bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current protocols in the management of oral submucous fibrosis: An update
Authors: Arakeri Gururaj , Rai Kirthi Kumar , Boraks George , Patil Shekar Gowda , Aljabab Abdulsalam S. , Merkx M.A.W. , Carrozzo Marco , Brennan Peter A.
Published: April 2017

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a debilitating condition of oral cavity which has significant potential for malignant transformation. In spite of over 20 years of research, the pathogenesis of the condition is still obscure and no single management modality is effective. Many OSMF treatment protocols have been proposed to alleviate the signs and symptoms of the disorder and there is overwhelming evidence that as areca nut is primary cause, stopping its use may have a considerable effect on symptoms rather than reversing pre‐existing fibrosis. We present a review of the current protocols for managing OSMF.
Challenges of paediatric organ donation
Authors: Gelbart Ben
Published: April 2017

Paediatric organ donation represents a small fraction of overall organ donation in Australia and New Zealand and indeed world‐wide. Many factors contribute to low donation rates including low paediatric intensive care mortality, consent rates and medical suitability relating to disease, age and size. In the past decade, the re‐emergence of donation after circulatory death has changed the landscape for the paediatric population. This article reviews the current status and challenges of organ donation for the paediatric population.
Availability of Long‐Acting Reversible Contraception in Kansas Health Departments
Authors: Evans Tawana , Ramaswamy Megha , Satterwhite Catherine L.
Published: April 2017

Purpose

Unintended pregnancy persists as a public health problem in the United States. Local health departments (LHDs) could play an important role in preventing unintended pregnancy by promoting and providing long‐acting reversible contraception (LARC, intrauterine devices [IUDs] and implants), particularly in rural states that may lack robust family planning service infrastructure. The objective of this study was to determine availability of LARC in LHDs in Kansas.

Methods

From October 2015 to January 2016, LHD administrators in Kansas were contacted to participate in a structured, cross‐sectional phone survey assessing LARC availability, staff trained to place LARC, the process for obtaining LARC, and barriers to offering LARC. The main outcome measure was the proportion of Kansas LHDs offering LARC.

Findings

Of 101 eligible LHDs, staff from 98 agreed to be interviewed (97.0%). Of 69.4% providing family planning services, 20.6% provided LARC (20.6% provided IUDs, 11.8% provided implants and IUDs, and none provided implants only). Overall, only 29.4% of LHDs reported discussing contraception routinely regardless of reason for visit. Rural health departments were less likely to offer testing for sexually transmitted infections and LARCs and less likely to have trained staff on site to insert LARCs when compared to nonrural LHDs.

Conclusions

LARC methods are not commonly available in Kansas LHDs. Small LHDs in a rural state like Kansas could benefit from increased capacity to provide LARC to populations with limited access to health care. An increase in funding to prevent unintended pregnancy through expanded LARC access could result in substantial state savings and lead to fewer unintended pregnancies.
Patterns of morphological variation following colonization of a novel prey environment
Authors: Clifton I. T. , Chamberlain J. D. , Gifford M. E.
Published: April 2017

Colonization of new areas is accompanied by a variety of novel pressures, which can lead to rapid phenotypic change. We compared morphology of diamond‐backed watersnakes (Nerodia rhombifer) among populations of recently colonized fish farms to examine responses to a potential selective pressure, prey size and evaluated intersexual differences in phenotypic responses. Our data suggest not only have these populations experienced morphological change but also that males and females might be responding differently to the shared selective pressure. We found that male snakes from two sites raising primarily small fish had smaller cranial elements than males from one of the sites raising large fish and did not differ from the other large‐fish site. Similar to their male conspecifics, we found that females from both large‐prey sites had longer quadrates than one of the small‐prey sites. In addition, females from large‐fish populations reached greater snout‐vent lengths than females from small‐fish sites. These findings are consistent with an adaptive response to prey size, and also a differential response between the sexes. Our study demonstrates the potential for rapid phenotypic response to a strong selective pressure following colonization.
The effects of incubation temperature on locomotor performance, growth and survival in hatchling velvet geckos
Authors: Dayananda B. , Penfold S. , Webb J. K.
Published: April 2017

