bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The infectious disease blood safety risk of Australian hemochromatosis donations
Authors: Hoad Veronica , Bentley Peter , Bell Barbara , Pathak Praveen , Chan Hiu Tat , Keller Anthony
Published: September 2016

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that blood donors with hereditary hemochromatosis may pose an increased infectious disease risk and adversely affect recipient outcomes. This study compares the infectious disease risk of whole blood (WB) donors enrolled as therapeutic (T) donors to voluntary WB donors to evaluate the safety of blood products provided by the T donors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study of all WB donations at the Australian Red Cross Blood Service who donated between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2013, comparing a yearly mean of 11,789 T donors with 107,773 total donations and a yearly mean of 468,889 voluntary WB donors with 2,584,705 total donations. We compared postdonation notification of infectious illnesses, bacterial contamination screening results, and positive tests for blood borne viruses in T and WB donors.

RESULTS

Rates of transfusion‐transmissible infections in donations destined for component manufacture were significantly lower in therapeutic donations compared to voluntary donations (8.4 vs. 21.6 per 100,000 donations). Bacterial contamination (43.0 vs. 45.9 per 100,000 donations) and postdonation illness reporting (136.2 vs. 110.8 per 100,000 donations) were similar in both cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

The Australian therapeutic venisection program enables T donors to provide a safe and acceptable source of donated WB that has a low infectious disease risk profile.
Enhanced Indirect-Driven Self-Sensing Actuation for Piezoelectric Structures
Authors: Hu Bin , Wan Jie , Pang Chee Khiang , Hong Fan , Tan Jern Khang
Published: September 2016

Enhanced Indirect-Driven Self-Sensing Actuation (EIDSSA) is proposed to eliminate the coupling issue between sensing and actuation by improving the topology in [1]. With EIDSSA, actuation efforts can be fully delivered to PZT elements without compromising sensing performance. In addition, EIDSSA can be seamless switched on and off without servo loop retuning. A theoretical framework is established to quantitatively analyse the performance of self-sensing actuation in terms of sensing, actuation, decoupling and amplification. An implementation of EIDSSA on a commercial dual-stage Hard Disk Drive (HDD) shows that sensing can be designed independently from actuation and Total-Runout (TRO) is slightly improved with EIDSSA compared to baseline set-up when same servo control loop is used.
Effect of the Acoustic Field Geometric Parameters on Planar Array Acoustic Levitator
Authors: Dong Huijuan , Zhang Peng , Papouris Panagiotis
Published: September 2016

Acoustic contactless manipulation technique that is capable of transporting and manipulating of small particles is highly attractive in studying of many physical phenomena and biochemical processes. The finite element method is used to study the effect of the acoustic field geometric parameters on the acoustic levitator consisting of the transducer planar array and a reflector. The optimal acoustic chamber height and the distances between the array elements are determined through the numerical simulation. The analytical results provide the geometry parameters that can be used in optimizing acoustic chamber for particles transportation.
Life Estimation of Carbon Overcoat on Magnetic Media for Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording Using Novel Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Yanagisawa M. , Kunimoto M. , Homma T.
Published: September 2016

A heat-assisted magnetic recording (HAMR) is expected for a future high density recording of a hard disk drive. However, a carbon overcoat (COC) composed of diamond-like carbon (DLC) or a lubricant film is possibly damaged when a magnetic medium, i.e. CoPt alloy, is heated at around Curie temperature (Tc) of 600K by a near-field HAMR head. We carried out HAMR simulation experiments by using newly developed Raman spectroscopic systems, composed of plasmonic sensors for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), a pulsed laser heating, and an in-situ temperature measurement with an intensity ratio of anti-Stokes/Stokes lines. It was found that the heated temperature of the COC is higher than that of the magnetic film, i.e., 580 °C and 366 °C, respectively. Intensity changes of G-band peak in Raman spectra for DLC films were observed during the pulsed laser heating. The Raman intensity was exponentially decreased by oxidation in air, where time constants were calculated as a parameter of a pulse width. Degradation life of the DLC film can be estimated from a critical pulse width, where the time constant is extrapolated to zero. The estimated pulse width for no degradation was 250μs at the heating temperature of 580 °C. The result shows no damage can be estimated in DLC films for HAMR because the effective irradiation time is 5ns and the accumulated irradiation time is 0.5ms in HAMR operations.
Design and Control of a Frog-Inspired Swimming Leg Powered by Pneumatic Muscle
Authors: Fan Jizhuang , Liu Gangfeng , Wang Huan , Zhang Wei , Zhu Yanhe
Published: September 2016

According to the shortages of previous generation of frog inspired robot, antagonistic joint based frog inspired leg was designed. With the multi-DOFs of hip, knee and ankle, the designed leg was able to perform various frog swimming modes. The dynamic model of antagonistic joint based on advanced pneumatic muscle model was established in MATLAB/Simulink environment. Besides, the servo control strategy of joint angle was studied based on the dynamic model of antagonistic joint. The PID and self-tuning fuzzy control were utilized to control the antagonistic joint. According to different swimming modes, joint trajectories of hip, knee and ankle were created by inverse kinematics based on the frog swimming mechanism. Therefore, the leg was controlled by the separated controls of hip, knee and ankle joints. Feasibility of pneumatic antagonistic joint control was validated via step response experiments with different loads. Finally, the experiment platform was established to carry swimming experiments with the developed frog-inspired swimming leg. The feasibility of antagonistic frog inspired swimming leg driven by pneumatic muscles was validated.
Vibration Analysis of Cable-Driven Parallel Robot for Asymmetric Tension and Position
Authors: Do Hyundong , Park Kyoung-Su
Published: September 2016

Cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) consists of three parts: an end-effector, a number of cables and actuators. CDPRs are a type of parallel manipulators which the end-effector is supported in parallel by cables. CDPRs have two types. One is the fully-constrained type, and the other is the under constrained type. Fully-constrained type cable robot require n+1 wires, where n is the number of freedom to be constrained [1].
A New Small-Sized Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) Sensor and its Drive/Readout Circuits
Authors: Chao Paul C.-P. , Hsu Li-Chi , Tran Trong-Hieu
Published: September 2016

A new miniaturized, non-dispersive, infrared (NDIR) sensor for CO2 intended to be installed in mobile phones and its drive/readout circuits are presented in this study. A typical NDIR sensor consists of three main components; an infrared (IR) light-emitter (light source), a gas chamber, a photo detector (PD) light receiver) and the associated drive/readout circuits. The geometry of the gas chamber is optimized to minimize the total module size to approximately 10 mm × 5 mm × 5 mm, which is much smaller than commercially-available gas sensors. Driver and readout circuits are successfully designed and taped out. The driver circuit intends to generate pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to control proper dimming of LED. The readout circuit, which acquires small signal from photo detector then converts to digital values, includes amplifier, low pass filter and analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The proposed circuit is fabricated by the TSMC 0.35-μm CMOS process, where the area is 4.527 mm2 while power consumption is 60.16 mW for the whole chip. The resolution is less than 12 ppm along with time constant is 0.1 sec.
A Study of Antiferromagnetic-Pinned Multiferroic Composites Nano Read Head
Authors: Choowitsakunlert Salinee , Silapunt Rardchawadee , Yokoi Hideki
Published: September 2016

This paper presents a study of the effect of antiferromagnetic (AFM) integration on the nano AFM-pinned multiferroic (MF) composites structure. The nano MF composites structure is a potential candidate for a future magnetic read head. The simulation of the AFM/ferromagnetic (FM) bilayers characteristics and the evaluation of the magnetoelectric (ME) effect induced in the 1-dimensional (1D) L-T mode model of AFM-pinned structure of AFM/FM/Ferroelectric (FE)/FM/AFM are performed. FM, FE, and two types of AFM materials are Terfenol-D, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), and PtMn and Cr2O3, respectively. The magnetoelectric (ME) effect is investigated using the 1D standard square law. Magnetic-field induced strain in the FM layer, piezoelectric response of the PZT layer, and the ME coefficient are determined. Specifically, the influence of AFM on the MF composites structure for various AFM thicknesses is of interest. It is found that the maximum electric field and potential across the PZT layer are achieved at 2.7 nm thick of PtMn. The result is well agreed by associated magnetic field-induced strain and ME coefficient.
Mechanics of Tape Contact With Circumferentially Grooved Cylindrical Rollers: Experiments and Modeling
Authors: Kaşıkcı Tuğçe , Yang Hankang , Kim Eui Kyoon , Janssen Clark , Müftü Sinan
Published: September 2016

Tape contact with a grooved roller was investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experiments were carried out for a stationary tape due to difficulty of measurements during operation. Nevertheless, this work showed that the tape deflects into the grooves and deflects up and away on the lands, as predicted recently. Variations in groove and land height and width were identified. Effects of these variations on the contact pressure between the tape and the grooves were investigated by using an original shell model. This showed that while the total contact pressure over the grooved roller is equal to the belt wrap pressure (T/Rb) local contact pressure over the corners of the grooves can reach considerably higher values, with the expected positive implications in lateral tape guiding. The work also showed that the sensitivity of the contact pressure to groove manufacturing parameters to be relatively small.
A New Automatic Readout Circuit for a Gas Sensor With Organic Vertical Nano-Junctions
Authors: Chen Hung-Che , Kao Yung-Hua , Chao Paul C.-P. , Wey Chin-Long
Published: September 2016

The design of the proposed readout circuit provides benefits of detection speed, portability, low-cost and less human operational errors compared with the measurement by traditional instruments. Thus the added value is brought for biosensors and applied in home care. A novel readout circuit for a gas sensor based on an organic diode with vertical nano-junctions (VNJ) is proposed in this study. There are seven parts included in the readout system. First part is a preamplifier, second part is a peak-detect-and-hold circuit, third part is a divider, fourth part is the saturation detector, fifth part is the auto-reset circuit, sixth part is a logic gate and a buffer, seventh part is a micro-processor control unit (MCU). STM32 is the CPU of proposed MCU by ALIENTEK. The ADC of MCU is used to transform the output data of readout circuit. The designed circuit is accomplished by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 0.35 μm 2P4M 3.3 V mixed signal CMOS process, the area of chip is 0.74×0.75 mm2. Finally, the differences between experimental results with post-simulation results in 10 ppb ∼ 3 ppm of ammonia, the differences are within 7.24%. The sensing system is able to detect minimum ammonia concentration of 10 ppb, while the maximum one reaches around 3 ppm.
Thermo-Molecular Gas-Film Lubrication (t-MGL) Analysis in the Free Molecular Limit: Effects of Accommodation Coefficients on Static Pressure
Authors: Fukui Shigehisa , Okamura Yuki , Matsuoka Hiroshige
Published: September 2016

