bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intra‐ and Inter‐rater Agreement of Superior Vena Cava Flow and Right Ventricular Outflow Measurements in Late Preterm and Term Neonates
Authors: Mahoney Liam , Fernandez‐Alvarez Jose R. , Rojas‐Anaya Hector , Aiton Neil , Wertheim David , Seddon Paul , Rabe Heike
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To explore the intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement of superior vena cava (SVC) flow and right ventricular (RV) outflow in healthy and unwell late preterm neonates (33–37 weeks' gestational age), term neonates (≥37 weeks' gestational age), and neonates receiving total‐body cooling.

Methods

The intra‐ and inter‐rater agreement (n = 25 and 41 neonates, respectively) rates for SVC flow and RV outflow were determined by echocardiography in healthy and unwell late preterm and term neonates with the use of Bland‐Altman plots, the repeatability coefficient, the repeatability index, and intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results

The intra‐rater repeatability index values were 41% for SVC flow and 31% for RV outflow, with intraclass correlation coefficients indicating good agreement for both measures. The inter‐rater repeatability index values for SVC flow and RV outflow were 63% and 51%, respectively, with intraclass correlation coefficients indicating moderate agreement for both measures.

Conclusions

If SVC flow or RV outflow is used in the hemodynamic treatment of neonates, sequential measurements should ideally be performed by the same clinician to reduce potential variability.
Correlation Between Liver Stiffness Measured by Shear Wave Elastography and Child‐Pugh Classification
Authors: Wang Jinhuan , Wang Qiao , Yu Guoying , She Qilu , Zhang Wenyuan , Zhang Jiagang
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To explore the association between liver stiffness and the Child‐Pugh classification of liver function by shear wave elastography (SWE).

Methods

A total of 116 patients with liver cirrhosis were divided into 3 groups according to the Child‐Pugh classification prospectively. Conventional ultrasound imaging and SWE were performed for all patients. The associations of liver stiffness measured by SWE with ultrasound measurements, serum biochemical indicators, and the Child‐Pugh classification were analyzed. Receiver operating characteristic curves were analyzed and compared to determine the ability of liver stiffness to diagnose cirrhosis.

Results

Liver stiffness measured by SWE increased with an increasing Child‐Pugh classification, internal diameter of the hepatic portal and splenic veins, spleen thickness, spleen length, total bilirubin level, and prothrombin time, which were positively correlated with the Child‐Pugh classification (allP < .05). The albumin level and liver stiffness showed higher areas under the curve in comparison with other parameters for evaluating the Child‐Pugh classification. Albumin and cholinesterase levels were negatively correlated with the Child‐Pugh classification (P < .05). All of these indicators were significantly different between each pair of groups (allP < .05), except for the internal diameter of the hepatic portal vein, prothrombin time, and total bilirubin, and cholinesterase levels between groups B and C (P > 0.05) and the thickness and length of spleen and internal diameter of the splenic vein between groups A and B (P > 0.05). There were no differences among the groups for alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and globulin levels.

Conclusions

Liver stiffness measured by SWE was correlated with the Child‐Pugh classification, and it may be able to help evaluate liver function in patients with cirrhosis.
Point‐of‐Care Ultrasound in Undergraduate Urology Education: A Prospective Control‐Intervention Study
Authors: Olszynski Paul , Anderson Jordan , Trinder Krista , Domes Trustin
Published: February 2018

Objectives

The effect of point‐of‐care ultrasound (US) training on clinical reasoning in undergraduate medical education remains largely unknown, with concerns arising about possible confusion among learners when such clinical tools are introduced too early. We studied the effect of a urology point‐of‐care US module on the performance of questions designed to assess clinical reasoning in urinary tract obstruction and voiding dysfunction.

Methods

All second‐year medical students at the University of Saskatchewan (Regina [n = 36] and Saskatoon [n = 61]) were enrolled in the study. Each cohort participated in the urology point‐of‐care US module concurrently with its Foundations in the Kidney and Urinary Tract course. The Regina cohort completed the point‐of‐care US module 1 week before the Saskatoon cohort, thus allowing for a control‐intervention comparison of script concordance question scores to evaluate the effect that the urology point‐of‐care US module had on clinical reasoning skills. Secondary outcomes included program evaluation metrics, such as overall course performance, urology point‐of‐care US objective structured clinical examination performance, and student course evaluation data.

Results

The introduction of the urology point‐of‐care US module was not associated with a deterioration in scores on script concordance questions. There were no statistically significant differences between the Regina and Saskatoon students in their responses to the script concordance questions. There were statistically significant increases in student self‐reported achievement of learning objectives, with the effect size being medium to large (Cohen d, 0.5–0.8).

Conclusions

Point‐of‐care US training complements standard undergraduate classroom teaching of urology. Students effectively learned the skills to apply point‐of‐care US in their assessment of patients, and this process did not interfere with achieving the course objectives.
Multiparameter estimation using multi‐echo spoiled gradient echo with variable flip angles and multicontrast compressed sensing
Authors: Tamada Daiki , Wakayama Tetsuya , Onishi Hiroshi , Motosugi Utaroh
Published: February 2018

Purpose

To develop multiparameter mapping including T1,
, and proton density fat fraction with a single breath‐hold to evaluate liver disease and liver function.

