bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sleep apnea syndrome, inflammation and oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients
Authors: Nikitidou Olga , Daskalopoulou Euphemia , Papagianni Aikaterini , Liakopoulos Vassilios , Michalaki Aikaterini , Christidou Foteini , Argyropoulou Paraskevi , Kirmizis Dimitrios , Efstratiadis Georgios , Nikolaidis Pavlos , Daniilidis Michail , Dombros Nicholas
Published: April 2017

Introduction: Sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) is an established cardiovascular risk factor in the general population related to inflammation and oxidative stress and is very common among hemodialysis patients. Cardiovascular disease and its complications is the main cause of death among hemodialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of SAS in the promotion of inflammation and oxidative stress and thus in the augmentation of cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients.

Methods: Thirty‐seven hemodialysis patients underwent an overnight full polysomnography study. The following morning blood samples were obtained and TNF‐α (tumor necrosis factor‐α), IL‐6 (interleukin‐6), MPO (myeloperoxidase), and oxLDL (oxidized low density lipoprotein) were measured.

Findings: We investigated the correlation of patients' markers of inflammation and oxidative stress with their sleep parameters (total sleep time, AHI, apnea/hypopnea index; RDI, respiratory disturbance index; DI, desaturation index, mean and minimum SpO2 and percentage of sleep time with SpO2 < 90%). TNF‐α correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.510, P < 0.0001) and total sleep time (r = 0.370, P = 0.027). IL‐6 correlated positively with age (r = 0.363, P = 0.027), AHI (r = 0.385, P = 0.018), DI (r = 0.336, P = 0.042) and percentage of sleep time with SpO2 < 90% (r = 0.415, P = 0.012) and negatively with mean SpO2 (r = −0.364, P = 0.027). Myeloperoxidase correlated positively with AHI (r = 0.385, P = 0.018), DI (r = 0.380, P = 0.02) and percentage of sleep time with SpO2 < 90% (r = 0.388, P = 0.019). Finally, oxLDL correlated positively with BMI (r = 0.443, P = 0.007), AHI (r = 0.395, P = 0.015), RDI (r = 0.328, P = 0.048) and total sleep time with SpO2<90% (r = 0.389, P = 0.019).

Conclusions: These results indicate that, in hemodialysis patients, the severity of SAS and nocturnal hypoxia correlated positively with markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
Rifaximin in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis: An open‐label pilot study
Authors: Cobbold Jeremy F.L. , Atkinson Stephen , Marchesi Julian R. , Smith Ann , Wai Sann N. , Stove Julie , Shojaee‐Moradie Fariba , Jackson Nicola , Umpleby A. Margot , Fitzpatrick Julie , Thomas E. Louise , Bell Jimmy D. , Holmes Elaine , Taylor‐Robinson Simon D. , Goldin Robert D. , Yee Michael S. , Anstee Quentin M. , Thursz Mark R.
Published: April 2017

Aim

Gut microbial dysbiosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We investigated downstream effects of gut microbiota modulation on markers of hepatic inflammation, steatosis, and hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity in patients with NASH using rifaximin therapy.

Methods

Patients with biopsy‐proven NASH and elevated aminotransferase values were included in this open‐label pilot study, all receiving 6 weeks rifaximin 400 mg twice daily, followed by a 6‐week observation period. The primary endpoint was change in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) after 6 weeks of rifaximin. Secondary endpoints were change in hepatic lipid content and insulin sensitivity measured with a hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp.

Results

Fifteen patients (13 men and 2 women) with a median (range) age of 46 (32–63) years were included. Seven had diabetes on oral hypoglycemic medications and 8 had no diabetes. After 6 weeks of therapy, no differences were seen in ALT (55 [33–191] vs. 63 [41–218] IU/L, P = 0.41), peripheral glucose uptake (28.9 [19.4–48.3] to 25.5 [17.7–47.9] μmol/kg/min, P = 0.30), hepatic insulin sensitivity (35.2 [15.3–51.7]% vs. 30.0 [10.8–50.5]%, P = 0.47), or hepatic lipid content (21.6 [2.2–46.2]% vs. 24.8 [1.7–59.3]%, P = 0.59) before and after rifaximin treatment. After 12 weeks from baseline, serum ALT increased to 83 (30–217) IU/L, P = 0.02. There was a significant increase in the homeostasis model assessment–estimated insulin resistance index (P = 0.05). The urinary metabolic profile indicated a significant reduction in urinary hippurate with treatment, which reverted to baseline after cessation of rifaximin, although there was no consistent difference in relative abundance of fecal microbiota with treatment.

