bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on Effects of Non-Isothermal Condition and Strain Holding on Environmentally Assisted Fatigue in PWR Primary Water Environment: Step II
Authors: Asada Seiji , Takagoshi Daiki , Fukuta Yuichi , Tsutsumi Kazuya , Ahluwalia Kawaljit , Steininger David
Published: October 2017

In order to understand the fatigue behavior in PWR primary water environment, the influence of non-isothermal transient condition was investigated for austenitic stainless steel 316SS. In our previous study (PVP2016-63798), isothermal and non-isothermal environmentally assisted fatigue tests were performed. The fatigue life of the non-isothermal fatigue test consisted of a high temperature and tensile strain rate transient, a portion of which occurred in the compressive strain region of the strain cycle. The result of this test showed longer life than the predicted fatigue life estimated by the modified rate approach and Fen factor as presented in NUREG/CR-6909 Rev.1. In this paper, the reason why the fatigue test showed longer fatigue life is studied. Crack growth analysis was performed to understand the effect of the environment on fatigue life. Additionally, application of the Weighted K Rate (WKR) method described in reference (PVP2016-63497) was applied to a series of tests. This approach showed good agreement on fatigue life for a number of different waveforms for isothermal tests. The methodology was applied to some of this investigation’s non-isothermal fatigue tests and shown to be an improvement that justifies further investigation.
Alternative Approaches for ASME Code Simplified Elastic-Plastic Analysis
Authors: Ranganath Sampath , Palm Nathan A.
Published: October 2017

Subsection NB, Section III of the ASME Code provides rules for the fatigue evaluation of nuclear pressure vessel and piping components. The stress analysis in ASME code evaluation is generally based on linear elastic analysis. Simplified rules using an elastic-plastic strain correction factor, Ke, are provided in Section III to account for plastic yielding when the primary plus secondary stress intensity range exceeds the 3Sm limit. While the simplified elastic-plastic analysis rules are easy to apply and do not require nonlinear analysis, the application of the Ke correction factor can produce extremely conservative results. This paper investigates different analytical methods that are available for simplified elastic-plastic analysis and proposes an alternative method that is not overly conservative (compared to the Code Ke) and offers a more realistic approach to simplified elastic-plastic analysis. The proposed methodology is applicable for both vessel (NB-3200), core support structures (NG-3200) and piping components (NB-3600) and does not require new finite element analysis. Information in existing ASME Code stress reports should be sufficient to determine the new Ke factor. The proposed methodology is applicable to structural materials including austenitic stainless steel and nickel based alloys, carbon steel and low alloy steel. Comparison of the proposed methodology with detailed elastic-plastic finite element analysis shows that the new Ke factors are conservative but offer relief from the excessive conservatism in the Code Ke values. This paper provides the technical basis for an ASME draft Code Case for Alternative Approaches for ASME Code Simplified Elastic-plastic Analysis being pursued through the Section III ASME Code Committees.
Proposed ASME Code High Cycle Fatigue Design Curves for Austenitic and Ferritic Steels
Authors: Ranganath Sampath , Mehta Hardayal S. , Palm Nathan A. , Hosler John
Published: October 2017

The ASME Code fatigue curves (S–N curves) are used in the fatigue evaluation of reactor components. For the assessment of high frequency cyclic loading (such as those produced by flow-induced vibrations), where the number of cycles is expected to be very large and cannot be estimated, the stresses are evaluated by comparison with the fatigue limit1 at 1011 cycles. Other high cycle events of finite time duration (e.g. safety relief loading), where the number of cycles is large but well defined, the fatigue evaluation is performed by comparing the calculated stress with the allowable values defined by the high cycle fatigue design curve. This paper discusses the development of fatigue design curves for austenitic and ferritic steels when the number of cycles is in the range 106 – 1011 cycles. The first part of the paper addresses austenitic stainless steel components which are used for reactor internals. Specifically, the approach described here uses temperature dependent properties (cyclic yield strength, cyclic ultimate strength) for the mean stress correction and the correction for the modulus of elasticity. The high cycle fatigue design curve is developed by applying the mean stress and the E correction on the reversing load mean data curve and applying a factor of 2 on stress. The generic methodology developed for austenitic steel was applied to carbon and low alloy steels also. The proposed fatigue design curves are part of a draft ASME Code Case being considered by the ASME Code Subgroup on Design Methods. This paper describes the technical basis for the proposed ASME Code Case for the high cycle fatigue design curves for austenitic and ferritic steels.
Current Status of Evaluation and Selecting of Materials to Be Used for Hydrogen Refueling Station Equipment in Japan
Authors: Kobayashi Hideo , Sano Takeru , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Matsuoka Saburo , Tsujigami Hiroshi
Published: October 2017

