bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microfluidic Production of Biodegradable Microcapsules for Sustained Release of Hydrophilic Actives
Authors: Lee Tae Yong , Ku Minhee , Kim Bomi , Lee Sangmin , Yang Jaemoon , Kim Shin‐Hyun
Published: May 2017

Biodegradable microcapsules with a large aqueous lumen and ultrathin membrane are microfluidically designed for sustained release of hydrophilic bioactives using water‐in‐oil‐in‐water double‐emulsion drops as a template. As a shell phase, an organic solution of poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) is used, which is consolidated to form a biodegradable membrane. The encapsulants stored in the lumen are released over a long period of time as the membranes degrade. The period can be controlled in a range of —three to five months at neutral pH condition by adjusting membrane thickness, providing highly sustained release and potentially enabling the programed release of multiple drugs. At acidic or basic condition, the degradation is accelerated, leading to the release in the period of approximately two months. As the membrane is semipermeable, the microcapsules respond to the osmotic pressure difference across the membrane. The microcapsules are inflated in hypotonic condition and deflated in hypertonic condition. Both conditions cause cracks on the membrane, resulting in the fast release of encapsulants in a day. The microcapsules implanted in mice also show sustained release, despite the period is decreased to a month. It is believed that the microcapsules are promising for the in vivo sustained release of drugs for high and long‐term efficacy.
Ultimate load‐carrying capacity of the longitudinal joints in segmental tunnel linings
Authors: Liu Xian , Zhang Chen , Zhang Chenguang , Yuan Yong
Published: May 2017

According to the service conditions of operating metro shield tunnels, segment joints are vulnerable locations in tunnel linings. In addition, the mechanical performance of segment joints directly determines the bearing capacity of segmental tunnel linings. Illustrated with the typical segment joints of the Shanghai Metro rapid transit system, experiments are conducted to investigate the ultimate bearing capacity of the longitudinal joints under different load conditions. The failure mechanisms of segment joints are introduced. The corresponding analytic model is developed to calculate the bearing capacity of the longitudinal joints during the whole loading process. After verification, the proposed model is further employed to compare the mechanical behavior with full section models. It is found that the failure mode of positive bending moment joints is similar to that of a large eccentricity stress cross section, while the failure mode of positive bending moment joints is similar to that of a small eccentricity stress cross section. What's more, the caulking structure is found to be able to offer the safety margin of structures, which could contribute to the protection of operated subway tunnels.
Seismic retrofit of a high‐rise steel moment‐resisting frame using fluid viscous dampers
Authors: Wang Shanshan , Mahin Stephen A.
Published: May 2017

The Tall Building Initiative project of Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center has been expanded to investigate the seismic performance and possible retrofit of existing tall buildings. A candidate 35‐story steel building with representative details from the early 1970s was analyzed following several guidelines, which revealed a wide range of potential inadequacies. Thus, a two‐level retrofit approach was examined that focused on achieving the collapse prevention limit state under the major basic safety earthquake (BSE‐2E) hazard level prescribed by ASCE 41. This paper focused on a Level‐2 retrofit that used fluid viscous dampers to augment Level‐1 retrofits. For this approach, feasible damper locations and overall effective damping ratios were first evaluated through a series of preliminary studies, and then a two‐phase design method was used to refine the distribution and mechanical properties of the dampers. Thorough assessments of the refined design were carried out following several design guidelines, including ASCE 41, FEMA 351, and FEMA P‐58. The results indicated that the proposed retrofit method of using fluid viscous dampers could achieve the retrofit goal and provide a cost‐effective means of improving the structural behavior and reducing economic losses in a major seismic event.
Four‐dimensional ultrasound guidance for pelvic floor Botulinum toxin‐A injection in chronic pelvic pain: a novel technique
Authors: Nesbitt‐Hawes E. M. , Dietz H. P. , Abbott J. A.
Published: May 2017

Objective

Botulinum toxin‐A (BoNT‐A) is used in the treatment of pelvic floor muscle overactivity associated with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) when conservative methods such as physiotherapy are not effective or appropriate. Traditional injection techniques require finger‐guided palpation of pelvic floor muscles with concurrent insertion of the needle. The aim of this study was to describe a novel technique for the injection of BoNT‐A into the pelvic floor musculature using four‐dimensional ultrasound (4D‐US) guidance.

Methods

Thirty‐one BoNT‐A injections were performed using the new technique between October 2013 and January 2016, on women scheduled to have BoNT‐A injection for pelvic floor muscle overactivity and CPP. The pelvic floor was assessed by 4D‐US. A test injection of saline was performed to confirm location of the needle, then BoNT‐A was injected into the muscle under ultrasound guidance, using 4D‐US to confirm that the fluid expanded and tracked along muscle fibers.

Results

The saline test confirmed correct location of the needle following a median of 1 (range, 1–3) attempt at needle placement. In all 31 instances, satisfactory injection of BoNT‐A, with 4D‐US confirmation of fluid expansion within the muscle body, was performed.

