bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SuperSegger: robust image segmentation, analysis and lineage tracking of bacterial cells
Authors: Stylianidou Stella , Brennan Connor , Nissen Silas B. , Kuwada Nathan J. , Wiggins Paul A.
Published: August 2016

Many quantitative cell biology questions require fast yet reliable automated image segmentation to identify and link cells from frame‐to‐frame, and characterize the cell morphology and fluorescence. We presentSuperSegger, an automated MATLAB‐based image processing package well‐suited to quantitative analysis of high‐throughput live‐cell fluorescence microscopy of bacterial cells.SuperSeggerincorporates machine‐learning algorithms to optimize cellular boundaries and automated error resolution to reliably link cells from frame‐to‐frame. Unlike existing packages, it can reliably segment microcolonies with many cells, facilitating the analysis of cell‐cycle dynamics in bacteria as well as cell‐contact mediated phenomena. This package has a range of built‐in capabilities for characterizing bacterial cells, including the identification of cell division events, mother, daughter and neighbouring cells, and computing statistics on cellular fluorescence, the location and intensity of fluorescent foci.SuperSeggerprovides a variety of postprocessing data visualization tools for single cell and population level analysis, such as histograms, kymographs, frame mosaics, movies and consensus images. Finally, we demonstrate the power of the package by analyzing lag phase growth with single cell resolution.
High resolution microscopy reveals an unusual architecture of the Plasmodium berghei endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Kaiser Gesine , De Niz Mariana , Zuber Benoît , Burda Paul‐Christian , Kornmann Benoît , Heussler Volker T. , Stanway Rebecca R.
Published: August 2016

To fuel the tremendously fast replication of Plasmodium liver stage parasites, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) must play a critical role as a major site of protein and lipid biosynthesis. In this study, we analysed the parasite's ER morphology and function. Previous studies exploring the parasite ER have mainly focused on the blood stage. Visualizing the Plasmodium berghei ER during liver stage development, we found that the ER forms an interconnected network throughout the parasite with perinuclear and peripheral localizations. Surprisingly, we observed that the ER additionally generates huge accumulations. Using stimulated emission depletion microscopy and serial block‐face scanning electron microscopy, we defined ER accumulations as intricate dense networks of ER tubules. We provide evidence that these accumulations are functional subdivisions of the parasite ER, presumably generated in response to elevated demands of the parasite, potentially consistent with ER stress. Compared to higher eukaryotes, Plasmodium parasites have a fundamentally reduced unfolded protein response machinery for reacting to ER stress. Accordingly, parasite development is greatly impaired when ER stress is applied. As parasites appear to be more sensitive to ER stress than are host cells, induction of ER stress could potentially be used for interference with parasite development.
A new perspective on mechanisms governing skeletal complications in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Seref‐Ferlengez Zeynep , Suadicani Sylvia O. , Thi Mia M.
Published: August 2016

This review focuses on bone mechanobiology in type 1 diabetes (T1D), an area of research on diabetes‐associated skeletal complications that is still in its infancy. We first provide a brief overview of the deleterious effects of diabetes on the skeleton and of the knowledge gained from studies with rodent models of T1D. Second, we discuss two specific hallmarks of T1D, low insulin and high glucose, and address the extent to which they affect skeletal health. Third, we highlight the mechanosensitive nature of bone tissue and the importance of mechanical loading for bone health. We also summarize recent advances in bone mechanobiology that implicate osteocytes as the mechanosensors and major regulatory cells in the bone. Finally, we discuss recent evidence indicating that the diabetic bone is “deaf” to mechanical loading and that osteocytes are central players in mechanisms that lead to bone loss in T1D.
Management of New‐Onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Utilizing Insertable Cardiac Monitor Technology to Observe Recurrence of AF (MONITOR‐AF)
Authors: EL‐CHAMI MIKHAEL F. , MERCHANT FAISAL M. , SMITH PAIGE , LEVY MATHEW , NELMS ANGELA GILL , MERLINO JOHN , PUSKAS JOHN , LEON ANGEL R.
Published: August 2016

Background

New‐onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in up to 30% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). POAF is associated with short‐ and long‐term mortality.

Methods

To identify the true incidence and time course of recurrent atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with POAF, we prospectively assigned 23 patients with POAF to receive an implantable loop recorder (ILR; Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA) for the detection of recurrent AF. Two electrophysiologists independently adjudicated monthly ILR transmissions to classify recurrent AF. We defined AF as any episode lasting ≥6 minutes.

Results

The cohort included 23 subjects averaging 69.1 ± 7.2 years of age. Their mean CHADS2 score averaged 1.9 ± 0.8. Note that 26.1% underwent direct current cardioversion prior to discharge; 95.7% left the hospital taking amiodarone and 26.1% warfarin. A total of 14 patients (60.9%) experienced recurrent AF. AF first recurred within 3 months in nine patients (39.1%), and in 10 patients AF emerged or continued beyond 3 months. Eight of 17 (47.1%) patients followed for at least 1 year experienced AF recurrence beyond 1 year of CABG. The time from surgery to first AF episode averaged 143 ± 22.5 days. Long‐term monitoring shows that 60.9% of patients with POAF develop recurrent AF.

