bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of cardiovascular disease risk factors with coronary artery calcium volume versus density
Authors: Thomas Isac C , Shiau Brandon , Denenberg Julie O , McClelland Robyn L , Greenland Philip , de Boer Ian H , Kestenbaum Bryan R , Lin Gen-Min , Daniels Michael , Forbang Nketi I , Rifkin Dena E , Hughes-Austin Jan , Allison Matthew A , Jeffrey Carr J , Ix Joachim H , Criqui Michael H
Published: August 2017

Objectives

Recently, the density score of coronary artery calcium (CAC) has been shown to be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events at any level of CAC volume. Whether risk factors for CAC volume and CAC density are similar or distinct is unknown. We sought to evaluate the associations of CVD risk factors with CAC volume and CAC density scores.

Methods

Baseline measurements from 6814 participants free of clinical CVD were collected for the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Participants with detectable CAC (n=3398) were evaluated for this study. Multivariable linear regression models were used to evaluate independent associations of CVD risk factors with CAC volume and CAC density scores.

Results

Whereas most CVD risk factors were associated with higher CAC volume scores, many risk factors were associated with lower CAC density scores. For example, diabetes was associated with a higher natural logarithm (ln) transformed CAC volume score (standardised β=0.44 (95% CI 0.31 to 0.58) ln-units) but a lower CAC density score (β=−0.07 (−0.12 to −0.02) density units). Chinese, African-American and Hispanic race/ethnicity were each associated with lower ln CAC volume scores (β=−0.62 (−0.83to −0.41), −0.52 (−0.64 to −0.39) and −0.40 (−0.55 to −0.26) ln-units, respectively) and higher CAC density scores (β= 0.41 (0.34 to 0.47), 0.18 (0.12 to 0.23) and 0.21 (0.15 to 0.26) density units, respectively) relative to non-Hispanic White.

Conclusions

In a cohort free of clinical CVD, CVD risk factors are differentially associated with CAC volume and density scores, with many CVD risk factors inversely associated with the CAC density score after controlling for the CAC volume score. These findings suggest complex associations between CVD risk factors and these components of CAC.
Ultrasound-detected osteophytes predict the development of radiographic and clinical features of hand osteoarthritis in the same finger joints 5 years later
Authors: Mathiessen Alexander , Slatkowsky-Christensen Barbara , Kvien Tore K , Haugen Ida K , Berner Hammer Hilde
Published: August 2017

Background

Structural pathology may be present in joints without radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis (OA). Ultrasound is a sensitive tool for early detection of osteophytes. Our aim was to explore whether ultrasound-detected osteophytes (in radiographically and clinically normal finger joints) predicted the development of radiographic and clinical hand OA 5 years later.

Methods

We included finger joints without radiographic OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grade (KLG)=0; n=301) or no clinical bony enlargements (n=717) at baseline and examined whether ultrasound-detected osteophytes predicted incident radiographic OA (KLG ≥1, osteophytes or joint space narrowing (JSN)) or incident clinical bony enlargement (dependent variables) in the same joints 5 years later. We applied logistic regression with generalised estimating equations adjusted for age, sex, body mass index and follow-up time.

Results

Ultrasound demonstrated osteophytes in 86/301 (28.6%) joints without radiographic OA and 392/717 (54.7%) joints without clinical bony enlargement. These osteophytes were confirmed in the majority of joints where MRI assessment was available. Significant associations were found between ultrasound-detected osteophytes and development of both radiographic OA (OR=4.1, 95% CI 2.0 to 8.1) and clinical bony enlargement (OR=3.5, 95% CI 2.4 to 5.1) and also incident radiographic osteophytes (OR=4.2, 95% CI 2.1 to 8.5) and JSN (OR=5.3, 95% CI 2.1 to 13.4).

Conclusion

Ultrasound-detected osteophytes predicted incident radiographic and clinical hand OA 5 years later. These results support the use of ultrasound for early detection of OA.
Clinician attitudes to pain and use of analgesia in cattle: where are we 10 years on?
Authors: Remnant John G , Tremlett Alex , Huxley Jon N , Hudson Chris D
Published: August 2017

Pain in cattle can arise though disease or injury or may result from veterinary or husbandry procedures. Controlling pain is important to safeguard animal welfare. Previous studies indicated that the use of analgesics in cattle has lagged behind use in companion animals. Over the last decade, more analgesic products have become available for use in cattle and there have been increased efforts to communicate the importance and benefits of analgesia. A questionnaire (based on that used in a similar study published in 2006) was sent to UK cattle practitioners asking them to score pain severity for several conditions of cattle and asking about their attitudes towards and use of analgesic medicines. A total of 242 surveys were returned. Male clinicians and those graduating before 1990 scored pain severity significantly lower and were significantly less likely to use NSAIDs. Generally, use of NSAIDs was more common for conditions assigned higher pain scores. However, uptake of NSAID use was much lower for a number of routine procedures in calves than would be expected from the pain scores they were assigned. A need remains to increase use of analgesic products, especially NSAIDs in calves, in line with best practice recommendations.
Assessing long-term risks of prairie seed harvest: what is the role of life-history?
Authors: Meissen Justin C. , Galatowitsch Susan M. , Cornett Meredith W.
Published: August 2017

