bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Associations Between Adolescents' Weight and Maladjustment Differ With Deviation From Weight Norms in Social Contexts
Authors: Sutter Carolyn , Nishina Adrienne , Witkow Melissa R. , Bellmore Amy
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

In line with the reflected self‐appraisal hypothesis, previous research finds associations between weight and maladjustment are strongest when there is a mismatch between individuals' weight and the weight norm of their social contexts. However, research has not considered associations in more proximal social contexts. We examined differences in associations between weight and maladjustment for 2 proximal social contexts: grade‐level peers and friendship groups.

METHODS

We used sixth‐graders (N = 565; Mage = 12 years) self‐reported height and weight (used to calculate body mass index (BMI) z‐score), experiences of peer victimization, and depressive symptoms. Deviation from the normative weight was calculated as the students' BMI z‐score minus the average BMI z‐score for the context (grade‐level peers or friendship group).

RESULTS

Considering deviations from grade‐level peers, greater BMI z‐scores were associated with more self‐reported peer victimization only for students above the weight norm. For the friendship group, greater weight was associated with more self‐reported depressive symptoms only for those who were above the normative weight.

CONCLUSIONS

Being heavier during adolescence may be especially problematic for students who differ from the norm in their proximal social contexts. Intervention efforts focused on weight and maladjustment may want to consider the contexts involved in adolescents' self‐appraisals.
Support for Offering Sexual Health Services Through School‐Based Health Clinics
Authors: Moore Michele Johnson , Barr Elissa , Wilson Kristina , Griner Stacey
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies document support for sexuality education in the schools. However, there is a dearth of research assessing support for sexual health services offered through school‐based health clinics (SBHCs). The purpose of this study was to assess voter support for offering 3 sexual health services (STI/HIV testing, STI/HIV treatment, condom distribution) through SBHCs.

METHODS

The survey was developed after review of existing surveys on support for sexuality education and sexual health services. The university's Public Opinion Research Laboratory used random‐digit‐dialing to administer the survey to participants (N = 311) including residential and cell phone numbers.

RESULTS

Most participants were supportive of offering sexual health services at both middle schools (MS) and high schools (HS): testing for STIs/HIV (61% MS, 76% HS), treatment for STIs/HIV (60% MS, 75% HS), and provision of condoms (44% MS, 63% HS). Analyses showed significant differences in support for sexual health services by a few demographic variables, opinions about sexuality education, and the percentage of students perceived to have had sexual intercourse.

CONCLUSIONS

Results document support for offering sexual health services through SBHCs. These findings may benefit other communities looking to implement similar clinics. Such services have great potential for positively impacting the sexual health of youth.
Reference intervals for transthoracic echocardiography in the English springer spaniel: a prospective, longitudinal study
Authors: Dickson D. , Shave R. , Rishniw M. , Harris J. , Patteson M.
Published: August 2016

Objectives

To establish transthoracic echocardiographic reference intervals in adult English springer spaniel dogs.

Methods

Forty‐two healthy adult English springer spaniels were prospectively recruited from a general practice population in the UK. Animals were examined twice, at least 12 months apart, to exclude dogs with progressive cardiac disease. Reference intervals were calculated using Box–Cox transformations and specific variables were depicted within an expert consensus range. Relationships of body mass, age and heart rate with cardiac structure and function were examined and functional assessments were compared with previous reports. Reference intervals were compared against published ratiometric indices and allometric scaling models.

Results

Thirty‐nine dogs contributed to create the reference intervals. Significant relationships with bodyweight, age and heart rate were detected, although low coefficients of determination were found. Fractional shortening values were lower than has been reported in many breeds but Simpson‐derived ejection fractions were similar to previously published breed‐specific values.

Clinical Significance

Breed‐specific reference intervals are reported allowing for more appropriate interpretation of echocardiographic assessments in the English springer spaniel.
Blocking Effects in the Learning of Chinese Classifiers
Authors: Paul Jing Z. , Grüter Theres
Published: August 2016

This study investigated order‐of‐learning effects on the acquisition of classifier‐noun associations in Chinese in two experiments modeled after Arnon and Ramscar's (2012) study of artificial language learning. In Experiment 1, learners with no prior exposure to Chinese showed better learning of classifier–noun associations when exposed to larger units (sentences) before smaller ones (words) than vice versa, replicating Arnon and Ramscar's findings in a natural language. In Experiment 2, learners with 5 to 7 weeks of classroom exposure to Chinese completed the same procedure. No order‐of‐learning effects emerged, suggesting that even basic prior knowledge of Chinese eliminated the advantage of initial exposure to larger units. These findings shed light on the extent to which blocking effects arising from carefully controlled lab‐based training scale up, from artificial to natural language learning and to learning contexts involving relevant experience beyond a controlled training phase. Implications for language instruction and curriculum design are discussed.