Conclusion

POAF may represent a propensity for recurrent paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and not simply a transient consequence of postoperative stress and inflammation. Better detection of recurrent AF might identify patients at risk for stroke who would benefit from continuing anticoagulation.
Using a pulse oximeter to determine clinical depth of anesthesia—investigation of the utility of the perfusion index
Authors: Krishnamohan Anirudh , Siriwardana Viraj , Skowno Justin J.
Published: August 2016

Background

Peripheral vasodilation is a well‐recognized side effect of general anesthesia, and induces changes in the amplitude of the pulse plethysmograph (PPG) waveform. This can be continuously quantitaed using the Perfusion Index (PI), a ratio of the pulsatile to nonpulsatile signal amplitude in the PPG waveform. We hypothesized that the perfusion index would rise with the induction of anesthesia in children, and fall with emergence, and performed a prospective, observational study to test this.

Aim

Our primary aim was to test whether the different clinical stages of anesthesia were associated with changes in the perfusion index, and the secondary aim was to test the correlation between the normalized perfusion index and the MAC value.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients between the ages of 1 and 18 undergoing minor procedures with no anticipated painful stimuli were recruited. Patients with significant illnesses were excluded. Data collection commenced with a preinduction baseline, and data were collected continuously, with event marking, until completion of the anesthesia and removal of the pulse oximeter. Data collected included perfusion index, heart rate, and anesthetic gas concentration values. A normalized perfusion index was calculated by subtracting the initial baseline perfusion index value from all perfusion index values, allowing changes, from a standardized initial baseline value of zero, to be analyzed.

Results

During induction, the mean normalized perfusion index rose from 0.0 to 4.2, and then declined to 0.470 when the patients returned to consciousness. P < 0.001 using repeated measures anova test. The normalized perfusion index was correlated with MAC values (r2 = 0.33, 95% CI 0.18–0.47, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

The perfusion index changed significantly during different stages of anesthesia. There is a significant correlation between the perfusion index, measured by pulse oximetry, and the MAC value, in pediatric patients undergoing minor procedures.
Down‐regulation of GIGANTEA‐like genes increases plant growth and salt stress tolerance in poplar
Authors: Ke Qingbo , Kim Ho Soo , Wang Zhi , Ji Chang Yoon , Jeong Jae Cheol , Lee Haeng‐Soon , Choi Young‐Im , Xu Bingcheng , Deng Xiping , Yun Dae‐Jin , Kwak Sang‐Soo
Published: August 2016

The flowering time regulator GIGANTEA (GI) connects networks involved in developmental stage transitions and environmental stress responses in Arabidopsis. However, little is known about the role of GI in growth, development and responses to environmental challenges in the perennial plant poplar. Here, we identified and functionally characterized three GI‐like genes (PagGIa, PagGIb and PagGIc) from poplar (Populus alba × Populus glandulosa). PagGIs are predominantly nuclear localized and their transcripts are rhythmically expressed, with a peak around zeitgeber time 12 under long‐day conditions. Overexpressing PagGIs in wild‐type (WT) Arabidopsis induced early flowering and salt sensitivity, while overexpressing PagGIs in the gi‐2 mutant completely or partially rescued its delayed flowering and enhanced salt tolerance phenotypes. Furthermore, the PagGIs‐PagSOS2 complexes inhibited PagSOS2‐regulated phosphorylation of PagSOS1 in the absence of stress, whereas these inhibitions were eliminated due to the degradation of PagGIs under salt stress. Down‐regulation of PagGIs by RNA interference led to vigorous growth, higher biomass and enhanced salt stress tolerance in transgenic poplar plants. Taken together, these results indicate that several functions of Arabidopsis GI are conserved in its poplar orthologues, and they lay the foundation for developing new approaches to producing salt‐tolerant trees for sustainable development on marginal lands worldwide.
Predictable ‘meta‐mechanisms’ emerge from feedbacks between transpiration and plant growth and cannot be simply deduced from short‐term mechanisms
Authors: Tardieu François , Parent Boris
Published: August 2016

Growth under water deficit is controlled by short‐term mechanisms but, because of numerous feedbacks, the combination of these mechanisms over time often results in outputs that cannot be deduced from the simple inspection of individual mechanisms. It can be analysed with dynamic models in which causal relationships between variables are considered at each time‐step, allowing calculation of outputs that are routed back to inputs for the next time‐step and that can change the system itself. We first review physiological mechanisms involved in seven feedbacks of transpiration on plant growth, involving changes in tissue hydraulic conductance, stomatal conductance, plant architecture and underlying factors such as hormones or aquaporins. The combination of these mechanisms over time can result in non‐straightforward conclusions as shown by examples of simulation outputs: ‘over production of abscisic acid (ABA) can cause a lower concentration of ABA in the xylem sap ’, ‘decreasing root hydraulic conductance when evaporative demand is maximum can improve plant performance’ and ‘rapid root growth can decrease yield’. Systems of equations simulating feedbacks over numerous time‐steps result in logical and reproducible emergent properties that can be viewed as ‘meta‐mechanisms’ at plant level, which have similar roles as mechanisms at cell level.
Expectancy affects the feedback‐related negativity (FRN) for delayed feedback in probabilistic learning
Authors: Weismüller Benjamin , Bellebaum Christian
Published: August 2016

