bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine in pediatric patients undergoing spine surgery
Authors: Cloyd Colleen , Moffett Brady S. , Bernhardt Melanie Brooke , Monico Evelyn M. , Patel Nihar , Hanson Darrell
Published: September 2018

Background

Liposomal bupivacaine may be an option for reducing opioid utilization in pediatric scoliosis surgery. The use of liposomal bupivacaine in this patient population has not been previously described.

Methods

Patients who underwent posterior spinal fusion surgery at our institution from 2011‐2016 were identified. We performed a retrospective matched cohort study, matching patients who received intraoperative liposomal bupivacaine by age, gender, and extent of surgery to patients who did not. The primary endpoint was the use of morphine equivalents in the first 72 hours after surgery. Data collection included demographic and surgical data, pain medication utilization, and pain scores. Area under the curve (AUC) for pain scores was calculated. Descriptive statistical methods and univariable analysis were used to compare patients who received liposomal bupivacaine to patients who did not.

Results

One hundred and forty‐one patients met study criteria; 47 patients who received liposomal bupivacaine were matched to 94 control patients who did not receive liposomal bupivacaine. No significant differences were noted in the patient population with the patients requiring a median of 11 segments (range 10‐13 segments) fused. Patients received a mean of 56.6 ± 37.4 mg/kg of intravenous acetaminophen, a mean of 3.4 ± 2.1 mg/kg of intravenous ketorolac, and 1.9 ± 0.93 mg/kg of morphine equivalents in the first 72 hours after surgery. On univariable analysis, no differences were noted in intravenous acetaminophen use, pain score AUC, intravenous ketorolac use, or morphine equivalents (2.0 ± 98 vs 1.8 ± 0.82) in patients who did not receive liposomal bupivacaine as compared to those patient who did received liposomal bupivacaine.

Conclusion

Liposomal bupivacaine was not associated with reductions in postoperative opioid use in pediatric spinal surgery.
Determining the extent of the dural sac for the performance of caudal epidural blocks in newborns
Authors: van Schoor Albert‐Neels , Bosman Marius C. , Venter Gerda , Bösenberg Adrian T.
Published: September 2018

Background

Information regarding the position and relationship of vital structures within the caudal canal is important for anesthesiologists who perform a caudal block. This information can be acquired by anatomical dissection, with ultrasound technology, or radiological studies.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine the position of the dural sac in neonates by measuring the distance of the termination of the dural sac from the apex of the sacral hiatus in neonatal cadavers.

Methods

After careful dissection, the distance from the apex of the sacral hiatus to the dural sac was measured in a sample of neonatal cadavers.

Results

In 39 neonatal cadavers, the mean distance from the apex of the sacral hiatus to the dural sac was 10.45 mm. The range of this distance was between 4.94 and 26.28 mm. The mean distance for females was 9.64 mm (range from 6.66 to 15.09); that for males was 10.90 mm (range between 4.94 and 26.28). Linear regression with the log of this distance as the outcome variable gave an estimated 3.3% increase in the distance for each 1 cm increase in the length of the neonate (95% CI for this proportion was 1.91‐4.71).

Conclusion

Anesthesiologists should be aware of the short distance between the sacral hiatus and the dural sac when performing caudal blocks, the shortest distance was 4.94 mm. Armed with this knowledge, caudal techniques should be modified to improve the safety and reduce the risk of complications, such as dural puncture.
White lupin (Lupinus albus) variation for adaptation to severe drought stress
Authors: Annicchiarico Paolo , Romani Massimo , Pecetti Luciano
Published: September 2018

This study aimed to reduce the gap of knowledge on white lupin drought tolerance variation, by assessing the grain yield of 21 landraces from major historical cropping regions, one variety and two breeding lines in a large phenotyping platform that imposed controlled severely stressed or moisture‐favourable conditions after an initial stage of favourable growth. Drought stress reduced grain yield by 79%. Genetic correlation coefficients indicated moderate consistency of genotype responses across conditions for grain yield (rg = 0.76), fairly high consistency for straw yield (rg = 0.85) and harvest index (rg = 0.91), and high consistency for flowering time (rg = 0.99). However, low genetic correlation for yield (rg = 0.31) occurred among a subset of genotypes with early phenology. Specific adaptation to either condition implied significant (p = 0.05) genotype × condition interaction of crossover type between well‐performing genotypes. Early flowering was an important stress escape mechanism, but intrinsic drought tolerance could be inferred from responses of a few genotypes. Various landraces out‐yielded the improved germplasm under stressed or favourable conditions.
Bronchiectasis: Treatment decisions for pulmonary exacerbations and their prevention
Authors: Bell Scott C. , Elborn Joseph S. , Byrnes Catherine A.
Published: September 2018

Interest in bronchiectasis has increased over the past two decades, as shown by the establishment of disease‐specific registries in several countries, the publication of management guidelines and a growing number of clinical trials to address evidence gaps for treatment decisions. This review considers the evidence for defining and treating pulmonary exacerbations, the approaches for eradication of newly identified airway pathogens and the methods to prevent exacerbations through long‐term treatments from a pragmatic practice‐based perspective. Areas for future studies are also explored.

