bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra‐light extensometer for the assessment of the mechanical properties of the human skin in vivo
Authors: Jacquet E. , Joly S. , Chambert J. , Rekik K. , Sandoz P.
Published: March 2017

Background/purpose:

This paper aims to present an ultra‐light extensometer device dedicated to the mechanical characterization of the human skin in vivo.

Methods

The device developed was conceived to be non‐invasive, to work without any stand and to perform various uniaxial tensile tests with either effort or displacement control. We also use specific guarding tabs to make in vivo extension tests analogous to traction tests.

Results

Force‐displacement curves are derived from the data provided by the device's sensors. The latter are converted into stress‐strain curves thanks to complementary measurements of the skin thickness. We present typical experimental data and results that demonstrate the device ability to built stress‐strain curves characteristic of the human skin behavior. An additional imaging unit records a sequence of images of the solicited skin area for further calculations of the displacement fields by digital image correlation.

Conclusion

The analysis of the displacement and deformation fields validates the guarding tab efficiency and the capacity of the device to characterize the mechanical behavior of the human skin in vivo.
The role played by oxidative stress in evoking the exercise pressor reflex in health and simulated peripheral artery disease
Authors: Harms Jonathan E. , Kuczmarski J. Matthew , Kim Joyce S. , Thomas Gail D. , Kaufman Marc P.
Published: March 2017

Key points

Ligating the femoral artery of a rat for 72 h, a model for peripheral artery disease, causes an exaggerated exercise pressor reflex in response to muscle contraction.

Likewise, the hindlimb muscles of rats with ligated femoral arteries show increased levels of reactive oxygen species.

Infusion of tiron, a superoxide scavenger, attenuated the exaggerated pressor reflex and reduced reactive oxygen species production in rats with ligated femoral arteries.

Conversely, we found no effect of tiron infusion on the pressor reflex in rats with patent femoral arteries.

These results suggest a role of reactive oxygen species with respect to causing the exaggerated pressor response to contraction seen in rats with ligated arteries and peripheral artery disease.

Contraction of muscle evokes the exercise pressor reflex (EPR), which is expressed partly by increases in heart rate and arterial pressure. Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) show an exaggerated EPR, sometimes report pain when walking and are at risk for cardiac arrthymias. Previous research suggested that reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediate the exaggerated EPR associated with PAD. To examine the effects of ROS on the EPR, we infused a superoxide scavenger, tiron, into the superficial epigastric artery of decerebrated rats. In some, we simulated PAD by ligating a femoral artery for 72 h before the experiment. The peak EPR in ‘ligated’ rats during saline infusion averaged 31 ± 4 mmHg, whereas the peak EPR in these rats during tiron infusion averaged 13 ± 2 mmHg (n = 12; P < 0.001); the attenuating effect of tiron on the EPR was partly reversed when saline was reinfused into the superficial epigastric artery (21 ± 2 mmHg; P < 0.01 vs. tiron). The peak EPR in ‘ligated’ rats was also attenuated (n = 7; P < 0.01) by infusion of gp91ds‐tat, a peptide that blocks the activity of NAD(P)H oxidase. Tiron infusion had no effect on the EPR in rats with patent femoral arteries (n = 9). Western blots showed that the triceps surae muscles of ‘ligated’ rats expressed more Nox2 and p67phox, which are components of NADPH oxidase, compared to triceps surae muscles of ‘freely perfused’ rats. Tiron added to muscle homogenates reduced ROS production in vitro. The results of the present study provide further evidence indicating that ROS mediates the exaggeration of EPR in rats with simulated PAD.
Efficiency of the Longitudinal Fins of Trapezoidal Profile in Motion
Authors: Turkyilmazoglu M.
Published: March 2017

The present work is concerned with the heat transfer enhancement and efficiency in the moving longitudinal fins having trapezoidal cross sections. Finding analytical solutions is targeted so that efficiency of trapezoidal fins over the known fin sections can be comparatively searched. It is shown that certain type of trapezoidal fins may have advantageous fin design features. The formulas given in this paper may also be used as benchmark analysis.
Thermal Rectification Under Transient Conditions: The Role of Thermal Capacitance and Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Herrera Francisco A. , Luo Tengfei , Go David B.
Published: March 2017

A thermal rectifier transmits heat asymmetrically, transmitting heat in one direction and acting as an insulator in the opposite direction. For conduction at steady-state, thermal rectification can occur naturally in systems where the thermal conductivity of the material(s) varies in space and with temperature. However, in practical applications, rectification may often need to be controlled or understood under transient conditions. Using a bulk composite, specifically a two-slab composite, as a model system, we analyze transient rectifying behavior. We find that under some conditions transient rectification can be several times larger than steady-state rectification. Further, both the thermal diffusivity of the system and the temperature-dependent thermal conductivity or thermal capacitance play an important role in affecting the transient rectifying behavior of the system, with the nonlinearity of the system leading to unusual behavior where rectification is maximized.
Papers of note in
Nature
543
(7646)
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: March 2017