The thermal environment that lizard eggs experience during incubation can affect the size, shape and performance of hatchlings. Summer heatwaves are predicted to increase in frequency and duration in the future, and could produce higher temperatures inside lizard nests. Increase in nest temperatures may influence offspring sex, body size, growth and locomotor performance, which in turn can affect fitness. We investigated whether incubation temperatures influenced the locomotor performance of hatchlings of the velvet gecko (Amalosia lesueurii), a nocturnal gecko that lays eggs in communal nests inside rock crevices. We incubated eggs at two fluctuating temperature regimes that mimicked current nest temperatures (mean = 23.2°C, range 10–33°C, ‘current’) and predicted future nest temperatures (mean = 27.0°C, 14–37°C, ‘future’). We measured the locomotor performance of hatchlings at four temperatures (20, 25, 30 and 35°C), and released them at two field sites (Nowra and Dharawal National Park, ‘DNP’) to estimate their growth and survival over 10 months. Hot‐incubated hatchlings were smaller, and ran more slowly than current‐incubated hatchlings at all four test temperatures. Incubation temperature did not affect the growth rates of lizards from Nowra, but at DNP, hot‐incubated lizards grew more slowly than current‐incubated lizards. Survival analyses revealed that future‐incubated hatchlings had lower survival than current‐incubation hatchlings over 10 months of life, but selection on hatchling traits differed between study sites. For hatchlings from DNP, there was evidence for directional selection on body mass, but little support for selection on SVL or speed. At Nowra, there was equivalent evidence for selection on mass, SVL and speed. These results demonstrate that incubation induced differences in morphology and locomotor performance can influence the survival of hatchlings. In the absence of maternal plasticity in nesting behavior, future increase in nest temperatures, by altering offspring morphology, performance and survival, have the potential to influence the viability of gecko populations.
Health care professionals' concerns regarding in‐hospital family‐witnessed cardiopulmonary resuscitation implementation into clinical practice
Authors: Sak‐Dankosky Natalia , Andruszkiewicz Paweł , Sherwood Paula R. , Kvist Tarja
Published: April 2017

Background

In‐hospital, family‐witnessed cardiopulmonary resuscitation of adults has been found to help patients' family members deal with the short‐ and long‐term emotional consequences of resuscitation. Because of its benefits, many national and international nursing and medical organizations officially recommend this practice. Research, however, shows that family‐witnessed resuscitation is not widely implemented in clinical practice, and health care professionals generally do not favour this recommendation.

Aim

To describe and provide an initial basis for understanding health care professionals' views and perspectives regarding the implementation of an in‐hospital, family‐witnessed adult resuscitation practice in two European countries.

Study design

An inductive qualitative approach was used in this study.

Methods

Finnish (n = 93) and Polish (n = 75) emergency and intensive care nurses and physicians provided written responses to queries regarding their personal observations, concerns and comments about in‐hospital, family‐witnessed resuscitation of an adult. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Findings

The study analysis yielded five themes characterizing health care professionals' main concerns regarding family‐witnessed resuscitation: (1) family's horror, (2) disturbed workflow (3) no support for the family, (4) staff preparation and (5) situation‐based decision.

Conclusion

Despite existing evidence revealing the positive influence of family‐witnessed resuscitation on patients, relatives and cardiopulmonary resuscitation process, Finnish and Polish health care providers cited a number of personal and organizational barriers against this practice. The results of this study begin to examine reasons why family‐witnessed resuscitation has not been widely implemented in practice. In order to successfully apply current evidence‐based resuscitation guidelines, provider concerns need to be addressed through educational and organizational changes.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study identified important implementation barriers for allowing families in critical care settings to be present during resuscitation efforts. These results can be further used in developing and adjusting clinical practice policies, protocols and guidelines related to family‐witnessed resuscitation.
Metabolic control of myofibers: promising therapeutic target for obesity and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Duan Yehui , Li Fengna , Tan Bie , Yao Kang , Yin Yulong
Published: April 2017

Mammalian skeletal muscles are composed of two major fibre types (I and II) that differ in terms of size, metabolism and contractile properties. In general, slow‐twitch type I fibres are rich in mitochondria and have a greater insulin sensitivity than fast‐twitch type II skeletal muscles. Although not widely appreciated, a forced induction of the slow skeletal muscle phenotype may inhibit the progress of obesity and diabetes. This potentially forms the basis for targeting slow/oxidative myofibers in the treatment of obesity. In this context, a better understanding of the molecular basis of fibre‐type specification and plasticity may help to identify potential therapeutic targets for obesity and diabetes.
‘You've got your own demons that you've got to fight every day’: A qualitative exploration of how people respond to the experience of psychosis
Authors: Tully Sarah , Wells Adrian , Morrison Anthony P.
Published: April 2017

Objectives

Cognitive models of psychosis implicate how people respond to their distressing experiences in the maintenance of such experiences. Safety‐seeking behaviours, which are employed in response to a catastrophic misinterpretation of threat, are viewed as unhelpful maintenance factors. However, the concept of safety seeking was developed in relation to anxiety disorders, and there may be additional complexities that apply in relation to the experience of psychosis. The ways in which people respond to their distressing experiences of psychosis are complex, multifaceted, and changeable, and qualitative research is needed to further the understanding of this process.

Design

A qualitative study was conducted using grounded theory methodology.

Method

In‐depth interviews were conducted with fifteen participants who had experience of psychosis.

Results

A core category of fighting a daily battle to maintain functioning was identified. Related to this, three main themes also emerged. These were the perceived importance of responses, appraisal of threat, and perceived ability to control experiences. These categories are interrelated in that an increase in one is likely to result in increases in the others.

Conclusion

Although these results provide partial support for the traditional view of safety‐seeking behaviours, they also demonstrate further complexities in the way that distressing psychotic experiences are responded to. This has implications for cognitive behavioural therapy where emphasis is often placed on dropping safety‐seeking behaviours.

