bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Control of solar photovoltaic integrated UPQC operating in polluted utility conditions
Authors: Devassy Sachin , Singh Bhim
Published: May 2017

This study proposes a control approach based on second‐order generalised integrator (SOGI) and delayed signal cancellation (DSC) for improved control of single‐phase two‐stage solar photovoltaic array integrated unified power quality conditioner (UPQC‐SPV). The SPV array is integrated to the DC link of UPQC‐SPV through a simple boost converter. The boost converter is controlled using a maximum power point tracking algorithm to operate SPV array at its peak power point. The series compensator control is based on extraction of point of common coupling voltage template using two cascaded SOGI (CSOGI) band‐pass filter. The shunt compensator control is based on extraction on fundamental load current. As the load current is highly non‐linear, a combination of CSOGI and DSC is used to extract fundamental active component of load current, from which the reference signal for shunt compensator is generated. This approach allows good accuracy in extraction of fundamental component of load current without sacrificing the dynamic performance. The performance of UPQC‐SPV is verified experimentally on a prototype developed in the laboratory under dynamic conditions such as load change, voltage sags/swells and irradiation variation.
IUPAC-NIST Solubility Data Series. 104. Lithium Sulfate and its Double Salts in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Sohr Julia , Voigt Wolfgang , Zeng Dewen
Published: May 2017

The solubility data for lithium sulfate and its double salts in water are reviewed. Where appropriate, binary, ternary, and multicomponent systems are critically evaluated. The best values were selected on basis of these evaluations and presented in tabular form. Fitting equations and plots are provided. The quantities, units, and symbols used are in accord with IUPAC recommendations. The original data have been reported and, if necessary, transferred into the units and symbols recommended by IUPAC. The literature on solubility data is covered up to the end of 2015.
Reexamination of multi-component non-ideal polymer solution based on the general equation for nonequilibrium reversible-irreversible coupling
Authors: Indei Tsutomu , Schieber Jay D.
Published: May 2017

We reexamine nonequilibrium thermodynamics of multi-component fluids that undergo chemical reactions and reveal how to describe it in the context of GENERIC (general equation for the nonequilibrium reversible-irreversible coupling) framework. In the former part of this paper, we study monomer solutions. The independent variables are chosen so that the symmetry in the thermodynamic description of the mixed solution is kept, while avoiding the redundancy in the independent variables that describe the system. In the latter part of this paper, we apply this approach to polymer solutions. One of the species of the solution is the unreactive polymer chain represented by the bead-spring model. The polymer solution is neither dilute nor ideal. We construct the solution entropy so that the contributions from mixing and chain conformation are fully separated. The pressure tensor derived from such entropy with the help of the degeneracy requirement is slightly different from that derived previously for a dilute polymer solution. We discuss how the difference occurs.
Sloshing instability and electrolyte layer rupture in liquid metal batteries
Authors: Weber Norbert , Beckstein Pascal , Herreman Wietze , Horstmann Gerrit Maik , Nore Caroline , Stefani Frank , Weier Tom
Published: May 2017

Liquid metal batteries (LMBs) are discussed today as a cheap grid scale energy storage, as required for the deployment of fluctuating renewable energies. Built as stable density stratification of two liquid metals separated by a thin molten salt layer, LMBs are susceptible to short-circuit by fluid flows. Using direct numerical simulation, we study a sloshing long wave interface instability in cylindrical cells, which is already known from aluminium reduction cells. After characterising the instability mechanism, we investigate the influence of cell current, layer thickness, density, viscosity, conductivity and magnetic background field. Finally we study the shape of the interface and give a dimensionless parameter for the onset of sloshing as well as for the short-circuit.
Dibromobianthryl ordering and polymerization on Ag(100)
Authors: Smalley S. , Lahti M. , Pussi K. , Dhanak V. R. , Smerdon J. A.
Published: May 2017

We study the interaction between dibromobianthryl (DBBA) and the Ag(100) surface using scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory. DBBA is prochiral on adsorption and forms racemic domains with molecular rows aligned with the substrate nearest-neighbor [011] and [01¯1] directions. Deposition at elevated temperatures leads to the formation of disordered meandering graphene nanowires of constant width.
Apparatus and test method for characterizing the temperature regulating properties of thermal functional porous polymeric materials
Authors: Yao Bao-guo , Zhang Shan , Zhang De-pin
Published: May 2017

In order to evaluate the temperature regulating properties of thermal functional porous polymeric materials such as fabrics treated with phase change material microcapsules, a new apparatus was developed. The apparatus and the test method can measure the heat flux, temperature, and displacement signals during the dynamic contact and then quickly give an evaluation for the temperature regulating properties by simulating the dynamic heat transfer and temperature regulating process when the materials contact the body skin. A series of indices including the psychosensory intensity, regulating capability index, and relative regulating index were defined to characterize the temperature regulating properties. The measurement principle, the evaluation criteria and grading method, the experimental setup and the test results discussion, and the gage capability analysis of the apparatus are presented. The new apparatus provides a method for the objective measurement and evaluation of the temperature regulating properties of thermal functional porous polymeric materials.
Projected Hartree-Fock theory as a polynomial of particle-hole excitations and its combination with variational coupled cluster theory
Authors: Qiu Yiheng , Henderson Thomas M. , Scuseria Gustavo E.
Published: May 2017