Open Practices

This article has been awarded an Open Materials badge. Study materials are publicly accessible in the IRIS digital repository at http://www.iris-database.org. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki
Metaproteomics reveals metabolic transitions between healthy and diseased stony coral Mussismilia braziliensis
Authors: Garcia Gizele D. , Santos Eidy de O. , Sousa Gabriele V. , Zingali Russolina B. , Thompson Cristiane C. , Thompson Fabiano L.
Published: August 2016

Infectious diseases such as white plague syndrome (WPS) and black band disease (BBD) have caused massive coral loss worldwide. We performed a metaproteomic study on the Abrolhos coral Mussismilia braziliensis to define the types of proteins expressed in healthy corals compared to WPS‐ and BBD‐affected corals. A total of 6363 MS/MS spectra were identified as 361 different proteins. Healthy corals had a set of proteins that may be considered markers of holobiont homoeostasis, including tubulin, histone, Rab family, ribosomal, peridinin–chlorophyll a‐binding protein, F0F1‐type ATP synthase, alpha‐iG protein, calmodulin and ADP‐ribosylation factor. Cnidaria proteins found in healthy M. braziliensis were associated with Cnidaria–Symbiodinium endosymbiosis and included chaperones (hsp70, hsp90 and calreticulin), structural and membrane modelling proteins (actin) and proteins with functions related to intracellular vesicular traffic (Rab7 and ADP‐ribosylation factor 1) and signal transduction (14‐3‐3 protein and calmodulin). WPS resulted in a clear shift in the predominance of proteins, from those related to aerobic nitrogen‐fixing bacteria (i.e. Rhizobiales, Sphingomonadales and Actinomycetales) in healthy corals to those produced by facultative/anaerobic sulphate‐reducing bacteria (i.e. Enterobacteriales, Alteromonadales, Clostridiales and Bacteroidetes) in WPS corals. BBD corals developed a diverse community dominated by cyanobacteria and sulphur cycle bacteria. Hsp60, hsp90 and adenosylhomocysteinase proteins were produced mainly by cyanobacteria in BBD corals, which is consistent with elevated oxidative stress in hydrogen sulphide‐ and cyanotoxin‐rich environments. This study demonstrates the usefulness of metaproteomics for gaining better comprehension of coral metabolic status in health and disease, especially in reef systems such as the Abrolhos that are suffering from the increase in global and local threatening events.
Fibrous dysplasia of bone: craniofacial and dental implications
Authors: Burke AB , Collins MT , Boyce AM
Published: August 2016

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a rare bone disease caused by postzygotic somatic activating mutations in the GNAS gene, which lead to constitutive activation of adenylyl cyclase and elevated levels of cyclic AMP, which act on downstream signaling pathways and cause normal bone to be replaced with fibrous tissue and abnormal (woven) bone. The bone disease may occur in one bone (monostotic), multiple bones (polyostotic), or in combination with hyperfunctioning endocrinopathies and hyperpigmented skin lesions (in the setting of McCune–Albright Syndrome). FD is common in the craniofacial skeleton, causing significant dysmorphic features, bone pain, and dental anomalies. This review summarizes the pathophysiology, clinical findings, and treatment of FD, with an emphasis on the craniofacial and oral manifestations of the disease.
Alleles at a quantitative trait locus for stem solidness in wheat affect temporal patterns of pith expression and level of resistance to the wheat stem sawfly
Authors: Varella Andrea C. , Talbert Luther E. , Hofland Megan L. , Buteler Micaela , Sherman Jamie D. , Blake Nancy K. , Heo Hwa‐Young , Martin John M. , Weaver David K.
Published: August 2016

The stem solidness trait in wheat has been the most effective mechanism for management of the wheat stem sawfly (WSS) for six decades. However, recent results have shown that in certain genotypes, the degree of stem solidness is not a useful indicator of WSS resistance. A morphological characterization of solidness expression indicated that in the genotype ‘Conan’, very solid pith undergoes rapid retraction during stem maturation, resulting in significantly less solidness at maturity. In other solid‐stemmed genotypes, including the standard WSS‐resistant cultivar ‘Choteau’, dense pith in the stem remains nearly unchanged throughout plant development. In cage trials, ‘Conan’ plants were less preferred for oviposition by the WSS when paired with ‘Choteau’ plants. Field bioassays using near‐isogenic lines differing for alleles at Qss.msub‐3BL showed that the Conan allele provides higher levels of early stem solidness and rapid pith retraction during stem maturation. These results suggest that the traditional approach for increasing WSS resistance by selecting for increasing stem solidness needs to be modified to consider temporal variations in pith expression associated with alleles at Qss.msub‐3BL.
Rice‐produced MSP142 of Plasmodium falciparum elicits antibodies that inhibit parasite growth in vitro
Authors: Chen Q. , Liang W. , Qian F. , Qian B. , Cao J. , Zhang D. , Xu Y. , Tang L.
Published: August 2016