Practitioner points

The traditional emphasis in cognitive behavioural therapy on dropping safety‐seeking behaviours may not always be appropriate.

This approach could have an impact on engagement in therapy and have the effect of reducing the client's feelings of choice and control.

A detailed assessment of strategies used historically and how these may have been helpful previously, for example, suspiciousness, and withdrawal as a survival strategy should be conducted.

The therapist should support the client to evaluate the importance of their responses alongside the accuracy of both threat appraisals and perceptions of ability to control experiences.
Mechanistic Analysis of Fluorescence Quenching of Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide by Oxamate in Lactate Dehydrogenase Ternary Complexes
Authors: Peng Huo‐Lei , Callender Robert
Published: April 2017

Fluorescence of Reduced Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NADH) is extensively employed in studies of oxidoreductases. A substantial amount of static and kinetic work has focused on the binding of pyruvate or substrate mimic oxamate to the binary complex of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)‐NADH where substantial fluorescence quenching is typically observed. However, the quenching mechanism is not well understood limiting structural interpretation. Based on time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) computations with cam‐B3LYP functional in conjunction with the analysis of previous experimental results, we propose that bound oxamate acts as an electron acceptor in the quenching of fluorescence of NADH in the ternary complex, where a charge transfer (CT) state characterized by excitation from the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the nicotinamide moiety of NADH to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of oxamate exists close to the locally excited (LE) state involving only the nicotinamide moiety. Efficient quenching in the encounter complex like in pig heart LDH requires that oxamate forms a salt bridge with Arg‐171 and hydrogen bonds with His‐195, Thr‐246 and Asn‐140. Further structural rearrangement and loop closure, which also brings about another hydrogen bond between oxamate and Arg‐109, will increase the rate of fluorescence quenching as well.
Population structure, genetic diversity, and sexual state of the rice brown spot pathogen Bipolaris oryzae from three Asian countries
Authors: Ahmadpour A. , Castell‐Miller C. , Javan‐Nikkhah M. , Naghavi M. R. , Dehkaei F. P. , Leng Y. , Puri K. D. , Zhong S.
Published: April 2017

Bipolaris oryzae causes brown spot in rice (Oryza sativa) inflicting substantial grain yield losses worldwide. Knowledge of the population structure, genetic diversity and sexual recombination of the fungal pathogen can help to implement effective disease management strategies. In this study, B. oryzae isolates sampled from Iran, the Philippines and Japan were analysed with 12 simple‐sequence repeat (SSR) markers, newly developed from the genome sequence of the fungus. Among the 288 B. oryzae isolates genotyped, 278 unique haplotypes were identified. High genotype numbers (richness) with even distribution (evenness) were found within the collection sites. Both mating types, MAT1‐1 and MAT1‐2, were present in each collection area, and the sexual state was induced under controlled conditions with production of viable ascospores. However, the tests of linkage disequilibrium rejected of the hypothesis of random mating. Discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) revealed that the B. oryzae collection formed three clusters, each consisting of isolates from different collection sites. Analysis of molecular variance (amova) showed that genetic variation among clusters was 18.7%, with the rest of the variation distributed within clusters (RST = 0.187, P < 0.001). Statistically significant pairwise genetic differentiation was found between the clusters. These results show that Asian B. oryzae isolates are genetically diverse, and, overall, distributed in three groups. These findings will be helpful in managing the disease and guide the use of representative isolates needed for selection of resistant rice varieties.
Participation of phosphofructokinase, malate dehydrogenase and isocitrate dehydrogenase in capacitation and acrosome reaction of boar spermatozoa
Authors: Breininger E , Dubois D , Pereyra VE , Rodriguez PC , Satorre MM , Cetica PD
Published: April 2017

Contents

The aim of this work was to determine the enzymatic activity of phosphofructokinase (PFK), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) in boar spermatozoa and study their participation in bicarbonate‐induced capacitation and follicular fluid‐induced acrosome reaction. Enzymatic activity of these enzymes was determined spectrophotometrically in extracts of boar spermatozoa. Sperm suspensions were incubated in the presence of bicarbonate (40 mM), a well‐known capacitation inducer, or follicular fluid (30%), as an acrosome reaction inducer, and different concentrations of oxoglutarate, oxalomalate and hydroxymalonate, inhibitors of PFK, IDH and MDH, respectively. Capacitation percentages were determined by the fluorescence technique of chlortetracycline (CTC), and true acrosome reaction was determined by trypan blue and differential–interferential contrast, optical microscopy. The activity of PFK in boar spermatozoa enzymatic extracts was 1.70 ± 0.19 U/1010 spermatozoa, the activity of NAD‐ and NADP‐dependent IDH was 0.111 ± 0.005 U/1010 and 2.22 ± 0.14 U/1010 spermatozoa, respectively, and the activity of MDH was 4.24 ± 0.38 U/1010 spermatozoa. The addition of the specific inhibitors of these enzymes prevented sperm capacitation and decreased sperm motility during capacitation and inhibited the acrosome reaction (AR), without affecting the sperm motility during this process. Our results demonstrate the participation of PFK, IDH and MDH in bicarbonate‐induced capacitation and follicular fluid‐induced acrosome reaction in boar spermatozoa, contributing to elucidate the mechanisms that produce energy necessary for these processes in porcine spermatozoa.
Identification of Brucella spp. in feral swine (Sus scrofa) at abattoirs in Texas, USA
Authors: Pedersen K. , Bauer N. E. , Olsen S. , Arenas‐Gamboa A. M. , Henry A. C. , Sibley T. D. , Gidlewski T.
Published: April 2017