Methods

A 6‐echo spoiled gradient‐echo sequence with dual flip angles was used to acquire a 12‐set MRI volume data set. To shorten the scan time, undersampling and multicontrast compressed‐sensing reconstruction were used. The scan time was 18 seconds.
and proton density fat fraction mapping were achieved by using the iterative least‐squares method. T1 mapping was estimated using driven equilibrium single‐pulse observation of T1. Quantitative values were validated by performing phantom and volunteer studies.

Results

Statistical analysis showed that the quantitative values measured using the proposed methods agreed with those measured using conventional methods. T1 values of water proton measured by the proposed method in phantom and volunteer studies were in good agreement with those by MRS.

Conclusion

The results showed that accurate quantitative mapping of T1,
, and proton density fat fraction with a single breath‐hold was achieved using our approach.
27‐Hydroxycholesterol Inhibits Sterol Regulatory Element‐Binding Protein 1 Activation and Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in Mice
Authors: Li Di , Long Weiqing , Huang Rong , Chen Ying , Xia Min
Published: February 2018

Objective

Although 27‐hydroxycholesterol (27‐HC) has been reported as a potent regulator of lipid homeostasis, its role in hepatic lipogenesis remains obscure. The present study was designed to investigate the impact of 27‐HC on sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1 (SREBP‐1) and hepatic steatosis.

Methods

In this study, the 27‐HC level in mice was upregulated by overexpressing CYP27A1 or treating primary hepatocytes with 27‐HC, and then the hepatic lipid accumulation was detected.

Results

27‐HC inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation and decreased the levels of the mature active form of SREBP‐1. The expression of lipogenic genes, including acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl‐coenzyme A desaturase‐1, and glycerol‐3‐phosphate acyltransferase, were also suppressed after 27‐HC intervention. Furthermore, 27‐HC induced expression of insulin‐induced gene‐2 (Insig‐2), an endoplasmic reticulum protein that prevents SREBP activation, both in vivo and in vitro. The inhibitory effect of 27‐HC on SREBP‐1 activation was absent when Insig‐2 was silenced. Finally, coimmunoprecipitation showed that 27‐HC promoted the binding of Insig‐2 to SREBP‐1.

Conclusions

These studies demonstrated the suppressive effect of 27‐HC on hepatic lipid accumulation and revealed a novel mechanism by which 27‐HC regulates lipogenesis.
On the mechanical behavior of basalt fiber/epoxy composites filled with silanized graphene oxide nanoplatelets
Authors: Jamali Nahid , Rezvani Alireza , Khosravi Hamed , Tohidlou Esmaeil
Published: February 2018

Effects of GONP modification and S‐GONPs loading on the mechanical properties of UBF/epoxy composite were investigated. The introduction of the silane organic chains on the surface of GONPs was evaluated by FTIR, STA, and Raman spectroscopy. Out of the specimens, the highest values in mechanical strengths were obtained at 0.4 wt% S‐GONPs. The tensile, flexural, and compressive strengths of this specimen were 16%, 47%, 51% greater, respectively, than that of UBF/epoxy composite. Improvements in the mechanical moduli were also obtained. It was also found that silane modification of GONPs had a significant effect on the mechanical properties of the specimens. Microscopic studies showed a better interfacial bonding between UBF and matrix in nanofiller‐filled specimens. The experimental results for compressive strength and modulus were compared with an Euler–Bernoulli beam‐based model. The model predictions were in very good agreement with experimental results. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2472–E2482, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Comparative study on bezier curve and linear variable angle method for variable stiffness laminates
Authors: Cao Zhongliang , Fu Hongya , Han Zhenyu
Published: February 2018

By adjusting the connection point parameter β, the Bezier curve method can make the angle of the fiber trajectory vary nonlinearly and improve the design space. In view of this, the variable‐stiffness laminates which are made by Bezier curve method and linear variable angle methods respectively are used as the research objects. Under the same conditions, taking the stacking sequence of (0 ± <20[β]60>)2s as an example, the influences of the number and the curvature of tows on these two kinds of variable angle trajectory are discussed. Meanwhile, the buckling behaviors of these two kinds of variable angle laminates are comparatively analyzed. The results show when the connection point parameter β is 0.6, the trajectory and curvature change of Bezier curve method is consistent with the linear variable angle method. For the number of tow in the same area, the number of Bezier curve is less than that of linear variable angle method when the connection point parameter β is >0.6. Furthermore, for the Bezier curve method, the buckling load is first decreased and then increased with the increase of connection point parameter β. While the connection point parameter β is over 0.6, the buckling load of Bezier curve method is better than that of linear variable angle method. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:952–960, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Fiber damage and impregnation during multi‐die vacuum assisted pultrusion of carbon/PEEK hybrid yarns
Authors: Lapointe Felix , Laberge Lebel Louis
Published: February 2018