This week’s articles highlight synaptic organization in sociability, the interactions between a plant and its microbiome, and the role of RNA modification in the response to DNA damage.
Efficient Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1b Core-NS5A Recombinants Permit Efficacy Testing of Protease and NS5A Inhibitors
Authors: Pham Long V. , Ramirez Santseharay , Carlsen Thomas H. R. , Li Yi-Ping , Gottwein Judith M. , Bukh Jens
Published: March 2017

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) strains belong to seven genotypes with numerous subtypes that respond differently to antiviral therapies. Genotype 1, and primarily subtype 1b, is the most prevalent genotype worldwide. The development of recombinant HCV infectious cell culture systems for different variants, permitted by the high replication capacity of strain JFH1 (genotype 2a), has advanced efficacy and resistance testing of antivirals. However, efficient infectious JFH1-based cell cultures of subtype 1b are limited and comprise only the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR)-NS2, NS4A, or NS5A regions. Importantly, it has not been possible to develop efficient 1b infectious systems expressing the NS3/4A protease, an important target of direct-acting antivirals. We developed efficient infectious JFH1-based cultures with genotype 1b core-NS5A sequences of strains DH1, Con1, and J4 by using previously identified HCV cell culture adaptive substitutions A1226G, R1496L, and Q1773H. These viruses spread efficiently in Huh7.5 cells by acquiring additional adaptive substitutions, and final recombinants yielded peak supernatant infectivity titers of 4 to 5 log
10
focus-forming units (FFU)/ml. We subsequently succeeded in adapting a JFH1-based 5′UTR-NS5A DH1 recombinant to efficient growth in cell culture. We evaluated the efficacy of clinically relevant NS3/4A protease and NS5A inhibitors against the novel genotype 1b viruses, as well as against previously developed 1a viruses. The inhibitors were efficient against all tested genotype 1 viruses, with NS5A inhibitors showing half-maximal effective concentrations several orders of magnitude lower than NS3/4A protease inhibitors. In summary, the developed HCV genotype 1b culture systems represent valuable tools for assessing the efficacy of various classes of antivirals and for other virological studies requiring genotype 1b infectious viruses.
Mechanisms of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Inactivation by Protoporphyrin IX, Zinc-Protoporphyrin IX, and Mesoporphyrin IX
Authors: Cruz-Oliveira Christine , Almeida Andreza F. , Freire João M. , Caruso Marjolly B. , Morando Maria A. , Ferreira Vivian N. S. , Assunção-Miranda Iranaia , Gomes Andre M. O. , Castanho Miguel A. R. B. , Da Poian Andrea T.
Published: March 2017

Virus resistance to antiviral therapies is an increasing concern that makes the development of broad-spectrum antiviral drugs urgent. Targeting of the viral envelope, a component shared by a large number of viruses, emerges as a promising strategy to overcome this problem. Natural and synthetic porphyrins are good candidates for antiviral development due to their relative hydrophobicity and pro-oxidant character. In the present work, we characterized the antiviral activities of protoprophyrin IX (PPIX), Zn-protoporphyrin IX (ZnPPIX), and mesoporphyrin IX (MPIX) against vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and evaluated the mechanisms involved in this activity. Treatment of VSV with PPIX, ZnPPIX, and MPIX promoted dose-dependent virus inactivation, which was potentiated by porphyrin photoactivation. All three porphyrins inserted into lipid vesicles and disturbed the viral membrane organization. In addition, the porphyrins also affected viral proteins, inducing VSV glycoprotein cross-linking, which was enhanced by porphyrin photoactivation. Virus incubation with sodium azide and α-tocopherol partially protected VSV from inactivation by porphyrins, suggesting that singlet oxygen (
1
O
2
) was the main reactive oxygen species produced by photoactivation of these molecules. Furthermore,
1
O
2
was detected by 9,10-dimethylanthracene oxidation in photoactivated porphyrin samples, reinforcing this hypothesis. These results reveal the potential therapeutic application of PPIX, ZnPPIX, and MPIX as good models for broad antiviral drug design.
Clofazimine-Containing Regimen for the Treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus Lung Disease
Authors: Yang Bumhee , Jhun Byung Woo , Moon Seong Mi , Lee Hyun , Park Hye Yun , Jeon Kyeongman , Kim Dae Hun , Kim Su-Young , Shin Sung Jae , Daley Charles L. , Koh Won-Jung
Published: March 2017

Patients with lung disease caused by
Mycobacterium abscessus
subsp.
abscessus
(here
M. abscessus
) typically have poor treatment outcomes. Although clofazimine (CFZ) has been increasingly used in the treatment of
M. abscessus
lung disease in clinical practice, there are no reported data on its effectiveness for this disease. This study sought to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a CFZ-containing regimen for the treatment of
M. abscessus
lung disease. We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of 42 patients with
M. abscessus
lung disease who were treated with CFZ-containing regimens between November 2013 and January 2015. CFZ was administered in combination with other antibiotics as an initial antibiotic regimen in 15 (36%) patients (initial treatment group), and it was added to an existing antibiotic regimen for refractory
M. abscessus
lung disease in 27 (64%) patients (salvage treatment group). Overall, there was an 81% treatment response rate based on symptoms and a 31% response rate based on radiographic findings. Conversion to culture-negative sputum samples was achieved in 10 (24%) patients after CFZ-containing antibiotic treatment, and during treatment, there were significant decreases in the positivity of semiquantitative sputum cultures for acid-fast bacilli in both the initial (
P
= 0.018) and salvage (
P
= 0.001) treatment groups. Our study suggests that CFZ-containing regimens may improve treatment outcomes in patients with
M. abscessus
lung disease and that a prospective evaluation of CFZ in
M. abscessus
lung disease is warranted.
Pharmacokinetics and Tolerance of the Phage Endolysin-Based Candidate Drug SAL200 after a Single Intravenous Administration among Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Jun Soo Youn , Jang In Jin , Yoon Seonghae , Jang Kyungho , Yu Kyung-Sang , Cho Joo Youn , Seong Moon-Woo , Jung Gi Mo , Yoon Seong Jun , Kang Sang Hyeon
Published: March 2017

