bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automatic airway–artery analysis on lung CT to quantify airway wall thickening and bronchiectasis
Authors: Perez‐Rovira Adria , Kuo Wieying , Petersen Jens , Tiddens Harm A. W. M. , de Bruijne Marleen
Published: September 2016

Purpose

Bronchiectasis and airway wall thickening are commonly assessed in computed tomography (CT) by comparing the airway size with the size of the accompanying artery. Thus, in order to automate the quantification of bronchiectasis and wall thickening following a similar principle, there is a need for methods that automatically segment the airway and vascular trees, measure their size, and pair each airway branch with its accompanying artery.

Methods

This paper combines and extends existing techniques to present a fully automated pipeline that, given a thoracic chest CT, segments, measures, and pairs airway branches with the accompanying artery, then quantifies airway wall thickening and bronchiectasis by measuring the wall–artery ratio (WAR) and lumen and outer wall airway–artery ratio (AAR). Measurements that do not use the artery size for normalization are also extracted, including wall area percentage (WAP), wall thickness ratio (WTR), and airway diameters.

Results

The method was thoroughly evaluated using 8000 manual annotations of airway–artery pairs from 24 full‐inspiration pediatric CT scans (12 diseased and 12 controls). Limits of agreement between the automatically and manually measured diameters were comparable to interobserver limits of agreement. Differences in automatically obtained WAR, AAR, WAP, and WTR between bronchiectatic subjects and controls were similar as when manual annotations were used: WAR and outer AAR were significantly higher in the bronchiectatic subjects (p < 0.05), but lumen AAR, WAP, and WTR were not. Only measurements that use artery size for normalization led to significant differences between groups, highlighting the importance of airway–artery pairing.

Conclusions

The fully automatic method presented in this paper could replace time‐consuming manual annotations and visual scoring methods to quantify abnormal widening and thickening of airways.
Genome Sequences of 15 Gardnerella vaginalis Strains Isolated from the Vaginas of Women with and without Bacterial Vaginosis
Authors: Robinson Lloyd S. , Perry Justin , Lek Sai , Wollam Aye , Sodergren Erica , Weinstock George , Lewis Warren G. , Lewis Amanda L.
Published: September 2016

Gardnerella vaginalis
is a predominant species in bacterial vaginosis, a dysbiosis of the vagina that is associated with adverse health outcomes, including preterm birth. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of 15
Gardnerella vaginalis
strains (now available through BEI Resources) isolated from women with and without bacterial vaginosis.
Genome Sequences of Newly Isolated Mycobacteriophages Forming Cluster S
Authors: Mills Monique L. , Bragg Judd , Bruce Asri , Dehn Ari , Drouin Jordan , Hefner Morgan , Katon Dylan , McHugh Dustin , Zeba Franck , Bowman Charles A. , Cresawn Steven G. , Jacobs-Sera Deborah , Russell Daniel A. , Pope Welkin H. , Hatfull Graham F. , Dunbar David A. , Zegers Gerard P. , Page Shallee T.
Published: September 2016

We describe the genomes of two mycobacteriophages, MosMoris and Gattaca, newly isolated on
Mycobacterium smegmatis
. The two phages are very similar to each other, differing in 61 single nucleotide polymorphisms and six small insertion/deletions. Both have extensive nucleotide sequence similarity to mycobacteriophage Marvin and together form cluster S.
Application of Long Sequence Reads To Improve Genomes for Clostridium thermocellum AD2, Clostridium thermocellum LQRI, and Pelosinus fermentans R7
Authors: Utturkar Sagar M. , Bayer Edward A. , Borovok Ilya , Lamed Raphael , Hurt Richard A. , Land Miriam L. , Klingeman Dawn M. , Elias Dwayne , Zhou Jizhong , Huntemann Marcel , Clum Alicia , Pillay Manoj , Palaniappan Krishnaveni , Varghese Neha , Mikhailova Natalia , Stamatis Dimitrios , Reddy T. B. K. , Ngan Chew Yee , Daum Chris , Shapiro Nicole , Markowitz Victor , Ivanova Natalia , Kyrpides Nikos , Woyke Tanja , Brown Steven D.
Published: September 2016

We and others have shown the utility of long sequence reads to improve genome assembly quality. In this study, we generated PacBio DNA sequence data to improve the assemblies of draft genomes for
Clostridium thermocellum
AD2,
Clostridium thermocellum
LQRI, and
Pelosinus fermentans
R7.
Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium ulcerans subsp.
shinshuense
Authors: Yoshida Mitsunori , Nakanaga Kazue , Ogura Yoshitoshi , Toyoda Atsushi , Ooka Tadasuke , Kazumi Yuko , Mitarai Satoshi , Ishii Norihisa , Hayashi Tetsuya , Hoshino Yoshihiko
Published: September 2016

Mycobacterium ulcerans
subsp.
shinshuense
produces mycolactone and causes Buruli ulcer. Here, we report the complete sequence of its genome, which comprises a 5.9-Mb chromosome and a 166-kb plasmid (pShT-P). The sequence will represent the essential data for future phylogenetic and comparative genome studies of mycolactone-producing mycobacteria.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Deep-Subsurface Actinobacterium Tessaracoccus lapidicaptus IPBSL-7
T
Authors: Puente-Sánchez Fernando , Pieper Dietmar H. , Arce-Rodríguez Alejandro
Published: September 2016

