bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The pragmatic randomized optimal platelet and plasma ratios trial: what does it mean for remote damage control resuscitation?
Authors: Yonge John D. , Schreiber Martin A.
Published: April 2016

BACKGROUND

Implications from the pragmatic, randomize, optimal platelet and plasma ratios (PROPPR) trial are critical for remote damage control resuscitation (DCR). Utilizing DCR principals in remote settings can combat early mortality from hemorrhage. Identifying the appropriate transfusion strategy is mandatory prior to adopting prehospital hemostatic resuscitation strategies.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The PROPPR study was examined in relation to the following questions: 1) Why is it important to have blood products in the prehospital setting?; 2) Which products should be investigated for prehospital hemostatic resuscitation?; 3) What is the appropriate ratio of blood product transfusion?; and 4) What are the appropriate indications for hemostatic resuscitation?

RESULTS

PROPPR demonstrates that early and balanced blood product transfusion ratios reduced mortality in all patients at 3 hours and death from exsanguination at 24 hours (p = 0.03). The median time to death from exsanguination was 2.3 hours, highlighting the need for point‐of‐injury DCR capabilities. A 1:1:1 transfusion ratio of plasma:platelets:packed red blood cells increased the percentage of patients achieving anatomic hemostasis (p = 0.006). PROPPR used the assessment of blood consumption score to identify patients likely to require ongoing hemostatic resuscitation. The critical administration threshold predicted patient mortality and identified patients likely to require ongoing hemostatic resuscitation.

CONCLUSION

A balanced resuscitation strategy demonstrates an early survival benefit, decreased death from exsanguination at 24 hours and a greater likelihood of achieving hemostasis in critically injured patients receiving a 1:1:1 ratio of plasma:platelets:PRBCs. This finding highlights the need to import DCR principals to remote locations.
Comprehensive review of platelet storage methods for use in the treatment of active hemorrhage
Authors: Milford Elissa M. , Reade Michael C.
Published: April 2016

This review considers the various methods currently in use, or under investigation, for the storage of platelets intended for use in the treatment of active hemorrhage. The current standard practice of storing platelets at room temperature (RT) (20°C‐24°C) optimizes circulating time, but at the expense of hemostatic function and logistical considerations. A number of alternatives are under investigation. Novel storage media additives appear to attenuate the deleterious changes that affect RT stored platelets. Cold storage was originally abandoned due to the poor circulating time of platelets stored at 4°C, but such platelets may actually be more hemostatically effective, with a number of other advantages, compared to RT stored platelets. Periodically re‐warming cold stored platelets (temperature cycling, TC) may combine the hemostatic efficacy of cold stored platelets with the longer circulating times of RT storage. Alternatives to liquid storage include cryopreservation (freezing) or lyophilization (freeze‐drying). The former has had some limited clinical use and larger clinical trials are underway, while the latter is still in the preclinical stage with promising in vitro and in vivo results. The importance of platelet transfusion in the management of active hemorrhage is now well accepted, so it is timely that platelet storage methods are reviewed with consideration of not only their circulating time, but also their hemostatic efficacy.
Where now for transfusion: the evolution of a paradigm and its logical progression
Authors: Farrugia Albert , Starr Douglas
Published: April 2016

The development of transfusion over the past century and a half has been described as one of the blessings of modern medicine. But, in some ways, it is emerging as a decidedly mixed blessing, bringing epidemics as well as improved health. Given all the practice has been through, now is the right time to take a critical look at blood transfusion as it is practiced today, and whether it serves the individual patient as effectively as the interests of those who administer it.
Making Research Results Relevant and Useable: Presenting Complex Organizational Context Data to Nonresearch Stakeholders in the Nursing Home Setting
Authors: Estabrooks Carole A. , Knopp‐Sihota Jennifer A. , Cummings Greta G. , Norton Peter G.
Published: April 2016

Background

The success of evidence‐based practice depends on clearly and effectively communicating often complex data to stakeholders. In our program of research, Translating Research in Elder Care (TREC), we focus on improving the quality and safety of care delivered to nursing home residents in western Canada. More specifically, we investigate associations among organizational context, the use of best practices and resident outcomes. Our data are complex and we have been challenged with presenting these data in a way that is not only intuitive, but also useful for our stakeholders.

Aim

To illustrate a technique of organizing and presenting complex data to nonresearch stakeholders.

Methods

Using observational data previously collected within the TREC study, we used k‐means cluster analysis to categorize nursing home resident care units or facilities within our sample into two distinct groups—those with more favorable contexts (work environment) and those with less favorable contexts. We then produced scatter plots to illustrate group differences between context and various quality indicators among resident care units or facilities.

Results

Care aides working on units with more favorable context reported higher use of best practices. When aggregated at the nursing home facility level, facilities with low rates of both urinary tract infections and indwelling catheter use are higher in organizational context. When feeding back these results to stakeholders, we identify their units so that they are able to visually assess their units, both relative to each other and relative to all other units and facilities both within and among provinces.

