bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Convective Heat Transfer in a High Aspect Ratio Minichannel Heated on One Side
Authors: Forrest Eric C. , Hu Lin-Wen , Buongiorno Jacopo , McKrell Thomas J.
Published: September 2015

Experimental results are presented for single-phase heat transfer in a narrow rectangular minichannel heated on one side. The aspect ratio and gap thickness of the test channel were 29:1 and 1.96 mm, respectively. Friction pressure drop and Nusselt numbers are reported for the transition and fully turbulent flow regimes, with Prandtl numbers ranging from 2.2 to 5.4. Turbulent friction pressure drop for the high aspect ratio channel is well-correlated by the Blasius solution when a modified Reynolds number, based upon a laminar equivalent diameter, is utilized. The critical Reynolds number for the channel falls between 3500 and 4000, with Nusselt numbers in the transition regime being reasonably predicted by Gnielinski's correlation. The dependence of the heat transfer coefficient on the Prandtl number is larger than that predicted by circular tube correlations, and is likely a result of the asymmetric heating. The problem of asymmetric heating condition is approached theoretically using a boundary layer analysis with a two-region wall layer model, similar to that originally proposed by Prandtl. The analysis clarifies the influence of asymmetric heating on the Nusselt number and correctly predicts the experimentally observed trend with Prandtl number. A semi-analytic correlation is derived from the analysis that accounts for the effect of aspect ratio and asymmetric heating, and is shown to predict the experimental results of this study with a mean absolute error (MAE) of less than 5% for 4000 < Re < 70,000.
Crack Tunneling in Cement Sheath of Hydrocarbon Well
Authors: Wang Zhengjin , Lou Yucun , Suo Zhigang
Published: September 2015

In a hydrocarbon well, cement fills the annular gap between two steel casings or between a steel casing and rock formation, forming a sheath that isolates fluids in different zones of the well. For a well as long as several kilometers, the cement sheath covers a large area and inevitably contains small cracks. The cement sheath fails when a small crack grows and tunnels through the length of the well. We calculate the energy release rate at a steady-state tunneling front as a function of the width of the tunnel. So long as the maximum energy release rate is below the fracture energy of the cement, tunnels of any width will not form. This failsafe condition requires no measurement of small cracks, but depends on material properties and loading conditions. We further show that the critical load for tunneling reduces significantly if the cement/casing and cement/formation interfaces slide.
Vanadium dioxide film protected with an atomic-layer-deposited Al2O3 thin film
Authors: Wang Xiao , Cao Yunzhen , Yang Chao , Yan Lu , Li Ying
Published: September 2015

A VO2 film exposed to ambient air is prone to oxidation, which will degrade its thermochromic properties. In this work, the authors deposited an ultrathin Al2O3 film with atomic layer deposition (ALD) to protect the underlying VO2 film from degradation, and then studied the morphology and crystalline structure of the films. To assess the protectiveness of the Al2O3 capping layer, the authors performed a heating test and a damp heating test. An ultrathin 5-nm-thick ALD Al2O3 film was sufficient to protect the underlying VO2 film heated at 350 °C. However, in a humid environment at prolonged durations, a thicker ALD Al2O3 film (15 nm) was required to protect the VO2. The authors also deposited and studied a TiO2/Al2O3 bilayer, which significantly improved the protectiveness of the Al2O3 film in a humid environment.
Sternal vibrations during head-out immersion: A preliminary demonstration of underwater wearable ballistocardiography
Authors: Wiens Andrew D. , Carek Andrew M. , Inan Omer T.
Published: September 2015

Ballistocardiography (BCG) measures vibrations of the body caused by ejection of blood from the heart, and the root mean square (RMS) of BCG measured with a weighing scale trends with cardiac output. However, BCG underwater has not been studied. Head-to-foot BCG signals were recorded with an accelerometer on the sternum of three human subjects. The heartbeats were clearly visible in the signals recorded underwater, and the resting change in RMS BCG was +360 μg (+36%) from air to cold water immersion (27.8 °C) while standing. This is within the 32%–62% increase in cardiac output observed in previous head-out immersion studies.
Observation of chiral edge states with neutral fermions in synthetic Hall ribbons
Authors: Mancini M. , Pagano G. , Cappellini G. , Livi L. , Rider M. , Catani J. , Sias C. , Zoller P. , Inguscio M. , Dalmonte M. , Fallani L.
Published: September 2015

Visualizing edge states in atomic systems

Visualizing edge states in atomic systems Simulating the solid state using ultracold atoms is an appealing research approach. In solids, however, the charged electrons are susceptible to an external magnetic field, which curves their trajectories and makes them skip along the edge of the sample. To observe this phenomenon with cold atoms requires an artificial magnetic field to have a similar effect on the neutral atoms (see the Perspective by Celi and Tarruell). Stuhl
et al.
obtained skipping orbits with bosonic atoms using a lattice that consisted of an array of atoms in one direction and three internal atomic spin states in the other. In a complementary experiment, Mancini
et al.
observed similar physics with fermionic atoms.