In order to examine thermo-molecular gas film lubrication (t-MGL) characteristics with a temperature distribution at the disk or slider surfaces for spacings of several nanometers, the free molecular t-MGL equation considering temperature distributions and accommodation coefficients at the boundaries was established. By analyzing pressure generated by the wedge effect (slider inclination) and the thermal wedge effect (boundary temperature distributions), it is revealed that, as the accommodation coefficient, α0, of the running disk or the boundary surface with a temperature distribution decreases, that is, as the ratio of specular reflection increases, the pressure generation decreases, whereas as the accommodation coefficient, α1, of the stationary slider surface or the boundary surface without a temperature distribution decreases, the pressure generation increases.
Theoretical Study of Surface Interaction Stresses Considering One-Dimensional Material Distributions in the In-Plane Direction Based on the Lennard-Jones Potential
Authors: Matsuoka Hiroshige , Tanaka Teppei , Miyake Ryoya , Fukui Shigehisa
Published: September 2016

The interaction stresses acting between a half-space consisting of a uniform material and a half-space with a one-dimensional material distribution in the in-plane direction have been derived. Two patterns of the material distribution are considered: a periodic distribution of materials (Pattern 1) and a distribution of two materials with a single interface (Pattern 2). The interaction stresses for Pattern 1 were derived using a Fourier series, while the interaction stresses for Pattern 2 were derived as elementary functions. The basic characteristics of these interaction stresses were clarified.
Analysis of the Adhered Particle Secondary Migration on the Slider Air Bearing Surface
Authors: Liu Sen , Shen Sheng-Nan , Hui Li , Cui Fu-Hao
Published: September 2016

An entrapped particle on the slider air bearings damages the surface of the slider or the disk. The study of particle movement on and the particle adhesion mechanism onto the slider surface is critical to reduce entrapped particle-induced damage. In this paper, we extend the previous work proposing a dynamical model of the adhesive particle redistribution and migration on the slider surface. The model predicts whether the adhered particle will remain stationary action of the aerodynamic forces. Further, particle behaviors after detachment are analyzed considering the effects of flow shear rate, particle diameter and properties. There are four particle movement styles on the slider surface. Finally, the particle migration trajectory and velocity with time on the slider surface are presented.
Electron beam lithography patterned hydrogen silsesquioxane resist as a mandrel for self-aligned double patterning application
Authors: Desai Vishal U. , Hartley John G. , Cady Nathaniel C.
Published: September 2016

The semiconductor industry has developed various alternative approaches for obtaining high resolution patterns (sub-30 nm) using existing lithography techniques. Of the alternative approaches, self-aligned double patterning (SADP) is the approach which involves the fewest lithography steps. In SADP, a dummy pattern, also known as a mandrel, is first formed, followed by a conformal spacer material deposited on the patterned mandrel. Using dry reactive ion etching, spacer sidewalls are then formed. In the final step, the mandrel is removed by an etch process. The result is the double pattern of the spacer material. The advantage of this approach is that only one lithography step with the critical dimension of the double patterns is defined by the deposited spacer thickness. The disadvantage is the requirement of multiple, successive deposition and etch processes. In the present research, the authors demonstrate a reduction in required processing steps by using a novel mandrel/spacer approach for the SADP scheme. Using electron beam lithographically patterned hydrogen silsesquioxane resist and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition deposited low stress silicon nitride, the authors demonstrate a proof of concept of the SADP patterning scheme with reduced process steps.
Computer‐aided detection of intracoronary stent in intravascular ultrasound sequences
Authors: Ciompi Francesco , Balocco Simone , Rigla Juan , Carrillo Xavier , Mauri Josepa , Radeva Petia
Published: September 2016

Purpose

An intraluminal coronary stent is a metal mesh tube deployed in a stenotic artery during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), in order to prevent acute vessel occlusion. The identification of struts location and the definition of the stent shape is relevant for PCI planning and for patient follow‐up. The authors present a fully automatic framework for computer‐aided detection (CAD) of intracoronary stents in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) image sequences. The CAD system is able to detect stent struts and estimate the stent shape.

Methods

The proposed CAD uses machine learning to provide a comprehensive interpretation of the local structure of the vessel by means of semantic classification. The output of the classification stage is then used to detect struts and to estimate the stent shape. The proposed approach is validated using a multicentric data‐set of 1,015 images from 107 IVUS sequences containing both metallic and bioabsorbable stents.

Results

The method was able to detect struts in both metallic stents with an overall F‐measure of 77.7% and a mean distance of 0.15 mm from manually annotated struts, and in bioabsorbable stents with an overall F‐measure of 77.4% and a mean distance of 0.09 mm from manually annotated struts.

Conclusions

The results are close to the interobserver variability and suggest that the system has the potential of being used as a method for aiding percutaneous interventions.
Individually optimized contrast‐enhanced 4D‐CT for radiotherapy simulation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Choi Wookjin , Xue Ming , Lane Barton F. , Kang Min Kyu , Patel Kruti , Regine William F. , Klahr Paul , Wang Jiahui , Chen Shifeng , D’Souza Warren , Lu Wei
Published: September 2016

Purpose

To develop an individually optimized contrast‐enhanced (CE) 4D‐computed tomography (CT) for radiotherapy simulation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDA).

