bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pareto-Optimal Approach to Multimaterial Topology Optimization
Authors: Mirzendehdel Amir M. , Suresh Krishnan
Published: July 2015

As additive manufacturing (AM) expands into multimaterial, there is a demand for efficient multimaterial topology optimization (MMTO), where one must simultaneously optimize the topology and the distribution of various materials within the topology. The classic approach to multimaterial optimization is to minimize compliance or stress while imposing two sets of constraints: (1) a total volume constraint and (2) individual volume-fraction constraint on each of the material constituents. The latter can artificially restrict the design space. Instead, the total mass and compliance are treated as conflicting objectives, and the corresponding Pareto curve is traced; no additional constraint is imposed on the material composition. To trace the Pareto curve, first-order element sensitivity fields are computed, and a two-step algorithm is proposed. The effectiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated through illustrative examples in 3D.
Anodic formation of highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays on conducting glass substrate: Effect of titanium film thickness
Authors: Einollahzadeh-Samadi Motahareh , Dariani Reza S.
Published: July 2015

Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays were successfully fabricated using ammonium fluoride electrolyte by galvanostatic anodization technique. The nanotube arrays were grown perpendicular to the titanium film deposited onto conducting glass substrate. The effect of the different titanium film thicknesses on the morphology, optical, and electrical properties of TiO2 nanotube arrays is investigated. It is found that the titanium film thickness is a crucial parameter for achieving highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays. Morphological investigations on the nanotube arrays reveal that anodization of 1.5 μm thick titanium films leads to formation of pores at the upper layer of the film with nonuniform pore size distribution and poor interconnectivity. Instead, anodization of 2.5 and 2.0 μm thick titanium films with the same conditions leads to formation of highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays with uniform size and sharp clear tubular structures, which are well connected to each other. The absorbance and optical band gap of the TiO2 nanotube arrays are also inferred from the diffuse reflectance spectra.
Lexical influences on competing speech perception in younger, middle-aged, and older adults
Authors: Helfer Karen S. , Jesse Alexandra
Published: July 2015

The influence of lexical characteristics of words in to-be-attended and to-be-ignored speech streams was examined in a competing speech task. Older, middle-aged, and younger adults heard pairs of low-cloze probability sentences in which the frequency or neighborhood density of words was manipulated in either the target speech stream or the masking speech stream. All participants also completed a battery of cognitive measures. As expected, for all groups, target words that occur frequently or that are from sparse lexical neighborhoods were easier to recognize than words that are infrequent or from dense neighborhoods. Compared to other groups, these neighborhood density effects were largest for older adults; the frequency effect was largest for middle-aged adults. Lexical characteristics of words in the to-be-ignored speech stream also affected recognition of to-be-attended words, but only when overall performance was relatively good (that is, when younger participants listened to the speech streams at a more advantageous signal-to-noise ratio). For these listeners, to-be-ignored masker words from sparse neighborhoods interfered with recognition of target speech more than masker words from dense neighborhoods. Amount of hearing loss and cognitive abilities relating to attentional control modulated overall performance as well as the strength of lexical influences.
Use of Oxygen Pulse in Predicting Doppler-Derived Maximal Stroke Volume in Adolescents
Authors: Unnithan Vishwanath , Rowland Thomas W.
Published: July 2015

Clinical exercise physiologists and physicians administering stress tests in the young have used oxygen pulse as a surrogate measure of stroke volume. It is important to recognize 1) the accuracy of O2 pulse in predicting maximal stroke volume during exercise, and 2) the normal pattern of O2 pulse during a progressive exercise test. This study examined both of these issues in a cohort of 44 healthy adolescent males and females (ages 14–16 years) who performed routine progressive cycle exercise to exhaustion. Gas exchange variables were measured by standard open circuit techniques. Stroke volume at rest and during exercise was assessed by the Doppler ultrasound method. At peak exercise O2 pulse correlated closely with stroke volume (r = .73) with a SEE of 12.6 ml·beat-1. Values of maximal O2 pulse in nonathletic boys and girls were 13.3 ± 2.5 and 11.0 ± 1.7 ml·beat-1, respectively. After the initial workload, a steady rise was observed in O2 pulse, entirely reflecting an increasing arterial venous oxygen difference, with a slope of approximately 4 ml/beat per 100 watts work load. The findings support the use of O2 pulse as a valid predictor of stroke volume during exercise in youth with a moderately high level of accuracy.
Comparing the Actical and ActiGraph Approach to Measuring Young Children’s Physical Activity Levels and Sedentary Time
Authors: Vanderloo Leigh M. , Di Cristofaro Natascja A. , Proudfoot Nicole A. , Tucker Patricia , Timmons Brian W.
Published: July 2015