Science
, this issue pp.
1514
and
1510
; see also p.
1450
Structural origin of slow diffusion in protein folding
Authors: Chung Hoi Sung , Piana-Agostinetti Stefano , Shaw David E. , Eaton William A.
Published: September 2015

Interactions that slow protein folding

As proteins fold, they diffuse over an energy barrier that separates unfolded and folded states. The transition path defines how a single protein crosses the barrier and so contains key information on the mechanism of folding. Transition paths have not yet been experimentally observed, but Chung
et al.
have discovered which structural features of the protein affect the duration of the transition. As the protein folds, non-native salt bridges form and break, slowing diffusion along the transition path.

Science
, this issue p.
1504
Synchronous centennial abrupt events in the ocean and atmosphere during the last deglaciation
Authors: Chen Tianyu , Robinson Laura F. , Burke Andrea , Southon John , Spooner Peter , Morris Paul J. , Ng Hong Chin
Published: September 2015

Flushing the deep ocean

Have changes in ocean circulation contributed to the sudden increases in the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide that occurred during the last deglaciation? Chen
et al.
provide a high-resolution radiocarbon record for that time, derived from deep sea corals. This record shows that two deep ocean “flushing” events were accompanied by abrupt rises in carbon dioxide and Northern Hemispheric warming. There is a clear connection between these ocean processes and the atmosphere during this interval.

Science
, this issue p.
1537
Probing the edge with cold atoms
Authors: Celi Alessio , Tarruell Leticia
Published: September 2015

Trapped atoms can mimic the nature of edge currents in quantum Hall systems

[Also see Reports by

Mancini
et al.

and

Stuhl
et al.

]
Conversion of alcohols to enantiopure amines through dual-enzyme hydrogen-borrowing cascades
Authors: Mutti Francesco G. , Knaus Tanja , Scrutton Nigel S. , Breuer Michael , Turner Nicholas J.
Published: September 2015

A clean and green approach to amines

Enzymes evolved to operate in water and to modify their substrates using comparatively nontoxic reagents. Thus, a major advantage of applying enzymes to synthetic chemistry is their compatibility with environmentally benign conditions. Mutti
et al.
report that two enzymes—alcohol and amine dehydrogenases—can operate in tandem to convert alcohols to amines. The reaction proceeds with ammonium as the only input and water as the only byproduct. The mechanism relies on consecutive oxidation and reduction steps, with hydrogen shuttled by a nicotinamide coenzyme.

Science
, this issue p.
1525
Novel Agents against Miltefosine-Unresponsive Leishmania donovani
Authors: Das Mousumi , Saha Gundappa , Saikia Anil K. , Dubey Vikash Kumar
Published: September 2015

Visceral leishmaniasis is a deadly endemic disease. Unresponsiveness to the only available oral drug miltefosine poses a big challenge for the chemotherapy of the disease. We report a novel molecule, PS-203 {4-(4,4,8-trimethyl-7-oxo-3-oxabicyclo[3.3.1]non-2-yl)-benzoic acid methyl ester}, as effective against a miltefosine-unresponsive strain of the parasite. Further, combinations of PS-203 with miltefosine were also evaluated and showed promising results against a miltefosine-unresponsive strain.
Genetic and Biochemical Characterization of FRI-1, a Carbapenem-Hydrolyzing Class A β-Lactamase from Enterobacter cloacae
Authors: Dortet Laurent , Poirel Laurent , Abbas Samia , Oueslati Saoussen , Nordmann Patrice
Published: September 2015

An
Enterobacter cloacae
isolate was recovered from a rectal swab from a patient hospitalized in France with previous travel to Switzerland. It was resistant to penicillins, narrow- and broad-spectrum cephalosporins, aztreonam, and carbapenems but remained susceptible to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. Whereas PCR-based identification of the most common carbapenemase genes failed, the biochemical Carba NP test II identified an Ambler class A carbapenemase. Cloning experiments followed by sequencing identified a gene encoding a totally novel class A carbapenemase, FRI-1, sharing 51 to 55% amino acid sequence identity with the closest carbapenemase sequences. However, it shared conserved residues as a source of carbapenemase activity. Purified β-lactamase FRI-1 hydrolyzed penicillins, aztreonam, and carbapenems but spared expanded-spectrum cephalosporins. The 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC
50
s) of clavulanic acid and tazobactam were 10-fold higher than those found for
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC), IMI, and SME, leading to lower sensitivity of FRI-1 activity to β-lactamase inhibitors. The
bla
FRI-1
gene was located on a ca. 110-kb untypeable, transferable, and non-self-conjugative plasmid. A putative LysR family regulator-encoding gene at the 5′ end of the β-lactamase gene was identified, leading to inducible expression of the
bla
FRI-1
gene.
A Correlative Study of Splenic Parasite Score and Peripheral Blood Parasite Load Estimation by Quantitative PCR in Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Sudarshan Medhavi , Singh Toolika , Chakravarty Jaya , Sundar Shyam
Published: September 2015