To meet the demand for more and larger tallgrass prairie restorations, seed is frequently collected en-masse from remnant native plant populations. Overharvesting of seed may lead to population extinctions, but these risks are not well studied. Species’ reproductive strategies may provide a basis for risk assessment. We assessed extinction risks associated with seed harvest for grassland plant species with different reproductive strategies (clonal vs. non-clonal). Using stage-based matrix models, we projected the extinction risk for two clonal and four non-clonal prairie species subjected to five harvest scenarios: (i) no harvest, (ii and iii) annual harvest at low/high intensity (50% and 75% seeds removed), and (iv and v) triennial harvest at low/high intensity. We compared the magnitude of growth or decline (λ) and mean extinction risk among populations during a 25-year modeling period. Non-clonal species were robust to triennial and low-intensity harvest, but susceptible to decreases in population growth (λ) up to 0.5 and elevated extinction risks up to 95% with high intensity annual harvest. Clonal species were unaffected by seed harvest, owing to a compensatory effect of vegetative propagation on growth rates. To maintain populations of non-clonal species in remnant grasslands, high intensity annual harvest should be avoided.
Fractured latest Devonian granites of the West Moose River pluton along the Cobequid Shear Zone, Nova Scotia: implications for regional mineralization
Authors: Pe-Piper Georgia , Piper David J.W. , Papoutsa Angeliki , Wisen Joshua
Published: August 2017

Latest Devonian (∼365–358 Ma) A-type granites in the Cobequid Highlands host complex sequences of rare-earth element (REE) and other hydrothermal minerals. The West Moose River pluton is the only pluton truncated and brittly deformed by the mid-Carboniferous (∼327 Ma) strike-slip Minas Fault Zone during the Alleghanian orogeny. Fractures in the granite provide a record of several deformational and hydrothermal events with distinct mineral assemblages. Early sodic alteration produced albitization of feldspar, and riebeckite and tourmaline veins. The δ18O of albite and albitized granite (5‰–6‰) is similar to other regional granites, suggesting a mantle source of albitizing fluids. Nearby halite deposits are younger and thus not a source of Na. Early chlorite veins were followed by potassic alteration and hydrothermal biotite, and by diabase and lamprophyre dyke emplacement. Euhedral magnetite occupies new cross-cutting fractures and vugs, correlated with regional iron oxide – carbonate – sulphide mineralization following initiation of the Minas Fault Zone. This change in stress field resulted in widespread fracturing of the granite, greatly increasing its permeability. Magnetite is postdated by titania minerals with hydrothermal REE minerals in dissolution voids. The spatial variation in REE mineral types indicates variable availability of F, Cl, and CO2 in mineralizing fluids derived from groundwater. REE mineralization is rare in veins in country rock, demonstrating local plutonic sources of REEs. The emplacement of REE minerals was complex in time and space and was a consequence of pervasive microfracturing of the granite.
Stable carbon isotopic analysis of amino acids in a simplified food chain consisting of the green algaChlorellaspp., the calanoid copepodCalanus sinicus, and the Japanese anchovy (Engraulisjaponicus)
Authors: Liu Hai-zhen , Luo Lin , Cai De-ling
Published: August 2017

Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus Temminck and Schlegel, 1846) is a keystone species in the food web of the Yellow Sea and East China Sea ecosystem. To study nutrient flow at intermediate and lower trophic levels, a controlled feeding experiment was carried out on a simplified food chain of the green alga Chlorella Beijerinck, 1890 – the calanoid copepod Calanus sinicus Brodsky, 1962 – E. japonicus. For the whole organism, bulk δ13C was found to be enriched with escalating trophic level, although the intertrophic gap in δ13C was slightly lower than the commonly reported 1.5‰ per increase in level. Furthermore, 15 amino acids (AAs) were detected in the studied organisms. Among them, the δ13C values of 12 AAs were determined and were found to exhibit diverse patterns of variation. The δ13C levels of essential AAs changed very little and were highly correlated across trophic levels, indicating that they underwent little trophic fractionation and were mainly ingested by the consumers from the proteins in their food. In contrast, the δ13C values of nonessential AAs differed greatly across trophic levels, indicating that the nonessential AAs in consumers were synthesized de novo from food proteins. The fractionation pattern of nonessential AAs may depend on the carbon pool and the AA composition of the organism at the lower trophic level.
Bears napping nearby: daybed selection by brown bears (Ursus arctos) in a human-dominated landscape
Authors: Skuban Michaela , Find’o Slavomír , Kajba Matúš
Published: August 2017

Daybeds are essential for the survival of brown bears (Ursus arctos L., 1758) and may represent a population-limiting resource in human-dominated landscapes. In this study, we demonstrate which land-cover types and bear characteristics affect daybed selection in north-central Slovakia. We used the positional and activity data of 21 bears acquired by GPS–GSM telemetry to identify 3864 daybeds. By use of K-select analysis and linear mixed-effects modelling, we explored how bears chose these places for their daytime resting. The most important drivers for daybed selection were the presence of dense regenerating forests and forest–shrubbery belts in farmland. Bears avoided resting in older forests without suitable undergrowth. Females selected daybeds differently depending on the presence of dependent cubs. During spring – early summer, females with cubs of the year avoided other bears by selecting more rugged terrain. These females also selected daybeds significantly closer to human settlements than adult males, possibly to avoid the risk of infanticide. In late summer – autumn, all bears selected daybeds closer to human settlements than in spring, probably because they were attracted by maize (Zea mays) fields and fruit trees. Many daybeds were located outside protected areas in farmland closer to people, which could increase bear–human conflicts.
Universal Gysin formulas for flag bundles
Authors: Darondeau Lionel , Pragacz Piotr
Published: August 2017