Projected Hartree-Fock theory provides an accurate description of many kinds of strong correlations but does not properly describe weakly correlated systems. Coupled cluster theory, in contrast, does the opposite. It therefore seems natural to combine the two so as to describe both strong and weak correlations with high accuracy in a relatively black-box manner. Combining the two approaches, however, is made more difficult by the fact that the two techniques are formulated very differently. In earlier work, we showed how to write spin-projected Hartree-Fock in a coupled-cluster-like language. Here, we fill in the gaps in that earlier work. Further, we combine projected Hartree-Fock and coupled cluster theory in a variational formulation and show how the combination performs for the description of the Hubbard Hamiltonian and for several small molecular systems.
A balance equations approach for the study of the dynamic response and electronic noise in graphene
Authors: Rengel Raúl , Iglesias José M. , Pascual Elena , Martín María J.
Published: May 2017

A computationally efficient modelling approach for the study of the small-signal and high-frequency noise properties of graphene is presented. The method combines stationary Monte Carlo particle simulations and analytical balance equations. Relevant parameters, like energy and velocity relaxation rates, are determined as a function of the applied electric field for graphene on several substrates of interest. The results show that transport in graphene is characterized by a streaming motion regime governed by the interplay between the applied field and the interactions with surface polar phonons. The dynamic behavior is analyzed by means of the response matrix, the time dependent velocity response functions, and the spectra and cut-off frequency of the differential mobility. It is shown that the negative differential mobility intrinsic of pure graphene could be exploited up to the THz in graphene on h-BN, SiC, SiO2, and even HfO2, with values approaching those of III-V nitrides, thus opening the possibility of graphene-based frequency multipliers, fast switches, or high frequency oscillators based on this effect. The correlation functions of velocity fluctuations and their power spectral density are also computed in order to determine the noise temperature, which shows a good agreement with complete Monte Carlo simulations, thus assuring the reliability of the proposed approach.
Versatile strain-tuning of modulated long-period magnetic structures
Authors: Fobes D. M. , Luo Yongkang , León-Brito N. , Bauer E. D. , Fanelli V. R. , Taylor M. A. , DeBeer-Schmitt L. M. , Janoschek M.
Published: May 2017

We report a detailed small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study of the skyrmion lattice phase of MnSi under compressive and tensile strain. In particular, we demonstrate that tensile strain applied to the skyrmion lattice plane, perpendicular to the magnetic field, acts to destabilize the skyrmion lattice phase. This experiment was enabled by our development of a versatile strain cell, unique in its ability to select the application of either tensile or compressive strain in-situ by using two independent helium-actuated copper pressure transducers, whose design has been optimized for magnetic SANS on modulated long-period magnetic structures and vortex lattices, and is compact enough to fit in common sample environments such as cryostats and superconducting magnets.
Crystallographic and electronic properties of AlCrN films that absorb visible light
Authors: Tatemizo N. , Imada S. , Miura Y. , Nishio K. , Isshiki T.
Published: May 2017

We investigate the crystallographic and electronic properties of wurtzite Cr-doped AlN (AlCrN) films (Cr ≤12.0%) that absorb visible light. We confirmed that the films consist of wurtzite columnar single crystals that are densely packed, c-axis oriented, and exhibit a random rotation along the a-axis in plane by using transmission electron microscopy. The oxidation state of Cr was found to be 3+ using Cr K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure, which implies that Cr can be a substitute for Al3+ in AlN. The first nearest neighbor distances estimated using Cr K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) were found to be nearly isotropic for incident light with electric fields that are parallel and perpendicular to the plane. The results of ab initio lattice relaxation calculations for the model of wurtzite Al1-xCrxN supercell where Cr replaces Al support the EXAFS results. The calculations for the model showed that additional energy bands are formed in the band gap of AlN, in which the Fermi energy (EF) is present. As expected from the calculation results, the electrical conductivity increases with increase in the Cr concentration, implying that the density of states at EF increases monotonically. From these results, we can conclude that AlCrN films are an intermediate band material with respect to their crystallographic and electric properties.
Microbiota promotes systemic T-cell survival through suppression of an apoptotic factor
Authors: Soto Raymond , Petersen Charisse , Novis Camille L. , Kubinak Jason L. , Bell Rickesha , Stephens W. Zac , Lane Thomas E. , Fujinami Robert S. , Bosque Alberto , O’Connell Ryan M. , Round June L.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which the microbiota influences T-cell responses. We have determined that a secreted protein, Erdr1, is highly upregulated in germfree T cells and that microbial products can suppress Erdr1 through MyD88. Erdr1 functions to induce apoptosis through a Fas-dependent pathway that can impact the process of immunization and dictate the clinical course of autoimmunity. Thus, microbial colonization functions to regulate T-cell survival through suppression of the cytokine Erdr1, revealing a potentially new T-cell factor that can be therapeutically targeted.
Human memory CD8 T cell effector potential is epigenetically preserved during in vivo homeostasis
Authors: Abdelsamed Hossam A. , Moustaki Ardiana , Fan Yiping , Dogra Pranay , Ghoneim Hazem E. , Zebley Caitlin C. , Triplett Brandon M. , Sekaly Rafick-Pierre , Youngblood Ben
Published: May 2017