Parasitological diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) by splenic smear is highly sensitive, but it is associated with the risk of severe hemorrhage. In this study, the diagnosis of VL using quantitative PCR (qPCR) in peripheral blood was evaluated in 100 patients with VL. Blood parasitemia ranged from 5 to 93,688 leishmania parasite genomes/ml of blood and positively correlated with splenic score (P< 0.0001;r2= 0.58). Therefore, quantification of parasite genomes by qPCR can replace invasive procedures for diagnostic and prognostic evaluations.
Core Genome Multilocus Sequence Typing Scheme for High-Resolution Typing of Enterococcus faecium
Authors: de Been Mark , Pinholt Mette , Top Janetta , Bletz Stefan , Mellmann Alexander , van Schaik Willem , Brouwer Ellen , Rogers Malbert , Kraat Yvette , Bonten Marc , Corander Jukka , Westh Henrik , Harmsen Dag , Willems Rob J. L.
Published: September 2015

Enterococcus faecium
, a common inhabitant of the human gut, has emerged in the last 2 decades as an important multidrug-resistant nosocomial pathogen. Since the start of the 21st century, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) has been used to study the molecular epidemiology of
E. faecium
. However, due to the use of a small number of genes, the resolution of MLST is limited. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) now allows for high-resolution tracing of outbreaks, but current WGS-based approaches lack standardization, rendering them less suitable for interlaboratory prospective surveillance. To overcome this limitation, we developed a core genome MLST (cgMLST) scheme for
E. faecium
. cgMLST transfers genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) diversity into a standardized and portable allele numbering system that is far less computationally intensive than SNP-based analysis of WGS data. The
E. faecium
cgMLST scheme was built using 40 genome sequences that represented the diversity of the species. The scheme consists of 1,423 cgMLST target genes. To test the performance of the scheme, we performed WGS analysis of 103 outbreak isolates from five different hospitals in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany. The cgMLST scheme performed well in distinguishing between epidemiologically related and unrelated isolates, even between those that had the same sequence type (ST), which denotes the higher discriminatory power of this cgMLST scheme over that of conventional MLST. We also show that in terms of resolution, the performance of the
E. faecium
cgMLST scheme is equivalent to that of an SNP-based approach. In conclusion, the cgMLST scheme developed in this study facilitates rapid, standardized, and high-resolution tracing of
E. faecium
outbreaks.
Rotavirus Controls Activation of the 2′-5′-Oligoadenylate Synthetase/RNase L Pathway Using at Least Two Distinct Mechanisms
Authors: Sánchez-Tacuba Liliana , Rojas Margarito , Arias Carlos F. , López Susana
Published: September 2015

The innate immune response is the first line of defense of the host cell against a viral infection. In turn, viruses have evolved a wide variety of strategies to hide from, and to directly antagonize, the host innate immune pathways. One of these pathways is the 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)/RNase L pathway. OAS is activated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to produce 2′-5′ oligoadenylates, which are the activators of RNase L; this enzyme degrades viral and cellular RNAs, restricting viral infection. It has been recently found that the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of rotavirus VP3 has a 2′-5′-phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity that is able to functionally substitute for the PDE activity of the mouse hepatitis virus ns2 protein. This particular phosphodiesterase cleaves the 2′-5′-phosphodiester bond of the oligoadenylates, antagonizing the OAS/RNase L pathway. However, whether this activity of VP3 is relevant during the replication cycle of rotavirus is not known. Here, we demonstrate that after rotavirus infection the OAS/RNase L complex becomes activated; however, the virus is able to control its activity using at least two distinct mechanisms. A virus-cell interaction that occurs during or before rotavirus endocytosis triggers a signal that prevents the early activation of RNase L, while later on the control is taken by the newly synthesized VP3. Cosilencing the expression of VP3 and RNase L in infected cells yields viral infectious particles at levels similar to those obtained in control infected cells, where no genes were silenced, suggesting that the capping activity of VP3 is not essential for the formation of infectious viral particles.

IMPORTANCERotaviruses represent an important cause of severe gastroenteritis in the young of many animal species, including humans. In this work, we have found that the OAS/RNase L pathway is activated during rotavirus infection, but the virus uses two different strategies to prevent the deleterious effects of this innate immune response of the cell. Early during virus entry, the initial interactions of the viral particle with the cell result in the inhibition of RNase L activity during the first hours of the infection. Later on, once viral proteins are synthesized, the phosphodiesterase activity of VP3 degrades the cellular 2′-5′-oligoadenylates, which are potent activators of RNase L, preventing its activation. This work demonstrates that the OAS/RNase L pathway plays an important role during infection and that the phosphodiesterase activity of VP3 is relevant during the replication cycle of the virus.
Early Vertebrate Evolution of the Host Restriction Factor Tetherin
Authors: Heusinger Elena , Kluge Silvia F. , Kirchhoff Frank , Sauter Daniel
Published: September 2015

