bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Part‐based recognition of vehicle make and model
Authors: Biglari Mohsen , Soleimani Ali , Hassanpour Hamid
Published: March 2017

Fine‐grained recognition is a challenge that the computer vision community faces nowadays. The main category of the object is known in this problem and the goal is to determine the subcategory or fine‐grained category. Vehicle make and model recognition (VMMR) is a hard fine‐grained classification problem, due to the large number of classes, substantial inner‐class and small inter‐class distance. In this study, a novel approach has been proposed for VMMR based on latent SVM formulation. This approach automatically finds a set of discriminative parts in each class of vehicles by employing a novel greedy parts localisation algorithm, while learning a model per class using both features extracted from these parts and the spatial relationship between them. An effective and practical multi‐class data mining method is proposed to filter out hard negative samples in the training procedure. Employing these trained individual models together, the authors’ system can classify vehicles make and model with a high accuracy. For evaluation purposes, a new dataset including more than 5000 vehicles of 28 different makes and models has been collected and fully annotated. The experimental results on this dataset and the CompCars dataset indicate the outstanding performance of the authors’ approach.
Modelling of frequency characteristics of the oil‐paper compound insulation based on the fractional calculus
Authors: Liang Gui‐shu , Jing Yong‐ming , Li Zong‐en , Liu Xin , Ma Long
Published: March 2017

The oil‐paper compound insulation plays a vital role in the insulation structure of power transformer. To obtain the characteristics of the transformer's insulation system, it is of great importance to study the dielectric response of oil‐paper compound insulation. In this study, fractional calculus is applied to model the oil‐paper compound insulation. Both low‐frequency and broadband high‐frequency models are proposed and then they are verified by fitting the measured data of different insulation papers. Finally they are applied to two different cases: (i) the low‐frequency model for fitting polarity reversal property; (ii) the broadband high‐frequency model for studying the influence of the parameters variations on the frequency domain spectroscopy (FDS). The results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed models when compared with traditional ones.
Medium access control schemes for flat mobile wireless sensor networks
Authors: Hayes Tom , Ali Falah H.
Published: March 2017

One aspect of mobile wireless sensor networks (MWSNs) is the medium access control (MAC) protocol, which is critical in terms of reliability, delay and energy consumption. This work begins with a literature review, showing that the majority of MWSN MACs are designed for hierarchical architectures, demonstrating that there is a lack of MACs intended for flat architecture MWSNs. Subsequently, the authors propose three new MAC protocols, uniquely designed for flat MWSNs. Explicitly, the proposed MACs are carrier sense multiple access with dedicated slots, network division multiple access (NDMA) with collision avoidance and NDMA with dedicated slots, which are specifically designed to work with the state‐of‐the‐art location aware sensor routing protocol. Extensive modelling and simulation are done in dense and sparse scenarios with varying traffic levels to evaluate the impact of the proposed from the perspective of both the link and network layers. Given the uniqueness of the proposed protocols, four well‐known MACs are also included to give a performance reference to the results. The MAC results show that the collision‐free protocols give the best reliability and that Global time division multiple access consistently yields the highest level of throughput. This highlights the importance of taking into account both MAC and routing during the design process.
HIP 21539 is not a past very close neighbour of the Sun
Authors: Crifo F. , Soubiran C. , Jasniewicz G. , Katz D. , Sartoretti P. , Panuzzo P.
Published: March 2017

Aims. A previous study claimed that the star HIP 21539 passed close to the Sun, at a distance of 1.9 pc, around 0.14 Myr ago. We show that this is not the case.

Methods. We redetermined the trajectory of the star relative to the Sun using a new accurate radial velocity from the HARPS spectrograph combined with the recent Gaia-TGAS astrometry.

Results. With this new data, the closest approach of HIP 21539 to the Sun is now 17 pc, instead of 1.9 pc.

Conclusions. At this distance, the star has not perturbed the Oort cloud.
A Biomechanical Study of Two Distinct Methods of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture, and a Novel Surgical Reconstruction Technique, in a Small Animal Model of Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ramme Austin , Lendhey Matin , Strauss Eric , Kennedy Oran
Published: March 2017

Small animal models are critical for studies of sports-related knee injury and disease such as posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. In such models, ACL damage can be achieved by surgical transection or, using a more recent innovation, by noninvasive biomechanical means. Whether these approaches differentially alter normal mechanics is unknown. Furthermore, while surgical reconstruction of ruptured ACL can greatly improve joint stability, its effect on PTOA development is also unclear. Our primary purpose was to characterize rodent knee joint mechanics in two models of ACL rupture using a novel quantitative laxity mechanical test. Our secondary aim was to characterize a new reconstruction technique using autograft tail tendon, and to assess its effect on joint mechanics. Our hypothesis was that surgical ACL transection would have a greater effect on joint mechanics. A total of 24 rat knee specimens underwent surgical or biomechanical ACL rupture and were stabilized using a new reconstruction technique using autograft tail tendon. Joint mechanics were assessed three times; preinjury, postinjury, and again after reconstruction, using quantitative joint laxity testing. Primary test readouts were maximum anteroposterior (AP) laxity, loading curve slope, and energy absorption. Student's t-tests were performed to identify intragroup differences. All surgical transections were completed successfully; maximum load in the biomechanical model was 67 ± 7.7 N, with a coefficient of variation of 11.43%. Surgical transection caused increased AP laxity, while biomechanical injury nonsignificantly increased this parameter. In both cases, these changes recovered to baseline by reconstruction. Loading curve slope was reduced in both models and was also returned to baseline by repair. Energy absorption followed the same pattern except it remained significantly different from baseline postreconstruction in the surgical group. This study supports our hypothesis knee joint mechanics is differentially affected by injury mechanism in a small animal model. We also report a novel reconstruction technique in this model, using autograft tail tendon.
Function of the Anterior Intermeniscal Ligament
Authors: Razu Swithin , Kuroki Keiichi , Cook James , Guess Trent
Published: March 2017