This study was a phase 1, single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-dosing, and dose-escalating study of intravenous SAL200. It is a new candidate drug for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal infections based on a recombinant form of the phage endolysin SAL-1. The study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tolerance among healthy male volunteers after the intravenous infusion of single ascending doses of SAL200 (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg of body weight). SAL200 was well tolerated, and no serious adverse events (AEs) were observed in this clinical study. Most AEs were mild, self-limiting, and transient. The AEs reported in more than three participants were fatigue, rigors, headache, and myalgia. No clinically significant values with respect to the findings of clinical chemistry, hematology, and coagulation analyses, urinalysis, vital signs, and physical examinations were observed, and no notable trends in our electrocardiogram (ECG) results for any tested dose were noticed. A greater-than-dose-proportional increase with regard to systemic exposure and the maximum serum concentration was observed when the SAL200 dose was increased from 0.1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. This investigation constitutes the first-in-human phase 1 study of an intravenously administered, phage endolysin-based drug. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT01855048 and at the Clinical Research Information Service [
https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/
] under identifier KCT0000968.).
Examination of Enterococcus faecalis Toxin-Antitoxin System Toxin Fst Function Utilizing a Pheromone-Inducible Expression Vector with Tight Repression and Broad Dynamic Range
Authors: Weaver Keith E. , Chen Yuqing , Miiller Elly M. , Johnson Jake N. , Dangler Alex A. , Manias Dawn A. , Clem Aaron M. , Schjodt Daniel J. , Dunny Gary M.
Published: March 2017

Tools for regulated gene expression in
Enterococcus faecalis
are extremely limited. In this report, we describe the construction of an expression vector for
E. faecalis
, designated pCIE, utilizing the P
Q
pheromone-responsive promoter of plasmid pCF10. We demonstrate that this promoter is tightly repressed, responds to nanogram quantities of the peptide pheromone, and has a large dynamic range. To demonstrate its utility, the promoter was used to control expression of the toxic peptides of two
par
family toxin-antitoxin (TA) loci present in
E. faecalis
,
par
pAD1
of the pAD1 plasmid and
par
EF0409
located on the
E. faecalis
chromosome. The results demonstrated differences in the modes of regulation of toxin expression and in the effects of toxins of these two related systems. We anticipate that this vector will be useful for further investigation of
par
TA system function as well as the regulated expression of other genes in
E. faecalis
.

IMPORTANCE
E. faecalis
is an important nosocomial pathogen and a model organism for examination of the genetics and physiology of Gram-positive cocci. While numerous genetic tools have been generated for the manipulation of this organism, vectors for the regulated expression of cloned genes remain limited by high background expression and the use of inducers with undesirable effects on the cell. Here we demonstrate that the P
Q
pheromone-responsive promoter is repressed tightly enough to allow cloning of TA system toxins and evaluate their effects at very low induction levels. This tool will allow us to more fully examine TA system function in
E. faecalis
and to further elucidate its potential roles in cell physiology.
Development of an online smoking cessation program for use in hospital and following discharge: smoke-free recovery
Authors: McCrabb Sam , Balogh Zsolt , Baker Amanda L , Harris Ian A , Attia John , Lott Natalie , Naylor Justine , Doran Christopher , George Johnson , Wolfenden Luke , Wallis Mark , Paul David , Henskens Frans , Skelton Eliza , Bonevski Billie
Published: March 2017

Background

Tobacco smoking can have negative health outcomes on recovery from surgery. Although it is recommended best practice to provide patients with advice to quit and follow-up support, provision of post-discharge support is rare. Developing an online smoking cessation program may help address this gap.

Objectives

This paper describes the development and pretesting of an online smoking cessation program (smoke-free recovery, SFR) tailored to the orthopaedic trauma population for use while in hospital and post-discharge.

Methods

Drawing on the DoTTI framework for developing an online program, the following steps were followed for program development: (1) design and development; (2) testing early iteration; (3) testing for effectiveness and (4) integration and implementation. This article describes the first two stages of SFR program development.

Results

SFR is a 10-module online smoking cessation program tailored for patients with orthopaedic trauma. Of the participants who completed testing early iterations, none reported any difficulties orientating themselves to the program or understanding program content. The main themes were that it was ‘helpful’, provision of ‘help to quit’ was low and SFR increased thoughts of ‘staying quit post-discharge’.