Young children’s activity and sedentary time were simultaneously measured via the Actical method (i.e., Actical accelerometer and specific cut-points) and the ActiGraph method (i.e., ActiGraph accelerometer and specific cut-points) at both 15-s and 60-s epochs to explore possible differences between these 2 measurement approaches. For 7 consecutive days, participants (n = 23) wore both the Actical and ActiGraph side-by-side on an elastic neoprene belt. Device-specific cut-points were applied. Paired sample t tests were conducted to determine the differences in participants’ daily average activity levels and sedentary time (min/h) measured by the 2 devices at 15-s and 60-s time sampling intervals. Bland-Altman plots were used to examine agreement between Actical and ActiGraph accelerometers. Regardless of epoch length, Actical accelerometers reported significantly higher rates of sedentary time (15 s: 42.7 min/h vs 33.5 min/h; 60 s: 39.4 min/h vs 27.1 min/h). ActiGraph accelerometers captured significantly higher rates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (15 s: 9.2 min/h vs 2.6 min/h; 60 s: 8.0 min/h vs 1.27 min/h) and total physical activity (15 s: 31.7 min/h vs 22.3 min/h; 60 s: = 39.4 min/h vs 25.2 min/h) in comparison with Actical accelerometers. These results highlight the present accelerometry-related issues with interpretation of datasets derived from different monitors.
Introducing Sport Psychology Interventions: Self-Control Implications
Authors: Devonport Tracey , Lane Andrew , Fullerton Christopher L.
Published: July 2015

Evidence from sequential-task studies demonstrate that if the first task requires self-control, then performance on the second task is compromised (Hagger, Wood, Stiff, & Chatzisarantis, 2010). In a novel extension of previous sequential-task research, the first self-control task in the current study was a sport psychology intervention, paradoxically proposed to be associated with improved performance. Eighteen participants (9 males, 9 females; mean age = 21.6 years, SD = 1.6), none of whom had previously performed the experimental task or motor imagery, were randomly assigned to an imagery condition or a control condition. After the collection of pretest data, participants completed the same 5-week physical training program designed to enhance swimming tumble-turn performance. Results indicated that performance improved significantly among participants from both conditions with no significant intervention effect. Hence, in contrast to expected findings from application of the imagery literature, there was no additive effect after an intervention. We suggest practitioners should be cognisant of the potential effects of sequential tasks, and future research is needed to investigate this line of research.
Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus pyogenes
emm28
Clinical Isolate M28PF1, Responsible for a Puerperal Fever
Authors: Longo Magalie , De Jode Mathieu , Plainvert Céline , Weckel Antonin , Hua Anna , Château Alice , Glaser Philippe , Poyart Claire , Fouet Agnès
Published: July 2015

We report the sequence of the
Streptococcus pyogenes
emm28
strain M28PF1, isolated from a patient with postpartum endometritis. The M28 protein is smaller than that of MGAS6180 (NC_007296.1). Furthermore, the 1,896,976-bp-long chromosome presents, compared to that of MGAS6180, an inversion between the two
comX
genes.
Draft Whole-Genome Sequence and Annotation of Xenorhabdus griffiniae Strain BMMCB Associated with the South African Entomopathogenic Nematode
Steinernema khoisanae
Strain BMMCB
Authors: Mothupi Boipelo , Featherston Jonathan , Gray Vincent
Published: July 2015

Xenorhabdus griffiniae
strain BMMCB (LDNM00000000) belongs to the family
Enterobacteriaceae
and was isolated from the South African entomopathogenic nematode
Steinernema khoisanae
strain BMMCB (GenBank accession no. KT027382). Here, we report the draft whole-genome sequence of
X. griffinae
strain BMMCB with a genome size of 4,183,779 bp and 44.7% G+C content. The NCBI Prokaryotic Automatic Annotation Pipeline (PGAAP) revealed 3,970 genes.
Complete Genome Sequence of Rnf- and Cytochrome-Containing Autotrophic Acetogen Clostridium aceticum DSM 1496
Authors: Poehlein Anja , Bengelsdorf Frank R. , Schiel-Bengelsdorf Bettina , Gottschalk Gerhard , Daniel Rolf , Dürre Peter
Published: July 2015

Here, we report the closed genome sequence of
Clostridium aceticum
, an Rnf- and cytochrome-containing autotrophic acetogen that is able to convert CO
2
and H
2
to acetate using the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. The genome consists of a circular chromosome (4.2 Mbp) and a small circular plasmid (5.7 kbp).
PAX5-expressing ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma with extensive extranodal and nodal involvement
Authors: Ong Doen Ming , Cummins Katherine D , Pham Alan , Grigoriadis George
Published: July 2015

A 55-year-old man with a history of well controlled HIV infection was admitted with acute renal impairment, peripheral oedema, constitutional symptoms, deranged liver function and hypercalcaemia. Core biopsies of a retroperitoneal mass demonstrated anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) with unusual Paired box 5 (PAX5) positivity. The same malignant cells were identifiable on urine cytology. Staging investigations revealed extensive nodal and extranodal disease including ALK negative ALCL involving the kidney and prostate, which has not previously been reported in the published literature.
Effect of a 1-week, eucaloric, moderately high-fat diet on peripheral insulin sensitivity in healthy premenopausal women
Authors: Branis Natalia M , Etesami Marjan , Walker Ryan W , Berk Evan S , Albu Jeanine B
Published: July 2015

Objectives

To determine whether a weight-maintaining, moderate (50%) high-fat diet is deleterious to insulin sensitivity in healthy premenopausal women.