The function and importance of the anterior intermeniscal ligament (AIML) of the knee are not fully known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical and sensorimotor function of the AIML. Computational analysis was used to assess AIML and tibiomeniscofemoral biomechanics under combined translational and rotational loading applied during dynamic knee flexion–extension. Histologic and immunohistochemical examination was used to identify and characterize neural elements in the tissue. The computational models were created from anatomy and passive motion of two female subjects and histologic examinations were conducted on AIMLs retrieved from 10 fresh-frozen cadaveric knees. It was found that AIML strain increased with compressive knee loading and that external rotation of the tibia unloads the AIML, suppressing the relationship between AIML strain and compressive knee loads. Extensive neural elements were located throughout the AIML tissue and these elements were distributed across the three AIML anatomical types. The AIMLs have a beneficial influence on knee biomechanics with decreased meniscal load sharing with AIML loss. The AIML plays a significant biomechanical and neurologic role in the sensorimotor functions of the knee. The major role for the AIML may primarily involve its neurologic function.
Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid for Hemostasis in Patients Undergoing High Tibial Osteotomy
Authors: Suh Dong , Kyung Bong , Han Seung-Beom , Cheong Kuhoang , Lee Won
Published: March 2017

Extensive bone bleeding and an uncomfortable hematoma can develop due to the opening gap and space during a medial open high tibial osteotomy (HTO). Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been used in various orthopaedic surgeries to reduce bleeding and wound complications. However, no study has investigated the effect of TXA during HTO. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of TXA in reducing postoperative blood loss in patients undergoing HTO. The hypothesis is that topical TXA administration will reduce postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing medial opening HTO. Topical TXA (2 g in 20 mL saline) was administered at the osteotomy site in patients (n = 15) who underwent medial open HTO from November 2015 to March 2016. Patients (n = 15) who underwent medial open wedge HTO by the same surgeon from October 2014 to October 2015 were enrolled as a control group for comparison. Drainage volumes on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, and 3 as well as hemoglobin (Hb) level on PODs 1, 6, and 13 were measured and compared. Mean total postoperative drainage volume was 246 mL in the TXA group and 377 mL in the control group. Mean drainage volume on POD 1 was 138 mL in the TXA group and 277 mL in the control group (p < 0.05). No differences in drainage volume were detected between the groups on POD 2 or 3. Preoperative Hb levels were 13.0 g/dL in the TXA group and 12.9 g/dL in the control group, which decreased to 11.9 g/dL in the TXA group and 11.2 g/dL in the control group on POD 1. These postoperative Hb differences were significant (p < 0.05). Also, Hb levels were 11.7 and 12.0 g/dL in the TXA group and 11.4 and 11.6 g/dL in the control group on PODs 6 and 13, respectively (p > 0.05). An extensive hematoma requiring additional surgery developed in one case in the control group. No wound complications were detected in the TXA group. Topical TXA was effective for reducing postoperative bleeding after medial open HTO. The level of evidence of the study is Level 3.
Fracture of the Clavicle following Radical Neck Dissection and Reconstruction Using Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap Accompanied by Postoperative Radiotherapy
Authors: Nariai Yoshiki , Odawara Sho , Ichiyama Tomoko , Akutsu Jun-ichi , Kanno Takahiro , Sekine Joji
Published: March 2017

Fracture of the clavicle following radical neck dissection (RND) and/or radiotherapy is a rare complication. Several causes of fracture of the clavicle after treatment of head and neck cancer were postulated in previous reports. We present a case of fracture of the clavicle after treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. An 81-year-old Japanese woman underwent RND, subtotal glossectomy, reconstruction using a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMCF), and postoperative radiotherapy (50.4 Gy). One month after the primary treatment, fracture of the clavicle occurred. It was thought that muscular dynamic factor and reduction of blood supply in the clavicle associated with RND and PMMCF were the causes of the fracture. We have to recognize the occurrence of this complication and try to reduce the factors related to the complication.
Adaptive Optiken – Möglichkeiten für die Diagnostik hereditärer Netzhauterkrankungen
Authors: Reiniger J. , Domdei N. , Pfau M. , Müller P. , Holz F. , Harmening W.
Published: March 2017

