bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust Filtered Basis Functions Approach for Feedforward Tracking Control
Authors: Ramani Keval S. , Okwudire Chinedum E.
Published: November 2018

This paper proposes a robust filtered basis functions approach for feedforward tracking of linear time invariant systems with dynamic uncertainties. Identical to the standard filtered basis functions (FBF) approach, the robust FBF approach expresses the control trajectory as a linear combination of user-defined basis functions with unknown coefficients. The basis functions are forward filtered using a model of the plant and their coefficients are selected to minimize tracking errors. The standard FBF and robust FBF approaches differ in the filtering process. The robust FBF approach uses an optimal robust filter which is based on minimization of a frequency domain based error cost function over the dynamic uncertainty, whereas, the standard FBF approach uses the nominal model. Simulation examples and experiments on a desktop 3D printer are used to demonstrate significantly more accurate tracking of uncertain plants using robust FBF compared with the standard FBF.
Stochastic Optimization of Impedance Parameters for a Powered Prosthesis Using a 3D Simulation Environment
Authors: Camargo Jonathan , Bhakta Krishan , Young Aaron
Published: November 2018

Developing controllers for powered prostheses is a daunting task that requires involvement from clinicians, patients and robotics experts. Difficulties arise for tuning prosthetic devices that perform in multiple conditions and provide more functionality to the user. For this reason, we propose the implementation of a simulation framework based on the open-source 3D simulation environment Gazebo, to reduce the burden of experimentation and aid in the early stages of development. In this study, we present a minimalist plugin for the simulator that allows the interfacing of a virtual model with the native prosthesis controller and renders the finding of impedance parameters as a pattern search problem. To demonstrate the functionality of this approach, we used the framework to obtain the parameters that offer the most similar joint trajectory to the respective biological counterpart during swing phase for ground level walking. The optimization results are compared against the response of a physical 2DOF knee-ankle prosthesis operating under the optimized parameters, showing congruence to our model-based results. We found that a simulation-based solution is capable of finding parameters that create an emerging behavior that approximates to the kinematic trajectory goals within a tolerance (mean absolute error ∼10%). This provides an appropriate method for development and evaluation of impedance-based controllers before deployment to the physical device.
Eddy-Current Dynamic Model for Simultaneous Geometrical and Material Parameter Measurements of Magnetic Materials
Authors: Hao Bingjie , Lee Kok-Meng , Bai Kun
Published: November 2018

This paper presents a distributed current source (DCS) method for modeling the dynamic responses of eddy current density (ECD) induced in electrical conductors and its corresponding magnetic flux density (MFD); both nonmagnetic and weakly magnetized conductors are considered. Unlike conventional numerical methods such as finite element analysis (FEA), the DCS method, which accounts for the eddy-current and magnetization effects by means of equivalent volume and surface current-sources, derives closed-form solutions to the ECD and MFD fields in state-space representation. The model has been experimentally validated and verified by comparing results from FEA simulations with both harmonic and nonharmonic excitations. To gain physical insights to the measured MFD for simultaneous estimating the material/geometrical properties of a conductor, the static and dynamic responses to rectangular pulsed current excitations have been numerically investigated, confirming the feasibility and effectiveness of the measurement methods.
A Fast Integrated Planning and Control Framework for Autonomous Driving via Imitation Learning
Authors: Sun Liting , Peng Cheng , Zhan Wei , Tomizuka Masayoshi
Published: November 2018

Safety and efficiency are two key elements for planning and control in autonomous driving. Theoretically, model-based optimization methods, such as Model Predictive Control (MPC), can provide such optimal driving policies. Their computational complexity, however, grows exponentially with horizon length and number of surrounding vehicles. This makes them impractical for real-time implementation, particularly when nonlinear models are considered. To enable a fast and approximately optimal driving policy, we propose a safe imitation framework, which contains two hierarchical layers. The first layer, defined as the policy layer, is represented by a neural network that imitates a long-term expert driving policy via imitation learning. The second layer, called the execution layer, is a short-term model-based optimal controller that tracks and further fine-tunes the reference trajectories proposed by the policy layer with guaranteed short-term collision avoidance. Moreover, to reduce the distribution mismatch between the training set and the real world, Dataset Aggregation is utilized so that the performance of the policy layer can be improved from iteration to iteration. Several highway driving scenarios are demonstrated in simulations, and the results show that the proposed framework can achieve similar performance as sophisticated long-term optimization approaches but with significantly improved computational efficiency.
Effects of the relative timing of opposite-polarity pulses on loudness for cochlear implant listeners
Authors: Guérit François , Marozeau Jeremy , Deeks John M. , Epp Bastian , Carlyon Robert P.
Published: November 2018

