bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional and longitudinal study protocols of the ‘ADIposity and BOne metabolism: effects of eXercise-induced weight loss in obese adolescents’ (ADIBOX) project
Authors: Chaplais Elodie , Dutheil Frédéric , Naughton Geraldine , Greene David , Pereira Bruno , Thivel David , Courteix Daniel
Published: October 2016

Introduction

A need exists for sustainable and clinically effective weight management interventions, suitable for preventing well-linked chronic disease such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease and some less investigated secondary conditions such as bone alteration. The ADIposity and BOne metabolism: effects of eXercise-induced weight loss in obese adolescents (ADIBOX) protocol was designed to provide a better understanding of the interaction between adipokines and bone hormones in adolescents with obesity and how a 10-month physical activity programme may affect these interactions.

Methods and analysis

The ADIBOX protocol combines 2 studies. The first study involves a total of 68 adolescents aged 12–16 years. This cross-sectional study will include both males and females (1:1 ratio), either living with obesity/overweight (n=34; body mass index (BMI) ≤97th centile and ≥85th centile) or normal weight (n=34; BMI<85th centile). The second study is a longitudinal study that will include 50 obese adolescent girls and track them over a period of 42 weeks. Weight loss programme will consist of a combination of physical activity and a normocaloric diet. Bone and adiposity-related measurements will be performed every 14 weeks. Both studies will assess participants' anthropometric profile, nutrition and physical activity, body composition, bone densitometry and blood markers of bone, growth and adiposity.

Ethics and dissemination

The ADIBOX protocol complies with the ethics guidelines for clinical research and has been approved by their respective ethics committee (Australian Catholic University Committee Ethic, Australia and Hospital Sud Est 1 committee, France). Findings from this protocol are expected to clarify the possible interactions between adiposity and bone in childhood obesity and will be disseminated at several research conferences and published articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT02626273; Pre-results.
Evaluation of the acceptability of a vaccine against herpes zoster in the over 50 years old: an Italian observational study
Authors: Valente Nicoletta , Lupi Silvia , Stefanati Armando , Cova Marisa , Sulcaj Najada , Piccinni Lucia ,   GPs Study Group, Gabutti Giovanni
Published: October 2016

Objective

The aim of the study was to evaluate awareness of the varicella zoster virus and the acceptability of the newly available herpes zoster (HZ) vaccine in the over 50 years old general population.

Design

The research was observational.

Setting

The study was carried out in Ferrara by administering a questionnaire to patients of the Local Health Authority (LHA), general practitioners (GPs) and Public Health Department outpatient clinics.

Participants

The questionnaire was completed by 1001 residents of Ferrara Province.

Results

Of the respondents, 98% and 95% (57% female) were aware of varicella and HZ, respectively, but 91% were unaware of the HZ vaccine. Nevertheless, 58% declared that they were in favour of vaccination in this regard, and the acceptability of the vaccine was positively affected by: age (p=0.005); knowing someone who had suffered from HZ (p=0.05); being in favour of vaccination in general (p<0.0001); receiving advice to do so from their GP (p<0.0001) and willingness to get vaccinated even on a fee-paying basis (p<0.0001). Indeed, most (73%) respondents were willing to pay to get vaccinated, indicating an ideal cost of €50. Higher education (p=0.04), being in favour of vaccinations in general (p<0.0001) and GP advice (p<0.0001) positively affected this choice. Furthermore, 61% of the participants initially unfavourable (p<0.0001) to this immunisation would change their decision not to vaccinate thanks to their GP's advice.

Conclusions

This study assessed the level of awareness and the attitudes of the population aged over 50 years, highlighting aspects to be focused on in the promotion of the HZ vaccine.
Changes to physician processing times in response to clinic congestion and patient punctuality: a retrospective study
Authors: Chambers Chester G , Dada Maqbool , Elnahal Shereef , Terezakis Stephanie , DeWeese Theodore , Herman Joseph , Williams Kayode A
Published: October 2016

Objectives

We examine interactions among 3 factors that affect patient waits and use of overtime in outpatient clinics: clinic congestion, patient punctuality and physician processing rates. We hypothesise that the first 2 factors affect physician processing rates, and this adaptive physician behaviour serves to reduce waiting times and the use of overtime.

Setting

2 urban academic clinics and an affiliated suburban clinic in metropolitan Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Participants

Appointment times, patient arrival times, start of service and physician processing times were collected for 105 visits at a low-volume suburban clinic 1, 264 visits at a medium-volume academic clinic 2 and 22 266 visits at a high-volume academic clinic 3 over 3 distinct spans of time.

Intervention

Data from the first clinic were previously used to document an intervention to influence patient punctuality. This included a policy that tardy patients were rescheduled.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Clinicians' processing times were gathered, conditioned on whether the patient or clinician was tardy to test the first hypothesis. Probability distributions of patient unpunctuality were developed preintervention and postintervention for the clinic in which the intervention took place and these data were used to seed a discrete-event simulation.

Results

Average physician processing times differ conditioned on tardiness at clinic 1 with p=0.03, at clinic 2 with p=10−5and at clinic 3 with p=10−7. Within the simulation, the adaptive physician behaviour degrades system performance by increasing waiting times, probability of overtime and the average amount of overtime used. Each of these changes is significant at the p<0.01 level.