Linking Evidence to Action

Although we have not formally evaluated this method, we have used it extensively as part of the feedback we provide to stakeholders. As we are examining modifiable aspects of context, the stakeholder can then identify areas for improvement and thus implement a focused plan.
Aerobic exercise training in the treatment of non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease related fibrosis
Authors: Linden Melissa A. , Sheldon Ryan D. , Meers Grace M. , Ortinau Laura C. , Morris E. Matthew , Booth Frank W. , Kanaley Jill A. , Vieira‐Potter Victoria J. , Sowers James R. , Ibdah Jamal A. , Thyfault John P. , Laughlin M. Harold , Rector R. Scott
Published: April 2016

Key points

Physiologically relevant rodent models of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) that resemble the human condition are limited.

Exercise training and energy restriction are first‐line recommendations for the treatment of NASH.

Hyperphagic Otsuka Long–Evans Tokushima fatty rats fed a western diet high in fat, sucrose and cholesterol for 24 weeks developed a severe NASH with fibrosis phenotype.

Moderate intensity exercise training and modest energy restriction provided some improvement in the histological features of NASH that coincided with alterations in markers of hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix remodelling.

The present study highlights the importance of lifestyle modification, including exercise training and energy restriction, in the regulation of advanced liver disease.

The incidence of non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is rising but the efficacy of lifestyle modifications to improve NASH‐related outcomes remain unclear. We hypothesized that a western diet (WD) would induce NASH in the Otsuka Long–Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat and that lifestyle modification would improve this condition. Eight‐week‐old Long–Evans Tokushima Otsuka (L) and OLETF (O) rats consumed a control diet (10% kcal fat, 3.5% sucrose) or a WD (45% kcal fat, 17% sucrose, 1% cholesterol) for 24 weeks. At 20 weeks of age, additional WD‐fed OLETFs were randomized to sedentary (O‐SED), food restriction (O‐FR; ∼25% kcal reduction vs. O‐SED) or exercise training (O‐EX; treadmill running 20 m min–1 with a 15% incline, 60 min day–1, 5 days week–1) conditions for 12 weeks. WD induced a NASH phenotype in OLETFs characterized by hepatic fibrosis (collagen 1α1 mRNA and hydroxyproline content), as well as elevated inflammation and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease activity scores, and hepatic stellate cell activation (α‐smooth muscle actin) compared to Long–Evans Tokushima Otsuka rats. FR and EX modestly improved NASH‐related fibrosis markers (FR: hydroxyproline content, P < 0.01; EX: collagen 1α1 mRNA, P < 0.05; both: fibrosis score, P < 0.01) and inflammation (both: inflammation score; FR: interleukin‐1β and tumor necrosis factor α) vs. O‐SED. FR reduced hepatic stellate cell activation markers (transforming growth factor‐β protein and α‐smooth muscle actin mRNA), whereas EX increased the hepatic stellate cell senescence marker CCN1 (P < 0.01 vs. O‐SED). Additionally, both FR and EX normalized extracellular matrix remodelling markers to levels similar to L‐WD (P > 0.05). Although neither EX nor FR led to complete resolution of the WD‐induced NASH phenotype, both independently benefitted liver fibrosis via altered hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix remodelling.
Photonic spin-controlled multifunctional shared-aperture antenna array
Authors: Maguid Elhanan , Yulevich Igor , Veksler Dekel , Kleiner Vladimir , Brongersma Mark L. , Hasman Erez
Published: April 2016

Multifunction planar optics

Specially designed two-dimensional (2D) arrays of nanometer-scale metallic antennas, or metasurfaces, may allow bulky optical components to be shrunk down to a planar device structure. Khorasaninejad
et al.
show that arrays of nanoscale fins of TiO can function as high-end optical lenses. At just a fraction of the size of optical objectives, such planar devices could turn your phone camera or your contact lens into a compound microscope. Maguid
et al.
interleaved sparse 2D arrays of metal antennas to get multifunctional behavior from the one planar device structure (see the Perspective by Litchinitser). The enhanced functionality of such designed metasurfaces could be used in sensing applications or to increase the communication capacity of nanophotonic networks.

Science
, this issue pp.
1190
and
1202
; see also p.
1177
Draft Genome Sequence of the Vaccination Strain
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG S4-Jena
Authors: Wibberg Daniel , Winkler Anika , Straube Eberhard , Karrasch Matthias , Keller Peter M. , Kalinowski Jörn
Published: April 2016

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of
Mycobacterium bovis
BCG S4-Jena, a tuberculosis vaccine strain. The genome of S4-Jena is represented by 48 scaffolds, consisting of 132 scaffolded contigs and amounting to a size of about 4.2 Mb. New genes potentially encoding a phage fragment were identified in the genome.
Complete Draft Genome Sequence of
Escherichia coli
JF733
Authors: Kleiner Gabriele R. M. , Wibberg Daniel , Winkler Anika , Kalinowski Jörn , Wertz John E. , Friehs Karl
Published: April 2016