Watch the video abstract
Investigation of the Relationship Between Basic Swimming Instruction and Some Physical and Motor Characteristics
Authors: Temur H. Bayram
Published: September 2018

In this study, it was aimed to investigate whether basic swimming training has effects on height, body weight, right and left hand grip strength, right and left hand lengths, shoulder width, chest circumference, standing long jump characteristics. The study is important in terms of making individuals in the growth period and investigating the physical development of major technical studies from force studies. It is known that regular sport has also developed physical features along with many other features. However, there is not a complete consensus about the sport, its violence, its frequency and duration. The study using the experimental research method included 114 individuals with a mean age of 11.03 ± 1.23 years. The study group, consisting of 58 subjects, received regular swimming lessons twice a week for two hours at a time over a period of 7 months. The sedentary control group included 56 subjects who received no sports instruction apart from their standard physical education classes. Prior to the start of the study, measurements were taken for height, body mass, right and left hand grip strength, right and left hand length, shoulder width, chest circumference, and standing long jump for both groups. The same measurements were taken again 7 months later, at the conclusion of the study. The differences between the initial and final measurements of both the study group and the control group were statistically compared within the group and between the groups. In this comparison, the General Linear Model method was used in the SPSS 21 Package program. As a result, it was found that the increase in height, body weight, right hand grip strength, right and left hand lengths, chest circumference and standing long jump mean values of swimming training subjects were found to be different at p <0.001 in the control group in seven months period. It was also found that the increase in the mean value of left hand grip strength in both groups was significantly different in favor of swimming training subjects (p <0.005). The increase in shoulder width mean values of the study group and the control group did not differ between the groups (p> 0,005).
Analysis of the Children’s Songs in 2017 Elementary School Music Lesson Curriculum in Terms of Universal Values
Authors: Sonsel Ömer Bilgehan
Published: September 2018

In this study, where the survey model is utilized, the aim is to analyze the compatibility of children songs available in Elementary School Music Lesson Curriculum, which was put into effect by the Ministry of National Education in 2017, with universal values. In line with this objective, qualitative research methods have been used. The data used in the research have been obtained through document analysis. Content analyses method have been utilized in the analysis of the collected data. Sample of the research represents the population. Research sample, on the other hand, consists of the children’s songs in 2017 Elementary School Music Lesson Curriculum. The songs used in the study have been analyzed in terms of the twelve values identified by UNESCO in Living Values Education Program. Collected data have been analyzed in frequency (f) and percentage (%). The research has concluded that; “love, responsibility and happiness” values have been given an extensive place, while “respect and tolerance” have been included a little, and “honesty, humility and simplicity” are not existent. No negative values have been identified in the songs.
Effect of Cavity Coupling Factors of Opposed Counter-Flow Microcombustor on the Methane-Fueled Catalytic Combustion Characteristics
Authors: Yan Yunfei , Liu Ying , Li Haojie , Huang Weipeng , Chen Yanrong , Li Lixian , Yang Zhongqing
Published: September 2018

In this work, numerical investigations of methane catalytic combustion in the opposed counter-flow microcombustor are conducted under various inlet velocities, equivalence ratios, and geometric parameters. The results indicate that the high temperature zone is mainly located at the front and middle parts of the reaction zone. With the increase of inlet velocity, both methane conversion and exhaust gas temperature decrease, while the methane concentration in the downstream area increases. Its maximum velocity limit is 2.9 m/s. Moreover, temperature step zones of opposed counter-flow are obviously located at the front and middle parts with different equivalence ratios. The combustion efficiency decreases slowly with the increase of equivalence ratios. More importantly, critical values about the geometric parameters are determined for keeping better thermal performance. It is concluded that inlet velocity limit and methane conversion rate can be significantly increased and the temperature distribution is more uniform via reducing inlet width L2 and inlet height H, increasing the length of the downstream parts L1 and the downstream entrance length L3. In general, the opposed counter-flow microcombustor with optimized structure has better combustion stability. This design offers another way for developing the opposed counter-flow microcombustor.
Performance Analysis of Integrated Solar Tower With a Conventional Heat and Power Co-Generation Plant
Authors: Mokheimer Esmail M. A. , Dabwan Yousef N.
Published: September 2018