Adaptive Optiken (AO) stellen eine technologische Schlüsselinnovation für die Bildgebung in der Ophthalmologie dar. Mit AO ausgestattete Ophthalmoskope erlauben es, die mikroskopische Netzhautstruktur nicht invasiv und auf zellulärer Ebene darzustellen. So kann die strukturelle Integrität der retinalen Nervenfaserschicht, des perifovealen Kapillarnetzwerks, einzelner Stäbchen- und Zapfenphotorezeptoren und des zellulären Mosaiks des retinalen Pigmentepithels in vivo beobachtet werden. Für die Beurteilung des Verlaufs von Netzhauterkrankungen, einer möglichen pharmakologischen Intervention und die Entschlüsselung der zugrunde liegenden physiologischen Mechanismen bedeutet dies eine völlig neue Untersuchungsebene. Insbesondere monogenetische Erkrankungen liegen im Fokus der aktuellen Forschung. Zum einen können Rückschlüsse auf einzelne Pathologien anderer multifaktorieller Netzhauterkrankungen gezogen und so die zugrundeliegenden physiologischen Mechanismen bzw. Verläufe genauer untersucht werden (Modellerkrankung). Zum anderen werden auch im Hinblick auf aktuelle und kommende Interventionen (u. a. Gentherapie) neuartige und zuverlässige Endpunkte zur Interpretation des Therapieerfolgs notwendig. Erste kommerzielle AO-Ophthalmoskope sind für den klinischen Einsatz erhältlich, und die Zahl mit AO untersuchter Netzhautpathologien wächst zunehmend. Für eine zellgenaue Struktur-Funktions-Korrelation kann jüngstens eine AO-basierte Mikrostimulationstechnologie eingesetzt werden.
Genersatztherapie bei hereditären Netzhauterkrankungen
Authors: Mühlfriedel R. , Sothilingam V. , Tanimoto N. , Seeliger M.
Published: March 2017

Charakteristisch für erblich bedingte Netzhauterkrankungen sind Funktionsausfälle in der Reizaufnahme und Reizweiterleitung innerhalb der Netzhaut, die zur Reduktion des Sehvermögens bis zur Blindheit führen. Dabei verursachen genetisch bedingte Ausfälle photorezeptorspezifischer Gene eine große Zahl von klinisch und ursächlich abgrenzbaren Krankheitsbildern, wobei jedes für sich zu den seltenen Erkrankungen gehört. In ihrer Gesamtheit und mit einer Prävalenz von 1 : 2500 sind die erblichen Netzhauterkrankungen jedoch ein klinisch bedeutsamer Erkrankungstypus – insbesondere auch im Hinblick auf die damit einhergehenden Einschränkungen in der Erwerbsfähigkeit und dem Verlust an Lebensqualität für die Betroffenen. Bis heute konnten Mutationen in über 250 Genen identifiziert werden, die für die verschiedenen Formen erblicher Netzhautdystrophien verantwortlich sind (https://sph.uth.tmc.edu/Retnet). Die präklinische Forschung an geeigneten Tiermodellen hat in den letzten Jahren große Fortschritte im Verständnis der Mutation zugrunde liegender pathologischer und molekularbiologischer Vorgänge ermöglicht. Basierend auf diesen Erkenntnissen haben sich neue Perspektiven für die Entwicklung innovativer Therapiestrategien für erbliche Netzhauterkrankungen beim Menschen eröffnet, welche weltweit bislang noch nicht heilbar sind. Der Erfolg präklinischer Studien hat zum Beginn mehrerer humaner Translationen geführt. Die Ergebnislage der laufenden humanen Studien macht jedoch auch die Notwendigkeit sichtbar, Optimierungsstrategien des neuen therapeutischen Ansatzes zu entwickeln und zu prüfen.
Potenzial von fMRT für die Funktionsüberprüfung des pathologischen Sehsystems
Authors: Hoffmann M. , Thieme H. , Ahmadi K.
Published: March 2017

Aktuelle Entwicklungen zur funktionellen Magnetresonanztomografie (fMRT) des menschlichen visuellen Kortex haben eine Reihe von aussagekräftigen Ansätzen hervorgebracht, die vielversprechend für die moderne Ophthalmologie sind. Sie ermöglichen die objektive gesichtsfeldspezifische Überprüfung der Sehfunktion auch bei stark sehbehinderten Patienten und sogar die Untersuchung der funktionellen Organisation des visuellen Kortex von blinden Patienten. Damit eröffnen sie einerseits ein breites Anwendungsspektrum bei der ophthalmologischen Funktionsüberprüfung und andererseits grundlegende Einblicke in die Interaktion von Pathologie und Plastizität im menschlichen Sehsystem. Dies verdeutlichen aktuelle Studien an Patienten mit erworbenen und angeborenen Makuladefekten, Sehbahnabnormalitäten, flächigen Netzhautschäden und vollständiger Blindheit. Insbesondere zukünftige Therapieverfahren zur Restauration des visuellen Eingangs könnten hiervon wesentlich profitieren, sei es bei der Beurteilung der Erfolgschancen einer anstehenden retinalen Therapie oder als Biomarker für das objektive Auslesen des Therapieerfolgs.
Ligament flow during drop-on-demand inkjet printing of bioink containing living cells
Authors: Zhang Mengyun , Krishnamoorthy Srikumar , Song Hongtao , Zhang Zhengyi , Xu Changxue
Published: March 2017