In 2005, the Japanese government issued the technical standard (the General High-Pressure Gas Safety Ordinance, hereinafter referred to as the General Ordinance) for hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) that provide fuel to fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) equipped with a 35MPa hydrogen container on board[1]. Then, the maximum storage pressure of container on board increased from 35MPa to 70MPa. Along with this, the maximum storage pressure of facilities of HRSs also increased from 40MPa to 82MPa[2]. In Japan, many HRSs are being built to realize hydrogen society. For this purpose, it is urgent to select materials to be used in a high pressure hydrogen environment and to establish a range of use.
Thermo-Pressure Coupling Analysis for Chromium Coated Gun Barrel Based on FEA Method
Authors: Xue-hao Geng , Ke-dong Zhou , Lei He
Published: October 2017

In order to study the influence of rifling and coating on temperature field and stress field distribution of gun barrel in the condition of thermo-pressure coupling, a small-caliber rifle gun barrel was taken as study object and a FEM model of the maximum chamber pressure section with rifling and coating was established based on the ANSYS platform in this paper. The program was written based on ANSYS parameter design language, and then temperature field and transient stress response of this gun barrel during the firing of 10 rounds burst with 600 rpm firing rate was simulated numerically under the cyclic action of high frequency dynamic thermal pulse and dynamic pressure pulse by use of the direct coupling analysis. Then the distribution rule of the temperature field and stress field of the rifled gun barrel were obtained.
Consideration of Reduction in Stiffness due to Cracking and the Impact on Standard Stress Intensity Factor Solutions
Authors: Blanks Daniel M.
Published: October 2017

An API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 Failure Assessment Diagram based Fitness-for-Service assessment was carried out on an embedded crack-like flaw found in a nozzle to shell weld in a pressure vessel. Stress intensity factors were initially calculated by utilizing stress results from a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of an uncracked configuration, with the standard embedded crack stress intensity factor solution given in API 579-1/ASME FFS-1. Due to the complex nozzle geometry and flaw size, a second analysis was carried out, incorporating a crack into the FEA model, to calculate the stress intensity factors and evaluate if the standard solution could be applied to this geometry.

A large difference in the resulting stress intensity factors was observed, with those calculated by the FEA with the crack incorporated into the model to be twice as high as those calculated by the standard solutions, indicating the standard embedded crack stress intensity factor solution may be non-conservative in this case. An investigation was carried out involving a number of studies to determine the cause of the difference. Beginning with an elliptical shaped embedded crack in a plate, the stress intensity factor calculated with an idealized 3D crack mesh agreed with the API 579-1/ASME FFS-1 solution. Examining other crack locations, and crack shapes, such as a constant depth embedded crack, revealed how the solution began to differ.

The greatest difference was found when considering a crack mesh with a small component height (i.e. the distance measured perpendicular from the crack face to the top of the mesh). A close agreement was then found between the stress intensity factors calculated in the nozzle model and an idealized crack mesh with component heights representative of the true geometry. This revealed that reduced structural stiffness is a key factor in the calculation of the stress intensity factors for this geometry, due to the close proximity of the embedded crack to the inner surface of the nozzle. It was found that this reduction is potentially significant even with relatively small crack sizes.

This paper details the investigation, and aims to provide the reader with an awareness of situations when the standard stress intensity factor solutions may no longer be valid, and offers general recommendations to consider when calculating stress intensity factors in these situations.
Effects of stochastic exposure on critical dimension in electron-beam lithography
Authors: Ji Hyesung , Lee Soo-Young , Choi Jin , Kim Seom-Beom , Shin In-Kyun , Jeon Chan-Uk
Published: October 2017

The computational lithography is a common approach to various optimizations of the electron-beam lithographic process. An essential step in most of the optimization problems is to estimate the exposure distribution in the resist, which is typically done through the convolution of the dose distribution of a circuit pattern with a point spread function (PSF). Although most of the computational lithographic methods employ a deterministic PSF, a PSF is stochastic in reality due to the shot noise and electron scattering. The feature size estimated from the stochastic exposure can be substantially different from that of the corresponding deterministic exposure. This difference stems from the fact that the rough development-front caused by the stochastic exposure makes the developing rate effectively larger. In this study, the effects of stochastic exposure on the critical dimension (linewidth) and their dependency on the lithographic parameters are analyzed in detail. Results obtained through an extensive simulation are presented and thoroughly discussed in this paper.
Forward and inverse viscoelastic wave scattering by irregular inclusions for shear wave elastography
Authors: Bernard Simon , Cloutier Guy
Published: October 2017

Inversion methods in shear wave elastography use simplifying assumptions to recover the mechanical properties of soft tissues. Consequently, these methods suffer from artifacts when applied to media containing strong stiffness contrasts, and do not provide a map of the viscosity. In this work, the shear wave field recorded inside and around an inclusion was used to estimate the viscoelastic properties of the inclusion and surrounding medium, based on an inverse problem approach assuming local homogeneity of both media. An efficient semi-analytical method was developed to model the scattering of an elastic wave by an irregular inclusion, based on a decomposition of the field by Bessel functions and on a decomposition of the boundaries as Fourier series. This model was validated against finite element modeling. Shear waves were experimentally induced by acoustic radiation force in soft tissue phantoms containing stiff and soft inclusions, and the displacement field was imaged at a high frame rate using plane wave imaging. A nonlinear least-squares algorithm compared the model to the experimental data and adjusted the geometrical and mechanical parameters. The estimated shear storage and loss moduli were in good agreement with reference measurements, as well as the estimated inclusion shape. This approach provides an accurate estimation of geometry and viscoelastic properties for a single inclusion in a homogeneous background in the context of radiation force elastography.
Speaker responses to indirect evidence of acoustic signal transmission conditions
Authors: Casserly Elizabeth D. , Talesnick Lily , Ballenger David
Published: October 2017