We give push-forward formulas for all flag bundles of types [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. The formulas (and also the proofs) involve only Segre classes of the original vector bundles and characteristic classes of universal bundles. As an application, we provide new determinantal formulas.
On the structure of flat families of complete homogeneous varieties
Authors: Samuel Preena
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we investigate flat families of complete homogeneous varieties. Over a reduced, noetherian base of characteristic 0, such a family turns out to be a homogeneous space under the natural action of the neutral component of its automorphism group scheme; further, after an étale base change, such a family can be expressed as a product of an abelian scheme and a Borel scheme. The structure of the neutral component of the automorphism group scheme of such a family is also obtained. These results extend already known structure results for complete homogeneous varieties over algebraically closed fields.
Phase field model for dendritic growth with impurities
Authors: Rodrigues F. L. O. , Almeida M. P. , Costa Filho Raimundo N.
Published: August 2017

A phase field model is used to study dendritic growth in a media with impurities. The model consists of a square lattice where a parameter [Formula: see text] can take values between [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at each site. A site is in the solid phase for [Formula: see text], in the liquid phase for [Formula: see text], and the solid-liquid interface is expressed by [Formula: see text]. A fraction of the sites are considered impurities that cannot be solidified, i.e. [Formula: see text] is fixed and taken as zero. These impurities are distributed randomly. As the probability [Formula: see text] of impure sites in the lattice increases, the growth loses its dendritic characteristic. It is shown that the perimeter of the growing solid goes from quadratic to a linear function with time. It was also found that as the probability of impurities reaches [Formula: see text], the solid undergoes a transition from anisotropic to isotropic growth.
Effective hybrid link-adding strategy to enhance network transport efficiency for scale-free networks
Authors: Bai Yiguang , Liu Sanyang , Zhang Zhaohui
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we propose a new strategy (HLS) to enhance the transport capacity of scale-free networks by adding links to the existing networks, based on the betweenness of nodes, the shortest path length and the betweenness of links. Since only slight amounts of nodes in scale-free networks have high betweenness centrality, local link-adding strategy is adopted as a part of HLS for target nodes, which can significantly reduce the load of target nodes. Moreover, in order to improve the robustness of our strategy under some extreme cases, second sorting procedure is introduced in HLS. Simulation results show that HLS outperforms the IE strategy in terms of transport capacity and delivering ability of scale-free networks. After the adding links process of HLS, the congestion can be alleviated efficiently, which is meaningful to the realistic networks.
The cohomology ring of certain families of periodic virtually cyclic groups
Authors: Gonçalves Daciberg Lima , Martins Sérgio Tadao , De Jesus Soares Márcio
Published: August 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be a virtually cyclic of the form [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. We compute the integral cohomology ring of [Formula: see text], and then obtain the periodicity of the Farrell cohomology of these groups.
Computability of Følner sets
Authors: Cavaleri Matteo
Published: August 2017

We define the notion of computability of Følner sets for finitely generated amenable groups. We prove, by an explicit description, that the Kharlampovich groups, finitely presented solvable groups with unsolvable Word Problem, have computable Følner sets. We also prove computability of Følner sets for extensions — with subrecursive distortion functions — of amenable groups with solvable Word Problem by finitely generated groups with computable Følner sets. Moreover, we obtain some known and some new upper bounds for the Følner function for these particular extensions.
Covariant response theory and the boost transform of the dielectric tensor
Authors: Starke R. , Schober G. A. H.
Published: August 2017

After a short critique of the Minkowski formulae for the electromagnetic constitutive laws in moving media, we argue that in actual fact the problem of Lorentz-covariant electromagnetic response theory is automatically solved within the framework of modern microscopic electrodynamics of materials. As an illustration, we first rederive the well-known relativistic transformation behavior of the microscopic conductivity tensor. Thereafter, we deduce from first principles the transformation law of the wavevector- and frequency-dependent dielectric tensor under Lorentz boost transformations.
Two-Dimensional Generalized Framework to Determine Optimal Release and Patching Time of a Software
Authors: Choudhary Chetna , Kapur P. K. , Shrivastava A. K. , Khatri Sunil K.
Published: August 2017

Demand for highly reliable software is increasing day by day which in turn has increased the pressure on the software firms to provide reliable software in no time. Ensuring high reliability of the software can only be done by prolonged testing which in result consumes more resources which is not feasible in the existing market situation. To overcome this, software firms are providing patches after software release so as to fix the remaining number of bugs and to give better product experience to users. An update/fix is a minor portion of software to repair the bugs. With such patches, organizations enhance the performance of the software. Delivering patches after release demands extra effort and resources which are costly and hence not economical for the firms. Also, early patch release might cause improper fixation of bugs, on the other hand, delayed release may increase the chances of more failure during the operational phase. Therefore, determining optimal patch release time is imperative. To overcome the above issues we have formulated a two-dimensional time and effort-based cost model to regulate the optimum release and patch time of software, so that the total cost is minimized. Proposed model is validated on a real life data set.
Reduction of Redundant Rules in Association Rule Mining-Based Bug Assignment
Authors: Sharma Meera , Tandon Abhishek , Kumari Madhu , Singh V. B.
Published: August 2017