Many malaria antigens contain multiple disulphide bonds involved in the formation of inhibitory B‐cell epitopes. Producing properly folded malaria antigens in sufficient quantities for vaccination is often a challenge. The 42‐kDa fragment of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP142) is such a kind of malaria antigen. In this study, we investigated the expression of MSP142 in a rice system (9522, a cultivar of Oryza sativa ssp. japonica), which was used as a bioreactor for protein production. The MSP142 gene was synthesized according to rice‐preferred codons and transformed into rice plants via an Agrobacterium‐mediated method. The recombinant antigen was efficiently expressed in rice seeds with a level up to 1.56% of total soluble protein and was recognized by both the conformational monoclonal antibody 5.2 (mAb5.2) and the pooled sera of P. falciparum malaria patients. Rabbits were immunized intramuscularly with the purified MSP142 formulated with Freund's adjuvant. High antibody titres against MSP142 were elicited. The rabbit immune sera reacted well with the native protein of P. falciparum parasite and strongly inhibited the in vitro growth of blood‐stage P. falciparum parasites, demonstrating that transgenic rice can become an efficient bioreactor for the production of malaria vaccine antigens.
Protocols for treating patients with end‐stage renal disease: a survey of AEGD/GPR dental residencies
Authors: Howell Scott , Perry Maureen Munnelly , Patel Nipa
Published: August 2016

Rationale/Background

Approximately 14% of Americans are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The prevalence of end stage renal disease (ESRD), the result of progressing CKD continues to rise by 21,000 per year.Currently the only antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines for patients with end‐stage renal disease undergoing dental treatment were published by the AHA in 2003. Presented in three parts, the first part of this study found no consistent protocols amongst U.S. dental schools. The goal of the second part of the project was to determine the current protocol being used to treat ESRD patients at accredited U.S. AEGD and GPR programs.

Methods and Materials

A 20 multiple choice question survey was e‐mailed to 262 directors of AEGDs and GPRs within the United States regarding renal treatment protocol details and antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with renal disease.

Results

34% of respondents reported having an established renal treatment protocol. For programs with a protocol, 65.5% of programs reported following AHA guidelines.

Conclusion

There is a lack of consistent, established protocols amongst U.S. AEGD and GPR programs. It is suggested that updated and evidence based guidelines for the safe treatment of patients be developed.
Intergenerational Mobility in Norway, 1865–2011
Authors: Modalsli Jørgen
Published: August 2016

There are large differences in intergenerational mobility between countries. Little is known, however, about how persistent such differences are, and how they evolve over time. This paper constructs a data set of 835,537 linked father–son pairs from census records and documents a substantial increase in intergenerational occupational mobility in Norway between 1865 and 2011. The increase is most pronounced in non‐farm occupations. The findings show that long‐run mobility developments previously described for the US and UK are not necessarily representative for other countries, and that high mobility in a given country today need not reflect high mobility before industrialization.
Tracking adenovirus genomes identifies morphologically distinct late DNA replication compartments
Authors: Komatsu Tetsuro , Robinson Derrick R. , Hisaoka Miharu , Ueshima Shuhei , Okuwaki Mitsuru , Nagata Kyosuke , Wodrich Harald
Published: August 2016

In adenoviral virions, the genome is organized into a chromatin‐like structure by viral basic core proteins. Consequently viral DNAs must be replicated, chromatinized and packed into progeny virions in infected cells. Although viral DNA replication centers can be visualized by virtue of viral and cellular factors, the spatiotemporal regulation of viral genomes during subsequent steps remains to be elucidated. In this study, we used imaging analyses to examine the fate of adenoviral genomes and to track newly replicated viral DNA as well as replication‐related factors. We show de novo formation of a subnuclear domain, which we termed Virus‐induced Post‐Replication (ViPR) body, that emerges concomitantly with or immediately after disintegration of initial replication centers. Using a nucleoside analogue, we show that viral genomes continue being synthesized in morphologically distinct replication compartments at the periphery of ViPR bodies and are then transported inward. In addition, we identified a nucleolar protein Mybbp1a as a molecular marker for ViPR bodies, which specifically associated with viral core protein VII. In conclusion, our work demonstrates the formation of previously uncharacterized viral DNA replication compartments specific for late phases of infection that produce progeny viral genomes accumulating in ViPR bodies.
Metabolic fate of adenine in red blood cells during storage in SAGM solution
Authors: Paglia Giuseppe , Sigurjónsson Ólafur E. , Bordbar Aarash , Rolfsson Óttar , Magnusdottir Manuela , Palsson Sirus , Wichuk Kristine , Gudmundsson Sveinn , Palsson Bernhard O.
Published: August 2016

BACKGROUND

Red blood cells (RBCs) are routinely stored and transfused worldwide. Recently, metabolomics have shown that RBCs experience a three‐phase metabolic decay process during storage, resulting in the definition of three distinct metabolic phenotypes, occurring between Days 1 and 10, 11 and 17, and 18 and 46. Here we use metabolomics and stable isotope labeling analysis to study adenine metabolism in RBCs.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 6 units were prepared in SAGM or modified additive solutions (ASs) containing 15N5‐adenine. Three of them were spiked with 15N5‐adenine on Days 10, 14, and 17 during storage. Each unit was sampled 10 times spanning Day 1 to Day 32. At each time point metabolic profiling was performed.

RESULTS

We increased adenine concentration in the AS and we pulsed the adenine concentration during storage and found that in both cases the RBCs' main metabolic pathways were not affected. Our data clearly show that RBCs cannot consume adenine after 18 days of storage, even if it is still present in the storage solution. However, increased levels of adenine influenced S‐adenosylmethionine metabolism.