Conclusions

This study found that a theory and evidence-based approach as the basis for an online smoking cessation program for patients with orthopaedic trauma was acceptable to users. A randomised controlled trial will be conducted to examine whether the online smoking cessation program is effective in increasing smoking cessation and how it can be integrated and implemented into hospital practice (stages three and four of the DoTTI framework).
Elucidating challenges that electronic cigarettes pose to tobacco control in Asia: a population-based national survey in Taiwan
Authors: Chang Hui-Chin , Tsai Yi-Wen , Shiu Ming-Neng , Wang Ying-Ting , Chang Po-Yin
Published: March 2017

Objectives

This study investigated the prevalence and correlates of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) use in Taiwan.

Design and setting

We studied a nationally representative random sample in the 2015 Taiwan Adult Smoking Behavior Survey.

Participants

This study included 26 021 participants aged 15 years or older (51% women, 79% non-smokers, 16% aged 15–24 years), after excluding 31 persons (0.1%) who had missing information on e-cigarette use.

Primary outcome measures

The prevalence of ever having used e-cigarettes was calculated in the overall sample and by smoking status (current, former and never) or age (15–24, 25–44 and ≥45 years). We performed multivariable log-binomial regression to assess correlates of ever having used e-cigarettes among all participants and separately for subgroups by smoking status and age.

Results

Approximately 3% of all participants had ever used e-cigarettes. The prevalence of ever having used e-cigarettes was high in current smokers (14%) and people aged 18–24 years (7%). E-cigarette use was particularly common in people aged 15–24 years who were current (49–52%) or former (22–39%) smokers. Ever having used e-cigarettes was positively associated with tobacco smoking (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 21.5, 95% CI 15.4 to 29.8, current smokers; aPR: 8.3, 95% CI 15.2 to 13.1, former smokers), younger age and high socioeconomic status. Age remained a significant factor of ever having used e-cigarettes across smoking status groups. Among non-smokers, men had a 2.4-fold (95% CI 1.5 to 3.8) greater prevalence of e-cigarette use than women.

Conclusions

E-cigarette use was uncommon in the general population in Taiwan, but prevalence was high among smokers and young people. This study highlights challenges that e-cigarettes pose to tobacco control, which warrant high priority action by policymakers and public health professionals. E-cigarette regulations should focus on young people.
Cross-sectional observational assessment of quality of newborn care immediately after birth in health facilities across six sub-Saharan African countries
Authors: de Graft-Johnson Joseph , Vesel Linda , Rosen Heather E , Rawlins Barbara , Abwao Stella , Mazia Goldy , Bozsa Robert , Mwebesa Winifrede , Khadka Neena , Kamunya Rosemary , Getachew Ashebir , Tibaijuka Gaudiosa , Rakotovao Jean Pierre , Tekleberhan Alemnesh
Published: March 2017

Objective

To present information on the quality of newborn care services and health facility readiness to provide newborn care in 6 African countries, and to advocate for the improvement of providers' essential newborn care knowledge and skills.

Design

Cross-sectional observational health facility assessment.

Setting

Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Participants

Health workers in 643 facilities. 1016 health workers were interviewed, and 2377 babies were observed in the facilities surveyed.

Main outcome measures

Indicators of quality of newborn care included (1) provision of immediate essential newborn care: thermal care, hygienic cord care, and early and exclusive initiation of breast feeding; (2) actual and simulated resuscitation of asphyxiated newborn infants; and (3) knowledge of health workers on essential newborn care, including resuscitation.

Results

Sterile or clean cord cutting instruments, suction devices, and tables or firm surfaces for resuscitation were commonly available. 80% of newborns were immediately dried after birth and received clean cord care in most of the studied facilities. In all countries assessed, major deficiencies exist for essential newborn care supplies and equipment, as well as for health worker knowledge and performance of key routine newborn care practices, particularly for immediate skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding initiation. Of newborns who did not cry at birth, 89% either recovered on their own or through active steps taken by the provider through resuscitation with initial stimulation and/or ventilation. 11% of newborns died. Assessment of simulated resuscitation using a NeoNatalie anatomic model showed that less than a third of providers were able to demonstrate ventilation skills correctly.

Conclusions

The findings shared in this paper call attention to the critical need to improve health facility readiness to provide quality newborn care services and to ensure that service providers have the necessary equipment, supplies, knowledge and skills that are critical to save newborn lives.
Secondary prevention and cognitive function after stroke: a study protocol for a 5-year follow-up of the ASPIRE-S cohort
Authors: Rohde Daniela , Williams David , Gaynor Eva , Bennett Kathleen , Dolan Eamon , Callaly Elizabeth , Large Margaret , Hickey Anne
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Cognitive impairment is common following stroke and can increase disability and levels of dependency of patients, potentially leading to greater burden on carers and the healthcare system. Effective cardiovascular risk factor control through secondary preventive medications may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. However, adherence to medications is often poor and can be adversely affected by cognitive deficits. Suboptimal medication adherence negatively impacts secondary prevention targets, increasing the risk of recurrent stroke and further cognitive decline. The aim of this study is to profile cognitive function and secondary prevention, including adherence to secondary preventive medications and healthcare usage, 5 years post-stroke. The prospective associations between cognition, cardiovascular risk factors, adherence to secondary preventive medications, and rates of recurrent stroke or other cardiovascular events will also be explored.