The symmetric biphasic pulses used in contemporary cochlear implants (CIs) consist of both cathodic and anodic currents, which may stimulate different sites on spiral ganglion neurons and, potentially, interact with each other. The effect on the order of anodic and cathodic stimulation on loudness at short inter-pulse intervals (IPIs; 0–800 μs) is investigated. Pairs of opposite-polarity pseudomonophasic (PS) pulses were used and the amplitude of each pulse was manipulated independently. In experiment 1 the two PS pulses differed in their current level in order to elicit the same loudness when presented separately. Six users of the Advanced Bionics CI (Valencia, CA) loudness-ranked trains of the pulse pairs using a midpoint-comparison procedure. Stimuli with anodic-leading polarity were louder than those with cathodic-leading polarity for IPIs shorter than 400 μs. This effect was small—about 0.3 dB—but consistent across listeners. When the same procedure was repeated with both PS pulses having the same current level (experiment 2), anodic-leading stimuli were still louder than cathodic-leading stimuli at very short intervals. However, when using symmetric biphasic pulses (experiment 3) the effect disappeared at short intervals and reversed at long intervals. Possible peripheral sources of such polarity interactions are discussed.
Extremely flat band in bilayer graphene
Authors: Marchenko D. , Evtushinsky D. V. , Golias E. , Varykhalov A. , Seyller Th. , Rader O.
Published: November 2018

In both experiment and theory, we demonstrate a novel mechanism of flattened band formation in a honeycomb lattice bilayer.
Inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors strengthen CD8
+
T cell–mediated control of HIV-1, HCV, and HTLV-1
Authors: Boelen Lies , Debebe Bisrat , Silveira Marcos , Salam Arafa , Makinde Julia , Roberts Chrissy h. , Wang Eddie C. Y. , Frater John , Gilmour Jill , Twigger Katie , Ladell Kristin , Miners Kelly L. , Jayaraman Jyothi , Traherne James A. , Price David A. , Qi Ying , Martin Maureen P. , Macallan Derek C. ,   IAVI Protocol C Investigators, Thio Chloe L. , Astemborski Jacquie , Kirk Gregory , Donfield Sharyne M. , Buchbinder Susan , Khakoo Salim I. , Goedert James J. , Trowsdale John , Carrington Mary , Kollnberger Simon , Asquith Becca
Published: November 2018

Inhibitory killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (iKIRs) help maintain CD8
+
T cell responses to human chronic viral infections.
High-Dosage Cefazolin Achieves Sufficient Cerebrospinal Diffusion To Treat an External Ventricular Drainage-Related
Staphylococcus aureus
Ventriculitis
Authors: Grégoire Matthieu , Gaborit Benjamin , Deschanvres Colin , Lecomte Raphaël , Deslandes Guillaume , Dailly Éric , Ambrosi Xavier , Bellouard Ronan , Asseray Nathalie , Lakhal Karim , Boutoille David
Published: November 2018

A patient received continuous infusion of cefazolin 10 g then 8 g daily for an external ventricular drainage-related methicillin-susceptible
Staphylococcus aureus
(MSSA) ventriculitis. Median free concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid were 11.9 and 6.1 mg/liter after 10- and 8-g doses, respectively.
A Systematic Review of Single-Dose Aminoglycoside Therapy for Urinary Tract Infection: Is It Time To Resurrect an Old Strategy?
Authors: Goodlet Kellie J. , Benhalima Fatima Z. , Nailor Michael D.
Published: November 2018

Increasing bacterial resistance and poor patient adherence rates limit the effectiveness of conventional antibiotic therapies for urinary tract infection (UTI). The objective of this study was to investigate whether a single aminoglycoside dose adequately treated UTI.
Transcriptome and Comparative Genomics Analyses Reveal New Functional Insights on Key Determinants of Pathogenesis and Interbacterial Competition in
Pectobacterium
and
Dickeya
spp
Authors: Bellieny-Rabelo Daniel , Tanui Collins K. , Miguel Nikki , Kwenda Stanford , Shyntum Divine Y. , Moleleki Lucy N.
Published: November 2018

Despite the considerable loss inflicted on important crops yearly by
Pectobacterium
and
Dickeya
diseases, investigations on key virulence and interbacterial competition assets relying on extensive comparative genomics are still surprisingly lacking for these genera. Such approaches become more powerful over time, underpinned by the growing amount of genomic information in public databases. In particular, our findings point to new functional associations among well-known genomic themes enabling alternative means of neutralizing SRE diseases through disruption of pivotal virulence programs. By elucidating novel transcriptional and genomic associations, this study adds valuable information on virulence candidates that could be decisive in molecular applications in the near future. The utilization of 100 genomes of
Pectobacterium
and
Dickeya
strains in this study is unprecedented for comparative analyses in these taxa, and it provides novel insights on the biology of economically important plant pathogens.
Potentially Mobile Denitrification Genes Identified in
Azospirillum
sp. Strain TSH58
Authors: Jang Jeonghwan , Sakai Yoriko , Senoo Keishi , Ishii Satoshi
Published: November 2018