Methods

Ten PDA patients were enrolled. Each underwent three CT scans: a 4D‐CT immediately following a CE 3D‐CT and an individually optimized CE 4D‐CT using test injection. Three physicians contoured the tumor and pancreatic tissues. Image quality scores, tumor volume, motion, tumor‐to‐pancreas contrast, and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) were compared in the three CTs. Interobserver variations were also evaluated in contouring the tumor using simultaneous truth and performance level estimation.

Results

Average image quality scores for CE 3D‐CT and CE 4D‐CT were comparable (4.0 and 3.8, respectively; P = 0.082), and both were significantly better than that for 4D‐CT (2.6, P < 0.001). Tumor‐to‐pancreas contrast results were comparable in CE 3D‐CT and CE 4D‐CT (15.5 and 16.7 Hounsfield units (HU), respectively; P = 0.21), and the latter was significantly higher than in 4D‐CT (9.2 HU, P = 0.001). Image noise in CE 3D‐CT (12.5 HU) was significantly lower than in CE 4D‐CT (22.1 HU, P = 0.013) and 4D‐CT (19.4 HU, P = 0.009). CNRs were comparable in CE 3D‐CT and CE 4D‐CT (1.4 and 0.8, respectively; P = 0.42), and both were significantly better in 4D‐CT (0.6, P = 0.008 and 0.014). Mean tumor volumes were significantly smaller in CE 3D‐CT (29.8 cm3, P = 0.03) and CE 4D‐CT (22.8 cm3, P = 0.01) than in 4D‐CT (42.0 cm3). Mean tumor motion was comparable in 4D‐CT and CE 4D‐CT (7.2 and 6.2 mm, P = 0.17). Interobserver variations were comparable in CE 3D‐CT and CE 4D‐CT (Jaccard index 66.0% and 61.9%, respectively) and were worse for 4D‐CT (55.6%) than CE 3D‐CT.

Conclusions

CE 4D‐CT demonstrated characteristics comparable to CE 3D‐CT, with high potential for simultaneously delineating the tumor and quantifying tumor motion with a single scan.
Statistics of a space-time random pulse train
Authors: Cohen Leon , Ahmad Affa
Published: September 2016

A general approach for obtaining the statistics of a pulse train is developed, where the pulses are space and time dependent, and where the initial distribution of the pulses may be non-uniform. Explicit expressions for the moments up to fourth order, in terms of the moments of the elementary signals constituting the pulse train, are obtained. This is done for elementary signals that are waves. The expressions obtained are totally general as long as the elementary signals are not correlated. In contrast to the standard scintillation index, it may be space and time dependent, in which case it is called the dynamical scintillation index. This allows one to understand how a space-time pulse train approaches stationarity at different positions and times. The scintillation index using both the raw and central moments is defined. For the raw moments, both exact expressions and expansions in 1/N, where N is the number of elementary signals are obtained. For central moments, particularly simple exact expressions are given.
Measurement of the low-wavenumber component within a turbulent wall pressure by an inverse problem of vibration
Authors: Lecoq Damien , Pézerat Charles , Chevillotte Fabien , Bessis Rémi
Published: September 2016

An experimental validation is implemented for the measurement of a weak acoustic component within a turbulent wall pressure by an inverse problem of vibration. The turbulent flow is generated by a forward-facing step in a wind tunnel. In addition to the flow, an acoustic source with a low level excites the plate and plays the role of an additional acoustic component to be identified. The inverse methods called the force analysis technique and the corrected force analysis technique are used to compute the wall pressure fluctuations from the measurement of the plate vibration using an array of 13 accelerometers. The results show that contrary to the conventional techniques using pressure sensors, the inverse methods have a very good signal-to-noise ratio at the low wavenumbers. Indeed, the plate vibration is much more sensitive to the acoustic component than to the aerodynamic part. Moreover, this study shows that both methods can be used to isolate the weak acoustic part and identify its frequency spectrum.
How economic, humanitarian, and religious concerns shape European attitudes toward asylum seekers
Authors: Bansak Kirk , Hainmueller Jens , Hangartner Dominik
Published: September 2016

A consensus in Europe about asylum seekers

Violent conflicts between groups often generate large numbers of noncombatant refugees. Bansak
et al.
surveyed western European attitudes toward such asylum seekers. They found that voters favor applicants who will contribute to the recipient country's economy, who have suffered severe physical or mental distress rather than economic hardship, and who are Christian rather than Muslim. These preferences are similar across countries and independent of the voters' personal characteristics.

Science
, this issue p.
217
Structural basis for the gating mechanism of the type 2 ryanodine receptor RyR2
Authors: Peng Wei , Shen Huaizong , Wu Jianping , Guo Wenting , Pan Xiaojing , Wang Ruiwu , Chen S. R. Wayne , Yan Nieng
Published: September 2016

Gating a calcium channel

The type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR2) controls the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac cells—the initiating step in cardiac muscle contraction. Mutations in RyR2 are associated with cardiac diseases. Peng
et al.
used single-particle electron cryomicroscopy to determine the structure of RyR2 from porcine heart at 4.4-Å resolution with the calcium channel closed and at 4.2-Å resolution with the calcium channel open. The structures reveal how interdomain motions result in a conformational change in the cytoplasmic region of RyR2 that is transduced by a central domain to cause motions that open or close the channel.