The type strain of
Tessaracoccus lapidicaptus
was isolated from the deep subsurface of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (southwest Spain). Here, we report its draft genome, consisting of 27 contigs with a ~3.1-Mb genome size. The annotation revealed 2,905 coding DNA sequences, 45 tRNA genes, and three rRNA genes.
Consequences of removing cheap, super-strength beer and cider: a qualitative study of a UK local alcohol availability intervention
Authors: McGill Elizabeth , Marks Dalya , Sumpter Colin , Egan Matt
Published: September 2016

Objectives

Increasingly, English local authorities have encouraged the implementation of an intervention called ‘Reducing the Strength’ (RtS) whereby off-licences voluntarily stop selling inexpensive ‘super-strength’ (≥6.5% alcohol by volume (ABV)) beers and ciders. We conceptualised RtS as an event within a complex system in order to identify pathways by which the intervention may lead to intended and unintended consequences.

Design

A qualitative study including a focus group and semistructured interviews.

Setting

An inner-London local authority characterised by a high degree of residential mobility, high levels of social inequality and a large homeless population. Intervention piloted in three areas known for street drinking with a high alcohol outlet density.

Participants

Alcohol service professionals, homeless hostel employees, street-based services managers and hostel dwelling homeless alcohol consumers (n=30).

Results

Participants describe a range of potential substitution behaviours to circumvent alcohol availability restrictions including consuming different drinks, finding alternative shops, using drugs or committing crimes to purchase more expensive drinks. Service providers suggested the intervention delivered in this local authority missed opportunities to encourage engagement between the council, alcohol services, homeless hostels and off-licence stores. Some participants believed small-scale interventions such as RtS may facilitate new forms of engagement between public and private sector interests and contribute to long-term cultural changes around drinking, although they may also entrench the view that ‘problem drinking’ only occurs in certain population groups.

Conclusions

RtS may have limited individual-level health impacts if the target populations remain willing and able to consume alternative means of intoxication as a substitute for super-strength products. However, RtS may also lead to wider system changes not directly related to the consumption of super-strengths and their assumed harms.
Do baby boomers use more healthcare services than other generations? Longitudinal trajectories of physician service use across five birth cohorts
Authors: Canizares Mayilee , Gignac Monique , Hogg-Johnson Sheilah , Glazier Richard H , Badley Elizabeth M
Published: September 2016

Objective

In light of concerns for meeting the provision of healthcare services given the large numbers of ageing baby boomers, we compared the trajectories of primary care and specialist services use across the lifecourse of 5 birth cohorts and examined factors associated with birth cohort differences.

Design

Longitudinal panel.

Setting

Canadian National Population Health Survey (1994–2011).

Population

Sample of 10 186 individuals aged 20–69 years in 1994–1995 and who were from 5 birth cohorts: Generation X (Gen X; born: 1965–1974), Younger Baby Boomers (born: 1955–1964), Older Baby Boomers (born: 1945–1954), World War II (born: 1935–1944) and pre-World War II (born: 1925–1934).

Main outcomes

Use of primary care and specialist services.

Results

Although the overall pattern suggested less use of physician services by each successive recent cohort, this blinded differences in primary and specialist care use by cohort. Multilevel analyses comparing cohorts showed that Gen Xers and younger boomers, particularly those with multimorbidity, were less likely to use primary care than earlier cohorts. In contrast, specialist use was higher in recent cohorts, with Gen Xers having the highest specialist use. These increases were explained by the increasing levels of multimorbidity. Education, income, having a regular source of care, sedentary lifestyle and obesity were significantly associated with physician services use, but only partially contributed to cohort differences.

Conclusions

The findings suggest a shift from primary care to specialist care among recent cohorts, particularly for those with multimorbidity. This is of concern given policies to promote primary care services to prevent and manage chronic conditions. There is a need for policies to address important generational differences in healthcare preferences and the balance between primary and specialty care to ensure integration and coordination of healthcare delivery.
Patient values and preferences on transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement therapy for aortic stenosis: a systematic review
Authors: Lytvyn Lyubov , Guyatt Gordon H , Manja Veena , Siemieniuk Reed A , Zhang Yuan , Agoritsas Thomas , Vandvik Per O
Published: September 2016

Objective

To investigate patients' values and preferences regarding aortic valve replacement therapy for aortic stenosis.

Setting

Studies published after transcatheter aortic valve insertion (TAVI) became available (2002).

Participants

Adults with aortic stenosis who are considering or have had valve replacement, either TAVI or via surgery (surgical aortic valve replacement, SAVR).

Outcome measures

We sought quantitative measurements, or qualitative descriptions, of values and preferences. When reported, we examined correlations between preferences and objective (eg, ejection fraction) or subjective (eg, health-related quality of life) measures of health.