Organ printing utilizes tissue spheroids or filaments as building blocks to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) functional tissues and organs based on a layer-by-layer manufacturing mechanism. These fabricated tissues and organs are envisioned as alternatives to replace the damaged human tissues and organs, which is emerging as a promising solution to solve the organ donor shortage problem being faced all over the world. Inkjetting, one of the key technologies in organ printing, has been widely developed because of its moderate fabrication cost, good process controllability, and scale-up potentials. There are several key steps towards inkjet-based organ printing: generation of droplets from bioink, fabrication of 3D cellular structures, and post-printing tissue fusion and maturation. The droplet formation process is the first step, affecting the overall feasibility of the envisioned organ printing technology. This paper focuses on the ligament flow of the droplet formation process during inkjet printing of bioink containing living cells and its corresponding effect on post-printing cell viability and cell distribution. It is found that (1) two types of ligament flow are observed: at 30 V (Type I), the ligament flow has two different directions at the locations near the nozzle orifice and the forming droplet; at 60 V (Type II), the ligament flow directions are the same at both locations; (2) compared to Type II, fewer cells are ejected into the primary droplets in Type I, because some cells move back into the nozzle driven by the ligament flow in the positive z direction; and (3) cell viability in both Type I and Type II is around 90% without a significant difference. The resulting knowledge will benefit precise control of printing dynamics during inkjet printing of viscoelastic bioink for 3D biofabrication applications.
A one-dimensional with three-dimensional velocity space hybrid-PIC model of the discharge plasma in a Hall thruster
Authors: Shashkov Andrey , Lovtsov Alexander , Tomilin Dmitry
Published: March 2017

According to present knowledge, countless numerical simulations of the discharge plasma in Hall thrusters were conducted. However, on the one hand, adequate two-dimensional (2D) models require a lot of time to carry out numerical research of the breathing mode oscillations or the discharge structure. On the other hand, existing one-dimensional (1D) models are usually too simplistic and do not take into consideration such important phenomena as neutral-wall collisions, magnetic field induced by Hall current and double, secondary, and stepwise ionizations together. In this paper a one-dimensional with three-dimensional velocity space (1D3V) hybrid-PIC model is presented. The model is able to incorporate all the phenomena mentioned above. A new method of neutral-wall collisions simulation in described space was developed and validated. Simulation results obtained for KM-88 and KM-60 thrusters are in a good agreement with experimental data. The Bohm collision coefficient was the same for both thrusters. Neutral-wall collisions, doubly charged ions, and induced magnetic field were proved to stabilize the breathing mode oscillations in a Hall thruster under some circumstances.
Enhanced energy storage density by inducing defect dipoles in lead free relaxor ferroelectric BaTiO3-based ceramics
Authors: Li Wen-Bo , Zhou Di , Pang Li-Xia
Published: March 2017

In this work, Mn-doped 0.9BaTiO3-0.1Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3 ceramics were prepared by the conventional solid state reaction method, and the effect of defect dipoles on energy storage properties of lead free relaxor ferroelectric BaTiO3-based ceramics was studied. The crystal structure, dielectric properties, and energy storage properties were explored in detail. It was found that polarization hysteresis (P-E) loops of 0.9BaTiO3-0.1Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3-x wt. % MnCO3 (0.2–0.5) ceramics took on high maximum polarization (Pmax) and low remanent polarization (Pr). Meanwhile, recoverable energy density (Wrec) and energy conversion efficiency (η) were obviously enhanced by inducing defect dipoles into BaTiO3-Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3 relaxor ferroelectrics. The 0.9BaTiO3-0.1Bi(Mg2/3Nb1/3)O3-0.3 wt. % MnCO3 ceramic was found to exhibit good energy storage properties with a Wrec of about 1.70 J/cm3 and a η ∼ 90% under an electric field of 210 kV/cm. The breakdown electric field and Wrec of BaTiO3-based materials were significantly increased in the present work, and they might be good candidates for high power energy storage applications.
Community knowledge of law at the end of life: availability and accessibility of web-based resources
Authors: White Ben , Willmott Lindy , Tilse Cheryl , Wilson Jill , Lawson Deborah , Pearce Angela , Dunn Jeffrey , Aitken Joanne F. , Feeney Rachel , Jowett Stephanie
Published: March 2017

Objective The aim of the present study was to identify online resources community members may access to inform themselves about their legal duties and rights in end-of-life decision making. Methods Resource mapping identified online resources that members of the public in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are likely to identify, and assessed the ease or difficulty in locating them. Resources were then critically analysed for accessibility of language and format using the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). Results Identified resources differed considerably based on whether search terms identified by community members or experts were used. Most resources focused on advance directives, enduring powers of attorney and substitute decision making. Relatively few provided information about legal duties (e.g. powers and responsibilities of substitute decision makers) or resolving conflict with health practitioners. Accessibility (understandability and actionability) of resource content varied. Conclusions Although numerous resources on end-of-life law are available online, community members may not be able to identify relevant resources or find resource content accessible. What is known about the topic? Research on participation by patients in decision making about their treatment has focused primarily on medical rather than legal knowledge. What does this paper add? The present study investigated which online resources community members may access to inform themselves about the law on end-of-life decision making. The resources identified were analysed for ease of location and content accessibility. What are the implications for practitioners? Authors of online resources on end-of-life decision making should consider whether their resources can be: (1) identified by search terms used by the public; (2) understood by a general audience; and (3) readily used to promote reader action.
Abiotic stress tolerance of kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus) and some related grasses and potential of kikuyu for agricultural and urban environments
Authors: Fraser Duncan , Sharp Peter , Ahmad Nabil , Morris Brett , Trethowan Richard
Published: March 2017

