bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malaria in pregnancy alters
l
-arginine bioavailability and placental vascular development
Authors: McDonald Chloe R. , Cahill Lindsay S. , Gamble Joel L. , Elphinstone Robyn , Gazdzinski Lisa M. , Zhong Kathleen J. Y. , Philson Adrienne C. , Madanitsa Mwayiwawo , Kalilani-Phiri Linda , Mwapasa Victor , ter Kuile Feiko O. , Sled John G. , Conroy Andrea L. , Kain Kevin C.
Published: March 2018

Malaria in pregnancy alters
l
-arginine biosynthesis in Malawian women, and
l
-arginine supplementation improves placental vasculature and birth outcomes in a preclinical model.
Isoprenoid Quinones Resolve the Stratification of Redox Processes in a Biogeochemical Continuum from the Photic Zone to Deep Anoxic Sediments of the Black Sea
Authors: Becker Kevin W. , Elling Felix J. , Schröder Jan M. , Lipp Julius S. , Goldhammer Tobias , Zabel Matthias , Elvert Marcus , Overmann Jörg , Hinrichs Kai-Uwe
Published: March 2018

The stratified water column of the Black Sea serves as a model ecosystem for studying the interactions of microorganisms with major biogeochemical cycles. Here, we provide detailed analysis of isoprenoid quinones to study microbial redox processes in the ocean. In a continuum from the photic zone through the chemocline into deep anoxic sediments of the southern Black Sea, diagnostic quinones and inorganic geochemical parameters indicate niche segregation between redox processes and corresponding shifts in microbial community composition. Quinones specific for oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic respiration dominate oxic waters, while quinones associated with thaumarchaeal ammonia oxidation and bacterial methanotrophy, respectively, dominate a narrow interval in suboxic waters. Quinone distributions indicate highest metabolic diversity within the anoxic zone, with anoxygenic photosynthesis being a major process in its photic layer. In the dark anoxic layer, quinone profiles indicate the occurrence of bacterial sulfur and nitrogen cycling, archaeal methanogenesis, and archaeal methanotrophy. Multiple novel ubiquinone isomers, possibly originating from unidentified intra-aerobic anaerobes, occur in this zone. The respiration modes found in the anoxic zone continue into shallow subsurface sediments, but quinone abundances rapidly decrease within the upper 50 cm below the sea floor, reflecting the transition to lower energy availability. In the deep subseafloor sediments, quinone distributions and geochemical profiles indicate archaeal methanogenesis/methanotrophy and potentially bacterial fermentative metabolisms. We observed that sedimentary quinone distributions track lithology, which supports prior hypotheses that deep biosphere community composition and metabolisms are determined by environmental conditions during sediment deposition.

IMPORTANCE
Microorganisms play crucial roles in global biogeochemical cycles, yet we have only a fragmentary understanding of the diversity of microorganisms and their metabolisms, as the majority remains uncultured. Thus, culture-independent approaches are critical for determining microbial diversity and active metabolic processes. In order to resolve the stratification of microbial communities in the Black Sea, we comprehensively analyzed redox process-specific isoprenoid quinone biomarkers in a unique continuous record from the photic zone through the chemocline into anoxic subsurface sediments. We describe an unprecedented quinone diversity that allowed us to detect distinct biogeochemical processes, including oxygenic photosynthesis, archaeal ammonia oxidation, aerobic methanotrophy, and anoxygenic photosynthesis in defined geochemical zones.
Whole-Genome Sequence of Brucella melitensis CIIMS-BH-2, a Biovar 2 Strain Isolated from Human Blood
Authors: Kishnani Pooja M. , Tiwari Ankita A. , Mangalgi Smita S. , Barbuddhe Sukhadeo B. , Daginawala H. F. , Singh Lokendra R. , Kashyap Rajpal S.
Published: March 2018

Brucella
species are the etiological agent of brucellosis in humans and animals. Here, we report the whole-genome sequence of
Brucella melitensis
strain CIIMS-BH-2, belonging to biovar 2. The draft assembly of CIIMS-BH-2 is 3.31 Mb in size, with 57.2% G+C content.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Multidrug- and Colistin-Resistant
mcr-1
-Producing Escherichia coli Isolate from a Swine Farm in Mexico
Authors: Garza-Ramos Ulises , Tamayo-Legorreta Elsa , Arellano-Quintanilla Doris María , Rodriguez-Medina Nadia , Silva-Sanchez Jesús , Catalan-Najera Juan , Rocha-Martínez Marisol Karina , Bravo-Díaz María Asunción , Alpuche-Aranda Celia
Published: March 2018

A colistin-resistant
mcr-1
-carrying
Escherichia coli
strain, RC2-007, was isolated from a swine farm in Mexico. This extraintestinal and uropathogenic strain of
E. coli
belongs to serotype O89:H9 and sequence type 744. Assembly and annotation resulted in a 4.9-Mb draft genome that revealed the presence of plasmid-mediated
mcr-1
-IS
ApI1
genes as part of a prophage.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus licheniformis Heshi-B2, Isolated from Fermented Rice Bran in a Japanese Fermented Seafood Dish
Authors: Kanesaki Yu , Kubota Eri , Ohtake Rumi , Higashi Yukari , Nagaoka Junko , Suzuki Tomonori , Akuzawa Sayuri
Published: March 2018