Results

We reviewed 1348 unique citations, of which 2 studies proved eligible. One study of patients with severe aortic stenosis used a standard gamble study to ascertain that the median hypothetical mortality risk patients were willing to tolerate to achieve full health was 25% (IQR 25–50%). However, there was considerable variability; for mortality risk levels defined by current guidelines, 130 participants (30%) were willing to accept low-to-intermediate risk (≤8%), 224 (51%) high risk (>8–50%) and 85 (19%) a risk that guidelines would consider prohibitive (>50%). Study authors did not, however, assess participants' understanding of the exercise, resulting in a potential risk of bias. A second qualitative study of 15 patients identified the following factors that influence patients to undergo assessment for TAVI: symptom burden; expectations; information support; logistical barriers; facilitators; obligations and responsibilities. The study was limited by serious risk of bias due to authors' conflict of interest (5/9 authors industry-funded).

Conclusions

Current evidence on patient values and preferences of adults with aortic stenosis is very limited, and no studies have enrolled patients deciding between TAVI and SAVR. On the basis of the data available, there is evidence of variability in individual values and preferences, highlighting the importance of well-informed and shared decision-making with patients facing this decision.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO CRD42016041907.
Vessel perforation during stent retriever thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke: technical details and clinical outcomes
Authors: Mokin Maxim , Fargen Kyle M , Primiani Christopher T , Ren Zeguang , Dumont Travis M , Brasiliense Leonardo B C , Dabus Guilherme , Linfante Italo , Kan Peter , Srinivasan Visish M , Binning Mandy J , Gupta Rishi , Turk Aquilla S , Elijovich Lucas , Arthur Adam , Shallwani Hussain , Levy Elad I , Siddiqui Adnan H
Published: September 2016

Background

Vessel perforation during stent retriever thrombectomy is a rare complication; typically only single instances have been reported.

Objective

To report on a series of patients whose stent retriever thrombectomy was complicated by intraprocedural vessel perforation and discuss its potential mechanisms, rescue treatment strategies, and clinical significance.

Methods

Cases with intraprocedural vessel perforation, where a stent retriever was used either as a primary treatment approach or as a part of a direct aspiration first pass technique (ADAPT), were included in the final analysis. Clinical data, procedural details, radiographic and clinical outcomes were collected from nine participating centers.

Results

Intraprocedural vessel perforation during stent retriever thrombectomy occurred in 16 (1.0%) of 1599 cases. 63% of intraprocedural perforations occurred at distal locations. Endovascular rescue techniques (most commonly, intracranial balloon occlusion for tamponade) were attempted in 50% of cases. Procedure was aborted without any rescue attempts in 44% of cases. Mortality during hospitalization and at 3 months was 56% and 63%, respectively. 25% of patients achieved good functional outcome at 3 months after the procedure.

Conclusions

Intraprocedural perforations during stent retriever thrombectomy were rare, but when they occurred were associated with high mortality. Perforations most commonly occurred at distal occlusion sites and were often characterized by difficulty traversing the occlusion with a microcatheter or microwire, or while withdrawing the stent retriever. Nevertheless, 25% of patients had a favorable functional outcome, suggesting that in some patients with this complication good neurological recovery is achievable.
Repeated perineural administrations of ropivacaine at the tibial nerve following a degloving injury in a horse
Authors: Marolf Vincent , Spadavecchia Claudia , Fouché Nathalie , Rohrbach Helene
Published: September 2016

The authors report a case of interventional pain management in a mare after a major degloving injury of the left hindlimb. Despite immediate surgical wound closure under general anaesthesia and multimodal systemic pain therapy during the first three weeks after surgery, the horse progressively developed signs of persistent pain. As placement of an epidural catheter was not successful, a perineural catheter was placed at the tibial nerve allowing repeated administrations of ropivacaine 0.5 per cent every six hours for nine days, leading to a reduction of pain signs. This improvement has been observed clinically as well as a reduction of pain scores recorded 30 minutes after ropivacaine injections. For the remaining 24 days of hospital stay, analgesia was provided by oral meloxicam administration and morphine administered through a newly placed epidural catheter. The horse was discharged from the hospital with minor signs of pain 57 days after injury.
L∞-algebra models and higher Chern–Simons theories
Authors: Ritter Patricia , Sämann Christian
Published: September 2016

We continue our study of zero-dimensional field theories in which the fields take values in a strong homotopy Lie algebra. In the first part, we review in detail how higher Chern–Simons theories arise in the AKSZ-formalism. These theories form a universal starting point for the construction of [Formula: see text]-algebra models. We then show how to describe superconformal field theories and how to perform dimensional reductions in this context. In the second part, we demonstrate that Nambu–Poisson and multisymplectic manifolds are closely related via their Heisenberg algebras. As a byproduct of our discussion, we find central Lie [Formula: see text]-algebra extensions of [Formula: see text]. Finally, we study a number of [Formula: see text]-algebra models which are physically interesting and which exhibit quantized multisymplectic manifolds as vacuum solutions.
On the contravariant of homogeneous forms arising from isolated hypersurface singularities
Authors: Isaev A. V.
Published: September 2016

Let [Formula: see text] be the vector space of homogeneous forms of degree [Formula: see text] on [Formula: see text], with [Formula: see text]. The object of our study is the map [Formula: see text], introduced in earlier papers by J. Alper, M. Eastwood and the author, that assigns to every form for which the discriminant [Formula: see text] does not vanish the so-called associated form lying in the space [Formula: see text]. This map is a morphism from the affine variety [Formula: see text] to the affine space [Formula: see text]. Letting [Formula: see text] be the smallest integer such that the product [Formula: see text] extends to a morphism from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text], one observes that the extended map defines a contravariant of forms in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we obtain upper bounds for [Formula: see text] thus providing estimates for the contravariant’s degree.
Influence of drivers ability in a discrete vehicular traffic model
Authors: Burini D. , De Lillo S. , Fioriti G.
Published: September 2016