Conclusions

Injection of BoNT‐A under 4D‐US guidance is feasible and allows accurate placement into the target muscle in women with pelvic floor muscle overactivity associated with CPP. This technique may provide a safer alternative to finger‐guided methods, owing to a lower likelihood of operator needle‐stick injury. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Effect of increasing fruit and vegetable intake by dietary intervention on nutritional biomarkers and attitudes to dietary change: a randomised trial
Authors: Duthie Susan J. , Duthie Garry G. , Russell Wendy R. , Kyle Janet A. M. , Macdiarmid Jennie I. , Rungapamestry Vanessa , Stephen Sylvia , Megias-Baeza Cristina , Kaniewska Joanna J. , Shaw Lindsey , Milne Lesley , Bremner David , Ross Karen , Morrice Philip , Pirie Lynn P. , Horgan Graham , Bestwick Charles S.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Low fruit and vegetable consumption is linked with an increased risk of death from vascular disease and cancer. The benefit of eating fruits and vegetables is attributed in part to antioxidants, vitamins and phytochemicals. Whether increasing intake impacts on markers of disease remains to be established. This study investigates whether increasing daily intake of fruits, vegetables and juices from low (approx. 3 portions), to high intakes (approx. 8 portions) impacts on nutritional and clinical biomarkers. Barriers to achieving the recommended fruit and vegetable intakes are also investigated.

Method

In a randomised clinical trial, the participants [19 men and 26 women (39–58 years)] with low reported fruit, juice and vegetable intake (<3 portions/day) were randomised to consume either their usual diet or a diet supplemented with an additional 480 g of fruit and vegetables and fruit juice (300 ml) daily for 12 weeks. Nutritional biomarkers (vitamin C, carotenoids, B vitamins), antioxidant capacity and genomic stability were measured pre-intervention, at 4-, 8- and 12 weeks throughout the intervention. Samples were also taken post-intervention after a 6-week washout period. Glucose, homocysteine, lipids, blood pressure, weight and arterial stiffness were also measured. Intake of fruit, fruit juice and vegetables was reassessed 12 months after conducting the study and a questionnaire was developed to identify barriers to healthy eating.

Results

Intake increased significantly in the intervention group compared to controls, achieving 8.4 portions/day after 12 weeks. Plasma vitamin C (35%), folate (15%) and certain carotenoids [α-carotene (50%) and β-carotene (70%) and lutein/zeaxanthin (70%)] were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the intervention group. There were no significant changes in antioxidant capacity, DNA damage and markers of vascular health. Barriers to achieving recommended intakes of fruits and vegetables measured 12 months after the intervention period were amount, inconvenience and cost.

Conclusion

While increasing fruit, juice and vegetable consumption increases circulating level of beneficial nutrients in healthy subjects, a 12-week intervention was not associated with effects on antioxidant status or lymphocyte DNA damage.

Trial registration

This trial was registered at Controlled-Trials.com; registration ISRCTN71368072.
Identification and characterization of microRNAs and their targets in high-altitude stress-adaptive plant maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp)
Authors: Paul Sujay
Published: May 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, short (~21-nucleotide), non-coding RNA molecules that play pivotal roles in plant growth, development, and stress response signaling. In this study using recently published draft genome sequence of a high-altitude plant maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp) and applying genome-wide computational-based approaches, a total of 62 potentially conserved miRNAs belonging to 28 families were identified and four (lme-miR160a, lme-miR164c, lme-miR 166a, and lme-miR 319a) of them further validated by RT-PCR. Deploying psRNATarget tool a total of 99 potential miRNA target transcripts were also identified in maca. Targets include a number of transcription factors like Squamosa promoter-binding, NAC, MYB, auxin response factor, APETALA, WRKY, and F-box protein. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first genome-based miRNA profiling of a high-altitude plant.
Plant growth-promoting actinobacteria: a new strategy for enhancing sustainable production and protection of grain legumes
Authors: Sathya Arumugam , Vijayabharathi Rajendran , Gopalakrishnan Subramaniam
Published: May 2017

Grain legumes are a cost-effective alternative for the animal protein in improving the diets of the poor in South-East Asia and Africa. Legumes, through symbiotic nitrogen fixation, meet a major part of their own N demand and partially benefit the following crops of the system by enriching soil. In realization of this sustainability advantage and to promote pulse production, United Nations had declared 2016 as the “International Year of pulses”. Grain legumes are frequently subjected to both abiotic and biotic stresses resulting in severe yield losses. Global yields of legumes have been stagnant for the past five decades in spite of adopting various conventional and molecular breeding approaches. Furthermore, the increasing costs and negative effects of pesticides and fertilizers for crop production necessitate the use of biological options of crop production and protection. The use of plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria for improving soil and plant health has become one of the attractive strategies for developing sustainable agricultural systems due to their eco-friendliness, low production cost and minimizing consumption of non-renewable resources. This review emphasizes on how the PGP actinobacteria and their metabolites can be used effectively in enhancing the yield and controlling the pests and pathogens of grain legumes.
Synergistic effect of Chryseobacterium gleum sp. SUK with ACC deaminase activity in alleviation of salt stress and plant growth promotion in Triticum aestivum L.
Authors: Bhise Komal K. , Bhagwat Prashant K. , Dandge Padma Babulal
Published: May 2017