Design/setting/participants

23 African-American and non-Hispanic white, healthy, overweight, and obese premenopausal women recruited in New York City, USA, fed either a eucaloric, 1-week long high-fat (50% of total Kcal from fat) diet or a eucaloric, 1-week long low-fat (30% of total Kcal from fat) diet, assigned in a randomized crossover design.

Main outcome measures

Peripheral insulin sensitivity and metabolic flexibility during a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (80 mU/m2/min) clamp measured during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, at the end of each diet period.

Results

Peripheral insulin sensitivity (mg kg/fat-free mass/min (µU/mL)×10−1) was not decreased after the high-fat diet vs the low-fat diet (0.09±0.01 vs 0.08±0.01, p=0.09, respectively) in the combined group of African-American and white women, with no significant diet by race interaction (p=0.6). Metabolic flexibility (change in substrate utilization, ΔNPRQ, in response to insulin during the clamp) was similarly unaltered by the diet (0.12±0.01 vs 0.11, p=0.48, for the high-fat diet vs the low-fat diet, respectively) in the combined group of women, with no significant diet by race interaction (p=0.9). African–American women had a lower insulin clearance compared with the white women, regardless of the diet (p<0.05).

Conclusions

We conclude that a short term (1 week), moderate (50%), eucaloric high-fat diet does not lower peripheral insulin sensitivity in healthy, overweight and obese premenopausal women.
Coronary flow reserve during dobutamine stress in Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy
Authors: Collste Olov , Tornvall Per , Alam Mahbubul , Frick Mats
Published: July 2015

Objectives

Takotsubo stress cardiomyopathy (TSC) is an increasingly recognised and diagnosed disease, although the underlying pathophysiology is still unknown. Our aim was to investigate the effect of the catecholamine dobutamine on coronary flow reserve (CFR) measured non-invasively in patients with TSC and controls. Our hypothesis was that dobutamine stress can induce microvascular dysfunction in patients with a previous episode of TSC.

Setting

This is a case–control study and a substudy of the Stockholm Myocardial Infarction with Normal Coronaries (SMINC) study. Elective dobutamine investigations were performed focusing on non-invasive measurements of CFR. The investigations were performed more than 6 months after the acute event.

Participants

22 patients with a previous episode of TSC and 22 sex-matched and age-matched controls were recruited from the SMINC study. All patients with TSC had a previous normal cardiovascular MR investigation.

Results

CFR at low-dose dobutamine was significantly lower in the TSC group compared with controls, 1.51 and 1.72, respectively (p=0.017). At high-dose dobutamine, CFR was 1.95 and 2.21 in the TSC group and controls, respectively (p=0.098).

Conclusions

We could not confirm that the catecholamine dobutamine induced microvascular dysfunction in patients with TSC. However, we found a small but significant difference in CFR at low-dose dobutamine, which implies that the role of microvascular function in TSC needs to be further explored.
Ephedrine as add-on therapy for patients with myasthenia gravis: protocol for a series of randomised, placebo-controlled n-of-1 trials
Authors: Vrinten Charlotte , Lipka Alexander F , van Zwet Erik W , Schimmel Kirsten J M , Cornel Martina C , Kuijpers Marja R , Hekster Yechiel A , Weinreich Stephanie S , Verschuuren Jan J G M
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare neuromuscular disease, is often initially treated using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Patients who do not respond adequately depend on the use of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive medication, but these may have serious side effects. Clinical observations suggest that ephedrine can diminish, postpone or even prevent the need for immunosuppressive therapy when added to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors or low-dose prednisone. In the Netherlands, ephedrine is not licensed for MG nor is reimbursement guaranteed. MG is a rare condition, and ephedrine might be indicated only in a subset of patients. Thus, randomised controlled trials comparing large groups are difficult to conduct. We, therefore, aim to aggregate data from a small series of n-of-1 trials (also known assingle patient trials) to assess the effect of ephedrine as add-on treatment for MG.

Methods and analysis

Single-centre, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomised, multiple crossover n-of-1 studies in 4 adult patients with generalised MG who show inadequate improvement on pyridostigmine and/or immunosuppressive drugs. Each n-of-1 trial has 3 cycles of two 5-day intervention periods. Treatment: 25 mg ephedrine or placebo, twice daily. Main outcome measure: Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) test. Statistical analysis: fixed effects linear model for QMG for all patients combined. Secondary outcome measures:Clinical: effects on MG-Composite and MG-Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scales; QMG at individual level; adverse events.Acceptability of trial design:number of patients eligible and enrolled; number of treatment cycles completed; patients’ and caregivers’ experiences.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Leiden University Medical Center, No. P14.108. Results of the trial will be reported in a peer-reviewed publication. Regulatory stakeholders will comment on the suitability of the trial for market authorisation and reimbursement purposes.