Tetherin is an interferon-inducible restriction factor targeting a broad range of enveloped viruses. Its antiviral activity depends on an unusual topology comprising an N-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD) followed by an extracellular coiled-coil region and a C-terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. One of the two membrane anchors is inserted into assembling virions, while the other remains in the plasma membrane of the infected cell. Thus, tetherin entraps budding viruses by physically bridging viral and cellular membranes. Although tetherin restricts the release of a large variety of diverse human and animal viruses, only mammalian orthologs have been described to date. Here, we examined the evolutionary origin of this protein and demonstrate that tetherin orthologs are also found in fish, reptiles, and birds. Notably, alligator tetherin efficiently blocks the release of retroviral particles. Thus, tetherin emerged early during vertebrate evolution and acquired its antiviral activity before the mammal/reptile divergence. Although there is only limited sequence homology, all orthologs share the typical topology. Two unrelated proteins of the slime mold
Dictyostelium discoideum
also adopt a tetherin-like configuration with an N-terminal TMD and a C-terminal GPI anchor. However, these proteins showed no evidence for convergent evolution and failed to inhibit virion release. In summary, our findings demonstrate that tetherin emerged at least 450 million years ago and is more widespread than previously anticipated. The early evolution of antiviral activity together with the high topology conservation but low sequence homology suggests that restriction of virus release is the primary function of tetherin.

IMPORTANCE
The continuous arms race with viruses has driven the evolution of a variety of cell-intrinsic immunity factors that inhibit different steps of the viral replication cycle. One of these restriction factors, tetherin, inhibits the release of newly formed progeny virions from infected cells. Although tetherin targets a broad range of enveloped viruses, including retro-, filo-, herpes-, and arenaviruses, the evolutionary origin of this restriction factor and its antiviral activity remained obscure. Here, we examined diverse vertebrate genomes for genes encoding cellular proteins that share with tetherin the highly unusual combination of an N-terminal transmembrane domain and a C-terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor. We show that tetherin orthologs are found in fish, reptiles, and birds and demonstrate that alligator tetherin efficiently inhibits the release of retroviral particles. Our findings identify tetherin as an evolutionarily ancient restriction factor and provide new important insights into the continuous arms race between viruses and their hosts.
Proteus mirabilisand Urinary Tract Infections
Authors: Schaffer Jessica N. , Pearson Melanie M.
Published: September 2015

Proteus mirabilisis a Gram-negative bacterium and is well known for its ability to robustly swarm across surfaces in a striking bulls’-eye pattern. Clinically, this organism is most frequently a pathogen of the urinary tract, particularly in patients undergoing long-term catheterization. This review coversP. mirabiliswith a focus on urinary tract infections (UTI), including disease models, vaccine development efforts, and clinical perspectives. Flagella-mediated motility, both swimming and swarming, is a central facet of this organism. The regulation of this complex process and its contribution to virulence is discussed, along with the type VI-secretion system-dependent intra-strain competition, which occurs during swarming.P. mirabilisuses a diverse set of virulence factors to access and colonize the host urinary tract, including urease and stone formation, fimbriae and other adhesins, iron and zinc acquisition, proteases and toxins, biofilm formation, and regulation of pathogenesis. While significant advances in this field have been made, challenges remain to combatting complicated UTI and decipheringP. mirabilispathogenesis.
Concurrent presentation of appendicitis and acute cholecystitis: diagnosis of rare occurrence
Authors: Gandhi Jamish , Tan Jeffrey
Published: September 2015

A 67-year-old woman presented with a 2-day history of central abdominal pain migrating to the right upper and lower abdomen. On examination she was normothermic but tachycardic. Inflammatory markers were noted to be elevated with a white cell count of 18.5×109/L and C reactive protein of 265 mg/L. A CT scan revealed dual pathology of appendicitis and acute cholecystitis, which was confirmed intraoperatively and histologically.
Injection therapies for lateral epicondylalgia: a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
Authors: Dong Wei , Goost Hans , Lin Xiang-Bo , Burger Christof , Paul Christian , Wang Zeng-Li , Kong Fan-Lin , Welle Kristian , Jiang Zhi-Chao , Kabir Koroush
Published: September 2015

Background

There are many injection therapies for lateral epicondylalgia but there has been no previous comprehensive comparison, based on the Bayesian method.

Methods

The MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases were searched for appropriate literature. The outcome measurement was the pain score. Direct comparisons were performed using the pairwise meta-analysis, and network meta-analysis, based on a Bayesian model, was used to calculate the results of all of the potentially possible comparisons and rank probabilities. A sensitivity analysis was performed by excluding low-quality studies. The inconsistency of the model was assessed by means of the node-splitting method. Metaregression was used to assess the relationship between the sample size and the treatment effect.

Results

All of the injection treatments showed a trend towards better effects than placebo. Additionally, the peppering technique did not add additional benefits when combined with other treatments. No significant changes were observed by excluding low-quality studies in the sensitivity analysis. No significant inconsistencies were found according to the inconsistency analysis, and metaregression revealed that the sample size was not associated with the treatment effects.