CONCLUSION

In this work, we have studied in detail the metabolic fate of adenine during RBC storage in SAGM. Adenine is one of the main substrates used by RBCs, but the metabolic shift observed during storage is not caused by an absence of adenine later in storage. The rate of adenine consumption strongly correlated with duration of storage but not with the amount of adenine present in the AS.
Vertical normal modes of human ears: Individual variation and frequency estimation from pinna anthropometry
Authors: Mokhtari Parham , Takemoto Hironori , Nishimura Ryouichi , Kato Hiroaki
Published: August 2016

Beyond the first peak of head-related transfer functions or pinna-related transfer functions (PRTFs) human pinnae are known to have two normal modes with “vertical” resonance patterns, involving two or three pressure anti-nodes in cavum, cymba, and fossa. However, little is known about individual variations in these modes, and there is no established model for estimating their center-frequencies from anthropometry. Here, with geometries of 38 pinnae measured, PRTFs were calculated and vertical modes visualized by numerical simulation. Most pinnae were found to have both Cavum-Fossa and Cavum-Cymba modes, with opposite-phase anti-nodes in cavum and either fossa or cymba, respectively. Nevertheless in both modes, fossa involvement varied substantially across pinnae, dependent on scaphoid fossa depth and cymba shallowness. Linear regression models were evaluated in mode frequency estimation, with 3322 measures derived from 31 pinna landmarks. The Cavum-Fossa normal mode frequency was best estimated [correlation coefficient r = 0.89, mean absolute error (MAE) = 257 Hz or 4.4%] by the distance from canal entrance to helix rim, and cymba horizontal depth. The Cavum-Cymba normal mode frequency was best estimated (r = 0.92, MAE = 247 Hz or 3.2%) by the sagittal-plane distance from concha floor to cymba anterior wall, and cavum horizontal depth.
The calibration of a prototype occluded ear simulator designed for neonatal hearing assessment applications
Authors: Barham Richard , Olsen Erling S. , Rodrigues Dominique , Barrera-Figueroa Salvador , Sadikoğlu Enver , Karaböce Baki
Published: August 2016

An innovative family of ear simulators has been conceived for the calibration and traceability of audiometric equipment. Each device within the family has been designed for a particular key age group, covering neonates through to adults. The age-specific ear simulators are intended to improve the quality of hearing assessment measurements for all test subject age groups, and will be proposed as the next generation of standardised ear simulators for audiometric applications. The family of ear simulators shares a common design and modeling approach, and the first prototype devices for neonatal applications have been manufactured. The objectives of this study were to develop calibration methods, verify conformance to the design goals, demonstrate that the device is capable of being calibrated reliably, and show that its performance is ultimately suitable for international standardisation and eventual adoption into clinical practices. Four national measurement institutes took part in a round-robin calibration comparison and an analysis of the results showed that these objectives were achieved.
Continental patterns of submarine groundwater discharge reveal coastal vulnerabilities
Authors: Sawyer Audrey H. , David Cédric H. , Famiglietti James S.
Published: August 2016

Water dissolving and water removing

Not all groundwater ends up flowing into rivers. Some is discharged directly into the ocean along the coast. Although much lower in volume than water transported by rivers, such submarine groundwater discharge can be a hidden source of dissolved ions, nutrients, or contaminants from human activities. Sawyer
et al.
performed a high-resolution continental-scale analysis of fresh groundwater discharge along the coastline of the United States. In total, more than one-fifth of coastal waters are vulnerable to groundwater-borne contamination.

Science
, this issue p.
705
VpreB serves as an invariant surrogate antigen for selecting immunoglobulin antigen-binding sites
Authors: Khass Mohamed , Blackburn Tessa , Burrows Peter D. , Walter Mark R. , Capriotti Emidio , Schroeder Harry W.
Published: August 2016

The VpreB component of the surrogate light chain serves as an invariant antigen that may affect the repertoire of antibody responses.
In-depth tissue profiling using multiplexed immunohistochemical consecutive staining on single slide
Authors: Remark Romain , Merghoub Taha , Grabe Niels , Litjens Geert , Damotte Diane , Wolchok Jedd D. , Merad Miriam , Gnjatic Sacha
Published: August 2016

Multidimensional immunohistochemistry generates high-resolution snapshots of immune cells within a tumor.
The discontinuity theory of immunity
Authors: Pradeu Thomas , Vivier Eric
Published: August 2016

Similar to many other biological systems, the immune system can be seen as a change-detection system.
First Complete Genome Sequence of Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus Isolated from Honey Bees (
Apis mellifera
) in China
Authors: Li Beibei , Hou Chunsheng , Deng Shuai , Zhang Xuefeng , Chu Yanna , Yuan Chunying , Diao Qingyun
Published: August 2016

Chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV) is a serious viral disease affecting adult bees. We report here the complete genome sequence of CBPV, which was isolated from a honey bee colony with the symptom of severe crawling. The genome of CBPV consists of two segments, RNA 1 and RNA 2, containing respective overlapping fragments.
A
Narnavirus
-Like Element from the Trypanosomatid Protozoan Parasite
Leptomonas seymouri
Authors: Lye Lon-Fye , Akopyants Natalia S. , Dobson Deborah E. , Beverley Stephen M.
Published: August 2016