Pultruded thermoplastic composites combine great mechanical properties with efficient manufacturing. However, the use of carbon commingled yarns as precursors presents two challenges: the damage induced by the process on the low ultimate strain carbon fibers and the impregnation of the fiber bed by the high‐viscosity matrix. The study outlines four major factors influencing the fiber damage: the carbon yarn tension, types of hybrid yarn used; the usage of a contact preheater and the tapered length of the pultrusion die. The yarn tension is identified as the most important parameter lowering the yarn damage. A tension of 3 N per yarn was adequate to reduce yarn damage. Two techniques are suggested as means to promote impregnation: the usage of multiple subsequent dies and the usage of vacuum. The effects of the die temperature and the pulling speed are also investigated. Void content of 1.3% was reported for the pultrusion of carbon/PEEK commingled yarns. The manufacturing parameters were four dies, vacuum, a speed of 50 mm/min, and a die system temperature of 400°C. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1015–E1028, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Silica‐grafted poly1‐hexene: A new approach to prepare polyethylene/silica nanocomposites
Authors: Hanifpour Ahad , Bahri‐Laleh Naeimeh , Mirmohammadi Seyed Amin
Published: February 2018

A novel process to produce fully homogenous polyethylene (PE)/silica nanocomposites has been organized based on silica‐grafted poly(1‐hexene) (PHex‐g‐SiO2) nanoparticles. To this end, end‐unsaturated PHex was synthesized by employing Cp2ZrCl2/MAO catalytic system. Unsaturated structure of the synthesized polymer was identified by 1H‐NMR in CDCl3 as solvent. Then, oxidation of chain‐end‐unsaturated bonds was carried out with meta‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid to yield hydroxyl functionalized poly1‐hexene (PHex‐OH) which subsequently grafted to silica nanoparticles by simple etherification reaction in the presence of K2CO3 as water retention reagent. In order to explore the accuracy of oxidation reaction and grafting of silica on the polymer chains, IR spectroscopy was employed. Finally, ethylene was polymerized in the presence of these PHex‐g‐SiO2 nanoparticles to prepare a series of PE/PHex‐g‐SiO2 nanocomposites with different nanoparticle weight ratios. To explore the influence of the PHex‐g‐SiO2 on the properties of PE/PHex‐g‐SiO2 nanocomposites, its morphological, thermal, mechanical, and rheological properties were characterized and interesting results were obtained. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1053–1060, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and performances of UV‐cured methacrylated polyacrylic acid‐based core‐shell hybrid phase change materials
Authors: Baştürk Emre , Kahraman Memet Vezir
Published: February 2018

In this study, UV‐curable microencapsulated organic–inorganic hybrid phase change materials (micro‐PCMs) were prepared; the micro‐PCMs, which are based on a fatty alcohol core and a methacrylated polyacrylic acid (m‐PAA) shell, were prepared by the sol–gel and UV‐curing techniques. Polyacrylic acid (PAA) was reacted with glycidyl methacrylate to form methacrylated polyacrylic acid. The chemical structure of m‐PAA was identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR).The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) result showed that the micro‐PCMs have the best phase change and thermal stability properties between 20°C and 70°C working temperature range. The melting latent heat enthalpy is measured between 100 and 140 J/g, and the freezing latent heat enthalpy is found between 90 and 130 J/g. An increase in microcapsule content resulted in an increase in the melting and freezing enthalpy of micro‐PCMs for both the octedanol and the eicosanol core components. The encapsulation ratio and encapsulation efficiency are improved by increasing the core material content in the formulation. The decomposition temperatures of the organic–inorganic hybrid micro‐PCMs increase by increasing the sol–gel content in the sample formulation. The obtained results indicated that these organic–inorganic hybrid micro‐PCMs promise a great potential for the thermal energy storage application. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:2166–2174, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Trajectories of caregiver burden and related factors in family caregivers of patients with lung cancer
Authors: Lee Yun‐Hsiang , Liao Yu‐Chien , Shun Shiow‐Ching , Lin Kuan‐Chia , Liao Wei‐Yu , Chang Pi‐Hua , Jhang Sin‐Yuan , Yu Chong‐Jen , Yang Pan‐Chyr , Hsieh Pei‐Yin , Lai Yeur‐Hur
Published: February 2018

Objective

This study aimed to (1) identify the changes of 5 domains of family caregiver (FC) burden, overall burden, and its subtrajectories when caring for newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer patients during the first 6 months following cancer diagnosis; and (2) identify the FC‐related and patient‐related factors most associated with the overall FC burden and each of its subtrajectories.

Methods

A total of 150 newly diagnosed advanced lung cancer patient‐FC dyads were recruited from a Taiwanese medical center. The overall FC burden was evaluated 4 times: before treatment, and 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. The potential subtrajectory of the caregiver burden was investigated by latent class growth analysis. The FC‐related and patient‐related factors having the greatest effect on the overall FC burden and its subtrajectories over time were identified by generalized estimating equations.