Escherichia coli
JF733 is a strain with a long history in research on membrane proteins and processes. However, tracing back the strain development raises some questions concerning the correct genotype of JF733. Here, we present the complete draft genome of
E. coli
JF733 in order to resolve any remaining uncertainties.
Complete Genome Sequences of
Aerococcus christensenii
CCUG 28831
T
,
Aerococcus sanguinicola
CCUG 43001
T
,
Aerococcus urinae
CCUG 36881
T
,
Aerococcus urinaeequi
CCUG 28094
T
,
Aerococcus urinaehominis
CCUG 42038 B
T
, and
Aerococcus viridans
CCUG 4311
T
Authors: Carkaci Derya , Dargis Rimtas , Nielsen Xiaohui Chen , Skovgaard Ole , Fuursted Kurt , Christensen Jens Jørgen
Published: April 2016

Strains belonging to the genus
Aerococcus
are causative agents of human and animal infections, including urogenital infections, bacteremia/septicemia, and infective endocarditis. This study reports the first fully closed and complete genome sequences of six type strains belonging to the genus
Aerococcus
using a combination of Illumina HiSeq and PacBio sequencing technologies.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Methanoculleus sediminis
S3Fa
T
, a Hydrogenotrophic Methanogen Isolated from a Submarine Mud Volcano in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Sheng-Chung , Chen Mei-Fei , Weng Chieh-Yin , Lai Mei-Chin , Wu Sue-Yao
Published: April 2016

Here, we announce the genome sequence of
Methanoculleus sediminis
S3Fa
T
(DSM 29354
T
), a strict anaerobic methanoarchaeon, which was isolated from sediments near the submarine mud volcano MV4 located offshore in southwestern Taiwan. The 2.49-Mb genome consists of 2,459 predicted genes, 3 rRNAs, 48 tRNAs, and 1 ncRNA. The sequence of this novel strain may provide more information for species delineation and the roles that this strain plays in the unique marine mud volcano habitat.
The Sponge Hologenome
Authors: Webster Nicole S. , Thomas Torsten
Published: April 2016

A paradigm shift has recently transformed the field of biological science; molecular advances have revealed how fundamentally important microorganisms are to many aspects of a host’s phenotype and evolution. In the process, an era of “holobiont” research has emerged to investigate the intricate network of interactions between a host and its symbiotic microbial consortia. Marine sponges are early-diverging metazoa known for hosting dense, specific, and often highly diverse microbial communities. Here we synthesize current thoughts about the environmental and evolutionary forces that influence the diversity, specificity, and distribution of microbial symbionts within the sponge holobiont, explore the physiological pathways that contribute to holobiont function, and describe the molecular mechanisms that underpin the establishment and maintenance of these symbiotic partnerships. The collective genomes of the sponge holobiont form the sponge hologenome, and we highlight how the forces that define a sponge’s phenotype in fact act on the genomic interplay between the different components of the holobiont.
Bilateral cloudy cornea: is the usual suspect congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy or stromal dystrophy?
Authors: Acar Banu Torun , Bozkurt Kansu Tahir , Duman Erkan , Acar Suphi
Published: April 2016

We provide the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up period of a patient with cloudy cornea in both eyes from birth. A 4-year-old girl presented with blurring in both eyes. Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) was performed with the preliminary diagnosis of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy in June 2012. According to the pathology report for extracted host tissue, the Descemet's membrane (DM) and endothelium were healthy and diagnosis was reported to be congenital hereditary stromal dystrophy. Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty was performed on the left eye. The DM was transparent at follow-up. Cornea transplantation is the only choice to provide visual rehabilitation in children with congenital cloudy cornea. However, it is known that the prognosis of traditional PK in the paediatric age group is not good. Therefore, when using alternative keratoplasty (deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty, Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty) options, pathological examination of the host tissue should be made.
Stress fracture of the proximal fibula after total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Vaish Abhishek , Vaishya Raju , Agarwal Amit Kumar , Vijay Vipul
Published: April 2016

We report a rare case of proximal fibular fatigue fracture developing 14 years after total knee arthroplasty in a known case of rheumatoid arthritis. A valgus deformity of the knee can put abnormal stress on the upper fibula leading to its failure. We believe that, as the fibula acts as an important lateral strut, its disruption due to a fracture led to rapid progress of the valgus deformity of the knee in this patient.
Income inequality within urban settings and depressive symptoms among adolescents
Authors: Pabayo Roman , Dunn Erin C , Gilman Stephen E , Kawachi Ichiro , Molnar Beth E
Published: April 2016

Background

Although recent evidence has shown that area-level income inequality is related to increased risk for depression among adults, few studies have tested this association among adolescents.

Methods

We analysed the cross-sectional data from a sample of 1878 adolescents living in 38 neighbourhoods participating in the 2008 Boston Youth Survey. Using multilevel linear regression modelling, we: (1) estimated the association between neighbourhood income inequality and depressive symptoms, (2) tested for cross-level interactions between sex and neighbourhood income inequality and (3) examined neighbourhood social cohesion as a mediator of the relationship between income inequality and depressive symptoms.

Results

The association between neighbourhood income inequality and depressive symptoms varied significantly by sex, with girls in higher income inequality neighbourhood reporting higher depressive symptom scores, but not boys. Among girls, a unit increase in Gini Z-score was associated with more depressive symptoms (β=0.38, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.47, p=0.01) adjusting for nativity, neighbourhood income, social cohesion, crime and social disorder. There was no evidence that the association between income inequality and depressive symptoms was due to neighbourhood-level differences in social cohesion.