The evolutionary history of denitrification is complex. While the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer has been suggested for denitrification genes, most studies report circumstantial evidences, such as disagreement between denitrification gene phylogenies and the 16S rRNA gene phylogeny. Based on the comparative genome analyses of
Azospirillum
sp. denitrifiers, we identified denitrification genes, including
nirK
and
norCBQD
, located on a mobile genetic element in the genome of
Azospirillum
sp. strain TSH58. The
nirK
was actively transcribed under denitrification-inducing conditions. Since this gene was the sole nitrite reductase gene in strain TSH58, this strain most likely benefitted by acquiring denitrification genes via horizontal gene transfer. This finding will significantly advance our scientific knowledge regarding the ecology and evolution of denitrification.
The Structure of the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus M2-1 Protein Bound to the Interaction Domain of the Phosphoprotein P Defines the Orientation of the Complex
Authors: Selvaraj Muniyandi , Yegambaram Kavestri , Todd Eleanor J. A. A. , Richard Charles-Adrien , Dods Rachel L. , Pangratiou Georgia M. , Trinh Chi H. , Moul Sophie L. , Murphy James C. , Mankouri Jamel , Éléouët Jean-François , Barr John N. , Edwards Thomas A.
Published: November 2018

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a leading cause of respiratory illness, particularly in the young, elderly, and immunocompromised, and has also been linked to the development of asthma. HRSV replication depends on P and L, whereas transcription also requires M2-1. M2-1 interacts with P and RNA at overlapping binding sites; while these interactions are necessary for transcriptional activity, the mechanism of M2-1 action is unclear. To better understand HRSV transcription, we solved the crystal structure of M2-1 in complex with the minimal P interaction domain, revealing molecular details of the M2-1/P interface and defining the orientation of M2-1 within the tripartite complex. The M2-1/P interaction is relatively weak, suggesting high-affinity RNAs may displace M2-1 from the complex, providing the basis for a new model describing the role of M2-1 in transcription. Recently, the small molecules quercetin and cyclopamine have been used to validate M2-1 as a drug target.
Salmonella enterica
Serovar Typhi in Bangladesh: Exploration of Genomic Diversity and Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Tanmoy Arif M. , Westeel Emilie , De Bruyne Katrien , Goris Johan , Rajoharison Alain , Sajib Mohammad S. I. , van Belkum Alex , Saha Samir K. , Komurian-Pradel Florence , Endtz Hubert P.
Published: November 2018

Typhoid fever, caused by
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi, is responsible for an estimated burden of approximately 17 million new episodes per year worldwide. Adequate and timely antimicrobial treatment invariably cures typhoid fever. The increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of
S
. Typhi severely limits the treatment options. We studied whole-genome sequences (WGS) of 536
S
. Typhi isolates collected in Bangladesh between 1999 and 2013 and compared those sequences with data from a recent outbreak in Pakistan and a laboratory surveillance in Nepal. The analysis suggests that multiple ancestral origins of resistance against ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone are present in three countries. Such independent genetic events and subsequent dissemination could enhance the risk of a rapid global spread of these highly resistant clones. Given the current treatment challenges, vaccination seems to be the most appropriate short-term intervention to reduce the disease burden of typhoid fever at a time of increasing AMR.
PAS Domain Protein Pas3 Interacts with the Chromatin Modifier Bre1 in Regulating Cryptococcal Morphogenesis
Authors: Zhao Youbao , Upadhyay Srijana , Lin Xiaorong
Published: November 2018

For the ubiquitous environmental pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
, the morphological transition from yeast to filament confers resistance to natural predators like soil amoeba and is an integral differentiation event to produce infectious spores. Interestingly, filamentation is immuno-stimulatory and attenuates cryptococcal virulence in a mammalian host. Consistently, the morphogenesis transcription factor Znf2 profoundly shapes cryptococcal interaction with various hosts. Identifying the signaling pathways activating filamentation is thus, conductive to a better understanding of cryptococcal biology. In this study, we identified a PAS domain protein Pas3 that functions upstream of Znf2 in regulating cryptococcal filamentation. Interestingly, Pas3 interacts with the chromatin modifier Bre1 in the nucleus to regulate the transcript level of Znf2 and its prominent downstream targets. This is the first example of a PAS domain signaling regulator interacting with a chromatin modifier to control filamentation through their impact on cryptococcal transcriptome.
Outcomes following general anaesthesia in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Norrish Gabrielle , Forshaw Natalie , Woo Colleen , Avanis Mary Claire , Field Ella , Cervi Elena , Iguchi Akane , Kaski Juan Pablo
Published: November 2018

Background

Children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have historically been considered to be high-risk candidates for general anaesthesia (GA), but there is currently a paucity of evidence regarding the safety of anaesthesia and perioperative outcomes in this population.

Methods

Clinical features and outcomes of all paediatric patients (<18 years) with HCM undergoing GA between 2000 and 2016 were reviewed.

Results

86 patients (median 12.4 years (IQR 6.5, 14.9)) underwent 164 separate GA procedures. Aetiology included non-syndromic disease (n=44, 56%), malformation syndromes (n=22, 26%), inborn error of metabolism (n=10, 12%) and neuromuscular disease (n=4, 5%). At the time of GA, mean maximal wall thickness (MWT) on echocardiography was 19 mm (SD±8 mm), 23 (14%) patients had severe left ventricular hypertrophy (MWT>30 mm) and 35 (21%) patients had a haemodynamically significant left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient (>50 mm Hg). The majority (n=143, 87%) had no perioperative complications. 20 (12%) patients had minor perioperative complications: bradycardia (n=4), hypotension (n=15) or transient ST segment changes (n=1). One (0.6% of GA procedures) patient experienced a cardiac arrest during anaesthetic induction with death occurring 3 days later. Clinical parameters (including age, MWT, LVOT gradient, systolic and diastolic dysfunction) were not associated with an increased risk of complications