Antigen-independent homeostasis of memory CD8 T cells is vital for sustaining long-lived T cell–mediated immunity. In this study, we report that maintenance of human memory CD8 T cell effector potential during in vitro and in vivo homeostatic proliferation is coupled to preservation of acquired DNA methylation programs. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing of primary human naive, short-lived effector memory (TEM), and longer-lived central memory (TCM) and stem cell memory (TSCM) CD8 T cells identified effector molecules with demethylated promoters and poised for expression. Effector-loci demethylation was heritably preserved during IL-7– and IL-15–mediated in vitro cell proliferation. Conversely, cytokine-driven proliferation of TCM and TSCM memory cells resulted in phenotypic conversion into TEM cells and was coupled to increased methylation of the CCR7 and Tcf7 loci. Furthermore, haploidentical donor memory CD8 T cells undergoing in vivo proliferation in lymphodepleted recipients also maintained their effector-associated demethylated status but acquired TEM-associated programs. These data demonstrate that effector-associated epigenetic programs are preserved during cytokine-driven subset interconversion of human memory CD8 T cells.
Longitudinal Changes in Excess Pressure Independently Predict Declining Renal Function Among Healthy Individuals—A Pilot Study
Authors: Climie Rachel E.D. , Picone Dean S. , Sharman James E.
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Aortic reservoir function independently predicts end-organ damage in cross-sectional analyses. However, longitudinal associations are more important regarding causation, but this has never been examined at rest or in response to light-moderate intensity exercise. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the change in aortic reservoir characteristics, in particular excess pressure integral (Pexcess) at rest and in response to exercise and the change in kidney function among healthy individuals followed over time.

METHODS

Aortic reservoir function (Pexcess and reservoir pressure), aortic stiffness, brachial and central blood pressure (BP), and renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) were recorded among 33 healthy individuals (57 ± 9 years; 55% male) at baseline and after an average 3.0 ± 0.3 years.

RESULTS

Over the follow up period, there was a significant increase in resting brachial BP, central BP, Pexcess, and aortic stiffness (P < 0.05 all). The change over time in resting Pexcess (but not aortic stiffness) was significantly related to the change in eGFR (r = −0.38, P = 0.038) and remained independent of age at follow up, change in 24-hour ambulatory systolic BP and body mass index (β = −0.0300, P = 0.043). There was no association between the change in aortic pulse wave velocity and the change eGFR (P = 0.46) nor were there any associations with exercising hemodynamics.

CONCLUSIONS

Pexcess is independently associated with a decline in renal function among healthy people followed over 3 years. These novel findings indicate the need to determine the underlying physiological determinants of aortic reservoir function.
E
2
FM: an encrypted and compressed full-text index for collections of genomic sequences
Authors: Montecuollo Ferdinando , Schmid Giovannni , Tagliaferri Roberto
Published: May 2017

Motivation

Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms and, more generally, high-throughput technologies are giving rise to an exponential growth in the size of nucleotide sequence databases. Moreover, many emerging applications of nucleotide datasets—as those related to personalized medicine—require the compliance with regulations about the storage and processing of sensitive data.

Results

We have designed and carefully engineered E2FM-index, a new full-text index in minute space which was optimized for compressing and encrypting nucleotide sequence collections in FASTA format and for performing fast pattern-search queries. E2FM-index allows to build self-indexes which occupy till to 1/20 of the storage required by the input FASTA file, thus permitting to save about 95% of storage when indexing collections of highly similar sequences; moreover, it can exactly search the built indexes for patterns in times ranging from few milliseconds to a few hundreds milliseconds, depending on pattern length.

Availability and implementation

Source code is available at https://github.com/montecuollo/E2FM.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A Political Case of Penetrating Cranial Trauma: The Injury of James Scott Brady
Authors: Menger Richard , Kalakoti Piyush , Hanif Rimal , Ahmed Osama , Nanda Anil , Guthikonda Bharat
Published: May 2017