Conclusions

Some commonly used injection therapies can be considered treatment candidates for lateral epicondylalgia, such as botulinum toxin, platelet-rich plasma and autologous blood injection, but corticosteroid is not recommended. Hyaluronate injection and prolotherapy might be more effective, but their superiority must be confirmed by more research. The peppering technique is not helpful in injection therapies.
The prevalence and significance of a short QT interval in 18 825 low-risk individuals including athletes
Authors: Dhutia Harshil , Malhotra Aneil , Parpia Sameer , Gabus Vincent , Finocchiaro Gherardo , Mellor Greg , Merghani Ahmed , Millar Lynne , Narain Rajay , Sheikh Nabeel , Behr Elijah R , Papadakis Michael , Sharma Sanjay
Published: September 2015

Objectives

The short QT syndrome is a cardiac channelopathy characterised by accelerated repolarisation which manifests as a short QT interval on the ECG. The definition of a short QT interval is debated, ranging from <390 to ≤320 ms, and its clinical significance in healthy young individuals is unknown. We assessed the prevalence and medium-term significance of an isolated short QT interval in a diverse young British population.

Methods

Between 2005 and 2013, 18 825 apparently healthy people aged 14–35 years underwent cardiovascular evaluation with history, physical examination and ECG. QT intervals were measured by cardiologists using 4 recommended guidelines (Seattle 2013, Heart Rhythm Society 2013, European Society of Cardiology 2010 and American Heart Association 2009).

Results

The prevalence of a short QT interval was 0.1% (26 patients, ≤320 ms), 0.2% (44 patients, ≤330 ms), 7.9% (1478 patients, <380 ms), 15.8% (2973 patients, <390 ms). Male gender and Afro-Caribbean ethnicity had the strongest association with short QT intervals. Athletes had shorter QT intervals than non-athletes but athletic status did not predict short QT intervals. Individuals with short QT intervals ≤320 ms did not report syncope or a sinister family history, and during a follow-up period of 5.3±1.2 years, there were no deaths in this group.

Conclusions

The prevalence of a short QT interval depends on the recommended cut-off value. Even at values ≤320 ms, there was an excellent medium-term prognosis among 14 people followed. We conclude that a definition of ≤320 ms is realistic to prevent overdiagnosis and excessive investigations.
Tube Anchor: development of a small medical device from concept to market
Authors: Levy Andy , Coulthard Martin , Harvey Mike , Talbot Simon , Rich Graham
Published: September 2015

Experts probably have to immerse themselves in their discipline for at least a decade before they have the knowledge and insights needed to produce world-class work. Medical practitioners with long experience in their specialist fields are particularly well placed to know what type of devices might be needed to make their patients’ journeys back to health more comfortable, secure and cost-effective. Medical school curriculae, however, are devoid of formal innovation and business training at least in the UK. The strategies required to convert an idea into reality remain beyond most medical graduates’ terms of references, and progressing a ‘Eureka moment’ is perceived, perhaps understandably, as an overwhelming challenge. Indeed, as exciting, interesting and satisfying though the field can be, medical device development is a complex, time consuming and expensive undertaking requiring more than a fair share of good fortune. Contrary to the impression given by reality television programmes in which budding entrepreneurs pitch their ideas to successful businessmen, funding does not necessarily mean that an idea is worthy of success or destined for it, and vice versa. Equally, the acquisition of intellectual property is in many cases a pyrrhic victory. Using as an example the development of Tube Anchor, a novel device to secure intravenous crystalloid administration tubing, this paper outlines the pathway from concept to a marketed clinical device.
Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for adults with tinnitus in the UK: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Beukes Eldré W , Manchaiah Vinaya , Allen Peter M , Baguley David M , Andersson Gerhard
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Tinnitus is one of the most distressing hearing-related symptoms. Innovative ways of managing tinnitus distress and the related healthcare burden of treating tinnitus are required. An internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) intervention has been developed in Sweden to improve access to evidence-based tinnitus treatments. This study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of iCBT in reducing the impact associated with tinnitus, in the UK. It, furthermore, aims to establish whether there are subgroups of tinnitus sufferers for whom this iCBT intervention may be more suitable.

Methods and analysis

A two-armed randomised control trial—with a 1-year follow-up design—will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of iCBT on tinnitus distress. A delayed treatment design using a weekly check-in control group will be used. 70 participants will be randomly assigned to each group by an independent researcher by using a computer-generated randomisation schedule, and after being prestratified for age and tinnitus severity. They will undergo the iCBT e-health intervention online together with audiological therapeutic support. The main outcome measure is the Tinnitus Functional Index. Process evaluation of the intervention will also be conducted. Data analysis will be in accordance with Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been granted. If this intervention proves effective, it may be possible that at least some tinnitus sufferers can be managed though an iCBT e-learning treatment programme. This would be cost effective and potentially will free up services for those with more severe problems that need face-to-face treatment.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov;NCT02370810, date 05/03/2015.
Securing All intraVenous devices Effectively in hospitalised patients—the SAVE trial: study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial
Authors: Rickard Claire M , Marsh Nicole , Webster Joan , Playford E Geoffrey , McGrail Matthew R , Larsen Emily , Keogh Samantha , McMillan David , Whitty Jennifer A , Choudhury Md Abu , Dunster Kimble R , Reynolds Heather , Marshall Andrea , Crilly Julia , Young Jeanine , Thom Ogilvie , Gowardman John , Corley Amanda , Fraser John F
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Over 70% of all hospital admissions have a peripheral intravenous device (PIV) inserted; however, the failure rate of PIVs is unacceptably high, with up to 69% of these devices failing before treatment is complete. Failure can be due to dislodgement, phlebitis, occlusion/infiltration and/or infection. This results in interrupted medical therapy; painful phlebitis and reinsertions; increased hospital length of stay, morbidity and mortality from infections; and wasted medical/nursing time. Appropriate PIV dressing and securement may prevent many cases of PIV failure, but little comparative data exist regarding the efficacy of various PIV dressing and securement methods. This trial will investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of 4 methods of PIV dressing and securement in preventing PIV failure.

