bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical component quality of life reflects the impact of time and moderate chronic kidney disease, unlike SF‐6D utility and mental component SF‐36 quality of life: An AusDiab analysis
Authors: Wong Muh G , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Liyanage Thaminda , Sukkar Louisa , Hirakawa Yoichiro , Wang Ying , Wyld Melanie L R , Morton Rachel L , Chadban Steven , Howard Kirsten , Jardine Meg J
Published: July 2018

Aim

Assessing the impact of interventions on the patient experience requires measures that are plausibly responsive to change. In a community cohort of people with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD) markers at baseline, we aimed to evaluate change in commonly used measures of quality of life (QOL) over the passage of 5 years.

Methods

Included were 6400 participants in the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) surveys with baseline and 5‐year CKD and QOL measures. Changes in SF‐6D utility, and the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐Item Short Form (SF‐36) physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores, were evaluated with regression analyses according to the baseline presence of reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (CKD‐Epidemiology Collaboration eGFR ≤60 m/min per 1.73 m2) or albuminuria (urine albumin:creatinine ratio ≥3.4 mg/mmol).

Results

At baseline, eGFR was reduced in 2.4% of participants and 5.1% had albuminuria. Participants with reduced eGFR had a lower SF‐6D and PCS, and those with albuminuria a lower PCS, compared with those without, but the differences were explained by known confounders. MCS scores were not affected by the presence of reduced eGFR or albuminuria. Over 5 years all groups exhibited stable SF‐6D and MCS scores but declining unadjusted PCS scores. PCS decline was greater for those with reduced eGFR, and remained significant after adjustment (−2.7 (−4.1 to −1.3) vs. −0.8 (−1.1 to −0.6, P < 0.01). Analyses according to CKD stages were essentially unchanged.

Conclusion

Utility and mental QOL appears stable over 5 years, unaffected by time or markers of CKD health. Physical QOL appeared to deteriorate with time, especially for those with CKD, making it a more likely candidate assessment measure for intervention and health service evaluations.
Novel case of recurrent intraventricular atypical central neurocytoma with prominent gangliogliomatous differentiation in a 10‐year‐old boy with 10 years of follow up
Authors: Tan Char‐Loo , Landi Daniel , Fuchs Herbert , McLendon Roger E.
Published: July 2018

Central neurocytoma is a rare neuronal tumor that typically occurs in young adults. Infrequently, these tumors exhibit advanced neuronal maturation and glial differentiation, giving rise to a histologically diverse tumor, in contrast to a typical central neurocytoma. We present a novel case of intraventricular central neurocytoma with prominent gangliogliomatous differentiation that developed atypical features upon recurrence after 10 years of follow up in a 10‐year‐old boy. Our case provides insight into the divergent differentiation capability of a neurocytic tumor and illustrates the diverse histological features of this rare entity.
Improving outcome of sepsis on the ward: introducing the ‘Sepsis Six’ bundle
Authors: Burke John , Wood Sally , Hermon Andrew , Szakmany Tamas
Published: July 2018

Background

The Sepsis Six bundle is designed to facilitate early intervention with three diagnostic and three therapeutic steps to be delivered within 1 h to patients with suspected sepsis.

Aims and objectives

To investigate the effects of delivering the ‘Sepsis Six’ bundle by the Critical Care Outreach team on patient outcomes.

Design

In a prospective observational study, all adult patients on the general wards from June 2012 to January 2014 with sepsis who were screened and treated by the Critical Care Outreach team were included.

Methods

The main outcome measure was the change in National Early Warning Score following the delivery of the Sepsis Six bundle within 24 h. Secondary outcomes were 90‐day mortality and overall bundle compliance.

Results

A total of 207 patients were included in the analysis. Overall bundle compliance was 84%. National Early Warning Scores decreased significantly 24 h after administering the Sepsis Six, from 7·4 ± 2·6 to 3·1 ± 2·4 (p < 0·001). The distribution of the National Early Warning Score changed significantly. Mortality was lower at 90 days when patients who presented with signs of sepsis within 48 h of hospital admission were compared with those who presented with signs of sepsis after 48 h of hospital admission (14·5% versus 35·4% p < 0·03) despite similar baseline physiological variables.

Conclusions

We found better outcomes after the administration of Sepsis Six. Reliable delivery of the bundle, defined as 80% of patients receiving the standard of care, is achievable, and our quality improvement data suggest that it is likely to be sustainable in our environment.

Relevance to clinical practice

Sepsis Six can reduce physiological impairment, monitored by the National Early Warning Scores. Consistent delivery of the bundle can lead to better patient outcomes.
Motility of the left colon in children and adolescents with functional constpation; a retrospective comparison between solid‐state and water‐perfused colonic manometry
Authors: Koppen I. J. N. , Wiklendt L. , Yacob D. , Di Lorenzo C. , Benninga M. A. , Dinning P. G.
Published: July 2018

Background

Using water‐perfused (WP) high‐resolution manometry, we recently demonstrated that children with functional constipation (FC) lacked the postprandial increase in distal colonic cyclic motor patterns that was observed in healthy adults. Our aim was to determine if similar results could be detected using a solid‐state (SS) manometry catheter.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of 19 children with FC (median age 11.1 years, 58% male) who underwent colonic manometry with a SS catheter (36 sensors, 3 cm apart). Data were compared with previously published data using a WP catheter (36 sensors, 1.5 cm apart) recorded from 18 children with FC (median age 15 years; 28% male).