Science
, this issue p.
301
Rapid development of a DNA vaccine for Zika virus
Authors: Dowd Kimberly A. , Ko Sung-Youl , Morabito Kaitlyn M. , Yang Eun Sung , Pelc Rebecca S. , DeMaso Christina R. , Castilho Leda R. , Abbink Peter , Boyd Michael , Nityanandam Ramya , Gordon David N. , Gallagher John Robert , Chen Xuejun , Todd John-Paul , Tsybovsky Yaroslav , Harris Audray , Huang Yan-Jang S. , Higgs Stephen , Vanlandingham Dana L. , Andersen Hanne , Lewis Mark G. , De La Barrera Rafael , Eckels Kenneth H. , Jarman Richard G. , Nason Martha C. , Barouch Dan H. , Roederer Mario , Kong Wing-Pui , Mascola John R. , Pierson Theodore C. , Graham Barney S.
Published: September 2016

A DNA vaccine candidate for Zika

The ongoing Zika epidemic in the Americas and the Caribbean urgently needs a protective vaccine. Two DNA vaccines composed of the genes that encode the structural premembrane and envelope proteins of Zika virus have been tested in monkeys. Dowd
et al.
show that two doses of vaccine given intramuscularly completely protected 17 of 18 animals against Zika virus challenge. A single low dose of vaccine was not protective but did reduce viral loads. Protection correlated with serum antibody neutralizing activity. Phase I clinical trials testing these vaccines are already ongoing.

Science
, this issue p.
237
Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection in a Child with Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Ang Jocelyn Y. , Abdel-Haq Nahed , Zhu Frank , Thabit Abrar K. , Nicolau David P. , Satlin Michael J. , van Duin David
Published: September 2016

We describe a pediatric cystic fibrosis patient who developed a pulmonary exacerbation due to two multidrug-resistant (MDR)
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
isolates. In addition to these MDR organisms, the case was further complicated by β-lactam allergy. Despite the MDR phenotype, both isolates were susceptible to an antimicrobial combination.
Draft Genome Sequences of 40 Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Strains Isolated from Humans and Food in Brazil
Authors: Almeida Fernanda , Medeiros Marta Inês Cazentini , Rodrigues Dália Prazeres , Payne Justin , Timme Ruth E. , Allard Marc W. , Falcão Juliana Pfrimer
Published: September 2016

Salmonellosis is an important health problem worldwide and
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhimurium is one of the most common isolated serovars. Here, we reported the draft genomes of 40
S
. Typhimurium strains isolated from humans and food in Brazil. These draft genomes will improve phylogenetic analysis and will help enhance our understanding of strains of this serovar isolated in Brazil.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Pseudomonas
sp. LAB-08 Isolated from Trichloroethene-Contaminated Aquifer Soil
Authors: Suzuki Kenshi , Aziz Fatma A. A. , Inuzuka Yuma , Tashiro Yosuke , Futamata Hiroyuki
Published: September 2016

Pseudomonas
sp. LAB-08 was isolated from a phenol-fed bioreactor constructed with contaminated aquifer soil as the inoculum. Strain LAB-08 utilized phenol as a sole carbon and energy source. Here, we report the genome sequence and annotation of
Pseudomonas
sp. LAB-08.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Salmonella enterica Strains Isolated from Sprouted Chia and Flax Seed Powders
Authors: Ronholm Jennifer , Petronella Nicholas , Tamber Sandeep
Published: September 2016

A 2014 foodborne salmonellosis outbreak in Canada and the United States implicated, for the first time, sprouted chia seed powder as the vehicle of transmission. Here, we report the draft whole genome sequences of two
Salmonella enterica
strains isolated from sprouted powders related to the aforementioned outbreak.
Genome Sequence of a Novel Multiple-Antibiotic-Resistant Member of the
Erysipelotrichaceae
Family Isolated from a Swine Manure Storage Pit
Authors: Haley Bradd J. , Kim Seon Woo , Whitehead Terence R.
Published: September 2016

The swine gastrointestinal tract and stored swine manure may serve as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes, as well as sources of novel bacteria. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a novel taxon in the
Erysipelotrichaceae
family, isolated from a swine manure storage pit that is resistant to multiple antibiotics.
Genome Sequence of the Arsenic-Resistant
Haladaptatus
sp. Strain R4 Isolated from Ramnagar, West Bengal, India
Authors: Sen Urmimala , Mukherjee Trinetra , Bose Sucharita , Roy Chayan , Rameez Moidu Jameela , Ghosh Wriddhiman , Mukhopadhyay Subhra Kanti
Published: September 2016

Here, we present the draft genome of
Haladaptatus
sp. strain R4, a halophilic archaea that produces an orange-pink pigment and is capable of growing in a wide salinity range. The genome assembly shows genes for arsenic resistance, siderophore production, trehalose and glycine betaine biosynthesis, uptake and transporters of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Diazotrophic, Plant Growth–Promoting Rhizobacterium of the Pseudomonas syringae Complex
Authors: Patten Cheryl L. , Jeong Haeyoung , Blakney Andrew J. C. , Wallace Natalie
Published: September 2016