A vehicular traffic model is presented, based on the so-called Kinetic Theory of Active Particles. Vehicles are characterized by a lattice of discrete speeds and by the driving ability of the drivers. The evolution of the system is modeled through nonlinear interactions, whose output is described by stochastic games. The results of numerical simulations are consistent with experimental measurements of traffic flow.
Spin polarization current induced by hydrogen hybrid within closed hexagon graphene nanoribbon devices
Authors: Ren Yun , He Jun , Fan Zhi-Qiang , Zhu Xiang , Liu Yi , Long Meng-Qiu , Xiao Ke
Published: September 2016

We investigate the spin-polarized electronic transport properties of the closed hexagon graphene nanoribbon devices with different hydrogen hybrid of edge carbon atoms by using non-equilibrium Green’s functions in combination with the density functional theory. The results show that an excellent molecular switching with on/off ratio over 106, perfect spin-filtering effect and negative differential resistance effect have been observed. A detailed analysis has been presented.
The quantum interaction of macroscopic objects and gravitons
Authors: Piran Tsvi
Published: September 2016

Copious production of gravitational radiation requires a compact source that moves relativistically. Such sources are rare and are found only in extreme cases such as the formation of a black hole in either via a gravitational collapse or via a merger. Noncompact, nonrelativistic objects emit gravitational radiation, however, this emission is extremely weak due to very large value of the Planck energy. The quantum nature of gravitons, namely the fact that a single graviton carries energy of order [Formula: see text] implies that macroscopic objects whose kinetic energy is less than the Planck energy emit gravitons quantum mechanically, emitting a single graviton at a time. This is a unique situation in which a macroscopic object behaves quantum mechanically. While it is impossible to check experimentally this quantum gravitational effect, it might be possible to carry out analogous electromagnetic experiments that will shed light on this macroscopic quantum mechanical behavior.
On splitting of the normalizer of a maximal torus in orthogonal groups
Authors: Galt Alexey
Published: September 2016

We answer the question of splitting of the normalizer of a maximal torus in orthogonal groups of type [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] over finite fields and algebraically closed fields of positive characteristic.
Comparative study on identification of healthy and osteoarthritic articular cartilages by fourier transform infrared imaging and chemometrics methods
Authors: Mao Zhi-Hua , Wu Yue-Chao , Zhang Xue-Xi , Gao Hao , Yin Jian-Hua
Published: September 2016

Two discriminant methods, partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and Fisher’s discriminant analysis (FDA), were combined with Fourier transform infrared imaging (FTIRI) to differentiate healthy and osteoarthritic articular cartilage in a canine model. Osteoarthritic cartilage had been developed for up to two years after the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) transection in one knee. Cartilage specimens were sectioned into 10 [Formula: see text]m thickness for FTIRI. A PLS-DA model was developed after spectral pre-processing. All IR spectra extracted from FTIR images were calculated by PLS-DA with the discriminant accuracy of 90%. Prior to FDA, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to decompose the IR spectral matrix into informative principal component matrices. Based on the different discriminant mechanism, the discriminant accuracy (96%) of PCA-FDA with high convenience was higher than that of PLS-DA. No healthy cartilage sample was mis-assigned by these two methods. The above mentioned suggested that both integrated technologies of FTIRI-PLS-DA and, especially, FTIRI-PCA-FDA could become a promising tool for the discrimination of healthy and osteoarthritic cartilage specimen as well as the diagnosis of cartilage lesion at microscopic level. The results of the study would be helpful for better understanding the pathology of osteoarthritics.
Investigation and Effective Control of Perpendicular Magnetic Anisotropy for TbCo Films with Different Underlayers
Authors: Tang Minghong , Chen Shaohai , Zhang Xiangli , Zhang Zongzhi , Jin Q. Y.
Published: September 2016

We performed a detailed study on the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) of TbCo film by using two kinds of nonmagnetic underlayers, Ta and Ta/Cu with different thicknesses. We found that for both the Tb-rich and Co-rich TbCo alloy films, the PMA strength decreases considerably with the increase of Ta underlayer thickness, while their net saturation magnetization [Formula: see text] exhibit opposite varying trends. The [Formula: see text] value continues to increase for the Co-rich TbCo samples while decrease for the Tb-rich films. Interestingly, an additional Cu layer inserted between the Ta and TbCo layers can efficiently recover the PMA and [Formula: see text]. We attribute such observed variation behaviors of magnetic properties to the increased disordering of Tb magnetic moments at the Ta/TbCo interface, which has been verified by both experimental measurements and micromagnetic simulations.
Structural evidence of enhanced active subsidence at the bottom of a maar: Rincón de Parangueo, México
Authors: Aranda-Gómez José Jorge , Cerca Mariano , Rocha-Treviño Luis , Carrera-Hernández Jaime Jesús , Levresse Gilles , Pacheco Jesús , Yutsis Vsevolod , Arzate-Flores Jorge Arturo , Chacón Elizabeth , Beraldi-Campesi Hugo
Published: September 2016