Key Results

The cyclic motor patterns recorded by the SS catheter did not differ from those previously recorded by the WP catheter. There was no detected increase in this activity in response to the meal in either group. Long‐single motor patterns were recorded in most patients (n = 16, 84%) with the SS catheter. The number of these events did not differ from the WP recordings. In the SS data, HAPCs were observed in 4 children prior to the meal, in 5 after the meal. This did not differ significantly from the WP data.

Conclusions & Inferences

These data recorded by SS manometry did not differ from WP manometry data. Regardless of the catheter used, both studies revealed an abnormal colonic response to a meal, indicating a pathology which is not related to the catheter used to record these data.
Variability in metabolic rate and gas exchange patterns of the Colorado potato beetle of winter and prolonged diapauses
Authors: Ploomi Angela , Kuusik Aare , Jõgar Katrin , Metspalu Luule , Hiiesaar Külli , Karise Reet , Williams Ingrid H. , Sibul Ivar , Mänd Marika
Published: July 2018

We compare standard metabolic rate (VCO2) and gas exchange patterns in the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) in winter diapause (i.e. lasting only one overwintering period) with those of beetles in prolonged diapause (i.e. diapause lasting 2 or 3 years). The length of diapause is estimated by the behaviour of the beetles: burrowing into soil as a sign of the beginning of diapause and emergence from the soil as the ending of diapause. Measurement with a flow‐through carbon dioxide (CO2) infrared gas analyzer reveals that most beetles in winter or prolonged diapause display distinct discontinuous gas exchange cycles at 23 °C. Beetles with cyclic gas exchange and continuous breathing do not survive the winter. Beetles in prolonged diapause are characterized by a three‐ to five‐fold lower standard metabolic rates, longer discontinuous gas exchange periods and shorter CO2 releases (open phase) than those in winter diapause.
Step down or step up?
Authors: Dabscheck Eli
Published: July 2018

See related Article
Decolonial sociology: W.E.B. Du Bois's foundational theoretical and methodological contributions
Authors: Weiner Melissa F.
Published: July 2018

Decolonial theory offers sociologists, especially critical race scholars, powerful theoretical and methodological tools to understand historical and contemporary injustice and resistance. As a revolutionary epistemology, decolonial theory and methods feature critical insights into knowledges from subaltern voices concerned with how the implementation of modern technologies shape colonial structures, inequalities, the daily lives of the colonized, and resistance strategies. However, decolonial studies have long been the purview of the humanities and remain marginal to the social sciences due, partially, to a dearth of foundational theorizing. Challenging scientific colonialism, historicism, and Eurocentric conceptions of civilization while simultaneously linking these phenomena to racialized exploitation of labor within a modern global capitalist system and resistance to it, W. E. B. Du Bois's sociological theories, methods, and advocacy offer insightful ways to begin decolonizing the discipline, theoretically and in practice, in scholarship and in the world. This article outlines Du Bois's theoretical and empirical contributions by putting him in dialogue with a century of decolonial scholarship before offering suggestions for how to mobilize Du Bois's decolonial theory and methods for a pluriversal decolonial sociology.
The phylogeny of Coleopterida (Hexapoda) – morphological characters and molecular phylogenies
Authors: Beutel Rolf G. , Pohl Hans , Yan Evgeny V. , Anton Eric , Liu Si‐Pei , Ślipiński Adam , McKenna Duane , Friedrich Frank
Published: July 2018

Coleopterida (Coleoptera + Strepsiptera) has been established as the sister group of Neuropterida (Megaloptera + Neuroptera + Raphidioptera) based on recent phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequence data obtained from genomes and transcriptomes. However, within the resulting clade (Neuropteroidea) the proposed sister‐group relationship between the highly specialized endoparasitic Strepsiptera and the megadiverse Coleoptera still lacks convincing morphological support. Furthermore, relationships among the four suborders of Coleoptera remain controversial, with morphological characters strongly conflicting with results suggested by molecular evidence. A large morphological dataset comprising external and internal features of adults and immature stages is presented here and analysed phylogenetically. Our study is focused on deep splits in Coleopterida and on reconstructing character evolution on the phenotypic level. Parsimony analyses clearly support a sister‐group relationship between Strepsiptera and monophyletic Coleoptera. Presumptive synapomorphies are characters linked with posteromotorism, but also features of the head and prothorax. We recover Archostemata as sister group of the remaining extant Coleoptera, and Polyphaga as sister group of the species‐poor suborder Myxophaga. The most important character complex of Coleoptera is heavy sclerotization without exposed membranes and a simplification of the thoracic muscle apparatus. Non‐archostematan beetles are characterized by further simplifications of the thoracic locomotor apparatus. This trend reaches its peak in Myxophaga and Polyphaga, and these suborders also share apomorphies of the larval legs. A pattern with Polyphaga as sister to all other suborders and a clade Myxophaga + Archostemata (as in recent molecular phylogenetic studies) requires ten additional steps with our dataset. This scenario implies that various simplifications of the thoracic exoskeleton and musculature have taken place several times independently, and also that a complex feeding apparatus suitable for saprophagy and sporophagy was ancestral in Coleoptera, with secondary reduction (or modification) in Archostemata and Adephaga. The coleopteran subordinal relationships remain a challenge, with morphological and molecular data suggesting distinctly different patterns. The earliest evolution of Coleopterida is not documented in the fossil record. The exploration of potential stem‐group fossils is a high priority, as is the study of species from the Permian–Triassic transition zone, which are apparently important in the context of evaluating the relationships among beetle suborders.
Did foreign exchange holding influence growth performance during the global financial crisis?
Authors: Allegret Jean‐Pierre , Allegret Audrey
Published: July 2018