Methods and analysis

This is a 5-year follow-up of a prospective study of the Action on Secondary Prevention Interventions and Rehabilitation in Stroke (ASPIRE-S) cohort of patients with stroke. This cohort will have a detailed assessment of cognitive function, adherence to secondary preventive medications and cardiovascular risk factor control.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval for this study was granted by the Research Ethics Committees at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin and Connolly Hospital, Dublin, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Findings will be disseminated through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
Long-term precommercial thinning effects on Larix occidentalis (western larch) tree and stand characteristics
Authors: Schaedel Michael S. , Larson Andrew J. , Affleck David L.R. , Belote R. Travis , Goodburn John M. , Wright David K. , Sutherland Elaine Kennedy
Published: March 2017

Precommercial thinning (PCT) is used to increase tree size and shorten harvest rotation time. Short-term results from PCT studies often show a trade-off between individual-tree growth and net stand yield, while longer-term effects of PCT on tree growth and stand yield are less well documented. We used a 54-year-old PCT study to test long-term effects of forest density and thinning schedules on stand yield and tree-level characteristics in even-aged western larch (Larix occidentalis Nutt.) stands. The study has three target densities (494, 890, and 1680 trees·ha−1) crossed with three thinning schedules (target density achieved through one, two, or four entries). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and linear contrasts were used to test the effects of density and number of entries on tree- and stand-level attributes. Thinning before stand age 10 years leads to long-term constant yield (219.0–269.5 m3·ha−1; P > 0.05) across the tested densities. We also found constant volume growth across stand densities during the most recent measurement interval (5.42–6.41 m3·ha−1·year−1; P > 0.05). Number of entries did not affect any tree- or stand-level attribute. The primary effect of early PCT is to control whether wood volume and growth are concentrated on few large, stable trees or spread over many small, unstable trees.
A Low-Cost RFID Regulator Insensitive to Temperature and Supply Voltage Variations
Authors: Li Dawei , Liu Dongsheng , Zou Xuecheng , Yao Ke , Kang Chaojian , Zeng Huarong
Published: March 2017

A low-cost regulator insensitive to temperature and supply voltage variations for power management units of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag chips and other batteryless devices is proposed in this paper. The commonly used regulator has poor temperature rejection ratio (TRR) and poor voltage rejection ratio (VRR). By using combination resistors and long channel transistors, the bias and regulator circuits are improved over temperature variations. A power supply rejection (PSR) enhancement branch is also added to suppress the supply noise and stabilize the bias current. The regulator is designed and fabricated in the HJTC 0.25[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m CMOS technology. Simulation results show that this regulator achieves 0.044[Formula: see text]mV/[Formula: see text]C TRR when temperature varies from [Formula: see text]C to 70[Formula: see text]C and 1.1[Formula: see text]mV/V VRR while the supply voltage of the regulator ranges from 4 to 12[Formula: see text]V. The PSR is nearly [Formula: see text]100[Formula: see text]dB at DC. The area of this regulator is 0.102[Formula: see text]mm2 including the bias circuit. The measurement results meet simulation results well and this regulator is successfully applied in HF passive tag chips within voltage deviations of [Formula: see text] of 2.5[Formula: see text]V.
Association-Oriented Database Model — n-ary Associations
Authors: Krótkiewicz Marek
Published: March 2017

This paper provides a comparison between methods used to represent unary, binary and n-ary relations in the relational database (RDB) and object-oriented database (OODB) models and the association-oriented database (AODB) model proposed in terms of their unambiguity. We have elaborated upon the RDB, OODB and AODB models perceived from the perspective of the categories applied to define them. What has been discussed is a number of solutions assuming the form of schemes for the AODB model. We substantiate that those solutions have unequivocally met the conditions of relations of any chosen arity and multiplicity, at the same time keeping the notation concise, unambiguous and considerably expressive.
Description of the Ba–Dy(N = 92) nuclei in the interacting boson model
Authors: Kassim Huda H.
Published: March 2017

Interacting Boson Model (IBM -1) has been used to study the energy levels and [Formula: see text] transition rates in Ba–Dy ([Formula: see text]) isotones. A simplified Hamiltonian is used which is written in the creation and annihilation form and for each nucleus, by fitting the selected experimental energy levels and [Formula: see text] transition rates with the calculated ones to get the best model parameters. Using the (IBM) Hamiltonian with an intrinsic state formalism, the potential energy surfaces (PES) for even–even Ba–Dy nuclei have been obtained and the contour plot of PES show that the shape phase transitions from spherical [Formula: see text] to deformed shape [Formula: see text] has been determined for the [Formula: see text], while [Formula: see text]Ce, [Formula: see text]Nd, [Formula: see text]Sm, [Formula: see text]Gd and [Formula: see text]Dy nuclei are deformed and have rotational-like characters. The behavior of energy and [Formula: see text] ratios in the ground state band are examined.
Network-Based Analysis of Requirement Change in Customized Complex Product Development
Authors: Guodong Yu , Yu Yang , Xuefeng Zhang , Chi Li
Published: March 2017