Learning from feedback is a prerequisite for adapting to the environment. Prediction error signals coded by midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons are projected to the basal ganglia and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). It has been suggested that neuronal activity shifts away from the DA system when feedback is delayed. The feedback‐related negativity (FRN), an ERP that is generated in the ACC and has been shown to be sensitive to feedback valence and prediction error magnitude, was found to be reduced for delayed feedback. It has, however, not yet been investigated if the FRN for delayed feedback reflects a reward prediction error. In this study, effects of feedback delay (1 s vs. 7 s) on the processing of expected and unexpected positive and negative feedback were investigated in a between‐subjects design in healthy human participants conducting a probabilistic feedback learning task. FRN and P300 amplitudes were decreased for subjects learning from delayed compared to immediate feedback. Importantly, the FRN, extracted from the negative‐positive feedback difference wave, was significantly smaller for expected compared to unexpected feedback for both the immediate and delayed feedback conditions. Expectancy effects for the P300 were also seen, but did not interact with feedback valence. These results demonstrate an influence of feedback expectancy, and thus the prediction error, on early feedback processing even for delayed feedback, suggesting that neuronal structures underlying feedback processing are comparable for immediate and delayed feedback, at least to some extent. Modulations of the P300 by feedback delay may be linked to feedback salience.
Does serum anti‐Müllerian hormone levels always discriminate presence of the ovaries in adult bitches? Comparison of two ELISA kits
Authors: Pir Yagci I , Pekcan M , Polat IM , Kalender H , Macun HC
Published: August 2016

Contents

Anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) is produced in the ovary, and thus, it is an excellent marker of follicle pool in females. Current interest is the clinical use of this parameter as a biomarker to assess presence or absence of an intact ovary and to diagnose ovarian remnant syndrome (ORS) following incomplete ovariohysterectomy (OHE) in bitches. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum AMH concentrations in bitches (n = 34) before and after OHE using two different commercial ELISA kits, one of which is based on detecting human AMH and the other is based on detecting human AMH and the other specified for canine AMH. Furthermore, serum AMH levels were also measured in six ORS cases to compare the diagnostic utility of the two different ELISA kits. Serum AMH concentrations measured using the human and canine kit prior to and after OHE were 0.32 ± 0.24, 0.006 ± 0.22 ng/ml (p < .001) and 12.08 ± 22.81, 9.55 ± 15.42 ng/ml (p = .868), respectively. Thus, the canine‐based kit was not able to reveal the significant drop in serum AMH levels. In conclusion, the human‐based ELISA kits successfully detected the drop in serum AMH concentrations. Reliable results can only be achieved from well‐designed ELISA kits, and AMH levels might be a useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of presence or absence of ovaries as well as for the detection of ORS cases in bitches.
Effects of duration of electric pulse on in vitro development of cloned cat embryos with human artificial chromosome vector
Authors: Do LTK , Wittayarat M , Terazono T , Sato Y , Taniguchi M , Tanihara F , Takemoto T , Kazuki Y , Kazuki K , Oshimura M , Otoi T
Published: August 2016

Contents

The current applications for cat cloning include production of models for the study of human and animal diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the optimal fusion protocol on in vitro development of transgenic cloned cat embryos by comparing duration of electric pulse. Cat fibroblast cells containing a human artificial chromosome (HAC) vector were used as genetically modified nuclear donor cells. Couplets were fused and activated simultaneously with a single DC pulse of 3.0 kV/cm for either 30 or 60 μs. Low rates of fusion and embryo development to the blastocyst stage were observed in the reconstructed HAC‐transchromosomic embryos, when the duration of fusion was prolonged to 60 μs. In contrast, the prolongation of electric pulse duration improved the embryo development and quality in the reconstructed control embryos without HAC vector. Our results suggested that the optimal parameters of electric pulses for fusion in cat somatic cell nuclear transfer vary among the types used for donor cells.
Effects of Impeller Squealer Tip on Centrifugal Compressor Performance
Authors: Da Soghe Riccardo , Bianchini Cosimo , Tommaso Rubino Dante , Toni Lorenzo
Published: August 2016

This paper summarizes the main results sorted out from a design of experiment (DoE) based on a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Several tip recessed geometries applied to an unshrouded impeller were considered in conjunction with two tip clearance levels. The computations show that recessed tip geometries have positive effects when considering high-flow coefficient values, while in part-load conditions the gain is reduced. Starting from the results obtained when studying tip cavities, a single rim tip squealer geometry was then analyzed: the proposed geometry leads to performance improvements for all the tested conditions considered in this work.
Noise-Induced Dynamics in the Subthreshold Region in Thermoacoustic Systems
Authors: Saurabh Aditya , Kabiraj Lipika , Steinert Richard , Oliver Paschereit Christian
Published: August 2016