The introduction of kikuyu (Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone) into Australia in 1918 has seen it become established and adapted to several geographic regions in a wide range of ecologies and environmental situations. After it naturalised to local conditions, researchers and farmers recognised the value of kikuyu in marginal and previously unproductive sites, where forage quality and quantity made this species popular with dairy farmers and pastoralists. Its versatility and prostrate, mat-forming characteristics also led to the adoption of kikuyu by local governments, homeowners and sporting organisations in urban environments as turf. Kikuyu has the ability to alleviate soil contamination and remediate soils, thus enhancing the use of previously unproductive land. However, the aggressive growth habit of the species, considered a problem in certain regions of the world, has led to a noxious weed classification in some states of the USA. This review includes information on expected changes to world agricultural and urban environments and the potential expanded role of kikuyu. The origin of kikuyu grass, genetic variability, tolerances to soil salinity and drought, and potential for genetic improvement are also discussed.
Effect of VRN1 and PPD1 genes on anthesis date and wheat growth
Authors: Harris F. A. J. , Eagles H. A. , Virgona J. M. , Martin P. J. , Condon J. R. , Angus J. F.
Published: March 2017

Phasic development of wheat is largely determined by the interaction of the VRN1 and PPD1 genes with vernalising temperature and photoperiod. VRN1 and PPD1 are regulatory genes, known to influence freezing tolerance, plant morphology and grain yield as well as phasic development. Forty-seven doubled-haploid lines were characterised for Ppd-B1, Ppd-D1, Vrn-A1, Vrn-B1 and Vrn-D1 to determine the effect of allelic combinations of these genes on timing of anthesis and crop growth rate. The lines were grown in replicated field experiments at two locations in Australia. The VRN1 and PPD1 genes accounted for 75% of the genetic variation for time from sowing to anthesis. Vrn-A1 and Vrn-B1 similarly affected time to anthesis, but only Vrn-B1 affected crop growth rate, with the spring Vrn-B1a allele resulting in faster crop growth rates than the winter Vrn-B1v allele. This suggests that the effect of Vrn-B1 on crop growth rate is not a direct consequence of its effect on development per se, but rather due to its influence on other physiological processes.
The faster growth associated with Vrn-B1a may explain the high grain yield of cultivars with this allele in some environments, as shown in a previous study.
Environmental factors constraining adventitious root formation during flooding of Solanum dulcamara
Authors: Zhang Qian , Huber Heidrun , Boerakker Jannah W. T. , Bosch Daniek , de Kroon Hans , Visser Eric J. W.
Published: March 2017

Flooding is a compound stress, imposing strong limitations on plant development. The expression of adaptive traits that alleviate flooding stress may be constrained if floodwater levels are too deep. For instance, adventitious root outgrowth is typically less profound in completely submerged plants than in partially submerged plants, suggesting additional constraints in full submergence. As both oxygen and carbohydrates are typically limited resources under submergence, we tested the effects of oxygen concentration in the floodwater and carbohydrate status of the plants on flooding-induced adventitious root formation in Solanum dulcamara L. Partially submerged plants continued to form adventitious roots in low-oxygen floodwater, whereas completely submerged plants developed hardly any roots, even in floodwater with twice the ambient oxygen concentration. This suggests that contact with the atmosphere, enabling internal aeration, is much more important to optimal adventitious root formation than floodwater oxygen concentrations. If plants were depleted of carbohydrates before flooding, adventitious root formation in partial submergence was poor, unless high light was provided. Thus, either stored or newly produced carbohydrates can fuel adventitious root formation. These results imply that the impact of an environmental stress factor like flooding on plant performance may strongly depend on the interplay with other environmental factors.
On Classical Global Solutions of Nonlinear Wave Equations with Large Data
Authors: Miao Shuang , Pei Long , Yu Pin
Published: March 2017

This article studies the Cauchy problem for systems of semi-linear wave equations on $\mathbb{R}^{3+1}$ with nonlinear terms satisfying the null conditions. We construct future global-in-time classical solutions with arbitrarily large initial energy. The choice of the large Cauchy initial data is inspired by Christodoulou's characteristic initial data in his work [2] on formation of black holes. The main innovation of the current work is that we discovered a relaxed energy ansatz which allows us to prove decay-in-time-estimate. Therefore, the new estimates can also be applied in studying the Cauchy problem for Einstein equations.
UV surface habitability of the TRAPPIST-1 system
Authors: O’Malley-James Jack T. , Kaltenegger L.
Published: March 2017