Conclusions

This is the largest published series to date of paediatric patients with HCM undergoing GA, which demonstrates that, in an expert centre, patients can be anaesthetised with a relatively low perianaesthetic mortality (0.6%) and prevalence of minor complications (12%). Future studies are required to systematically identify clinical features that may predict anaesthetic risk.
Drug preparation and administration errors during simulated paediatric resuscitations
Authors: Murugan Sashen , Parris Pano , Wells Mike
Published: November 2018

Introduction

Very few studies have assessed drug preparation and administration errors during paediatric resuscitation. Current evidence suggests that medication errors in paediatrics are a serious problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate drug preparation and administration errors incurred during the simulated resuscitation of paediatric patients.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study performed in the emergency department of a tertiary-level hospital. Teams consisting of two emergency doctors were tasked with preparing and delivering medication during simulated emergency scenarios. Preparation processes were video recorded. All phials, syringes and administered volumes were collected and analysed to determine the accuracy of drug preparation and delivery. Deviations from intended volumes were calculated.

Main results

A total of 96 dosages were recorded from 24 participants. Most errors were identified in the withdrawal of drug phase (prior to dilution) (13 of 96 doses had a >20% error), and the administration of medication phase (20 of 96 doses had a >20% error). Overall the median time taken to deliver each drug was 79 s (IQR 59, 100 s). The largest percentage errors were seen when a large syringe was used to withdraw or administer a small volume of medication.

Conclusion

The study clearly demonstrated that there were significant errors in the preparation and administration of medication. Training in the preparation and administration of paediatric medications should be available for all emergency nurses and doctors. Correct syringe choice may reduce these errors—smaller syringes should be used for withdrawing or administering smaller volumes.
Rare case of a newborn baby with left-sided Erb’s palsy and a contralateral/right-sided paralysis of the diaphragm
Authors: Pegu Satyaranjan , Deb Bakul , Kalapesi Zarin
Published: November 2018

Brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) and phrenic nerve injury can sometimes occur concurrently in neonates following difficult deliveries like breech presentation, shoulder dystocia, forceps or vacuum extraction. Phrenic nerve palsy should be suspected in a newborn with respiratory distress and an elevated hemidiaphragm on the imaging studies in presence of the associated risk factors. The right side is affected more often than the left side and most of it is associated with BPBI. We present here a rare case of a newborn baby with a left-sided Erb’s palsy and a contralateral/right-sided diaphragmatic paralysis who recovered from the persistent respiratory distress and feeding difficulties following plication of the diaphragm. The left-sided Erb’s palsy also fully recovered at follow-up examination.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) presenting as recurrent pneumothorax in an infant with tuberous sclerosis: treated successfully with sirolimus
Authors: Takia Lalit , Jat Kana Ram , Mandal Anirban , Kabra Sushil Kumar
Published: November 2018

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) either sporadic or a part of tuberous sclerosis complex is rare in paediatric age group. Here, we report a case of LAM with tuberous sclerosis in an infant. She was referred to our institute at the age of 4 months as a case of recurrent bilateral pneumothorax requiring intercostal tube drainage. Detailed history revealed that patient was symptomatic since 1 month of age in the form of seizures. She had respiratory symptoms for last 15 days. General physical examination revealed whitish macular patches. Brain imaging was suggestive of cortical tubers and subependymal nodules. The echocardiography showed right atrial rhabdomyoma. Chest CT revealed multiple cysts suggesting LAM. On the basis of above findings, a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis complex with LAM was made. The infant was started on sirolimus and there was significant clinical and radiological improvement over a period of 2 and half years without any side effects.
Dulaglutide-induced cerebral venous thrombosis in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Rajput Rajesh , Pathak Vaibhav , Yadav Pawan Kumar , Mishra Sanat
Published: November 2018

Though patients with diabetes mellitus are at a high risk of atherothrombotic events, every such event should not be attributed to the disease itself. We present a case of a patient with diabetes with headache and blurring of vision for 3 days. Brain imaging revealed right transverse sinus thrombosis and acute infarct of the right posterior parieto-occipital region, predominantly in the posterior cortical watershed zone. The patient was on subcutaneous dulaglutide for 3 weeks and was having nausea and vomiting. Various causes of cerebral venous thrombosis were ruled out with appropriate laboratory investigations. Finally, cerebral venous thrombosis was attributed to dulaglutide-induced nausea and vomiting which led to severe dehydration.
Time-to-event analysis for sports injury research part 2: time-varying outcomes
Authors: Nielsen Rasmus Oestergaard , Bertelsen Michael Lejbach , Ramskov Daniel , Møller Merete , Hulme Adam , Theisen Daniel , Finch Caroline F , Fortington Lauren Victoria , Mansournia Mohammad Ali , Parner Erik Thorlund
Published: November 2018

Background

Time-to-event modelling is underutilised in sports injury research. Still, sports injury researchers have been encouraged to consider time-to-event analyses as a powerful alternative to other statistical methods. Therefore, it is important to shed light on statistical approaches suitable for analysing training load related key-questions within the sports injury domain.