This article is a report of experiments conducted in order to investigate the role of noise on thermoacoustic systems. In contrast to most studies in this direction, in the present work, the role of noise in the subthreshold region, prior to the (subcritical) Hopf bifurcation and the associated saddle-node bifurcation, is considered. In this regime, a thermoacoustic system is stable and does not undergo transition to self-excited thermoacoustic oscillations. However, the system can feature dynamics, which arise due to the proximity of the system to the approaching Hopf bifurcation, in response to noise. Experiments were performed on a model thermoacoustic system featuring a laminar flat flame. Noise was introduced in a controlled manner, and the effect of increasing levels of noise intensity was studied. Results presented here show that noise addition induces coherent oscillations. The induced coherence is observed to depend on the noise amplitude and the proximity to the Hopf bifurcation. Furthermore, this noise-induced behavior is characterized by a well-defined “resonance-like” response of the system: An optimum level of coherence is induced for an intermediate level of noise. These results can be of importance in practical thermoacoustic systems (e.g., combustors), which are inherently noisy due to factors such as flow turbulence and combustion noise.
Unsteady Natural Convection Heat Transfer Past a Vertical Flat Plate Embedded in a Porous Medium Saturated With Fractional Oldroyd-B Fluid
Authors: Zhao Jinhu , Zheng Liancun , Zhang Xinxin , Liu Fawang , Chen Xuehui
Published: August 2016

This paper investigates natural convection heat transfer of generalized Oldroyd-B fluid in a porous medium with modified fractional Darcy's law. Nonlinear coupled boundary layer governing equations are formulated with time–space fractional derivatives in the momentum equation. Numerical solutions are obtained by the newly developed finite difference method combined with L1-algorithm. The effects of involved parameters on velocity and temperature fields are presented graphically and analyzed in detail. Results indicate that, different from the classical result that Prandtl number only affects the heat transfer, it has remarkable influence on both the velocity and temperature boundary layers, the average Nusselt number rises dramatically in low Prandtl number, but increases slowly with the augment of Prandtl number. The maximum value of velocity profile and the thickness of momentum boundary layer increases with the augment of porosity and Darcy number. Moreover, the relaxation fractional derivative parameter accelerates the convection flow and weakens the elastic effect significantly, while the retardation fractional derivative parameter slows down the motion and strengthens the elastic effect.
Optimization of the poro-serrated trailing edges for airfoil broadband noise reduction
Authors: Chong Tze Pei , Dubois Elisa
Published: August 2016

This paper reports an aeroacoustic investigation of a NACA0012 airfoil with a number of poro-serrated trailing edge devices that contain porous materials of various air flow resistances at the gaps between adjacent members of the serrated-sawtooth trailing edge. The main objective of this work is to determine whether multiple-mechanisms on the broadband noise reduction can co-exist on a poro-serrated trailing edge. When the sawtooth gaps are filled with porous material of low-flow resistivity, the vortex shedding tone at low-frequency could not be completely suppressed at high-velocity, but a reasonably good broadband noise reduction can be achieved at high-frequency. When the sawtooth gaps are filled with porous material of very high-flow resistivity, no vortex shedding tone is present, but the serration effect on the broadband noise reduction becomes less effective. An optimal choice of the flow resistivity for a poro-serrated configuration has been identified, where it can surpass the conventional serrated trailing edge of the same geometry by achieving a further 1.5 dB reduction in the broadband noise while completely suppressing the vortex shedding tone. A weakened turbulent boundary layer noise scattering at the poro-serrated trailing edge is reflected by the lower-turbulence intensity at the near wake centreline across the whole spanwise wavelength of the sawtooth.
CCCCC pentadentate chelates with planar Möbius aromaticity and unique properties
Authors: Zhu Congqing , Yang Caixia , Wang Yongheng , Lin Gan , Yang Yuhui , Wang Xiaoyong , Zhu Jun , Chen Xiaoyuan , Lu Xin , Liu Gang , Xia Haiping
Published: August 2016

Planar Möbius aromatic metallacycles show NIR absorption spectrum and the highest carbon coordination number for a metal atom.
IL-1β is an innate immune sensor of microbial proteolysis
Authors: LaRock Christopher N. , Todd Jordan , LaRock Doris L. , Olson Joshua , O’Donoghue Anthony J. , Robertson Avril A. B. , Cooper Matthew A. , Hoffman Hal M. , Nizet Victor
Published: August 2016

A microbial protease directly activates IL-1β, resulting in an inflammasome-independent innate immune response.
Bacterial Populations Associated with Smokeless Tobacco Products
Authors: Han Jing , Sanad Yasser M. , Deck Joanna , Sutherland John B. , Li Zhong , Walters Matthew J. , Duran Norma , Holman Matthew R. , Foley Steven L.
Published: August 2016

