bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assembly of Huntingtin headpiece into α-helical bundles
Authors: Ozgur Beytullah , Sayar Mehmet
Published: May 2017

Protein aggregation is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders. In this group of brain-related disorders, a disease-specific “host” protein or fragment misfolds and adopts a metastatic, aggregate-prone conformation. Often, this misfolded conformation is structurally and thermodynamically different from its native state. Intermolecular contacts, which arise in this non-native state, promote aggregation. In this regard, understanding the molecular principles and mechanisms that lead to the formation of such a non-native state and further promote the formation of the critical nucleus for fiber growth is essential. In this study, the authors analyze the aggregation propensity of Huntingtin headpiece (httNT), which is known to facilitate the polyQ aggregation, in relation to the helix mediated aggregation mechanism proposed by the Wetzel group. The authors demonstrate that even though httNT displays a degenerate conformational spectrum on its own, interfaces of macroscopic or molecular origin can promote the α-helix conformation, eliminating all other alternatives in the conformational phase space. Our findings indicate that httNT molecules do not have a strong orientational preference for parallel or antiparallel orientation of the helices within the aggregate. However, a parallel packed bundle of helices would support the idea of increased polyglutamine concentration, to pave the way for cross-β structures.
Multiparametric plasma EV profiling facilitates diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy
Authors: Yang Katherine S. , Im Hyungsoon , Hong Seonki , Pergolini Ilaria , del Castillo Andres Fernandez , Wang Rui , Clardy Susan , Huang Chen-Han , Pille Craig , Ferrone Soldano , Yang Robert , Castro Cesar M. , Lee Hakho , del Castillo Carlos Fernandez , Weissleder Ralph
Published: May 2017

A multiplexed plasmonic assay analyzes circulating tumor-derived extracellular vesicles for detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
A GEMA of a personalized medicine strategy
Authors: Venere Monica
Published: May 2017

A screening method can identify tumors susceptible to synthetic lethality via PARP inhibition.
Capsule Production and Glucose Metabolism Dictate Fitness during
Serratia marcescens
Bacteremia
Authors: Anderson Mark T. , Mitchell Lindsay A. , Zhao Lili , Mobley Harry L. T.
Published: May 2017

Serratia marcescens
is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a range of human infections, including bacteremia, keratitis, wound infections, and urinary tract infections. Compared to other members of the
Enterobacteriaceae
family, the genetic factors that facilitate
Serratia
proliferation within the mammalian host are less well defined. An
in vivo
screen of transposon insertion mutants identified 212
S. marcescens
fitness genes that contribute to bacterial survival in a murine model of bloodstream infection. Among those identified, 11 genes were located within an 18-gene cluster encoding predicted extracellular polysaccharide biosynthesis proteins. A mutation in the
wzx
gene contained within this locus conferred a loss of fitness in competition infections with the wild-type strain and a reduction in extracellular uronic acids correlating with capsule loss. A second gene,
pgm
, encoding a phosphoglucomutase exhibited similar capsule-deficient phenotypes, linking central glucose metabolism with capsule production and fitness of
Serratia
during mammalian infection. Further evidence of the importance of central metabolism was obtained with a
pfkA
glycolytic mutant that demonstrated reduced replication in human serum and during murine infection. An MgtB magnesium transporter homolog was also among the fitness factors identified, and an
S. marcescens mgtB
mutant exhibited decreased growth in defined medium containing low concentrations of magnesium and was outcompeted ~10-fold by wild-type bacteria in mice. Together, these newly identified genes provide a more complete understanding of the specific requirements for
S. marcescens
survival in the mammalian host and provide a framework for further investigation of the means by which
S. marcescens
causes opportunistic infections.

IMPORTANCE
Serratia marcescens
is a remarkably prolific organism that replicates in diverse environments, including as an opportunistic pathogen in human bacteremia. The genetic requirements for
S. marcescens
survival in the mammalian bloodstream were defined in this work by transposon insertion sequencing. In total, 212 genes that contribute to bacterial fitness were identified. When sorted via biological function, two of the major fitness categories identified herein were genes encoding capsule polysaccharide biogenesis functions and genes involved in glucose utilization. Further investigation determined that certain glucose metabolism fitness genes are also important for the generation of extracellular polysaccharides. Together, these results identify critical biological processes that allow
S. marcescens
to colonize the mammalian bloodstream.
Evaluating the quality improvement impact of the Global Tracheostomy Collaborative in four diverse NHS hospitals
Authors: McGrath Brendan A , Lynch James , Bonvento Barbarella , Wallace Sarah , Poole Val , Farrell Ann , Diaz Cristina , Khwaja Sadie , Roberson David W
Published: May 2017

Tracheostomies are predominantly used in Head & Neck Surgery and the critically ill. The needs of these complex patients frequently cross traditional speciality working boundaries and locations and any resulting airway problems can rapidly lead to significant harm. The Global Tracheostomy Collaborative (GTC) was formed in 2012 with the aim of bringing together international expertise in tracheostomy care in order to bring about rapid adoption of best practices and to improve the quality and safety of care to this vulnerable group.