We report here the draft genome sequence of
Pseudomonas syringae
GR12-2, a nitrogen-fixing, plant growth–promoting bacterium, isolated from the rhizosphere of an Arctic grass. The 6.6-Mbp genome contains 5,676 protein-coding genes, including a nitrogen-fixation island similar to that in
P. stutzeri
.
Enoxaparin-induced hepatotoxicity: an under-recognised complication of enoxaparin therapy
Authors: Pivarnik Katie Ann , Schiffman Fred , Sullivan James , Finn Arkadiy
Published: September 2016

Low-molecular-weight heparins including enoxaparin are commonly used for anticoagulation as prophylaxis and treatment for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Prescribers of enoxaparin monitor for common side effects, such as bleeding and thrombocytopenia, but hepatotoxicity, a less common and under-reported adverse effect, may be overlooked. This report describes a case of enoxaparin-induced hepatotoxicity in a 57-year-old man who was started on the drug for a DVT. Within 3 days of taking enoxaparin, elevated transaminases were noted, and the drug was discontinued after 6 days. Similar to other published reports, the patient's transaminases peaked 1 day after discontinuation of the drug and then trended down to normal over 32 days.
AMSSM Position Statement on Cardiovascular Preparticipation Screening in Athletes: Current evidence, knowledge gaps, recommendations and future directions
Authors: Drezner Jonathan A , O'Connor Francis G , Harmon Kimberly G , Fields Karl B , Asplund Chad A , Asif Irfan M , Price David E , Dimeff Robert J , Bernhardt David T , Roberts William O
Published: September 2016

Cardiovascular screening in young athletes is widely recommended and routinely performed prior to participation in competitive sports. While there is general agreement that early detection of cardiac conditions at risk for sudden cardiac arrest and death (SCA/D) is an important objective, the optimal strategy for cardiovascular screening in athletes remains an issue of considerable debate. At the centre of the controversy is the addition of a resting ECG to the standard preparticipation evaluation using history and physical examination. The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) formed a task force to address the current evidence and knowledge gaps regarding preparticipation cardiovascular screening in athletes from the perspective of a primary care sports medicine physician. The absence of definitive outcome-based evidence at this time precludes AMSSM from endorsing any single or universal cardiovascular screening strategy for all athletes, including legislative mandates. This statement presents a new paradigm to assist the individual physician in assessing the most appropriate cardiovascular screening strategy unique to their athlete population, community needs and resources. The decision to implement a cardiovascular screening programme, with or without the addition of ECG, necessitates careful consideration of the risk of SCA/D in the targeted population and the availability of cardiology resources and infrastructure. Importantly, it is the individual physician's assessment in the context of an emerging evidence base that the chosen model for early detection of cardiac disorders in the specific population provides greater benefit than harm. AMSSM is committed to advancing evidenced-based research and educational initiatives that will validate and promote the most efficacious strategies to foster safe sport participation and reduce SCA/D in athletes.
Improving institutional childbirth services in rural Southern Tanzania: a qualitative study of healthcare workers’ perspective
Authors: Jaribu Jennie , Penfold Suzanne , Manzi Fatuma , Schellenberg Joanna , Pfeiffer Constanze
Published: September 2016

Objective

To describe health workers’ perceptions of a quality improvement (QI) intervention that focused on improving institutional childbirth services in primary health facilities in Southern Tanzania.

Design

A qualitative design was applied using in-depth interviews with health workers.

Setting

This study involved the Ruangwa District Reproductive and Child Health Department, 11 dispensaries and 2 health centres in rural Southern Tanzania.

Participants

4 clinical officers, 5 nurses and 6 medical attendants from different health facilities were interviewed.

Results

The healthcare providers reported that the QI intervention improved their skills, capacity and confidence in providing counselling and use of a partograph during labour. The face-to-face QI workshops, used as a platform to refresh their knowledge on maternal and newborn health and QI methods, facilitated peer learning, networking and standardisation of care provision. The onsite follow-up visits were favoured by healthcare providers because they gave the opportunity to get immediate help, learn how to perform tasks in practice and be reminded of what they had learnt. Implementation of parallel interventions focusing on similar indicators was mentioned as a challenge that led to duplication of work in terms of data collection and reporting. District supervisors involved in the intervention showed interest in taking over the implementation; however, funding remained a major obstacle.

Conclusions

Healthcare workers highlighted the usefulness of applying a QI approach to improve maternal and newborn health in rural settings. QI programmes need careful coordination at district level in order to reduce duplication of work.
Assessment of Serum Cx3Cl1/Fractalkine Level in Han Chinese Girls with Anorexia Nervosa and its Correlation with Nutritional Status: A Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Shengkang , Tang Hanfeng , Gong Cai , Liu Jiang , Chen Jindong
Published: September 2016

The chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1 (CX3CL1), also named fractalkine (FKN), has been implicated in psychiatric disorders and functions as a novel adipocytokine. However, no attention has been paid to the role of FKN in anorexia nervosa (AN). The current study was performed to explore FKN levels in AN to determine its role in the involvement of AN. A total of 96 girls aged 11–18 years with AN (n=34), healthy controls (HC; n=32) and simple obesity (OB, n=30) were enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Blood samples were collected during the fasting state. Serum FKN concentrations were determined using ELISA. The skinfold thickness (TSF) of the biceps and triceps as well as mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) were used to determine the nutritional status. Our results showed that serum FKN levels were significantly lower in the AN group than in the control and OB groups. After adjusting for body mass index (BMI), FKN concentrations in the AN group were statistically higher than in the HC and OB groups. Significant correlations between serum FKN and body weight, BMI, Cole index and serum insulin were observed. In addition, serum FKN levels were positively related to TSF and MAMC in all subjects. Serum FKN concentrations are attenuated in girls with AN compared with healthy adolescents and are positively related to nutritional status. The lower FKN levels may be regulated by nutrition status and response to starvation. After adjusting for BMI, higher FKN levels may reflect that persistent inflammation is present in patients with AN.
Characteristics related to early secondary amenorrhoea and pregnancy among women diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus: an analysis using the GOAL study
Authors: Knight Jessica H , Howards Penelope P , Spencer Jessica B , Tsagaris Katina C , Lim Sam S
Published: September 2016

Objective

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disproportionately affects women and often develops during their reproductive years. Research suggests that some women who receive cyclophosphamide as treatment for SLE experience earlier decline in menstrual function, but reproductive health among women with SLE who have not taken this drug is less well understood. This study aims to better understand the relation between SLE and reproduction by assessing early secondary amenorrhoea and pregnancy in women treated with and without cyclophosphamide from a population-based cohort with large numbers of African-Americans.

Methods

Female patients with SLE, ages 20–40 at time of diagnosis, who were 40 years or older at the time of the survey were included in this analysis (N=147). Participants in the Georgians Organized Against Lupus (GOAL) study were asked about their reproductive histories including early secondary amenorrhoea, defined as loss of menstruation before age 40.

Results

Women who were cyclophosphamide naïve had an increased prevalence of early secondary amenorrhoea compared with population estimates, 13–17% compared with 1–5%. Factors associated with early secondary amenorrhoea in women not treated with cyclophosphamide were marital status and receipt of a kidney transplant. Treatment with cyclophosphamide doubled the prevalence after adjustment for patient characteristics. Over 88% of women reported being pregnant at least once, and about 83% of these had a child, but the majority of pregnancies occurred before diagnosis.

Conclusions

SLE diagnosed in early adulthood may affect women's reproductive health even if they are not treated with cyclophosphamide. Better understanding of other factors related to reproductive health in this population will improve clinicians' and patients' abilities to make treatment and family planning decisions.
A rare case of a mesothelioma in the tunica vaginalis of a dog
Authors: Schäfer‐Somi Sabine , Richter Barbara , Flickinger Irene
Published: September 2016

A 14‐year‐old American Staffordshire cross was presented with a history of enlargement of the right testicle of two months duration. Findings included hormonally active testicular tumour, epididymitis, unilateral hydrocele of the right testicle and bilateral testicular atrophy; furthermore, benign prostate gland hypertrophy or prostatitis and balanoposthitis was also present; this variety hampered diagnosis. Radiographs of the lungs and abdominal ultrasound did not reveal any metastatic disease. After two weeks of antibiotics and NSAIDs, bilateral castration and radical excision of the testicular cords were performed. During surgery, an infiltrative growing mass of the testicular cord was observed and hindered complete removal. Histological examination of the excised tissue revealed mesothelioma of the right and left tunica vaginalis testis and a presumably oestrogen‐secreting Leydig cell tumour of the left testicle with secondary bilateral testicular atrophy. The dog's condition deteriorated within the following two months. Diagnostic work‐up and treatments are discussed.
Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) response to flumioxazin soil residues from preceding dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) desiccation
Authors: Soltani Nader , Shropshire Christy , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: September 2016

Nine field studies were conducted during 2011 to 2013 in Ontario to determine the effect of flumioxazin residues on winter wheat. For early- and mid-fall applied flumioxazin, there was no impact of the interval, 1, 2 or 4 weeks pre-plant (WPP), between flumioxazin application and winter wheat planting on injury, plant height, and yield. Injury was low, ranging from 0% to 4%, and was generally higher when flumioxazin was applied at 142.8 g ai ha−1 compared with 35.7 or 71.4 g ai ha−1. For late-fall applications, there was greater injury in the fall when flumioxazin was applied 2 WPP vs. 1 WPP. When combined over flumioxazin rates, winter wheat injury was 16% to 24% and 0% to 3% at 2 and 1 WPP, respectively. Injury increased when the rate increased from 35.7 to 142.8 g ai ha−1. Flumioxazin applied at 142.8 g ai ha−1 caused 1%, 5%, and 6% injury when applied 1 WPP and 32%, 53%, and 37% injury when applied 2 WPP at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after emergence in winter wheat, respectively. In all studies, flumioxazin applied at 35.7, 71.4 or 142.8 g ai ha−1 applied at various application timings caused no adverse effect on winter wheat height and yield.
Locally trivial W∗-bundles
Authors: Evington Samuel , Pennig Ulrich
Published: September 2016

We prove that a tracially continuous W[Formula: see text]-bundle [Formula: see text] over a compact Hausdorff space [Formula: see text] with all fibers isomorphic to the hyperfinite II1factor [Formula: see text] that is locally trivial already has to be globally trivial. The proof uses the contractibility of the automorphism group [Formula: see text] shown by Popa and Takesaki. There is no restriction on the covering dimension of [Formula: see text].
On the growth of von Neumann dimension of harmonic spaces of semipositive line bundles over covering manifolds
Authors: Wang Huan
Published: September 2016