Results

The highest level of burden domain was “Impact on daily schedule” over time. Generally, most of the FC reported a moderate level of overall burden over the investigation period. Three subtrajectories of the overall FC burden over time (% caregivers) were identified: high burden (34.7%), moderate burden (56.0%), and low burden (9.3%), respectively. The self‐efficacy of FC was the strongest factor related to the changes of the FC's burden and burden in each subtrajectory.

Conclusion

The results support the existing and different types of subtrajectories of the FC's burden. Health care professionals should provide care based on those differences. Further research to test interventions which integrate those important factors related to FC's burden, particularly FC's self‐efficacy, is strongly suggested.
The Impact of Pre‐Analytical Conditions on Human Serum Peptidome Profiling
Authors: Padoan Andrea
Published: February 2018

The successful use of proteomic technology for the discovery of clinically relevant, new candidate biomarkers, especially in the low molecular weight range (peptidome), calls for a careful consideration of standardized operating procedures (SOP) for pre‐analytical variables, including samples handling and storage. The current lack of standardization, widely considered a relevant source of random and systematic errors, underlies the uncertainty of analytical results and poor comparability, especially in multi‐centric or inter‐laboratory studies. In their recent study, Tsuchida et al. used the MALDI‐TOF/MS technique to investigate the effect of long‐term storage at −20 °C, −80 °C, and in liquid nitrogen on serum samples obtained for peptidomic analyses. The authors have also evaluated the effects of different sample thawing modalities. By including results from the same series as that reported on in a previous publication, they have effectively defined some important requirements for the peptidomic analysis of serum samples (e.g., maximum time intervals between venepuncture and serum separation [1 h], minimum temperature for long‐term sera storage temperature [−80 °C], ideal conditions for sample thawing).
Noninflammatory disorders mimic juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Al-Mayouf Sulaiman M.
Published: February 2018

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common chronic childhood arthritis; unfortunately, no diagnostic tool is available. Genetic disorders with musculoskeletal involvement that mimic chronic polyarthritis should be considered in the differential diagnostics of JIA. Normal inflammatory markers and characteristic radiological features are able to distinguish these disorders from JIA. Timely diagnosis of these disorders is crucial to offer the family proper genetic counseling and avoid inappropriate therapy. This review highlights selected noninflammatory disorders that often present with articular manifestations and that are often mislabeled as JIA. The focus is on the clinical, biochemical, and imaging features of these disorders.
Estudo comparativo entre artrotomografia computadorizada multi-slice e artroscopia na avaliação das lesões do manguito rotador
Authors: Gómez-Vieira Luis Alfredo , Gómez-Cordero Nicolas Gerardo , Geambastiani Paulo Mauricio Almeida , Matos Marcos Almeida
Published: February 2018

Objetivo Comparar os achados por imagem das alterações anatômicas da artrotomografia computadorizada multi-slice na avaliação das lesões do manguito rotador do ombro e correlacioná-los com os achados da artroscopia (exame diagnóstico padrão-ouro).

Materiais e Métodos Estudo longitudinal, prospectivo, comparativo de acurácia diagnóstica, feito de junho de 2016 a junho de 2017, em pacientes de ambos os sexos, com idades entre 40 e 70 anos, com lesão dos tendões do manguito rotador do ombro, e que tinham necessidade terapêutica de fazer artroscopia do ombro. Foram incluídos pacientes com contraindicação à realização de ressonância magnética. Após a artrotomografia computadorizada multi-slice, todos os pacientes foram submetidos a artroscopia.

Resultados Para a obtenção dos resultados, os seguintes parâmetros foram considerados: sensibilidade, especificidade, acurácia, valor preditivo positivo, valor preditivo negativo, coeficiente Kappa, e contraposição do método de imagem com a artroscopia.

Conclusão Na impossibilidade da realização da ressonância magnética (exame de imagem padrão-ouro), a artrotomografia computadorizada multi-slice se mostra um exame de imagem capaz de avaliar/diagnosticar as lesões do manguito rotador.
Senior USGS Official Quits over Request for Advance Alaska Data
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: February 2018

The official objected to providing results of an Alaskan energy assessment to Interior Secretary Zinke before the report was public. The department says Zinke acted within his authority.
Stanford Scientist Drops $10 Million Lawsuit over Critical Paper
Authors: Loomis Ilima
Published: February 2018

Mark Jacobson, a renewable energy scientist, announced the decision on Twitter, saying he had succeeded in bringing his concerns to light.
Design and synthesis of solution processable green fluorescent D–π–A dyads for OLED applications
Authors: Thurakkal Shameel , Sanju Krishnankutty S. , Soman Anjaly , Unni K. N. Narayanan , Joseph Joshy , Ramaiah Danaboyina
Published: February 2018

Synthesized solution processable green fluorescent donor–acceptor dyads and their investigated photophysical, electrochemical, and morphological properties for OLED applications.
Synthesis of thorium–ethanolamine nanocomposite by the co-precipitation method and its application for Cr(vi) removal
Authors: Sahu Sumanta , Sahu Uttam Kumar , Patel Raj Kishore
Published: February 2018