The primary aim of this project was to improve the safety and quality of care delivered to adult patients with new or existing tracheostomies. We implemented changes guided by the GTC using multiple PDSA cycles over a 12-month period. Interventions were across three themes: educational, patient-centred (earlier vocalisation and enteral intake) and organisational. We hypothesised that systematic healthcare improvements would reduce the severity of harm resulting from tracheostomy-related safety incidents and improve surrogate markers of the quality of patient-centred care. Furthermore, we hypothesised that raising the quality and safety of healthcare services would lead to more efficient care, measured by earlier tracheostomy decannulation times and reduced hospital lengths of stay.

This Quality Improvement project implemented the GTC into four diverse NHS Trusts in Greater Manchester. Key drivers implemented included multidisciplinary tracheostomy steering groups, ward rounds and bedside teams, standardisation of tracheostomy protocols, staff education and meaningful involvement of patient and family. Surrogates for the quality and safety of care were captured for all patients using a bespoke database.

Implementing the GTC into four NHS Trusts rapidly and positively impacted on patient safety metrics and surrogates for the quality of care delivered. It is likely that the comprehensive resources of the GTC will be of benefit to other NHS hospitals and indeed other healthcare systems around the world.
BET 2: Pre-hospital finger thoracostomy in patients with chest trauma
Authors: Jodie Pritchard , Kerstin Hogg
Published: May 2017

A short cut review was carried out to see if ‘finger’ thoracostomy is a safe and effective method of treating a tension pneumothorax in a pre-hospital setting. Five relevant papers were found looking at this technique in the pre-hospital setting. The author, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. This technique appears to be safe and effective when performed by trained physicians in a pre-hospital setting.
Intramuscular triglyceride content precedes impaired glucose metabolism without evidence for mitochondrial dysfunction during early development of a diabetic phenotype
Authors: Callahan Zachary J. , Oxendine Michael J. , Schaeffer Paul J.
Published: May 2017

The incidence of type 2 diabetes is highly correlated with obesity; however, there is a lack of research elucidating the temporal progression. Transgenic FVB/N UCP-dta mice, which develop a diabetic phenotype, and their nontransgenic littermates were fed either a high-fat or normal-chow diet and were studied at 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, and 24 weeks of age to test the hypothesis that increased lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle causes mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to the development of insulin resistance. Body composition, intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG) content, glucose metabolism, and mitochondrial function were measured to determine if IMTG drove mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to the development of type 2 diabetes. High-fat–fed transgenic mice had a significantly greater body mass, lipid mass, and IMTG content beginning early in the experiment. Glucose tolerance tests revealed that high-fat–fed transgenic mice developed a significantly insulin resistant response compared with the other 3 groups toward the end of the time course while plasma insulin was elevated very early in the time course. There was no significant difference in several measures of metabolic function throughout the time course. Long-term high-fat feeding in transgenic mice produced increases in IMTG, adiposity, body mass, and plasma insulin accompanied by decreases in glucose metabolism, but did not reveal any deficits in mitochondrial function or regulation during the early stage of the development of type 2 diabetes. It does not appear that lipotoxicity is driving defects in mitochondrial function prior to the onset of insulin resistance.
Effects of inclusion contents on resilient modulus and damping ratio of unsaturated track-bed materials
Authors: Wang Han-Lin , Cui Yu-Jun , Lamas-Lopez Francisco , Dupla Jean-Claude , Canou Jean , Calon Nicolas , Saussine Gilles , Aimedieu Patrick , Chen Ren-Peng
Published: May 2017

For the French conventional railway lines, a layer, namely interlayer, was created in the substructure mainly by the interpenetration of ballast grains and subgrade soils. The in situ investigation indicated that the content of coarse grains decreases over depth. In this study, the resilient modulus and damping ratio of the unsaturated lower part of the interlayer soil were investigated at six different volumetric inclusion contents fv (volumetric ratio of dry coarse grains to the whole sample) by carrying out cyclic triaxial tests following a multi-step loading procedure. The results show that the two dynamic parameters (resilient modulus and damping ratio) change significantly at the beginning of loading and the variation rate decreases as the number of cycles increases. Besides, a mean characteristic volumetric inclusion content fv–cha ranging from 27.8% to 28.9% was identified, separating two zones with different inclusion effects. To verify this observation, X-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) scans were conducted on as-compacted samples. The results obtained strongly support the existence of fv–cha: when fv ≤ fv–cha, the matrix of fines constitutes the skeleton of the sample with inclusions floating in it, leading to slight changes of the two dynamic parameters with fv. By contrast, when fv > fv–cha, the inclusions dominate the skeleton of the sample, giving rise to significant changes of the two dynamic parameters with fv.
Successive outermost-to-core shell directionality of the protonation of poly(propyl ether imine) dendritic gene delivery vectors
Authors: Lakshminarayanan Abirami , Jayaraman Narayanaswamy
Published: May 2017