Trial registration number

This study is registered under EudraCT number 2014-001355-23, protocol no. 40960, V.1.0, registration date 27 March 2014.
The impact of senior doctor assessment at triage on emergency department performance measures: systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies
Authors: Abdulwahid Maysam Ali , Booth Andrew , Kuczawski Maxine , Mason Suzanne M
Published: July 2015

Study question

To determine if placing a senior doctor at triage versus standard single nurse in a hospital emergency department (ED) improves ED performance by reviewing evidence from comparative design studies using several quality indicators.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC), Web of Science, Clinical Trials Registry website. In addition, references from included studies and citation searches were used to identify relevant studies.

Review methods

Databases were searched for comparative studies examining the role of senior doctor triage (SDT), published from 1994 to 2014. Senior doctor was defined as a qualified medical doctor who completed high specialty training in emergency medicine. Articles with a primary aim to investigate the effect of SDT on ED quality indicators such as waiting time (WT), length of stay (LOS), left without being seen (LWBS) and left without treatment complete (LWTC) were included. Articles examining the adverse events and cost associated with SDT were also included. Only studies with a control group, either in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) or in an observational study with historical controls, were included. The systematic literature search was followed by assessment of relevance and risk of bias in each individual study fulfilling the inclusion criteria using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) bias tool. Data extraction was based on a form designed and piloted by the authors for dichotomous and continuous data.

Data synthesis

Narrative synthesis and meta-analysis of homogenous data were performed.

Results

Of 4506 articles identified, 25 relevant studies were retrieved; 12 were of the weak pre-post study design, 9 were of moderate quality and 4 were of strong quality. The majority of the studies revealed improvements in ED performance measures favouring SDT. Pooled results from two Canadian RCTs showed a significant reduction in LOS of medium acuity patients (weighted means difference (WMD) −26.26 min, 95% CI −38.50 to −14.01). Another two RCTs revealed a significant reduction in WT (WMD −26.17 min, 95% CI −31.68 to −20.65). LWBS was reduced in two Canadian RCTs (risk ratio (RR)=0.79, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.94). This was echoed by the majority of pre-post study designs. SDT did not change the occurrence of adverse events. No clear benefit of SDT in terms of patient satisfaction or cost effectiveness could be identified.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates that SDT can be an effective measure to enhance ED performance, although cost versus benefit analysis is needed. The potential high risk of bias in the evidence identified, however, mandates more robust multicentred studies to confirm these findings.
Diversity patterns in subarctic stream benthic invertebrate assemblages from the Sahtu Settlement Area, Northwest Territories, Canada
Authors: Vinke K. , Medeiros A.S. , Giberson D.J.
Published: July 2015

Benthic invertebrate assemblages were studied across four streams in the Sahtu Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories between July 2010 and October 2011 to provide information on biotic composition and associations with habitat and temporal factors. Overall diversity was similar for all streams, although taxonomic composition varied among the streams. Within streams, richness was highest in riffle and snag (woody debris) habitats and lowest in pools and leafpacks. A substantial portion of taxa (∼25%) would have been missed if only riffles had been sampled. Nearly 88% of individuals belonged to eight taxa, with >60% of individuals found in only two families (Chironomidae and Baetidae). While high within-family diversity was observed, samples were also characterized by large numbers of rare taxa, with large temporal differences in abundances. Future benthic assessments in northern streams would benefit from increased sampling effort to ensure representative samples for comparing streams or sites and approaches that target dominant families in the north (e.g., Chironomidae), which can provide a great deal of information on biodiversity when examined at the generic level. Likewise, further analysis of the seasonal compositional turnover for some assemblages may be necessary to distinguish anthropogenic responses from natural variability.
Magma imaged magnetotellurically beneath an active and an inactive magmatic segment in Afar, Ethiopia
Authors: Johnson N. E. , Whaler K. A. , Hautot S. , Fisseha S. , Desissa M. , Dawes G. J. K.
Published: July 2015

This paper presents broadband magnetotelluric data collected along profiles over two magmatic segments comprising part of the subaerial Red Sea arm of the Afar triple junction. One of these segments has been active since late 2005 and the other segment is currently inactive. After robust processing and galvanic distortion analysis, we found that the data passed the two-dimensional subsurface resistivity modelling criteria. Profiles across the segments had well-defined geoelectrical strike directions parallel to the local rift axes. Data from the northern end of the active segment had a more ambiguous strike oblique to the profile and rift axes, but the direction did not have a severe impact on the deduced model. All three models displayed prominent zones of low resistivity, interpreted as arising from magma and partial melt. Petrological information has been used to constrain the resistivity of the parent melt and hence to estimate the melt fractions from the bulk resistivity. The total amount of melt estimated beneath the profile crossing the active segment (
c.
500 km
3
) is approximately an order of magnitude greater than that beneath the profile crossing the currently inactive rift. This implies that the availability of magma is at least one factor affecting whether a rift segment is active.
Interpretational variability of structural traps: implications for exploration risk and volume uncertainty
Authors: Richards Francis L. , Richardson Nicholas J. , Bond Clare E. , Cowgill Mark
Published: July 2015