Conclusion

These data do not indicate a beneficial effect of rifaximin in patients with NASH.
The occurrence and awareness of a misstatement effect in auditors' internal control severity judgments
Authors: Asare Stephen Kwaku , Majoor Barbara , Wright Arnold
Published: April 2017

We define a misstatement effect as a tendency for auditors to take the non‐detection of a misstatement as evidence of the absence of a material weakness and test the hypothesis that it occurs unconsciously in their internal control severity judgments. In a between‐participants design, which is analogous to the practice setting, we find that auditors evaluate an internal control deficiency less severely when it has not led to a misstatement. However, in a within‐participants design, where the misstatement manipulation (detected or not detected) is more salient, we find that auditors evaluate the deficiencies as equally severe, suggesting that the misstatement effect in the between‐participants design is not intended. The findings suggest the need to consider the use of decision aids that align auditors' heuristics and knowledge. For instance, auditors may be required to document possible misstatements that could occur when evaluating control deficiencies that have not led to misstatements.
Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) in Chronic Pain
Authors: Tennant Forest
Published: April 2017

To determine if severe, chronic, uncontrolled pain patients may alter their adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) serum levels. Fifty‐five (55) severe, chronic pain patients who were failing standard medical treatment were tested for an ACTH serum level. Those patients with an abnormal (high or low) serum level were entered into an enhanced pain treatment program and retested in 90–120 days to help determine if pain treatment may normalize abnormal ACTH serum levels. Five (9.4%) patients had a high ACTH serum level, and ten (18.2%) patients had a low ACTH serum level. Of these 15 patients, 13 (86.7%) normalized their ACTH serum levels after 90–120 days of enhanced treatment. The remaining two patients were found to have organic hypopituitarism secondary to traumatic brain injury. Severe, chronic pain may alter serum ACTH levels, and enhanced treatment may normalize serum levels.
Thermodynamic stability of SFCA (silico‐ferrite of calcium and aluminum) and SFCA‐I phases
Authors: Koryttseva Anastasia , Webster Nathan A. S. , Pownceby Mark I. , Navrotsky Alexandra
Published: April 2017

Silico‐ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) and SFCA‐I phases form in iron ore sintering operations. Their behavior in blast furnaces, with sinter being a significant component of blast furnace burden, is of critical importance to the ironmaking process. They have complex disordered crystal structures and form over a range of composition. In the present work, enthalpies of formation from oxides for five different SFCA compounds and one SFCA‐I phase were measured by oxide melt solution calorimetry in molten lead borate solvent at 800°C. The enthalpies of formation from binary oxides are zero within experimental error for SFCA phases and slightly endothermic for SFCA‐I, confirming that SFCA phases are stabilized, not by energetics, but by their configurational entropies resulting from atomic site disorder. In addition, enthalpies of drop solution into a molten slag at 1450°C were measured for SFCA phases and show good agreement with values predicted using the heats of formation and previously measured drop solution enthalpies for the binary oxides. This agreement confirms data consistency and shows that the presence of variable amounts of SFCA relative to binary oxides in a sinter will have negligible effect on the heat balance in the blast furnace.
Light‐induced electrons suppressed by Eu3+ ions doped in Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33 caged phosphors for LED and FEDs
Authors: Bian Hongyu , Liu Yuxue , Yan Duanting , Zhu Hancheng , Liu Chunguang , Xu Changshan , Wang Xiaojun , Zhang Hong
Published: April 2017

Control of light‐induced electron generation is of vital importance for the application of caged phosphors. For Eu‐doped Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33 caged phosphors, the suppressed effect of strontium doping on the light‐induced electrons is observed compared to the europium‐free Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33 phosphors. In the presence of europium ions, Sr doping will promote the reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+. The Rietveld refinement suggests that unit cell volumes of the Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33:Eu0.06 samples are expanded when Ca2+ ions are replaced by Sr2+ ions. The absorption and FTIR transmittance spectra confirm that the competitive reaction of encaged O2− anions with H2 is suppressed. For the sample (x=0.48), the higher thermal activation energy (~0.40 eV) for luminescence quenching can be attributed to the more rigid framework structure after Sr doping. For Ca11.94−xSrxAl14O33:Eu0.06 phosphors, their emission colours are tuned from red to purple upon 254 nm excitation and from pink to blue under electron beam excitation through Sr substitution. The insight gained from this work may have a significant guiding to design new phosphors for LED and FEDs and novel nanocaged mutifunctional materials.
Measuring the impact of dermatological conditions on family and caregivers: a review of dermatology‐specific instruments
Authors: Sampogna F. , Finlay A.Y. , Salek S.S. , Chernyshov P. , Dalgard F.J. , Evers A.W.M. , Linder D. , Manolache L. , Marron S.E. , Poot F. , Spillekom‐van Koulil S. , Svensson Å. , Szepietowski J.C. , Tomas‐Aragones L. , Abeni D. ,   the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology TaskForce on Quality of Life
Published: April 2017

The patient is the centre of a web of relationships, and the impact of his/her disease on family members and caregivers must be taken into account. The aim of this study was to identify the specific instruments that measure the impact of a dermatological disease on the quality of life (QoL) of family members, by performing a systematic search of the literature. Fifteen papers were identified, describing the creation and validation of nine instruments. Four of them concerned atopic dermatitis (Dermatitis Family Index, DFI; Parents’ Index QoL Atopic Dermatitis, PiQoL‐AD; QoL in primary caregivers of children with atopic dermatitis, QPCAD; Childhood Atopic Dermatitis Impact Scale, CADIS), two measured the impact of psoriasis in family members (Psoriasis Family Index, PFI; FamilyPso), one the impact of epidermolysis bullosa (Epidermolysis Bullosa Burden of Disease, EB‐BoD), one of ichthyosis (Family Burden Ichthyosis, FBI), and one was generic for dermatological conditions (Family Dermatology Life Quality Index, FDLQI). The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology quality of life taskforce recommends that the impact of a skin disease on family and caregivers should be measured as part of any thorough evaluation of the burden of a disease. Guidelines are given to choose the most appropriate instruments.
Examining solutions to missing data in longitudinal nursing research
Authors: Roberts Mary B. , Sullivan Mary C. , Winchester Suzy B.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Longitudinal studies are highly valuable in pediatrics because they provide useful data about developmental patterns of child health and behavior over time. When data are missing, the value of the research is impacted. The study's purpose was to (1) introduce a three‐step approach to assess and address missing data and (2) illustrate this approach using categorical and continuous‐level variables from a longitudinal study of premature infants.