There are an estimated 8 million users of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) in the United States, and yet limited data on microbial populations within these products exist. To better understand the potential microbiological risks associated with STP use, a study was conducted to provide a baseline microbiological profile of STPs. A total of 90 samples, representing 15 common STPs, were purchased in metropolitan areas in Little Rock, AR, and Washington, DC, in November 2012, March 2013, and July 2013. Bacterial populations were evaluated using culture, pyrosequencing, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Moist-snuff products exhibited higher levels of bacteria (average of 1.05 × 10
6
CFU/g STP) and diversity of bacterial populations than snus (average of 8.33 × 10
1
CFU/g STP) and some chewing tobacco products (average of 2.54 × 10
5
CFU/g STP). The most common species identified by culturing were
Bacillus pumilus
,
B. licheniformis
,
B. safensis
, and
B. subtilis
, followed by members of the genera
Oceanobacillus
,
Staphylococcus
, and
Tetragenococcus.
Pyrosequencing analyses of the 16S rRNA genes identified the genera
Tetragenococcus
,
Carnobacterium
,
Lactobacillus
,
Geobacillus
,
Bacillus
, and
Staphylococcus
as the predominant taxa. Several species identified are of possible concern due to their potential to cause opportunistic infections and reported abilities to reduce nitrates to nitrites, which may be an important step in the formation of carcinogenic tobacco-specific N′-nitrosamines. This report provides a microbiological baseline to help fill knowledge gaps associated with microbiological risks of STPs and to inform potential regulations regarding manufacture and testing of STPs.

IMPORTANCE
It is estimated that there 8 million users of smokeless tobacco products (STPs) in the United States; however, there are limited data on microbial populations that exist within these products. The current study was undertaken to better understand the potential microbiological risks associated with STP use and provide a baseline microbiological profile of STPs. Several bacterial species were identified that are of possible concern due to their potential to cause opportunistic infections. In addition, some species have abilities to reduce nitrates to nitrites, which may be an important step in the formation of carcinogenic tobacco-specific N′-nitrosamines. Overall, this report provides a microbiological baseline to help fill knowledge gaps related to the microbiological risks of STPs and to inform potential regulations regarding the manufacture and testing of STPs.
Double trouble: para-neoplastic anti-PCA-2 and CRMP-5-mediated small fibre neuropathy followed by chorea associated with small cell lung cancer and evolving radiological features
Authors: Waheed Waqar , Boyd James , Khan Farrah , Mount Sharon L , Borden Neil M , Tandan Rup
Published: August 2016

Patients with Purkinje cell cytoplasmic autoantibody type 2 (PCA-2) and collapsin response-mediator protein-5 (CRMP-5) autoantibody can present with multifocal elements of encephalomyeloneuropathy. Except for an anecdotal report, case descriptions of paraneoplastic small fibre neuropathy are lacking. We report paraneoplastic small fibre neuropathy followed by chorea associated with small cell lung cancer. A man aged 57 years with a 35 pack-year smoking history presented with painless subacute paresthesia and weight fluctuation. A non-length-dependent small fibre neuropathy was confirmed by skin biopsy. Further testing revealed positive serum PCA-2 and CRMP-5 autoantibodies, which after positron emission tomography–CT led to histological confirmation of a small cell lung cancer. Initially, abnormal MRI and cerebrospinal fluid studies suggested central nervous system (CNS) involvement which was subclinical; however, 6 months later during antitumour therapy, the patient became symptomatic with choreoathetosis. After combined chemoradiation as well as immunosuppressive and symptomatic therapies, the clinical course stabilised, although residual neurological deficits remained at follow-up a year later. Coexistent PCA-2 and CRMP-5 autoantibodies may occur in the setting of small fibre peripheral neuropathy and choreoathetosis and predict cancer type. Two paraneoplastic syndromes can present successively over months; subclinical CNS involvement with evolving basal ganglia abnormalities can be a paraneoplastic manifestation. In the appropriate clinical setting, paraneoplastic testing should be considered in patients presenting with small fibre neuropathy.
Incidence and duration of type-specific human papillomavirus infection in high-risk HPV-naïve women: results from the control arm of a phase II HPV-16/18 vaccine trial
Authors: Ramanakumar Agnihotram V , Naud Paulo , Roteli-Martins Cecilia M , de Carvalho Newton S , de Borba Paola C , Teixeira Julio C , Blatter Mark , Moscicki Anna-Barbara , Harper Diane M , Romanowski Barbara , Tyring Stephen K , Ramjattan Brian , Schuind Anne , Dubin Gary , Franco Eduardo L
Published: August 2016

Objectives

Persistence of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is necessary for cervical carcinogenesis. We evaluated incidence and duration of type-specific HPV infections and the influence of age and number of sexual partners.

Methods

Data were obtained from 553 women (15–25 years), who were seronegative and DNA-negative for high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) types and were enrolled in the placebo arm of a randomised trial of the HPV-16/18 vaccine (NCT00689741/NCT00120848). They were followed for 6.3 years. Cervicovaginal samples were self-collected at 3-month intervals for up to 27 months, and cervical samples were collected by clinicians at 6-month intervals until study end. Samples were tested for HPV types using a broad-spectrum PCR assay. Incidence rate ratios (RRs) and 95% CIs were used to estimate the association among age, sexual habits and HPV acquisition.

Results

Incidence rates (95% CI) using cervical samples were 11.8 (10.4 to 13.4) and 5.6 (4.7 to 6.6) per 1000 women-months for HR-HPVs and low-risk HPVs (LR-HPVs), respectively. Equivalent rates in combined cervicovaginal and cervical samples were 17.2 (15.4 to 19.2) and 6.9 (5.9 to 8.0), respectively. 54 per cent of HR-HPV types from combined cervicovaginal and cervical samples persisted for 1 year compared with 32.3% for LR-HPV types. The risk of acquiring any HPV infection was higher among women aged <21 years (RR=1.33, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.7) and women having >1 sexual partner (RR=1.83, 95% CI 1.4 to 2.4) at baseline.