With the discovery of rocky planets in the temperate habitable zone (HZ) of the close-by cool star TRAPPIST-1, the question of whether such planets could harbour life arises. Habitable planets around red dwarf stars can orbit in radiation environments that can be life-sterilizing. Ultraviolet (UV) flares from these stars are more frequent and intense than solar flares. Additionally, their temperate HZs are closer to the star. Here we present UV surface environment models for TRAPPIST-1’s HZ planets and explore the implications for life. TRAPPIST-1 has high X-ray/extreme-ultraviolet activity, placing planetary atmospheres at risk from erosion. If a dense Earth-like atmosphere with a protective ozone layer existed on planets in the HZ of TRAPPIST-1, UV surface environments would be similar to the present-day Earth. However, an eroded or an anoxic atmosphere would allow more UV to reach the surface, making surface environments hostile even to highly UV tolerant terrestrial extremophiles. If future observations detect ozone in the atmospheres of any of the planets in the HZ of TRAPPIST-1, these would be interesting targets for the search for surface life. We anticipate our assay to be a starting point for in-depth exploration of stellar and atmospheric observations of the TRAPPIST-1 planets to constrain their UV surface habitability.
Imaging Approaches to Stroke and Neurovascular Disease
Authors: Dehkharghani Seena , Andre Jalal
Published: March 2017

Imaging is paramount to the diagnosis and management of ischemic stroke, offering a battery of structural and functional probes of cerebrovascular physiology. The technical underpinnings of stroke imaging continue to evolve, bringing the neuroscience community increasingly closer to high-resolution, tissue-level biomarkers of brain perfusion, metabolism, and viability. The rapid expansion of neuroimaging in this domain has met with controversies, and in many respects, a lack of generalizable conclusions regarding optimized use in cerebrovascular disease. This review aims to provide the reader with the depth and scope of both established and emerging techniques, and an overview of prevailing viewpoints regarding neuroimaging in acute ischemic stroke.
Underestimated anuran radiations in the high Andes: five new species and a new genus of Holoadeninae, and their phylogenetic relationships (Anura: Craugastoridae)
Authors: De la Riva Ignacio , Chaparro Juan C , Castroviejo-Fisher Santiago , Padial José M
Published: March 2017

Despite recent efforts to accelerate exploration and species description, the diversity of high Andean frogs remains highly underestimated. We report high levels of species diversity in direct-developing frogs or terraranas inhabiting the wet puna and adjacent cloud forests of the Amazonian versant of the Andes in Bolivia and Peru. Descriptive evidence of external morphology, distribution patterns and molecular phylogenetic analyses support the existence of nine unnamed species in two clades, which represents a 30% increase in species diversity for those clades. The relationships of these species and their relatives in Holoadeninae are tested using nuclear and mitochondrial genes for 159 terminals representing the 11 genera in this subfamily and 25 species of previously unknown relationships. Our results corroborate species monophyly in all but three cases and support the monophyly of all Holoadeninae genera, albeit the position of some differs between analyses. We propose a new genus (Microkayla gen. nov.) for the clade containing all Bolivian species formerly in Psychrophrynella plus five species from southern Peru. The new genus is monophyletic and supported by anatomical synapomorphies. Psychrophrynella is re-diagnosed and redefined to include three species from the Andes of southern Peru. We discuss the taxonomic instability associated with Noblella and Psychrophrynella due to the fact that the type species of both genera share a number of traits that support a close relationship. We also name and describe three new species of Bryophryne and two of Microkayla from Peru, provide baseline data for the future description of four Bolivian species of Microkayla, and describe the unknown mating calls of two species. Our results support that the grasslands of the Amazonian versant of the Andes harbour a large diversity of species with small altitudinal and horizontal distributions that replace each other along a latitudinal axis. These species belong to different lineages whose closest relatives are forest species, often from distant parts of the continent. These patterns suggest that high Andean environments were colonized several times independently by species with forest ancestors and which radiated into a multitude of species with remarkably similar ecomorphologies. The extent of these radiations remains obscured by a still rudimentary knowledge of species diversity due to insufficient fieldwork and taxonomic research.
The Bacterial Effector AvrB-Induced RIN4 Hyperphosphorylation Is Mediated by a Receptor-Like Cytoplasmic Kinase Complex in Arabidopsis
Authors: Xu Ning , Luo Xuming , Li Wen , Wang Zongyi , Liu Jun
Published: March 2017

Bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae delivers diverse type III effectors into host cells to interfere with their immune responses. One of the effectors, AvrB, targets a host guardee protein RIN4 and induces RIN4 phosphorylation in Arabidopsis. Phosphorylated RIN4 activates the immune receptor RPM1 to mount defense. AvrB-induced RIN4 phosphorylation depends on RIPK, a receptor-like cytoplasmic kinase (RLCK). In this study, we found several other RLCKs that were also able to phosphorylate RIN4. We demonstrated that these RLCKs formed a complex with RIPK and were functionally redundant to RIPK. We also found that unphosphorylated RIN4 was epistatic to phosphorylated RIN4 in terms of RPM1 activation. AvrB-induced RLCK gene expression and phosphorylated RIN4–triggered RPM1 activation required RAR1, a central regulator in plant innate immunity. Our results unravel a mechanism in which plants employ multiple kinases to hyperphosphorylate the guardee protein RIN4 to ensure immune activation during pathogen invasion.
Real-time ultrasound-guided thoracentesis
Authors: Krackov Rachel , Rizzolo Denise
Published: March 2017