Genome sequences were determined for a novel RNA virus,
Leptomonas seymouri
Narna-like virus 1 (LepseyNLV1). A 2.9-kb segment encodes an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), while a smaller 1.5-kb segment showed no database search matches. This is the first report of bisegmented
Narnaviridae
from insect trypanosomatids.
Complete Genome Sequence of Highly Virulent Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Variants That Recently Emerged in the United States
Authors: Workman Aspen M. , Smith Timothy P. L. , Osorio Fernando A. , Vu Hiep L. X.
Published: August 2016

A recent outbreak of particularly virulent disease caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus has occurred in swine herds across the United States. We report here the complete genome sequence of eight viral isolates from four Nebraska herds experiencing an outbreak of severe disease in 2016.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Thermophilic Desulfurization Bacterium,
Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius
Strain W-2
Authors: Zhu Lin , Li Mingchang , Guo Shuyi , Wang Wei
Published: August 2016

Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius
strain W-2 is a thermophilic bacterium isolated from a deep-subsurface oil reservoir in northern China, which is capable of degrading organosulfur compounds. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
G. thermoglucosidasius
strain W-2, which may help to elucidate the genetic basis of biodegradation of organosulfur pollutants under heated conditions.
Orbital myiasis in eviscerated socket and review of literature
Authors: Kalamkar Charudutt , Radke Nishant , Mukherjee Amrita
Published: August 2016

Orbital myiasis is a potentially destructive infestation of the orbital tissues. It is uncommon in clinical practice and is seen in patients with poor hygiene with debilitated or immunocompromised state. We report a case of orbital myiasis in an empty socket of an immunocompetent individual. A 65-year-old immunocompetent patient was found to have orbital myiasis in an empty socket status postevisceration, for which he underwent treatment by manual removal of the larvae after application of a suffocating agent, turpentine oil. A total of 12 larvae were removed over the ensuing week. The tissues healed with secondary intention leaving an irregular healthy scar. It was noteworthy that once eviscerated the eye was neglected by the patient. Empty orbital sockets are potential sites for infestations.
Potentially disruptive life events: what are the immediate impacts on chronic disease management? A case-crossover analysis
Authors: Lauffenburger Julie C , Gagne Joshua J , Song Zirui , Brill Gregory , Choudhry Niteesh K
Published: August 2016

Objective

To explore the association between unexpected potentially disruptive life events in a patient or family member that may challenge an individual's ability to take medications as prescribed and the discontinuation of evidence-based medications for common, chronic conditions. Understanding the relationship between medication adherence and life stressors, especially those that can be identified using administrative data, may help identify patients at risk of non-adherence.

Design

Observational self-controlled case-crossover design.

Setting

Individuals in a nationally representative US commercial health insurance database.

Participants

Adult individuals who initiated an oral hypoglycaemic, antihypertensive and/or statin and subsequently stopped the medication for ≥90 days.

Main outcome measure

Potentially disruptive life events among patients and their family members measured in the 30 days just before the medication was discontinued (‘hazard period’) compared with the 30 days before this period (‘control period’). These events included personal injury, hospitalisation, emergency room visits, changes in insurance coverage, acute stress or acute anxiety.

Results

Among the 326 519 patients meeting study criteria who discontinued their chronic disease medications, 88 896 (27.2%) experienced at least one potentially disruptive life event. Newly experiencing an injury (OR: 1.26, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.42), an emergency room visit (OR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.26) and acute stress (OR: 1.19, 95% CI 1.08 to 1.31) were associated with discontinuation. Life events among patients’ family members did not appear to be associated with medication discontinuation or occurred less frequently just prior to discontinuation.

Conclusions

Potentially disruptive life events among individuals identified using routinely collected claims data are associated with discontinuation of chronic disease medications. Awareness of these events may help providers or payers identify patients at risk of non-adherence to maximise patient outcomes.
Time-resolved 3D rotational angiography: display of detailed neurovascular anatomy in patients with intracranial vascular malformations
Authors: Lescher Stephanie , Gehrisch Sonja , Klein Sigrun , Berkefeld Joachim
Published: August 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this pilot study was to demonstrate the applicability of time-resolved three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions from 3D digital subtraction angiography (DSA) rotational angiography (RA) datasets (four-dimensional (4D) DSA) to provide a more detailed display of the architecture of intracranial vascular malformations.

Methods

The experimental reconstruction software was applied to the existing 3D DSA datasets obtained with Siemens Artis zee biplane neuroangiography equipment. We included 27 patients with clinical indications for 3DRA for preinterventional or preoperative evaluation of intracranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs, n=8) or arteriovenous malformations (AVMs, n=19). A modified DSA acquisition protocol covering an extended rotation angle of the C-arm of 260° during a scan time of 12 s was used. 4D volumes were displayed with up to 30 frames/s in a transparent volume rendering (VRT) mode and time-resolved multiplanar reconstructions (MPRs). Arterial feeders, fistulous points, or the shunt zone within the AVM nidus and venous drainage patterns as well as associated aneurysms were assessed after definition of a standardized evaluation procedure by consensus of two reviewers in comparison with 2D DSA and conventional 3D reconstructions.