Content

In the present article, we illuminate: (i) the possibilities of includingtime-varying outcomesin time-to-event analyses, (ii) how to deal with a situation where different types of sports injuries are included in the analyses (ie, competing risks), and (iii) how to deal with the situation where multiple subsequent injuries occur in the same athlete.

Conclusion

Time-to-event analyses can handle time-varying outcomes, competing risk and multiple subsequent injuries. Although powerful, time-to-event has important requirements: researchers are encouraged to carefully considerpriorto any data collection that five injuries per exposure state or transition is needed to avoid conducting statistical analyses on time-to-event data leading to biased results. This requirement becomes particularly difficult to accommodate when a stratified analysis is required as the number of variables increases exponentially for each additional strata included. In future sports injury research, we need stratified analyses if the target of our research is to respond to the question: ‘how much change in training load is too much before injury is sustained, among athletes with different characteristics?’ Responding to this question using multiple time-varying exposures (and outcomes) requires millions of injuries. This should not be a barrier for future research, but collaborations across borders to collecting the amount of data needed seems to be an important step forward.
Sarcopenia as a predictor of all-cause mortality among older nursing home residents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Wang Conghua , Dou Qingli , Zhang Wenwu , Yang Yunzhi , Xie Xiaohua
Published: November 2018

Objectives

This study aims to review the evidence of sarcopenia as a predictor of all-cause mortality among nursing home residents.

Design

Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational cohort studies.

Data sources

PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant articles.

Participants

Nursing home residents.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

All-cause mortality.

Data analysis

Summary-adjusted HRs or risk ratios (RRs) were calculated by fixed-effects model. The risk of bias was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Results

Of 2292 studies identified through the systematic review, six studies (1494 participants) were included in the meta-analysis. Sarcopenia was significantly associated with a higher risk for all-cause mortality among nursing home residents (pooled HR 1.86, 95% CI 1.42 to 2.45, p<0.001, I2=0). In addition, the subgroup analysis demonstrated that sarcopenia was associated with all-cause mortality (pooled HR 1.87,95% CI 1.38 to 2.52, p<0.001) when studies with a follow-up period of 1 year or more were analysed; however, this was not found for studies with the follow-up period less than 1 year. Furthermore, sarcopenia was significantly associated with the risk of mortality among older nursing home residents when using bioelectrical impedance analysis to diagnosis muscle mass (pooled HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.39 to 2.53, p<0.001); whereas, it was not found when anthropometric measures were used to diagnosis muscle mass.

Conclusion

Sarcopenia is a significant predictor of all-cause mortality among older nursing home residents. Therefore, it is important to diagnose and treat sarcopenia to reduce mortality rates among nursing home residents.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42018081668
Gut Feelings Questionnaire in daily practice: a feasibility study using a mixed-methods approach in three European countries
Authors: Barais Marie , van de Wiel Margje W J , Groell Nicolas , Dany Antoine , Montier Tristan , Van Royen Paul , Stolper Erik C F
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The validated Gut Feelings Questionnaire (GFQ) is a 10-item questionnaire based on the definitions of the sense of alarm and the sense of reassurance. The purpose of the GFQ is to determine the presence or absence of gut feelings in the diagnostic reasoning of general practitioners (GPs).

The aim was to test the GFQ on GPs, in real practice settings, to check whether any changes were needed to improve feasibility, and to calculate the prevalence of the GPs’ sense of alarm and sense of reassurance in three different countries.

Setting

Primary care, six participating centres in Belgium, France and the Netherlands.

Participants

We performed a think-aloud study with 24 experienced Dutch GPs, GP trainees and medical clerks who filled in the GFQ after diagnosing each of six case vignettes. We then performed a feasibility study in two phases, using a mixed-method approach, with 42 French and Dutch GPs in the first phase and then 10 Belgian, 10 Dutch and 10 French GPs in the second phase. All GPs filled in the GFQ after each of eight consultations with patients presenting new complaints and were subsequently interviewed about the use of the GFQ.

Outcome measures

GPs’ experiences on using the GFQ in real practice, more specifically the average time needed for filling in the questionnaire.

The prevalence of GPs’ sense of alarm and sense of reassurance.

Results

The modified version of the GFQ, created without altering the sense of the validated items, was easy to use in daily practice. The prevalence of the GPs’ sense of alarm occurred during 23%–31% of the included consultations.

Conclusions

After a two-step study and several minor adaptations, the final version of the GFQ proved to be a feasible and practical tool to be used for prospective observational studies in daily practice.
Human papillomavirus vaccine uptake among young gay and bisexual men who have sex with men with a time-limited targeted vaccination programme through sexual health clinics in Melbourne in 2017
Authors: McGrath Launcelot , Fairley Christopher K , Cleere Eoin F , Bradshaw Catriona S , Chen Marcus Y , Chow Eric P F
Published: November 2018

Objective

In mid-2017, the Victorian Government funded a free time-limited human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination catch-up programme for gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (MSM) aged up to 26 years through sexual health clinics or other immunisation centres. We aimed to examine the uptake of the HPV vaccine among young MSM attending the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre (MSHC).