Defining the size and shape of hydrocarbon traps is a critical component in estimating the economic value of potential and existing oil and gas fields and is, therefore, a key business risk. Structural traps, defined by fault and fold geometries, form the most common type of hydrocarbon trap, the size estimates of which are based on interpretation of subsurface data, most notably seismic imagery. Interpretation of seismic image data is uncertain, as the subsurface images have limited resolution and quality; in 2D datasets the imagery is spatially limited and the interpretation requires interpolation between images. Here we present data from top reservoir maps created by eight interpretation teams, each of which interpreted a grid of 2D seismic sections at a regular spacing of 1 km, over a 220 km
2
area. The resultant maps are compared for interpretation variability. Fault statistics have been generated for each map and compared with analogue datasets to aid in the identification of anomalous interpretations, and to create a likelihood rank for each map. The structural traps identified by each team are compared, and the two largest traps are assessed for their potential trapped hydrocarbon volume. An initial volume and a corrected volume, accounting for potential fault seal breach by reservoir–reservoir juxtaposition across the trap-defining faults, are calculated. The integrated analysis of the multiple interpretations: (a) captures the interpretational uncertainty, (b) determines the likeliness (or risk) of each interpretation being valid, when compared with analogue datasets and (c) assesses the impact of each interpretation on the economic viability of potential prospects (defined by structural traps).
Using Health-Consumer-Contributed Data to Detect Adverse Drug Reactions by Association Mining with Temporal Analysis
Authors: Yang Haodong , Yang Christopher C.
Published: July 2015

Since adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a significant health problem all over the world, ADR detection has become an important research topic in drug safety surveillance. As many potential ADRs cannot be detected though premarketing review, drug safety currently depends heavily on postmarketing surveillance. Particularly, current postmarketing surveillance in the United States primarily relies on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). However, the effectiveness of such spontaneous reporting systems for ADR detection is not as good as expected because of the extremely high underreporting ratio of ADRs. Moreover, it often takes the FDA years to complete the whole process of collecting reports, investigating cases, and releasing alerts. Given the prosperity of social media, many online health communities are publicly available for health consumers to share and discuss any healthcare experience such as ADRs they are suffering. Such health-consumer-contributed content is timely and informative, but this data source still remains untapped for postmarketing drug safety surveillance. In this study, we propose to use (1) association mining to identify the relations between a drug and an ADR and (2) temporal analysis to detect drug safety signals at the early stage. We collect data from MedHelp and use the FDA's alerts and information of drug labeling revision as the gold standard to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach. The experiment results show that health-related social media is a promising source for ADR detection, and our proposed techniques are effective to identify early ADR signals.
Beyond the Stars
Authors: Rost Matthias , Fuerst Carlo , Schmid Stefan
Published: July 2015

It is well-known that cloud application performance can critically depend on the network. Over the last years, several systems have been developed which provide the application with the illusion of a
virtual cluster
: a star-shaped virtual network topology connecting virtual machines to a logical switch with absolute bandwidth guarantees.

In this paper, we debunk some of the myths around the virtual cluster embedding problem. First, we show that the virtual cluster embedding problem is not NP-hard, and present the fast and optimal embedding algorithm VC-ACE for arbitrary datacenter topologies. Second, we argue that resources may be wasted by enforcing star-topology embeddings, and alternatively promote a hose embedding approach. We discuss the computational complexity of hose embeddings and derive the HVC-ACE algorithm. Using simulations we substantiate the benefits of hose embeddings in terms of acceptance ratio and resource footprint.
Research challenges in future multi-domain network performance measurement and monitoring
Authors: Calyam Prasad , Swany Martin
Published: July 2015

The perfSONAR-based Multi-domain Network Performance Measurement and Monitoring Workshop was held on February 20-21, 2014 in Arlington, VA. The goal of the workshop was to review the state of the perfSONAR effort and catalyze future directions by cross-fertilizing ideas, and distilling common themes among the diverse perfSONAR stakeholders that include: network operators and managers, end-users and network researchers. The timing and organization for the second workshop is significant because there are an increasing number of groups within NSF supported data-intensive computing and networking programs that are dealing with measurement, monitoring and troubleshooting of multi-domain issues. These groups are forming explicit measurement federations using perfSONAR to address a wide range of issues. In addition, the emergence and wide-adoption of new paradigms such as software-defined networking are taking shape to aid in traffic management needs of scientific communities and network operators. Consequently, there are new challenges that need to be addressed for extensible and programmable instrumentation, measurement data analysis, visualization and middleware security features in perfSONAR. This report summarizes the workshop efforts to bring together diverse groups for delivering targeted short/long talks, sharing latest advances, and identifying gaps that exist in the community for solving end-to-end performance problems in an effective, scalable fashion.
Algorithmic Nuggets in Content Delivery
Authors: Maggs Bruce M. , Sitaraman Ramesh K.
Published: July 2015

