bark beetle infestation. Our results show bark beetle infestation to impact soil conditions, as well as soil microbial community structure and function.
Refined Permian–Triassic floristic timeline reveals early collapse and delayed recovery of south polar terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Mays Chris , Vajda Vivi , Frank Tracy D. , Fielding Christopher R. , Nicoll Robert S. , Tevyaw Allen P. , McLoughlin Stephen
Published: November 2019

The collapse of late Permian (Lopingian) Gondwanan floras, characterized by the extinction of glossopterid gymnosperms, heralded the end of one of the most enduring and extensive biomes in Earth’s history. The Sydney Basin, Australia, hosts a near-continuous, age-constrained succession of high southern paleolatitude (∼65–75°S) terrestrial strata spanning the end-Permian extinction (EPE) interval. Sedimentological, stable carbon isotopic, palynological, and macrofloral data were collected from two cored coal-exploration wells and correlated. Six palynostratigraphic zones, supported by ordination analyses, were identified within the uppermost Permian to Lower Triassic succession, corresponding to discrete vegetation stages before, during, and after the EPE interval. Collapse of the glossopterid biome marked the onset of the terrestrial EPE and may have significantly predated the marine mass extinctions and conodont-defined Permian–Triassic Boundary. Apart from extinction of the dominant Permian plant taxa, the EPE was characterized by a reduction in primary productivity, and the immediate aftermath was marked by high abundances of opportunistic fungi, algae, and ferns. This transition is coeval with the onset of a gradual global decrease in δ13Corg and the primary extrusive phase of Siberian Traps Large Igneous Province magmatism. The dominant gymnosperm groups of the Gondwanan Mesozoic (peltasperms, conifers, and corystosperms) all appeared soon after the collapse but remained rare throughout the immediate post-EPE succession. Faltering recovery was due to a succession of rapid and severe climatic stressors until at least the late Early Triassic. Immediately prior to the Smithian–Spathian boundary (ca. 249 Ma), indices of increased weathering, thick redbeds, and abundant pleuromeian lycophytes likely signify marked climate change and intensification of the Gondwanan monsoon climate system. This is the first record of the Smithian–Spathian floral overturn event in high southern latitudes.
The management of patients with learning difficulties and testicular cancer: overcoming barriers to improve care
Authors: Mott Charlotte Emily , Ng Kenrick , Alifrangis Constantine
Published: November 2019

Cancer-specific survival rates in patients with learning difficulties (LD) are poorer than the general population. Issues such as delayed diagnosis, compliance, consent and needs for individualised care and support requirements can make it more demanding to manage these patients in a busy clinical environment. Our case highlights a patient with learning disabilities who presented with advanced testicular cancer due to delayed detection, and the challenges needing consideration to ensure such patients receive good care. This report also highlights an example of adapting curative intent treatment to an individual with complex needs, and the importance of patient and family involvement in decision-making to ensure these vulnerable patients receive safe and effective healthcare. The practicalities of multidisciplinary team working in the context of key legislation and existing frameworks to guide practice in the management of LD patients are also discussed.
Derivation and external validation of a risk prediction algorithm to estimate future risk of cardiovascular death among patients with type 2 diabetes and incident diabetic nephropathy: prospective cohort study
Authors: Yu Dahai , Shang Jin , Cai Yamei , Wang Zheng , Zhang Xiaoxue , Zhao Bin , Zhao Zhanzheng , Simmons David
Published: November 2019

Objective

To derive, and externally validate, a risk score for cardiovascular death among patients with type 2 diabetes and newly diagnosed diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Research design and methods

Two independent prospective cohorts with type 2 diabetes were used to develop and externally validate the risk score. The derivation cohort comprised 2282 patients with an incident, clinical diagnosis of DN. The validation cohort includes 950 patients with incident, biopsy-proven diagnosis of DN. The outcome was cardiovascular death within 2 years of the diagnosis of DN. Logistic regression was applied to derive the risk score for cardiovascular death from the derivation cohort, which was externally validated in the validation cohort. The score was also estimated by applying the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS) risk score in the external validation cohort.