Conclusions

Processing times differed for patients in different states in all 3 settings studied. When present, this can be verified using data commonly collected. Ignoring these behaviours leads to faulty conclusions about the efficacy of efforts to improve clinic flow.
Temporary vertebral artery occlusion after C3 fracture dislocation injury and spontaneous resolution following reduction and instrumented fusion: case report and literature review
Authors: Yaeger Kurt , Mascitelli Justin , Kellner Christopher , Hickman Zachary , Mocco J , Margetis Konstantinos
Published: October 2016

Vertebral artery injuries as a result of blunt trauma can result in vertebrobasilar strokes. Typical treatment of such an injury includes early anticoagulation to prevent cerebral ischemic events due to vessel occlusion or embolism. We present a case of cervical fracture-dislocation injury and compression/occlusion of the right vertebral artery, which spontaneously resolved following surgical reduction and fusion. Postoperative cerebral angiography showed no evidence of vertebral artery stenosis, and systemic anticoagulation was discontinued. This case shows that vertebral artery occlusion can resolve spontaneously after fracture reduction, and cerebral angiography should play a role in assessing these complicated traumatic injuries.
Safety, immediate and mid-term results of the newer generation of hydrogel coils in the treatment of ruptured aneurysms: a multicenter study
Authors: Dabus Guilherme , Hacein-Bey Lotfi , Varjavand Bahram , Tomalty R Dana , Han Patrick P , Yerokhin Vadim , Linfante Italo , Mocco J , Oxley Thomas , Spiotta Alejandro , Chaudry M Imran , Turner Raymond D , Turk Aquilla S
Published: October 2016

Objective

To assess the ‘real-world’ performance of the newer generation of hydrogel coils in ruptured aneurysms.

Methods

A multicenter retrospective study was carried out of angiographic and clinical outcome data on consecutive patients with ruptured aneurysms treated with at least 70% of the newer generation of hydrogel coils. Demographics and data on clinical grade, smoking, use of statins, aneurysm size, location, technique used, packing density, immediate angiographic result, angiographic follow-up, rebleeding and clinical outcome were obtained and analyzed.

Results

Eighty patients (54F; 26M) with an average age of 55.1 years were entered in the study. Forty-four presented good clinical grade (Hunt and Hess 1 or 2). Forty-two (52.5%) aneurysms were ≤5 mm. 56.7% of the aneurysms were treated with simple coil embolization and 39.6% with balloon-assisted coil. The packing density ranged from 9.3% to 92.6% (mean 48.5%). Immediate occlusion rates (Raymond–Roy Scale) were: complete occlusion (class I) in 57.5%, residual neck (class II) in 32.5% and residual aneurysm (class III) in 10%. Intraoperative rupture occurred in 3 cases (3.75%). Clinical follow-up, available in 73 patients, showed a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0–2) in 76.3%. Preliminary data on imaging follow-up were available in 54 patients (average 6.8 months) with complete occlusion in 77.8%, residual neck in 20.3% and residual aneurysm in 1.9%. There was no re-hemorrhage.

Conclusions

Our data show that the use of the newer-generation hydrogel coils in the treatment of ruptured aneurysms is feasible, safe and effective with high immediate and mid-term occlusion rates and low morbidity.
Investigation of an outbreak of neonatal calf diarrhoea in a dairy herd
Authors: Abuelo Angel
Published: October 2016

Neonatal calf diarrhoea can have a severe impact on health and growth of the individual affected. It also leads to significant economic losses in herds with high disease incidence. This case report documents the investigation and follow‐up of a dairy herd with increased incidence of neonatal diarrhoea and scours‐related mortality of calves. It also reflects how managing the expansion of a herd inappropriately can cause several losses, particularly in young stock. Treatment of individual sick animals, corrective and preventive measures are also discussed. It is also highlighted that a continuous monitoring programme of the progress of the herd and checking that recommended practices continue once the incidence of diarrhoea decreases is vital for preventing a recurrence of a following outbreak.
Using Landsat time series imagery to detect forest disturbance in selectively logged tropical forests in Myanmar
Authors: Shimizu Katsuto , Ponce-Hernandez Raul , Ahmed Oumer S. , Ota Tetsuji , Win Zar Chi , Mizoue Nobuya , Yoshida Shigejiro
Published: October 2016

Detecting forest disturbances is an important task in formulating mitigation strategies for deforestation and forest degradation in the tropics. Our study investigated the use of Landsat time series imagery combined with a trajectory-based analysis for detecting forest disturbances resulting exclusively from selective logging in Myanmar. Selective logging was the only forest disturbance and degradation indicator used in this study as a causative force, and the results showed that the overall accuracy for forest disturbance detection based on selective logging was 83.0% in the study area. The areas affected by selective logging and other factors accounted for 4.7% and 5.4%, respectively, of the study area from 2000 to 2014. The detected disturbance areas were underestimated according to error assessments; however, a significant correlation between areas of disturbance and numbers of harvested trees during the logging year was observed, indicating the utility of a trajectory-based, annual Landsat imagery time series analysis for selective logging detection in the tropics. A major constraint of this study was the lack of available data for disturbances other than selective logging. Further studies should focus on identifying other types of disturbances and their impacts on future forest conditions.
Remembering Gribov
Authors: Szent-Györgyi Andrew
Published: October 2016

Note from Publisher: This article contains the abstract only.
Vladimir Naumovich Gribov (1930–1997)
Authors: Frenkel Andor
Published: October 2016

Note from Publisher: This article contains the abstract only.
Vladimir Naumovich Gribov: Pieces of biography
Authors: Azimov Ya. I.
Published: October 2016

The talk presents the main lines of biography of the prominent physicist and bright personality. Also given is a necessarily brief description of Gribov’s scientific work.