Bug triaging is a process to decide what to do with newly coming bug reports. In this paper, we have mined association rules for the prediction of bug assignee of a newly reported bug using different bug attributes, namely, severity, priority, component and operating system. To deal with the problem of large data sets, we have taken subsets of data set by dividing the large data set using [Formula: see text]-means clustering algorithm. We have used an Apriori algorithm in MATLAB to generate association rules. We have extracted the association rules for top 5 assignees in each cluster. The proposed method has been empirically validated on 14,696 bug reports of Mozilla open source software project, namely, Seamonkey, Firefox and Bugzilla. In our approach, we observe that taking on these attributes (severity, priority, component and operating system) as antecedents, essential rules are more than redundant rules, whereas in [M. Sharma and V. B. Singh, Clustering-based association rule mining for bug assignee prediction, Int. J. Business Intell. Data Mining 11(2) (2017) 130–150.] essential rules are less than redundant rules in every cluster. The proposed method provides an improvement over the existing techniques for bug assignment problem.
Reliability Improvement of Distribution System by Optimal Sitting and Sizing of Disperse Generation
Authors: Bhadoria Vikas Singh , Pal Nidhi Singh , Shrivastava Vivek , Jaiswal Shiva Pujan
Published: August 2017

Recent studies have publicized that renewable energy resources are the only answer to trim down energy crisis and also able to diminish green house gases. Thats why disperse generation is very significant for sustainable development in power sector. This paper presents an analytical algorithm to find optimal location and a best suitable size of distributed generator (DG) to minimize system losses. Authors also prove that scatter generation is used not only to reduce the gap between demand and supply of power with minimum amount losses, but it can also improve the reliability of distribution system. The results obtained from a case study of 34 bus radial distribution system have proved the efficiency of algorithms for loss minimization and competency of DG to enhance the reliability indices of the conventional distribution system.
Optimal Reliability Equivalence Factor for Reliability System Improvement Using Memetic Algorithm
Authors: Ramezani Z. , Pourdarvish A. , Garmabaki A. H. S. , Kapur P. K.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, optimal reduction and redundancy methods for reliability system improvement have been proposed. Multilevel redundancy allocation problem (MLRAP) based on hot and cold redundancies has been considered. For various reasons, for instance, space limitation, high cost and so on, redundancy method cannot always be applied to improve system reliability. Hence, the concept of equivalence has been presented to choose a more suitable method. In these conditions, optimal reduction method has been applied instead of optimal redundancy method, so that we decide what appropriate degree to decrease the failure rate is. To solve this problem, the value of optimal reliability equivalence factor is obtained by equating two obtained reliability functions based on optimal redundancy and reduction methods. Result shows that equivalence value maximizes the efficiency of the system performance in reduction method instead of redundancy method. Finally, the numerical examples illustrate the results obtained theoretically.
All or Nothing Caching Games with Bounded Queries
Authors: Pálvölgyi Dömötör
Published: August 2017

We determine the value of some search games where our goal is to find all of some hidden treasures using queries of bounded size. The answer to a query is either empty, in which case we lose, or a location, which contains a treasure. We prove that if we need to find [Formula: see text] treasures at [Formula: see text] possible locations with queries of size at most [Formula: see text], then our chance of winning is [Formula: see text] if each treasure is at a different location and [Formula: see text] if each location might hide several treasures for large enough [Formula: see text]. Our work builds on some results by Csóka who has studied a continuous version of this problem, known as Alpern’s Caching Game we also prove that the value of Alpern’s Caching Game is [Formula: see text] for integer [Formula: see text] and large enough [Formula: see text].
Multiple positive solutions of elliptic systems in exterior domains
Authors: Liu Haidong , Liu Zhaoli
Published: August 2017

In this paper, existence and multiplicity of positive solutions of the elliptic system [Formula: see text] is proved, where [Formula: see text] is an exterior domain in [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] is far away from the origin and contains a sufficiently large ball, [Formula: see text], and the coefficients [Formula: see text] are continuous functions on [Formula: see text] which tend to positive constants at infinity. We do not assume [Formula: see text] to be positive functions.
Concentration between Lévy’s inequality and the Poincaré inequality for log-concave densities
Authors: Buchweitz Erez
Published: August 2017

Given a suitably normalized random vector [Formula: see text], we observe that the function [Formula: see text], defined for [Formula: see text], admits surprisingly strong concentration far surpassing what is expected on account of Lévy’s isoperimetric inequality. Among the measures to which the above holds are all log-concave measures, for which a solution of the similar problem concerning the third marginal moments [Formula: see text] would imply the hyperplane conjecture.
Density functional study of the structural, stability, magnetic properties and chirality of small-sized AlxZry (x+y≤9) alloy clusters
Authors: Ren Fang-Qin , Zhang Fu-Qiang , Li Ya-Fen , Lv Jin , Ma Wen-Jin
Published: August 2017