Clinicians commonly see patients with pleural effusions requiring thoracentesis. The latest evidence-based guidelines for thoracentesis recommend real-time ultrasound guidance for the safest outcomes from this procedure. This article reviews real-time ultrasound guidance for thoracentesis to help referring clinicians understand the technique and the guidelines for the performance of thoracentesis.
Using PAs in prehospital environments to reduce ED and EMS overuse
Authors: Thompson Katherine M. , Tozier William L.
Published: March 2017

Emergency medical services (EMS) and EDs in large cities are burdened with a significant number of patients with chronic disease who have limited options for receiving proper care. Despite their relatively small numbers, these “superusers” can have a significant effect on EMS, particularly in large cities. Additionally, EDs are not designed to provide chronic and continuous healthcare. This article describes how several organizations use physician assistants to manage these patients.
PAs in orthopedics in the VHA's community-based outpatient clinics
Authors: Reed Daniel O. , Hooker Roderick S.
Published: March 2017

In the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) system, most orthopedic care takes place in the VA medical centers (VAMCs). Because most patients receiving orthopedic care were referred by adult medicine providers, more widely deploying physician assistants (PAs) in orthopedic medicine might help offset this workload. An orthopedic medicine demonstration project recruited, trained, and positioned PAs in community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) to improve access to care. The project involved surgeons at the Houston VAMC instructing five newly employed PAs in a wide range of orthopedic evaluation and management strategies before their assignment to a CBOC. An administrative assessment compared encounter data pre- and postproject (2012 and 2014) to determine if this strategy modified orthopedic workload and improved patient access to care. By 2014, orthopedic patient visit volume had increased 31%—10% at the VAMC and 21% at the five CBOCs. Overall, the five deployed PAs managed 28% of all orthopedic encounters spread over 1 year and only 3.2% of visits required VAMC referral for further evaluation or treatment. During the project, the total volume of patient visits increased throughout the Houston VAMC region but access to care for this specialty service also increased, with more veteran musculoskeletal care being met at the five CBOCs, off-loading visit demand centrally. The adaptability and flexibility of new roles has been identified as one of the defining characteristics of PAs. That the VHA can take advantage of this role malleability suggests that employing PAs is useful in meeting medical service needs of veterans.
Development of the United Kingdom physician associate profession
Authors: Aiello Matthew , Roberts Karen A.
Published: March 2017

The world of healthcare is changing, and patient needs are changing with it. Traditional doctor-driven models of workforce planning are no longer sustainable in the United Kingdom (UK) healthcare economy, and newer models are needed. In the multiprofessional, multiskilled clinical workforce of the future, the physician associate (PA) has a fundamental role to play as an integrated, frontline, generalist clinician. As of 2016, about 350 PAs were practicing in the UK, with 550 PAs in training and plans to expand rapidly. This report describes the development of the PA profession in the UK from 2002, with projections through 2020, and includes governance, training, and the path to regulation. With rising demands on the healthcare workforce, the PA profession is predicted to positively influence clinical workforce challenges across the UK healthcare economy.
Dose-Response Relationship Between Exercise Intensity, Mood States, and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure
Authors: Evangelista Lorraine S. , Cacciata Marysol , Stromberg Anna , Dracup Kathleen
Published: March 2017

Background:

We conducted a secondary analysis to (1) compare changes in mood disorders and quality of life (QOL) among 4 groups of patients with heart failure in a home-based exercise program who had varying degrees of change in their exercise capacity and (2) determine whether there was an association between exercise capacity, mood disorders, and QOL.

Methods:

Seventy-one patients were divided into 4 groups based on changes in exercise capacity from baseline to 6 months: group 1showed improvements of greater than 10% (n = 19), group 2 showed improvements of 10% or less (n = 16), group 3 showed reductions of 10% or less (n = 9), and group 4 showed reductions of greater than 10% (n = 27).

Results:

Over time, patients in all 4 groups demonstrated significantly lower levels of depression and hostility (P < .001) and higher levels of physical and overall quality of life (P = .046). Group differences over time were noted in anxiety (P = .009), depression (P = .015), physical quality of life (P < .001), and overall quality of life (P = .002). Greater improvement in exercise capacity was strongly associated with lower depression scores (r = −0.49, P = .01).

Conclusions:

An improvement in exercise capacity with exercise training was associated with a decrease in depression and anxiety and an increase in QOL in patients with heart failure.
Accuracy of Clinician Assessments of Medication Status in the Emergency Setting
Authors: Lopez Leonardo V. , Shaikh Atef , Merson Jonathan , Greenberg Jessica , Suckow Raymond F. , Kane John M.
Published: March 2017

Purpose

The present study aimed to assess the level of agreement between clinicians’ routine assessments of medication status and plasma levels of commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications in patients presenting to an emergency room with an exacerbation of psychosis.

Methods

We studied 105 patients presenting to an emergency room and admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar I disorder, or psychotic disorder not otherwise specified and a prior outpatient medication regimen including risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, aripiprazole, or paliperidone. Plasma levels of antipsychotics were drawn and sent to a specialty laboratory for testing.