Note from Publisher: This article contains the abstract only.
An analytic hydrodynamical model of rotating 3D expansion in heavy-ion collisions
Authors: Nagy M. I. , Csörgő T.
Published: October 2016

A new exact and analytic solution of non-relativistic fireball hydrodynamics is presented. It describes an expanding three-axis ellipsoid that rotates along one of its principal axes. The observables are calculated using simple analytic formulas. Following earlier works, it is pointed out that azimuthal oscillation of the off-diagonal Bertsch-Pratt radii of Bose-Einstein correlations as well as rapidity dependent directed and third flow measurements provide means to determine the magnitude of the rotation of the fireball. It is argued that observing this rotation and its dependence on collision energy may lead to new information on the equation of state of the strongly interacting quark gluon plasma produced in high energy heavy ion collisions.
Uncertainty relation for quantum gravity
Authors: Azimov Ya. I.
Published: October 2016

Discussion of the physical realization of coordinates demonstrates that the quantum theory of gravity (still absent) should be non-local and, probably, non-commutative as well.
Manifestations of the rotation and gravity of the Earth in spin physics experiments
Authors: Obukhov Yuri N. , Silenko Alexander J. , Teryaev Oleg V.
Published: October 2016

An influence of the rotation and gravity of the Earth on the particle motion and the spin evolution is not negligible and it should be taken into account in spin physics experiments. The Earth rotation brings the Coriolis and centrifugal forces in the lab frame and also manifests in the additional rotation of the spin and in the change of the Maxwell electrodynamics. The change of the Maxwell electrodynamics due to the Earth gravity is much smaller and can be neglected. One of manifestations of the Earth rotation is the Sagnac effect. The electric and magnetic fields acting on the spin in the Earth’s rotating frame coincide with the corresponding fields determined in the inertial frame instantly accompanying a lab. The effective electric field governing the particle motion differs from the electric field in the instantly accompanying frame. Nevertheless, the difference between the conventional Lorentz force and the actual force in the Earth’s rotating frame vanishes on average in accelerators and storage rings due to the beam rotation. The Earth gravity manifests in additional forces acting on particles/nuclei and in additional torques acting on the spin. The additional forces are the Newton-like force and the reaction force provided by a focusing system. The additional torques are caused by the corresponding focusing field and by the geodetic effect. As a result, the Earth gravity leads to the additional spin rotation about the radial axis which may not be negligible in EDM experiments.
A natural extension of the conformal Lorentz group in a field theory context
Authors: László András
Published: October 2016

In this paper a finite dimensional unital associative algebra is presented, and its group of algebra automorphisms is detailed. The studied algebra can physically be understood as the creation operator algebra in a formal quantum field theory at fixed momentum for a spin 1/2 particle along with its antiparticle. It is shown that the essential part of the corresponding automorphism group can naturally be related to the conformal Lorentz group. In addition, the non-semisimple part of the automorphism group can be understood as “dressing” of the pure one-particle states. The studied mathematical structure may help in constructing quantum field theories in a non-perturbative manner. In addition, it provides a simple example of circumventing Coleman–Mandula theorem using non-semisimple groups, without SUSY.
First-principles study of electronic structure, chemical bonding and elastic properties for new superconductor CaFeAs2
Authors: Yan J. G. , Chen Z. J. , Xu G. B. , Kuang Z. , Chen T. H. , Li D. H.
Published: October 2016

Using first-principles calculation we investigated the structural, electronic and elastic properties of paramagnetic CaFeAs2. Our results indicated that the density of states (DOS) was dominated predominantly by Fe-3[Formula: see text] states at Fermi levels, and stronger hybridization exists between As1 and As1 atoms. Three hole pockets are formed at [Formula: see text] and Z points, and two electronic pockets are formed at A and E points. The Dirac cone-like bands appear near B and D points. For the first time we calculated the elastic properties and found that CaFeAs2 is a mechanically stable and moderately hard material, it has elastic anisotropy and brittleness, which agrees well with the bonding picture and the calculation of Debye temperature ([Formula: see text]).
THE TECHNOLOGICAL QUALITY CONTROL OF STACK CUTTING BY WIRE ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING
Authors: ABLYAZ TIMUR RIZOVICH , MURATOV KARIM RAVILEVICH
Published: October 2016