James Brady, the White House press secretary during President Ronald Reagan's first term in office, was 1 of 4 people (including the President) wounded during an attempted assassination attempt on President Reagan's life on March 30, 1981. John Hinckley, Jr. was found not guilty of this attempt by reason of insanity. The assassination attempt was a ploy by Hinckley, Jr. to impress the actress Jodie Foster. Brady was the most seriously injured of the 4 who were wounded. He suffered a gunshot wound to the left forehead that traveled through the left frontal lobe, corpus callosum, and then into the right frontal and temporal lobes. He initially required a bifrontal craniotomy for evacuation of a right frontotemporal intraparenchymal hemorrhage and debridement of tract. His postoperative course was complicated by seizures, cerebrospinal fluid leakage (necessitating multiple reparative procedures), aspiration pneumonia, and pulmonary emboli. Despite the severity of his injury and perioperative morbidities, Mr. Brady made good recovery. Although permanently left with residual weakness on the left side of his body, making a wheelchair necessary, Brady maintained cognitive and personality traits that were very close to his preinjury baseline. As a result, James Brady and his wife, Sarah, led a call to create legislative reform subsequently known as the “Brady Bill.” This bill controversially made mandatory background checks for the purchase of firearms from licensed dealers. Our work aims to describe the assassination attempt, the neurosurgical injury and management of Mr. Brady's case, and the brief historical sequel that followed.
Intraoperative Transpedicular Onyx Injection to Reduce Vascularity of a Thoracic Hemangiopericytoma After Unsuccessful Preoperative Endovascular Embolization: a Technical Report
Authors: Mashaly Hazem , Zhang Zoe , Shaw Andrew , Youssef Patrick , Mendel Ehud
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Hemangiopericytoma is a rare vascular tumor with central nervous system involvement representing only 1% of central nervous system tumors. They rarely affect the vertebral column. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice for hemangiopericytoma given their high rates of local recurrence. However, the high vascularity of such tumors with the risk of massive bleeding during surgery represents a significant challenge to surgeons. Therefore, preoperative endovascular embolization via the transarterial route has been advocated.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

In the current study, we present a case of a T12 hemangiopericytoma that was managed by a 2-stage surgical resection, with the use of intraoperative transpedicular onyx injection to reduce intraoperative blood loss following an unsuccessful trial of preoperative endovascular embolization.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative endovascular embolization is not feasible in some cases due to the location of the segmental or radiculomedullary arteries in relation to tumor feeders and, rarely, small size of these arterial feeders. Percutaneous injection of onyx is an option. In this case report, we discuss direct intraoperative injection via a transpedicular route as a safe and effective method for decreasing the vascularity of some lesions and improving intraoperative blood loss.
Preventing Radicalization in the UK: Expanding the Knowledge-Base on the Channel Programme
Authors: Thornton Amy , Bouhana Noémie
Published: May 2017

The Channel programme is part of the Prevent Strategy, one of the four strands of the UK counter-terrorism strategy known as CONTEST. While the programme has been running since 2007 and thousands of purportedly ‘vulnerable’ individuals are referred to the programme each year, there are still gaps in public knowledge about the programme, and this article seeks to fill some of those gaps while raising issues to consider in the future. With empirical data from interviews with individuals who have worked on the Channel programme, issues discussed include the type of individuals who are placed onto the programme, the suitability of intervention providers who aim to assist these vulnerable individuals, and the vital role of schools and the community in the success of the programme. The way in which the programme is designed and framed is of vital importance, as the mechanisms by which a deradicalization programme should work are very different from those which a counter-radicalization programme should employ. Finally suggestions are made for future empirical work in order to be able to understand and evaluate Channel.
Effect of Micronization of Maize on Quality Characteristics of Pasta
Authors: Deepa C. , Sarabhai Swati , Prabhasankar P. , Hebbar H. Umesh
Published: May 2017

Currently, production of pasta that is either gluten‐free or having lower content of gluten, using low‐cost nonwheat cereals and legumes, is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. This is mainly done to increase the nutritional value and reduce the allergenicity of the product. The quality attributes of pasta prepared from micronized maize flour with additives such as guar gum (MPG) and a combination of guar and xanthan gum (MPGX) were compared with pasta prepared from unmicronized flour with guar gum (UMPG). The optimum cooking time for pasta in all three cases (UMPG, MPG, and MPGX) was 3 min. The cooked weight of pasta MPG and MPGX was less compared with UMPG, indicating limited water penetration during cooking. The solid loss of pasta ranged between 8 and 9.5% and was within acceptable levels (<12%). Micronization increased the firmness in MPG (3.7 N) and MPGX (4.5 N) compared with UMPG pasta (2.7 N). MPGX pasta exhibited improved texture, color, and overall acceptability compared with UMPG, and these quality attributes were also comparable to commercial wheat pasta. The study indicated that micronized maize flour with gums can be used in the preparation of maize pasta with good quality attributes.
A Method to Detect and QuantifyEutypa lataandDiplodia seriata-Complex DNA in Grapevine Pruning Wounds
Authors: Pouzoulet Jérôme , Rolshausen Philippe E. , Schiavon Marco , Bol Sebastiaan , Travadon Renaud , Lawrence Daniel P. , Baumgartner Kendra , Ashworth Vanessa E. , Comont Gwénaëlle , Corio-Costet Marie-France , Pierron Romain J. G. , Besson Xavier , Jacques Alban
Published: May 2017