The equilibrium structures, stabilities, magnetic, and spectroscopic properties of small-sized AlxZry ([Formula: see text]) alloy clusters have been systematically investigated within the framework of density functional theory. We found that the structures of bimetallic clusters prefer to form the same motif as their corresponding pure Al or Zr clusters and chirality turns up in mixed clusters with [Formula: see text] and 9. Computations of VCD and VROA spectra confirmed the chirality of these clusters. For a given cluster size, the most favorable mixing occurs when the ratio of Al:Zr is approximatively equal to 1. The total magnetic moments depend not only on the configuration but also on the composition of the clusters.
Cohomology of 𝔞𝔣𝔣(2) acting on some modules and deformations
Authors: Fraj Nizar Ben , Laraiedh Ismail , Abdaoui M.
Published: August 2017

Over the [Formula: see text]-dimensional real superspace, we compute the cohomology space of the affine Lie superalgebra [Formula: see text] with coefficient in a large class of [Formula: see text]-modules [Formula: see text]. We apply our results to the module [Formula: see text] of weight densities and the module [Formula: see text] of linear differential operators acting on a superspace of weighted densities. We study nontrivial deformations of the natural action of the Lie superalgebra [Formula: see text] on the direct sum of the superspaces of weighted densities.
In vivo auditory nerve stimulation with visible light
Authors: Guan Tian , Yang Muqun , He Yonghong
Published: August 2017

Background: Infrared laser stimulation has been proposed as an innovative method to elicit an auditory nerve response. Most studies have focused on using long-wavelength infrared ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm) pulsed lasers with high water absorption coefficients. This paper sought to assess whether a short-wavelength laser (465[Formula: see text]nm) with an absorption coefficient as low as 10[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text] would activate the auditory nerve and studied its potential mechanism. Method: Optical compound action potentials (OCAPs) were recorded when synchronous trigger laser pulses stimulate the cochlea before and after deafening, varying the pulse durations (from 800[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s to 3600[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]s) and the amount of radiant energy (from 18.05[Formula: see text]mJ/cm2 to 107.91[Formula: see text]mJ/cm2). A thermal infrared imager was applied to monitor the temperature change of the guinea pig cochlea. Results: The results showed that pulsed laser stimulation at 465[Formula: see text]nm could invoke OCAPs and had a similar waveform compared to the acoustical compound action potentials. The amplitude of OCAPs had a positive correlation with the increasing laser peak power, while the latency of OCAPs showed a negative correlation. The imager data showed that the temperature in the cochlea rose quickly by about 0.3[Formula: see text]C right after stimulating the cochlea and decreased quickly back to the initial temperature as the stimulation ended. Conclusions: This paper demonstrates that 465-nm laser stimulation can successfully induce OCAPs outside the cochlea, and that the amplitude and latency of the invoked OCAPs are highly affected by laser peak power. This paper proposes that a photothermal effect might be the main mechanism for the auditory nerve response induced by short-wavelength laser stimulation.
Regional volcanism of northern Zealandia: post-Gondwana break-up magmatism on an extended, submerged continent
Authors: Mortimer N. , Gans P. B. , Meffre S. , Martin C. E. , Seton M. , Williams S. , Turnbull R. E. , Quilty P. G. , Micklethwaite S. , Timm C. , Sutherland R. , Bache F. , Collot J. , Maurizot P. , Rouillard P. , Rollet N.
Published: August 2017

Volcanism of Late Cretaceous–Miocene age is more widespread across the Zealandia continent than previously recognized. New age and geochemical information from widely spaced northern Zealandia seafloor samples can be related to three volcanotectonic regimes: (1) age-progressive, hotspot-style, low-K, alkali-basalt-dominated volcanism in the Lord Howe Seamount Chain. The northern end of the chain (
c.
28 Ma) is spatially and temporally linked to the 40–28 Ma South Rennell Trough spreading centre. (2) Subalkaline, intermediate to silicic, medium-K to shoshonitic lavas of >78–42 Ma age within and near to the New Caledonia Basin. These lavas indicate that the basin and the adjacent Fairway Ridge are underlain by continental rather than oceanic crust, and are a record of Late Cretaceous–Eocene intracontinental rifting or, in some cases, speculatively subduction. (3) Spatially scattered, non-hotspot, alkali basalts of 30–18 Ma age from Loyalty Ridge, Lord Howe Rise, Aotea Basin and Reinga Basin. These lavas are part of a more extensive suite of Zealandia-wide, 97–0 Ma intraplate volcanics. Ages of northern Zealandia alkali basalts confirm that a late Cenozoic pulse of intraplate volcanism erupted across both northern and southern Zealandia. Collectively, the three groups of volcanic rocks emphasize the important role of magmatism in the geology of northern Zealandia, both during and after Gondwana break-up. There is no compelling evidence in our dataset for Late Cretaceous–Paleocene subduction beneath northern Zealandia.
Law, Innovation, and Collaboration in Networked Economy and Society
Authors: Benkler Yochai
Published: August 2017