Bacillus licheniformis
Heshi-B2 was isolated from fermented rice bran in Heshiko, a food produced by aging salted mackerel with fresh rice bran. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
B. licheniformis
Heshi-B2, originating from a Heshiko sample from Fukui Prefecture, Japan.
Genome Sequence of Enterococcus faecium Strain ICIS 96 Demonstrating Intermicrobial Antagonism Associated with Bacteriocin Production
Authors: Pashkova Tatiana M. , Vasilchenko Alexey S. , Khlopko Yuriy A. , Kochkina Elena E. , Kartashova Olga L. , Sycheva Maria V.
Published: March 2018

We report here the complete genome sequence of
Enterococcus faecium
strain ICIS 96, which was isolated from the feces of a horse. Bacteriological characterization of strain ICIS 96 revealed the absence of pathogenicity factors, while its spectrum of antagonistic activity was found to be broad, having activities associated with both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Analysis of the
E. faecium
ICIS 96 genome revealed five genes associated with antimicrobial activity (enterocin [ent] A, ent B, lactobin A/cerein 7b, and ent L50 A/B). No genes that correlate with human pathogenicity were identified.
Complete Genome Sequence of a Renamed Isolate, Trichoplusia ni Ascovirus 6b, from the United States
Authors: Liu Yuan-Yuan , Xian Wen-Fei , Xue Jin , Wei Yong-Lu , Cheng Xiao-Wen , Wang Xing
Published: March 2018

The complete genome of Trichoplusia ni ascovirus 6b (TnAV-6b) was sequenced for the first time. The TnAV-6b isolate, which has its closest phylogenetic relationship with the TnAV-6a isolate, has a circular genome of 185,664 bp, with a G+C content of 46.0% and 178 predicted open reading frames.
Costing of three feeding regimens for home-based management of children with uncomplicated severe acute malnutrition from a randomised trial in India
Authors: Garg Charu C , Mazumder Sarmila , Taneja Sunita , Shekhar Medha , Mohan Sanjana Brahmawar , Bose Anuradha , Iyengar Sharad D , Bahl Rajiv , Martines Jose , Bhandari Nita
Published: March 2018

Trial design

Three feeding regimens—centrally produced ready-to-use therapeutic food, locally produced ready-to-use therapeutic food, and augmented, energy-dense, home-prepared food—were provided in a community setting for children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in the age group of 6–59 months in an individually randomised multicentre trial that enrolled 906 children. Foods, counselling, feeding support and treatment for mild illnesses were provided until recovery or 16 weeks.

Methods

Costs were estimated for 371 children enrolled in Delhi in a semiurban location after active survey and identification, enrolment, diagnosis and treatment for mild illnesses, and finally treatment with one of the three regimens, both under the research and government setting. Direct costs were estimated for human resources using a price times quantity approach, based on their salaries and average time taken for each activity. The cost per week per child for food, medicines and other consumables was estimated based on the total expenditure over the period and children covered. Indirect costs for programme management including training, transport, non-consumables, infrastructure and equipment were estimated per week per child based on total expenditures for research study and making suitable adjustments for estimations under government setting.

Results

No significant difference in costs was found across the three regimens per covered or per treated child. The average cost per treated child in the government setting was estimated at US$56 (<3500 rupees).

Conclusion

Home-based management of SAM with a locally produced ready-to-use therapeutic food is feasible, acceptable, affordable and very cost-effective in terms of the disability-adjusted life years saved and gross national income per capita of the country. The treatment of SAM at home needs serious attention and integration into the existing health system, along with actions to prevent SAM.

Trial registration number

NCT01705769; Pre-results.
Cost-effectiveness of a complex workplace dietary intervention: an economic evaluation of the Food Choice at Work study
Authors: Fitzgerald Sarah , Murphy Aileen , Kirby Ann , Geaney Fiona , Perry Ivan J
Published: March 2018

Objective

To evaluate the costs, benefits and cost-effectiveness of complex workplace dietary interventions, involving nutrition education and system-level dietary modification, from the perspective of healthcare providers and employers.

Design

Single-study economic evaluation of a cluster-controlled trial (Food Choice at Work (FCW) study) with 1-year follow-up.

Setting

Four multinational manufacturing workplaces in Cork, Ireland.

Participants

517 randomly selected employees (18–65 years) from four workplaces.

Interventions

Cost data were obtained from the FCW study. Nutrition education included individual nutrition consultations, nutrition information (traffic light menu labelling, posters, leaflets and emails) and presentations. System-level dietary modification included menu modification (restriction of fat, sugar and salt), increase in fibre, fruit discounts, strategic positioning of healthier alternatives and portion size control. The combined intervention included nutrition education and system-level dietary modification. No intervention was implemented in the control.

Outcomes

The primary outcome was an improvement in health-related quality of life, measured using the EuroQoL 5 Dimensions 5 Levels questionnaire. The secondary outcome measure was reduction in absenteeism, which is measured in monetary amounts. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis (Monte Carlo simulation) assessed parameter uncertainty.