Results

The 2-year cardiovascular mortality was 12.05% and 11.79% in the derivation cohort and validation cohort, respectively. Traditional predictors including age, gender, body mass index, blood pressures, glucose, lipid profiles alongside novel laboratory test items covering five test panels (liver function, serum electrolytes, thyroid function, blood coagulation and blood count) were included in the final model.

C-statistics was 0.736 (95% CI 0.731 to 0.740) and 0.747 (95% CI 0.737 to 0.756) in the derivation cohort and validation cohort, respectively. The calibration slope was 0.993 (95% CI 0.974 to 1.013) and 1.000 (95% CI 0.981 to 1.020) in the derivation cohort and validation cohort, respectively.

The UKPDS risk score substantially underestimated cardiovascular mortality.

Conclusions

A new risk score based on routine clinical measurements that quantified individual risk of cardiovascular death was developed and externally validated. Compared with the UKPDS risk score, which underestimated the cardiovascular disease risk, the new score is a more specific tool for patients with type 2 diabetes and DN. The score could work as a tool to identify individuals at the highest risk of cardiovascular death among those with DN.
Adverse birth outcomes in Guangdong province, China, 2014–2017: a spatiotemporal analysis of 2.9 million births
Authors: Miao Huazhang , Li Bing , Li Wu , Yao Fei , Chen Yuliang , Chen Ruyin , Lin Jiumin , Wu Yuntao , Guo Pi , Zhao Qingguo
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Adverse birth outcomes pose a great threat to the public health and bring a heavy burden of disease in China. A comprehensive examination of the temporal and spatial trends of preterm birth (PTB), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) epidemics can provide some elementary information for subsequent aetiological and epidemiological studies. This study aimed to characterise the spatiotemporal features of PTB, LBW and SGA based on a large cohort of live births in China.

Design

Spatiotemporal descriptive analysis was performed in Guangdong province, China, from 2014 to 2017.

Setting

Data involving 2 917 098 live births in Guangdong province, China from 2014 to 2017 was collected from Guangdong Birth Certificate System. Information was collected, including the date of birth, gestational age in week, birth weight, sex of the infant, age of the mother and registered residence of the mother.

Results

The estimated rate of PTB, LBW and SGA was 4.16%, 4.14% and 12.86%, respectively. For temporal trends, the rates of PTB, LBW and SGA showed seasonal fluctuations, especially for LBW and SGA. In addition, there were regional differences in the rates of PTB, LBW and SGA between the Pearl River Delta and Non-Pearl River Delta regions. From 2014 to 2017, the high rates of PTB and LBW expanded from the Pearl River Delta region to the Non-Pearl River Delta regions. However, compared with the Pearl River Delta region, the rate of SGA was higher in the Non-Pearl River Delta regions on the whole.

Conclusion

The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the aetiology and epidemiology of PTB, LBW and SGA in south China.
Systematic review of differential methylation in rare ophthalmic diseases
Authors: Kerr Katie , McAneney Helen , Smyth Laura , Flanagan Cheryl , Silvestri Julie , Nesbitt Micheal Andrew , Wooster Christopher , McKnight Amy Jayne
Published: November 2019