Evidence has been accumulating that speakers adjust their speech production to account for conditions of signal transmission to an interlocutor, in addition to speaker- and listener-related influences. This study manipulated acoustic transmission conditions between speakers and a researcher while they completed dyadic cooperative puzzle tasks. Speakers heard evidence of four transmission perturbations (intensity increase/decrease, pitch increase/decrease) only indirectly, i.e., via changes in the researcher's voice. Analysis of speakers' conversational turns across conditions (baseline + four partner-voice manipulations) showed significant group-level imitation of transmission manipulations of partner voice intensity, with no general response to shifts in partner voice pitch. Significant voice alterations were also observed for individual speakers in intensity, with substantial inter-talker variability in responses. Thirteen of 29 speakers exclusively imitated the manipulation of partner intensity, 4/29 speakers exclusively opposed the transmission manipulation, and 4/29 speakers showed both response types. The presence of opposition responses coupled with a relatively low-magnitude group-level convergence suggests the possibility of a compensatory force at work in at least some speakers, adjusting for changes made during signal transmission despite their lack of direct experience with the transmission manipulation effects.
Design of flexible polyphenylene proton-conducting membrane for next-generation fuel cells
Authors: Miyake Junpei , Taki Ryunosuke , Mochizuki Takashi , Shimizu Ryo , Akiyama Ryo , Uchida Makoto , Miyatake Kenji
Published: October 2017

A novel design has enabled development of polyphenylene ionomer membranes that address major issues for fuel cell applications.
The electron is still round—for now
Authors: Cartlidge Edwin
Published: October 2017

New measurements of predicted asymmetry may shed light on cosmic matter excess.
N
ε
-Fatty acylation of Rho GTPases by a MARTX toxin effector
Authors: Zhou Yan , Huang Chunfeng , Yin Li , Wan Muyang , Wang Xiaofei , Li Lin , Liu Yanhua , Wang Zhao , Fu Panhan , Zhang Ni , Chen She , Liu Xiaoyun , Shao Feng , Zhu Yongqun
Published: October 2017

Bacterial toxin fatty-acylates lysine residues

A toxin produced by the bacterium that causes cholera has a catalytic activity that contributes to its effects on the cytoskeleton of host cells. Zhou
et al.
determined the protein structure of the Rho guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase)–inactivation domain of the toxin from
Vibrio cholerae
and found it to be similar to that of a human fatty acyltransferase. Indeed, the toxin peptide could catalyze fatty acylation of lysine residues of Rho-family GTPases, which regulate the actin cytoskeleton. Such covalent modification of lysine residues in mammalian proteins had been noted before, but the enzymes responsible were not known.

Science
, this issue p.
528
What constitutes the prefrontal cortex?
Authors: Carlén Marie
Published: October 2017

During evolution, the prefrontal region grew in size relative to the rest of the cortex. It reached its largest extent in the human brain, where it constitutes 30% of the total cortical area. This growth was accompanied by phylogenetic differentiation of the cortical areas. It has been argued that the human brain holds prefrontal regions that are both qualitatively and functionally unique. Present-day neuroscientists studying the prefrontal cortex increasingly use mice. An important goal is to reveal how the prefrontal cortex enables complex behavior. However, the prefrontal cortex still lacks a conclusive definition. The structure and function of this brain area across species remain unresolved. This state of affairs is often overlooked, warranting renewed focus on what the prefrontal cortex is and does.
The invaders
The Aliens Among Us: How Invasive Species Are Transforming the Planet—and Ourselves
Leslie Anthony
Yale University Press, 2017. 379 pp.
Authors: Huppe Heather
Published: October 2017

Exploiting an increase in the mobility of goods and people, invasive species are a growing problem
Architecture of eukaryotic mRNA 3′-end processing machinery
Authors: Casañal Ana , Kumar Ananthanarayanan , Hill Chris H. , Easter Ashley D. , Emsley Paul , Degliesposti Gianluca , Gordiyenko Yuliya , Santhanam Balaji , Wolf Jana , Wiederhold Katrin , Dornan Gillian L. , Skehel Mark , Robinson Carol V. , Passmore Lori A.
Published: October 2017

Structural basis for mRNA 3′-end processing

The eukaryotic mRNA 3′-end processing machinery interacts with the transcription machinery and adds the polyadenylation tail on the mRNA substrate. Casañal
et al.
used cryo-electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, and biochemical reconstitutions to show that the mRNA 3′-end processing machinery is organized into nuclease, polymerase, and phosphatase modules. The polymerase module of the complex acts as a hub to bring the RNA substrate and the accessory factors together to achieve efficient and controlled polyadenylation coordinated with transcription.