Results

The system-level intervention dominated the education and combined interventions. When compared with the control, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (€101.37/quality-adjusted life-year) is less than the nationally accepted ceiling ratio, so the system-level intervention can be considered cost-effective. The cost-effectiveness acceptability curve indicates there is some decision uncertainty surrounding this, arising from uncertainty surrounding the differences in effectiveness. These results are reiterated when the secondary outcome measure is considered in a cost–benefit analysis, whereby the system-level intervention yields the highest net benefit (€56.56 per employee).

Conclusions

System-level dietary modification alone offers the most value per improving employee health-related quality of life and generating net benefit for employers by reducing absenteeism. While system-level dietary modification strategies are potentially sustainable obesity prevention interventions, future research should include long-term outcomes to determine if improvements in outcomes persist.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN35108237; Post-results.
Provider-based barriers to provision of intrauterine contraception in general practice
Authors: Hoggart Lesley , Walker Susan , Newton Victoria Louise , Parker Mike
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Intrauterine contraception (IUC) is highly effective, safe and long-lasting, but is not a popular method of contraception among British women. This study examined barriers to the uptake of IUC in general practice in England.

Method

A sequential mixed-method approach to explore the views of practitioners regarding the provision of IUC. We e-surveyed 208 practitioners from 69 practices in a region of England and subsequently interviewed 14 practitioners from eight practices.

Results

Just under half of general practitioners (GPs) (46.8%; 58/124), and only 8.2% (4/49) of nurses reported being trained to fit IUC. Lack of knowledge of IUC was a barrier to fitting, and also to recommending IUC, especially by practitioners who were not trained to fit. There was discordance between reported knowledge of eligibility for IUC and the likelihood of recommending IUC. Respondents were less likely to recommend IUC to young, nulliparous women, women who had experienced a previous ectopic pregnancy, a recent sexually transmitted infection (STI), or an abnormal cervical smear. The qualitative data indicate that risk aversion and limited training, together with practitioners’ assessments that women are uninterested, may lead to IUC being precluded as a suitable method.

Conclusions

Increased practitioner education, for those not trained to fit IUC, may remove a barrier to the uptake of IUC in general practice. More research is required on the discordance between the practitioners’ views on the characteristics of women considered suitable for IUC, and the criteria set out in the UK Medical Eligibility Criteria (UKMEC) guidelines.
Relative deprivation and disordered gambling in youths
Authors: Elgar Frank J , Canale Natale , Wohl Michael J A , Lenzi Michela , Vieno Alessio
Published: March 2018

Background

Previous research has found that area-level income inequality and individual-level relative deprivation both contribute to disordered gambling in adults. However, the socioeconomic factors that contribute to disordered gambling in youths and protective factors in their social environment have not been fully explored. This study examined the association between relative deprivation and youth disordered gambling and the potential moderating role of social support in this association.

Methods

We used data on family material assets and self-reported symptoms of disordered gambling symptoms in 19 321 participants of the 2013/2014 Italian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. Relative deprivation was measured using the Yitzhaki index and classmates as a social reference group. Its association with disordered gambling was tested using multilevel negative binomial regression analyses. We also tested moderated effects of relative deprivation on disordered gambling by four sources of social support: families, peers, teachers and classmates.

Results

Relative deprivation related to a fourfold increase in the rate of disordered gambling symptoms (incidence rate ratio=4.18) after differences in absolute family wealth and other variables were statistically controlled. Symptoms were also more prevalent in males, first-generation immigrants and less supported youth. Peer support moderated the association between relative deprivation and symptoms, suggesting that high deprivation and low peer support have interactive links to disordered gambling.

Conclusion

Relative deprivation among classmates relate to youth symptoms of disordered gambling. Youth who live in economically unequal settings and perceive a lack of social support may be at greatest risk.
Obesity and its association with sociodemographic factors, health behaviours and health status among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal adults in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Thurber Katherine Ann , Joshy Grace , Korda Rosemary , Eades Sandra J , Wade Vicki , Bambrick Hilary , Liu Bette , Banks Emily
Published: March 2018

Background

High body mass index (BMI) is the second leading contributor to Australia’s burden of disease and is particularly prevalent among Aboriginal peoples. This paper aims to provide insight into factors relating to obesity among Aboriginal adults and Aboriginal–non-Aboriginal differences.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of data from the 45 and Up Study, comparing obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) prevalence and risk factors among 1515 Aboriginal and 213 301 non-Aboriginal adults in New South Wales. Age–sex-adjusted prevalence ratios (PRs) for obesity by sociodemographic factors, health behaviours and health status were estimated (multivariable log-binomial regression) for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants separately. We quantified the extent to which key factors (physical activity, screen time, education, remoteness, area-level disadvantage) accounted for any excess Aboriginal obesity prevalence.

Results

Obesity prevalence was 39% among Aboriginal and 22% among non-Aboriginal participants (PR=1.65, 95% CI 1.55 to 1.76). Risk factors for obesity were generally similar for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal participants and included individual-level and area-level disadvantage, physical inactivity, and poor physical and mental health, with steeper gradients observed among non-Aboriginal participants for some factors (Pinteraction<0.05). Many risk factors were more common among Aboriginal versus non-Aboriginal participants; key factors accounted for >40% of the excess Aboriginal obesity prevalence.