This paper "peeks under the covers" at the subsystems that provide the basic functionality of a leading content delivery network. Based on our experiences in building one of the largest distributed systems in the world, we illustrate how sophisticated algorithmic research has been adapted to balance the load between and within server clusters, manage the caches on servers, select paths through an overlay routing network, and elect leaders in various contexts. In each instance, we first explain the theory underlying the algorithms, then introduce practical considerations not captured by the theoretical models, and finally describe what is implemented in practice. Through these examples, we highlight the role of algorithmic research in the design of complex networked systems. The paper also illustrates the close synergy that exists between research and industry where research ideas cross over into products and product requirements drive future research.
Introduction
Authors: Stover Patrick J. , Bowman Barbara
Published: July 2015

Introduction to the thirty-fifth volume of the Annual Review of Nutrition (ARN).
Vitamin E: A Role in Signal Transduction
Authors: Zingg Jean-Marc
Published: July 2015

Vitamin E modulates the activity of several signal transduction enzymes with consequent alterations of gene expression. At the molecular level, vitamin E may directly bind to these enzymes and compete with their substrates, or it may change their activity by redox regulation. The translocation of several of these enzymes to the plasma membrane is regulated by vitamin E, suggesting the modulation of protein-membrane interactions as a common mechanism for vitamin E action. Enzyme-membrane interactions can be affected by vitamin E by interference with binding to specific membrane lipids or by altering cellular structures such as membrane microdomains (lipid rafts). Moreover, competition by vitamin E for common binding sites within lipid transport proteins may alter the traffic of lipid mediators and thus affect their signaling and enzymatic conversion. In this review, the main effects of vitamin E on enzymes involved in signal transduction are summarized and possible molecular mechanisms leading to enzyme modulation are evaluated.
Why Obesity?
Authors: Bray George A.
Published: July 2015

As Erwin Chargaff observed, “Scientific autobiography belongs to a most awkward literary genre,” and mine is no exception. In reviewing my scientific life, I contrast the nutritional influences that would have existed had I been born 100 or 200 years earlier than I actually was. With this background, I trace the influences on my formative years in science beginning in high school and ending as a postdoctoral fellow in Professor E.B. Astwood's laboratory, when my directional sails were set and obesity was the compass heading. With this heading, the need for organized national and international meetings on obesity and the need for a scientific journal dealing with obesity as its subject matter became evident and occupied considerable energy over the next 30 years. The next section of this memoir traces the wanderings of an itinerant academic who moved from Boston to Los Angeles and finally to Baton Rouge. The influence of Sir William Osler's idea that there is a time for education, a time for scholarship, a time for teaching, and time to retire has always been a guide to allocating time ever since I was an intern at Johns Hopkins Hospital. It was in Baton Rouge that the final phase began: I agreed to become the first full-time executive director of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a decision that changed my life. The article ends with a quotation from Tennessee Williams that reflects the theater, which has given me so much pleasure over the years: “There is a time for departure even when there's no certain place to go.”
Alteration of blood glucose levels in the rat following exposure to hyperbaric oxygen
Authors: Eynan Mirit , Mullokandov Michael , Krinsky Nitzan , Biram Adi , Arieli Yehuda
Published: July 2015

Findings regarding blood glucose level (BGL) on exposure to hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) are contradictory. We investigated the influence of HBO on BGL, and of BGL on latency to central nervous system oxygen toxicity (CNS-OT). The study was conducted on five groups of rats: Group 1, exposure to oxygen at 2.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA), 90 min/day for 7 days; Group 2, exposure to oxygen once a week from 2 to 6 ATA in increments of 1 ATA/wk, for a period of time calculated as 60% of the latency to CNS-OT (no convulsions); Group 3, exposure to 6 ATA breathing a gas mixture with a pO2of 0.21; Group 4, received 10 U/kg insulin to induce hypoglycemia before exposure to HBO; Group 5, received 33% glucose to induce hyperglycemia before exposure to HBO. Blood samples were drawn before and after exposures for measurement of BGL. No change was observed in BGL after exposure to oxygen at 2.5 ATA, 90 min/day for 7 days. BGL was significantly elevated after exposure to oxygen at 6 ATA until the appearance of convulsions, and following exposure to 4, 5, and 6 ATA without convulsions ( P < 0.01). No change was observed in BGL after exposure to 6 ATA breathing a gas mixture with a pO2of 0.21. Hypoglycemia shortened latency to CNS oxygen toxicity, whereas hyperglycemia had no effect. Our results demonstrate an influence of HBO exposure on elevation of BGL, starting at 4 ATA. This implies that BGL may serve as a marker for the generation of CNS-OT.
Impact of combined exercise training on cardiovascular autonomic control and mortality in diabetic ovariectomized rats
Authors: Sanches Iris C. , Conti Filipe F. , Bernardes Nathalia , Brito Janaina de O , Galdini Elia G. , Cavaglieri Cláudia R. , Irigoyen Maria-Cláudia , De Angelis Kátia
Published: July 2015