Methods

A three‐step approach with simulations was followed to assess the amount and pattern of missing data and to determine the most appropriate imputation method for the missing data. Patterns of missingness were Missing Completely at Random, Missing at Random, and Not Missing at Random. Missing continuous‐level data were imputed using mean replacement, stochastic regression, multiple imputation, and fully conditional specification (FCS). Missing categorical‐level data were imputed using last value carried forward, hot‐decking, stochastic regression, and FCS. Simulations were used to evaluate these imputation methods under different patterns of missingness at different levels of missing data.

Results

The rate of missingness was 16–23% for continuous variables and 1–28% for categorical variables. FCS imputation provided the least difference in mean and standard deviation estimates for continuous measures. FCS imputation was acceptable for categorical measures. Results obtained through simulation reinforced and confirmed these findings.

Practice Implications

Significant investments are made in the collection of longitudinal data. The prudent handling of missing data can protect these investments and potentially improve the scientific information contained in pediatric longitudinal studies.
A Robbins–Monro Algorithm for Non‐Parametric Estimation of NAR Process with Markov Switching: Consistency
Authors: Fermin Lisandro Javier , Rios Ricardo , Rodriguez Luis Angel
Published: April 2017

We approach the problem of non‐parametric estimation for autoregressive Markov switching processes. In this context, the Nadaraya–Watson‐type regression functions estimator is interpreted as a solution of a local weighted least‐square problem, which does not admit a closed‐form solution in the case of hidden Markov switching. We introduce a non‐parametric recursive algorithm to approximate the estimator. Our algorithm restores the missing data by means of a Monte Carlo step and estimates the regression function via a Robbins–Monro step. We prove that non‐parametric autoregressive models with Markov switching are identifiable when the hidden Markov process has a finite state space. Consistency of the estimator is proved using the strong α‐mixing property of the model. Finally, we present some simulations illustrating the performances of our non‐parametric estimation procedure.
A Deep Nasopharyngeal Swab Versus Nonendoscopic Bronchoalveolar Lavage for Isolation of Bacterial Pathogens from Preweaned Calves With Respiratory Disease
Authors: Van Driessche L. , Valgaeren B.R. , Gille L. , Boyen F. , Ducatelle R. , Haesebrouck F. , Deprez P. , Pardon B.
Published: April 2017

Background

Nonendoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a practical alternative for a deep nasopharyngeal swab (DNS) to sample the airways of a large number of calves in a short period of time. The extent of commensal overgrowth and agreement of BAL with DNS culture results in preweaned calves are unknown.

Objectives

To compare commensal overgrowth and bacterial culture results between DNS and BAL samples.

Animals

A total of 183 preweaned calves (144 with bovine respiratory disease and 39 healthy animals).

Methods

Cross‐sectional study. Deep nasopharyngeal swab and BAL samples were taken from each calf and cultured to detect Pasteurellaceae and Mycoplasma bovis. Agreement and associations between culture results of DNS and BAL samples were determined by kappa statistics and logistic regression.

Results

Bronchoalveolar lavage samples were less often polymicrobial, more frequently negative and yielded more pure cultures compared to DNS, leading to a clinically interpretable culture result in 79.2% of the cases compared to only in 31.2% of the DNS samples. Isolation rates were lower in healthy animals, but not different between DNS and BAL samples. Only Histophilus somni was more likely to be isolated from BAL samples. In clinical cases, a polymicrobial DNS culture result did not increase the probability of a polymicrobial BAL result by ≥30%, nor did it influence the probability of a negative culture. A significant herd effect was noted for all observed relationships.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Nonendoscopic BAL samples are far less overgrown by bacteria compared to DNS samples under the conditions of this study, facilitating clinical interpretation and resulting in a higher return on investment in bacteriologic culturing.
Higher-Order Dispersion, Stability, and Waveform Invariance in Nonlinear Monoatomic and Diatomic Systems
Authors: Fronk Matthew D. , Leamy Michael J.
Published: April 2017