Methods and analysis

A multicentre, parallel group, superiority randomised controlled trial with 4 arms, 3 experimental groups (tissue adhesive, bordered polyurethane dressing, sutureless securement device) and 1 control (standard polyurethane dressing) is planned. There will be a 3-year recruitment of 1708 adult patients, with allocation concealment until randomisation by a centralised web-based service. The primary outcome is PIV failure which includes any of: dislodgement, occlusion/infiltration, phlebitis and infection. Secondary outcomes include: types of PIV failure, PIV dwell time, costs, device colonisation, skin colonisation, patient and staff satisfaction. Relative incidence rates of device failure per 100 devices and per 1000 device days with 95% CIs will summarise the impact of each dressing, and test differences between groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves (with log-rank Mantel-Cox test) will compare device failure over time. p Values of <0.05 will be considered significant. Secondary end points will be compared between groups using parametric or non-parametric techniques appropriate to level of measurement.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval has been received from Queensland Health (HREC/11/QRCH/152) and Griffith University (NRS/46/11/HREC). Results will be published according to the CONSORT statement and presented at relevant conferences.

Trial registration number

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN); 12611000769987.
Preventing Australian football injuries with a targeted neuromuscular control exercise programme: comparative injury rates from a training intervention delivered in a clustered randomised controlled trial
Authors: Finch Caroline F , Twomey Dara M , Fortington Lauren V , Doyle Tim L A , Elliott Bruce C , Akram Muhammad , Lloyd David G
Published: September 2015

Background

Exercise-based training programmes are commonly used to prevent sports injuries but programme effectiveness within community men's team sport is largely unknown.

Objective

To present the intention-to-treat analysis of injury outcomes from a clustered randomised controlled trial in community Australian football.

Methods

Players from 18 male, non-elite, community Australian football clubs across two states were randomly allocated to either a neuromuscular control (NMC) (intervention n=679 players) or standard-practice (control n=885 players) exercise training programme delivered as part of regular team training sessions (2× weekly for 8-week preseason and 18-week regular-season). All game-related injuries and hours of game participation were recorded. Generalised estimating equations, adjusted for clustering (club unit), were used to compute injury incidence rates (IIRs) for all injuries, lower limb injuries (LLIs) and knee injuries sustained during games. The IIRs were compared across groups with cluster-adjusted Injury Rate Ratios (IRRs).

Results

Overall, 773 game injuries were recorded. The lower limb was the most frequent body region injured, accounting for 50% of injuries overall, 96 (12%) of which were knee injuries. The NMC players had a reduced LLI rate compared with control players (IRR: 0.78 (95% CI 0.56 to 1.08), p=0.14.) The knee IIR was also reduced for NMC compared with control players (IRR: 0.50 (95% CI 0.24 to 1.05), p=0.07).

Conclusions

These intention-to-treat results indicate that positive outcomes can be achieved from targeted training programmes for reducing knee and LLI injury rates in men's community sport. While not statistically significant, reducing the knee injury rate by 50% and the LLI rate by 22% is still a clinically important outcome. Further injury reductions could be achieved with improved training attendance and participation in the programme.
Veterinary nursing as a Trailblazer
Authors: Hohn Erwin
Published: September 2015

Trailblazers is a government initiative that gives employers the opportunity to develop apprenticeship schemes and drive them forward in the way that's most appropriate for their industry. Erwin Höhn, of the veterinary group Medivet, explains how the group is applying the initiative to veterinary nursing
Cosmological constant, quantum measurement and the problem of time
Authors: Banerjee Shreya , Bera Sayantani , Singh Tejinder P.
Published: September 2015

Three of the big puzzles of theoretical physics are the following: (i) There is apparently no time evolution in the dynamics of quantum general relativity (QGR), because the allowed quantum states must obey the Hamiltonian constraint. (ii) During a quantum measurement, the state of the quantum system randomly collapses from being in a linear superposition of the eigenstates of the measured observable, to just one of the eigenstates, in apparent violation of the predictions of the deterministic, linear Schrödinger equation. (iii) The observed value of the cosmological constant is exceedingly small, compared to its natural value, creating a serious fine-tuning problem. In this essay, we propose a novel idea to show how the three problems help solve each other.
Energy of test objects on black hole spacetimes: A brief review
Authors: Corichi Alejandro
Published: September 2015