This paper presents the results of a thermo-economic analysis of integrating solar tower (ST) with heat and power cogeneration plants that is progressively being installed to produce heat and electricity to operate absorption refrigeration systems or steam for industrial processes. The annual performance of an integrated solar-tower gas-turbine-cogeneration power plant (ISTGCPP) with different sizes of gas turbine and solar collector's area have been examined and presented. Thermoflex + PEACE software's were used to thermodynamically and economically assess different integration configurations of the ISTGCPP. The optimal integrated solar field size has been identified and the pertinent reduction in CO2 emissions due to integrating the ST system is estimated. For the considered cogeneration plant (that is required to produce 81.44 kg/s of steam at 394 °C and 45.88 bars), the study revealed that (ISTGCPP) with gas turbine of electric power generation capacity less than 50 MWe capacities have more economic feasibility for integrating solar energy. The levelized electricity cost (LEC) for the (ISTGCPP) varied between $0.067 and $0.069/kWh for gas turbine of electric power generation capacity less than 50 MWe. Moreover, the study demonstrated that (ISTGCPP) has more economic feasibility than a stand-alone ST power plant; the LEC for ISTGCPP is reduced by 50–60% relative to the stand-alone ST power plant. Moreover, a conceptual procedure to identify the optimal configuration of the ISTGCPP has been developed and presented in this paper.
Performance Evaluation of Gas Production With Consideration of Dynamic Capillary Pressure in Tight Sandstone Reservoirs
Authors: Tian Leng , Feng Bo , Zheng Sixu , Gu Daihong , Ren Xiaoxing , Yang Daoyong
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a pragmatic and consistent framework has been developed and validated to accurately predict reservoir performance in tight sandstone reservoirs by coupling the dynamic capillary pressure with gas production models. Theoretically, the concept of pseudo-mobile water saturation, which is defined as the water saturation between irreducible water saturation and cutoff water saturation, is proposed to couple dynamic capillary pressure and stress-induced permeability to form an equation matrix that is solved by using the implicit pressure and explicit saturations (IMPES) method. Compared with the conventional methods, the newly developed model predicts a lower cumulative gas production but a higher reservoir pressure and a higher flowing bottomhole pressure at the end of the stable period. Physically, a higher gas production rate induces a greater dynamic capillary pressure, while both cutoff water saturation and stress-induced permeability impose a similar impact on the dynamic capillary pressure, though the corresponding degrees are varied. Due to the dynamic capillary pressure, pseudo-mobile water saturation controlled by the displacement pressure drop also affects the gas production. The higher the gas production rate is, the greater the effect of dynamic capillary pressure on the cumulative gas production, formation pressure, and flowing bottomhole pressure will be. By taking the dynamic capillary pressure into account, it can be more accurate to predict the performance of a gas reservoir and the length of stable production period, allowing for making more reasonable development schemes and thus improving the gas recovery in a tight sandstone reservoir.
Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Mechanical Cavopulmonary Assistance
Authors: Chopski Steven G. , Whitehead Kevin , Englehardt George J. , Throckmorton Amy
Published: September 2018

Mechanical circulatory support (MCS) options are limited for patients with dysfunctional single ventricle physiology. To address this unmet clinical need, we are developing an axial-flow blood pump to provide mechanical assistance to the cavopulmonary circulation. In this study, we investigate the use of high-resolution cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize the complex fluid flow conditions of mechanical circulatory assist in two patient-specific Fontan anatomies. A three-bladed axial-flow impeller coupled to a supportive cage with a four-bladed diffuser was positioned in the inferior vena cava (IVC) of each Fontan anatomy. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging and power efficiency studies were conducted at physiologic relevant parameters with cardiac outputs of 2, 3, and 4 L/min with impeller rotational speeds of 2000 and 4000 rpm. The axial-flow impeller was able to generate improved flow in the total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). The higher rotational speed was able to redistribute flow in the TCPC anastomosis aiding in removing stagnant blood. No retrograde flow was observed or measured in the superior vena cava (SVC). As an extension of the CMR data, a scalar stress analysis was performed on both models and found a maximum scalar stress of approximately 42 Pa for both patient anatomies. The power efficiency experiments demonstrated a maximum energy gain of 8.6 mW for TCPC Anatomy 1 and 12.58 mW for TCPC Anatomy 2 for a flow rate of 4 L/min and at 4000 rpm. These findings support the continued development of axial blood pumps for mechanical cavopulmonary assist.
A New User Implicit Requirements Process Method Oriented to Product Design
Authors: Guo Qi , Xue Chengqi , Yu Mingjiu , Shen Zhangfan
Published: September 2018

User requirements play an important role in product design activities. Customer satisfaction has a direct bearing on the acquisition of user requirements for product design. However, these implicit requirements are equipped with the attributes of potentiality, fuzziness, and subjectivity. In this paper, a new implicit user requirement processing method based on a cloud service platform is proposed to resolve the difficulty of acquiring implicit requirements. Initially, this method collects user requirement data via a metaphor extraction technique using a cloud service platform. Then, the requirement data are clustered and mapped with product attributes. Finally, the mapping results are visualized to intuitively instruct product design and optimization. Overall, the method is a user-centered innovation paradigm implemented on a cloud service platform to realize collaborative design and resource sharing. Finally, an application case is presented to illustrate the method, and the results indicate that the method is effective and could serve as a reference for product design.
Time-Fractional Hygrothermoelastic Problem for a Sphere Subjected to Heat and Moisture Flux
Authors: Zhang Xue-Yang , Peng Yi , Li Xian-Fang
Published: September 2018