Conclusions

The distribution of incomes within an urban area adversely affects adolescent girls' mental health; future work is needed to understand why, as well as to examine in greater depth the potential consequences of inequality for males, which may have been difficult to detect here.
Wave-function visualization of core-induced interaction of a non-hydrogenic Rydberg atom in an electric field
Authors: Gao Wei , Deng Min , Cheng Hong , Zhang ShanShan , Delos John B. , Liu HongPing
Published: April 2016

In this paper we report a wave-function visualization of the core-induced interaction of a non-hydrogenic Rydberg atom in an electric field and its resultant redistribution of the spectral line intensities. The energy levels and oscillator strengths are calculated based on an effective potential where the radial part of the wavefunction is expanded in a B-spline basis. The calculation is in good agreement with the experimental measurements of the absorption spectrum of sodium atoms in an electric field of F = 840 V/cm, both below and above the saddle point Esp. The visualization of the wavefunction for the eigenstates can help us to see how they stem from the interaction between two or more red and blue hydrogenic states. An approximate localized symmetry close to the atomic core is also observed in the wavefunctions, which accounts for the alternation of oscillator strengths in the experiment.
Structure and population dynamics of the secondary burrower crayfishProcambarus acanthophorusfrom a tropical Mexican wetland
Authors: Viccon-Pale J.A. , Ortega P. , Mendoza-Vargas L. , Castilla-Hernández P. , López-Cuevas A. , Meléndez-Herrada A. , Rivera-Becerril F. , Vela-Correa G. , Signoret-Poillon M.
Published: April 2016

Catch size, sex ratio, structure and dynamics, as well as mortality, of a population of the secondary burrower crayfish Procambarus acanthophorus Villalobos, 1948, from tropical wetland La Mixtequilla, Veracruz, Mexico, were examined. Monthly samples were taken from artisanal commercial captures. A total of 2141 individuals were caught. Although the total female:male ratio was 0.86, variation in sex ratios have also been found in monthly catches. Monthly polymodal frequency distributions of cephalothorax length (CL) were analyzed by the Bhattacharya method. Population catches consisted of six CL classes. The CL-class dynamic may show adaptations to the flood period. Growth parameters were estimated using the von Bertalanffy model. For females, K = 0.39 year−1, CL∞= 57.30 mm, [Formula: see text] = 3.11, and tmax= 6.73 years were found; it is appropriate that for males, K = 0.40 year−1, CL∞= 59.00 mm, [Formula: see text] = 3.14, and tmax= 6.59 years were found. We also examined whether water temperature influences the catches or sex ratio.
Distribution of natal dispersal distances and the genetic structure of Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis) populations
Authors: Barrowclough G.F. , Schroeder M.A.
Published: April 2016

Natal dispersal distances are difficult to measure, yet important for estimating the genetic structure and demographic connectedness of natural populations. Here we provide estimates of the distributions of male and female natal dispersal distances from a long-term study of Spruce Grouse (Falcipennis canadensis (L., 1758)) in southwestern Alberta, Canada, based on individuals marked as brood chicks and re-observed as adults during subsequent breeding seasons. The mean distance dispersed by females (2.33 km) was twice that of males (1.13 km), and both dispersal distributions were leptokurtic. Given estimates of population density and survivorship, we estimated the genetic effective neighborhood size of this population as approximately 541 individuals. We computed equivalent estimates for two additional long-term studies of this species, based on data available in the literature; mean natal dispersal distances, averaged across sexes, ranged from 1.73 to 2.73 km for the three populations; effective deme sizes ranged from 541 to 890. Consequently, three widespread populations of Spruce Grouse yielded roughly similar estimates of demographic and genetic structure.
Structural, elastic, electronic and optical properties of Cu3MTe4 (M = Nb, Ta) sulvanites — An ab initio study
Authors: Ali M. A. , Roknuzzaman M. , Nasir M. T. , Islam A. K. M. A. , Naqib S. H.
Published: April 2016

The elastic, electronic, and optical properties of [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] are investigated for the first time using the density-functional formalism. The optimized crystal structure is obtained and the lattice parameters are compared with available experimental data. Different elastic moduli are calculated. The Born criteria for mechanical stability are found to be fulfilled from the estimated values of the elastic moduli, [Formula: see text]. The band structure and the electronic energy density of states (EDOS) are also determined. The band structure calculations show semiconducting behavior for both the compounds. The theoretically calculated values of the band gaps are found to be strongly dependent on the nature of the functional representing the exchange correlations. Technologically significant optical parameters (e.g., dielectric function, refractive index, absorption coefficient, optical conductivity, reflectivity, and loss function) have been determined. Important conclusions are drawn based on the theoretical findings.
Rogue wave solutions for the higher-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation with variable coefficients by generalized Darboux transformation
Authors: Zhang Hai-Qiang , Chen Jian
Published: April 2016