Trunk diseases are factors that limit sustainability of vineyards worldwide. Botryosphaeria and Eutypa diebacks are caused by several fungi belonging to the Botryosphaeriaceae and Diatrypaceae, respectively, with Diplodia seriata and Eutypa lata being two of the most common species. Previous information indicated that the traditional isolation method used to detect these pathogens from plant samples could underestimate their incidence levels. In the present study, we designed two sets of primers that target the β-tubulin gene and that are amenable for quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) Sybr-Green assays for the detection and quantification of D. seriata-complex (DseCQF/R) and E. lata (ElQF/R) DNA. The design of a species-specific assay was achieved for E. lata. For D. seriata, a species-specific assay could not be designed. The low interspecific diversity across β-tubulin genes resulted in an assay that could not discriminate D. seriata from some closely related species either not yet reported or presenting a low prevalence on grapevine, such as D. intermedia. We validated our technique on grapevine spur samples naturally and artificially infected with D. seriata and E. lata during the dormant season. Experimental grapevines were located in two counties of northern California where the incidence of both pathogens was previously reported. The qPCR assays revealed that a high frequency of pruning wound infections (65%) was achieved naturally by E. lata, while low infection frequency (less than 5%) was observed using the reisolation method. For D. seriata-complex, low (5%) to no natural infection frequencies were observed by the qPCR and the reisolation method, respectively. These results also provided evidence that our qPCR detection methods were more sensitive to assess the incidence of E. lata and D. seriata-complex in plant samples, than traditional isolation techniques. Benefits of molecular methods for the detection of canker pathogens in the field under natural conditions are discussed.
Fungicide Rotation Programs for Managing Phytophthora Fruit Rot of Watermelon in Southeastern United States
Authors: Kousik Chandrasekar (Shaker) S. , Ji Pingsheng , Egel Daniel S. , Quesada-Ocampo Lina M.
Published: May 2017

About 50% of the watermelons in the United States are produced in the southeastern states, where optimal conditions for development of Phytophthora fruit rot prevail. Phytophthora fruit rot significantly limits watermelon production by causing serious yield losses before and after fruit harvest. Efficacy of fungicide rotation programs and Melcast-scheduled sprays for managing Phytophthora fruit rot was determined by conducting experiments in Phytophthora capsici-infested fields at three locations in southeastern United States (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia). The mini seedless cultivar Wonder and seeded cultivar Mickey Lee (pollenizer) were used. Five weekly applications of fungicides were made at all locations. Significant fruit rot (53 to 91%, mean 68%) was observed in the nontreated control plots in all three years (2013 to 2015) and across locations. All fungicide rotation programs significantly reduced Phytophthora fruit rot compared with nontreated controls. Overall, the rotation of Zampro alternated with Orondis was highly effective across three locations and two years. Rotations of Actigard followed by Ranman+Ridomil Gold, Presidio, V-10208, and Orondis, or rotation of Revus alternated with Presidio were similarly effective. Use of Melcast, a melon disease-forecasting tool, may occasionally enable savings of one spray application without significantly impacting control. Although many fungicides are available for use in rotations, under very heavy rain and pathogen pressure, the fungicides alone may not offer adequate protection; therefore, an integrated approach should be used with other management options including well-drained fields.
Survival of Stenocarpella maydis on Corn Residue in Indiana
Authors: Romero Luna Martha P. , Camberato James J. , Wise Kiersten A.
Published: May 2017

Diplodia ear rot (DER), caused by the fungus Stenocarpella maydis, has become a prevalent corn disease in the Midwest. The survival of S. maydis on corn kernels and stalks was evaluated in Tippecanoe, Co., Indiana, over 17 months. Infested corn residue was either left on the soil surface or buried at 10 or 20 cm. Survival of S. maydis was determined by observing the presence of pycnidia per unit of corn residue under a stereomicroscope and by assessing conidia viability by evaluating germination. Months of environmental exposure and soil depth affected S. maydis survival. Pycnidia production and conidia germination were observed up to 11 months on corn kernels and 17 months on corn stalks when left on the soil surface. Minimal or no conidia germination of S. maydis was observed on residue recovered from 10 or 20 cm after 4 months on kernels and 7 months on stalks. These results demonstrate that surface corn residue can be a long-term source of inoculum and at least two years of rotation to a nonhost crop or residue removal through tillage may be necessary to reduce potential initial inoculum.
Soybean Yield Loss Estimates Due to Diseases in the United States and Ontario, Canada, from 2010 to 2014
Authors: Allen Tom W. , Bradley Carl A. , Sisson Adam J. , Byamukama Emmanuel , Chilvers Martin I. , Coker Cliff M. , Collins Alyssa A. , Damicone John P. , Dorrance Anne E. , Dufault Nicholas S. , Esker Paul D. , Faske Travis R. , Giesler Loren J. , Grybauskas Arvydas P. , Hershman Donald E. , Hollier Clayton A. , Isakeit Tom , Jardine Douglas J. , Kelly Heather M. , Kemerait Robert C. , Kleczewski Nathan M. , Koenning Steve R. , Kurle James E. , Malvick Dean K. , Markell Samuel G. , Mehl Hillary L. , Mueller Daren S. , Mueller John D. , Mulrooney Robert P. , Nelson Berlin D. , Newman Melvin A. , Osborne Larry , Overstreet Charles , Padgett Guy B. , Phipps Patrick M. , Price Paul P. , Sikora Edward J. , Smith Damon L. , Spurlock Terry N. , Tande Connie A. , Tenuta Albert U. , Wise Kiersten A. , Wrather J. Allen
Published: May 2017