Science
, this issue p.
1056
Designing tougher elastomers with ionomers
Authors: Winey Karen I.
Published: October 2017

Adding a dense array of ionic aggregates improves an elastomer's mechanical properties
The art of empty space
Authors: Kotov Nicholas A.
Published: October 2017

Nanoparticle assemblies can be transformed into regular and stable nanoporous materials
A peptide mimic of an antibody
Authors: Whitehead Timothy A.
Published: October 2017

Antibody miniaturization leads to a cyclic peptide that neutralizes influenza viruses
Nip misinformation in the bud
Authors: Weiss Rick
Published: October 2017

The democratization of journalism through crowd sourcing, blogging, and social media has proven to be a sharp, double-edged sword. The internet has vastly expanded the sourcing of news and information, capturing stories that might otherwise go untold and delivering a diversity of perspectives that no single media outlet could hope to offer. At the same time, this new and open model has given anyone with web access a global platform to propagate information that is mistakenly or intentionally false. This is especially problematic when it comes to scientific information, which is critical to rational policy-making in areas like health, environmental protection, and national security, and at its best is often misinterpreted by the lay public. Yet recent years have seen a reduction in specialized science pages and reporters in the nation's newsrooms in favor of reliance on general assignment staffers, even as deadlines have grown shorter—reducing opportunities to ensure accuracy and clarity before publication.
A biologically inspired, flapping-wing, hybrid aerial-aquatic microrobot
Authors: Chen Yufeng , Wang Hongqiang , Helbling E. Farrell , Jafferis Noah T. , Zufferey Raphael , Ong Aaron , Ma Kevin , Gravish Nicholas , Chirarattananon Pakpong , Kovac Mirko , Wood Robert J.
Published: October 2017

An insect-scale robot is capable of flying, swimming, impulsively taking off from the water surface, and landing.
Powering the world’s robots—10 years of ROS
Authors: Zhang Lin , Merrifield Robert , Deguet Anton , Yang Guang-Zhong
Published: October 2017

Robot Operating System (ROS) celebrates its 10th anniversary on 7 November 2017.
Antimicrobial resistance in UK neonatal units: neonIN infection surveillance network
Authors: Cailes Benjamin , Kortsalioudaki Christina , Buttery Jim , Pattnayak Santosh , Greenough Anne , Matthes Jean , Bedford Russell Alison , Kennea Nigel , Heath Paul T
Published: October 2017

Objective

To define the susceptibilities of the common causative pathogens of neonatal sepsis in the UK.

Design

Retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected neonIN infection surveillance network data between 2005 and 2014.

Setting

30 neonatal units in the UK.

Patients

Newborns admitted to participating neonatal units who return a positive blood, cerebrospinal fluid or urine culture and are treated with at least 5 days of appropriate antibiotics.

Results

1568 isolates with recorded antimicrobial data were collected including 328 early-onset sepsis (EOS) isolates and 1240 late-onset sepsis (LOS) isolates. The majority of EOS pathogens (>92%) were susceptible to the four empirical commonly used antimicrobial combinations (eg, 93% for benzylpenicillin/gentamicin), while LOS pathogens demonstrated higher levels of resistance (eg, 89% for flucloxacillin/gentamicin). Among infants<1500 g and <32 weeks gestation, an amoxicillin/gentamicin combination demonstrated a trend towards improved coverage of EOS isolates than benzylpenicillin/gentamicin (93% vs 86%, p=0.211).

Conclusions

This analysis provides insights into the patterns of antimicrobial resistance among UK neonatal pathogens. These data will inform areas of future research and can be used to update national evidence-based guidelines on antimicrobial usage.
The impact of out-of-hospital models of care on paediatric emergency department presentations
Authors: Viner Russell M , Blackburn Frances , White Francesca , Mannie Randy , Parr Tracy , Nelson Sara , Lemer Claire , Riddell Anna , Watson Mando , Cleugh Francesca , Heys Michelle , Hargreaves Dougal S
Published: October 2017

Objective

To estimate the potential impact of enhanced primary care and new out-of-hospital models (OOHMs) on emergency department (ED) presentations by children and young people (CYP).

Design

Observational study.

Patients & setting

Data collected prospectively on 3020 CYP 0–17.9 years from 6 London EDs during 14 days by 25 supernumerary clinicians. CYP with transient acute illness, exacerbation of long-term condition (LTC), complex LTC/disability and injury/trauma were considered manageable within OOHM. OOHMs assessed included nurse-led services, multispecialty community provider (MCP), primary and acute care system (PACS) plus current and enhanced primary care.

Measures

Diagnosis, severity; record of investigations, management and outcome that occurred; objective assessment of clinical need and potential alternative management options/destinations.

Results

Of the patients 95.6% had diagnoses appropriate for OOHM. Most presentations required assessment by a clinician with skills in assessing illness (39.6%) or injuries (30.9%). One thousand two hundred and ninety-one (42.75%) required no investigations and 1007 (33.3%) were provided only with reassurance. Of the presentations 42.2% were judged to have been totally avoidable if the family had had better health education.