Results

In all cases calculation of 4D reconstructions were technically feasible and evaluable. In two cases image quality was slightly compromised by movement artifacts. Compared with standard DSA projection images and 3D reconstructions, 4D VRTs and MPRs were rated significantly superior to define a proper projection and display of the shunt zone. In 12 out of 27 cases 4D reconstructions showed details of the angioarchitecture at the fistulous point or the nidus better than the other modalities and came close to the quality of superselective angiography. The efficacy of 3D and 4D applications was equal in the detection of pre- and intranidal aneurysms. The course of long arterial feeders and draining veins was difficult to assess on VRTs and MPRs. Especially for dAVFs, 2D DSA was clearly superior in identifying meningeal feeders. For detecting smaller vessels and for distinction between angiographic phases, 2D DSA is still considered to be superior to 4D imaging. Venous drainage was slightly better displayed in 4D reconstructions.

Conclusions

Time-resolved 3DRA with 4D VRTs and MPRs is technically feasible and provides a detailed display of the angioarchitecture at the fistulous point or the nidus. Visualization of all angiographic features demands additional post-processing. Further standardization of evaluation tools and studies with blinded independent reviewers are necessary before the new technique can replace conventional neuroangiographic approaches.
Chemical repair of protein carbon-centred radicals: long-distance dynamic factors
Authors: Castañeda-Arriaga Romina , Domínguez-Castro Adrián , Lee JinGyu , Alvarez-Idaboy J. Raul , Mora-Diez Nelaine
Published: August 2016

The thermodynamic and kinetic study of the repair reactions of three damaged aliphatic amino acids (alanine, valine, and leucine) with dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) in a polar and a nonpolar solvent is presented in this work. Two simplified protein models were explored in the most common conformations (alpha helix and beta sheet). Calculations are performed at the M06-2X-SMD/6-31++G(d,p) level of theory. DHLA has shown to be an excellent antioxidant repair agent through hydrogen-transfer reaction involving the thiol groups, with rate constants close to diffusion control in most cases. The stability of the initial protein radical is not the most important factor determining the rate of the repair reaction because stabilizing intermolecular interactions involving the protein and the antioxidant can provide additional stability to some transition states accelerating the repair of sites that would otherwise not be so quickly repaired.
Using the centre-of-mass of localized electron pairs to quantify electronegativity
Authors: Proud Adam J. , Pearson Jason K.
Published: August 2016

Localized electron pair densities are explored with the purpose of developing a relationship between properties of the electron pair centre-of-mass and atomic electronegativities. These electron pair centre-of-mass densities are determined for the localized molecular orbital representing the A–H bond in a compound AHn (where n = 1–4) for each of the first and second row atoms with available valence sites. By analyzing the topography of these densities, we observe the migration of the electron pair as the electronegativity of atom A changes. We demonstrate strong linear correlations between features of these centre-of-mass densities and various empirically based electronegativity scales, all of which are defined in significantly different ways. Based on strong agreement with past electronegativity scales, we propose the use of localized electron pair centre-of-mass densities as a simple and intuitive theoretical model for electronegativity. We have presented our own electronegativity scale, employing Pauling units as is common amongst many existing scales.
Design of heparin oligosaccharide based molecules for inhibition of Alzheimer amyloid beta (Aβ40) aggregation
Authors: Paul Thomas J. , Kelly Harvey , Zuchniarz Joshua , Ahmed Tahir , Prabhakar Rajeev
Published: August 2016

In this computational study, we have combined molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques to explore interactions of monomeric and aggregated forms of Alzheimer’s amyloid beta (Aβ40) with seven chemically distinct heparin derived glycoaminoglycans (GAGs) referred to as ADC, SDC, DC, V1, V2, V3, and V4. The docking procedure proposed two major binding sites, i.e., one present at the top of the fibril (site A), and the other located in the hairpin region (site B). Due to its position, site B offers an interesting target to design molecules with anti-aggregation properties. Our results predicted that out of seven GAGs, only three of them (ADC, SDC, and DC) bind to site B. The identification of these molecules can advance our efforts to develop therapeutic interventions for this deadly disease.
Selective fishing and shifting production in multispecies fisheries
Authors: Scheld Andrew M. , Anderson Christopher M.
Published: August 2016

A limited ability to target or avoid individual stocks complicates successful output management in multispecies fisheries. For vessels in these fisheries, reducing harvest of one species often requires simultaneous reductions in harvest of other stocks. The extent to which multispecies allocation targets can be met may depend critically on harvesters’ ability to substitute production across species. We introduce a measure of compositional control that captures the level of forgone production resulting from imperfect selectivity. This metric is then applied to data from the New England multispecies groundfish fishery and used to test for evidence of limited selectivity in the composition of individual vessel daily landings. Results indicate that increases in landings of one species generally require simultaneous increases in landings of other species — a finding that suggests difficulty in substituting production across groundfish species. Our measure is seen to vary widely through time as well as across vessels and species and may be affected by both environmental conditions and incentives created through management. The model developed here should hold value for managers and researchers seeking to assess interstock economic trade-offs in multispecies fisheries.
Order-Frequency Characteristics of a Promising Circuit Element: Fractor
Authors: Pu Yi-Fei , Zhang Ni , Wang Huai , Chen Shu-Shu , Yuan Xiao , Shu Li
Published: August 2016