In a context of increased foreign exchange reserves holding from emerging and developing countries, this paper investigates the diminishing return of reserves holding assumption over the most severe phase of the global financial crisis (2008Q1–2010Q4). Relying on a Panel Smooth Transition Regression model, we highlight the differential effect of the accumulation of foreign exchange reserves for a set of financial vulnerabilities variables. In a specific manner, although reserves accumulation is effective above a critical threshold to cope with vulnerabilities related to the financial channel, we show that it becomes less effective beyond a certain threshold for domestic bank vulnerabilities. Our results are robust to alternative specifications.
Sinc-Galerkin method for solving hyperbolic partial differential equations
Authors: Secer Aydin
Published: July 2018

In this work, we consider the hyperbolic equations to determine the approximate solutions via Sinc-Galerkin Method (SGM). Without any numerical integration, the partial differential equation transformed to an algebraic equation system. For the numerical calculations, Maple is used. Several numerical examples are investigated and the results determined from the method are compared with the exact solutions. The results are illustrated both in the table and graphically.
Coverage Control with Multiple Ground Robots for Precision Agriculture
Authors: Davoodi Mohammadreza , Mohammadpour Velni Javad , Li Changying
Published: July 2018

In this work, coverage of agricultural ﬁelds using a team of autonomous unmanned ground robots with no human intervention is investigated. To this end, ﬁeld is ﬁrst represented by a topological mapandthenadistributedenergy-awaredeployment strategy is proposed to optimally distribute robots with the aim of persistent monitoring of speciﬁed regions of interest. When a robot participating in the coverage task approaches a low energy reserve, the team of robots collectively and cooperatively adjust the coverage formation to allow the agent to return to a designated base station, where it can recharge before rejoining the effort. Preliminary (simulation) results are provided to show the effectiveness and capabilities of the proposed coverage algorithm.
Effective patterning and cleaning of graphene by plasma etching and block copolymer lithography for nanoribbon fabrication
Authors: Arias-Zapata Javier , Ferrah Djawhar , Mehedi Hasan-al , Cunge Gilles , Zelsmann Marc
Published: July 2018

At a sub-20 nm resolution, patterning 2D materials is necessary in a large number of applications to enhance or control the overall material and device properties. In this work, the authors present their results on the fabrication of graphene nanoribbons using a block copolymer thin film as a lithography mask. A special emphasis is given to the development of new plasma etching processes to pattern graphene and to chemically clean the fabricated nanostructures. At the end, clean 10 nm wide graphene nanoribbons are obtained as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and SEM characterizations. Block copolymer lithography and proper plasma etching conditions allow for easier graphene patterning on a large area and low-cost processing.
Acoustic properties of porous microlattices from effective medium to scattering dominated regimes
Authors: Krödel Sebastian , Palermo Antonio , Daraio Chiara
Published: July 2018

Microlattices are architected materials that allow for an unprecedented control of mechanical properties (e.g., stiffness, density, and Poisson's coefficient). In contrast to their quasi-static mechanical properties, the acoustic properties of microlattices remain largely unexplored. This paper analyzes the acoustic response of periodic millimeter-sized microlattices immersed in water using experiments and numerical simulations. Microlattices are fabricated using high-precision stereolithographic three-dimensional printing in a large variety of porosities and lattice topologies. This paper shows that the acoustic propagation undergoes a frequency dependent transition from a classic poroelastic behaviour that can be described by Biot's theory to a regime that is dominated by scattering effects. Biot's acoustic parameters are derived from direct simulations of the microstructure using coupled fluid and solid finite elements. The wave speeds predicted with Biot's theory agree well with the experimental measures. Within the scattering regime, the signals show a strong attenuation and dispersion, which is characterized by a cut-off frequency. The strong dispersion results in a frequency dependent group velocity. A simplified model of an elastic cylindrical scatterer allows predicting the signal attenuation and dispersion observed experimentally. The results in this paper pave the way for the creation of microlattice materials for the control of ultrasonic waves across a wide range of frequencies.
Infrasound transmission in the human ear: Implications for acoustic and vestibular responses of the normal and dehiscent inner ear
Authors: Raufer Stefan , Masud Salwa F. , Nakajima Hideko H.
Published: July 2018