In this paper, we study a higher-order variable coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger (NLS) equation, which plays an important role in the control of the ultrashort optical pulse propagation in nonlinear optical systems. Then, we construct a generalized Darboux transformation (GDT) for the higher-order variable coefficient NLS equation. The [Formula: see text]th order rogue wave solution is obtained by the iterative rule and it can be expressed by the determinant form. As application, we calculate rogue waves (RWs) from first- to fourth-order in accordance with different kinds of parameters. In particular, the dynamical properties and spatial-temporal structures of RWs are discussed and compared with Hirota equation through some figures.
Dynamic secondary electron emission characteristics of polymers in negative charging process
Authors: Weng Ming , Hu Tian-Cun , Zhang Na , Cao Meng
Published: April 2016

We studied the dynamic secondary electron emission (SEE) characteristics of a polyimide sample in negative charging process under electron bombardment. The time evolution of secondary electron yield (SEY) has been measured with a pulsed electron gun. The dynamic SEY, as well as the surface potential have been analyzed using a capacitance model. The shift in surface potential caused by the negative charge accumulation on the sample reduces the landing energy of the primary electrons (PEs), which in turn alters the SEY. The charging process tends to be stable when the landing energy of PEs reaches the secondary crossover energy where the corresponding SEY is 1. The surface potential has an approximately negative exponential relationship with the irradiation time. The total accumulated charge at the stable state is found to be proportional to the product of the sample capacitance and the difference between initial incident energy and the secondary crossover energy. The time constant of the exponential function is proportional to the ratio of final accumulated charge to the incident current.
Bivariate p-boxes
Authors: Pelessoni Renato , Vicig Paolo , Montes Ignacio , Miranda Enrique
Published: April 2016

A p-box is a simple generalization of a distribution function, useful to study a random number in the presence of imprecision. We propose an extension of p-boxes to cover imprecise evaluations of pairs of random numbers and term them bivariate p-boxes. We analyze their rather weak consistency properties, since they are at best (but generally not) equivalent to 2-coherence. We therefore focus on the relevant subclass of coherent p-boxes, corresponding to coherent lower probabilities on special domains. Several properties of coherent p-boxes are investigated and compared with those of (one-dimensional) p-boxes or of bivariate distribution functions.
ICCM2015: Study on Elastic Matrix Model of the Bi-modulus Finite Element Numerical Method
Authors: Zhao Hui-Ling , Ye Zhi-Ming
Published: April 2016

Bi-modulus materials exhibit the different modulus in tension and compression. The value of elastic modulus and Poisson ratio of every point in the bi-modulus elastic body not only depend on the material itself, but also the stress state and the strain state of the point. The uncertainty and nonlinearity of the elastic constitutive relation result in that the bi-modulus elastic problem is the complicated nonlinear problem This paper aims at studying the bi-modulus elastic constitutive equation employed in the bi-modulus finite element numerical method (FEM). The new elastic matrix model is proposed based on Ye’s principal strain criterion with the assumption that the Poisson ratio maintain constant whenever in tension or in compression, and the elastic matrix is symmetric by equivalent transmitting. The shear modulus expression of this elastic matrix model is derived to enable the elastic matrix completely and improve the convergence of the FEM calculation. The statically indeterminate bi-modulus beam is analyzed by means of FEM employing the proposed elastic matrix model. The effects of the tensile modulus to compressive modulus ratio and the boundary condition on the stress and deflection of the bi-modulus beam is studied.
Academics as Orchestrators of Innovation Ecosystems: The Role of Knowledge Management
Authors: Gastaldi Luca , Corso Mariano
Published: April 2016

Organizations are increasingly shifting from innovation initiatives centered on internal resources to initiatives centered on sharing resources, knowledge and expertise in ecosystems. In these settings, most innovation efforts have to be designed and accomplished at an interorganizational level to produce outcomes. Drawing on the experience of an applied research center in Italy, we explain why academics are in one of the best positions to orchestrate innovation ecosystems. Two main rationales support this key role. The first is associated with the fact that academics are in an independent position, which is neutral and represents a middle ground between the different organizations that share knowledge to ignite and sustain innovation at an ecosystem level. The second rationale is associated with the levels of compliance and complementarity that academics have with the main purposes for which knowledge within an innovation ecosystem is created and leveraged. Two design choices seem necessary to materialize the potential key orchestrator role of academics: (i) the extensive use of multiple approaches of collaborative research; (ii) the creation and maintenance of a knowledge platform allowing academics to progressively diffuse and leverage the ecosystem-based learning mechanisms underlying each innovation effort.
Scattering of Plane and Cylindrical SH Waves by a Horseshoe Shaped Cavity
Authors: Gao Yufeng , Dai Denghui , Zhang Ning , Wu Yongxin , Mahfouz Ali Hasson
Published: April 2016

An analytical solution for diffraction of both plane and cylindrical SH waves induced by a horseshoe shaped cavity with an inverted arch is presented in this paper. The geometry of the cavity is assumed to be composed of two circular arcs. By introducing an auxiliary boundary, the whole physical region is divided into two computational regions. The scattered wavefield in the open region and the standing wavefield in the enclosed region are presented by means of the wave function expansion method. Both of the wavefields are given in terms of the wave function series with unknown coefficients. By applying the Graf’s addition formula, two systems of equations for seeking the unknowns are derived by taking advantage of the boundary conditions based on the region-matching strategy. The problem of wave scattering is finally solved after seeking the solutions of the two systems of equations through standard matrix techniques. Then the effects of the excitation frequency, the cavity embedment depth and cavity geometry are discussed. The differences in terms of ground motions under different excitations and the influence of source location under cylindrical waves are also examined.
FH-OAOS
Authors: Huang Xing , Guo Wenzhong , Liu Genggeng , Chen Guolong
Published: April 2016