Of the patients 26.1% were judged appropriate for current primary care (community pharmacy or general practice) with 31.5% appropriate for the combination of enhanced general practice and community pharmacy. Proportions suitable for new models were 14.1% for the nurse-led acute illness team, MCP 25.7%, GP federation CYP service 44.6%, comprehensive walk-in centre for CYP 64.3% and 75.5% for a PACS.

Conclusions

High proportions of ED presentations by CYP could potentially be managed in new OOHMs or by enhancement of existing primary care.
Outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in real-life setting
Authors: Kataja Maria , Hujanen Pekko , Huhtala Heini , Kaarniranta Kai , Tuulonen Anja , Uusitalo-Jarvinen Hannele
Published: October 2017

Aims

To evaluate outcome of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) in the real-life setting and to compare incidence of ocular serious adverse events (SAE) after injections administered by nurses and physicians.

Methods

Retrospective, single-centre study. Medical records of patients receiving anti-VEGF treatment for nAMD between 2008 and 2013 with three-loading-dose regimen were evaluated. Outcome measures were baseline visual acuity (VA), change in VA, number of intravitreal injections, incidence of ocular SAE and patients’ baseline characteristics affecting VA change. In addition, the number of injections per 1000 citizens living in the serving area and per individuals over 65 years old were estimated.

Results

1349 eyes in 1117 patients received a total of 11 562 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. Twenty-one per cent of patients received treatment for both eyes. The mean baseline Snellen VA was 0.32. The mean change of VA from baseline was +2, +2 and ±0 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters and the mean numbers of injections were 5.7, 4.7 and 4.9 at years 1, 2 and 3, respectively. There was a negative correlation between baseline VA and change of VA. Incidence of endophthalmitis was 0.086%. No difference in the incidence of ocular SAE was identified between injections given by nurses or by physicians. The number of intravitreal injections per all citizens was 9 per 1000 inhabitants and 45 per 1000 inhabitants over 65 years.

Conclusion

The VA was maintained at the baseline level (±0 letters) with the mean of 15.3 anti-VEGF injections in real-world clinical practice during 3-year follow-up.
Effectiveness of school-based physical activity programmes on cardiorespiratory fitness in children: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Authors: Pozuelo-Carrascosa Diana P , García-Hermoso Antonio , Álvarez-Bueno Celia , Sánchez-López Mairena , Martinez-Vizcaino Vicente
Published: October 2017

Objective

To conduct a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials aimed at testing whether school-based physical activity programmes improve cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in children.

Design

Systematic review with meta-analysis.

Data sources

Using keywords, we performed a computerised search in five databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and SportDiscus.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Studies that assessed the effectiveness of school-based physical activity programmes on improving CRF in children (3–12 years old). We selected interventions that included an additional physical activity programme and not only a physical activity educational component. The reference lists of selected full-text articles and systematic reviews were also searched for relevant studies. Pooled effect size (Hedges′g) was calculated assuming a random-effects model.

Results

Twenty trials with 7287 healthy children aged 3–12 years were included in the meta-analysis. School-based physical activity interventions with aerobic games and activities were associated with a significant small increase in CRF (Hedges′g=0.22; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.30; p<0.001). Based on subgroup analysis, the increase in CRF was significant in girls (Hedges′g=0.25; 95% CI 0.13 to 0.37; p<0.001), but not in boys (Hedges′g=0.02; 95% CI −0.10 to 0.14; p=0.731).

Moderate quality evidence supports the effectiveness of school-based physical activity interventions on improving CRF in children.

Trial registration number

Protocol PROSPERO registration numberCRD42016050173.
Connective tissue injury in calf muscle tears and return to play: MRI correlation
Authors: Prakash Ashutosh , Entwisle Tom , Schneider Michal , Brukner Peter , Connell David
Published: October 2017

Objective

The aim of our study was to assess a group of patients with calf muscle tears and evaluate the integrity of the connective tissue boundaries and interfaces. Further, we propose a novel MRI grading system based on integrity of the connective tissue and assess any correlation between the grading score and time to return to play. We have also reviewed the anatomy of the calf muscles.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively evaluated 100 consecutive patients with clinical suspicion and MRI confirmation of calf muscle injury. We evaluated each calf muscle tear with MRI for the particular muscle injured, location of injury within the muscle and integrity of the connective tissue structure at the interface. The muscle tears were graded 0–3 depending on the degree of muscle and connective tissue injury. The time to return to play for each patient and each injury was found from the injury records and respective sports doctors.

Results

In 100 patients, 114 injuries were detected. Connective tissue involvement was observed in 63 out of 100 patients and failure (grade 3 injury) in 18. Mean time to return to play with grade 0 injuries was 8 days, grade 1 tears was 17 days, grade 2 tears was 25 days and grade 3 tears was 48 days (p<0.001).