Over the past 25 years, social science research in diverse fields has shifted its best explanations of innovation from (a) atomistic invention and development by individuals, corporate or natural, to networked learning; (b) market-based innovation focused on material self-interest to interaction between market and nonmarket practices under diverse motivations; and (c) property rights exclusively to interaction between property and commons. These shifts have profound implications for how we must think about law and innovation. Patents, copyrights, noncompete agreements, and trade secret laws are all optimized for an increasingly obsolete worldview. Strong intellectual property impedes, rather than facilitates, innovation when we understand that knowledge flows in learning networks, mixing of market and nonmarket models and motivations, and weaving of commons with property are central to the innovation process.
Blood pressure and leg deoxygenation are exaggerated during treadmill walking in patients with peripheral artery disease
Authors: Miller Amanda J. , Luck J. Carter , Kim Danielle Jin-Kwang , Leuenberger Urs A. , Proctor David N. , Sinoway Lawrence I. , Muller Matthew D.
Published: August 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate blood pressure (BP) and leg skeletal muscle oxygen saturation (Smo2) during treadmill walking in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) and healthy subjects. Eight PAD patients (66 ± 8 yr, 1 woman) and eight healthy subjects (65 ± 7 yr, 1 woman) walked on a treadmill at 2 mph (0.89 m/s). The incline increased by 2% every 2 min, from 0 to 15% or until maximal discomfort. BP was measured every 2 min with an auscultatory cuff. Heart rate (HR) was recorded continuously with an ECG. Smo2 in the gastrocnemius muscle was measured on each leg using near-infrared spectroscopy. The change in systolic BP from seated to peak walking time (PWT) was greater in PAD (healthy: 23 ± 9 vs. PAD: 44 ± 19 mmHg, P = 0.007). HR was greater in PAD patients compared with controls at PWT ( P = 0.011). The reduction in Smo2 (PWT − seated) was greater in PAD (healthy: 15 ± 12 vs. PAD: 49 ± 5%, P < 0.001) in the most affected leg and in the least affected leg (healthy: 12 ± 11 vs. PAD: 32 ± 18%, P = 0.003). PAD patients have an exaggerated decline in leg Smo2 during walking compared with healthy subjects, which may elicit the exaggerated rise in BP and HR during walking in PAD.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to simultaneously measure skeletal muscle oxygen saturation and blood pressure (BP) during treadmill exercise in patients with peripheral arterial disease. We found that BP and leg deoxygenation responses to slow-paced, graded treadmill walking are greater in patients with peripheral arterial disease compared with healthy subjects. These data may help explain the high cardiovascular risk in patients with peripheral arterial disease.
Increased tissue oxygenation explains the attenuation of hyperemia upon repetitive pneumatic compression of the lower leg
Authors: Messere Alessandro , Ceravolo Gianluca , Franco Walter , Maffiodo Daniela , Ferraresi Carlo , Roatta Silvestro
Published: August 2017

The rapid hyperemia evoked by muscle compression is short lived and was recently shown to undergo a rapid decrease even in spite of continuing mechanical stimulation. The present study aims at investigating the mechanisms underlying this attenuation, which include local metabolic mechanisms, desensitization of mechanosensitive pathways, and reduced efficacy of the muscle pump. In 10 healthy subjects, short sequences of mechanical compressions ( n = 3–6; 150 mmHg) of the lower leg were delivered at different interstimulus intervals (ranging from 20 to 160 s) through a customized pneumatic device. Hemodynamic monitoring included near-infrared spectroscopy, detecting tissue oxygenation and blood volume in calf muscles, and simultaneous echo-Doppler measurement of arterial (superficial femoral artery) and venous (femoral vein) blood flow. The results indicate that 1) a long-lasting (>100 s) increase in local tissue oxygenation follows compression-induced hyperemia, 2) compression-induced hyperemia exhibits different patterns of attenuation depending on the interstimulus interval, 3) the amplitude of the hyperemia is not correlated with the amount of blood volume displaced by the compression, and 4) the extent of attenuation negatively correlates with tissue oxygenation ( r = −0,78, P < 0.05). Increased tissue oxygenation appears to be the key factor for the attenuation of hyperemia upon repetitive compressive stimulation. Tissue oxygenation monitoring is suggested as a useful integration in medical treatments aimed at improving local circulation by repetitive tissue compression.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study shows that 1) the hyperemia induced by muscle compression produces a long-lasting increase in tissue oxygenation, 2) the hyperemia produced by subsequent muscle compressions exhibits different patterns of attenuation at different interstimulus intervals, and 3) the extent of attenuation of the compression-induced hyperemia is proportional to the level of oxygenation achieved in the tissue. The results support the concept that tissue oxygenation is a key variable in blood flow regulation.
Muscle proprioceptors in adult rat: mechanosensory signaling and synapse distribution in spinal cord
Authors: Vincent Jacob A. , Gabriel Hanna M. , Deardorff Adam S. , Nardelli Paul , Fyffe Robert E. W. , Burkholder Thomas , Cope Timothy C.
Published: August 2017