Conclusion

A substantial proportion of the excess obesity prevalence among Aboriginal versus non-Aboriginal participants was explained by physical activity, screen time, education, remoteness and area-level disadvantage. Socioeconomic and health behaviour factors are potential targets for promoting healthy BMI, but these must be considered within the context of upstream social and cultural factors. Adults with health needs and disability require particular attention.
Homozygous CHST11 mutation in chondrodysplasia, brachydactyly, overriding digits, clino-symphalangism and synpolydactyly
Authors: Shabbir Rana Muhammad Kamran , Nalbant Gökhan , Ahmad Nafees , Malik Sajid , Tolun Aslıhan
Published: March 2018

Background

Carbohydrate sulfotransferase 11 (CHST11) is a membrane protein of Golgi that catalyses the transfer of sulfate to position 4 of the N-acetylgalactosamine residues of chondroitin. Chondroitin sulfate is the predominant proteoglycan in cartilage, and its sulfation is important in the developing growth plate of cartilage. A homozygous deletion encompassing part of the gene and the embedded miRNA MIR3922 had been detected in a woman with hand/foot malformation and malignant lymphoproliferative disease. Chst11-deficient mouse has severe chondrodysplasia, congenital arthritis and neonatal lethality. We searched for the causative variant for the unusual combination of limb malformations with variable expressivity accompanied by skeletal defects in a consanguineous Pakistani kindred.

Methods

We performed detailed clinical investigations in family members. Homozygosity mapping using SNP genotype data was performed to map the disease locus and exome sequencing to identify the underlying molecular defect.

Results

The limb malformations include brachydactyly, overriding digits and clino-symphalangism in hands and feet and syndactyly and hexadactyly in feet. Skeletal defects include scoliosis, dislocated patellae and fibulae and pectus excavatum. The disease locus is mapped to a 1.6 Mb region at 12q23, harbouring a homozygous in-frame deletion of 15 nucleotides in CHST11. Novel variant c.467_481del (p.L156_N160del) is deduced to lead to the deletion of five evolutionarily highly conserved amino acids and predicted as damaging to protein by in silico analysis. Our findings confirm the crucial role of CHST11 in skeletal morphogenesis and show that CHST11 defects have variable manifestations that include a variety of limb malformations and skeletal defects.
Multiplex genomewide association analysis of breast milk fatty acid composition extends the phenotypic association and potential selection of FADS1 variants to arachidonic acid, a critical infant micronutrient
Authors: Mychaleckyj Josyf C , Nayak Uma , Colgate E Ross , Zhang Dadong , Carstensen Tommy , Ahmed Shahnawaz , Ahmed Tahmeed , Mentzer Alexander J , Alam Masud , Kirkpatrick Beth D , Haque Rashidul , Faruque Abu Syed Golam , Petri Jr William A
Published: March 2018

Background

Breast milk is the sole nutrition source during exclusive breastfeeding, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) are critical micronutrients in infant physical and cognitive development. There has been no prior genomewide association study of breast milk, hence our objective was to test for genetic association with breast milk FA composition.

Methods

We measured the fractional composition of 26 individual FAs in breast milk samples from three cohorts totalling 1142 Bangladeshi mothers whose infants were genotyped on the Illumina MEGA chip and replicated on a custom Affymetrix 30K SNP array (n=616). Maternal genotypes were imputed using IMPUTE.

Results

After running 33 separate FA fraction phenotypes, we found that SNPs known to be associated with serum FAs in the FADS1/2/3 region were also associated with breast milk FA composition (experiment-wise significance threshold 4.2×10−9). Hypothesis-neutral comparison of the 33 fractions showed that the most significant genetic association at the FADS1/2/3 locus was with fraction of arachidonic acid (AA) at SNP rs174556, with a very large per major allele effect size of 17% higher breast milk AA level. There was no evidence of independent association at FADS1/2/3 with any other FA or SNP after conditioning on AA and rs174556. We also found novel significant experiment-wise SNP associations with: polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) 6/PUFA3 ratio (sorting nexin 29), eicosenoic (intergenic) and capric (component of oligomeric Golgi complex 3) acids; and six additional loci at genomewide significance (<5×10−8).

Conclusions

AA is the primary FA in breast milk influenced by genetic variation at the FADS1/2/3 locus, extending the potential phenotypes under genetic selection to include breast milk composition, thereby possibly affecting infant growth or cognition. Breast milk FA composition is influenced by maternal genetics in addition to diet and body composition.
Substituted decision making and the dispositional choice account
Authors: Andersson Anna-Karin Margareta , Johansson Kjell Arne
Published: March 2018

There are two main ways of understanding the function of surrogate decision making in a legal context: the Best Interests Standard and the Substituted Judgment Standard. First, we will argue that the Best Interests Standard is difficult to apply to unconscious patients. Application is difficult regardless of whether they have ever been conscious. Second, we will argue that if we accept the least problematic explanation of how unconscious patients can have interests, we are also obliged to accept that the Substituted Judgment Standard can be coherently applied to patients who have never been conscious at the same extent as the Best Interests Standard. We then argue that acknowledging this result is important in order to show patients respect.
Characteristics of and risk factors for death in elderly patients with acute kidney injury: a multicentre retrospective study in China
Authors: Liu Jie-Qiong , Cai Guang-Yan , Liang Shuang , Wang Wen-Ling , Wang Si-Yang , Zhu Fang-Lei , Nie Sa-Sa , Feng Zhe , Chen Xiang-Mei
Published: March 2018

Purpose of the study

The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) with a poor prognosis in the elderly has been increasing each year. This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of and risk factors for death from AKI in the elderly and help improve prognosis.