Rare ophthalmic diseases have a devastating impact on a patient’s vision and consequently negatively affect their independence, ability to work and overall quality of life. Methylation is an important emerging biomarker of disease and may improve understanding of rare ophthalmic disorders. This systematic review sought to identify and evaluate literature on methylation and rare ophthalmic disease. MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and grey literature resources were searched for publications prior to 20 August 2019. Articles written in English which featured key terms such as ‘methylation’ and rare ophthalmic diseases were included. Titles, abstracts, keywords and full texts of publications were screened, as well as reference lists for reverse citations and Web of Science ‘cited reference search’ for forward citation searching. Study characteristics were extracted, and methodological rigour appraised using a standardised template. Fourteen articles were selected for full inclusion. Rare ophthalmic conditions include congenital fibrosis of extraocular muscles, retinitis pigmentosa, Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, granular corneal dystrophy, choroideraemia, brittle cornea syndrome, retinopathy of prematurity, keratoconus and congenital cataracts. Outcomes include identification of methylation as contributor to disease and identification of potential novel therapeutic targets. The studies included were heterogeneous with no scope for meta-analysis following review; a narrative synthesis was undertaken. Differential methylation has been identified in a small number of rare ophthalmic diseases and few studies have been performed to date. Further multiomic research will improve understanding of rare eye diseases and hopefully lead to improved provision of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers, and help identify novel therapeutic targets.
​Is suicide mortality associated with neighbourhood social fragmentation and deprivation? A Dutch register-based case-control study using individualised neighbourhoods
Authors: Hagedoorn Paulien , Groenewegen Peter P , Roberts Hannah , Helbich Marco
Published: November 2019

Background

Neighbourhood social fragmentation and socioeconomic deprivation seem to be associated with suicide mortality. However, results are inconclusive, which might be because dynamics in the social context are not well-represented by administratively bounded neighbourhoods at baseline. We used individualised neighbourhoods to examine associations between suicide mortality, social fragmentation, and deprivation for the total population as well as by sex and age group.

Methods

Using a nested case-control design, all suicides aged 18–64 years between 2007 and 2016 were selected from longitudinal Dutch register data and matched with 10 random controls. Indices for social fragmentation and deprivation were calculated annually for 300, 600 and 1000 metre circular buffers around each subject’s residential address.

Results

Suicide mortality was significantly higher in neighbourhoods with high deprivation and social fragmentation. Accounting for individual characteristics largely attenuated these associations. Suicide mortality remained significantly higher for women living in highly fragmented neighbourhoods in the fully adjusted model. Age-stratified analyses indicate associations with neighbourhood fragmentation among women in older age groups (40–64 years) only. Among men, suicide risk was lower in fragmented neighbourhoods for those aged 18–39 years and for short-term residents. In deprived neighbourhoods, suicide risk was lower for men aged 40–64 years and long-term residents. Associations between neighbourhood characteristics and suicide mortality were comparable across buffer sizes.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that next to individual characteristics, the social and economic context within which people live may both enhance and buffer the risk of suicide.
Differential expression of antibodies to NMDA receptor in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Hirohata Shunsei , Tanaka Keiko
Published: November 2019

Objective

Anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis is the most prevalent autoimmune encephalitis having characteristic clinical features with autoantibodies against tetrameric transmembrane channels composed of combinations of NR1 subunits of NMDA receptors with NR2 subunits, which are detected by cell-based assay (anti-NR1/NR2). On the other hand, antibodies against the linear epitope in NR2 subunit (anti-NR2) have been shown to be expressed in patients with diffuse psychiatric/neuropsychological syndromes of neuropsychiatric SLE (diffuse NPSLE). However, it has not been explored whether anti-NR1/NR2 might be detected in NPSLE, nor has it been clear whether anti-NR2 might have cross-reactivity with anti-NR1/NR2. The current study was therefore performed to explore the prevalence of anti-NR1/NR2 in NPSLE.

Methods

Serum specimens were obtained from 31 patients with NPSLE (22 with diffuse NPSLE and 9 with neurological syndromes or polyneuropathy) and from 18 normal healthy subjects. Anti-NR2 and anti-NR1/NR2 were measured by ELISA and cell-based assay, respectively. The positivity for anti-NR2 was defined by a value exceeding mean+2 SD of normal healthy subjects.