Conclusion

The integrity of the connective tissue can be used to estimate and guide the time to return to play in calf muscle tears.
Lung function at term in extremely preterm-born infants: a regional prospective cohort study
Authors: Bentsen Mariann Haavik , Markestad Trond , Øymar Knut , Halvorsen Thomas
Published: October 2017

Objectives

To compare lung function of extremely preterm (EP)-born infants with and without bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) with that of healthy term-born infants, and to determine which perinatal characteristics were associated with lung function at term and how predictive these measurements were for later respiratory health in EP-born infants.

Methods

Perinatal variables were recorded prospectively, and tidal breathing parameters were measured at term-equivalent age using electromagnetic inductance plethysmography. Respiratory morbidity was defined by hospital readmissions and/or treatment with asthma medications during the first year of life.

Results

Fifty-two EP-born infants (mean gestational age 261, range 226–276weeks) and 45 term-born infants were included. There was evidence of significant airway obstruction, higher tidal volumes and increased minute ventilation in the EP-born infants with and without BPD, although generally more pronounced for those with BPD. Male gender, antenatal steroids and number of days on continuous positive airway pressure were associated with lung function outcomes at term. A prediction model incorporating two unrelated tidal breathing parameters, BPD, birth weight z-score and gender, predicted respiratory morbidity in the first year of life with good accuracy (area under the curve 0.818, sensitivity and specificity 81.8% and 75.0%, respectively).

Conclusion

Lung function measured at term-equivalent age was strikingly abnormal in EP-born infants, irrespective of BPD. Tidal breathing parameters may be of value in predicting future pulmonary health in infants born premature.

Trial registration number

NCT01150396; Results.
An enquiry based on a standardised questionnaire into knowledge, awareness and preferences concerning the care of familial hypercholesterolaemia among primary care physicians in the Asia-Pacific region: the “Ten Countries Study”
Authors: Pang Jing , Hu Miao , Lin Jie , Miida Takashi , Nawawi Hapizah M , Park Jeong Euy , Wu Xue , Ramli Anis S , Kim Ngoc Thanh , Kwok See , Gonzalez-Santos Lourdes E , Su Ta-Chen , Truong Thanh Huong , Soran Handrean , Yamashita Shizuya , Tomlinson Brian , Watts Gerald F
Published: October 2017

Objective

To determine physicians’ knowledge, awareness and preferences regarding the care of familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) in the Asia-Pacific region.

Setting

A formal questionnaire was anonymously completed by physicians from different countries/regions in the Asia-Pacific. The survey sought responses relating to general familiarity, awareness of management guidelines, identification (clinical characteristics and lipid profile), prevalence and inheritance, extent of elevation in risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and practice on screening and treatment.

Participants

Practising community physicians from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Taiwan were recruited to complete the questionnaire, with the UK as the international benchmark.

Primary outcome

An assessment and comparison of the knowledge, awareness and preferences of FH among physicians in 10 different countries/regions.

Results

1078 physicians completed the questionnaire from the Asia-Pacific region; only 34% considered themselves to be familiar with FH. 72% correctly described FH and 65% identified the typical lipid profile, with a higher proportion of physicians from Japan and China selecting the correct FH definition and lipid profile compared with those from Vietnam and Philippines. However, less than half of the physician were aware of national or international management guidelines; this was significantly worse than physicians from the UK (35% vs 61%, p<0.001). Knowledge of prevalence (24%), inheritability (41%) and CVD risk (9%) of FH were also suboptimal. The majority of the physicians considered laboratory interpretative commenting as being useful (81%) and statin therapy as an appropriate cholesterol-lowering therapy (89%) for FH management.

Conclusions

The study identified important gaps, which are readily addressable, in the awareness and knowledge of FH among physicians in the region. Implementation of country-specific guidelines and extensive work in FH education and awareness programmes are imperative to improve the care of FH in the region.
Bi-modal stimulation in the treatment of tinnitus: a study protocol for an exploratory trial to optimise stimulation parameters and patient subtyping
Authors: D’Arcy Shona , Hamilton Caroline , Hughes Stephen , Hall Deborah A , Vanneste Sven , Langguth Berthold , Conlon Brendan
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of a corresponding external acoustic stimulus. Bimodal neuromodulation is emerging as a promising treatment for this condition. The main objectives of this study are to investigate the relevance of interstimulus timing and the choices of acoustic and tongue stimuli for a proprietary bimodal (auditory and somatosensory) neuromodulation device, as well as to explore whether specific subtypes of patients are differentially responsive to this novel intervention for reducing the symptoms of chronic tinnitus.