Study design

This study was a retrospective cohort study based on data from adult patients (≥18 years old) admitted to 15 hospitals in China between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2011. The characteristics of AKI in the elderly were compared with those in younger patients.

Results

In elderly patients with AKI, rates of hypertension, cardiovascular disease and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) were higher than in younger patients (44.2% vs 31.2%, 16.1% vs 4.6% and 20.9% vs 16.9%, respectively), the length of ICU stay was longer (3.8 days vs 2.7 days, P=0.019) and renal biopsy (1.0% vs 7.13%, P<0.001) and dialysis (9.6% vs 19.2%, P<0.001) were performed less. Hospital-acquired (HA) AKI was more common than community-acquired (CA) AKI (60.3% vs 39.7%), while the most common cause of AKI was pre-renal (53.5%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR 1.041, 95% CI 1.023 to 1.059), cardiovascular disease (OR 1.980, 95% CI 1.402 to 2.797), cancer (OR 2.302, 95% CI 1.654 to 3.203), MODS (OR 3.023, 95% CI 1.627 to 5.620) and mechanical ventilation (OR 2.408, 95% CI 1.187 to 4.887) were significant risk factors for death.

Conclusions

HA-AKI and pre-renal AKI were more common in the elderly. Age, cardiovascular disease, cancer, MODS and mechanical ventilation were independent risk factors for death in the elderly with AKI.
POEMS neuropathy: optimising diagnosis and management
Authors: Keddie Stephen , D’Sa Shirley , Foldes David , Carr Aisling S , Reilly Mary M , Lunn Michael P T
Published: March 2018

POEMS syndrome is a rare and disabling autoinflammatory condition characterised by a typical peripheral neuropathy and the presence of a monoclonal plasma cell disorder. The acronym ‘POEMS’ represents the complex and multisystem features of the disease, including polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, a monoclonal plasma cell disorder and skin disease. The diagnosis of POEMS is a significant challenge because of the heterogeneity of clinical presentations and variation of POEMS features. Patients are often misdiagnosed with another cause of inflammatory neuropathy and receive one or more ineffective immunomodulatory medications, resulting in delayed diagnosis and further clinical deterioration before a diagnosis is made. University College London Hospitals sees one of the largest reported POEMS cohorts in Europe, and runs a multispecialist clinic to assist with diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support. This review draws upon our experience to present the typical features of POEMS syndrome and highlight diagnostic conundrums commonly experienced, supplemented with clinical cases. We provide an investigative guide for clinicians when considering POEMS as the diagnosis, and propose a treatment algorithm that centres on the site and degree of monoclonal cell proliferation.
A practical approach to the diagnosis of spinal cord lesions
Authors: Mariano Romina , Flanagan Eoin P , Weinshenker Brain G , Palace Jacqueline
Published: March 2018

Every neurologist will be familiar with the patient with atypical spinal cord disease and the challenges of taking the diagnosis forward. This is predominantly because of the limited range of possible clinical and investigation findings making most individual features non-specific. The difficulty in obtaining a tissue diagnosis further contributes and patients are often treated empirically based on local prevalence and potential for reversibility. This article focuses on improving the diagnosis of adult non-traumatic, non-compressive spinal cord disorders. It is structured to start with the clinical presentation in order to be of practical use to the clinician. We aim, by combining the onset phenotype with the subsequent course, along with imaging and laboratory features, to improve the diagnostic process.
Long-term assessment of ichthyoplankton in a large North American river system reveals changes in fish community dynamics
Authors: Tucker Taaja R. , Roseman Edward F. , DeBruyne Robin L. , Pritt Jeremy J. , Bennion David H. , Hondorp Darryl W. , Boase James C.
Published: March 2018

Larval fishes are sensitive to abiotic conditions and provide a direct measure of spawning success. The St. Clair – Detroit River System, a Laurentian Great Lakes connecting channel with a history of environmental degradation, has undergone improvements in habitat and water quality since the 1970s. We compared 2006–2015 ichthyoplankton community data with those collected prior to remediation efforts (1977–1978) to identify patterns in spatial and temporal variability. Both assemblages exhibited a predictable phenology, with taxa from the subfamily Coregoninae dominant in early spring followed by families Osmeridae, Percidae, and Moronidae (May–June) and Cyprinidae and Clupeidae (June–August). While higher densities of larval fish were found in the Detroit River, greater taxa richness and Shannon diversity were observed in the St. Clair River. System wide, 14 new taxa were observed in the 2000s study period. In addition, relative densities of two nonnative species, alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax), declined since the 1970s. Increased larval fish richness and decreased densities of nonnative taxa in the 2000s are consistent with improvements to environmental conditions.
Charge distributions and chemical effects. XL. Chemical bonds in benzenoid hydrocarbons
Authors: Fliszár S. , Cardinal G. , Baykara N. A.
Published: March 2018