Results

Anti-NR2 was positive in the sera of 19 of 31 patients with NPSLE (in 15 of 22 patients with diffuse NPSLE). By contrast, anti-NR1/NR2 was positive only in 2 of 31 patients with NPSLE (in 2 of 22 patients with diffuse SLE). The positivity for anti-NR1/NR2 was not correlated with anti-NR2 values.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the prevalence of anti-NR1/NR2 is extremely low in NPSLE. Moreover, the data also confirm that anti-NR2 antibodies do not have cross-reactivity with anti-NR1/NR2.
Cardiac conduction disturbances in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: results from a 5-year follow-up cohort study
Authors: Bengtsson Karin , Klingberg Eva , Deminger Anna , Wallberg Hanna , Jacobsson Lennart T H , Bergfeldt Lennart , Forsblad-d’Elia Helena
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To describe electrocardiographic (ECG) development in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and identify associations between baseline characteristics and cardiac conduction disturbances (CCD) at 5-year follow-up.

Methods

In a longitudinal cohort study, 172 patients (54% men, mean age (SD) of 50 (13) years at baseline) with AS underwent ECG, physical examination, questionnaires and laboratory testing at baseline and at 5-year follow-up. Descriptive statistics and univariate and age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression analyses were used. CCD included both atrioventricular and intraventricular blocks.

Results

Twenty-three of the 172 patients (13.4%) had a CCD at follow-up. Eight patients had developed a new CCD and eight had normalised their ECG. In the age- and sex-adjusted analyses, CCD at baseline (OR 24.8, 95% CI 7.3 to 84.5), male sex (OR 6.4, 95% CI 2.0 to 20.8), history of anterior uveitis (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.3 to 14.5), higher ASDAS-CRP (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3 to 4.0), greater waist circumference (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.6, per 5 cm), and medication with antiplatelets (OR 7.0, 95% CI 1.5 to 31.8) and beta-blockers (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.0 to 11.5) were associated with a CCD at follow-up. Higher age and longer symptom duration were highly correlated and were both associated with a CCD at follow-up.

Conclusions

The presence of CCD in AS is in part dynamic and associated with both AS and non-AS characteristics. Our results suggest that patients especially prone to present with CCDs are older men with a previous CCD, longer symptom duration, higher AS disease activity, a history of anterior uveitis and medication reflecting cardiovascular disease.
Feasibility and safety of a novel electromagnetic device for small-bore feeding tube placement
Authors: Jacobson Lewis E , Olayan May , Williams Jamie M , Schultz Jacqueline F , Wise Hannah M , Singh Amandeep , Saxe Jonathan M , Benjamin Richard , Emery Marie , Vilem Hilary , Kirby Donald F
Published: November 2019

Background

Misplacement of enteral feeding tubes (EFT) in the lungs is a serious and potentially fatal event. A recent Food and Drug Administration Patient Safety Alert emphasized the need for improved technology for the safe and effective delivery of EFTs.

Objective

We investigated the feasibility and safety of ENvue, a novel electromagnetic tracking system (EMTS) to aid qualified operators in the placement of EFT.

Methods

This is a prospective, single-arm study of patients in intensive care units at two US hospitals who required EFTs. The primary outcome was appropriate placement of EFTs without occurrence of guidance-related adverse events (AEs), as confirmed by both EMTS and radiography. Secondary outcomes were reconfirmation of the EFT tip location at a follow-up visit using the EMTS compared with radiography, tube retrograde migration from initial location and AEs.

Results

Sixty-five patients were included in the intent-to-treat analysis. EFTs were successfully placed in 57 patients. In eight patients, placement was unsuccessful due to anatomic abnormalities. According to both the EMTS and radiography, no lung placements occurred. No pneumothoraces were reported, nor any guidance-related AEs. Precise agreement of tube tip location was achieved between the EMTS evaluations and radiographs for 56 of the 58 (96.5%) successful placements (one patient had two placements). Tube tip location was re-confirmed 12–49 hours after EFT insertion by the EMTS and radiographs in 48 patients (84%). For 43/48 patients (89.5%), full agreement between the EMTS and radiography evaluations was observed. For the five remaining patients, the misalignment between the evaluations was within the gastrointestinal tract. Retrograde migration from the initial location was observed in 4/49 patients (8%).

Conclusion

A novel electromagnetic system demonstrated feasibility and safety of real-time and follow-up tracking of EFT placement into the stomach and small intestine, as confirmed by radiographs. No inadvertent placements into the lungs were documented.