The protonation behaviour of polycationic compounds has direct relevance to their ability to condense and deliver nucleic acids. This report pertains to a study of the protonation behaviour of polycationic poly(propyl ether imine) (PETIM) dendritic gene delivery vectors that are constituted with tertiary amine core moiety and branch sites, n-propyl ether linkages, and primary amine peripheries. The ability of this series of dendrimers to condense nucleic acids and mediate endosomal escape was studied by unravelling the protonation behaviour of the dendrimers aided by pH metric titrations and 1H and 15N NMR spectroscopies. The results demonstrate protonation of the primary and tertiary amines of outermost-to-core shells occurring in a successive stepwise fashion, in contrast to other polycationic vectors. Theoretical calculations based on the Ising model rationalize further the finer details of protonation at each shell. The protonation pattern correlates with the endosomal buffering and nucleic acid condensation properties of this PETIM-based dendritic gene delivery vectors. The study establishes that the protonation behaviour is a critical and essential parameter to assess the gene condensation and delivery vector properties of a polycationic compound.
Local disorder, topological ground state degeneracy and entanglement entropy, and discrete anyons
Authors: Bachmann Sven
Published: May 2017

In this comprehensive study of Kitaev’s abelian models defined on a graph embedded on a closed orientable surface, we provide complete proofs of the topological ground state degeneracy, the absence of local order parameters, compute the entanglement entropy exactly and characterize the elementary anyonic excitations. The homology and cohomology groups of the cell complex play a central role and allow for a rigorous understanding of the relations between the above characterizations of topological order.
Interior regularity for the generalized Abreu equation
Authors: Li An-Min , Lian Zhao , Sheng Li
Published: May 2017

We study the generalized Abreu equation in [Formula: see text]-dimensional polytopes and derive interior estimates of solutions under the assumption of the uniform [Formula: see text]-stability.
Self-intersection of foliation cycles on complex manifolds
Authors: Kaufmann Lucas
Published: May 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be a compact Kähler manifold and let [Formula: see text] be a foliation cycle directed by a transversely Lipschitz lamination on [Formula: see text]. We prove that the self-intersection of the cohomology class of [Formula: see text] vanishes as long as [Formula: see text] does not contain currents of integration along compact manifolds.

As a consequence, we prove that transversely Lipschitz laminations of low codimension in certain manifolds, e.g. projective spaces, do not carry any foliation cycles except those given by integration along compact leaves.
A new lattice model for single-lane traffic flow with the consideration of driver’s memory during a period of time
Authors: Zhou Jie , Shi Zhong-Ke , Zhang Hai-Liang , Wang Chao-Ping
Published: May 2017

In order to investigate the effect of driver’s memory during a period of time upon traffic dynamics, an extended lattice hydrodynamic model for traffic flow is proposed and studied analytically and numerically in this paper. The linear stability analysis reveals that the time length of driver’s memory has an important effect on stability of traffic flow. The factor will lead to the occurrence of traffic congestion. Three typical nonlinear wave equations including Burgers, Korteweg-de Vries and modified Korteweg-de Vries equation are derived to describe the evolution of density wave for traffic flow in three different regions, which are stable, meta-stable and unstable region, respectively. The simulations are given to illustrate and clarify the analytical results. The results indicate that the time length of driver’s memory has a negative effect upon stability of traffic flow.
Microstructure and wear property of Fe–Cr13–C hardfacing alloy reinforced by WC particles
Authors: Yang Ke , Li Jiaqi , Bao Yefeng , Jiang Yongfeng
Published: May 2017

Tungsten as the most effective carbide-forming element was added in the Fe–Cr13–C hardfacing alloy to precipitate WC particles. Optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) were used to investigate the microstructures of the hardfacing alloy. The wear resistance was tested through a slurry rubber wheel abrasion test machine, and the wear behavior was also studied. The results indicate that the microstructures of the hardfacing alloy consist of lath martensite, residual austenite and WC particles. The wear resistance can be significantly improved through the addition of tungsten element being provided by the precipitation of WC particles. And the predominant wear mechanism was microcutting with shallow grooves and spalling.
Luminescent properties and first-principles calculations of (Cr,Ca):YAG crystals
Authors: Wan Yan , Li Meiyu , Xie Erjuan , Xu Shoulei , Huang Yuyang , Deng Wen
Published: May 2017