In this paper, we review the issue of defining energy for test particles on a background stationary spacetime. We revisit different notions of energy as defined by different observers. As is well-known, the existence of a timelike isometry allows for the notion of total conserved energy to be well defined. We use this well-known quantity to show that a gravitational potential energy can be consistently defined. As examples, we study the case of the exterior regions of an asymptotically flat black hole and of the [Formula: see text] Schwarzschild–de Sitter (SdS) case, where an asymptotic region is not available. We then consider the situation in which the test particle is absorbed by the black hole and analyze the energetics in detail. In particular, we show that the notion of horizon energy as defined by the isolated horizons formalism provides a satisfactory notion of energy compatible with the particle’s total conserved energy. With these choices, there is a global conservation of energy. Finally, we comment on a recent proposal to define energy of the black hole as seen by a nearby observer at rest, for which this feature is lost.
Syntactic semigroup problem for the semigroup reducts of affine near-semirings over Brandt semigroups
Authors: Kumar Jitender , Krishna K. V.
Published: September 2015

The syntactic semigroup problem is to decide whether a given finite semigroup is syntactic or not. This work investigates the syntactic semigroup problem for both the semigroup reducts of [Formula: see text], the affine near-semiring over a Brandt semigroup [Formula: see text]. It is ascertained that both the semigroup reducts of [Formula: see text] are syntactic semigroups.
Volumetric and dynamic uncertainty modelling in Block 22, offshore Trinidad and Tobago
Authors: Kimber R. N. , Curtis M. D. , Boundy F. O. , Diamond P. H. , Uwaga A. O.
Published: September 2015

Block 22, located offshore in the North Coast Marine Area (NCMA) of Trinidad and Tobago, contains the Cassra gas accumulation discovered by the Cassra-1 and Cassra-2 wells. Both wells encountered dry, biogenic gas in early Pliocene, shoreface–shelfal sandstone reservoirs.

A best-practice modelling methodology is documented to capture a range of subsurface uncertainties for use in reservoir simulation to generate production profiles in support of pre-development project planning. Calibration of a sequence stratigraphic interpretation from seismic with core data was instrumental in generating a depositional model, within which sedimentary facies could be stochastically distributed and used to constrain the population of petrophysical properties.

Static geological uncertainties were modelled using an uncertainty workflow methodology in commercial three-dimensional (3D) geomodelling software, resulting in multiple, static model realizations and probabilistic GIIP (Gas Initially In Place) distributions for Cassra and some nearby prospects. The multi-regional model required careful selection of realizations for reservoir simulation, based on a ranking scheme that combined GIIP, GRV (gross rock volume) and net:gross (net to gross ratio), and not simply P90–P50–P10 percentiles from the global distribution.

The reservoir simulation phase included a dynamic uncertainty workflow using commercial experimental design modelling software. By including dynamic uncertainties such as horizontal/vertical permeability and well productivity in the workflow, a more objectively defined suite of production profile predictions was achieved.
A Cross-Layer Approach for Early-Stage Power Grid Design and Optimization
Authors: Zhuo Cheng , Gan Houle , Shih Wei-Kai , Aydiner Alaeddin A.
Published: September 2015

Power integrity has become increasingly important for sub-32nm designs. Many prior works have discussed power grid design and optimization in the post-layout stage, when design change is inevitably expensive and difficult. In contrast, during the early stage of a development cycle, designers have more flexibility to improve the design quality. However, there are several fundamental challenges at early stage when the design database is not complete, including extraction, modeling, and optimization. This article tackles these fundamental issues of early-stage power grid design from architecture to layout. The proposed methods have been silicon validated on 32nm on-market chips and successfully applied to a 22nm design for its early-stage power grid design. The findings from such practices reveal that, for sub-32nm chips, an intrinsic on-die capacitance and power gate scheme may have more significant impact than expected on power integrity, and needs to be well addressed at early stage.
Application-Specific Cross-Layer Optimization Based on Predictive Variable-Latency VLSI Design
Authors: De Vivek K. , Kahng Andrew B. , Karnik Tanay , Liu Bao , Maleki Milad , Wang Lu
Published: September 2015

Traditional synchronous VLSI design requires that all computations in a logic stage complete in one clock cycle. This leads to increasingly pessimistic design as technology scaling introduces increasingly significant parametric variations that result in an increasing performance variability. Alternatively, by allowing computations in a logic stage to complete in a variable number of clock cycles, variable-latency design provides relaxed timing constraints for average performance, area, and power consumption optimization. In this article, we present improved variable-latency design techniques including: (1) a generic minimum-intrusion variable-latency VLSI design paradigm, (2) a signal probability-based approximate prediction logic construction method for minimum misprediction rate at minimum cost, and (3) an application-specific cross-layer analysis methodology. Our experiments show that the proposed variable-latency design methodology on average reduces the computation latency by 26.80%(14.65%) at cost of 0.08%(3.4%) area and 0.4%(2.2%) energy consumption increase for the interger (floating point) unit of an open-source SPARC V8 processor LEON2 synthesized with a clock-cycle time between 1.97ns(3.49ns) and 5.96ns(13.74ns) based on the 45nm Nangate open cell library, while an automotive application-specific design further achieves an average latency reduction of 41.8%.
Half-Latency Rule for Finding the Knee of the Latency Curve
Authors: Patel Naresh M.
Published: September 2015