Level of evidence

Level V (large case series).
Impact of high sodium intake on blood pressure and functional sympatholysis during rhythmic handgrip exercise
Authors: Caldwell Jacob T. , Sutterfield Shelbi L. , Post Hunter K. , Lovoy Garrett M. , Banister Heather R. , Turpin Vanessa-Rose G. , Colburn Trenton D. , Hammond Stephen S. , Copp Steven W. , Ade Carl J.
Published: November 2019

High dietary sodium intake is a risk factor for arterial hypertension; given that the ability to overcome sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction (functional sympatholysis) is attenuated in individuals with hypertension, we investigated the cardiovascular responses to high salt (HS) intake in healthy humans. We hypothesized that a HS intake of 15 g/day for 7 days would attenuate functional sympatholysis and augment the blood pressure response to handgrip exercise (HGE). Thirteen participants (6 males, 7 females) underwent 2 individual days of testing. Beat-by-beat blood pressure and heart rate were recorded throughout the trial on the non-exercising limb. Forearm blood flow was derived from ultrasonography on the brachial artery of the exercising limb. Participants then underwent a flow-mediated dilation (FMD) test. Next, a submaximal HGE was performed for 7 min with lower body negative pressure initiated during minutes 5–7. A single spot urine sample revealed a significant increase in sodium excretion during the HS conditions (p < 0.01). FMD was reduced during the HS condition. Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher during HS intake. No alteration to functional sympatholysis was found between conditions (p > 0.05). In summary, HS intake increases blood pressure without impacting functional sympatholysis or blood pressure responsiveness during HGE. These findings indicate that brachial artery dysfunction precedes an inefficient functional sympatholysis.

Novelty Functional sympatholysis was not impacted by 1 week of high sodium intake. High sodium intake augmented the rate pressure product during handgrip exercise in healthy humans.
Cubic and tetragonal liquid crystal phases composed of non-chiral molecules: Chirality and macroscopic properties
Authors: Brand Helmut R. , Pleiner Harald
Published: November 2019

We discuss the symmetry properties as well as the macroscopic behavior of the cubic liquid crystal phases showing large chiral domains of either hand in some non-chiral compounds reported recently in the group of Tschierske. These phases are tricontinuous. While they have O or I432 symmetry in each chiral domain, the overall symmetry is $ I m \bar{3} m$Im3¯m as there is no net chirality for compounds composed of non-chiral molecules. It turns out that a rather similar type of phase has also been reported for triblock copolymers. Here we analyze in detail the macroscopic static and dynamic behavior of such phases and we predict, among other results, that they show the analog of static and dissipative Lehmann-type effects in their chiral domains. A description of a cubic liquid crystalline phase of Th symmetry, which has not yet been found experimentally, is also included. Suggestions for experiments are outlined to identify such a phase. In addition, we discuss tetragonal liquid crystalline phases of D4h and D4 (I422) symmetry as they have been reported last year experimentally in connection to the Q phase.

Graphical abstract
Small World Index in Default Mode Network Predicts Progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Dementia
Authors: Miraglia Francesca , Vecchio Fabrizio , Marra Camillo , Quaranta Davide , Alù Francesca , Peroni Benedetta , Granata Giuseppe , Judica Elda , Cotelli Maria , Rossini Paolo Maria
Published: November 2019

Aim of this study was to explore the EEG functional connectivity in amnesic mild cognitive impairments (MCI) subjects with multidomain impairment in order to characterize the Default Mode Network (DMN) in converted MCI (cMCI), which converted to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), compared to stable MCI (sMCI) subjects. A total of 59 MCI subjects were recruited and divided -after appropriate follow-up- into cMCI or sMCI. They were further divided in MCI with linguistic domain (LD) impairment and in MCI with executive domain (ED) impairment. Small World (SW) index was measured as index of balance between integration and segregation brain processes. SW, computed restricting to nodes of DMN regions for all frequency bands, evaluated how they differ between MCI subgroups assessed through clinical and neuropsychological four-years follow-up. In addition, SW evaluated how this pattern differs between MCI with LD and MCI with ED. Results showed that SW index significantly decreased in gamma band in cMCI compared to sMCI. In cMCI with LD impairment, the SW index significantly decreased in delta band, while in cMCI with ED impairment the SW index decreased in delta and gamma bands and increased in alpha1 band. We propose that the DMN functional alterations in cognitive impairment could reflect an abnormal flow of brain information processing during resting state possibly associated to a status of pre-dementia.
A unified multiscale vision of behavioral crowds
Authors: Aylaj Bouchra , Bellomo Nicola , Gibelli Livio , Reali Alessandro
Published: November 2019