Soil salinity is major abiotic stresses affecting morphological, biochemical and physiological processes of plant growth. Chryseobacterium gleum sp. SUK isolated from salt-stressed soil exhibited ACC (1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate) deaminase activity with IAA (indole acetic acid), siderophore, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide production, 2% salt tolerance and fungal cell wall degrading enzyme production (cellulase, protease). The isolate also showed a poultry feather degrading activity which is the main waste material of poultry industry and opulent source of proteins, amino acids, nitrogen, phosphorous, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and copper. Application of feather-degraded lysate with the degrading isolate, C. gleum sp. SUK denotes triple role of bioformulation to surmount salinity stress, management of poultry waste disposal and utilization of feathers degraded products as a biostimulant for better growth of plants as well as strain SUK having multifarious plant growth promoting traits. Wheat crops exposed to salt stressor were inoculated with studied bioformulation. Results of plant analysis showed improvement in root and shoot length, fresh and dry weight, chlorophyll, proteins, amino acids, phenolics, flavonoids content and decreased level of proline. In addition, Na+ uptake was decreased and K+ uptake was increased. Therefore, application of novel bioformulation could increase the yield of crops by ameliorating growth of plants and alleviating the salinity stress.
In vitro seed germination and biochemical profiling of Artemisia absinthium exposed to various metallic nanoparticles
Authors: Hussain Mubashir , Raja Naveed Iqbal , Mashwani Zia-Ur-Rehman , Iqbal Muhammad , Sabir Sidra , Yasmeen Farhat
Published: May 2017

In the recent years, nanotechnology has attained much attention in the every field of science. The synthesis, characterisation and applications of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have become an important branch of nanotechnology. In the current study, MNPs were synthesised through polyols process and applied in vitro to study their effect on medicinally important plant :Artemisia absinthium. The current study strives to check the effect of MNPs, i.e., Ag, Cu and Au on seed germination, root and shoot length, seedling vigour index (SVI) and biochemical profiling inA. absinthium. The seeds were inoculated on MS medium supplemented with various combinations of MNPs suspension. The seed germination was greatly influenced upon the application of MNPs and was recorded highest for the silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) suspensions. The best result for seed germination (98.6%) was obtained in MS medium supplemented with AgNPs as compared to control (92.9%) and other nanoparticles, i.e., copper (69.6%) and gold (56.5%), respectively, after 35 days of inoculation. Significant results were obtained for root length, shoot length and SVI in response to application of AgNPs as compared to copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). These nanoparticles (NPs) could induce stress in plants by deploying the endogenous mechanism. In response to these stresses, plants produce various defence compounds. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were significant in the MS medium supplemented with AgNPs as compared to other NPs, while DPPH radical scavenging assay (RSA) was highest in AuNPs treated plantlets. The MNPs showed higher toxicity level and enhanced secondary metabolites production, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total protein content.
Implementing Skin‐to‐Skin Contact for Cesarean Birth
Authors: Boyd Margaret M.
Published: May 2017

Early skin‐to‐skin (STS) contact in the OR facilitates the development of mothering behaviors, breastfeeding success, and newborn adaptation to extrauterine life. A team at my institution performed a quality improvement project to implement a standard of care for STS contact in the OR during and after cesarean birth. Thirty‐seven of 50 mother‐infant dyads experienced STS contact in the OR or in the postanesthesia care unit. Twenty‐five mothers and newborns who experienced STS contact did so on the OR bed. The median time newborns spent engaged in STS contact with their mothers was 42 minutes and 30 seconds. Developing and using a standard of care to implement this evidence‐based practice facilitated acceptance of this intervention. Obstacles that staff members encountered included maternal or neonatal instability, equipment problems, and nurse staffing issues. Staff members addressed these obstacles through creative problem‐solving.
Addressing the endogeneity dilemma in operations management research: Theoretical, empirical, and pragmatic considerations
Authors: Ketokivi Mikko , McIntosh Cameron N.
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we examine the problem of endogeneity in the context of operations management research. Whereas the extant literature has focused primarily on the statistical aspect of the problem, a comprehensive treatment requires an examination of theoretical and pragmatic considerations as complements. The prevailing problem with the focus on statistical techniques is that the standards tend to be derived from idealizations: the correlation between a regressor and a disturbance term must be exactly zero, or the analysis will be invalid. In actual empirical research settings, such a knife‐edge assumption can never be satisfied, indeed it cannot even be directly tested. Idealizations are useful in helping us understand what it would take to eliminate endogeneity, but when applied directly and unconditionally, they lead to unreasonable standards that may unnecessarily stifle substantive inquiry. We believe that it is far more productive and meaningful to ask: “What can we realistically expect empirical scientists to be able to achieve?” To this end, we cover and revisit some of the general technical material on endogeneity, paying special attention to the idiosyncrasies of operations management research and what could constitute reasonable criteria for addressing endogeneity in empirical operations management studies.
Autism spectrum disorder and criminal responsibility: historical perspectives, clinical challenges and broader considerations within the criminal justice system
Authors: O’Sullivan Owen P.
Published: May 2017