With the sharp increase of very large-scale integrated (VLSI) circuit density, we are faced with many knotty issues. Particularly in the routing phase of VLSI physical design, the interconnection effects directly relate to the final performance of circuits. However, the optimization capability of traditional rectilinear architecture is limited; thus, both academia and industry have been devoted to nonrectilinear architecture in recent years, especially octilinear architecture, which is the most promising because it can greatly improve the performance of modern chips. In this article, we design FH-OAOS, an obstacle-avoiding algorithm in octilinear architecture, by constructing an obstacle-avoiding the octilinear Steiner minimal tree (OAOSMT). Our approach first constructs an obstacle-free Euclidean minimal spanning tree (OFEMST) on the given pins based on Delaunay triangulation (DT). Then, two lookup tables about OFEMST’s edge are generated, which can be seen as the information center of FH-OAOS and can provide information support for algorithm operation. Next, an efficient obstacle-avoiding strategy is proposed to convert the OFEMST into an obstacle-avoiding octilinear Steiner tree (OAOST). Finally, the generated OAOST is refined to construct the final OAOSMT by applying three effective strategies. Experimental results on various benchmarks show that FH-OAOS achieves 66.39 times speedup on average, while the average wirelength of the final OAOSMT is only 0.36% larger than the best existing solution.
Clock-Tree-Aware Incremental Timing-Driven Placement
Authors: Livramento Vinicius , Netto Renan , Guth Chrystian , Güntzel José Luís , Santos Luiz C. V. Dos
Published: April 2016

The increasing impact of interconnections on overall circuit performance makes timing-driven placement (TDP) a crucial step toward timing closure. Current TDP techniques improve critical paths but overlook the impact of register placement on clock tree quality. On the other hand, register placement techniques found in the literature mainly focus on power consumption, disregarding timing and routabilty. Indeed, postponing register placement may undermine the optimization achieved by TDP, since the wiring between sequential and combinational elements would be touched. This work proposes a new approach for an effective coupling between register placement and TDP that relies on two key aspects to handle sequential and combinational elements separately: only the registers in the critical paths are touched by TDP (in practice they represent a small percentage of the total number of registers), and the shortening of clock tree wirelength can be obtained with limited variation in signal wirelength and placement density. The approach consists of two steps: (1) incremental register placement guided by a virtual clock tree to reduce clock wiring capacitance while preserving signal wirelength and density, and (2) incremental TDP to minimize the total negative slack. For the first step, we propose a novel technique that combines clock-net contraction and register clustering forces to reduce the clock wirelength. For the second step, we propose a novel Lagrangian Relaxation formulation that minimizes total negative slack for both setup and hold timing violations. To solve the formulation, we propose a TDP technique using a novel discrete search that employs a Euclidean distance to define a proper neighborhood. For the experimental evaluation of the proposed approach, we relied on the ICCAD 2014 TDP contest infrastructure and compared our results with the best results obtained from that contest in terms of timing closure, clock tree compactness, signal wirelength, and density. Assuming a long displacement constraint, our technique achieves worst and total negative slack reductions of around 24% and 26%, respectively. In addition, our approach leads to 44% shorter clock tree wirelength with negligible impact on signal wirelength and placement density. In the face of such results, the proposed coupling seems a useful approach to handle the challenges faced by contemporary physical synthesis.
Patterns in the Chaos—A Study of Performance Variation and Predictability in Public IaaS Clouds
Authors: Leitner Philipp , Cito Jürgen
Published: April 2016

Benchmarking the performance of public cloud providers is a common research topic. Previous work has already extensively evaluated the performance of different cloud platforms for different use cases, and under different constraints and experiment setups. In this article, we present a principled, large-scale literature review to collect and codify existing research regarding the predictability of performance in public Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) clouds. We formulate 15 hypotheses relating to the nature of performance variations in IaaS systems, to the factors of influence of performance variations, and how to compare different instance types. In a second step, we conduct extensive real-life experimentation on four cloud providers to empirically validate those hypotheses. We show that there are substantial differences between providers. Hardware heterogeneity is today less prevalent than reported in earlier research, while multitenancy has a dramatic impact on performance and predictability, but only for some cloud providers. We were unable to discover a clear impact of the time of the day or the day of the week on cloud performance.
Digital Wildfires
Authors: Webb Helena , Burnap Pete , Procter Rob , Rana Omer , Stahl Bernd Carsten , Williams Matthew , Housley William , Edwards Adam , Jirotka Marina
Published: April 2016