Rincón de Parangueo is a Quaternary maar that has been recently desiccated. The crater was partially occupied by a soda lake, and near the shoreline microbialites have formed. Evaporites (mainly trona and halite) precipitated as the water level dropped. Active subsidence of the lake floor (
c.
24 m since 1980) produced countless structures close to the lakeshore, where deformation is extensional. Closer to the depocentre, in the western half of the basin, gliding/spreading produced folds and mud-injection domes. The most remarkable structure throughout the basin is a monocline that forms a ring-like, nearly continuous scarp, approximately 15 m high, which in the eastern half of the basin was produced as a fault-propagation fold developed above the buried diatreme–country rock boundary. A more diffuse (wider) monocline, locally associated with compressive structures, occurs in the western half of the basin. These structures are interpreted as having developed above a gently inclined, irregular lake sediment–country rock (andesite) interphase. The monocline was modified by high-angle extensional faults/fractures with large heaves/apertures. In the eastern half of the basin, there is a second (outer) scarp, approximately 13 m high, formed by a high-angle, listric, normal fault. Rollover antiforms occur in the hanging wall of this structure. Rincón is an example of centripetal gravitational gliding/spreading.
Resisting Resistance
Authors: Bozic Ivana , Nowak Martin A.
Published: September 2016

Targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and improved chemotherapies are being developed to reduce the suffering and mortality that come from human cancer. Although these approaches, and in particular combinations of them, are expected to succeed eventually to a large degree, they all suffer one obstacle: Populations of replicating cells move away—typically in a high-dimensional space—from any opposing selection pressure they encounter. They evolve resistance. It is possible, however, to develop a precise mathematical understanding of the problem and to design treatment strategies that prevent resistance if possible or manage resistance otherwise. In this article, we present the fundamental equations that characterize the evolution of resistance. We provide formulas for the probability that resistant cells exist at the start of therapy, for the average number and sizes of resistant clones, and for the probability of successful combination treatment. We also demonstrate that developing new therapies that only maximize the killing rate of cancer cells may not be optimal, and that instead the parameters determining the fraction of resistant cells and their growth rate have a larger effect on the long-term control of cancer. These mathematical tools inform the search process for optimal therapies that aim to cure cancer.
How Tumor Virology Evolved into Cancer Biology and Transformed Oncology
Authors: Varmus Harold
Published: September 2016

The field of cancer biology has recently come of age, as witnessed by the initiation of this Annual Reviews journal this year. In this article, I argue that the major sources of cancer biology reside neither in cell biology nor in traditional cancer research, but instead in the domain once called “tumor virology.” Speaking from the perspective of someone who “rode the wave” that uncovered cancer genes and their effects on cell behavior, I have tried to trace the influences, discoveries, and changing attitudes and practices that produced the vibrant scientific landscape that we now enjoy.
Mindfulness Interventions
Authors: Creswell J. David
Published: September 2016

Mindfulness interventions aim to foster greater attention to and awareness of present moment experience. There has been a dramatic increase in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of mindfulness interventions over the past two decades. This article evaluates the growing evidence of mindfulness intervention RCTs by reviewing and discussing (a) the effects of mindfulness interventions on health, cognitive, affective, and interpersonal outcomes; (b) evidence-based applications of mindfulness interventions to new settings and populations (e.g., the workplace, military, schools); (c) psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of mindfulness interventions; (d) mindfulness intervention dosing considerations; and (e) potential risks of mindfulness interventions. Methodologically rigorous RCTs have demonstrated that mindfulness interventions improve outcomes in multiple domains (e.g., chronic pain, depression relapse, addiction). Discussion focuses on opportunities and challenges for mindfulness intervention research and on community applications.
Dyssynchronous calcium removal in heart failure-induced atrial remodeling
Authors: Hohendanner F. , DeSantiago J. , Heinzel F. R. , Blatter L. A.
Published: September 2016

We tested the hypothesis that in atrial myocytes from a rabbit left ventricular heart failure (HF) model, spatial inhomogeneity and temporal dyssynchrony of Ca removal during excitation-contraction coupling together with increased Na/Ca exchange (NCX) activity generate a substrate for proarrhythmic Ca release. Ca removal occurs via Ca reuptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum and extrusion via NCX exclusively in the cell periphery since rabbit atrial myocytes lack transverse tubules. Ca removal kinetics were assessed by the time constant τ of decay of local peripheral subsarcolemmal (SS) and central (CT) action potential (AP)-induced Ca transients (CaTs) recorded in confocal line scan mode (using Fluo-4). Spatial and temporal dyssynchrony of Ca removal was quantified by CV TAU, defined as the standard deviation of local τ along the transverse cell axis divided by mean τ. In normal cells CT CaT decline was slower compared with the SS domain, while in HF cells decline was accelerated, became equal in SS and CT regions, and a significant increase of CV TAU indicated an increased Ca removal dyssynchrony. In HF atrial cells NCX upregulation was accompanied by an overall higher incidence of spontaneous Ca waves and a higher propensity of arrhythmogenic Ca waves, defined as waves that triggered APs due to NCX-mediated membrane depolarization. NCX inhibition normalized CV TAU in HF atrial cells and decreased the propensity of Ca waves. In summary, HF atrial myocytes show accelerated but dyssynchronous diastolic Ca removal and altered sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA) and NCX activity that result in increased susceptibility to arrhythmia.
Exercise-induced brachial artery blood flow and vascular function is impaired in systemic sclerosis
Authors: Machin Daniel R. , Clifton Heather L. , Garten Ryan S. , Gifford Jayson R. , Richardson Russell S. , Wray D. Walter , Frech Tracy M. , Donato Anthony J.
Published: September 2016