Conclusions

HR-HPV infections were more common and lasted longer on average than LR-HPV infections. HPV acquisition was more common in younger women with multiple sexual partners.

Trial registration number

NCT00689741,NCT00120848; Post-results.
Validation of an algorithm to determine the primary care treatability of emergency department visits
Authors: Jeffery Molly Moore , Bellolio M Fernanda , Wolfson Julian , Abraham Jean M , Dowd Bryan E , Kane Robert L
Published: August 2016

Objectives

We propose a new claims-computable measure of the primary care treatability of emergency department (ED) visits and validate it using a nationally representative sample of Medicare data.

Study design and setting

This is a validation study using 2011–2012 Medicare claims data for a nationally representative 5% sample of fee-for-service beneficiaries to compare the new measure's performance to the Ballard variant of the Billings algorithm in predicting hospitalisation and death following an ED visit.

Outcomes

Hospitalisation within 1 day or 1 week of an ED visit; death within 1 week or 1 month of an ED visit.

Results

The Minnesota algorithm is a strong predictor of hospitalisations and deaths, with performance similar to or better than the most commonly used existing algorithm to assess the severity of ED visits. The Billings/Ballard algorithm is a better predictor of death within 1 week of an ED visit; this finding is entirely driven by a small number of ED visits where patients appear to have been dead on arrival.

Conclusions

The procedure-based approach of the Minnesota algorithm allows researchers to use the clinical judgement of the ED physician, who saw the patient to determine the likely severity of each visit. The Minnesota algorithm may thus provide a useful tool for investigating ED use in Medicare beneficiaries.
Analysis of h-index and other bibliometric markers of productivity and repercussion of a selected sample of worldwide emergency medicine researchers
Authors: Miró Òscar , Burbano Pablo , Graham Colin A , Cone David C , Ducharme James , Brown Anthony F T , Martín-Sánchez Francisco Javier
Published: August 2016

Objective

To explore bibliometric markers in a worldwide sample of emergency physician investigators to define global, continental and individual patterns over time.

Methods

We evaluated the number of papers published, citations received, cumulative impact factor and h-index of editorial board members of six international emergency medicine journals. We calculated the individual values for every year of each author's career to evaluate their dynamic evolution. We analysed the results by researcher world area and growth rate.

Results

We included 107 researchers (76 American, 21 European and 10 Australasian; 46 slow-rate -group C-, 43 medium-rate -group B- and 18 fast-rate growth -group A-). The median experience was 18 (IQR: 12) years, without subgroups differences. Dynamic analysis over time showed good fit with quadratic function in all individual researchers and for all bibliometric markers (R2: 0.505–0.997), with the h-index achieving the best R2. The combined analysis of the h-index of the 107 investigators also fit the quadratic model (R2=0.49). Analysis by predefined continental and growth-rate subgroups allowed defining specific patterns (R2between 0.46–0.54 and 0.80–0.86, respectively): by continents, American researchers' h-index increased 0.632 points per year, European 0.417 and Australasian 0.341; by growth rate, researchers from group A, B and C increased 1.239, 0.683 and 0.320, respectively.

Conclusions

Dynamic analysis of every individual author indicator over time has a very good fit with a quadratic model, with the h-index achieving the best R2. It is also possible to construct models based on continent and rate of growth that could help to predict future expected outcomes of researchers in a particular subgroup and to classify new emerging researchers by growth rate.
Thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke: estimations of increasing demands
Authors: Kuntze Söderqvist Åsa , Andersson Tommy , Ahmed Niaz , Wahlgren Nils , Kaijser Magnus
Published: August 2016

Background

New recommendations for mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke suggest that thrombectomy should be considered for eligible patients with a large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation within 6 hours of stroke onset. The resources are unevenly spread and, in order to be able to meet a potentially increased demand, we have estimated the future need for thrombectomy.

Methods

The new treatment recommendations are similar to those that have been in use at the Karolinska University Hospital since 2007. Using our local thrombectomy data (2009–2011), we calculated the proportion of thrombectomies performed at our hospital by level of stroke severity according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score (0–5, 6–11, 12–19, and 20–35). We then estimated the total number of potential thrombectomies expected in Sweden by extrapolating our treatment proportions to the rest of Sweden through the use of data from the Swedish National Stroke Registry.

Results

The number of potential thrombectomies would have been more than five times higher (1268 estimated compared with 232 actually reported in the National Stroke Registry) if the new recommendations for thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke had been implemented in 2013 (the year from which we had the most recent available data from the Swedish Stroke Registry).