Recent studies have presented first-order multiple time scale approaches for exploring amplitude-dependent plane-wave dispersion in weakly nonlinear chains and lattices characterized by cubic stiffness. These analyses have yet to assess solution stability, which requires an analysis incorporating damping. Furthermore, due to their first-order dependence, they make an implicit assumption that the cubic stiffness influences dispersion shifts to a greater degree than the quadratic stiffness, and they thus ignore quadratic shifts. This paper addresses these limitations by carrying-out higher-order, multiple scales perturbation analyses of linearly damped nonlinear monoatomic and diatomic chains. The study derives higher-order dispersion corrections informed by both quadratic and cubic stiffness and quantifies plane wave stability using evolution equations resulting from the multiple scales analysis and numerical experiments. Additionally, by reconstructing plane waves using both homogeneous and particular solutions at multiple orders, the study introduces a new interpretation of multiple scales results in which predicted waveforms are seen to exist over all space and time, constituting an invariant, multiharmonic wave of infinite extent analogous to cnoidal waves in continuous systems. Using example chains characterized by dimensionless parameters, numerical studies confirm that the spectral content of the predicted waveforms exhibits less growth/decay over time as higher-order approximations are used in defining the simulations' initial conditions. Thus, the study results suggest that the higher-order multiple scales perturbation analysis captures long-term, nonlocalized invariant plane waves, which have the potential for propagating coherent information over long distances.
Fructose-driven glycolysis supports anoxia resistance in the naked mole-rat
Authors: Park Thomas J. , Reznick Jane , Peterson Bethany L. , Blass Gregory , Omerbašić Damir , Bennett Nigel C. , Kuich P. Henning J. L. , Zasada Christin , Browe Brigitte M. , Hamann Wiebke , Applegate Daniel T. , Radke Michael H. , Kosten Tetiana , Lutermann Heike , Gavaghan Victoria , Eigenbrod Ole , Bégay Valérie , Amoroso Vince G. , Govind Vidya , Minshall Richard D. , Smith Ewan St. J. , Larson John , Gotthardt Michael , Kempa Stefan , Lewin Gary R.
Published: April 2017

Safe anaerobic metabolism

Naked mole-rats live in large colonies deep underground in hypoxic conditions. Park
et al.
found that these animals fuel anaerobic glycolysis with fructose by a rewired pathway that avoids tissue damage (see the Perspective by Storz and McClelland). These results provide insight into the adaptations that this strange social rodent has to make for life underground. They also have implications for medical practice, particularly for understanding how to protect tissues from hypoxia.

Science
, this issue p.
307
; see also p.
248
The interaction of human population, food production, and biodiversity protection
Authors: Crist Eileen , Mora Camilo , Engelman Robert
Published: April 2017

Research suggests that the scale of human population and the current pace of its growth contribute substantially to the loss of biological diversity. Although technological change and unequal consumption inextricably mingle with demographic impacts on the environment, the needs of all human beings—especially for food—imply that projected population growth will undermine protection of the natural world. Numerous solutions have been proposed to boost food production while protecting biodiversity, but alone these proposals are unlikely to staunch biodiversity loss. An important approach to sustaining biodiversity and human well-being is through actions that can slow and eventually reverse population growth: investing in universal access to reproductive health services and contraceptive technologies, advancing women’s education, and achieving gender equality.
iPTF16geu: A multiply imaged, gravitationally lensed type Ia supernova
Authors: Goobar A. , Amanullah R. , Kulkarni S. R. , Nugent P. E. , Johansson J. , Steidel C. , Law D. , Mörtsell E. , Quimby R. , Blagorodnova N. , Brandeker A. , Cao Y. , Cooray A. , Ferretti R. , Fremling C. , Hangard L. , Kasliwal M. , Kupfer T. , Lunnan R. , Masci F. , Miller A. A. , Nayyeri H. , Neill J. D. , Ofek E. O. , Papadogiannakis S. , Petrushevska T. , Ravi V. , Sollerman J. , Sullivan M. , Taddia F. , Walters R. , Wilson D. , Yan L. , Yaron O.
Published: April 2017

Multiple images of a type Ia supernova

General relativity indicates that any sufficiently massive object bends the path of light passing by it. This effect is known as gravitational lensing. Goobar
et al.
have identified a supernova that is strongly lensed by a foreground galaxy, causing it to be highly magnified and splitting the light into four separate images. What is more, it is a type Ia supernova, a well-studied variety with reliable properties that can be used to constrain models of the lensing. This distinctive object will enable cosmological measurements and can be used to probe the distribution of mass in the foreground galaxy.

Science
, this issue p.
291
Putting a value on injuries to natural assets: The BP oil spill
Authors: Bishop Richard C. , Boyle Kevin J. , Carson Richard T. , Chapman David , Hanemann W. Michael , Kanninen Barbara , Kopp Raymond J. , Krosnick Jon A. , List John , Meade Norman , Paterson Robert , Presser Stanley , Smith V. Kerry , Tourangeau Roger , Welsh Michael , Wooldridge Jeffrey M. , DeBell Matthew , Donovan Colleen , Konopka Matthew , Scherer Nora
Published: April 2017

Stated-preference research supports $17.2B in protections
Biased inheritance protects older bacteria from harm
Authors: Barrett Theresa C. , Mok Wendy W. K. , Brynildsen Mark P.
Published: April 2017

Asymmetric distribution of an efflux pump makes older bacteria less sensitive to antibiotics
Decoding hormones for a stem cell niche
Authors: Robertson Claire
Published: April 2017

Stromal cells in the mammary gland enable stem cells to respond to hormones
Continental Drift and Speciation of the Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii Species Complexes
Authors: Casadevall Arturo , Freij Joudeh B. , Hann-Soden Christopher , Taylor John
Published: April 2017

Genomic analysis has placed the origins of two human-pathogenic fungi, the
Cryptococcus gattii
species complex and the
Cryptococcus neoformans
species complex, in South America and Africa, respectively. Molecular clock calculations suggest that the two species separated ~80 to 100 million years ago. This time closely approximates the breakup of the supercontinent Pangea, which gave rise to South America and Africa. On the basis of the geographic distribution of these two species complexes and the coincidence of the evolutionary divergence and Pangea breakup times, we propose that a spatial separation caused by continental drift resulted in the emergence of the
C. gattii
and
C. neoformans
species complexes from a Pangean ancestor. We note that, despite the spatial and temporal separation that occurred approximately 100 million years ago, these two species complexes are morphologically similar, share virulence factors, and cause very similar diseases. Continuation of these phenotypic characteristics despite ancient separation suggests the maintenance of similar selection pressures throughout geologic ages.
Structural, dielectric and impedance spectroscopic studies of Ni0.5Zn0.5−xLixFe2O4 nanocrystalline ferrites
Authors: Venkatesh Davuluri , Ramesh K. V.
Published: April 2017