Requirement change impact analysis has been acknowledged as one of the crucial steps in product design. In this paper, we propose a network-based method to analyze change impact. By defining interconnections among parts, we build a directed weighted complex product network model to represent the product structure under given requirements. Then, we discuss two requirement change cases and develop corresponding modification policies. To specify indirect impacts, we propose a change propagation searching model in light of Matthew Effect theory. To measure the degree of change impacts, we propose two criteria (network variation scale and extra network change cost), both of which can provide a systemic assessment of impacts. Finally, a case of clutch is presented to illustrate the proposed approach. The results can provide way of measuring overall change impacts on the product, which can support decision-makers to respond that the change request can be fulfilled or not.
Numerical Solution of Eighth-order Boundary Value Problems by Using Legendre Polynomials
Authors: Napoli Anna , Abd-Elhameed Waleed M.
Published: March 2017

The main aim of this paper is to present and analyze a numerical algorithm for the solution of eighth-order boundary value problems. The proposed solutions are spectral and they depend on a new operational matrix of derivatives of certain shifted Legendre polynomial basis, along with the application of the collocation method. The nonzero elements of the operational matrix are expressed in terms of the well-known harmonic numbers. Numerical examples provide favorable comparisons with other existing methods and ascertain the efficiency and applicability of the proposed algorithm.
Accelerators for Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Pagliari Daniele Jahier , Casu Mario R. , Carloni Luca P.
Published: March 2017

Algorithms used in microwave imaging for breast cancer detection require hardware acceleration to speed up execution time and reduce power consumption. In this article, we present the hardware implementation of two accelerators for two alternative imaging algorithms that we obtain entirely from SystemC specifications via high-level synthesis. The two algorithms present opposite characteristics that stress the design process and the capabilities of commercial HLS tools in different ways: the first is communication bound and requires overlapping and pipelining of communication and computation in order to maximize the application throughput; the second is computation bound and uses complex mathematical functions that HLS tools do not directly support. Despite these difficulties, thanks to HLS, in the span of only 4 months we were able to explore a large design space and derive about 100 implementations with different cost-performance profiles, targeting both a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform and a 32-nm standard-cell Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) library. In addition, we could obtain results that outperform a previous Register-Transfer Level (RTL) implementation, which confirms the remarkable progress of HLS tools.
Configurable Detection of SDC-causing Errors in Programs
Authors: Lu Qining , Li Guanpeng , Pattabiraman Karthik , Gupta Meeta S. , Rivers Jude A.
Published: March 2017

Silent Data Corruption (SDC) is a serious reliability issue in many domains, including embedded systems. However, current protection techniques are brittle and do not allow programmers to trade off performance for SDC coverage. Further, many require tens of thousands of fault-injection experiments, which are highly time- and resource-intensive. In this article, we propose two empirical models,
SDCTune
and
SDCAuto
, to predict the SDC proneness of a program’s data. Both models are based on static and dynamic features of the program alone and do not require fault injections to be performed. The main difference between them is that
SDCTune
requires manual tuning while
SDCAuto
is completely automated, using machine-learning algorithms.

We then develop an algorithm using both models to selectively protect the most SDC-prone data in the program subject to a given performance overhead bound. Our results show that both models are accurate at predicting the relative SDC rate of an application compared to fault injection, for a fraction of the time taken. Further, in terms of efficiency of detection (i.e., ratio of SDC coverage provided to performance overhead), our technique outperforms full duplication by a factor of 0.78x to 1.65x with the
SDCTune
model and 0.62x to 0.96x with
SDCAuto
model.
Review of "The Mobile Story: Narrative Practices with Locative Technologies," by Farman, J. (Ed.). (2014). New York, NY: Routledge
Authors: Strantz Adam
Published: March 2017

The Mobile Story: Narrative Practices with Locative Technologiesedited by Jason Farman brings together communication designers and theorists to offer numerous approaches for creating digital stories in an age of mobile, locative media. Contrasting the popular conception that mobile devices are a distraction, Farman argues the growing ubiquity of mobiles has led to their interface disappearing through daily use (p. 5). Users no longer need to consciously focus their attention on their devices and can instead seamlessly use such devices for everyday tasks. Due to this growing familiarity, the projects in the book "seek to "defamiliarize" people with their places and the technologies that mediate those places" (p. 5) in order to push interface to the forefront of users' attentions and see how mobiles provide a unique lens through which they interact with the world around them.
Gonad-related factors promote muscle performance gain during postnatal development in male and female mice
Authors: Ueberschlag-Pitiot Vanessa , Stantzou Amalia , Messéant Julien , Lemaitre Megane , Owens Daniel J. , Noirez Philippe , Roy Pauline , Agbulut Onnik , Metzger Daniel , Ferry Arnaud
Published: March 2017