We study the harmonic space of line bundle valued forms over a covering manifold with a discrete group action, and obtain an asymptotic estimate for the von Neumann dimension of the space of harmonic [Formula: see text]-forms with values in high tensor powers of a semipositive line bundle. In particular, we estimate the von Neumann dimension of the corresponding reduced [Formula: see text]-Dolbeault cohomology group. The main tool is a local estimate of the pointwise norm of harmonic forms with values in semipositive line bundles over Hermitian manifolds.
Simulation research on pedestrian counter flow subconscious behavior
Authors: Li Yongxing , Jia Hongfei , Zhou Ya-Nan , Yang Lili
Published: September 2016

Analyzing the pedestrian subconscious behavior and walking environment in the passage, right-moving preference subconscious strength and overtaking subconscious strength are introduced into the pedestrian simulation model which is based on lattice gas model. Two pedestrian subconscious behavior simulation models, which are distinguished by whether considering pedestrian flow ratio of two directions or not, are established respectively. With the platform of MATLAB software, the simulations of pedestrian counter flow subconscious behavior are realized. The simulations indicate that compared with the pedestrian subconscious behavior simulation model without considering the pedestrian flow ratio of two directions, the model that considers the pedestrian flow ratio of two directions is better in simulating the pedestrian subconscious behavior.
Multiscale multifractal multiproperty analysis of financial time series based on Rényi entropy
Authors: Yujun Yang , Jianping Li , Yimei Yang
Published: September 2016

This paper introduces a multiscale multifractal multiproperty analysis based on Rényi entropy (3MPAR) method to analyze short-range and long-range characteristics of financial time series, and then applies this method to the five time series of five properties in four stock indices. Combining the two analysis techniques of Rényi entropy and multifractal detrended fluctuation analysis (MFDFA), the 3MPAR method focuses on the curves of Rényi entropy and generalized Hurst exponent of five properties of four stock time series, which allows us to study more universal and subtle fluctuation characteristics of financial time series. By analyzing the curves of the Rényi entropy and the profiles of the logarithm distribution of MFDFA of five properties of four stock indices, the 3MPAR method shows some fluctuation characteristics of the financial time series and the stock markets. Then, it also shows a richer information of the financial time series by comparing the profile of five properties of four stock indices. In this paper, we not only focus on the multifractality of time series but also the fluctuation characteristics of the financial time series and subtle differences in the time series of different properties. We find that financial time series is far more complex than reported in some research works using one property of time series.
Face Occlusion Detection Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Xia Yizhang , Zhang Bailing , Coenen Frans
Published: September 2016

With the rise of crimes associated with Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), security reinforcement by surveillance techniques has been a hot topic on the security agenda. As a result, cameras are frequently installed with ATMs, so as to capture the facial images of users. The main objective is to support follow-up criminal investigations in the event of an incident. However, in the case of miss-use, the user’s face is often occluded. Therefore, face occlusion detection has become very important to prevent crimes connected with ATM usage. Traditional approaches to solving the problem typically comprise a succession of steps: localization, segmentation, feature extraction and recognition. This paper proposes an end-to-end facial occlusion detection framework, which is robust and effective by combining region proposal algorithm and Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN). The framework utilizes a coarse-to-fine strategy, which consists of two CNNs. The first CNN detects the head element within an upper body image while the second distinguishes which facial part is occluded from the head image. In comparison with previous approaches, the usage of CNN is optimal from a system point of view as the design is based on the end-to-end principle and the model operates directly on image pixels. For evaluation purposes, a face occlusion database consisting of over 50[Formula: see text]000 images, with annotated facial parts, was used. Experimental results revealed that the proposed framework is very effective. Using the bespoke face occlusion dataset, Aleix and Robert (AR) face dataset and the Labeled Face in the Wild (LFW) database, we achieved over 85.61%, 97.58% and 100% accuracies for head detection when the Intersection over Union-section (IoU) is larger than 0.5, and 94.55%, 98.58% and 95.41% accuracies for occlusion discrimination, respectively.
On the Number of Limit Cycles by Perturbing a Piecewise Smooth Liénard Model
Authors: Sheng Lijuan , Han Maoan , Romanovsky Valery
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we study the number of limit cycles by perturbing a Liénard model [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is piecewise smooth. Under the assumption that the unperturbed Liénard type system has a family of periodic orbits, we first deduce the expression for its first order Melnikov function, and then obtain the maximum number of limit cycles bifurcating from the period annulus.
Inconsistent Bond Pricing in a Rational Market
Authors: Chen Hong-Yi , Chen Hsiao-Yin
Published: September 2016

This study proposes two rational models to reconcile the enigma regarding the inconsistent bond pricing that results among bonds with the same ratings. First, we apply a nonlinear utility function to the expected utility theory and observe different expected utilities for senior bonds and subordinated bonds with the same bond rating. Second, we implement the cumulative prospect theory to demonstrate that the inconsistency occurs when the effect on the convexity of the value function dominates the effect on the overweightness of the weighting function. The two models demonstrate that rather than using the notching policy to explain bond pricing, the inconsistent bond pricing can exist under rational market conditions.