Benzenoid hydrocarbons were examined using a bond energy scheme featuring the role of atomic charges. The latter were conveniently deduced from appropriate correlations between theoretical results and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance shifts. Atomization energies calculated in this manner agree with their experimental counterparts to within 0.36 kcal mol-1 (average deviation). It appears that benzenoid hydrocarbons can be efficiently described in terms of local charge density properties. In the absence of any distinctive specific feature characterizing benzenoids, this particular description of chemical bonds ultimately results in a unifying genealogy smoothly relating to one another the various possible types of CC and CH bonds which are formed by sp2 and sp3 carbons.
Quantum antibrackets: Polarization and parametrization
Authors: Batalin Igor A. , Lavrov Peter M.
Published: March 2018

By proceeding from a simple non-polarized formalism, we consider in detail the polarization procedure as applied to the generating equations of the quantum antibracket algebra, in terms of the parametrized generating operator.
Chiral magnetic effect in the presence of electroweak interactions as a quasiclassical phenomenon
Authors: Dvornikov Maxim , Semikoz Victor B.
Published: March 2018

We elaborate the quasiclassical approach to obtain the modified chiral magnetic effect (CME) in the case when the massless charged fermions interact with electromagnetic fields and the background matter by the electroweak forces. The derivation of the anomalous current along the external magnetic field involves the study of the energy density evolution of chiral particles in parallel electric and magnetic fields. We consider both the particle acceleration by the external electric field and the contribution of the Adler anomaly. The condition of the validity of this method for the derivation of the CME is formulated. We obtain the expression for the electric current along the external magnetic field, which appears to coincide with our previous results based on the purely quantum approach. Our results are compared with the findings of other authors.
Thermodynamical stability of FRW models with quintessence
Authors: Sharif M. , Ashraf Sara
Published: March 2018

In this paper, we study the thermodynamic stability of quintessence in the background of homogeneous and isotropic universe model. For the evolutionary picture, we consider two different forms of potentials and investigate the behavior of different physical parameters. We conclude that the quintessence model expands adiabatically and this expansion is thermodynamically stable for both potentials with suitable model parameters.
A Developed Two-Leg Ladder Multilevel Converter Structure
Authors: Alishah Rasoul Shalchi , Babaei Ebrahim , Hosseini Seyed Hossein , Sabahi Mehran
Published: March 2018

The applications of multilevel converters (MCs) in industry have been increased because of their advantages such as high quality output waveform and lower harmonic distortions. This paper proposes an improved two-leg ladder topology for MC. For generating all levels at output voltage waveform, two methods are investigated for selecting the values of dc sources. The suggested structure generates a large number of levels at output voltage waveform with the least number of power electronic components such as insulated gate bipolar transistors, gate driver circuits, dc voltage sources and anti-parallel diodes in comparison with other similar topologies. Also, the magnitude of blocked voltage by switches is low. Power losses analysis on the proposed topology is provided. It is shown that the number of on-state switches in the presented structure is less than other similar topologies, which causes the voltage drop and power losses of proposed topology to be reduced. To show the merits of the proposed structure, comparison results are provided with other structures. To validate the analytical results of proposed topology, an experimental work for a 9-level converter and the simulation results for a 25-level converter are provided. PSCAD/EMTDC software is used for simulation works.
A topologically minimal canonical Heegaard splitting of a surface bundle is critical
Authors: E Qiang
Published: March 2018

Every surface bundle with genus [Formula: see text] fiber has a canonical Heegaard splitting of genus [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we discuss the topological indices of such Heegaard surfaces and prove the canonical Heegaard splitting of a surface bundle is topologically minimal if and only if it is critical, that is, its topological index is 2.
Physics of superheavy dark matter in supergravity
Authors: Addazi Andrea , Marciano Antonino , Ketov Sergei V. , Khlopov Maxim Yu.
Published: March 2018

New trends in inflationary model building and dark matter production in supergravity are considered. Starobinsky inflation is embedded into [Formula: see text] supergravity, avoiding instability problems, when the inflaton belongs to a vector superfield associated with a [Formula: see text] gauge symmetry, instead of a chiral superfield. This gauge symmetry can be spontaneously broken by the super-Higgs mechanism resulting in a massive vector supermultiplet including the (real scalar) inflaton field. Both supersymmetry (SUSY) and the R-symmetry can also be spontaneously broken by the Polonyi mechanism at high scales close to the inflationary scale. In this case, Polonyi particles and gravitinos become superheavy, and can be copiously produced during inflation by the Schwinger mechanism sourced by the universe expansion. The Polonyi mass slightly exceeds twice the gravitino mass, so that Polonyi particles are unstable and decay into gravitinos. Considering the mechanisms of superheavy gravitino production, we find that the right amount of cold dark matter composed of gravitinos can be achieved. In our scenario, the parameter space of the inflaton potential is directly related to the dark matter one, providing a new unifying framework of inflation and dark matter genesis. A multi-superfield extension of the supergravity framework with a single (inflaton) superfield can result in a formation of primordial nonlinear structures like mini- and stellar-mass black holes, primordial nongaussianity, and the running spectral index of density fluctuations. This framework can be embedded into the SUSY GUTs inspired by heterotic string compactifications on Calabi–Yau three-folds, thus unifying particle physics with quantum gravity.
Thermodynamics of black holes in Rastall gravity
Authors: Lobo Iarley P. , Moradpour H. , Morais Graça J. P. , Salako I. G.
Published: March 2018