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of aerobic, resistance, or combined exercise training on cardiovascular autonomic control and mortality in diabetic ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into one of five groups: euglycemic sedentary (ES), diabetic ovariectomized sedentary (DOS), diabetic ovariectomized aerobic-trained (DOTA), diabetic ovariectomized resistance-trained (DOTR), or diabetic ovariectomized aerobic+resistance-trained (DOTC). Arterial pressure (AP) was directly recorded and baroreflex sensitivity was evaluated by heart rate responses to AP changes. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation was evaluated by spectral analyses. No differences were observed in body weight and glycemia between diabetic rats. Animals in the DOTC and DOTA groups exhibited an increase in running time, whereas animals in the DOTC and DOTR groups showed greater strength. Trained groups exhibited improvement in total power and the high-frequency band of pulse interval and reduced mortality (vs. DOS). Animals in the DOTC (bradycardic and tachycardic responses) and DOTA (tachycardic responses) groups exhibited attenuation in baroreflex dysfunction that was observed in DOS and DOTR animals, and an improvement in AP variance. In conclusion, all training protocols led to reduced mortality, which may be due to an increase in physical capacity and to cardiovascular and autonomic benefits following training, regardless of any improvement in glycemic control. In this model, the aerobic and combined trainings seem to promote additional cardiovascular autonomic benefits when compared with resistance training alone.
Effects of Alendronate Sodium Content on the Interface Strengths of Composite Acrylic Bone Cement
Authors: Song De-Ye , Mao Xin-Zhan , Ding Mu-liang , Ni Jiang-Dong
Published: July 2015

Objective. Aim to study how the content of alendronate affected shear strengths at bone-bone cement-metal interfaces.Methods. All samples were divided into 6 groups, G0–G5. On the 1st and 60th day after surgery, bone-bone cement interface shear strengths and bone densities were examined. Interface strengths of metal-bone cement specimens were studied before immersion and 4 weeks after immersion.Results. On the 60th day, bone-bone cement interface shear strengths and bone densities showed significant differences (P<0.05), and compared with G0, G2–G5values increased significantly (P<0.05), and the peak value was met in G3. Compared with the 1st day, on the 60th postoperative day both factors decreased significantly in G0and G1(P<0.05). Four weeks after immersion, with the increasing dose of alendronate, the shear strengths decreased gradually and in G5decreased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with before immersion, the metal-bone cement interface strengths decreased significantly 4 weeks after immersion (P<0.05).Conclusions. 50–500 mg alendronate in 50 g cement powders could prevent the decrease of shear strengths at bone-bone cement interfaces and had no effect on metal-bone cement interface strengths. While the addition dose was 100 mg, bone cement showed the best strengths.
Immunosuppressive and Prometastatic Functions of Myeloid-Derived Suppressive Cells Rely upon Education from Tumor-Associated B Cells
Authors: Bodogai Monica , Moritoh Kanako , Lee-Chang Catalina , Hollander Christine M. , Sherman-Baust Cheryl A. , Wersto Robert P. , Araki Yoshihiko , Miyoshi Ichiro , Yang Li , Trinchieri Giorgio , Biragyn Arya
Published: July 2015

Myeloid-derived suppressive cells (MDSC) have been reported to promote metastasis, but the loss of cancer-induced B cells/B regulatory cells (tBreg) can block metastasis despite MDSC expansion in cancer. Here, using multiple murine tumor models and human MDSC, we show that MDSC populations that expand in cancer have only partially primed regulatory function and limited prometastatic activity unless they are fully educated by tBregs. Cancer-induced tBregs directly activate the regulatory function of both the monocyte and granulocyte subpopulations of MDSC, relying, in part, on TgfβR1/TgfβR2 signaling. MDSC fully educated in this manner exhibit an increased production of reactive oxygen species and NO and more efficiently suppress CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, thereby promoting tumor growth and metastasis. Thus, loss of tBregs or TgfβR deficiency in MDSC is sufficient to disable their suppressive function and to block metastasis. Overall, our data indicate that cancer-induced B cells/B regulatory cells are important regulators of the immunosuppressive and prometastatic functions of MDSC. Cancer Res; 75(17); 3456–65. ©2015 AACR.
Preclinical Characterization of Novel Chordoma Cell Systems and Their Targeting by Pharmocological Inhibitors of the CDK4/6 Cell-Cycle Pathway
Authors: von Witzleben Adrian , Goerttler Lukas T. , Marienfeld Ralf , Barth Holger , Lechel André , Mellert Kevin , Böhm Michael , Kornmann Marko , Mayer-Steinacker Regine , von Baer Alexandra , Schultheiss Markus , Flanagan Adrienne M. , Möller Peter , Brüderlein Silke , Barth Thomas F.E.
Published: July 2015