Nanocrystalline lithium substituted Ni–Zn ferrites with composition Ni[Formula: see text]Zn[Formula: see text]Li[Formula: see text]Fe2O4 ([Formula: see text] = 0.00–0.25 in steps of 0.05) were synthesized by the citrate gel auto-combustion method and were sintered at 1000[Formula: see text]C for 4 h in air atmosphere. The structural, dielectric, impedance spectroscopic and magnetic properties were studied by using X-ray diffraction, impedance analyzer and vibrating sample magnetometer respectively. The X-ray diffraction patterns confirm that all samples exhibit a single phase cubic spinel structure. Suitable cation distribution for all compositions has been proposed by using the X-ray diffraction line intensity calculations and the theoretical lattice parameter for each composition was observed in close agreement with the experimental ones and thereby supporting the proposed distribution. An increase in the saturation magnetization was observed up to [Formula: see text] = 0.10 level of Li[Formula: see text] substitution and thereafter magnetization reduced for higher concentrations to the highest level of Li[Formula: see text] substitution. The dielectric constant and the DC resistivity of Ni–Zn–Li ferrites were noticed to decrease with increase in the Li[Formula: see text] ion concentration. The impedance spectroscopic studies by using the Cole–Cole plots were studied in order to obtain the relaxation time, grain resistance and grain capacitance. AC conductivity initially remained almost independent of frequency for lower frequencies and thereafter for higher frequencies the AC conductivity increased with increase of Lithium concentration.
Mechanical and thermodynamic properties of intermetallic compounds in the Ni–Ti system
Authors: Li Y. F. , Tang S. L. , Gao Y. M. , Ma S. Q. , Zheng Q. L. , Cheng Y. H.
Published: April 2017

The mechanical and thermodynamic properties of intermetallic compounds in the Ni–Ti system are studied by first-principles calculations. All phases show anisotropic elasticity in different crystallographic directions, in which Ni3Ti and NiTi2 are approaching the isotropy structure. The elastic moduli and Vicker’s hardness of Ni–Ti system intermetallic compounds decrease in the following order: Ni3Ti [Formula: see text] B2_NiTi [Formula: see text] B19[Formula: see text]_NiTi [Formula: see text] NiTi2, and Ni3Ti shows the best mechanical properties. The intrinsic ductile nature of Ni–Ti compounds is confirmed by the obtained [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] ratio. The temperature dependence of linear thermal expansion coefficients (LTECs) of the compounds is estimated by the quasi-harmonic approximation (QHA) method. Ni3Ti shows the largest values among all Ni–Ti intermetallic compounds. At room temperature, the LTEC for Ni3Ti is 8.92 × 10[Formula: see text] K[Formula: see text], which falls in between the LTEC of zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) (7.0–9.5 × 106 K[Formula: see text]) and iron matrix (9.2–16.9 × 106 K[Formula: see text]); i.e., the thermal matching of the ZTA/iron composite will be improved by introducing Ni3Ti intermetallic compound into their interface. Other thermodynamic properties such as sound velocity and Debye temperature are also obtained.
A 0.975 μW 10-bit 100 kS/s SAR ADC with an energy-efficient and area-efficient switching scheme
Authors: Hu Yunfeng , Xiong Chao , Li Bin
Published: April 2017

A 10-bit successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with an energy-efficient and area-efficient switching scheme was presented. By using C-2C dummy capacitor and an extra reference [Formula: see text] for the last capacitor, the proposed switching scheme achieves 97.65% switching energy saving, 87.2% capacitor area reduction and 47.06% switches reduction, compare to conventional switching scheme. The ADC was implemented in a 180 nm CMOS technology 1.8 V power supply, at sampling rate of 100 kS/s, the ADC achieves an SNDR of 57.84 dB and consumes 0.975 [Formula: see text], resulting in a figure-of-merit (FOM) of 15.3 fJ/conversion-step.
Stochastic gradient identification algorithm for nonlinear system modeling in wind power curtailment prediction
Authors: Wang Ziyun , Wu Dinghui , Wang Yan , Ji Zhicheng
Published: April 2017

This paper considered the parameter identification problem of Hammerstein finite impulse response models and a novel stochastic gradient identification algorithm is derived for the Hammerstein system modeling. By using the gradient search principle and minimizing the quadratic criterion functions, the presented stochastic gradient identification algorithm has a better computational efficiency. The given simulation validates that the proposed algorithm can identify the wind power characteristic curve accurately and contributes to calculate the wind power curtailment prediction.
Assessment of lithological, geochemical and structural controls on gold distribution in the Nalunaq gold deposit, South Greenland using three-dimensional implicit modelling
Authors: Bell Robin-Marie , Kolb Jochen , Waight Tod E.
Published: April 2017