This paper proposes a multiscale vision to human crowds which provides a consistent description at the three possible modeling scales, namely, microscopic, mesoscopic, and macroscopic. The proposed approach moves from interactions at the microscopic scale and shows how the same modeling principles lead to kinetic and hydrodynamic models. Hence, a unified framework is developed which permits to derive models at each scale using the same principles and similar parameters. This approach can be used to simulate crowd dynamics in complex environments composed of interconnected areas, where the most appropriate scale of description can be selected for each area. This offers a pathway to the development of a multiscale computational model which has the capability to optimize the granularity of the description depending on the pedestrian local flow conditions. An important feature of the modeling at each scale is that the complex interaction between emotional states of walkers and their motion is taken into account.
The Cauchy problem for an Oldroyd-B model in three dimensions
Authors: Wang Wenjun , Wen Huanyao
Published: November 2019

We consider an Oldroyd-B model which is derived in Ref. 4 [J. W. Barrett, Y. Lu and E. Süli, Existence of large-data finite-energy global weak solutions to a compressible Oldroyd-B model, Commun. Math. Sci. 15 (2017) 1265–1323] via micro–macro-analysis of the compressible Navier–Stokes–Fokker–Planck system. The global well posedness of strong solutions as well as the associated time-decay estimates in Sobolev spaces for the Cauchy problem are established near an equilibrium state. The terms related to [Formula: see text], in the equation for the extra stress tensor and in the momentum equation, lead to new technical difficulties, such as deducing [Formula: see text]-norm dissipative estimates for the polymer number density and its spatial derivatives. One of the main objectives of this paper is to develop a way to capture these dissipative estimates via a low–medium–high-frequency decomposition.
Determination of hyperon properties through the variational method considering the hyperfine interaction
Authors: Moosavi Nejad S. M. , Armat A.
Published: November 2019

Performing a fit procedure on the hyperon masses, we first determine the free parameters in the Cornell-like hypercentral potential between the constituent quarks of hyperons in their ground state. To this end, using the variational principle, we apply the hyperspherical Hamiltonian including the Cornell-like hypercentral potential and the perturbation potentials due to the spin–spin, spin–isospin and isospin–isospin interactions between constituent quarks. In the following, we compute the hyperon magnetic moments as well as radiative decay widths of spin-3/2 hyperons using the spin-flavor wave function of hyperons. Our analysis shows acceptable consistencies between theoretical results and available experimental data. This leads to reliable wave functions for hyperons at their ground state.
Frobenius REA-groups and their Cayley graphs
Authors: Wang Lei , Qiao Shou Hong
Published: November 2019

In this paper, we determine the automorphism groups of a class of Frobenius groups, and then solve that under what condition they are REA-groups. As an application, we construct a type of normal edge-transitive Cayley graph.
Multiple UAV Systems: A Survey
Authors: Skorobogatov Georgy , Barrado Cristina , Salamí Esther
Published: November 2019

Nowadays, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are used in many different applications. Using systems of multiple UAVs is the next obvious step in the process of applying this technology for variety of tasks. There are few research works that cover the applications of these systems and they are all highly specialized. The goal of this survey is to fill this gap by providing a generic review on different applications of multiple UAV systems that have been developed in recent years. We also present a nomenclature and architecture taxonomy for these systems. In the end, a discussion on current trends and challenges is provided.
Development of a Low-Cost System for Laparoscopic Skills Training
Authors: Lin Jui-Te , Liu Shanglei , Lee Arielle , Broderick Ryan , Jacobsen Garth , Morimoto Tania K.
Published: November 2019