Methods and analysis

This is a two-site, randomised, triple-blind, exploratory study of a proprietary neuromodulation device with a pre–post and 12-month follow-up design. Three different bimodal stimulation parameter sets will be examined. The study will enrol 342 patients, split 80:20 between two sites (Dublin, Ireland and Regensburg, Germany), to complete 12 weeks of treatment with the device. Patients will be allocated to one of three arms using a stepwise stratification according to four binary categories: tinnitus tonality, sound level tolerance (using loudness discomfort level of <60 dB SL as an indicator for hyperacusis), hearing thresholds and presence of a noise-induced audiometric profile. The main indicators of relative clinical efficacy for the three different parameter sets are two patient-reported outcomes measures, the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and the Tinnitus Functional Index, after 12 weeks of intervention. Clinical efficacy will be further explored in a series of patient subtypes, split by the stratification variables and by presence of a somatic tinnitus. Evidence for sustained effects on the psychological and functional impact of tinnitus will be followed up for 12 months. Safety data will be collected and reported. A number of feasibility measures to inform future trial design include: reasons for exclusion, completeness of data collection, attrition rates, patient’s adherence to the device usage as per manufacturer’s instructions and evaluation of alternative methods for estimating tinnitus impact and tinnitus loudness.

Ethics and dissemination

This study protocol is approved by the Tallaght Hospital/St. James’s Hospital Joint Research Ethics Committee in Dublin, Ireland, and by the Ethics Committee of the University Clinic Regensburg, Germany. Findings will be disseminated to relevant research, clinical, health service and patient communities through publications in peer-reviewed and popular science journals and presentations at scientific and clinical conferences.

Trial registration number

The trial is registered onClinicalTrials.gov(NCT02669069) Pre-results.
Reducing patient mortality, length of stay and readmissions through machine learning-based sepsis prediction in the emergency department, intensive care unit and hospital floor units
Authors: McCoy Andrea , Das Ritankar
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Sepsis management is a challenge for hospitals nationwide, as severe sepsis carries high mortality rates and costs the US healthcare system billions of dollars each year. It has been shown that early intervention for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock is associated with higher rates of survival. The Cape Regional Medical Center (CRMC) aimed to improve sepsis-related patient outcomes through a revised sepsis management approach.

Methods

In collaboration with Dascena, CRMC formed a quality improvement team to implement a machine learning-based sepsis prediction algorithm to identify patients with sepsis earlier. Previously, CRMC assessed all patients for sepsis using twice-daily systemic inflammatory response syndrome screenings, but desired improvements. The quality improvement team worked to implement a machine learning-based algorithm, collect and incorporate feedback, and tailor the system to current hospital workflow.

Results

Relative to the pre-implementation period, the post-implementation period sepsis-related in-hospital mortality rate decreased by 60.24%, sepsis-related hospital length of stay decreased by 9.55% and sepsis-related 30-day readmission rate decreased by 50.14%.

Conclusion

The machine learning-based sepsis prediction algorithm improved patient outcomes at CRMC.
Zinc finger AN1-type containing 4 is a novel marker for predicting metastasis and poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kurihara-Shimomura Miyako , Sasahira Tomonori , Nakamura Hiroshi , Nakashima Chie , Kuniyasu Hiroki , Kirita Tadaaki
Published: October 2017

Aims

Head and neck cancer, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and has a high potential for locoregional invasion and nodal metastasis. Therefore, discovery of a useful molecular biomarker capable of predicting tumour progression and metastasis of OSCC is crucial. We have previously reported zinc finger AN1-type containing 4 (ZFAND4) as one of the most upregulated genes in recurrent OSCC using a cDNA microarray analysis. Although ZFAND4 has been shown to promote cell proliferation of gastric cancer, its expression and clinicopathological roles in OSCC remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, we examined ZFAND4 expression by immunohistochemistry in 214 cases of OSCC.

Results

High cytoplasmic expression of ZFAND4 was observed in 45 out of 214 (21%) patients with OSCC. Expression levels of ZFAND4 were strongly associated with metastasis to the lymph nodes (p=0.0429) and distant organs (p=0.0068). Cases with high expression of ZFAND4 had a significantly unfavourable prognosis compared with patients with low expression of ZFAND4 (p<0.0001). Furthermore, ZFAND4 overexpression was an independent poor prognostic factor for OSCC as determined by multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model (p<0.0001).

Conclusions

These results suggest that ZFAND4 is a useful marker for predicting metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with OSCC.
Comparison of genetic and visual identification of cisco and lake whitefish larvae from Chaumont Bay, Lake Ontario
Authors: George Ellen M. , Hare Matthew P. , Crabtree Darran L. , Lantry Brian F. , Rudstam Lars G.
Published: October 2017

Cisco (Coregonus artedi) are an important component of native food webs in the Great Lakes, and their restoration is instrumental to the recovery of lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) and Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Difficulties with visual identification of larvae can confound early life history surveys, as cisco are often difficult to distinguish from lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis). We compared traditional visual species identification methods with genetic identifications based on barcoding of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I gene for 726 coregonine larvae caught in Chaumont Bay, Lake Ontario. We found little agreement between the visual characteristics of cisco identified by genetic barcoding and the most widely used dichotomous key, and the considerable overlap in ranges of traditionally utilized metrics suggests that visual identification of coregonine larvae from Chaumont Bay is impractical. Coregonines are highly variable and plastic species and often display wide variations in morphometric characteristics across their broad range. This study highlights the importance of developing accurate, geographically appropriate larval identification methods to best inform cisco restoration and management efforts.
Study of mixed convection in a caterpillar wavy lid-driven triangular cavity filled with nanofluid using artificial neural network
Authors: Triveni Manoj Kr. , Panua Rajsekhar
Published: October 2017