The transmission of infrasound within the human ear is not well understood. To investigate infrasound propagation through the middle and inner ear, velocities of the stapes and round window membrane were measured to very low frequencies (down to 0.9 Hz from 2000 Hz) in fresh cadaveric human specimens. Results from ear-canal sound stimulation responses show that below 200 Hz, the middle ear impedance is dominated by its stiffness term, limiting sound transmission to the inner ear. During air-conduction, normal ears have approximately equal volume velocities at the oval (stapes) and round windows, known as a two-window system. However, perturbing the impedance of the inner ear with a superior canal dehiscence (SCD), a pathological opening of the bone surrounding the semicircular canal, breaks down this simple two-window system. SCD changes the volume velocity flow in the inner ear, particularly at low frequencies. The experimental findings and model predictions in this study demonstrate that low-frequency auditory and vestibular sound transmission can be affected by a change in the inner-ear impedance due to a SCD.
Rheological and heat transfer effects in fused filament fabrication
Authors: Phan David D. , Swain Zachary R. , Mackay Michael E.
Published: July 2018

The fused filament fabrication (FFF) process is similar to classic extrusion operations; solid polymer is melted, pressurized, and extruded to produce an object. At this level of investigation, it appears no new science or engineering is required. However, FFF has heat transfer limitations that are unique to it, due to its small throughput, not encountered in contemporary polymer processing, negating the use of present-day correlations or heuristics. Here, we quantify heat transfer by rheological modeling of the pressure drop data in the process to generate a general Nusselt number–Graetz number correlation. This is the first time the pressure has been measured in the die (nozzle) during normal printing that we accomplished by monitoring the power used to drive the hot end. Ultimately, we find that fouling within the region used to melt/soften the polymer significantly reduces the heat transfer rate.
Gait Initiation of New Walkers and the Adult’s Role in Regulating Directionality of the Child’s Body Motion
Authors: Hsu Wen-Hao , Park Evelyn J. , Miranda Daniel L. , Sallum Hani M. , Walsh Conor J. , Goldfield Eugene C.
Published: July 2018

This study examines how adults apply forces to regulate new walkers’ body sway directions while assisting them in standing and initiating their first steps. Eight healthy, typically developing young children who could stand independently and walk a few steps with an adult’s support participated in this study and were included for data analyses. Adults wore instrumented force gloves and placed their hands on their child’s hips to assist them in standing, then released glove contact with their child to allow their child to initiate walking. Using the glove force profiles, three phases (Stabilization, Relaxation, and Initiation) of adults’ support were determined. Results showed that adults gradually reduced their assistance in both the antero-posterior (AP) and mediolateral (ML) directions, before releasing their hands. They also influenced the directionality of their child’s center of mass (CoM) so that it was in the AP rather than ML direction. Furthermore, the behavior of the child’s CoM in the ML direction during the Initiation Phase was related to the latency with which the child initiated the first step. These findings support the view that adults play a role in modulating the directionality of the child’s body motion by transforming body sway into gait initiation.
Is Poor Hamstring Flexibility a Risk Factor for Hamstring Injury in Gaelic Games?
Authors: O’Connor Siobhán , McCaffrey Noel , Whyte Enda F. , Fop Michael , Murphy Brendan , Moran Kieran A.
Published: July 2018

Context: Hamstring injuries are a leading cause of injury in Gaelic games. Hamstring flexibility as a risk factor for hamstring injury has not yet been examined prospectively in Gaelic games. Objective: To examine whether hamstring flexibility, using the modified active knee extension (AKE) test, and previous injury are risk factors for hamstring injury in Gaelic players and to generate population-specific AKE cutoff points. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: School and colleges. Patients (or Other Participants): Adolescent and collegiate Gaelic footballers and hurlers (n = 570). Intervention(s): The modified AKE test was completed at preseason, and hamstring injuries were assessed over the course of one season. Any previous hamstring injuries were noted in those who presented with a hamstring injury. Main Outcome Measures: Bilateral AKE scores and between-leg asymmetries were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic curves were implemented to generate cutoff points specific to Gaelic players. Univariate and backward stepwise logistic regression analyses were completed to predict hamstring injuries, hamstring injuries on the dominant leg, and hamstring injuries on the nondominant leg. Results: Mean flexibility of 64.2° (12.3°) and 64.1° (12.4°) was noted on the dominant and nondominant leg, respectively. Receiver operating characteristic curves generated a cutoff point of < 65° in the AKE on the nondominant leg only. When controlled for age, AKE on the nondominant leg was the only predictor variable left in the multivariate model (odds ratio = 1.03) and significantly predicted hamstring injury (χ2 = 9.20, P = .01). However, the sensitivity was 0% and predicted the same amount of cases as the null model. It was not possible to generate a significant model for hamstring injuries on the dominant leg (P > .05), and no variables generated a P value < .20 in the univariate analysis on the nondominant leg. Conclusions: Poor flexibility noted in the AKE test during preseason screening and previous injury were unable to predict those at risk of sustaining a hamstring strain in Gaelic games with adequate sensitivity.
The Acute Effect of Talocrural Joint Mobilization on Dorsiflexor Muscle Strength in Healthy Individuals: A Randomized Controlled Single-Blind Study
Authors: Ersoy Ufuk , Kocak Umut Ziya , Unuvar Ezgi , Unver Bayram
Published: July 2018