Annual decreases in soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) yield caused by diseases were estimated by surveying university-affiliated plant pathologists in 28 soybean-producing states in the United States and in Ontario, Canada, from 2010 through 2014. Estimated yield losses from each disease varied greatly by state or province and year. Over the duration of this survey, soybean cyst nematode (SCN) (Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) was estimated to have caused more than twice as much yield loss than any other disease. Seedling diseases (caused by various pathogens), charcoal rot (caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid), and sudden death syndrome (SDS) (caused by Fusarium virguliforme O’Donnell & T. Aoki) caused the next greatest estimated yield losses, in descending order. The estimated mean economic loss due to all soybean diseases, averaged across U.S. states and Ontario from 2010 to 2014, was $60.66 USD per acre. Results from this survey will provide scientists, breeders, governments, and educators with soybean yield-loss estimates to help inform and prioritize research, policy, and educational efforts in soybean pathology and disease management.
Validation of Innovative Techniques for Monitoring Nociception during General Anesthesia
Authors: Funcke Sandra , Sauerlaender Sven , Pinnschmidt Hans O. , Saugel Bernd , Bremer Kai , Reuter Daniel A. , Nitzschke Rainer
Published: May 2017

Background

This study compares the analgesic indices Analgesia Nociception Index (heart rate variability), Surgical Pleth Index (photoplethysmography), and pupillary dilatation, to heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and bispectral index, with regard to diagnostic accuracy and prediction probability for nociceptive response. The primary endpoint was the correlation between Δ values and the remifentanil dose administered.

Methods

We anesthetized 38 patients with propofol and increasing doses of remifentanil and applied standardized tetanic and intracutaneous electrical painful stimulations on each analgesic level. Baseline and Δ values of the Analgesia Nociception Index, the Surgical Pleth Index, pupillary dilatation, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and bispectral index and their relation to remifentanil doses were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curves, prediction probability (PK), and mixed-model analysis.

Results

Under propofol sedation, sensitivity and specificity of the Analgesia Nociception Index (PK = 0.98), the Surgical Pleth Index (PK = 0.87), and pupillary dilatation (PK = 0.98) for detecting both painful stimulations were high compared to heart rate (PK = 0.74), mean arterial pressure (PK = 0.75), and bispectral index (PK = 0.55). Baseline values had limited prediction probability toward the nociceptive response (Analgesia Nociception Index: PK = 0.7; Surgical Pleth Index: PK = 0.63; pupillary dilatation: PK = 0.67; and bispectral index: PK = 0.67). The remifentanil dose had an effect (P < 0.001) on all parameters except for bispectral index (P = 0.216).

Conclusions

The Analgesia Nociception Index, the Surgical Pleth Index, and pupillary dilatation are superior in detecting painful stimulations compared to heart rate and mean arterial pressure but had limited predictive value. These effects are attenuated by increasing dosages of remifentanil. Our data confirm that bispectral index is not a marker of analgesia.
RETINAL AND CHOROIDAL VASCULAR OCCLUSION FOLLOWING AQUEOUS MISDIRECTION SYNDROME IN A PATIENT WITH SICKLE CELL TRAIT
Authors: Dewundara Samantha , Nassiri Nariman , Kim Johnstone M. , Kadikoy Huseyin , Amde Wendewessen , Tannir Justin , Hughes Bret A. , Abrams Gary W.
Published: May 2017

Purpose:

To report a patient with retinal and choroidal vascular occlusion as a presenting sign of sickle cell trait following the development of aqueous misdirection syndrome.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review.

Results:

A patient treated for bilateral chronic angle-closure glaucoma with sequential EX-PRESS glaucoma filtration device surgery developed sequential bilateral aqueous misdirection syndrome. The left eye developed retinal arterial and localized choroidal vascular occlusions subsequent to an acute elevation in intraocular pressure and possibly the use of oral acetazolamide. The patient was subsequently found to have sickle cell trait. The right eye developed aqueous misdirection with acute elevation of intraocular pressure as well, but the patient was not treated with oral acetazolamide and did not develop vascular occlusion.

Conclusion:

Retinal and choroidal vascular occlusions can be the presenting sign of a patient with sickle cell trait. Sickle cell screening may be beneficial in African American or Middle Eastern patients after an acute rise in intraocular pressure, particularly before initiation of treatment with oral carbonic anhydrase inhibitors.
Mentoring in Nursing
Authors: Lin Jian , Chew Yi Rong , Toh Ying Pin , Radha Krishna Lalit Kumar
Published: May 2017

Although pivotal to mentoring success, scant data on mentoring relationships continue to hamper the application of mentoring programs in nursing education. To address this gap and circumnavigate mentoring's context-specific nature, this narrative review analyzes the perspectives and opinions of nurse mentors and mentees. The aim is to identify common themes in their mentoring experiences to better nurture effective mentoring relationships and programs in nursing.
Pilot Study Comparing Closed Versus Open Tracheal Suctioning in Postoperative Neonates and Infants With Complex Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Tume Lyvonne N. , Baines Paul B. , Guerrero Rafael , Hurley Margaret A. , Johnson Robert , Kalantre Atul , Ramaraj Ram , Ritson Paul C. , Walsh Laura , Arnold Philip D.
Published: May 2017

Objectives:

To determine the hemodynamic effect of tracheal suction method in the first 36 hours after high-risk infant heart surgery on the PICU and to compare open and closed suctioning techniques.