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by debilitating fibrosis and vascular dysfunction; however, little is known about the circulatory response to exercise in this population. Therefore, we examined the peripheral hemodynamic and vasodilatory responses to handgrip exercise in 10 patients with SSc (61 ± 4 yr) and 15 age-matched healthy controls (56 ± 5 yr). Brachial artery diameter, blood flow, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were determined at rest and during progressive static-intermittent handgrip exercise. Patients with SSc and controls were similar in body stature, handgrip strength, and MAP; however, brachial artery blood flow at rest was nearly twofold lower in patients with SSc compared with controls (22 ± 4 vs. 42 ± 5 ml/min, respectively; P < 0.05). Additionally, SSc patients had an ∼18% smaller brachial artery lumen diameter with an ∼28% thicker arterial wall at rest ( P < 0.05). Although, during handgrip exercise, there were no differences in MAP between the groups, exercise-induced hyperemia and therefore vascular conductance were ∼35% lower at all exercise workloads in patients with SSc ( P < 0.05). Brachial artery vasodilation, as assessed by the relationship between Δbrachial artery diameter and Δshear rate, was significantly attenuated in the patients with SSc ( P < 0.05). Finally, vascular dysfunction in the patients with SSc was accompanied by elevated blood markers of oxidative stress and attenuated endogenous antioxidant activity ( P < 0.05). Together, these findings reveal attenuated exercise-induced brachial artery blood flow and conduit arterial vasodilatory dysfunction during handgrip exercise in SSc and suggest that elevated oxidative stress may play a role.
Language Development of Three- to Twelve-Year-Old Twins Compared to Singletons
Authors: Dʼhaeseleer Evelien , Geenens Eline , Parmentier Sarah , Corthals Paul , Van Lierde Kristiane
Published: September 2016

Objective: The language development of twins tends to lag behind in comparison to that of singletons. The purpose of this study was to compare expressive and receptive language skills of 3- to 12-year-old twins with singletons. Secondly, correlations between language differences between twins and singletons and age were investigated. Patients and Methods: Twenty-four twins with a mean age of 5.1 years participated in the study. The control group consisted of 24 singletons who were matched for gender and age. Language development was investigated using the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals. Results: Twins scored significantly lower for expressive and receptive language skills compared to singletons. Even when excluding preterm-born children, twins still scored significantly lower for expressive language skills. There was no correlation between age and language differences between twins and their matched singletons. Conclusion: Twins score lower for expressive and receptive language skills compared to singletons, and preterm birth cannot be regarded as the main cause for the language delay. The language delay in twins is rather mild but does not seem to decrease with increasing age.
Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography of Iris Nevus: A Case Report
Authors: Allegrini Davide , Montesano Giovanni , Pece Alfredo
Published: September 2016

Iris nevus is common: 6% of patients with suspected iris melanoma have lesions other than melanoma, and 36% of them are nevi. Iris nevus turns into melanoma in approximately 8% of cases at a mean of 15 years. This case report provides the first description of an iris tumor examined with iris optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) compared to iris fluorescein angiography (IFA). A 60-year-old man with a diagnosis of iris nevus in the left eye was referred to our department for IFA and iris OCTA. The iris vasculature in IFA was visible only in the early phases, but not clearly. OCTA, however, gave visualization of the vascular network and very precisely defined the vessels of the whole lesion, except for the pupillary portion, which was masked by superficial pigment accumulations. IFA and iris OCTA can add information about the vascular architecture compared to slit-lamp biomicroscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy, and anterior-segment OCT. However, IFA is time-consuming and invasive and can – very occasionally – cause serious adverse reactions. In contrast, OCTA defines the texture of the iris vasculature better. In conclusion, OCTA is a new method, easy to execute, needing no dye injection, and provides useful information on the vascular network of iris lesions. It could therefore be helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of these lesions.
Making Materials: The Case of Elaborating Qualities of Bioplastics
Authors: Tonuk Damla
Published: September 2016

This article focuses on materials by taking an alternative route into considering their relationships to products. I draw on approaches from social sciences, especially studies influenced by science and technology studies, and conceptualise materials (and products) as made in their social and technical environment, and their properties as enacted in different environments of which they become a part, such as production and branding. Building on this framework, I focus on the production process in which materials, namely bioplastics, are produced and are transformed into products and so material-product relationships are formed, and new materials are substituted with existing ones. As such this study shows that actually products make materials as well, and that properties of materials are not intrinsic to them so as to be to chosen by designers, but that properties of materials are partly made in relation to the products into which they are made.
Analysis of UV Spectrum of TiO2 and Carbon Doped TiO2 Nanofluids
Authors: Subramaniyan A. L. , Lakshmi Priya S. , Kottaisamy M. , Ilangovan R.
Published: September 2016