To better define the role of male and female gonad-related factors (MGRF, presumably testosterone, and FGRF, presumably estradiol, respectively) on mouse hindlimb skeletal muscle contractile performance/function gain during postnatal development, we analyzed the effect of castration initiated before puberty in male and female mice. We found that muscle absolute and specific (normalized to muscle weight) maximal forces were decreased in 6-mo-old male and female castrated mice compared with age- and sex-matched intact mice, without alteration in neuromuscular transmission. Moreover, castration decreased absolute and specific maximal powers, another important aspect of muscle performance, in 6-mo-old males, but not in females. Absolute maximal force was similarly reduced by castration in 3-mo-old muscle fiber androgen receptor (AR)-deficient and wild-type male mice, indicating that the effect of MGRF was muscle fiber AR independent. Castration reduced the muscle weight gain in 3-mo mice of both sexes and in 6-mo females but not in males. We also found that bone morphogenetic protein signaling through Smad1/5/9 was not altered by castration in atrophic muscle of 3-mo-old mice of both sexes. Moreover, castration decreased the sexual dimorphism regarding muscle performance. Together, these results demonstrated that in the long term, MGRF and FGRF promote muscle performance gain in mice during postnatal development, independently of muscle growth in males, largely via improving muscle contractile quality (force and power normalized), and that MGFR and FGRF also contribute to sexual dimorphism. However, the mechanisms underlying MGFR and FGRF actions remain to be determined.
CO2 Permeability Analysis of Caprock Containing a Single Fracture Subject to Coupled Thermal‐Hydromechanical Effects
Authors: Yin Qian , Jing Hongwen , Su Haijian , Wang Huidong
Published: March 2017

Coupled THM (thermal‐hydromechanical) processes have become increasingly important in studying the issues affecting subsurface flow systems. CO2 permeability of the fracture in caprock is a key factor that affects sealing efficiency of caprock. A new model associated with coupled THM processes that shows a good reliability was derived. Then, based on the COMSOL multiphysics software, a series of numerical calculations were performed on caprock models with a single fracture subject to coupled THM effects. Transmissivity of the fracture as a function of fracture angle, overburden pressure, fluid pressure difference, injected CO2 temperature, and the initial fracture aperture was elucidated, respectively. Average transmissivity of the fracture undergoes an increase by 1.74 times with the fracture angle (45°–90°), 2‐3 orders of magnitude with the fluid pressure difference (5–30 MPa), and 4‐5 orders of magnitude with the initial fracture aperture (0.05–0.5 mm), while it decreases by 3‐4 orders of magnitude as overburden pressure increases from 30 to 80 MPa. Injected CO2 temperature has a small impact on the fracture permeability. This work provides an alternative tool to enrich the numerical modeling for the assessment of CO2 caprock sealing efficiency.
Successful Management of Acquired Hemophilia A Associated with Bullous Pemphigoid: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Binet Quentin , Lambert Catherine , Sacré Laurine , Eeckhoudt Stéphane , Hermans Cedric
Published: March 2017

Background. Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare condition, due to the spontaneous formation of neutralizing antibodies against endogenous factor VIII. About half the cases are associated with pregnancy, postpartum, autoimmune diseases, malignancies, or adverse drug reactions. Symptoms include severe and unexpected bleeding that may prove life-threatening.Case Study. We report a case of AHA associated with bullous pemphigoid (BP), a chronic, autoimmune, subepidermal, blistering skin disease. To our knowledge, this is the 25th documented case of such an association. Following treatment for less than 3 months consisting of methylprednisolone at decreasing dose levels along with four courses of rituximab (monoclonal antibody directed against the CD20 protein), AHA was completely cured and BP well-controlled.Conclusions. This report illustrates a rare association of AHA and BP, supporting the possibility of eradicating the inhibitor with a well-conducted short-term treatment.
Anterior Impingement Syndrome of the Ankle Caused by Osteoid Osteoma in the Talar Neck Treated with Arthroscopy and 3D C-Arm-Based Imaging
Authors: Ikegami Masachika , Matsumoto Takumi , Chang Song Ho , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Shinoda Yusuke , Tanaka Sakae
Published: March 2017

Osteoid osteoma in periarticular lesions tends to have an unusual presentation that likely leads to a delayed or missed diagnosis compared with a typical osteoid osteoma in the metaphysis or diaphysis of the long bone. In cases that are unresponsive to conservative treatment, surgical interventions including en bloc resection, computed tomography-guided percutaneous treatment, and arthroscopic resection have been performed; however, these methods frequently result in inadequate tumor resection and recurrence. Here we present a case of a 16-year-old girl with osteoid osteoma in the talar neck presenting as anterior impingement syndrome due to marked synovitis in the ankle joint which was successfully treated without complications by arthroscopic synovectomy and tumor resection followed by intraoperative 3D C-arm-based imaging confirming complete tumor lesion removal. Her pain was relieved immediately after the surgery, and there was no recurrence at 12 months of follow-up. This is the first case report of the surgical treatment of the osteoid osteoma in the talar neck with the combination methods of arthroscopy and 3D C-arm-based imaging.
Effect of Bone Regeneration with Mineralized Plasmatic Matrix for Implant Placement in Aesthetic Zone
Authors: Amine Khadija , Gharibi Amina , Hsaine Azeddine , Kissa Jamila
Published: March 2017