In this paper, a non-Fourier model of heat conduction and moisture diffusion coupling is proposed. We study a hygrothermal elastic problem within the framework of time-fractional calculus theory for a centrally symmetric sphere subjected to physical heat and moisture flux at its surface. Analytic expressions for transient response of temperature change, moisture distribution, displacement, and stress components in the sphere are obtained for heat/moisture flux pulse and constant heat/moisture flux at the sphere's surface, respectively, by using the integral transform method. Numerical results are calculated and the effects of fractional order on temperature field, moisture distribution, and hygrothermal stress components are illustrated graphically. Subdiffusive and super-diffusive transport coupling behavior as well as wave-like behavior are shown. When fractional-order derivative reduces to first-order derivative, the usual heat and moisture coupling is recovered, which obeys Fourier heat conduction and Fick's moisture diffusion.
Generation and Thermal Simulation of a Digital Model of the Female Breast in Prone Position
Authors: Gonzalez-Hernandez Jose-Luis , Kandlikar Satish G. , Dabydeen Donnette , Medeiros Lori , Phatak Pradyumna
Published: September 2018

Infrared (IR) breast thermography has been associated with the early detection of breast cancer (BC). However, findings in previous studies have been inconclusive. The upright position of subjects during imaging introduces errors in interpretation, because it blocks the optical access in the inframammary fold region and alters the temperature due to contact between breast and chest wall. These errors can be avoided by imaging breasts in prone position. Although the numerical simulations provide insight into thermal characteristics of the female breast with a tumor, most simulations in the past have used cubical and hemispherical breast models. We hypothesize that a breast model with the actual breast shape will provide true thermal characteristics that are useful in tumor detection. A digital breast model in prone position is developed to generate the surface temperature profiles for breasts with tumors. The digital breast model is generated from sequential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images and simulations are performed using finite volume method employing Pennes bioheat equation. We investigated the effect of varying the tumor metabolic activity on the surface temperature profile. We compared the surface temperature profile for various tumor metabolic activities with a case without tumor. The resulting surface temperature rise near the location of the tumor was between 0.665 and 1.023 °C, detectable using modern IR cameras. This is the first time that numerical simulations are conducted in a model with the actual breast shape in prone position to study the surface temperature changes induced by BC.
Detection of a Defect on the Back of a Pipe by Noncontact Remote Measurements
Authors: Hayashi Takahiro
Published: September 2018

Pipe inspection is generally executed with ultrasonic pulse echo testing where a small range of pipe wall under an ultrasonic transducer can be evaluated in one measurement. Costly and laborious point-by-point testing is required if a whole range of a pipe should be inspected. The author has investigated fast defect imaging for a plate-like structure using a scanning laser source (SLS) technique as an efficient defect inspection technique. Although the imaging technique is feasible in noncontact remote measurements, only a plate cross section under the laser irradiation surface can be evaluated. This study describes detection of wall thinning on the back of a pipe using resonance of guided wave propagating in a pipe circumference by noncontact remote measurements with the SLS technique. The narrowband elastic waves are generated in a pipe by modulating laser pulses with fiber laser equipment. When the modulation frequency is in harmony with the resonance frequency of a circumferential guided wave, the distribution of the frequency spectrum peak obtained with the SLS technique becomes identical to the resonance pattern of the circumferentially guided wave mode. The distributions are distorted for a pipe with wall thinning on the back indicating that this technique has a potential for detection of defects on the back of a pipe.
Double Wall Cooling of a Full Coverage Effusion Plate With Cross Flow Supply Cooling and Main Flow Pressure Gradient
Authors: Ligrani Phil , Ren Zhong , Vanga Sneha Reddy , Allgaier Christopher , Liberatore Federico , Patel Rajeshriben , Srinivasan Ram , Ho Yin-Hsiang
Published: September 2018

Experimentally measured results are presented for different experimental conditions for a test plate with double wall cooling, composed of full-coverage effusion-cooling on the hot side of the plate, and cross-flow cooling on the cold side of the plate. The results presented are different from those from past investigations, because of the addition of a significant mainstream pressure gradient. Main stream flow is provided along a passage with a contraction ratio of 4, given by the ratio upstream flow area, to downstream flow area. With this arrangement, local blowing ratio decreases significantly with streamwise development along the test section, for every value of initial blowing ratio considered, where this initial value is determined at the most upstream row of effusion holes. Experimental data are given for a sparse effusion hole array. The experimental results are provided for mainstream Reynolds numbers of 92,400–96,600, and from 128,400 to 135,000, and initial blowing ratios of 3.3–3.6, 4.4, 5.2, 6.1–6.3, and 7.3–7.4. Results illustrate the effects of blowing ratio for the hot side and the cold side of the effusion plate. Of particular interest are values of line-averaged film cooling effectiveness and line-averaged heat transfer coefficient, which are generally different for contraction ratio of 4, compared to a contraction ratio of 1, because of different amounts and concentrations of effusion coolant near the test surface. In regard to cold-side measurements on the crossflow side of the effusion plate, line-averaged Nusselt numbers for contraction ratio 4 are often less than values for contraction ratio 1, when compared at the same main flow Reynolds number, initial blowing ratio, and streamwise location.
Application of the Modal Approach for Prediction of Forced Response Amplitudes for Fan Blades
Authors: Eichner Franziska , Belz Joachim
Published: September 2018