Context:Mobilization has been used for enhancing muscle strength.Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of talocrural joint mobilization on ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength in healthy individuals, which has not yet been studied.Design:Randomized controlled single-blind study.Setting:University laboratory.Participants:Forty-eight healthy individuals.Interventions:Maitland grade III (study group) versus Maitland grade I (control group) mobilizations.Main Outcome Measures:Muscle strength measurements were performed using a handheld dynamometer at baseline, immediately after the mobilization, and 30 minutes after mobilization.Results:At baseline, the physical characteristics and muscular strength were similar in both groups (P > .05). According to Friedman analysis, a significant difference was detected following the mobilization in the study group (P < .001), and while the muscle strength at immediately after the mobilization and at 30 minutes after mobilization was significantly higher than baseline (P < .001), no significant differences were observed between 30 minutes after mobilization and immediately after the mobilization (P = .17). However, no significant changes were detected in the control group. The study group was found superior to the control group in terms of muscle strength differences following the mobilization (P < .001).Conclusion:The ankle dorsiflexor muscle strength might be increased by performing Maitland grade III mobilization, and this increase might be preserved for 30 minutes, while Maitland grade I mobilization did not lead to such an improvement in healthy individuals.
Phase transitions in a programmable quantum spin glass simulator
Authors: Harris R. , Sato Y. , Berkley A. J. , Reis M. , Altomare F. , Amin M. H. , Boothby K. , Bunyk P. , Deng C. , Enderud C. , Huang S. , Hoskinson E. , Johnson M. W. , Ladizinsky E. , Ladizinsky N. , Lanting T. , Li R. , Medina T. , Molavi R. , Neufeld R. , Oh T. , Pavlov I. , Perminov I. , Poulin-Lamarre G. , Rich C. , Smirnov A. , Swenson L. , Tsai N. , Volkmann M. , Whittaker J. , Yao J.
Published: July 2018

Simulating correlated electron systems

Correlated electron systems are generally difficult to simulate because of limited capabilities of computational resources. Harris
et al.
used a D-Wave chip based on a large array of superconducting elements to simulate the phases of a complex magnetic system. They tuned the amount of frustration within the lattice and varied the effective transverse magnetic field, which revealed phase transitions between a paramagnetic, an ordered antiferromagnetic, and a spin-glass phase. The results compare well to theory for this spin-glass problem, validating the approach for simulating problems in materials physics.

Science
, this issue p.
162
Lysosomes on an acid trip
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: July 2018

Acidic environments cause lysosomes to redistribute to the cell periphery, suppressing mTORC1, translation, and circadian oscillations.
A Novel β-Glucuronidase from Talaromyces pinophilus Li-93 Precisely Hydrolyzes Glycyrrhizin into Glycyrrhetinic Acid 3-
O
-Mono-β-
d
-Glucuronide
Authors: Xu Yinghua , Feng Xudong , Jia Jintong , Chen Xinyi , Jiang Tian , Rasool Aamir , Lv Bo , Qu Liangti , Li Chun
Published: July 2018

Compared to chemical methods, the biotransformation of glycyrrhizin (GL) into glycyrrhetinic acid 3-
O
-mono-
β
-
d
-glucuronide (GAMG), which has a higher sweetness and stronger pharmacological activity than those of GL, via catalysis by
β
-glucuronidase is an environmentally friendly approach due to the mild reaction conditions and the high yield of GAMG. However, currently available GUSs show low substrate specificity toward GL and further hydrolyze GAMG to glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) as a by-product, increasing the difficulty of subsequent separation and purification. In the present study, we succeeded in isolating a novel
β
-glucuronidase (named TpGUS79A) from
Talaromyces pinophilus
Li-93 that specifically hydrolyzes GL to GAMG without the formation of GA. TpGUS79A also shows higher activity on GL than those of the previously characterized GUSs. Moreover, the gene for TpGUS79A was cloned and its function verified by heterologous expression in
P. pastoris
. Therefore, TpGUS79A can serve as a powerful biocatalyst for the cost-effective production of GAMG through GL transformation.
Dynamics and Biodiversity of Bacterial and Yeast Communities during Fermentation of Cocoa Beans
Authors: Mota-Gutierrez Jatziri , Botta Cristian , Ferrocino Ilario , Giordano Manuela , Bertolino Marta , Dolci Paola , Cannoni Marcella , Cocolin Luca
Published: July 2018

In spite of the limited effectiveness of the considered inoculated starter strains, this study provides new information on the microbial development of box and heap cocoa fermentations, under inoculated and noninoculated conditions, as we coupled yeast/bacterial amplicon-based sequencing data with microbial metabolite detection. The information so far available suggests that microbial communities have played an important role in the evolution of aroma compounds. Understanding the pathways that microorganisms follow during the formation of aromas could be used to improve the fermentation processes and to enhance chocolate quality.
Experimental Design, Population Dynamics, and Diversity in Microbial Experimental Evolution
Authors: Van den Bergh Bram , Swings Toon , Fauvart Maarten , Michiels Jan
Published: July 2018

In experimental evolution, laboratory-controlled conditions select for the adaptation of species, which can be monitored in real time. Despite the current popularity of such experiments, nature's most pervasive biological force was long believed to be observable only on time scales that transcend a researcher's life-span, and studying evolution by natural selection was therefore carried out solely by comparative means.
Body mass index and risk of all-cause mortality with normoglycemia, impaired fasting glucose and prevalent diabetes: results from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study
Authors: Zhao Yang , Liu Yu , Sun Haohang , Sun Xizhuo , Yin Zhaoxia , Li Honghui , Ren Yongcheng , Wang Bingyuan , Zhang Dongdong , Liu Xuejiao , Liu Dechen , Zhang Ruiyuan , Liu Feiyan , Chen Xu , Liu Leilei , Cheng Cheng , Zhou Qionggui , Hu Dongsheng , Zhang Ming
Published: July 2018

Background

Previous evidence of an association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality in patients with diabetes was inconsistent. The BMI–mortality association with normal fasting glucose (NFG), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and prevalent diabetes is still unclear in the Chinese population.