The single crystals of YAG, Cr:YAG and (Cr,Ca):YAG were grown in an optical floating zone furnace. The experimental results show that the optical bandgap of the YAG, (Cr,Ca):YAG and Cr:YAG crystals is about 6.52, 6.31 and 5.50 eV, respectively. The optical bandgap of the (Cr,Ca):YAG crystal is smaller than YAG and larger than Cr:YAG. First-principles calculation results showed that the additions of Cr into YAG will give rise to the change of the electronic states. In a Cr:YAG crystal, the Cr[Formula: see text] impurity introduces a band of 3[Formula: see text] occupied state near the Fermi level, which significantly narrowed the bandgap of Cr:YAG. In a (Cr,Ca):YAG crystal, as the Ca[Formula: see text] ions substitute for the Y[Formula: see text] ions, some of the Cr[Formula: see text] ions will change into Cr[Formula: see text] ions due to the charge balance, which increased the bandgap of the (Cr,Ca):YAG crystal in comparison with that of the Cr:YAG crystal. The calculation is in agreement with the experimental results.
Continuous Motion Classification and Segmentation Based on Improved Dynamic Time Warping Algorithm
Authors: Liu Mingqin , Zhang Xiaoguang , Xu Guiyun
Published: May 2017

The continuous image sequence recognition is more difficult than the single image recognition because the classification of continuous image sequences and the image edge recognition must be very accurate. Hence, a method based on sequence alignment for action segmentation and classification is proposed to reconstruct a template sequence by estimating the mean action of a class category, which calculates the distance between a single image and a template sequence by sparse coding in Dynamic Time Warping. The proposed method, the methods of Kulkarni et al. [Continuous action recognition based on sequence alignment, Int. J. Comput. Vis. pp. 1–26.] and Hoai et al. [Joint segmentation and classification of human actions in video, IEEE Conf. Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition, 2008, pp. 108–119.] are compared on the recognition accuracy of the continuous recognition and isolated recognition, which clearly shows that the proposed method outperforms the other methods. When applied to continuous gesture classification, it not only can recognize the gesture categories more quickly and accurately, but is more realistic in solving continuous action recognition problems in a video than the other existing methods.
A Proof of Concept Study for Criminal Network Analysis with Interactive Strategies
Authors: Zhou Peng , Liu Yan , Zhao Mengjia , Lou Xin
Published: May 2017

The communication data are becoming increasingly important for criminal network analysis nowadays, and these data provide a digital trace which can be regarded as a hidden clue to support the crack of criminal cases. Additionally, performing a timely and effective analysis on it can predict criminal intents and take efficient actions to restrain and prevent crimes. The primary work of our research is to suggest an analytical process with interactive strategies as a solution to the problem of characterizing criminal groups constructed from the communication data. It is expected to assist law enforcement agencies in the task of discovering the potential suspects and exploring the underlying structures of criminal network hidden behind the communication data. This process allows for network analysis with commonly used metrics to identify the core members. It permits exploration and visualization of the network in the goal of improving the comprehension of interesting microstructures. Most importantly, it also allows to extract community structures in an appropriate level with the label supervision strategy. Our work concludes illustrating the application of our interactive strategies to a real-world criminal investigation with mobile call logs.
A Griffith–Euler–Bernoulli theory for thin brittle beams derived from nonlinear models in variational fracture mechanics
Authors: Schmidt Bernd
Published: May 2017

We study a planar thin brittle beam subject to elastic deformations and cracks described in terms of a nonlinear Griffith energy functional acting on [Formula: see text] deformations of the beam. In particular, we consider the case in which elastic bulk contributions due to finite bending of the beam are comparable to the surface energy which is necessary to completely break the beam into several large pieces. In the limit of vanishing aspect ratio we rigorously derive an effective Griffith–Euler–Bernoulli functional which acts on piecewise [Formula: see text] regular curves representing the midline of the beam. The elastic part of this functional is the classical Euler–Bernoulli functional for thin beams in the bending dominated regime in terms of the curve’s curvature. In addition there also emerges a fracture term proportional to the number of discontinuities of the curve and its first derivative.
Leveraging Localized Social Media Insights for Industry Early Warning Systems
Authors: Bernabé-Moreno Juan , Tejeda-Lorente Álvaro , Porcel-Gallego Carlos , Herrera-Viedma Enrique
Published: May 2017

Social Media (SM) has become the easiest, cheapest and fastest channel for companies to identify the events that affect their customers. The geo-location capabilities of the SM interactions enable Early Warning Systems to alert not only when the quality of service decays, but also where and how many customers are impacted. In this paper we present a system and a set of supporting metrics that exploit the geo-localized SM stream, quantify the perceived impact of events, incidents, etc. on a particular area over time. Industrial service providers can add this perceptional perspective to their standard monitoring tools to enable a prompt and appropriate reaction, the decision-making in marketing activities and to unveil customer acquisition opportunities applying the system to the competitors’ customers.
ER = EPR and non-perturbative action integrals for quantum gravity
Authors: Alsaleh Salwa , Alasfar Lina
Published: May 2017