Forced response is the main reason for high cycle fatigue in turbomachinery. Not all resonance points in the operating range can be avoided especially for low order excitation. For highly flexible carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) fans, an accurate calculation of vibration amplitudes is required. Forced response analyses were performed for blade row interaction and boundary layer ingestion (BLI). The resonance points considered were identified in the Campbell diagram. Forced response amplitudes were calculated using a modal approach and the results are compared to the widely used energy method. For the unsteady simulations, a time-based linearization of the unsteady Reynolds average Navier–Stokes equations were applied. If only the resonant mode was considered, the forced response amplitude from the modal approach was confirmed with the energy method. Thereby, forced response due to BLI showed higher vibration amplitudes than for blade row interaction. The impact of modes which are not in resonant to the total deformation were investigated by using the modal approach, which so far only considers one excitation order. A doubling of vibrational amplitude was shown in the case of blade row interaction for higher rotational speeds. The first and third modeshapes as well as modes with similar natural frequencies were identified as critical cases. The behavior in the vicinity of resonance shows high vibration amplitudes over a larger frequency range. This is also valid for high modes with many nodal diameters, which have a greater risk of critical strain.
Effect of Niobium Doping on Electrochemical Properties of Microwave Synthesized Carbon Coated Nanolithium Iron Phosphate for High Rate Underwater Applications
Authors: Kumar A. Srinivas , Satyavani T. V. S. L. , Senthilkumar M. , Subba Rao P. S. V.
Published: September 2018

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) for lithium-ion batteries is considered as perfect cathode material for various military applications, especially underwater combat vehicles. For deployment at high rate applications, the low conductivity of LiFePO4 needs to be improved. Cationic substitution of niobium in the native carbon coated LiFePO4 is one of the methods to enhance the conductivity. In the present work, how the niobium doped solid solution could be formed is studied. Nanopowders of LiFePO4/C and Li1−xNbxFePO4/C (x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.16) are synthesized from precursors using microwave synthesis. The solid solution formation up to (x = 0.15) Li1−xNbxFePO4/C without impurity phases is confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) results. Particle distribution is obtained by scanning electron microscope from the synthesized powders. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) results qualitatively confirmed the presence of niobium. Also, direct current (dc) conductivities are measured using sintered pellets and activation energies are calculated using Arrhenius equation. The dependence of conductivity and activation energy of LiFePO4/C on variation of niobium doping is investigated in this study. CR2032 type coin cells are fabricated with the synthesized materials and subjected to cyclic voltammetry studies, rate capability and cycle life studies. Diffusion coefficients are obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies. It is observed that room temperature dc conductivity improved by niobium doping when compared to LiFePO4/C (0.379 × 10−2 S/cm) and is maximum for Li0.9Nb0.1FePO4/C (40.58 × 10−2 S/cm). It is also observed that diffusion coefficient of Li+ in Li0.9Nb0.1FePO4/C (13.306 × 10−9 cm2 s−1) improved by two orders of magnitude in comparison with the pure LiFePO4 (10 − 12 cm2 s−1) and carbon-coated nano LiFePO4/C (0.632 × 10−11 cm2 s−1). Cells with Li0.9Nb0.1FePO4/C are able to deliver useful capacity of around 104 mAh/g at 10 C rate. More than 500 cycles are achieved with Li0.9Nb0.1FePO4/C at 20 C rate.
Inconsistencies undermine the conclusion that agriculture is a dominant source of NO

x

in California
Authors: Maaz Tai McClellan , Waldo Sarah , Bruulsema Tom , Mikkelsen Rob
Published: September 2018

Several inconsistencies undermine the conclusion that agricultural soils are a dominant source of NO

x

pollution in California.
Extrapolation of point measurements and fertilizer-only emission factors cannot capture statewide soil NO

x

emissions
Authors: Almaraz Maya , Bai Edith , Wang Chao , Trousdell Justin , Conley Stephen , Faloona Ian , Houlton Benjamin Z.
Published: September 2018

Biogeochemical models are more capable of capturing statewide soil NO

x

emissions than emission factors.
ANP32A regulates ATM expression and prevents oxidative stress in cartilage, brain, and bone
Authors: Cornelis Frederique M. F. , Monteagudo Silvia , Guns Laura-An K. A. , den Hollander Wouter , Nelissen Rob G. H. H. , Storms Lies , Peeters Tine , Jonkers Ilse , Meulenbelt Ingrid , Lories Rik J.
Published: September 2018

ANP32A is a transcriptional regulator of
ATM
and provides protection against oxidative stress to prevent joint, brain, and bone disease.
Complete Genome Sequence of Carotenoid-Producing Enterococcus gilvus CR1, Isolated from Raw Cow’s Milk
Authors: Ohki Shun , Hagi Tatsuro , Nakano Kazuma , Shiroma Akino , Tamotsu Hinako , Shimoji Makiko , Shinzato Misuzu , Ashimine Noriko , Minami Maiko , Nakanishi Tetsuhiro , Teruya Kuniko , Satou Kazuhito , Moriya Naoko , Kobayashi Miho , Nomura Masaru , Suzuki Chise , Hirano Takashi
Published: September 2018