A promising theory in modifying general relativity (GR) by violating the ordinary energy–momentum conservation law in curved spacetime is the Rastall theory of gravity. In this theory, geometry and matter fields are coupled to each other in a nonminimal way. Here, we study thermodynamic properties of some black hole (BH) solutions in this framework, and compare our results with those of GR. We demonstrate how the presence of these matter sources amplifies the effects caused by the Rastall parameter in thermodynamic quantities. Our investigation also shows that BHs with radius smaller than a certain amount ([Formula: see text]) have negative heat capacity in the Rastall framework. In fact, it is a lower bound for the possible values of horizon radius satisfied by the stable BHs.
Thermodynamics of new black hole solutions in the Einstein–Maxwell-dilaton gravity
Authors: Dehghani M.
Published: March 2018

In the present work, thermodynamics of the new black hole solutions to the four-dimensional Einstein–Maxwell-dilaton gravity theory have been studied. The dilaton potential, as the solution to the scalar field equations, has been constructed out by a linear combination of three Liouville-type potentials. Three new classes of charged dilatonic black hole solutions, as the exact solutions to the coupled equations of gravitational, electromagnetic and scalar fields, have been introduced. The conserved charge and mass of the new black holes have been calculated by utilizing Gauss's electric law and Abbott–Deser mass proposal, respectively. Also, the temperature, entropy and the electric potential of these new classes of charged dilatonic black holes have been calculated, making use of the geometrical approaches. Through a Smarr-type mass formula, the intensive parameters of the black holes have been calculated and validity of the first law of black hole thermodynamics has been confirmed. A thermal stability or phase transition analysis has been performed, making use of the canonical ensemble method. The heat capacity of the new black holes has been calculated and the points of type one- and type two-phase transitions as well as the ranges at which the new charged dilatonic black holes are locally stable have been determined, precisely.
TRUNK MUSCLE ACTIVATION IN CHILDREN WITH SPASTIC DIPLEGIC CEREBRAL PALSY USING A HIPPOTHERAPY SIMULATOR
Authors: Flanagan Aaron M. , Liu Xue-Cheng , Cope Steve
Published: March 2018

Purpose: To determine if there is a difference in trunk muscle activation in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP) compared to typically developing (TD) children while being held in different positions on a hippotherapy simulator. Methods: Five children with spastic diplegic CP and five TD children of similar age were recruited through the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. The participants were held in static positions sitting on a hippotherapy simulator at 10[Formula: see text], 15[Formula: see text], and 20[Formula: see text] from the midline to front, back, and side positions. Surface electromyography (sEMG) data were collected from the left and right latissimus dorsi, hip adductor, middle trapezius, and rectus abdominis muscles. The pooled mean sEMG amplitude, at each position, served as the main outcome measurement. Results: The forward position at 20[Formula: see text] for the left and right lower rectus abdominis and right middle trapezius muscles had an effect size of [Formula: see text]. This was also evident in the right middle trapezius at 10[Formula: see text] in the forward and left tilted positions, and in the right latissimus dorsi at the 10[Formula: see text] left tilted position. Conclusion: Different sEMG in the abdominal, middle trapezius, and latissimus dorsi muscles in children with spastic diplegic CP suggests that utilizing a trunk position of different angles may improve the current therapeutic methods in the recruitment of trunk muscles.
CALCANEUM OSTEOSARCOMA A RARE CAUSE OF HEEL PAIN: HOW TO PREVENT DELAY IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND THE REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Authors: Salunke Abhijeet Ashok , Chauhan Tapan Singh , Shah Jaymin , Parmar Rahul , Chaudhari Manish , Konchada Srikant , Joshi Prateik , Singh Animesh , Kanani Himanshu , Pathak Subodh , U Prahalad
Published: March 2018

Pain around the foot and ankle joint is often misdiagnosed as plantar fasciitis and may lead to delayed diagnosis of osteosarcoma in foot. Delay in diagnosis can lead to adverse prognosis and poor survival outcomes. We present a patient who had primary osteosarcoma of the calcaneum that was initially diagnosed and treated for plantar fasciitis, resulting in a delay of diagnosis. The patient eventually was treated with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by below-knee amputation and adjuvant chemotherapy. This case highlights the need to maintain an index of suspicion with close scrutiny of the radiographs. We suggest few clinical recommendations and need for a great suspicion while evaluating a mass arising from the calcaneum.
Dynamic Responses of Functionally Graded Sandwich Beams Resting on Elastic Foundation Under Harmonic Moving Loads
Authors: Songsuwan Wachirawit , Pimsarn Monsak , Wattanasakulpong Nuttawit
Published: March 2018