The characteristic signaling and intraspinal projections of muscle proprioceptors best described in the cat are often generalized across mammalian species. However, species-dependent adaptations within this system seem necessary to accommodate asymmetric scaling of length, velocity, and force information required by the physics of movement. In the present study we report mechanosensory responses and intraspinal destinations of three classes of muscle proprioceptors. Proprioceptors from triceps surae muscles in adult female Wistar rats anesthetized with isoflurane were physiologically classified as muscle spindle group Ia or II or as tendon organ group Ib afferents, studied for their firing responses to passive-muscle stretch, and in some cases labeled and imaged for axon projections and varicosities in spinal segments. Afferent projections and the laminar distributions of provisional synapses in rats closely resembled those found in the cat. Afferent signaling of muscle kinematics was also similar to reports in the cat, but rat Ib afferents fired robustly during passive-muscle stretch and Ia afferents displayed an exaggerated dynamic response, even after locomotor scaling was accounted for. These differences in mechanosensory signaling by muscle proprioceptors may represent adaptations for movement control in different animal species.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY Muscle sensory neurons signal information necessary for controlling limb movements. The information encoded and transmitted by muscle proprioceptors to networks in the spinal cord is known in detail only for the cat, but differences in size and behavior of other species challenge the presumed generalizability. This report presents the first findings detailing specializations in mechanosensory signaling and intraspinal targets for functionally identified subtypes of muscle proprioceptors in the rat.
Both Ways at Once: Keeping Small Airways Clean
Authors: Quinton Paul M.
Published: August 2017

The small airways of the lungs are under constant assault from the pathogens and debris in the air that they must conduct to alveoli. Although hygiene is of paramount importance for respiratory health, the underlying principles of airway clearance have not been well integrated or established. Newly emerging concepts of simultaneous absorption and secretion of airway surface liquid (ASL) and the role of [Formula: see text] in the maturation of mucins have advanced from experimental evidence as well as observations from the congenital disease cystic fibrosis (CF) to present a novel model that integrates microanatomy with organ physiology to meet the constant challenge of cleaning small airways.
Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Triple Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Yeh Janet , Chun Jennifer , Schwartz Shira , Wang Annie , Kern Elizabeth , Guth Amber A. , Axelrod Deborah , Shapiro Richard , Schnabel Freya
Published: August 2017

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to compare and contrast the clinical characteristics of the triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and non-TNBC patients, with a particular focus on genetic susceptibility and risk factors prior to diagnosis. Methods. Our institutional database was queried for all patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between January 2010 and May 2016. Results. Out of a total of 1964 patients, 190 (10%) patients had TNBC. The median age for both TNBC and non-TNBC was 59 years. There was a significantly higher proportion of African American and Asian patients with TNBC (p=0.0003) compared to patients with non-TNBC. BRCA1 and BRCA2 were significantly associated with TNBC (p<0.0001, p=0.0007). A prior history of breast cancer was significantly associated with TNBC (p=0.0003). There was no relationship observed between TNBC and a history of chemoprevention or patients who had a history of AH or LCIS. Conclusions. We found that having Asian ancestry, a prior history of breast cancer, and a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation all appear to be positively associated with TNBC. In order to develop more effective treatments, better surveillance, and improved prevention strategies, it is necessary to improve our understanding of the population at risk for TNBC.
The Complexα-μFading Channel with OFDM Application
Authors: Freitas Wander H. M. , Bomfin Roberto C. D. V. , de Souza Rausley A. A. , Yacoub Michel Daoud
Published: August 2017

The aims of this paper are threefold: (i) to present a model for the complexα-μfading channel; (ii) to propose an efficient, simple, and general method to generate complexα-μsamples; (iii) to make use of this channel in order to assess the bit error rate performance of an OFDM system. An analytical framework is then used, whose output is validated through Monte Carlo simulation. Several important conclusions concerning the system performance as a function of the channel parameters, namely, nonlinearity, clustering, and power imbalance of in-phase and quadrature components, are drawn.
Caecal Perforation from Primary Intestinal Tuberculosis in Pregnancy
Authors: Lwin Soe , Lau Lee Jing Nina , Suharjono Haris , Kipli Mardiana binti , Moe Nwe Tin , San Yi Myat , Luk Tien Wee Lucas
Published: August 2017

The incidence of tuberculosis (TB) is rising worldwide, despite the efficacy of the BCG vaccination. Populations at greatest risk of contracting TB are migrant communities, as well as immunocompromised individuals. The diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) can often present as a diagnostic conundrum, due to its nonspecific and varied presentation, often mimicking inflammatory bowel disease or malignancy. We present a case of caecal TB in pregnancy, which resulted in caecal perforation, a right hemicolectomy, and severe preterm delivery. The aim of this case report is to discuss the diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB, as well as its subsequent management in pregnancy.
Contrastive Study on Torque Distribution of Distributed Drive Electric Vehicle under Different Control Methods
Authors: Wu Xiao-gang , Zheng Dian-yu
Published: August 2017