Conclusions

When the new recommendations are implemented broadly, there may be a substantial increase in demand for thrombectomies. Our study highlights the need for policymakers and healthcare professionals to prepare for the increasing demands for advanced endovascular stroke treatment.
Effects of morning versus evening combined strength and endurance training on physical performance, muscle hypertrophy, and serum hormone concentrations
Authors: Küüsmaa Maria , Schumann Moritz , Sedliak Milan , Kraemer William J. , Newton Robert U. , Malinen Jari-Pekka , Nyman Kai , Häkkinen Arja , Häkkinen Keijo
Published: August 2016

This study investigated the effects of 24 weeks of morning versus evening same-session combined strength (S) and endurance (E) training on physical performance, muscle hypertrophy, and resting serum testosterone and cortisol diurnal concentrations. Forty-two young men were matched and assigned to a morning (m) or evening (e) E + S or S + E group (mE + S, n = 9; mS + E, n = 9; eE + S, n = 12; and eS + E, n = 12). Participants were tested for dynamic leg press 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and time to exhaustion (Texh) during an incremental cycle ergometer test both in the morning and evening, cross-sectional area (CSA) of vastus lateralis and diurnal serum testosterone and cortisol concentrations (0730 h; 0930 h; 1630 h; 1830 h). All groups similarly increased 1RM in the morning (14%–19%; p < 0.001) and evening (18%–24%; p < 0.001). CSA increased in all groups by week 24 (12%–20%, p < 0.01); however, during the training weeks 13–24 the evening groups gained more muscle mass (time-of-day main effect; p < 0.05). Texh increased in all groups in the morning (16%–28%; p < 0.01) and evening (18%–27%; p < 0.001), however, a main effect for the exercise order, in favor of E + S, was observed on both testing times (p < 0.051). Diurnal rhythms in testosterone and cortisol remained statistically unaltered by the training order or time. The present results indicate that combined strength and endurance training in the evening may lead to larger gains in muscle mass, while the E + S training order might be more beneficial for endurance performance development. However, training order and time seem to influence the magnitude of adaptations only when the training period exceeded 12 weeks.
EVALUATION INDEX SYSTEM OF GREEN INDUSTRY BASED ON MAXIMUM INFORMATION CONTENT
Authors: MENG BIN , CHI GUOTAI
Published: August 2016

Green industry evaluation is a necessary part in the development of low-carbon economy and achieve sustainable development in the economic, social and ecological environment. Establishing a system of reasonable indicators is the key to green industry evaluation. From the connotation of green industry, this paper chooses green industry evaluation indicators with the extensive inclusion of green production, green consumption and green environment. Based on the principle of the maximum information content and the principle of eliminating redundant information, it establishes the evaluation indicators system of green industry. The proposed index system exhibits universal features of selection methods. Furthermore, the indexes of green industry formulated by authorities, such as EMCA, and designed for cities, such as Beijing and Shanghai in China, are described in terms of mass-elected indexes; these indexes can also provide important reference for green industry development in other similar cities, particularly coastal cities.
MODALITIES FOR ASEAN ECONOMIC INTEGRATION: RETROSPECT AND GOING FORWARD
Authors: CHIA SIOW YUE
Published: August 2016

The stages and economic effects of economic integration in the theoretical literature draws from the empirical integration experiences in Europe and may not be entirely suited to developing country groupings. Economically, ASEAN comprises largely middle and low income countries with priority on national and economic development, emphasizing attracting investment and technological resources and globally competitiveness. ASEAN and the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is characterized as a region with wide geographic expanse, diverse economic development levels and pursuing economic integration led by its leadership rather than the private sector. Economic integration has proceeded on two simultaneous fronts — the market-driven proliferation of regional production networks and value chains and the FTA-driven trade and investment facilitation and liberalization. Economic cooperation and integration has been pursued with increasing intensity since the late 1970s. Much has been achieved as seen in the growing density of movements of goods, services, capital and investments and movements of labor and people well as schemes for closer and deeper cooperation. The still-incomplete AEC will be declared on 31 December 2015. But there is still much “work in progress”. The AEC Blueprint 2025 highlights the priorities for the AEC for the next decade, eschewing deeper integration through customs union (CU) or common market but taking due consideration of the challenges from globalization and digitization and the clarion call for inclusive and sustainable development.
Heavy quark masses from production near threshold
Authors: Maier Andreas
Published: August 2016

In this paper, we review the precision determination of the bottom and top quark masses from the total pair-production cross-section near threshold. The theory prediction of the cross-section includes QCD corrections up to third-order. We further discuss the combined impact of Higgs corrections, the QED Coulomb potential, non-resonant production, and P-wave production on the extraction of top quark properties.
Memory function approach to correlated electron transport: A comprehensive review
Authors: Das Nabyendu , Bhalla Pankaj , Singh Navinder
Published: August 2016

Memory function formalism or projection operator technique is an extremely useful method to study the transport and optical properties of various condensed matter systems. A recent revival of its uses in various correlated electronic systems is being observed. It is being used and discussed in various contexts, ranging from nonequilibrium dynamics to the optical properties of various strongly correlated systems such as high temperature superconductors. However, a detailed discussion on this method, starting from its origin to its present day applications at one place is lacking. In this paper, we attempt a comprehensive review of the memory function approach focusing on its uses in studying the dynamics and the transport properties of correlated electronic systems.
Chemotactic cross-diffusion in complex frameworks
Authors: Winkler M.
Published: August 2016