Nanofluids are tailored or engineered suspensions of nanoparticles in a suitable base fluid. Nanofluids gained importance as next generation heat transfer fluids due to high thermal conductivity. The nanofluids are also proved as a potential candidate for direct absorption solar collectors
(DASC). The present work investigates the optical absorption of TiO2 and carbon doped TiO2 (C-TiO2) nanofluids which is necessary for DASC and tunable optical filters. TiO2 and C-TiO2 are prepared by sol gel and characterized by XRD. Nanoparticles
of TiO2 and C-TiO2 with weight fractions of 0.04 are dispersed in water and ethylene glycol to obtain TiO2 and C-TiO2 nanofluids. The nanofluids are investigated for their sedimentation time by gravity sedimentation method. Stability of TiO2
nanofluid is nine times more than C-TiO2 nanofluid with water as base fluid but C-TiO2 nanofluid are found to be efficient absorbers than TiO2 nanofluid in certain wavelength regime as shown by the UV results. We suggest that implementing a low volume fraction
of C-TiO2 nanofluid can give high stability and good absorption which is a prerequest for DASC and tunable optical filters.
Investigation of Electrical Properties, Structure and Morphological Characterization of Mg+2 Ions Conducting Solid Polymer Electrolyte Based on Poly(vinyl alcohol)
Authors: Khalil Reda , Sheha Eslam Mohamed , Eid Alaa
Published: September 2016

In the present work, solid polymer electrolyte using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and magnesium perchlorate (Mg(ClO4)2) in different compositions has been prepared by the solution-casting technique method. Surface feature of films was characterized by scanning electron
microscopy (SEM) measurement. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to determine the complexation of the polymer with the salt. The electrophysical characteristics were measured and analyzed as dependent on the concentration, nature of the solid polymer electrolyte component and ambient
temperature. A maximum ionic conductivity value of ∼10–4 S/cm at 303 K is obtained for PVA0.6/(Mg(ClO4)2)0.4 composite. The ionic transference number of Mg+2 mobile ions has been estimated by a dc polarization method.
The result reveals that the conducting species are predominantly ions.
A Fixed Point Approach to the Stability of Quadratic Functional Equations in Modular Spaces
Authors: Kim Seong Sik , Kim Soo Hwan
Published: September 2016

In this paper, we investigate the generalized Hyers-Ulam-Rassias stability of the following quadratic functional equation f(kx + y) + f(kx – y) = 2k2f(x) + 2f(y) for any fixed positive
integers k ∈ Ζ+ in modular spaces by using fixed point method.
Microscopic Large Scale psd Shell Model with M3Y Residual Interaction to Calculate Electron Scattering Form Factors
Authors: Jassim Khalid S. , Abdul-Nabe Rawaa A.
Published: September 2016

The longitudinal and the transverse electron scattering form factors for 6Li, 9Be, 11B and 12C nuclei have been studied with and without core polarization effects using shell model calculations. The psdmwk is used as effective interaction
for psd-shells. The core-polarization effects are calculated in the first-order perturbation theory including excitations up to 4ħω using the Michigan three-range Yakawa M3Y as a realistic interaction. The wave functions of radial single particle matrix elements
have been calculated with harmonic oscillator potential. For all nuclei under studying, Comparison between experimental and theoretical calculations show that the form factors with core-polarization effect calculations give good consistency with experiment data. So we concluded that the large
scale model space enhanced the results to become closed to the experimental data.
Compositional Dependence of Optical Absorption in Barium Oxychloride Borate Glasses
Authors: Dahiya M. S. , Agarwal A. , Khasa S.
Published: September 2016

The present communication deals with some significant results pertaining to the optical absorption analysis of glasses in the compositional range of xBaCl2·(30–x)·BaO·68B2O3·2V2O5
(x = 0, 5, 7 and 10 mol%) prepared via convenient melt-quench route. The optical absorption data recorded in wavelength range of 200–800 nm is analyzed by means of Davis-Mott model to evaluate optical band gaps corresponding to direct and indirect transitions. The absorption
tail is analyzed to obtain Urbach's energy. Behavioral change in optical band gap and Urbach's energy with changing chlorine concentrations is discussed to predict the structural changes governed in the glass matrix.
Structural, Optical and D.C Electrical Properties of (PVA-PVP-Y2O3) Films and Their Application for Humidity Sensor
Authors: Habeeb Majeed Ali , Hamza Leal Abdullah
Published: September 2016

The films prepared by casting method with different percentages of nano yttrium oxide (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12) wt%, where optical microscope images show the yttrium nanoparticles form a continuous network inside the polymers when the proportion of (12 wt%). FTIR spectra shows
shift in peak position as well as change in shape and intensity, comparing with pure (PVA-PVP) films, this indicates decoupling between the corresponding vibrations of two polymers and yttrium nanoparticles, and we noted that there is a decrease in transmittance at increasing the proportion
of yttrium oxide nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy shows the surface morphology of the (PVA-PVP-Y2O3) films many aggregates or chunks randomly distributed on the top surface, homogeneous and coherent. The absorbance increases with increase the weight percentages
of nano yttrium oxide. The absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient, refractive index, real and imaginary parts of dielectric constants and optical conductivity are increasing with increase the weight percentages of yttrium oxide. The energy band gap decreases with increasing the weight
percentages of yttrium oxide. The D.C electrical conductivity increase by increasing yttrium oxide concentrations and temperature. The activation energy decreases by increasing yttrium oxide concentrations. The resistance of the sensor decreased as humidity increased.
Nonlinear Intersubband Optical Absorption Coefficient and Refractive Index Changes in Asymmetric Parabolic Double Quantum Wells
Authors: Woldemariam Menberu Mengesha
Published: September 2016