Studies on the adsorption of Cr(vi) from water by a thorium ethanolamine nanocomposite.
Total synthesis of teixobactin and its stereoisomers
Authors: Liu L. , Wu S. , Wang Q. , Zhang M. , Wang B. , He G. , Chen G.
Published: February 2018

The total syntheses of teixobactin and a series of its stereoisomers at positions 2, 5, 6, 10 and 11 were achieved via a combined strategy of solution and solid phase peptide synthesis.
Coordinated predictive control for wind farm with BESS considering power dispatching and equipment ageing
Authors: Wang Cong , Du Zhengchun , Ni Yu , Li Chongtao , Zhang Gang
Published: February 2018

This study presents a supervisory model predictive control (MPC) scheme for coordinated active power control of a wind farm with a centralised battery energy storage system (BESS). The control target is wind turbine generator (WTG) and BESS coordination to respond to transmission system operator power dispatching, along with equipment ageing deceleration. To alleviate the WTG mechanical fatigue and extend the BESS expected lifetime, the twist angle variation and an index introduced by a weighted ampere‐hour (Ah) throughput model are considered in the cost function. The damage equivalent load and weighted Ah throughput are used for the equipment ageing evaluation. Simulations and comparisons are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed MPC‐based supervisory controller design.
Measurements on partial discharge in on‐site operating power transformer: a case study
Authors: Kunicki Michal , Cichoń Andrzej , Borucki Sebastian
Published: February 2018

This study presents the case study of a substation in‐service power transformer referred to the on‐site partial discharge (PD) detection and evaluation methods. An original methodology for simultaneous application of three methods is proposed: electrical, acoustic and ultra‐high frequency. Transformer is powered by the power grid and no external generator is required according to the proposed methodology. Furthermore, several possibilities of applying these concurrent measurements and benefits of such solution in terms of result interpretation, interference resistance and on‐site measurement applicability are indicated. The proposed methodology allows for a fast, accurate and secure PD diagnostics in a power transformer under on‐site operating conditions. In the described example, a failure as a surface PD in the vicinity of the first phase of high voltage winding output is detected. The research results provide the basis for further works on a diagnostic expert system, which exploits automatic detection and evaluation of the PD phenomenon in power transformers under normal operating conditions.
Method for voltage drop compensation in a multi‐terminal dc network
Authors: Song Guobing , Huang Xinghua , Wang Ting , Tekpeti Browh Serge , Kang Xiaoning
Published: February 2018

The power flow is driven by the voltage drop in the dc network. In long‐distance bulk power transmission cases, the voltage drop across the network might be severe with some node voltages susceptible to load variation. To tackle this problem, a voltage drop compensation method is proposed. A component called voltage compensator (VOLTCOM) is integrated inside the network to modify the network topology and thereby reduce the voltage drop and node voltage variation. From a system perspective, the characteristic of the VOLTCOM is designed and the compensation principle is explained. Then a scheme to lay out VOLTCOMs in the network is given with the objective to minimise the power rating of VOLTCOMs needed. The simulation results show that the load is transmitted with less voltage drop. The voltages remain in the stipulated range even when the grid reaches the planned operating status limits. Also, the VOLTCOM auto‐regulates its output without communications with converter stations. The techno‐economic assessment demonstrates the economy of the method compared to enlarging conductor cross‐section. As an alternative to enlarging conductor cross‐section, the proposed method provides an innovation worth consideration in network design.
K‐unknown models detection through clustering in blind source camera identification
Authors: Udaya Sameer Venkata , S Sugumaran , Naskar Ruchira
Published: February 2018

Source camera identification (SCI) is a forensic problem of mapping an image back to its source, often in relation to cybercrime. In this digital era, this problem needs to be addressed with the utmost care as a falsely identified source might implicate an innocent person. A very practical problem in this study is the presence of unknown models in the set of cameras under question. In other words, the images under question might not have originated from any of the camera models that are accessible to the forensic analyst, but from a different inaccessible source. Under such a circumstance, the conventional source detection techniques fail to identify the correct source, and falsely map the image to one of the accessible camera models. To address this problem, here the authors propose an SCI scheme which is capable of identifying N known (accessible) as well as K unknown (inaccessible) camera models. The authors’ experimental results prove that the proposed scheme efficiently separates the known and unknown models, and helps to achieve considerably high source identification accuracy as compared to the state‐of‐the‐art.
Wide‐angle and polarisation‐independent tri‐band dual‐layer microwave metamaterial absorber
Authors: Kaur Kanwar Preet , Upadhyaya Trushit
Published: February 2018

In this study, a novel dual‐layer wide‐angle metamaterial absorber with polarisation independence has been presented at three distinct frequencies. The proposed structure consists of dual stacked metal‐dielectric layers which are terminated by the metal ground panel. The unit cell of the presented structure consists of three concentric 8‐point star rings on the top surface of both dielectric layers exhibiting three absorption peaks of 98.96%, 98.7% and 99.43% under normal incidence at 1.8 GHz, 2.14 GHz and 2.57 GHz, respectively. The polarisation independence of the design has been validated by numerical simulation and practically verified using waveguide measurement technique. The structure displays high absorption of about 84% for transverse electric polarisation and over 97% under transverse magnetic polarisation up to 60° of oblique incidence. Furthermore, the effects of variation in physical design parameters on absorption response are investigated. The measurement exhibits good agreement with the simulated outcome. The presented structure has a thickness of 0.0294λ0 with respect to the lower absorption band frequency.
In-depth study of long-term variability in the X-ray emission of the Be/X-ray binary system AX J0049.4−7323
Authors: Ducci L. , Romano P. , Malacaria C. , Ji L. , Bozzo E. , Santangelo A.
Published: February 2018