Findings

Of the 97 patients with usable samples, 33 (34%) were found to have therapeutic antipsychotic levels. Of these, 22 were judged by emergency room staff to be taking their medications at the appropriately prescribed doses, whereas 11 were judged not to be taking medication at all. Sixty-four patients were found to have subtherapeutic antipsychotic levels, 31 of whom had been assessed to be taking medication as prescribed. Emergency assessment of medication status predicted therapeutic and nontherapeutic antipsychotic levels at rates of 41.5% and 75%, respectively. Emergency staff assessment was statistically independent from the likelihood of having a therapeutic antipsychotic level.

Implications

In patients presenting to emergency rooms with exacerbations of psychosis who are subsequently admitted to an inpatient facility, common assessments of medication status are frequently misleading. Readily available methods for rapidly measuring antipsychotic plasma levels in clinical settings are needed for clinicians to make reliable assessments.
Electrode Array Displacement into the Fallopian Canal in Revisions of Long-standing Cochlear Implants
Authors: Alyono Jennifer , Locketz Garrett , Corrales Carleton Eduardo , Blevins Nikolas H.
Published: March 2017

Objective:

To describe extracochlear extension of revision cochlear implant arrays into the Fallopian canal.

Patients:

Two adult patients with extension of revision cochlear implant arrays into the Fallopian canal.

Interventions:

Computed tomography (CT), selective deactivation of non-functional electrodes.

Main Outcome Measures:

Facial nerve function, facial nerve stimulation, cochlear implant electrode position, radiography, functional hearing.

Results:

Two patients presented with failure of their long-standing cochlear implants (CIs). One patient with presumed postviral hearing loss presented with declining function and increasing facial stimulation from an implant placed 30 years previous. A second with postmeningitic hearing loss presented with a draining mastoid fistula from an implant placed 7 years before. Both patients were reimplanted with minimal insertion resistance via the established electrode tract, yet demonstrated facial nerve stimulation during intraoperative telemetry and on device activation. Postoperative CTs of each patient showed exit of the electrode from the cochlea into the tympanic or labyrinthine Fallopian canal. Both patients can use their devices effectively with selective electrode deactivation.

Conclusions:

Our cases illustrate the potential association of long-standing electrodes with otic capsule changes, allowing extracochlear malposition of subsequent arrays. This can occur despite apparently uneventful reinsertion of a flexible array without undue force. Previously reported histopathology confirms the potential for a reactive osteitis from arrays that may contribute to this phenomenon. Intraoperative facial stimulation with neural telemetry testing can raise suspicion of a malpositioned array involving the Fallopian canal. Such cases can be effectively managed with selective deactivation of malpositioned electrode contacts.
Adjunct Nurse Faculty Demographics and Intent to Stay Teaching
Authors: Woodworth Julie A.
Published: March 2017

Adjunct nurse educators have become a primary facilitator of students’ clinical learning in nursing education. However, studies are lacking as to variables that correlate with their intent to stay teaching. This study examined demographic variables that had an impact on adjunct clinical educators’ decisions about whether to leave a teaching position in an associate degree nursing program. Full-time employment in addition to teaching as an adjunct faculty member predicted intent to leave the role. Measures to improve adjunct nurse faculty intent to stay are included.
Frontal Sinus Volume and Frontal Bar Position Are Associated in Unicoronal Craniosynostosis
Authors: Xu Wen , Gerety Patrick A. , Li Jing , Bartlett Scott P. , Taylor Jesse A.
Published: March 2017

Background:

Frontal sinus pneumatization plays an important role in brow protrusion, and absence of frontal sinus development may be associated with brow retrusion. Using unicoronal craniosynostosis as a model, the authors studied the relationship among frontal sinus volume, supraorbital retrusion, and brow position.

Methods:

The authors conducted a retrospective review of unicoronal craniosynostosis patients with head computed tomographic scans and photographs taken from ages 5 to 18 years. Frontal sinus volume and supraorbital retrusion were calculated using three-dimensional computed tomographic reconstructions. A “brow score” from 0 to 3 was assigned to each patient’s photographs by a consensus of two craniofacial surgeons; sinus morphology and brow scores were compared.

Results:

The study included 20 unicoronal craniosynostosis patients. The affected side demonstrated increased retrusion (7.1 ± 3.7 mm versus 3.0 ± 3.1 mm; p < 0.001) and decreased frontal sinus volume (0.8 ± 0.9 cc versus 2.6 ± 1.8 cc; p < 0.001). Qualitative brow retrusion scores differed between affected and unaffected sides (score of 0, 17 percent affected versus 78 percent unaffected; score of 1, 28 percent versus 22 percent; score of 2, 39 percent versus 0 percent; and score of 3, 17 percent versus 0 percent; p < 0.001). Brow scores trended with retrusion measurements (score of 0, 2.7 ± 2.9 mm retrusion; score of 1, 6.1 ± 3.5 mm; score of 2, 8.9 ± 3.2 mm; and score of 3, 9.7 ± 2.8 mm; p < 0.001). Subjects with brow scores of 0 or 1 had larger frontal sinus volumes than subjects with brow scores of 2 or 3 (p = 0.018).

Conclusions:

Qualitative brow retrusion correlates strongly with both quantitative supraorbital retrusion and frontal sinus volume. Although this retrospective study cannot prove causality, which is likely multifactorial, its strong correlation with frontal sinus pneumatization highlights the importance of the frontal sinus in brow position in unicoronal craniosynostosis.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, III.