The change in optical absorption coefficients and refractive index in GaAs-AlGaAs asymmetric parabolic double quantum wells (DQWs) with applied electric field are studied in detail. Analytical expressions for the linear, nonlinear and total intersubband absorption coefficient and refractive
index changes are obtained by using compact density matrix approach. It is found that the magnitude of the nonlinear part of the change in refractive index and absorption coefficients are larger than the linear part in the given frequency region. The value of the total change in refractive
index is negative and the asymmetric DQWs becomes left handed media. This property is of great importance for metamaterials science and can contribute substantially to the present search for simple and inexpensive left handed media. Moreover the negative value of the total change in absorption
coefficient may be used for developing optical device such as maser at different frequency regime.
The Evolution of Agricultural Drought Transition Periods in the U.S. Corn Belt
Authors: Schiraldi Nicholas J. , Roundy Paul E.
Published: September 2016

Agricultural drought in the U.S. Corn Belt region (CBR) has tremendous global socioeconomic implications. Unfortunately, the weather and climate factors that contribute to transition events toward or away from such droughts are poorly understood. This study applies composite, trajectory clusters, and a vertically integrated moisture budget to understand the phenomena that influence transition events that evolve over 20 and 60 days as modulated by interannual, intraseasonal, and synoptic-time-scale variability during May–August over the CBR. Results show that a shift in the low-frequency base state does not explain onset or decay of the 20- or 60-day drought transition cases. Instead, amplification of an intraseasonal Rossby wave train across the Pacific Ocean into North America, which occurs coincident with intraseasonal tropical convection on its equatorward side, triggers the transition. Trajectory analysis reveals similar source regions for air parcels associated with drought development and breakdown, but with a shift toward more parcels originating over the Gulf of Mexico during transitions away from drought. Finally, the vertically integrated moisture budget shows that advection and convergence of moisture on intraseasonal time scales dominates during these transitions. These results demonstrate that weather events are the primary driver of agricultural drought transitions occurring over 20 and 60 days.
A Systematic Review of Agreement Between Perceived and Objective Neighborhood Environment Measures and Associations With Physical Activity Outcomes
Authors: Orstad Stephanie L. , McDonough Meghan H. , Stapleton Shauna , Altincekic Ceren , Troped Philip J.
Published: September 2016

A number of review studies document associations between the perceived and objectively measured neighborhood environment and physical activity. However, current evidence does not discern whether perceived or objective variables more consistently predict physical activity. A review is needed to examine the comparability of these variables and the consistency of their respective associations with the same physical activity outcome. We systematically searched three databases for studies that examined agreement between perceived and objective measures and/or associations between comparable variables and physical activity. We abstracted 85 relevant peer-reviewed studies published between 1990 and 2015, synthesized agreement coefficients, and compared these variables’ associations with physical activity. Perceived neighborhood environment variables were significantly associated with physical activity ( p < .05) at slightly higher rates than objective neighborhood environment variables (20.1% and 13.7%). Comparably defined variables exhibited low agreement and only 8.2% were associated with the same outcome. The perceived neighborhood environment and objectively measured neighborhood environment are related but distinct constructs that account for unique variance in physical activity.
A comparative study of waste eggshells, CaCO3, and SiC-reinforced AA2014 green metal matrix composites
Authors: Dwivedi Shashi Prakash , Sharma Satpal , Mishra Raghvendra Kumar
Published: September 2016

The influences of weight percentage of different reinforcement particles such as SiC particles, waste uncarbonized eggshell particles, carbonized eggshell particles, and CaCO3 powder were compared in the processing of aluminium-based metal matrix composite. The results revealed that by the addition of SiC particles up to 10 wt.% and waste eggshell particles up to 12.5 wt.% in AA2014 matrix alloy, the tensile strength, hardness, and fatigue strength increased. Toughness and ductility decreased by the addition of SiC and eggshell particles in AA2014 matrix alloy. Corrosion rate decreased by the addition of SiC particle up to 7.5 wt.% and eggshell particles up to 12.5 wt.%. Results showed that hardness and heat-treatable properties are improved after the addition of SiC reinforcement particles in AA2014 aluminium alloy as compared to eggshell particles. However, porosity and overall cost increased after addition of SiC particles in AA2014 alloy. Corrosion rate increased after the heat treatment for all reinforced metal matrix composite. These results showed that using the carbonized eggshell as reinforcement in the AA2014 alloy gave better physical properties at lower cost as compared to SiC particles. Proper wettability was observed between matrix and reinforcement material for both carbonized eggshell particles and SiC particles. No wettability was observed between AA2014 alloy and CaCO3 reinforcement particles. Poor wettability reduced the mechanical properties of AA2014/CaCO3 metal matrix composite.