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) of a stack allows achieving high precision and quality of cut surfaces and, therefore, this method is indispensable for state-of-the-art mechanical engineering. The procedure of EDM is carried out with wire-cutting machines. The characterization of constructive parameters of a stack of material and applying of an efficient cutting regime are the most important preconditions providing high precision of EDM. The goal of this work is the improvement of quality and efficiency of wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) technology by theoretical and experimental studies of the WEDM process. The subsequent development of theoretical and empirical models allowing for the calculation of the quality parameters of treated surfaces is realized. It is shown that the main characteristics of cut surfaces are the roughness, size precision, error profile and structure of a surface layer. For the first time, the regression dependencies between the main parameters of the WEDM process (pulse [Formula: see text]-time [Formula: see text], off-time [Formula: see text], the height of the stack and the physicomechanical properties of the cut materials are obtained. The experimental study of WEDM confirms the results of mathematical modeling. It is proved experimentally that at an interlayer gap higher than 0.1[Formula: see text]mm, the cutting process stability is decreasing whereas the probability of the electrode fracture is increasing. However, it is found that at [Formula: see text]s and [Formula: see text]s, a stable cutting regime leading to bundling of the stock materials made from steel 65Γ can be realized.
A rigidity problem on the round sphere
Authors: Ciraolo Giulio , Vezzoni Luigi
Published: October 2016

We consider a class of overdetermined problems in rotationally symmetric spaces, which reduce to the classical Serrin’s overdetermined problem in the case of the Euclidean space. We prove some general integral identities for rotationally symmetric spaces which imply a rigidity result in the case of the round sphere.
Five-dimensional spherical gravitational collapse of anisotropic fluid with cosmological constant
Authors: Khan Suhail , Shah Hassan , Abbas Ghulam
Published: October 2016

Our aim is to study five-dimensional spherically symmetric anisotropic collapse with a positive cosmological constant (PCC). For this purpose, five-dimensional spherically symmetric and Schwarzschild–de Sitter metrics are chosen in the interior and exterior regions respectively. A set of junction conditions is derived for the smooth matching of interior and exterior spacetimes. The apparent horizon is calculated and its physical significance is studied. It comes out that the whole collapsing process is influenced by the cosmological constant. The collapsing process under the influence of cosmological constant slows down and black hole size also reduced.
Study on stabilization of cubic Li7La3Zr2O12 by Ge substitution in various atmospheres
Authors: Kotobuki Masashi , Yan Binngong , Lu Li , Hanc Emil , Molenda Joanna
Published: October 2016

Stabilization of high Li ion conductive cubic Li7La3Zr2O[Formula: see text] (LLZ) by Ge substitution in air, N2/O2 and N2 atmospheres are studied by high temperature XRD (HT-XRD) of Ge-added tetragonal LLZ (Ge-LLZ). A formation of low temperature cubic phase caused by CO2 absorption during storage of the Ge-LLZ is observed at about 160[Formula: see text]C in all atmospheres. Additionally, impurity formation of La2Zr2O7 and La2O3 also occurs in all atmospheres. On the other hand, stabilization of cubic phase by substitution of Ge is largely influenced by the atmosphere. The cubic phase is observed at 40[Formula: see text]C after heating Ge-LLZ to 700[Formula: see text]C in air while only tetragonal phase appeared after heating in N2/O2. It is concluded that the heating atmosphere largely influences substitution of Ge, resulting in stabilization of the high Li ion conductive cubic phase.
Changing and unchanging isolate domination: Edge removal
Authors: Balamurugan S.
Published: October 2016

A set of [Formula: see text] of vertices in a graph [Formula: see text] is called a dominating set if every vertex of [Formula: see text] is adjacent to an element of [Formula: see text]. Further, if [Formula: see text] has an isolated vertex, then [Formula: see text] is called an isolate dominating set. The minimum cardinality of an isolate dominating set of a graph [Formula: see text] is called the isolate domination number, denoted by [Formula: see text]. This paper examines the effects of removal of an edge on the isolate domination number of a graph.
On the stability of lattice boltzmann equations for one-dimensional diffusion equation
Authors: Krivovichev Gerasim Vladimirovich
Published: October 2016

Stability analysis of lattice Boltzmann equations (LBEs) on initial conditions for one-dimensional diffusion is performed. Stability of the solution of the Cauchy problem for the system of linear Bhatnaghar–Gross–Krook kinetic equations is demonstrated for the cases of D1Q2 and D1Q3 lattices. Stability of the scheme for D1Q2 lattice is analytically analyzed by the method of differential approximation. Stability of parametrical scheme is numerically investigated by von Neumann method in parameter space. As a result of numerical analysis, the correction of the hypothesis on transfer of stability conditions of the scheme for macroequation to the system of LBEs is demonstrated.
Evidence for pre-Caledonian discontinuities in the Achnashellach Culmination, Moine Thrust Zone: the importance of a pre-thrust template in influencing fold-and-thrust belt development
Authors: Cain Tomas , Leslie Graham , Clarke Stuart , Kelly Michael , Krabbendam Maarten
Published: October 2016