Chordomas are tumors that arise at vertebral bodies and the base of the skull. Although rare in incidence, they are deadly owing to slow growth and a lack of effective therapeutic options. In this study, we addressed the need for chordoma cell systems that can be used to identify therapeutic targets and empower testing of candidate pharmacologic drugs. Eight human chordoma cell lines that we established exhibited cytology, genomics, mRNA, and protein profiles that were characteristic of primary chordomas. Candidate responder profiles were identified through an immunohistochemical analysis of a chordoma tissue bank of 43 patients. Genomic, mRNA, and protein expression analyses confirmed that the new cell systems were highly representative of chordoma tissues. Notably, all cells exhibited a loss of CDKN2A and p16, resulting in universal activation of the CDK4/6 and Rb pathways. Therefore, we investigated the CDK4/6 pathway and responses to the CDK4/6–specific inhibitor palbociclib. In the newly validated system, palbociclib treatment efficiently inhibited tumor cell growth in vitro and a drug responder versus nonresponder molecular signature was defined on the basis of immunohistochemical expression of CDK4/6/pRb (S780). Overall, our work offers a valuable new tool for chordoma studies including the development of novel biomarkers and molecular targeting strategies. Cancer Res; 75(18); 3823–31. ©2015 AACR.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Implementation Strategies of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing in Down Syndrome Screening Programmes
Authors: Mersy Elke , de Die-Smulders Christine E.M. , Coumans Audrey B.C. , Smits Luc J.M. , de Wert Guido M.W.R. , Frints Suzanna G.M. , Veltman Joris A.
Published: July 2015

Background: Implementation of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in Down syndrome screening programmes requires health policy decisions about its combination with other tests and its timing in pregnancy. Aim: Our aim was to aid health policy decision makers by conducting a quantitative analysis of different NIPT implementation strategies. Methods: Decision trees were created to illustrate all plausible alternatives in a theoretical cohort of 100,000 pregnant women in five screening programmes: classical screening by the first-trimester combined test (FCT), pre-selection of high-risk women prior to NIPT by the FCT, NIPT as the first screening test at 10 weeks and at 13 weeks, and the simultaneous conductance of NIPT and the FCT. Results: Pre-selection by FCT prior to NIPT reduces the number of amniocenteses to a minimum because of a reduction of false-positive NIPT results. If NIPT is the first screening test, it detects almost all fetal Down syndrome cases. NIPT at 10 weeks reassures women early in pregnancy, while NIPT at 13 weeks prevents unnecessary tests due to spontaneous miscarriages and allows for immediate confirmation by amniocentesis. Conclusion: Every implementation strategy has its advantages and disadvantages. The most favourable implementation strategy may be NIPT as the first screening test at 13 weeks, offering the most accurate screening test for Down syndrome, when the risk for spontaneous miscarriage has declined remarkably and timely confirmation by amniocentesis can be performed.
Laparoscopic versus Robotic-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy for the Treatment of Localised Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Allan Christie , Ilic Dragan
Published: July 2015

Background: Prostate cancer is a prominent form of cancer diagnosed in men living in developed countries, for which radical prostatectomy is a common frontline treatment. The aim of this systematic review was to determine whether robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) is more effective in the treatment of localised prostate cancer, compared to laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). Methods: An electronic search of Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Central) was performed up until December 2014. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that offered a direct comparison of laparoscopic and robotic techniques were eligible for inclusion in this review. Results: A total of 93 articles were identified through the literature search, of which 2 were included in this review. Meta-analysis of 2 studies identified a significantly higher rate of return of erectile function in the RALP group (relative risk (RR) 1.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19, 1.92). A similar effect was observed with return to continence function (RR 1.14; 95% CI 1.04, 1.24). Conclusions: This systematic review offers the first evaluation of evidence from RCTs with respect to the effectiveness of RALP and LRP in the treatment of localised prostate cancer. Preliminary results suggest that RALP was more efficient at preserving the erectile function and continence in comparison to LRP.
Age ≥80 Years Is Not a Contraindication for Intra-Arterial Therapy after Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Leonard Jan , Frei Donald , Salottolo Kristin , Fanale Christopher V. , Wagner Jeffrey C. , Whaley Michelle , McCarthy Kathryn , Bellon Richard J. , Loy David , Bar-Or David
Published: July 2015

Background: Clinical trials confirmed the safety and efficacy of intra-arterial therapy (IAT) in the management of ischemic stroke. At a community hospital, we compared outcomes in patients aged ≥80 and patients in the age range 55-79 years receiving IAT following ischemic stroke. Methods: Data were retrospectively abstracted for ischemic stroke patients ≥55 years treated with IAT at an urban comprehensive stroke center between 2010 and 2013. Baseline demographics, incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), in-hospital mortality, discharge modified Rankin scale (mRS) score (favorable ≤2) and improvement in National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS; decreased score at discharge) were compared between patients in the age range 55-79 and patients ≥80 years. Data were analyzed using univariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Results: IAT was performed in 239 patients with ischemic stroke; 63 (26.4%) were ≥80 years. When compared to patients aged 55-79, the elderly patients were more often female and non-smokers, with a history of atrial fibrillation. No differences were observed in those ≥80 years compared to patients in the age range 55-79 years for sICH (10 vs. 5%, p = 0.23), mortality (24 vs. 18%, p = 0.28), favorable discharge mRS score (13 vs. 19%, p = 0.27), or improvement in NIHSS (83 vs. 92%, p = 0.10). The nonsignificant association of age with the outcomes persisted after adjusting for covariates and when analyzing the subset of patients who received IAT only. Conclusions: These findings suggest that in a cohort not subject to the criteria of a clinical trial, age ≥80 years should not be a contraindication to IAT.