Methods

MSM aged ≤26 attending MSHC between 27 April 2017 and 31 December 2017 were included in the analysis. HPV vaccine uptake was calculated based on the first consultation of each patient during the period. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine the association between vaccine uptake and patient factors.

Results

There were 2108 MSM aged ≤26 who attended MSHC over the study period, with 7.6% (n=161) reporting previous HPV vaccination. Of the 1947 eligible men, 1134 (58.2%, 95% CI 56.0% to 60.4%) were offered the vaccine by the clinicians, and 830 men received it on the day. The vaccine coverage among all eligible MSM was 42.6% (95% CI 40.4% to 44.9%; 830 of 1947) and among MSM who were offered the vaccine by the clinicians was 73.2% (95% CI 70.5% to 75.8%; 830 of 1134). Men with a history of genital warts (adjusted OR (aOR)=3.11, 95%CI 1.39 to 6.99) and those who had >4male partners in the last 12 months (aOR=1.38, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.85) were more likely to receive the HPV vaccine on the day. 304 men declined the vaccine; most men did not specify the reason (31.3%, n=95), while 27.3% (n=83) needed time to think.

Conclusion

Although vaccine uptake was 73.2% among those offered, the actual coverage of those eligible remained unsatisfactory (42.6%) in a sexual health clinic. This highlights a clinic-based targeted MSM programme may not reach sufficiently high vaccine coverage to provide MSM with the same vaccine benefits as heterosexuals.
Restricting tobacco sales to only pharmacies combined with cessation advice: a modelling study of the future smoking prevalence, health and cost impacts
Authors: Petrović-van der Deen Frederieke S , Blakely Tony , Kvizhinadze Giorgi , Cleghorn Christine L , Cobiac Linda J , Wilson Nick
Published: November 2018

Objective

Restricting tobacco sales to pharmacies only, including the provision of cessation advice, has been suggested as a potential measure to hasten progress towards the tobacco endgame. We aimed to quantify the impacts of this hypothetical intervention package on future smoking prevalence, population health and health system costs for a country with an endgame goal: New Zealand (NZ).

Methods

We used two peer-reviewed simulation models: 1) a dynamic population forecasting model for smoking prevalence and 2) a closed cohort multi-state life-table model for future health gains and costs by sex, age and ethnicity. Greater costs due to increased travel distances to purchase tobacco were treated as an increase in the price of tobacco. Annual cessation rates were multiplied with the effect size for brief opportunistic cessation advice on sustained smoking abstinence.

Results

The intervention package was associated with a reduction in future smoking prevalence, such that by 2025 prevalence was 17.3%/6.8% for Māori (Indigenous)/non-Māori compared to 20.5%/8.1% projected under no intervention. The measure was furthermore estimated to accrue 41 700 discounted quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (95% uncertainty interval (UI): 33 500 to 51 600) over the remainder of the 2011 NZ population’s lives. Of these QALYs gained, 74% were due to the provision of cessation advice over and above the limiting of sales to pharmacies.

Conclusions

This work provides modelling-level evidence that the package of restricting tobacco sales to only pharmacies combined with cessation advice in these settings can accelerate progress towards the tobacco endgame, and achieve large population health benefits and cost-savings.
Extreme climatic variability during migration invokes physiological and dietary plasticity among spring migrating ducks
Authors: Janke Adam K. , Anteau Michael J. , Stafford Joshua D.
Published: November 2018

Environmental stochasticity encountered during migration can have negative consequences for individuals and population demographics through direct reductions in survival or cross-seasonal impacts. We took advantage of substantial interannual variation in spring migration conditions over a 4 year field study to examine physiological and dietary variation among two species of migrant ducks. We collected female Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis (Eyton, 1838)) and Blue-winged Teal (Spatula discors (Linnaeus, 1766)) during spring migration and measured lipid and protein reserves, an index of recent lipid metabolism based on concentrations of lipid metabolites in plasma, and diets. We documented systematic interannual variation among these metrics in both species, contrasting primarily the warmest, earliest spring and the coldest, latest spring. Lesser Scaup had reduced lipid and protein reserves and consumed less energy-rich prey during the coldest and latest spring but showed no interannual variation in the index of lipid metabolism. Blue-winged Teal similarly had reduced protein reserves in the cold, late spring but maintained constant lipid reserves among years, likely facilitated by increased consumption of energy-rich seeds reflected in diets and lipid metabolism. Our results reveal impacts of environmental stochasticity on migrants and suggest that recruitment may be impacted by variable conditions encountered during migration during extreme weather events.
Log-anharmonic oscillator and its large-N solution
Authors: Znojil Miloslav , Semorádová Iveta
Published: November 2018

Anharmonic oscillator is considered using an unusual, logarithmic form of the anharmonicity. The model is shown connected with the more conventional power-law anharmonicity [Formula: see text] in the limit [Formula: see text]. An efficient and user-friendly method of the solution of the model is found in the large-N expansion technique.
A category mistake in observational claims regarding ultrashort-lived unstable particles
Authors: Cabbolet Marcoen J. T. F.
Published: November 2018