The papers published in a special issue devoted to chemotactic cross-diffusion in complex frameworks are presented. A brief discussion of their contents aims at opening some perspectives for possible future research.
Long-term behaviour in a chemotaxis-fluid system with logistic source
Authors: Lankeit Johannes
Published: August 2016

We consider the coupled chemotaxis Navier–Stokes model with logistic source terms: [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] in a bounded, smooth domain [Formula: see text] under homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] and homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions for [Formula: see text] and with given functions [Formula: see text] satisfying certain decay conditions and [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text]. We construct weak solutions and prove that after some waiting time they become smooth and finally converge to the semi-trivial steady state [Formula: see text].
To the exclusion of blow-up in a three-dimensional chemotaxis-growth model with indirect attractant production
Authors: Hu Bingran , Tao Y.
Published: August 2016

This work considers the chemotaxis-growth system [Formula: see text] in a smoothly bounded domain [Formula: see text], with zero-flux boundary conditions, where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are given positive parameters.

In striking contrast to the corresponding three-dimensional two-component chemo-taxis-growth system to which the global existence or blow-up of classical solutions largely remains open when [Formula: see text] is small, it is shown that whenever [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], for any given non-negative and suitably smooth initial data [Formula: see text] satisfying [Formula: see text], the system (⋆) admits a unique global classical solution that is uniformly-in-time bounded, which rules out the possibility of blow-up of solutions in finite time or in infinite time.

Moreover, under the fully explicit condition [Formula: see text] the solution [Formula: see text] exponentially converges to the constant stationary solution [Formula: see text] in the norm of [Formula: see text] as [Formula: see text].
Selection, calibration, and validation of models of tumor growth
Authors: Lima E. A. B. F. , Oden J. T. , Hormuth D. A. , Yankeelov T. E. , Almeida R. C.
Published: August 2016

This paper presents general approaches for addressing some of the most important issues in predictive computational oncology concerned with developing classes of predictive models of tumor growth. First, the process of developing mathematical models of vascular tumors evolving in the complex, heterogeneous, macroenvironment of living tissue; second, the selection of the most plausible models among these classes, given relevant observational data; third, the statistical calibration and validation of models in these classes, and finally, the prediction of key Quantities of Interest (QOIs) relevant to patient survival and the effect of various therapies. The most challenging aspects of this endeavor is that all of these issues often involve confounding uncertainties: in observational data, in model parameters, in model selection, and in the features targeted in the prediction. Our approach can be referred to as “model agnostic” in that no single model is advocated; rather, a general approach that explores powerful mixture-theory representations of tissue behavior while accounting for a range of relevant biological factors is presented, which leads to many potentially predictive models. Then representative classes are identified which provide a starting point for the implementation of OPAL, the Occam Plausibility Algorithm (OPAL) which enables the modeler to select the most plausible models (for given data) and to determine if the model is a valid tool for predicting tumor growth and morphology (in vivo). All of these approaches account for uncertainties in the model, the observational data, the model parameters, and the target QOI. We demonstrate these processes by comparing a list of models for tumor growth, including reaction–diffusion models, phase-fields models, and models with and without mechanical deformation effects, for glioma growth measured in murine experiments. Examples are provided that exhibit quite acceptable predictions of tumor growth in laboratory animals while demonstrating successful implementations of OPAL.
NOISE-ENHANCED TRANSMISSION OF TIME-MODULATED NEUROTRANSMITTER RANDOM POINT TRAINS IN A NOISY NEURON
Authors: FENG TIANQUAN , YI MING
Published: August 2016

We numerically investigate the transmission of time-modulated random point trains in a conductance-based neuron model by including shot noise described as additive noise trains. The results show that additive noise trains can induce neuron responses exhibiting correlation with the temporally modulated random point trains. In addition, the additive noise power density can be increased up to an optimal value where the output signal-noise ratio (SNR) reaches a maximum value. This property of noise-enhanced transmission of random point trains can be related to the stochastic resonance (SR) phenomenon. More interestingly, we find that the SNR gain can exceed unity and can also be optimized by tuning the average rate of the input random point trains. The present study illustrates the potential to utilize the additive noise and temporally modulated random point trains for optimizing the response of the neuron to inputs, as well as a guidance in the design of information processing devices to random neuron spiking.
THE EFFECTS OF pH ON STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF IRON OXIDE THIN FILMS
Authors: TEZEL FATMA MEYDANERİ , ÖZDEMİR OSMAN , KARİPER İ. AFŞIN
Published: August 2016

In this study, the iron oxide thin films have been produced by chemical bath deposition (CBD) method as a function of pH onto amorphous glass substrates. The surface images of the films were investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crystal structures, orientation of crystallization, crystallite sizes, and dislocation density i.e. structural properties of the thin films were analyzed with X-ray diffraction (XRD). The optical band gap ([Formula: see text], optical transmission ([Formula: see text]%), reflectivity ([Formula: see text]%), absorption coefficient ([Formula: see text], refraction index ([Formula: see text]), extinction coefficient ([Formula: see text]) and dielectric constant ([Formula: see text]) of the thin films were investigated depending on pH, deposition time, solution temperature, substrate temperature, thickness of the films by UV–VIS spectrometer.