This paper investigates the free vibration and dynamic response of functionally graded sandwich beams resting on an elastic foundation under the action of a moving harmonic load. The governing equation of motion of the beam, which includes the effects of shear deformation and rotary inertia based on the Timoshenko beam theory, is derived from Lagrange’s equations. The Ritz and Newmark methods are employed to solve the equation of motion for the free and forced vibration responses of the beam with different boundary conditions. The results are presented in both tabular and graphical forms to show the effects of layer thickness ratios, boundary conditions, length to height ratios, spring constants, etc. on natural frequencies and dynamic deflections of the beam. It was found that increasing the spring constant of the elastic foundation leads to considerable increase in natural frequencies of the beam; while the same is not true for the dynamic deflection. Additionally, very large dynamic deflection occurs for the beam in resonance under the harmonic moving load.
Time-Varying Delay Estimation Applied to the Surface Electromyography Signals Using the Parametric Approach
Authors: Luu Gia Thien , Boualem Abdelbassit , Duy Tran Trung , Ravier Philippe , Butteli Olivier
Published: March 2018

Muscle Fiber Conduction Velocity (MFCV) can be calculated from the time delay between the surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals recorded by electrodes aligned with the fiber direction. In order to take into account the non-stationarity during the dynamic contraction (the most daily life situation) of the data, the developed methods have to consider that the MFCV changes over time, which induces time-varying delays and the data is non-stationary (change of Power Spectral Density (PSD)). In this paper, the problem of TVD estimation is considered using a parametric method. First, the polynomial model of TVD has been proposed. Then, the TVD model parameters are estimated by using a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) strategy solved by a deterministic optimization technique (Newton) and stochastic optimization technique, called simulated annealing (SA). The performance of the two techniques is also compared. We also derive two appropriate Cramer–Rao Lower Bounds (CRLB) for the estimated TVD model parameters and for the TVD waveforms. Monte-Carlo simulation results show that the estimation of both the model parameters and the TVD function is unbiased and that the variance obtained is close to the derived CRBs. A comparison with non-parametric approaches of the TVD estimation is also presented and shows the superiority of the method proposed.
Numerical Simulation of the Ice Resistance in Pack Ice Conditions
Authors: Yang Biye , Zhang Guiyong , Huang Zhigang , Sun Zhe , Zong Zhi
Published: March 2018

In this study, the ice resistance of ship under the pack ice condition has been estimated using Multi-Material Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian formulation and penalty-based fluid–structure interaction technique. Especially, the hydrodynamic loads occurring during the ship–ice interaction were combined in the numerical model, which could be important for simulating pack ice conditions. The feasibility of the hydrostatic and hydrodynamic performance in the fluid model was verified, respectively. By using an ice field generation algorithm to generate randomly distributed pack ices, the ice resistance of an oil tanker has been calculated and validated by comparing with the empirical formula. Moreover, the necessity to consider water effect in the interaction between ship and ice was also discussed.
SPH Method with Space-Based Variable Smoothing Length and Its Applications to Free Surface Flow
Authors: Shi Wenkui , Chen Jianqiang , Shen Yanming , Jiang Yi
Published: March 2018

In order to improve the computational efficiency and spatial resolution of smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method, a SPH method with space-based variable smoothing length has been developed. In addition, since linked-list search algorithm cannot handle the variable smoothing length problems, an improved linked-list search algorithm and a balanced alternating digital tree (B-ADT) search algorithm have been proposed. The performance of the two improved search algorithms has been evaluated in detail. These methods have been used to simulate two cases of water entry impact and two cases of gas–liquid two-phase flow. The results show that, by using space-based variable smoothing length algorithm, computational cost can be greatly reduced and the numerical accuracy is maintained.
Interval Identification of Structural Parameters Using Interval Deviation Degree and Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Guo Zhaopu , Deng Zhongmin
Published: March 2018

This paper is devoted to the interval identification of structural parameters in the aspect of uncertainty propagation and uncertainty quantification. The accurate interval estimation of structural responses can be efficiently obtained by application of Monte Carlo (MC) simulation combined with surrogate models. By means of the concept of interval length, a novel quantitative metric named as interval deviation degree (IDD) is constructed to characterize the disagreement of interval distributions between analytical modal data and measured modal data. The nominal values and interval radii of the system parameters are well estimated by solving two optimization problems. Finally, numerical and experimental case studies are given to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method in the interval identification of structural parameters.
An algorithm for obtaining real stress field of hyperelastic materials based on digital image correlation system
Authors: Li Ziqian , Liu Zishun
Published: March 2018

Soft matter with hyperelastic behavior may be harnessed for novel applications. However, it is not achievable if the mechanical behaviors of soft matter are not well understood. At present, various traditional extensometers have been used to measure the engineering strain of materials to determine the mechanical properties. The basic assumption of extensometers is that the strain is assumed to be uniform over the gage length. However, this assumption does not hold good in case of experimental specimens having significant nonuniform strain distribution, for example, tensile tests on notched specimens or materials that undergo localized deformations. Hence, it is imperative to adopt a new method which enables us to capture the actual strain field on the surface of a material. Digital image correlation (DIC) technique is an adequate approach that has been widely used in many fields of science and engineering. In this paper, we have presented a mapping algorithm for hyperelastic materials, translating the strain field provided by DIC to the stress field based on continuum mechanics. It overcomes the limitation of extensometers and captures the real stress field for such materials. This method will not only improve the measuring accuracy of stress and strain fields in current experiments, but also greatly promote the study of the localized characteristic for nonlinear and inhomogeneous materials.