South of the Loch Maree Fault in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, an unexplained step-wise thickening of Torridon Group strata, from
c.
200–1000 m, occurs towards the Loch Maree Fault, within the trailing edges of the stacked thrust sheets of the Achnashellach Culmination in the Caledonian Moine Thrust Zone. This thickening cannot be explained readily by Caledonian thrust tectonics alone, and suggests that thrusting was superimposed upon a pre-Caledonian non-layer-cake template giving rise to a thrust-parallel thickness change of Torridon Group strata in the thrust belt. Cross-section constructions within the culmination constrain discrete abrupt thickness changes of the Torridon Group succession preserved within the Coire nan Clach and Toll Ban thrust sheets. We infer the existence of a pre-existing discontinuity in the form of either a set of pre-Caledonian faults striking parallel or sub-parallel to the long-lived Loch Maree Fault in its southwestern wall, or palaeovalleys creating locally greater thicknesses of Torridon Group sediments in the pre-thrust template. Such palaeovalleys may have been eroded along pre-existing discontinuities. In either case, these discontinuities will have contributed to generating step-wise thickness changes in preserved Torridon Group strata prior to Cambro-Ordovician overstep and then contributed to controls on the observed (lateral) variations in thrust architecture and the northwards step-wise thinning of the Achnashellach Culmination towards the Loch Maree Fault. This northern termination of the Achnashellach Culmination demonstrates the importance of the pre-thrust template in constraining the three-dimensional architecture of lateral changes within fold-and-thrust belts.
Physics of Core-Collapse Supernovae in Three Dimensions: A Sneak Preview
Authors: Janka Hans-Thomas , Melson Tobias , Summa Alexander
Published: October 2016

Nonspherical mass motions are a generic feature of core-collapse supernovae, and hydrodynamic instabilities play a crucial role in the explosion mechanism. The first successful neutrino-driven explosions could be obtained with self-consistent, first-principles simulations in three spatial dimensions. But three-dimensional (3D) models tend to be less prone to explosion than the corresponding axisymmetric two-dimensional (2D) ones. The reason is that 3D turbulence leads to energy cascading from large to small spatial scales, the inverse of the 2D case, thus disfavoring the growth of buoyant plumes on the largest scales. Unless the inertia to explode simply reflects a lack of sufficient resolution in relevant regions, some important component of robust and sufficiently energetic neutrino-powered explosions may still be missing. Such a deficit could be associated with progenitor properties such as rotation, magnetic fields, or precollapse perturbations, or with microphysics that could cause enhancement of neutrino heating behind the shock. 3D simulations have also revealed new phenomena that are not present in 2D ones, such as spiral modes of the standing accretion shock instability (SASI) and a stunning dipolar lepton-number emission self-sustained asymmetry (LESA). Both impose time- and direction-dependent variations on the detectable neutrino signal. The understanding of these effects and of their consequences is still in its infancy.
Reactor Neutrino Spectra
Authors: Hayes Anna C. , Vogel Petr
Published: October 2016

We present a review of the antineutrino spectra emitted from reactors. Knowledge of these spectra and their associated uncertainties is crucial for neutrino oscillation studies. The spectra used to date have been determined either by converting measured electron spectra to antineutrino spectra or by summing over all of the thousands of transitions that make up the spectra, using modern databases as input. The uncertainties in the subdominant corrections to β-decay plague both methods, and we provide estimates of these uncertainties. Improving on current knowledge of the antineutrino spectra from reactors will require new experiments. Such experiments would also address the so-called reactor neutrino anomaly and the possible origin of the shoulder observed in the antineutrino spectra measured in recent high-statistics reactor neutrino experiments.
Thalamic state control of cortical paired-pulse dynamics
Authors: Whitmire Clarissa J. , Millard Daniel C. , Stanley Garrett B.
Published: October 2016

Sensory stimulation drives complex interactions across neural circuits as information is encoded and then transmitted from one brain region to the next. In the highly interconnected thalamocortical circuit, these complex interactions elicit repeatable neural dynamics in response to temporal patterns of stimuli that provide insight into the circuit properties that generated them. Here, using a combination of in vivo voltage-sensitive dye (VSD) imaging of cortex, single-unit recording in thalamus, and optogenetics to manipulate thalamic state in the rodent vibrissa pathway, we probed the thalamocortical circuit with simple temporal patterns of stimuli delivered either to the whiskers on the face (sensory stimulation) or to the thalamus directly via electrical or optogenetic inputs (artificial stimulation). VSD imaging of cortex in response to whisker stimulation revealed classical suppressive dynamics, while artificial stimulation of thalamus produced an additional facilitation dynamic in cortex not observed with sensory stimulation. Thalamic neurons showed enhanced bursting activity in response to artificial stimulation, suggesting that bursting dynamics may underlie the facilitation mechanism we observed in cortex. To test this experimentally, we directly depolarized the thalamus, using optogenetic modulation of the firing activity to shift from a burst to a tonic mode. In the optogenetically depolarized thalamic state, the cortical facilitation dynamic was completely abolished. Together, the results obtained here from simple probes suggest that thalamic state, and ultimately thalamic bursting, may play a key role in shaping more complex stimulus-evoked dynamics in the thalamocortical pathway.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY For the first time, we have been able to utilize optogenetic modulation of thalamic firing modes combined with optical imaging of cortex in the rat vibrissa system to directly test the role of thalamic state in shaping cortical response properties.
Optimizing computer models of corticospinal neurons to replicate in vitro dynamics
Authors: Neymotin Samuel A. , Suter Benjamin A. , Dura-Bernal Salvador , Shepherd Gordon M. G. , Migliore Michele , Lytton William W.
Published: October 2016