There has been relatively limited research focus on autism in the context of the criminal justice system. The relationship between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and criminal responsibility is complex. Furthermore, the features inherent to ASD can have a significant bearing on a wide array of other issues in this context including police interviewing, fitness to be tried, culpability and the appropriateness of custodial disposal. This review explores the background to our understanding of ASD, patterns of offending behaviour and the nature of the relationship between this and characteristic ASD deficits. The clinical and legal challenges posed by ASD defendants in terms of identification, assessment and on a broader service level as they negotiate the criminal justice system are highlighted to illustrate the varied difficulties they may encounter and to draw attention to this field as a worthy area of research and training for the medical, legal and law enforcement professions.
The oldest Cambrian skeletal fossils of Spain (Cadenas Ibéricas, Aragón)
Authors: GÁMEZ VINTANED JOSÉ ANTONIO , LIÑÁN ELADIO , NAVARRO DAVID , ZHURAVLEV ANDREY YU.
Published: May 2017

Diverse skeletal assemblage has been discovered in the Ediacaran/Cambrian strata of the Codos locality in NE Spain (Aragón, Cadenas Ibéricas). This assemblage includes at least seven genera, only three of which can be ascribed to known taxa. All the fossils are preserved in phosphate but their original microstructures are traceable by both elementary composition and microstructural features that are indicative for primary aragonite and high-magnesium calcite biomineralogies. Already these early skeletal fossils show sophisticated microstructures represented by heterogeneous multilayered composites to satisfy the requirements for better protection against both chemical dissolution and mechanical predator deterioration. The most common and best-preserved fossil, which is tubicolous Codositubulus grioensis gen. et sp. nov., is described here. The composition of the fossil assemblage and its stratigraphic position are indicative for the lowermost Terreneuvian (lower Cambrian) or even pre-Terreneuvian age of this fauna.
Laryngeal amyloidosis: diagnosis, pathophysiology and management
Authors: Phillips N M , Matthews E , Altmann C , Agnew J , Burns H
Published: May 2017

Background:

Laryngeal amyloidosis represents approximately 1 per cent of all benign laryngeal lesions, and can cause variable symptoms depending on anatomical location and size. Treatment ranges from observation through to endoscopic microsurgery, laser excision and laryngectomy.

Objectives:

To highlight the diversity of presentations, increase awareness of paediatric amyloidosis and update the reader on current management.

Case series:

Five cases are illustrated. Four adult patients were female, and the one child, the second youngest in the literature, was male. Amyloid deposits were identified in all laryngeal areas, including the supraglottis, glottis and subglottis. Treatment consisted of balloon dilatation, endoscopic excision, laser cruciate incision, and resection with carbon dioxide laser, a microdebrider and coblation wands.

Conclusion:

Laryngeal amyloidosis remains a rare and clinically challenging condition. Diagnosis should be considered for unusual appearing submucosal laryngeal lesions. Treatment of this disease needs to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and managed within an appropriate multidisciplinary team.
Simulated global warming increases usnic acid but reduces perlatolic acid in the mat-forming terricolous lichenCladonia stellaris
Authors: ASPLUND Johan , SIEGENTHALER Andy , GAUSLAA Yngvar
Published: May 2017

Lichens as sessile and slow-growing symbiotic associations have evolved various carbon-based secondary compounds (CBSCs) to mitigate the effects of some stressors in the extreme environments in which they often grow. The mat-forming lichenCladonia stellaris, an important fodder for reindeer, produces usnic acid in the outermost layer and perlatolic acid in the medulla. Here, we studied effects of simulated global warming on these CBSCs inC. stellariscultivated in climate chambers with: 1) ambient conditions as control or 2) ambient conditions +4°C. The chambers simulated, at an hourly resolution, an averaged 10-year growing season dynamic from a long-term monitored boreal mire in northern Sweden. After two months of acclimation, +4°C warming in one simulated growing season increased the concentration of usnic acid by 31% compared with ambient conditions, whereas the warming decreased the concentration of perlatolic acid by 14%. Since lichen CBSCs play important roles in ecosystem processes such as lichenivory and decomposition, these changes may profoundly affect lichen-dominated ecosystems.
Taxonomy of the corticolous, shrubby, esorediate, neotropical species ofUsneaAdans. (Parmeliaceae) with an emphasis on southern Brazil
Authors: GERLACH Alice da Cruz Lima , CLERC Philippe , BORGES DA SILVEIRA Rosa Mara
Published: May 2017