In this paper, we construct and calculate non-perturbative path integrals in a multiply-connected spacetime. This is done by summing over homotopy classes of paths. The topology of the spacetime is defined by Einstein–Rosen bridges (ERB) forming from the entanglement of quantum foam described by virtual black holes. As these “bubbles” are entangled, they are connected by Planckian ERBs because of the [Formula: see text] conjecture. Hence, the spacetime will possess a large first Betti number [Formula: see text]. For any compact 2-surface in the spacetime, the topology (in particular the homotopy) of that surface is non-trivial due to the large number of Planckian ERBs that define homotopy through this surface. The quantization of spacetime with this topology — along with the proper choice of the 2-surfaces — is conjectured to allow non-perturbative path integrals of quantum gravity theory over the spacetime manifold.
A multi-dimensional extension of Sylvester’s identity
Authors: Alladi Krishnaswami
Published: May 2017

We obtain by combinatorial means, a multi-dimensional extension of Sylvester’s famous identity of 1882 that generalized Euler’s Pentagonal Numbers Theorem. We also provide a purely [Formula: see text]-hypergeometric proof.
Characterization of primes dividing the index of a trinomial
Authors: Jakhar Anuj , Khanduja Sudesh K. , Sangwan Neeraj
Published: May 2017

Let [Formula: see text] denote the ring of algebraic integers of an algebraic number field [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a root of an irreducible trinomial [Formula: see text] belonging to [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we give necessary and sufficient conditions involving only [Formula: see text] for a given prime [Formula: see text] to divide the index of the subgroup [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. In particular, we deduce necessary and sufficient conditions for [Formula: see text] to be equal to [Formula: see text].
Double exponential sums with exponential functions
Authors: Shparlinski Igor E. , Yau Kam Hung
Published: May 2017

We obtain several estimates for double rational exponential sums modulo a prime [Formula: see text] with products [Formula: see text] where both [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] run through short intervals and [Formula: see text] is fixed integer. We also obtain some new estimates for the number of points on exponential modular curves [Formula: see text] and similar.
On L-packets and depth for SL2(K) and its inner form
Authors: Aubert Anne-Marie , Mendes Sergio , Plymen Roger , Solleveld Maarten
Published: May 2017

We consider the group [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a local non-archimedean field of characteristic two. We prove that the depth of any irreducible representation of [Formula: see text] is larger than the depth of the corresponding Langlands parameter, with equality if and only if the [Formula: see text]-parameter is essentially tame. We also work out a classification of all [Formula: see text]-packets for [Formula: see text] and for its non-split inner form, and we provide explicit formulae for the depths of their [Formula: see text]-parameters.
Super congruence on harmonic sums
Authors: Yang Peng , Cai Tianxin
Published: May 2017

Wang and Cai established the following harmonic congruence for odd prime and positive integer [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] denote the set of positive integers which are prime to [Formula: see text]. In this paper, the authors generalize it into super congruence for odd prime [Formula: see text] and positive integer [Formula: see text]: [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are positive integers such that [Formula: see text]
Fringe pairs in generalized MSTD sets
Authors: Asada Megumi , Manski Sarah , Miller Steven J. , Suh Hong
Published: May 2017

A More Sums Than Differences (MSTD) set is a set [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text]. Martin and O’Bryant proved that the proportion of MSTD sets in [Formula: see text] is bounded below by a positive number as [Formula: see text] goes to infinity. Iyer, Lazarev, Miller and Zhang introduced the notion of a generalized MSTD set, a set [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] for a prescribed [Formula: see text]. We offer efficient constructions of [Formula: see text]-generational MSTD sets, sets [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] are all MSTD. We also offer an alternative proof that the proportion of sets [Formula: see text] for which [Formula: see text] is positive, for any [Formula: see text]. We prove that for any [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] goes to [Formula: see text] as the size of [Formula: see text] goes to infinity and we give a set [Formula: see text] which has the current highest value of [Formula: see text]. We also study decompositions of intervals [Formula: see text] into MSTD sets and prove that a positive proportion of decompositions into two sets have the property that both sets are MSTD.
Level sets of partial maximal digits for Lüroth expansion
Authors: Song Kunkun , Fang Lulu , Ma Jihua
Published: May 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be the Lüroth expansion of [Formula: see text]. This paper is concerned with the growth rate of the partial maximum [Formula: see text]. We completely determined the Hausdorff dimension of the set [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] tends to infinity with polynomial or exponential rates.
Cohomology of 𝔞𝔣𝔣(m|1) acting on the space of superpseudodifferential operators on the supercircle S1|m
Authors: Khalfoun Hafedh , Fraj Nizar Ben , Abdaoui Meher
Published: May 2017

We investigate the first differential cohomology space associated with the embedding of the affine Lie superalgebra [Formula: see text] on the [Formula: see text]-dimensional supercircle [Formula: see text] in the Lie superalgebra [Formula: see text] of superpseudodifferential operators with smooth coefficients, where [Formula: see text]. Following Ovsienko and Roger, we give explicit expressions of the basis cocycles. We study the deformations of the structure of the [Formula: see text]-module [Formula: see text]. We prove that any formal deformation is equivalent to its infinitesimal part.
Ultrasound imaging and segmentation of bone surfaces: A review
Authors: Hacihaliloglu Ilker
Published: June 2017