The physics literature contains many claims that ultrashort-lived unstable particles, such as a Higgs boson, have been observed. These claims are a matter of applying the [Formula: see text]-convention in particle physics. This paper, however, shows that by applying this [Formula: see text]-convention a category mistake is made, by which a pure reasoning is passed off as an observation. Not only are these two fundamentally different primitive notions at the very basis of science, but the pure reasoning in question is also weaker than an observation: what we have in each case is that the existence of the ultrashort-lived unstable particle is inferred to the best explanation, but that does absolutely not merit the stronger claim that the particle in question has been “observed”. Consequently, the observational claims in question will thus have to be dismissed as overstatements. On a general note, this demonstrates that the empirical support for the Standard Model of particle physics is significantly less than hitherto thought.
A Design Exploration of Intelligent Wearable Companion of Smartphone for Fitness and Healthcare
Authors: Qi Wen
Published: November 2018

Wearable devices are increasingly gaining more attentions in healthcare and fitness industry due to their potentials to measure valuable physiological signals on the move. There are many researchers who have proposed different types of designs that embed biosensors into miniature wearable devices. In this paper, we present a wearable companion that monitors the cardiac activities of a wearer with smartphone. The device makes use of a single, integrated biosensor that is designed with a unique analog front-end circuitry and a dedicated signal processing pipeline. In order to meet the requirements of possible but different user scenarios, three types of product forms are presented. The experimental results show that electrocardiogram (ECG) signals collected are valid and consistent through the systems. Future topics include adding extra algorithms to remove motion artifacts in order to achieve better signal quality in various settings and include wireless communication through 4G.
BORROWING CAPACITY, FINANCIAL INSTABILITY, AND CONTAGION
Authors: CHOI YOUNGNA
Published: November 2018

We use the case of the 2007 United States subprime mortgage crisis to investigate the impact of borrowing capacity limitations on financial instability and contagion. We divide an economy into agents that interact via flow of funds and express the financial instability level of each agent as a function of time derivatives of its wealth, cash inflows, and borrowing capacity. We show that among these factors, the borrowing capacity, which is determined by other economic constraints, has the largest impact on financial instability. It is suggested that borrowing capacity limitations could even cause contagion through feedback loop formed by flow of funds. We use historical time series of the integrated macroeconomic accounts of the United Stated from 1960 to 2017 to verify our conjecture by quantifying the financial instability levels of the agents under different levels of borrowing capacity and how they affect one another during the period of the subprime mortgage crisis. Finally, the constraints of data collecting practice outside the United States in assessing borrowing capacity is addressed, accompanied by partial, yet compatible, results of selected Eurozone countries.
Reduced bond length alternation and helical molecular orbitals in donor and acceptor substituted linear carbon chains
Authors: Balakrishnan AbhayRam , Shankar R. , Vijayakumar S.
Published: November 2018

Increasing chain length and end group substitution of polyynes play a crucial role in molecular electronics and nanomaterials. The studies on linear carbon chains are lesser when compared to other carbon allotropes like graphene, fullerenes, nanotube, etc. This prompted us to study the linear carbon chains of different lengths and substitutions. The electronic and optical properties of X–C[Formula: see text]–X ([Formula: see text]–15 and [Formula: see text], NH2, CN, OH) molecules have been studied by using CAM-B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory of DFT methods. Linear carbon chains with odd values of n show lower bond length alternation (BLA) values similar to that of cumulenes and may have metallic property, but the substitution of donor/acceptor molecules does not decrease the BLA significantly. Molecular orbital analysis of linear carbon chains shows that NH2 or NO2 substituted polyynes have helical molecular orbitals for smaller chain lengths which may make a good candidate for molecular wires in molecular devices. As the chain length increases, the helicity decreases and finally disappears. Also, it is seen that for smaller odd values of [Formula: see text] for donor, substituted polyynes have a singlet ground, whereas all the odd [Formula: see text] values of acceptor substitution have triplet ground state.
Modeling and Spark Erosion Drilling Process Optimization of Inconel 718 Using RSM Technique
Authors: Kumar Rajeev , Chattopadhyaya Somnath , Singh G. K. , Vates Umesh Kumar
Published: November 2018

Electrical discharge machining with rotary tool is known as electric discharge drilling (EDD) which is being widely used for machining the difficult-to-cut materials like super alloy, ceramics and composite materials. Present research work has been introduced to find the impact of four influencing input factors discharge current (C), pulse off time ([Formula: see text]), pulse-on time ([Formula: see text]) and drill speed (S) on the response, tool wear rate (TWR), metal removal rate (MRR) and Centre line average value of surface roughness (Ra). The spark erosion drilling was performed on the Inconel 718 with rotating copper electrode. The major performances characteristics material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness (SR) are to be evaluated with consultation of Response Surface Methodology (RSM) techniques. The central composite rotatable design (CCRD) has been reported to plan the experimental design and developing the model for prediction of data within the range of investigation. ANOVA test was also carried out to check the adequacy for development of models. It has been evaluated that discharge current, [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] have been found as most significant factors that effects on the performance measures. The models have 86.02, 84.29, and 83.15% values of correlation coefficient (R2) for MRR, TWR and Ra whereas the adjusted R2 (R2 adj) are 73.80%, 70.55%, and 68.41% for MRR, TWR and SR, respectively.
Schrödinger wave functional of a quantum scalar field in static space-times from precanonical quantization
Authors: Kanatchikov I. V.
Published: November 2018