Latency curves for computer systems typically rise rapidly beyond some threshold utilization and many mathematical methods have been suggested to find this knee, but none seem to match common practice. This paper proposes a trade-off metric called ATP (an alternative to Kleinrock's power metric) which generates a
half-latency rule
for calculating the location of the knee for a latency curve. Exact analysis with this approach applied to the simplest singleserver queue results in an optimal server utilization of 71.5%, which is close to the 70% utilization used in practice. The
half-latency rule
also applies to practical situations that generate a discrete set of throughput and latency measurements. The discrete use cases include both production systems (for provisioning new work) or lab systems (for summarizing the entire latency curve into a single figure of merit for each workload and system configuration).
The Developmental Control of Transposable Elements and the Evolution of Higher Species
Authors: Friedli Marc , Trono Didier
Published: September 2015

Transposable elements (TEs) account for at least 50% of the human genome. They constitute essential motors of evolution through their ability to modify genomic architecture, mutate genes and regulate gene expression. Accordingly, TEs are subject to tight epigenetic control during the earliest phases of embryonic development via histone and DNA methylation. Key to this process is recognition by sequence-specific RNA- and protein-based repressors. Collectively, these mediators are responsible for silencing a very broad range of TEs in an evolutionarily dynamic fashion. As a consequence, mobile elements and their controllers exert a marked influence on transcriptional networks in embryonic stem cells and a variety of adult tissues. The emerging picture is not that of a simple arms race but rather of a massive and sophisticated enterprise of TE domestication for the evolutionary benefit of the host.
Brachypodium distachyonas a Genetic Model System
Authors: Kellogg Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2015

Brachypodium distachyon has emerged as a powerful model system for studying the genetics of flowering plants. Originally chosen for its phylogenetic proximity to the large-genome cereal crops wheat and barley, it is proving to be useful for more than simply providing markers for comparative mapping. Studies in B. distachyon have provided new insight into the structure and physiology of plant cell walls, the development and chemical composition of endosperm, and the genetic basis for cold tolerance. Recent work on auxin transport has uncovered mechanisms that apply to all angiosperms other than Arabidopsis. In addition to the areas in which it is currently used, B. distachyon is uniquely suited for studies of floral development, vein patterning, the controls of the perennial versus annual habit, and genome organization.
Sentiment Analysis: An Overview from Linguistics
Authors: Taboada Maite
Published: September 2015

Sentiment analysis is a growing field at the intersection of linguistics and computer science that attempts to automatically determine the sentiment contained in text. Sentiment can be characterized as positive or negative evaluation expressed through language. Common applications of sentiment analysis include the automatic determination of whether a review posted online (of a movie, a book, or a consumer product) is positive or negative toward the item being reviewed. Sentiment analysis is now a common tool in the repertoire of social media analysis carried out by companies, marketers, and political analysts. Research on sentiment analysis extracts information from positive and negative words in text, from the context of those words, and from the linguistic structure of the text. This brief review examines in particular the contributions that linguistic knowledge can make to the task of automatically determining sentiment.
Prolonged blood pressure elevation following continuous infusion of angiotensin II—a baroreflex study in healthy humans
Authors: Sayk Friedhelm , Wobbe Isabel , Twesten Christoph , Meusel Moritz , Wellhöner Peter , Derad Inge , Dodt Christoph
Published: September 2015

ANG II interacts with the sympathetic nervous system at central nervous blood pressure-regulating structures, including the baroreflex. It is unknown whether prolonged BP elevation mediated by high ANG II plasma levels could induce a persistent shift of the central nervous baroreflex setpoint, lasting beyond the short ANG II plasmatic half time of a few seconds, thereby consolidating elevated BP and/or increased SNA in healthy humans. In a blinded crossover design, ANG II or placebo (saline) was infused for a 6-h period in 12 resting normotensive students (6 males, 6 females) raising BP to borderline hypertensive levels. Between 60 and 120 min after the infusion period, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) was assessed microneurographically and correlated with oscillometric BP measurements and heart rate at supine rest (baseline) and during pharmacologic baroreceptor challenge. Infusion of ANG II increased BP to borderline-hypertensive levels, as intended, whereas heart rate remained unaltered. At baroreflex assessment (i.e., 60–120 min after end of infusion period), systolic BP was significantly higher compared with placebo (Δ8.4 ± 3.1 mmHg; P < 0.05), whereas diastolic values were nearly equal between conditions. Baseline MSNA was neither decreased nor increased, and baroreflex sensitivity to vasoactive drug challenge was not altered. Our results show that elevation of ANG II plasma levels over 6 h was able to increase systolic, but not diastolic, BP far beyond blood-mediated ANG II effects. MSNA or heart rate did not counter-regulate this BP elevation, indicating that ANG II had sustainably reset the central nervous BP threshold of sympathetic baroreflex function to accept elevated BP input signals without counter-regulatory response.