Design:

Pilot randomized crossover study.

Setting:

Single PICU in United Kingdom.

Participants:

Infants undergoing surgical palliation with Norwood Sano, modified Blalock-Taussig shunt, or pulmonary artery banding in the first 36 hours postoperatively.

Interventions:

Infants were randomized to receive open or closed (in-line) tracheal suctioning either for their first or second study tracheal suction in the first 36 hours postoperatively.

Measurements and Main Results:

Twenty-four infants were enrolled over 18 months, 11 after modified Blalock-Taussig shunt, seven after Norwood Sano, and six after pulmonary artery banding. Thirteen patients received the open suction method first followed by the closed suction method second, and 11 patients received the closed suction method first followed by the open suction method second in the first 36 hours after their surgery. There were statistically significant larger changes in heart rate (p = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.022), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.009), mean blood pressure (p = 0.007), and arterial saturation (p = 0.040) using the open suction method, compared with closed suctioning, although none were clinically significant (defined as requiring any intervention).

Conclusions:

There were no clinically significant differences between closed and open tracheal suction methods; however, there were statistically significant greater changes in some hemodynamic variables with open tracheal suctioning, suggesting that closed technique may be safer in children with more precarious physiology.
Five Community-wide Approaches to Physical Activity Promotion: A Cluster Analysis of These Activities in Local Health Jurisdictions in 6 States
Authors: Bekemeier Betty , Pui-Yan Yip Michelle , Flaxman Abraham D. , Barrington Wendy
Published: May 2017

Objective:

Local health departments (LHDs) have essential roles to play in ensuring the promotion of physical activity (PA) in their communities in order to reduce obesity. Little research exists, however, regarding the existence of these PA interventions across communities and how these interventions may impact community health.

Design:

In this exploratory study, we used cluster analysis to identify the structure of co-occurring PA interventions, followed by regression analysis to quantify the association between the patterns of PA interventions and prevalence of PA and obesity at a population level.

Setting:

Our study setting included local health jurisdictions in Colorado, Florida, Minnesota, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Washington.

Participants:

Participating jurisdictions were those 218 local health jurisdictions (mostly counties) from which LHD leaders had provided data in 2013 for the Multi-Network Practice and Outcome Variation Examination Study.

Main Outcome Measures:

We obtained unique public health activities data on PA interventions conducted in 2012 from 218 LHDs in 6 participating states. We categorized jurisdictions using cluster analysis, based on PA intervention approaches indicated by LHD leaders as available in their communities and then examined associations between categories and prevalence of obesity and of residents engaged in PA.

Results:

We identified 5 distinct PA intervention categories representing community-wide approaches—Comprehensive Approach, Built Environment, Personal Health, School-Based Interventions, and No Apparent Activities. Prevalence rates of obesity and PA among jurisdictions in the intervention clusters were significantly different from jurisdictions with No Apparent Activities, with more population-level approaches most significantly related to beneficial outcomes.

Conclusion:

Our findings suggest the importance of standardized public health services data for generating evidence regarding health-related outcomes. The intervention categories we identified appear to reflect broad, local community-wide prevention approaches and demonstrated that population-level PA interventions can be testable and may have particularly beneficial relationships to community health. Widespread adoption of such standardized data depicting local public health prevention activity could support monitoring practice change, performance improvement, comparisons across communities that could reduce unnecessary variation, and the generation of evidence for public health practice and policy-making.
Measuring Subcounty Differences in Population Health Using Hospital and Census-Derived Data Sets: The Missouri ZIP Health Rankings Project
Authors: Nagasako Elna , Waterman Brian , Reidhead Mathew , Lian Min , Gehlert Sarah
Published: May 2017

Context:

Measures of population health at the subcounty level are needed to identify areas for focused interventions and to support local health improvement activities.

Objective:

To extend the County Health Rankings population health measurement model to the ZIP code level using widely available hospital and census-derived data sources.

Design:

Retrospective administrative data study.

Setting:

Missouri.

Population:

Missouri FY 2012-2014 hospital inpatient, outpatient, and emergency department discharge encounters (N = 36 176 377) and 2015 Nielsen data.

Main Outcome Measures:

ZIP code–level health factors and health outcomes indices.

Results:

Statistically significant measures of association were observed between the ZIP code–level population health indices and published County Health Rankings indices. Variation within counties was observed in both urban and rural areas. Substantial variation of the derived measures was observed at the ZIP code level with 20 (17.4%) Missouri counties having ZIP codes in both the top and bottom quintiles of health factors and health outcomes. Thirty of the 46 (65.2%) counties in the top 2 county quintiles had ZIP codes in the bottom 2 quintiles.