Field, drillcore and geochemical data are used to create a three-dimensional implicit model to assess the controls on gold mineralization at the Nalunaq orogenic gold deposit in South Greenland. Gold occurs in narrow quartz veins with variable dips averaging 34° SE that cut meta-basic rocks. The bulk of the mineralization is contained within a single gold–quartz vein, named the Main Vein. Within this vein, gold is concentrated into three ore shoots plunging 20–25° NE, corresponding to the South, Target and Mountain blocks of the Nalunaq gold mine. Gold anomalies in drillcores are identified updip and downdip from the current mine workings. Modelling reveals that structural controls have the greatest influence on the location of gold. Flexures in the Main Vein correspond to changes in the host rock lithology and the gold grade is highest where the quartz vein is steepest. Where late-stage faults intercept the Main Vein, gold grades are lower. The comprehensive gold assay data from the mine, which are integrated with structural observations in the implicit model, refine the structural interpretation of the Nalunaq gold deposit, highlighting the ore shoot geometry and delineating the minimum extents of mineralization beyond the currently mined areas.
CRADLE
Authors: Mirsky Reuth , Gal Ya’akov (Kobi) , Shieber Stuart M.
Published: April 2017

In exploratory domains, agents’ behaviors include switching between activities, extraneous actions, and mistakes. Such settings are prevalent in real world applications such as interaction with open-ended software, collaborative office assistants, and integrated development environments. Despite the prevalence of such settings in the real world, there is scarce work in formalizing the connection between high-level goals and low-level behavior and inferring the former from the latter in these settings. We present a formal grammar for describing users’ activities in such domains. We describe a new top-down plan recognition algorithm called CRADLE (Cumulative Recognition of Activities and Decreasing Load of Explanations) that uses this grammar to recognize agents’ interactions in exploratory domains. We compare the performance of CRADLE with state-of-the-art plan recognition algorithms in several experimental settings consisting of real and simulated data. Our results show that CRADLE was able to output plans exponentially more quickly than the state-of-the-art without compromising its correctness, as determined by domain experts. Our approach can form the basis of future systems that use plan recognition to provide real-time support to users in a growing class of interesting and challenging domains.
Power-Utility-Driven Write Management for MLC PCM
Authors: Li Bing , HU YU , Wang Ying , Ye Jing , Li Xiaowei
Published: April 2017

Phase change memory (PCM) is a promising alternative to Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) as main memory due to its merits of high density and low leakage power. Multi-level Cell (MLC) PCM is more attractive than Single-level Cell (SLC) PCM, because it can store multiple bits per cell to achieve higher density and lower per-bit cost. With the iterative program-verify write technique, MLC PCM writes demand at much higher power than DRAM writes, while the power supply system of MLC memory system is similar to that of DRAM, and the power capability is limited. The incompatibility of high write power and limited power budget results in the degradation of the write throughput and performance in MLC PCM. In this work, we investigate both write scheduling policy and power management to improve the MLC power utility and alleviate the negative impacts induced by high write power. We identify the power-utility-driven write scheduling as an online bin-packing problem and then derive a power-utility-driven scheduling (PUDS) policy from the First Fit algorithm to improve the write power usage. Based on the ramp-down characteristic of the SET pulse (the pulse changes the PCM to high resistance), we propose the SET Power Amortization (SPA) policy, which proactively reclaims the power tokens at the intra-SET level to promote the power utilization. Our experimental results demonstrate that the PUDS and SPA respectively achieve 24% and 27% performance improvement over the state-of-the-art power management technique, and the PUDS8SPA has an overall 31% improvement of the power utility and 50% increase of performance compared to the baseline system.
Survey of STT-MRAM Cell Design Strategies
Authors: Salehi Soheil , Fan Deliang , Demara Ronald F.
Published: April 2017

Spin-Transfer Torque Random Access Memory (STT-MRAM) has been explored as a post-CMOS technology for embedded and data storage applications seeking non-volatility, near-zero standby energy, and high density. Towards attaining these objectives for practical implementations, various techniques to mitigate the specific reliability challenges associated with STT-MRAM elements are surveyed, classified, and assessed in this article. Cost and suitability metrics assessed include the area of nanomagmetic and CMOS components per bit, access time and complexity, sense margin, and energy or power consumption costs versus resiliency benefits. Solutions to the reliability issues identified are addressed within a taxonomy created to categorize the current and future approaches to reliable STT-MRAM designs. A variety of destructive and non-destructive sensing schemes are assessed for process variation tolerance, read disturbance reduction, sense margin, and write polarization asymmetry compensation. The highest resiliency strategies deliver a sensing margin above 300mV while incurring low power and energy consumption on the order of picojoules and microwatts, respectively, and attaining read sense latency of a few nanoseconds down to hundreds of picoseconds for non-destructive and destructive sensing schemes, respectively.
Extracellular Heme Uptake and the Challenge of Bacterial Cell Membranes
Authors: Huang Weiliang , Wilks Angela
Published: April 2017