Seventeen corticolous shrubby apotheciateUsneaspecies without vegetative propagules are reported from Brazil, including five species that are new to science:Usnea aurantiaca-parvulaA. Gerlach & P. Clerc (characterized by an orange medulla and lageniform spinulose fibrils),U. cirrosaMotyka,U. cladocarpaFée (syn. nov.:U. ramillosaMotyka),U. concinnaStirton (lectotype designated here, syn. nov.U. radiataStirton,U. floridavar.scabrosaZahlbr.),U. cristatulaMotyka,U. erinaceaVain.,U. fleigiaeA. Gerlach & P. Clerc (characterized by large spores and a thin, lax medulla),U. grandisporaA. Gerlach & P. Clerc (characterized by large spores, a black base and protocetraric or salazinic acids in the medulla),U. kalbianaP. Clerc & A. Gerlach (characterized by a vitreous cortex and annular cracks in the basal part),U. lunariaMotyka,U. meridionalisZahlbr. (syn. nov.:U. michauxiiI. I. Tav.),Usneacf.morelianaMotyka,U. parvulaMotyka,U. steineriZahlbr,U. subelegans(Vain.) B. de Lesd. (lectotype designated here),U. subparvulaA. Gerlach & P. Clerc (characterized by spinulose fibrils and protocetraric acid in the medulla) and one as yet unidentified species (namedUsneasp. 1).Usnea cirrosa,U. cristatulaandU. erinaceaare new records for Brazil. A full description with morphological, anatomical (CMA and ascospores) and chemical features (TLC), as well as geographical distribution, is provided for each species along with an identification key to all species reported. Molecular data from the ITS rDNA,RPB1andMcm7markers are present for most taxa, except forU. concinna,U. cristatula,U. kalbiana,U. lunaria,U.cf.morelianaandU. subelegans.
Acute memory and psychotomimetic effects of cannabis and tobacco both ‘joint’ and individually: a placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Hindocha C. , Freeman T. P. , Xia J. X. , Shaban N. D. C. , Curran H. V.
Published: May 2017

Background

Cannabis and tobacco have contrasting cognitive effects. Smoking cannabis with tobacco is prevalent in many countries and although this may well influence cognitive and mental health outcomes, the possibility has rarely been investigated in human experimental psychopharmacological research.

Method

The individual and interactive effects of cannabis and tobacco were evaluated in 24 non-dependent cannabis and tobacco smokers in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, 2 (cannabis, placebo) × 2 (tobacco, placebo) crossover design. Verbal memory (prose recall), working memory (WM) performance including maintenance, manipulation and attention (N-back), psychotomimetic, subjective and cardiovascular measures were recorded on each of four sessions.

Results

Cannabis alone impaired verbal memory. A priori contrasts indicated that tobacco offset the effects of cannabis on delayed recall. However, this was not supported by linear mixed model analysis. Cannabis load-dependently impaired WM. By contrast, tobacco improved WM across all load levels. The acute psychotomimetic effects and ratings of ‘stoned’ and ‘dizzy’ induced by cannabis were not altered by tobacco. Cannabis and tobacco had independent effects on increasing heart rate and interacting effects on increasing diastolic blood pressure.

Conclusions

Relative to placebo, acute cannabis impaired verbal memory and WM. Tobacco enhanced performance on WM, independently of cannabis. Moreover, we found some preliminary evidence that tobacco may offset the effects of cannabis on delayed, but not immediate, verbal recall. In contrast, the psychotomimetic and subjective effects of cannabis were unaffected by tobacco co-administration. By reducing the cognitive impairment from cannabis, tobacco co-administration may perpetuate use despite adverse health consequences.
Kinematic analysis and multi-objective optimization of a new reconfigurable parallel mechanism with high stiffness
Authors: Huang Guanyu , Guo Sheng , Zhang Dan , Qu Haibo , Tang Hongyan
Published: May 2017

This paper presents a novel reconfigurable parallel mechanism, which can serve as a machine tool. The proposed parallel mechanism can change its structure parameters by driving a bevel gear system fixed in the base platform. First, the forward and inverse kinematics of the proposed mechanism are investigated. Second, the reachable workspace and Jacobian matrix are conducted. Based on the Jacobian matrix, the stiffness model and dexterity of the end effector are developed in detail. Finally, a multi-objective optimization is performed by using the Genetic Algorithm, and the workspace and global performance indexes of stiffness as well as the dexterity are considered as the performance indices to improve the performance of the reconfigurable parallel mechanism. Finally, Pareto frontier figure and several tables are provided to illustrate the results of the optimization. The results showed the proposed method has improved the performance of the reconfigurable machine tool in terms of its stiffness and dexterity.
ASSESSING PATIENT'S PERCEPTION OF ORAL TELECONSULTATION
Authors: Petcu Roland , Kimble Chris , Ologeanu-Taddei Roxana , Bourdon Isabelle , Giraudeau Nicolas
Published: May 2017

Objectives: The evaluation of telemedicine from the patient's point of view has focused on the patient pathway and patient satisfaction. However, research in this field does not provide us with the means to assess a patient's perception of the procedure if their reasoning ability is impaired. In this study, we use direct observation of a patient's behavior and mood to assess their perception of an oral teleconsultation procedure.

Methods: This study has been conducted in the context of a pilot project using an asynchronous teleconsultation to improve access to dental care for the dependent elderly, disabled people, and prisoners, some of whom may be cognitively impaired. We use a direct observation form consisting of five behavioral variables and eight affect variables to reflect the patient's experience of the oral teleconsultation procedure.

Results: A total of 135 patients were evaluated; 10 refused the procedure. Psychotic patients (n = 33) had a somewhat negative experience during the oral teleconsultation procedure. Patients who were not psychotic had a positive experience; this decreased as we moved from the autonomous to the semi-autonomous and then to the dependent sub-group. Some gender differences were also noted.