This paper uses certain hub motor distributed electric vehicle driving system as the research object, using several control strategies, such as dynamic programming global optimization algorithm, fuzzy control, and torque equal distribution and realizing the distribution control of the distributed power of the electric drive system. The simulation results show that, under the NEDC road condition, using the dynamic programming algorithm to optimize the torque distribution, the energy consumption of the electric drive system is 8041 kJ, decreased by 4.77% compared to the average torque distribution control and decreased by 3.5% compared to the fuzzy control strategy. The power consumption of the electric vehicle is 20.25 kWh per 100 km, decreased by 1.01 kWh compared to the average torque distribution control strategy and decreased by 0.72 kWh compared to the fuzzy control strategy. Under the fixed working condition, the energy efficiency of power system can be improved effectively when the distributed dynamic system torque is optimized by the dynamic programming algorithm. Without considering the global optimization, the fuzzy control can effectively improve the energy efficiency of the power system compared to the torque average distribution strategy.
Quantitative Changes in Cerebral Perfusion during Urinary Urgency in Women with Overactive Bladder
Authors: Arya Nisha G. , Weissbart Steven J. , Xu Sihua , Bhavsar Rupal , Rao Hengyi
Published: August 2017

Purpose. To quantitatively measure changes in cerebral perfusion in select regions of interest in the brain during urinary urgency in women with overactive bladder (OAB) using arterial spin labeling (ASL). Methods. Twelve women with OAB and 10 controls underwent bladder filling and rated urinary urgency (scale 0–10). ASL fMRI scans were performed (1) in the low urgency state after voiding and (2) high urgency state after drinking oral fluids. Absolute regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in select regions of interest was compared between the low and high urgency states. Results. There were no significant differences in rCBF between the low and high urgency states in the control group. In the OAB group, rCBF (mean ± SE, ml/100 g/min) increased by 10–14% from the low to the high urgency state in the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) (44.56±0.59 versus 49.52±1.49, p<0.05), left ACC (49.29±0.85 versus 54.02±1.46, p<0.05), and left insula (50.46±1.72 versus 54.99±1.09, p<0.05). Whole-brain analysis identified additional areas of activation in the right insula, right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and pons/midbrain area. Conclusions. Urinary urgency is associated with quantitative increase in cerebral perfusion in regions of the brain associated with processing emotional response to discomfort.
The Edge Detectors Suitable for Retinal OCT Image Segmentation
Authors: Luo Su , Yang Jing , Gao Qian , Zhou Sheng , Zhan Chang’an A.
Published: August 2017

Retinal layer thickness measurement offers important information for reliable diagnosis of retinal diseases and for the evaluation of disease development and medical treatment responses. This task critically depends on the accurate edge detection of the retinal layers in OCT images. Here, we intended to search for the most suitable edge detectors for the retinal OCT image segmentation task. The three most promising edge detection algorithms were identified in the related literature: Canny edge detector, the two-pass method, and the EdgeFlow technique. The quantitative evaluation results show that the two-pass method outperforms consistently the Canny detector and the EdgeFlow technique in delineating the retinal layer boundaries in the OCT images. In addition, the mean localization deviation metrics show that the two-pass method caused the smallest edge shifting problem. These findings suggest that the two-pass method is the best among the three algorithms for detecting retinal layer boundaries. The overall better performance of Canny and two-pass methods over EdgeFlow technique implies that the OCT images contain more intensity gradient information than texture changes along the retinal layer boundaries. The results will guide our future efforts in the quantitative analysis of retinal OCT images for the effective use of OCT technologies in the field of ophthalmology.
Open versus Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises following an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Jewiss Daniel , Ostman Cecilia , Smart Neil
Published: August 2017

Background. There is no consensus on whether closed kinetic chain (CKC) or open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises should be the intervention of choice following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury or reconstruction. Methods. A systematic search identified randomized controlled trials of OKC versus CKC exercise training in people who had undergone ACL reconstructive surgery. All published studies in this systematic review were comparisons between OKC and CKC groups. Results. Seven studies were included. Lysholm knee scoring scale was not significantly different between OKC and CKC exercise patients: MD: −1.03%; CI: −13.02, 10.95; p value = 0.87 (Chi2  =  0.18, df = 1, and p value  =  0.67). Hughston clinic questionnaire scores were not significantly different between OKC and CKC exercise patients: MD: −1.29% (−12.02, 9.43); p value = 0.81 (Chi2  =  0.01, df = 1, and p value = 0.93). Conclusions. While OKC and CKC may be beneficial during ACL surgical rehabilitation, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that either one is superior to the other.
Haplotypes for Type, Degree, and Rate of Marbling in Cattle Are Syntenic with Human Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Lloyd Sally S. , Steele Edward J. , Valenzuela Jose L. , Dawkins Roger L.
Published: August 2017

Traditional analyses of a QTL on Bota 19 implicate a surfeit of candidates, but each is of marginal significance in explaining the deposition of healthy, low melting temperature fat within marbled muscle of Wagyu cattle. As an alternative approach, we have used genomic, multigenerational segregation to identify 14 conserved, ancestral 20 Mb haplotypes. These determine the degree and rate of marbling in Wagyu and other breeds of cattle. The melting temperature of intramuscular fat is highly heritable and traceable by haplotyping. Fortunately, for the production of healthy beef, some of these haplotypes are sufficiently penetrant to be expressed in heterozygous crossbreds, thereby allowing selection of sires which will improve the healthiness of beef produced under even harsh climatic conditions. The region of Bota 19 is syntenic to a region of Hosa 17 known to be important in muscle metabolism and in determining susceptibility to a form of human muscular dystrophy.