Bone volume is one of the key factors to be considered when evaluating implant placement. When the bone volume is insufficient, implant placement could be conditioned by the necessity of preforming bone grafting procedures to compensate bone loss. Various grafting procedures can be used with different bone substitute. Mineralized Plasmatic Matrix (MPM) is one of these grafting materials, used to maintain or regenerate the socket’s volume. In MPM, the autologous blood products highly concentrated in platelets and fibrin in a liquid state are combined with a bone substitute. The fibrin can become bound to bone particles. The filling material is easy to shape and a PRF-type membrane is also generated. In the present case we report the application of MPM in two sites presenting bone crest defects when placing implant in those areas.
Optimization of the Critical Diameter and Average Path Length of Social Networks
Authors: Du Haifeng , He Xiaochen , Du Wei , Feldman Marcus W.
Published: March 2017

Optimizing average path length (APL) by adding shortcut edges has been widely discussed in connection with social networks, but the relationship between network diameter and APL is generally ignored in the dynamic optimization of APL. In this paper, we analyze this relationship and transform the problem of optimizing APL into the problem of decreasing diameter to 2. We propose a mathematic model based on a memetic algorithm. Experimental results show that our algorithm can efficiently solve this problem as well as optimize APL.
Comorbidity, Pain, Utilization, and Psychosocial Outcomes in Older versus Younger Sickle Cell Adults: The PiSCES Project
Authors: McClish Donna K. , Smith Wally R. , Levenson James L. , Aisiku Imoigele P. , Roberts John D. , Roseff Susan D. , Bovbjerg Viktor E.
Published: March 2017

Background. Patients with SCD now usually live well into adulthood. Whereas transitions into adulthood are now often studied, little is published about aging beyond the transition period. We therefore studied age-associated SCD differences in utilization, pain, and psychosocial variables.Methods. Subjects were 232 adults in the Pain in Sickle Cell Epidemiology Study (PiSCES). Data included demographics, comorbidity, and psychosocial measures. SCD-related pain and health care utilization were recorded in diaries. We compared 3 age groups: 16–25 (transition), 26–36 (younger adults), and 37–64 (older adults) years.Results. Compared to the 2 adult groups, the transition group reported fewer physical challenges via comorbidities, somatic complaints, and pain frequency, though pain intensity did not differ on crisis or noncrisis pain days. The transition group utilized opioids less often, made fewer ambulatory visits, and had better quality of life, but these differences disappeared after adjusting for pain and comorbidities. However, the transition group reported more use of behavioral coping strategies.Conclusion. We found fewer biological challenges, visits, and better quality of life, in transition-aged versus older adults with SCD, but more behavioral coping. Further study is required to determine whether age-appropriate health care, behavioral, or other interventions could improve age-specific life challenges of patients with SCD.
Antiaging and Anxiolytic Effects of Combinatory Formulas Based on Four Medicinal Herbs
Authors: Li Rui , Chan Wingman , Mat Waikin , Ho Yiucheong , Yeung Rigil K. , Tsang Shuiying , Xue Hong
Published: March 2017

The objective of the present study was to search for medicinal‐herb combinations based on Radix Bupleurum chinense DC (“B”), Rhizoma Corydalis yanhusuo WT Wang (“Y”), Caulis Polygonum multiflorum Thunb (“P”), and Flos Albizia julibrissin Durazz (“A”) for antiaging, anxiolytic, and sedative effects. Application of the D‐galactose induced accelerated‐aging model employing male ICR mice showed that oral administration of some combinations of B, Y, P, and A significantly improved spatial memory in Y‐maze test and reduced brain levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 based on immunoassays and oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde, based on the thiobarbituric acid test, and the loss of whiskers, indicating antiaging and antineurodegeneration effects. In addition, some of the combinatory formulas induced anxiolysis measured using the elevated plus‐maze test and/or sedative effects measured using the hole‐board test. Over the range of dosages examined, all possible combinations of the four herbs were devoid of any significant side effects in the form of altered locomotor activity, decreased muscle coordination, or anterograde amnesia assessed using the photobeam and rotarod and step‐through passive avoidance methods, respectively. The results suggest that various combinations of the B, Y, P, and A herbs could be useful as nonsedative, antiaging and/or antineurodegenerative agents, or anxiolytic agents.
Evaluating the Risk of Tumors Diseases Based on Measurement of Urinary and Serumal Antioxidants Using the New Agar Diffusion Methods
Authors: Zhou Ying , Chen Jing , Wang Zhen , Liu Hui
Published: March 2017

Objectives. To discuss the characteristics of the amount of urinary total antioxidants in tumor diseases and the possibility of utilizing the changing regulation of urinary antioxidants to diagnose tumor diseases. Method. Urine and serum specimens from 130 healthy people were used to investigate the variation of antioxidant capacity against age. Urine and serum specimens from 44 unselected patients with tumors and 44 healthy people with same age background were used to explore the significance of urinary antioxidant capacity in clinic to diagnose tumor diseases. Potassium permanganate agar method and iodine starch method were used to determine the amount of total antioxidants. Results. In healthy people, more antioxidants in urine were measured in older people, while the results were opposite in serum. More antioxidants were found in urine of tumor patients than in healthy people with same age‐range. Conclusions. According to the results of 130 measurements, the amount of antioxidants in urine varies by age. By using agar methods to measure antioxidants, the effect of age is required to be considered. Antioxidants levels from tumor patients were significantly higher than healthy individuals in urine. The combination of urine and serum to determine total antioxidants can better diagnose tumor diseases based on iodine starch method, with area under the receiver operating characteristics curve at 0.787.