Iron is essential for the survival of most bacteria but presents a significant challenge given its limited bioavailability. Furthermore, the toxicity of iron combined with the need to maintain physiological iron levels within a narrow concentration range requires sophisticated systems to sense, regulate, and transport iron. Most bacteria have evolved mechanisms to chelate and transport ferric iron (Fe3+) via siderophore receptor systems, and pathogenic bacteria have further lowered this barrier by employing mechanisms to utilize the host's hemoproteins. Once internalized, heme is cleaved by both oxidative and nonoxidative mechanisms to release iron. Heme, itself a lipophilic and toxic molecule, presents a significant challenge for transport into the cell. As such, pathogenic bacteria have evolved sophisticated cell surface signaling and transport systems to obtain heme from the host. In this review, we summarize the structure and function of the heme-sensing and transport systems of pathogenic bacteria and the potential of these systems as antimicrobial targets.
Cellular Electron Cryotomography: Toward Structural Biology In Situ
Authors: Oikonomou Catherine M. , Jensen Grant J.
Published: April 2017

Electron cryotomography (ECT) provides three-dimensional views of macromolecular complexes inside cells in a native frozen–hydrated state. Over the last two decades, ECT has revealed the ultrastructure of cells in unprecedented detail. It has also allowed us to visualize the structures of macromolecular machines in their native context inside intact cells. In many cases, such machines cannot be purified intact for in vitro study. In other cases, the function of a structure is lost outside the cell, so that the mechanism can be understood only by observation in situ. In this review, we describe the technique and its history and provide examples of its power when applied to cell biology. We also discuss the integration of ECT with other techniques, including lower-resolution fluorescence imaging and higher-resolution atomic structure determination, to cover the full scale of cellular processes.
Social Structure, Adversity, Toxic Stress, and Intergenerational Poverty: An Early Childhood Model
Authors: McEwen Craig A. , McEwen Bruce S.
Published: April 2017

Why are children of poor parents more likely to be poor as adults than other children? Early-childhood adversities resulting from social structures and relationships impact children's bodily systems and brain development through recurrent stress. These socially patterned biological processes influence social reproduction. Social support and interventions can prevent or compensate for the early biological effects of toxic social environments. This article integrates sociological, neuroscience, epigenetic, and psychological evidence to build a model of early-childhood developmental mechanisms contributing to intergenerational poverty. This model captures ways in which social structures interact with biological characteristics and systems to shape life trajectories.
GABA and primary motor cortex inhibition in young and older adults: a multimodal reliability study
Authors: Mooney Ronan A. , Cirillo John , Byblow Winston D.
Published: April 2017

The effects of healthy aging on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) within primary motor cortex (M1) remain poorly understood. Studies have reported contrasting results, potentially due to limitations with the common assessment technique. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of healthy aging on M1 GABA concentration and neurotransmission using a multimodal approach. Fifteen young and sixteen older adults participated in this study. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to measure M1 GABA concentration. Single-pulse and threshold-tracking paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocols were used to examine cortical silent period duration, short- and long-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI and LICI), and late cortical disinhibition (LCD). The reliability of TMS measures was examined with intraclass correlation coefficient analyses. SICI at 1 ms was reduced in older adults (15.13 ± 2.59%) compared with young (25.66 ± 1.44%; P = 0.002). However, there was no age-related effect for cortical silent period duration, SICI at 3 ms, LICI, or LCD (all P > 0.66). The intersession reliability of threshold-tracking measures was good to excellent for both young (range 0.75–0.96) and older adults (range 0.88–0.93). Our findings indicate that extrasynaptic inhibition may be reduced with advancing age, whereas GABA concentration and synaptic inhibition are maintained. Furthermore, MRS and threshold-tracking TMS provide valid and reliable assessment of M1 GABA concentration and neurotransmission, respectively, in young and older adults.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) in primary motor cortex was assessed in young and older adults using magnetic resonance spectroscopy and threshold-tracking paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation. Older adults exhibited reduced extrasynaptic inhibition (short-interval intracortical inhibition at 1 ms) compared with young, whereas GABA concentration and synaptic inhibition were similar between age groups. We demonstrate that magnetic resonance spectroscopy and threshold-tracking provide valid and reliable assessments of primary motor cortex GABA concentration and neurotransmission, respectively.
Drug Susceptibility of 33 Reference Strains of Slowly Growing Mycobacteria to 19 Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Pang Hui , Jiang Yi , Wan Kanglin
Published: April 2017

Objectives. Slowly growing mycobacteria (SGM) are prevalent worldwide and cause an extensive spectrum of diseases. Methods. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility of 33 reference strains of SGM to 19 antimicrobial agents was tested using a modified microdilution method. Results. Cefmetazole (32/33) and azithromycin (32/33) exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity, and dapsone (9/33) exhibited the lowest activity against the tested strains. Cefoxitin (30/33), cefoperazone (28/33), and cefepime (28/33) were effective against a high proportion of strains, and macrolides were also highly effective as well as offering the benefit of convenient oral administration to patients. Linezolid (27/33), meropenem (26/33), sulfamethoxazole (26/33), and tigecycline (25/33) showed the highest activity; clofazimine (20/33) and doxycycline (18/33) showed intermediate activity; and rifapentine (13/33), rifabutin (13/33), and minocycline (11/33) showed low antimicrobial activity, closely followed by thioacetazone (10/33) and pasiniazid (10/33), against the tested organisms. According to their susceptibility profiles, the slowly growing species Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium simiae were the least susceptible to the tested drugs, whereas Mycobacterium intracellulare, Mycobacterium asiaticum, Mycobacterium scrofulaceum, Mycobacterium szulgai, Mycobacterium branderi, and Mycobacterium holsaticum were the most susceptible. Conclusions. In summary, cephalosporins and macrolides, particularly cefmetazole, azithromycin, clarithromycin, and roxithromycin, showed good antimicrobial activity against the reference strains of SGM.
Positive Correlation between IP-10 and IFN-γLevels in Rhesus Monkeys(Macaca mulatta)with Either Naturally Acquired or Experimental Infection ofMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Min Fangui , Wu Ruike , Pan Jinchun , Huang Shuwu , Luo Yinzhu , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2017