Methods

We analysed data for 17 252 adults from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study during 2007–2008 and followed for mortality during 2013–2014. Participants were classified with NFG, IFG and diabetes according to baseline measurement values of fasting glucose and self-reported diabetes. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate HRs and 95% CIs across BMI categories by glycemic status.

Results

During the 6-year follow-up, 1109 participants died (563/10 181 with NFG, 349/5572 with IFG and 197/1499 with diabetes). The BMI–mortality association was curvilinear, with low BMI (even in normal range) associated with increased mortality regardless of glycemic status. In adjusted Cox models, risk of mortality showed a decreasing trend with BMI≤18 kg/m2, 18<BMI≤20 kg/m2and 20<BMI≤22 kg/m2vs 22<BMI≤24 kg/m2: HR 2.83 (95% CI 1.78 to 4.51), 2.05 (1.46 to 2.87) and 1.45 (1.10 to 1.90), respectively, for NFG; 2.53 (1.25 to 5.14), 1.36 (0.86 to 2.14) and 1.09 (0.76 to 1.57), respectively, for IFG; and 4.03 (1.42 to 11.50), 2.00 (1.05 to 3.80) and 1.52 (0.88 to 2.60), respectively, for diabetes. The risk of mortality was lower for patients with diabetes who were overweight or obese versus normal weight.

Conclusions

Low BMI was associated with increased mortality regardless of glycemic status. Future studies are needed to explain the ‘obesity paradox’ in patients with diabetes.
Metabolic and Cardiovascular Effects of Chronic Mild Hyperuricemia in Rodents
Authors: Park Sun K , Rosenthal Tara R , Williams Jessica S , Shelton John M , Takahashi Masaya , Zhang Shanrong , Bobulescu Ion Alexandru
Published: July 2018

Mildly elevated serum uric acid levels are common in people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but whether elevated uric acid has a causal role in the pathogenesis of diabetes remains uncertain. We tested whether chronic mild hyperuricemia in rodents under controlled laboratory conditions can cause glucose intolerance in otherwise healthy animals, or whether it can worsen glucometabolic control in animals that are genetically predisposed to T2DM. We used an established model of experimental hyperuricemia in rodents with potassium oxonate dietary supplementation, which led to sustained, approximately two-fold elevation of uric acid compared with control animals. We also reversed the hyperuricemic effect of oxonate in some animals by treatment with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor. Manipulation of serum uric acid levels in Sprague-Dawley rats for up to 18 weeks did not affect fasting glucose and glucose tolerance. Blood pressure was also not affected by hyperuricemia in rats fed a Western-type diet. We next sought to determine whether uric acid may aggravate or accelerate the onset of glucometabolic abnormalities in rats already predisposed to T2DM. Chronic oxonate treatment in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) and lean control rats for up to 6 weeks did not affect fasting glucose, insulin, and glucose tolerance in ZDF rats. Taken together, these findings indicate that elevated uric acid does not directly contribute to the pathogenesis of glucose intolerance and T2DM in rodents.
Case–Control Study Examining the Association between Allopurinol use and Ischemic Cerebrovascular Disease
Authors: Lai Shih-Wei , Lin Cheng-Li , Liao Kuan-Fu
Published: July 2018

Few studies focus on the relationship between allopurinol and ischemic cerebrovascular disease. The goal of the study was to investigate the association of long-term therapy of allopurinol with the first-time attack of ischemic cerebrovascular disease in Taiwan. We performed a case–control study using the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. The case group included 14,937 subjects aged 20–84 years with the first-time attack of ischemic cerebrovascular disease from 2000 to 2013. The control group included 14,937 sex-matched and age-matched subjects aged 20–84 years without any type of cerebrovascular disease. Ever use of allopurinol was defined as subjects who had at least a prescription for allopurinol before the index date. The OR and the 95% CI for ischemic cerebrovascular disease associated with allopurinol use were measured by the multivariable logistic regression model. The adjusted OR of ischemic cerebrovascular disease was 0.992 (95% CI 0.989 to 0.996) for subjects with increasing cumulative duration of allopurinol use for every 1 month, compared with never use. In a further analysis, the adjusted OR of ischemic cerebrovascular disease was 0.74 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.96) for cumulative duration of allopurinol use >3 years, compared with never use. Our findings suggest that lone-term therapy of allopurinol >3 years is associated with decreased risk of the first-time attack of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, compared with no allopurinol therapy.
How long do percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tubes last? A retrospective analysis
Authors: Siau Keith , Troth Tom , Gibson Elizabeth , Dhanda Anita , Robinson Lauren , Fisher Neil C
Published: July 2018

Background

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes allow for long-term enteral feeding. Disk-retained PEG tubes may be suitable for long-term usage without planned replacement, but data on longevity are limited. We aimed to assess the rates and predictors of PEG longevity and post-PEG mortality.

Design

Single-centred retrospective cohort study of patients with disk-retained (Freka) PEG tubes.