Enterococcus gilvus
CR1, isolated from raw cow’s milk, can produce carotenoids. The complete genome sequence of this strain was determined using the PacBio RS II platform.
Draft Genome Sequences of the Nitrate-Dependent Iron-Oxidizing Proteobacteria
Acidovorax
sp. Strain BoFeN1 and Paracoccus pantotrophus Strain KS1
Authors: Price A. , Macey M. C. , Miot J. , Olsson-Francis K.
Published: September 2018

The draft genomes of the nitrate-dependent iron-oxidizing bacteria
Acidovorax
sp. strain BoFeN1 and
Paracoccus pantotrophus
strain KS1 are presented.
Prevalence and causes of vision loss in North Africa and Middle East in 2015: magnitude, temporal trends and projections
Authors: Kahloun Rim , Khairallah Moncef , Resnikoff Serge , Cicinelli Maria Vittoria , Flaxman Seth R , Das Aditi , Jonas Jost B , Keeffe Jill E , Kempen John H , Leasher Janet , Limburg Hans , Naidoo Kovin , Pesudovs Konrad , Silvester Alexander J , Tahhan Nina , Taylor Hugh R , Wong Tien Yin , Bourne Rupert R A
Published: September 2018

Background

To assess the prevalence and causes of vision impairment in North Africa and the Middle East (NAME) from 1990 to 2015 and to forecast projections for 2020.

Methods

Based on a systematic review of medical literature, the prevalence of blindness (presenting visual acuity (PVA) <3/60 in the better eye), moderate and severe vision impairment (MSVI; PVA <6/18 but ≥3/60) and mild vision impairment (PVA <6/12 but ≥6/18) was estimated for 2015 and 2020.

Results

The age-standardised prevalence of blindness and MSVI for all ages and genders decreased from 1990 to 2015, from 1.72 (0.53–3.13) to 0.95% (0.32%–1.71%), and from 6.66 (3.09–10.69) to 4.62% (2.21%–7.33%), respectively, with slightly higher figures for women than men. Cataract was the most common cause of blindness in 1990 and 2015, followed by uncorrected refractive error. Uncorrected refractive error was the leading cause of MSVI in the NAME region in 1990 and 2015, followed by cataract. A reduction in the proportions of blindness and MSVI due to cataract, corneal opacity and trachoma is predicted by 2020. Conversely, an increase in the proportion of blindness attributable to uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy is expected.

Conclusions

In 2015 cataract and uncorrected refractive error were the major causes of vision loss in the NAME region. Proportions of vision impairment from cataract, corneal opacity and trachoma are expected to decrease by 2020, and those from uncorrected refractive error, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration are predicted to increase by 2020.
Pupillary light reaction in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease subjects compared with normal ageing controls
Authors: Van Stavern Gregory P , Bei Ling , Shui Ying-Bo , Huecker Julie , Gordon Mae
Published: September 2018

Background/aims

We wished to determine whether the pupillary light reaction can differentiate preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) subjects from normal ageing controls. We performed a prospective study evaluating the pupillary light reaction in a cohort of well-characterised subjects with preclinical AD versus normal ageing controls.

Methods

We recruited 57 subjects from our institution’s Memory and Aging Project, part of our Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. All subjects completed PET-PiB imaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and at least 1 neuropsychiatric assessment after their baseline assessment. All participants were assigned a clinical dementia rating and underwent a complete neuro-ophthalmic examination. Participants were divided into a dementia biomarker+ (preclinical AD) and biomarker– (normal ageing) group based on preclinical risk for Alzheimer’s dementia. Pupillometry measurements were performed by using the NeurOptics PLR-200 Pupillometer.

Results

A total of 57 subjects were recruited with 24 dementia biomarker+ and 33 dementia biomarker- individuals. A variety of pupil flash response (PLR) parameters were assessed. Comparisons between groups were analysed using generalised estimating equations. None of the pupillary parameters showed a significant difference between groups.

Conclusions

We found no significant differences in PLR between preclinical AD subjects and normal ageing controls. This suggests that the disease effect on the PLR may be small and difficult to detect at the earliest stages of the disease. Future studies could include larger sample size and chromatic pupillometry.
Association of peripartum troponin I levels with left ventricular relaxation in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Authors: Umazume Takeshi , Yamada Satoshi , Yamada Takahiro , Ishikawa Satoshi , Furuta Itsuko , Iwano Hiroyuki , Murai Daisuke , Hayashi Taichi , Okada Kazunori , Morikawa Mamoru , Tsutsui Hiroyuki , Minakami Hisanori
Published: September 2018

Objective

Women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) show elevated risk of heart failure despite decreased circulating plasma volume compared with those with normotensive control pregnancies (NCP). This study was performed to better characterise the heart in women with HDP and determine whether high-sensitivity troponin I (hs-TnI) around childbirth predicts reduced left ventricular (LV) relaxation at 1 month postpartum.

Methods

Echocardiography was performed longitudinally during the first, second and third trimesters and immediately postpartum within 1 week and 1 month postpartum in 24 women with HDP, with simultaneous determination of blood variables in comparison with 51 women with NCP.