Various tissues, nasal swabs, urine and blood samples were collected from 376 feral swine at two federally inspected abattoirs in Texas during six separate sampling periods in 2015. Samples were tested for Brucella spp. by culture and serology. Brucella spp. were cultured from 13.0% of feral swine, and antibodies were detected in 9.8%. Only 32.7% of culture‐positive feral swine were also antibody positive, and 43.2% of antibody‐positive feral swine were culture positive. Approximately, the same number of males (14.0%) and females (12.1%) were culture positive, and slightly more males (10.5%) than females (8.7%) were antibody positive. Our results indicate that serology likely underestimates the prevalence of feral swine infected, and that those who come in contact with feral swine should be aware of the symptoms of infection with Brucella spp. to ensure prompt treatment.
Feasibility of Training Early Childhood Educators in a Community Child Care Setting Using a Caregiver-mediated Intervention for Toddlers with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Brian Jessica , Bernardi Kate , Dowds Erin , Easterbrook Rachel , MacWilliam Stacey , Bryson Susan
Published: April 2017

Parent-mediated intervention programs have demonstrated benefits for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interest is emerging in other community-level models, such as those that can be integrated into child care settings. These programs have the potential to reach a wide range of high-risk toddlers who spend the majority of their day in child care. The objective of this study was to translate and evaluate the feasibility of the Social ABCs caregiver-mediated intervention program into a community child care setting by training front-line early childhood educators (ECEs). Twenty-two ECEs attended a workshop on early intervention and ASD, and six ECEs and one special needs resource consultant received hands-on intervention training. Nineteen participants completed a workshop quiz, with significant mean improvement of 22.26% from pre- to post-workshop. After 12 weeks of live coaching (4 weeks in one case), participants attained a high level of fidelity in implementing the intervention strategies (> 80%), which was maintained after a 3-month period of non-contact with the training team. Nine of ten specific strategies were mastered after the 12-week training period, with only one technique failing to reach a mean fidelity level of 75%. Findings reveal that the model of training front-line child care staff in a community child care setting is feasible using a relatively short-term training approach.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Annular Casing Impingement Arrays for Faster Casing Response
Authors: Dann Andrew , Dhopade Priyanka , Bacic Marko , Ireland Peter , Lewis Leo
Published: April 2017

The transient heat transfer facility (THTF) was developed to test full-scale high pressure compressor and turbine casing air systems using gas turbine engine representative secondary air system conditions. Transient casing response together with blade and disk responses governs achievable tip clearances in both compressors and turbines. This paper investigates the use of air impingement as a means to speed up the casing response. The thermal growth of the casing was characterized by surface temperature rise over a given period to assess achievable dynamic response. The experimental setup resembles a typical aircraft engine with features that can lead to circumferential temperature nonuniformities, as evident from the experimental results. The experimental data were compared against numerical predictions from a conjugate heat transfer (CHT) model. The studies show the significance of analyzing the full annulus, at engine representative conditions and the benefit of an impingement array to potentially speed up casing response for future engines.
A Project Course Sequence in Innovation and Commercialization of Medical Devices
Authors: Eberhardt Alan W. , Tillman Shea , Kirkland Brandon , Sherrod Brandon
Published: April 2017

There exists a need for educational processes in which students gain experience with design and commercialization of medical devices. This manuscript describes the implementation of, and assessment results from, the first year offering of a project course sequence in Master of Engineering (MEng) in Design and Commercialization at our institution. The three-semester course sequence focused on developing and applying hands-on skills that contribute to product development to address medical device needs found within our university hospital and local community. The first semester integrated computer-aided drawing (CAD) as preparation for manufacturing of device-related components (hand machining, computer numeric control (CNC), three-dimensional (3D) printing, and plastics molding), followed by an introduction to microcontrollers (MCUs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs) for associated electronics and control systems. In the second semester, the students applied these skills on a unified project, working together to construct and test multiple weighing scales for wheelchair users. In the final semester, the students applied industrial design concepts to four distinct device designs, including user and context reassessment, human factors (functional and aesthetic) design refinement, and advanced visualization for commercialization. The assessment results are described, along with lessons learned and plans for enhancement of the course sequence.
Stability of Ring-Type MEMS Gyroscopes Subjected to Stochastic Angular Speed Fluctuation
Authors: Asokanthan Samuel F. , Arghavan Soroush , Bognash Mohamed
Published: April 2017