AX J0049.4−7323 is a Be/X-ray binary in the Small Magellanic Cloud hosting a ~750 s pulsar which has been observed over the last ~17 years by several X-ray telescopes. Despite numerous observations, little is known about its X-ray behaviour. Therefore, we coherently analysed archival Swift, Chandra, XMM-Newton, RXTE, and INTEGRAL data, and we compared them with already published ASCA data, to study its X-ray long-term spectral and flux variability. AX J0049.4−7323 shows a high X-ray variability, spanning more than three orders of magnitudes, from L ≈ 1.6 × 1037 erg s−1 (0.3−8 keV, d = 62 kpc) down to L ≈ 8 × 1033 erg s−1. RXTE, Chandra, Swift, and ASCA observed, in addition to the expected enhancement of X-ray luminosity at periastron, flux variations by a factor of ~270 with peak luminosities of ≈2.1 × 1036 erg s−1 far from periastron. These properties are difficult to reconcile with the typical long-term variability of Be/XRBs, traditionally interpreted in terms of type I and type II outbursts. The study of AX J0049.4−7323 is complemented with a spectral analysis of Swift, Chandra, and XMM-Newton data which showed a softening trend when the emission becomes fainter, and an analysis of optical/UV data collected by the UVOT telescope on board Swift. In addition, we measured a secular spin-up rate of Ṗ = (−3.00 ± 0.12) × 10−3 s day−1, which suggests that the pulsar has not yet achieved its equilibrium period. Assuming spherical accretion, we estimated an upper limit for the magnetic field strength of the pulsar of ≈3 × 1012 G.
Acute supplementation of valine reduces fatigue during swimming exercise in rats
Authors: Tsuda Yuichi , Iwasawa Kaori , Yamaguchi Makoto
Published: February 2018

We investigated the respective effects of the acute supplementation of valine, leucine, and isoleucine on metabolism-related markers by administering a swimming exercise test to rats. As a behavioral analysis, we evaluated the effect of valine and that of leucine on spontaneous activity after exercise. Acute supplementation of valine before exercise significantly suppressed the depression of the liver glycogen and the blood glucose after exercise, whereas leucine decreased the blood glucose and isoleucine had no effect. Valine or leucine supplementation significantly decreased the plasma corticosterone level after exercise, while isoleucine had no effect. In the behavioral analysis, valine significantly increased the spontaneous activity after exercise, whereas leucine had no effect. These results indicate that in rats, the acute supplementation of valine, not leucine or isoleucine, is effective for maintaining liver glycogen and blood glucose and increasing spontaneous activity after exercise, which could contribute to the reduction of fatigue during exercise.
Comparison of beef traceability in serial and parallel fabrication systems using RFID and two-dimensional barcodes1
Authors: Foster T P , Schweihofer J P , Grooms D L , Clarke R H , Buskirk D D
Published: February 2018

Traceability of beef attributes from small- and mid-sized farms through supply chains is a market barrier. The objective of this trial was to determine the influence of fabrication method on beef traceability system requirements. Individual identities of 54 animals were maintained through harvest, processing, packaging, and distribution. At harvest, each animal’s unique radio frequency identification (RFID) animal identification number was transferred to a harvest label on each carcass quarter. Following transportation to a processor, nine carcasses were processed on alternating days by one of the two methods. Carcasses were fabricated, using a serial fabrication method (SFM), into wholesale cuts one at a time or fabricated using a parallel fabrication method (PFM), by processing multiple hindquarters or forequarters simultaneously into wholesale cuts. In-process labels were generated by scanning the two-dimensional (2D) barcode on the harvest label with a handheld mobile computer and printed from a wireless mobile printer. Tracking of SFM and PFM carcass quarters was accomplished by creating in-process labels for lugs and individual wholesale cuts, respectively. The process was recorded and the data was captured from video analysis. The mean number of in-process labels generated per carcass for SFM was 3.7 and for PFM was 30.9 (P < 0.01). The amount of time required for generating in-process labels for SFM (2 min 16 s) was less than PFM (8 min 45 s) (P = 0.01). The amount of time required to label each carcass was less (P < 0.01) for SFM (18 s) than for PFM (3 min 10 s) with in-process labels. Total cost of traceability, including fixed and consumable cost per carcass, was nearly twice as much for PFM ($17.98) than SFM ($9.02). Traceability, within both processing methods, was found to have 100% fidelity, as verified using DNA marker genotyping. Overall, the number of labels generated for traceability was less for SFM than that for PFM. The overall time spent on generating, applying, and removing labels was less for SFM than that for PFM. The total cost of traceability was approximately half for SFM compared with that for PFM; however both methods were able to track product accurately. Tracking of beef from individual animals, using RFID ear tags and 2D barcodes, appears to be feasible for the fabrication methods used in this study.
Meta-analysis of hypoxic transcriptomes from public databases
Authors: Bono Hidemasa , Hirota Kiichi
Published: February 2018