Conclusions: Improving evidence on evaluating the acceptance of the cognitively impaired is required to improve the technology development process so that it can be translated into an improved patient experience and adherence. Although the study was specifically focused on teledentistry, the approach described in this study could be adapted to other forms of teleconsultation.
Personality risk for antisocial behavior: Testing the intersections between callous–unemotional traits, sensation seeking, and impulse control in adolescence
Authors: Mann Frank D. , L. Paul Sara , Tackett Jennifer L. , Tucker-Drob Elliot M. , Harden K. Paige
Published: May 2017

The current project seeks to integrate literatures on personality risk for antisocial behavior (ASB) by examining how callous–unemotional traits relate to (a) the development of disinhibited traits and (b) the association between disinhibited traits and ASB. In Study 1, using a nationally representative sample of youth (N> 7,000), we examined whether conduct problems and lack of guilt assessed during ages 4–10 years predicted levels of and changes in disinhibited traits over the course of adolescence, and moderated associations between these traits and ASB. High levels of childhood conduct problems were associated with higher levels of impulsivity, sensation seeking, and ASB in early adolescence, whereas lack of guilt was associated with lower levels of sensation seeking. Neither conduct problems nor lack of guilt significantly predicted changes in impulsivity or sensation seeking, and associations among changes in sensation seeking, impulsivity, and ASB were also consistent across levels of conduct problems and lack of guilt. In Study 2, using a cross-sectional sample of adolescents (N= 970), we tested whether callous–unemotional traits moderated associations between disinhibited traits and ASB. Consistent with the results of Study 1, associations between disinhibited personality and ASB were consistent across a continuous range of callous–unemotional traits.
Quantifying respiratory sinus arrhythmia: Effects of misspecifying breathing frequencies across development
Authors: Shader Tiffany M. , Gatzke-Kopp Lisa M. , Crowell Sheila E. , Jamila Reid M. , Thayer Julian F. , Vasey Michael W. , Webster-Stratton Carolyn , Bell Ziv , Beauchaine Theodore P.
Published: May 2017

Low resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), and to a lesser extent excessive RSA reactivity to emotion evocation, are observed in many psychiatric disorders characterized by emotion dysregulation, including syndromes spanning the internalizing and externalizing spectra, and other conditions such as nonsuicidal self-injury. Nevertheless, some inconsistencies exist. For example, null outcomes in studies of RSA–emotion dysregulation relations are sometimes observed among younger participants. Such findings may derive from use of age inappropriate frequency bands in calculating RSA. We combine data from five published samples (N= 559) spanning ages 4 to 17 years, and reanalyze RSA data using age-appropriate respiratory frequencies. Misspecifying respiratory frequencies results in overestimates of resting RSA and underestimates of RSA reactivity, particularly among young children. Underestimates of developmental shifts in RSA and RSA reactivity from preschool to adolescence were also observed. Although correlational analyses revealed weak negative associations between resting RSA and aggression, those with clinical levels of externalizing exhibited lower resting RSA than their peers. No associations between RSA reactivity and externalizing were observed. Results confirm that age-corrected frequency bands should be used when estimating RSA, and that literature-wide overestimates of resting RSA, underestimates of RSA reactivity, and underestimates of developmental shifts in RSA and RSA reactivity may exist.
Processed and ultra-processed foods are associated with lower-quality nutrient profiles in children from Colombia
Authors: Cornwell Brittany , Villamor Eduardo , Mora-Plazas Mercedes , Marin Constanza , Monteiro Carlos A , Baylin Ana
Published: May 2017

Objective

To determine if processed and ultra-processed foods consumed by children in Colombia are associated with lower-quality nutrition profiles than less processed foods.

Design

We obtained information on sociodemographic and anthropometric variables and dietary information through dietary records and 24 h recalls from a convenience sample of the Bogotá School Children Cohort. Foods were classified into three categories: (i) unprocessed and minimally processed foods, (ii) processed culinary ingredients and (iii) processed and ultra-processed foods. We also examined the combination of unprocessed foods and processed culinary ingredients.

Setting

Representative sample of children from low- to middle-income families in Bogotá, Colombia.

Subjects

Children aged 5–12 years in 2011 Bogotá School Children Cohort.

Results

We found that processed and ultra-processed foods are of lower dietary quality in general. Nutrients that were lower in processed and ultra-processed foods following adjustment for total energy intake included: n-3 PUFA, vitamins A, B12, C and E, Ca and Zn. Nutrients that were higher in energy-adjusted processed and ultra-processed foods compared with unprocessed foods included: Na, sugar and trans-fatty acids, although we also found that some healthy nutrients, including folate and Fe, were higher in processed and ultra-processed foods compared with unprocessed and minimally processed foods.