Effect of stochastic fluctuations in angular velocity on the stability of two degrees-of-freedom ring-type microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscopes is investigated. The governing stochastic differential equations (SDEs) are discretized using the higher-order Milstein scheme in order to numerically predict the system response assuming the fluctuations to be white noise. Simulations via Euler scheme as well as a measure of largest Lyapunov exponents (LLEs) are employed for validation purposes due to lack of similar analytical or experimental data. The response of the gyroscope under different noise fluctuation magnitudes has been computed to ascertain the stability behavior of the system. External noise that affect the gyroscope dynamic behavior typically results from environment factors and the nature of the system operation can be exerted on the system at any frequency range depending on the source. Hence, a parametric study is performed to assess the noise intensity stability threshold for a number of damping ratio values. The stability investigation predicts the form of threshold fluctuation intensity dependence on damping ratio. Under typical gyroscope operating conditions, nominal input angular velocity magnitude and mass mismatch appear to have minimal influence on system stability.
BIBLIOGRAPHY - Background and Context
Authors: -- --
Published: April 2017

G. Roth. Graz
Dynamic Expression of the BabA Adhesin and Its BabB Paralog during Helicobacter pylori Infection in Rhesus Macaques
Authors: Hansen Lori M. , Gideonsson Pär , Canfield Don R. , Borén Thomas , Solnick Jay V.
Published: April 2017

Most
Helicobacter pylori
strains express the BabA adhesin, which binds to ABO/Leb blood group antigens on gastric mucin and epithelial cells and is found more commonly in strains that cause peptic ulcers or gastric cancer, rather than asymptomatic infection. We and others have previously reported that in mice, gerbils, and rhesus macaques, expression of
babA
is lost, either by phase variation or by gene conversion, in which the
babB
paralog recombines into the
babA
locus. The functional significance of loss of
babA
expression is unknown. Here we report that in rhesus monkeys, there is independent selective pressure for loss of
babA
and for overexpression of BabB, which confers a fitness advantage. Surprisingly, loss of
babA
by phase variation or gene conversion is not dependent on the capacity of BabA protein to bind Leb, which suggests that it may have other, unrecognized functions. These findings have implications for the role of outer membrane protein diversity in persistent
H. pylori
infection.
TAxonomy of Self-reported Sedentary behaviour Tools (TASST) framework for development, comparison and evaluation of self-report tools: content analysis and systematic review
Authors: Dall PM , Coulter EH , Fitzsimons CF , Skelton DA , Chastin SFM
Published: April 2017

Objective

Sedentary behaviour (SB) has distinct deleterious health outcomes, yet there is no consensus on best practice for measurement. This study aimed to identify the optimal self-report tool for population surveillance of SB, using a systematic framework.

Design

A framework, TAxonomy of Self-reported Sedentary behaviour Tools (TASST), consisting of four domains (type of assessment, recall period, temporal unit and assessment period), was developed based on a systematic inventory of existing tools. The inventory was achieved through a systematic review of studies reporting SB and tracing back to the original description. A systematic review of the accuracy and sensitivity to change of these tools was then mapped against TASST domains.

Data sources

Systematic searches were conducted via EBSCO, reference lists and expert opinion.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

The inventory included tools measuring SB in adults that could be self-completed at one sitting, and excluded tools measuring SB in specific populations or contexts. The systematic review included studies reporting on the accuracy against an objective measure of SB and/or sensitivity to change of a tool in the inventory.

Results

The systematic review initially identified 32 distinct tools (141 questions), which were used to develop the TASST framework. Twenty-two studies evaluated accuracy and/or sensitivity to change representing only eight taxa. Assessing SB as a sum of behaviours and using a previous day recall were the most promising features of existing tools. Accuracy was poor for all existing tools, with underestimation and overestimation of SB. There was a lack of evidence about sensitivity to change.

Conclusions

Despite the limited evidence, mapping existing SB tools onto the TASST framework has enabled informed recommendations to be made about the most promising features for a surveillance tool, identified aspects on which future research and development of SB surveillance tools should focus.

Trial registration number

International prospective register of systematic reviews (PROPSPERO)/CRD42014009851.
Association between neighbourhood walkability and metabolic risk factors influenced by physical activity: a cross-sectional study of adults in Toronto, Canada
Authors: Loo C K Jennifer , Greiver Michelle , Aliarzadeh Babak , Lewis Daniel
Published: April 2017

Objective

To determine whether neighbourhood walkability is associated with clinical measures of obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia in an urban adult population.

Design

Observational cross-sectional study.

Setting

Urban primary care patients.

Participants

78 023 Toronto residents, aged 18 years and over, who were formally rostered or had at least 2 visits between 2012 and 2014 with a primary care physician participating in the University of Toronto Practice Based Research Network (UTOPIAN), within the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN).