Technological advancements in video equipment and biocompatible materials have enabled improvements in complex surgery through small incisions. The mastery of these laparoscopic surgical techniques is now a requirement for surgeons, however, the necessary skills are not intuitive and require hundreds of practice hours. The current state of surgical education includes animate models, inanimate physical models, and computer-based simulations, the latter of which are limited by cost, accessibility, and a lack of engagement. We propose a novel low-cost training interface that mimics the laparoscopic surgical environment using customized instruments whose movement and control are used as inputs for video games. The system is significantly less expensive than commercial systems and allows users freedom to select and play any game, enabling a take-home system with potential for higher levels of engagement, as well as familiarity and expertise with ambidextrous laparoscopic hand motion. A preliminary study compared performance on FLS (Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery) testing before and after training. For a precision cutting task, groups that trained on a standard simulator or on the new system with either a noninverted or inverted hand-instrument mapping showed statistically significant improvements, warranting further investigation of training with this new system.
The shear stiffness criterion for rock joints considering rock wear behaviour
Authors: Ban Liren , Zhu Chun , Qi Chengzhi , Tao Zhigang , Jiang Kuan , Li Jingtao
Published: November 2019

Rock is a material that is affected by wear, and the curvature of the asperities on a rock joint surface increases with the degree of wear after shearing. Based on the Greenwood and Williamson (GW) model, a new model considering the change of asperity curvature is proposed to explain the wear behaviour of rock joints. First, the shear stiffness formula for a joint surface is derived when the asperity curvature is constant, which shows that the shear stiffness increases with increase of asperity curvature. According to the Mohr–Coulomb criterion, the yield position of a single asperity under normal force and tangential friction force is discussed. Then, the critical normal force for a single asperity at a specific friction coefficient is obtained, which shows that the normal force corresponds to the curvature radius of the asperity. A rough surface model with multi-level curvature radius is proposed. With increase of normal force, the higher-order asperities gradually fail and the curvature radius become larger. A specific pressure value excites a specific radius of curvature, and the larger the pressure, the larger the radius of curvature. The relation between the normal force and the curvature radius is proposed and a shear stiffness formula considering the change of curvature radius of the asperity is derived. The proposed model is verified on the basis of the published experimental results. The calculation results of the proposed model can reflect the test results well: for a given joint surface, with increase in normal force the joint surface gradually becomes smooth; for different joint surfaces, with increase in roughness, the joint surface is more easily smoothed.
Grey Literature
Authors: Soldani Jacopo
Published: November 2019

With "grey literature" we identify materials and research produced outside of the traditional academic publishing and distribution channels. Currently available grey literature spans from industrial whitepapers and technical reports to blog post and videos published on the web. It hence varies considerably in type, quality and publication means, even if the common point is that no independent peer reviewing occurs before a content is made available to the public.
Towards Effective Technical Debt Decision Making in Software Startups
Authors: Aldaeej Abdullah
Published: November 2019

Context: Technical Debt (TD) is a metaphor used to describe outstanding software maintenance tasks or shortcuts made in the software development to achieve short-term benefits (i.e. time to market), but negatively impact the software quality in the long term. TD is quite common in a software startup, which is characterized as a young company with low resources and a small client base, aiming to accelerate time to market. Decisions related to TD can be critical for startup success. Objective: I aim to understand the relationship between TD decisions and the success or failure of software startups, and explore the best practices related to TD decisions that would better contribute to the startup success. Method: I plan to apply multiple retrospective case studies in different software startups that succeed or failed to pass the startup period and become a mature organization. Semi structured interviews will be used to collect data from the team who was involved in the software development in the startup era. Contribution: The outcome of this study will help software founders/entrepreneurs to make effective TD decisions during the startup timeframe; that can better contribute to the startup success and decrease the risk of the startup failure.