Results

Compared with NCP, HDP showed greater antepartum left atrial (LA) volume, LV mass and inferior vena cava (IVC) diameter, higher peripartum brain natriuretic peptide/N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide and hs-TnI with the highest value immediately postpartum, and lower early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e') during pregnancy/postpartum. In analyses of data on HDP and NCP, hs-TnI at the third trimester as well as that immediately postpartum was negatively correlated with later e' at 1 month postpartum. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.82 and 0.81 for hs-TnI at the third trimester and immediately postpartum, respectively, in the prediction of reduced LV relaxation at 1 month postpartum.

Conclusion

Reduced LV diastolic function and decreased splanchnic blood reservoir may contribute to the increased third trimester IVC diameter and LA volume in women with HDP. The rise in hs-TnI around childbirth was associated with poor LV relaxation ability at 1 month postpartum.
Improving hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis as a postulated mechanism for the antidiabetic effect ofSpirulina platensisin comparison with metformin
Authors: Oriquat Ghaleb A. , Ali Mennatallah A. , Mahmoud Shimaa A. , Eid Rania M.H.M. , Hassan Rania , Kamel Maher A.
Published: September 2018

Various nutritional and medicinal potencies have been accredited to metabolites from the cyanobacteria, Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis) sp. Hence, our study was designed to examine whether the Spirulina supplementation would possess beneficial effects in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in comparison with metformin. High-fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin (HFD/STZ) model was adopted and the diabetic rats were orally treated with metformin (200 mg/kg) or Spirulina (250 or 500 or 750 mg/kg) for 30 days. Spirulina ameliorated the HFD/STZ-induced elevation of fasting blood glucose, insulin, and hepatic enzymes. Moreover, Spirulina successfully rectified disrupted serum lipid profile and exhibited an anti-inflammatory effect via tumor necrosis factor-α and adiponectin modulation. On the molecular level, Spirulina reduced the expression of hepatic sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), confirming its lipotropic effect. Furthermore, Spirulina amended compromised hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis signaling by significantly increasing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. On almost all parameters, the highest dose of Spirulina showed the best effects, which were comparable to that of metformin. To our knowledge, our study is the first to attribute the various aspects of the effect of Spirulina to the SREBP-1c and PGC-1α/Tfam/mtDNA pathways in liver. The present results clearly proved that Spirulina modulated glucose/lipid profile and exhibited prominent anti-inflammatory properties through SREBP-1c inhibition and hepatic mitochondrial biogenesis enhancement. Thus, Spirulina can be considered as an add-on to conventional antidiabetic agents and might influence the whole dynamics of the therapeutic approaches in T2DM.
Membrane paradigm from near-horizon soft hair
Authors: Grumiller D. , Sheikh-Jabbari M. M.
Published: September 2018

The membrane paradigm posits that black hole microstates are dynamical degrees of freedom associated with a physical membrane vanishingly close to the black hole’s event horizon. The soft hair paradigm postulates that black holes can be equipped with zero-energy charges associated with residual diffeomorphisms that label near-horizon degrees of freedom. In this paper we argue that the latter paradigm implies the former. More specifically, we exploit suitable near-horizon boundary conditions that lead to an algebra of “soft hair charges” containing infinite copies of the Heisenberg algebra, associated with area-preserving shear deformations of black hole horizons. We employ the near-horizon soft hair and its Heisenberg algebra to provide a formulation of the membrane paradigm and show how it accounts for black hole entropy.
Approximate supervised learning of quantum gates via ancillary qubits
Authors: Innocenti Luca , Banchi Leonardo , Bose Sougato , Ferraro Alessandro , Paternostro Mauro
Published: September 2018

We present strategies for the training of a qubit network aimed at the ancilla-assisted synthesis of multi-qubit gates based on a set of restricted resources. By assuming the availability of only time-independent single and two-qubit interactions, we introduce and describe a supervised learning strategy implemented through momentum-stochastic gradient descent with automatic differentiation methods. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the scheme by discussing the implementation of nontrivial three qubit operations, including a QFT and a half-adder gate.
Experimental Estimation of Friction and Friction Coefficient of a Lightweight Hydraulic Cylinder Intended for Robotics Applications
Authors: El Asswad Mohamad , AlFayad Samer , Khalil Khaled
Published: September 2018

Recently, hydraulic actuator has been used in several engineering applications such as: aeronautics, construction and robotics. This is due to the need of high torque and power density in such engineering applications. Despite these advantages, hydraulic actuators are fabricated from metallic materials, which provoke their heavy weight, which necessitate the development of a lightweight hydraulic actuator, fabricated of composite materials. Using composite materials in hydraulic cylinders, it is important to study the friction force characteristics and to estimate the friction coefficient between composites and O-rings, which is presented in this paper. This paper deals with the estimation of Coulomb friction and friction coefficient in the lightweight hydraulic cylinder fabricated mainly of composite materials. The actuator is presented by its dynamic equation of motion, where each term is discussed including the stiffness coefficient, the viscous damping coefficient, the kinematics and the pressure parameters. Meanwhile, these coefficients and parameters are obtained according to data recorded from conducted experiments. As a result, the new methodology which uses the experimental measurements combined the dynamic model has succeeded to evaluate the friction inside the hydraulic cylinder which has been estimated and found to be around 166[Formula: see text]N, while the corresponding coefficient of friction is computed (about 0.61 as average value). These results will be important for further optimization of the material choice and actuator design, which will help in the amelioration of the hydraulic cylinder.
Control of Wettability Using Regularly Ordered Two-Dimensional Polymeric Wavy Substrates
Authors: Yi Dong Kee
Published: September 2018