Main outcome measures

Differences in average body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, haemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride between residents in the highest versus the lowest quartile of neighbourhood walkability, as estimated using multivariable linear regression models and stratified by age. Outcomes were objectively measured and were retrieved from primary care electronic medical records. Models adjusted for age, sex, smoking, medications, medical comorbidities and indices of neighbourhood safety and marginalisation.

Results

Compared with those in the lowest walkability quartile, individuals in the highest quartile had lower mean BMI (−2.64 kg/m2, 95% CI −2.98 to −2.30; p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (−1.35 mm Hg, 95% CI −2.01 to −0.70; p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (−0.60 mm Hg, 95% CI 1.06 to −0.14; p=0.010) and HbA1c (−0.063%, 95% CI −0.11 to −0.021; p=0.003) and higher mean HDL (0.052 mmol/L, 95% CI 0.029 to 0.075; p<0.001). In age-stratified analyses, differences in the mean BMI were consistently observed for adults aged 18 to under 40 (−4.44 kg/m2, 95% CI −5.09 to −3.79; p<0.001), adults aged 40–65 (−2.74 kg/m2, 95% CI −3.24 to −2.23; p<0.001) and adults aged over 65 (−0.87 kg/m2, 95% CI −1.48 to −0.26; p=0.005).

Conclusions

There was a clinically meaningful association between living in the most walkable neighbourhoods and having lower BMI in adults of all ages.
Australia’s $40 per pack cigarette tax plans: the need to consider equity
Authors: Hirono Katherine T , Smith Katherine E
Published: April 2017

In May 2016, the Australian Government announced that it would implement annual increases in tobacco excise of 12.5% up to and including 2020, raising the cost of a pack of cigarettes to $A40. This increase will lead to Australia having one of the highest prices of cigarettes in the world. Increasing the cost of tobacco is considered by public health experts to be one of the most effective strategies to reduce tobacco use, and is generally well supported by the public. However, tobacco tax increases differentially impact various subgroups of the population. Based on a review of existing literature, this paper examines some of the potential (unintended) consequences of the tax to individual and family income; illicit trade; social stigma and opportunities for lobbying by the tobacco industry. In light of these considerations, we offer strategies that might be used by policymakers to mitigate potential harms. While this paper focuses on the impacts primarily on populations in Australia, the consequences and strategies offered may be useful to other countries implementing tobacco excise increases.
Evaluation of Becker penetration test interpretation methods for liquefaction assessment in gravelly soils
Authors: Ghafghazi Mason , DeJong Jason T. , Wilson Daniel W.
Published: April 2017

The Becker penetration test (BPT) is the only tool available for characterizing gravelly soils with a probe diameter that is meaningfully larger than that of the standard penetration test (SPT) and the cone penetration test (CPT). Measurements on the BPT system during operation provide information on how penetration is controlled by the driving energy and frictional resistance along the shaft. This has led to development of the instrumented Becker penetration test (iBPT), which uses measurements of force and acceleration obtained directly behind the drill string tip to compute the residual energy and displacement induced by each hammer blow. These measurements are used to produce a continuous profile of normalized blow counts that are repeatable, unaffected by varying driving energy or accumulated shaft resistance, and can be used to directly estimate equivalent SPT N60 blow count values as per DeJong et al. and Ghafghazi et al. in their 2017 studies. The measurements obtained also enabled evaluation of previously developed methods by Harder and Seed in 1986 and Sy and Campanella in 1994. This evaluation revealed that the hammer energy normalization approaches employed by Sy and Campanella and especially Harder and Seed are not robust across the broad range of conditions observed. The predicted equivalent SPT N60 values by Harder and Seed and Sy and Campanella methods are influenced by the shaft resistance magnitude as both methods are based on above-ground field measurements. Estimated N60 values produced by the two methods can be inconsistent with each other, with N60 values produced by the iBPT, and with measured N60 values obtained directly from SPT (where values are obtained in the absence of gravel).
CATHODIC DEPOSITION OF Mg(OH)2 COATINGS ON PURE Mg IN THREE Mg SALTS AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
Authors: YONGJUN ZHANG , XIAOMENG PEI , SHUGONG JIA
Published: April 2017

Film-forming effects of cathodic deposition on pure Mg substrate at constant DC in aqueous solutions of magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)[Formula: see text]6H2O), magnesium chloride (MgCl[Formula: see text]6H2O) and magnesium sulfate (MgSO[Formula: see text]7H2O) respectively were investigated systematically. Typical processes were studied by potentiodynamic cathodic polarization and galvanostatic polarization and typical samples were analyzed by SEM and XRD. The results indicate that the depositing efficiency is not only the highest but stablest, and deposited coatings show the best uniformity with Mg(NO3)[Formula: see text]6H2O solution employed as depositing medium and applied current density [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mA cm[Formula: see text]. Cathodic deposition leads to regular mass loss of Mg substrate. The cathodic polarization curve of pure Mg in magnesium nitrate solution shows more obvious pseudo-passivation, several Tafel regions with different slopes appearing before diffusion-limited current density region, and oxygen consumption is the major cathodic reduction reaction under specified current density. However, hydrogen evolution reaction is dominant in both Mg chloride and Mg sulfate solutions. The deposition coatings are all composed of continuous and uniform mesh-like “basic layer” adjacent to substrate and discrete distributed snowball-like particles on the microscopic scale. The phase compositions are all crystal Mg(OH)2, and the coatings deposited in Mg chloride solution have (011) preferred orientation.
Nonrigid Medical Image Registration Based on Curves
Authors: Shah Said Khalid
Published: April 2017