Corticospinal neurons (SPI), thick-tufted pyramidal neurons in motor cortex layer 5B that project caudally via the medullary pyramids, display distinct class-specific electrophysiological properties in vitro: strong sag with hyperpolarization, lack of adaptation, and a nearly linear frequency-current ( F– I) relationship. We used our electrophysiological data to produce a pair of large archives of SPI neuron computer models in two model classes: 1) detailed models with full reconstruction; and 2) simplified models with six compartments. We used a PRAXIS and an evolutionary multiobjective optimization (EMO) in sequence to determine ion channel conductances. EMO selected good models from each of the two model classes to form the two model archives. Archived models showed tradeoffs across fitness functions. For example, parameters that produced excellent F– I fit produced a less-optimal fit for interspike voltage trajectory. Because of these tradeoffs, there was no single best model but rather models that would be best for particular usages for either single neuron or network explorations. Further exploration of exemplar models with strong F– I fit demonstrated that both the detailed and simple models produced excellent matches to the experimental data. Although dendritic ion identities and densities cannot yet be fully determined experimentally, we explored the consequences of a demonstrated proximal to distal density gradient of Ih, demonstrating that this would lead to a gradient of resonance properties with increased resonant frequencies more distally. We suggest that this dynamical feature could serve to make the cell particularly responsive to major frequency bands that differ by cortical layer.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY We developed models of motor cortex corticospinal neurons that replicate in vitro dynamics, including hyperpolarization-induced sag and realistic firing patterns. Models demonstrated resonance in response to synaptic stimulation, with resonance frequency increasing in apical dendrites with increasing distance from soma, matching the increasing oscillation frequencies spanning deep to superficial cortical layers. This gradient may enable specific corticospinal neuron dendrites to entrain to relevant oscillations in different cortical layers, contributing to appropriate motor output commands.
Modulation of activity and conduction in single dorsal column axons by kilohertz-frequency spinal cord stimulation
Authors: Crosby Nathan D. , Janik John J. , Grill Warren M.
Published: October 2016

Kilohertz-frequency spinal cord stimulation (KHF-SCS) is a potential paresthesia-free treatment for chronic pain. However, the effects of KHF-SCS on spinal dorsal column (DC) axons and its mechanisms of action remain unknown. The objectives of this study were to quantify activation and conduction block of DC axons by KHF-SCS across a range of frequencies (1, 5, 10, or 20 kHz) and waveforms (biphasic pulses or sinusoids). Custom platinum electrodes delivered SCS to the T10/T11 dorsal columns of anesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. Single DC axons and compound action potentials were recorded during KHF-SCS to evaluate SCS-evoked activity. Responses to KHF-SCS in DC axons included brief onset firing, slowly accommodating asynchronous firing, and conduction block. The effects of KHF-SCS mostly occurred well above motor thresholds, but isolated units were activated at amplitudes shown to reduce behavioral sensitivity in rats. Activity evoked by SCS was similar across a range of frequencies (5–20 kHz) and waveforms (biphasic and sinusoidal). Stimulation at 1-kHz SCS evoked more axonal firing that was also more phase-synchronized to the SCS waveform, but only at amplitudes above motor threshold. These data quantitatively characterize the central nervous system activity that may modulate pain perception and paresthesia, and thereby provide a foundation for continued investigation of the mechanisms of KHF-SCS and its optimization as a therapy for chronic pain. Given the asynchronous and transient nature of DC activity, it is unlikely that the same mechanisms underlying conventional SCS (i.e., persistent, periodic DC activation) apply to KHF-SCS.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Kilohertz-frequency spinal cord stimulation (KHF-SCS) is a new mode of SCS that may offer better pain relief than conventional SCS. However, the mechanism of action is poorly characterized, especially the effects of stimulation on dorsal column (DC) axons, which are the primary target of stimulation. This study provides the first recordings of single DC axons during KHF-SCS to quantify DC activity that has the potential to mediate the analgesic effects of KHF-SCS.
Creating Values out of Internet of Things: An Industrial Perspective
Authors: Ray Partha Pratim
Published: October 2016

Internet of Things based cloud is envisaged to extract values other than the specified purpose for which it is to be utilized. It is hereby apprehended that different genre of values, rather business values, could efficiently be assimilated from the Internet of Things cloud platforms. It is also investigated to identify numerous domains of applications that are currently being associated with the similar cloud platforms. A case study on various types of value generation methods has been performed. A novel Internet of Things cloud stack is proposed to disseminate and aggregate the business values. Few research challenges are observed that shall need appropriate indulgence to generate more business values out of Internet of Things based cloud. This paper also seeks few research and industry related problems that need to be resolved. It further recommends several key parameters to the enterprise and government policymakers that should immediately be dealt with for long-term success.
Peri-Implant Bone Loss and Peri-Implantitis: A Report of Three Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: John Vanchit , Shin Daniel , Marlow Allison , Hamada Yusuke
Published: October 2016