The functional Schrödinger representation of a scalar field on an [Formula: see text]-dimensional static space-time background is argued to be a singular limiting case of the hypercomplex quantum theory of the same system obtained by the precanonical quantization based on the space-time symmetric De Donder–Weyl Hamiltonian theory. The functional Schrödinger representation emerges from the precanonical quantization when the ultraviolet parameter [Formula: see text] introduced by precanonical quantization is replaced by [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the time-like tangent space Dirac matrix and [Formula: see text] is an invariant spatial [Formula: see text]-dimensional Dirac’s delta function whose regularized value at [Formula: see text] is identified with the cutoff of the volume of the momentum space. In this limiting case, the Schrödinger wave functional is expressed as the trace of the product integral of Clifford-algebra-valued precanonical wave functions restricted to a certain field configuration and the canonical functional derivative Schrödinger equation is derived from the manifestly covariant Dirac-like precanonical Schrödinger equation which is independent of a choice of a codimension-one foliation.
NAD+ Metabolism in Aging and Cancer
Authors: Demarest Tyler G. , Babbar Mansi , Okur Mustafa N. , Dan Xiuli , Croteau Deborah L. , Fakouri Nima B. , Mattson Mark P. , Bohr Vilhelm A.
Published: November 2018

Aging is a major risk factor for many types of cancer, and the molecular mechanisms implicated in aging, progeria syndromes, and cancer pathogenesis display considerable similarities. Maintaining redox homeostasis, efficient signal transduction, and mitochondrial metabolism is essential for genome integrity and for preventing progression to cellular senescence or tumorigenesis. NAD+ is a central signaling molecule involved in these and other cellular processes implicated in age-related diseases and cancer. Growing evidence implicates NAD+ decline as a major feature of accelerated aging progeria syndromes and normal aging. Administration of NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) offer promising therapeutic strategies to improve health, progeria comorbidities, and cancer therapies. This review summarizes insights from the study of aging and progeria syndromes and discusses the implications and therapeutic potential of the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in aging and how they may contribute to tumorigenesis.
Nanometric Fe-Substituted ZrO2_Madkikar et al.
Authors: Madkikar Pankaj , Menga Davide , Harzer Gregor S. , Mittermeier Thomas , Siebel Armin , Wagner Friedrich E. , Merz Michael , Schuppler Stefan , Nagel Peter , Muñoz-García Ana Belén , Pavone Michele , Gasteiger Hubert A. , Piana Michele
Published: November 2018

In this contribution, we demonstrate the presence of high-spin Fe3+ in Fe-substituted ZrO2 (FexZr1−xO2−δ), as deduced from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS), and 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. The activity of this carbon-supported FexZr1−xO2−δ catalyst towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was examined by both the rotating (ring) disk electrode (R(R)DE) method and in single-cell proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). DFT calculations suggest that the much higher ORR mass activity of FexZr1−xO2−δ compared to Fe-free ZrO2 is due to the enhanced formation of oxygen vacancies: their formation is favored after Zr4+ substitution with Fe3+ and the oxygen vacancies create potential adsorption sites, which act as active centers for the ORR. H2O and/or H2O2 production observed in RRDE measurements for the Fe0.07Zr0.93O1.97 is also in agreement with the most likely reaction paths from DFT calculations. In addition, Tafel and Arrhenius analyses are performed on Fe0.07Zr0.93O1.97 using both RRDE and PEMFC data at various temperatures.
Adaptations in the passive mechanical properties of skeletal muscle to altered patterns of use
Authors: Blazevich Anthony J.
Published: November 2018

The aim of this mini-review is to describe the present state of knowledge regarding the effects of chronic changes in the patterns of muscle use (defined as changes lasting >1 wk), including muscle stretching, strengthening, and others, on the passive mechanical properties of healthy human skeletal muscles. Various forms of muscle stretch training and some forms of strength training (especially eccentric training) are known to strongly impact the maximum elongation capacity of muscles in vivo (i.e., maximum joint range of motion), largely by increasing our ability to tolerate higher stretch loads. However, only small effects are observed in the passive stiffness of the muscle-tendon unit (MTU) or the muscle itself, although a reduction in muscle stiffness has been observed in the plantar flexors after both stretching and eccentric exercise interventions. No changes have yet been observed in viscoelastic properties such as the MTU stress-relaxation response, although a minimum of evidence indicates that hysteresis during passive stretch-relaxation cycles may be reduced by muscle stretching training. Importantly, data exist for relatively few muscle groups, and little is known about the effects of age and sex on the adaptive process of passive mechanical properties. Despite the significant research effort afforded to understanding the effects of altered physical activity patterns on the maximum range of motion at some joints, further information is needed before it will be possible to develop targeted physical activity interventions with the aim of evoking specific changes in passive mechanical properties in individuals or in specific muscles and muscle groups.