Two-dimensional poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) films with wavy patterns were studied in order to investigate reversible and irreversible wetting effects. Pre-strained, surface oxidized layers of PDMS were used to form relieved wavy geometries, on which hydrophobic functionalization was carried out in order to produce irreversible wetting effects. Wavy-patterned PDMS films showed time-dependent reversible wetting effects. The degree of surface wettability could be tuned by the choice of wavy groove geometries. And the groove geometries were controlled via O2 plasma treatment and mechanical pre-straining. The pre-strained, buckled PDMS films were applied to the fabrication of hydrophobic polystyrene nano-patterns using colloidal self-assembly, where the colloids were arrayed in two-dimensional way. The wavy polystyrene films were found to be more hydrophobic relative to flat polystyrene films. The grooving methodology used in this study could be applied to enhancing the hydrophobicity of other types of polymeric thin films, eliminating the need for chemical treatment.
Devonian (
c.
388–375 Ma) Horn River Group of Mackenzie Platform (NW Canada) is an open-shelf succession recording oceanic anoxic events
Authors: Kabanov P.
Published: September 2018

At least four horizons of enhanced anoxia (anoxic horizons; AHs) are recognized in the uppermost Eifelian–Middle Frasnian mudrock-dominated strata of the Mackenzie Valley and Peel area of NW Canada. Aluminium-normalized Mo and U logs in two cored sections reveal AH-I at the Eifelian–Givetian boundary, AH-II in basal Frasnian, and AH-III and AH-IV bundled in the Middle Frasnian interval. These four horizons are characterized by attenuated siliciclastic components. Spectral gamma-ray K + Th and U are the best tools to trace these horizons in wells and outcrops. AHs are biostratigraphically correlated with ‘black-shale events’ in several basins of the world. Depositional environment is depicted as a stratified basin where the water-column chemocline defined co-sedimentation of anoxic mudrocks in topographic lows and oxic grey shales and carbonate banks on seafloor elevations. Based on inductively coupled plasma elemental data from 1687 samples, siliciclastic-lean basinal mudrock units that host AHs are strongly enriched in Mo (median EFMo ∼ 97–172 EFMo/EFU ≈ (3–3.5) × SW, where EFMo and EFU are respectively Al-normalized Mo and U in enrichment factor notation and SW is average present-day seawater value) compared with siliciclastic-rich units (median EFMo ∼ 17–37) and show strong EFU/EFMo covariation (
r
 ≈ 0.8 in Canol Formation and Bluefish Member). Supported by a lack of geological evidence for an oceanographic barrier, this enrichment indicates unrestricted water exchange with Panthalassa. At the same time, development of oligotrophy is indicated by a lack of P enrichment and weak to non-existent enrichment in Zn and Cu. These features are reconciled through a model by earlier workers that involves a global shift to a warm greenhouse mode with slowed oceanic convection, expanded oxygen minimum zones and a failure of nutrient resupply from the upwelling. The onset of mass degassing in continental large igneous provinces represents a potential trigger for this mid-Devonian shift. Devonian black-shale events in this scenario represent genuine oceanic anoxic events marking hothouse episodes in their nascent form.

Supplementary material:
Details of methods, analytical protocols and data scatterplots, stratigraphic cross-sections showing traceability of anoxic horizons, and inductively coupled plasma elemental and Rock-Eval 6 data used in this study are available at:
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4212428
Timing of subduction initiation, arc formation, ophiolite obduction and India–Asia collision in the Himalaya
Authors: Searle Michael P.
Published: September 2018

Reconstruction of the Western Himalaya requires three subduction systems operating beneath the Spong arc, Dras–Kohistan arc and the Asian continent during the Late Cretaceous–Paleocene. The timing of the closure of the Neo-Tethys Ocean along the Indus Suture Zone (ISZ) in Ladakh and south Tibet has been proposed to be as old as
c.
65 Ma and as young as
c.
37 Ma. The definition of the India–Asia collision can span >15 myr from the first touching of Indian continental crust with Asian crust to the final marine sedimentation between the two plates. There is good geological evidence for a Late Cretaceous–Early Paleocene phase of folding, thrusting and crustal thickening of Indian Plate shelf carbonates associated with obduction of ophiolites. There is no geological evidence of any oceanic ‘Greater Indian Basin’ separating the northern Tethyan and Greater Himalaya from India. There is clear evidence to support final ending of marine sedimentation along the ISZ at 50 Ma (planktonic foraminifera zone P7–P8). There is no evidence for diachroneity of collision along the Pakistan–Ladakh–South Tibet Himalaya. The timing of ultrahigh-pressure metamorphism cannot be used to constrain India–Asia collision, and the timing of high-grade kyanite- and sillimanite-grade metamorphism along the Greater Himalaya can only give a minimum age of collision.