Dental implant supported restorations have been added substantially to the clinical treatment options presented to patients. However, complications with these treatment options also arise due to improper patient selection and inadequate treatment planning combined with poor follow-up care. The complications related to the presence of inflammation include perimucositis, peri-implant bone loss, and peri-implantitis. Prevalence rates of these complications have been reported to be as high as 56%. Treatment options that have been reported include nonsurgical therapy, the use of locally delivered and systemically delivered antibiotics, and surgical protocols aimed at regenerating the lost bone and soft tissue around the implants. The aim of this article is to report on three cases and review some of the treatment options used in their management.
Renormalized Phonon Microstructures at High Temperatures from First-Principles Calculations: Methodologies and Applications in Studying Strong Anharmonic Vibrations of Solids
Authors: Lan Tian , Zhu Zhaoyan
Published: October 2016

While the vibrational thermodynamics of materials with small anharmonicity at low temperatures has been understood well based on the harmonic phonons approximation, at high temperatures, this understanding must accommodate how phonons interact with other phonons or with other excitations. To date the anharmonic lattice dynamics is poorly understood despite its great importance, and most studies still rely on the quasiharmonic approximations. We shall see that the phonon-phonon interactions give rise to interesting coupling problems and essentially modify the equilibrium and nonequilibrium properties of materials, for example, thermal expansion, thermodynamic stability, heat capacity, optical properties, thermal transport, and other nonlinear properties of materials. The review aims to introduce some recent developements of computational methodologies that are able to efficiently model the strong phonon anharmonicity based on quantum perturbation theory of many-body interactions and first-principles molecular dynamics simulations. The effective potential energy surface of renormalized phonons and structures of the phonon-phonon interaction channels can be derived from these interdependent methods, which provide both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives in analyzing the strong anharmonic phenomena while the traditional harmonic models fail dramatically. These models have been successfully performed in the studies on the temperature-dependent broadenings of Raman and neutron scattering spectra, high temperature phase stability, and negative thermal expansion of rutile and cuprite structures, for example.
Threats to Gelada Baboon (Theropithecus gelada) around Debre Libanos, Northwest Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Abie Kassahun , Bekele Afework
Published: October 2016

This study was aimed at determining threats to gelada baboon around Debre Libanos, Northwest Shewa Zone, Ethiopia. This was investigated based on questionnaire, informant interview, focus group discussion, and direct observation methods from August 2012 to March 2013. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and responses were compared using chi-square test. Habitat destruction (95%), livestock grazing (91.67%), expansion of agricultural land (88.33%), expansion of invasive species (58.33%) in the area that reduces the availability and quality of gelada baboon’s food, inappropriate investment activity (75%), and depredation (66.67%) were the major threats to gelada baboons in the study area. All these challenges could cause a short and long-term effect on gelada baboon population size and growth rate.
Patterning of Endothelial Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Laser-Assisted Bioprinting to Study Cell Migration
Authors: Bourget Jean-Michel , Kérourédan Olivia , Medina Manuela , Rémy Murielle , Thébaud Noélie Brunehilde , Bareille Reine , Chassande Olivier , Amédée Joëlle , Catros Sylvain , Devillard Raphaël
Published: October 2016

Tissue engineering of large organs is currently limited by the lack of potent vascularizationin vitro. Tissue-engineered bone grafts can be prevascularizedin vitrousing endothelial cells (ECs). The microvascular network architecture could be controlled by printing ECs following a specific pattern. Using laser-assisted bioprinting, we investigated the effect of distance between printed cell islets and the influence of coprinted mesenchymal cells on migration. When printed alone, ECs spread out evenly on the collagen hydrogel, regardless of the distance between cell islets. However, when printed in coculture with mesenchymal cells by laser-assisted bioprinting, they remained in the printed area. Therefore, the presence of mesenchymal cell is mandatory in order to create a pattern that will be conserved over time. This work describes an interesting approach to study cell migration that could be reproduced to study the effect of trophic factors.
Construction of the Global Solutions to the Perturbed Riemann Problem for the Leroux System
Authors: Ji Pengpeng , Shen Chun
Published: October 2016

The global solutions of the perturbed Riemann problem for the Leroux system are constructed explicitly under the suitable assumptions when the initial data are taken to be three piecewise constant states. The wave interaction problems are widely investigated during the process of constructing global solutions with the help of the geometrical structures of the shock and rarefaction curves in the phase plane. In addition, it is shown that the Riemann solutions are stable with respect to the specific small perturbations of the Riemann initial data.
Maintaining Mobile Network Coverage Availability in Disturbance Scenarios
Authors: Säe Joonas , Lempiäinen Jukka
Published: October 2016

Disturbance and disaster scenarios prevent the normal utilization of mobile networks. The aim of this study is to maintain the availability of cellular networks in disturbance scenarios. In order to extend the disaster time functionality, energy usage optimization is needed to maintain reasonable coverage and capacity. Simulations performed with different network layouts show the effects of choosing only a portion of evolved node B (eNB) macrosites to operate at a time. Different sets of three to nine three-sectored eNB sites are selected to study how the network would perform with a limited number of eNB sites. Simulation results show how the mobile network availability duration can be sustained by selecting a set of eNB sites to operate at a time and still maintain a reasonable service level and availability in disturbance scenarios. An increase of 100% to 500% can be achieved in the duration of “backup coverage” in cellular networks with backup batteries when the percentage of active eNB sites is reduced down to 20%.
Substance Use Disorders in Elderly Admissions to an Academic Psychiatric Inpatient Service over a 10-Year Period
Authors: Dombrowski Dennis , Norrell Nelly , Holroyd Suzanne
Published: October 2016