Due to its real-time, non-radiation based three-dimensional (3D) imaging capabilities, ultrasound (US) has been incorporated into various orthopedic procedures. However, imaging artifacts, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bone boundaries appearing several mm in thickness make the analysis of US data difficult. This paper provides a review about the state-of-the-art bone segmentation and enhancement methods developed for two-dimensional (2D) and 3D US data. First, an overview for the appearance of bone surface response in B-mode data is presented. Then, classification of the proposed techniques in terms of the image information being used is provided. Specifically, the focus is given on segmentation and enhancement of B-mode US data. The review is concluded by discussing future directions of research and additional challenges which need to be overcome in order to make this imaging modality more successful in orthopedics.
Radionuclides in groundwater, rocks and stream sediments in Austria – results from a recent survey
Authors: Schubert Gerhard , Berka Rudolf , Katzlberger Christian , Motschka Klaus , Denner Monika , Grath Johannes , Philippitsch Rudolf
Published: May 2017

In 2014, the Geological Survey of Austria (GBA) published – in cooperation with further national institutions – an overview map on radionuclides in groundwater, rocks and stream sediments at a scale of 1:500 000 with explanatory notes. In the frame of this activity, the uranium,
228
Ra,
226
Ra,
222
Rn,
210
Pb and
210
Po analyses in groundwater studies made by the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) and Environment Agency of Austria (Umweltbundesamt), as well as the uranium and thorium analyses of stream sediments of the GBA and whole-rock analyses from different sources, were evaluated statistically. Furthermore, the GBA's comprehensive airborne radiometric data were exploited. The aim of this study was to work out typical spectra of the radionuclide content in the groundwater and aquifers of different geological settings.

It appeared that the concentration of
222
Rn in groundwater depends significantly on the uranium content of the aquifer. In contrast to this, the other radionuclides in groundwater did not show a clear correlation with uranium and thorium in the subsurface geology. Concerning
228
Ra,
226
Ra,
210
Pb and
210
Po, the lack of relationship to the subsurface composition seems to be a result of the low concentrations in groundwater. With respect to uranium in groundwater, there is a mixed situation: on the one hand, high uranium concentrations in groundwater can be observed in the Alps in regions with uranium bearing orthogneisses. On the other hand, in sediment basins of NE Austria where the underlying geology contains little uranium. Whether this is caused by special geological features combined with the given low precipitation or by the extensive agriculture (uranium from phosphate fertilizer) is under examination.

Concerning the threshold values of the radionuclides in groundwater (radiation), no exceedance could be observed. In spite of this, the concentration of the heavy metal uranium sometimes exceeded the threshold value of 15 µg l
−1
: this is especially true for the regions mentioned above.

In addition, an attempt was made to compare the Austrian values with data from neighbouring countries. It became clear that only a few published datasets exist that are comparable. Radon analyses of soil gas in the Czech Republic and Bavaria show the same geological patterns as the Austrian radon analyses of the groundwater. In addition, to enable the reader to compare the Austrian data with datasets from other countries, additional tables are included here for all types of data. They show the statistic distributions of different geological classes in a coordinated way.
Teaching Programming in Secondary Education Through Embodied Computing Platforms
Authors: Merkouris Alexandros , Chorianopoulos Konstantinos , Kameas Achilles
Published: May 2017

Pedagogy has emphasized that physical representations and tangible interactive objects benefit learning especially for young students. There are many tangible hardware platforms for introducing computer programming to children, but there is limited comparative evaluation of them in the context of a formal classroom. In this work, we explore the benefits of learning to code for tangible computers, such as robots and wearable computers, in comparison to programming for the desktop computer. For this purpose, 36 students participated in a within-groups study that involved three types of target computer platform tangibility: (1) desktop, (2) wearable, and (3) robotic. We employed similar blocks-based visual programming environments, and we measured emotional engagement, attitudes, and computer programming performance. We found that students were more engaged by and had a higher intention of learning programming with the robotic rather than the desktop computer. Furthermore, tangible computing platforms, either robot or wearable, did not affect the students’ performance in learning basic computational concepts (e.g., sequence, repeat, and decision). Our findings suggest that computer programming should be introduced through multiple target platforms (e.g., robots, smartphones, wearables) to engage children.
10 rules for an unhackable data vault
Authors: Morris James B.
Published: May 2017

Most recent publicity on cyber security has focused on preventing attacks by external hackers. While many of these attacks began with an insider, there has been much less discussion about preventing malicious insider exploits. Perhaps that is because untrustworthy insiders are hard to find and block before they strike. The Secure Data Vault (SDV) is an approach to protecting the most sensitive data from malware and insider exploits. Formal verification of the microservices that govern access to the vault will close down almost all malware pathways. The old military N-person rule will close down most insider pathways. This rule allows for a trade-off between security and convenience: the higher the number who have to cooperate to access the vault (N), the greater the security and the less the convenience. When based on this plus nine other construction rules, the SDV will protect sensitive data from malware and malicious insiders.
Nonparametric Welfare Analysis
Authors: Hausman Jerry A. , Newey Whitney K.
Published: May 2017