Social media platforms provide an increasingly popular means for individuals to share content online. Whilst this produces undoubted societal benefits, the ability for content to be spontaneously posted and reposted creates an ideal environment for rumour and false/malicious information to spread rapidly. When this occurs it can cause significant harm and can be characterised as a “digital wildfire.” In this article, we demonstrate that the propagation and regulation of digital wildfires form important topics for research and conduct an overview of existing work in this area. We outline the relevance of a range of work from the computational and social sciences, including a series of insights into the propagation of rumour and false/malicious information. We argue that significant research gaps remain—for instance, there is an absence of systematic studies on the effects of digital wildfires and there is a need to combine empirical research with a consideration of how the responsible governance of social media can be determined. We propose an agenda for research that establishes a methodology to explore in full the propagation and regulation of unverified content on social media. This agenda promotes high-quality interdisciplinary research that will also inform policy debates.
The Future of Technology and Jobs
Authors: Tripathi Arun Kumar
Published: April 2016

The following interview with Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar is on the prospects of how will technology change the face of employment in the future? What will the jobs of the future look like? What skills are needed to prepare students and researchers for employment in the digital age? As our world is getting digitized day-by-day, technology influences how students communicate, learn, work and interact with society as a whole more than any generation before. Ultimately, students nowadays have to compete with a more globalized, mobile work force, and rapid technological advancement.
Inhibition of endothelial nitric oxide synthase decreases breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 adhesion to intact microvessels under physiological flows
Authors: Zhang Lin , Zeng Min , Fu Bingmei M.
Published: April 2016

Nitric oxide (NO) at different concentrations may promote or inhibit tumor growth and metastasis under various conditions. To test the hypothesis that tumor cells prefer to adhere to the locations with a higher endothelial NO production in intact microvessels under physiological flows and to further test that inhibiting NO production decreases tumor cell adhesion, we used intravital fluorescence microscopy to measure NO production and tumor cell adhesion in postcapillary venules of rat mesentery under normal and reduced flow conditions, and in the presence of an endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor, NG-monomethyl-l-arginine (l-NMMA). Rats (SD, 250–300 g) were anesthetized. A midline incision (∼2 inch) was made in the abdominal wall, and the mesentery was taken out from the abdominal cavity and spread over a coverslip for the measurement. An individual postcapillary venule (35–50 μm) was first loaded with 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2 DA), a fluorescent indictor for NO. Then the DAF-2 intensity was measured for 30 min under a normal or reduced flow velocity, with and without perfusion with MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, and in the presence of l-NMMA. We found that tumor cells prefer to adhere to the microvessel locations with a higher NO production such as curved portions. Inhibition of eNOS by l-NMMA attenuated the flow-induced NO production and reduced tumor cell adhesion. We also found that l-NMMA treatment for ∼40 min reduced microvessel permeability to albumin. Our results suggest that inhibition of eNOS is a good approach to preventing tumor cell adhesion to intact microvessels under physiological flows.
Biotinylation: a novel posttranslational modification linking cell autonomous circadian clocks with metabolism
Authors: He Lan , Hamm J. Austin. , Reddy Alex , Sams David , Peliciari-Garcia Rodrigo A. , McGinnis Graham R. , Bailey Shannon M. , Chow Chi-Wing , Rowe Glenn C. , Chatham John C. , Young Martin E.
Published: April 2016

Circadian clocks are critical modulators of metabolism. However, mechanistic links between cell autonomous clocks and metabolic processes remain largely unknown. Here, we report that expression of the biotin transporter slc5a6 gene is decreased in hearts of two distinct genetic mouse models of cardiomyocyte-specific circadian clock disruption [i.e., cardiomyocyte-specific CLOCK mutant (CCM) and cardiomyocyte-specific BMAL1 knockout (CBK) mice]. Biotinylation is an obligate posttranslational modification for five mammalian carboxylases: acetyl-CoA carboxylase α (ACCα), ACCβ, pyruvate carboxylase (PC), methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC), and propionyl-CoA carboxylase (PCC). We therefore hypothesized that the cardiomyocyte circadian clock impacts metabolism through biotinylation. Consistent with decreased slc5a6 expression, biotinylation of all carboxylases is significantly decreased (10–46%) in CCM and CBK hearts. In association with decreased biotinylated ACC, oleate oxidation rates are increased in both CCM and CBK hearts. Consistent with decreased biotinylated MCC, leucine oxidation rates are significantly decreased in both CCM and CBK hearts, whereas rates of protein synthesis are increased. Importantly, feeding CBK mice with a biotin-enriched diet for 6 wk normalized myocardial 1) ACC biotinylation and oleate oxidation rates; 2) PCC/MCC biotinylation (and partially restored leucine oxidation rates); and 3) net protein synthesis rates. Furthermore, data suggest that the RRAGD/mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling axis is chronically activated in CBK and CCM hearts. Finally we report that the hepatocyte circadian clock also regulates both slc5a6 expression and protein biotinylation in the liver. Collectively, these findings suggest that biotinylation is a novel mechanism by which cell autonomous circadian clocks influence metabolic pathways.
Seasonal influence on stimulated BAT activity in prospective trials: a retrospective analysis of BAT visualized on 18F-FDG PET-CTs and 123I-mIBG SPECT-CTs
Authors: Bahler Lonneke , Deelen Jan W. , Hoekstra Joost B. , Holleman Frits , Verberne Hein J.
Published: April 2016