Numerous studies identify that IP-10 and IFN-γare involved in leucocyte migration and activation and regarded as promising surrogate biomarkers in human and bovine tuberculosis infection, but there is lack of evidence for IP-10 in nonhuman primates. In this study, we directly determined IP-10 and IFN-γlevels in plasma from 30 healthy monkeys, 30 monkeys with naturally acquired tuberculosis, 4 monkeys experimentally infected with tuberculosis, and PPD stimulated whole blood of 14 monkeys with naturally acquired tuberculosis by ELISA. Higher plasma levels of IP-10 and IFN-γwere observed in natural tuberculosis monkeys than in healthy controls. The dynamic changes of plasma IP-10 and IFN-γin experimental infections showed consistent representation of a transient increase during the infection period. After PPD stimulation, release of IP-10 and IFN-γis significantly induced in natural tuberculosis monkeys, but the stimulation index of IP-10 was significantly lower than IFN-γ. Further analysis showed that positive correlation between IP-10 and IFN-γexisted in healthy and tuberculosis monkeys. Our findings support plasma IP-10 and IFN-γas biomarkers for monitoring ongoing inflammation of nonhuman primate tuberculosis, and IFN-γis a more valuable diagnostic biomarker.
Study on the Permeability Characteristics of Polyurethane Soil Stabilizer Reinforced Sand
Authors: Liu Jin , Qi Xiaohui , Zhang Da , Feng Qiao , Wang Yong , Kanungo Debi Prasanna
Published: April 2017

A polymer material of polyurethane soil stabilizer (PSS) is used to reinforce the sand. To understand the permeability characteristics of PSS reinforced sand, a series of reinforcement layer form test, single-hole permeability test, and porous permeability test of sand reinforced with PSS have been performed. Reinforcement mechanism is discussed with scanning electron microscope images. The results indicated that the permeability resistance of sand reinforced with polyurethane soil stabilizer is improved through the formation of reinforcement layer on the sand surface. The thickness and complete degree of the reinforcement layer increase with the increasing of curing time and PSS concentration. The water flow rate decreases with the increasing of curing time or PSS concentration. The permeability coefficient decreases with the increasing of curing time and PSS concentration and increases with the increasing of depth in specimen. PSS fills up the voids of sand and adsorbs on the surface of sand particle to reduce or block the flowing channels of water to improve the permeability resistance of sand. The results can be applied as the reference for chemical reinforcement sandy soil engineering, especially for surface protection of embankment, slope, and landfill.
Metabolic Perturbation and Potential Markers in Patients with Esophageal Cancer
Authors: Zhu Xianlan , Wang Kun , Liu Gaoshuang , Wang Yuqing , Xu Jin , Liu Linsheng , Li Mengjie , Shi Jian , Aa Jiye , Yu Lianzhen
Published: April 2017

Clinical diagnosis of esophageal cancer (EC) at early stage is rather difficult. This study aimed to profile the molecules in serum and tissue and identify potential biomarkers in patients with EC. A total of 64 volunteers were recruited, and 83 samples (24 EC serum samples, 21 serum controls, 19 paired EC tissues, and corresponding tumor-adjacent tissues) were analyzed. The gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS) was employed, and principal component analysis was used to reveal the discriminatory metabolites and identify the candidate markers of EC. A total of 41 in serum and 36 identified compounds in tissues were relevant to the malignant prognosis. A marked metabolic reprogramming of EC was observed, including enhanced anaerobic glycolysis and glutaminolysis, inhibited tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and altered lipid metabolism and amino acid turnover. Based on the potential markers of glucose, glutamic acid, lactic acid, and cholesterol, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated good diagnosis and prognosis of EC. EC patients showed distinct reprogrammed metabolism involved in glycolysis, TCA cycle, glutaminolysis, and fatty acid metabolism. The pivotal molecules in the metabolic pathways were suggested as the potential markers to facilitate the early diagnosis of human EC.
Green Supply Chain Network Design with Economies of Scale and Environmental Concerns
Authors: Zhang Dezhi , Zou Fangzi , Li Shuangyan , Zhou Lingyun
Published: April 2017

This study considers a design problem in the supply chain network of an assembly manufacturing enterprise with economies of scale and environmental concerns. The study aims to obtain a rational tradeoff between environmental influence and total cost. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming model is developed to determine the optimal location and size of regional distribution centers (RDCs) and the investment of environmental facilities considering the effects of economies of scale and CO2 emission taxes. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the applications of the proposed model. Moreover, comparative analysis of the related key parameters is conducted (i.e., carbon emission tax, logistics demand of customers, and economies of scale of RDC), to explore the corresponding effects on the network design of a green supply chain. Moreover, the proposed model is applied in an actual case—network design of a supply chain of an electric meter company in China. Findings show that (i) the optimal location of RDCs is affected by the demand of customers and the level of economies of scale and that (ii) the introduction of CO2 emission taxes will change the structure of a supply chain network, which will decrease CO2 emissions per unit shipment.