Medical image registration is the process of aligning two or more images in such a way that its anatomical structures properly overlap each other in a common spatial domain and resultant 3D images can be used for diagnosis and therapy by surgeons. A number of nonlinear methods have been developed for inter-subject and intra-subject 3D medical image registration. This paper is a part of research experiments which uses the Fast Radial Basis Function (RBF) technique for nonrigid registration of 3D medical images. The technique is a point-based registration evaluation algorithm which registers MR or CT images in less than a second with no compromise on accuracy as compared to standard RBF-based methods. Further we demonstrate that the accuracy of the registration improves when using increasingly more salient feature points (i.e. point landmarks and a few external curves) without affecting the speed of the algorithm. External curves are extracted using a combined watershed and active contours algorithm. Our results show that both accuracy and speed of the Fast Radial Basis algorithm is improved on intra-subject registration of MR image datasets obtained from the Vanderbilt Database as compared to the standard competing methods.
Abstract relative Gabor transforms over canonical homogeneous spaces of semidirect product groups with Abelian normal factor
Authors: Ghaani Farashahi Arash
Published: April 2017

This paper introduces a unified approach to the abstract notion of relative Gabor transforms over canonical homogeneous spaces of semi-direct product groups with Abelian normal factor. Let [Formula: see text] be a locally compact group, [Formula: see text] be a locally compact Abelian (LCA) group, and [Formula: see text] be a continuous homomorphism. Let [Formula: see text] be the semi-direct product of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with respect to [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] be the canonical homogeneous space of [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] be the canonical relatively invariant measure on [Formula: see text]. Then we present a unified harmonic analysis approach to the theoretical aspects of the notion of relative Gabor transform over the Hilbert function space [Formula: see text].
Stochastic Elastic Properties of Composite Matrix Material with Random Voids Based on Radial Basis Function Network
Authors: Li Gang , Zhao Gang , Zhou Chunxiao , Ren Mingfa
Published: April 2017

The stochastic characteristics of the voids result in the randomness of the equivalent elastic modulus. It is computationally expensive to quantify the stochastic characteristics of the equivalent elastic modulus using the representative volume element. This paper is focused on the stochastic elastic properties of composite material with random voids. The Karhunen–Loeve Transform is introduced to convert the random variables to a certain number of principal components; the approximate relationship is established between the principal components and the equivalent elastic modulus taking use of the radial basis function network to reduce the computational burden. The dispersion-based sampling is proposed to solve the overfitting problem. The cumulative distribution function (CDF) and probability density function (PDF) are obtained from the surrogate model, which has good agreement with the results from Monte Carlo simulations from the original model.
Chromosome 1 Sequence Analysis of C57BL/6J-Chr1KM Mouse Strain
Authors: Xu Fuyi , Chao Tianzhu , Zhang Yiyin , Hu Shixian , Zhou Yuxun , Xu Hongyan , Xiao Junhua , Li Kai
Published: April 2017

The Chinese Kunming (KM) mouse is a widely used outbred mouse stock in China. However, its genetic structure remains unclear. In this study, we sequenced the genome of the C57BL/6J-Chr1KM (B6-Chr1KM) strain, the chromosome 1 (Chr 1) of which was derived from one KM mouse. With 36.6× average coverage of the entire genome, 0.48 million single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 96,679 indels were detected on Chr 1 through comparison with reference strain C57BL/6J. Moreover, 46,590 of them were classified as novel mutations. Further functional annotation identified 155 genes harboring potentially functional variants, among which 27 genes have been associated with human diseases. We then performed sequence similarity and Bayesian concordance analysis using the SNPs identified on Chr 1 and their counterparts in three subspecies, Mus musculus domesticus, M. m. musculus, and M. m. castaneus. Both analyses suggested that the Chr 1 sequence of B6-Chr1KM was predominantly derived from M. m. domesticus while 9.7% of the sequence was found to be from M. m. musculus. In conclusion, our analysis provided a detailed description of the genetic variations on Chr 1 of B6-Chr1KM and a new perspective on the subspecies origin of KM mouse which can be used to guide further genetic studies with this mouse strain.
Delayed Manifestation of Shunt Nephritis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Babigumira Michael , Huang Benjamin , Werner Sherry , Qunibi Wajeh
Published: April 2017