Exact consumer's surplus and deadweight loss are the most widely used welfare and economic efficiency measures. These measures can be computed from demand functions in straightforward ways. Nonparametric estimation can be used to estimate the welfare measures. In doing so, it seems important to account correctly for unobserved heterogeneity, given the high degree of unexplained demand variation often found in applications. This review surveys work on nonparametric welfare analysis, focusing on work that allows for general heterogeneity in demand, such as that of Hausman & Newey (2016) .
Index Insurance for Developing Country Agriculture: A Reassessment
Authors: Carter Michael , de Janvry Alain , Sadoulet Elisabeth , Sarris Alexandros
Published: May 2017

With uninsured risk representing a major hurdle to investment, productivity growth, and poverty reduction in developing country smallholder agriculture, index-based agricultural insurance has offered the promise of overcoming the hurdles of traditional indemnity-based insurance for this context. In spite of extensive experimentation, take-up has been disappointingly low without large and sustained subsidies. We show that existing constraints on take-up can partially be overcome using revised contract designs, advanced technology for better measurement, improved marketing, and better policy support. However, because index insurance is likely to remain expensive in that context, we suggest that improved index insurance be combined with stress tolerant seed varieties and new risk-oriented savings and credit products that build on the complementarities between what can be offered by index insurance and these other instruments to cope with shocks and manage risk.
Glucagon’s effect on liver protein metabolism in vivo
Authors: Kraft Guillaume , Coate Katie C. , Winnick Jason J. , Dardevet Dominique , Donahue E. Patrick , Cherrington Alan D. , Williams Phillip E. , Moore Mary Courtney
Published: May 2017

The postprandial state is characterized by a storage of nutrients in the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue for later utilization. In the case of a protein-rich meal, amino acids (AA) stimulate glucagon secretion by the α-cell. The aim of the present study was to determine the impact of the rise in glucagon on AA metabolism, particularly in the liver. We used a conscious catheterized dog model to recreate a postprandial condition using a pancreatic clamp. Portal infusions of glucose, AA, and insulin were used to achieve postprandial levels, while portal glucagon infusion was either maintained at the basal level or increased by three-fold. The high glucagon infusion reduced the increase in arterial AA concentrations compared with the basal glucagon level (−23%, P < 0.05). In the presence of high glucagon, liver AA metabolism shifted toward a more catabolic state with less protein synthesis (−36%) and increased urea production (+52%). Net hepatic glucose uptake was reduced modestly (−35%), and AA were preferentially used in gluconeogenesis, leading to lower glycogen synthesis (−54%). The phosphorylation of AMPK was increased by the high glucagon infusion (+40%), and this could be responsible for increasing the expression of genes related to pathways producing energy and lowering those involved in energy consumption. In conclusion, the rise in glucagon associated with a protein-rich meal promotes a catabolic utilization of AA in the liver, thereby, opposing the storage of AA in proteins.
Ductular and proliferative response of esophageal submucosal glands in a porcine model of esophageal injury and repair
Authors: Krüger Leandi , Gonzalez Liara M. , Pridgen Tiffany A. , McCall Shannon J. , von Furstenberg Richard J. , Harnden Ivan , Carnighan Gwendolyn E. , Cox Abigail M. , Blikslager Anthony T. , Garman Katherine S.
Published: June 2017

Esophageal injury is a risk factor for diseases such as Barrett’s esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma. To improve understanding of signaling pathways associated with both normal and abnormal repair, animal models are needed. Traditional rodent models of esophageal repair are limited by the absence of esophageal submucosal glands (ESMGs), which are present in the human esophagus. Previously, we identified acinar ductal metaplasia in human ESMGs in association with both esophageal injury and cancer. In addition, the SOX9 transcription factor has been associated with generation of columnar epithelium and the pathogenesis of BE and is present in ESMGs. To test our hypothesis that ESMGs activate after esophageal injury with an increase in proliferation, generation of a ductal phenotype, and expression of SOX9, we developed a porcine model of esophageal injury and repair using radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The porcine esophagus contains ESMGs, and RFA produces a consistent and reproducible mucosal injury in the esophagus. Here we present a temporal assessment of this model of esophageal repair. Porcine esophagus was evaluated at 0, 6, 18, 24, 48, and 72 h and 5 and 7 days following RFA and compared with control uninjured esophagus. Following RFA, ESMGs demonstrated an increase in ductal phenotype, echoing our prior studies in humans. Proliferation increased in both squamous epithelium and ESMGs postinjury with a prominent population of SOX9-positive cells in ESMGs postinjury. This model promises to be useful in future experiments evaluating mechanisms of esophageal repair.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY A novel porcine model of injury and repair using radiofrequency ablation has been developed, allowing for reproducible injury to the esophagus to study repair in an animal model with esophageal submucosal glands, a key anatomical feature and missing in rodent models but possibly harboring progenitor cells. There is a strong translational component to this porcine model given the anatomical and physiological similarities between pigs and humans.
Reevaluation of reflex responses of the human masseter muscle to electrical lip stimulation
Authors: Uginčius Paulius , Yilmaz Gizem , Sebik Oğuz , Türker Kemal S.
Published: May 2017