This paper mainly discusses the order-frequency characteristics of a promising circuit element: fractor. The concept of fractance, as the fractional-order impedance of a fractor, arose following the successful synthesis of a fractional differentiator or integrator in an analog circuit. In this paper, we studied some electrical properties of a fractor. In particular, the order-frequency characteristics of a fractor are introduced. First, the order-sensitivity characteristics of a fractor are proposed. Second, the order-frequency characteristics of a fractor are studied. Third, the time constant of a fractor is analyzed. Last, through mathematical analysis and simulation results, we discussed in detail some issues of the electrical properties of a fractor, especially its time constant.
The Simplest Map with Three-Frequency Quasi-Periodicity and Quasi-Periodic Bifurcations
Authors: Kuznetsov Alexander P. , Sedova Yuliya V.
Published: August 2016

We propose a new three-dimensional map that demonstrates the two- and three-frequency quasi-periodicity. For this map, all basic quasi-periodic bifurcations are possible. The study was realized by using Lyapunov charts completed by plots of Lyapunov exponents, phase portraits and bifurcation trees illustrating the quasi-periodic bifurcations. The features of the three-parameter structure associated with quasi-periodic Hopf bifurcation are discussed. The comparison with nonautonomous model is carried out.
Low-Index Equilibrium and Multiple Period-Doubling Cascades to Chaos of Atmospheric Flow in Beta-Plane Channel
Authors: Chen Zhi-Min
Published: August 2016

The nonlinear dynamical behavior of an atmospheric circulation in a beta-plane channel is examined on a five-spectral mode model, truncated from the Charney and DeVore quasi-geostrophic equation. Bifurcation and chaos are observed when subjected to a topographic driving disturbance and a thermally driving zonal source. An equilibrium state undergoes supercritical Hopf bifurcation and becomes a stable periodic state with respect to the magnitude of the thermally driving source, whereas the periodic state undergoes a subcritical Hopf bifurcation and transforms into a low-index equilibrium state with respect to the increasing topographic driving disturbance. The stable periodic state further develops into a pair of stable periodic states when increasing the thermally driving source. The first one with the period of 4.3 days exhibits an oscillation of strong and weak zonal flow patterns, whereas the second one with the period of 6.8 days demonstrates a fluctuation amongst weak zonal disturbance flow patterns. Moreover, the two periodic states transform respectively into chaos through separate period-doubling cascades with the further development of the thermally driving source.
Class A and Class AB CMOS-Only Nanopower Memristive Dynamics Emulators
Authors: Köymen Itır , Glaros Konstantinos N. , Drakakis Emmanuel M.
Published: August 2016

Memristive dynamics are generated utilizing active, weak-inversion, CMOS circuits. Class A and Class AB approaches to the generation of these dynamics are presented. The Class A circuit is composed of a grounded capacitor and two exponential transconductors (E-cells). It consumes a few nanowatts of power from a 1V power supply. The Class AB circuit also consists of a similar architecture with an added geometric mean splitter. Simulation results confirm the realization of pinched hysteresis loops exhibiting the zero crossing property of the memristor. The effects of varying input amplitude and frequency as well as the capacitor value are investigated. With the use of MOS capacitors in the place of monolithic capacitors, the area requirements of these emulators can be significantly diminished. Simulation results of circuits with both types of capacitors are presented. The simple emulators presented here offer the possibility of realizing nanoscale memristor dynamics when high yield memristor processes are not accessible.
Dynamics, Analysis and Implementation of a Multiscroll Memristor-Based Chaotic Circuit
Authors: Alombah N. Henry , Fotsin Hilaire , Ngouonkadi E. B. Megam , Nguazon Tekou
Published: August 2016

This article introduces a novel four-dimensional autonomous multiscroll chaotic circuit which is derived from the actual simplest memristor-based chaotic circuit. A fourth circuit element — another inductor — is introduced to generate the complex behavior observed. A systematic study of the chaotic behavior is performed with the help of some nonlinear tools such as Lyapunov exponents, phase portraits, and bifurcation diagrams. Multiple scroll attractors are observed in Matlab, Pspice environments and also experimentally. We also observe the phenomenon of antimonotonicity, periodic and chaotic bubbles, multiple periodic-doubling bifurcations, Hopf bifurcations, crises and the phenomenon of intermittency. The chaotic dynamics of this circuit is realized by laboratory experiments, Pspice simulations, numerical and analytical investigations. It is observed that the results from the three environments agree to a great extent. This topology is likely convenient to be used to intentionally generate chaos in memristor-based chaotic circuit applications, given the fact that multiscroll chaotic systems have found important applications as broadband signal generators, pseudorandom number generators for communication engineering and also in biometric authentication.
A Double-Wing Chaotic System Based on Ion Migration Memristor and Its Sliding Mode Control
Authors: Min Guoqi , Duan Shukai , Wang Lidan
Published: August 2016