Hypoxia is the insufficiency of oxygen in the cell, and hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are central regulators of oxygen homeostasis. In order to obtain functional insights into the hypoxic response in a data-driven way, we attempted a meta-analysis of the RNA-seq data from the hypoxic transcriptomes archived in public databases. In view of methodological variability of archived data in the databases, we first manually curated RNA-seq data from appropriate pairs of transcriptomes before and after hypoxic stress. These included 128 human and 52 murine transcriptome pairs. We classified the results of experiments for each gene into three categories: upregulated, downregulated, and unchanged. Hypoxic transcriptomes were then compared between humans and mice to identify common hypoxia-responsive genes. In addition, meta-analyzed hypoxic transcriptome data were integrated with public ChIP-seq data on the known human HIFs HIF-1 and HIF-2 to provide insights into hypoxia-responsive pathways involving direct transcription factor binding. This study provides a useful resource for hypoxia research. It also demonstrates the potential of a meta-analysis approach to public gene expression databases for selecting candidate genes from gene expression profiles generated under various experimental conditions.
Subsurface microbial habitats in an extreme desert Mars-analogue environment
Authors: Warren-Rhodes Kimberley A. , Lee Kevin C. , Archer Stephen D.J. , Cabrol Nathalie , Ng-Boyle Linda , Wettergreen David , Zacny Kris , Pointing Stephen B. ,   the NASA Life in the Atacama Project Team
Published: February 2018

Sediments in the hyper-arid core of the Atacama Desert are a terrestrial analogue to Mars regolith. Understanding the distribution and drivers of microbial life in the sediment may give critical clues on how to search for biosignatures on Mars. Here, we identify the spatial distribution of highly specialised bacterial communities in previously unexplored depth horizons of subsurface sediments. We deployed an autonomous rover in a mission-relevant Martian drilling scenario with manual sample validation. Subsurface communities were delineated by depth related to sediment moisture. Geochemical analysis indicated soluble salts and minerology that influenced water bio-availability, particularly in deeper sediments. Colonization was also patchy and uncolonized sediment was associated with indicators of extreme osmotic challenge. The study identifies linkage between biocomplexity, moisture and geochemistry in Mars-like sediments at the limit of habitability and demonstrates feasibility of the rover-mounted drill for future Mars sample recovery.
Household Transmission Study of Cryptosporidiosis in Bangladesh
Authors: Korpe Poonum S. , Gilchrist Carol , Burkey Cecelia , Ahmed Emtiaz , Madan Vikram , Castillo Rachel , Ahmed Shahnawaz , Arju Tuhinur , Alam Masud , Kabir Mamun , Petri William A. , Haque Rashidul , Faruque A.S.G. , Duggal Priya
Published: February 2018

Background

Cryptosporidium, an apicomplexan protozoa, is a leading contributor to diarrheal morbidity and mortality in children under five years old worldwide. As there is no vaccine and no approved drug for Cryptosporidium spp. in young children, preventing parasite transmission is crucial. We undertook a pilot case-control study to define the extent of person-to-person transmission of cryptosporidiosis within families in an urban and rural community in Bangladesh.

Methods

We enrolled 48 case families with a Cryptosporidium-infected child aged 6-18 months. Controls were age-sex matched Cryptosporidium-negative children (n=12). Once children were identified, we enrolled all household members. We then followed these individuals for 8 weeks, with weekly surveillance stools and testing with qPCR for Cryptosporidium spp.

Findings

In the 48 case families, the rate of secondary infections with Cryptosporidium was 18.6% (22/118) compared to 0 new infections (0/35) in the 12 control families. In the 22 urban Mirpur households, the secondary attack rate was 30% (18/60) in cases compared to 0% (0/14) in controls (chi-square p = 0.018). In contrast, in the 21 rural Mirzapur households, the secondary attack rate was 6.9% (4/58) in case households compared to 0% (0/21) in controls (chi-square p = 0.22). Genotyping by gp60 demonstrated infection with the same subspecies in five of six families. Serologic response to Cryptosporidium infection was associated with younger age, longer duration of infection, and C hominis gp60_IbA9G3R2 infection.