We present an unusual case of shunt nephritis in a 39-year-old male who presented 21 years after placement of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt. He complained of fevers, headaches, dizziness, and urticarial plaques on arms, trunks, and legs and was found to have anemia, low complement levels, elevated serum creatinine, proteinuria, and new onset microhematuria. Blood and urine cultures were negative. Renal biopsy showed features of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis attributed to vancomycin use. Glomeruli showed increased mesangial hypercellularity and segmental endocapillary proliferation. Immunofluorescence showed focal IgM and C3 staining. Electron microscopy revealed small subendothelial electron-dense deposits. Symptoms and renal insufficiency appeared to improve with antibiotic therapy. He was discharged and readmitted 2 months later with similar presentation. CSF grewPropionibacterium acnesand shunt hardware grew coagulase-negativeStaphylococcus. He completed an intravenous antibiotic course and was discharged. On 1-month follow-up, skin lesions persisted but he was otherwise asymptomatic. Follow-up labs showed significant improvement. We did a brief systematic review of the literature on shunt nephritis and report our findings on 79 individual cases. In this review, we comment on the presentation, lab findings, pathological features, and management of this rare, potentially fatal, but curable disease entity.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma Originating from a Crohn’s Enterocutaneous Fistula
Authors: Protyniak Bogdan , Shutt Travis , Farmer Russell
Published: April 2017

Purpose. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) developing within fistulae and chronic wounds in patients with Crohn’s disease is a rare phenomenon with few reported studies in the literature. Clinical suspicion for SCC in Crohn’s disease patients with chronic painful fistulae is low, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. We present a patient with long-standing Crohn’s disease complicated by malignant degeneration of an enterocutaneous fistula tract. Methods. Workup with MRI, CT, and fistulogram revealed a 7 × 3 cm fistulous connection between a loop of small intestine and the patient’s perineum. Biopsies of the fistula tract confirmed the diagnosis of SCC. Results. The patient underwent an abdominoperineal resection with positive margins and is currently awaiting radiation therapy. Conclusions. This is the second case reported within the English literature of SCC arising from an enterocutaneous fistula in the setting of Crohn’s disease. Based on the findings in this case report and others presented in the literature, a high degree of suspicion of malignancy should be present in patients with chronic painful, poor-healing fistulae, especially in the absence of infection.
Respiratory Failure due to Severe Obesity and Kyphoscoliosis in a 24-Year-Old Male with Molecularly Confirmed Prader-Willi Syndrome in Tertiary Hospital in Northern Tanzania
Authors: Shao Elichilia R. , Kiyegi Lucas F. , Mwasamwaja Amos O. , Kilonzo Kajiru , Hamel Ben C. J.
Published: April 2017

Obesity, mild intellectual disability, hypotonia, poor sucking, cryptorchidism in males, hypogonadism, and kyphoscoliosis are common features of Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). We report a case who had severe respiratory complications due to extreme obesity and kyphoscoliosis, which are important causes of morbidity and mortality, and discuss management. Furthermore, this is the first molecularly confirmed PWS case in Sub-Saharan Africa outside South Africa.
Electricity Demand Projection Using a Path-Coefficient Analysis and BAG-SA Approach: A Case Study of China
Authors: Wu Qunli , Peng Chenyang
Published: April 2017

Path-coefficient analysis is utilized to investigate the direct and indirect effects of economic growth, population growth, urbanization rate, industrialization level, and carbon intensity on electricity demand of China. To improve the projection accuracy of electricity demand, this study proposes a hybrid bat algorithm, Gaussian perturbations, and simulated annealing (BAG-SA) optimization method. The proposed BAG-SA algorithm not only inherits the simplicity and efficiency of the standard BA with a capability of searching for global optimality but also enhances local search ability and speeds up the global convergence rate. The BAG-SA algorithm is employed to optimize the coefficients of the multiple linear and quadratic forms of electricity demand estimation model. Results indicate that the proposed algorithm has higher precision and reliability than the coefficients optimized by other single-optimization methods, such as genetic algorithm, particle swarm optimization algorithm, or bat algorithm. And the quadratic form of BAG-SA electricity demand estimation model has better fitting ability compared with the multiple linear form of the model. Therefore, the quadratic form of the model is applied to estimate electricity demand of China from 2016 to 2030. The findings of this study demonstrate that China’s electricity demand will reach 14925200 million KWh in 2030.
A Distributed Algorithm for the Cluster‐Based Outlier Detection Using Unsupervised Extreme Learning Machines
Authors: Wang Xite , Bai Mei , Shen Derong , Nie Tiezheng , Kou Yue , Yu Ge
Published: April 2017

Outlier detection is an important data mining task, whose target is to find the abnormal or atypical objects from a given dataset. The techniques for detecting outliers have a lot of applications, such as credit card fraud detection and environment monitoring. Our previous work proposed the Cluster‐Based (CB) outlier and gave a centralized method using unsupervised extreme learning machines to compute CB outliers. In this paper, we propose a new distributed algorithm for the CB outlier detection (DACB). On the master node, we collect a small number of points from the slave nodes to obtain a threshold. On each slave node, we design a new filtering method that can use the threshold to efficiently speed up the computation. Furthermore, we also propose a ranking method to optimize the order of cluster scanning. At last, the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approaches are verified through a plenty of simulation experiments.