We examined the human masseter reflex response to electrical stimulation of lower lip to uncover realistic postsynaptic potentials in the trigeminal motor nucleus. We found that the stimulation generates a long-lasting single or compound inhibitory response that is followed by a late, long-lasting excitation. These findings have important implications on the redrawing of the neuronal pathways of the trigeminal nerve that are frequently used to judge neuromuscular disorders of the trigeminal region.
Guaranteed Cost Finite-Time Control of Fractional-Order Positive Switched Systems
Authors: Liu Leipo , Cao Xiangyang , Fu Zhumu , Song Shuzhong
Published: May 2017

The problem of guaranteed cost finite-time control of fractional-order positive switched systems (FOPSS) is considered in this paper. Firstly, a new cost function is defined. Then, by constructing linear copositive Lyapunov functions and using the average dwell time (ADT) approach, a state feedback controller and a static output feedback controller are constructed, respectively, and sufficient conditions are derived to guarantee that the corresponding closed-loop systems are guaranteed cost finite-time stable (GCFTS). Such conditions can be easily solved by linear programming. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Anti-OSM Antibody Inhibits Tubulointerstitial Lesion in a Murine Model of Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Liu Qingjuan , Du Yunxia , Li Kejun , Zhang Wei , Feng Xiaojuan , Hao Jun , Li Hongbo , Liu Shuxia
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of oncostatin M (OSM) in tubulointerstitial lesion (TIL) in lupus nephritis (LN). We found that OSM was highly expressed in the renal tissue of LN mice. OSM is one of the interleukin-6 cytokine family members. In order to clarify the role and mechanism of OSM in LN, mice with LN were treated with anti-OSM antibody or isotype antibody. We evaluated the tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) by detecting the E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and fibronectin (FN) expression. We analyzed the inflammation by observing the monocyte chemotactic factor-1 (MCP-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expression and calculated the tubulointerstitial fibrosis area by Masson staining. The results showed that anti-OSM antibody, rather than isotype antibody, improved EMT, inflammation, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In addition, the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT3 signaling was activated by tyrosine phosphorylation in LN mouse renal tissue, indicating that the phosphorylated STAT1 (p-STAT1) and p-STAT3 were involved in kidney injury. Moreover, decreased p-STAT3 instead of p-STAT1 has been observed after anti-OSM antibody injection. Thus, we concluded that OSM is associated with TIL in lupus nephritis, which may be connected with the activation of STAT3 rather than that of STAT1.
HLA Epitopes: The Targets of Monoclonal and Alloantibodies Defined
Authors: El-Awar Nadim , Jucaud Vadim , Nguyen Anh
Published: May 2017

Sensitization to human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in organ transplant patients causes graft rejection, according to the humoral theory of transplantation. Sensitization is almost ubiquitous as anti-HLA antibodies are found in almost all sera of transplant recipients. Advances in testing assays and amino acid sequencing of HLA along with computer software contributed further to the understanding of antibody-antigen reactivity. It is commonly understood that antibodies bind to HLA antigens. With current knowledge of epitopes, it is more accurate to describe that antibodies bind to their target epitopes on the surface of HLA molecular chains. Epitopes are present on a single HLA (private epitope) or shared by multiple antigens (public epitope). The phenomenon of cross-reactivity in HLA testing, often explained as cross-reactive groups (CREGs) of antigens with antibody, can be clearly explained now by public epitopes. Since 2006, we defined and reported 194 HLA class I unique epitopes, including 56 cryptic epitopes on dissociated HLA class I heavy chains, 83 HLA class II epitopes, 60 epitopes on HLA-DRB1, 15 epitopes on HLA-DQB1, 3 epitopes on HLA-DQA1, 5 epitopes on HLA-DPB1, and 7 MICA epitopes. In this paper, we provide a summary of our findings.
Williams-Beuren Syndrome and Congenital Lobar Emphysema: Uncommon Association with Common Pathology?
Authors: Walsh Timothy Andrew , Gopagondanahalli Krishna Revanna , Malhotra Atul
Published: May 2017

Introduction. Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) and Williams-Beuren Syndrome are two rare conditions that have only been reported together in a single case study. Case Presentation. We report another case of a male Caucasian newborn with nonspecific initial respiratory distress, with detection of CLE on repeat chest X-ray on Day 25 of life and concurrent ventricular septal defect, supravalvular aortic stenosis, and branch pulmonary stenosis, in whom a 7q11.23 deletion consistent with Williams-Beuren Syndrome was made. Conclusion. A diagnosis of congenital lobar emphysema should prompt further screening for congenital heart disease and genetic deletion, and further research is needed to investigate the role of elastin gene mutation in the development of the neonatal lung.