Conclusions:

This proof-of-concept analysis suggests that readily available hospital and census-derived data can be used to create measures of population health at the subcounty level. These widely available data sources could be used to identify areas of potential need within counties, engage community stakeholders, and target interventions.
Improved HIV-1 Viral Load Monitoring Capacity Using Pooled Testing With Marker-Assisted Deconvolution
Authors: Liu Tao , Hogan Joseph W. , Daniels Michael J. , Coetzer Mia , Xu Yizhen , Bove Gerald , DeLong Allison K. , Ledingham Lauren , Orido Millicent , Diero Lameck , Kantor Rami
Published: May 2017

Objective:

Improve pooled viral load (VL) testing to increase HIV treatment monitoring capacity, particularly relevant for resource-limited settings.

Design:

We developed marker-assisted mini-pooling with algorithm (mMPA), a new VL pooling deconvolution strategy that uses information from low-cost, routinely collected clinical markers to determine an efficient order of sequential individual VL testing and dictates when the sequential testing can be stopped.

Methods:

We simulated the use of pooled testing to ascertain virological failure status on 918 participants from 3 studies conducted at the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare in Eldoret, Kenya, and estimated the number of assays needed when using mMPA and other pooling methods. We also evaluated the impact of practical factors, such as specific markers used, prevalence of virological failure, pool size, VL measurement error, and assay detection cutoffs on mMPA, other pooling methods, and single testing.

Results:

Using CD4 count as a marker to assist deconvolution, mMPA significantly reduces the number of VL assays by 52% [confidence interval (CI): 48% to 57%], 40% (CI: 38% to 42%), and 19% (CI: 15% to 22%) compared with individual testing, simple mini-pooling, and mini-pooling with algorithm, respectively. mMPA has higher sensitivity and negative/positive predictive values than mini-pooling with algorithm, and comparable high specificity. Further improvement is achieved with additional clinical markers, such as age and time on therapy, with or without CD4 values. mMPA performance depends on prevalence of virological failure and pool size but is insensitive to VL measurement error and VL assay detection cutoffs.

Conclusions:

mMPA can substantially increase the capacity of VL monitoring.
Defining Quality of Rheumatologic Care: Mexico
Authors: Pineda Carlos , Sandoval Hugo
Published: May 2017

We present an overview of rheumatology practices in Mexico, describing the national health care system as segmented and fragmentary, with a population separated into 3 main categories, according to employment-based coverage and income level: (1) private sector, (2) Social Security System, and (3) public insurance subsector.

The rheumatology practice in the public and private sectors are described. We estimate that between 85%–90% of Mexican rheumatologists have a mixed (public and private)–type practice. Payments to rheumatologists are not currently affected by quality and value metrics, with low penetrance of electronic health records. Recent changes and challenges to health insurance coverage are illustrated.
Human brain-derived Aβ oligomers bind to synapses and disrupt synaptic activity in a manner that requires APP
Authors: Wang Zemin , Jackson Rosemary J. , Hong Wei , Walter Taylor M. , Moreno Arturo , Liu Wen , Li Shaomin , Frosch Matthew P. , Slutsky Inna , Young-Pearse Tracy , Spires-Jones Tara L. , Walsh Dominic M.
Published: May 2017

Compelling genetic evidence links the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and several theories have been advanced to explain the involvement of APP in AD. A leading hypothesis proposes that a small amphipathic fragment of APP, the amyloid β-protein (Aβ), self-associates to form soluble aggregates which impair synaptic and network activity. Here, we report on the plasticity-disrupting effects of Aβ isolated from AD brain and the requirement of APP for these effects. We show that Aβ-containing AD brain extracts block hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), augment glutamate release probability and disrupt the excitation/inhibition balance. Notably, these effects are associated with Aβ localizing to synapses, and genetic ablation of APP prevents both Aβ binding and Aβ-mediated synaptic dysfunctions. These findings indicate a role for APP in AD pathogenesis beyond the generation of Aβ and suggest modulation of APP expression as a therapy for AD.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Tiernan T. O’Malley for useful discussions and technical advice. This work was supported by grants to DMW from the National Institutes of Health (AG046275), Bright Focus, and the United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation (2013244, DMW and IS); grants to TSJ from Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Scottish Government (ARUK-SPG2013-1), Wellcome Trust-University of Edinburgh Institutional Strategic Support funds, and the H2020 European Research Council (ALZSYN); and to the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (AG05134).
DNA.Land: A digital biobank using a massive crowdsourcing approach
Authors: Yuan Jie , Gordon Assaf , Speyer Daniel , Aufrichtig Richard , Zielinski Dina , Pickrell Joseph , Erlich Yaniv
Published: May 2017

Precision medicine necessitates large scale collections of genomes and phenomes. Despite decreases in the costs of genomic technologies, collecting these types of information at scale is still a daunting task that poses logistical challenges and requires consortium-scale resources. Here, we describe DNA.Land, a digital biobank to collect genome and phenomes with a fraction of the resources of traditional studies at the same scale. Our approach relies on crowd-sourcing data from the rapidly growing number of individuals that have access to their own genomic datasets through Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) companies. To recruit participants, we developed a series of automatic return-of-results features in DNA.Land that increase users’ engagement while stratifying human subject research protection. So far, DNA.Land has collected over 43,000 genomes in 20 months of operation, orders of magnitude higher than previous digital attempts by academic groups. We report lessons learned in running a digital biobank, our technical framework, and our approach regarding ethical, legal, and social implications.