Methods

All patients undergoing PEG between 2010 and 2013 were identified, and retrospective analysis of outcomes until 2017 (median 1062 days) was performed. Time-to-event data were plotted using Kaplan-Meier curves, with predictors of survival derived from multivariate Cox-regression analyses.

Results

277patients were studied, with a median age of 74 years (IQR 59–82). PEG tube failure occurred in 17.4%, due to: buried bumper syndrome (7.0%), split/broken tube (6.3%), peristomal infection (1.8%) and dislodged tube (1.1%). PEG tube longevity was 95.1% (1 year) and 68.5% (5 year), with age <70 (HR 2.65, 95% CI 1.25 to 5.62, p=0.011) being predictive of PEG failure. Post-PEG mortality was 10.5% (30 day), 35.4% (1 year) and 59.7% (5 year). Age ≥70 was associated with mortality (HR 2.79, 95% CI 1.92 to 4.05, p<0.001), whereas PEG failure (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.77, p=0.003) and elective PEG removal (HR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.64, p=0.005) were associated with reduced mortality.

Conclusions

68.5% of PEG tubes remain intact after 5 years. Younger age was associated with earlier PEG failure, whereas younger age, PEG replacement and elective PEG tube removal were associated with improved survival. These data may inform future guidance for elective PEG tube replacements.
AL amyloidosis presenting with limb girdle myopathy
Authors: Malek Naveed , O’Donovan Dominic G , Manji Hadi
Published: July 2018

An elderly Caucasian man presented with a 10-month history of proximal myopathy and dysphagia. His serum creatine kinase (CK) was elevated at 877 U/L (normal 40–320) and electromyography confirmed a myopathic process. Blood and urine tests suggested myeloma; bone marrow examination showed 30% plasma cells and stained positive for amyloid. The muscle biopsy was initially reported as normal but in the light of the bone marrow report, the biopsy specimen was stained for amyloid, which was positive. We diagnosed systemic amyloidosis causing a myopathy and have started treatment for myeloma.
Raising generation ‘A’: a case study of millennial tobacco company marketing in Indonesia
Authors: Astuti Putu Ayu Swandewi , Assunta Mary , Freeman Becky
Published: July 2018

Objective

To describe theSampoerna A[A] brand marketing techniques and practices and how event-based sponsorship leverages company websites and popular social media channels to reach and engage young people.

Method

This case study was built from three main data sources. First, HM Sampoerna company reports, corporate websites and other online sources were reviewed. Second, four pairs of observers conducted an observation survey; systematically auditing and documenting tobacco promotion and advertising at the 2016SoundrenAlineconcert. Finally, social media data were obtained from an iterative search of hashtags of Instagram posts. The 10 most frequently used hashtags related to the concert were reviewed and documented.

Results

Abrand marketing includes sponsorship of a music concert series, a limited editionA Mildcigarette package and promotion of virtual events on company websites and social media channels. Instagram boosted promotion with more than 25 000 posts for the two most popular hashtags endorsed during the concerts. Marketing activities targeted young people by focusing on creativity, freedom of expression and audience engagement. The corporate website ‘goaheadpeople.id’ served as both a promotional medium and online community.

Conclusion

Internet and social media channels are key to Sampoerna’s marketing strategy in Indonesia. Internet-based marketing run alongside conventional advertising likely increases Indonesian youth exposure to cigarette marketing. This case study also provides evidence that Sampoerna evaded current tobacco advertising regulations. Subnational governments can play a stronger role in restricting tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship by more effectively enforcing current regulation.
Relationship between magnetic field and anisotropy parameter in gravitation theories
Authors: Aktaş Can , Aygün Sezgin , Sahoo Pradyumn Kumar
Published: July 2018

The magnetized strange quark matter (MSQM) solutions are obtained for a Marder type universe using constant deceleration parameter. The exact solutions of field equations are obtained for f(R,[Formula: see text]T) = R + 2f(T) model given by [T. Harko et al., Phys. Rev. D 84, 024020 (2011)] with cosmological term. Also, we have obtained General Relativity (GR) solutions for MSQM distributions. For [Formula: see text], we get the dark energy model, i.e. [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. However, for [Formula: see text], we find the cosmological constant [Formula: see text] as negative in f(R,[Formula: see text]T) theory and GR. These results agree with [S. Aygün et al., Astrophys. Space Sci. 361, 380 (2016); C. Aktaş and S. Aygün, Chinese J. Phys. 55, 71 (2017); P. K. Sahoo et al., Mod. Phys. Lett. A 32, 1750105 (2017)] in f(R,[Formula: see text]T) theory. The physical consequences of our obtained models are discussed at the end.
Calculation of power spectrum of the little bangs
Authors: Sarwar Golam , Singh Sushant K. , Alam Jan-e
Published: July 2018

The power spectrum of the momentum distributions of particles have been estimated with Optical Glauber and Monte Carlo Glauber initial conditions for relativistic heavy ion collisions. The evaluation procedure adopted in this work is analogous to the one used in the calculation of power spectrum in Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation (CMBR). The power spectrum due to perturbations in the phase space distribution of the particles has also been evaluated. The perturbation in phase space has been evolved through the Boltzmann transport equation in an expanding quark–gluon plasma (QGP) background. The expansion of the QGP has been treated within the purview of (3[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]1)-dimensional relativistic hydrodynamics. We observe that the nonequilibrium effects introduced as perturbations in the phase space distributions can be traced through its variation with temperature which is distinctly different from the case of vanishing perturbation. A relation has been derived between the power spectrum and the flow harmonics.
A High-Performance Skin Impedance Measurement Circuit for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Hayatleh K. , Zourob S. , Nagulapalli R. , Barker S. , Yassine N. , Georgiou P. , Lidgey F. J.
Published: July 2018