Retrospective studies have shown that outdoor temperature influences the prevalence of detectable brown adipose tissue (BAT). Prospective studies use acute cold exposure to activate BAT. In prospective studies, BAT might be preconditioned in winter months leading to an increased BAT response to various stimuli. Therefore the aim of this study was to assess whether outdoor temperatures and other weather characteristics modulate the response of BAT to acute cold. To assess metabolic BAT activity and sympathetic outflow to BAT, 64 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and 56 additional 123I- meta-iodobenzylguanidine (123I- mIBG) single-photon emission computed tomography-CT (SPECT-CT) scans, respectively, of subjects participating in previously executed trials were retrospectively included. BAT activity was measured in subjects after an overnight fast, following 2 h of cold exposure (∼17°C). The average daytime outdoor temperatures and other weather characteristics were obtained from the Dutch Royal Weather Institute. Forty-nine subjects were BAT positive. One week prior to the scan, outdoor temperature was significantly lower in the BAT-positive group compared with the BAT-negative group. Higher outdoor temperatures on preceding days resulted in lower stimulated metabolic BAT activity and volume (all P < 0.01). Outdoor temperatures did not correlate with sympathetic outflow to BAT. In conclusion, outdoor temperatures influence metabolic BAT activity and volume, but not sympathetic outflow to BAT, in subjects exposed to acute cold. To improve the consistency of the findings of future BAT studies in humans and to exclude bias introduced by outdoor temperatures, these studies should be planned in periods of similar outdoor temperatures.
Expression of ANRIL–Polycomb Complexes–CDKN2A/B/ARF Genes in Breast Tumors: Identification of a Two-Gene (EZH2/CBX7) Signature with Independent Prognostic Value
Authors: Meseure Didier , Vacher Sophie , Alsibai Kinan Drak , Nicolas Andre , Chemlali Walid , Caly Martial , Lidereau Rosette , Pasmant Eric , Callens Celine , Bieche Ivan
Published: April 2016

ANRIL, a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), has recently been reported to have a direct role in recruiting polycomb repressive complexes PRC2 and PRC1 to regulate the expression of the p15/CDKN2B-p16/CDKN2A-p14/ARF gene cluster. Expression analysis of ANRIL, EZH2, SUZ12, EED, JARID2, CBX7, BMI1, p16, p15, and p14/ARF genes was evaluated in a large cohort of invasive breast carcinomas (IBC, n = 456) by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on CBX7, EZH2, p14, p15, p16, H3K27me3, and H3K27ac. We observed significant overexpression in IBCs of ANRIL (19.7%) and EZH2 (77.0%) and an underexpression of CBX7 (39.7%). Correlations were identified between these genes, their expression patterns, and several classical clinical and pathologic parameters, molecular subtypes, and patient outcomes, as well as with proliferation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and breast cancer stem cell markers. Multivariate analysis revealed that combined EZH2/CBX7 status is an independent prognostic factor (P = 0.001). In addition, several miRNAs negatively associated with CBX7 underexpression and EZH2 overexpression. These data demonstrate a complex pattern of interactions between lncRNA ANRIL, several miRNAs, PRC2/PRC1 subunits, and p15/CDKN2B-p16/CDKN2A-p14/ARF locus and suggest that their expression should be considered together to evaluate antitumoral drugs, in particular the BET bromodomain inhibitors.

Implications: This study suggests that the global pattern of expression rather than expression of individual family members should be taken into account when defining functionality of repressive Polycomb complexes and therapeutic targeting potential. Mol Cancer Res; 14(7); 623–33. ©2016 AACR.
Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Rapid Decline in Exercise Capacity in Male Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Kim Changhwan , Jung Ji Ye , Kim Young Sam , Lee Jae Seung , Rhee Chin Kook , Lee Jin Hwa , Lee Ji-Hyun , Kim Tae-Hyung , Lim Seong Yong , Sheen Seung Soo , Yoo Kwang Ha , Seo Joon Beom , Oh Yeon-Mok , Lee Sang-Do , Park Yong Bum
Published: April 2016

Background: Vitamin D is suggested to play a role in airway and systemic inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) levels have been suggested to be associated with lower lung function and poorer exercise capacity in COPD. Objectives: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin D deficiency on the change in exercise capacity in male COPD patients. Methods: A total of 156 male subjects were selected from the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease cohort. Vitamin D deficiency was subdivided into three subgroups: mild, moderate, and severe deficiency groups. Rapid decline was defined as an annual rate of change in exercise capacity ≥17 m. Exercise capacity was assessed by 6-minute walk distance (6MWD). Results: Significant differences were observed in the serum levels of 25-OHD, the number of patients with vitamin D sufficiency, and moderate-to-severe deficiency between rapid decliners (n = 40) and non-rapid decliners (n = 116). No differences were found between the groups for age, smoking status, lung function, and 6MWD. Multivariate analysis showed that vitamin D deficiency was independently related to rapid decline in exercise capacity (p = 0.028). A statistically significant difference was observed among the subgroups of vitamin D deficiency in terms of the change in exercise capacity (p < 0.001). The annual decline in exercise capacity was prominent in the severe deficiency group (23.1 m/year). Conclusion: This study shows that vitamin D deficiency is associated with rapid decline in exercise capacity in male patients with COPD.