Objective. There is a paucity of research on substance use disorders (SUDs) in the elderly psychiatric population. This study examines SUDs in a geriatric psychiatry inpatient service over a 10-year period.Methods. Data from 1788 elderly psychiatric inpatients from a ten-year period was collected. Variables collected included psychiatric diagnoses, SUD, number of psychiatric admissions, and length of stay. Those with and without a SUD were compared using Chi-Square or Student’st-test as appropriate using SPSS.Results. 11.7% (N=210) of patients had a SUD, and the most common substance was alcohol at 73.3% (N=154) or 8.6% of all admissions. Other SUDs were sedative-hypnotics (11%), opiate (2.9%), cannabis (1%), tobacco (1.4%), and unspecified SUD (38.6%). SUD patients were significantly younger, divorced, male, and less frequently readmitted and had shorter lengths of stay. The most common comorbid diagnoses were major depression (26.1%), bipolar disorder (10.5%), and dementia (17.1%).Conclusions. Over 10% of psychogeriatric admissions were associated with a SUD, with alcohol being the most common. Considering the difficulties in diagnosing SUD in this population and the retrospective study design, the true prevalence in elderly psychiatric inpatients is likely higher. This study adds to sparse literature on SUD in elderly psychiatric patients.
First Case Report of a Late Onset Knee Periprosthetic Joint Infection Caused byLactococcus garvieae
Authors: Neagoe V.-I. , Zytoun S. , Neuhaus H.-J.
Published: October 2016

Lactococcus garvieaeis known as a Gram-positive, catalase-negative, and facultatively anaerobic fish pathogen. The association betweenLactococcusspp. and human infectious diseases is described as being mainly associated with lumbar osteomyelitis, hepatic abscess, and infective endocarditis. In the literature of orthopedic post-prosthetic infections,L. garvieaewas associated with a case of hip prosthetic infection in a fishmonger woman. We present the case of a 79-year-old male patient with multiple comorbidities, who is admitted to our center with a 5-day history of pain, swelling, and motility disorder of the right knee by the presence of a bicondylar knee replacement surgery, which was performed due to gonarthrosis 17 years ago. The radiographies of the right knee revealed no signs of displacement or loosening of the prothesis. After multiple radical debridements including VAC therapy and targeted antibiotic therapy we have managed to defeat the infection without exchange arthroplasty. Although we could not demonstrate the source of infection, we can only presume that in our case the source of infection was represented by the ingestion of possibly contaminated food. The patient had a habit of eating Nile perch fish (Lates niloticus) every 4 weeks. We illustrated once more the possibility of a late onsetL. garvieaerelated orthopedic periprosthetic joint infection by multiple comorbidities.
Assessment for Melting Temperature Measurement of Nucleic Acid by HRM
Authors: Wang Jing , Pan Xiaoming , Liang Xingguo
Published: October 2016

High resolution melting (HRM), with a high sensitivity to distinguish the nucleic acid species with small variations, has been widely applied in the mutation scanning, methylation analysis, and genotyping. For the aim of extending HRM for the evaluation of thermal stability of nucleic acid secondary structures on sequence dependence, we investigated effects of the dye of EvaGreen, metal ions, and impurities (such as dNTPs) on melting temperature (Tm) measurement by HRM. The accuracy of HRM was assessed as compared with UV melting method, and little difference between the two methods was found when the DNA Tm was higher than 40°C. Both insufficiency and excessiveness of EvaGreen were found to give rise to a little bit higher Tm, showing that the proportion of dye should be considered for precise Tm measurement of nucleic acids. Finally, HRM method was also successfully used to measure Tms of DNA triplex, hairpin, and RNA duplex. In conclusion, HRM can be applied in the evaluation of thermal stability of nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) or secondary structural elements (even when dNTPs are present).
Activin A Stimulates Aromatase via the ALK4-Smad Pathway in Endometriosis
Authors: Zheng Juan , Qu Juan , Lu Pinhong , Hou Zhen , Cui Yugui , Mao Yundong , Qi Xiaochen , Ji Hui , Liu Jiayin
Published: October 2016

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease. We previously found that the expression of Activin A was upregulated in the peritoneal fluid of patients with endometriosis. The results of the present study indicated that Activin A induced estradiol secretion and P450arom expression in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) derived from endometriosis patients. The mechanism of estrogenic synthesis was regulated by the Activin-Smad pathway in endometrial lesions. The data showed that the effect of Activin A on ESCs was partially abrogated by pretreatment with an inhibitor of ALK4 (the type I receptor, ActRIB) and Smad4-siRNA. Cumulatively, these data suggest that Activin A promotes the secretion of estradiol from ESCs by increasing the expression of P450arom via the ALK4-Smad pathway. These findings indicate the ALK4-Smad pathway may promote ectopic lesion survival and development.