Conclusions

Processed and ultra-processed foods generally have unhealthy nutrition profiles. Our findings suggest the categorization of foods based on processing characteristics is promising for understanding the influence of food processing on children’s dietary quality. More studies accounting for the type and degree of food processing are needed.
The Hubble Catalog of Variables
Authors: Gavras P. , Bonanos A. Z. , Bellas-Velidis I. , Charmandaris V. , Georgantopoulos I. , Hatzidimitriou D. , Kakaletris G. , Karampelas A. , Laskaris N. , Lennon D. J. , Moretti M. I. , Pouliasis E. , Sokolovsky K. , Spetsieri Z. T. , Tsinganos K. , Whitmore B. C. , Yang M.
Published: May 2017

The Hubble Catalog of Variables (HCV) is a 3 year ESA funded project that aims to develop a set of algorithms to identify variables among the sources included in the Hubble Source Catalog (HSC) and produce the HCV. We will process all HSC sources with more than a predefined number of measurements in a single filter/instrument combination and compute a range of lightcurve features to determine the variability status of each source. At the end of the project, the first release of the Hubble Catalog of Variables will be made available at the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST) and the ESA Science Archives. The variability detection pipeline will be implemented at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) so that updated versions of the HCV may be created following the future releases of the HSC.
Data mining and visualization from planetary missions: the VESPA-Europlanet2020 activity
Authors: Longobardo Andrea , Capria Maria Teresa , Zinzi Angelo , Ivanovski Stavro , Giardino Marco , Di Persio Giuseppe , Fonte Sergio , Palomba Ernesto , Antonelli Lucio Angelo , Fonte Sergio , Giommi Paolo ,   the Europlanet VESPA 2020 Team
Published: May 2017

This paper presents the VESPA (Virtual European Solar and Planetary Access) activity, developed in the context of the Europlanet 2020 Horizon project, aimed at providing tools for analysis and visualization of planetary data provided by space missions. In particular, the activity is focused on minor bodies of the Solar System.The structure of the computation node, the algorithms developed for analysis of planetary surfaces and cometary comae and the tools for data visualization are presented.
Interactive (statistical) visualisation and exploration of a billion objects with vaex
Authors: Breddels M. A.
Published: May 2017

With new catalogues arriving such as the Gaia DR1, containing more than a billion objects, new methods of handling and visualizing these data volumes are needed. We show that by calculating statistics on a regular (N-dimensional) grid, visualizations of a billion objects can be done within a second on a modern desktop computer. This is achieved using memory mapping of hdf5 files together with a simple binning algorithm, which are part of a Python library called vaex. This enables efficient exploration or large datasets interactively, making science exploration of large catalogues feasible. Vaex is a Python library and an application, which allows for interactive exploration and visualization. The motivation for developing vaex is the catalogue of the Gaia satellite, however, vaex can also be used on SPH or N-body simulations, any other (future) catalogues such as SDSS, Pan-STARRS, LSST, etc. or other tabular data. The homepage for vaex is http://vaex.astro.rug.nl.
Astrophysics and Big Data: Challenges, Methods, and Tools
Authors: Garofalo Mauro , Botta Alessio , Ventre Giorgio
Published: May 2017

Nowadays there is no field research which is not flooded with data. Among the sciences, astrophysics has always been driven by the analysis of massive amounts of data. The development of new and more sophisticated observation facilities, both ground-based and spaceborne, has led data more and more complex (Variety), an exponential growth of both data Volume (i.e., in the order of petabytes), and Velocity in terms of production and transmission. Therefore, new and advanced processing solutions will be needed to process this huge amount of data. We investigate some of these solutions, based on machine learning models as well as tools and architectures for Big Data analysis that can be exploited in the astrophysical context.
Astroinformatics Challenges from Next-generation Radio Continuum Surveys
Authors: Norris Ray P.
Published: May 2017

The tens of millions of radio sources to be detected with next-generation surveys pose new challenges, quite apart from the obvious ones of processing speed and data volumes. For example, existing algorithms are inadequate for source extraction or cross-matching radio and optical/IR sources, and a new generation of algorithms are needed using machine learning and other techniques. The large numbers of sources enable new ways of testing astrophysical models, using a variety of “large-n astronomy” techniques such as statistical redshifts. Furthermore, while unexpected discoveries account for some of the most significant discoveries in astronomy, it will be difficult to discover the unexpected in large volumes of data, unless specific software is developed to mine the data for the unexpected.
Exploring the spectroscopic diversity of type Ia supernovae with Deep Learning and Unsupervised Clustering
Authors: Ishida Emille E. O. , Sasdelli Michele , Vilalta Ricardo , Aguena Michel , Busti Vinicius C. , Camacho Hugo , Trindade Arlindo M. M. , Gieseke Fabian , de Souza Rafael S. , Fantaye Yabebal T. , Mazzali Paolo A.
Published: May 2017

The existence of multiple subclasses of type Ia supernovae (SNeIa) has been the subject of great debate in the last decade. In this work, we show how machine learning tools facilitate identification of subtypes of SNe Ia. Using Deep Learning for dimensionality reduction, we were capable of performing such identification in a parameter space of significantly lower dimension than its principal component analysis counterpart. This is evidence that the progenitor system and the explosion mechanism can be described with a small number of initial physical parameters. All tools used here are publicly available in the Python package DRACULA (Dimensionality Reduction And Clustering for Unsupervised Learning in Astronomy) and can be found within COINtoolbox (https://github.com/COINtoolbox/DRACULA).
An Effective Method for Modeling Two-dimensional Sky Background of LAMOST
Authors: Haerken Hasitieer , Duan Fuqing , Zhang Jiannan , Guo Ping
Published: May 2017