The present numerical study is carried out for mixed convection in a nanofluid-filled lid-driven triangular cavity. The base wall of the cavity is in a caterpillar shape, which is assumed as a hot wall while the side and inclined walls are considered as cold walls. The finite volume method along with the SIMPLE algorithm is used to discretize the governing equations. The study is evaluated for constrained parameters, such as volume fraction of the nanoparticles, sliding direction of the side wall, Richardson number, and Grashof number. Fluid flow and heat transfer are presented in terms of streamlines and isotherms and rate of enhancement has been shown by local and average Nusselt number. It is observed from the study that the heat transfer rate is enhanced for each volume fraction of nanoparticles, for both directions of sliding wall, Richardson number, and Grashof number. The obtained numerical results are validated with the predicted results of artificial neural network (ANN). Good agreement is reported between the numerical results and the predicted results.
Altering the competitiveness of tame oat (Avena sativa L.) versus wild oat (Avena fatua L.) with phosphorus and seeding rate
Authors: May W.E.
Published: October 2017

Currently, no in-crop herbicide is registered to control wild oat (Avena fatua L.) in tame oat (Avena sativa L.). Wild oat must be controlled in tame oat using other agronomic practices. The objective of this research was to determine if side-banded phosphorus (P) in combination with seeding rate would increase the competitiveness of tame oat with wild oat, increasing yield and quality. An experiment was conducted from 2003–2005 at Indian Head, SK. The experimental design was a strip-plot design with four replications. The strips were low and high wild oat density. A two-way factorial, seeding rate (150, 250, 350, and 450 plants m−2), and P rate (0, 15, and 30 kg P2O5 ha−1) were seeded across the strips. Phosphorus affected seed density, grain yield, oat biomass, and wild oat fecundity. Seeding rate affected most of the measured variables and interacted with wild oat and year. The application of P increased the competiveness of oat by increasing crop biomass by 7.6% and grain yield by 3.4% and decreasing wild oat seed from 1.26% to 0.76% in the harvested grain. Wild oat decreased grain yield by 23% in 2003, 4.4% in 2004, and 11% in 2005. Increasing the seeding rate increased grain yield by 5% when wild oat was present. Wild oat did not interfere with the uptake of side-banded P. Producers need to use both P fertilization and higher seeding rates to improve the competitiveness of tame oat and the management of wild oat in tame oat.
Development of a Ternary Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Brain-Computer Interface: Online Classification of Verbal Fluency Task, Stroop Task and Rest
Authors: Schudlo Larissa C. , Chau Tom
Published: October 2017

The majority of proposed NIRS-BCIs has considered binary classification. Studies considering high-order classification problems have yielded average accuracies that are less than favorable for practical communication. Consequently, there is a paucity of evidence supporting online classification of more than two mental states using NIRS. We developed an online ternary NIRS-BCI that supports the verbal fluency task (VFT), Stroop task and rest. The system utilized two sessions dedicated solely to classifier training. Additionally, samples were collected prior to each period of online classification to update the classifier. Using a continuous-wave spectrometer, measurements were collected from the prefrontal and parietal cortices while 11 able-bodied adult participants were cued to perform one of the two cognitive tasks or rests. Each task was used to indicate the desire to select a particular letter on a scanning interface, while rest avoided selection. Classification was performed using 25 iteration of bagging with a linear discriminant base classifier. Classifiers were trained on 10-dimensional feature sets. The BCI’s classification decision was provided as feedback. An average online classification accuracy of [Formula: see text]% was achieved, representing an ITR of [Formula: see text] bits/min. The results demonstrate that online communication can be achieved with a ternary NIRS-BCI that supports VFT, Stroop task and rest. Our findings encourage continued efforts to enhance the ITR of NIRS-BCIs.
New relations between G2 geometries in dimensions 5 and 7
Authors: Leistner Thomas , Nurowski Paweł , Sagerschnig Katja
Published: October 2017

There are two well-known parabolic split [Formula: see text] geometries in dimension 5, [Formula: see text] distributions and [Formula: see text] contact structures. Here we link these two geometries with yet another [Formula: see text] related contact structure, which lives on a [Formula: see text]-manifold. More precisely, we present a natural geometric construction that associates to a [Formula: see text] distribution a [Formula: see text]-dimensional bundle endowed with a canonical Lie contact structure. We further study the relation between the canonical normal Cartan connections associated with the two structures and we show that the Cartan holonomy of the induced Lie contact structure reduces to [Formula: see text]. This motivates the study of the curved orbit decomposition associated with a [Formula: see text] reduced Lie contact structure on a [Formula: see text]-manifold. It is shown that, provided an additional curvature condition is satisfied, in a neighborhood of each point in the open curved orbit the structure descends to a [Formula: see text] distribution on a local leaf space. The closed orbit carries an induced [Formula: see text] contact structure.