The ion migration memristor is a nonlinear element with memory function and nanoscale size, it is considered as a potential candidate to reduce system power consumption and circuit size. When it works as the nonlinear part of the chaotic system, rich nonlinear curves will be produced, and at the same time, the complexity of chaotic systems and the randomness of signals will be enhanced. So in this paper, by Matlab numerical simulation, a new double-wing chaotic system based on an ion migration memristor is designed. In reality, there are many systems interfered inevitably by random noise, so in this paper the random bounded noises are also considered. The power spectrum, Lyapunov exponent spectrum, Poincaré map and bifurcation diagram are used to investigate its complex dynamic characteristics. Then, a SPICE-based analog circuit is presented to verify the feasibility of the system, for which the simulation results are consistent with the numerical simulation. Finally, the sliding mode variable structure control is applied to overcome the shortcomings of traditional control method, so that the chaotic orbits can be controlled to any fixed points or periodic orbits, and this provides an insight into chaos control in power electronics systems.
Border Collision of Three-Phase Voltage-Source Inverter System with Interacting Loads
Authors: Li Zhen , Liu Bin , Li Yining , Wong Siu-Chung , Liu Xiangdong , Huang Yuehui
Published: August 2016

As a commercial interface, three-phase voltage-source inverters (VSI) are commonly equipped for energy conversion to export DC power from most distributed generation (DG) to the AC utility. Not only do voltage-source converters take charge of converting the power to the loads but support the grid voltage at the point of common connection (PCC) as well, which is dependent on the condition of the grid-connected loads. This paper explores the border collision and its interacting mechanism among the VSI, resistive interacting loads and grids, which manifests as the alternating emergence of the inverting and rectifying operations, where the normal operation is terminated and a new one is assumed. Their mutual effect on the power quality under investigation will cause the circuital stability issue and further deteriorate the voltage regulation capability of VSI by dramatically raising the grid voltage harmonics. It is found in a design-oriented view that the border collision operation will be induced within the unsuitable parameter space with respect to transmission lines of AC grid, resistive loads and internal resistance of VSI. The physical phenomenon is also identified by the theoretical analysis. With numerical simulations for various circuit conditions, the corresponding bifurcation boundaries are collected, where the stability of the system is lost via border collision.
Characterization of Cocycle Attractors for Nonautonomous Reaction–Diffusion Equations
Authors: Cardoso C. A. , Langa J. A. , Obaya R.
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we describe in detail the global and cocycle attractors related to nonautonomous scalar differential equations with diffusion. In particular, we investigate reaction–diffusion equations with almost-periodic coefficients. The associated semiflows are strongly monotone which allow us to give a full characterization of the cocycle attractor. We prove that, when the upper Lyapunov exponent associated to the linear part of the equations is positive, the flow is persistent in the positive cone, and we study the stability and the set of continuity points of the section of each minimal set in the global attractor for the skew product semiflow. We illustrate our result with some nontrivial examples showing the richness of the dynamics on this attractor, which in some situations shows internal chaotic dynamics in the Li–Yorke sense. We also include the sublinear and concave cases in order to go further in the characterization of the attractors, including, for instance, a nonautonomous version of the Chafee–Infante equation. In this last case we can show exponentially forward attraction to the cocycle (pullback) attractors in the positive cone of solutions.
Global Optimal Trajectory in Chaos and NP-Hardness
Authors: Latorre Vittorio , Gao David Yang
Published: August 2016

This paper presents an unconventional theory and method for solving general nonlinear dynamical systems. Instead of the direct iterative methods, the discretized nonlinear system is first formulated as a global optimization problem via the least squares method. A newly developed canonical duality theory shows that this nonconvex minimization problem can be solved deterministically in polynomial time if a global optimality condition is satisfied. The so-called pseudo-chaos produced by linear iterative methods are mainly due to the intrinsic numerical error accumulations. Otherwise, the global optimization problem could be NP-hard and the nonlinear system can be really chaotic. A conjecture is proposed, which reveals the connection between chaos in nonlinear dynamics and NP-hardness in computer science. The methodology and the conjecture are verified by applications to the well-known logistic equation, a forced memristive circuit and the Lorenz system. Computational results show that the canonical duality theory can be used to identify chaotic systems and to obtain realistic global optimal solutions in nonlinear dynamical systems. The method and results presented in this paper should bring some new insights into nonlinear dynamical systems and NP-hardness in computational complexity theory.
Reinvestigation of two-phonon γ-vibrational band in neutron-rich 114Pd
Authors: Huang Y. , Zhu S. J. , Hamilton J. H. , Ramayya A. V. , Wang E. H. , Liu Y. X. , Sun Y. , Hwang J. K. , Xiao Z. G. , Li H. J. , Luo Y. X. , Rasmussen J. O. , Ter-Akopian G. M. , Oganessian Yu. Ts.
Published: August 2016

The level structure in neutron-rich [Formula: see text]Pd nucleus has been reinvestigated by measuring prompt [Formula: see text] rays emitted in the spontaneous fission of [Formula: see text]Cf. A two-phonon [Formula: see text]-vibrational band built on the 1639.3[Formula: see text]keV level is observed, which confirms the previous suggestion from a [Formula: see text]-decay experiment. Systematical comparison supports the assignment for a two-phonon [Formula: see text]-vibrational band in [Formula: see text]Pd. Triaxial projected shell model calculations for the multi-phonon [Formula: see text] bands of [Formula: see text]Pd are in good agreement with the experimental data.