This paper describes a high-performance impedance measurement circuit for the application of skin impedance measurement in the early detection of skin cancer. A CMRR improvement technique has been adopted for OTAs to reduce the impact of high-frequency common mode interference. A modified three-OTA instrumentation amplifier (IA) has been proposed to help with the impedance measurement. Such systems offer a quick, noninvasive and painless procedure, thus having considerable advantages over the currently used approach, which is based upon the testing of a biopsy sample. The sensor has been implemented in 65[Formula: see text]nm CMOS technology and post-layout simulations confirm the theoretical claims we made and sensor exhibits sensitivity. Circuit consumes 45[Formula: see text]uW from 1.5[Formula: see text]V power supply. The circuit occupies 0.01954[Formula: see text]mm2 silicon area.
Algorithms for Reconfiguring NoC-Based Fault-Tolerant Multiprocessor Arrays
Authors: Wu Jigang , Wu Yalan , Jiang Guiyuan , Lam Siew Kei
Published: July 2018

This paper investigates the techniques to construct high-quality target processor array (fault-free logical subarray) from a physical array with faulty processing elements (PEs), where a fixed number of spare PEs are pre-integrated that can be used to replace the faulty ones when necessary. A reconfiguration algorithm is successfully developed based on our proposed novel shifting operations that can efficiently select proper spare PEs to replace the faulty ones. Then, the initial target array is further refined by a carefully designed tabu search algorithm. We also consider the problem of constructing a fault-free subarray with given size, instead of the original size, which is often required in energy-efficient MPSoC design. We propose two efficient heuristic algorithms to construct target arrays of given sizes leveraging a sliding window on the physical array. Simulation results show that the improvements of the proposed algorithms over the state of the art are [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], in terms of congestion factor and distance factor, respectively, for the case that all faulty PEs can be replaced using the spare ones. For the case of finding [Formula: see text] target array on [Formula: see text] host array, the proposed heuristic algorithm saves the running time up to [Formula: see text] while the solution quality keeps nearly unchanged, in comparison with the baseline algorithms.
ELASTO-PLASTIC PROPERTIES OF Mo-MODIFIED Ti DEDUCED FROM INDENTATION TESTS AND FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
Authors: MA YONG , YANG ZHAO , YU SHENGWANG , ZHOU BING , HEI HONGJUN , LIN NAIMING , TANG BIN
Published: July 2018

The aim of this paper is to establish an approach to quantitatively determine the elasto-plastic parameters of the Mo-modified Ti obtained by the plasma surface alloying technique. A micro-indentation test is conducted on the surface under 10[Formula: see text]N. Considering size effects, nanoindentation tests are conducted on the cross-section with two loads of 6 and 8[Formula: see text]mN. Assuming nanoindentation testing sublayers are homogeneous, finite element reverse analysis is adopted to determine their plastic parameters. According to the gradient distributions of the elasto-plastic parameters with depth in the Mo-modified Ti, two types of mathematical expressions are proposed. Compared with the polynomial expression, the linear simplified expression does not need the graded material to be sectioned and has practical utility in the surface treatment industry. The validation of the linear simplified expression is verified by the micro-indentation test and corresponding finite element forward analysis. This approach can assist in improving the surface treatment process of the Mo-modified Ti and further enhancing its load capacity and wear resistance.
Reliability of Drinking Water: Risk Perceptions and Economic Value
Authors: Appiah Alfred , Adamowicz Wiktor , Lloyd-Smith Patrick , Dupont Diane
Published: July 2018

This paper estimates the monetary value of drinking water supply reliability in Alberta, Canada. We use the results of an online stated preference survey that elicited respondents’ experiences with, and numerically expressed future risk perceptions of, three types of water outages: short-term outages, longer-term outages and boiled water advisories. Respondents with non-zero risk perceptions were presented with alternative programs that reduced these risks, but increased their water bills. Using cost and other program attributes as explanatory variables, we measured the probability of supporting the programs. The survey results indicated that respondents have not experienced many water outages in the last 10 years, but expect outages to be more frequent over the next 10 years. Using the sample of respondents with non-zero beliefs in the likelihood of future water outages, we calculated a mean willingness to pay (WTP) per household of $71 per year for at least a 50% reduction in the likelihood of a short-term water outage. Results from spike models using responses of all respondents, regardless of their expressed risk perceptions, indicate a WTP of $46 per year for at least a 50% reduction in the risk of short-term water outages. We also used a control function approach to control for potential endogeneity associated with the use of elicited perceived risks in the model and found small differences in WTP estimates. These values provide policy makers with quantified benefits that can be compared to investment costs in traditional water treatment or source water protection.
Research for practice
Authors: Crankshaw Dan , Gonzalez Joseph , Bailis Peter
Published: July 2018

What happens when we wish to actually deploy a machine learning model to production?