Interpretation

The high rate of secondary infection in Mirpur suggests that person-to-person transmission is likely a major source of Cryptosporidium infection for young children living in this region. GP 60 genotyping demonstrated direction of infection in 2 households, and concurrent infection in five households. Further work is needed to understand the differences in parasite transmissibility and immunity to different genotypes.
Novel modular pressure and flow rate balanced microfluidic serial dilution networks on printed circuit boards: Designs, Simulations and Fabrication
Authors: Vasilakis Nikolaos , Papadimitriou Konstantinos I. , Morgan Hywel , Prodromakis Themistoklis
Published: February 2018

Fast, efficient and more importantly accurate serial dilution is a requirement for many chemical and biological microfluidic-based applications. Over the last decade, a large number of microfluidic devices has been proposed, each demonstrating either a different type of dilution technique or complex system architectures based on various flow source combinations. In this work, a novel serial dilution architecture is demonstrated, implemented on a commercially fabricated printed circuit board (PCB). The proposed single layer, stepwise serial diluter comprises an optimised microfluidic network, where identical dilution ratio per stage can be ensured, either by applying equal pressure or equal flow rates at both inlets. The advantages of the proposed serial diluter are twofold. Firstly, it is structured as a modular unit cell, simplifying the required fluid driving mechanism to a single source for both sample and buffer solution. Thus, this unit cell can be seen as a fundamental microfluidic building block, which can form multistage serial dilution cascades, once combined appropriately with itself or other similar unit cells. Secondly, the serial diluter has been fabricated entirely using commercial PCB technologies, allowing the device to be interfaced with standard electronic components, if more complex miniature point-of-care (PoC) systems are desired, where the small footprint and accuracy of the device is of paramount importance.
Differential Recordings of Local Field Potential:A Genuine Tool to Quantify Functional Connectivity
Authors: Gabriel Meyer , Julien Caponcy , Salin Paul A. , Jean-Christophe Comte
Published: February 2018

Local field potential (LFP) recording is a very useful electrophysiological method to study brain processes. However, this method is criticized for recording low frequency activity in a large area of extracellular space potentially contaminated by distal activity. Here, we theoretically and experimentally compare ground-referenced (RR) with differential recordings (DR). We analyze electrical activity in the rat cortex with these two methods. Compared with RR, DR reveals the importance of local phasic oscillatory activities and their coherence between cortical areas. Finally, we show that DR provides a more faithful assessment of functional connectivity caused by an increase in the signal to noise ratio, and of the delay in the propagation of information between two cortical structures.
Common practice solvent extraction does not reflect actual emission of a sex pheromone during butterfly courtship
Authors: Visser Bertanne , Dublon Ian A. N. , Heuskin Stéphanie , Laval Florent , Bacquet Paul M. B. , Lognay Georges , Nieberding Caroline M.
Published: February 2018

Olfactory communication can be of critical importance for mate choice decisions. Lepidoptera are key model systems for understanding olfactory communication, particularly considering sex pheromone signaling in the context of sexual selection. Solvent extraction or rinsing of pheromone-producing structures is a widespread method for quantifying sex pheromones, but such measures reflect what is stored and may not represent what is actually emitted by an individual during courtship. Here, we address this point for the first time by quantifying the components of the male sex pheromone (MSP) of interactingBicyclus anynanabutterflies, a species for which much information is available onthe role played by MSPs in affecting mating success. Using headspace sampling during courtship and solvent extraction after completion of experiments using the same males, we were able to track individual traits. Our results show that solvent extracts do not reflect quantities of MSP components emitted by live butterflies. We further show that MSP amounts obtained using headspace sampling correlated with male mating success, but solvent extracts did not. Our results further strongly suggest that males actively control MSP emission when faced with increased male-male competition. Common practice solvent extracts may thus not serve as an adequate proxy for male sex pheromone signaling as they are perceived by choosy females. Our study serves as a proof of principle that quantification of male sex pheromone components depends on the method of collection, which could apply to many other insects using short-range chemical signals. This affects our understanding of how sexual selection shapes the evolution of sexually-selected chemical traits.
Dynamics of pellet fragmentation and aggregation in liquid-grown cultures ofStreptomyces lividans
Authors: Zacchetti Boris , Smits Paul , Claessen Dennis
Published: February 2018

Streptomycetes are extensively used for the production of valuable products, including various antibiotics and industrial enzymes. The preferred way to grow these bacteria in industrial settings is in large-scale fermenters. Growth of streptomycetes under these conditions is characterized by the formation of complex mycelial particles, called pellets. While the process of pellet formation is well characterized, little is known about their disintegration. Here, we use a qualitative and quantitative approach to show that pellet fragmentation inStreptomyces lividansis initiated when cultures enter the stationary phase, which coincides with a remarkable change in pellet architecture. Unlike young pellets, aging pellets have a less dense appearance and are characterized by the appearance of filaments protruding from their outer edges. These morphological changes are accompanied by a dramatic increase in the number of mycelial fragments in the culture broth. In the presence of fresh nutrients, these fragments are able to aggregate with other small fragments, but not with disintegrating pellets, to form new mycelial particles. Altogether, our work indicates that fragmentation might represent an escape mechanism from the environmental stress caused by nutrient scarcity, with striking similarities to the disassembly of bacterial biofilms.
Is this a fake QTL? A short note on analysis of multiple QTL peaks on the same chromosome
Authors: Lorieux Mathias
Published: February 2018

A simple method is proposed to detect fake QTL provoked by spurious linkage with a true QTL. The method is based on the calculation of the expected value of the teststatistic (F-test and LOD score are considered) at the putatively fake QTL position.