Each CCD of LAMOST accommodates 250 spectra, while about 40 are used to observe sky background during real observations. How to estimate the unknown sky background information hidden in the observed 210 celestial spectra by using the known 40 sky spectra is the problem we solve. In order to model the sky background, usually a pre-observation is performed with all fibers observing sky background. We use the observed 250 skylight spectra as training data, where those observed by the 40 fibers are considered as a base vector set. The Locality-constrained Linear Coding (LLC) technique is utilized to represent the skylight spectra observed by the 210 fibers with the base vector set. We also segment each spectrum into small parts, and establish the local sky background model for each part. Experimental results validate the proposed method, and show the local model is better than the global model.
The Hubble Source Catalog
Authors: Lubow Stephen H.
Published: May 2017

The Hubble Source Catalog (HSC) is designed to enhance the science obtained from the Hubble Space Telescope by combining the tens of thousands of visit-based source lists in the Hubble Legacy Archive (HLA) across filters and detectors into a single master catalog. The catalog contains data from the major Hubble imaging instruments: Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). It is based on cross matching and astrometry algorithms developed by Budavari & Lubow (2012). We recently released Version 2 that is three times the size of Version 1 and includes some new features. The catalog can be accessed through a variety of interfaces (see http://archive.stsci.edu/hst/hsc/). The HSC provides descriptions of astronomical objects involving multiple wavelengths and epochs. High relative positional accuracy of objects is achieved across the Hubble images, often with sub-pixel precision of a few milliarcseconds.
AlertSim - Serbian Contribution to the LSST
Authors: Jevremović Darko , Vujčić Veljko , Srećković Vladimir A. , Aleksić Jovan , Erkapić Sanja , Milovanović Nenad
Published: May 2017

We present simulator of alerts for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) developed by Belgrade group. This simulator will be used in testing the functionality of external event brokers/Complex Event Processing (CEP) engines. It is based on current LSST Simulation framework and allows for different classes of objects to be ‘alerted’. A Web service based on our simulator is prototyped and can be accessed by developers of brokers/CEP engines.
C3: A Command-line Catalogue Cross-matching tool for modern astrophysical survey data
Authors: Riccio Giuseppe , Brescia Massimo , Cavuoti Stefano , Mercurio Amata , Di Giorgio Anna Maria , Molinari Sergio
Published: May 2017

In the current data-driven science era, it is needed that data analysis techniques has to quickly evolve to face with data whose dimensions has increased up to the Petabyte scale. In particular, being modern astrophysics based on multi-wavelength data organized into large catalogues, it is crucial that the astronomical catalog cross-matching methods, strongly dependant from the catalogues size, must ensure efficiency, reliability and scalability. Furthermore, multi-band data are archived and reduced in different ways, so that the resulting catalogues may differ each other in formats, resolution, data structure, etc, thus requiring the highest generality of cross-matching features. We presentC3(Command-line Catalogue Cross-match), a multi-platform application designed to efficiently cross-match massive catalogues from modern surveys. Conceived as a stand-alone command-line process or a module within generic data reduction/analysis pipeline, it provides the maximum flexibility, in terms of portability, configuration, coordinates and cross-matching types, ensuring high performance capabilities by using a multi-core parallel processing paradigm and a sky partitioning algorithm.
Everything we’d like to do with LSST data, but we don’t know (yet) how
Authors: Ivezić Željko , Connolly Andrew J. , Jurić Mario
Published: May 2017

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST), the next-generation optical imaging survey sited at Cerro Pachon in Chile, will provide an unprecedented database of astronomical measurements. The LSST design, with an 8.4m (6.7m effective) primary mirror, a 9.6 sq. deg. field of view, and a 3.2 Gigapixel camera, will allow about 10,000 sq. deg. of sky to be covered twice per night, every three to four nights on average, with typical 5-sigma depth for point sources of r=24.5 (AB). With over 800 observations in ugrizy bands over a 10-year period, these data will enable a deep stack reaching r=27.5 (about 5 magnitudes deeper than SDSS) and faint time-domain astronomy. The measured properties of newly discovered and known astrometric and photometric transients will be publicly reported within 60 sec after observation. The vast database of about 30 trillion observations of 40 billion objects will be mined for the unexpected and used for precision experiments in astrophysics. In addition to a brief introduction to LSST, we discuss a number of astro-statistical challenges that need to be overcome to extract maximum information and science results from LSST dataset.
An Automated Galaxy Spectra Recognition Method Basing on Spectral Lines Information
Authors: Zhang Jiannan , Chen Xiaoyan , Wu Yue , Li Xiangru
Published: May 2017

For the vast amounts of spectra produced by LAMOST, the pipeline basing on PCAZ method is limited by the bad flux calibration and low S/N data. This work focuses on the study of the efficient recognition methods of galaxy spectra of LAMOST basing on spectral lines information. The new method searches spectral lines and extracts the information of spectral lines (position, height, and width et al.) automatically. Using the spectral lines information which are less influenced by the quality of flux calibration and the S/N ratio, galaxy spectra are recognized with the redshift measured through spectral lines matching method. The experiment verified it is feasible for the LAMOST galaxy spectra: the correct recognition rate > 80% for the data with SNR_g > 5, and > 90% for the data with SNR_r > 5. Compared with the redshift of SDSS, the systematic error of our method is 0, and the standard deviation of the error is 0.0002.